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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Getting the job done with a smile
Meet Mr. Elder Quintanilla. Even under the hottest of suns, despite having to rake after filthy us, cleaning our streets day in and out, he will have a smile and a wave if you just look and acknowledge him. I walk past him nearly every day, and our exchanges have only ever been of the smile and maybe a passing comment on the weather.

Gloomy Day? You can still have fun with Splash ‘n’ Paint!
But if a little rain holds you back from getting in the water (why is that?) – there’s other fun stuff to do, and that includes a little color and creativity! Melody Wolfe owns her very own cute little gallery that features tons of Belizean artists, and she’s super encouraging to others who want to explore their inner Picasso. So she’s created a fun weekly event called Splash ‘n’ Paint. For $30BZ, you can create your own masterpiece. Stenciled canvases are provided, as well as paint and of course, Melody guides you when you’re feeling a little behind. The go-to location for this paint party is at Crazy Canuck’s beach bar, every Thursday.

Armed Guatemalans threaten to destroy conservation post in Belize; PM reacts
Tension is increasing between Guatemalan civilians and members of the Belize Defense Force (BDF). On Friday October 3rd, a group of about 40 Guatemalans, armed with rifles, shotguns and machetes barged into Belize’s territory and engaged with five members of the BDF. The illegal civilians threatened to burn down a conservation post that is under construction in the area of Valentin Camp located inside the Caracol Archeological site and one kilometer from the Belize Guatemala border. A government press release dated September 3rd outlined the incident and indicated that the BDF members stood their grounds and after very tense verbal engagement, the Guatemalans retreated and returned to their country. “The BDF has since quickly deployed re-enforcement and is firmly and completely in control of the area, and construction of the conservation post continues.” The conservation post is one of three that are being built to discourage illegal activity and help protect the Chiquibul National Park from Guatemalans who have been destroying the natural resources. The engagement is also at the heel of the death of Special Constable Danny Cornorquie.

Police Report
*On Wednesday, October 1st, as part of a special intelligence operation, the San Pedro Police, Quick Response Team, Criminal Investigation Branch and Special Branch personnel conducted a search on an abandoned building located in the Bayside Area. The search led to the discovery of five cases of Tecate beers, four case of Sol Beer and one case of Superior Beer, all contraband goods from Mexico. No one was found in the vicinity. The goods were labeled as “Found Property” and handed over to the Belize Customs Department. *On Wednesday, October 1st, a search was conducted at the residence of 30-year-old Wayne Allen and 18-year-old Irma Mejia in DFC Area as part of special intelligence information. Present at the time of the search was 25-year-old Diego Wade, 24-year-old Martin Martinez and 19-year-old John Gillett. The search led to the discovery of 6.1 grams of suspected cannabis. All persons were informed of their offense and escorted to the San Pedro Police Station where they were formally arrested and charged for the crime of “Possession of Controlled Drugs”

UDP rallies crowd at Endorsement Convention
On Saturday October 4th, San Pedro Town residents gathered at the Central Park as the Belize Rural South (BRS) United Democratic Party presented their official town council slate and standard bearer at the party’s first endorsement convention. Members of the House of Representatives including Honorable (Hon.) Mark King, Hon. John Saldivar, and Hon.Patrick Faber were in attendance to offer support to their fellow UDP counterparts. The night opened at 8:30PM as members of the UDP executive Karen Canul welcomed party supporters from San Pedro Town and Caye Caulker Village. With Municipal Elections set for March 4th, 2015 the UDP Town Council Slate appealed for voter support as they vowed their township oaths led by UDP Party Chairman Alberto August, pledging to do their utmost best for the island once elected. Official councillor candidates include Hector Tito Alamilla Jr., Flora Ancona, Ruben Gonzalez, Gary Grief, Severo Guerrero Jr., and Gaby Nuñez, along with Mayoral candidate, current Mayor of San Pedro Town Daniel Guerrero, and the BRS UDP Standard Bearer candidate,current Minister of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation Manuel Heredia Jr.

Ambergris Today

Belize Audubon Society’s Urban Bird Watch Kicks Off
Every Sunday in October for the past five years, Belize Audubon Society (BAS) has been conducting bird watching expeditions in every town in Belize. This year Dangriga was the venue for the first urban bird watch of 2014. Twenty-five birders participated, most from Dangriga, but also from Belmopan, Belize City and the Stann Creek District communities. Prominent among the participants were students from the Stann Creek Ecumenical Junior College. The group witnessed massive migration numbers. A conservative estimate of over thirty thousand egrets, herons, swallows and kingbirds in constant groups of over one hundred over flew the birding group during the three-hour bird watch. A total of 73 species were recorded.

Saga Humane Society Announced Halloween Party
The 11th Annual Saga Humane Society Spooktacular Halloween Party has been set for Sunday October 26, 2014 from 11a.m. to 5p.m at Carlo & Ernie's Runway Bar. It is expected to be the largest Saga Halloween Party in history. New for 2014, is celebrity judged contests (Best Costume, Best Kisser, Owner/Pet Look-A-Like, Best Trick, and more), fun activities and games for pets and kids, raffles, auction items and so much more. Saga is pleased to also include this year a Smooch-A-Pooch kissing booth that is sure to delight young and old.

Invest Belize Magazine Releases Third Volume
The Belize Trade & Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) in collaboration with McNab Publishing Ltd., proudly unveiled the third volume of the Invest Belize Magazine on September 30, 2014, at the Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City. Through this new partnership, that was announced in May of this year, the Invest Belize magazine has been completely revamped and transformed into an effective publication on the world of investment, business and trade in Belize. The magazine itself, whose theme was “Agribusiness” for this volume, features engaging articles from various sectors of the business community and relevant statistics that, when combined, provides pertinent information to an important target audience – potential investors in the country of Belize.

Misc Belizean Sources

One woman protest outside the US Embassy in Belmopan.
In anticipation of today's protest, the road outside the Embassy has been cordoned off and there is police presence.However, activist & media personality, Yaya Marin Coleman is the only person demonstrating in front of the United States Embassy In Belmopan. The protest was scheduled for Belizeans to demonstrate their discontent with the US Embassy to hire a Guatemalan company to build the military base on Hunting Caye.

Refurbishment Works to commence at the Lands & Survey Department in Belmopan
The Ministry of Natural Resources & Agriculture informs the general public, that in line with the Ministry’s commitment to improve efficiency and delivery of service, it has commenced refurbishment of the Lands & Survey Department in Belmopan.

HUNTING CAYE FORWARD OPERATING BASE
The Ministry of National Security hereby announces that the United States Army Corp of Engineers, the US agency responsible for the construction of the Hunting Caye Forward Operating Base, has issued a letter to the Guatemalan company BINARQ which has had the effect of causing all construction at the Base to cease. This action came about after consultations between the Ministry of National Security, the Belize Coast Guard and the United States agencies in Belize. The Ministry of National Security is insisting that this remains in effect until a satisfactory policy decision can be arrived at among all parties that takes into consideration the sensitivities expressed by sections of the Belizean population. The Ministry takes this opportunity to clarify that BINARQ, the Guatemalan company in question, was contracted to build the Hunting Caye Base in 2011, months before the current Minister of National Security, Hon. John Saldivar assumed the portfolio. Minister Saldivar was briefed on the ongoing Hunting Caye and San Pedro projects, shortly after being appointed as the Minister of National Security in the second term of the United Democratic Party government. This also means that as on-going projects that were approved prior to our second term, there was no obligation or requirement on the part of the new Minister to report the details of these contracts to Cabinet.

Scarlet Six Biomonitoring Team
The 2014 season finally ended today. The team and the funds are exhausted. We extracted today, with mixed feelings. 7 Macaw chicks survived this season (that's 2 more than last year). But, we found other active poacher camps in more remote areas...

COROZAL YOUTH FORUM
As communities in Belize seek for a better child friendly environment, the old phrase of “It takes a community to raise a child” certainly takes center stage in these very trying times. Families are part of a larger community that help or hurt our best efforts to raise our children. Yes, it’s the parents’ responsibility to care for their child. However, I believe, like many others, that it takes the community to provide the best environment for nurturing the individual. Communities that encourage involvement from different professions offer learning opportunities for all children. There are numerous ways we can join together to provide the best possible childhood for today’s children. Initiatives as the Youth Forum are only a few of the ways children care programs can interact with the community, parents, and extended family members. The theme for this year’s Youth Forum “Youth to Youth My Way” resonates even more. Special guest Neidi Rosado, Coordinator of the National Youth Council stated that we should all note that 70% of our Belize population are youths and pointed out that not one organization is at the fore representing their needs and concerns.

Sept 28 - Oct 4 2014 Fishing Report
A great week even though it was lightly attended with just 3-4 boats going out daily, weather was great, permit, tarpon and bonefish were available each and every day.

Channel 7

A Halt On Hunting Caye Construction By Guatemalan Company
"Stop it!" That's the letter that the United States Army Corp of Engineers - sent to the Guatemalan Company that's building the Coast Guard Forward Operating Base on Hunting Caye. A press release from the Ministry of National Security half an hour ago announced that all construction at the Base has ceased. The release says, quote, "This action came about after consultations between the Ministry of National Security, the Belize Coast Guard and the United States agencies in Belize." It continues, "this remains in effect until a satisfactory policy decision can be arrived at among all parties…" The Ministry has committed to keep the public informed as soon as an agreement is reached with the United States Army Corp of Engineers.

Did A Tornado Tear Up Maskall?
There were very heavy rains and winds all across the country yesterday and last night, but the folks on the old road seem to have taken the brunt of the bad weather. Tonight, 8 families in Maskall Village are displaced after a freak storm whipped through and destroyed their homes. The residents say the storm seemed like a tornado to them. This morning, our News team travelled there to assess the aftermath. Daniel Ortiz has that story: Daniel Ortiz reporting This frame on stilts used to be an almost fully completed house - that's until a strange weather event destroyed it last night. Winds from a tornado-like storm ripped the roofing off t and flung it against this adjacent house, which is where it remains right now. All over Maskall Village, 7 other homeowners reported varying degrees of damage to their houses. There were a number of downed trees, which had to be cleared out of the road. Still there were others which were leaning on power lines, stretched to their limit.

Dawn's House Tumbled Down After Rain
And while that storm was whipping up last night in Maskall, this morning in the city - a woman's house just fell apart like wafer biscuits. Dawn Philips had been living at her Port Loyola home for 14 years but this morning at 6:45, her life literally fell to pieces when her house tumbled down. We found her in a bad way this morning:.. Courtney Weatherburne reporting This morning we found Dawn Phillips living on a septic tank in her neighbor's yard, cradling what's left of her belongings after her home collapsed early this morning. She narrated the frightening moments.

Bobby Chin Charmed Caleb, Says UNIBAM Won't Go For Injunction
The Bobby Chin Birthday Bash, which has been in the news because of the controversy over objectionable lyrics, will go ahead unchallenged. That's because as we showed you last night, Jamaican Artist, Robert Lee, better known as "Bobby Chin" or "Black Chiny", responded to UNIBAM's criticism that they might incite violence at their concert. Bobby Chin told us that he did not need UNIBAM to pressure him into a doing a clean show, because that is the standing orders at any event he hosts or performs, and that it has been a long-standing practice of his. Well, UNIBAM says that the they've gotten the verbal undertaking they wanted from him, and so, they are not going to the Supreme Court to get any emergency injunction to block the concert from happening.

Alleged Burglar Drags Himself To Court After Breaking Legs
Keith Burgess showed up at court on crutches today - and had to scrape himself up off the ground when he was called into court. But, it wasn't the police who left him like that - the allegation is that he did it to himself. Police say he broke both legs when he jumped form a building he was caught burglarizing. The 53-year-old Caye Caulker resident was caught in the act, on a surveillance camera after stealing 20 whole lobsters from Bamboo's Beach Bar & Grill in Caye Caulker two days ago on October 7th. He was arraigned on a single charge of burglary - to which he pleaded not guilty. He got bail of $1,000 and is due back in Court #4 on December 9, 2014.

Gunplay At Mile 8
4 residents from Mile 8 were charged with aggravated assault this afternoon when they appeared before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser. The 4 are 22 year old Mark Evan Vernon, 22 year old Jamal Grant along with two minors. The incident happened on Monday where the men reportedly assaulted Mile 8 resident Brandon Dawson with a firearm. Vernon was also charged with kept ammunition without a gun license because he was found with a .22mm caliber round the following day. Due to the nature of the offense, no bail was granted and the two minors were remanded to the Belize Wagner Facility while Vernon and Grant were remanded to the Belize Central Prison. Before Vernon left the court, he told Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser that the complainant had dropped the charges but the police still went ahead to press charges. Their next court date is set for November 21st, 2014.

FCD Launches Telethon To Fundraise For Rangers
For two weeks now since the murder of Danny Conorquie - national attention has been laser focused on the western border with Guatemala - and the 25 miles or so that abut the Chiquibul forest. And, the friends for Conservation and Development, which co-manages the Chiquibul National Park says the attention is much needed. That's because the Chiquibul, which is four times the size of Barbados, needs more boots on the ground. The BDF has already sent more soldiers, but the Friends have to provide Forest Rangers to accompany them - to gather important information about the preservation and the plunder of the largest conservation area in Belize. And so the FCD is hoping to harness public interest in the area - to get some support for their rangers program. They're organizing a telethon - and today at a press conference they told the media why:.. Jules Vasquez reporting In ten days Camp Valentin will be fully operational. It is a conservation post which sits just across the border form the Guatemalan village of La Rejoya - and angry villagers came across on Friday demanding that it be taken down:

Mayor Says He'll Pave Terrible Thoroughfare
We have been reporting on major road renovations in the city for the past few months - and while it usually happens without publicity, municipal elections are coming, and it seems ground breakings are the thing. Today ground was broken for the concreting of the battered Blue Marlin Boulevard. The Mayor explains the extent of this 1st phase of renovation works in the area. Darrell Bradley, Belize City Mayor "The people in this community and those persons who travels through this area will have a two-lane carriage way that will be a beautiful boulevard equip with earthen drains for the time being, but the second phase will cause us to do concrete drains and sidewalks, but that's not part of this first phase, but this will be a major improvement. We are also going to implement a round-about right behind me.

Dean Street Drainage Difficulties After Every Deluge
On the topic of road renovations, the residents of Dean Street are plagued with a major and chronic flooding issue caused by the lack of proper drainage. We also asked the Mayor today what he is doing to fix it: Darrell Bradley, Belize City Mayor "I've heard the complaint about Dean Street before and we sent out crews to clear some of the areas. We are working to ensure that they are outflows into the canal as best as possible. We know that there will be flooding, but what we are trying to aim at is to ensure that within a reasonable period of time after the rains the water can flow out as quickly as possible."

PM to DC
Prime Minister Barrow left the country today for official business in Washington DC where he will meet with officials of the Inter-American Development Bank. He returns in 5 days on Tuesday October 14th. Deputy Gaspar Vega will act as Prime Minister in his absence.

Drug Destruction in Dangriga
Dangriga police had a drug destruction today - it wasn't like a tonne of cocaine - it was more like housekeeping - as the formation destroyed all the individual drug busts they had made by fire. The entire session was witnessed and tallied by the requisite legal and police authorities.

Another New Intake of Police
Yesterday, 136 male and female recruits who passed out as fully fledged police officers, after going through their four months of formal training at the police academy. These new police officers were part of the recruit intake #90, and 7News was there to see them take the oath. It's part of government's increased spending on security and Minister of National Security John Saldivar, told the officers what is expected of them: Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of National Security "Recruit Squad #90, let me start by congratulating all 135 of you for successfully completing this process of entry into the Belize Police Department. 26 females and 109 males; you are 135 amongst the more than 800 applicants as I said before who have persevered over the last 18 weeks sacrificed and trained at the police academy. You have worked hard and now you are launching your career as a police officer.

Police Minister Says Media Sensationalizing Murders
50% of this intake is expected to go to the nation's crime hotspot, Belize City. That's about 65 new police on the ground, but despite ever more officers on the streets, Belize City residents still feel unsafe and that 2014 has been a violent year. We can't say for sure because the police department has stopped producing statistics. Yet, still, The National Security Minister, who hadn't been granting interviews for some months now took an opportunity yesterday to publicly criticize the media, suggesting that press has been sensationalizing homicides, while taking them out of context. Here's how he put it: Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of National Security "No one in the media is bothering to look at the numbers before declaring that crime is spiraling out of control. Yes, there are times when there are spikes in murders, which is a cycle which we all know. However a closer look at the numbers will tell you that the overall trend for 2014 is still far better than 2012 when we had 145 murders.

Senate Debates New Gun Law
Minister John Saldivar has also been integral in the amendments to the gun law which has been publicly criticized on many different occasions as being oppressive to citizens. As we've told you, the amendments to the law, after months of work came in the form of the Firearm Amendment Bill and the Crime Control and Criminal Justice Bill. These amendments were supposed to rationalize the law so that first time offenders wouldn't be tied up in jail for unreasonable amounts of time, as is currently the case. As we told you, yesterday, those bills were passed by the Senate, and awaited the Govern General's Assent to law. The Senators got their chance to debate the bill, and it received quite a number of negative reviews because those senators who don't support it say that these bills do not provide any sort of institutional alleviation to the problems created by the "draconian gun law" currently in effect.

Chiquibul, The Scenic River Route
And tonight we go back into our archives again to continue our in depth look into the many issues at play in the Chiquibul. In 2009 we went into the depths of the National Park but not overland, instead we took the scenic route by river where many of the issues can be appreciated from up close. Here's a look back at that story:.. Jules Vasquez Reporting, Here at Chalillo where the wide span, 420 feet of the 150 foot high containment wall holds in and harnesses the upper branch of the Macal, one can truly appreciate the sharp juxtaposition of what’s probably Belize's greatest civil engineering feat buttressed against nature's finest creation, the broad breathtaking landscape of Chiquibul. Jarring but compelling, as the coppery tones of the boulders blasted to clear the land for the dam - form a neat contrast against the still waters

Seine Bight Teacher Poisoned Himself
On Monday, we told you the tragedy in Seine Bight Village where 33 year-old Byron Castillo stabbed his common-law wife 34 year-old Nicole Swazo, in an ugly public dispute last week Saturday. Immediately after the attack, police found him dead inside his house, he had hung himself after drinking an insecticide. Well, Police say that the post-mortem concluded that he died from acute chemical pneumonia due to bronchial aspiration as a consequence of ingesting a chemical substance, namely malathion. This means that he died from the poison he drank, before he attempted to hang himself.

Channel 5

U.S. Southcom Sends Guatemalans South
The Minister of National Security John Saldivar informed the media on Wednesday that the construction of the military facility at Hunting Caye had not been stopped. Hours later, on Wednesday [...]

One Woman Protest at the US Embassy
As we told you, the US Embassy has issued a press statement in which it explained the decision of the US Southern Command to select a Guatemalan contractor to build [...]

Heavy Rains Destroy Home in the City
A family of five is without their house tonight after heavy rains and winds lashed the City on Wednesday night. This morning just before seven o’clock, their small wooden house [...]

FCD to Hold Telethon To Raise Funds
Rafael Manzanero of Friends for Conservation and Development has been making desperate pleas for much needed assistance to co-manage the Chiquibul National Park. Manzanero has told just about everyone who [...]

Beenie Man Gets the Green Light from UNIBAM
The fuss over the Bobby Chin Birthday Bash Concert has all but been settled. Earlier this week, the attorney for the United Belize Advocacy Movement, UNIBAM, wrote to the promoters [...]

Ministry of Lands Silent on Unitedville Dispute
Prime Minister Dean Barrow has gone on the record to state that the Ministry of Natural Resources is a hotbed of corruption. He probably could have gone further to call [...]

Two Men Arraigned for Separate Murders in the Toledo District
Two men were formally arraigned for murder this morning at the Punta Gorda Magistrate’s Court. Although the charges were just laid, the murders go back some time. Twenty-one year old [...]

