Recent Belize News, 9/1/2013 to 9/10/2013, BelizeNews.com

Last night's TV news on Channel 7 and Channel 5
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Highlighting Belizean Music-“Come Closer-Remix”- by TR Shine ft Melonie Gillett
The multi-talented 29 year old Belizean songstress Melonie Gillett brings her melodious vocals to TR Shine’s single “Come Closer.” After hearing the original version to the song, Gillett goes on to say she immediately fell in love with the energy. “The melody and the lyrics were very catchy. TR and I had discussed a collaboration for some time now, and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity. So I added a little twist to it.” The two set out to the studio, working together to re-create the soca charged lyrics of TR Shine with Melonie’s flawless harmonies. Together they worked magic in re-creating the tune and the end result: “Come Closer-Remix” is nothing less than two thumbs up! The best part… it’s right in time for Carnival!

National Fishermen’s Producers Cooperative Society Ltd opens branch on the island
The opening of a San Pedro outlet is welcome news for the local fishermen, because since the closure of the island’s Caribeña Producers Cooperative, they have been forced to find alternate options to sell their fishing product (sometimes traveling to the city). The Belize City based cooperative has a long history of working with local fishermen, since the products of the defunct Caribeña Producers Cooperative were processed by the National Fishermen Producers Cooperative Society Limited. “We are looking at buying directly from both our members and non members on Ambergris Caye. We are working on training our staff on the island to be able to select our products. Once the training is completed, which will take a few weeks, we will be ready to start receiving fishery products on the island,” said Bradley. Besides purchasing fishery products, the outlet also has a wide variety of produce.

Belize Rural South has a new PUP executive
Replacing Paz is the New Party Chairman Nicholas “Nico” Varela. Varela is no stranger to politics, since he has served as a member of the San Pedro Town Council in the 90’s. His Vice Chairman is Councilor Gualberto “Wally” Nuñez, the only PUP councilor on the current town council. Joining the executive are Campaign Manager Darwin Palma, Deputy Campaign Manager Dina Graniel, Treasurer Rene Guzman, Vice Treasurer Pablo Sosa, Secretary Omar “Canasi” Guerrero, Public Relation and Media Coordinator Monica Gamez, Head of the Marshal Nigel Belisle, Coordinator of the Belize Youth Movement Jacqueline Eiley and Political Advisor Mike Estell. Following the election process, Gamez told The San Pedro Sun that while the new executive has been elected, the official swearing in will take place on the 29th of September to coincide with the PUP’s 63rd anniversary. That event will take place at the PUP Headquarters at Independence Hall in Belize City.

Ambergris Today

Ministry of Health and Peace Corps Partner for Rural Family Health
A total of sixteen (16) new Peace Corps Volunteers are in country for a two year work mission. They aim to partner with community health workers on a Rural Family Health Programme, an initiative of the Ministry of Health and Peace Corps. Volunteers will be assigned to Cayo, Orange Walk, Toledo and Belize Districts. The pioneer team arrived on June 26 and was enrolled in an intensive orientation and training program which ended August 13. This marks the first time that all volunteers will be assigned to the Ministry of Health to work in primarily rural communities for their stay; and the first all Peace Corps Volunteers will live with host families for the full duration of service.

Odd-Looking Fish Caught in San Pedro
This weekend some fishermen drew in a big crowd as they came in with their big catch of the day; a boat-load of fish. There ware all different types of fish, but there was one in particular that stood out from the rest; it wasn't because of its color or size, but its bulging eyes. It was literally an eye-popping sight looking at this 'comic' fish. We believe it came from Bikini Bottom, too bad Spongebob and Patrik weren't around to say hello.

The Very First Plane Landing in San Pedro
The serenity of the day was interrupted with this loud sound, that of a loud engine. When villagers looked up, they surprisingly and perhaps with some fear discovered that it was a plane. It circled around the village once and headed towards the reef. By that time the school children were out of their classes and all gleefully shouting at the beach.

Biologically Appropriate Technology or GMO
Biologically appropriate technology is designed to do no harm to the environment – the air, water and soil in which we, and all animals, depend on for life. It is working with nature, not against it. It is learning from and respecting nature. An example of biologically appropriate technology would be energy, produced on site where needed, from renewable sources. Interestingly, energy is an area where humans have made some serious wrong turns and where we should have learned that we must be very careful about who is telling us what and why. Having been an environmental journalist turned anti-nuclear/pro-renewable energy activist, I am seeing similar patterns in the debate over GMO corn as existed in the nuclear debate. The parallels lie in how the public was sold on nuclear power back when there was controversy and concern that nuclear power might not be “biologically appropriate technology.” Touted as being “safe, clean, and too cheap to meter” by the industries that financially benefited, nuclear energy turned out to be an expensive environmental nightmare, costing trillions, and many lives.

Misc Belizean Sources

2013 September Celebrations Calendar
Official Schedule of Events for the month of September!

Letter: My views on an elected senate in Belize
The two political parties have been using the senate to appoint people to become ministers of their government over the elected members of the House of Representatives. I believe that, in a democracy, appointed people should never have more power than elected people. In this type of arrangement it is the opposite. The PUP has used this more than the UDP and, if I can remember correctly, Dean Barrow our current PM is the first UDP prime minister to appoint unelected people to be senators and then make them ministers of his government. 3. In the United States, the Senate has different functions from the House of Representatives that are clearly defined. If we are going to have an elected senate it will be wise to state what the duties of the senate will be that is different from the House of Representatives.

Pool Tournament at Mom's Backyard
Mom's Backyard hosted a 9 ball tournament Sunday. This was the first of many that will be held around Cayo. Congratulations to Wallace, Montes, and David! The next one will be a Halloween billiards tournament, so start honing your shooting skills. "The 9 ball billiards tournament was held at Mom's Backyard today. Wallace took 1st, Montes was 2nd place, and David came in 3rd."

SANTA ELENA FLASH FLOOD
A heavy downpour on Monday afternoon resulted in flash flooding in Santa Elena town.

VIDEO: Belize Carnival King and Queen Competition 2013
The Belize Carnival King and Queen Competition is growing by leaps and bounds with new entries and improved levels of costume making for Carnival 2013. This year there were a total of 22 competitors in 4 different categories. The categories are Junior Queen, Junior King, Senior Queen and Senior King. I must say that this was a very exciting event that had the crowds cheering, hooting, hollering and blowing whistles for their neighborhood representatives or the costume they thought was the best. The king and queen participant vigorously worked their costumes to the soca music of Belizean Artists TR Shine and Ernestine Carballo as well as many other international Soca Artists as the crowds cheered louder and louder. In the end only one from each category could emerge victorious as the number 1 King and Queen. This years winnners are: Junior Queen 1st - Queen Tatiana - Sunshine Masqueraders 2nd - Queen Xateia - Sunshine Masqueraders 3rd - Queen Ixchel - Jump Street Posse Junior King - 1st - King Charikanari - Jump Street Posse 2nd - King Heidies - Sunshine Masqueraders 3rd - King Aqua - Pickstock Carnival Band Senior Queen 1st - Queen Fantasia - Eternity Mas Band 2nd - Queen Herta - Mother's Nature Creation 3rd - Queen La Bella - Mother's Nature Creation Senior King. 1st - King Lionel - Belizean Jewels 2nd - King Marfin - Belizean Jewel 3rd - King Harmen - Trench Town Masqueraders

San Pedro Sailing Club Gets Help
We are pleased to announce that the SPSC has secured the support of our sponsors from the Palapa Bar and Grill, Sanpedroweather.com, Ambergris Lakes and Palo Alto for the sole use of their boats for the purpose of training the children of San Pedro to sail, to race and to compete in all BzSA events. We have additional sponsors for a further 7 boats, and we graciously encourage participation by the boats of any and all other sponsors. We will be holding the first race of the Fall (Autumn) Series this Sunday 15th of September, 10am at Coconuts which will qualify our sailors for the Corozal regatta and will promote our current contenders on to the BzSA Nationals in December.

Channel 7

Cop Killed Cop, COMPOL Says It’s Not Murder
Tonight, police are investigating the killing of a police constable, and the man who killed him is another constable. It’s an event that is virtually without precedent, but was it an accident, or a reckless and excessive use of firepower? We went looking for answers today:… Jules Vasquez reporting The police flag was at half mast with a bow over the door at eastern division headquarters for 24 year old Constable Dean Yearwood, who was killed on Saturday morning by another police. Police Commissioner Allen Whylie says this is the first time such a cop on cop killing has happened in his 26 years in the department: Allen Whylie - Commissioner of Police "It's indeed a great loss for his family as well as the Belize Police Department - he was a good officer so indeed it was a tragedy that had befallen us."

Second Murder In Western Corridor in 24 Hours
And while that is not being investigated as a homicide, murder is clearly the case in Western Belize where a man was found burned up in his car in Teakettle. Daniel Aguirre was well known in Belize as the 2011 KTV Latino winner – but his fame and his winning voice played no role to a merciless killer on Friday night. His became the second murder in the villages outside of Belmopan in less than 24 hours. Here’s what police know so far:.. Daniel Ortiz reporting (Footage Courtesy PLUS TV) Early Saturday morning, police found the car of the well-known Belmopan Taxi driver, Daniel Aguirre, abandoned on Pook's Hill Road near Tea Kettle Village. ASP Sinquest Martinez - OC, Belmopan Police "We responded to a call on Saturday morning in the Pook's Hill area behind Arizona village where we found a car, burnt and human remains inside the car."

Mas Guate Gold Panners
There are more Guatemalan Gold Panners in the Chiquibul to tell you about tonight. On Friday, the Southern Joint Forces Unit comprising BDF, Police and Friends for Conservation and Development rangers launched an operation in extreme southern are of the Chiquibul National Park. Around midday, they found five Guatemalan men gold panning more than five miles within Belizean territory. Three of them had vials with a total of about 20 grammes of gold. The market price is about $57.00 dollars per gramme. They were taken on the very long trek back to the San Ignacio Police Station where they were charged for illegal entry, defacing a protected area, extracting and possessing a mineral without a permit. A release from the Friends for Conservation and Development says that the group had been operating in the area for a few days. Their arrest was preceded by another arrest earlier in the week when another Guatemalan was found with a vial of gold. FCD reports that the four vials confiscated in the past week had a over 24 grams documented. They lament that gold extraction is now happening at the higher elevations of the Chiquibul headwaters. The release adds, quote,

Arrest In Roaring Creek Murder
In our top segment, we told you about the latest murder in Western Belize. Police continue to investigate that case, but while they're doing that, they say that they’ve solved the murder of 34 year-old Nigel Neal, who was killed in front of his mother’s house in Roaring Creek on Friday morning. Today, Belmopan Police arrested and charged 20 year-old Erlin Giovanni Archiaga, a resident of Lloro, Honduras, with the crime of murder. We asked the Commanding Officer to explain to us what led them to make the arrest, and how confident investigators are of the case against Archiaga:

Man Who Beat Brother In Law Remanded
47 year old Luis Gordon is spending his first night behind bars after he was remanded to prison for the attempted murder of 39 year old Roberto Gilharry, his brother-in-law. They had a dispute about parking space in their shared yard early on Friday morning. Gordon reportedly approached Gilharry with a shovel and struck him to the left side of his head from behind. Gilharry stumbled to the ground and Gordon continued hit him several more times. The shovel then broke and Gordon then reportedly used the stick to hit Gilharry who was, by this time, close to losing consciousness. Gilharry's common law wife then came out and tried to pull him into their house since he had fallen right at the door.

Mixed Messages From Placencia Village Council
Tonight, there are mixed messages coming out of the Placencia Village Council – after a strange press release. The release is based on a village meeting which was held two months ago on July 13th, 2013. That’s where villager Kristine Small raised the issue of Norwegian Cruise Line’s proposed Harvest Caye Cruise Tourism Project. There was a vote and Villagers took a decision to support the National Tourism Master Plan. That plan says “the only acceptable form of cruise tourism for the southeast coast of Belize is pocket cruise tourism.” Now, for those who don’t know, pocket cruises are those that have 250 – 300 passengers on board. Now, Norwegian Cruise Line, their ships like “The Epic” hold more than four thousand passengers, so that’s definitely not pocket cruising. And that’s what makes today’s release so odd. Because after endorsing pocket cruising, it then goes on to use that miniature model to somehow endorse the mega cruising that Norwegian Cruise Line Represents. The statement says, quote,

Choreographed Craziness Of Carnival King & Queen Competition
All last week we showed you the Carnival Mas Camps - a crazy mash-up of the most delicate and detailed costume preparation alongside dance moves that are simultaneously raw and rehearsed. Indeed, carnival is a study in contrasts: elaborate, painstakingly put together costumes that are meant to be appreciated not in a show-window, but on the streets, in the kinetic craziness of carnival day. That craziness though is not a one day thing; it’s like a tsunami that slowly swells, cresting only on carnival day. We get a chance to ride the wave at a few dates before it crashes unto the streets. The carnival King and Queen is one of them where all the big costumes are rolled out for a real time dress rehearsal. Here’s how this year’s event went: Daniel Ortiz reporting The 2013 Carnival King and Queen Competition was all about grandeur. The costume entries were elaborate with razor sharp attention to details, and elaborate, carefully chosen colors.

Marion Jones Complex, Coming On, Slowly
Last week Wednesday, the minister of state with responsibility for Sports had to defend what looks like painfully slow progress on the construction of the Marion Jones Sporting Complex. He challenged the media to tour the facility ourselves to see just how far along the contractors are. Today, he organized that tour and Daniel Ortiz was there: Longsworth plans to launch his master plan to talk about the additional parts of the stadium. He stressed that these additions will not delay the access to the facility in any way, and he still plans to have it open to the public by the end of the year.

Territorial Volunteers Faced Off With GAF
On Sunday Will Maheia’s Belize Territorial Volunteers had a confrontation with the Guatemalan military. It happened in the Sarstoon River – which forms Belize’s southern border with Guatemala. Maheia said they went out to put a flag on Sarstoon Island which – according tot eh 1859 treaty is the southern-most point in Belize – exactly halfway across the Sarstoon – the other half of the river is in Guatemala. Meheia says he and his volunteers were on the Belize side of the river when a heavily armed Guatemalan military patrol came over into the Belize side of the river to question them. Maheia says the encounter started out with a hint of confrontation when the Guatemalans started to question him but after a while that was defused. The encounter ended cordially – and the Guatemalan military went back to their side of the river.

Belize’s Girls Did Good!
On Friday, we told you how Belize’s youth female volleyballers were in Guatemala City waiting for the outcome of a match to determine if they would qualify for a medal in the Central American Championship. Well, it didn’t go their way, and they came in fourth. Still the team came home on Saturday with their heads high as Belizean players won won 4 of the 9 individual awards. Karen Quan won Best Setter, Kevanna Sebastian won Best Blocker, Nayala Tun won Best Digger and Best Libero. A release form the volleyball association says “We are all very proud of their success.”

Channel 5

A cop is killed at the hands of another in the city
The police department finds itself in a quagmire tonight. It is investigating one of its own who shot and killed another cop on Saturday morning. Of the eleven bullets fired, [...]

Is shooting death considered murder?
Commissioner Whylie, flanked by the brass of the Belize Police Department, also commented on the direction of the investigation, as well as the subsequent action to be taken against Grant [...]

Honduran national charged for Roaring Creek Murder
Just before eight on Friday morning, thirty-three year old Nigel Neal was gunned down in front of his mother’s house on Progress Avenue in Roaring Creek Village. Blue, as he [...]

Charred remains of the KTV Latino King, Daniel Aguirre, found in his taxi
Two men lost their lives over the weekend. The first is a police officer who died at the hands of another in the city…we will come to that shortly. The [...]

Media tour of twenty-million dollar Marion Jones Stadium
Construction of a world class facility to be called the Marion Jones Sporting Complex commenced in 2004. Two political terms and several re-incarnations later, the complex is still underway. The [...]

Marion Jones Sporting Complex soon to be opened, but only to tertiary level sports
When the Marion Jones Sporting Complex does open, whether in 2013 or 2014, there will be new rules put in place. One of those new rules is that the facility [...]

Belizeans will now have to join club in order to use national stadium
And there’s another issue which probably won’t sit easy with Belizeans who’ve gotten used to taking that early morning or evening workout at the National Stadium. You’ll still be able [...]

Belize Territorial Volunteers met by armed Guatemalan soldiers along border
On Sunday, Wil Maheia and the Belize Territorial Volunteers headed south from Punta Gorda to the border with Guatemala. With September underway, Maheia says the group wanted to show its [...]

Group of 5 caught illegally panning for gold in Chiquibul
Early last week, a Guatemalan national was arrested for gold panning activities in the Ceibo Chico area of the Chiquibul National Park. There is another arrest to report; on Friday, [...]

Did Elrich Trench attack his landlord?
A tenant who clashed with his landlord found himself before the court this morning. Elrich Trench was arraigned in the court of the Chief Magistrate, Ann Marie Smith, for two [...]

Man charged for trying to kill his brother-in-law
Following a family dispute in the city on Friday afternoon, police arrested and charged a deportee for the offense of Attempted Murder and Grievous Harm upon his own brother-in-law. Last [...]

The Kings and Queens of Carnival 2013
This coming Saturday, the spectacular Carnival Road March kicks off at the Yarborough Green at noon ending at Memorial Park after hours of constant gyration on the streets and choreographed [...]

A look back at the life of Daniel Aguirre, the 2011 KTV Latino King
We told you earlier in the newscast that Daniel Aguirre was killed sometime after midnight on Friday after he had left La Cabana Restaurant and Bar. Aguirre’s charred remains were [...]

The weekend games of cycling, female football and basketball
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday. The Atlantic Bank Inter-district Female Football Competition produced its champion Saturday at the F.F.B. Stadium as Triple B and [...]

LOVE FM

Police Says Man Was Going Equipped with Tools
A man was charged for “going equipped”. According to Police reports, on Friday, September 6 at around 4:35am Corozal CIB Officers were in the Joseito Layout Area in Corozal Town conducting mobile patrol when their attention was drawn to a male person dressed in black shirt and dark color three quarter pants riding on a bicycle. Police recognized the individual as 33 year old Jeremy Matura. A search was conducted on his person which resulted in the discovery of a blue Phillips screw driver and a yellow and brown flat screw driver and a rusty silver looking vice- grip in his right front pants pocket. Matura who is a Belizean laborer of San Antonio village, Corozal District, was arrested and charged for going equipped

Police Confiscates Drugs and Charges Driver for Possession
On Friday at about 11:00pm Corozal Police were on mobile patrol on 7th Avenue, Corozal Town, when they saw a red Nissan Sentra car being driven at the time by Israel Rancharan of Halls Layout. As a result Police stopped the car and informed the driver that a search would be conducted on his vehicle. Nothing incriminating was found. The driver was informed that the vehicle will be brought to the police station for further searches. Police escorted Rancharan along with his vehicle to the Police Station, where upon arriving at the police station a further search was conducted in the vehicle in presence of the driver, where between the two front seat police found a transparent plastic bag containing, two small parcels containing green leafy vegetable substances suspected to be cannabis, it was shown to the accused, he was cautioned and told his constitutional rights. The suspected drugs were weighed amounting to 53.3 grams. Rancharan was arrested and charged for possession of controlled drug.

Family Feud In Belize City Leaves Man Injured
Forty-seven year old Luis Gordon, a resident of Amara Avenue who allegedly beat his brother-in-law with a shovel and chopped him with a machete, was charged with attempted murder and grievous harm when he appeared in court. Magistrate Dale Cayetano did not take a plea because the offences are indictable. He remanded Gordon into custody until October 28. The incident occurred around 6:20 a.m. on September 6. Thirty-seven year old Roberto Gilharry, who reside in the same yard as Gordon, reported to the police that Gordon beat him with a shovel and chopped him with a machete on the left side of his shoulder. He said that he felt like he was going to pass out and he was spared further injury when his wife pulled him inside his house.

Cop Kills Cop; Parents of Deceased Speak to Love News
Mother of deceased policeman 24 year old Dean Yearwood declined an on camera interview this morning but spoke lengthy our reporter. Porfiria Yearwood explained that her family is in shock over the death of her eldest son who had a passion for his profession. She describes him as a caring and loving young man who looked after his parents and siblings. She explained that on Sunday morning she and the rest of the family were getting ready to go to church when a relative called them by phone to give them the bad news. At the same time, they were visited by the Orange Walk police department who confirmed that her son had been shot in Belize City. Both Dean’s parents travelled to Belize City later where they identified their son at the morgue. Yearwood told us that her husband was privy to review a video tape from a business establishment close to where the incident occurred and he explained that it seemed to be an accident which led to her son getting shot.

Towhead and Sedan Collide on Belize’s Northern Highway
On Friday, September 6 at about 8:30p.m. Corozal police visited an area between miles 69 and 70 where upon their arrival they saw an extensively damaged grey Toyota Corolla car on the left hand side of the highway facing a western direction. Also at the scene was a towhead truck with a trailer used to transport butane. Initial investigation revealed that the towhead truck driven at the time by 33-year-old, Jose Arevalo of Palin Esquitra, Guatemala, was travelling from Orange Walk Town towards Corozal and the car was travelling in the opposite direction when the driver of the car, 53-year-old, Ricardo Villanueva of San Pedro Street, Orange Walk Town reportedly lost control of the vehicle causing a head on collision with the truck.

PlusTV

Man gunned down outside home in Roaring Creek
The streets have been relatively quiet for the past couple of weeks, but that all came to a halt on Friday when a resident of Roaring Creek was shot dead in front of his home. Shadel Dyer-Young reports. Shadel Dyer-Young: 34 year old...

Arthur Baptist passes away months after being shot
In June 24 year old Arthur Baptist of Neal’s Pen Road in Belize City and his uncle Melvin, 44, were watching an NBA playoff game at home when gunmen suddenly arrived on the scene and shot at them. Both men sustained severe injuries. Melvin was...

Police investigate bomb threat at UB
On Thursday night, we told you of a report of a bomb threat at the University of Belize in Belmopan. Just before six Thursday night, someone called the security offices of the Institution warning that there was a bomb on campus. The call lasted for just...

Peace Corps launches Belize Rural Family Health Project
The Peace Corps is an independent US government agency that traces its roots back to 1960 when the then US Senator John F. Kennedy challenged a group of students to promote peace and welfare in their country by living and working...

Guatemalan immigrant arrested for illegal entry
A Guatemalan immigrant was arrested Friday morning for illegal entry into the country. Reports have it that between hours of 7:00 am and 9:30 am the F.C.D Rangers, B.D.F and the Police conducted a joint operation in the Ceibo Chico area in the Chiquibul National Park located in Belize...

Belmopan celebrates Battle of St. George’s Caye Holiday
Hi–hip hooray – it’s the most celebratory month of the year, as Belizeans recognize both the Battle of St. George’s Caye and Independence Day of course. The Belmopan City Council has a number of activities planned for this month, we checked with Events Coordinator Raquel Ramos for details. Raquel...

Parades rerouted in Belize City
When this Belize City Council took office last year they set an ambitious target of 100 streets concreted in one year. They are close to the goal, however it comes at the cost of traffic jams and constant changes in routes around the City. For the first time in...

Schools celebrate International Literacy Day
September 8 is International Literacy Day, but it was being observed on Friday. Across the City and in Dangriga and Belmopan there were activities at local schools involving storytelling and creative writing, many with patriotic themes. But things were a little different at Wesley Lower School where PLUS News...

“Container Collection” launched at SJC
From the authors and creators behind the Landings series and the Zero exhibition comes “The Container Collection,” a sort of anthology of the ideas, images and thinking of over 100 visual artists, writers and thinkers from the so-called “Hurricane Zone” – Central America, the Caribbean, and the Yucatan Peninsula...

The September 8th, 2013 issue of The Capital Weekly is online HERE

This Week's Stories:

GOB Supports Mega-Project By Belizeans Businessman:
The Government of Belize supports, in principle, the Mega- Million Dollar Project unveiled this past week by Belizean Developer Mike Feinstein to build a docking facility at Stake Bank just off the coast of Belize City. That’s what Hon. John Saldivar, who was Acting Prime Minister at the time, told reporters on Thursday, one day following the announcement by Feinstein and his group. The project, Feinstein says, entails an immediate investment of over $100 Million and will create thousands of jobs. “We certainly welcome the concept, we welcome the investors that are trying to put this project off the ground, but as with everything else - they need to go by the rules and they have to do their EIA’s, and once they pass through the various processes - then it’s a go,” Saldivar told reporters.
Belmopan Wins Atlantic Bank Female Football:
The Belmopan Triple B’s won the 2013 Atlantic Bank female football championship by drilling the Ladyville Jaguars 8-0 in Game 2 of the finals at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan on Saturday, September 7. Game 1 of the finals had ended in a 0-0 draw at the MCC grounds on Saturday, August 31. Belmopan’s Kaina Martinez and Miriam Villamil led the attack with the help of Iris Centeno and Joslyn “Chu-chu” Cadle on the wings and Kaya Cattouse and Jennisha Scott at midfield. Ladyville Jaguars was sorely missing Shineele Gentle who had to sit out the game following a red card suspension from the first final aand their star sweeper Sara Arzu was also missing in action.
Celebrating 21 5th Anniversary of Battle of St. George’s Caye:
Tuesday, September 10 marks the 215th Anniversary of the Battle of St. George’s Caye. One of the most central elements of the celebration is the crowning of the Queen of the Bay, which takes place during the Official Battle of St. George’s Caye Day Ceremonies, traditionally held at the Memorial Park in the Old Capital, Belize City. This year’s Queen of the Bay is Toledo’s Jahrine Avila, the Bay Pageant at the Bliss Institute for the Performing Arts in Belize City on Friday night, August 30. Miss Stann Creek Verinicia Vernon won 1st runner-up, while second runner up was Miss Belmopan, Mikayla Venise Banner, who also won the talent section that took place two weeks earlier.
A Good Time to be Belizean:
The National September Celebrations are here! The Tenth is right upon us, and Independence is just around the corner. No matter what our personal situation, every warm-blooded Belizean this time of the year is somehow infected by the patriotism and festiveness that fills the air. This year, as we commemorate our nationhood, our sovereignty and our right to self-determination, the celebrations somehow seem to take on a bit more meaning than they ordinarily do. Indeed, there are some tangible and timely, if not overdue, developments newly unfolding, which are worth quite a celebration, as they truly serve to reinforce and consummate the Independence we nominally attained over three decades ago.
Promoting Literacy for a Peaceful Belize:
Literacy Day Celebrated in Belmopan with Schools’ Parade Friday September 6, 2013 Through Principal Streets of the Capital City. Literacy Day this year is being observed Worldwide on Sunday September 8, but in Belize it was observed two days earlier on Friday September 6, 2013. In Belmopan, as in Belize City, a number of schools held activities to mark the day. In the Nation’s Capital a combined Schools’ Parade was held through the major streets of the City. The Day was observed with the theme, “Promoting Literacy for a Peaceful Belize”.
When Culture and Carnality Converge:
On the exterior we see sparkling images of Belizean flora and fauna, jubilant faces and bodies of all shades of brown, accentuated by colourful clothing and glittering paint, swaying and vibrating in the sweltering heat to the pulsating rhythm of cultural music. For a while we forget our dividing socio-economic and political differences and unite to celebrate our natural heritage and cultural diversity. However, a closer look at our Belizean Carnival will reveal much more than culture. The clothing, if you call it that, seems inadequate and attracts lustful stares and arousals, the male dancers seem to prefer effeminate outfits and moves and the dances are sexually suggestive and perverted. Even the movement of our young children illustrate that their innocent minds have been corrupted as they give adult onlookers “bedroom” lessons, while their intoxicated mothers cheer them on with pride.
Belize - United States Partnership Reaffirmed: New SOUTHCOM Commander Visits Belmopan:
The welcome could not have been any warmer than it was last Thursday when General John F. Kelly, the new head of the U.S. Southern Command touched down in Belmopan. It was the first ever visit to Belize for the seasoned and decorated General who is now responsible for all operations of the US Army from below Mexico all the way down to the tip of South America. The General’s visit started the day before, Wednesday September 4 and took him along the Country’s borderline waters by helicopter, in addition to important to the tip of South America. Incidentally, or maybe not so incidentally, General, I would like to point out that Belize is, geographically speaking, the first nation south of Mexico; and I would like to think that we are also first in line for assistance and joint-initiatives under your command.” As noted in Channel Five’s Evening newscast in a report by its special assignment reporter, Mike Rudon, “The U.S. Southern Command has been a very friendly partner in Belizean development – in areas ranging from medical care and infrastructure assistance to training and the donation of military expertise and equipment, very often on a large scale.
Remarks by Hon. John Saldivar Welcoming General John F. Kelly to Belize:
Miss Margaret Hawt h o r n e , Chargé d ‘Affai re s, US Embassy, Belize; General John F. Kelly, Commander, US Southern Command; Lieutenant Colonel Ricardo Gonzalez, US Military Liaison Officer, Belize; Colonel (ret.) George Lovell, CEO, Ministry of National Security; General David Jones, Commander, Belize Defence Force; Rear Admiral John Borland, Commandant, Belize Coast Guard; Mr. Allen Whylie Commissioner, Belize Police Department; Members of the various security forces present; Other distinguished guests; Members of the Media; Ladies and Gentlemen: Good afternoon. It gives me great pleasure to welcome to Belize for his first visit ever, General John F. Kelly, Commander of the US Southern Command. For those of you that don’t know, General Kelly is in charge of all operations and initiatives by the United States Military from below Mexico all the way down to the tip of South America.
Biography of General John F. Kelly: Commander of United States Southern Command:
General Kelly was born and raised in Boston, MA. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1970, and was discharged as a sergeant in 1972, after serving in an infantry company with the 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, NC. Following graduation from the University of Massachusetts in 1976, he was commissioned and returned to the 2nd Marine Division where he served as a rifle and weapons platoon commander, company executive officer, assistant operations officer, and infantry company commander. Sea duty in Mayport, FL, followed, at which time he served aboard aircraft carriers USS Forrestal and USS Independence. In 1980, then Captain Kelly transferred to the U.S. Army’s Infantry Officer Advanced Course in Fort Benning, GA. After graduation, he was assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, DC, serving there from 1981 through 1984, as an assignment monitor.
GREAT Documentary Launched by Police Department : Gang Resistance Education And Training:
This past Thursday, September 5, 2013 in Belize City, the Police Department launched a historic documentary which chronicles the success of a joint initiative in which that department is the lead agency, and which involves the US Embassy in a collaborative effort which puts trained Police Officers in the classroom to impart real life skills to our young people. The program is patterned off a similar program that originated and was implemented in the United States. In Belize the program got started back in 2008. It has reportedly been a remarkable success, and the public now gets an opportunity through this video documentary to witness a great deal of it. The program is administered through the Community Policing Unit which is now headed by Senior Superintendent of Police Louise Willis.
Another Historic September Day: First National Bank of Belize Opens In Belmopan:
Now, Ladies and gentlemen, this is one time when, in describing the proceedings as historic, we engage in no hyperbole. The launch of the National Bank of Belize is an accomplishment for the ages. And so I want to start by immediately thanking the very many persons that have made it possible. Principal among them are Minister Joy Grant, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, and all the other Board members including, of course, the Managing Director, Mr. Jose Marin. Minister Grant, though, has perhaps done more than anyone else to make this a reality. I know that Saturday evening when I was becoming concerned, because having passed here on Friday and having seen that we were not all together in a state of readiness, she reassured me by indicating that she was even then at the Bank engaging in helping to sweep the premise.
Address by Honourable Joy Grant Chair of the National Bank of Belize:
It is my pleasure to welcome you all to a historic event in the evolution of the financial sector in Belize, and as a result, in the economic wellbeing of our Belizean People, the establishment of the National Bank of Belize, and the opening of its first branch here in Belmopan. This opening marks the successful realization of a vision shared by Belizeans of different political affiliations but united in their belief in the value to our people of a bank whose focus is on serving the financial interest of all Belizeans, whose goal is not about maximizing profit but about providing the working class Belizean with the financial assistance and knowledge they require to improve their living standards through the construction and purchase of new homes, and later the renovation and upgrading of existing residences. The impetus for operationalizing the vision by establishing he Bank at this time originated with Prime Minister the Honorable Dean Barrow.
Partnering for Rural Family Health The Ministry of Health and the Peace Corps:
A total of sixteen (16) new Peace Corps Volunteers are in-country for a two year work mission. They aim to partner with community health workers on a Rural Family Health Programme, an initiative of the Ministry of Health and Peace Corps. Volunteers will be assigned to Cayo, Orange Walk, Toledo and Belize Districts. The pioneer team arrived on June 26th and was enrolled in an intensive orientation and training program which ended August 13tb. This marks the first time that all volunteers will be assigned to the Ministry of Health to work in primarily rural communities for their stay; and the first all Peace Corps Volunteers will live with host families for the full duration of service.
Miley Garcia Cayo Softball Finals: Camalote Blazers Win Game One Over Roaring Creek:
The Camalote Blazers are one game away from winning the 2013 Miley Garcia Female Softball Championship in the competition organized by the Cayo Softball Association. Camalote won Game One of the finals 1-0 over the Roaring Creek Grace Kennedy at the Denbeigh Fuller Stadium in Camalote on Sunday, September 8. Camalote’s veteran pitcher Francine Salazar struck out 4 batters and walked one, giving up 5 hits, but even though the Camalote fielders committed one error, the Roaring Creek girls scored no runs, leaving 6 runners on base.

Blogs

Island Life: Things I Saw Today Interesting to Me
One of the things that I love about living on Ambergris Caye is that there is so much to see. Even the shortest walk can take me an hour…I have to stop and take 100 pictures. Here are some interesting things that I saw this morning. Some are also posted on my facebook page, so I apologize for the repetition but not everyone is a total Face-boob like I am. As “The Scoop” (I get called that about 15x a day…probably by people that don’t know my name), I am interested in most things. So, if you have a topic or want to see a picture, send me an email and I’ll try to get on it. OR, even better, if you have an interesting picture from this island or anywhere in Belize, I’d LOVE to see it. I’m not above idle gossip either. SanPedroScoop@hotmail.com. Here are some photos. Some very cute sisters walking to school.

Top 5 Must Do Adventure Tours in Belize
Since the new global tourism trend is focused on experience, we have decided to share with you an exciting new project coming out from Western Belize. The Lodge at Chaa Creek, a pioneer in luxury adventure travel since 1981 is today launching their Chaa Creek Inland Expeditions Day Tours. For travelers who are seeking comfort, security and some luxury at an affordable price, you should definitely check these out. If one day isn’t enough, you can always decide to stay at the Macal River Camp (recently named by the Daily Beast as one of the world’s top five places to Glamp) located within Chaa Creek’s 365-acre private rainforest reserve. The tours are designed with the adventurer at heart. Chaa Creeks’ founders Mick & Lucy Fleming have always been avid adventurers, having ventured off to Belize in an adventurers quest and deciding that the Belizean rainforest is where they would now be calling home. The tours are safe for all levels of ages and fitness, and can be booked at Chaa Creek’s reservations office on Burns Avenue Street in San Ignacio Town, Belize, Central America.

September Brings . . .
Seasons cycle, and September begins. Among many things, September brings a window portal into the local scene. September brings the classic feel of Caye Caulker, the feel of a quaint fishing village captured in a 1960s shot with a filmy grain photo filter that emits the relaxation and serenity of an undiscovered tropical paradise. The sun and the moon dictate the only concept of time; nothing is gained nor lost in a few minutes of time, so don’t rush. Throw yourself into a timeless bliss. September brings the true essence of our motto, “Go Slow,” that invites a spirit of renewal. Travelers, backpackers, and vacationers –all those who visit need no agenda. Come and just be. The sea is yours. Camouflage yourself against the mosaic strips of aqua and blue. It’s a time when the island truly feels as though it were your own, the time of year when visitors are caught into devotion and fall into the temptation of making Caye Caulker a permanent place of retreat. For residents, September brings a slight pause in the hustle of daily business, but brings in the bustle of a new school year. As parents align fresh uniforms for their children and tighten their children’s schedules, children in turn enjoy a brand new set of school supplies, and brag about their next grade level. It’s a time when parents, all too much, seem as if it were they themselves returning to school as they gear their children back towards a studious mindset.

Launch of National Agro-Processing Training Program ROC Taiwan
The Agro-Processing Program is one that promises to upgrade the income of youth and women. It is currently the Pilot Program of Belize’s soy sauce production and commercialized dehydrated papaya program. Today, the program which is a collaborative effort of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture and the Technical Mission of the Republic of China Taiwan, was officially launched.

“Beat It” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
San Pedro really got in to the September Celebrations tonight at Central Park to celebrate on the eve of St George’s Caye Day and Rose and I went there to see our new neighbours honouring their history. There were loads of people there around 18.30 hours even though it was way in advance of the start of the show but they were more than ready to beat it with the San Pedro High School Marching Band. Belize flag blowing proudly in the breeze proudly over the venue.

16 Underwater Photos from the Belize Barrier Reef
Ever since learning how to scuba dive it has been natural to combine with my interest in photography and record what I experience underwater. This is a collection of my favorite underwater photos from my diving trips in Belize this year. Belize is home to the second largest reef in the world, a designated world heritage site. Every time I’m in the water in Belize I find something I haven’t previously seen before; and that’s part of what makes scuba so exciting. Come with me as dive below the surface into an alien world packed with sea-life!

PHOTOS: Lion Fish Hunters Through The Lens
Nice series of underwater photographs on the ReefCI blog

International Sources

Reports of John McAfee's death greatly exaggerated
John McAfee and danger have a long history. The founder of McAfee software claimed he would die and allegedly also faked a near-death experience. The man wanted by Belize authorities in the shooting death of a former neighbor managed to escape that Central American country last year, claiming police would kill him. He also reportedly escaped deportation from Guatemala by faking a heart attack. Still, reports Monday of his demise have been greatly exaggerated. An Internet report claimed the high-living former tech CEO died at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, "a result of a suspected cocaine and alcohol fuelled (sic) binge." The first clue that this might not be the case was McAfee's official twitter feed sending out the story of his death. In the tweet, McAfee (or someone claiming to be him) said, "I felt fine when I went to bed last night." Another tweet followed two hours later, saying, "For those wondering if im dead the answer is...'The Media is killing me, but somehow im still tweeting' #NotDeadYet." The tweet

Belize Developer Moving Ahead With Island Project
A Belize developer has revived plans to build a $100 million tourism and cruise ship facility on islands southeast of Belize City. In a public conference last week, Michael Feinstein, president of the Feinstein Group of Companies, detailed plans to build a deep water port on Stake Bank Caye for a cruise ship dock, as well as a retail, marina and residential development on nearby North Drowned Caye. A concrete causeway would connect the islands to the mainland. The project has been discussed for a decade but the development was delayed by "government interference," Mr. Feinstein told the conference. The current plan still does not have government approvals, but Mr. Feinstein said the proposal is back on the agenda.

Weathering the storm: Belize is on a path to climate resilience
When you mention Belize, most people imagine white sandy beaches lined with warm Caribbean waters that invite tourists to exotic views of aquatic life and endless wonderment of nature. But there’s another side—one that is fragile and vulnerable to climatic changes that are already affecting livelihoods and Belize’s economy. Determined to transform Belize’s future, business and community leaders, as well as representatives from each ministry, are standing up to climate change by assessing past mistakes, offering fresh ideas, and looking forward to identify a path to build climate resiliency (video). As you fly into Belize City, the financial and industrial center of Belize and home to the country's only international airport, the low-lying terrain is dramatic.

NASA on Instagram
NASA Explore the universe and discover our home planet with the official NASA Instagram account

Waste Some Time With These 34 Great Photography Links
Photographers! Let's talk a little about this! Waste Some Time With These 34 Great Photography Links

A Water Lover’s Paradise: Belize’s Affordable Caribbean Island
If you want to “get away from it all,” tropical-island style, there may be no place better in Belize to do it than Caye Caulker. This five-mile-long island—only half of which is really inhabited—sits in dream-worthy, turquoise Caribbean waters. Its three main streets (imaginatively named Front, Middle, and Back) are packed sand. And the main modes of transportation are by bicycle and on foot (preferably barefoot).

September 9, 2013

Last night's TV news on Channel 7 and Channel 5
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Doctor Love: Is this fortuneteller real?
Having cards read by a fortuneteller can be quite the experience. But how real is that information being shared?

Guest Editorial: The Good, Bad & Ugly Public Officer
A public officer is any person who has been legally selected or appointed to office and who exercises governmental functions of an office for the benefit of the public. The public officer is regarded as distinguishable person that must uphold good ethics since they are required to act according to the law in order for them to operate and execute their duties vested by virtue of their public position. Sure there are many public officers who get up very early and ensure that they are on time to work. They are those who would go beyond the call of duty and stay a few extra few minutes to ensure that the day’s work is accomplished. Such good public officers also make one feel welcome and is always willing to point one in the right direction when assistance is required. The good public officer is one that will not abuse the government’s assets, but rather will ensure that it is used as a tool for the building of the nation’s wealth.

Wolfe’s Woofers: Streaker
While at a public pool, Charlie becomes a streaker, and the ladies from the swim club can tell he's not part of the club...gee...how?

Misc Belizean Sources

Belize’s first female prime minister
By Abdulmajeed K. Nunez Will she be like Margaret Thatcher? Or as charismatic as Benazir Or as bold as Portia Simpson Or Trinidad’s Kamla Persad Bissesar Will it be she who stood up to OCEANA Endorsed by Mr Machiavelli when he dubbed her persona non grata That she was destined to be Belize’s first female prime minister Could she be the former second Belize City Council female mayor? Or the biologist from Amandala? Or either a Channel 5 or 7 news anchor Or perhaps the former PSU president A lot is dependent on the people’s preference

BMA Catches September Spirit
Musical interlude. The Benque Music Academy has caught the September Celebrations spirit. They practice regularly at the Benque House of Culture, which celebrated it's 12 anniversary today. "The great September Spirit with the Benque Marimba Academy performing one of the Belizean tunes for the season, do you know which one is this???"

World Culture Band with Emmanuel Mangar
Saturday night, at the Cayo Welcome Center, downtown was treated to one of the best concerts of the year when the World Culture Band teamed up with Emmanuel Mangar. The music was nothing short of superb. Let's hope this becomes a weekly event. Fuego Bar and Grill deserves a big round of applause too for sponsoring the event. "The World Culture Band, along with Emmanuel Mangar, played at the Cayo Welcome Center last night. The synergy that happens when they play together always makes it an amazing show. Thanks, Fuego Bar and Grill, for making this happen. Happy September!"

Galen's Summer Graduating Class
Congratulations to all the new graduates from Galen University! Belize Profoto has a full portfolio of the new graduates. Best of luck as you go out and change the world.

VIDEO: Diving at Basil Jones
Took Michael, Christian and Faith diving today up at Basil Jones- Had a blast! Of course we had the trusty Gopro:)

Blogs

A visit to King Richard’s house and my birthday food crawl
I was not really planning to do much for my birthday today especially since I started celebrating last night at Blue Water Grill with crab stuffed snook, Mary, Cindy, Andy, Tinker and Tacoboy. When I woke up I decided to continue my birthday food crawl and hit Estel’s for Breakfast. I knew Mary would already be there and of course Cindy Andy and Tink are always in for food. When we arrived, I was surprised to see a mini party including Forrest, Pedro, Beth, presents and champagne. We all know Charles is a barbecue whiz but my pork chop tasted extra special today, maybe it is because Estel’s is closing for low season and that was my last chance for heaven on a plate till they reopen. My birthday food craw will end tonight with Lobster at Pedro’s Pizza and board games.

Soap Opera “La Isla Bonita” to Be Filmed on Ambergris Caye
Do you ever feel like life in Belize is a soap opera? I’ve often thought that the island in particular provides an amazing amount of material for a soap or even a reality show..The Real House Wives of San Pedro perhaps? Stuff like people disappearing without a trace…everyone here seemingly related to one another…certain guys with 6 different baby mamas…wife swapping & swinging…anything relating to John McAfee…it’s the very fodder of the truly great telenovelas. So it seemed more than PERFECT when I saw the announcement that a local production company (Make-Belize Films) was casting a soap about San Pedro called “La Isla Bonita”.

Rice and Beans, Chicken and Potato Salad (No stove)
This video is the first in a series I'm calling Dorm Room Meals. Every item is cooked without a stove. I'm gearing these set of videos toward students living in dorm rooms, for my single parents with a small family and for my viewers with physical challenges. The recipes will be small and safe to prepare using only small electrical appliances.

“The Way You Do the Things You Do” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
Looks like I might be better at this blogging lark than I thought. Maybe all those years of working with journalists may have paid off. Why? Well, in Friday’s edition I mentioned (and included a few photos) that the streets in San Pedro were ‘dressed up’ for the September celebrations. So what, you’re probably thinking. Well after looking at the various blogs yesterday it looks as though I covered it first. A scoop? Or is it just a case of its just the way you do the things you do? Anyway enough of my self-praise (its not a redeeming quality. As my Dad used to say “Self praise is no recommendation”) what did yesterday hold for Rose and I? I started my day in the normal way (regular readers know the score. For ‘first time’ readers just go to a previous edition for a fuller description. Or, don’t waste your time. It’s pretty boring anyway) and around 07.30 hours set off (I had showered,etc) for breakfast at Estel’s.