Sewell’s Attorney Applies for Leave to Appeal Extradition
Gary Sewell has been behind bars since 2010 fighting an extradition request by the U.S. On July third, 2014, Justice Michelle Arana handed down a decision to extradite Sewell.  But [...]

CitCo Breaks Ground for Blue Marlin Blvd. Renovation
Since taking office in 2012, Mayor Darrell Bradley and the Belize City Council have concreted a total of one hundred and twenty-seven streets across the municipality.  This morning, ground was [...]

Mayor Bradley Offers Update on City Infrastructure Works
With another phase of road works set to begin on Monday, we asked Mayor Bradley earlier today for an assessment of the already cemented streets, in light of the recent [...]

Major Drug Destruction in Dangriga
This morning, in the outskirts of Dangriga, a drug destruction operation took place. Two batches of both cocaine and marijuana went up in smoke, all in all, a total of [...]

Canadian Named in Billion-Dollar Fraud
Bahamian nationals Rohn Knowles and Kelvin Leach met bail of a hundred thousand dollars on October first, for an extradition warrant. The duo and three others are wanted by the [...]

Senator Shoman Blasts G.O.B. for Skewed Priorities
There’s been much said about the Coast Guard’s Guatemalan constructed forward operating base on Hunting Caye amid furious anti-Guatemalan sentiment in the wake of the murder of Danny Conorquie, the [...]

Top 20 Art Students Awarded by Atlantic Bank
Atlantic Bank Limited on Wednesday hosted an award ceremony for its fourth annual art competition. This year, primary schools students, who are avid painters, were asked to submit pieces that [...]

Healthy Living looks at the ChikV threat to Belize
On Tuesday, officials from the Ministry of Health hosted a press conference to discuss Belize’s preparedness for Ebola and Chikungunya. Belizeans have been preoccupied about the country’s level of readiness [...]

CTV3

Another Stalemate In The Negotiations For Bagasse
There seems to be no ‘happily ever after’ in sight when it comes to reaching to a mutual understanding and agreement between the BSCFA and BSI/ASR. Today, another round of discussions was held where members of both entities met to review the draft counterproposal from the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association to BSI/ASR’s newly proposed commercial agreement presented to the association on September 8th, the date the two entities last met. BSI is saying that they hope to finalize the agreement by the time the next crop season begins but that their position remains the same where they don’t want to enter into an interim agreement but to conclude negotiations once and for all. This is being proposed for many reasons, says Financial Controller for BSI, Belizario Carballo Jr.

OWTC Conducts Pets Sterilization Program
In some dog-related circles, the question of surgical sterilization, otherwise known as spaying (females) and neutering (males) is sure to spark hot debate. And while pet overpopulation and euthanasia are a continuing problem, the Orange Walk Town Council will be engaging in a first Dog and Cat Sterilization Campaign to spay your pets. Deputy Mayor, Ian Cal, says saying or neutering your dog is an important part of responsible pet ownership and is the most humane way for population control of stray pets. Ian Cal – Deputy Mayor, OWTC “An avenue the council use to take before and it has been done for many years is the dog eradication where at least every six months the Council goes around and eradicates stray dogs and cats or whatever pets are on the streets and it is an inhumane way of doing things but it was a way on getting it done so we as a council decide that it is not the best option, after consultation with many of the residence as well there are many dog lovers and pet lover sin this country...

Local Artist Expresses Passion About His Art Work
A lot of us have stared in awe at the art work of people living abroad and often times we fail to notice the raw talent that surrounds us within our very own community. And these are plenty and the talent comes in every form and shape. Tonight we want to highlight the work of a young Orange Walk resident who is finding his way up in the world of art. The following is a look at the work of twenty seven year old Jesus Melendez who not only paints but also tattoos and then some. Jesus Melendez – Artist “Everyone looked up to me for drawing until 1st, 2nd form and I went to art club and that is when Mr. Bennett taught me a little about painting and then until then I just stopped because I was looking more into an educational field and I never thought that art would be my way of living.”

Police Cleans Up Orange Walk
Tonight, several persons have been detained and are in custody after a string of operations carried out by Orange Walk Police proved successful. We were reliably informed that the raid seeks to rid the town core of drugs, firearms, ammunition and stolen goods. Several persons have been detained but are yet to be charged. Deputy Commanding the OW Police Formation, Inspector Selvin Tillett, says the operations are necessary to provide for a crime-free community. And like in any undertaking, criticism from families of the persons detained has already started. According to Inspector Tillett, once police officers are following protocol and have credible evidence to detain a person that is exactly what will be done. The men detained are expected to be charged tomorrow. The operation says Tillett, will be an on-going one for the next couple of weeks.

Four Charged For Family Feud
A family feud landed three women who are cousins and one man who is a friend of the family at the Corozal Magistrates Court today. Twenty three year old Nurse Nancy Chan, 18 year old student Fernando Martinez and a 17 year old and a 15 year old minor were arraigned in front of Magistrate Hurl Hamilton for charges ranging from harm to common assault. Reports are that on September 4th 2014, Martinez and the 17 year old minor were in the village of San Roman, Corozal when they attacked the 15 year old minor and burst her gold chain valued at $300. Because of that incident both Martinez and the 17 year old minor were jointly charged for harm and damage to property. Both pleaded not guilty and were granted bail of $1000.00 each plus a surety of the same amount.

First Ebola Patient Dies In The US
Yesterday we told you about The Ebola outbreak in West Africa and measures being taken in Belize to prevent its introduction to the country. Ebola, which is the world's deadliest disease to date, has prompted the World Health Organization to declare an international health emergency as more than 3,850 people have died of the virus in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria this year. But this morning, 42 year old Thomas Eric Duncan, the first person to be diagnosed with Ebola inside the United States amid an outbreak that has killed thousands in Africa, died. His death was confirmed by Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas where he was being treated.

World Mental health Day Observed In Orange Walk
October 10th is designated as World Mental Health Day across the globe and in Belize it is no different. In this light, the Ministry of Health will observe this day with a national ceremony at the Welcome Resource Center in Belize City on Friday. The theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day is “Living with Schizophrenia” which seeks to focus attention on the burden of stigma that persons with this illness face on a daily basis. The Ministry’s release states that Schizophrenia is a serious but treatable mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels, and acts. An affected person finds it difficult to tell the difference between real and imagined experiences, to think logically, express feelings or how to behave appropriately.

Alex Tillett Turned Over Himself To The Police
Wanted man Alex Tillett, turned himself to authorities’ sometime this morning. Tillett is accused of taking part in the heist of the Hung Yun Store on the Phillip Goldson Highway near the Northern Regional Hospital and was wanted for two counts of robbery. Tillett had absconded police since September 19th. Police say 27 year old Alex Tillett; known as “lexus” was one of two men who also robbed Darvis Store at gunpoint on September 11th. You may recall that the September 19th armed robbery of Hung Yun Store proved fatal for his accomplice Leslie Logan Jr. who was shot by the proprietor of the store. Following several weeks of hiding, Tillett is now in police custody and is yet to be charged. We spoke with a family member today who wished to remain anonymous.

Ranchito Government School Burglarized
Last night, thieves targeted the Ranchito Government School and made off with proceeds from the schools fundraising effort that was scheduled for this coming Friday. It’s a stinging blow for the faculty of the school who are looking forward to the reconstruction of two school buildings. Reporter Victor Castillo has more on the story. Victor Castillo – Reporting A routine day for students and faculty of Ranchito Government School quickly turned heart wrenching when they arrived on campus today only to find out that vandals had burglarized the school sometime last night. Member of the Parent-Teacher Association, Consuelo Magana told us more. Consuelo Magaña – member of the PTA “We work very hard and some people just come into our school break Windows, break doors and take stuff that is no theirs the PTA is working hard for the benefit of our children.”

Corozal Police Discovers The Body Of Female Corozalena
Corozal Police are tonight awaiting the results of a post mortem examination being conducted as we speak on the body of female to decipher if she was murdered or if she died of natural causes. Around 3:00 this afternoon the badly decomposed body of the elderly female from the Village of Cristo Rey, Corozal, was discovered by villagers in a cane field located within the village. While we have been provided with the name of the woman it will be withheld since some of her family members are yet to be notified. At this time information into the case is hard to come by but we understand that the woman went missing approximately eight days ago. Yesterday, her family and residents of Cristo Rey became concerned and organized a search party that went out looking for the woman. But they came back to the village empty handed. This afternoon the search party continued looking and that is when they discovered the body of the woman who is in her seventies. As mentioned a post mortem is being conducted on site and we understand that right after, the body will be buried due to the bad state of decomposition. We will have more on this story in tomorrow’s newscast.

LOVE FM

Investigators Make Progress in Two Toledo Murders
Charges have finally been laid against two men from the Toledo District for two separate murders. On Mother’s Day, the body of 26-year-old Janice Floris Vargas was found at Jamaica Bar in Punta Gorda. The young woman had been stabbed to death. More than four months after her murder 21-year-old Kenner Gomez of a Cemetery area address has been charged for the crime. 24-year-old Miguel Choco d San Pedro Columbia was also charged for murder. This is connection with the murder of 61-year-old Agripina Coc who was murdered on August 30.

Blue Marlin Boulevard to Be Completed for Christmas
Today Belize City Mayor, Darrell Bradley, held a ground breaking ceremony for the cementing of Blue Marlin Boulevard in Belize City. Bradley also shared that the council’s technical team is putting significant emphasis on the upgrading of city streets. So far, 127 streets have been paved. It is expected that the commencing of Blue Marlin Boulevard and surrounding areas should be completed by December. “This street had always been slated for a boulevard. However the original street was just a double lane carriage way and so with the ground breaking this morning we are launching the project which should take three months so that before Christmas we are going to have a boulevard be developed here. It is going to be three times as big as the existing carriage way. It is also going to feature a roundabout that is going to intersect the boulevard with Coney Drive and our analysis is showing that that should ease some of the traffic flow coming on to Coney Drive. We are going to put drains along the side, these are not going to be the drains that you see along Chetumal Boulevard; those were too expensive but they are going to be nice drains.

National Security Minister Kept Details of Contract Private
Saldivar also commented on the Forward Operating Base being built by a Guatemalan Company at Hunting Caye in Southern Belize. It was also made known that the company chose to hire Guatemalan nationals. This fact was not communicated to Prime Minister, Dean Barrow and Saldivar told us why… JOHN SALDIVAR “I don’t believe that anyone in the security apparatus would have allowed for this to happen if they felt that our national security was threatened by the fact that the Guatemalan company was doing the construction. We understand the sentiment of our Belizean people and the matter has been reviewed we have already been in communication with the US Embassy with respect to some flexibility in their procurement guidelines.” LOCAL REPORTER “What will happen at this time with this Guatemalan contractor at the Forward Operating Base will he continue?” JOHN SALDIVAR “At this point no decision has been made to discontinue.” LOCAL REPORTER “Did you know about it?” JOHN SALDIVAR “Yes I did.”

National Security Minister Has No Answers In Conorquie’s Death
The murder of Special Constable Daniel “Danny” Conorquie at the Caracol Archaeological Site has sparked anger since it is widely speculated that the culprits were Guatemalans. That anger further escalated when it was made public that an internal memo was sent to the Commissioner of Police, Allen Whylie, by the Officer in Charge of the Tourism Police Unit, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Diana Hall, on January 24. ASP Hall wrote, quote “the Guatemalans have become so bold that they are also falling trees next to the main road used to access the Caracol site approximately 1.5 miles from the site………there is evidence of well-established trails used by Guatemalans for such activities……..I personally believe that these officers are put in a high risk position and although it is an Archaeological site, the Tourism Officers are not the one who should be manning that site,” end of qoute. Hall recommended that officers posted at Caracol be provided with bullet proof vest, that their shotguns be replaced with higher powered weapons and that that all personnel stationed at Caracol be adequately trained. However, nothing came of Hall’s warning and recommendations. So today, we asked Minister of National Security, John Saldivar, about that memo and here is how he responded.

PlusTV

Blue Marlin Drive to Be Cemented
Cement street works continue in Belize City and the official ground breaking ceremony for Blue Marlin Drive occurred Thursday morning. The plan for Blue Marlin Drive is for a newly cemented two lane street with a roundabout, to assist in the free flow of traffic in the area. A total of 127 streets have been concreted in Belize City so far.

Miguel Segura Case Adjourned to January 2015
Miguel Segura, recently promoted to Deputy Commissioner of Police, landed himself in a heap of trouble when a video, that went viral, captured him smoking a cigarette and seemingly nonchalant after a deadly collision on the George Price highway which claimed the life of Yolanda Valencia. This ignited a protest in the village of Succotz on August 20th earlier this year. Later that same evening Miguel Segura was arraigned at the Belmopan Magistrate’s Court, where a slew of charges were read to him. including driving with alcohol levels above the prescribed limit. His second court date was on Thursday, when he appeared unrepresented before Magistrate Aretha Ford at the Magistrates court in Belmopan. The sitting lasted only a couple of minutes after which it was adjourned until January 13th 2015.

Keith Burgess Charged for Burglary
On Thursday, a 53-year-old Caye Caulker man, who was caught in the act burglarizing a home on the island, was arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court, on a single count of burglary. He is 53-year-old Keith Burgess. On Monday of this week, Mr Burgess was caught in the act on a surveillance camera, after stealing 20 whole lobsters from inside the business place of Bamboose Beach Bar & Grill. Keith Burgess broke both his feet, allegedly, when he jumped off the roof of the business place he was burglarising. Mr Burgess dragged himself on the ground using his knees when he went to court on Wednesday, saying he refused the crutches as they hurt him more.

Four 8 Mile Residents Charged for Aggravated Assault
Four members of the Mile 8 Community on the George Price Highway were arraigned on a single charge of aggravated assault with a firearm upon Brandon Dawson. The alleged gun play happened on Monday, October 6, 2014 at Mile 8. The group of four, which included Mark Evan Vernon, age 22, and 22-year-old Jamal Grant, and the two 17 year old minors, appeared before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser, where they were unrepresented and jointly read a single charge each of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, to wit, a firearm upon Brandon Dawson. Mark Vernon was charge separately with another person, not yet arrested, for one count of kept ammunition without a gun license. The group of four all pleaded not guilty.

US Contracted Guatemalan Company Bonatti
Both our Belizean Leaders and the American counterparts appear in a quandary, over the recent revelations that a Guatemalan construction company is currently building a Coast Guard Forward Station on Hunting Caye. The revelations have struck the core of the Belizean public’s psyche and the public backlash as been fast and furious. In a press release yesterday the US Embassy revealed that “…the Guatemalan company Bonatti Ingenieros y Arquitectos Sociedad was assessed as the most qualified based on the selection criteria.” That selection criteria, the release stated, “grants the contract to the company assessed to provide the best product at the most reasonable cost as is the custom with contract bidding.” But who is Bonatti? We know it is a Guatemalan Construction Company building a National Security Structure in Belize. Its address is 18 Avenida Ocho in the Zone 14 of Guatemala City .

High Profile Murder Arrests in Toledo
Toledo police have made two arrests in two high profile murder cases. The first one is in the case of the murder of 26 year old Janice Flores Vargas which occurred on May 11 of this year. The young waitress was shot to death in the bar. On Thursday, police charged 21-year-old Kenner Gomez of Punta Gorda with her murder. The second arrest is for the murder of 61 year old Agripina Coc. The elderly woman was raped and killed; her nude body found in some bushes on August 3 of this year. Police say they have charged 24 year old Miguel Choco with her murder. MiguelChoco was the subject of a village wide hunt when Agripina’s body was discovered. He was finally caught and police have now charged him with the crime of murder.

Body Found inside a Canefield
On Tuesday at around 3 pm, the body of an unidentified woman was found in a cane field outside of Cristo Rey village in the Corozal district. The body of the elderly female was discovered by villagers and has since been identified. She went missing approximately ten days ago and family and friends organized a search party and discovered the body of the 70 year old in a cane field. A post mortem was carried out on site due to the advanced state of decomposition.

New Book On Improving Health
On Tuesday night at 6 pm, Cornelio Marfield, certified Lifestyle Counsellor and Health Educator, released a book titled, Improving Your Health, 8 Simple Effective Methods. The release occurred at Heritage Library in Belmopan on Mountain View Blvd. Mr Marfield, a former Biology and Chemistry teacher, now works with many clients from several Health and Fitness Institutions in the country of Belize. He is also the current President of the Belize Diabetes Association, Belmopan Branch. He told us more about the reason for the book. “When I was considered the role that was given to me, particularly the President of the Diabetes Association, and I observed, after entering that position, the high rate of obesity and overweight, and the disease that comes along with those, and that particular risk factor, I thought that educating the people one way or the other, either through the media or writing, would have been eminent.

Senators share perspectives on Amendments to the Legal Profession Act
The Senate met on Wednesday to pass the bill for amendments to the Legal Profession Act. The Bill is the brainchild of the current UDP Administration, which has labelled the Belize Bar Association as having a strong PUP bias. The bill makes it no longer compulsory for Lawyers to belong to the Bar Association in order to practise law in Belize. The other major change that the Bill proposes is that the General Legal Council, which is responsible for monitoring complaints from Clients of Attorneys, will be reconstituted. Two Senators, Senator Lisa Shoman and Senator Patrick Jason Andrews, appeared on Wednesday morning’s Rise and Shine Show and shared their own perspectives on the legislation. According to Senator Shoman there was no consultation with the Association, or its respective arms, to hear their opinions on the bill.

Ministers say Guatemalans building Belizean security base are all legal
News broke at the last meeting of the House of Representatives on Tuesday September 30th , that a Coast Guard Security outpost is being built on Hunter Caye. This is all fine and dandy, however it is being built exclusively by Guatemalan’s with Guatemalan workers. On Wednesday it was addressed at the Senate, and also later by the Minister of National Security John Saldivar, who had previously stated at the House of Representatives last week that quote, “the question has to be whether we would look a gift horse in the mouth and give up a much needed forward operating base.” Here is what the Senators had to say: Lisa Shoman – PUP Senator “Mister President, not only in the name of National Security, not only should we look the gift horse, but it is not every gift horse that you should try to ride, because one of these days you will find out that your gift horse is in fact a Trojan horse, and we have to, as responsible representatives of the people, we have to say this.”

The Guardian

$190,735.68 for Public Sector Workers Trust - Beneficiaries get nothing!
Belize Telemedia Limited held its annual general meeting on Thursday, September 25, and based on the company’s performance it was another good year for the company’s shareholders. Among those shareholders is the Public Sector Worker’s Trust which is receiving a handsome $190,735.68. It has been two months since the trustees of the Public Sector Workers Trust were making their media rounds trying to explain what it is that will be done with the money that has accumulated over 17 years since the trust began accumulating money. At the time of those rounds however, there were more questions than answers which arose out of the rounds and two months later there is still no clear picture as to what will happen with the money of the trust. There are a number of outstanding issues that need to be addressed, chief among them is the fact that the trustees nor the protectors have made no effort whatsoever to determine who the beneficiaries of the trust should be. There is also the lingering question as to what the financial status of the trust is. The figure 5.5 million dollars is being tossed about as to how much the trust should have in its coffers but the truth is that there is no telling since there has been no financial statement that has been made public.

Cinderella Plaza finds its fairy
In the center of Belize City, one of the few remaining areas that has not received attention to bring it to a class A road is Cinderella Plaza. But like Cinderella who was transformed by her fairy godmother the area will soon be up to mark. On Monday, October 6, Mayor Darrell Bradley along with representatives of the ministry of works, flood mitigation project and contractor Medina’s construction broke ground to commence work on the area to extend the Douglas Jones canal across Freetown road and into Baymen avenue and on to Calle al Mar and into the Caribbean sea. The project will cost $1,813,629.88 and is financed by the Inter American Development Bank and will run up to July 8, 2015 making it a 10 month project. According to Mayor Darrell Bradley the entire Cinderella Plaza area was awaiting the construction of the underground canal and the council was unable to complete the work until the flood mitigation project rolled in. At the completion of the canal the area will be redesigned to include parking for the taxi stand that currently exists there as well as for private vehicles.

Beltraide begins free job readiness training
On Monday, October 6th, the Belize Training and Employment center (BTEC) held orientation classes for 55 students to enroll in a three week, intense training program. BTEC is a newly formed unit of the Belize Trade and Invest Development Services (BELTRAIDE) and is seeking to assist individuals who are willing to commit to a rigorous training schedule with a possibility of employment within a call center. BTEC’s mission is to be Belize’s leading center for industry specific workforce development by providing effective, demand driven, user-friendly and value based programs that will develop, deliver and sustain a quality workforce. The program commenced on Monday at the ITVET in Belize City with 55 trainees enrolled. That number is expected to go up to 110 by next week. For the three week program the trainees will take on courses in career management and personal development, work ethics and culture, conflict management, teamwork, health and wellness, typing, basic mathematics skills, communication skills, telephone etiquette, customer service, sales among others.

Mexico and Belize Improve bilateral relations in Tourism, Health, Education and Immigration
On Friday, October 3rd, Belize's foreign Minister, Hon. Wilfred Elrington, and Mexican Foreign Minister Jose Antonio met for the 8th Bi-national Commission Meeting in Belize City. After a two day meeting, the ministers signed a memorandum of understanding in tourism cooperation, a letter of intent between both countries to improve security and cooperation programs at the countries maritime borders and a memorandum of understanding to strengthen the Belize-Mexico High Level Border Security Group. The objective of the 8th Meeting of the Bi-national Commission was to boost the strategic relationship between the countries and to review in detail the bilateral agenda in the political, economic, social, security and cooperation areas. This was achieved through discussions held by different subcommittees including in areas of Economy, Trade and Financial Affairs; the Joint Commission for Technical and Scientific Cooperation; Educational and Cultural Cooperation; Immigration Group; and the Mexico-Belize Transport Authorities Group.

Land tenure regularized in Silk Grass and Trio villages
On Tuesday October 7, personnel from the Lands Department visited Silk Grass and Trio Villages in the Stann Creek and Toledo Districts respectively to meet with residents in an effort to rectify problems which arose when the People’s United Party attempted to gain political mileage using lands as a bargaining chip. In Silk Grass, back in January of 2007, just a month before the general elections, 162 lots were issued out to villagers without the survey of the land having gone through the proper authentication process. Without this, residents were unable to acquire legitimate land documents and pay appropriate property taxes. Similarly in Trio Village, 261 lots were issued and also required regularization. Since the problem arose, the Ministry of Natural Resources & Agriculture took corrective measures and conducted investigations into the matter where it was determined that a private surveyor had been contracted to do the survey of the land in Silk Grass, however the survey plans were never completed yet lots were issued out.

Old School blasted Uprising in Vega Cup Tournament
The 2014 Vega Cup Tournament, which is sponsored by the Hon. Gaspar Vega, Deputy Prime Minister of Belize, continued on Sunday, September 28, with a number of games on the schedule. The games were played at two locations in the Orange Walk North Constituency. In the games played at Trial Farm Football Field, in game one, San Juan blanked AC Aliari by the score of 4-0. The goals for San Juan were scored by Jair Blanco in the 34th minute of play, Reynalso Mendez in the 40th minute of play, Juan Acosta in the 55th minute of play and an autogoal in the 69th minute of play. In the second game of the day, United Ballers won over Awe V. United by the score of 4-1. The goals for United Ballers were scored by Nathiel Williams in the 13th minute of play, Kadir Galindo in the 42nd minute of play, Alfredo Popper in the 80th minute of play and Andrew Allen in the 87th minute of play. For Awe V. United, the only goal of the game was scored by Osmar Duran in the 10th minute of play.

Blue Marlin to become a true Boulevard
Blue Marlin Boulevard - is that by name only but within the next few weeks the street will truly become what its name suggests as Mayor Darrell Bradley pushes ahead to concrete more streets in Belize City. According to the mayor, work will commence shortly on the street to convert it into a concreted two lane boulevard. It will feature earthen drainage a median and of course concrete carriageways. Ground will be officially broken on Thursday October 9 and BWS work crews will move in to do the water installation after which the contractor, RJB will move in to do the work. According to the mayor, the project will cost somewhere around 850 thousand dollars and will see the expansion of the road to include what is currently the shoulder but which has always been reserved to be a part of the road.

Belize City Council recognizes senior citizens
Last week the country observed international week for the elderly and one organization that took time out to acknowledge those who have contributed to the country in the past was the Belize City Council. On Friday, October 3rd the council invited 75 senior citizens to enjoy a day at BTL park. They were treated to an entire day of activities including a city tour, snacks and lunch. While at the park the senior citizens were serenaded by the old school sounds of Jorge Ernnesto Babb and they took to the floor and danced to the best tunes ever made. While the outing was good for the senior citizens among us, what was evident is that they unlike any other group is challenged by incapacity; there were many who were wheel chair bound, had difficulty in moving around and some were blind. We don't contemplate or realize that from the minute we are born we begin to age, that is just the nature of life and the Belize City Council's gesture sure acknowledged this and if even for one day treated the oldsters as if they were young again.

In the dumpster looking for candidates
The PUP leader is down on all fours, we hear him on television stating that by October he would have the slate ready to run in the municipal elections in Belize City. From what we are told however it is quite a task for that to be accomplished since even the rats and roaches are running away from that party. We hear stories of them going around offering money for candidates to run for them but even that is not incentive enough for anyone to want to be the sacrificial lamb. After all, we know of the work and accomplishments of the Belize City Council and Mayor Darrell Bradley and it would really be a fool who would want to walk up to that long list of accomplishments and expect to outdo it.

World Mental Health Day October 10th 2014
The Ministry of Health celebrates World Mental Health Day this year with a national ceremony at the Welcome Resource Center, Belize City on Friday, October 10th starting at 10:30 a.m. The theme this year “Living with Schizophrenia”, seeks to focus attention on Schizophrenia and the burden of stigma that persons with this illness face. Schizophrenia is a serious but treatable mental illness. It affects how a person thinks, feels, and acts. An affected person finds it difficult to tell the difference between real and imagined experiences, to think logically, express feelings, or how to behave appropriately. For the millions of people worldwide living with this disorder, there are treatments that can help to reduce symptoms and improve the ability to function at home, at work, and at school. A major barrier to achieving recovery is the social attitude and stigma associated with Schizophrenia and other mental illnesses. Mental Health Units across the country have developed awareness campaigns and activities for this week leading up to the observation of the day.

Tourism Cooperation agreed between Mexico and Belize
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation of Belize and the Secretariat of Tourism of the United Mexican States on “Cooperation in the Field of Tourism” on October 3, 2014. Honorable Manuel Heredia Jr, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation of Belize and Secretario Jose Antonio Meade Kuribrena, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Mexican States, signed the MOU during the closing session of the “VIII Meeting of the Belize-Mexico Binational Commission” held on October 2nd and 3rd at the Ramada Hotel in Belize City, Belize. The objective of the MOU is “to develop and strengthen the cooperation between the Parties (Belize and Mexico) in the field of tourism, based on equal rights and mutual benefit, in compliance with their respective national legislation and international commitments undertaken by the Parties.”

Police Officer Arrested for Stealing During Search
Police Constable Jamil Scott is out on bail after he was arraigned at the Belize City Magistrates Court for stealing jewelry from Randolph Gentle while conducting a search of his residence. Scott was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith where he was charged with two counts of theft. Allegations are that on Sunday, September 28, he stole a wrist watch valued at $180 and a ring valued at $120 while in a search operation at Gentle’s residence. According to reliable reports, when the matter was reported to police all officers in the operation were cautioned not to leave the station. We are told that Scott snuck out and was tailed by officers who followed him to his girlfriend Chelsea Zapeta. There they found the missing items as well as a black hand-held radio valued at $650 which is the property of the Belize Police Department.

Gerald Palmer executed during blackout
Belize City resident Gerald Palmer became the victim of a street execution on Thursday night, October 2, 2014, during a country wide blackout. His family is now devastated, and the only reasons they can come up with as to why he was killed is that it may be related to his younger brother’s enemies. This young sibling is currently on remand awaiting trial after being accused of shooting a man with a sawed off shotgun. 27 year-old Gerald Palmer’s killer found him at the corner of Grants and Cards Alleys, near Barrack Road. He was walking in the dark at around 9:15 p.m., the gunman took aim and shot him 5 times. The first shot reportedly caught him in the leg, and he tried to flee from his attacker, but he didn’t get far because the gunman fired 5 more times, 4 of which caught him in different areas of the body.

Jude Pennil in Jail for Stabbing Richard Smith
Jude Pennil, 41, of a Button Wood Bay address is in jail after he was arraigned in the Belize City Magistrates Court for dangerous harm upon Richard Smith. According to reports, on Saturday, October 4, both men were drinking in the Belama area when they got into an argument. The situation escalated and an altercation resulted in Pennil stabbing Richard Smith multiple times, the most serious is a stab wound to the chest. Smith remains in a critical condition at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. In Court on Monday, October 6, Pennil was unrepresented and pleaded not guilty to the charge. He said, “The young boy had a gun on me and I took away the gun from him.” Court Prosecutor Christopher Smith objected to bail on the seriousness of the charge. He says the victim is still in a critical condition and Pennil may not show up to court on his adjournment dates. Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith upheld the prosecutor’s objection and remanded Pennil to the Belize Central Prison until November 17.

Enrique Pook Jr., 22, on Reman for Sex with Girl, 13,
Enrique Pook Jr, 22, is on remand at the Belize Central Prison for allegedly engaging in sexual intercourse with a girl who is 13 years 9 months old. According to the girl, on September 27 of this year she had sexual intercourse with Pook Jr. The matter was reported to police and Pook Jr. was arrested and charged with unlawful sexual intercourse since the girl is under the age of consent. He was taken before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith on Wednesday, October 08. Pook Jr. was unrepresented and no plea was taken since the matter is an indictable offense. Bail cannot be granted at the Magistrates Court for such offenses; therefore, Chief Magistrate Smith ordered that Pook Jr. be remanded at the Belize Central prison until his next court appearance scheduled for November 26.

The fast life catches up with Lincoln Sabido
Lincoln Sabido, a man who has had a few run-ins with police, and who was acquitted of 2 separate murders, was gunned down and killed on Saturday, October 4, at around 10 p.m. Police haven’t released much information about how he was killed, but there is reason to believe that he was lured to his death. He received at text message from a female, who requested that he goes to Flamboyant Street. That’s one block away from his Moya Street house, and men who may have known that he would show, immediately began firing shots at him. Sabido was injured multiple times, and shortly after, residents tried to rush him to seek medical help. Unfor-tunately, he died on the way. His family has refused to comment to the press, but it is important to note that he was charged in 2007 and 2008, but he was acquitted both times. He was brought back before the court in May of this year after he was accused of robbing a Chinese store owner at gunpoint. He was still awaiting trial for this charge, and he was out on bail when the gunman killed him.

St. Catherine Academy and Belize High School boys lead in high school volleyball competition
The Central Region Secondary Schools Volleyball Competition continues at the Bird’s Isle. On Monday, October 6, in the first of two female games, St. Catherine Academy defeated Ladyville Technical by the score of 25-3 and 25-11. In the second female game, Belize High School defeated Wesley College in two sets by the score of 25-7 and 25-3. And in the male competition, Ladyville Technical defeated Maud Williams High School by the score of 25-22 and 25-18. On Friday October 3, in female game one Pallotti High School defeated Wesley College by the score of 25-23, and 27-25. In female game two, Anglican Cathedral College defeated Sadie Vernon Technical in two sets by the score of 25-21, 25-15.

Belize Preparing for EBOLA
There is no known case of Ebola in Belize and there has never been a reported case of the virus here in the jewel. However, the Ministry of Health has increased surveilance as the virus has now crossed oceans from West Africa to North America. There is now one confirmed case of Ebola in the United States and, though Dr. Michael Pitts, Director of Health Services, says there is a “low risk” of it affecting Belize, the Ministry of Health is working with the Immigration Department and other authorities to monitor the migration of people through our ports of entry. Dr. Pitts says the Ministry is asking the Immigration Department to “help identify people coming from high-risk countries and notify us.” Pitts says under public health laws the Government has the right to quarantine a person/persons posing a risk to the general public. “We know that we have people from Nigeria travelling in and out of the country,” Pitts says but there has not been a system in place to record such visits.

Facey Guatemalans threaten conservation outpost
A group of 40 Guatemalans living in La Rejoya Village which is right at the edge of the Belize/Guatemala Border, made an armed incursion into Belizean territory on Friday, October 3. Their purpose was to send a statement to the Belizean Military that they refuse to stand by and watch Belize build a Conservation Outpost near to their village. This facility, called the Valentin Conservation Outpost, is one of 3 border facilities that the Prime Minister had given his commitment to see completed so that the Belizean authorities can protect the territorial integrity of the Chiquibul National Park, and the Caracol Archaeological Reserve. Valentin is located in Western Belize, and is about 1 kilometer away from the Border, but in Belizean Territory. That didn't stop these villagers, who were armed with sticks, machetes, and guns when they marched up to the Belizean carpenters, who were hard at work, and their BDF escorts to demand that work be halted on the building, or they would burn it down by force. After an exchange with the Belizean military personnel who were present, the Guatemalan villagers retreated.

Freedom of Speech Under Attack UNIBAM Threatens Beenie Man Concert
There were many who urged Belizean promoters to stand beside Marine Promotions when the Catholic Church took out an injunction to cancel the “Alkaline Live Life” show in Cayo. No other promoter came out in support of Martin Castillo and company and their show was eventually censored. That censorship order from the Supreme Court of Belize set precedent for future events and now counsel for the United Belize Advocacy Movement (UNIBAM) has written to the sponsors and organizers of the “Bobby Chin’s Birthday Bash” to express concern about the lyrics used by entertainers headlining the event. Bobby Chin’s real name is Robert Lee and he is best known for his work with Black Chiney Sounds. Lee’s birthday bash is scheduled for October 18 at the Cahal Pech Resort in Cayo. Headlining the event is Jamaican superstar entertainer Anthony Moses Davis, better known as Beenie Man. UNIBAM’s letter says that the organization is "...concerned that both 'Beenie Man' and Robert Lee, a.k.a. 'Bobby Chin' of Black Chiney Sound will make statements/sing and/or perform lyrics an acts that incite the murder/harm/disrespect of the Police, advocate for the murder of His Holiness the Pope, incite and advocate the hate/harm or murder of LGBT persons and promote harm and/or forcible sexual acts against women/girls and/or misogynistic in nature."

Elections of Lands Advisory Committee in the Village of San Jose Nuevo Palmar in Orange Walk District
The Ministry of Natural Resources & Agriculture informs the general public of the results of elections held on Sunday 5th October, 2014 in San Jose Nuevo Palmar in Orange Walk East for the Lands Advisory Committee. The Minister of Natural Resources & Agriculture, as agent of the trustee, the Government of Belize, appointed the Commissioner of Lands & Survey to administer that election process, in collaboration with the Elections & Boundaries Department. Of the 472 voter pool created by traditional and elected leaders of the village of San Jose Nuevo Palmar, 341 ballots were cast. Three (3) committee members were elected out of the six (6) candidates. These were Lorenzo Aldana, Adolfo Cantun and Hermenehildo Moh. These elected committee members will join three (3) elders of the village and an ex-officio member from the Village Council to make up the 7-seat committee who will serve a two (2) year term.

Central America Refocuses on Social Integration
From day one, December 13, 1991, when the Protocol of Tegucigalpa was signed to promote regional cooperation for peace, political freedom, democracy and economic development in Central America, regional leaders knew the success of the union would depend largely on the social development and integration of our people. More than two decades later, social development seems to have taken a backstage to everything else. The body organized to promote social development and integration within SICA is the Council on Social Integration (CIS). The Council on Social Integration in Central America is holding its 62nd Ordinary Meeting on “la Isla Bonita”, the island of San Pedro, Belize. The focus of the meeting is a call for greater cooperation to develop member country’s human resources. In his address to Government leaders of the region, Hon. Mark King, Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Development and Social Transformation, says, “As human beings we seem to instinctively understand fundamental principles such as ‘safety in numbers’.” He stressed that cooperation is important for small states like the members of Central America; especially for a goal as important as the social development of our people.

Land Inspection Sweep – Belize District
The Ministry of Natural Resources & Agriculture informs the general public that Lands & Survey Department Officials will be conducting Field Inspection Sweeps throughout the Belize District during the week commencing Monday 6th October, 2014. The Ministry is deploying resources to finalize 435 lands inspections for residents of the Belize District. The Ministry continues to hold these exercises throughout the country in its ongoing effort to regularize and secure land rights and access for all Belizeans.

Burglary Ring Broken in Santa Elena, Cayo
A burglary ring which had been operating unimpeded for the months of August and September of this year in the Town of Santa Elena in the Cayo District has been broken by San Ignacio Police. Two persons have been arrested in this latest case and for the past week that the arrests had been made, no report of additional burglaries has been received by San Ignacio Police. Victor Hutchison 43 years of age, resident of La Loma Luz Boulevard has been arrested and charged for one count of burglary. He has been remanded to prison until November of this year. Another person charged in the same link-up was Mike Middleton, for handling a number of stolen goods. This ring specialized in the collection of house hold goods, which would bring in a profitable margin.

Shakeem Humes Charged for Assault with a Firearm
Shakeem Humes, 21, an associate of the George Street Gang is in prison for allegedly assaulting Carlos Lorenzo Mckenzie with a firearm in July of this year. On Monday, October 6, Humes was taken to the Belize City Magistrates Court where he was charged with one count of aggravated assault with a firearm upon Mckenzie. It is alleged that Humes assaulted Mckenzie with a firearm on July 20. He appeared before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith where he pleaded not guilty to the charge. Due to the nature of the offense, no bail could be offered since the incident allegedly occurred with the use of a firearm. Humes was ordered to be remanded at the Belize Central Prison until November 17.

Ron Myvette Charged for Attempted Murder of Calbert BuddOn the weekend of Friday, August 7, to Sunday, August 10, 2014 a total of seven persons were injured in shootings across the city. Luckily for one well-known street figure, he survived the attempt on his life. 33-year-old Calbert Budd Jr., brother of the late Marlon Budd, was shot in the left elbow on Sunday, August 10, at around 7:30 p.m. After almost two months of investigating, police believe they have cracked the case. Ron Blain Anthony Myvette was arraigned in the Belize City Magistrates Court on Friday, October 3, and slapped with five criminal offenses, including attempted murder. Myvette was unrepresented when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith and was read charges of attempted murder, dangerous harm and use of deadly means of harm upon Calbert Budd Jr. He was also charged for discharging a firearm in a public place, on Antelope Street in Belize City, and one count of aggravated assault with a firearm upon Gareth Hemmans, cousin of Calbert Budd Jr.

Attempted murder and suicide in Seine Bight
The Village of Seine Bight, which is known as a serene location just outside the popular Placencia Village continues to recover from the disturbing incident where one of its well-known members stabbed his common-law wife and then committed suicide. That man is 33 year-old Byron Castillo, a former teacher from the St. Alphonsus Primary School, who gained prestige in the village as an excellent educator. The incident happened at the bus stop in the village where his common-law wife, 34 year-old Nicole Swazo, was sitting with her children. Residents say that at around 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, October 4, he went over to the bus stop, and the couple had a lengthy discussion for over an hour or so. Those who were around say that they weren’t paying the couple mind because it was obvious that they were having a domestic fight, which was their own business. Suddenly, however, the residents heard Swazo screaming, and when they looked over, they reportedly saw Byron Castillo standing over her. He allegedly stabbed her multiple times in the chest and neck, and when residents in the area responded, he ran off.

Police Officers in Jail for Search Turned Armed Robbery
Police Constables Jefferson Dawson, 23, and Eber Depaz, 23, were arraigned in the Belize City Magistrates Court on Friday, October 3, for the armed robbery of Tremaine Ciego. Tremaine Ciego, 22, gas attendant of Belize City, says that he had just gone to purchase a fried chicken and soft drink after collecting his pay on Sunday, September 28, when he was stopped by two police officers at the corner of Central American Boulevard and North Creek. Ciego says the officers held him at gunpoint and punched him to the ground. They then beat him while on the street and one allegedly took away his week’s pay. The matter was reported to the Professional Standards Branch of the Belize Police Department and an investigation led to the identification and arrest of Dawson and Depaz.