St George’s Caye Day – Yesterday and Today
The Battle of St George’s Caye is celebrated throughout Belize on September 10 as the defining moment in the birth of the country, putting into motion a long train of events that would eventually lead up to independence almost two hundred years later. And by any measure, it’s one of the most colourful events ever to take place in the Caribbean; a part of the world with no shortage of romantic, exotic tales and scenes straight out of Pirates of the Caribbean. In fact, we’ve often wondered why someone hasn’t made a movie about the amazing battle of St George’s Caye. Just picture it – a rag-tag militia of very colourful settlers and African slaves deciding to stand up to a well-trained and heavily armed professional military force from Spain, going into battle completely outnumbered and outgunned with the beautiful Caribbean as a backdrop, complete with sandy islands, swaying palms and sparkling waves breaking over a stunning reef.

International Sources

Well-managed mangroves 'can survive rising sea levels'
The prevailing idea that sea-level rise will inevitably wipe out mangrove forests — fragile ecosystems that protect nearby communities from natural hazards such as floods and storms — is challenged by a recent report. Mangroves in some areas will be able to survive climate change-induced sea-level rise as they can slowly increase the level of soil in which they thrive, but only if they are managed and protected, according to 'The response of mangrove soil surface elevation to sea level rise' report. Activities such as building dams on rivers and converting mangrove areas into shrimp farms may have a stronger impact on the health of mangroves than sea-level rise, the report adds. Once weakened by such changes, mangroves will be less able to adapt to changes in sea level.

Belize Chat and Giveaway
I am SOOOO excited that FINALLY the October of issue of AFAR Magazine is on newsstands and with it, the print piece that I’ve been working on since my 7×7 trip to Belize in May of this year. This is how excited I am: I am giving away two subscriptions to the magazine in celebration!!!!!! Also, I am hosting a chat with Belize Tourism and AFAR Magazine on Facebook next week: Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at 3 PM EST. Anyone can join in, the chat will take place on AFAR’s Facebook page here.

SNORKEL HOL CHAN MARINE RESERVE
The speed of our boat slowed and in the distance I could make out the white water of waves breaking over the reef. A few boats seemed to be anchored just before that point and bobbing in the water between the boats were the telltale signs of snorkelers and divers, a pair of fins here and a water spout or two there. Though the water was choppier than I was used to while snorkeling, I was so excited at the prospect of another chance to visit with the abundant life under the sea. Our boat stopped, and then I looked directly into the turquoise water around the boat for the first time. It was instead gray and brown, and writhing in a way that’s unnatural for the ocean. When our guide told me to suit up and get ready to jump in, the look on my face must have needed no words because he laughed and so did the rest of my companions. “You want me to do what?” I asked. After a bit of back and forth, some chumming of the water and eventually, summoning whatever courage I possess, I jumped into the water.

September 8, 2013

Last night's TV news on Channel 7 and Channel 5
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

First round of Interoffice Volleyball Tournament begins
On Sunday August 1st, 2013 nine teams gathered at the Angel R Nuñez Auditorium to take part in the long anticipated 6-a-side-interoffice Volleyball Tournament held by the San Pedro Volleyball Association. Signed up for the tournament are the three female teams: Butterfingers, Lady Jaguars (SPHS), and Lady Rebels and six male teams: Captain, SPHS Males, Legends, Lions, Tropic and Coco Beach. There were a total of four games played and winners were determined by the best out of five sets (first team to three winning sets). Game 1(Female): Butterfingers (winner) vs Lady Jaguars (SPHS)- 3 sets to 0. Set 1:25-13, Set 2: 25-29, Set 3: 25-13.

Island businessman is unhappy with process of investigation
A resident of San Pedro Town is complaining that he was assaulted earlier in August and authorities on the island have refused to bring the person responsible to justice. Mario Cervoni, businessman of Ambergris Caye, claimed that on Wednesday August 7th, he was injured when someone threw a Guinness glass bottle at him on Barrier Reef Drive. It has been almost a month after he filed a report at the San Pedro Police Station, and despite providing police with information to have the culprit detained, he has been met with constant restraint by the police. But the island’s police force is denying such allegations, claiming that all possible leads have been fruitless. According to Cervoni, sometime around 3:45PM on August 7th, he was in front of the San Pedro Town Hall, standing and about to make a phone call when a pedestrian threw a glass bottle with the “intention to hurt” him. The bottle shattered into pieces when it hit the crossbeam of the front of his parked golf cart causing several small abrasions to his face and hands. “I gave chase behind him as he ran on the beach and when I was about 40 feet behind him, the guy turned around and that is when I managed to see who he was,” said Cervoni. The dark skin male of about six feet in height managed to escape, but not before he was seen by a few people who had witnessed the incident unfolding.

Misc Belizean Sources

House for rent in Corozal
If you want to stay in Corozal for an extended period, an American owned house is available for $350 U.S. per month. It is 2 bedroom, one bath, fully furnished, fenced, situated less than 2 miles from the center of town. Minimum lease is 3 months.

Guinea Grass Resident Shot By Park Ranger
A resident from the Village of Guinea Grass in the Orange Walk District is tonight hospitalized at the Northern Regional Hospital after he was shot by a park ranger employed by Programme For Belize. Reports reaching CTV3 News are that on September 4th, 2013, 25 year old Humberto Santos was encroaching in the Rio Bravo Area protected by Programme for Belize when he was shot in the left ankle by the park ranger whose name is yet to be released. Today reporter Victor Castillo contacted Edilberto Romero, Executive Director for Programme for Belize who related what transpired that evening. Edilberto Romero Executive Director for Programme of Belize “Actually more than our rangers involved in that incident were patrolling and they found illegal activities in our reserve, in Lake Bravo, and so as special constables they have powers to arrest and the confiscate equipment and what they found in the reserve where illegal logging was occurring and they were confiscating the equipment and in that process they were attacked and I don’t know the details of the attacks that they suffered but somehow somewhere there was a weapon involved and somebody was shot I understand someone o the illegal gang that was involve was shot and I understand he is in the hospital right now.”

Planning Strategically To Obtain Funding To Combat HIV/AIDS
Many Civil-Society organizations participated in a workshop today to analyze and further draft a module or framework to stimulate funding from donors and the government of Belize for the fight against AIDS. The session, carried out at the Best Biltmore Hotel in Belize City, was made possible through the National AIDS Commission and the UNAIDS whose core purpose is to globally set policies in place. The organization is also the source of HIV-related data. UNAIDS brings together the resources of the organization’s Secretariat and 11 U.N members for coordinated and accountable efforts to unite the world against AIDS. In addition, UNAIDS works to build political action and to promote the rights of all people in order to acquire better results in the areas of global health and development.

Peace Corps Dispatched To Rural Communities
This morning 16 Peace Corp Volunteers that will be dispatched to the Cayo, Orange Walk, Toledo and Belize Districts, to assist in a Rural Family Health Programme, headed by the Ministry of Health, were sworn in Belmopan at the George Price Centre. The volunteers, who will be in the country for a period of two years, will carry out their work alongside community health workers. The main purpose of their work-mission is to provide support to persons living in rural communities, adopting positive practices that contribute to the improved health of women and children. Areas being addressed at a community level include; preventing and caring for children with common illnesses, improving feeding practices and raising awareness on the prevention of non-communicable diseases. The pioneer team arrived in Belize on June 26th and was immediately enrolled in an intensive orientation and training program which ended on August 13th.

Ministry Of Health Lunches Text Blast Campaign
The Ministry of Health has been under constant fire and more wood was added to the inferno when 13 babies died at the Karl Huenser Memorial Hospital in May of this year. Seven of the infants died from a bacterial infection called Enterobacter Cloacae contracted inside the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The Pan American Health Organization was invited to assess and investigate the hospital. When its findings were released, a long list of shortcomings throughout the hospital was brought to the public eye. With hell to pay, it seems that the Ministry of Health does not want history to repeat itself. In an effort to promote healthy living, the Ministry of Health is embarking on a text messaging campaign aimed at educating the public on relevant health topics. The Ministry is inaugurating its text blast campaign on the topic of Dengue Prevention due to an increase in Dengue cases in neighboring Honduras and Guatemala. With the initiative, the Ministry hopes to encourage citizens to practice preventive measures and precautions at personal and community levels.

The Container Collection Is Launched In Belize
“The container collection” that is the name of a new book that was officially launched this morning in the Old Capital. The aftermath of two projects; ZERO and Landings, was developed and produced during the course of about three to four years. The Landings project concluded in the year 2009 but it was not until May of this year that the actual book was published portraying the life of our zone, referred to by the coordinator as the Hurricane Zone. Irvin Aragon – Reporting The Hurricane Zone is a philosophical and political concept that reflects the passing of a destructive force through a geographical area, one that consumes, digests, and vomits in its path, leaving behind crumbled infrastructures, destroyed natural resources and the displacement of people. Quick recovery is futile, for as soon as one leaves, another passes through.

Price For A Hundred Pound Cylinder Of Butane Goes Up By $4.00
The last time Belizeans saw a decrease of $3.00 in the price for a hundred pound cylinder of butane was back in the month of April 2014. Tonight, the news is not good because instead of reducing even more, the price of liquid petroleum went up by $4.00, meaning that consumers will have to dig deeper into their pockets to purchase the commodity. Effective today, prices for a one hundred pound cylinder of butane are as follows: In Orange Walk the price went from $114.00 to $118.00. In Belize City and Corozal the hundred pound cylinder will now sell for $117.00, $119.00 in Belmopan and San Ignacio, $120.00 in Benque Viejo Del Carmen and Dangriga and $122.00 in Punta Gorda.

Well Known Corozal Criminal Is Back Behind Bars
Samir Vivas, a Corozal resident who has had several run-ins with the law is once again behind bars. This time he is being accused of grievous harm. At around 1:30pm on Saturday August 10th, 58 year old Emir Lizzaraga, Belizean laborer of Joseito Layout, Corozal, was at home when he heard someone calling out his name. That person resulted to be Samir Vivas who approached Lizzaraga as he walked outside. But Vivas did not stop by for a quick friendly visit, he had other plans and that was to attack Lizzaraga. Reports are that Vivas punched Lizzaraga repeatedly in the face causing his eyes and nose to bleed. He then left the area but was later arrested by police. Lizzaraga was taken to the Corozal Community Hospital where his injuries were classified as grievous harm. As a result, the 21 year old was charged for the crime of Grievous Harm. Vivas appeared before the Orange Walk Magistrates Court yesterday since the Corozal Magistrate was indisposed. He was denied bail and remanded to prison until October 8th 2013. Corozal Police also suspect that Vivas has a lot to do with several of the burglaries and thefts committed in that district.

The Belize Times

Tyranny!
Belize is rapidly sliding down a slippery slope of dictatorship. Belizeans can now see that the country is led by a dangerous regime that believes the democratic authority given to them through elections gives them the right and might to do whatever they want. What took place at the National Assembly in Belmopan on Wednesday, September 4th, 2013 is evidence that Belize’s democracy is under attack. The Barrow Administration is making every effort to not be placed under the light of transparency and accountability. It governs in darkness and makes decisions in darkness. This is the reason the UDP rulers have stifled the work of the Public Accounts Committee and have resisted the Chairman’s recommendations for the body to go under reform. The tyranny of the UDP was in full display on Wednesday. PAC Chairman Hon. Julius Espat’s attempt to democratize the Committee was sabotaged viciously. The Chairman had called a meeting to which the public was invited. But the UDP members who are the majority: John Saldivar, Michael Finnegan, Erwin Contreras and Herman Longsworth blocked the public’s participation with armed police officers standing at the doors. No member of the public was allowed to enter and witness the proceedings. Neither was the media allowed to cover what was designated by the Chairman to be an open meeting to discuss the nation’s business.

National Bank….Designed to Fail!
If Prime Minister Dean Barrow’s latest political gimmick, called the National Bank of Belize, is as promising as ...

PUP Leader brings HOPE to Cayo Northeast
PUP leader Francis Fonseca brought hope to the people of Cayo Northeast Constituency during a successful visit on Friday ...

Blinded by UDP incompetence
Donovan Reneau is undoubtedly one of Belize’s amazing wonders. Although blind since his youth, Donovan has learnt to overcome ...

Remembering Edward’s Park
By G. Michael Reid I was born and raised on what has been designated as Southside Belize City. I attended Holy Redeemer School which is of course, on the North side of the city. Back then, most kids walked to school and just about all of us went home for lunch. ...

Did You Hear That Too?
Barrow’s interview at the opening of the National Bank was the worst and most telling since he became Prime Minister in 2008. This is bad timing for him. So early in this second term, he seems tired, hunted and without a compulsion to polish or be diplomatic. He has become openly blunt ...

Triple B’s faces Ladyville Jaguars in Atlantic Bank football finals
The Belmopan Triple B’s will host the Ladyville Jaguars for Game 2 of the Atlantic bank football championship finals at the Football Federation of Belize Stadium in Belmopan on Saturday, September 7. Game 1 of the finals ...

Kent Gabourel & Shalini Zabaneh win 14th Lionman triathlon
Kent Gabourel Jr., Shalini Zabaneh, Dr. Ramon Figueroa and Jordan Santos won the Men’s open, Female, Masters and Junior categories of the 14th annual Lionman Triathlon held along the Marine Parade in ...

Mexico regains Championship MMA Belt
The Mexicans came ready to rumble and their mixed martial arts fighters of Chetumal, Quintana Roo won 5 of 8 fights on the Belize Shotokan Karate Academy’s fight card in the caged octagon at the Belize ...

UDP turmoil in Caribbean Shores
There is a battle in Caribbean Shores about who could build the worst streets and drains. The battle is also about who puts on the best make-up and looks best for tv ads. The battle is between two UDP drama queens. Santi is the elected representative in Caribbean Shores. ...

Government ignores Maya Land Rights despite Court Ruling
In its 25 July 2013 decision in the second Maya Land Rights case, the Court of Appeal upheld the Supreme Court ruling that the Maya people of southern Belize own our land through our customary land tenure system, and that this property is protected by ...

AMAZING GRACE – Christian Misconceptions
In our beautiful country Belize, one topic that was being circulated was the issue of a super-bond. Blame was being cast between the two political parties. Without trying to cast any blame though the reality is that we have a loan that we are paying back. My big question today ...

The CONTAINER unloaded
The Container has landed. No, not of Rosewood, neither freshly cut nor burnt. Not even zero-rated stuff called food like Ramen or Grace Chicken Sausage shipped to a rich country of poor people. ...

NICH clueless about Garinagu rites
By Norris Hall Belize’s National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) appears to know more about Bozo the Clown and the Carnival road march (both imports that should be insignificant to NICH) than they do about the national folklore, cultures and customs of our diverse ethnic groups. Important events in the ...

The Need to Strengthen Our Educational System
“The roots of education are bitter, but the fruits is sweet.”-Aristotle By Dr. Angela Banner Joseph I have been introduced to many different learning institutions and have studied the plight of our nation’s children in our educational system. What I have learned in the preparation for this brief analysis on the issue ...

SCALES OF JUSTICE – Why the rat can’t mind the cheese!
By anthony sylvestre Anybody will tell you that it doesn’t make sense: you can’t have the rat minding the cheese. It defies logic and common sense and it’s bound to fail. Which is the point the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the House, Hon. Julius Espat and many Belizeans ...

Emperor Dean
It is clear to see after witnessing Prime Minister Dean Barrow’s latest rhetoric and actions that the Office of the Prime Minister of Belize has been replaced with the Office of Emperor Dean. Emperor Dean’s recent remarks were a harsh scolding for the National Trade Union Congress ...

REFLECTIONS ON THE PUBLIC SQUARE – NICH-A Great PUP Success
By Francis W. Fonseca This past week, the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) celebrated its 10th year of existence. NICH is first and foremost a Belize success story but it will undoubtedly be recorded as one of the most meaningful, lasting achievements of the PUP Administration of Said W. ...

Playing God
Dean Barrow and the UDP have officially hit rock bottom when it comes to playing politics in this country. Thousands of hardworking Belizeans have lost their land titles and tens of thousands have lost their jobs simply because they are known supporters of the People’s United Party. ...

Young People Need Discipline & Self-Growth
Dear Editor, Please allow me space in your reputable newspaper to share my perspective on positive development of morals and values in young people. Many of our young people are lacking the values of respect, discipline and self-growth. Parents are either busy with their jobs, trying hard to earn a dollar to ...

Hard headed Mayor!
Dear Editor, It is my humble opinion that we have most hard headed, chanciest and faciest Mayor. All of his decisions have hurt the small people in Belize City, and even when we bawl out, he doesn’t seem to be bothered at all. Last week it was us, the Albert St. Taxi ...

The truth behind the Barrow’s new bank
Dear Editor, Let me tell you the truth about Dean Barrow’s National Bank. It does two things. One, politically it will be used as a vehicle to get votes. Two, it was set up to appease our teachers and government workers as a sweetener to the failed promise of a raise ...

BTIA Past Presidents buck heads with Prime Minister
Hon. Dean. O. Barrow, Prime Minister of Belize, 3rd Floor, Left Wing, Sir Edney Cain Building, Belmopan An Open Letter to the Prime Minister As six past presidents of the Belize Tourism Industry Association, we have participated in our industry's growth from its struggling infancy to its present status as the nation's ...

Blogs

San Pedro Town & The Scoop Will Be Looking Our Best For September Celebrations
It is a two post kind of day. Just a few hours ago, I posted pictures of San Pedro town decorated for the September holidays. Well…I was just back in town this morning to buy some more red and blue flair and found so much more! I LOVE IT. My friend John getting a head start. Perhaps my very favorite so far. Even Belikin is looking festive to me. At A&R they are really running low. But a belt? I want a Belize bet! And this one is cool…but a bit cheesy. Icky vinyl. And it whispers. I want to SCREAM Belize.

Sun & September Celebrations: There is Still Time to Book Your Ticket!
Belize goes all out for September celebrations. It’s an awesome mixture of Belizean pride, the local love of a great party and just the newness of it all. Don’t forget…the country of Belize will be only 32 years old this year. 32! Yesterday was a gorgeous HOT September day… And decorations are starting to go up all over town. If I haven’t mentioned it before, September is my favorite time of the year in Belize. By far. If I am every going to have a heart issue, it will be during a September 21st Independence Day parade. I’ll be a giant cornball right now and just admit it: My heart almost bursts each year. For the pictures of past parades, check out the posts below. Or for why YOU should be here September 21st or for information on September 10th… The town is getting ready. The Marin house goes all out for every holiday. Perfection. The town was just finishing with their banners.

Meeting Belize's First Lady In Taiwan, R. O. C
On my trip to Taiwan, Republic of China, I had never dreamed that I would be meeting the First Lady of Belize. We are friends via Facebook but had never met face to face. I arrived two days previously and was surprised to get an e-vite to visit with Mrs. Barrow who also happened to be in Taiwan on humanitarian work. Arriving at her hotel, the first thing that jumped out at me was her dynamic personality and her vivacious spirit…stronger than ever, with her hair pulled back in a bun, she was the epitome of gracefulness. Kim Simplis Barrow recently returned from a trip to the UK and Nigeria as part of her humanitarian work for women and children of Belize. In the UK, she created ties between London Children’s Hospital and she also hosted a very successful fund raiser for the new pediatric wing at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City.

“It’s a Mystery” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
Regular readers will know my routine and yesterday wasn’t much different. Up early and straight (well after making a mug of black coffee) on to the veranda for a couple of hours with my iPad. Boring? Not at all. I thoroughly enjoy it. With my ‘fix’ of news taken care of I took care of my ablutions, dressed and had breakfast (at home and not at Estel’s – my routine does have a degree of flexibility in it!) and then set to tackling some administrative stuff. First off was to make contact with the removal company (Excess International Movers) we are using to ship our stuff from the UK to Belize. Rose has been following the progress of the ship and informed me that having docked in Norfolk, Virginia it was in the North Atlantic Sea. Heading back to Europe! Were we ever going to see our stuff?

International Sources

Waiting ... to become a library
After visiting the rural fishing village of Sarteneja in Belize while on vacation, Kern returned to the United States with a mission. A retired nurse with a passion for reading, Kern is in the process of starting a public library in Sarteneja, a project made possible — in part — through book donations from Friends of the Sierra Vista Public Library. “I first visited Belize looking for a place to retire,” said Kern, who was born and raised on a ranch in Palominas. The village of Sarteneja is located on the tip of the Sarteneja peninsula on the Mayan ruins and is famous for its fishing and shipbuilding. “The village has a population of about 3,500 and the people there are just delightful, very friendly and accommodating,” she said.

A Touch of Luxury in Belize
Belize is a small country that packs a big punch for adventurous travellers who want to experience the outdoors. However, modern facilities and comforts aren’t the norm here as you’re probably used to. You don’t have to ‘rough it’ as there are some excellent luxury resorts here. Accommodation in Belize has many options from non-air conditioned hostel rooms to multimillion dollar beach front mansions. Lets take a look at three resorts from Belize’s most popular vacation destinations. Portofino Beach Resort – Ambergris Caye This resort is secluded from the busy San Pedro town, located on its own private stretch of turquoise beach. There is less than 15 rooms at this resort so you’ll never feel crowded. With the seclusion from town your’re left feeling at ease relaxing outdoors by the pool or beach. It features an on-site restaurant with delicious food for every meal including both American and Belizean cuisines. Additionally, there is a wide range of tours to keep you busy and a scuba dive centre here; you never have to leave this little slice of paradise unless you so desire.

September 7, 2013

Last night's TV news on Channel 7 and Channel 5
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Successful surgery performed on American Crocodile
ACES Crocodile Surgery-3Before the surgery, the crocodile was placed under local anesthesia, after which Dr. Paquet-Durand proceeded to disinfect, clean and stitch the wound closed. In order to secure the wound, the crocodile’s leg was cast and secured to its body. The entire procedure lasted approximately two hours. The crocodile will be held in captivity at the San Mateo Sanctuary until the wound is fully healed, “It will take about a month until the wound heals as crocodiles have a slow metabolism. Once the wound is healed, however, we can actually assess the mobility that the croc has in its leg. There is a 50% chance that the crocodile will not regain complete mobility of the leg since the wound was so grave,” said Rose. Rose also stated that while relocating a couple of crocodiles that same night, ACES encountered a gill net at a channel entrance to the northernmost part of Laguna de San Pedro. The net was approximately 250 feet long and extended across the entire width of the lagoon entrance. Such nets are illegal and should not be utilized in the area; ACES confiscated it and rescued a couple Bonefish (a protected species) that had been trapped in the net. Unfortunately, some of the fish were already dead.

Congratulations Newlyweds! Edwin Gamez & Monica Prevett tie the knot
On August 31, 2013, during a beautiful church ceremony full of love, laughter and family, Monica Prevett wed long-time love Edwin Gamez. They were accompanied by their two beautiful sons Tristian and Justyn, and friends and family looked on as they officially became husband and wife. A tasty and laughter-filled reception followed at Bistro Mestizo.

Belize Fisheries Department holds Revised Fisheries Regulation consultation in San Pedro Town
The Belize Fisheries Department is engaged in a number of consultations across the country. A team of consultants were in San Pedro on Thursday, August 29th at the San Pedro Lions Den with the purpose of engaging fisheries stakeholders and the general public as they work to develop a Revised Fisheries Regulation. The revision of the subsidiary law is being conducted by the African, Caribbean and Pacific group of countries (ACP) Fishery II Program, with funds from the European Union (EU). The main objective of the consultations is to gather input from fisher-folk and other stakeholders to provide meaningful dialogue to update the existing fisheries regulations. Dr. Chris Hedley is the main consultant tasked with the technical aspect of the Revised Fisheries Regulation. In an interview with The San Pedro Sun, Hedley said that the revised fisheries regulation project in Belize is a part of a larger undertaking by the Belize Fisheries Department with the assistance of Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nation’s (UN). “In this project, we are looking at three main areas that are of concern.

Ambergris Today

Belize Tourism Industry Association Objects Norwegian Cruise Line Project
Even with fierce objection from key organizations and local businesses/stakeholders in the overnight and pocket tourism sectors the Government of Belize has already issued the go ahead to Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) on their Harvest Caye project which will bring a resort and cruise port to Southern Belize off the coast of the Placencia Peninsula. A Memorandum of Understanding for the undertaking of the 50$Mil U.S. cruise tourism development project was signed in August between the G.O.B. and NCL. But this week the project received even more powerful objection by a group of six former presidents of the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA). A letter stating their strong objection to the project was delivered to the Belize Prime Minister, Dean Barrow. Past presidents: Jim Scott, Lucy Fleming, Paul Hunt, Rosella Zabaneh, Steve Maestre and Steve Schulte are firmly against the proposed development of Harvest Caye and in the letter they ask the Government of Belize to re-examine its position on the project. Current BTIA President, Herbert Haylock commented that the sentiments expressed in the letter are shared by an overwhelming majority of industry stakeholders including the present BTIA leadership.

Belikin Beer Releases Heritage & Culture Commercial Spot
It’s the month of our patriotic celebrations, a time in which Belizeans take to show off their cultural pride, heritage and identity to the world. Carnival Jump Up, Independence Day Parade and an array of parties and events line up the entire month and showcase how full of life Belizeans are. We are a “Party People” – we celebrate anything and everything! In the spirit of the county’s September Patriotic Celebration, Belikin Beer, the beer of Belize, has just released another commercial that celebrates the many faces of Belize in what they call their ‘heritage and culture’ ad. Check it out!

Misc Belizean Sources

Edward's Park
I was born and raised on what has been designated as Southside Belize City. I attended Holy Redeemer School which is of course, on the North side of the city. Back then, most kids walked to school and just about all of us went home for lunch. That meant a good walk four ways each day and I guess that kept us in pretty good shape. Obesity was a rare thing for Belize in those good old days. We played a lot in those days, whether it was in the schoolyards or in whatever empty space we could find. There was no television, no internet and no play station. Most of our games were outdoors and to be quite honest, in looking back, I believe that we had the better end of that deal. The boys played with marbles and tops while the girls played with jacks and hopscotch. On any given day, you could find girls on one side jumping rope and boys on the other side roughing each other up in a game of pickup football. It was a time of active social interacting.

My Belize Culture Shock story and what I learned
All the cool expats say they never experience culture shock. For the most part I think they are full of it. Everyone who makes the radical change and moves away from their home country to a new country is going to experience something. For some people it is a very radical change. Other people will say they are not feeling well or are just tired. Everyone deals with it differently. The Culture shock hit me after the fourth month. I was depressed and had no energy at all. I would cry for hours and not be able to stop. It was draining emotionally but in the end it was a gift. I had to decide if I was willing to change the way I approached and reacted to things in Central America. If I could not change how I was conditioned to react to events I would not be able to be happy in Belize.

Belize U-18 Female Volleyball Team Takes 4th Place
The Belize U-18 Female Volleyball team came in 4th place at the Central American Championship in Guatemala this week. Kevanna Sebastian was one of the top scorers, and the top blocker for the tournament. There are hundreds of pictures from the event, along with scores and statistics, on the AFECAVOL website. The Belize Volleyball Association has some pictures from the event.

Chaa Creek's New Expeditions
Chaa Creek Inland Expeditions is going to start offering day trips to Chaa Creek for hiking, exploring, canoeing, riding, and cycling. They all come with lunch, transportation, guides, and complimentary canoes. They start running on Monday. In related news, the Guava Limb Café is the new hot spot for lunch in Cayo. Pictures of their food will be coming soon.

MPR Off Road Challenge Pictures
Congratulations to Team Mahindra for winning Hidden Valley Inn's MPR Off Road Challenge!

Dania Singing Redemption Song
Dania Arana singing Redemption Song at one of the Soul Project's Open Mic Nights is today's musical interlude. Cayo's cultural hub will having another Open Mic Night tonight. Happy September Friday!

Peace Corps Swearing In
There's a new group of Peace Corps members in Belize, and they're having a swearing in ceremony this morning in Belmopan at the George Price Centre. Here's to a great 2 years! "The main purpose of the Peace Corp work-mission is to provide support to the Ministry of Health Community Health Workers (CHW) in assisting families to adopt positive behaviors and practices that contribute to the improved health of women and children."

Opening of the Placencia Municipal Pier and Plaza
Official opening ceremony held on September 5, 2013

Channel 7

Roaring Creek Resident Killed In Front of His House
In the past month, we’ve only reported on one murder –, but tonight there are three to report. Now, before you get alarmed, we stress that only one of those murders happened today; one results from injuries obtained in June, the other in August. We begin with today’s shooting murder in Roaring Creek – where a man was gunned down in front of his yard – the kind of killing we haven’t reported on since July 9th. Bit it happened this morning in Roaring Creek. Daniel Ortiz has the story:.. 34 year-old Nigel Neal was killed early this morning, gunned down in front of his mother's house in Roaring creek: Voice of: Eyewitness "I heard about 5 or 6 gunshots, when I ran out my little brother told me it was 'Blue' - I told him it couldn't be because Blue was in Belmopan. When I peeped through, I saw two Spanish decent guys running - one was tall and one was short but they ran across the road towards the Roaring Creek ball field."

Shooting Victim Dies
And like we said there are two other cases which have now been upgraded to murder investigation. The first is 25 year old Arthur Baptist. He was shot on June first at his uncle Melvin’s barber-shop on Neal’s Pen Road. Arthur Baptist was shot in the head and the bullet splintered inside his brain. He was initially given only a 5% chance of survival, but was released from the hospital in a month. He did however, suffer significant brain damage and was left confined to a wheel chair, unable to talk and living with intense pain. His family was treating him at home, but yesterday quite suddenly, he died at home. His family declined interview today and told us they are awaiting a post mortem to determine the cause of death. 25 year old Baptist had one child, a daughter.

Chopping Victim Passes
And the Kenneth Flowers case has also been upgraded to murder. On August 23rd., 46 year old Flowers was chopped up as he slept in his Mahogany Heights home. Police found Flowers sitting in his home with 3 large injuries to his face and bleeding profusely. Those injuries Flowers was at home alone in his bed when a man entered his bedroom and inflicted his injuries. No one was charged and this too is now a murder investigation.

Cabinet Subcommittee Talks Stake Bank
Since Tuesday, we’ve been reporting on the Stake Bank Project which the Feinstein Group of Companies is trying to get through all the required governmental clearances. Well today, the Cabinet Subcommittee on investment met in Belmopan for almost 3 hours to consider it. The ministers were updated on the NEAC discussion, which happened earlier in the week, and they also looked at the economic issues arising from the plan. After the meeting finished, the Chairman of the Subcommittee, Godwin Hulse, spoke with us on the project’s status with Government. Here’s how he explained it: Hon. Godwin Hulse - Chair, Cabinet Sub-committee "This is a Cabinet Subcommittee meeting; it's a combination of Cabinet Ministers and the technical people who work on the data. We had the meeting this morning, it's just concluded - it was to look at where we are with the State Bank project - as you know Mr. Mike Feinstein has launched this project - there was a press conference and there's a lot of information. The technical team is been sifting through this and so we made tremendous progress today. Earlier this week - there was the NEAC process where it looked at the environment, as you know I have laid out, with the support of the Cabinet a 5 prong approach to looking at investments and I'll repeat them -

Friction Within FFB Executive?
18 months after being swept into office, tonight there are reports of discord within the executive of the Football Federation of Belize – discord so serious that reports say three members of the executive have been threatened with suspension. It seems that for some time executive members have been complaining to President Ruperto Vicente about the lack of efficiency in the FFB Secretariat. That created some friction between Vicente, who is directly responsible for the Secretariat and the Executive Members who would like a more modern management style. Vicente reportedly discussed the executive’s lack of support for him at a meeting with district chairmen on Wednesday. But the story that came out of that meeting is that he was trying to get support to suspend three executive members. There is some dispute over whether that was discussed, but the meeting did agree to send a caution letter to all executive members, including Vicente. The letter – which was received today - cautions the members that they are engaging in “malicious and undermining” activities.

Burglar Brought Back His Stash; Still Sent To Prison
He took back the stuff he had stolen, but 22 year-old Thomas Ferguson is spending the first night of a 3 and a half year sentence after he pleaded guilty to burglarizing his neighbor’s house. According to police, at 5:30 on Wednesday evening, Dulce Sutherland arrived at her home on Fabers Road to find the back door of her house pried open. She checked inside and found out that the house was ransacked, and 22 hundred dollars’ worth of electronics had been stolen. She immediately reported the burglary to police, and when she returned home, she found the thief, Ferguson, bringing all her stolen items back. She called police who arrested and charged him with burglary and handling stolen goods.

Chap’s Complains About City Hall’s Street Works
Belize City is undergoing transformation at an unprecedented pace – as the city council drives towards 100 paved streets in one and a half years. And during this process, the tired old cliché, has probably never been more applicable: Progress does bring problems. All over the city, merchants have to contend with streets that are closed for extended periods – and during that time they see their sales plummet. One restaurant owner is grappling with that – and he says he may not be able to survive the downswing. We found out more at Chap’s Restaurant and Bar, in the Pickwick Club compound:.. Jules Vasquez reporting Christian Riveroll is standing at the entrance to his Restaurant 'Chap's' because he has no customers inside to attend to. And if you want to know why you can see the dust clouds wafting past him.

New Peace Corps Volunteers To MOH
Tonight, the Ministry on Health is reporting that there are 16 new Peace Corps Volunteers in Belize for a 2-year work mission. They will partner with community health workers on a Rural Family Health Program, which is a collaborative effort between the Health Ministry and Peace Corps. These volunteers will be assigned to the Cayo, Orange Walk, Toledo and Belize Districts, where they will be working with the different communities on how to prevent or care for children with common illnesses, and how to prevent non-communicable diseases. This program will be the first where all volunteers will be assigned to the Ministry of Health, and the first where all Peace Corps Volunteers will live with host families for the duration of their service here. These 16 new volunteers were sworn in at a ceremony at the George Price Center in Belmopan today.

International Literacy Day At Wesley Lower
Sunday is being observed as International Literacy Day worldwide, but, in Belize it was observed today under the theme "Promoting Literacy for a Peaceful Belize." Activities were held at 15 schools in the city and Monica Bodden did her part at Wesley Lower school here on Albert Street. She found out how reading can be inspiring:.. Rudolph Neal - Standard 3 Teacher "Today is World Literacy Day and here at Wesley Lower School - we are celebrating World Literacy Day as a school under the theme 'Promoting Literacy for a better Belize' and we decided to have some Belizean personalities - people that the children look up to and know them but haven't had contact with them. They came in and read some of their favorite stories and even engaged them in a question and answer segment and so as to promote literacy to our students and to have them understand that it is not only important for them to read but it goes to show them how for example you Monica - if you didn't read in school or take literacy important - you wouldn't have been done what you did today. Too many times we get reversed by all the things that society has out there so the over all objective is to promote literacy, to bring more awareness to the importance of reading and writing and to help them to better their future."

PUP Aspirant, Mira, Is Belizean
Last night on this newscast, Belmopan Area representative John Saldivar said that PUP convention candidate for the division Oscar Mira is a Salvadorian migrant to Belize. That statement caused some consternation in PUP circles, where the party of George Price still prides itself as the nationalist party. So, like Obama loyalists pushing back against the “birthers” in the US, today Mira’s camp had to dig up Oscar Mira’s battered and frayed 1973 birth certificate. Indeed it confirms that he was born in the Cayo District Belize. Mira is of Salvadorian lineage and proudly comes from a family of 10 raised in Salvapan.

Image Factory Launches Art Book
Over the last decade and a half The Image Factory has been pushing the edge of contemporary art in Belize. But, along with art impresario Joan (Juan) Duran, they’ve been doing the same thing in Central America and the Caribbean. And now they’ve put together the combined output of all those art interventions in a dramatic new book. It’s a beautiful edition, over 400 pages long and costs one hundred dollars. But what is this art book about? We tried to find out at the very unusual launching today:.. Jules Vasquez reporting An isolate cropping of students, friends, fans and press in the middle of the cavernous SJC Gymnasium. Hand-fans aflutter in visible discomfort form the oppressive heat. It’s probably the first book launch staged in such a strange setting but this is Art with a capital 'A' and the audience was only allegorical: Yasser Musa - Artist "The reason we are sitting here in this hot, beautiful, well-lit gymnasium is not by accident. It is intentional because we wanted to create a metaphor that says that this space is a laboratory of energy."

Belize Hoping to Hold 3rd In Volleyball Tournament
Tonight, Belize’s Youth Female National Volleyball Team is hoping for the best after they lost in straight sets to the undefeated Costa Ricans today. After going two and three, the team is currently third in the standings and is waiting for the result of El Salvador – Honduras match to see if they can hold that position. In today’s loss, 13 year old Mya Musa had 5 points and Kandyce Burn had 4. And even if the team does not medal, Belize players can win individual awards in Blocking, Digging, Setting, and the Libero category.

Channel 5

Roaring Creek resident murdered in cold blood in front of his residence
Roaring Creek this morning was the scene of an execution style murder. Just after eight o’clock, a resident was executed within minutes of leaving the police station. The gunman appeared [...]

Arthur Baptist dies months after being shot inside barber shop
Twenty-four year old Arthur Baptist and his uncle, forty-four year old Melvin Baptist, were gunned down on June first in Belize City. Both men were socializing inside Melvin’s Barbershop on [...]

Felicia Chen to stand trial for the death of her three kids
A young woman accused of killing three of her children will appear in court on September seventeenth to stand trial on three counts of murder. On April twenty-seventh twenty-two year [...]

National Assembly issues revised schedule for PAC meetings
On Wednesday, the Clerk of the National Assembly sent out a schedule and agenda of hearings of the Public Accounts Committee. That committee, mandated to scrutinize and report on government [...]

Another Guatemalan caught inside Chiquibul
The Chiquibul National Park continues to be a major draw for Guatemalans who want to farm, or pan for gold or cut xate or cut timber or exploit any of [...]

Bomb threat at national university
The Central Campus of the University of Belize received a bomb threat at around five-forty Thursday evening. All students were evacuated by the security of the national university. Police and [...]

International Literacy Day celebrated at schools across the country
Literacy and numeracy…together with comprehension are all hallmarks of learning. Today, primary schools across the country celebrated International Literacy Day with activities geared towards reading and writing in various forms [...]

Rumble in the F.F.B….Congress warns executive members about malicious and undermining activities
The Football Federation of Belize is currently not on its most stable footing. After a marathon session of fundraising which fell short and a less than spectacular showing at the [...]

Venezuelan Ambassador speaks on Petrocaribe
A report earlier this week in Caribbean Insight suggests modifications in respect of the Petrocaribe oil debt by governments of the region to Venezuela’s state owned oil company known as [...]

Perez Marcano speaks of oil prices
The ALBA Bank is owned by Venezuela, Cuba, Bolivia, Ecuador and Nicaragua. News Five also questioned Ambassador Perez Marcano if any changes were contemplated in the medium to long term [...]

6 week old baby needs public assistance in seeking surgery abroad
The family of six-week-old Alyssa Aguilar, born with a rare cardiopulmonary condition, is tonight appealing to the Belizean public to assist in raising much needed funds for corrective surgeries abroad. [...]

Landings arrives on the Belizean artistic landscape
The Landings Project, a powerful body of work in visual and literary art, was launched in Belize City today. The repertoire, a product of curator Joan Duran, dates back to [...]

Carnival Mas Camp 2013 continues with Erotic’s big night out.
Four mas camps were judged on Thursday night; it’s all leading up to the vibrant Carnival Road March on September fourteenth that starts at the Yarborough Green. But if Thursday [...]

LOVE FM

Taiwan and Belize Team Up To Empower Women Through Training
The Agro-Processing Program is one that promises to upgrade the income of youth and women. It is currently the Pilot Program of Belize’s soy sauce production and commercialized dehydrated papaya program. Today the program which is a collaborative effort of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture and the Technical Mission of the Republic of China Taiwan, was officially launched. Reporter Natalie Novelo and Videographer Myles Gillett travelled to the City of Belmopan where the launch was held and bring you the following report. GARETH MURILLO, REGISTRAR OF COOPERATIVES (MNRA) “Empowering women and youth for income generation” It is under this theme that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture along with the Technical Mission of the Republic of China, Taiwan, launched the National Agro-processing Training Program in the City of Belmopan. The project is a social benefit program which according to Food Specialist from the ROC Taiwan Technical Mission, Carson Huang, started in 2006. He told us how the program has grown.

Teachers Become Innovative For Literacy
Primary schools in Belize City and other districts today used various methods to reinforce reading among their enrolment. It came as part of International Literacy Day, which promotes reading, and locally, the Ministry of Education has been on the bandwagon for the past three years, and Quality Assurance officer with the Ministry of Education, Lurleen Betson Gamboa, says that utilizing innovative ideas with other aspects in the learning process has been key practices in that process. Lurleen Betson Gamboa, QUADS Officer, Min. of Education “We’re looking at board games, storytelling both coming from the students, teachers and media personnel to tell the stories, to dramatize; we have sports activities and anything surrounding literacy.” Reading, in its menial form has been put to the task by the advent of cable television, internet games and i-pods. But one teacher, Alice Middleton, a standard four teacher at Trinity Methodist, cleverly suggests that the innovations that have accompanied these tools can also help to endorse reading.

Commuters in Northern Belize Need Better Roads
Continuous rain for the past week has worsened the condition of the road from Orange Walk Town to San Estevan and Progresso Village. Pictures sent to us by residents of the area show several portions of the road under water and in some parts thick sticky mud that makes it even more difficult for vehicles to pass. Love News understands that this morning some buses could not make it through and commuters had to cross on trucks and other heavy machinery. Last month high ranking officials from the Ministry of Works including the CEO met with residents of the area in Progresso to explain why the work on the road had stalled. According to the CEO Errol Gentle they were waiting for money to be disbursed to Lopez Co. Ltd and Bella Vista Co. Ltd, the two contractors for work to restart in the area. The rehabilitation of the approximately 15 mile long road is part of the sugar accompanying measures financed by the European Union. The only work that has been done in the area in 18 months is the opening of drainage and elevation of the road in some parts of the road. Residents have continuously expressed frustration with the delay of the work on the road as hundreds of commuters use the road on a daily basis. The road also connects Orange Walk Town to major fishing villages of Chunox, Copper Bank, and Sarteneja.

Burglar Returns Stolen Items To Owner and Gets Imprisoned
A 22-year-old man who returned the items he stole and pled guilty to burglary, was sentenced to half the minimum sentence of seven years today by Magistrate Leslie Hamilton because of special extenuating circumstances and due to the fact that he had no previous conviction for crimes of dishonesty or violence. He is Thomas Ferguson, an unemployed of Faber’s Road Extension. Magistrate Hamilton explained that the special extenuating circumstances were the fact that Ferguson saved the court time by pleading guilty and he returned the items to owner with his own volition. As a result, instead of seven years, Ferguson will serve three and a half years. The burglary occurred around 6:38 a.m. on September 4. Ferguson’s neighbor reported to the police that her house was burglarized and a number of items amounting to two thousand two hundred dollars were stolen. When she returned home later that day she found Ferguson there with all the stolen items. Ferguson was also charged with handling stolen goods but that charge was withdrawn by the prosecution after his guilty plea for burglary was accepted.

Man Hospitalized After Being Shot; Park Ranger Questioned for Being Armed
One man is hospitalized after being shot at the Program for Belize on the evening of September 4. Love News understands that a park ranger at Program for Belize shot twenty-five year old Humberto Santos of Guinea Grass Village in the Rio Bravo area of Program for Belize for illegal activity. Santos was shot to his left ankle and he is currently hospitalized at the Northern Regional Hospital. We understand that his ankle was practically destroyed and is scheduled for surgery. Santos would not comment on the incident when contacted. However officials at Program for Belize confirmed that the incident did occur but add that there is some uncertainty as to how the park ranger was in possession of a weapon as the park rangers should not be armed. Officials at Program for Belize are conducting their investigation and Police are also investigating the incident.

Fight Against HIV/AIDS Becomes More Challenging
The National AIDS Commission has a new Executive Director and along with that change in leadership is a new approach to respond to the AIDS epidemic. Here to give support to that effort is Dr. Pierre Somse, the UN AIDS Representative for Jamaica, the Bahamas and Belize. He says that the primary reason behind the new approach is that funding for AIDS awareness campaigns have been drying up. Dr. Pierre Somse, UNAIDS Rep., Jamaica, Bahamas, Belize “We are bringing technical guidance on how to understand the epidemic in a way that it allows to re-prioritize the actions; how to develop an optimum package of intervention that is cost effective, that is efficient and also how to ensure that the funding that is available is used efficiently; how to leverage domestic resource to fill the gap in funding. As you know, global financing has undergone a serious challenge and the global solidarity is shrinking because of other priorities as climate change, non-communicable diseases and funding for HIV is not only the priority.”

Workers Trapped Inside Government Palace in Chetumal Due to Teachers’ Protest
For the past weeks thousands of teachers in Mexico have taken to the streets to show their discontent of an education reform introduced by President Enrique Pena Nieto. On Wednesday the Mexican Senate voted in favor of the bill. Major demonstrations have been happening in Mexico City and the states of Nayarit and neighboring Quintana Roo. This afternoon, the State Governor Roberto Borge Angulo was caught among some angry protestors who blocked the passage of his convoy. Things got tense but before it got out of control the governor’s bodyguards quickly jumped in and pushed away the big crowd of protestors. Mexican media reported that the Governor’s vehicle received minor damage as a result of the confrontation. More policemen were dispatched to the front of the State Government Palace in Chetumal where hundreds of teachers have been protesting all this week. Mexican media report that public officers working at the Government Palace are unable to exit the building as teachers continue the blockage.

Media Reported Lies Says Football Federation
Yesterday we reported on controversy within the Football Federation of Belize. Today the FFB issued a release in which it says it is disappointed in the manner in which negative information was sent to the media of a quarterly meeting of the President and head of affiliates. According to the release the sole purpose of the meeting was to discuss the three year Youth Development for Grass Root – U-15, 17 and 20 for male and female; the talent schools and academies in each district, the managers of the academies, stipend for managers and coaches for the academy and the role of the district chairperson to develop and strengthen the program in their district. It goes on to say at no time there was a move to call an extra Ordinary Congress or the suspension of any member of the FFB Executive. Instead, all FFB Executive members were given a caution letter and were reminded that they must be aware of the FFB Code of Conduct and FIFA Disciplinary Code of Conduct. We will continue to follow this story.

Mother of Murder Victim Says His Son Was Innocent
An early morning murder shattered the silence in Roaring Creek Village today and just as fast as the gunshots disturbed the otherwise peaceful neighborhood, thirty four year old Nigel Noel Neal, a mechanic of the village, lay dead in a pool of his own blood. Neal’s mother, Alice Burgess says she didn’t get to bid her son farewell this morning, as she expected him to pick her up as usual, in the afternoon at the Agriculture show grounds where she works.

CTV3

Miss Belize In Bali For Miss World Pageant
As we speak, Belize’s delegate for the 63rd Miss World Pageant is in the City of Bali. This year the international pageant is scheduled to take place on September 28th...

PAC Moves Forward Without Chairman Espat
Yesterday the Opposition walked out of the Public’s Account Committee meeting held in Belmopan after chairman Julius Espat’s proposed agenda to discuss the 2010/2011 Auditor General Report was overthrown by...

BSCFA Restructures Staff
The Belize Sugar Cane Farmer’s Association will be receiving much needed assistance in two key areas; institutional strengthening and strategic planning as part of the Accompanying Measures for Sugar finance...

BelizeCan Prays And Fasts For Leaders Of The Nation
The non-profit organization known as BelizeCan, headed by Patrick Menzies, organized a seven days of prayer and fasting for the leaders of the country in hope that they would have...

PUP Demands Respect In Parliament
When we thought that the behavior of the member for Mesopotamia at the last House Meeting on August 7th 2013 now formed part of the past, his crude verbal attack...

Heavy Rains Cause Flooding In Corozal
An unpredicted rain left the villages of San Roman, Santa Clara, San Narciso and Louisville in the Corozal District under a couple of feet of water yesterday afternoon. Sometime around...

PlusTV

House destroyed by fire
Sometime on Thursday, the house of Belize City resident Cornel Gomez, who lives on Neal Pen Road was destroyed by fire. Our news team met up with him at the aftermath of the blaze. Corlen Gomez – Fire Victim: Well I was called and the fire was burning...

US South Command General on official visit to Belize
General John F. Kelly, along with a full entourage, is visiting Belize for the first time since he was elected as the commanding officer for the United State’s Southcom, in November of 2011. For those who might not have heard of Southcom, it is a joint...

Minister Saldivar claims Cabinet supports Stake Bank Project
On Wednesday PlusNews informed the nation of the proposed Feinstein development at Stake Bank and North Drowned Caye 2 miles east of Belize City. The proposed cruise port and tourism destination awaits approval from the National Environmental Assessment Committee (NEAC) which is reviewing the Environmental Impact Assessment addenda since...

Police produce documentary on the GREAT program
The Gang Truce is officially dead – but gang-related activity has for the most part sharply decreased in recent months. The Police Department’s Community Policing Unit has taken an active role in releasing the stranglehold of gangs on communities who may depend on...

APAMO elects new executive and takes position on the State Bank Project
Thursday was the annual general meeting for the Association for Protected Areas Management Organizations (APAMO). Seats for four members on the executive including chairman went to a ballot. With the results here is executive director of APAMO, Jose Perez. Jose Perez – Executive Director APAMO: Up to this point,...

Police Corporal acquitted of causing harm to a female teacher
Police Corporal, Darrell “Tutsi” Usher, who has had quite a few run ins with the law, was acquitted this morning of causing harm to a woman. The 27 year old walked out of court a free man after the victim requested that the charge be dropped. According to police...

Three persons wanted by the US appear in court
Gary Seawell, Fakhnul Salim and Deon Bruce are wanted by the United States for various charges. They all appeared on Wednesday in Magistrate’s Court before Chief Magistrate Ann-Marie Smith, but two of the cases, Fakhnul Salim and Deon Bruce, were adjourned respectively to October 21 and November 18. Gary...

Minister Longsworth updates media on progress at Marion Jones Stadium and Berger Field
The Government of Belize has undertaken a complete overhaul of the Marion Jones Stadium, but you probably know that already, as the renovations begun quite a few years now. It’s no question that the stadium holds colossal potential, but when will our athletes be able to make use of...

Bomb threat UB Belmopan
Plus News understands that there has been a report of a bomb threat at the University of Belize in Belmopan. On Thursday evening Police were on the scene and were evacuating lecturers, students and staff. We will have more on this breaking story in Friday’s newscast.

Hon. John Saldivar not concerned about Oscar Mira running for political office
Last week, we told you about a retired major for the Belize Defense Force, who left his military duties to pursue a career in an entirely different field- politics. We also told he will be competing for the position of the PUP standard bearer in the Belmopan constituency. Well,...

Price of butane goes up
The Government of Belize has announced a spike in fuel prices. Effective Friday, September 6th 2013, the new controlled prices of LPG will be as follows: in Belize City and Corozal $117.00, in Belmopan and San Ignacio $119.00 and Benque120.00. Orange Walk residents will pay 118.00, Dangriga residents $121.00...

Football live on Plus TV
This Saturday PlusTV sports enthusiasts will be given a Football treat as the Atlantic Bank Female Interdistrict Footbal Finals will be aired Live on PlusTV. Commencing at 1pm at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan, DFC Gentle Touch will be playing Dangriga Pumas for third place. And then at 3pm...

Amandala

CITCO GRANTS 4-MONTH EXTENSION TO “BIG BUSES”
Amandala has been told that after a second meeting held today, Thursday, September 5, Philip Jones, CEO of Belize Transit Services, has gotten a 4-month extension from the Belize City Council to continue using the big buses under the condition that the bus operators make arrangements to comply with the regulations put in place by the Council. Jones said that they were also offered an additional 2-month grace period if they are not able to meet the bus size requirements at the end of the four months. The meeting today is subsequent to another meeting that was held on Tuesday at City Hall. Earlier this week in our Tuesday issue, Amandala reported that several large buses were impounded by the Belize City Council because their size was not in compliance with CITCO’s policies in regards to the city transport guidelines. The bus drivers were upset because they were not able to conduct their regular runs on an exceptionally busy first day of school in Belize City.

US$100 MILLION, 3700 JOBS – BIGGER THAN BIG?
Michael Feinstein, president of the Feinstein Group of Companies, held a press conference/public launch this morning of a proposed US$100 million tourism project for the development of a cruise port at Stake Bank and a shopping zone on North Drowned Caye, about two miles off the coast of Belize City. While Feinstein described the project as 100% Belizean, he also indicated at the press conference, held at the Belize Best Western Biltmore Hotel, that Royal Caribbean – a leading international cruise line with which his enterprise had partnered initially to bring on-stream the Fort Street Tourism Village in Belize City – intends to invest in the new venture. Royal Caribbean runs the only existing cruise port in Belize. Another port, however, to be built by Norwegian Cruise Lines, has recently been proposed for Southern Belize. The Stake Bank project is also being considered for government approval. Mr. Feinstein’s project idea is evidently about a decade old, and when we asked him to explain what major challenges have held up its realization, he had two words for us: “government interference.” He declined to elaborate when we pressed him.

UNMANNED AERIAL DRONES TO POLICE BELIZEAN WATERS
Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing continues to be a bane not just locally – but also internationally, and enforcement personnel of the Belize Fisheries Department met today to discuss a proposal for the Belize Fisheries Department to begin using “automated aircrafts” or unmanned conservation drones to police Belizean waters. Whereas the drones are being considered for fisheries law enforcement, there is the question of whether the prototypes could help in anti-narcotics surveillance—since much of the narco-trafficking is presumed to also happen along the coast—as well as border surveillance to help stave off illegal activities, such as clandestine gold panning. Three prototypes of the conservation drones were recently tested in the Glovers Reef Marine Reserve area, at the request of the Belize Fisheries Department, with the support of the Wildlife Conservation Society. Lian Pin Koh, founder and director of Conservation Drones.org and Simon Wunderlin – Conservation Drones’ technical director, were in Belize to demonstrate how the drones could be used here. They report that over 40 GB of video footage was collected during the testing phase.

SHELDON SOSA, 24, CHARGED WITH BRODIES $46,000 ROBBERY
Sosa is accused of putting a gun to the back of the security guard in front of FirstCaribbean International Bank. This morning, Sheldon Sosa, 24, a mechanic of #56 Albert Street, was taken before Magistrate Clive Lino and charged with robbery of Brodies Supermarket – a robbery which yielded him $46,064.42. According to police, around 4:30 Saturday evening, security guard for James Brodie Company Limited, Elison Emmert Lamb, 52, was on Albert Street in front of FirstCaribbean International Bank (FCIB) on his way to make a cash deposit. The bank is just across the street from the supermarket. Lamb was just a few yards away from the bank when he felt someone place something against his back, something he believed was a gun, while demanding that he hand over the cash bag. Fearing for his life, Lamb complied with the demand and handed over the bag to the robber, who then ran down Church Street, got a bicycle from an accomplice at the corner of Church Street and Duck Lane, and rode off toward East Canal.

COMMERCE BIGHT TAKEOVER “ABSOLUTELY WITHIN OUR LEGAL RIGHT:” PM TELLS PRESS
Minister of Works and Transport Rene Montero signed an order on August 15, 2013, revoking the lease granted to Port of Belize Limited, which then led to a move by the Barrow administration to assume immediate control of the Commerce Bight Port near Dangriga in the Stann Creek District. We asked Prime Minister Dean Barrow whether he anticipates that the takeover would result in yet another chapter in the litigation warfare between his administration and the Ashcroft group, which had been holding the property as part of its receivership of Port of Belize Limited. Barrow told us on Monday that the move is “another blow for Belizean sovereignty…” “As far as I am concerned, the position is quite clear and eminently justified by the facts, so we were absolutely within our legal right to cancel. Remember, this was only done after they first obtained an injunction and the injunction had been discharged. Even if they decide to go to court, in my view, they can’t win, but you have to ask them whether that’s their intention,” he added.

HOW “THE TENTH” WAS WON
— by Michael Finnegan History records that the commemoration of the Battle of St. George’s Caye began in September of 1898, a full century after the battle was fought. Our documentary heritage, of which the Belize Archives and Records Service and the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) are today custodians, indicates that as early as 1779 the Spanish were launching attacks from Bacalar on the inhabitants on St. George’s Caye. There are accounts of the Spanish taking the settlers and their slaves captive, marching them to Merida and confiscating their property. The minutes of a Public Meeting held in Belize Town on 1st June 1797, a copy of which is today available at the Belize Archives and Records Service in Belmopan, records that the community, in the face of continued Spanish threats, decided “to carry on defensive operations to keep possession of the settlement” rather than “to determine a general evacuation”.

PM BARROW HOLDS “UNPRECEDENTED MEETING” WITH NATIONWIDE CHURCH LEADERS
Amandala has been informed that 42 evangelical pastors—6 from each district plus Belmopan—met on Friday morning, August 2, at the George Price Center with Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dean Barrow. The meeting was coordinated by Richard Smith of My Refuge Christian Radio, who told the press: “We’re the conscience of this nation…” Prime Minister Barrow told journalists, after the meeting, that “… it was altogether, as I said, a very, very satisfying experience.” Asked whether the Revised Gender Policy 2013, which has faced strong opposition from the church, was a subject of their talks, Barrow said, no – the meeting was not about the gender policy.

FLASH!! BELIZE FEMALE VOLLEYBALLERS BEAT NICARAGUA, PLAY COSTA RICA TOMORROW
News tonight from Guatemala City is that the Belize Youth Female National Volleyball Team came from being down 1 set to defeat Nicaragua, 3 sets to 1, 13-25, 25-22, 25-8, 25-13. Kandyce Burn led Belize with 17 pts (15 kills, 2 aces) and Kori Diego had 11 pts (6 kills, 5 blocks). Team Belize is now 2 and 2 (2 wins, 2 losses), and if Guatemala beats Honduras later tonight, as is expected, then Belize will be tied with them at a 2 and 2 record. It will come down to the results of the final day. Belize plays Costa Rica tomorrow at 3:00 p.m.

ALLIED SPORTS CLUB HOLDS TRACK MEET THIS SATURDAY
A new sports group, the Allied Sports Club, whose representatives appeared this morning on the Krem WUB morning show, say they are holding a track meet this Saturday, September 7, at the new synthetic track at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex. Renowned Belizean sprinter Jaheed Smith, along with Paul Staine and Daland Jones, say that registration for participation in the meet is free for all athletes, and they will be arranging bus transportation to and from the event. The meet will have events in three different age categories – Junior B (15-17 yrs), Junior A (18-19 yrs), and Open (20+ yrs). The day begins with the 1500m at 8:00 a.m. (check in time is 7:30 a.m.) for all age groups. Check in time for the 400m is 8:30 a.m. Official opening ceremonies then follow at 9:00 a.m.

BELIZE PLACES 4TH IN FIBA AMERICAS U-18 3×3 CHAMPIONSHIP
The Belize National U-18 3×3 basketball team returned to Belize on Monday, September 2, after placing 4th in the U-18 3×3 FIBA Americas Championship held in Washington DC. It is a remarkable achievement for our Belize team, who defeated powerhouse Puerto Rico and then Guatemala in order to advance to the semifinal round. Belize then lost, 21-16, to top ranked USA, and then lost to Canada in the bronze medal game. With the 4th place finish, the Belize National U-18 3×3 basketball team has qualified to participate in the U-18 3×3 World Championship to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from September 26-29.

SAN PEDRO JUNIOR SAILING CLUB CAPTURES 2013 BATTLE REGATTA 1ST PLACE TROPHY
A rainy week gave way today to sunny skies and steady winds, between 9 and 12 knots. At the end of 5 races in the Optimist Class, consistent sailing by Jerdon Anderson of the San Pedro Junior Sailing Club (SPJSC) allowed him to sail away from 2013 Battle Regatta with 1st Place honors. Isaac Ritchie of the Placencia Sailing Club (PSC) followed close behind in the “Tipsy Tuna” boat, grabbing 2nd Place. Anthony Ricardez, Jr. of the Belize City Sailing Club (BCSC) in the “Howarth Belize” boat held on to 3rd Place, and not too long before overcast skies reappeared. 29 competitors and 5 clubs participated in the Optimist Class race of Battle Regatta 2013, including Corozal Bay Sailing Club (CBSC) and Belize Sea Scouts (BSS.) The other top ten finishers, starting from 4th place, were: 4th Faith Noel (SPSC), 5th Blanca Velasquez (PSC), 6th Mitchell Sersland (BSS), 7th Kevin Velasquez (SPSC), 8th Christian Trejo (SPSC), 9th Carlos Villatoro (PSC) and 10th Trent Hardwick of BSS.

DANGRIGA SPORTS STATS – BACK TO SCHOOL CYCLE RACE WAS A BIG SUCCESS
Boys & Girls football The Dangriga Boys & Girls Football Club friendly matches that were postponed over the weekend due to weather conditions will now be played this Sunday, September 8, at the Carl Ramos Stadium, starting at 10:00 a.m. before the First Division Marathon. Once again, the first game will be Montise U-12 vs Hopkins U-12; second game is Umadagu U-12 vs Pomona U-12; and the third game, Umadagu U-17 vs Pomona U-17. First Division football Also, the Stann Creek District First Division Marathon that was previously scheduled for over the weekend, and was postponed also because of rain, will now get under way this Sunday at the Carl Ramos Stadium, starting at 12:00 midday. Prizes remain the same: 1st prize $500.00, 2nd place $250.00, and 3rd $125.00. All teams should be at the Carl Ramos Stadium by 11:30 a.m.

BIG PEOPLE AND SMALL PEOPLE Editorial
A few weeks ago one of this newspaper’s columnists attacked the Stake Bank Development Project because of its environmental implications for the Swallow Caye manatee sanctuary. We edited the column slightly, because KREM Radio, a limited liability company, has a business relationship with the principals in the Stake Bank project. (KREM Radio is a part of the Kremandala businesses.) We thought the column was a bit personal, hence the editing. As it turned out, both our columnist and our business associates were displeased. But, after a while life went on pretty much as per usual. This week the Stake Bank project hit the headlines again, and so we expect our dilemma to re-surface. Kremandala is a pretty big institution on the Southside of Belize City because over the years we have created 80 jobs in a part of the old capital where socio-economic conditions are rough. When Southside Belizeans seek assistance of various kinds from us, sometimes we have to point out to them that in the larger scheme of things Belizean, we are small people on Partridge Street. It is more often than not that our words are taken as hollow or disingenuous by Southside people: after all, Kremandala looks big. We are not.

FROM THE PUBLISHER
“The opposition’s means, used against us, are always immoral, and our means are always ethical and rooted in the highest of human values. George Bernard Shaw, in Man and Superman, pointed out the variations in ethical definitions by virtue of where you stand. Mendoza said to Tanner, ‘I am a brigand; I live by robbing the rich.’ Tanner replied, ‘I am a gentleman; I live by robbing the poor. Shake hands.’” - pg. 29, Rules for radicals, Saul Alinsky, Vintage Books, New York, 1971. “The seventh rule of the ethics of means and ends is that generally success or failure is a mighty determinant of ethics. The judgment of history leans heavily on the outcome of success or failure; it spells the difference between the traitor and the patriotic hero. There can be no such thing as a successful traitor, for if one succeeds, he becomes a founding father.” - pg. 34, ibid. In analyzing the recent events in Egypt, I was struck by the similarities with what had taken place in Honduras, our neighbors to the south, in June/July of 2009. In Egypt, the United States wanted President Mohammad Morsi out, and in Honduras they had wanted President Manuel Zelaya out. Both these leaders had been democratically elected, and Washington always extols democracy above all, supposedly and strategically.

RAPE OF A BOY IN BELIZE!
I am concerned at how the Revised Gender Policy has gotten so much attention and how it especially seeks to promote a lifestyle that is so contrary to the collective value of a nation, yet it is to represent the interest of people who have not even been consulted. Even more amazing is that we now are making a decision that will impact the future of our children, yet they as the most vulnerable group, the group who will live with the consequences of this policy in its present form, have not even been consulted, much less considered. Who is special? It is still incredible, the audacity that the authors and supporters of the National Gender policy have to speak about special groups and, sadly, not even mention children as a special category with special urgent needs. Yes, the policy has gone on a limb to create special groups and special commitments, and while I must say some mentioned are meritorious of that classification, there are others that baffle me, and still more alarming are the ones not included.

AS A LAYMAN …
Mindprint…fear… In the early 1980’s a campaign of terror was instituted against the industrial North, primarily North America (the U.S.A.) and Western Europe by their enemies. The targets, of course, took preventative measures to protect and alleviate the fear endangered in their citizens both at home and abroad. In Belize the foreign embassies began to set up security systems to ensure the safety of their personnel both at home and at work. Roving security guards, watchmen, communications networks (advent of cellular phones) were all installed. Then it was reported by their press that Ghadafy of Libya had created “hit squads” to execute this dirty work; of course he didn’t say much one way or another. As a result security was heightened – Belize next? God forbid! The Pope didn’t seem to think so; he paraded in an open vehicle and celebrated Mass on an open altar. Notwithstanding and true to form, the Belizean “haves” followed suit; it became the “in” thing to have high fences, burglar bars, watchmen, high priced watch dogs. The inculcation of and nurturing of fear in the Belizean population had begun, a population all too susceptible.

G-7 – WAS IT RIGHT OR WRONG?
— by Joe Coye Your column “From the Publisher” of August 28, 2013 featured the G-7. The author stated facts, gave opinions and asked questions which I believe were well-balanced. They are thoughts for sobering reflections, particularly at a time when we are about to observe (or should I say celebrate?) our thirty two years of fully fledged self-government, although there are too many of our citizens who believe that good governance as a management concept continues to elude us. I suggest sobering reflections not just for one “colour” but for all of us right across the social, economic and political spectrum. We need not debate it in the public square but at least do it in the cellar of our souls where we can better insulate the biases and personal prejudices. There is a growing distrust and cynicism toward government, the political system, and politicians. We are all to be blamed. It might be just a matter of degree. Together we can and must restore the trust and hope. Let me attempt to answer the very explicit and salient question: was the fiscal policy change occasioned by the G-7 a good thing or a bad thing where the health of Belize’s public finances were/are concerned? There may also be an inferential question: was the G-7 the cause for the PUP loss of the 2008 election?

HOUSE CATCHES FIRE WITH CHILD, 4, LEFT ALONE INSIDE
Mother had gone visiting next door. A boy, 4, who was home alone and unattended, is alive and unhurt after he escaped from his house, which became engulfed in flames and was completely destroyed by fire at about 9:00 Sunday morning in Maskall Village. Police reports are that the boy’s mother left the boy in the house and went to her mother-in-law’s house, located just next door. Shortly after, the house caught fire. The mother reported that she rushed home to save her son, but he had already been saved by people in the area. They assisted in putting out the fire, but the house and all her belongings were nevertheless destroyed. The National Fire Service has launched an investigation to ascertain the cause of the fire.

RECENT FOOD SECURITY STUDY SHOWS BLEAK IMPLICATIONS FOR FOOD SECURITY
Food security, as defined by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), exists “when all people at all times have physical or economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life” (FAO 1996). A recent food security study that was conducted in two indigenous communities in southern Belize has found that many farmers were unable to produce enough corn to sustain their families last year. As many as two-thirds of the farmers in one community were therefore forced to buy corn. As a result, there has been a slight reduction reported in the frequencies and quantities of corn consumed due to less availability and accessibility. The study, titled the “Impact of Climate Change on Food Security in two Q’eqchi Maya communities in southern Belize” focuses specifically on two particular indigenous communities in what is known as the Moho Region in the Toledo District. It was conducted earlier this year by Dr. Filiberto Penados and Mr. Angel Tec with funding from Many Strong Voices and NORAD. The two communities selected for the field study were Midway and Crique Sarco.

BDF SOLDIER DIES IN ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT
A soldier of the Belize Defence Force, Mike Cho, 22, of San Jose Village, Toledo, who was posted at Camp Fairweather in Punta Gorda, was killed on the spot when the motorcycle he was riding collided head-on with a Mitsubishi pickup truck, causing him massive head and body injuries. He was buried today with full honors in Santa Rosa Village. The incident occurred about 5:15 p.m. Friday, August 30, on the Southern Highway between Miles 83 and 84 at a location between Tambran and Medina Bank villages. Police said that Cho was travelling on his motorcycle from Punta Gorda towards Santa Rosa Village on the Southern Highway when a pickup truck that was travelling in the opposite direction, being driven at the time by Natasha Gomez, 20, of Punta Gorda, collided into him head-on. As a result of the impact, Cho landed on the pavement and died almost immediately. Among the severe injuries he sustained, his left foot was almost amputated.

FIRE ON PEN ROAD DESTROYS HOME
There was no road for the fire engine to reach the house in the Neal Pen Road area. A man is now homeless after his 20-by-14-foot timber house and belongings in the Neal Pen Road Extension area were completely destroyed by fire about 10:00 this morning. Nothing was saved .The estimated loss is about $30,000. The homeowner, Cornel Gomez, 25, said that he was away at the time, cutting a yard. He said that he had left home about 9:30, but shortly after, at about 10:00, he heard a loud explosion, then saw smoke and fire. Gomez did not think that it was his property, and after finishing his job, he started for home. He then met some of his neighbors, who told him that his house had burned down. Gomez said that he rushed home, only to find that indeed, it had been completely destroyed by fire.

SUSPECTED SUICIDE IN SANDHILL
A resident of Sandhill was found dead in his home after apparently taking his own life. However, Ladyville Police stated that they visited Sandhill, located at Mile 19 ¼ on the Philip Goldson Highway, at about 8:18 p.m. on Monday, September 2, 2013 after receiving reports of an apparent homicide. Upon reaching the scene, police reported that they saw the body of Emir Bailey, 29, hanging motionless with what appeared to be an electrical cable tied around his neck. The cable was tied to a wooden beam in the bedroom of the residence that was shared by Bailey and his common-law wife, 18-year-old Kayla Augustine. Police said that a cement block was also observed next to Bailey’s feet. His body was taken down and transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH), where he was pronounced dead at 11:25 later that night.

SARSTOON-TEMASH NATIONAL PARK IN “ANCESTRAL LANDS” — MAYA LEADERS
The Maya Leaders Alliance (MLA) today responded to a statement made by Prime Minister Dean Barrow in the City of Belmopan on Monday, contending that the Sarstoon Temash National Park (STNP) is not covered by a court decision which declares Maya ancestral lands across southern Belize. The Maya community has maintained that the park is included in their ancestral lands – and that when the Government of Belize declared the property to be a national park, it did so without consulting them. The dispute has deepened because US Capital Energy is preparing to drill for oil inside the park, and on village lands. Back in 1994, the Government of Belize put 41,000 acres of southeastern Toledo under protected status, making it one of the largest protected areas in the country.

DOCTOR DROWNS IN MACAL
A doctor attached to the Belize Agriculture and Health Authority (BAHA) drowned in the Macal River on Friday afternoon. Doctor Marcelino Sosa, 28, a veterinarian of Mexico, attached to the Cattle Sweep Project unit of the Belize Agriculture and Health Authority (BAHA) to test cattle for Brucellosis, was along with a group of fellow veterinarians at the Mountain Pine Ridge area taking photographs in the Rio On Pools in Mountain Pine Ridge about 4:30 p.m. on Friday when he fell, plunging 20 feet below into the raging river, which quickly swept him away. His body was found about 18 hours later. His companions said that they quickly reacted and began a search for the doctor. They were joined by other people in the area, but the effort to find Sosa was futile.

HONDURAN JENNIFER PAULA ESCOBAR GARAY, 19, FINED $1,000 FOR ILLEGAL ENTRY
Jennifer Paula Escobar Garay, 19, a Guatemalan national, was fined $1,000 today when she appeared before Magistrate Leslie Hamilton for illegally entering our country. According to the prosecutor for the Immigration Department, Siera Torres, police responded to a car accident in the wee hours of Saturday morning. When they arrived on the scene, they met Escobar Garay, who was a passenger in the car. But when police interviewed her, they realized that she was not here legally and called the Immigration Office.

DEON BRUCE, FAKHNUL SALIM AND GARY SEAWELL BACK IN COURT TODAY
Deon Bruce, Fakhnul Salim and Gary Seawell are not related, but what they do share in common is that they are all facing extradition to the United States on charges ranging from drug trafficking to murder. And today, all three men appeared in court to have their cases heard. The first to have his case addressed was Bruce, who is wanted for a slew of charges including murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery and possession of a firearm. When Bruce was first brought to court on July 12, he was represented by Bryan Neal, but this morning, Godfrey Smith appeared as his legal representative. Smith had a brief meeting in the Magistrate’s Chambers, along with Magali Perdomo from the Attorney General’s Office, after which, Carlos Clarke, of the Attorney General’s office, was called to tender a bundle of documents, to Smith’s objection.

SOLAR POWER FOR POWERLESS VILLAGES
I read a short article in the PUP newspaper that read “Solar Makes Sense”. The article noted, and I paraphrase: there are 38 villages in the Toledo District without electricity. The Government-owned electricity company, which collected 193 million dollars from consumers last year, seems to have invested very little to provide power to these villages. We are in 2013 and this is unsatisfactory and unconstitutional. Power, and access to it, should be considered a basic human need. At this point, I believe that installing solar energy in these remote villages would cost much less than importing lamp posts, electric wires, transformers and such. This short article prompted me to write this article, due to the fact that we recently installed a solar system on our small island fishing lodge, and cut down our diesel generator usage by more than 70%. After an on-site visit by our solar system provider, Solar Energy Solutions Belize Ltd, they estimated that with our four guest cabins filled with a maximum of 10 guests, our staff quarters with an average of 10 staff/fishing guides, managers’ quarters and all on-island appliances, lights et al, we would need at least 12kWh/day average to operate smoothly on a 24/7 basis.

THE ELECTED SENATE
— by Hubert Enriquez Dear Editor; Last week was phenomenal. I was still delightfully ruminating over an article in the Amandala written by Jerry Enriquez in which he conceptualized a special Garifuna ceremony in the National Assembly to chastise and cleanse the House of wicked and deviant politicians when I heard four outstanding senior citizens pronounce loudly and clearly on reform. These citizens are Don Hector Silva, Dr. Theodore Aranda, Mr. Paul Rodriguez and Amandala columnist Janus. Don Hector spoke on Krem’s WUB of the need for a third force in Belizean politics. Dr. Aranda told his morning show host, among other things, that both major political parties had been corrupted. Mr. Rodriguez spoke of the need for reform by way of a specially elected Senate. Columnist Janus in last weekend’s issue of the Amandala built upon the proposals presented by Mr. Rodriguez.

NO TO NCL! Letters
— by R. Montero Dear Amandala: Here we are in the patriotic season in Belize — waving our flags, dancing in the streets, recalling our history. But there is more to patriotism than such activities. Patriotism means believing in Belize and in Belizeans. It seems that many of our leaders do not possess that strain of patriotism. Their response to the proposed Norwegian Cruise Lines’ project at Harvest Caye is strong evidence of their lack of faith in us, the people they are supposed to represent. Roots and hearts Belizeans have toiled, risked, and sacrificed to build a successful and sustainable niche tourism sector in southern Belize. These small businesses are largely family-owned and operated, employing fellow Belizeans and spending their dollars in Belize. This is in stark contrast to a giant foreign firm like NCL who has said openly that they are coming to Belize to “plant the flag” — their flag, not our flag. The conquistadores planted flags. Are patriotic Belizeans going to allow these modern-day colonialists to take over and destroy what Belizeans have built and are still in the process of developing and improving?

ELECTED SENATE- THE SOLE OVERSIGHT AUTHORITY Letters
— by Paul Rodriguez Dear Editor: Janus in his article of 1st September, 2013, again recommended an ELECTED Senate as the cure for our ills of corruption in government and public administration. He is eminently qualified to give our nation sound advice on this matter, having lived his whole adult life dedicated to public service. Even after his retirement, he served as Speaker of the House and Chairman of the Public Service Commission. It is a great pity that his successors as Speaker have not sought his advice Like Janus, I am convinced that an elected Senate is, possibly, the only agency capable of reducing corruption in government. An elected Senate would have security of tenure which no other oversight body has ever had in Belize- it would be removable only by the people. All the others: Ombudsman, Auditor General, Contractor General, Integrity Commission, may be removed by the persons who appoint them.

BURGLARIES IN THE NORTH AND SOUTH
Burglaries were reported by police in Hattieville, Independence and in Corozal, over the weekend. In Hattieville over $15,400 was stolen by thieves, while in Independence Village, thieves stole over $5,000 worth of merchandize, and in Corozal a thief stole $900 worth of goods, but he was captured. About 11:00 yesterday morning a woman, 34, of Hattieville who is the caretaker of a two-flat concrete house off Dalla Bank Road in Hattieville owned by Trais Knuth of Orlando Florida, USA reported that sometime between August 19 and Sunday September 1, 2013, the upper flat of the house was burglarized and a thief or thieves stole and got away with goods including household items, tools, electronic items and groceries, totaling $7,822. Police have launched an investigation, but so far no one has yet been arrested, any suspects detained, or the items yet recovered. Also in Hattieville, the house of a teacher was broken into and thieves got away with $7,680. The teacher, who resides on Camal Street in Hattieville, told police that sometime between 4:00 Sunday afternoon and 9:30 Sunday night, a thief or thieves burglarized his house from where they stole and got away with electronic items and two caps, to a total value of $7,680.

CPL. DARREL USHER WALKS – VICTIM DECLINES TO PROSECUTE
Christine Neal, the victim, informed the prosecutor that she didn’t wish to pursue the matter. On May 8 this year, Cpl. Darrel Usher was charged with wounding upon Christine Neal, a teacher who was at a wake when he allegedly attacked her. According to police, Neal reported that on April 25, she was at the wake for Mark McKoy in Hattieville when she was stunned by a punch to the left temple and a kick to her stomach — the unprovoked actions of Usher. Usher pleaded not guilty to the charge when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith, and was offered bail of $1,000 and one surety of the same amount, which he was able to meet.

ANOTHER SUPREME COURT WITNESS KILLED — THIS TIME IN MAHOGANY HEIGHTS
Kenneth Flowers, 26, a witness for an upcoming Supreme Court trial, was “chopped up” in his bed while he slept in his Mahogany Heights home by a killer who gained entry into his house on Wednesday night, August 28. Flowers was chopped in the head and face, and died on Saturday, August 31, while receiving treatment at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Police said that Flowers was found in a sitting position with three large chop wounds, and he was bleeding. He was rushed to the hospital where he fought for his life at the Intensive Care Unit, but ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

TEACHERS ROBBED IN ORANGE WALK
Two armed thieves were waiting for them in their yard. Two teachers of Orange Walk Town were chased and assaulted by two armed, masked men who were lay-waiting them in their yard, on Goff Caye Street, at about 7:30 Friday night. The teachers told police that they drove into their yard, and as they were getting out of their vehicle, two masked men came out of the shadows of their house, pointed a gun at them and told them not to move, or they would be dead. Muñoz said he quickly reacted and ran from his side of the vehicle, and his wife ran from the other side, but they both fell down in their rush to get away from the bandits. He said that when he fell down, the bandits caught him and began to beat him.

COROZAL POLICE CAPTURE BURGLAR RED-HANDED
Police say they met the thief coming out of a lodge with the stolen items in his hand. One of two Corozal residents apprehended for burglary, Rosendo Guy, 23, of San Andres Village, has been remanded to the Belize Central Prison after he failed to meet bail of $3,000. His partner in crime, George Lima, 20, also of San Andres, was able to meet bail and was released from custody. They were charged with the offenses of burglary and handling stolen goods. They were both ordered to return to the Corozal Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, November 28, to answer to the charges. Corozal police said that Guy was captured red-handed with goods coming out of a building, while Lima was arrested and charged as a result of their investigation, and community reporting. The incident occurred about 10:30 Saturday night at Alpine Lodge on College Road in Corozal Town.

KENROY GILLETT, 27, AND SHELDON SOSA, 24, CHARGED FOR FIREARM OFFENCES
The two were found with a 9mm Berretta brand pistol and (9) 9mm rounds of ammunition. Kenroy Gillett, 27, a stevedore of #39 Racoon Street, and Sheldon Sosa, 24, a mechanic of #56 Albert Street, were brought before the Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith, where they were charged with firearm offenses. According to police, officers were on patrol on Racoon Street last night when they observed a car driving toward them. The driver of the car pulled to the side of the street and Gillett, along with a passenger, got out of the vehicle and started walking toward them. The officers found the act to be suspicious, so they searched the men, who were later identified as Sosa and Gillett. Nothing incriminating was found on either man, but a set of vehicle keys was found and police decided to search the vehicle.

JOSE HERNANDEZ, 35, REMANDED FOR AGGRAVATED ASSAULT WITH A FIREARM
Hernandez and Aris Serano were involved in a traffic mishap when Hernandez allegedly pointed and cocked his gun at Serano. This afternoon, Jose Ricardo Hernandez, 35, a dump truck driver and resident of # 4 Muhammad Ali Street, was charged with aggravated assault with a firearm when he appeared before Magistrate Leslie Hamilton. According to police, at 7:15 this morning, Hernandez and Aris Serano, a bus driver, were involved in a traffic mishap on Central American Boulevard, after which tempers flared, leading to a gun being pulled out by Hernandez.

The Reporter

Stake Bank US$156 million Cruise Port project launched
Belize is about to have a new cruise port at Stake Bank, earning the country about $700 million per year, Mike Feinstein, of the Feinstein Group announced at a press conference at the Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City on Wednesday, September 4. He said the project could be completed and operational within the next 18 months once the Government of Belize gives the go-ahead. Feinstein is perhaps best known for creating Belize’s first cruise tourism port destination at the Fort Point Tourism Village. He promises that over 1,000 jobs would immediately result during the construction phase of this ambitious project, and as many as 3,000 more would be created when the project is completed. It calls for a US$67.5 million investment to build a deep water port at Stake Bank, just four nautical miles southeast of Belize City, where cruise ships can tie up directly alongside a dock, and cruise passengers will be able to walk directly ashore without any need for cruise tenders.

Man charged for Brodies $46,000 heist
Police say they have detained the man allegedly responsible for last Saturday evening’s daring heist that cost James Brodies & Company Ltd. more than $40,000 in cash. He has been identified as 24-year-old mechanic, Sheldon Stanley Sosa, of an Albert Street address, someone who resides in the vicinity of the popular downtown shopping center. This morning, at around 11:30 a.m., Sosa alone was arraigned in the Courtroom of Magistrate Clive Lino, where he was charged with a single count of robbery. On Saturday, August 31, 2013, whilst armed with a firearm, Sosa allegedly held up security officer, Elison Emmert Lambey and stole from him a black plastic bag which contained, four other bags, and a total of $46,064.42, the property of James Brodies & Company Ltd. According to Lambey, the male person, who was about 5’9” in height slim in build with a low haircut and was wearing a cap and a dark pair of shades, held him at gun point from behind and demanded that he hand over the black plastic bags; he complied.

GOB majority takes over PAC
The power struggle within the Public Accounts Committee climaxed this Wednesday, when PAC Chairman Hon. Julius staged a walkout, and United Democratic Party’s members appointed Hon. John Saldivar as pro-tem chairman. Espat, on leaving the meeting, said to the media, “I had a proposed agenda as Chairman. They wanted to not agree to that, and have a new proposed agenda.” Espat explained that the UDP members insisted on going back and conducting “forensic auditing” on pre-2008 auditor general reports. “They are trying to go on a political witch hunt and we are saying the Prime Minister and the Cabinet have all the power to go to the House of Representatives and create a special select committee to do that if that is what they wish,” Espat added.

San Pedro woman remanded for plotting her husband’s death
A San Pedro woman who was charged with abetment to murder was denied bail and remanded to prison, after she was arraigned before Magistrate Leslie Hamilton on Monday. On Friday, police arrested and charged Francis Eve Ayala-Wilson, 39, with abetment to murder. After a prolonged search for her, police found Wilson at her father’s house in Benque Veijo del Carmen, Cayo District. Wilson is accused of plotting the murder of her wealthy husband Glen Wilson, a British national, who reportedly found out about the plot against him and reported the matter to San Pedro Police. According to news reports, Wilson had contacted a woman police officer to carry out the hit on her husband. At her arraignment, Senior Counsel, Simeon Sampson represented Wilson. Sampson argued in favour of bail, submitting that his client is not a flight risk. Besides, this is her first offense.

Police finds Bullet’s car in Hattieville
Police located popular Belize City taxi operator Roy “Bullet” Craig’s Saturn car in Hattieville, Monday morning, after it was stolen from the corner of Mex and Euphrates Avenues, sometime after 8:00 p.m. on Sunday. Craig told Reporter that he had left the car parked and went to dance carnival with a group of young people who were practicing at the end of Mex and Euphrates Avenues, a stone’s throw away from Police Precinct 1. “When I saw the carnival group, I stopped to participate and entertain them,” Craig said, “I had parked the car about three or four cars lengths away from where I was dancing. “Every few minutes, I looked to see the car,” he said. He admitted that he had left the ignition key on top of the dashboard.

Greg Ch’oc reveals law ambitions – but is not resigning from SATIIM
Last week, a four-page letter from an unnamed source titled “Concerned Maya and Garifuna youth from buffer villages,” was circulated claiming that Executive Director of the Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM), Gregory Ch’oc, had resigned his post intending to study law. The letter accused him of “abandoning” his people at a critical time, when SATIIM presses its case for a permanent injunction against the Government and US Capital Energy to stop drilling for petroleum in the Sarstoon Temash National Park. SATIIM is also supporting the Toledo Alcaldes Association and Maya Leaders Alliance in their efforts to secure Maya communal land rights in the District. After the recent split decision in the Court of Appeal which reaffirmed those rights but took away key protections given by former Chief Justice Abdulai Conteh, Ch’oc himself said he was determined to see the case go all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

FFB seeks to hire new head coach
The Football Federation of Belize is reviewing its options with regard to hiring a new head coach for the national teams, FFB President Ruperto Vicente confirmed to Reporter on Wednesday, September 4. Vicente said that while the FFB had retained the option to extend coach Ian Mork’s contract, so far his contract has not been renewed or extended. Mork’s employment contract with the FFB was only up to the completion of the Jaguars’ participation in the Gold Cup. Vicente indicated that the FFB’s executive committee is considering hiring a Belizean as head coach. One candidate for the post could be Coach Edmund “Buzzard” Pandy of the Belmopan Bandits. Coach Jose Palmiro Salas of BDF team, who coached Belize to its first World Cup qualifier victory against St. Kitts & Nevis at the Mateo Flores Stadium in Guatemala City in 2008, is also another potential replacement.

National Bank not bad for commercial banks, Senator Grant says
Studies show that state-owned financial institutions (SFIs) can strain private sector financial institutions, but the National Bank of Belize’s Chairman Senator Joy Grant says the Government has taken precise steps to minimize such risks. Speaking as to whether or not the government has conducted any study to see how the banking sector will be affected, Grant explained that GOB has evaluated such concerns within as best of a time frame possible, considering the fact that the banking sector is largely volatile and circumstances can change relatively quickly. “We have looked at that [the viability of competition between a national bank and private sector]…and we believe that at this time, because of the spread, that there’s an opportunity there for another bank to change that spread.” According to the Central Bank’s recent Monthly Economic Report, the “spread” between weighted average interest rates on “New Loans and Deposits” averaged 7.10 percent as of May this year, with deposit rates averaging 2.99 percent and lending rates at approximately 10.09 percent.

KHMH introduces tele-medicine
Most Belizeans know they can see the speaker on a phone call through the ‘Facetime’ app on an iPhone, but the technology also has life-saving applications, such as the telemedicine initiative launched by the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City on Tuesday, September 3. KHMH has acquired state-of-the-art camera equipment, the Polycom V6X 7000, to provide this video-conferencing capability, which allows Belizean doctors to access the expertise of world-renowned specialists at top medical institutes abroad to assist in diagnosis, treatment and even surgery, in real time. This new service is called “telemedicine”. The Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute and the International Medical Outreach program of the Carolinas Healthcare System are among the first to agree to help KHMH doctors with this service. Nesean Castillo of KHMH’s Information Technology Department, explained the Polycom camera’s advantage over ‘Facetime’ and Skype is that the camera is of much higher resolution and with a better lens system that is able to focus precisely on the patient and the area of the body being treated or operated upon.

All-time-low mortgage rates for first-time home owners
First-time home owners now have access to relatively “unbeatable” mortgage financing rates, thanks to the recently launched National Bank of Belize. Prime Minister Dean Barrow, speaking at the bank’s opening on Monday, lauded his administration’s latest initiative, saying: “Our lending rates will be unbeatable, because our bottom line is people and not profit. That is why our introductory offer to the Belizean people is an unbelievably low 5.5 percent.” The National Bank has started its operations with an initial $20 million in capital, all of which the Government of Belize has sourced from the Petrocaribe Fund. The bank’s chairman, Senator Joy Grant, was clear in explaining that those funds will initially be used to “provide mortgage financing for construction to first time owners.”

Blogs

Dress shopping and getting pampered
Yesterday I told Dick in our morning chat that I needed to go fuel my dress addiction, I decided I wanted something different to wear to a special lunch today. Nothing like a bit of shopping followed by salon and late lunch to help me keep my zsa zsa zsu up. I met Mary and Cindy at the Fitness Club pool and we headed off to 3 of my favorite second hand shops on the island. When you live in San Pedro second hand shopping is a part of life you either have to get used to if you want something new or you need to plan out of country shopping trips or have stuff muled in. I have found some great stuff, often brand names like Old Navy, Gap, Ann Taylor to name a few and all for $12 bzd or less. Cindy ended up finding the most stuff,which was good, as she was in need of some new clothes having struck out shopping on her recent trip to Europe. I ended up with a couple of things but not the dress I was looking for, Mary was there for the ride and to play Stacy and Clinton from What not to Wear telling us what we should buy and what we needed to walk away from.

THE Breakfast Spot in San Ignacio: Pop’s Restaurant
What warm blooded creature doesn’t love scrambled eggs with bacon for breakfast or even better…a stack of banana pancakes for lunch? Especially when that breakfast comes with a side of DELICIOUS Belizean favorites like fry jacks or thick homemade flour tortillas? Or more American style diner favorites like hash browns and the bottomless cup of coffee? Well, I found a place in San Ignacio in the Cayo District that is serving breakfast all day long in a place that almost feels like a New Jersey (home of the world’s classic) diner. Pop’s Restaurant. Ok…so it doesn’t look like much… What warm blooded creature doesn’t love scrambled eggs with bacon for breakfast or even better…a stack of banana pancakes for lunch? Especially when that breakfast comes with a side of DELICIOUS Belizean favorites like fry jacks or thick homemade flour tortillas? Or more American style diner favorites like hash browns and the bottomless cup of coffee? Well, I found a place in San Ignacio in the Cayo District that is serving breakfast all day long in a place that almost feels like a New Jersey (home of the world’s classic) diner. Pop’s Restaurant. Ok…so it doesn’t look like much…

Belize Green + Old Yeller = Colourful Metaphor
OK, we can’t help ourselves… Every time Belize gets mentioned in Breaking Bad you just got to pay attention. When one of the world’s smallest countries is mentioned on one of the world’s biggest television shows, regardless of how weird the reference is, your ears automatically pick up. So here we were, innocently watching episode 512 while sipping green coconut water through straws and munching on snacks, when Saul lets fly with another gem, this time likening Jesse Pinkman to that famous pooch who had to be put down because of rabies… “We’re wondering if maybe this isn’t an Old Yeller type situation … Yeah, Old Yeller was the best, most loyal dog that ever was. I mean everybody loved that mutt. But one day he showed up rabid, and little Timmy, for Old Yeller‘s own sake, had to uhh, well I mean you saw the movie…”, quoth Saul.