Harrison Smith ambushed and killed on Pickstock Street
There was as shooting on Friday night, October 2, which left 1 Belize City man dead, and another injured. Police have quickly arrested 3 men, who are now remanded, but the families of the accused say that they have an indisputable alibi which the police ignored. The deadly incident happened on the corner of North Front and Pickstock Streets. 32 year-old Harrison Smith was riding his bicycle, when 2 men ambushed him and began firing shots at him sometime around 8:15 p.m. Smith was injured several times to different areas of his body; 23 year-old Eustace Lewis was in the area at the time, and he was also injured by one of the bullets which hit him in the buttocks. Doctors from the KHMH worked on Smith for about an hour and a half, but his injuries were too extensive. He ended up succumbing while Lewis, who was also injured in that shooting, was admitted in a stable condition.

Belize Bank Bulldogs National Softball Champions of Belize
The XXIV National Women’s Softball championship, which was played from October 3-5, 2014 at Rogers Stadium, is now history. A total of twelve games were played over two and a half days of competition. On Sunday October 5, 2014, in the twelfth and final game, which was the championship, the Belize Bank Bulldogs defeated Roaring Creek Grace Kennedy who was playing from the losers’ bracket by the score of 7-3 to capture its first national title. Roaring Creek Grace Kennedy batting in the top of the 2nd inning scored the 1st run of the game when shortstop Shadalee Ho opened the inning with an infield single to shortstop Sharette Vernon, Ho later scored to give her team a 1-0 lead. The Belize Bank Bulldogs batting in the bottom of the 2nd inning scored when the Designated Player, Nicole Arnold reached on the second baseman fielding error and later scored when right fielder Kiri Lizama reached on the third baseman error.

National Cycling Team leaves for Puerto Rico today
The Cycling Federation of Belize will have representation at the Annual Caribbean Elite Cycling Championship which is a qualifier for the Central American and Caribbean Games scheduled for Vera Cruz, Mexico in November of 2014 and the Pan American Games scheduled for Toronto, Canada in 2015. The federation will be represented by its National Cycling Team, which is made up of Marlon Castillo, Darnell Barrow, Joel Borland, Giovanni Lovell, Geovanni Choto, Kaya Cattouse, Patricia Chavarria and Alicia Thompson. The team is scheduled to leave this morning October 9, on American Airlines for San Juan, Puerto Rico. While in Puerto Rico, the team will compete in Road Race and the Individual Time Trial. We wish the Belize Team all the best for a great performance.

St. Catherine Academy and Belize High School boys lead in high school volleyball competition
The Central Region Secondary Schools Volleyball Competition continues at the Bird’s Isle. On Monday, October 6, in the first of two female games, St. Catherine Academy defeated Ladyville Technical by the score of 25-3 and 25-11. In the second female game, Belize High School defeated Wesley College in two sets by the score of 25-7 and 25-3. And in the male competition, Ladyville Technical defeated Maud Williams High School by the score of 25-22 and 25-18. On Friday October 3, in female game one Pallotti High School defeated Wesley College by the score of 25-23, and 27-25.

Sugar City Girls lead in the FFB Women President’s Cup Tourney
The Football Federation of Belize Women President’s Cup Tournament continued over the weekend with 2 games on the schedule. On Saturday, October 4, at the Ladyville Football Field, the visiting Sugar City Girls defeated Smart Millennium by the score of 3-1. The goals for Sugar City Girls were scored by Vanessa Mai in the 17th minute of play and the 65th minute of play, and Karen Garcia in the 20th minute of play. For Smart Millennium, the only goal of the game was scored by Melonie Bryant in the 71st minute of play. For Sunday October 5, at the Toledo Union Field, Toledo Strikers won over Dangriga Pumas via the default route. The score was 3-0 in favour of the Toledo Strikers.

Finding the Balance
There is always tension between the pull of the past and the draw of the future. Even in closed societies, such as the few remaining isolated indigenous tribes and the exclusive groups favoured by some religious sects, there is always the possibility of defection, especially of the young or disadvantaged. This tension frequently pits comfortable elites against the struggles of common people and more cautious older folk against the impetuous young. A total win for either side would be disastrous resulting in either a closed society living in a past that was never as glorious as it is remembered or a rootless society estranged from its culture and history. The trick is to find the balance and it helps to recognize that neither side is as monolithic as it might at first appear. Those who deny scientific insights in general and the science of climate change and evolution in particular are usually more than willing to accept the scientific knowledge inherent in modern medical practice, transport and technology. Revolutionaries, whether religious, social or political, fervently nurture their own history and culture.

Patrick Jones

Woman’s decomposed body found in Corozal cane field
The decomposed body of a Corozal woman was found in a cane field on Wednesday afternoon. Authorities identified the body as that of 63 year old Anita Che. According to reports received, Che was last seen alive on Tuesday of last week. Family members reportedly thought she had gone to visit with other family members in Belmopan as was apparently planned. But that notion changed when Che’s son Manuel Hernandez got a telephone call inquiring about the whereabouts of his mother.

Friends for Conservation and Development raises funds to save Chiquibul
The NGO Friends for Conservation and Development has had its public profile raised as defender of the massive Chiquibul National Park and separate Forest Reserve, which has seen numerous incursions from Guatemalan peasants in the last few years. As a result of the death of Special Constable Danny Conorquie, who as a member of the Tourism Police Unit assisted FCD in surveying and monitoring the Caracol Archaeological Site which falls next to the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, renewed emphasis has been placed on stopping the incursions and securing national territory. But FCD has a grave financial problem – through a recent grant from the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT), it has enough money to keep on four of its seven certified park rangers the band which monitors the area for conservation purposes.

Gary Seawell to fight extradition in Court of Appeal
Earlier this year, Gary Gordon Seawell accused of drug trafficking lost his fight to avoid extradition to the U.S. state of Ohio. There he faces conspiracy and drug-related charges. But he has not given up and today he served notice of taking that fight to the Court of Appeal. Seawell’s new attorney Anthony Sylvestre says the application for leave to appeal has been filed and awaits a response from the Government. It will be heard on November 10.

Blogs

SALAD BAR – SPINACH AND STRAWBERRY
Grate zest from lemon to equal 2 tsp.; squeeze juice from lemon to equal 2 Tbsp. Combine lemon zest, juice, tomatoes, and next 8 ingredients in a large bowl. Let stand 10 minutes. Toss with crumbled feta just before serving.

Halloween is Serious Business on Ambergris Caye – Come On Down!
Halloween is a big deal in San Pedro. I could spend a few paragraphs with boring information about the origins of the holiday – both religious and harvest based. Or speculate how it made its way down to Belize (maybe a partying pirate ship? or some Christian missionaries?) but I think it’s best to be upfront about this. Belize LOVES a reason to party. And add in dressing up? I’m surprised Halloween didn’t originate in these parts. The decorations are up at the Holiday Hotel – they host the biggest people-party each year…

A Tourist Guide: Everything to Know About Belize
With less language barrier to overcome than anywhere else in Central America, Belize is a great vacation destination. It might be the most expensive country in the region, but its reliable public transport and many restaurants and hotels make it a great place for independent travel. Belize is home to some of the most breath-taking sceneries in their part of the world. It has thick forests enveloping the southern and western regions with tall and sparsely populated Maya Mountains, as well as clear blue waters surrounding the Belize Barrier Reef with three of the four coral atolls in the Caribbean. Most visitors from Belize fly to Belize, arriving in Belize City. All flights originate in the United States. However, it is mostly cheaper to fly to southern Mexico and ride a bus to Belize. You can also go to Belize via Guatemala by land or by boat from Honduras. Local airlines operate daily from Flores in Guatemala to Belize City. The country has three major highways, but majority of the country is well served by public transport. There are several ways to go around Belize.

Want to know why we are culling Lionfish, read this article by Polly Alford, ReefCI Director and Lionfish Hunter!
Most people know by now that Lionfish (Pterois Volitans) are an invasive species in the Caribbean! They are a beautiful fish and do not cause a problem in their native environment where they have natural predators. They are native to the Indo-pacific oceans and the Red sea. Introducing the Lionfish to the Atlantic and Caribbean has turned out to be one of the cruelest and potentially catastrophic tricks ever played on an ecosystem! Invasive lionfish are out-breeding, out-competing and out-living native fish stocks and other marine species. The consequences impact the food security and economies affecting over a hundred million people.

A corporate refugee joins the Wildtracks Team....Anna I.
A couple of months ago I quit my job, packed up my cubicle, and said goodbye to corporate America. I had been working in the cube farm for a year, and decided that it was time for me to pursue my passion of working with animals, and to put my biological anthropology degree to good use. I arrived at Wildtracks not knowing what to expect, and I came across something truly amazing. Paul, Zoe, and a group of volunteers who were wholeheartedly dedicated to the care, nurturing, and well being of monkeys and manatees. I met people from all over the world who were passionate about wildlife conservation, and wanted to help provide former pets and stranded animals with the highest quality care so that they may one day thrive in the wild. Having never worked with monkeys or manatees in the past, everything seemed quite foreign to me. On my first day here I swam with a manatee for the first time in my life. Within three days of being here I was sitting in a manatee pool at 3AM while on night watch with Lucky.

What is it like to drive in Belize? Is it safe?
I am getting this question often from travelers-nearly everyone flies into Belize International Airport, and from there, you can rent a car. If you are going to the Cayes, you can take the water taxi or a puddle jumper flight (Tropic or Maya Air), if you are going to San Ignacio or Placencia (or anywhere else inland), you can rent a car or take a puddle jumper. Many people who come to Belize don't just go to one location though-one of the greatest things about choosing Belize is that you can do an island adventure trip, jungle adventures, Mayan ruins, and beach relaxing all on one trip. Belize is small, and relatively easy to get everywhere. The first time we came, we rented a car at the airport and drove around the whole country; it was a fantastic experience.

Of all the cities in the world, what are the top ten reasons why someone should vacation in Placencia, or even move there?
Let's get right to it. No place is perfect, and vacationing vs. living somewhere would require different checklists. Also, what is paradise to one person, is not paradise to another. But what is going on in Placencia, that made it feel so magical to us, and to many people that come down here? We meet people every week who, after visiting, are now on a house hunt. The whole village is on a verge of an even bigger explosion of growth, with several huge projects in the works. **most pictures borrowed from google, but all represent realistic portrayals :) 1.) The peninsula is very special and unique. We drove onto the peninsula the first time we came. The drive is so gorgeous and special....you go from watching the Maya Mountains, which look like Hawaii, to driving through what feels like a North Carolina shoreline.....to arriving at Hilton Head-like homes (Plantation area and North)....to driving through Maya Beach, which looks and feels like 1940's Florida (at least what I imagine it did :) ), to seeing authentic Belize culture in Seine Bight.

A trip review of a weekend on the island of Roatan, Honduras!
Dave, Chris, Sonia, and I went to Roatan, Honduras over the weekend--the goal being to add another country to our lists as none of us have been there, and to compare it to Placencia, as it has a lot of the same features. Honduras gets a bit of a bad rap online as being very dangerous; it has the highest murder rate in the world. We did not go to the mainland for this reason; we heard enough reviews from other travelers that unless you go with someone who knows what they are doing, you might want to stick to Roatan. I can't speak for the mainland (although I have heard it is quite inexpensive but a lot of poverty) and we will go at some point-but we only had a quick weekend so there wasn't time for all of it.

The truth about things people worry about when they come to Belize-Crime, Bugs, Hurricanes, WIFI....
Now that we are booking guests, I am seeing the concerns and questions people have about coming down to Belize. This is going to read more like a book report and not so much for entertainment, but still was an important blog I have been wanting to write :) The most common concerns are: How safe is it? Are the bugs bad? Are the critters in general bad? Can I get good wifi? Are there a lot of power outages? How bad is rainy season/is there a chance of a hurricane? I did about a year of research on Belize before moving here, then asked a thousand questions to expats who lived here, and then have lived here pretty much since February. This is not a lifetime of research but a decent sample size :)

International Sources

American Airlines: Latin America, Caribbean Traffic Continues Slide
American Airlines Group saw another year-over-year monthly decline in Latin America and Caribbean traffic in September, according to the company’s latest traffic report. Revenue passenger miles to the Latin America and Caribbean region fell by 3.4 percent to 2.029 billion, down from 2.101 billion in September 2013. Fort he year, traffic to the region is still in the black, though down to 1.3 percent over the first nine months of 2013. The region’s decline was the second-largest of any region for the US carrier, following the Atlantic region. Overall, the carrier saw a 0.2 percent reduction in revenue passenger miles in September, with a total of just under 16.86 billion. The data includes American Airlines and United Airlines traffic.

Bartling Benefactor For Belize
Long-time University of Sioux Falls theatre professor and former O'Gorman teacher Kim Bartling is a familiar face to many in Sioux Falls. While she's no longer teaching here, she is still caring for students a world away. A vacation turned into an effort to transform lives in Belize. Paradise beckoned Kim Bartling on one of South Dakota's 30-degrees-below-zero day, after putting in 14 hours on the job at USF. "Looked it up and it was 80 degrees and the airfare was $520. And I found it to be a sign from God and I decided to go to Belize to find out what to do with the next part of my life," Bartling said. Bartling ended up in Ambergris Caye, an island off of mainland Belize. She bought jewelry from local children who sold it to support their families, and she played theatre games with them. Then one day she followed them home.

Jim Can, wanted in Belize tax scheme, disputes allegations
The Canadian businessman wanted as part of a giant U.S. investigation involving stock fraud, tax evasion and money laundering in Belize says in an email to CBC News that he wants to tell his "full true story … that will shock the world." Jim Can has a controversial past in Canada, including allegations he was involved in the kidnapping of a Calgary businessman who was held at gunpoint by two associates of the Hells Angels, CBC News reported Thursday. Can faces several charges in the U.S. following a two-year undercover investigation by the FBI and the United States Attorney.

The Chocolate Revolution: Central American Start-Up Seeks To Grow Sustainable Cocoa Production
We have a chocolate problem. And it’s not just about the impact it will have on our waists this Halloween. It’s even bigger than that. Here are the top three most important things chocolate lovers need to know: Smallholder cocoa farmers are underpaid and impoverished: Ninety percent of the world’s cocoa is produced by five million small-producer farmers in West Africa, Latin America, and Asia. These farmers are getting minimal pay, with the majority of cocoa farmers globally living on less than $2 per day. Farmer poverty is widespread, while big manufacturers are capturing the vast majority of profits from the nearly $100 billion global chocolate industry. Demand for cocoa is growing, but farmer income isn’t improving: An estimated 4.4 million tons of cocoa (or cacao) are produced every year. That demand is expected to grow over 30 percent in the next five years as countries like China, India, and Brazil start eating more chocolate. The majority of farmers are unlikely to see the benefit of this growing market. In fact, many farmers have given up on cocoa and switched to other more lucrative, often environmentally destructive crops like palm oil. The average age of a cocoa farmer in West Africa, which produces about 70 percent of the world’s cocoa, is 51—which means farmers’ kids are abandoning the crop. So unless you’re paying more for your chocolate bar and know where your chocolate maker is sourcing their cocoa, unfortunately you’re probably just feeding (and eating) the problem.

Cinque curiosità sui droni volanti che salvano la Barriera Corallina di Belize
I droni sono forse l'esempio più bello e interessante del progresso compiuto dagli esseri umani in ambito tecnologico; ne esistono di varie tipologie e tutti sono deputati a compiti diversi: c'è il robot che ora consegna le medicine in un'isoletta a Nord della Germania; c'è quello che aiuta la polizia francese e c'è persino quello che consegna gli smartphone: tutti sistemi che saranno perfezionati col tempo e che, piuttosto che sostituire l'uomo - come già azzarda qualcuno - riusciranno a migliorarne notevolmente la vita. Quello di oggi è uno dei tanti casi, ma ci ha colpito particolarmente: il numero di ottobre di Focus, infatti, parla di droni che salvano i coralli; se non ne sapete nulla, siete capitati nel posto giusto:

Cuban Doctors at the Forefront of Ebola Battle in Africa
With risks growing that Ebola could flare on foreign shores, the U.S. is calling for nations to dispatch doctors and nurses to West Africa, where thousands of lives are on the line. Few have heeded the call, but one country has responded in strength: Cuba. In the weeks since U.S. President Barack Obama sent the first of nearly 4,000 troops to West Africa, the struggle to quell Ebola has created odd bedfellows. Perhaps none is quite so odd as the sight of Cuban doctors joining forces with the U.S. military to combat Ebola in West Africa. Cuba has long had an antagonistic relationship with its northern neighbor, the U.S. Aspiring global heavyweights China, India and Russia have done plenty of business in Africa, but their contributions to fighting the Ebola epidemic have been underwhelming thus far. And nations with some of the world’s most advanced health-care systems have come too late with too little to the crisis, said leaders from Ebola-affected countries.

Videos

Video: GMOs&Sustainable Farming in Belize Reportage, 37min.
from PGTV News Network

Video: Playmates at Play in Belize, 3min.
Jaime Edmondson and Lauren Anderson

Video: CREATURES AND WAVES, 2.5min.
Creatures and waves, video que filme en un viaje Centro Americano. Específicamente en Panamá (Bocas de Toro), Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Belize y Mexico. Lo grabe con una Gopro Hero 3 black edition para las tomas acuáticas y una cannon 7d para las tomas de tierra y Olas. Espero les guste las tomitas// and Enjoy the Ride.

Video: New NOT IN MY CITY CAMPAIGN 2014 TV ADVERT, 1min.
Belize Police Department.

Video: Belize currency old collection, 3.5min.

Video: (New) American Airlines 737-800 Wet Landing in Belize (BZE), 7.5min.
Landing Belize from Miami. Has all features as I said in the last takeoff vid from Miami. Taken on October 9,2014.

Video: Street Segments: Treasure Hunt Challenge (Belize EXPO 2014), 3min.

Video: Belize Reggae, 3min.
acoustic alternative.

Video: Street Segments: Jalapeño Challenge 2 (Belize City), 3min.

October 9, 2014

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Taiwanese Ambassador and CATO members visit San Pedro
The Ambassador of the Republic of China in Taiwan to Belize, His Excellency Benjamin Ho and his wife were on a working visit on Ambergris Caye. During his one day visit, Ho met with the Mayor of San Pedro Town Daniel Guerrero and members of the San Pedro Town Council. The visit took place on Sunday September 28th and was part of the country’s 2014 Business and Investment Mission to Belize organized by the Central American Trade Office (CATO). As part of the delegation, Ho was accompanied by representatives of SpeedTech Energy and Sunmed Medical Group. Representatives of the two companies made presentations about their products and line of service. The intention was for the municipal leaders to see how their products could be used in San Pedro Town. For its part, SpeedTech Energy showcased their green energy source as an alternate for non-renewable sources of energy.

Time for a bike ride
There is truly nothing more fun than a ride down the beaches of our island, taking in the breeze and balancing through sand. At least, these little girls seem to be enjoying their two-wheeled jaunt!

Garbage fished from the sea for International Cleanup Campaign
While the total tally of the amount of garbage recovered from the coastal areas has not been calculated, the amount of garbage recovered paints a sad environmental problem. Humans continue to dump garbage in our planet’s water sources, thus contributing to the deterioration and pollution of the marine ecosystem. Often, hundreds of living things, reptiles, birds and fish associate the garbage as a food source, eventually ingesting the objects and dying due to the toxic components of the garbage. The event highlights the point that more effort is needed to stop humans from dumping garbage, especially into the water sources. It is designed to help build awareness to dispose of garbage the right way. The garbage that was collected was taken to the municipal dump for proper disposal. The organizers would like to thank the organizations and residents that assisted in making the event successful.