Importance of a Business Plan – SBDCBelize, BELTRAIDE
Too many people don’t bother to write a business plan because they think it’s too hard or unnecessary unless you’re looking for funding, that’s a shame. These myths keep a lot of people from the benefits of planning. If you’re still skeptical, here are 10 benefits to business planning you shouldn’t be overlooking:

“Get the Party Started” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
Up yesterday morning around my normal time of 05.00 hours and spent a very pleasant couple of hours on the veranda. Me, my coffee and the iPad. Had to curtail my chill time though because I had the ‘cart booked in for a service at Captain Shark’s so I showered, shaved, got dressed and went for breakfast (yep, at Estel’s). On the way there I was taken by how the streets were changing in readiness for the September Celebrations. Celebrations that will take place throughout Belize.

International Sources

Jaguar Attacks Caiman In Brazil's Pantanal Wetlands
How hungry do you have to be before fighting a caiman sounds like a good idea? In the Pantanal, Brazil's eastern wetlands, the answer seems to be "about average." The proof is captured in an astounding set of photos taken by Justin Black, a nature photographer and the founder of Visionary Wild, a wildlife photography school. The photos show a stealthy jaguar slowly emerge from undergrowth behind a Yacare caiman that's busy sunning itself on the opposite side of a stretch of river. Undeterred by the water, the jaguar slips into the river, sneaks up behind the caiman, and attacks. "He lifted the 150lb caiman from the ground and trotted toward the water like it was a doggie bone," Black told the Daily Mail. "The fact he attacked from the water is astonishing ... It was reminiscent of crocs attacking land animals in Africa." Panthera, a wild cat conservation group, reports Brazil's Pantanal is home to the highest density of jaguars in the world. National Geographic lists the animal as "near threatened," noting the creature is often targeted by hunters, as well as ranchers who see the cats as a threat to livestock.

Royal Caribbean to invest in new $156 million Belize cruise port project
Mike Feinstein, of the Feinstein Group, announced at a press conference a proposed US$100 million project for the development of a cruise port at Stake Bank and a shopping zone on North Drowned Caye, about two miles off the coast of Belize City. The project is being described as 100% Belizian, but Feinstein did indicate that Royal Caribbean intends to invest in the new venture. Royal Caribbean runs the only existing cruise port in Belize. Another port, however, to be built by Norwegian Cruise Lines, has recently been proposed for Southern Belize. The Stake Bank project is also being considered for government approval. The project has two major aspects. The first is a US$67.5 million investment to build a deep water port at Stake Bank, just four nautical miles southeast of Belize City that allow cruise ships to dock at the pier. The second aspect would build a port infrastructure to garner additional tourism including restaurants, night-clubs and other forms of entertainment for both visitors and Belizeans.

Belizeans in New York City celebrate Labor Day with football marathon
For years, Belizeans have been having a football marathon among all the Belizean football teams in New York City on Labor Day. This was the idea of two great Belize football legends, namely, Louis Antonio ‘Mugga’ Garbutt and his friend Nelson "Roo" Robinson. In July of this year, the entire Belizean football community was saddened to hear of the death of their football legend friend ‘Mugga’ Garbutt. Maurice ‘Gene’ Guild, Wellington Ramos and Robert ‘Mole' Melendez, who are former football players and officers of the Belizean American Caribbean Football Association Inc., immediately contacted Wallace Mitchell, who is the president of Wallydee Productions, to honour Mugga this year on Sunday September 1 at the Linden Boulevard football field during his activities. The scheduled activities for the day were a football knockout marathon with four Belize teams, namely, Wagiya, Belize United, FC Belize and Chicago, lime and spoon race, sack race, track and field, etc.

Want to Learn How to Dive? Think Central America
Caye Caulker, Belize The diving: dwarfed only by Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System lies less than a mile from Caye Caulker. Its countless dive sites house everything from delicate sea fans to majestic coral gardens, but its iconic Great Blue Hole is best left to advanced divers. Why learn here: course fees at this idyllic, low-key Caribbean island are among the highest in Central America, but the diving here is by far the best. Enquire at Frenchies (www.frenchiesdivingbelize.com) and Belize Dive Services (belizedivingservices.net). When to go: diving is year-round, with conditions near perfect around May. During the rainy season from December to April, seas can be choppy.

Ten Top Landscape Tips
Landscape photography may at first thought, seem relatively easy. After all you are not dealing with children or animals, your subject matter is unlikely to run away, and therefore surely all you need to do is point your camera in the right direction and get lucky with the weather? Unsurprisingly it’s a little more complicated. Granted, you may occasionally get a ‘lucky shot’, but as any landscape photographer will tell you, being in the right place at the right time, whilst it may seem obvious, inevitably involves for starters, a degree of research and planning.

September 6, 2013

Last night's TV news on Channel 7 and Channel 5
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Kent ‘Bob’ Gabourel wins annual Lionman triathlon in Belize City
Kent Gabourel, local triathlete, dominated in the 14th annual Lionman Triathlon held on Sunday, September 1st. 33-year-old Gabourel placed first in the individual male category, and first in the top 10 finishers. But Gabourel was not the only San Pedro athlete to make his mark at the Lionman Triathlon; Jordan Santos also took first place in the junior category. The Lionman Triathlon started at the Sandlighters Promenade in Belize City. Over 46 athletes came prepared to go the distance and complete a 1500 meter swim, a 24 mile cycle ride and a 16 mile run to win the grand championship. The race was divided into five categories: individual male, individual female, junior, masters and relay team. The Lionman Triathlon is a test to the endurance and stamina of the athletes, and since its inception in 2000, has been a highly anticipated September Celebration Calendar event.

An Open Letter to the Prime Minister from Past BTIA Presidents
As six past presidents of the Belize Tourism Industry Association, we have participated in our industry’s growth from its struggling infancy to its present status as the nation’s largest employer and earner of foreign exchange. While there have been a few setbacks along the way, there has always been an understanding between the industry, the government of the day and indeed, the growing number of visitors to Belize, that Belize’s tourism product was “something special”, that its appeal was based not only on its world class natural attractions, but on the uniqueness and authenticity of our people and way of life. This is what marketers refer to as a unique selling proposition, the thing that makes a product stand out above the competition and get noticed, and this has undeniably played a large part in Belize’s success. Along with the thousands of people who make up Belize’s vibrant tourism industry, we are concerned that Government’s recent decision to authorize a cruise port on Harvest Caye in southern Belize runs counter to this long established understanding and diminishes Belize’s unique status as a true eco-tourism destination.

Letter to the Editor from Mr. Ramon Nuñez
I have been silent all this time, but now I am feeling better and I want to share my feelings with the world. I have been at Ramon’s Village for the past 32 years of my life; Ramon’s is my home, and my baby. Ramon’s means the world to me. [The fire] was like taking away a toy from a little kid. I built Ramon’s in 1981 with some investors from the Meridian, and we decided to name it Ramon’s Reef Resort. We opened on the 21st of September 1981; by the way the 21st will be our 32nd anniversary! Lots of work and lots of effort, but it’s worth it. When we opened Ramon’s, we only had 10 cabanas, a restaurant and a bar; the hotel was very rustic. The rate at Ramon’s was at $35.00US with 3 meals. In 1987 I was having trouble with the bank and the investor had lost interest in the hotel and I decided to sell. God gave me the strength to keep going, and it was there where I met the nicest person in the world. I was sitting in front of the bar at Ramon’s and I saw this person walking with his backpack right at me and I told him, “Welcome to the world of make Belize.”

$6 million Fort Point Pedestrian Walk inaugurated
The Ministry of Tourism and Culture held the official inauguration ceremony for the recent renovation of the Memorial Park and its access streets in Belize City. The event took place this past Saturday, August 31st and saw the presence of various tourism stakeholders. The historic park is dedicated to the veterans and victims of World War I and was renamed the Fort Point Pedestrian Walk. The rehabilitation of the park was done through the Ministry of Tourism and Culture’s Sustainable Development Project (STP) financed through a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank. The brand new facility cost Belize $6 million dollars, an investment made with the intention to change the downtown tourism image of the old capital. “Belize City has always served as the commercial capital of our country and as a result has played a central role in our development. Historically, the mouth of Haulover Creek, the Old Belize Port and the water front has served at the center for trade and a place for social gathering… this six million Belize dollar investment we see today is just a start in realizing the vision we all have for Belize City. It is not only clean streets, renovated buildings, revitalized parks and infrastructure that make a destination – it is more importantly about the local people,” said Minister of Tourism and Culture Manuel Heredia Jr. in delivering the key address. According to Minister Heredia, the Fort Point Pedestrian Walk will benefit the over 3,000 Belizeans employed in the tourism industry and the more than 500 residents in the Fort George area.

Belize in You, Belize in Me, Land of the Free!
September is the one month of the year that Belizeans at home and abroad eagerly await; it is the month of celebration, of patriotism and fun. Trust Belizeans to take one day – September 21st – and make it a month-long bacchanal! Belize September Celebrations-4At a mere 32 years, Belize is a relatively young country, but its history is rich and glorious. From the glory of our Baymen ancestors to the political struggle towards independence, it all culminates with the ultimate of celebrations that bring that joy alive, no matter the culture, creed or religion. For almost a full month, there are parties, pomp and circumstance, and that sense of pride in being Belizean. No-one does it quite like us!

Ambergris Today

Belize Goes To London on Marketing Campaign
While the Belize Tourism Belize (BTB) continues to grow its primary markets, North America and Canada, it is also streaming ahead with the ground work needed to tap into the UK market, and by extension, Europe. Less than a month ago, the BTB collaborated with GlobActive Travel Marketing to carry our multiple road shows in London. To stimulate travel from these markets to Belize, the BTB hopes to foster relationships existing travel trade partners, as well as to increase awareness about Belize’s tourism offerings. The road shows were conducted with each agency in the format of sales calls in personalized settings. The appointments featured a comprehensive presentation on Belize, coupled with collateral distribution, and tailored training sessions, in an effort to share and learn more about Belize’s product offerings. The delegation met with over 20 of the UK’s top travel agencies, including Black Tomato, Naturally Belize, Kuoni, Thomas Cook and Chimu Adventures.

Misc Belizean Sources

COROZAL STREET & ROAD CONDITIONS
At the Corozal Daily, we don’t usually like to engage in reports that seem political or deemed as a criticism. We think it is counter-productive but there must be a time when we need to address burning issues. So, as a daily commuter on our streets and roads, I have to join the thousands of crossed sentiments from the rest of the Corozal community in the most critical issue affecting our community today. The fast degradation of our streets and roads are taking a toll on our vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, etc. In the tourism business, we say that our first impression is our lasting impression. Corozal is considered the most important trading point between Belize and Mexico. The number of tourist arrivals who rent vehicles coming all the way from Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, Tulum and other parts of Mexico to visit the Free Zone and the rest of the country is in the thousands.

Papaya volume to be adequate
Fall supplies of Belize papayas should be consistent, said Peter Leifermann, director of sales and fruit procurement for Brooks Tropicals LLC, Homestead, Fla. Liefermann and other shippers say the fruit represents a growth item in retail stores. He said Brooks is enjoying a record year with its Caribbean Red-labeled variety and is seeing high demand from retailers promoting the fruit through aggressive merchandising. “Production is increasing every month of the year,” Leifermann said. “We expect it to continue well through the fall and into the winter. There will be multiple opportunities for retailers to promote papaya throughout the fall.” While Brooks’ growers send fruit throughout the year, supplies are heaviest July through March. Because of drier weather, the natural variations in production during lower-producing summer months typically don’t exceed volume declines of 10%, Leifermann said. - See more at: http://www.thepacker.com/fruit-vegetable-news/marketing-profiles/Papaya-volume-to-be-adequate-222574311.html#sthash.Qwht451a.dpuf

Senior Steps Patriotic Video
Senior Steps, based in Belmopan, took second place in NICH's Patriotic Video contest with their entry, 'We Believe in Belize.' That means Cayo won all 3 spots in the competition. Well done, Senior Steps! "The senagers of Belmopan Senior Steps showed that they are really young at heart and created a fun atmosphere for the students in attendance. Belmopan Senior Steps RAP 2013"

Contributors to Benque Exhibit
The Benque House of Culture will be launching their next exhibit tday, September 6th, at 7:00pm. The exhibit will focus on six people that contributed to the development of Benque over the years. Benque is the new tourism spot in Belize since it's known for its unique culture and history. The Benque HoC is also celebrating it's 12th anniversary. Congratulations! "Join us as we unveil the Exhibition 'Contributors to the development of Benque,' come and learn how, and what has molded this community in the early years of our beloved Benque Viejo. 6 Distinguished personalities will be highlighted in this 1st edition"

Channel 7

Acting PM Saldivar Says Cabinet Supports Stake Bank
Last night on the news we told you all about the Stake Bank Cruise Tourism Project, and its sister development, the Ocean View Grand On North Drowned Caye. Developer Mike Feinstein says it will cost 100 million dollars, while creating thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity. But from what we’ve heard, Government is not quite convinced – and some at the policy level worry that Stake Bank might just be moving a lot of jobs and economic activity from the Fort Point area of the City to an offshore island that has non taxable EPZ status. That’s the feedback we have gotten, but today acting Prime Minister John Saldivar told us that the project has Cabinet’s support:… Jules Vasquez "Does government agree with the State Bank project?" Hon. John Saldivar - Acting Prime Minister "We certainly welcome the concept, we welcome the investors that are trying to put this project off the ground but as with everything else - they need to go by the rules and they have to do their EIA's and once they pass through the various processes - then it's a go."

BTIA Presidents Write
And while Stake Bank is the hot button issue, the Belize Tourism Industry Association wants to keep reminding the public about Harvest Caye and the Norwegian Cruise Line’s proposal which already has the green light from the Government of Belize. In an open letter sent to the Prime Minister, 6 of BTIA’s past presidents write lamenting that they’ve participated from the infancy of the country’s tourism industry to its present status as the largest employer and earner of foreign exchange. It that first-hand experience, the past presidents note their concern that the Government authorized the cruise port on Harvest Caye. The 6 reiterate the main point that this decision is the complete opposite to long-standing idea that Southern Belize is principally looked at as a true eco-tourism destination. They also mention that the decision, quote “violates the Ministry of Tourism’s own explicit policy which was based upon extensive research, detailed independent studies and volumes of advice from local and international experts.” End quote.

Alleged Broad Daylight Brodies Robber To Court
On Monday, we told you about the brazen daylight robbery of security guard who was depositing the day’s proceeds for Brodies. Well tonight, police have charged the man who they believe stole that 46 thousand dollars on Saturday evening and he is currently on remand. As we reported, the security guard was making a deposit right across the street to First Caribbean Bank when a man, who was wearing just a cap and a pair of sunglasses, ambushed him with a firearm and demanded that he hand over the money. Brodies’ policy is that it is best not to risk its employees’ lives, so the security guard handed over a plastic bag with four money bags containing $46,064 dollars.

Controversial Corporal Cleared
In May of this year, we told you about Corporal Darrel “Tutsi” Usher, who was charged with wounding after he allegedly punched and kicked a woman who was attending a wake in Hattieville. That woman was Christine Neal, who told police that on April 25, she was at a wake for Mark McKoy when she was blindsided by a punch to her left temple and a kick to her stomach by Usher. Two weeks after the report was made, Usher was arrested by police and charged with wounding. He had pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail of one thousand dollars which he met. This morning when he appeared before the Chief Magistrate, his charge was dismissed after the prosecutor informed the court that Neal had asked that no further action be taken in her case.

Placencia Gets A Pier And Plaza
At the top of our first segment, 7News showed you the comments from Minister of Tourism, Manuel Heredia Jr. on the ongoing Stake Bank discussion. We got that chance to speak with him at the ceremonial opening of the Placencia Municipal Pier & Plaza. It has been in the works for a few months, and this afternoon, the pier and plaza was inaugurated as part of the Sustainable Tourism Project. The media was flown down to Placencia to witness the opening in person, We asked Heredia Jr about the pier and its importance: Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. - Minister of Tourism "It actually started last year and it is something designed to blend what used to be in the past and as you know Placencia has been traditionally, a fishing village, and the fishing co-op has been one of the pillars of economy of Placencia. So we tried to capitalize between the Fishing Co-op and the Tourism sector and hence, a model as you see today was created and which I believe that the Tourism Industry will benefit a lot."

Butane (LPG) Price Trending Up
The price of Liquid Petroleum Gas, commonly known as butane had been trending down recently, and, according to our records had been holding steady since April. But tonight, the Supplies Control Unit reports that it is going up to 117 dollars per hundred pound cylinder in Belize City, up from 113 dollars per one hundred pound cylinder. Similar changes will be reflected in the districts. The new price takes effect tomorrow.

Was Small City Fire Caused By Baby-Mama-Drama?
There was a fire at the end of Neal’s Pen Road Extension today. One small wooden house burned, and another beside it was scorched. The resident says he suspects arson:.. Corlen Gomez - Fire Victim "Well I was called and the fire was burning around 10:45 because I had just left like an hour ago and when I came back I just found the whole house down. I don't really know much because I wasn't here." Daniel Ortiz "You said from the distance from where you were, not only could you smell it - you also heard the explosion?" Corlen Gomez "Yes, I heard a loud noise go 'boom' " Daniel Ortiz "And you suspect that to be?" Corlen Gomez "One of the little gas tank stove - that is what I think made the noise."

Mas Camp Mayhem In The Streets
And the mas camp madness continued last night. Here’s what Monica Bodden found when she went to the camps:… Monica Bodden reporting Day 2 of carnival mas camps and our first stop was right in our neighbourhood at the Black Pearl carnival band. Dorla Vaughan - Band Leader "I'm preparing the St. George's Caye day, Independence Day and Carnival Day. The St. George's Caye day with be the white and silver - the Independece day colors, Red, White and Blue and most of all we have the Carnival section which is all color." Monica Bodden "So you have how many sections?" Dorla Vaughan "I have three sections." Monica Bodden "Tell me, how did you come up with this idea?" Dorla Vaughan "Well we just sat down and talked about it - we know this year is the 32nd year for the Independence so I said I will give it a try because this is my 25th year in Carnival also. It seems that the sponsors are capturing the senior bands and leaving the kids behind and they are the future of tomorrow. On carnival day - they will see the kids and they will be properly attired, they will not be wearing any skimp clothing."

Southcom Commander Visits
The Commander of US Southcom, General John Kelly concluded a two day visit to Belize today. Since taking over Southcom in November of last year, it is his first visit to Belize, but during that period the US military has been cooperating in multiple training activities in Belize. Kelly told the media today he wants to extend that. Here’s the story from his press conference:… Jules Vasquez reporting In what might be the definition of making a grand entrance, four Star US Marine General John F. Kelly and his contingent arrived in Belmopan at 1:00 this afternoon in three Blackhawk helicopters - which were brought in from Honduras to move him and his 16 officers around Belize for their 36 hour visit. General John F. Kelly (Marines) - Commander, US Southcom "I just arrived yesterday, the last two days have been an education for me about this country. Most of the day yesterday we spent on the water and I received an appreciation of how much of the maritime domain that your Coast Guard and government is responsible for. It is considerable because of the distance between the islands off the coast - it's very considerable and abnormally large."

Bangladeshi Belizean Wanted By US
We’ve told you all about the extradition cases for the men wanted by the US Government, Mark Seawell, Deon Bruce, Gary Seawell, Rhett Fuller, and Khaled El Turk – which was the only one to be discharged by the Belizean Courts. Well tonight, we tell you about one more, Bangladeshi Belizean Fakhrul Alam Salim – and he’s wanted for manufacturing the drug called Crystal Meth. Salim, seen here in the blue shirt, wearing glasses, is currently on remand at prison awaiting his extradition hearings on grand jury charges from the state of Virginia of methamphetamine importation and money laundering. According to the documents tendered before the court, around January of 2011, Salim and others unlawfully, knowingly and intentionally combined and conspired to manufacture 500 grams or more of a mixture containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, knowing that it was to be imported into the United States.

APAMO Gets New Chair
Today, the Association of Protected Areas Management Organizations (APAMO) held it’s annual general meeting. In current climate dominated by the controversial developments of Stake Bank, Harvest Caye, and US Capital Energy inside the Sarstoon Temash National Park, the organization’s members had much to discuss, since those items continue to appear steadily on the evening news. One of the agenda items was to elect new members of APAMO’s executive council, and today 7News dropped by after the election portion of the AGM, and we found out that there is a new chairman. According to best reports, the former chairman Edilberto Romero had threatened to step down shortly after he clashed publicly with forestry Minister Lisel Alamilla in late July; in the end he waited for the election which was imminent. And so, today the Executive Director of APAMO made the announcement, and he also told us that the new chair comes at a timely moment: Jose Perez - Exeecutive Director, APAMO "Up to this point - the highlights of this year's meeting, has been the election of the new executive council. We had four vacant positions within the executive council and we've elected a new chairperson, a treasurer, and two councilors.

Saldivar Clears Up PAC Schedule
The Public Accounts Committee, it’s the story that just won’t go away, and even now as the Government side has mapped out an agenda to move things forward – without the opposition – there’s still a lack of clarity, not to mention a compounding controversy. The controversy is political and may never abate, but the clarity issue stems form the fact that Saldivar told the media yesterday they would follow a certain schedule, but then the National Assembly sent out a schedule saying something completely different. We asked him about the significant discrepancy today:.. Jules Vasquez "On that agenda, it clearly shows that you will not start dealing with current or recent events until May of next year - you said you would deal with them contemporaneously." Hon. John Saldivar - - Pro-tem Chairman, PAC "The schedule that we have put forward is to start dealing with the pre-2008 reports on Monday's and on Wednesday's we start dealing with the 2008 moving forward. So I don't know that there's a discrepancy there." Reporter "Sir, that's not what the schedule has -it has 2003, 2004 on Monday, 2004, 2005 on Wednesday and all down the line including some audits from the Venenzuela situation - we don't even touch 2008 until next year at the end of May."

Saldivar Says Major Mira No Threat With “State Secrets”
And while we had Saldivar with us, we also asked him about newcomer to Belmopan Politics, Oscar Mira. The retired BDF Major quite suddenly quit his job as deputy coordinator of the National Security Council and jumped into politics as an aspirant in the PUP Belmopan Convention. The winner of that race will face Saldivar. Now, he was one of the most senior officials in the intelligence apparatus and now he’s gone into opposition politics. So, does that worry his former boss and the man who he might face in an election? Saldivar commented:.. Jules Vasquez "Are you concerned that the most senior intelligence officer in the country - the secretariat for the National Security Council is now your political opponent and the UDP's political opponent, simply put, he knows all the secrets." Hon. John Saldivar - Area Rep., Belmopan "I don't know that there are any secrets that we need to worry about Jules." Jules Vasquez "So it's not something that concerns you?" Hon. John Saldivar "Not very much."

Channel 5

No MOU For Stake Bank Project, Ministry of Tourism Says Formal Agreement In The Works
The Stake Bank and Ocean View Grand two hundred million Belize dollar project with the Feinstein group of companies was unveiled on Wednesday. The development involves both Stake Bank and [...]

Cabinet Green Lights Stake Bank Project
And if there was still any doubt that Cabinet has given the green light to the proposed two hundred million dollar Stake Bank Project, senior Minister John Saldivar today dispelled [...]

APAMO Says GOB Isn’t Considering Ecological Impact of Stake Bank Project
While there is support from government and stakeholders, the Association of Protected Areas Management Organization is not as accommodating. APAMO held its sixth annual general meeting today at the headquarters [...]

APAMO Addresses SATIIM-U.S. Capital Fight During AGM
Another issue that is bubbling is SATIIM’s fight against U.S. Capital Energy and the government. APAMO’s general membership is consistent with the position that oil drilling in national parks is [...]

B.T.I.A. not in support of NCL project
The issue of the Norwegian Cruise Line project on Harvest Caye is a done deal with the blessing of the government. A Memorandum of Understanding for the undertaking of the [...]

Pro-tem PAC Chairman John Saldivar Approves Schedule for Future PAC Meetings
The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee held a meeting on Wednesday in Belmopan. Realistically, we should say that the government members of the PAC held a meeting, because Chairman [...]

US Southern Command’s General John F. Kelly Visits Belize
The US Southern Command has been a very friendly partner in Belizean development – in areas ranging from medical care and infrastructure assistance to training and the donation of military [...]

Sheldon Sosa Arrested and Charged for Daring Brodies Robbery
A lone gunman managed to deprive James Brodies and Company of over forty thousand dollars in cash over the weekend, but police now believe they have the man who carried [...]

Tutsi Usher Acquitted of Wounding Hattieville Teacher
Thirty-one year old Darrell “Tutsi” Usher, the son of well-known P.U.P. Port Loyola Candidate, Gilroy Usher, was today set free when Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith struck out a charge [...]

Multimillion Dollar Placencia Waterfront Project Inaugurated
While residents in the south have objections to the Norwegian Cruise Line project at Harvest Caye, they welcome the construction of a pier, plaza and promenade in Placencia. The facilities [...]

Police Department Launches Gang Resistance Education and Training Program
Today the Belize Police Department proudly launched a historic documentary chronicling the success story of one of its greatest initiative. The Gang Resistance Education and Training program was first born [...]

And the Mas Camps continue…
Mas Camps leading up to the spectacular Carnival Road March on September fourteenth, are now underway. The first stop on Wednesday night by our News Five team was at Dean [...]

12-year-old Motivational Speaker Anthony Gill Kicks Off Inspirational Tour in the Jewel
He is only twelve years old, but Anthony Gill is thrilling audiences with his powerful messages as a motivational speaker. The young man, who is born of Belizean parents, began [...]

R&B Singer Keonna Evans Visits Belize
Accompanying Gill is teen R and B Pop Singer and songwriter and a former American Idol Contestant, Keonna Evans. The inspirational duo begins their tour with an appearance at Maud [...]

Healthy Living takes a look at sepsis
Sepsis is a most common, but least recognized disease. Worldwide, every few seconds someone dies from sepsis. September thirteenth, will be celebrated as world sepsis day and Belize is the [...]

LOVE FM

Works of Cultural Thinkers of Caribbean and Central America Displayed
Landings, New Art Ideas From the Caribbean and Central America 2000 to 2010” is the name of a book that will be officially launched tomorrow in Belize City under the “The Container Collection, First Debark zero zero one”.. The book which encompasses different art types from over one hundred young visual artists, writers and cultural thinkers in the Caribbean and Central America is being published by Five-o-one productions in Benque Viejo Del Carmen and the Image Factory in Belize City. Today Love News caught up with some of the Mexican Artists who were responsible of putting the work together. Odethe Bravo, who hails from Merida, Yucatan told us more about the book and what it was like putting it together. ODETHE BRAVO, “For all the pictures that the artists took, we put in the program and we put it to be viewed. We put the images and the text of the book; this took us a few months, we started in September 2012 and we finished January 2013. It was tiring but fun and I am relieved but I loved the project because I learned a lot of things. Tomorrow, you will see the pictures and will be able to talk with us as well as the head of the project. We are going to see the hard work put into this project.”

GREAT is for Gang Resistance Education and Training – Its Documentary Debuted
This morning the Gang Resistance Education And Training, GREAT, Program debuted a short documentary at the Biltmore Hotel. The documentary looks back at the initial stages of the GREAT Program since its inception years ago. The program looks to deter primary school students from having any connections to gangs and gang related activities. Several schools across the country have adopted the GREAT Program and according to Senior Superintendent of police in charge of community police Louise Willis, the documentary was created to accomplish four targets. SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT LOUISE WILLIS “There were four objectives for developing this GREAT documentary; (1) to create a visual documentation of the work by the Police Department in Community Policing, the US Embassy, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, the primary school students and principals; (2) to enhance, educate and create public awareness about the GREAT program and the Community Policing in Belize; to utilize the documentary as a training and capacity building tool for our police department and to create the first educational document in the history of the Police Department showing off our community policing success program. In 2013/2014, the program will be rolled out to more rural areas in the Cayo, Stann Creek and Orange Walk districts. In addition thirty officers will be trained and over four thousand students will graduate from this program.”

Price Hike for Liquid Petroleum Anticipated
The price of liquid petroleum is set to increase. According to the Supplies Control Unit in the Ministry of Trade, Private Sector Development and Consumer Protection effective tomorrow the price of liquid petroleum will increase in all districts. The price for a one hundred pound cylinder will be one hundred and seventeen dollars in Belize City and Corozal; one hundred and eighteen dollars in orange Walk; one hundred and nineteen dollars in Belmopan and San Ignacio, one hundred and twenty dollars in Benque Viejo del Carmen; one hundred and twenty one dollars in Dangriga and one hundred and twenty two dollars in Punta Gorda.

Police Scores Firearm and Ammunition Hidden in Vehicle
Two men, 27 year old Kenroy Gillett and 24 year old Sheldon Sosa, were charged with firearm and ammunition offences when they appeared in court today. They pled not guilty to the charges. They were remanded into custody until October 4. The incident occurred yesterday. The police reported that they were on mobile patrol on Raccoon Street when they saw an SUV parked on the street. They said when they stopped by the vehicle they saw two persons inside. Gillett was behind the steering wheel and Sosa was in the front passenger seat. The police said they approached the men and informed them that a search will be conducted on their person and ordered them to exit the vehicle. The men complied and nothing incriminating was found on their person. But when the police searched the vehicle they reported that they found one black nine millimetre pistol with nine rounds of Sand B brand ammunition in its magazine. The firearm was under a mat, said the police. As a result, Gillett and Sosa were taken into custody and charged. The firearm and ammunition were labelled as exhibits.

Football President Planned to Suspend Exec. Members; President Ends Up Walking Chalk-line
The Football Federation of Belize has been besieged with problems over the years. It was the hope of football fans that with a new executive would come development in the sport and less bickering. That has not been the case as over the last few months quite a number of controversies have arisen; from the revelation that the Federation was broke to the suspension of its assistant coach and nonpayment of players. Today the Federation is back in the news for all the wrong reasons. Love News understands that an urgent President’s meeting was called yesterday in Belize City by the President of the FFB, Ruperto Vicente and General Secretary Michael Blease. It is alleged that their intention was to suspend three members, namely: Sergio Chuc, Marlon Kuylen and Cruz Gamez.

Health Authorities Shut Down Popular Shopping Plaza in Chetumal
A Health issue at a mall in Chetumal has caused authorities to close it down. Reporter Dalila Ical investigated further on the motive. DALILA ICAL “Earlier this week health officials in Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico closed the mall “Plaza Las Americas”, after the drainage system and the sewage waters overflowed in the back part of the restaurant and dining area of the building. The move was done by officials at the Protección Contra Riesgos Sanitarios or the Protection Against Health Risks department. The situation is apparently serious as officials indicate that they observed feces on the parking lot area that was naturally accompanied by a foul odor. The situation posed serious health risks, officials said since rodents, insects and other pests became visible. The recent rains have also caused flooding in the area compounding the health risks. As a result the mall was shut down. Media outlets in Chetumal City indicate that health officials had warned the mall’s administration that the drainage system was not secure and recommended the situation be addressed but nothing was done. How is this relevant to Belizeans, well let’s go back to figures received from the Honorary Council’s office earlier this year on the entries recorded for the year 2012. One million three hundred thousand entries from Belize were registered.

Police Corporal Cleared of Charge After Allegedly Slapping Woman
Twenty-seven year old police corporal Darrell ”Tutsie” Usher, charged with causing harm to a woman, was freed of the charge when it was struck out today by Chief magistrate Anne Marie Smith because of want of prosecution. The prosecutor told the court that the virtual complainant gave a statement in which she requested no further court action. Usher was charged when the woman reported to police that that on April 25, Usher slapped her while she was in a yard in Hattieville. Shel was issued with a medico-legal form and the doctor who examined her classified her injury as harm.

Placencia Peninsula Boasts New Pier
Placencia Village is arguably the most scenic coastal tourism destination and today, the aesthetics in one part of the peninsula will be all the more pleasing when a new pier will be opened. The Ministry of Tourism and Culture along with the Belize Tourism Board and the Sustainable Tourism Program will open the Placencia Municipal Pier and Plaza. Chairman of Placencia Village, Ilsa Villanueva, told Love News that there a bit of history to the structure. ILSA VILLANUEVA “Back in 2008, the then Chairperson, Brian Yearwood along with a representative from IDB came down and said they were looking for a project to do. There were only a few of us at the meeting and that was how we came up with the idea of the pier. So, it started back from 2008 and now we are enjoying the new pier of Placencia at what is still known as the point of Placencia, it used to be the old fishing wharf; the fishermen use it, the tour guides and boat owners; there is a wide cross section of people that use it.”

Inspirational Speaker and Former American Idol Contestant Meets With Belizean Youths
Eleven year old Anthony Gill a renowned Inspirational speaker in California U.S.A is visiting Belize to hold a nationwide school tour. During his tour he is expected to speak to students and teachers about the importance of education, focusing on the issues of bullying in schools. Gill’s international tour to Belize begins today and ends on the twenty fourth of September. During his time here he is expected to reach out to sixteen schools, youth organizations and various other events including the annual children’s rally. Accompanying Gill on his International Tour is Singer, Songwriter and former American Idol contestant, Keonna Evans. Evans will be performing her hit songs during the tour and is expected to encourage students to follow their dreams and aspirations. Both Gill and Evans were scheduled to arrive in Belize this morning.

Local Security Forces Receive Navy Seals Training; US Southern Command in Belize
General John F. Kelly, Commander of the US Southern Command touched down in Belize this evening. General Kelly is a very important individual when it comes to military operations carried out in Central and South America by United States of America. General Kelly met with Belize top security officials including Minister of National Security, John Saldivar, in Belmopan where a press conference was held at the Police Training Academy. Love News was there and here are the comments of both Kelly and Saldivar. GENERAL JOHN F. KELLY “I am here as a partner; I am not here as a senior partner, I am here as a partner. The United States extends a hand of partnership all over this part of the world and the good news is, at least from my country’s perspective, is most of this part of the world, Caribbean, Central America, Latin America all generally, want to be a partner with the United States.

PlusTV

The PAC meets at the National Assembly in Belmopan
It’s been a long time coming – a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee and we were hoping to bring you inside coverage of that gathering; however the media was not allowed past the chamber’s door… but we’ll get back to that point in a few. Just before the...

Media not allowed in PAC meeting
Our cameras we not allowed inside the National Assembly during Wednesday’s PAC meeting. This comes after Prime Minister the Hon. Dean Barrow, and the Chairman of the PAC, Hon. Julius Espat, gave the green light for the gathering to be open to the public. So why wasn’t it? That’s...

PUP adviser Vaughan Gill arrested
An incident occurred shortly before Honorable Julius Espat, Cayo South Representative, arrived for Wednesday’s Public Accounts Committee Meeting. His senior adviser Vaughn Gill was detained by Belmopan Police at the foot of the National Assembly. According to information to PlusNews, there was a warrant out on Mr Gill relating...

Three persons charged with Drug Trafficking
Three persons are facing drug charges after a house search in Ranchito Village turned up a sizable amount of weed. The drugs were found by Corozal Police at the residence of Mexican national Marcial Villegas Geron, taped to back of a washing machine inside a small house in the...

4 year old escapes house fire unhurt
A 4 year old escaped a house fire unhurt this past Sunday in Maskall Village. According to his mother, around 9 that morning, she left the child inside her home, to go over to her mother-in-law’s house located next door in a family lot. It was while she was...

Developer addresses concerns about Stake Bank Cruise Tourism Project
The project to build the cruise port and tourism destination at Stake Bank and North Drowned Caye, 2 miles east of Belize City, has been hanging around for some time, but on Wednesday it went before the National Environmental Assessment Committee (NEAC) for review of the Environmental Impact Assessment...

FECTAB supports both Cruise Ship Projects
The Federation of Cruise Tourism Associations of Belize (FECTAB) has been a major player in the debate over cruise tourism, raising alarms over the Harvest Caye/Norwegian project in recent weeks. They were recently on the media echoing assurances from Prime Minister Dean Barrow that that the NCL Project would...

Man charged following alleged mugging of a woman in Belize City
A Belize City resident has been arrested after allegedly mugging a woman in broad daylight. It reportedly happened as the woman waiting for a bus on Regent Street, Belize City. She says she felt someone grab at her hand purse and when she turned around noticed a man pulling...

18 year old charged for displaying membership of a criminal gang
Charged for displaying membership of a criminal gang – 18 year old Angel Ku might be second guessing his choice in tattoos. On Wednesday morning, the teen was picked up by cops who were in the area of Kiskidee Street in Corozal Town. Their attention was drawn to a...

Trinidadian Priest discusses Trinidad’s Gender Policy while in Belize
Fr. Ian Taylor is a member of the Parish of San Rafael in Trinidad and is considered one of the most outspoken charismatic evangelists in the Parish. He spends most of his time travelling the world as part of his missionary and has been in Belize on several occasions....

Book takes reader on “A Walk through Old Belize”
A lot of history has been made in Belize City. On almost every street corner there is a reminder of the City as it was in the days of a bustling colony, and a thriving marketplace. From the old Government House, now the...

Hon. John Saldivar is Acting Prime Minister
Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of National Security,will be sitting on the high chair for two days, seeing that the Acting Prime Minister Gaspar Vega, Minister of Agriculture, boarded a flight to Guatemala this evening at 4:00 p.m. He will be representing Belize at the first ever Petén Livestock Congress...

The Guardian

Feinstein to Invest Over $300 Million on Stake Bank Project
The Feinstein Group of Companies (FCG) is prepared to move forward on a US$150 million project off the coast of Belize City that involves the development of Stake Bank Island and North Drowned Caye into first class destinations for foreign and domestic tourists. Michael Feinstein, Chairman of the Feinstein Group of Companies, hosted a press conference on Wednesday, September 4th, to give an overview of the project. State Bank Island is located four nautical miles south east of Belize City. Feinstein will invest US$67.5 million to develop the island into an entertainment centre with a port for the berthing of cruise ships. The port will be capable of hosting four voyager class cruise ships at any given time. Stake Bank will also provide a marina for transiting yachts and facilities for shops restaurants and bars, nightclubs and other entertainment venues. There will also be an “independent entertainment and shopping area for cruise crew members” as well as a Mayan themed water park. The need for a berthing facility near Belize City cannot be overstated as the cruise lines have expressed dissatisfaction with the tendering arrangement on multiple occasions. The majority of passengers choose not to leave the massive ships with luxury service to board the boats that look like dories from the deck. According to FCG, those that do board tenders have complained because it is “unsafe and accidents have occurred”. Only a little over 40% of passengers that get off the ships actually organize tours because of the poor experience while boarding the tenders and aggressive greeting by tour operators near the Fort Street Tourism Village. In 2010, Seleni Matus, then BTB Director, said, “We are losing on an annual basis close to $50 million because of the poor presentation that we have as our destination.” The Ministry of Tourism has spent millions of dollars to improve the infrastructure and train the individuals operating in the area but FCG is promoting the Stake Bank project as the permanent solution to the Belize City cruise tourism woes.

PAC begins its work without Julius
Julius Espat stormed out of the Public Accounts Committee meeting which was held in Belmopan on Wednesday, September 4th. As he huffed out of the committee meeting room, he violently slammed the door shut behind him. Espat had gone to the meeting with an agenda which was voted on and rejected by the majority of the committee members. He was seeking to review only one Auditor General's report that is the one for 2010 to 2011. After the rejection of that agenda, Hon. John Saldivar proposed a new agenda which will see the committee review Auditor General reports from as far back as 2003(see Table to the right). The first meeting will take place on September 23rd and will publicly review the Report of the Auditor General's Report for the years 2003/2004 and the 2004/2005 report on September 25th. The schedule will see all Auditor General's Reports that are available from 2003 reviewed. It is noteworthy that there are no reports before 2003.

Vaughn Gill is a Dead beat Dad
It is perhaps one of the most shameful things when fathers have children and refuse to take care of them, forcing the children’s mothers to take the father to Family Court, in effect forcing them to pay. And that is where Vaughn Gill found himself on Wednesday when he was picked up by police for refusing to take care of his child! Police picked up Gill in Belmopan on the strength of a commitment warrant for refusing to pay a mere $50 a week to support his child. Gill has not been paying for years and the amount had racked up to 15 thousand dollars. He however had brought down that amount to 5 thousand dollars which he could not pay.

National Bank of Belize Open for Business - Now lending at 5.5% interest
The National Bank of Belize Limited is now accepting applications for mortgage loans from public officers and middle income Belizeans. The Prime Minister of Belize, Hon. Dean Barrow, established the bank in April of this year and commissioned the Board of Directors to begin operations as soon as possible. The Board is chaired by Senator Joy Grant and Deputy Financial Secretary Marion Palacio is the Vice Chair. President of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, Dylan Reneau, John Mencias and Hector Sabido are the other members of the Board. Senator Grant says she was honoured when Prime Minister Barrow told her he wanted her to chair the Board. Grant is also Minister of Public Utilities, Energy, Science and Technology. Senator Grant says she knew it would require great effort to lead such an important venture while executing her duties as Minister but it was a task she was determined to take on. The Board and its supporting cast worked tirelessly to establish an operation plan, recruit staff and renovate the old Small Farmers Bank building at the corner of Forest Drive and the Hummingbird Highway. As a result, the National Bank of Belize Limited opened its doors to the public on the first Monday of September.

Medical Teleconferencing now available at KHMH
Dr. Gary Longsworth and Rafael Marin at the launch of KHMH’s teleconferencing service The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital now has teleconferencing capacity. On Tuesday, September 3rd the KHMH officially launched the service which comes as a result of donated equipment by the Carolinas Healthcare Systems, Heineman Foundation and BTL who provided a 4 Meg dedicated connection to the hospital.

September Celebrations Kicks Off on St. George’s Caye
Official launch of the National September Celebrations On Sunday, September 1st, the Governor General of Belize, Sir Colville Young, led a large group of government officials, diplomats and patriotic citizens to St. George’s Caye to officially open the September Celebrations. The people on the island commemorating the brave stance of a group of Baymen, African slaves and free blacks 215 years ago included descendants of those Baymen and slaves as well as Mestizos, Mayas, Garinagus, Taiwanese and East Indians who call Belize home today.

Nine Archaeological Sites assisted
A project to assist nine archaeological sites and their surrounding communities across Belize is moving forward with the delivery of an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) last Friday at the Museum Building on Culvert Road, Belmopan. Present to witness the delivery of the ATV were principal movers from the Belize Tourist Board, the National Institute of Culture and History as well as from the Department of Archaeology. Conceived two years ago and signed into action in December of 2012, the Project entitled “Making Tourism Benefit Communities Adjacent to Archaeological Sites” hopes to bring positive changes within a 24 month period. The project will improve the infrastructure and services at nine archaeological sites with a main focus in reducing poverty in rural areas. These targeted sites that will stand to benefit include Altun Ha in the Belize District, Lamanai in the Orange Walk District and Nim Li Punit, Blue Creek and Lubaantun in the Toledo District. Also to benefit from this Project will be Actun Tunichil Muknal, Barton Creek, the Nohoch Che’en (Cave’s Branch) and Xunantunich from the Cayo District.

New Cayo DAVCO
On Saturday, August 31st, the newly elected Village Councils of the Cayo District, met at Unitedville village for the annual general meeting of DAVCO for that district.

Bertie owes Income Tax
Former president of the Football Federation of Belize, Bertie Chimilio, appeared in court to answer to charges of failing to pay income tax. He appeared in Belize City before Magistrate Leslie Hamilton.

One week training on Climate Change held in Cayo
Since a meeting of Global minds at the Second Program Steering Committee of the Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA) Intra African Caribbean and Pacific Countries meeting which was held on both the 18th and 19th of July 2013 at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel, much continues to happen on the Climate Change agenda. As recent as last week, a team from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) was brought in for five consecutive days to sensitize some 100 persons from the public, private and Non Government Organizations on Climate Change. Previously, the National Climate Change Committee had met and approved a National Plan for climate change actions in Belize.

Councilor Castillo helps children in Rural Central
PUMA Representative hands over donation to Councillor Emroy Castillo On Tuesday 27th August, 2013 PUMA ENERGY BELIZE donated school supplies to a group of deserving primary school students of Ladyville Village.

GRAVE TYPES AND BURIAL THEMES AT THE EARLY ENGLISH CEMETERY ON ST. GEORGE’S CAYE, BELIZE
Figure 1. Map showing location of St. George’s Caye. St. George’s Caye is a small island 8 miles off the coast of Belize. Due to its strategic location, controlling access to the mouth of the Belize River, it played a key role in the early history of Belize serving as its capital into the late 1700s. The Caye also served as the transshipment point for the export of logwood and mahogany. The owners of the mahogany works had their homes and headquarters on the Caye. Archival research has shown that the St. George’s Caye cemetery is the country’s oldest English Baymen cemetery. Ground penetrating radar revealed a series of anomalies that possibly indicated a substantial number of unmarked graves. Excavations conducted in the 2011 field season confirmed this and revealed the presence of several graves at a level beneath the graves located in previous field seasons. This lower level of graves consisted of mahogany or Santa Maria wood coffins which differ from the stone and brick box graves of the later period. This paper presents the grave types and examines the cultural influences on the mortuary practices of the Baymen.

Memorial Park Opens for Village Expo
The new and improved Memorial Park was officially opened on Saturday, August 31st. The renovation of the park was part of the Fort Point Pedestrian Project. The Fort Point Pedestrian Walk Project falls under the IDB financed Sustainable Tourism Project. The Memorial Park has been transformed into a multi-functional public space for special events, recreation and leisure activities. The war memorial has been renovated and it includes commemorative plaques and improved ceremonial features. The bandstand has been renovated to create a theatre like atmosphere. There are several vending machines for daily use and an additional amount for permanent use and storage. The facility also has space for tour operators and residential and visitor parking. The Memorial Park is also expected to house the largest Belize flag in the country.

Remanded for burglary
On Tuesday, September 3rd, a Belize City construction worker was remanded to the Belize Central Prison after being charged with burglary. Daun Anthony Myers, 41, is accused of burglarizing the home of Father Norman Leroy Flowers who resides at #192 North Front Street in Belize. Allegations are that he entered Flowers’ home and stole jewelry amounting to $1,700. In court, Myers who was unrepresented, appeared before Magistrate Leslie Hamilton where he pleaded not guilty the single charge of burglary. The court prosecutor, objected to bail on the grounds that the crime was prevalent. Magistrate Hamilton agreed and denied Myers bail and remanded him to the Belize Central Prison until October 3, 2013.

$46,000 jacked from James Brodies
Police are investigating a robbery in which $46,064.42 was stolen from a security guard who was making a deposit for James Brodies & Company. The 52 year old security guard told police that at about4:30p.m. on Saturday, August 31st he was walking on Albert Street on his way to First Caribbean Bank to do a cash deposit when he was held up at gunpoint. The guard said a man of brown complexion about 5’ 9” in height, slim built, approached him from behind and demanded that he be given a black plastic bag which he was carrying. He handed over the bag which contained four cash bags amounting to $46,064.42. The thief then ran on Church Street, got a bicycle from a male person at the corner of Church Street and Duck Lane and rode away towards the direction of East Canal making good his escape.

Gunplay on Central American Boulevard
On Tuesday, September 3rd, 35-year-old Jose Ricardo Hernandez, a driver and resident of Belize City was remanded to the Belize Central Prison after he charged with a single count of aggravated assault with a firearm upon Aris Serrano, a bus driver. Hernandez appeared before Magistrate Leslie Hamilton where he pleaded not guilty to the charge but due to the nature of the offense, bail was denied and he was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until October 3, 2013 Allegations are that on Tuesday, September 3, on Central American Boulevard, he committed an aggravated assault with a firearm upon Aris Serrano. Police reports are that at about 7:15 a.m. Hernandez who was driving a dump truck was involved in a collision with Serrano who was driving a bus.

Mother charged for abandoning her children
On Friday, August 30th, 25-year-old Shanel Robinson, a domestic of a Cannon Dale Drive apartment address in Belize City appeared in Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Leslie Hamilton to answer to two charges of child abandonment. No plea was taken from her as the court prosecutor was not certain if the matter will be dealt with on indictment or summarily. She was then offered bail in the sum of 1 thousand dollars plus one surety of the same amount. Allegations are that on Thursday, August 29, she left two of her two children, both under the age of 7 at apartment #7, at Canon Dale Drive to the extent that she allowed that they be injured.

Charged for Drug Trafficking
On Tuesday, September 3rd, taxi-driver, 49-year-old Alton White and his common-law wife, 34-year-old Idolly Frazer, an employee of Belize Health Care Partners appeared in Magistrate’s court where they were charged with one count of drug trafficking and one count of possession of a controlled drug. Allegations are that early on that same morning, they were found in possession of 106 grams of cannabis and 11 grams of cannabis, respectively. In court, White asked the magistrate to please allow him time to explain his situation. He said that he wants to plead guilty to possession because, his common-law wife had no idea what he was doing and that she was not supposed to be home. She was to be at work on that day. Magistrate Leslie Hamilton informed him that the prosecutor would have to check with the DPP’s office to see if they will accept his guilty plea for possession. After a 5 minutes adjournment, White’s guilty plea for possession was rejected by the DPP’s office and the court prosecutor informed the magistrate that the prosecution will proceed against the couple for drug trafficking.

Charged for trying to kill her husband
On Monday, September 2nd Frances Eve Ayala Wilson, 38, appeared in Magistrate’s court where she was charged with abetment to commit murder. Wilson, a resident of San Ignacio, was arraigned before Magistrate Leslie Hamilton where she was represented by Attorney Simeon Sampson. In court no plea was taken and the prosecutor objected to bail. The objections were firstly that there was the strong likelihood of Ayala Wilson not showing up in court to answer the charge. He pointed out that although the report against Wilson was made in May of this year, it was not until three months later that she was apprehended by police in San Ignacio. The second objection was based on the seriousness of the crime, and the prosecutor asked the court to consider that the crime of conspiracy to commit murder was a serious one.

Kent Gabourel is 14th Lionman Champion
The Belize Triathlon Association sponsored its 14th Annual Lionman Triathlon on Sunday, September 1, 2013. The Triathlon Discipline includes three events swimming, riding and running of which the triathlete must complete. In the male category, Kent Gabourel was the first tri-athlete to cross the finish line to capture the 14th Annual Lionman Competition. Kenroy “Smokes” Gladden captured 2nd place while Luigi Urbina captured 3rd place. In the female category, Shalini Zabaneh was the first tri-athlete to cross the finish line and then she was followed by Austrailian Dimity Gannon and Kerah Eiley in that order. In the junior category, Brandon Santos was the first tri-athlete to cross the finish line. In the Masters Category, Dr. Ramon Figueroa was the first tri-athlete to cross the finish line.

Belize places fourth in the FIBA Americas 3x3 Championship
The Belize National U18 3x3 basketball team returned to Belize on Monday, September 2nd after placing 4th in the U18 3x3 FIBA Americas Championship held in Washington DC. Belize beat Puerto Rico and Guatemala to advance to the semifinal round where Belize lost to USA by a score of 21-16 and then lost to Canada in the bronze medal game. The National U 18 3x3 basketball team qualifies to participate in the U 18 3x3 World Championship to be held in Jakarta from September 26-29th. The Belize Basketball Federation would like to thank the following sponsors who made financial contributions as well as other organizations that supported the team and made Belize’s participation possible. Belize is also scheduled to participate in the U 14 COCABA Championship to be held in Honduras later this year.

Central Health Region and Port of Belize wins in Frims Basketball Competition
The Belize District Basketball Association Firms’ Competition continued on Saturday, August 31, at the Bird’s Isle in Belize City with three games on the schedule. In the first game played, Central health defeated Courts by the score of 71-64. The top scorers for Central Health were Steve Wade with 19 points and Lonnie Trapp also with 19 points. Meanwhile, the top scorers for Courts were Tyronne Anthony with 26 points and Delroy Calez with 15 points. In the second game on the schedule, Port of Belize defeated Customs & Excise Department by the score of 64-60. The top scorers for Port of Belize were Vince Estrada with 23 points and Earl Johnson with 20 points. For the Customs & Excise Department, their top scorers were Oliver Solis with 24 points and Elsworth Felix with 11 points. In the final game of the evening, BTL won via the forfeit route 20-0 over Bowen & Bowen. The competition will continue on Thursday, September 5 with two more games on the schedule. In the first game at 7:00 pm PUC/CBA will go up against Atlantic Bank followed by Hertiage Bank against Belize Bank. On Friday, September 6, there will be three games on the schedule. In game one at 7:00 pm Central Health will go up against BTL, followed by Belize Bank against Atlantic Bank and in the final game of the evening it will be Belize City Council against Port of Belize.

Vega’s Cup tournament continues in Orange Walk North
The 2013 Vega’s Cup Tournament continued on Sunday, September 1st where four games were played at the Trial Farm Football Field. In the first game played, Jaguars defeated Barrio Boys by the score of 5-1. The goals for Jaguars were scored by Clifton West in the 15th, 41st and 42nd minutes of the game, Andy Basto in the 62nd minute of play and Leonel Gongora in the 90th minute of play. Meanwhile, the goal for Barrio Boys was scored by Jeovany Coyock in the 72nd minute of play. In game two, Old School and Awe’s V United played to a 1-1 draw. The only goal of the game for Old School was scored by Dean Flowers in the 85th minute of play, while Dathon Rivas scored for Awe’s V United in the 67th minute of play. In the third game of the day, San Luis FC blasted AC Aliari by the score of 5-1. The only goal of the game was scored by Gadiel Samos in the 32nd minute of play. Meanwhile, the goal scorers for San Luis FC were scored by Alfonso Chi in the 6th minute of play, Alberto Coh in the 10th and 84th minutes of play and Victor Chi in the 68th and 85th minutes of play. In the fourth and final game of the day, Douglas Galaxy and Untouchables played to a 2-2 draw. The goals for Douglas Galaxy were scored by Cesar Ortiz in the 53rd minute of play and Elton Triminos in the 60th minute of play, while the goals for Untouchables were scored by Ismael Larios in the 52nd minute of play and Kadir Galindo in the 78th minute of play.

Belize Youth Girls Volleyball team in Guatemala
The National Youth Girls Volleyball team is currently in Guatemala City, Guatemala, where it is participating in the Central American Youth (U-16) Volleyball Competition. The team has played 2 games in the competition so far and is playing 500 ball with a 1-1 win-loss record. On Tuesday, September 3, Belize defeated El Salvador three sets to one by the score of 25-23, 25-20, 21-25and 25-19. Kevanna Sebastian led Team Belize with 20 points. She also had 12 kills and 8 blocks. Meanwhile, Maya Musa also contributed to the team’s win with 10 points, and 8 kills and 2 aces. On Monday, Honduras defeated Belize by the score of 25-21, 25-17, 18-25, 15-25 and 9-15. Team Belize was led by Kevanna Sebastian who scored 16 points and she also had 7 blockd, 6 kills and 3 aces. The other scorers for Team Belize were Kori Diego with 8 points and Maya Musa with 7 points. Belize will be playing its third game at 7:00 pm on Wednesday September 4 against the host country Guatemala.

Youth talks - I Love Coke
Ever wondered how it is that some days your body is just begging you for a coke? Or are you ever having your Sunday rice and beans, your Lee Chee or your Garnaches and you just know that your meal is not complete because you do not have a coke? I am sure it has happened to the regular soda drinkers. But have you ever wondered what it contains that makes it so addictive? Have you considered how much sugar the soda has? How much effects it has on the body? Youths as well as adults are addicted to soft drinks and have little knowledge of the enormous effects that a little bottle of refreshment can have on the body. The following article will discuss a few effects drinking too much soda can have on health. 1. Weight Gain Soft drinks are filled with sugar. According to the Mayo Clinic, a twelve ounce soda contains approximately nine teaspoons of sugar. Some people, we could think about a few people that come to mind, drink more than one coke a day. Actually there are some people that feel like water is only good for washing hands, dishes and cloths and drink sodas all day to “quench” their thirst. Organic Consumers, however warn that each can of soda consumed increases the risk of obesity 1.6 times.

Toledo’s Jahrine Avila is the Next Queen of the Bay
Jahrine Avila will be crowned Queen of the Bay at the Battle of St. George’s Caye Day ceremony on Tuesday, September 10th. Avila represented the district of Toledo at the 68th Queen of the Bay pageant at the Bliss Center for Performing Arts this past Friday, August 30th. Seven of Belize’s most beautiful young ladies participated in this year’s Queen of the Bay pageant. The organizers listened to the critiques of the pageant’s supporters and made a change in the format this year. Many complained that the pageant was getting a bit too long and boring over recent years. Therefore, the Queen of the Bay Committee made special emphasis on the talent segment and promoted it as an event of its own. The Queen of the Bay talent competition was held on Saturday, August 17th. Queen of the Bay Belmopan, Mikayla Banner, won the talent competition doing a monologue in which she addressed some of the positive and negative features of Belize.

National Animal Health Workshop held in Cayo
A National Animal Health Workshop for the accreditation of veterinarians started on Tuesday of this week in the Cayo District and will continue until this Friday. Some fifteen veterinarians from around the country are currently participating at the Faculty of Agriculture (University of Belize) in Central Farm. Funding for the four day event is coming from the Inter American Development Bank IDB. Belizean Veterinarians are being taught how to do testing and sampling of Bovine Tuberculosis and Bovine Brucellosis as well as conducting cattle traceability. (In cattle traceability each animal is traced from the time of birth to expiration.) The Epidemiology of both Brucellosis and Tuberculosis was reviewed by experts in Central Farm on Wednesday. Both conditions are of particular interest because they have carried along with it both health and economic burdens in other countries in the past. Bovine Bucellosis by itself is a contagious disease of ruminant animals that also affects humans. Animals affected by Bovine Brucellosis have decreased milk production, weight loss, infertility and lameness and is considered one of the most serious diseases of livestock. The disease is caused by a group of bacteria under the genus Brucella; with the B. abortus bacilli affecting cattle.

Poetry Night held in Cayo
Both the San Ignacio and Santa Elena Public Libraries teamed up for a poetry night on August 28, 2013. Several poets from the Twin Towns came out to share their insights on life itself. Librarian for the San Ignacio Library, Teresita Ulloa, said that the poetry night was designed to showcase authors and their talents in an effort to conserve our ‘intangible heritage.’ Several poets then made their presentations of vivid poetry to local residents. One of those poets was Jim Arnold, who said he fled Coastal Stann Creek and moved inland to Cayo for fear of hurricanes. His poem ‘Live in Heaven and Live in Hell’ juxtaposes the many ‘treasures’ in Belize that can be spoken about loudly. Avid reader Mrs. Ruth Guttierez then took to the stage sharing with her audience that she now shares time between her local Community Pharmacy and Cubola Productions in Benque Viejo Del Carmen. Mrs. Guttierez referred to the works of James Martinez in “What is success of Life you say?”

The Reporter

Energy Ministry says rising oil prices more curse than blessing
Belize stands to collect more via the Windfall Tax from the rising global price of oil. However, the Ministry of Energy, Science & Technology, and Public Utilities says that the cost will out-weigh the benefits. Dr. Colin Young, Ministry of Energy’s CEO, explained Tuesday that the influx of revenue Belize will receive will be significantly less than the country’s expenditure in buying fuel. Young said that the rise in fuel will always negatively impact Belize and is a clear indicator that the country needs to wean itself off dependency on diesel fuels and start looking into more renewable energy endeavours. Following the bio-chemical weapon attack in Syria in late August, the price of oil on the world market rose to over US$111 per barrel. After the United States announced that it may make a military strike against Syria, Brent crude oil peaked at US$117 a barrel.

Choices – there are options
A nation deserves the leaders they elect, so why complain? That is more and more the approach I am tempted to take when it comes to Belizean politics. The patterns of behaviour of the two major political parties have been virtual mirror images of each other and like in George Orwell’s Animal Farm, after a while it becomes impossible to differentiate the humans from the pigs. There is not a single person among us who would have believed that the current administration would have morphed into what it is today. When this government fist took office the hopes and aspiration of the people were extremely high. After one term and almost two years into a second term, we are now starting to see the same behavioural patterns as the last PUP administration’s. More and more people are becoming frustrated and I challenge anyone to show me that their life is any better now than it was when this government first came into power. And by anyone, I mean ordinary people, not the politically connected or the social elite, because their bank accounts have gotten exponentially bigger.

Russia’s President Putin warns US over Syria action
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned the US and its allies against taking one-sided action in Syria. US President Barack Obama has called for punitive action in response to an alleged chemical weapons attack. Mr Putin said Russia did not rule out supporting a UN Security Council resolution authorising force, if it was proved “beyond doubt” that the Syrian government had used chemical weapons. On Tuesday evening, members of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations agreed on a draft resolution backing the use of military force. President Vladimir Putin’s position on any military action against Syria was in the most part very robust.

Brazil’s Lower House bans secret voting after protests
Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies has approved a ban on secret voting in both Houses of Congress. The measure, which will now have to be approved by the Senate, had been a key demand by protesters who took to the streets of major cities in June. They said they wanted more transparency to know where their parliamentary representatives stood on key decisions. The constitutional amendment was first proposed seven years ago but had been stalled in the Lower House since then. But in a unanimous late-night vote on Tuesday, the 452 deputies present voted to abolish secret voting in both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. The decision came just days after legislators voted – in a secret ballot – to allow Congressman Natan Donadon to continue in his post.

Miss Toledo wins 2013 Queen of Bay
Queen of the Bay Toledo Jahrine Avila won the 68th Queen of the Bay pageant organized by the Queen of the Bay committee of the Loyal and Patriotic Order of the Baymen at the Bliss Institute for the Performing Arts in Belize City on Friday night, August 30. Jahrine was voted Miss Eloquence for her succinct answers in the question and answer section of the pageant. She also won points from the judges from her exquisite, pale lemon green gown, her performance during the on stage march to patriotic September tunes, and her graceful execution of the curtsy to the reigning Queen Yadira Yvette Argueta and her curtsy to the judges and the audience. Miss Stann Creek Verinicia Vernon was voted first runner-up, while Queen of the Bay Belmopan Mikalya Venise Banner was voted second runner-up and also won the talent segment of the pageant.

Broccoli slows arthritis, researchers think
Eating lots of broccoli may slow down and even prevent osteoarthritis, UK researchers believe. The University of East Anglia team is starting human trials following on from successful lab studies. Tests on cells and mice showed that a broccoli compound – which humans can also get from Brussels sprouts and cabbage – blocked a key destructive enzyme that damages cartilage. They are asking 20 patients to eat a daily dose of “super-charged” broccoli. This special cruciferous vegetable has been bred to be extra rich in nutrients – it is a cross between standard broccoli and a wild relative from Sicily. Our body takes this glucoraphanin compound and turns it into another, called sulforaphane, which appears to protect the joints.

Migraine sufferers’ brains show structural differences
There are structural differences in parts of the brain between people who have migraines and those who do not, according to a review by Danish researchers. The analysis of 20 separate studies, in the journal Neurology, showed changes in the brain’s white matter and tiny lesions could be detected. However, the reason for the differences and their impact are unclear. Experts said more research needed to be conducted to explain the findings. Dr Messoud Ashina, from the University of Copenhagen, said: “As a neurologist I see many patients with migraines who ask – does it damage my brain?”

Kent Gabourel, Shalini Zabaneh & Ramon Figueroa win 14th annual Lionman Triathlon
Football star Kent Gabourel Jr., of San Pedro Seahawk fame, won in the men’s Lionman category, Shalini Zabaneh repeated as female champion for the seventh time, and Dr. Ramon Figueroa won in the Masters’ Lionman category. Jordan Santos won as Junior Champion in 14th annual Lionman Triathlon organized by the Belize Triathlon Association. The competition was held in the coastal waters along Sandlighters’ Promenade and along Marine Parade in Belize City on Sunday, September 1. More than 40 swimmers jumped into the sea for the two-mile swim. Kent Gabourel was fifth out the water, completing the 1,500m swim in 32 minutes 27 seconds. But he soon took the lead on the 25 mile bike ride, a three-lap course from Celebrity Restaurant on Marine Parade to Duke’s Marine, a designated turning point on the Philip Goldson Highway and back, completing the ride in one hour 41 minutes, 20 seconds.

Belize wins 3 in mixed martial arts, Mexico-5
Mexican Karate competitors from the Eagle Park Tae-kwon-do dojo of Chetumal, Quintana Roo won five of eight bouts, while Belizean fighters won three of the eight-bouts on the fight card. The Belize Shotokan Karate Academy hosted the evening of mixed martial arts fighting in the cage at the Belize Elementary School auditorium last Saturday, August 31. Belizean Ashton Tasher got a guillotine chokehold on Mexican Jonathan Calalo to win the first bout decisively. Mexican Emmanuel Ku won over Belizean Ralph Hulse by a technical knock-out in the second fight of the evening; but Belizean fighter Alex Salam got Mexican fighter Ury Gambino to throw in the towel in the third fight of the night.

Blogs

What do you do when you have lost your zsa zsa zsu?
In case you are wondering what the heck it means, zsa zsa zsu is a term coined by Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City. She describes it as it as the butterflies feeling you get when you meet someone you really really like, can’t stop thinking about them and want to spend time with them. I liked the concept and decided to apply zsa zsa zsu to that happy loving life feeling which can also give you butterflies. The feeling you get when you are having a really good day, or you start vacation planning and daydreaming of the day you will be landing on Ambergris Caye once again. Lately there has been way too much heavy stuff happening at one time and yesterday it occurred to me that I have lost my zsa zsa zsu. Aside from the fire and 3 wakes there are 5 personal things affecting my mood that I cannot relay as it would involve giving tmi on other peoples issues. After having spent the past two days sleeping and watching tv, I decided it was time to get my @ss up out of bed and do something to get my zsa zsa zsu feeling back.

Artist & Jeweller Mr. Dimas Guerrero: Someone You Want to Meet
Conch shells have always been plentiful on the island. These days tourists bring them home (or try to…you’ll find that they get confiscated from hand luggage), they are used in all sorts of decoration and artisans carve the pretty pink shells into jewelry. But that wasn’t always the case. 40 years ago, the shells were so abundant in the tiny fishing village of San Pedro that they were often laid down as a base before cement was poured and they could be seem in huge piles on the beach. They were pretty much garbage. Dimas Guerrero, born and raised in San Pedro, had an idea. To carve the shells into beads and jewelry to sell to the just beginning tourist industry. Dimas was the first in Belize to do it. And almost 40 years later, he is still crafting jewelry, making art and practising his craft. Look at this gorgeous shell necklace and bracelet. And the very cool display coral.

Do you want to Glamp like a Champ?
As we noted earlier, glamping is no longer the next big thing – it’s now simply big. And now, according to the Daily Beast (a Newsweek affiliate that reaches some three million readers a month, according to the NY Times), Chaa Creek’s Macal River Camp is one of the top best five places in the world to glamp. Yes, in the entire world, and with one country, Botswana taking two of the five coveted spots. There’s no longer any doubt that glamping is big worldwide. And why not? You have all the woodsy fun of camping with none of the dreary bits such as setting up and taking down tents, trying to impress with fire making skills you may not possess, burning fingers (and food) on unfamiliar cooking gear, making difficult bathroom decisions… the list goes on. Now, we’re not for one moment suggesting that true back-to-nature camping experiences aren’t a lot of fun. It’s just that more and more people are opting for the easier route by combining glamour with camping. Voila! Glamping!

Standards are Important!
It does not matter whether you are a small/medium-sized business or a large company, standards are important! To paraphrase ISO, standards are basically rules that ensure quality in the development of a product or deliverance of a service. As a company seeks to internationalize or gain international markets, adapting and complying with quality standards become a MUST! Standards are divided into Technical Standards and Mandatory Standards. In Belize, some of our Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) may not even be aware that there are minimum accepted practices for the production of goods or services. These are known as Technical Standards, but they are NOT mandatory. These cover aspects such as terminology, symbols, and packaging marking of a product. On the other hand, Technical Regulations or “mandatory standards” are specifically designed to protect consumers. Therefore, they carry legal implications for non-compliance. Examples of Technical Regulations for Belize includes Packaging and & Labeling, Liquid & Petroleum Gas, and Labeling for tobacco products and for beverages. Technical regulations cover two tasks:

“Gonna Make You a Star” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
Most mornings I try to remember to drag myself from the veranda at around 07.20 hours and move inside the condo we are renting during our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize to watch The Morning Show , the programme broadcast by Reef TV (channel 20). OK the production quality may not come close to the quality of the much larger stations but it is a mine of information relating to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye and pertinent information about Belize in general. The reason for mentioning the programme is that when I was watching on Tuesday a segment of it featured Matthiew Klinck, a Canadian living in Belize who founded and runs the cinema arts and training production programme Make- Belize Films.

Half Moon Caye Wall, The Best Dive Site In Belize
The typical Blue Hole trip in Belize is most often followed up by a lesser advertised, yet more spectacular dive site known as Half Moon Caye Wall. Most dive boats take about 25 minutes to get to this site, the short trip is part of your surface interval after the Blue Hole dive. What makes this site the best in Belize? It is the sheer consistency of diverse wildlife encounters, beautiful corals and gentle conditions; I haven’t seen all that there is to see in the Caribbean but I’ve been told by many who have that this is pretty much as good as it gets. At the surface it’s the sort of scene you’d only expect to find in a photoshopped magazine ad. The pristine crescent shaped tropical island of Half Moon Caye is the backdrop in the distance. It tops off an area where turquoise waters and unbelievable visibility are the norm. Below the surface, there is a gentle sandy slope that starts on the beach of the island in the distance and gradually leads up to a drop off at around 45 Ft/ 13 M. The drop off is bordered by a crust of reef that forms an awe inspiring wall scattered with hidden tunnels; yellow and neon blue sponges, black and lilac sea fans and giant barrel sponges with abstract shaped openings. It goes down to depths of 100 Ft/30 M or more. You start off by dropping over about 30Ft/10M of water and descending on to bright white sand with patches of sea grass and, often, garden eels wave about in the current looking remarkably similar to the patches they imitate.

Wow, 50 Lionfish on one dive this morning!!!
It’s our Lionfish special focus month! Week one, so far, 194 lion fish!!! That’s thousands and thousands of juvenile species saved, imagine how many we are going to save during the whole of September! Please spread the word!!!!

International Sources

Renton gran's Belize mission
A Renton grandmother returned from a mission helping youngsters in Belize— and immediately started work on her next project in the place she calls her “second home”. Shona Hodgson spent three weeks in the country during the school summer holidays with her 17-year-old daughter Siera whom she adopted from Belize in 2010. Thanks to the generosity of people from across Dumbarton, Alexandria and Balloch, Shona went on the trip armed with suitcases full of clothes, shoes, essentials and sportswear which she donated to young people involved with Belize charity the Youth Support Network. She said: “I had a great response from people and also received donations from Renton Craigandro and Dalvait football teams. “The young people in Belize were absolutely delighted with everything we brought. They were so grateful.

Ministry adjusts trade numbers with Belize
In October 2012 Ukraine suddenly kick-started a booming oil products export to Belize. In the first month, Ukraine exported nearly $60 million worth of gasoline to the small Caribbean country. By the end of the last quarter, gasoline exports reached $209 million, according to the State Statistics Service.

Travelogue program set for club
The Paskamansett Bird Club's monthly meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Community Hall of Friends Meeting in South Dartmouth. Jim Spears and Alita Marks will share their travels in Belize, with a focus on wildlife (especially birds), ancient Maya sites, and the challenges of mechanical issues on their cruise ship. Spears will show a selection of his photographs with a primary focus on birds and other wildlife and a secondary focus on the Maya civilization and Belize in general. The photographs were taken with one of the latest digital cameras with a long zoom range; Jim will discuss pros and cons of this type of camera as opposed to the traditional single lens reflex camera with telephoto lenses.

The country of Belize, reimagined.
Belize needed a refresh. After twenty-six years, the country's logo had finally run its course, appearing stale and outdated. The Belizean Tourism Board approached our friends at Olson Advertising in Minneapolis for a complete rebranding. Olson commissioned us to help lead the initiative. The final result of this collaboration was nothing short of exhilarating.

VIDEO: Reason #58 why we like Ambergris Caye, Belize
If you've never passed to Belize or maybe you're not even quite certain specifically where it is, we're going to offer you a Flavor of Belize. Example food, songs and beverage from the Jewel of the Caribbean. See why it is La Isla Bonita! We've been going for years and are really establishing Property there. We want you ahead visit. So we're having this event to celebrate and share what we have actually discovered.

St. George Caye Aquarium Is Top Attraction in Belize
We had just arrived at St. George’s Caye Resort in Belize and thought we would wander around a bit, get a feel for the tiny little island about 8 miles from Belize City. The whole thing is just about two miles long and a stone’s throw wide, so there wasn’t really much to explore. Our hosts suggested we visit the St. George’s Caye Aquarium. They told us to walk south on the beach and we would see the sign.

September 5, 2013

Last night's TV news on Channel 7 and Channel 5
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

September Celebration official launch
The 2013 September Celebrations were officially launched on Sunday, September 1st. September is a long anticipated month for most Belizeans, since it marks the anniversary of two very special dates in Belizean history, The Battle of St. George’s Caye and Independence Day. The first ceremony of the month is held at the National Site and first capital of the St. George’s Caye. It is a ceremony celebrating patriotism and the rich culture of Belize. Invited guests included the Governor General His Excellency Sir Colville Young, Minister of Tourism and Culture Manuel Heredia Jr., Mayor of Belize City Darrell Bradley, Mayor of San Pedro Town Daniel Guerrero, Chairman of St. George’s Caye John Searle Junior, Queen of the Bay 2012-2013Yadira Argueta, Queen of the Bay 2013-2014Jahrine Avila, and other invited guests.

Jerdon Anderson wins first place at St. George’s Caye Battle Regatta
Jerdon Anderson of the San Pedro Junior Sailing Club brought home the grand prize trophy in the Optimist division for the 4th Annual Battle of St. George’s Caye Regatta. The Battle of Saint George’s Caye Regatta is in commemoration of the battle on 1798 when the Baymen conquered the Spanish Armada in their last attempt to take over British Honduras. The Regatta is organized by The Belize Sailing Association (BzSA) under the patronage of His Excellency the Governor General, Sir Colville Young and took place at St. George’s Caye

Ambergris Today

Vote for the Great Blue Hole as 8th Wonder of the World
The country of Belize is proud that The Great Blue Hole has been nominated for “8th Wonder of the World”. Many have been spreading the word on different social networks to get everybody to vote. The Ambergris Today team has been working hard to get the word out to our Belizeans and International visitors to vote. Winning this title would give us major publicity to our beautiful Belize and help us to protect it even more. The Belize Tourism Board has been busy as well; they just printed out some really cool stickers for everybody to place on their businesses, vehicles or wherever it can be noticed. The BTB sent us some stickers and I immediately took on the task in sharing them around Ambergris Caye.

Our Young People Need to Learn Respect, Discipline, & Self-Growth
Dear Editor, Please allow me space in your reputable newspaper to share my perspective on positive development of morals and values in young people. Many of our young people growing up today are highly lacking the values of respect, discipline and self-growth. Parents today are either busy with their jobs, trying hard to earn a dollar to feed their kids, and helping them with basic necessities. I am appalled to see that young boys and girls, only in their teens, are getting the tendency of having children. It strikes a big mark because these young people are not ready for this. If they can barely take care of themselves, what about their new born baby? What about the burdensome prices of food, education, healthcare, and the list goes on? But then again, what are the scenarios that cause this? I would say proper parenting. If our parents teach us Respect, Discipline, & Self-Growth, then we won’t have a problem growing up as a charismatic and dedicated person.

Gamez and Prevett Nuptials in San Pedro
Congratulations go out to Edwin Gamez and Monica Prevett who tied the knot in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize on Saturday, August 31, 2013. The happy couple exchanged vows at the San Pedro Roman Catholic Church and then celebrated their union at the family-owned Bistro Mestizo restaurant in downtown San Pedro. Monica is daughter of Shelly Huber and Timothy Prevett; her Maid of Honor was Chandra Paz and Edwin's Best Man was Albie Godoy. Congratulations to the beautiful couple!

San Pedro Junior Sailing Club Captures Battle Regatta 1st Place Trophy
St. George’s Caye, September 1, 2013 - A rainy week gave way to sunny skies and steady winds between 9 and 12 knots. At the end of five races in the Optimist Class, consistent sailing by Jerdon Anderson of the San Pedro Junior Sailing Club (SPJSC) allowed him to sail away from 2013 Battle Regatta with 1st Place. Isaac Ritchie of the Placencia Sailing Club (PSC) followed close behind in the “Tipsy Tuna” boat, grabbing 2nd Place. Anthony Ricardez Jr. of the Belize City Sailing Club (BCSC) in the “Howarth Belize” boat held on to 3rd place and not too long before overcast skies reappeared.

Southern Boating Magazine Features Belize
Features of Belize on international magazines are always good for our beautiful country. Currently the Belize Blue Hole is vying to be the 8th Natural Wonder of the world and the feature of Belize on the Southern Boating Magazine could not have come at better time as the front cover page features an amazing picture of the Blue Hole.

Misc Belizean Sources

The day the Carnival left town
A fairy tale Once upon a time there was a happy little land known as Felize, where the people enjoyed life and welcomed entertainment. So when news arrived one day that a Carnival was coming, there was great excitement throughout the realm. “A Carnival! What fun! That will be something different!” they said. And they were right, for this was no ordinary carnival. No, this was a floating Carnival, a massive, sea going Carnival alive with music, dancing, bright lights and romance as it sailed over the ocean. Felizeans from all walks of life, traders and merchants, bankers and workers, even Felize’s leaders themselves all greeted the floating Carnival with open arms. “Welcome to Felize!” They cheered. Soon the Ringmaster came ashore and greeted everyone, inviting the whole country to participate and have fun. “Would you like to join us?” The Ringmaster asked. “Join the Carnival?” “Certainly,” he smiled, “Let us speak with your leaders”.

VIDEO: The Great Blue Hole Belize, Central America Aerial Tour with Tropic Air
The Great Blue Hole is a large submarine sinkhole off the coast of Belize. It lies near the center of Lighthouse Reef, a small atoll 70 km from the mainland and Belize City. The hole is circular in shape, over 300 m across and 124 m deep.

Belize Author Publishes New Book of Poetry
"From Behind the Walls," a new book by Frank Garcia, has been released by RoseDog Books. When Frank T. Garcia was a boy, he was taken from his peaceful country of British Honduras, which is now Belize, to the mean streets of L.A. It didn't take him long to rebel and join the street thugs of East L.A. gang. His hunger for stripes led him into deeper darkness. Escaping forty-four years and two life sentences, he took a deal for twenty-seven years in the war zone known as Folsom Prison. His street knowledge and the inner-world within a world is now before us in his poems mainly for the youths of today. As the ending in one of his poems says: "May God forgive us for the life we take could have been our brother's this day." "From Behind the Walls" is a 60-page paperback with a retail price of $8.00. The ISBN is 978-1-4349-0026-4. It was published by RoseDog Books, an imprint of Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For more information, or to request a review copy, please go to our virtual pressroom at www.dorrancepressroom.com or our online bookstore at www.rosedogbookstore.com.

Miss Belize at Miss World
Idolly Saldivar is representing Belize in the Miss World pageant, which will be Saturday night in Indonesia. Idolly has represented Belize before internationally in the Miss Humanity pageant, and in Belize at Miss Costa Maya. Best of luck, Idolly! They have uploaded video of her arrival.

Patriotic Video Winners
The Patriotic Video Compeition was won by two Cayo youths for their Bandera Al Aire video. Third place was won by Danielle Rodriguez with her Belize My Mother video. Congratulations! "Winners of the FB Patriotic Video Competition Ralfy 'El Phantom' and Relo G 'Negro Loko' Prizes Included: $1,500 and BTB Packages."

Happy Manatee Month
While September is Belize's big month, it's also Manatee Month. There will be a manatee travelling display in Belmopan on Thurday the 12th. "Come and join us and be apart of manatee month 2013! Celebrate and Protect our manatees Belize!"

Belikin Heritage and Culture Commercial
Belikin has a new commercial out to honor the September Celebrations, and it focuses on Belizean heritage and culture. See anyone from Cayo in it? In related news, the Belikin Bash is tomorrow night at the New Memorial Park in Belize, and The Remaining will be playing. "Belikin, the beer of Belize, celebrates the many faces of Belize in our heritage and culture ad."

Historic Belize in Pictures
Want to see some really classic pictures from Belize? Here's a ton of them. Happy September!

Channel 7

Stake Bank Project Unveiled, Bright Future But Could There Be Dark Clouds Ahead?
Tonight, Belize City’s Cruise Ship Future is either brighter than ever – or more clouded than it has been in a while. That’s after Developer Mike Feinstein unveiled his Stake Bank Caye Project today. The project has been in discussion for nearly a decade, but Feinstein says the stars have aligned, and he’s pushing forward to make it happen. Our sources say, there are more than a few hurdles in the way, not least of which is that, unlike Norwegian Cruise Line in the South, Feinstein has no Memorandum of Understanding with Government. But, to hear him tell it, the project – which will be developed 2 miles off Belize City – is too good, too big for Government to resist. 7news was at the press conference, and Jules Vasquez has a full report:.. Jules Vasquez reporting This morning at the Biltmore Best Western, the Toucan Hall was very full - standing room only, actually for the public unveiling of the Stake Bank Plan. The mix in the crowd was interesting, we saw bankers, lawyers, industry stakeholders and businesspeople wanting to know what the promise of this mega project means for Belize. First, an introduction: What is commonly called the Stake Bank project is actually two complementary projects. One on the smaller Stake Bank which would be a berthing facility for four cruise ships and a destination complete with duty free, beaches and a theme park. And that would connect via causeway then to North Drowned Caye for a mega development called Ocean View Grand. Feinstein outlined the Stake Bank Proposal:

Opposition Chair Walks Out Of PAC Meeting
7News has been closely following the back-and-forth between the Opposition, the People's United Party, and the Government of Belize over the Public Accounts Committee, and how it should run. The Opposition wants the composition to change to include the social partners, while Government says that it is fine the way it is, and could do its job well if the chairman, Julius Espat, really wanted to look into public spending. And while they disagree on those issues, they also can't agree on which Auditor General's reports to review. The PUP wants to go forward from 2012; while the UDP is ok with that, but also wants to go back to the Musa years. And so with those known differences of approach, today, another meeting was called, and once again, business was stalled because of this disagreement on which reports ought to be reviewed. 7News was there when both sides exited from the brief meeting, and we asked them to explain why yet again, no progress was made in the actual functions of the committee, which continues its history of non-performance. Here's how they explained it:

PUP Operator Vaughan Gill Arrested For Child Support Arrears
And just as today’s PAC meeting was about to start, a key political operator for the PUP was detained by police. Viewers should know Vaughan Gill very well; he is a seasoned political operator and one of the morning show hosts on the PUP’s Vibes Radio. He was on the job today with members of the PAC and the other PUP Standard Bearers in Belmopan when he was approached by a police officer who arrested him. We understand that he had an outstanding balance of $5,000 for child maintenance, and today just happened to be the day when Belmopan police executed a commitment warrant which they had pending. So, instead of doing the ground work for the PUP in relation to the PAC meeting, he was detained. It didn’t last long, however, because as soon as Chairman Julius Espat walked out of the meeting, he went to the police station, and paid that outstanding balance in full. With that, he was released from custody, and when we contacted him this evening, he told us that this five thousand-dollar balance was the arrears of a bigger amount of $15,000.

Hon. Saldivar is Acting PM
On Monday, after the opening of the National Bank of Belize, the Prime Minister left for the US to be with Mrs. Barrow as she continues receiving cancer treatment. He left Deputy Gaspar Vega as acting PM, but today Vega left for a meeting as well. According to a government press release, Vega, in his capacity as Agriculture Minister is going to a Livestock Congress and Fair to take place in Flores, Guatemala. In his absence, Police Minister John Saldivar is acting as Prime Minister until Friday, 6th September, when PM Barrow returns.

Weed Bust In Ranchito
There is crime news coming out of the Corozal District tonight, where police made a drug bust. It happened yesterday at midday when they searched a house in Ranchito Village. In the yard, they looked behind a washing machine and found a plastic bag taped to the back of it. The bag was stuffed with three pouns of marijuana and three persons present at the time, Marcial Villegas Geron a 36 year old mechanic his 18 year old son Devan Williams and 33 year old Sheree Williams were arrested and charged for drug trafficking. In other police news from Corozal town, a man with gang tattoos was arrested. Polcie say they were on Kiskidee Street in the Town where they saw gnag graffiti on the walls, lamppost and drains. Nearby they saw Angel Ku who had the characters “XV3” and “30’S” tattooed on his right hand. Police say those are signs displayed by 18th Street and 30’S Crips.

OW Tech Gets New Principal
In other news from the north, Orange Walk Technical has a new principal. It’s news because, as we reported in October of last year, students staged a walkout, as an act of rebellion against Principal Elizabeth Muschamp. Multiple charges had been leveled against her by students and parents. The Minister of Education was called in to intercede, but the contentiousness continued. And this week the news is that Muschamp has headed for the exit. 7News has confirmed that she is principal no more and she has been replaced by Julian Polanco. The ministry of education SAYS she requested a release, but they could not confirm to where.

Mas Camp Madness Is On
The Belize City Carnival Road March will be held in ten days, and right now, feverish last minute preparations are underway at all the city’s Mass Camps. As we found out, it is a process to get costumes and carnival spirit just right. Monica Bodden visited last night…. "Monica Bodden reporting With carnival only days away - the carnival fever is warming up as these bands finish up the last minute touches on their costumes and perfect their dance moves. Last night our yearly carnival mass camp coverage began with the first 3 stops being 2 junior bands and one senior. Ian Young - Member, Sunshine Masquerades "For this year we are going under the theme, as you can see protecting our natural resources. This year we have two queens and one king, however we have the group into order. First we have the forest group, which will be led by Queen Shateya, this is the one I designed, this is my group. The designers are myself, and my two sisters. We did the designing and my Mom did the designing and the gluing and the sticking, so that is pretty much it for the forest group. Queen Shateya is the protector of the forest and is named after the Shate, there types of Chate that we have but Queen Shateya is doing the fish tail shate and in between we also have some little BDFs who are just walking around to show which depicts our theme as protecting. Then behind the Queen, we have Queenities, which is a representation of the forest fire that destroys the forest and also a representation of the Guatemalans that come in and take the Chatte so pretty much Queen is destruction, so we are depicting two things this year for King.

Southern Bze Caught Carnival Fever Too
And while Belize City revelers may think they have a monopoly on Mas Camp madness – that’s not quite so. The Carnival spirit is gaining traction in the south where last week, NICH visited two Mas Camps, one in Seine Byte the other in Punta Gorda. They found that the spirit and competitiveness is alive and well:… Voice of Liz - Bandleader, Irahunu Dance Band "Irahunu started in 2010 and we have been competing in the peninsula and have been champions ever since. For the first it was kind of a shock when we actually won and the second place the kids were confident enough to go into competition. So this year we're moving to another level, and we're going to Belize City for the first time. They start from age 9 up to 15 - the band consists of 168 but I'm only taking 45 to Belize City." Reporter "Why only 45?" Voice of Liz "That's all we can afford." "The first time I came into carnival, we weren't really developed but we were a small little group and then we didn't expect to win but when we heard Seine Beight first place so I said next year I had to come in again. I wish that we can come in the top three, anyone of them but as long as we go to Belize and represent our village."

When Will Marion Jones Be Ready?
Minister of State in the Minsitry of Sports, Herman Longsworth was in Belmopan today as a member of the Public Accounts Committee, and we used the opportunity to ask him about the still unfinished Marion Jones Sporting Complex. An entire generation of athletes is forced train elsewhere under substandard conditions and prepare themselves for international tournaments while successive Governments have been working on the Marion Jones complex. So, today while the media had an opportunity we asked Longsworth about it, who bristled at the suggestion that the progress to completion has been delayed: Hon. Herman Longsworth - Minister of State/Sports "Marion Jones is proceeding as planned, we are working grandstand facilities now, trying to complete them. There is going to be a new presentation, because I have come up with a new master plan for the facility which includes more activities, more disciplines. I want to introduce swimming to the facility, I also want to introduce cricket to the facility so I will sometime over the September celebrations - I will be in more detail unveiling what it is we want to do and we're hoping to find the money. I am going vigorously after finding the money to be able to make this facility into a real national facility."

Legendary Footballer Comes Home To Remember The Greats
But those young footballers we saw today on the Berger Field definitely don’t know names “Bembe the Mugger” Garbutt, “Roo” Robinson, “Tiempo” Barrow, “Pine” Hernandez, Winston “Fry” Michael or the Ellis Brothers, “Chico” and “Pas,” but if Belize had ESPN Classic, these names would be on a perpetual loop. They are footballers of the 60’s and 70’s when, the old folks say, Football was king. Their names have been brought back to prominence by self styled football historian Michael Finnegan in his regular columns in the Amandala. Today, Nelson “Roo” Robinson arrived from New York, and 7News was there to greet him at the airport, where he explained the purpose of his visit. According to Robinson, he has a treat planned for the children of Belize City: Nelson “Roo” Robinson - Legendary Footballer "Belize is that I really came purposely for a friend of mine, Louis 'Mugger', who is like a friend of mine, a brother of mine and a coach of mine; he was my mentor, and I think that he died in New York. I was born in Belize and he was born in Honduras but he represented Belize three different times but I think that he deserves something here. I will try to make it an honorary thing that we have, to remember him and the next thing I would like to ask all the Belizeans to hold a moment of silence Louis Garbutt, the 'Mugger' who died last week in California."

Belize City, A Place In Flux
Do you know how Belize City looked 10 years ago; how about 50 or 100 years ago? With so many facelifts over the years, so many visions and re-visions, that the city is in permanent flux – and only the drains and potholes stand as semi-permanent sentinels. That constant change is what motivated the Belize Tourism Board and NICH to collaborate on the historicization of some of these landmarks as they once stood. It materialized into a book, which was extensively researched by the Institute of Social and Culture Research, a department within NICH. It’s called “A Walk Through Old Belize” Today, it was officially launched at the House of Culture and 7News stopped in. Here’s what the Director of ISCR and the writer of the book, told us about its importance: Nigel Encalada - Writer "Mr. Lawrence Vernon, at least a year and a half now, began the work along with some of our ISCR staff to compile information regarding historic landmarks in Belize City. It was actually the brain child of Juliet Neal from BTB, and so what it involved was a much larger project, where we would research and identify landmarks in downtown Belize City to create a tourism trail of historical marks and so the book was the result of that. We did field work, we did archival work, we did interviews and we put together a product that could be used for tourists, tour guides, for teachers, students, and we think it's handy; people can now go on tours around Belize City and have something that they can reference, things they may not know about Belize and the landmarks that we walk pass everyday, so it's a sort of educational tool and to promote the history and heritage of Belize City in particular."