Ambergris Today

San Pedro Junior College Donates to Roman Catholic Church
Please allow us a space in your prestigious Newspaper for the following: On September 19, 2014, San Pedro Junior College joined the George Price Centre for Peace and Development in commemorating our National Day of Prayer and Service. We identified a non-profit organization, in this instance, the Roman Catholic Church, to donate our proceeds of the Bar-b-que Sale that we did for the purchase of a new keyboard. We need to mention that on this occasion, the Lion’s Club agreed to assist us in this endeavor as part of their community service. The following was the final breakdown of our fundraiser: Bar-b-que sale--$1040.00; Lion’s chicken ceviche sale--$87.00; Lion’s Bingo--$453.00. Our grand total of this first ever SPJC Community Service was $1,680.00.

Island Benefactor Al Felly Brings Typewriting to San Pedro
Al Felly was no ordinary visitor to San Pedro. He was a professional florist of Madison Wisconsin, and like a regular tourist he loved fishing. However, he fell in love with the children of San Pedro, and when he became connected with them, he really got “hooked.” He visited with me back in 1972 when the school was just commencing. Since then both of us have retired, but the influence is still being felt and enjoyed in San Pedro. In this series we will get to see in how many fashions Al Felly touched the lives of hundreds of Sanpedranos. Today this is his favorite phrase: “I think back when it all started - love it.” Well, I worked all along with Al Felly and his wife Eadie and you are going to get it from the horse’s mouth.

San Pedro Participates in Countrywide Coastal Water Cleanup Day
Every article of trash was recorded and the information will be sent to the Ocean Conservancy to document the state of marine debris in Belizean waters. According to the 2013 data, approximately 9,300 pounds of trash was collected from twenty-seven (27) miles of coastline and waterways in 50 different locations. The trash collected this year from around the country included the usual non-biodegradable suspects: plastics, Styrofoam, aluminum wrappers and paper. But the debris also included things like car parts, tire rims and medical waste. Beyond compromising Belize’s aesthetic beauty, marine debris poses serious threat to fish, seabirds, marine reptiles such as turtles, marine mammals such as dolphins and manatees.

Security Guard Stabbed while Robbers Lose $130K in Failed Robbery Attempt
A San Pedro security guard was left hospitalized on Tuesday, October 7, 2014, after he was stabbed twice while on his way to the bank to make a large deposit. Roberto Assi, a security guard at Milo’s Center located in downtown San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, was on his way to make a deposit for the business at the local Belize Bank branch shortly after midday when he was accosted by two robbers who stabbed him twice in the process. The robbers managed to forcibly remove the money back from the security guard’s grip just a few feet from the bank and then the two men made their way way down Barrier Reef Drive (Front Street) towards the direction of Central Park. Onlookers started pursuing them and during the scuffle of their apprehension, the bag containing $130,000 was torn, spreading money and checks across the street and park area. This is when local vendors and people on the street proceeded to help themselves to the money; so while the robbery was prevented, the money was still lost (or stolen) by residents of the island who were at Central Park.

Misc Belizean Sources

Belize and Mexico sign bilateral agreements
With the signing of three agreements and the announcement of a series of specific actions, the eighth meeting of the Belize-Mexico Bi-National Commission took place last Friday. The Commission is the principal forum for dialogue between the two countries. Foreign Ministers Jose Antonio Meade and Wilfred Erlington led the meeting and announced the results after two days of work in Belize City, signing the following agreements: • Memorandum of understanding in tourism cooperation; • Letter of intent between Mexico and Belize to improve the security and cooperation programs at the maritime borders;

World Food Day 2014
Government of Belize Press Office

World Mental Health Day 2014 October 10th, 2014
The Ministry of Health celebrates World Mental Health Day this year with a national ceremony at the Welcome Resource Center, Belize City on Friday, October 10th starting at 10:30 a.m.

Where to Meet Expats in Punta Gorda, Belize
Unlike the more popular beach towns in Belize, Punta Gorda—in the Toledo District—is seldom crawling with tourists. And you’ll find few expats in Punta Gorda, compared to towns like Corozal, San Pedro, Placencia or San Ignacio. Upon visiting earlier this year, I learned that a growing number of expats are visiting and trying out the region to see if it’s a fit for them. Punta Gorda, often called PG, is not a party town. Actually, many of the expats who live there fulltime own and operate a business. Others are deeply involved in volunteer or nature-related activities. The long-term expats seem to have integrated seamlessly into the local community. So those expats I quizzed had a hard time coming up with “expat hangouts.” They said that they have little time to “hang out”… Although of retirement age, few are retired.

ADVISORY ON PROTEST IN-FRONT OF THE U.S. EMBASSY IN BELMOPAN TODAY
The Government of Belize has granted a request to protest from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. in front of the U.S. Embassy, Belmopan, on Thursday October 9, 2014. The protest is in regard to the United States Southern Command-funded Forward Operating base for the Belize Coast Guard on Hunting Caye. Belmopan Police have stated that they expect protesters from multiple civil groups and organizations to attend, but they do not know how many participants will be present. The Embassy recommends that visitors to the Embassy avoid contact with demonstrators if possible and recommends exercising extreme caution when driving in the vicinity of the demonstration. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. You should avoid areas of demonstrations, and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations.

Ministry of Health Fact Sheet on Chikungunya CHIKV!

Ministry of Health Fact Sheet on EBOLA!

BirdSleuth Workshop: Connecting Kids through Birds
As promised, photos from this year's BirdSleuth International two day Workshop held at our field station at Golden Stream on September 29th & 30th! The workshop introduced to primary school teachers a bird-focused environmental education curriculum developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Educaiton Program. And as a follow up to participants from last year, the second day focused getting feedback on experiences with using the curriculum. We are thankful for BirdSleuth International (www.birdsleuth.org), teachers and participants for providing their valuable time to this workshop.

Festival De La Hispanidad Y Mestizaje
Colcha Presents a weekend of Cultural Excitement! Come join of for the following event we have planned: Oct 10th - Historical Lecture - Roy Rodriquez Oct 11th - Hasta la Media Noche Musical Concert Oct 12th Evening of Traditional & Cultural dances and presentations * All event start at 7:30pm Corozal House of Culture (NICH)

Channel 7

Hon. Hulse Hunting For Illegal Labourers At Hunting Caye
Since the murder of Special Constable Danny Conorquie at the Caracol Archaeological Reserve two weeks ago – the entire country has been under a heightened state of security awareness. Which made it the perfect time to find out that a Guatemalan Company, BINARQ, was building the US Funded Coast Guard Forward Operating Base on Hunting Caye in Belizean water. It’s the kind of no brainer that begs the question, “what were they thinking?” by having Guatemalan civilians building a Belizean military facility. Minister of Labour Godwin Hulse, who has been taking a hard line on labour related issues for immigrant workers, told the press today that as soon as he was informed of the Hunting Caye contractual arrangement, he tasked a labour team to investigate whether or not the proper permits were received to get Guatemalan Civilians working at the site. Here's how he explained it:

Saldivar: Why No Red Flags at Hunting Caye
The one minister of Government who did know about the arrangements made for the construction of the Forward Operating Base was John Saldivar, the Minister of National Security. Saldivar hasn't been granting interviews to the press for months, but he agreed to a press encounter today at the ceremony for the Police recruit intake number 90. The media took the opportunity to ask him why a Guatemalan company building the Hunting Caye Facility didn't raise any red flags, and here's how he responded: Alindy Marisol Amaya - News Director, KREM News "In relation to the operating base of the coast guard, in the wake of your comments in the national assembly and those of prime minister Dean Barrow, they have said that, that's not enough, heads should roll because there seems to be the sense that people, or yourself, may have been aware that Guatemalans were in fact constructing it. There is a threat in Guatemalans knowing the ins and outs, the exits of those security facility."

Hon. Lisa Vs. Bobby & Beenie
Yesterday, we told you about the letter that attorney Lisa Shoman wrote to the promoters of the Bobby Chin Birthday Bash Concert, which will take place at Cahal Pech Resort on October 18. The promoters will bring in Jamaican Dancehall Superstar Beenie Man as the headline event, but UNIBAM is demanding that all artists put on a clean show for the concert-goers. The organizations says that Beenie Man or Bobby Chin may, quote, "...make statements/sing, and/or perform lyrics and acts that incite, the murder of His Holiness the Pope, incite and advocate the hate/harm or murder of LGBT persons and promote harm and/or forcible sexual acts against women (and) girls…." End quote. Today we asked Shoman, to explain the legal basis for what, essentially, is censorship: Lisa Shoman, Attorney UNIBAM "It's not about gay people, it's about violence. This addresses violent lyrics and the violence can be expressed towards the police, it could be expressed about the pope, it could be expressed about women, it could be expressed about gay people. So the focus is not the LGBT community, it is a call for there to be no violence, no violent lyrics song, no violence expressed and I think that is a reasonable call.

Beenie Disavows Prejudiced Statements Of Youth
But, truth be told, the allegations of homophobia have dogged Beenie Man as a performer for over a decade now. Gay rights groups – especially in the United States – have been forcing promoters to cancel his shows since the early aughts. It’s affected him big time, and stopped his ascension to status as a marquee entertainment name. In 2012 – he made this statement to appease his critics. It’s relevant now in Belize, and we air it mostly unedited:… Today local promoter Troy Flowers, professionally known as DJ Dalla wasn’t quite so contrite. He said in a statement today, quote, “Stop trying to fight and stifle the entertainment industry…it's a growing industry that puts food on many tables….

San Pedro Robbery Was Both Questionable and Comic
Police have identified a main suspect who they are seeking for a brazen daylight robbery and stabbing yesterday in the heart of San Pedro town. And while initial reports said a security guard was left critical and that he had been robbed of $130,000 thousand dollars – police today told us that the guard only got a flesh wound and an official police report says that 39 thousand dollars in cash was stolen. Privately, police sources have told us that they have their doubts about that figure and are waiting for an accounting from the security company to verify it. Here’s what happened: yesterday afternoon at around 1:30, security guard Cleofosio Robert Assi, was walking from the Western Union Office in downtown San Pedro to the Belize Bank with the money in his backpack. He was going to make a routine deposit, but had no escort and no firearm. Two men attacked him, stabbed at him and wrested away the backpack with the deposit bag. They fled, but according to the San Pedro Sun, townspeople chased them, and detained the bagman at the town’s Central Park.

Police Said Send Five PIV To Prison
Edwin Drive Flowers, known as a prominent figure in the PIV gang. He is joined by 34-year-old Michael Coleman, 23-year-old Emmerson Skyers, 24-year-old Albert Clother, and a 17-year-old minor – all allegedly linked to PIV. The group of five appeared before Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith in Court #1 today where they were all unrepresented. They were jointly read a single charge of professed to be a member of a criminal gang, specifically, Peace In the Village, Bloods. They all pleaded not guilty. There’s no bail for the gang charge and so all 5 were remanded until December 8, 2014. The girlfriend to one of the accused told court reporters that the charges are trumped up because they were all at the home of a contractor getting ready to go to work. We note that Drive Flowers – who was shot has his own small construction company.

What Happened To The Caracol Memo?
A week ago, 7News broke the story of the police memorandum which was sent to the Commissioner of Police, his top officers, and copied to the office of the Director of Tourism, Commissioner of Police, the BTB's Director of Destination Planning, and the Administrator of NICH in January. The Commander of the Tourism Police Unit warned in very stark terms that the Tourism Police Unit's officer were not adequately trained and equipped to secure the Caracol Archaeological Site. That was in January of this year, 8 months before Special Constable Danny Conorquie was killed, yet, no steps were taken to address the recommendations of Assistant Superintendent Diana Hall. She foretold that a tragedy such as this one could take place, and last week when the media questioned the Prime Minister about it, he said that the Minister of National Security was the government official most equipped to deal with those inquiries. That opportunity to ask the National Security Minister about that memo came today, and the media grilled John Saldivar on it. Here's what he said:

American Sicko Says He's Guilty
David Wendell Thompson – he’s the American schoolteacher who was accused of trying to seduce under aged Belizean girls using facebook. Well, the news tonight is that the 49 year old Thompson has signed an agreement to plead guilty to a federal charge of online enticement of children, a charge which carries a maximum penalty of life behind bars. Thompson confessed to talking to two girls in Belize, one 13 and the other 15, using his own Facebook account and a phony account he set up in the name of Iris Levy, which was made to look like the profile of a teen-aged girl in Belize. In facebook chats, he tried to entice the 13 year old into sex, telling her, quote, "But u need help…I want u to have a better life." When the girl said she was worried because she was only 13, Thompson wrote in February, "U promised I could be your first and I felt special…will you still let me?"

Hey, Mr. Carter!
Businessman and former politician Darrell Carter pleaded guilty to two social security offences in court today. Carter was charged for four counts of failing to pay Social Security for his employees in February, March, April and May, 2014. He had pleaded not guilty when the case first came up in August, but today he pleaded guilty to two of four counts. In court, Carter asked for another adjournment because he had to let go his attorney and needed another. But the Chief magistrate refused saying that from August he had ample time to get a new attorney. The Chief told him that she was of the view that the matter did not have to go through a trial since the charges are straightforward, and that he either paid the contribution when he was to pay or he did not. Carter tried to present the case on his own and produced some documents showing that he had been making payments to Social Security Board. Carter maintained that he was innocent and maintained a not guilty plea but when the charges were reread to him and that's when he presented to the court a receipt for two payments which was made yesterday for February and March.

Court Reports Say The Cayo Magistrate Lost Her Cool
Yesterday an accused person appeared before Magistrate Nardia Morgan in San Ignacio Magistrate’s Court for a case of grievous harm. But the arresting officer, a woman constable could not find the medico legal form specifying the injuries. Well, according to reports from inside the courtroom, that sent Magistrate Morgan off! She reportedly slammed a book on the judge’s table – and the book went tumbling to the ground. She then reportedly threw some harsh words and stormed off the bench into her chambers, where she picked up he bag, and marched out through the door, only stopping to tell the defendant to go about her business. Reports say that the tantrum continued outside the courtroom. Since then Morgan has apparently gotten over it and returned to the courtroom but has reportedly banned civilian prosecutor George Lopez form appearing before her for the rest of the year.

Nancy And Don Hector, Damage Diplomacy
As we told you, earlier, Minister of National Security, John Saldivar told the media today that his ministry will look into why the Memo about the security concerns at Caracol were seemingly ignored, which critics say contributed to the unsafe conditions which led to the death of Special Constable Danny Conorquie. Well, The Belize People's Front says that you should join them in Boycotting Guatemala because the Government on that side is not doing enough to help Belize curb the incursions into Belizean territory: Daniel Ortiz Reporting For at least a decade now, Friends for Conservation and Development have been sounding the alarm that Belize loses millions of dollars to Guatemalan poachers. They've been engaging in all different kind of illegal activities in the country's natural reserves along the western boarder. The Belize People's Front says at the state level, the response has been inadiquate.

New Gun Law To Senate
Today, the Senate met to discuss the Amendments to the Firearm Act and the Legal Profession Act. As we've told you, the Government is seeking to rationalize the gun laws so that persons who have been wrongfully detained can get bail. As we've featured in our newscast many times in the past, the gun laws have been criticized as being too oppressive, and today, the Leader of Government Business, Senator Godwin Hulse, told the press that he joins those who have been pushing for this change, even if it is only incremental: Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Immigration "As I said in the senate, let's be clear, I have been on this gun thing forever. You can probably dig in your archives for some of my speeches I gave on it. I've had personal experience or being roughed up by police, arrested and charged and it's not nice and I didn't know what hit me, where this was coming from? So i've been an advocate of this, we have discussed in cabinet in depth.

Belize Trucker Traffic Blocking In Chetumal
A major trucking malfunction caused a Belizean trailer to end up blocking the highway near Subtiniente Lopez in Chetumal yesterday. According to the "Por Esto!, Quintana Roo" newspaper, at around 3 in the afternoon a Belizean driver was transporting tonnes of fencing material to San Ignacio from Chetumal when the trailer suddenly became detached from the truck at the entrance of Chetumal, and was stuck in the road. But with the help of passers-by and enforcement officers, they were able to re-attach the cargo trailer to the truck. That took them about 1 hour.

South Indian Dance In Belize
An Indian dance group is here in Belize for the first time to perform the oldest and most popular South Indian classical dance known as the Bharatanatyam. There is a story behind this highly complex and elegant dance and the dancers discussed that at their rehearsal today. The performance started at 7:30 tonight at the Bliss. Entrance is free.

Immigration Questions Arise Again
Since the Private Prosecution against Elvin Penner failed, immigration matters seemingly have gone cold, but there are reports reaching the media tonight that a senior Immigration Officer from the Benque Viejo Office is being investigate for possible immigration irregularities. The allegations are that the officer facilitated documents for Chinese Nationals not yet in the country. Today the Minister confirmed it for the media: Mike Rudon, Reporter - Channel 5 News "We have been hearing that an immigration officer in Benque is under investigation for her part in facilitating some passports for foreign nationals, who aren't even in Belize. I understand it has been brought to the attention of the director and to your attention."

Channel 5

Minister of Immigration Clueless on Workers’ Status
The news that a Guatemalan company with Guatemalan employees was building a Coast Guard facility on Hunting Caye broke last week Thursday. One week later, the Government says it still [...]

Minister Saldivar Says He Knew About BINARQ…But Kept Mum
While the Minister of Labour, Hulse, is saying that he still does not know about permits, the Minister of National Security, John Saldivar, says all required permits were approved. Saldivar [...]

Another Immigration Investigation Underway
The Penner immigration corruption scandal which dominated the public landscape for a year has now fizzled. But with Immigration such a ripe tree full of fruit to plunder, there will [...]

US Embassy Responds
Since last Friday, News Five emailed the US Embassy with a series of questions in respect of the contract issued to BINARQ. Late this evening, we got a response. While [...]

UNIBAM’s Attorney Says It’s About Violence…Not Anti-Gay Lyrics
Three weeks ago an injunction against controversial artist Alkaline put him under manners, bound to keep his lyrical peace and tone down the sex. And now another artist is being [...]

Bobby Chin Says the Show Will Go On
Dancehall performing artist Beenie Man can be considered a mainstay in Belize, having been invited to perform in the country since the mid-nineties. So what is the contention all about? [...]

Beenie Man Says Love & Respect Only…No Hate
But according to UNIBAM’s Attorney, Lisa Shoman, there is precedent for the action being taken against Beenie Man, whose real name is Anthony Davis, and she’s right. Beenie Man and [...]

Belize People’s Front wants to boycott Guatemala
The murder of Danny Conorquie continues to raise the ire of the public. One group that is championing that Conorquie’s murder should not be in vain is the Belize People’s [...]

Minister Saldivar Still Quiet on Compensation Quantum
Earlier today when we caught up with the Minister of National Security, John Saldivar, he was drilled about compensation to the family of Danny Conorquie, who was killed two weeks [...]

Saldivar Says TPU Memo is being Investigated
At the beginning of the year, on January twenty-fourth, the Commander of the Tourism Police Unit, ASP Diana Hall, wrote to the ministry outlining the dangers and risks that tourism [...]

Another Accident on the George Price Highway
There have been extensive reconstruction works on the George Price highway, indisputably the most dangerous roadway which can claim the most fatalities from road traffic accidents. This morning at around seven-thirty [...]

Amendments to Firearms Act Passed…More on the Way
Today, the Senate met and with government’s majority, approved amendments to the Firearms Control Act, the Gun Control Act and the Legal Profession Act. Where the Firearms Act is concerned, [...]

Man Remanded for Carnal Knowledge
A teenager who is only thirteen years and nine months of age is claiming that a young man she is acquainted with had sexual intercourse with her against her will. [...]

Belize City Man Remanded for Burglarizing Home
A thirty-nine year old man is tonight on remand at the Belize Central Prison accused of burglarizing a house and stealing about two thousand dollars worth of household items.   Lance [...]

136 Police Recruits Pass Out
One hundred and thirty-six women and men joined the ranks of the Belize Police Department today. The ceremony was held at the police training academy in the capital where family [...]