Channel 5

Businessman Mike Feinstein Unveils Mega-Million Dollar Tourism Infrastructure Project
Years after it was conceived, the Stake Bank Project has been dusted off and resurrected; it was officially launched today at the Belize Biltmore Plaza as the Ocean View Grand [...]

Public Accounts Committee Meets In Belmopan, Chairman and Opposition Members Walk Out
Today, the Public Accounts Committee held its first meeting since the call for its restructuring of its composition. Fireworks were expected as both sides declared that they would stand firm. [...]

Despite Amended Policy, Media Is Denied Access to PAC Meeting
While pro-tem PAC Chairman John Saldivar has said that all meetings of the PAC from now on will be open to the public, this one wasn’t. The media wasn’t even [...]

Sports Minister Herman Longsworth Comments on Progress of Much-delayed Marion Jones Sporting Complex
Tonight, there is some news coming from Minister of Sports Herman Longsworth on the much anticipated Marion Jones Sporting Complex. We say some news, instead of good news, because the [...]

Commencement of Berger Field Renovation Remains Indefinite Years After Campaign Promise
According to Longsworth, he hopes that by the end of the year, Belizeans will be able to make use of the Marion Jones Sporting Complex, to some extent at least. [...]

City Council Meets With Bus Owner To Discuss Removal of Oversized City Buses
At the beginning of the week, City Hall, through the Traffic Department, brought into immediate effect the removal of a number of commuter buses that did not meet specific requirements [...]

Extradition Hearings For Three Wanted Belize City Men Held in Magistrates Court
Three of four Belizeans who are presently fighting their extradition to the United States were before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith today. They are Gary Seawell, Fakhnul Salim and Deon [...]

Ranchito Resident Marcial Villegas Geron Charged With Drug Trafficking
A raid by police during Tuesday’s lunch hour yielded more than three pounds of marijuana. Up north, the Corozal police executed a search at the house of Marcial Villegas Geron [...]

Carnival Mas Camp 2013 Kicks Off In Belize City
Mas camps, the preliminary to this year’s Carnival, opened on Tuesday night in Belize City. Both junior and senior bands were judged and as anticipated, the energy and the hype [...]

A Walk Through Old Belize Launched In the Old Capital
Today at the House of Culture in Belize City, a publication of historical landmarks was launched. The book, “A Walk through Old Belize, is published by the Belize Tourism Board [...]

BTB Announces Winners of first ever Patriotic Video Competition
The month of September is normally brimming with a sense of patriotism. For three artists, that feeling of pride and nationhood landed them the top prizes at a first Patriotic [...]

LOVE FM

Box of Cheese Recovered Following Theft of Items Valued at 4K
In Corozal, 25 year old Dan Li a businesswoman of Santa Rita Road, Corozal Town reported that on the third of September between the hours of 3:30am and 8:15am her house was burglarized. Stolen from the residence were electronic items, personal items and Mexican Pesos all to a total value of four thousand two hundred and seventy dollars. The immediate area was searched by police and one box of Happy Cow Cheese valued at one hundred dollars was recovered. Police continue to investigate.

Police Aboard Bus Disarms Truck Driver Following Fender Bender
A minor traffic accident in Belize City yesterday almost turned into a major catastrophe when a bus conductor was confronted with a gun. The twenty three year old Conductor, Aris Serrano, who works with Albion Bus Service reported to police that around 7:50 yesterday morning while onboard an Albion Bus on Central American Boulevard, the bus collided into a dump truck that was travelling in the same direction. He stated that while he was standing on the sidewalk, the driver of the dump truck, thirty five year old Jose Hernandez, walked toward him and pointed a gun at him. Police officers onboard the bus allegedly managed to disarm Hernandez and detained him. The gun, a black Glock, nine millimeter pistol with a magazine containing ten nine millimeter r live rounds was licensed to Hernandez. Police are still investigating.

Police Nabs Purse Snatcher in Old Capital
Quick response by police helped to recover stolen items immediately after a theft in Belize City. According to reports from the victim, twenty nine year old Tisha Pascascio, while waiting to get into a bus on Regent Street West yesterday morning around 9:00 am, she felt something pulling on her hand purse. She turned around and noticed a man of Creole descent, standing at five feet five inches in height and wearing a khaki shirt and khaki pants pulling the purse. Fearing for her life, she let go and the man ran away in the direction of Regent Street West. Police promptly came to the scene and recovered her purse with all items which included two hundred and thirty nine dollars in cash and a number of items valued at two hundred and fifty nine dollars. Police arrested and charged twenty two year old Brandon Pas, a construction worker of Raccoon Street Extension for the crime of theft.

Police in Northern Belize Seeks Stevens Rifle
Another burglary was reported in Corozal on Tuesday. Seventy six year old Marciano Andradez, a cane farmer of San Victor Village told police that on Monday, he left his home at around 4pm and went to visit his son who lives a few yards away. When he returned around 8pm on the same day, he went inside and at first didn’t notice anything unusual. However when he went into his bedroom to check on his point twenty two Stevens rifle, he discovered that it was missing. He reportedly made checks around the house, but that turned up fruitless. Police are investigating the incident and urge firearm owners to properly secure their weapons.

New Tourism Project Aims to Retain Money in Belize’s Economy
Just weeks after the controversial Harvest Caye caused a whiplash that resulted in a meeting between Prime Minister Dean Barrow and the Federation of Cruise Tourism Association, FECTAB, today developer Michael Feinstein introduced his plan for a tourism project at Stake Bank. It will entail an investment of some 100 Million US dollars, a causeway through the Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary, and comes with the blessing of FECTAB. Mike Feinstein, the man behind the project, says that the investment is to give some real competition to our northern friends and keep Belizean dollars at home. MICHAEL FEINSTEIN “The truth is with three hundred and fifty million dollars being spent in Mexico and Chetumal there doesn’t seem to be a plan to keep that or any of that money at home and I think this project is designed to do just about that. We should be able to keep two hundred or two hundred and fifty million of that money in Belize and back into the economy.

Politics and Water in Northern Belize
One of the many challenges that rural communities face when it comes to local governance is the administration of village councils and water boards. Political party fanaticism has infiltrated the grass roots so much that party favors seems to have made this level of government dysfunctional. The water board of San Jose Palmar seems to have overcome this dilemma, at least with the present water board. Arturo Cantun highlights their work. ARTURO CANTUN REPORTING “In 2005 the community of San Jose Nuevo Palmar was the recipient of an upgraded water system. This included a 20 thousand gallon water reservoir and new modern pipes throughout the village. Right after its completion a new board was named; Alejandro Mendez became president. He told us it’s not easy administering such a system.”

Crime Statistics Released for Northern District; 50% Crime Reduction Reported
We now join reporter Dalila Ical with information on crime records recently released by the Corozal Police Department. DALILA ICAL “The Corozal Police Department has issued a report on its performance during the month of August. In regards to major crimes including murder, theft, burglary, robbery, the statistics show an overall fifty percent decrease with 17 percent reported for 2013 compared to 34 in 2012 for the same month. To be more specific, there were no murders recorded for the month of August 2013; burglary went down from 18 to 8 reports; theft went down from 11 to six reported incidents. In comparison to July 2013, the department reports a 13 % increase of major crimes (from 15 to 17) between the months of July & August 2013.

Minister of National Security is Acting Prime Minister of Belize
Acting Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Gaspar Vega has left to Guatemala on an invited visit. In his capacity as Minister of Agriculture, he was invited by his Guatemalan counterpart, to represent Belize at the first ever Petén Livestock Congress and Fair which will take place in Flores Petén. Vega left the country today at 4:00 pm and is expected to return on Friday September 6. In his absence Minister of National Security, John Saldivar will act as Prime Minister.

Over 140K of Drugs Taken Off the Streets in Western Towns, Says Crime Statistics
The San Ignacio Police Department today released recent statistics on crime for that area. Correspondent Elaine Berry shares that information. ELAINE BERRY “On September 1, Superintendent Ralph Moody took over command at the San Ignacio Police Station. Today, Superintendent Moody gave statistics for the year September 2012 to August 2013 in comparison to September 2011 to August 2012. Major crimes for 2011 – 2012 was four hundred and forty one and for 2012/2013 was two hundred and seventy eight; a decrease of 37%. Firearms 2011/2012 was 13 and 2011/2013 was 16; ammunition 2011/2012 was 245 and 2012/2013 was 149; magazine 2011/2012 was 27 and 2012.2013 was 2 which also shows a decrease. In cases for dangerous drugs 2011/2012 was 59,779 grams and 2012/2013 was 140,993.69 grams. Superintendent Moody thanked the residents for their hard work and cooperation with the police.”

PlusTV

Authorities investigating possible homicide in Sandhill
Police are investigating the circumstances that led to the death of a Sandhill resident. The deceased 29 year old Emir Bailey was found Monday night, hanging by his neck with what appeared to be an electrical cable. The cable was tied to a wooden beam inside the bedroom of...

Hospital mix up almost cost man his life
On Tuesday, PlusNews was contacted by a resident of Succotz Village who alleges that he was provided with the wrong medication by the San Ignacio Community Hospital and it almost cost him his life. Rudy Itza says that last week Monday, he wasn’t feeling well and so visited the...

KHMH unveils new videoconferencing system
The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital unveiled a new videoconferencing system acquired through its partnership with Carolinas Health Care System. The system was launched with the assistance of local telecom provider Belize Telemedia Limited. BTL’s Chief Information Systems Officer Rafael Marin tells us more. Rafael Marin –...

Man remanded after threatening bus driver with a gun
Gunplay between a truck driver and a bus driver early Tuesday morning in the streets of the old capital ends up in court. 35-year-old Jose Recardo Hernandez, a driver and resident Belize City was summoned before Magistrate Leslie Hamilton on a single charge of aggravated assault with a firearm...

Man on remand after stealing from Pastor’s house
On Tuesday, 41 year old Daun Myers was remanded at the Belize Central Prison after being denied bail. Daun Myers appeared at the Magistrates Court unrepresented and though he pleaded not guilty, he was charged for trespassing the home of Cannon Leroy Flowers on September 1st, which was this...

Belize City enforces rule on oversize buses
Monday morning, at the height of back to school travel in Belize City, several drivers were pulled over for alleged violations of the City’s traffic policy, particularly with regard to the usage of large buses in the crowded downtown streets. The drivers told us the Council’s actions came as...

More details on the National Bank of Belize
The National Bank of Belize opened its doors to the public on Monday. We brought you the inauguration ceremony that was held at its first branch in the Capital City of Belmopan. Today though, we pander to some housekeeping, on the conception and policies tendered by the state-owned financing...

Veterinarians participate in accredited training course
15 Belizean veterinarians from across the country are participating in a four-day accredited training course. The exercise started on Tuesday at the University of Belize Central Campus. Courtesy our colleague Patrick Jones from West Vision, here are more details on the training. Dr. Miguel DePaz...

Belize City Mayor updates on taxi parking concerns in downtown
Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley spoke to us on new arrangements for the operators of the Albert Street and Downtown Taxi Unions, which have to coexist with limited space in front of the Battlefield Park. The Mayor explains the new arrangements. Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley: That may not...

18 year old charged with drug trafficking
18 year old Francis Orvin Pollard, resident of Belize City has been arrested and charged with drug trafficking following an incident that occurred on Monday morning in broad daylight. Reports have it that Pollard was riding his bicycle at around 11:57 am, holding a black plastic bag and unaware...

Two more drug busts in Belize City
Tuesday morning police made two more drug busts in Belize City. at around 8:30 a.m. a police team that comprised of special Branch, Mobile Interdiction Team, Special Patrol Unit, Anti Drug Unit and the k-9 Unit investigated underneath a gray Volvo car parked on the Oleander Street, where there...

PM gives his views on SATIIM’s court case
SATIIM and Mayan leaders associated with the Sarstoon Temash National Park continue in a tug of war with the Government of Belize. The Mayan inhabitants are accusing the Government of not fully complying with the recent court ruling which granted the residents rights over communal lands. They are particularly...

PM says misunderstandings in the MOU with NCL will be clarified in the final contract
Speaking with Prime Minister Barrow on Monday, he also divulged on the latest dealings regarding the Harvest Caye port construction project between Government and Norwegian Cruise Line. The last time we met with the PM, he noted that while there was an MOU in place, both parties were also...

Vania Pat is new Queen of the West
On Saturday August 31, at the Octavia Waight Center Hall the new Queen of the West was chosen. After weeks of preparation and long hours of rehearsals, the time to lay it all out on the table finally came, and though all 5 lovely delegates must be commended for...

National Basketball Team returns home
On Monday the Belize National U18 3×3 Basketball team returned home, after participating in the U18 3×3 FIBA Americas Championship. Team Belize was able to qualify to the semi-finals by beating Puerto Rico 21 to 19 and Guatemala 19 to 7. They lost against USA...

BTB hosts Village Arts and Craft Expo as Battlefield Park reopens
Last Saturday at the Memorial Park, the BTB hosted their second annual Village Arts and Craft Expo. Artists and Artisans from all over the country gathered to this event to show case their handicraft skills and advertise their products. The Battlefield Park was loud and...

Caye Caulker Chronicles

It’s Manatee Day
It’s manatee day at the Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary office in front of Chocolate’s house. Friends of Swallow Caye (FOSC) is a community based non-profit conservation association focused on the protection of manatees in the Swallow Caye area. The group was organized in 1996 to promote the designation of this area as a Wildlife Sanctuary. Success came in July 2002, when the Hon. Minister of Natural Resources signed the statutory instrument declaring the Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary. Come and check out the manatee skeleton and know why they are on the endangered species list!!

The September 1st, 2013 issue of The STAR (Cayo) is online HERE

This Week's Stories:

Thomas Caretella Jr. Chopped In San Ignacio:
Thomas Ivan Caretella Jr., 28, one of two men acquitted in June 2012 of the September 1, 2007 murder of San Ignacio taxi man, Leopoldo “Polo” Waight, is today in critical but stable condition at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City, the victim of a chopping incident in San Igancio. San Ignacio police reported receiving the 911 call at around 12:30 am on Sunday, August 25, 2013 of a bleeding man on the ground on Independence Street, San Ignacio. A team of policemen rushed to the scene where they encountered the victim with chop wounds to both arms and feet lying in a pool of blood. The bleeding man was rushed to the San Ignacio Community Hospital for emergency medical treatment. He was later transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital for further medical treatment.
Mexican Doctor Drowns In Belize:
The body of Mexican veterinarian, Dr. Macelino Sosa, has been returned to his home country for funeral services, the latest victim of a drowning incident in the Mountain Pine Ridge. San Ignacio police reports that Gabino Canto, Belizean Field Director for the National Cattle Sanitary Plan Project informed that at around 4:30 pm on Friday, August 23, 2013 the deceased, along with a group of Mexican veterinarians, was taking photographs near a waterfall at the Rio On Pools when he reportedly slipped and fell off a twenty foot high cliff. A search for the body was immediately mounted but it was not until eighteen hours later when the body was discovered by relatives, friends and elements of the security forces.
Ministry of Health to Implement Dengue Control Campaign in San Pedro Town:
As a part of its ongoing countrywide Dengue Prevention Campaign, the Ministry of Health is introducing an operation in San Pedro Town. The campaign includes ultra-low volume (ULV) spraying, thermal spraying of houses, premises inspections, spraying of drains and issuing of bed nets to homes in high-risk areas for dengue. A team of personnel from the Vector Control Unit was dispatched to San Pedro Town on Tuesday, August 20, to investigate and assess suspected cases of dengue that were reported in areas such as DFC, Boca del Rio and San Pablo. The issuance of chemically-treated bed nets has proven to be the most effective form of personal protection to reduce dengue transmission. This initiative is free of cost to the residents and is being carried out in close collaboration with the San Pedro Town Council.
World Bank and Ministry of Health Implement Japanese Social Development Fund Child Health Project in Toledo:
The Ministry of Health (MOH), the World Bank and the Japanese Social Development Fund (JSDF) continue to work closely together to promote better health for women and children in communities of the Toledo District. This week, members of the World Bank Team are in Belize meeting with officials from the Ministry of Health to monitor the implementation phase of the JSDF Grant which funds the “Improving Children's Health and Nutrition” project. The project is being implemented by the Toledo District Health Council (TDHC) with the Ministry of Health providing oversight of the process. Working sessions to share the results and progress of this project are being held throughout the week facilitated by technical advisors of the Ministry of Health and members of the World Bank team led by Senior Operations Manager for the Grant, Carmen Carpio.
2013 Belizean Youth Ambassadors Dine at the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence Before Travel to the U.S.:
U.S. Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Margaret D. Hawthorne and Mrs. Barbara Thummalapally hosted a luncheon for Belizean Youth Ambassadors at the Ambassador’s residence on August 12, 2013. The youth are part of the U.S. State Department’s Central American Youth Ambassador Program, sponsored this year by Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. and coordinated through the Belize Family Life Association. The program offers three groups of Central American youth from Belize, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama the opportunity to experience and expand their knowledge of U.S. culture, society, and education by traveling to the U.S. for three weeks and visiting several destinations during this time.
"Inspirational Corner":
Thank you so much for allowing me this privilege of sharing this "inspirational corner" in your newspaper. The following paragraphs ends the first chapter. I pray they will be uplifting, spiritually educational and interesting to your readers. Especially considering the times we are living in. I am opened to constructive criticisms and appreciate corrections as this is a first time experience for me. My objective, with God's help, is to make this newspaper the best by providing the kind of spiritual knowledge that will encourage not only the citizens of Santa Elena & San Ignacio, but the whole country of Belize to want to purchase it in anticipation. As the bible declares in Hosea 4:6 and I quote- "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (end of quote). It is my intent by God's grace to be able to provide this spiritual knowledge that is needed for this end time. God continue to bless and keep you, your loved ones and your enterprise. Yours in Christ, Sista B.
Ministry Of Energy, Science And Technology And Public Utilities Rejects SATIIM Accusing The Government Of Belize Of Engaging In Illegal Activities In Southern Belize:
Technology and Public Utilities (MESTPU) notes with regret a recent press release by Sarstoon-Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM) in which the organization continues to erroneously accuse the Government of Belize of engaging in illegal activities on their customary lands as it relates to the issuance of oil concessions and accompanying permits in southern Belize. While the Ministry respects SATIIM rights to espouse their views regarding its interpretation of the Court of Appeal ruling, the Ministry must reject as irresponsible the insistence by SATIIM in misinforming the public regarding the ruling of the Court of Appeals as it relates to oil exploration in southern Belize. The Court of Appeal in its ruling, expressly refused to uphold the order issued by the then Chief Justice Conteh that required the Government of Belize to “abstain from issuing any concessions for resource exploitation, including concessions, permits or contracts authorizing logging, prospecting or exploration under the Forest Acts, Mines and Mineral Act, the Petroleum Act, or any other Act” Furthermore, the Court of Appeal agreed with the Government of Belize that the learned Chief Justice Conteh erred in law in failing to take judicial notice of the Petroleum Act which vests property in petroleum in the State and of the Sixth Amendment Act which, for avoidance of any doubt, exclusively vests the ownership of petroleum and other minerals in the Government of Belize.
2013 Village Arts and Craft Expo:
Belize City: The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) invites you to the 2ndAnnual Village Arts & Craft Expo, on Saturday, August 31st, at the Fort Point Pedestrian Walk at the Memorial Park in Belize City. Over one hundred and twenty artisans will treat patrons to an exhibition of craftsmanship through local souvenirs, carving, clothing, jewelry, and packaged foods. The BTB recognizes the importance of locally made arts and craft in promoting Belize, and, as a result, over the past three months, BTB’s Destination Planning Department has been working with artisans from across the country on how to better package, present, and market their products to a local market. The Village Arts and Craft Expo is a result of the Village Outreach Program outlined in the Tourism Master Plan, which Destination Planning Coordinator, Clive Myers, said, is set to create useful ties and provide income generating opportunities.
France's Hollande backs US on Syria action:
France is still ready to take action in Syria alongside the US, despite UK MPs blocking British involvement, President Francois Hollande has said. He told Le Monde newspaper a strike within days could not be ruled out. The US says it will continue to seek a coalition, and President Barack Obama is meeting his national security team. The UN is investigating claims that the Syrian forces of President Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons. Mr Assad denies the claims, blaming rebels. UN chemical weapons inspectors visited a hospital in a governmentcontrolled area of Damascus on Friday.
The Gilmore Henkson Trophy:
It has been announced by Mr. Charles Bartley Hyde, President of the Belize Olympic Committee’s Fair Play Commission, and other members; Mr. Raymond Lashley, Ms. Hadie Gomez, Mrs. Yolanda Fonseca and Mr. Edward Pitts, and with the consent of Mr. Hilly Martinez, President of the Belize Olympic & Commonwealth Games Association, in concurrence with His Excellency, Sir Colville Young, Patron of the Belize Olympic Committee that the Gilmore Henkson Fair Play Trophy has been awarded to Mr. Woodrow West and Mr. Ian Gaynair for their outstanding honesty & patriotism during their participation in the Gold Cup Tournament in the U.S.A. Their character exemplifies the aims and objectives of the International Olympic Committee.
Colombia Troops To Patrol Bogota After Protests:
Colombia is to deploy troops in the capital, Bogota, following violent protests in support of a strike by small-scale farmers. Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said the troops were needed "to assure normality". Clashes with police broke out after thousands of people took to the streets in support of the farmers. The farmers say the government's agricultural policies are driving them into bankruptcy. "It's unacceptable that the actions of a few impact the lives of the majority," President Santos said after an overnight cabinet meeting.
Back To School Week: 7 Teacher Tips To Get Your Kids Back Into School Mode:
are dreading the most. We all know that our kids need to get back into the habit of going to bed at 8 and waking up by 6am. That doesn’t make it any easier after the bedtimes have been creeping backwards over the summer. It wasn’t your fault, it was still sunny at 6pm! “But it really is going to be difficult for students those first couple of weeks if you don’t get them used to it,” multiple teachers warned me. “There’s so much going on in the beginning, you don’t want them to be exhausted and falling asleep on their desks after lunch.” So a couple of pro tips? Make the transition gradual, don’t just try to plop them into bed an hour earlier the week before school and expect a miracle. And enforce the morning wake-up time too. After a couple of early mornings on little sleep, your kids will want to go to bed at a normal time.
BTB Stands Willing & Ready to Support Guests, Staff and Management of Ramon’s Village Resort:
Minister Manuel Heredia Jr, Minister of Tourism & Culture and Area Representative, Board of Directors and Staff of the Belize Tourism Board express deepest regret at this most unfortunate occurrence to hit Ramon’s Village Resort. On Tuesday, August 27th, around eight p.m., Ramon’s, one of the island’s oldest and iconic resorts, located on Coconut Drive in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, was gutted by fire. While preliminary reports indicate that more than thirty cabanas, restaurant, gift shop, and other facilities were destroyed, and the island was without electricity for an hour due to an emergency power interruption which was needed to mitigate damages from the fire to nearby transmission lines, we are happy to report that there were no casualties nor injuries. All twenty-five guests staying at the resort at the time of the fire have been accounted for and relocated to nearby hotels. The safety and well-being of these guests remain the priority and concern of Belize Tourism Board and Ramon’s Village Resort, and, as a result, we have ensured that they will not incur any cost for their new accommodations, and we have provided them with care packages.
How To Be A Good Listener:
A good listener uses positive body language; leaning forward and showing an enthusiastic, relaxed nature. They don’t fidget, cross arms, look elsewhere or express inappropriate shock or disbelief at what’s shared. 6. A good listener does not hurry somebody, but asks good questions to guide the sharing. They guide and help shape what’s being shared, but if the other person feels cut off or squashed they’ve failed. 7. A good listener does not approach a conversation with prejudice, expecting to know what’s going to come out of the speaker’s lips.
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Blogs

Placencia, Belize: Charm, My Potential Pulitzer, Best Coffee in Belize and Good Eats, Part Two
In my last post about Placencia and its divine eating and coffee drinking, I visited Brewed Awakenings for 630am coffee, a local stand for breakfast tacos, Cozy Corner for a tender curry chicken lunch and Wendy’s Creole Kitchen for the AMAZING coconut flan. I had a very good first day in the village… the rain held off and for that I was happy. A few places were closed with the slow season starting… But most were open. Sunday morning, Day Two and the sun came right out. I was staying at Captain Jak’s and though I had originally planned to stay just one night, I decided to make it two. Captain Jak’s was great. The location was so central and perfect and my own little cabin set back in the lagoon side garden was very reasonably priced and had everything I needed. And lots of gorgeous thick towels. Something that makes me very happy. There was also a full kitchen that remained completely untouched… similar to my own kitchen at home.

Six Reasons to Reconnect and Rejuvenate with Nature
When you’re surrounded by pristine rainforest, a tranquil river and some of Mother Nature’s most stunning handiwork, it’s easy to lose sight of the cares of the rest of the world. So it was in the early days of Chaa Creek when, as a small family farm, the current price of watermelon was more relevant than the news coming over the radio during our nightly sessions of listening to BBC World News. These days, with a plethora of guests hailing from so many different countries, we get a continual update of world events along with a variety of viewpoints. With Democrats, Republicans, conservatives, liberals, Greens and just about every religious faith represented at any one given evening, we enjoy listening to a wide range of observations and opinions. What stands out as being something everyone shares is a certain amount of apprehension about how the world is going. While many people accept that war, aggression, and some of the more unfortunate manifestations of human nature are facts of life, it still causes anxiety.

ATM Cave Tour: One of the Best Activities in Belize and a Bucket-List Must!
Belize is well known for its world-class diving along the western hemisphere’s largest barrier reef, yes. But there’s a littler-known activity on the mainland that’s a total must for adventure travelers: the absolutely amazing ATM cave tour. When I read about the sacred ATM cave — that’s for Actun Tunichil Muknal, no relation to the cash machine — I knew we had to try it. I did some research on the web (thanks, as always, trusty TripAdvisor!) and reached out to Carlos, who goes by “Carlos the Cave Man.” People seemed to love his expert leadership and charisma on tours through world’s top sacred cave, according to National Geographic. He’s one of only 23 guides in the country certified to lead the experience. Getting to the ATM Cave Tour From Ambergris Caye: San Pedro to Belmopan Since we were staying on the island of Ambergris Caye, our day required taking the first Tropic Air flight to the Belmopan airstrip on the mainland at 8 a.m., and returning on the last flight of the day at 4 p.m. When I called the airline to arrange the flights, I asked if they would be nonstop. “That depends on whether anyone wants to make a stop,” the Tropic Air lady said, and she had no interest in a credit card to hold the reservation — which is actually more your name jotted on a clipboard than a formal business transaction.

Rosh Hashanah - Chag Sameach! Happy New Year!
This year I will be spending Rosh Hashanah at the Grand Sheraton Hotel, Taipei, Taiwan. The Jewish New Year 5774 begins this year on the evening of September 4th, and continues until sundown on September 6th. Unlike most other holidays, Rosh Hashanah is celebrated for two days in both Israel and the diaspora. It is the joyous beginning of a period known as the Days of Awe. The two days of the New Year were described by Talmudic sages in Aramaic as "Yoma Arichtah", meaning, "one long day." Chag Sameach! Happy New Year!

REGIONAL INVESTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD 2013
Caribbean Export Development Agency, in collaboration with the Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion agencies (CAIPA), is pleased to announce the launch of the first Regional Investor of the Year Award for the members of CAIPA. Member countries include: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and the Turks & Caicos Islands. A regional investor is being defined as an investor into one or more of the aforementioned territories in the region. The Regional Investor of the Year Award has been developed to recognize and promote the contribution of both local investors within the region and foreign investors to the region. Their contributions include the creation of new jobs, adherence to high standards of corporate social responsibility, capital spending and largely fiscal support to economies through payment of corporate taxes, inter alia.

“Under Pressure” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
How could I (but I did!) publish yesterday’s edition without mentioning that Arsène Wenger eventually entered the transfer market and bought a player. And what a player he bought! Mesut Özil , the German international, from Real Madrid (no less) for £42.5 million. There is little doubt (to my mind and the vast majority of supporters) that Arsène should have bought to strengthen (improve) other parts of the squad but I think (really, really hope) that he has come up with the goods in Özil. We shall see as the season unfolds. Another grey, overcast and sometimes rainy day yesterday. Just the kind of weather conditions that the mosquitos like. Ouch, ouch, ouch! When the weather is like it was (and that isn’t too often here) I generally turn my attention to catching up on administrative matters and that is exactly what I did yesterday.

Amish Peenut Butt'r Spred | Plane Chicke
2 cups brown sugar 1 cup wat'r 2 Tablespoons lite corn syrup (Karo) 2 tsp vanilla extract 2 cups creemy peenut butt'r 7 oz jar marshmalloe creme N' a small saucepun combine t'furst 3 ingredyints. Brang to a bawl. Remoov frum heat an' cool plum. N' t'bowl o'a stan' mix'r, combine peenut butt'r, marshmalloe creme an' vanilla extract. Beat on loe jes until combinet. Slowlee add n' t'brown sugar mixture. Beat on medium speet until fluffy, about 2 minnuts. Stere n' frigidairy up to 3 munths.

10 Reasons to Visit Toledo District in Southern Belize!!!
There is something for everyone in Toledo, but it is commonly known as the forgotten district!! Tourists that make it down to Toledo are often more of an adventurous, eco traveller type, preferring “off the beaten track” travel and an authentic travel experience! It is a low key easy going place with nature on your doorstep, friendly people and a laid back life style! With so much on offer it’s hard to choose, however here are 10 fabulous reasons to visit Toledo: 1. Nature Nurtures! Kick back and relax at one of the many unspoilt beautiful natural attractions Toledo has to offer; such as Blue Creek Cave, the waterfalls at Rio Blanco and San Antonio. 2. Toledo is known as a cultural melting pot, where else can you wander round the market and hear English, Spanish, Kriol, Mopan and Q’uechi? 3. The ocean is on your doorstep! Enjoy the cool fresh breeze or take a boat out and fish, swim or snorkel around some of the smaller coral cayes!

International Sources

How to Make a Watermelon Smoothie Using Just a Drill and a Coat Hanger
Now that it's September, you probably want to soak up as much of the summer as possible. And nothing says summer like watermelon. YouTube's favorite hacker Mark Rober just posted a video showing you how to make a watermelon smoothie in under two minutes. Get it while you can.

The Caribbean watches as gay court case proceeds in Belize
In the small Central American country of Belize, a fight is going on between the churches and the gay community to remove same sex activity and sodomy from the criminal code of the country. The fight is lead by UNIBAM – United Belize Advocacy Movement – headed by Caleb Orozco. Unibam took a case to court challenging Article 53 of the Criminal Code of Belize, which stipulates a jail term of ten years for homosexual activity. There has never been a prosecution under Article 53, but Unibam and its supporters believe that the law violates fundamental human rights, as well as the right to privacy guaranteed by the constitution of Belize. The Belize Council of Churches registered itself as an interested party in the court case. The Council encompasses all the mainstream churches, but the main opponents of the gay community are led by evangelical Pastors Scott Stirm and Louis Wade. The tone of the discourse has been vitriolic of the part of the less mainstream churches, to say the least. A large demonstration in the south featured images of Unibam being lynched.

CARIBBEAN EXPORT and CAIPA LAUNCHES THE REGIONAL INVESTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD 2013
Caribbean Export Development Agency, in collaboration with the Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion agencies (CAIPA), is pleased to announce the launch of the first Regional Investor of the Year Award for the members of CAIPA. Member countries include: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and the Turks & Caicos Islands. A regional investor is being defined as an investor into one or more of the aforementioned territories in the region. The Regional Investor of the Year Award has been developed to recognize and promote the contribution of both local investors within the region and foreign investors to the region. Their contributions include the creation of new jobs, adherence to high standards of corporate social responsibility, capital spending and largely fiscal support to economies through payment of corporate taxes, inter alia.

Carolinas HealthCare uses virtual portal to treat patients in Belize
Carolinas HealthCare System has established a virtual portal that will share its cardiac expertise with a hospital in Belize. The Charlotte health-care system’s International Medical Outreach program and Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute have teamed up with the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City to utilize that technology. The virtual connection relies on advanced video capabilities to connect Sanger’s cardiologists with their counterparts in Belize. “It’s opening up a whole new world of opportunities for us to connect,” says Dr. Geoffrey Rose, chief of cardiology for Sanger. That means Carolinas HealthCare’s cardiologists can consult with medical staff in Belize on treatment plans and options, hold virtual patient visits and examine test results such as echo-cardiograms and radiology scans. There also are opportunities for training and educational conferences.

September 4, 2013

Last night's TV news on Channel 7 and Channel 5
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

SP Lions work to restore Mosquito Coast Park
A small group of San Pedro Lions Club members participated in a work-a-thon at the Mosquito Coast Lions Park on Sunday September 1st. The activity was aimed to improve the conditions at the widely used park. “The intention is to fix the slides and paint the bathrooms and warehouse at the park,” said Rigoberto Kumul, the San Pedro Lions President. The metal frame holding the slide, along with the step access had deteriorated and posed risk for the children that utilize the park. In addition, the newly built warehouse was unpainted, while the bathroom’s color had faded.

Solani Graniel is Miss San Pedro 2013-2014!
Beautiful and poised Fatima Solani Graniel is San Pedro Town’s newest beauty ambassador. Solani was chosen as Miss San Pedro 2013-14 on the night of August 31st during the “Passport to Paradise”-themed pageant. Vying for the title were Yanira Lara, Gabriela Varela, Jordana Segura, Venancia Choc, Shantell Pascascio and Solani Graniel. All six lovely young ladies were worthy of the title, but only one could take the crown. Leading the show were masters of ceremonies Eiden Salazar Jr. and Wilema Gonzalez (Miss San Pedro 1989). After instructing the audience to fasten their seatbelts as they awaited transport to paradise, Yanira, Gabriela, Jordana, Venancia, Shantell and Solani took to the stage with their opening dance. It was a choreographed event meant to showcase the beauty of Belize.

Ambergris Today

Miss San Pedro Pageant Flies Sky High
Presented under the theme “Passport to Paradise”, the Miss San Pedro 2013 Pageant flew sky high as six lovely delegates ushered the rapturous spectators through various aspects of Belizean life. Solani Graniel, Miss Castillo’s Hardware, was selected as the new Miss San Pedro on Saturday, August 31, 2013. The pageant commenced with a group dance which depicted island life in paradise where the contestants set the mood for the show. From the dance the pageant moved on to the costume segment which brought to life the Mayas, Animals of Belize, the Floral Rain Forest, The Great Blue Hole, Faces of Belize, and the Water Falls. Announcer Clive Welch did the honors in narrating the ‘flight’ which offered a passport to paradise and which set the background for the various segments of the pageant/show.

Fighting Fires Years Ago in San Pedro Village
Many years ago in San Pedro every house and every kitchen in San Pedro was built of pimento or palmetto sticks with a thatch roof. Furthermore, the mode of cooking was by way of the fire hearth or ‘fogon’. Those of you who know how a fire hearth functions know that there are a lot of live and large flames, and many times lots of sparks when fanning the fire. With this you would have thought that there was bound to be many fires in the little village of San Pedro. However, I can safely say that there were indeed very few fires caused by these normal conditions. In fact the very few fires that we had in San Pedro many years ago have practically been forgotten. The very first one that I can recollect was a very small thatch house belonging to Mr. Adriano Ramirez where Belize Bank is today. It was funny but the whole village was at the Scout’s Room which was part of the Church building. It was about seven at night and they were looking at a government documentary film which we used to call a movie. It was during this movie that someone hollered “Fire”, and hell broke loose. People were jumping windows and those on the stairs also jumped off or fell off in the pandemonium. Obviously people thought that the fire was at the Scout Room. The fire was one block and a half away on Front Street and when we got there one wall was on fire and climbing. Immediately the men formed the bucket brigade while one or two climbed unto the roof with sticks to beat the advancing flames. Unbelievably, the fire was put out in a few minutes with about one half of the small hut burnt. This fire was probably caused by a mouse knocking down a candle which was used for lighting at that time.

Misc Belizean Sources

RIBBON CUTTING FOR NATIONAL BANK OF BELIZE
The National Bank of Belize was established this April with the House of Representativves approving a motion for the Minister of Finance to execute the necessary documents to channel $20million BZD into the new financial institution, which Government asserts is intended to provide concessionary credit to public officers, teachers and other needy Belizeans. As announced in yesterdays launching, the maximum loan to be given will currently be $100,000.00 BZD per loan applicant. The $20 million will purchase for the Government of Belize 200,000 shares in the National Bank of Belize. A statement sheet provided to the media at a press conference held by Prime Minister Dean Barrow, Minister of Finance, earlier this year, indicated that the start-up capital for the bank would come from funds on-lent from the Petro-Caribe funds.

MARIE SHARP HOT PEPPER SAUCE IN MEXICO
Capiital Newspost congratulate's Belize's Marie Sharp on the launch of Marie Sharp Pepper Sauces in Mexico.

Education in Belize: Enthusiasm! How long can/will it last?
A family member of mine recently commented to me how very enthusiastic his youngest son is to be returning to Primary (Elementary) school this week, after a long summer vacation away from school. My first thought about that comment: How wonderful to see a young student enthusiastic about returning to school to continue disciplined learning! My second thought: I wonder how long that enthusiasm will last… My concluding thought: What should we educators and parents keep doing to instill and maintain that enthusiasm for learning in all students, everyday all year long? It is very sad that today Education and learning do not always conjure thoughts or feelings of enthusiasm in many students and/or parents. However, we are living in a difficult and complicated age now in the 21st Century, not in Utopia – whether we live in Belize, a Third World (underdeveloped) country, or in a developed country. When the majority of working parents must think of Education (especially Secondary) for their children in terms of, “How will I be able to afford tuition, books, fees and all the many expenses just to register my child for a new school year?” there is not much room left for enthusiasm about learning. How then, do we adults, parents or educators, feed our children with enthusiasm for school and learning, no matter at what level they may be studying, and keep it alive and robust all year long?

Garlic Bread Sticks
These garlic bread sticks are very simple to make. They can be a nice snack or as a part of a meal. They use simple ingredients and cook in no time at all.

What it really takes to be the Customer’s 1st choice :)
To get exceptional results in sales, you must gain an understanding of people, what they want and not only build trust, but also certainty with them. Old school selling was simply based on understanding the customer’s needs and building trust to close the deal. Today with information available everywhere, your buyer seeks third party sources to give them the certainty of what to purchase and how much to pay. Once a buyer has done their research, they still always buy products and services for one reason: to solve a problem. They need to be certain. No one makes a buying decision when they are uncertain. When a buyer is uncertain they stall the process.

Veterinarians undergo accreditation training
Over a dozen veterinarians from all over the country today began a four-day accreditation training course. Opening ceremonies were held this morning at the conference room of the Faculty of Agriculture (University of Belize) in Central Farm. The training is being conducted with funding provided by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). At the end of the course on Friday, the participants will be given a certificate, but organizers say they must continue the training regime as well as sign a contract with the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA).

Channel 7

Stake Bank On the Horizon; NEAC Considers Addenda To 2006 EIA
For weeks now, all the fuss has been about Harvest Caye and the proposed cruise destination that Norwegian Cruise Line wants to build on the island in southern Belize. But while that discussion has dominated the national discourse, the proposed Stake Bank project has slipped completely under the radar. That project, proposed by the Mike Feinstein Group would see the development of two islands off Belize City, Stake Bank for Cruise Tourism and Northern Drowned Key as a tourism destination. It’s major because it proposes to build a berthing facility where cruise ships can dock right off Belize City – and a causeway right through the Swallow Caye Wildlife sanctuary to shuttle them to and from the city and beyond. Indeed, it is as promising as it is controversial, but it’s similar to Harvest Caye in that it is relying on an environmental impact assessment which was done years ago. Stake Bank first came to prominence in 2006 – and that’s when the EIA was completed. Now, the re-loaded version of the project is relying on that same EIA with a few addenda. Those addenda were before the National Environmental Appraisal Committee (NEAC) today. If approved, it would give Stake Bank the green light by approving an environmental Compliance Plan. The group led by the Chief Environmental Officer met for a marathon session today, starting at 9:00 and continuing until after 5:00 pm. At the lunch break we spoke with Chairman Alegria to find out about their deliberations:..

Big Busses Will Be Back, But Maybe Only Briefly
Last night we showed you the angry city bus drivers complaining after their busses had been pulled off the city streets. They say they provide an essential service – which was particularly missed on the first day of school. The mayor on the other hand says that Belize Transit Services which runs the busses had been warned since 2009 to use smaller busses. But today, members of the public started calling in to the talk shows saying how they needed the big busses, especially on Faber’s Road. That set the stage for a meeting this morning with the bus operator and the city’s traffic manager. Phillip Jones of Belize Transit Services told us how it went and what he hopes will come out of it:… Phillip Jones - General Manager, Belize Transit Services Ltd. "Well I had the meeting this morning with the traffic manager and the councilor for traffic and basically what I did was try to have an extension for the ceasure of the busses in the city. I showed them the need for the bus at the moment, I stressed that I'm willing to work with the council and we know the city is growing and there will be times that we need to downsize but I just asked for a little grace period or an extension for a compromise to have the city flowing and for the workers to have something to do and for the commuters to not be affected at the same time.

Weighty Weed Busts
Police have made some major marijuana busts – and they did it with K-9 assistance. This morning at ten, a special joint team comprising Special Branch, the Mobile Interdiction Team, the Special Patrol Unit, the Anti Drug Unit and the K9 Unit searched a home at 2368 Samuel Haynes Street in Belama Phase 1. Nothing was found, but police saw one of the residents, 28 year old Adrian MYVETT toss a black kit bag in the river behind the house. Police fished it out of the water and found two black plastic bags with 4.23 kilois, or 9 pounds five ounces of cannabis. Myvett and three others were in the house, namely, 28 year old Steve ZELAYA, 23 year old Marcellie HALLIDAY and 32 year old Tricia MARSHALLECK. All 4 were arraigned today before Magistrate Cayetano, where they pleaded not guilty and were granted bail of $5,000, which they were able to meet. Earlier in the morning, at 8:30, the K-9 unit did the nose-work to come up with another, smaller bust. Police say the dog led the team to look beneath a grey Volvo parked on Oleander Street in Belize City. Police found a plastic bottle with 111 grams, about four ounces of suspected cannabis. No one was around so it was labeled as found property.

“Bullitt” Craig Got His Car Back Faster Than A Speeding…
Tonight, well known taxi driver and Belize City character, Roy “Bullet” Craig, is fortunate to have his gold Saturn taxi car after it was stolen from him on Sunday evening. The senior citizen is an avid follower of the carnival mas camps and on Sunday he got out of his car to look at some camp practice. Not expecting anything to happen, he left it unattended for a short while before someone grabbed his key, which was on his dash board, and drove off. After a day of fretting, police found the car yesterday. He told us today how the police found it, and why he believes that the thief intended to scrap it: Roy 'Bullet' Craig - Taxi Car was stolen "I was on the next avenue and Euphrates Avenue where the kids were practicing carnival, I dance carnival and I was trying to entertain the children and I parked my car where I could have seen it, I did not leave the key in the ignition -

Internet Brings New Dimension To Consultative Healthcare
Often in our newscast, you see needy persons seeking help to get abroad to do important life-saving surgeries, which cannot be performed in Belize. It costs thousands of dollars to get the outside medical help, but the KHMH wants to provide those services at home. In a world where communication is instantaneous, the hospital is trying to catch up with the rest of the world in making cutting edge medical interventions. So today, they launched their telemedicine initiative. Daniel Ortiz has this report: Daniel Ortiz reporting Today, the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital opened up a new portal of service to the public with the launch of their videoconferencing capability. It may seem ordinary or even mundane, but what it offers is telemedicine, the ability for KHMH doctors to consult about patient care with world - renowned medical specialist outside of Belize, in real time while the surgeons are operating. The first medical institutions that have agreed to assist KHMH in this capacity are the Carolinas Healthcare System’s International Medical Outreach program and Carolinas HealthCare System’s Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute: Dr. Adrian Coye - Medical Chief of Staff, KHMH "This technology allows us to do that in a very real time manner and it you can't get it better than that, embracing all the benefits, how we are advancing, where technology is concerned. People have twitter, facebook and all of that and I think Telemedicine is going to be able to take away those physical barriers for countries like Belize, which not everyone can get on a plane and go and get healthcare elsewhere."

O-W Teacher/Union Leader Jacked At His Home
Otilio Munoz is well known as a teacher and union leader in Orange Walk. But on Friday night at around 7:30, he became just another victim of crime. Munoz and his wife Alma were getting home, not knowing that two robbers were waylaying them. Munoz told Orange Walk’s CTV-3 that they caught him off guard and he has his neighbors to thank for not coming to serious harm. Otilio Munoz - President, Orange Walk BNTU "When arriving at my home, exiting our vehicle, we were shocked to see two persons there with masks and a gun pointing at me and telling me not to move or else they will shoot me. At that point in time I realized I was being assaulted, I panicked as usual - everybody would panic and I decided to run instead of freezing and I ran and the same time my wife ran on the other side because she exited through the other door of the vehicle. When she realized that there were two men trying to assault me then she cried out for help and the neighbors heard her and they acted fast and they came out. When I intended to run, I dropped because it was so slippery because it had been raining and when I fell that is when two of them came on top of me and I got hurt on my hand so I couldn't move. One of them pointed the gun at me and then the other one stole the chain on my neck and they just ran away. Thank God that I have my life, that is the most important thing - material things you can get it back but your life is precious."