B.N.T.U.’s call for action to “Unite to Stop the Attacks and tek wi country bak.”
One group that we had not heard from in respect of the execution of Danny Conorquie is the Belize National Teachers Union. Well this evening, we did. Following a meeting [...]

Bodybuilding Championships Set for Next Week
The Belize Body Building and Fitness Championships is set for next Friday, October seventeenth. For months, the federation and athletes, both male and female, have been putting the necessary preparations [...]

Belikin Calendar 2015 is about Fitness & Sports
If you have been following social media, you would know that the launch of the Belikin Calendar takes place on October twenty-fourth, at a reception to be held at the [...]

CTV3

The Symptoms Of Ebola And How To Prevent It
The second part of the Ministry of Health’s press briefing was to give the media a rundown on the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) which has been wreaking havoc in Western Africa. The current outbreak in West Africa, (first cases notified in March 2014), is the largest and most complex Ebola outbreak since the Ebola virus was first discovered in 1976. There have been more cases and deaths in this outbreak than all others combined. It has also spread between countries starting in Guinea then spreading across land borders to Sierra Leone and Liberia, by air (1 traveller only) to Nigeria, and by land (1 traveller) to Senegal. And while there is no known cases of the deadly Ebola virus in the Caribbean, officials say that the region including Belize should not rest on its laurels. Reporter Maria Novelo has this story in the following report.

Our Lady Of Guadalupe R.C. School Receives New Bathroom Facilities
For years students enrolled at Our Lady of Guadalupe Roman Catholic School in Altamira Corozal have been forced to use dilapidated bathrooms, thus putting their health at risk, but not anymore because the staff and faculty of the school can boast of new bathroom facilities. Daniel Moreno, a concerned citizen, saw the need of the school and that’s where the initiative was born. Daniel Moreno – Concern Parent “I was informed that the school needed better bathroom facilities and God put it on my heart actually to go ahead and do this and I consulted with my team at a Crossing the Gulf Ministries and we decided to go ahead and constructed the bathroom.”

Is Belize's Poultry Being Smuggled Into Chetumal, Quintana Roo?
A report aired yesterday on one of the media houses in Chetumal, Mexico has suggested that wholesalers who sell chicken may be smuggling chicken into the country from Belize. The suggestion goes further to state that this poultry from Belize can be contaminated and unsafe to eat. The report indicates that some wholesalers are selling chicken at a rather cheap price, somewhere in the vicinity of twenty-seven to twenty-eight pesos per pound which translates to somewhere over four dollars a pound. This is a concern as various wholesalers are competing for sales and the issue was raised because the actual marked price for chicken there is thirty-five pesos or more or almost six Belize dollars. The suggestion therefore was that some wholesalers were able to offer their poultry at a cheaper price because it was smuggled into the country from Belize. As we mentioned earlier too, the interviewee further suggested that this meat could very well be contaminated. Here is an excerpt of that story and the interview aired.

Organizations Meet To Discuss Security At Archaeological Reserves
The shooting death of a tourism police Danny Conorquie at the Caracol archaeological site has stirred a series of events that center on security and justice for the victim. The discussions as to how to deal with the aftermath of the situation continued this weekend with a stakeholder meeting. Discussions surrounded the archaeological reserve and the Chiquibul National Park among members of the Belize Toursim Board, the National Institute of Culture and History NICH, the Institute of Archeology, the Tourism Police Unit, San Ignacio Police Formation, Friends for Conservation and the Cayo Tour Guides Association. The Cayo Tour Guide Association made a number of recommendations including the need to increase military presence on the route to Caracol and the site itself starting from seven in the morning. This way there would be better access to the site for tourism activities that include botanical tours, ecology, hiking and camping to name a few. The association also suggested that they would like to have a better rapport with the TPU and Armed forces or every security option available for their safety. The second suggestion is that at least two hundred meters or more near the site is thinned, not cleared to allow for better visibility within the park and perimeter.

Belize Being Cleaned Of Debris
The Wavemakers 23rd annual national clean-up campaign which was held on Saturday proved successful once more. Hundreds of volunteers took to the beach, riverbanks, canals and lagoons to collect and remove garbage and other forms of debris from Belize’s waterways. Every article of trash was recorded and the information will be sent to the Ocean Conservancy to document the state of marine debris in Belizean waters. According to the 2013 data, approximately 9,300 pounds of trash was collected from twenty seven miles of coastline and waterways which comprises of fifty different locations. The trash collected this year included the usual non-biodegradable suspects: plastics, Styrofoam, aluminium wrappers and paper. But the debris also included things like car parts, tire rims and medical waste. Beyond compromising Belize’s aesthetic beauty, marine debris poses serious threat to fish, seabirds, marine reptiles such as turtles, marine mammals such as dolphins and manatees. The clean-up was one spearheaded by the folks at the Scout Association of Belize, Oceana Belize, Rotaract Clubs, environmental clubs and other organizations across the country.

Carmelita Resident Stabbed While She Sleeps
Tonight, Orange Walk police have arrested and charged one male teen in connection to an aggravated burglary in Carmelita Village that occurred last night. According to the situation report, around 12:13am, acting on information received, Orange Walk Police visited Carmelita Village in the District of Orange Walk where they met 43 year old one Ruth Flowers suffering from a cut wound to the right arm and palm of left hand. Information gathered revealed that Flowers was lying on her bed when she was awakened by a male person standing by her bed. This person stabbed her on her right arm and attempted to stab her again but Flowers grabbed the knife by the blade causing the cut to her palm. The person then ran away but not before Flowers recognized him as 18 year old Brandon Vasquez, Belizean labourer of Carmelita Village, who was arrested and charged yesterday for the crimes of Aggravated Burglary and Use of Deadly means of harm.

Robbery In San Pedro Nets Thieves More Than A Hundred Grand
A major heist on Ambergris Caye has netted thieves over $130,000 during a brazen daylight robbery at Milo’s Center in downtown San Pedro. The Sun reports that around 1:20 this afternoon, a security officer identified as Roberto Assi was wounded in the process when two men attacked him as he was heading out with a deposit bag to the bank. The two men stabbed and then robbed him of a deposit bag containing $130,891. One of the suspects was caught and the other with the money bag made good his escape. Police say the men are known to them and are actively seeking the other perpetrator.

SP Police Recovered Drugs And Cash, Two Men Charged
In other news coming out from San Pedro, island authorities arrested and charged a pair of men from the island for the offence of drug trafficking. This morning around 8:30am, a team of San Pedro Police, QRT, CIB and Special Branch personnel, conducted a search at an apartment room located at # 14 Sandpiper Street in the San Juan Area, San Pedro Town. Present at the time were 55 year old Rene Gabriel Perez, Belizean Fisherman and 18 year old Nairo Perez, Belizean fisherman, who both reside at the apartment. A search was conducted inside the room which led to the discovery of a pink plastic container containing green leafy vegetable substance wrapped in transparent plastic amounting to a total of 123.0 grams of suspected Cannabis. Also found inside the plastic container was ($656.00) in different denominations believed to be proceeds from drug sales. Both men were arrested and charged for “Drug Trafficking.”

PlusTV

US Embassy is Examining Contracting Procedures
The US Embassy issued a press release on the building of the Coast Guard facility on Harvest Caye, and the fact that Guatemalans have been contracted to do the work. The release says that- “The goal of the U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) is to support the Belizean military and people so that the United States and Belize can continue to work closely together in strengthening maritime security interests that affect both countries. In consideration of our strong U.S.-Belize partnership, USSOUTHCOM and the U.S. Embassy in Belmopan are currently examining the contracting procedures and construction efforts underway to address Government of Belize concerns…..The bidding process for these infrastructure projects is transparent and open to a pool of international contractors under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Central America “Multiple Award Task Order Contracts” (MATOCS).

Heavy rains cause flooding in areas across Belize
Heavy showers fell over most parts of the nation on Wednesday, causing flooding in some areas. Many Belize City streets were completely under water as the rains fell heavily most of the day. In Belmopan, some streets were also flooded as well as yards. In the Salvapan extension area of Belmopan, a truck which had just delivered soil to a resident, was moving off when its fuel line burst and spilled onto the streets. That fuel was clearly seen on the flood waters in the area causing an ugly black film. Residents of the area are especially concerned about the oil sheen as some of them have water wells in their yards and fear of contamination has been expressed. The area is prone to flooding but this is a unique situation as the flooding, linked with a simple incident, can now create a potential hazard. We were unable to get a comment from the Department of Environment late Wednesday evening, when we were made aware of the situation. We will follow up on this story.

Teachers’ Union Issue Call To Action Following Killing Of Danny Conorquie
The Council of Management of the Belize National Teachers’ Union met on Saturday, and unanimously voted for an immediate “call to action”. BNTU is asking its teachers to stand in solidarity and support of tourism officer Danny Conorquie, who was gunned down in the Caracol Mayan Site by Guatemalans. This call to action is to bring into sharper focus all the risks Belize’s military and security have to “endure in the absence of solid security”. Via a prèss release, BNTU says, “…BNTU wishes to register our great concern and displeasure over the ongoing varying forms of invasions into Belize by neighbouring Guatemalans.” BNTU says they are embarking on this call to action under the theme “ Teechaz got yuh back…Unite to stop the attacks, ahn tek wih kuntri back”.

Ministry of Health discusses Dengue, Chinkungunya, and Ebola
On Tuesday the Ministry of Health hosted a press in Belize City to update on its efforts to fight three major diseases, one already making an impact and two others being monitored as a potential threat. We start with Dengue, the fever spread by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. It is endemic to Belize and the rainy season from June to November is at its height in terms of cases reported. But the 2014 season has raised some concerns, both in terms of the cluster location of the virus and its mutation to the deadly hemorrhagic fever. According to Director of Health Services, Dr. Michael Pitts, of the over 700 cases reported, the majority are concentrated in vulnerable areas of Belize City’s Southside. Doctor Michael Pitts – Director of Health Services “In terms of what is happening in Belize District, most of the cases that we are seeing are in Belize City. For all public health purposes, we have divided Belize City into nine zones. We are seeing most of those cases in three zones, which are primarily on the Southside of Belize.

Patrick Jones

Teenage boy reported missing in Benque Viejo del Carmen
A fifteen year old boy from Benque Viejo del Carmen has been reported missing by his father. Christian Reymundo who is a first form student of the Mopan Technical High School, left home on Tuesday evening around 6:30 pm, telling his dad that he was going to his aunt’s house to do homework. But the boy never made it to the aunt’s house, according to Omar Reymundo, 36, who lives on Riverside Street. According to the father, when the teenage boy left home on Tuesday evening, he was riding a beach cruiser bicycle.

Robbery in San Pedro; thousands of dollars stolen
There was a robbery in San Pedro town, on Ambergris Caye on Tuesday afternoon. 28 year old Cleofosio Assi, who works as a security guard, was enroute to the local branch of the Belize Bank when he was accosted on Barrier Reef Drive. According to police, Assi felt someone grab his backpack. A struggle ensued during which Assi was stabbed to the right shoulder. Still, he was able to identify his attacker, described as being of brown complexion, has dreadlocks and wore a beard on his chin.

Blogs

Untamed Belize – Spotlight on the Chiquibul, Belize’s Rainforest
Comprising 1,073 square kilometres, (414 sq mi) of rugged, pristine forest, the Chiquibul National Park contains The ancient Maya metropolis of Caracol, a Belizean wonder in its own right. And as the dense environment has daunted explorers for centuries, who knows what ancient Maya wonders are still waiting to be discovered? Originally part of the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, which was marked out in 1956, the park was set aside after intense lobbying by conservationists in 1991, with the current borders drawn up in 1995 to protect the area and ensure that Caracol remained surrounded by a park. Thanks to such forward thinking action, the area has been saved from much of the ecological depredation seen in neighbouring countries. However – and there always seems to be a however when it comes to the environment – illegal incursions by foreign nationals seeking to harvest gold, game, lumber, xate palm leaves, and other valuable natural resources are increasingly becoming a problem. But more on that later.

BELTRAIDE’s Latest Investment Magazine Centers on Agribusiness
In 2013, the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service launched the magazine “Invest Belize” in an effort to promote its initiatives and highlight the investment opportunities available in Belize. On Tuesday, September 30, BELTRAIDE unveiled Invest Belize Volume 3 which is concentrating on opportunities available in the agribusiness sector. Invest Belize Volume 1 focused on offshore business outsourcing and Volume 2 was centered on tourism development. Mike Singh, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Trade, says this edition may be the best yet. BELTRAIDE selected McNab Publishing Limited for Invest Belize Volume 3. McNab has a track record of producing exceptional pieces such as the Flavours of Belize Cookbook, Belize Travel Guide and the Inspirational Calendar. Singh says he is extremely proud of the quality of articles in the magazine: “We are getting articles written by very senior people in government and very qualified people in the private sector.”

Trade Relations Between the Caribbean and China are Strengthened
The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) supported a contingent of representatives from four (4) of the Region’s Business Support Organisations (BSOs) to participate in the 8th China LAC Business Summit that was held in Changsha, China between September 12-13, 2014. The mission to China led by the Honourable Minister Donville Inniss, Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development for Barbados sought to build relations, discover new potential trading partners and promote the Caribbean for viable investment opportunities. Speaking at the China LAC Summit, Minister Inniss noted that the areas for future cooperation between China and the Caribbean included financial services, logistics, tourism and hotel development, agribusiness and infrastructure development. The participation of these BSOs that included JAMPRO, InvestSVG, The Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Chamber of Commerce of Haiti, is an important step towards not only strengthening the capacity of the BSOs to understand the Chinese market but also to enable the BSOs to work with the regions private sector to strategically target and penetrate the Chinese for exports and investments.

International Sources

Decade of Destruction: The High Cost of Hurricanes [Infographic]
Katrina. Wilma. Sandy. During the past 10 years, these names have unfortunately become common parts of the American lexicon. They symbolize a decade that featured 15 of the costliest hurricanes on record that resulted in thousands of casualties, millions of destroyed homes, and more than $310 billion in total damage. This “Decade of Destruction” infographic from MPA@UNC, the online format of the Master of Public Administration program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, explores the devastating damage caused by hurricanes between 2004 and 2013, the relief and recovery efforts of government agencies and NGOs, and preventive measures taken to protect the nation’s most vulnerable communities from future natural disasters.

Jim Can, wanted in Belize tax scheme, linked to Calgary kidnapping
Jim Can, a Canadian businessman wanted as part of a major U.S. investigation involving stock fraud, tax evasion and money laundering in Belize, has a controversial past in Canada, including an admission he was present during a violent kidnapping of a Calgary businessman who says he was held at gunpoint by two associates of the Hells Angels. Can faces several charges in the U.S. following a two-year undercover investigation by the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He is accused along with five others, including another Canadian, of taking part in what is described by U.S. authorities as a "fraudulent" and "intricate" scheme involving sham companies, anonymous debit cards and stock manipulations worth more than $500 million US. Can is a stock promoter who lived in Calgary for many years before moving to Belize.

International Tourism Conference Showcasing 280 Central American and European Vendors
The Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) announced that more than 100 European wholesalers and about 180 Central American vendors will participate in the Central America Travel Market Fair 2014 (CATM), which will be held in Costa Rica this October 9 and 10, in the Pedregal Events Center. Wilhelm von Breymann, Minister of Tourism in Costa Rica and member of the Central American Tourism Council (CCT), said that as hosts they expect attendees to enjoy the event and take advantage of the recent announcements made by the World Tourism Organization (WTO) which reported a 6% increase in international tourist arrivals for the first half of this year to do business. “CATM has become an exceptional showcase for promoting tourism in the Central American countries, and promoting the dissemination of multi-destination, tourism products and knowledge of the region,” he said.

Strengthening the Caribbean Internet
The promise of a better local Internet experience, data security and commercial opportunities has been one of the greatest incentives to establishing IXPs across the Caribbean. The TTNIX exchange now brings to eight the number of active IXPs in the Caribbean. T&T joins British Virgin Islands (BVIX), Curacao (AMS-IX), Dominica (DANIX), Grenada (GREX), Haiti, St Maarten (OCIX) and St Lucia (SLIX) as Caribbean countries with exchange points. Barbados, Belize, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis and St Vincent and the Grenadines are also actively engaged in setting up local exchange points. “Tremendous progress has been made in sensitising the region to the importance of building out national Internet infrastructure. Now we are seeing the fruit,” said Bernadette Lewis, secretary general of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU).

Mayas, la plus grande expo "in the world"
Avec plus de 3000 ans de civilisation, le peuple Maya ne cesse de fasciner. L'exposition proposée actuellement par le Musée du Quai Branly à Paris permet de mieux comprendre la richesse de cette culture mexicaine. Une visite s'impose. Après la subite et disproportionnée rupture culturelle franco-mexicaine liée à l'affaire Florence Cassez initiée unilatéralement par Nicolas Sarkozy en février 2011, voici qu'à Paris, le Musée du Quai Branly opte en octobre 2014 pour une symbolique réconciliation en mettant en scène, (jusqu'au 8 février) dans son immense espace du rez de chaussée la plus grande exposition sur la civilisation Maya jamais réalisée, rassemblant - essentiellement dans des vitrines parfois trop sobrement éclairées - 385 pièces rares, dont une bonne cinquantaine exceptionnelles par leur rareté , leur signification et leur beauté. La civilisation Maya (de « maïs », la céréale sacrée) , originaire du Yucatan au Mexique vers 2600 avant JC, ayant également des bases au Belize et au Guatemala, est l'une des plus étudiées, mais nombre de ses activités et ses rites demeurent encore mystérieux. On distingue plusieurs périodes, différentes cultures se côtoyant, notamment les Olmèques.

Mangroves protecting corals from climate change
Certain types of corals, invertebrates of the sea that have been on Earth for millions of years, appear to have found a way to survive some of their most destructive threats by attaching to and growing under mangrove roots. Scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey and Eckerd College recently published research on a newly discovered refuge for reef-building corals in mangrove habitats of the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than 30 species of reef corals were found growing in Hurricane Hole, a mangrove habitat within the Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument in St. John. Corals are animals that grow in colonies, forming reefs over time as old corals die and young corals grow upon the calcium carbonate or limestone skeletons of the old corals. Coral reefs make up some of the most biologically diverse habitats on Earth, and face many threats such as coastal pollution, dredging and disease. However, some of their most widespread threats involve warming ocean temperatures, solar radiation and increased ocean acidification. It is from these threats that corals are finding refuge under the red mangroves of Hurricane Hole. Red mangroves, subtropical or tropical trees that colonize coastlines and brackish water habitats, have networks of prop roots that extend down toward the seafloor, and corals are growing on and under these roots.

Violent Incursions into Belize
On Thursday, September 25, 2014, Tourism Police Special Constable Danny Conorquie was shot at the archeological site of Caracol. His death was witnessed by fellow guards and tourists who took videos of his death. This week, On October 3, 2014, Guatemalans armed with shotguns and machetes, attacked Belizean carpenters who were building an observation post at Valentin Camp, inside the Caracol Archaeological Reserve Trans-national organized gangs of poachers, smugglers, and human traffickers continue incursions into the border area between Guatemala and Belize.

International Archaeology Day
The largest Maya site in Belize, Caracol was bigger than modern day Belize City—the largest city in the country—and supported over 144,000 people. An extensive agricultural system supported this spectacular kingdom. Caracol's monumental architecture includes Canaa—the largest building at Caracol and one of the largest man-made structures in Belize. Caracol was also a military power scoring major victories over Tikal and Naranjo. Will Caracol be able to overpower its competition in ArchaeoMadness?

Videos

Video: Belize My New Home on Caye Caulker.mp4, 2min.

Video: A Glimpse of Belize HD, 4min.
Belize, the only English-speaking country in Central America, offers a unique combination of richly, rewarding experiences that make it unlike any destination on the planet. Swim with the exotic sea life along the Western Hemisphere's largest barrier reef. Explore the fascinating mysteries of the largest concentration of Maya sites in the region.