In Defence Of The Memorial Park “Panades Shacks”
Last night we told you about the opening of the Belize City Fort Point Pedestrian Walk, the centerpiece of which is the Memorial Park. With funding from the IDB, the park has gotten a thorough makeover and re-design. And while it is probably now the premier public space in the city – there are elements that can come off as unappealing. We contemplated the good and the bad when we spoke to the project director at Saturday’s Launch:….. Christy Mastry - Project Director - STP "Then we really wanted to create a significant portion of the park to really commemorate the Memorial that had always stood there, with the granite memorial and the top of it was there for several year that had been damaged. We wanted to restore that and the namesake."

Craft Fair Was a Buffet For The Senses
The Village Arts and craft expo was held to coincide with the opening of the Memorial Park. The event made effective use of the walkway to show off craft makers from all over the country. It was like a buffet for the senses and 7 News was there:… Jules Vasquez reporting Over 180 arts and craft makers from throughout the country filled up the eastern flank of the Memorial Park on Saturday for the Village Arts and Craft Expo. All sorts of exotic creations were on display, from traditional Cuxtal Maya bags to cacao, coffee and Carambola wine with mango jam: Sally Evans - Steadfast Village - 'Rainforest Women' "Well di jam, it's the first time Steadfast village has lots of mangoes, so we decided to use mangoes, using the ripe mangoes to make these jams" Angelita Can - Aguacate Village "This is grind pepper, this is what the Kekchi people mostly like. If they don't have meat they eat it with corn tortilla." Julio Saqui - Che'il Cacao , Maya Center "Everybody goes for chocolate." Jules Vasquez "And you make different varieties?" Julio Saqui "We are only making five flavors at the moment, doing regular milk, mint, doing coffee, ginger and the Sweet, bitter, dark

Iron Lions On Parade
And while that was one event on the September Celebrations schedule, another is the Lionman Triathlon. In its 14th year, the Lionman is a fixture of the Celebrations schedule, and this year, two storied past champions each had a test to face. 7news was there:… Australian and first time competitor Dimity Gannon was the first out of the water on Sunday. From there it was into the city’s concrete streets – here, Giovanni Froggy Leslie is competing in the team event – and blasting off at close to 30 miles an hour. Out on the road, defending and three time male champion Smokes Gladden was holding his own, while the defending and five time female champion Shalini Zabaneh was in an unusual position working form behind to make up space on Dimity Gannon. But, by the time she completed that lap, Shalini was back in the lead and Smokes Gladden was right where he wanted to be, but if he seemed to be coasting, it’s because he needed to change his back tyre.

Mayan Communities Speak On US Capital
Yesterday, we showed you a small part of the media tour organized by the SATIIM last week Friday and Saturday. Its purpose was to provide the public with what’s at stake with US Capital Energy’s oil exploration plan inside the Sarstoon Temash National Park. But the leading personalities who have spoken out against the development are those from SATIIM, and more importantly Greg Ch’oc. Well, Ch’oc who has his own controversial approach, intended to show that the mandate with which he speaks comes from the Mayan Communities who has named him their spokesperson. Our news team followed him around for those 2 days, and Daniel Ortiz put together this report: Daniel Ortiz reporting The Executive Director of SATIIM took us to 2 of the 5 Mayan Communities in the buffer zone to so that they themselves could change the impression that SATIIM is the only organization heading the resistance against US Capital. According to the Crique Sarco and Midway Villagers we spoke to, SATIIM is only a messenger; the villages are the ones who are headstrong that Government and US Capital are violating their rights.

Belize Youths Compete Competently In Regional Sports
Tonight, we have regional sporting news to report on. First, the Belize National Under 18 3 by 3 basketball team placed 4th in the U 18 3x3 FIBA Americas Championship held in Washington DC. Belize beat Puerto Rico and Guatemala to advance to the semifinal round where Belize lost to USA by a score of 21-16 and then lost to Canada in the bronze medal game. The National U 18 3x3 basketball team qualifies to participate in the U 18 3x3 World Championship to be held in Jakarta Indonesia from September 26-29th. And then in volleyball, the Belize Youth Female National Volleyball Team is in Guatemala for an under 16 competition. They won today against El Salvador, 3 sets to 1, 25-23, 25-20, 21-25, 25-19. Kevanna Sebastian led Team Belize with 20 points while Mya Musa had 10 points. Belize has 6 points and is in the chase for a medal.

Channel 5

NEAC Meets to Discuss Proposed Stake Bank Tourism Development Project
Government has confirmed that it will be entering into a binding agreement with Norwegian Cruise Lines for a fifty million dollar tourism development at Harvest Caye. But there’s another tourism [...]

2009 Environmental Impact Assessment May Help to Expedite Proposed Harvest Caye Project
The Stake Bank Project is on the environmental table for dissection and analysis. But while the NCL project proposed for Harvest Caye in the south is very much in the [...]

Residents of Buffer Communities Near Sarstoon-Temash National Park Agree to Legal Representation By SATIIM Lawyers
As we reported on Monday, a team of journalists and videographers from various media houses was given an exclusive tour of the Sarstoon-Temash National Park over the weekend. The purpose [...]

And our Question for tonight is……
And our question for tonight is: Do you support changes to the composition of the Public Accounts Committee? Yes or no. Send your comments and responses using your SMART phones [...]

Police Investigate Mysterious Circumstances Into Death of Sand Hill Resident
Police are investigating the death of a Sand Hill resident that occurred sometime after eight p.m. on Monday. While there appears to be telltale signs of a suicide, Ladyville Police [...]

FFB Still Pondering Fate of Head Coach Ian Mork
Since suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of Cuba during the Jaguars’ do or die match in the recent CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament, nothing has been heard from head [...]

Belizean Athletes Continue to Represent the Jewel Regionally in Volleyball and Basketball
But there is good news in volleyball and basketball. In Guatemala City today, the Under-twenty female national volleyball team beat El Salvador in three sets to one…that places Belize six [...]

Belize City Man Remanded for Burglarizing Home of Cannon Leroy Flowers
A Belize City construction worker is on remand tonight for the offense of Burglary. Forty-one year old Daun Anthony Myers is accused of burglarizing the house of Cannon Leroy Flowers [...]

Jose Ricardo Hernandez Remanded for Aggravated Assault
Thirty-five year old Jose Ricardo Hernandez, a driver and resident of Muhammadali Street in Belize City was also remanded to the Belize Central Prison this evening after he was slapped [...]

San Ignacio Police Discover Over Eighty Pounds of Weed in Vacant Lot
Police are also looking for the owners of a large quantity of drugs which were found on Monday. Acting on information received, San Ignacio cops visited an open lot on [...]

San Ignacio Police Look for Owner of Found Items
San Ignacio Police are looking for the rightful owner of several ink cartridges, an HP mini-printer, a play station remote control and a digital power capacitor. The items were recovered [...]

Mayor Bradley Discusses Coney Drive Roundabout
On September eighth Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley and his team will reach the halfway point in their three year term. For residents of the Old Capital that eighteen months [...]

Progress Report on Hundred Street Infrastructure Project
Believe it or not, eighty-six streets have been cemented or paved since the Belize City Infrastructure Project got under way. The Mayor promised one hundred, and that is a goal [...]

Salud Mesoamerica 2015: Maternal Health Care Initiative Launched in Belize
Salud Mesoamerica 2015, a regional health initiative being carried out by the Inter-American Development Bank with funding from a number of charitable organizations, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, [...]

Carnival Mas Camp Kicks Off In Belize City
The carnival this year clashes with the Expo Market place organized by the Belize Chamber of Commerce and industry. Both events attract huge crowds and are popular events in the [...]

El Dorado Rum, Guyana’s Best, Comes to Belize
The Guyanese famed El Dorado rum is making its debut in the Belize market. The rum is being imported into Belize by Grace Kennedy which today organized a training for [...]

Village Expo Showcases Handicrafts From Around the Country
The September calendar is traditionally packed with a host of activities that range from concerts to carnival to official ceremonies. Just about everyone will find some activity to attend. Over [...]

LOVE FM

School Supplies for New School Year From PUP’s Standard Bearer in Port Loyola
Over two hundred deserving parents in the Port Loyola area of Belize City, yesterday benefitted from school supplies for their children, donated by the Gilroy Usher Sr. and the People’s United Party Port Loyola Committee. The packs donated included back to school supplies such as exercise books, pens, pencils, rulers, erasers and sharpeners. Usher said he felt happy to provide the funds for the donation as part of his ongoing effort to promote education and to uplift spirits in Port Loyola. The parents thanked Usher and the PUP Port Loyola Committee for the donation which was right in time with the opening of the new school year and they assured that their children would make maximum use of the items. The supplies donated amounted to one thousand three hundred dollars.

Patient Claims He Was Almost Killed by Hospital
A resident from the Cayo District is displeased with the health system after he said he visited the hospital in San Ignacio as he suffers from high blood pressure, but was reportedly given medication for diabetes which he says almost caused him to die. Correspondent Fem Cruz spoke with the patient. FEM CRUZ “Mr. Rudy Itza, a resident of San Jose, Succotz in the Cayo District spoke to Love News on an incident that happened to him last week at the San Ignacio Community Hospital where he was given the wrong medication belonging to someone else.” RUDY ITZA “I went to the hospital on Monday morning to get medication for high blood pressure and I wasn’t feeling well with my breathing. The pharmacist gave me the wrong medication which I drank Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and on Friday morning they rushed me to the hospital barely alive and I did not receive any apology from the hospital and I would like the Ministry of Health to do something about this issue because I nearly lost my life.

Expo For Small Entrepreneurs Planned for Southside Belize City
The Centre for Community Resource Development is an organization that provides opportunities for the people of the St. Martin De Porres area in Belize City, to share knowledge and skills and showcase their talents in order to build good citizens and a more positive neighborhood. Under the CCRD, a woman’s group, Community Action Network, was established to host community activities and fundraisers for the area. For these September Celebrations, CAN has decided to host a community Expo in that area. Love News spoke with the Chairman of CAN, Olga Gordon OLGA GORDON, Chairman, CAN “We are the CAN members, Community Action Network. We work in our communities with young people and with older people; we have a program where we visit senior citizens and we try to raise funds so we could give them some groceries. We are working towards December where we could give them some goodies and small bags of groceries. We have always wanted to do something for the St. Martin’s area since we have always wanted to do something for the people of St. Martin’s; so, we have decided on doing an expo where the people from St. Martin’s who make things to sell can come out and sell their stuff so that they can make some money to help themselves. Since we are in September, we wanted it to be a September celebration initiative’ so, if people cannot take out their children to see the parade, we will have singing and entertainment for the children.

Police Classifies Suspected Suicide As A Homicide Investigation
Police have classified the death of a man in Sandhill as a homicide. After receiving information about an apparent homicide in Sandhill, Ladyville police visited Mile nineteen and one fourth on the Phillip Goldson Highway, in Sandhill, the residence of twenty nine year old Emir Bailey and eighteen year old Kayla Augustine sometime after 8:00 o’clock last night. According to Police, Bailey was seen hanging by the neck with what appeared to be an electrical cable which was tied to a wooden beam inside the bedroom of the house. He was apparently dead at the time. A cement block was reportedly seen hear his feet. Bailey’s body was taken down and transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where it was pronounced dead. It now awaits a post mortem examination as police continue their investigations.

Belize’s Basketball Teams Scheduled to Return Abroad for Championship Games
The Belize National U 18 3×3 basketball team returned to Belize yesterday after placing fourth in the U-18 3X FIBA Americas Championship held in Washington DC. Belize won against Puerto Rico and Guatemala to advance to the semifinal round where Belize lost to USA by a score of 21-16 and then lost to Canada in the bronze medal game. The National U 18 3×3 basketball team qualifies to participate in the U 18 3×3 World Championship to be held in Jakarta from September 26 to 29th. Belize is also scheduled to participate in the U 14 COCABA Championship to be held in Honduras later this year.

Liberal Arts Tertiary Institution Opens in Western Belize
Last month the Government of Belize gave the green light to John Paul the Second Junior College to open its doors to provide secondary education in Benque Viejo del Carmen Town. The Junior College opened its doors last week Monday with an enrollment of thirty students. According to the Dean of the Junior College, David Ruiz, the institution will offer three specialties focused on the liberal arts. DAVID RUIZ “The whole concept of junior college in Benque goes back about ten years ago from one of the pastors in Benque. John Paul the Second Junior College is unique in the sense that it is fully liberal arts. The idea has matured over the years and about five years ago we carried out a market study with the intent to find out if there is a need for it in the Cayo west area and we found out that the people were receptive and that is how we went ahead and did it.

Teenagers Await Charge for Robbery
Thirty two year old Roderick Matura reported to police that he was robbed by teenagers last night. Matura reported that sometime around 9:10 last night, he was riding his black beach cruiser on Fairweather Street heading into Queen Charlotte Street. When he reached the corner with Waight Street, he reportedly felt someone grab his bicycle’s rear wheel, causing him to fall off. He immediately turned around and allegedly saw to dark skinned young men in their late teens. One of them reportedly held him while the other punched him on his face and stomach and tried to take away his phone. Matura also reported that one of the teens managed to grab his brown leather wallet containing thirty dollars in cash and his social security card. The assailants then escaped onto Fairweather Street but were quickly apprehended police who were on mobile patrol in the area. They also recovered the stolen items. The Nineteen year old construction worker of Supal Street and a sixteen year old of Fabers Road Extension are now awaiting charges of robbery.

Police Reports Thousands of Grams of Marijuana Confiscated
Police has taken over four thousand grams of marijuana of the streets. It began on Monday morning when a police mobile patrol unit saw eighteen year old Francis Orvin Pollard riding his bicycle towards their direction. Upon seeing the police officers, it is said that Pollard threw away a black plastic bag he was holding and as a consequence for his action, police got suspicious and immediately apprehended and the bag retrieved. The bag was opened and in it was one hundred and twenty eight point three grams of cannabis. Pollard has since been charged for the crime of Drug Trafficking.

Teenager Arrested and Charged for Drug Trafficking
Eighteen year old Francis Pollard a resident of Arlington Drive in Belize City, was arrested and charged for Drug Trafficking. According to police, they were on mobile patrol yesterday around 11:57 am, when they saw a dark complexioned man later identified as Pollard, riding his bicycle in their direction. When Pollard saw them, he threw away a plastic bag he had been holding. Police immediately apprehended Pollard and retrieved the bag which contained one hundred and twenty eight point three grams of cannabis. He was then formally arrested and charged.

Video Conferencing Introduced in National Hospital in Belize
And while the National Bank that was opened on Monday has a cash-flow of 20 million for first-time home owners getting mortgage loans, Prime Minister Barrow says that he will make another investment shortly into the bank’s finances to keep the business flowing. RT. HON. DEAN BARROW “I am certainly going to be prepared to do some additional treasury notes as a way of helping to top up liquidity but as a way as well of helping to drive the infrastructure financing that I spoke to you about. At the time when the point was made, the first quarter of the year, the economy did not grow; as I have told you, in the second half of the year, this economy is going to grow by leaps and bounds because of this huge infrastructure push that government will make and as I am saying, I have the wherewithal to fund.”

PlusTV

National Bank of Belize is unveiled and reveals a super low interest rate
The National Bank of Belize Limited, which is seeking to revolutionize banking in Belize, opened its doors on Monday in the Capital City of Belmopan. The bank intends to provide an affordable credit system to lower and middle income Belizeans – particularly public officers, teachers and...

PM says PAC can and will work
While the inauguration of the National Bank was at the top of the list Monday morning, the PM accommodated the press’ questions on a couple of other pressing national matters; one being the Public Accounts Committee. The committee, which has been lying dormant since its inception was thrust under...

Greg Choc will not be leaving SATIIM right away
Greg Ch’oc is not leaving SATIIM; at least not yet. There has been widespread speculation that executive director Gregory Ch’oc of the NGO Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM) was leaving his post to study law. Last week a four-page letter from an unnamed source titled “Concerned Maya...

PlusTV tours the Sarstoon Temash National Park with SATIIM
The two-day media tour of the Sarstoon Temash National Park and surrounding buffer communities got off to a late start on Friday due to unforeseen circumstances, but in the afternoon the group set off for the Temash River and the entrance to the Temash 2 drill...

Not all Maya communities support the SATIIM
Earlier we told you of the Media trip to Rural Toledo District organized by SATIIM. And while there are many Maya communities that support the efforts of SATIIM, there are also exceptions. During the media’s tour of communities surrounding the Sarstoon Temash National Park, we observed clear problems of...

Five star hotel planned for Caye Chapel
On Monday, Prime Minister Dean Barrow confirmed that an agreement for the selling of Caye Chapel is inching toward completion. Yumi Limited, a British Virgin Islands Company is seeking to purchase the island from BCB Holdings Limited for $30 million US dollars to reportedly establish a five star hotel....

One person detained for Brodie’s robbery
In Police News, Police have detained one person for questioning in relation to the robbery of a huge bank deposit belonging to popular downtown supermarket James Brodie and Company Limited. The security guard who was in charge of depositing a total of $46,064.42, at First Caribbean Bank was robbed...

Large amount of cannabis found in San Ignacio
Cayo Police have found a large amount of suspected cannabis but no one was around at the time of the find. Acting upon information received the San Ignacio Police Officers visited an open lot on Back Street , San Ignacio Town where the following findings were made: one black...

Burglary in Corozal and firearm search in Belize City
On Monday September 1st, at around 2:50 a.m. Corozal Police received the report of a burglary in progress at Alpha Lodge Hall situated on College Road, in Corozal Town. Corozal Police acted quickly and apprehended Rosendo Guy, a man who fit the description given to them. Upon searching Guy,...

September celebrations begin
The Battle of St. George’s Caye turns 215 years old this year and for the fifth consecutive year the official launch took place on the little island where Belize was born, St George’s Caye. Belize’s first Capital lies eight miles east of Belize City and guests had to travel...

Annual Battle Regatta at St George’s Caye
While on land there was commemoration of the Battle of St. George’s Caye, on the waters surrounding the island there was a different sort of battle between crews of young sailors, at the annual Battle Regatta. Now in its third year, the event seeks to promote the continued development...

Solani Graniel is Miss San Pedro 2013-2014
This Saturday San Pedro hosted their annual beauty pageant. Six lovely delegates competed for the crown of Miss San Pedro and though all six delegates wowed the crowd with their beauty and charm, only one could come out victorious. It was a magical...

Belize City Mayor gives update on garbage payment situation
The Belize City Council and Belize Waste Control signed an initial agreement in July to address the matter of a million-dollar debt ordered to be paid by the court. As part of the agreement the Council agreed to enforce the existing contract particularly with regard to exclusivity of garbage...

Preliminary hearing on James Norales murder postponed again
Orel Leslie, Tyrone Meighan and Brandon Baptist are on remand charged with the November 2012 murder of James Norales, a BDF officer alleged to be involved in gang activity. On Monday their preliminary inquiry was set to take place but it was postponed yet again. Attorney for Mr Meighan,...

Caye Caulker Chronicles

Island gearing up for celebrations!
The Caye Caulker Village Council is out and about decorating the island for the annual September Celebrations. Hats off to this hard-working crew!

Amandala

BRODIES JACKED $46,000!
A male security guard and a female supervisor of Brodies Superstore on Albert Street were jacked at about 4:30 Saturday evening in front of the FirstCaribbean Bank on Albert Street, as the two employees were taking over $46,000 to deposit in the bank, which is almost directly across the street from Brodies. The security guard and the supervisor told police that as they reached the bank after crossing Albert Street from Brodies, a gunman approached them from behind, pointed a gun at the security guard and demanded the money bag, which was a black plastic bag that contained four cash bags containing a total of $46,064.42. The security guard, whose name police did not release, told police that he became fearful and handed over the money bag. He said that the thief quickly grabbed the bag and ran into Church Street, where an unknown person gave him a bicycle at the corner of Duck Lane and Church Street. The thief then rode away across the Church Street bridge and disappeared into the George Street area.

BERTIE CHIMILIO, 55, HAS TO PAY UNPAID INCOME TAX OF $33,310
Chimilio told the court that he is unemployed and only gets a monthly allowance of $500 to $600 from his wife. Yesterday, Bertie Chimilio, former president of the Football Federation of Belize (FFB), was summoned to appear in court due to claims by the Income Tax Department that he owes them for taxes that went unpaid during his period as FFB president — a whopping $33,310. The matter was adjourned until today, allowing the department to call Ann Castillo, of the department, to testify about the interviews that she had conducted with Chimilio before the department decided to turn the matter over to the court. This morning when Castillo appeared before the court, she testified about the difficulty she experienced while trying to create an assessment of Chimilio’s salaries, since there were few records available that could provide an accurate picture of his total revenue.

SHANTEL ROBINSON, 29, CHARGED WITH CHILD ABANDONMENT
She went out after locking her two children in the house, which caught fire. This afternoon, Shantel Robinson, 25, a resident of #1946 Cannondale Drive, Apt. # 7, was taken to court, where she appeared before Magistrate Leslie Hamilton and was charged with two counts of child abandonment. According to police, reports indicate that at 11:00 Thursday morning, Robinson left her house, locking her daughter Shaniqua, 4, and her son Shevonne, 3, inside the house by securing the front door from outside. At 11:25 that same morning, other tenants of the apartment complex observed flames coming from out a window of her apartment, and heard the children screaming for help. The children were unable to come out of the room on their own because the door had been locked from the outside.

FRANCES WILSON, 39, CHARGED WITH ABETMENT TO MURDER
Ayala Wilson is accused of making arrangements to kill her estranged husband. This morning, a timid-looking Frances Eve Ayala Wilson, 39, a resident of #197 Guanacaste Street, San Ignacio Layout, San Ignacio, Cayo, was taken before Magistrate Leslie Hamilton and charged with abetment to murder. Ayala Wilson is accused of liaising with one Natisha Usher and offering her $10,000 to kill her estranged husband, Glencoe Wilson. Allegations were that she made that proposal on April 24, this year. Glencove Wilson was informed of the attempt being made to kill him and reported the matter to police, who were able to corroborate the story with Usher. After that report was made in May by Glencoe Wilson, Ayala Wilson allegedly went into hiding and was not located until after Glencoe Wilson, against the advice of the police, posted some flyers offering a reward for her capture. Ayala Wilson was located in San Ignacio, where she was living with her father. Ayala Wilson was represented by attorney Simeon Sampson this morning when the charge was read to her. No plea was taken from her, and that was when the prosecutor made two objections to bail.

CAYE CHAPEL CONSIDERED FOR BELIZE’S FIRST 5-STAR HOTEL
Our last headline announced an agreement by BCB Holdings to sell the resort island property of Caye Chapel to Yumi Limited of the British Virgin Islands—a US$30 million deal for the purchase of the 265-acre property described as “a true trophy property.” Today, Amandala asked Prime Minister Dean Barrow to comment on the reported sale of the island, and he indicated his support for plans by the investors “to put the first five-star hotel in Belize on Caye Chapel.” Barrow said that while he does not know who Yumi is, the person who bought the island is the same person who sold Harvest Caye to Norwegian Cruise Line: Cyril Dennis. He said that he had met Dennis and had spoken with him about the project. Dennis, said Barrow, had also brought representatives of Six Senses to Belize, just before he did the purchase agreement with BCB Holdings.

TRIPLE B AND LADYVILLE JAGUARS, NIL-NIL IN GAME 1 OF WOMEN FOOTBALL FINALS
It had been postponed for a week due to some players performing with the National Team in Honduras at the UNCAF Women U-20 Championship, and on Saturday, August 31, at the MCC Grounds in Belize City, Game 1 of the Atlantic Bank National Women Football Finals finally got under way, ending in a nil-nil stalemate between Ladyville Jaguars and Triple B of Belmopan. The decisive Game 2 will reportedly be this coming Saturday, September 7, at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan. And Ladyville will be without the services of their two biggest stars. Captain Shanell Gentle was red-carded at the 73rd minute of Saturday’s Game 1; and their outstanding sweeper Sarah Arzu is scheduled to report for training duty with the Coast Guard, and might therefore also be unavailable for Game 2 this coming Saturday.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT Editorial
In Third World countries like Belize, the politicians always say they are for the poor. They say this because the poor are more, and in order to win elections you need to get a majority of the votes. In parliamentary democracies like Belize’s, the poor should have a lot of power. Theoretically, all they have to do is unite, and then the poor can elect leaders who will work for the poor. The reality in Belize is, however, that the poor do not have much power, and that is because our democracy has been subverted by something called campaign financing. Recently, in a poor constituency in Cayo, a multimillionaire PUP crony offered himself as a political candidate. It would have been humorous except that the gentleman took himself very seriously, and he took himself seriously because he knows he will have adequate campaign financing. The rich have taken over Belize’s political parties and parliamentary democracy because they provide the campaign financing. Poor Belizeans have generally given up on the possibilities for change and progress through party politics, so all they are looking for at campaign/election time is a handout.

BUTTONWOOD BAY TARPON Letters
— by Nick Pollard, Jr. Dear Editor, These pictures were taken in front of my home on Seashore Drive, Buttonwood Bay. It is the largest tarpon I have seen in many years! It measured 6 feet and I believe could very well have been over 200 pounds. The fish had no injuries, but lay dead near the stone wall on the grass. It looks to me like the tarpon was feeding on sprats or shrimps and was attacked either by a shark or crocodile and when it jumped to escape, it jumped straight on shore and could not get back into the sea ….so unfortunate. Nick Pollard, Jr.

BELIZE NEVER SENDS THEIR CROOKS-IN-SUITS TO PRISON … Letters
— by Russell Czarnecki Dear Editor, The story, “Arrests of 3 mayors reinforce Florida’s notoriety as a hothouse for corruption,” certainly reminds me of Belize…and as I say in my letters to Amandala, Belize NEVER sends their crooks-in-suits to prison…but America does, and increasingly so. Best luck and strength in the struggle! Russell Czarnecki

“NO!!” BARROW TELLS TRADE UNION CONGRESS!
Barrow adamant: “…there will be no restructuring of PAC!” Last week, the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) issued a statement insisting that the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) must be reformed in order to serve the purpose it needs to, in acting as an oversight body to review public spending; however, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dean Barrow told journalists today that “there will be no restructuring to the Public Accounts Committee.” Barrow went further to say that the agenda put forth by Cabinet will be “forced” by the ruling party members – who, he insists, hold the majority of seats on the six-member Committee. “We will press on and there will be no restructuring of the Public Accounts Committee, so as to make it unwieldy and so as to violate, not just the standing orders but the core principles of democracy,” said Barrow. A meeting of the Public Accounts Committee is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 4, 2013. We asked the Prime Minister what he anticipates will happen, since PAC Chairman, Julius Espat, has proposed an agenda to look only at the 2010-2011 Audit Report.

BARROW’S BANK, TAEGAR’S DREAM
$100,000 maximum for first-time owners, PM Barrow says. The National Bank of Belize—which plans to offer mortgage financing at a concessionary rate of 5.5% for a maximum of $100,000—was launched in Belmopan Monday morning, and according to Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dean Barrow, who inaugurated the facility by announcing the new rate, the bank would be open for business as early as Monday afternoon. “Our lending rates will be unbeatable, because our bottom line is people and not profit. That is why our introductory offer to the Belizean people is an unbelievably low 5.5%,” Barrow announced to the gathering. He said that the competition the national bank would give the commercial banks redounds to the advantage of the Belizean public. Barrow said that it is no coincidence that as soon as Government made the announcement that it would open the new bank, the commercial banks—which have maintained what he characterizes as an “unacceptable” spread between borrowing and lending rates—moved immediately to lower their lending rates.

TRAFFIC DEPARTMENT IMPOUNDS 5 CITY BUSES
Councilor unapologetic; says the bus drivers knew about the changes over a year ago. Traffic in Belize City has become increasingly hectic, largely due to the re-opening of schools this morning. This causes commuters who use the city buses to have to wait for long periods before they are able to catch a bus. The situation was made even more time-consuming for some commuters in the city today, as five city buses were reportedly taken off their regular runs and impounded by the Traffic Department. Bus driver, Dexter Hemmans, told KREM News that this morning, traffic officers came and told them that they needed to go to Mr. Jenkins’ office (Jenkins is the head of the Traffic Department). Hemmans said that when he went there, he was told by Jenkins that his bus could not run because it is a 48-seater, and only 30-seaters and smaller buses were permitted to run. Hemmans said that he explained to Jenkins that he (Hemmans) has obligations he has to deal with, like loan payments. He said Jenkins then told him that that was not the concern of the Traffic Department and that the bottom line was that his bus couldn’t run.

SEPTEMBER CELEBRATIONS 2013 OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED
Ceremonies to mark the official opening of the September Celebrations in Belize commenced at St. George’s Caye today. Scores of people ventured out to the island for the opening ceremonies, which began at approximately 11:30 a.m., and included a welcome address from the president of the St. George’s Caye Committee, John Searle, Jr. In his speech, Searle mentioned that St. George’s Caye was the first British settlement and its original name was “Cayo Cocina”, which when translated, means Cooking Caye. Chairman of the National Celebrations Commission, Hon. Manuel Heredia, Jr., also gave an address that included a short history of the island. Heredia said that it struck him that whenever Belizeans think of the Battle of St. George’s Caye, they often think that it was a battle that was fought primarily between the British and the Spaniards. He noted however, that historical records and archeological research on the national landmark have established that this was certainly not the case. He said that the settlement included Africans, free Creoles, the British and various people of diverse European origin, including Spanish and Portuguese in the year 1798. Heredia also said that the captain of one of the British Honduran boats was also an American, who got shipwrecked on the reef.

MAN DISCHARGED HIMSELF FROM HOSPITAL, BUT LATER DIES
A man from San Narciso, Corozal, who was a victim of a traffic accident but prematurely discharged himself from the hospital, has died. Oscar Gustavo Carrillo Castaneda, 45, a farmer, was found near the Philip Goldson Highway suffering from massive head and body injuries at about 10:00 Wednesday night. He had been knocked down while walking along the highway that night. Castaneda was taken to the Corozal Town Hospital by a teacher of the same village, to receive medical attention, but he later discharged himself. On arrival at his home, however, he began to complain of pain in his head and body, and on Thursday he returned to the Orange Walk Hospital. He then was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, but died there about 9:00 Sunday morning.

PRAYERS OF BCVI ORANGE WALK ANSWERED – STOLEN COMPUTERS FOUND IN BUSHES
Police have found two computers which had been stolen from the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired’s Orange Walk Branch office, which had been burglarized last weekend. The computers, which are essential to the work of the BCVI Orange Walk Branch, were found along with their accessories wrapped in plastic bags in some bushes in the Louisiana Area of Orange Walk Town around 12:30 p.m. Saturday, August 31, but no one was found in the area at the time. BCVI said that the office, located on Jabiru Street, was broken into sometime over the weekend of Friday, August 23, to Monday, August 26, but they believe that the burglary occurred at some point during the night of Friday, August 23, when a tropical storm battered the country.

GOLF CART DRIVER HAD 3 ACCIDENTS ON LA ISLA BONITA
Two people hurt in the collisions, one seriously. Two people who were riding in a golf cart in San Pedro escaped with their lives after the cart they were in collided with the side of another golf cart, then ran into a fence, before crashing into the side of a building, knocking off a portion of the building’s exterior. The two occupants of the cart — Julia Maheia, 19, a waitress of San Pedro, and Giovanni Guerra, 25, a tour guide and also a resident of San Pedro — were injured. Maheia was thrown out of the cart and landed on the pavement, unconscious. Guerra was also thrown out of the cart, and was injured as a result. Maheia was rushed in an unconscious state to the San Pedro Poly Clinic II, and later taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. She suffered injuries to her face, mouth, teeth and left leg, and her left ear was severed. Doctors said that reconstructive surgery will be needed for Maheia’s face. Guerra suffered a broken left hand and complained of pain in the chest. The incident occurred at about 2:30 Friday morning on Barrier Reef Drive and Caribeña Street.

MEDIA TOURS US CAPITAL’S DRILL SITE IN SARSTOON TEMASH NATIONAL PARK
“When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty.” – quoted by Greg Ch’oc, Executive Director of SATIIM from southern Belize who relentlessly fights for the rights of the indigenous Mayan communities of the Toledo district. US Capital’s rep could not explain exactly how a spill in the Temash River would be contained By now, most Belizeans are aware of the ongoing impasse between the Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM) and US Capital Energy Ltd. over the oil exploration activities that were permitted by Government to take place at the Sarstoon Temash National Park in the deep south of Belize. A few weeks ago, on August 7, SATIIM’s Executive Director, Greg Ch’oc, promised to take the major media outlets from Belize City to the site where the oil drilling is scheduled to be conducted. The reason for this, as Ch’oc explained, was so that the wider public could get an actual view of US Capital’s proposed drill site, which happens to be located 600 meters inside the Sarstoon Temash National Park.

NO FOUL PLAY IN THE DEATH OF AMERICAN WHO DIED IN COROZAL
Retired American Mary Stivers, 62, a resident of Corozal who was originally from Ohio, United States, died after she was rushed to the Corozal Hospital at about 5:00 Saturday morning. Edward Stivers, 61, also a retired American, who was staying with his wife at Copa Banana Guest House in Corozal, told police that he was awakened from his sleep early Saturday morning by sounds coming from Mary’s room, and he went to see what was happening. He said he saw her grasping for breath, and quickly rushed her to the Corozal Hospital, but she died shortly after. Doctors reported that Mary suffered from high cholesterol and hypertension. Police do not suspect foul play in the death, and the death has been declared as having been caused by a massive seizure.

TYRONE MEIGHAN, OREL LESLIE, AND BRANDON BAPTIST BACK ON REMAND
The court prosecutor asked for another adjournment and it was granted. Tyrone Meighan, Orel Leslie, and Brandon Baptist arrived at court today with hopes of going home after the last adjournment of their murder case on August 21, 2013. The three men were accused of killing James Norales, 28, on November 23 last year. Norales was gunned down at the intersection of Fabers Road and the George Price Highway. Police arrived on the scene to find Norales with multiple gunshots to his head, neck and body – left for dead in the middle of the road. The families of Meighan, Leslie, and Baptist were “beside themselves” on the scheduled date of the hearing, which was August 21, after learning that no removal orders were sent for the trio to appear, which is something they believed to be a deliberate act on the prison’s or court’s part. According to what was relayed in court, there was a mix-up in the dates, in which the figure “1” was mistaken for the figure “7”.

BARBARA OGALDEZ, 38, CHARGED WITH DRUG TRAFFICKING OF 106 GRAMS OF CANNABIS
Police found the suspected cannabis inside a pillowcase. Barbara Ogaldez, 38, a resident of #22 Allan Pitts Crescent, was charged with drug trafficking when she appeared before Magistrate Leslie Hamilton this afternoon. According to police, earlier that morning they visited Ogaldez’s home to conduct a search for illegal firearms, but no illegal firearms were found on her premises, inside her house, or on her person. However, as police were conducting the search, inside a pillowcase they found what they suspected to be cannabis, which when weighed, amounted to 106 grams.

POLICE FIND DRUGS IN PRECINCTS 1 AND 2
Police on anti-drug operations in the city between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Friday conducted searches within Precincts I and 2, and were focused on searching possible drug bases and uncovering concealed firearms and ammunition. They primarily targeted those with a criminal profile. Police said that they searched 10 houses, and as a result 4 persons were arrested — 3 of whom were charged with possession of controlled drugs and one of whom was charged for drug trafficking. Two of the persons charged are sisters who were busted with drugs when their house on Allan Pitts Crescent was searched. One was found with 29.4 grams of cannabis and was charged with possession of a controlled drug, while the other was found with 103.6 grams of cannabis. She was charged with drug trafficking.

Blogs

Astrum Helicopters and The Best of Belize on the cover of Southern Boating Magazine
It is always exciting to see when Belize gets in media and magazines, especially a cover shot. Congratulations to Gustavo Giron Jr and Astrum Helicopters for landing the cover shot for the September issue of Southern Boating Magazine. Here is an exerpt from the Best of Belize article that was published in the magazine: There is a lengthy list of sensible reasons why Belize belongs on the must-do list when it comes to Caribbean cruising. First, a two-hour flight from the United States to Belize City makes it easy to travel to, English is the official language and it is one of the most affordable destinations in the Caribbean—the U.S. dollar is widely accepted and is worth twice the Belizean dollar.

National Bank of Belize Opens
The National Bank of Belize opened in Belmopan yesterday, just in time for the September Celebrations. It is being celebrated as the people's bank, and will give loans at terrific rates. "The National Bank of Belize - Of the PEOPLE, for the PEOPLE!" In related news, the Belize Bank in San Ignacio will no longer be opening on Saturdays starting September 14th.

Special Constables Receive Flashlights
The special constables received flashlights recently, which will help them perform their duties better and safer. "On the 2nd September 2013 the Cayo Special Constables Association handed over flashlights the the special constables present. Mr Alberto Palma the chair man of the association did the handing over. This was made possible thru fundraising the SC did. Mr Palma would like to thank all those persons who supported them. Several of the flashlights where donated by the Cayo Neighbourhood Watch Association. The flashlights will be used by the SC's while performing duties along with the San Ignacio Police."

Melonie Gillett Pop the Bottle
Melonie uploaded 8 songs to Soundcloud today. They are from The Dreamer cd, which can be purchased on CD Baby. Thanks Melonie, and great work. "Melonie’s trajectory as a singer/songwriter reached a new plateau with the launch of 'The Dreamer'. She has shared the stage with well-established international talent including Jamaica’s Konshens and Etana, as well as many top Belizean stars. Melonie has dedicated her time and talent to causes such as HIV awareness, improving youth and education services, as well as the fight to eradicate cancer, for which she wrote the stunning single 'Be Her Breath'. Melonie’s versatility and innovative spirit have definitely made her one to watch. She is an award-winning artist whose music and videos shine with a level of creativity that makes her a true original, a star!"

Crested Caracara Reserve
One of the most amazing views of Cayo can be seen from the Crested Caracara Reserve, which is in Central Farm. Definitely a great spot for a small party or meeting. You can see for miles and miles, and even beyond Spanish Lookout from the deck of the palapa. The San Ignacio Resort Hotel does bird watching tours there too. "The Crested Caracara Reserve, behind Running W on the George Price highway, has some spectacular views. They have trails up the mountain if you want to get some exercise while seeing a variety of wildlife."

International Sources

One of Astrum Helicopters's pictures made the cover of Southern Boating Magazine.
“It’s unBelizeable!” One of the Caribbean’s best, best-kept secrets There is a lengthy list of sensible reasons why Belize belongs on the must-do list when it comes to Caribbean cruising. First, a two-hour flight from the United States to Belize City makes it easy to travel to, English is the official language and it is one of the most affordable destinations in the Caribbean—the U.S. dollar is widely accepted and is worth twice the Belizean dollar. Second (or fourth, depending on how you count), electricity is the same as in the U.S., and you can drink the water. (Visit travelbelize.org for details.) But most of all, besides all of the sensible reasons to visit Belize, the country’s overwhelming draw is the natural beauty of its islands, waters and rainforests, along with its intriguing Mayan culture, all of which are wrapped up in an intoxicatingly relaxed way of life. Belize is the pioneer of sustainable tourism and, proud of its abundance of natural wonders, it pampers them and shows them off well. Boating on ancient Mayan waterways brings one close to water birds and crocodiles. The country is chock-full of limestone caves and sinkholes to hike and swim in, some of which even contain Mayan treasures. Belize has a baboon sanctuary and one of the only jaguar preserves in the world. Howler monkeys and toucans peer out of its verdant rainforests. With hundreds of offshore islands, beachcombing, diving, snorkeling, and boating are superb.

Today in Latin American History
Today in Latin American history, the Treaty of Paris was signed permitting British settlers to cut logwood in Belize in 1783. While Spain first allowed by the British to engage in the logwood industry during the 1763 Treaty of Paris, the British introduced slavery to Belize. They imported thousands of slaves from Africa to cut logwood. The Treaty of Versailles in 1783 affirmed the boundaries set by the 1783 Treaty of Paris to cut logwood and later extended by the Convention of London in 1786. Later, British Honduras was formally declared a British Colony in 1871.

September 3, 2013

Last night's TV news on Channel 7 and Channel 5
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

The San Pedro Town Council distributes bags and books
On Friday August 29th, 2013 Councilor Kenrick Brackett and The San Pedro Town Council held an Information Day at the Central Park. There, Brackett handed out school bags, books and a host of other school supplies to a multitude of young students as they got geared up for the new school year. Various short presentations were given by the National AIDS Commission Island Committee (NACIC) and The Ministry of Health (MoH). NACIC’s president Dennis Craft talked about the committee’s upcoming plans for the school year and the various presentations they’d be doing. This was followed by another presentation, by representatives of the Ministry of Health (MoH) Francis Westby and Edgar Lalin, they briefed students on the preventative measures as it relates to the Dengue outbreak in San Pedro Town. MoH also distributed a generous amount of medicated bed nets to families present at the Information Day. At the end of the presentations, Councilor Brackett addressed the crowd, giving the students encouraging words right before members of Traffic Department distributed over 300 school bags, books and supplies to the students present.

Woofer: Customer Assistance
“I’ll never go in a Walmart again in my life,” Charlie said. “Keep on walking fast until we get to the car.” “Neither will I,” I told him. “That was about the most embarrassing moment in my entire life. People are still staring at us.” A few minutes earlier we were happy to be in [...]

Ambergris Today

Police Car Chase and Accident Leaves Woman Seriously Injured
A traffic accident involving a Government of Belize vehicle has left two persons injured after the Polaris crashed into a fence. The San Pedro Police found themselves involved in a car chase trying to detain the driver of the Polaris along with two other passengers. The accident occurred at the corner of Caribeña Street and Barrier Reef Drive in San Pedro Town in the wee hours of Friday, August 30, 2013. According to San Pedro Police, at about 2:30a.m. a team of police officers were on a routine mobile patrol at Central Park when they observed a Polaris slam into a parked golf cart belonging to Mrs. Atlantida Eiley, then reverse and hit the fence at Heritage Bank and fled the scene. The mobile patrol then set chase after the Polaris and it was down the street that they saw the vehicle hit the building (Pelican Properties Office) on the corner of Barrier Reef Drive and Caribeña Street.

Ramon’s Village Resort Bouncing Back after Fire
There is nothing keeping back Ramon’s Village Resort from making a strong comeback after the terrible fire that destroyed a large part of the resort on August 27, 2013. The staff of Ramon’s, seen here with big smiles, happy faces and high spirits, was taken on last week Friday, August 30, 2013 as the resort’s owners Mr. and Mrs. Headrick arrived from the United States. After a talk and prayer with his staff, Mr. Richard Headrick and his staff got back to work to get the resort up and running. As plans get ready for reconstruction, the resort is still open for business with the 40 rooms that were not damaged by the fire and a fully functioning dive shop.

Misc Belizean Sources

FISHING REPORT August 24 – 31st, 2013
Island time is here. It’s a slower pace in terms of people, but not fish. The fish are here – but they are tough to find in the storm. Anglers were persistent and they were rewarded. Maybe everyone didn’t get their prize fish this time, but one thing I know for sure – they are leaving much better anglers. Thanks everyone for a fun week.

Tlacoyos: A Mexican Grilled Snack That Tempted The Conquistadors
For the last in a summer series of grilled food from around the world, we head to Mexico, where a small doughy treat is found everywhere from street corner grills to high-end restaurants. It's called a tlacoyo (pronounced tla-COY-yo) and although it may sound novel, it's an ancient food that's older than Hernan Cortes. To taste the best tlacoyos, I was told I had to go to Xochimilco, the sprawling suburb in southern Mexico City. Juana Pina Gonzales has been selling them in the region for 25 years. She only uses blue corn masa — the dough used to make a tortilla — and stuffs the dough with all kinds of fillings, including smashed pinto or fava beans, a potato puree, mushrooms or a light cheese similar to ricotta.

George Price Art Competition
Primary and High school students are invited to submit entries for the George Price Art Competition. Submissions will be accepted through September 16th, and the winners will be announced on the 19th. For more information, contact the Benque House of Culture at 823-2697. Happy September Celebrations!

Sunday Show Day at Express Oh! Cafe
Express Oh! had their first Sunday Show day, and it was a huge success. They had food, coffee, entertainment, face painting, and much more. Emmanuel Mangar played, with Jose Barrera backing him up on drums. Dania Arana also sang. Hopefully, this will be a monthly event. "Musical Performances, Singing, Dancing, Story telling, Face painting, lots of snacks and delicious drinks for sale... Lots of fun in Santa Elena :) BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ATTENDED!!!"

BNDC Carnival Spirit
The Belize National Dance Company performed many times while at Carifesta in Suriname. Here's another one of their performances. Great job representing Belize! Happy September! "Performance at CARIFESTA XI in Suriname (20.8.2013)"

Channel 7

National Bank Launched; PM Says Not a “Political Pork Barrel”
The National Bank of Belize opened its doors in Belmopan today. Offering low cost credit to teachers, public servants and regular Belizeans, it is a major initiative for the Barrow Administration in its second term. And like a long distance runner who just got a second wind, the Prime Minister today seemed emboldened by having finally crystallized and brought into being an idea long imagined: a people’s bank. We were at the opening and found out more:.. Hon. Dean Barrow - Prime Minister of Belize "The launch of the National Bank of Belize is an accomplishment for the ages." The ribbon was cut this morning, the plaque unveiled and The National Bank of Belize on Forest Drive in Belmopan opened for business this afternoon. It is as the Chairman said, a different kind of bank: Hon. A. Joy Grant - Chairman, National Bank of Belize "A bank whose focus is on serving the financial interest of all Belizeans, whosegoal is not about maximizing profit - but about providing the working class Belizean with the financial assistance and knowledge they require to improve their living standards throught the construction."