Video: Tender docking with Carnival Glory off the coast of Belize, 2min.
Tender boat docking with Carnival Glory off the coast of Belize.

Video: Exploring Cahal Pech, San Ignacio, Belize, 2.5min.
This is a video I shot of me going through Cahal Pech in September of 2014.

Video: Snorkeling and Diving in Belize, 3min.
Snorkeling off Caye Caulker and Scuba at the Blue Hole.

Video: Conch Fishing San Pedro, Belize, 4min.
On the first day of the season, Sanpedranos in Belize are up at the crack of dawn and heading out to fish for conch in order for them to supply the restaurants, bars and homes on the island. Those who don’t fish eagerly await for the days batch to arrive and either purchase their fresh conch or head to their favorite locale to have some conch ceviche, or their conch soup or fritters.

Video: Whale Shark Aggregation in Belize – Cristiana & Alain Bontemps 2009 Natural History Nature Documentary, 10min.

October 8, 2014

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Security guard stabbed and released of deposit bag containing over $130 Gs
A security officer was stabbed twice during a broad daylight robbery in downtown San Pedro. The security guard has been identified as Robert Assi, a resident of the DFC area of San Pedro Town. The victim was apparently attacked by two men as he was heading to make a deposit at the bank. The robbery occurred at the corner of Barrier Reef Drive and Caribeña Street sometime around 1:20PM on Tuesday October 7th.

Mexico and Belize announce bilateral actions
With the signing of three agreements and the announcement of a series of specific actions, this Friday took place the 8th Meeting of the Belize-Mexico Bi-National Commission. The Commission is the maximum forum of dialogue between both countries. Foreign Ministers Jose Antonio Meade and Wilfred Erlington led the meeting and announced the results after two days of work in Belize City.

Its A Jungle Out There!
I love nature, especially when it’s off the beaten path, so when an invite comes to go to Basil Jones, “Yes” is said without hesitation. Basil Jones is located in Northern Ambergris Caye, roughly about 12 miles from the Sir Barry Bowen Bridge, and is accessible either by land or sea. While traveling by boat seems more convenient and faster, you miss out on the unique ecosystems of Northern Ambergris Caye that you can only see through road. Basil Jones can be divided into three sections. To the east is a white sandy beach great for swimming and fishing. The center of Basil Jones is like a jungle with rich black soil and plenty of flora and fauna. According to persons that frequent the area, there are deer, wild boar, gibnut, chachalaca, foxes, raccoons and even jaguars. To the west is a complex and thriving mangrove swamp.

Santiago Tun honored as Officer of the Month for September
The Officer of the Month award for September was awarded to Police Constable (PC) 677 Santiago Tun. A small ceremony to commemorate the award was held for PC Tun on Thursday, October 2nd. As part of his recognition, he received several gifts, as well as a plaque displaying his photo placed at the San Pedro Police Station. PC Tun was honored due to his high level of professionalism, as well as his ability to attend to customers who can only speak in Spanish. “PC Tun is one of the few officers that is fluent in recording statements and tending to visitors that only speak/comprehend Spanish. This sometimes pose a challenge to the station as many residents of San Pedro are Spanish speaking. PC Tun is also very hard working, professional and dependable. He has never once complained about working overtime or being called off schedule,” said Deputy of the San Pedro Police Department, Inspector Henry Jemmott. For the month of September, it was noted that PC Tun was consistent and timely with his case files. He also ensured that all necessary investigations needed to complete his cases were carried out.

Ambergris Today

Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort Receives CTO Sustainable Accommodation Award
The Caribbean Tourism Organization in collaboration with TravelMole identifies Hamanasi as a dedicated leader in sustainable tourism - Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort was recently named winner of the Sustainable Accommodation Award during the 2014 CTO-TravelMole Caribbean Excellence in Sustainable Tourism Awards ceremony at the State of the Industry Conference in St. Thomas. The annual event recognizes individuals, groups, organizations and companies in CTO Member Countries that incorporate sustainable business practices during the previous year. This is the first time Hamanasi has received this honor.

Farewell Pete Graniel
We mourn the loss of a fabulous man of this community- a fisherman and also tourist guide. We celebrate the life of a fantastic husband and father- Pedro “Pete” Graniel Jr. Pete was born on the feast day of Saint Peter the apostle and fisherman and was aptly given the name of Pedro, which means The Rock. He indeed was the rock of his family and was a grandfather, uncle, cousin and friend whom everyone got to love. Blessed with a great sense of humor, Pete sought to make those around him laugh or at least smile as a means of making them and himself happy. Also blessed with tremendous charisma, Pete was able to embrace many tourists and enticed them to return time and time again. Indeed he was a man who loved the sea; no wonder he earned himself the title, “King of Wahoo”.

Education in Belize: Bullying in Schools, Need for Empathy

Rugby is Coming to Belize, San Pedro Club Gets Organized
Belize is the only country in the region not to have its own national Rugby Union, according to Tony Gillings, but he is the one person working diligently to change that and make rugby a reality in Belize. He arrived in Belize last week after having founded Rugby Belize to get clubs up and running across the country. Tony stopped by the office of Ambergris Today during his visit to Ambergris Caye to introduce Martin Dawson who is one of four organizers in Belize who will be in charge of organizing and administrating the San Pedro Rugby Club. Gillings is very excited for the San Pedro club as he knows that there is a large expat community on the island who will more than likely embrace the sport and assist in making it grow.

Ambassador of the Republic of China Hosted in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye
On Sunday, September 28, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Belize, His Excellency Mr. Benjamin Ho, and his wife, made an honorary visit to San Pedro along with representatives of the Central America Trade Office (CATO), SpeedTech Energy and Sunmed Medical Group. They were hosted by Mayor Daniel Guerrero and Councilors inside the San Pedro Town Council. As part of their visit, representatives of both SpeedTech Energy and Sunmed Medical Group made a presentation of their products and services and how it could be beneficial for San Pedro Town.

Misc Belizean Sources

Rehabilitation project at the Santa Elena border
The northern border rehabilitation project at the Santa Elena border in Corozal continues ahead in full steam with the upgrading of the road, drainage and traffic circulation infrastructure. The project includes the erection of an Entry Border crossing canopy, Exit Border crossing canopy, two traffic circles or roundabouts. One roundabout is proposed to bear the Gonzalo Guerrero monument and the second will bear our Belize Flag monument. The project is being carried out by the Ministry of Works and Transport through their Project Execution Unit. It is being built with funds from a Government loan through the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) and is contracted via a joint venture between RJB Co. Ltd. and Imer Hernandez Development Company Ltd. The supervision of the works is being carried out by Professional Engineering Services Ltd.

Mexico and Belize Bi-national Commission Meeting
With the signing of three agreements and the announcement of a series of specific actions, this Friday took place the 8th Meeting of the Belize-Mexico Bi-National Commission. The Commission is the maximum forum of dialogue between both countries. Foreign Ministers Jose Antonio Meade and Wilfred Erlington led the meeting and announced the results after two days of work in Belize City. Foreign Ministers from Mexico and Belize signed the following agreements: • Memorandum of understanding in tourism cooperation. • Letter of intent between Mexico and Belize to improve the security and cooperation programs at the maritime borders. • Memorandum of understanding to strengthen the Belize-Mexico High Level Border Security Group (GANSEF).

Channel 7

UNIBAM Says Back Down Beenie Man
If you watch the ads on the news, you probably know that Robert Lee, better known as Bobby Chin or "Black Chiney," is having his Birthday Bash Concert two Saturdays from now at the Cahal Pech Resort in San Ignacio. But, now an advocacy group is trying to block him out much like how the Roman Catholic Church tried to block the reggae artist Alkaline 3 weeks ago. But, this time it's not the church, it's their arch-nemesis, the gay rights group UNIBAM - which, in a clever twist, is claiming common cause with the Catholics. UNIBAM's attorney, Lisa Shoman today sent a letter to the principal promoter Jordan Zabaneh warning the promoters that they must commit to a clean show, or else UNIBAM will seek an injunction against them.

Ebola Not in Belize, But Are Authorities Ready?
Tonight, health authorities all over the world are grappling to come up with an answer for Ebola, how to contain it - and how to prevent it from becoming a global epidemic. The virus is on the move with confirmed cases in the United States and Spain. But can it reach Belize? This country does get regular visitors from West Africa - and the Ministry of Health also imports medical professionals from Nigeria. But how realistic is the risk, and what measures can be taken to ensure Ebola doesn't get into Belize? That was the subject of a press conference this morning at the Central Regional Health Headquarters in Belize City - where the first thing Health Authorities said is that there is no Ebola in Belize. Dr. Michael Pitts, Director of Health Services "Quickly, ahm, there are no known case of Chikungunya in Belize and certainly there are no known case of Ebola in Belize. It's, at this current time its low risk but we take it seriously because any one case could lead to fatality."

Chik-V Surrounding Belize, But No Positive Test Yet
A much more real and present danger is Chikungunya - known as Chik-V. The outbreak of this virus has gone right through the Caribbean, and is now in the America's. It is widespread in Central America - and is literally knocking on Belize's door. Pitts explained:.. Dr. Michael Pitts, Director of Health Services "While we don't know of any case of Chikungunya in Belize, I must tell you that since we spoke the last time, Chikungunya has move through the whole Caribbean chain. It certainly has entered into Miami Florida area. We have seen Chikungunya now in Salvador, Guatemala, in fact over this last week at least 5 provinces of Guatemala has reported Chikungunya. Salvador has also reported. We haven't seen any reports out of Honduras. For Belize, we have no known cases."

Budram to Jail
37 year old Shane Budram - he's well known on Wagner's Lane, or, as it is called, "Jump Street" - and tonight he's been remanded to jail along with a 17 year old minor. Police say they were part of a group of 7 men who pistol whipped and robbed 41-year-old Businessman, Ignacio Villanueva on Albert Street West on Saturday night. At 11:45 pm Villanueva was walking on Wagner's Lane when he was approached by Shane Budram and seven other men who surrounded him. He says that Budram hit him on the head with a firearm and when he fell to the ground, Budram took his 30.00 dollars in cash, and other possessions including his Nike tennis shoes right off his feet. Villanueva ran away bare-footed. Budram and the minor appeared before Magistrate Dale Cayetano where they were read charges of robbery and one count of wounding. They both pleaded not guilty.

Maim Victim Family Says Machete Man did It Over a Female
Last night, we told you about 24 year-old Teakettle Resident Aldo Moro, who had his left hand chopped off by another man on Saturday. Moro told police that he was attacked by a machete weilding Shaylon Santos. Santos chopped him in the head and on the hand. Investigators told us that they believe that Moro had an old beef, but his sister called us this morning to set the record straight. She said that her brother's attacker had an old dispute with his friend, not him. It was, she said, a quarrel over a female: Carol Budna, Sister of Chopping Victim "Saturday evening around 6:45 my brother was out in the road socializing with one of my other brother and some of his friends and for some reason he decided to go to a Chinese store. While there he was attack by this young man. I wasn't there and so what I understood is that the young man have him the first chop in the back of his head and then he put his hand up when he notice that this young man was going to chop him again and that was when his hand was chopped off completely.

Five Years For A Firearm
20 year-old Allan Moody is at prison tonight serving out a 5 year sentence after he was convicted of firearm offences before the Chief Magistrate today. Moody stood trial in which police officers testified on January 30, at around 5:30 p.m., they were on mobile patrol when they visited the Jane Usher Basketball court. There, they saw Moody, who was in the company of other persons. They searched him and found a black 9mm pistol with 8 live rounds. He was charged with keeping an unlicensed weapon, and keeping unlicensed ammunition. Moody offered his defense saying that he had no gun on him, and he also called a witness to the stand who said that the gun was under the bleachers.

"Ding" Disappeared on San Pedro
A 20 year old from Belize City is missing and his family fears the worst. Keron Swasey known as Ding left home for san Pedro in April - and his mother reported him missing 5 months later. 44-year-old Shelmadine Swasey visited the San Pedro Police Station and told police that she last saw her son on Thursday April 24th 2014, at 2:00p.m.. That's when he told her that he was going to travel along with some friends to work in San Pedro. After that he called her in May and told her he would be on the island for another three months. That's the last time she heard from him and anyone knowing his whereabouts is asked to call the police. We note that Swasey is among at least three other young men who have been reported missing on San Pedro - which others have turned up dead - after working as "Playadors" - beachcombers for drug drops on the north end of the island.

Massive Floating Island of Garbage Washes Up In PG
This weekend is the Annual Fishermen's Festival in Toledo. This event normally attracts visitors from all over the country and tourists but this year, they might have to deal with an ugly environmental eyesore: a floating island of garbage has washed up on PG's coastline. It began accumulating this morning and according to Will Mehia, it spans about 3 to 5 miles from Punta Gorda to the Port Honduras Marine Reserve. He also states that based on the content of the trash, it appears to have originated from Guatemala or Honduras. We've reported on these massive islands of garbage appearing on coasts in southern Belize for years now, but this one is the largest we've seen.

Another Allegation Against Police
Tonight a single mother is complaining about police brutality after her son 22 year old Michael McDougal was beaten by police officers over the weekend. She said it happened on Saturday morning in Newtown Barracks - after police found McDougal with a .38 handgun. And while she is not condoning her son's actions, she says the police can do their job more professionally. McDougal was taken to the hospital for treatment and then remanded to the Hattieville prison. Margaret McDougal, mother of Michael McDougal "Somebody called me from hospital and told me that I must come to the station to see my son because my son is in the hospital. When I went there and saw him, he said that they whop him in his head, he said that his stomach was bruised up and he said when they turned him over they stomp him in his chest and then he said that it was two police that beat him up. They hold him already and they didn't have any right to beat him again. He is bruised up and burst up and he is in pain." This morning police visited the home of Margaret McDougal - looking for her other son 23 year old Jeffery McDougal whom they believe is responsible for the murder of 40 year old Paul Rubio Morgan - who was gunned down on King Street last month. McDougal has been missing ever since that murder and since then his mother says police have raided her residence in search of him over 20 times.

President of Court of Appeals Sues Welder
Manuel Sosa is a judge and the President of the Court of Appeal, the highest court within Belize, but he's making news tonight because he is suing a welder, Ysusf Muhammad Bilal, for injures that he received when Bilal's dog escaped and bit him back in 2007. Lawsuits aren't cheap, often costing litigants thousands of dollars, but if he wins, Sosa wants Bilal to pay him for lawyer fees, plus $113 dollars and 67 cents, which he had to pay for the doctor visit, and for the cost of his trousers which were torn when the dog attacked him. Sosa says that on August 17, 2007, he went to Bilal's welding shop at mile 3 on the Northern Highway. He was there to inquire about Bilal's services, burglar bars for the windows of his house. He says that he got out of the vehicle, entered the yard, and was attacked by Bilal's dog. He claims that Bilal was negligent because he was a customer, and the dog should have been secured so that it doesn't endanger anyone wanting to do business with Bilal.

The Mystery of The White River
Yesterday we told you about the Sibun River's ghostly, sickly colour and the effect it is having on the Gracie Rock community - which depends on the river for its livelihood. Villagers believe that quarry work, or what is legally classified as mining has created the discoloration in the river. But, the Geology Department - which is in charge of all mining activities - says they don't think so. The Department's Michelle Alvarez told us that the white colour we first saw in May was caused by a mining operation - upriver in the Bonanza area. But, that operation, run by Larry Flowers, has since ceased operation - and did not cause this spell of whitening. And neither did the other mining operation that sits on the river - that's the one in Gracie Rock operated by National Aggregates. Alvarez says none of them are to blame in this case and her department doesn't know what is!

Man says GSU Commander Crashed Into His Truck
Recently, the GSU Commander, Inspector Mark Flowers, has been in the news where 2 complaints were lodged against him at internal affairs. Tamra McFoy and Allan McCoy both alleged that Inspector Flowers behaved inappropriately. Well, Joshua Wade, a resident of Ladyville who works in Belize City doesn't have that large a gripe - but says Flowers did do him wrong. He says that he had his pickup parked on Crown Cone Avenue on Thursday night at around 8 p.m. Mark Flowers, who lives right next to his workplace allegedly slammed into it, denting the back of the vehicle. Wade granted us an interview last week Friday in which he explained the entire situation, but at the end of the evening, he asked us to hold off because Flowers promised to pay him for the damages.

Weed Found In San Pedro
Two men were charged today in San Pedro after police found weed in their apartment. This morning around 8:30, San Pedro police, the quick response team, CIB and the special Branch intelligence searched a room on Sandpiper Street in the San Juan area. They found a small pink plastic container with suspected cannabis wrapped in transparent plastic amounting to a total of 123.0 grams which is about quarter pound. Also found inside the plastic container was $656 in different denominations believed to be proceeds from drug sales. 55 year old Rene Gabriel Perez and 18 year old Nairo Perez were arrested and charged for drug trafficking.

SICA Meeting On San Pedro
Today the council on Social Integration in Central America held its 62nd ordinary meeting in San Pedro. The focus of SICA's meeting is on the development and cooperation among the region's Human resource. Belize was represented by Area Representative for Lake Independence, Hon. Mark King. He explained the importance of focusing on the development of people. Hon. Mark King "The emphasis is usually on the movement and exchange of goods and services, the removal of tariff barriers and such considerations which are all very important but sometimes the human beings gets lost. The beauty of social integration is that it places emphasis directly on the human being, the citizens and his/her concerns and welfare comes into sharp focus. It has incredibly played an important role in ensuring the development in our sub-region is people centered." There were 7 member states represented at the meeting including Belize.

Into the Wilds of Chiquibul
And tonight, we go back into our archives for another look at the complex issued bedeviling the Chiquibul forest. In July of 2013, Daniel Ortiz and Codie Norales went into the Chiquibul to see a 100 plus acre Guatemalan milpa farm within Belize. It's only a microcosm of the larger problem which Daniel took the hard road to find out about:.. Posted (July 25, 2013) It’s not quite like climbing Victoria Peak, but when you go into the Chiquibul, all the way to the Western Border, half the story is just getting there! Tonight Daniel Ortiz dedicates a whole story to that. As we showed you last night, he and camera-man Codie Norales went there, and it’s important to note because it sort of explains why the place is so abstract, because it’s so darn far! Here’s his story- Daniel Ortiz reporting The environment inside the Chiquibul knows no sense of urgency, it is lost in time, immune to everyday exigencies; in fact, time is just a means of measurement which the guides use to estimate how far they’ve travelled, and how much further they have to go. For us in the media, time is always of the essence, and being sucked into the tangle of green on a deadline day, was, at first disorienting.

Brit Millionaire Threw Fundraiser For Special Envoy
The Prime Minister's wife, Kim Simplis is making international news again - this time thanks to a big fish in Britain who threw a fundraiser for her. Arron Banks recently donated a million pounds to the UK Independence Party also threw a fundraiser for The Special Envoy for women and children. IT was the second annual Fund raiser Gala Dinner on Wednesday in the UK. Through this initiative they were able to raise 300,000 US dollars for the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Mrs. Kim Simplis formed the trust in 2013.

Channel 5

G.O.B. Discuss Coast Guard Base with Americans
The Ministry of National Security has been forced into discussions with the US Embassy following revelations that a US-funded Coast Guard forward operating base on Hunting Caye is being built [...]

Did Guatemalans Build Joint Operations Centre on Price Barracks?
If it is not feasible to halt the construction of the forward operating base on Hunting Caye, the Ministry has committed to ensuring that it does not happen in the [...]

MoH Prepares for Ebola…Just in Case!
The deadly Ebola virus that has been traced all the way to Guinea in Africa, has made its way to as close as Dallas, Texas, where a man remains hospitalized [...]

ChikV Reported in Region, But Not in Belize
An outbreak of chikungunya fever across Latin America and the Caribbean was similarly reported in late-June.  While the spread of the vector-borne infection has been closely monitored in Belize, there [...]

Did Barrow know Guatemalan company was constructing BNCG base at Hunting Caye?
Do you believe the PM when he says he did not know that a Guatemalan company and nationals are constructing a base for the Belize Coast Guard at Hunting Caye? [...]