PM Says NCL MOU Omitted Major Clause
And while the news of the day was the national bank – the media had a laundry list of issues to question the Prime Minister about. First up was Norwegian Cruise Line. On Friday, the members of FECTAB told us after meeting with the PM that a new Memorandum of Understanding was being prepared. The PM today told the press it is not a new MOU, but a final contract, which will be taken to the House of Representatives. Hon. Dean Barrow - Prime Minister of Belize "It’s a misnomer to call it MOU; we’re moving to a point where there is going to be a legally binding contract and I have promised that some of the things that either weren’t clear or that NCL apparently didn’t understand in the MOU will be reflected in the legally binding contract." Jules Vasquez "And that is principally the issue of ships migrating south?" Hon. Dean Barrow "Yes, in two ways; there is to be no diversion of the current Belize City calls and there is to be no use of that port by ships other than NCL ships. When I went back I didn’t see that in the MOU; we had made that clear in Cabinet, I don’t know how it didn’t find its way in the MOU but I am saying, I am putting them on notice and it’s not that I am taking them by surprise because this was our position throughout; the binding agreement will make that absolutely clear."

PM On PAC: Takes A Shot At NTUCB, Hits Hon. Finnegan As Collateral Damage
Another issue of much public interest is the Public Accounts Committee; Government and The Opposition disagree sharply about the way forward for this important House committee. The opposition wants to re-constitute the membership completely; Government wants it to say as is; The Opposition wants to review Auditor General Reports from 2012 going forward; the Government wants them to go back to 2008. The Chamber of Commerce, which had initially jumped on the Opposition plan – has backed off, and simply urged both sides to get along. But the National Trade Union Congress of Belize is sticking with the Opposition model, and has criticized the Prime Minister for not having the will to push forward with real reform. Today, he shot back at the NTUCB, and claimed his Party Whip Michael Finnegan as collateral damage in the process: Jules Vasquez "You had mentioned that it would be too costly or too complex to change it." Hon. Dean Barrow - Prime Minister of Belize "I don't care what they buy - let me make it clear again, I am not going to offend the principle of 'majority rules', I am not going to offend the standing orders of the House. Note that the Chamber of Commerce quite sensibly said 'in effect, we're not really interested in any restructuring of the Public Accounts Committee - all we want is to see the work done'. I've already put forward a proposal that can get the work done, so with every respect to the NTUCB and not to quarrel with them - we will press on and there will be no restructuring of the Public Accounts Committee so as to make it unruly and to violate not just the standing orders but the whole principle of democracy."

Court: She Put A Hit On Her Hubby
Tonight, 38 year-old Frances Eve Ayala Wilson, a resident of San Ignacio, is in jail after she was taken to court for allegedly putting a hit out on her husband. According to her spouse, British born Glencoe Wilson, he found out that Wilson hired a police officer offering her $10,000 to kill him on April 24 of this year. The Wilson’s recently married, and according to Glen Wilson, she supposedly wanted to get rid of him to get his money. It’s an allegation which emerged in early August. Police investigated for all that time, and they finally charged Frances Wilson with abetment to commit murder. She was arraigned today before Magistrate Leslie Hamilton, who listened to the submission for bail from both the prosecutor, and her attorney, Simeon Sampson. After careful consideration, Magistrate Hamilton remanded her to prison until September 17, 2013, her next court date.

Greg On Why He’s Going
As the news ended on Friday, we confirmed that Greg Choc was leaving SATIIM to go study law. What had been reported two days prior and rumored for weeks was confirmed in a press conference Greg Ch’oc held in the village of Midway in Toledo on Friday just before news time. Though he had been hounded by the media for days, and was surrounded by the press on Friday in Toledo, he delayed the announcement until he was quote, “among his people” in remote Midway – two hours of rough road south of Punta Gorda Town. He explained that he had been accepted to the University of West Indies Cave Hill Campus: Gregory Ch'oc - Executive Director, SATIM "I am not going anywhere, I am here to continue the struggle with the Maya Communities - yes I have been accepted to law school - it's a personal decision that I have taken in consultation with the leaders of these communities. They have given me their trust to lead them and it's only right that I consult with them. When I decide to go, there will be someone that will rise to the challenge to continue to honor the legacy of resistant of our ancestors. For now, I am going to be here - I am related with the highest spirit of the communities whose support I enjoy, whose trust I hold dearly. It will probably be for one year."

The Media Makes A Trek Through Temash
And, as we told you that press conference came at the end of day 1 of an extensive tour which Ch’oc organized. One of the central issues which he wanted to deal with first hand is the impending exploration by US Capital Energy inside the Sarstoon Temash National Park. SATIIM’s co-management contract was taken off the table a month ago, but because the Mayan communities of the Toledo believe that the national park sits on Maya Customary Lands, they say they continue to have authority over park territory. And according to SATIIM, that’s being threatened by this oil exploration, and so they’ve been making regular media rounds to keep the issue fresh in the public’s mind. He did so once again, by taking us to the drill site on Friday, and our Daniel Ortiz has that story: Daniel Ortiz reporting SATIM took the media to the drill site, inside the Sarstoon Temash National Park, on Friday afternoon. The trip started with a 30-minute boat ride from Punta Gorda town to the estuary of Temash River. From there, SATIM took us up the river for another twenty minutes before we arrived at their final chosen entrance. Here Ch'oc briefed us about where we were and why he chose that location.

PM Says STNP Is For GOB
And while that story shows the high level of friction between the buffer communities and US Capital Energy – from the perspective of the state, the directive remains: Drill at Will. As the PM told the media today, he sees no issue in between competing claims on ownership and control of the lands US Capital hopes to drill on. He says those are vested thoroughly and exclusively in the state: Reporter "Are the current relations between the government and the Maya people concerning to you and how do you foresee things going forward?" Hon. Dean Barrow - Prime Minister of Belize "Are the relations concerning? No, not more than, I am concerned about all the people of Belize and the relations with all of them." Reporter "In terms of them thinking of changing their approach." Hon. Dean Barrow "I don't know that." Reporter "and their hard talk." Hon. Dean Barrow "Well, as Jules Vasquez famously said, I famously don't watch the news. No I'm not worried about that. We have, I believe, put out a statement saying that we respect the courts' decision, even though we are appealing it and so no new titles, nothing of the sort will be done, in the Toledo District; that ought to satisfy them. If it doesn't, then I'm afraid they are off base, they are out of kilter. The SATIM National Park is a National Park you know. The court hearings, the litigation, were at the instance of the villages and the court talked about lands owned by the villages. As far as I am concerned, the national park is not included in that and in any event, the national park is subject to a particular legal and statutory regime. In my view, there can be no question of any kind of ownership, other than the ownership of the state, when it comes to national park."

Craziness At Court
Since November of last year, Orel Leslie, Tyrone Meighan and Brandon Baptist have been on remand awaiting trial for the murder of 28 year-old James Norales, who was shot to death on November 23, 2012. They’ve been in and out of court since then awaiting a preliminary inquiry, to see if the court has enough evidence to try them for the murder. Today, after several adjournments, the preliminary inquiry was expected to commence once again, the prosecutor told the court he could not move forward. The families of the accused men, as well as several police officers, expected that the matter was to be struck out again, but the magistrate gave one final adjournment. And so, while the men were being transported back to the holding cell, they got into a scuffle with those additional officers, who were attempting to re-arrest without knowing that the current case was still live.

Brazen Broad Daylight Robbery Of Brodies Payroll
There’s always a spike in major crime when September rolls around – due in part to financial pressures as parents have to find money to put their kids in school and because extra money is required for the Celebration month. That trend may be manifesting itself once again in a rash of robberies and burglaries being reported this weekend. The biggest one happened on Saturday afternoon in Belize – in a broad daylight armed robbery that netted thieves almost fifty thousand dollars. At 4:30, 52 year old Security Guard for Brodies was walking from James Brodies Store on Albert Street just across to First Caribbean Bank to make a cash deposit. That’s the heart of downtown on a busy Saturday afternoon, but that didn’t stop a gunman from walking up and demanding the black plastic bag he carried. Inside that bag were four cash bags to a total amount of $46,064 dollars, which he handed over.

CITCO Takes Big Busses Off Streets
This morning, the Belize City Traffic Department impounded 6 city buses and stopped them from running their routes today. There was nothing wrong with these buses and their drivers other than the buses have been assessed by City hall as being too big for the streets in downtown Belize City. And so today, the drivers were pulled off their runs and stopped from operating. They were upset with the decision, and today they told us that they don’t agree with the decision, especially because they’ve made investments to prepare for the opening of the new school year – which started today. Here’s how they explained it: Dexter Hemmans -Bus Driver "This morning they came and told us that our bus won't be able to run again, they didn't give us any notice in writing, they are just saying that they will take off the big bus off the run. I went upstairs and I sat down with Mr. Jenkins and he told me that my bus can't run anymore, and I told him, 'boss, I got a loan so that I can get my bus', we run under a company name, and I need to pay my loan everyday so I can get out of debt and I can sustain myself and my family. It's quite unfair what those people are doing, we as Belizeans have a right to earn an honest living. I am in this business for about ten years now, and we have other senior men that are here about 19 years, 15 years. I think it is quite unfair what is happening. The Haitians say they will stop the dollar van, they are still running, they have no license plate."

Opening Of The Celebration Season
On Sunday the official ceremony marking the opening of the September Celebrations was held in the one-time colonial capital of Belize, St. George's Caye. This year the country will be celebrating its 215th anniversary of the Battle of St. George’s Caye and the 32nd anniversary of Independence. The village chairman of St. Geroge;s Caye underscored the importance of the Tenth:… Johnny Searle Jr. -Chairman of St. George's Caye "As the chairman of the St. George's Caye Village Council, it's my honor and privilege to welcome you to St. George's Caye for the opening ceremonies of the September Celebrations. As I look around I see many familiar faces and I see a few new ones but the one thing I saw in everyone's face this morning as I greeted everyone, was that they have this joy and happiness in them that's Belize. I'm not sure, I can't put my finger on exactly what it is, or even if it's one single thing but I think it's a number of factors that come together when you are here in Belize. Even the visitors that come to Belize see it and they feel it too and if they stay for a while, they get it too, because it's contagious.

Belize City’s Best Public Space Declared Open
And while that was Sunday on St, George’s Caye, on Saturday in Belize City the Fort Point Pedestrian Walk and refurbished Memorial Park was declared open. Work on the project started 18 months ago in February of 2012. At its completion, its completely transformed the Fort Point Area. And while we can quibble about some of the style elements, there’s no arguing that the two-acre park has been positively transformed. Keynote speakers addressed that fact:.. Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. - Minister of Tourism "3000 Belizeans employed in meaningful employment and more than 500 citizens reside in this area. The Fort George area continues to serve a central hub for comers and tourism activity." Darrell Bradley - Mayor of Belize City "So that we have a park that is first class and first world - befitting our residents and the users of this space."

PM Says Regional Reports Wrong, Petrocaribe Rates Not Going Up
As you might have heard the Prime Minister say at the top of the newscast, the new National Bank is being capitalized by Petrocaribe funds. As we’ve reported that money comes from sales of fuel imported into Belize from Venezuela, for which Government only has to pay half, while getting the other half on credit at very favourable terms. But how much Petrocaribe money does government have? We’ve also heard that Petrocaribe finds will be used to build new sports facilities under Belize Infrastructure Limited. Well, the PM isn’t saying how much is in the bag, but it’s clear he hopes Petro-dollars can push an economic boom in the second half of the year:.. Hon. Dean Barrow - Prime Minister of Belize "This economy is going to grow by leaps and bounds because of this huge infrastructure push that government will make and as I'm saying - I have the where it all to fund."

Channel 5

The National Bank of Belize opens its doors; initial interest rate is at 5.5%
The National Bank of Belize Limited was established in April 2013, and today its doors were opened to the general public in Belmopan. The state-owned bank will primarily provide concessionary [...]

SATIIM’s media tour of Temash Two goes without a hitch
Last Friday and Saturday, the media was hosted by SATIIM on a trip to the Sarstoon Temash National Park to witness first-hand ongoing work by U.S. Capital Energy. On the [...]

Barrow says ruling on communal land does not include Sarstoon Temash National Park
SATIIM and Mayan leaders of communities in the Sarstoon Temash National Park are waging war against the government of Belize. They feel that government is not recognizing rights which the [...]

Greg Ch’oc says he’ll study law and clarifies whether he has resigned from SATIIM
Greg Ch’oc, the Executive Director of SATIIM, also used the trip to Sarstoon Temash to provide clarity to the question of whether he had resigned from the N.G.O. Speaking in [...]

Government goes full steam ahead with NCL Project
The memorandum of understanding between the government of Belize and Norwegian Cruise Lines is a done deal, and the parties are not allowing any grass to grow under their feet. [...]

P.M. Barrow says N.T.U.C.B. mixing up the ham and the hammer with the PAC
Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee Julius Espat has summoned the members of that committee to a meeting. That is set for this Wednesday, but meanwhile there is much drama [...]

P.M. says economy to grow courtesy of BIL
There was a contraction of the economy in the first quarter of 2013 – a negative point five percent. The Statistical Institute of Belize cited downturns in the citrus, banana [...]

British National speaks out on wife’s hit on his life
Last Friday, police detained a San Ignacio woman, who was in hiding, for allegedly plotting to have her husband eliminated. Frances Ayala Wilson and her husband, Glen Wilson, have been [...]

His wife, Frances Ayala Wilson, remanded to Court
In court today, her attorney, Simeon Sampson claimed that she was staying at her father’s home San Ignacio Town, but police came up empty-handed despite several attempted to apprehend her. [...]

Belize City traffic woes
Today was the beginning of classes for primary schools across the country. But here in Belize City, a number of students and commuters from various areas were without transportation because [...]

Residents versus Roman Catholic School in Big Falls, Colombia
The academic year 2013, for primary schools across the country, began today. While parents, students and teachers were on hand to commence the first day of classes, in Big Falls, [...]

The Memorial Park is now the Fort Point Pedestrian Walk
Despite the rains earlier in the day, the official inauguration of the transformed Memorial Park went on schedule on Saturday. The park, which was once dedicated to the soldiers who [...]

Lionman Triathlon, Billiards and Female Football on Sports Monday
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday. The 14th Annual Lionman triathlon was staged at the Sanlighter Promenade on Princess Margaret Drive yesterday as some 46 [...]

LOVE FM

Belize Crowns New Queen of the Bay
Belizeans gathered at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts on Friday August 30th, to witness the Sixty Eighth Annual Miss Queen of the Bay Pageant. The pageant was this year held in two parts, the first which was the talent competition which was held two weeks prior and in which Miss Belmopan Mikayla Banner and second place by Miss Toledo, Jahrine Avila. On Friday the seven beauties contested in the presentation, curtsey, and question and answer categories. Jahrine Avila will be officially crowned Queen of the Bay 2013-2014 by outgoing Queen of the Bay, Yadira Argueta, on September 10 during the Official Battle of Saint George’s Caye Ceremony.

Prime Minister Clarifies Points Regarding Norwegian Cruise Line
Another burning issue on the news lately is the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Belize and Norwegian Cruise Line. It had come under some heavy criticism by the Federation of Cruise Tourism Association of Belize, FECTAB. Since their condemnation, the PM met with the leaders of the group and today he gave reporters the Government’s perspective on the Norwegian MOU. RT. HON. DEAN BARROW “As we did with ASI, there would have to be a legally binding agreement between Government and NCL; so, that’s what I was talking about, it’s a misnomer to call it MOU; we’re moving to a point where there is going to be a legally binding contract and I have promised that some of the things that either weren’t clear or that NCL apparently didn’t’ understand will be reflected in the legally binding contract.” LOCAL REPORTER “Is that principally the issue of ships migrating south?” RT. HON. DEAN BARROW “Yes, in two ways; there is to be no diversion of the current Belize City calls and there is to be no use of that port by ships other than NCL ships. When I went back I didn’t see that in the MOU; we had made that clear in Cabinet, I don’t know how it didn’t find its way in the MOU but I am saying, I am putting them on notice and it’s not that I am taking them by surprise because this was our position throughout; the binding agreement will make that absolutely clear.”

Man Succumbs Following Attack in His Home
On August 23, we told you about Kenneth Flowers, the man who was chopped on face while on his bed sleeping at his residence in Mahogany Heights. Flowers was suffering from three large cut wounds and was rushed to the Karl Huesner Memorial Hospital by police. News tonight is that Flowers succumbed to his injuries over the weekend and as a result, police are now investigating a murder. As we reported, Hattieville police visited Flowers’ residence where they found him in a sitting position with three large chop wounds to his face and bleeding profusely. At that time, it was reported that police had detained two young men from the village pending the outcome of the investigations.

Belizean Woman Propositions Policeman to Kill Her British Husband
Thirty-nine year old Frances Ayala Wilson, a house wife and mother who allegedly wanted to pay $10,000.00 for a “hit” on her husband, was charged with abetment of murder when she appeared in the court of Magistrate Leslie Hamilton. No plea was taken because the offence is indictable. The prosecutor objected to bail on the grounds that Ayala is a flight risk because she was hiding from the police and that the offence is of a serious nature. Ayala’s attorney, Simeon Sampson, responded by submitting that she was arrested at her father’s home in Benque Viejo and if she wanted to abscond she could have done so because the border with Guatemala is a short distance away. Magistrate Hamilton upheld the objection on the ground that the offence is of a serious nature because it carries a penalty of life imprisonment. He remanded Ayala into custody until September 16. According to the allegation, on April 24, Ayala solicited the commission of the crime of murder by the act of asking a police officer to find someone to kill her husband, for the sum of $10,000.00. Ayala married a wealthy British national, in 2009 and the couple was living in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, until about three months ago when Wilson allegedly found out that a police officer was approached to take the job to kill him.

City Council Says Bus Is Too Big For City Runs
Several bus passengers were left to waiting at the Belize City Bus terminal this afternoon when six runs from Transit Belize were reportedly cancelled by the Belize City Council. Dextor Hemmans a driver for Belize Transit spoke to Love News that his runs were taken away because the bus he operates is too large. DEXTOR HEMMANS “This morning I was on my regular run and a traffic officer came and told the passengers on my bus that they have to come off and that we had to go and park by the Traffic Department and told me that our bus was too large to be running in the city. I asked Mr. Jenkins if this has been passed in law because everything has laws and he told me that is what they are doing within the City Council. They did send me a letter in 2011 but things are hard; one bus tire is eight hundred dollars much less to go and buy a bus for fifteen or twenty thousand dollars; we can’t afford that right now, we are barely making a living. We have been operating since 2008 and on a daily basis; we transport about 400 – 500 persons at one dollar per person and fifty cents for children.

Unemployed Belizean Owes Court for Eleven Convictions
Forty year old Dean Banner, a resident of Isabella Bank, who owes the court and said that he could not pay because he could not work, was sentenced to six months imprisonment today by Magistrate Leslie Hamilton after he pled guilty to damage to property. Magistrate Hamilton said that the sentence is to run concurrently to any other sentence he is serving. Banner owes the court for 11 convictions, one of them for damage to property. The incident occurred around 8:25 p.m. on Friday, August 30. Banner’s ex-common-law wife, reported to the police that when she arrived at her house she saw Banner standing by her bedroom window and then Banner went to her front door and kicked it until it broke at the bottom. She said the door has a value of $250.00.

Belize Boasts Fort Point Pedestrian Walk During Village Expo for Local Artisans
September Celebrations started out with a bang. Even before the month of September saw its first day, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture along with the Belize Tourism Board the Inter-American Development Bank and the Belize City Council inaugurated the newly renovated area of Fort George, the Fort Point Pedestrian Walk and launched the Village Expo which was held at the same location. At the ceremony Mayor of Belize City Darrel Bradley welcomed the attendants as he reminded them of the history and importance of the area, calling the project reclamation of the city. DARREL BRADLEY “There were those in our community who had lost hope; who were saying that our city was on decline and this park and this space really represents the transformation of our community, the reclaiming for Belize City for the benefit of all those who call Belize City their home and for all those who visit our shores.” During his Keynote address, Minister of Tourism and Culture Manuel Heredia said he is proud that his ministry was given the opportunity through the IDB funded Sustainable Tourism Program to build and enhance that community as a tourism and leisure destination

Leader for Indigenous Group in Belize Tells Media About The Threats He Has Gotten
There were at least three different times when there was some level of tension throughout the media tour conducted by SATIIM at one of the drilling sites in the Sarstoon Temash National Park Area and surrounding communities. Perhaps the biggest and obvious moment was when Choc, for the first time, spoke publicly on the dangers he has faced due to his work as an activist. Choc, who has always shown a strong fortitude, became visibly emotional during this part of his speech. GREGORY CHOC “I never resigned as the Executive Director of SATIIM; I have never tendered my resignation at no time. As I have said, I have been accepted at law school and as I said earlier, the trust and the responsibility given to me by these communities, I have to consult and I have consulted with them and it is within that that I believe the information was leaked and obviously, those who don’t like what we do, took it to another level.” Choc says that the reality of the dangers that come with the work he and the community leaders have embarked on are all too real and is something each is aware of.

National Bank Offers Loan For First Time Home Owners
The symbolic cutting of the ribbon and release of balloons today at the entrance of Forest Drive marked the historic opening of Belize’s first national bank. The financial entity was the brainchild of Prime Minister Dean Barrow, on the advice of people alive and departed with wide-ranging backgrounds in economics. The facility, according to the PM, will start off operations with a 20 million-dollar investment by the Government of Belize, which was sourced through loan funds from Petro Caribe through Venezuela’s former President, Hugo Chavez and his successor, Nicholas Maduro. RT. HON. DEAN BARROW “With the twenty million dollar capital contribution, the bank will, as you have heard, at the beginning will operate solely as a mortgage financing institution and its exclusive home construction loan portfolio will cater in equal proportions to public officers and teachers on one hand and then to the larger public. Loans will be for a maximum of one hundred thousand dollars and this is for first time home owners, so, there will not be any refinancing of existing loans held with other institutions.” The impetus behind the initiative is derived from what Prime Minister Barrow believes is top-heavy interest rates offered by existing commercial banks.

September Celebrations Officially Launched on Former Battle Ground
Sunday was the first of September and as such, officials and other Belizeans gathered at St. George’s Caye where the September Celebrations 2013 honoring two hundred and fifteen years of the battle of St. George’s Caye and thirty two years of independence were officially launched. In his welcome speech, the Chairman of the Village Council of St. George’s Caye, John Searle Junior, spoke of Being and feeling Belizean as he contemplated this year’s theme of Belize in you, Belize in me, Land of the Free.

PlusTV

US Capital claims SATIIM is spreading misinformation
On Friday morning PLUS News and other media houses embarked on a two-day visit to the Toledo District, specifically the Sarstoon Temash National Park and surrounding buffer communities. The issue has been much in the news over recent days due to last Friday’s confrontation between...

Mother of two children who almost perished in fire criminally charged
A mother of two children who almost perished in a fire is now in prison. Twenty five year old Shanel Robinson was arraigned in court this morning on child abandonment. According to police reports, the Belize City mother left her two children, ages three and four, alone in their...

Former FFB president ordered by court to pay up
Former President of the FFB Bertie Chimillo was in court again on Friday. As we told you in Thursday night’s newscast, Mr Chimilio was summoned to court by the Income tax Department regarding the recovery of arrears. The record is showing that Mr Chimillo owes income tax some $13,900 plus...

Oceana representative in Belize looking for new country head
On Thursday, Oceana Chile Vice President Alex Munoz met with the Belizean media to explain the process for searching for a new head of Oceana in the Belize office. That task will be very difficult, since filling Shepherd’s shoes will be a challenging one. But the Chilean VP explains...

Prayers said after Ramon’s Village fire
Restoration has begun following the destruction of some 30 units at the Ramon’s Village Resort in San Pedro. The establishment, which has been in operation since 1982, was partially destroyed by fire on Tuesday night. The institution’s design and construction personnel have been on the...

Dr. Theodore Aranda appears on Rise and Shine and discusses political conflict during Independence process
Dr. Theodore Aranda was a guest on Rise and Shine on Tuesday of this week. As a political pioneer with a unique perspective, Dr. Aranda was able to discuss the actions of both main political parties during the time of Independence. Doctor Theodore Aranda: We have got to start...

Hon Wilfred Elrington donates equipment to form a youth drum corps
On Wednesday we told you of new assistance for the Police in fighting crime. The other half of the crime-fighting equation is community outreach, and in Police Precinct 2, located south of Central American Boulevard, it is Sergeant Brent Hamilton and others who are leading that fight. On Friday...

Oscar Mira pursues a political career
You might have heard of the new face that has recently left a comfortable post as the Deputy National Security Coordinator to pursue a political Career. He grew up in Belmopan and is now inspired to compete for the position of the PUP standard bearer in the Belmopan Constituency....

New ATV will assist with safety and rescue efforts at cave sites
The Government of Belize has received counterpart funding from the European Union through the Belize Rural Development Program II to finance a project entitled “Making Tourism Benefit Communities Adjacent to Archaeological Sites.” Co-financing for the project is being provided by the Government of Belize, through...

Hawksworth Bridge closed for maintainance
The Ministry of Works and Transport is currently undergoing maintenance work in the West. and as a result the Hawksworth Bridge will be periodically closed off for the next week. The closure takes effect from now to Friday, September 6. Closing time is from 9:00pm to 4:00am daily.

Caye Caulker Chronicles

End of Summer Bash at 88 West Sat. Aug 24th

“Garbage Warriors” needed
Dear Trash Pick up Volunteer (or as I like to call us, “Garbage Warriors”), the Caye Caulker Health Committee is organizing a garbage pick up on September 28th and 29th at 7:am, meeting point at the Split, your help will be much appreciated.

If you have extra computer mice …
Do you have computer mice?! Ocean Academy is looking for 10 computer mice for students to use in the computer lab. If you have one you no longer use, please bring it to Ocean Academy, to Sea Dreams Hotel front desk, or in the afternoon to the community library. Thank you!

Businesses close down for slow season
The months of September and October are traditionally very slow tourism-wise. During these two months, business owners usually close down and take time out for themselves and their families. The staff usually also enjoy the welcome break. It is grueling to work non-stop, 7 days a week, for ten straight months. Some businesses usually take this time to renovate and upgrade their facilities. To those businesses who are closing down for the break, we wish you an enjoyable vacay. See you next season!

Caye Caulker Humane Society fundraiser a success!
After a week delay the fundraiser on the beach was a go this afternoon (August 31, 2013). A fair amount of dogs got a flea and tick bath, lots of puppies came by for their shots and we sold a lot of beer for the good cause. Here’s an impression of the day. A total of $1512 was raised. Congratulations to all for a successful day. Photos from the Caye Caulker Humane Society facebook page.

Ocean Academy is looking for volunteers…
Ocean Academy is looking for volunteers (small stipend available) to work with high-schools students for an hour in Tuesday elective class or Thursday P.E. class. 3:30-4:30. Students choose to enrol so they are interested and keen, and class size is small (6-10). We are particularly interested in anyone who can coach basketball, garden/compost, photography, dance or computer skills. Please contact the school at 226-0321 or email principal.oa@gmail.com

The Reporter

Trade Union backs PAC reform
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) dissected and took issue this week with Cabinet’s rationale for not implementing reforms to the Public Accounts Committee.

City Hall and Stephen Okeke agree on sale of Antonio Soberanis bust
Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley announced Wednesday that the Belize City Council has finalized negotiations with sculptor Stephen Okeke on the purchase of his definitive bust of Belize’s legendary labor leader Antonio Soberanis.

Fire guts Ramon’s Village Hotel – 29 cabanas destroyed
Ramon’s Village, one of San Pedro Town’s most popular tourist resorts, was partially wiped out during a fire that started around eight o’clock on Tuesday night.

Maya Leaders release UN letter to GOB
The Maya Leaders Alliance has made public a correspondence sent to the Government of Belize by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, inquiring about human rights violations in southern Belize.

Editorial
Now that the Government of Belize has reached agreement with Norwegian Cruise Lines for a 25-year development concession for its proposed pleasure island at Harvest Caye, it seems only right and fair that it should give similar favourable consideration to proposals for Stake Bank and North Drowned Caye.

The Media: influencer of the people and political will
The cornucopias of structural and social issues that have been dominating the collective psyche of the Belizean populace of late (and of old) have repeatedly led the socially aware and conscious to ask one seemingly redundant question: why hasn’t anything changed?

More honors for West and Gaynair for reporting match-fixing attempt
Belizean heroes Ian Gaynair, who scored Belize’s only goal in 2013 Gold Cup USA, and goalkeeper Woodrow West continue to receive accolades honoring their honesty and integrity in reporting the attempt to bribe them into match-fixing.

CARICOM member states call for reparation; Belize is slow to act
The Government of Belize has finally decided to form a reparations committee. The decision, which was reportedly made at last Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, comes more than a month after July’s Caribbean Communities (CARICOM)’s 34th Heads of Government Meeting. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official told Reporter that Adalbert Tucker, a [...]

Mexican Foreign Minister, Dr. Jose Antonio Meade, visits Belize
By Aaron Humes Freelance Reporter Former Secretary of Finance and Energy in the administration of President of Mexico Felipe Calderon, Dr. Jose Antonio Meade Kuribrena, has stayed on in the cabinet of Calderon’s successor, Enrique Peña Nieto, as Secretary for Foreign Relations.

The Migration Issue
Population migration has been key to the development of communities, nations and continents. When man first set foot on planet Earth, there were two burning human instincts that to this day has helped to form the backbone of human nature. That is the innate curiosity to explore and to use [...]

Belize City woman gets remanded on drug trafficking charges
A Belize City woman was remanded to prison, following arraignment on two drug trafficking charges in the Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, for a quantity of marijuana weighing around 75 pounds.

Mark Seawell fights extradition to U.S. in habeas corpus case
By Aaron Humes Freelance reporter Accused drug trafficker Mark Seawell’s application for a writ of habeas corpus concluded yesterday, Monday, in the Supreme Court. It began a few hours late on Thursday morning, August 15, after the vehicle going Hattieville to bring Seawell down to the hearing experienced problems.

Brazil’s foreign minister resigns amid row with Bolivia
Antonio Patriota, Brazil’s foreign minister, stepped down Monday night amid a diplomatic row with neighboring Bolivia. President Dilma Rousseff’s office issued a brief statement, saying Patriota had submitted his resignation and would be replaced by Brazil’s representative at the United Nations, Luiz Alberto Figueiredo.

United Nations says it will contact United States over spying report
The United Nations said on Monday it plans to contact the United States over a report that the U.S. National Security Agency bugged its New York headquarters and warned that countries are expected to respect the world body’s diplomatic inviolability.

Walking linked to fewer strokes in women
Women who walk at least three hours every week are less likely to suffer a stroke than women who walk less or not at all, according to new research from Spain.

Cocaine rapidly changes the brain
Taking cocaine can change the structure of the brain within hours in what could be the first steps of drug addiction, according to US researchers.

Belize girls win 3 in Central American U-20 volleyball championship
The Belize National Under-18 female volleyball team won three games against Honduras, El Salvador and Panama, but finished in fourth place after three losses at the Under-20 Central American championships held in Santa Rosa de Copan, Honduras from August 19-25. It was still a considerable improvement over the previous team [...]

Belize girls score 7 goals at CA U-20 Football Championship
The Belize National Under-20 football girls, the Lady Jaguars, returned to a warm welcome from the Football Federation of Belize on Monday, August 26, after scoring seven goals in three matches at the UNCAF Under-20 Football Championships in Comayagua. They were on the receiving end for 10 goals and lost [...]

Blogs

My Personal Cooking Lesson at Elvi’s Kitchen: Secret Recipes, Prince Harry and Jennie’s Trip to NYC
It was something that we’d be planning to do for a while but last week, the invite came! I was most cordially invited (I added that part) to the kitchen – the inner sanctum – of one of San Pedro’s oldest and most favorite restaurants, Elvi’s Kitchen, for my own personal lesson in cooking. How cool is that? Elvi’s Kitchen was started by San Pedrana Elvia Staines almost 40 years ago on the island as a tiny “hole in the wall” called Elvi’s Burger Isle. She built two palapas under a large flamboyant tree. For the full history, check their website. Many years later, the tree (now deceased…RIP buddy) is still in the middle of the MUCH LARGER establishment.

Photo of the day: Sunset in western Belize
In this blogpost, we share one of many magical sunsets that you get to enjoy in the western Maya foothills of Belize. Given the geographical location, we are surrounded by Maya foothills that hide the sun as night sets in, and it makes for sunset photography. Only this time, it was captured with an iPhone, conveniently on the go.

“Just the Two of Us” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
Those of you that read Sunday’s edition will know that I was eagerly (OK, and nervously) looking forward (there must be a bit of a masochist in me!) to the Arsenal v Spurs game. Got everything done – including breakfast for Rose – before the kick-off (09.00 hours local time). TV tuned in to channel 103 (NBC). Nicely positioned on the sofa when the players walked on to the pitch. And then catastrophe … the signal was lost. Try as I might (and believe me I did try) I could not get the match. Left with no alternative I switched to the Internet (at least it was working) and listened to the game on Talk Sport (a UK radio station). No where near as good as watching Arsenal beat Spurs by a thumping (sic) one nil but at least I was ‘there’. Figuratively speaking. Not much else to say about the remainder of the day really but I did manage to persuade (after much cajoling) Rose to venture out with her bruised and swollen face.

International Sources

For fantastic adventure, consider Belize
Have a blast in Belize: Belize has so much to offer: snorkeling, Mayan ruins, scuba diving and fabulous food. But it's more expensive than other Central American countries. Juliana Goodwin explores... Belize is a land of diversity. On the mainland, dense jungles shroud ancient Mayan ruins. On the islands, long stretches of beaches attract throngs of tourists. There are more than 500 species of birds; 145 species of mammals and nearly 140 species of reptiles and amphibians, including crocodiles and iguanas. Marine life includes everything from whale sharks to manatees to clown fish.

September 2, 2013

Last night's TV news on Channel 7 and Channel 5
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The latest Tia Chocolate column is ready for reading!!!
El Tata Duende:
When inspiration for this new venture struck, my first thought was: my grandmother will be rolling over in her grave. Purists may be very unhappy as I take on stories, legends really, and bastardize them as only I can. But you see, one important lesson I got when I was learning about literature and reading was that authors (and I use that term loosely for myself) - they write what they know. Often, it is what has been living in their heads all their lives, and they know it so intimately. Others write what they have lived, what they know they ought to have lived, or what they know they want.

Misc Belizean Sources

"Habitat for Hounds"
"Habitat for Hounds" is a community initiative geared towards providing well crafted, low cost dog homes for dog owners.

September Celebration Specials
Happy September! There are many great deals to be found this September, including Running W's September Celebrations Package and Tropic Air's Kids Fly Free promotion. Many Cayo hotels are also offering discounts for the month. If you'd like to see all the events for the month, check out this link.

Vanny Pat New Queen of the West
Congratulations, Vanny Pat, for winning the Queen of the West pageant last night. In related news, while Karen Middleton didn't win the crown, she represented Belize well at the Miss America Latina del Mundo pageant last night in Cancun.

Sunday Show Day at Express Oh! Cafe
Express Oh! is having their big Sunday Show day today. it'll be after the Santa Elena sports day. Emmanuel Mangar and Dania Arana will be there playing and singing. It'll be a great time for the whole family. They'll even have face painting. Have fun!\ In related news, the Central Cayo football is tomorrow morning at 10:00am behind the Santa Elena basketball court. "Every one is invited to Express-Oh Café on Sunday, Sept 1st at 4pm for our first SUNDAY SHOW @ Express-Oh! Enjoy live performances of dance, music, story telling and much more! Delicious food and drinks will be on sale! Art and local crafts people will also have displays set up for your viewing/purchasing pleasure! So, bring the family and your friends to enjoy this fun Sunday Evening Show!! Admission is free."

September celebrations officially launched
The official ceremony marking the opening of the September Celebrations was held this morning in St. George’s Caye village, Belize district. Present on the first capital of Belize for the festivities were dignitaries, including the Governor General Sir Colville Young, Minister of Tourism Manuel Heredia and members of the diplomatic and consular corps. This year, Belizeans are celebrating the 215th anniversary of the Battle of St. George’s Caye and the 32nd anniversary of nationhood, with Independence being granted on September 21st., 1981.

CTV3

Members In The Health Sector Learn To Have Better P.R
Many at times, more than we actually would like, the services offered by nurses, doctors and other staff members working at the various community hospitals across the jewel are put into question. Almost on a daily basis Belizeans can be heard on the airwaves voicing their concern about the way they were treated at one of the nation’s hospitals, the Northern Regional Hospital and the Corozal Community Hospital are not excluded. With this in mind various stakeholders in the Health Industry engaged in a two day customer service workshop in the Corozal District which finalized today. During the two days session participants were provided with the necessary tools to deal with patients suffering from HIV/AIDS and to carry out their work in a more professional manner.

Two Honduran Nationals Detained For Apparent Human Trafficking
The Mexican Embassy in Belize in conjunction with the Government of Belize, coordinated the repatriation to Mexico of a 12 year old Mexican who was found by Belizean authorities in Belizean territory near the border with Guatemala in the company of two undocumented Honduran nationals who have criminal records, were recently deported from the U.S. and one of them is a member of the gang MS-13. Belizean authorities, with the support of the Embassy of Mexico in Belize, are investigating a possible case of human trafficking, because the child is 12 years. We understand that the two men, who are older than 30 years, convinced the child to leave her house located in Balancán, Tabasco Mexico and accompany them from the state of Tabasco, Mexico, through Guatemala to Belize. With the support of the Mexican Embassy and members of the Department of Human Services today the child was handed over to Mexican authorities and her mother.

No Foul Play Suspected In Death Of U.S National
Corozal Police do not suspect foul play in the death of a U.S National who passed away in Corozal early this morning. Edward Stivers, 61 year old retired U.S National of Ohio who is presently staying at La Copa Banana in Corozal, reported to police that at around 5:00 this morning he was asleep when he heard a noise coming from his wife, 62 year old Mary Stivers, retired U.S National also of Ohio. All indications are that Mary was experiencing a seizure. She died a short while after. We understand that the deceased also suffered from cholesterol and hypertension. As mentioned no foul play is suspected in Mary’s death.

Free Medical Check-ups For Residents Living In Rural Areas
Residents of five villages in the Orange Walk District are presently receiving much needed medical assistance. Visiting the doctor is often very costly especially for people living in rural communities but today in efforts of closing that gap, free medical services were provided to residents of Guinea Grass Village. Although it is not the first year that the U.S medical team visits Belize, the administrator of the mission says Belize is like their second home. For them, it is all about the love for what they do and that is taking care of people’s health. Bernadine Peters, Administrator, Belize Medical Mission “The people are beautiful they need a lot of medical services, the adults, we usually take care of their diabetic medications if they need anything for blood pressure for pain, for the arthritis, for vision we bring them reading glasses for the children we do a lot of deworming medications, for children we see that they are up to date we ask their parent if they are up to date with their vaccinations and if they have fever, colds, cough and we have other teams coming, special teams coming. The sister here, sister Lupe, the Ministry of health nurse we right refer to ent, refer to cardiology or refer to surgery she will continue with that so we love coming to Guinea Grass it is a great village and we are able to do this every year so we are able to do continues here.”

Orange Walk Police Recover Items Stolen From BCVI
Orange Walk Police have been able to recover two important pieces of equipment that were stolen from the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired Orange Walk branch between Friday August 23rd and Monday August 26th. At around 12:30 yesterday afternoon police visited a bushy lot located off the Boundary Road in the Louisiana Area where they found two computers with all their accessories inside a plastic bag. Further checks revealed that both computers WHICH hold important information belong to BCVI. No one was in the area at the time the items were found.

Blogs

Sarteneja news and specials from Sapodilla Caye
3 wheel cargo bikes now available on Ambergris Caye – Carry 100 lbs. of Cargo While You Get a Workout! Imagine being able to get your daily exercise without having to schedule time for it or pay any gym fees. Now imagine being able to run all your errands, including grocery shopping at the same time. Add to that the fact that you are saving money on gas, electricity and taxi fare as you exercise and run your errands. Sound too good to be true? It’s not if you’ve got a cargo bike. Transport or cargo bikes are very popular in Europe, where bike riding is encouraged by governments who recognize its benefits. Riding a bike 30 minutes 6 days a week cuts lifetime risk of both stroke and heart attack by 50%.As well as lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes, arthritis and certain forms of cancer. Cycling also offers an answer to 3 of the biggest problems facing us today, the high cost of energy, climate change and obesity.

A Guide: Eight Tips for Traveling By Bus in Belize
Belize is a very small country with a very small population (about 325,000 people) and relatively few highways. The greatest country width (east to west) is 68 miles. And length only 170 miles! It’s one of the coolest coolest COOLEST things about Belize. You can go from barrier cayes… to a Mayan temple surrounded by jungle in about an hour. But that sort of flitting about sure ain’t gonna happen by bus. It’s going to cost quite a bit more to flit…whether going by one of the two air lines in the country or, for those who live the lifestyle of the rich and famous, by helicopter. If you don’t have a car on the mainland, bus is the most popular way to get around Belize. It can be slow, but IT IS CHEAP (Belize City to San Ignacio is only $8bzd) and you get to really see the landscape, the people and the local color of Belize. If you live in the country, you always see someone you know. And for all of these reasons, I really like it. Sometimes there are problems… We had this issue on my last bus just outside of Dangriga.

Belize – Ready, Willing and Able to Help with Disabilities
It was good to hear that UNICEF Belize and other relevant parties were busy on Thursday, the 22nd of August, working to improve the lot of children with disabilities. Belize has signed and ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and Thursday’s work concentrated on – get ready for it – the Situational Analysis of Children with Disabilities and the Situational Analysis of Blind and Visually Impaired Children. OK, the names, as usual with bureaucratic agencies, are complicated, but the aim is clear. In order to develop the best policies to help people with disabilities, it’s important to get a better understanding of their current situation. The situational analysis showed that 36.4% of Belizean children age two to nine are at risk of having one or more disabilities in areas such as the physical, hearing or seeing. According the analyses, that figure represents an increase of some 10% since 2006.

“All by Myself” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
Up around 04.00 hours yesterday morning. Going to bed just after 22.00 hours the night before was partly to do with it. That plus I don’t normally need that much sleep anyway. The early ‘up’ was good though because it enabled me to knock-out (not an expression that finds a lot of favour with Rose at the moment!) yesterday’s edition before the morning’s football ( non UK readers soccer ) fest began. As it turned out it proved to be not much of a fest. More like a snack with no tasty bits. But … It was football, so I watched it. With the football ‘out of the way’I turned my attention to looking after Rose (thanks from both of us by the way for the nice messages) and made her breakfast (nothing too adventurous or displaying great culinary skills I am sorry to say) which she ate in bed.

Cuss Like A Belizean
The use of profanity is popular in almost every culture, in some more common than others. In Belize, cursing is part of everyday life, and bad words are used openly in conversations. Some swear words are harsher than others and are used specifically with the intention of offending someone, some are usually used only to “spice up” a conversation. Let me introduce you to a few of the most common Belizean swear words, and since Kriol is an adaptation of English, you will notice that some are similar to the ones you are probably very familiar with. Or not.

International Sources

Tour Belize Through the Eyes of Guest Blogger Amanda Williams
From lush jungle, to long sandy beaches to a bustling city center, Belize has it all. Guest blogger Amanda Williams from A Dangerous Business has been there, done that, and wants to share her Central American adventure with you. Amanda went on the Land of Belize tour with Intrepid Travel, and documented her journey with a videocamera. TourRadar got an exclusive interview with Amanda, in which she offered some great tips to anyone looking to tour Belize (or anywhere else!) in the near future: TR: What was your favorite part of the Belize trip? AW: Definitely the time we spent on Caye Caulker. It was so relaxing and refreshing to be by the water. Also, the day-long sailing/snorkeling trip I did was amazing and will be hard to beat!

Discover the Secrets of Beautiful Belize
Belize, a country of approximately 311,000 people, rests on the eastern coast of Central America. Northeast of Guatemala and south of Mexico, only 185 miles long and 75 miles wide, and formerly known as British Honduras, Belize gained its independence from Britain in 1981, making it the only English-speaking country in all of Central America. Offering a subtropical climate with brisk, prevailing trade winds from the Caribbean and an average temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit, Belize has two seasons: the dry season from December to May and the green or rainy season from June to November. The capital, Belmopan, is in the Cayo District, just one of seven districts in the country. I landed in Belize City, the former capital, and took a taxi to the water taxi port and a boat to San Pedro, a town on Ambergris Caye, pronounced “key.” This 25-square-mile island is the largest island in Belize and features dining, shopping, nightlife, and accommodations including budget-friendly and luxury resorts. I had the pleasure of staying at Xanadu Island Resort, which offers eco-friendly accommodations containing monolithic domes (made of fireproof, soundproof, hurricane proof, and steel-reinforced concrete) combined with thatched roofs. The grounds are gorgeous, overlooking a private pool and beachfront. The nature reserve on the property features an elevated walking path that affords visitors up-close views of native birds and wildlife.

September 1, 2013