UNIBAM Wants Beenie Man Concert Banned
The concert by the controversial dancehall artist, Alkaline, was high in the September calendar of activities. But on the eve of the concert, the Roman Catholic Bishop went to court [...]

Muslim Woman Claims Religious Discrimination
There is a truly disturbing story to report tonight in which a Muslim woman claims she was denied access to court because of her religion. The woman, who asked to [...]

…And Seeks Legal Redress
As we said, the matter is disturbing, but the alleged victim of the discrimination has not chosen to stay silent. Supported by the Muslim community, she has sought legal recourse. [...]

Security Guard Stabbed…Robbers Get $130,000
A daring heist in San Pedro this afternoon has left a security officer hospitalized after he was stabbed twice while en route to make a bank deposit.  Shortly after one [...]

SP Police Bust Yields Drugs and Cash
Still in San Pedro, A search by a team of Police, QRT, CIB and Special Branch personnel at an apartment in the San Juan Area of San Pedro Town, yielded [...]

10 Years for Illegal Gun & Ammunition
Belize City resident, Allan Moody, is tonight serving his first night of a ten year jail term imposed upon him this morning in the courtroom of the Chief Magistrate, Anne [...]

2 Men Detained for Pistol-Whipping Businessman
We reported on Monday that a businessman is alleging he was pistol whipped then robbed by a group of men who surrounded him as he walked on Wagner’s Lane in [...]

Matura-Shepherd Calls Legal Act Amendments Misguided
On Wednesday the Senate will pass the bill for amendments to the Legal Profession Act, which means two things, really – one is that membership in the Bar Association will [...]

Belize City Man Jacked…Escaped Death
A Belize City man is lucky to be alive after he was accosted by two armed men. Sometime after ten on Monday night, thirty-six year old Jermaine Ottley arrived at [...]

Belize Audubon Society on Bird-watching
October is the start of the Belize Audubon Society’s Urban Bird Watch Program that connects Belizeans and visitors with nature through bird watching. The country currently boasts over five hundred [...]

Garbage Washes Up on PG Coast
And while bird watching is a positive event, down south, there is environmental degradation. Tons of debris are washing up along the coast in Punta Gorda. As these pictures will [...]

2014 Carnival Designers Recognized
The September carnival is now behind us, but there are side events that continue to take the spotlight. This Monday, the National Carnival Commission decided on who are the most [...]

Poaching & Illegal Logging in Belize
Tonight, we continue with the third in a series of environmental features on poaching and illegal logging in Belize by Guatemalan intruders.  In July 2012, former News Five reporter Andrea [...]

CTV3

Smuggled Chicken Into Chetumal, Quintana Roo
A report aired yesterday on one of the media houses in Chetumal, Mexico has suggested that wholesalers who sell chicken may be smuggling chicken into the country from Belize. The suggestion goes further to state that this poultry from Belize can be contaminated and unsafe to eat. The report indicates that some wholesalers are selling chicken at a rather cheap price, somewhere in the vicinity of twenty-seven to twenty-eight pesos per pound which translates to somewhere over four dollars a pound. This is a concern as various wholesalers are competing for sales and the issue was raised because the actual marked price for chicken there is thirty-five pesos or more or almost six Belize dollars. The suggestion therefore was that some wholesalers were able to offer their poultry at a cheaper price because it was smuggled into the country from Belize. As we mentioned earlier too, the interviewee further suggested that this meat could very well be contaminated. Here is an excerpt of that story and the interview aired.

COLCHA Keeps Culture Alive In Corozal Town
For the past two consecutive years the “Corozal Organization Leading Cultural Heritage and Art” COLCHA, has been hosting its annual Festival de la Hispanidad y Mestisaje and this year is no exception. This year the event will take place on the 10th, 11th and 12th of October at grounds of the House of Culture in Corozal. According to COLCHA’s president, David Ackierman, this weekend’s agenda is filled with activity starting off on Friday at 7:00pm with a Historical Lecture on Northern Belize. David Ackierman – COLCHA “This year we have change a little the dynamics of what we are doing this year and we are going to start at 7pm here at the House of Culture and we will be having a lecture done by Mr. Roy Rodriguez entitled the Evolution of the Sugar Cane Industry and its impact to the political structure here the northern Belize, then we continue with a concert on Saturday night, last year we started with the concert concept and this year we continue with the concerts concepts but this year we are having an international band by the group of Bernacolo, they are a group of seven and it is percussion and brass and they play music from the 80’s right up to modern times, and then on Sunday at 6pm we will have cultural presentations with a mixture of local artist and international artist.”

Our Lady Of Guadalupe R.C. School Received New Facilities
For years students enrolled at Our Lady of Guadalupe Roman Catholic School in Altamira Corozal have been forced to use dilapidated bathrooms, thus putting their health at risk, but not anymore because the staff and faculty of the school can boast of new bathroom facilities. Daniel Moreno, a concerned citizen, saw the need of the school and that’s where the initiative was born.Daniel Moreno – Concern Parent “I was informed that the school needed better bathroom facilities and God put it on my heart actually to go ahead and do this and I consulted with my team at a Crossing the Gulf Ministries and we decided to go ahead and constructed the bathroom.”Victor Castillo – Reporter“When you said this institute was in need of a well facility bathroom, how was the condition before you come in?”

What are The Symptoms Of Ebola And How To Prevent It
The second part of the Ministry of Health’s press briefing was to give the media a rundown on the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) which has been wreaking havoc in Western Africa. The current outbreak in West Africa, (first cases notified in March 2014), is the largest and most complex Ebola outbreak since the Ebola virus was first discovered in 1976. There have been more cases and deaths in this outbreak than all others combined. It has also spread between countries starting in Guinea then spreading across land borders to Sierra Leone and Liberia, by air (1 traveller only) to Nigeria, and by land (1 traveller) to Senegal. And while there is no known cases of the deadly Ebola virus in the Caribbean, officials say that the region including Belize should not rest on its laurels. Reporter Maria Novelo has this story in the following report.

Belize Is Free Of Chikungunya And Ebola But MOH Remains On High Alert
An excruciating mosquito-borne illness that arrived less than a year ago in the Americas is raging across the region, leaping from the Caribbean to the Central and South American mainland, and infecting more than 1 million people. Some cases already have emerged in the United States. While the disease called chikungunya or Chik-V usually is not fatal, the epidemic has overwhelmed hospitals in the Caribbean, cut economic productivity and caused its sufferers days of pain and misery. And the count of victims is soaring. The good news for Belize is that there is no known cases in-country, yet the officials at the Ministry of Health are taking no chances and remain on high alert. Reporter Maria Novelo has a related report of the Chik-V virus in the following report.Maria Novelo – ReportingThere are 3 diseases that were of public health importance to officials at the Ministry of Health’s press briefing this morning at the Central Health Region in Belize City. They are dengue, chikungunya and ebola diseases. And while dengue is an endemic in Belize, the Chikungunya virus has yet to be introduced in the country. Director of Health Services in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Michael Pitts, says they remain vigilant.

LOVE FM

Challenges in the Health Sector Make Us Unprepared for Ebola, etal
The fact that KHMH is the only ICU that is the fact that we have on the ground. To get a new ICU we have to look at what it costs so we have to consider alternatives. What we need in our resource capacity we have to assess and see what we can use to give the attention. So if we can’t build another ICU what is the next best thing that we could do and I am saying that it’s a dilemma for us with one ICU but I wouldn’t want to have that ICU be utilized solely for Ebola and on the same time I have the gunshot and everything else. So some of the consideration is to have the separate ward where you would have a group of people identify to give the intensive care and you would have to isolate all the equipment. The equipment you use for Ebola we can’t come back and use it in your general ICU so that is what they are trying to work out. In some of the countries in fact even in Liberia what you are seeing that they put in place is field hospitals to give that kind of attention and those are some of the things that we are considering. Another thing we are looking at is that the airport in the past we had a building on the airport, it was wooden, but that decayed so we are trying to replace that to say that at the airport we could isolate people without allowing them to come to Belize City but then that is PGIA.

If Ebola Comes….Is Belize Only Theoretically Prepared?
“Clearly we need to have the airport authority on board with us because we believe if Ebola is to come to us it’s more than likely to come through that route. We also have to pay attention to the border points because that is our frontier so we can see that we need to have airport authority, immigration on board with us and of course the tourist industry. There is an international health process that we do, so, for the country we have been going through steps for several years to implement certain things to help protect countries against these emerging diseases. It’s not specific for Ebola but I believe in 2005 we signed an agreement of what we should do for these diseases. Externally they set a certain standard maybe because of what our resources are because we can’t meet the standard but we could work on the guiding principles that we use and that is why it sounds a little theoretical because we have to adjust down sometimes. I don’t believe we can reach what the US is doing but we certainly can level and reach something like what Grenade is doing.”

Belize – EBOLA FREE
“Ebola is one of those diseases that have a high fatality. When you compare it to Chikungunya, Chikungunya has low fatality. So they are of importance because of two different reasons. Ebola is a disease that is transmitted by body fluids. It is not transmitted by casual contact but essentially body fluids that include blood, semen, saliva, urine and feces are the principle modes. The pattern that is emerging is that care givers and health care workers seem to be the people most at risk. How did Ebola get into the population? It got into the population through exposure to dead animals that were host for this virus or people eating uncooked game in those countries and the game includes; monkeys, shrews and other rodents.

Maheia Plans to Build on Borderline With Guatemala
Last week Friday, some forty Guatemalans crossed the Belize/Guatemala Border and threatened to burn down an outpost being built at Valentin Camp. Luckily the verbal exchange did not escalate to anything physical. Both the Prime Minister of Belize and Leader of the Opposition have addressed the issue. Today, Wil Maheai of the Belize Territorial Volunteers weighed in on the matter. Maheia criticized the current and past Governments in addressing any issue regarding Guatemala and Belize. Maheia also shared that the BTV is collecting funds to build their own station at the Belize Guatemala border down South. WIL MAHEIA “Once again we Belizeans continue to show weakness. There is no way in which we should have allowed that; in fact I am even more ashamed of being a Belizean. Those people came into our area, threatened our military personnel and left without anything happening to them. They should have all been herded together and arrested and charged. They can’t do that, this is our country. They should not have been allowed to go back to Guatemala freely.”

100K Goes Missing From Milo
One man is behind bars tonight and another is on the run with more than a hundred thousand dollars. Love News has confirmed that a brazen broad daylight robbery at San Pedro Town has left a security officer hospitalized. Information received is that security officer for Milo’s Center located downtown San Pedro Town, Roberto Assi, was stabbed multiple times by a pair of thieves. We understand that Assi was making his way on his bicycle to make a deposit when the robbers pounced on him on Caribena Street. The security deposit bag holding more than one hundred and thirty thousand dollars was stolen from Assi. One of the suspects was caught while the other man is being sought by police.

CITCO and Chamber Team Up For New Tax Regime
The Belize City Council has partnered with the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry to formalize a task force with the responsibility to restructure the trade license regime in the City. They have not been successful in doing this so Mayor Darrell Bradley, decided to extend a moratorium on increase of trade license for Belize City Business and property tax for Belize City residents. Here is how he explained it. MAYOR DARRELL BRADLEY “As a sign of good faith, we indicated to them, to promote this idea of certainty that we were going to issue a moratorium on any trade and property tax increases during this period when we are on the discussion with this new regime. So when that task force was put together and its made up of personnel from the City Council and personnel from the Chamber of Commerce, equal membership and senior people are on that task force, for example, our Director of Finance, Mrs. Ordonez who used to be the Head of the Income and Business Tax department; so she has very much knowledge on taxation and tax regime.

UNIBAM Wants Injunction On Upcoming Concert
The “Bobby Chin Birthday Bash” flyer has been all over Facebook. Robert Lee or “Bobby Chin” is promoting his birthday celebration that should take place on Saturday, October 18th, at the Cahal Pech Resort in San Ignacio. We say should because Bobby Chin’s Birthday Bash is receiving much opposition, specifically from the United Belize Advocacy Movement, UNIBAM. UNIBAM is taking offence and expressing concern over the songs that the guest performance, Beanie Man, will sing. UNIBAM’s Attorney, Senior Counsel, Lisa Shoman, told Love News that Beenie’s Man songs seeks to incite criminal activities against police officers and members of the LGBT community. Shoman sent a letter to Bobby Chin, requesting assurance that no such performance will take part that night. If that assurance is not forthcoming, Shoman, says that she has been instructed to seek an injunction to prevent the “birthday bash” from happening.

Dengue Cases Register at 705
In today’s press conference hosted by senior health officials, the matter of dengue was addressed. As it turns out, there are several cases reported in Belize particularly in the Cayo, Corozal and Belize District with south side Belize showing majority of cases. Dr. Michael Pitts spoke of the disease and reported cases. DR. MICHAEL PITTS “For this year as we monitor dengue, we have, up to the end of last week, reported 705 cases of dengue with about 187 cases of hemorrhagic dengue in the country. Most of the dengue cases we have seen are coming from the Belize District, Cayo District and Corozal District. In the case of Toledo there have only been 16 cases of dengue reported; Stann Creek District, 41 cases; Orange Walk District, 12 cases. Belize District has reported 365 cases, Corozal 170 cases and Cayo District 80 cases. In the past we saw most of the dengue occurring in the Belize District and Corozal and Cayo and at least for last year.

Potential of High Attack Rates for Chikungunya Exists for Belize
As with the news of the absence of Ebola in Belize, another sigh of relief can be had as the same news applies in the case of chikungunya. Health officials made the declaration this morning during a press conference held in Belize City. Director of the Health Services, Dr. Michael Pitts led this morning’s discussion. DR. MICHAEL PITTS “While we don’t know of any case of Chikungunya in Belize I must tell you that since we spoke the last time Chikungunya has moved through the whole Caribbean chain. It certainly has entered the Miami, Florida area. We have seen Chikungunya in El Salvador, in Guatemala; in fact over this last week at least five provinces of Guatemala have reported Chickungunya. El Salvador has also reported. I haven’t seen any reports out of Honduras. For Belize we have no known cases but we are actively looking for cases.” With no confirmed case of chikungunya in Belize despite its recent spread into the Caribbean, we can tell you that unlike with the Ebola disease, the Ministry of Health does seem to be on top of its game when it comes to the prevention of chikungunya. Dr. Pitts assured us that measures continue in an effort to lower the risk of contraction in Belize but that it is a community effort that will maximize their efforts.

Christmas in Roaring Creek Village
Christmas came early for a family in Roaring Creek Village. Correspondent Fem Cruz tells us why. ANGELICA CRUZ “Thanks to some kind hearted villagers of Roaring Creek who put one and one together, they made Derek McCoy’s dream come true.” DEREK McCOY “First of all I want to thank God for answering my prayers and thank God for these people; Mr. Fredrick Budna and his wife Ms.Budnah; Fredrick Budnah Jr.; Cory Williams and Luke Gentle; also Ryan Garbutt and brother Ian Mckoy and Paul Baizar. I was married for one year with a wife and a child and had nowhere to stay and God really answering my prayers I finally got my own house now and I need to thank God.”

PlusTV

Jermaine Ottley Shot and Robbed in Belize City
Police are investigating a shooting incident and robbery that occurred on Monday, October 6^th in front of a house at the corner of Allenby and Amara Streets, Belize City. According to reports, at around 10:00 pm, 36 year old Jermaine Ottley of Allenby Street was exiting his vehicle in front of his h...

Two Men Arrested in San Pedro for Drug Trafficking
Two San Pedro men were arrested and charged Tuesday morning for the offence of drug trafficking when authorities conducted a search at their residence.According to reports, at around 8:30 a.m...

San Pedro Police looking for missing person
San Pedro Police are investigating a case of a missing person. According to police, 44 year old Shelmadine Swasey of Belize City visited the San Pedro Police station where she reported that the last time she saw her son, 20 year old son Keron Kishane Swasey a.k.a...

Security Guard in San Pedro Robbed of Over $130,000
In San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, a security guard was attacked and robbed of over $130,000. According to reports, Security Guard Roberto Assi was at the corner of Barrier Reef Drive and Caribeña Street, sometime around 1:20p.m., on Tuesday October 7th. Mr Assi, who works for a collection agency, had i...

Improved Seating at School’s Football Field in Orange Walk Town
40 bleachers and 14 canopies newly built at the Louisiana Government School, in Orange Walk Town, are able to provide adequate and comfortable seating to spectators attending various sporting games often held at the school’s football field. The project was funded by the Belize Natural Energy Chari...

Garbage Washes Up On Beaches of Punta Gorda Town
There is a developing story coming in from the southern District of Toledo where a quite extraordinary amount of garbage has washed up on the beaches of Punta Gorda Town. PG correspondent Will Mehia reports that this is the worse it has ever been in all the years of living in Punta Gorda. According ...

Three Charged For Murder Of Harrison Smith
Police have charged three Belize City men with the murder of 32 year old Harrison Smith. On Friday night, October 3, around 8:00 p.m...

Lincoln Sabido Murdered In Belize City
30 year old Lincoln Sabido was a victim of gun violence in Belize City over the weekend. With more details here is Police Press Officer Raphael Martinez. “On Saturday night, at approximately 10:11 p.m...

Man stabs the mother of his children, then commits suicide
A domestic dispute in the Southern District of Stann Creek has left a mother in the hospital and a father dead. According to Reports, on Saturday October 4^th, sometime before noon, 34 year old Nicole Swazo of Dangriga Town went to Seine Bight village to visit her children, who were in the custody of...

Police Seek 30-years-old Man For Alleged Rape Of 16-years-old Female
A 16-years-old girl from Belize City reported to police that she was at home alone around ten o’clock in the morning on Friday October 3, when a man known to her entered the house and raped her. A medical examination confirmed that the child was indeed raped, classifying her injuries as grievous h...

Businessman Dies In Swimming Pool
On Sunday October 5,  a naturalized Belizean businessman 21-year-old Jitendra Lakhawani, died in a swimming pool. Police investigations revealed that at about 2:30 p.m. that day, Mr Lakwani went to the Pickwick Club in Belize City, along with a relative, to swim and socialize. At about 3:25 p.m...

Guatemalan and OAS officials dispatched to Guatemalan village to deescalate tensions
On the heels of the murder of special constable Danny Conorquie, a group of armed Guatemalan’s accosted a Belizean construction site near the border. Since the death of Mr Conorquie there has been a recent spike of activity at the border. As we’ve reported,  on Tuesday last week, two hundred Beliz...

PUP Leader Says GOP Must Be Tougher On Border Security
Leader of the Opposition People’s United Party (PUP), Francis Fonseca, and his colleagues had much to say in Thursday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, on the matter of border security in the wake of the killing of Special Constable Danny Conorquie. As with developments of armed incursion...

Charges Dropped Against BML Workers
On Monday morning more than 20 workers from Belize Maintenance Limited (BML) attended Magistrate’s Court for the expected dismissal of their cases. In August they had vehemently protested in front of City Hall on North Front Street after learning that at least 50 of them would be sent home because t...

Ground Broken For Belize City Drainage Improvements
On Monday, the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Belize City Council broke ground for a project designed to improve the City’s drainage in a key area. Under the eight-month project, a new canal will be constructed through Cinderella Plaza, from the corner of Douglas Jones Street and Freetown ...

Man Stabbed Following Argument In Belize City
There was a stabbing incident in Belize City on Friday night. The  incident happened on Green Street, Belama Phase Four, where 33-year-old Richard Smith was the victim. Police say Mr Smith was socializing with a man also lives on Green Street...

Man’s Hand Chopped Off In Teakettle Village
Belmopan police are investigating two reported chopping incidents; one resulting in the amputation of a man’s hand. Reports are that sometime around 6:00 pm on Saturday, 24 year old Aldo Moro of Teakettle Village, Cayo, went to buy at a store in Teakettle Village, Cayo, when he was assaulted by a ...

24 Years Old Man Charged After Chopping Incident In Salvapan
There was another report of a chopping incident which occurred in the Salvapan Area of Belmopan. According to reports, at about 10:45 pm on Saturday, 21 year old Edel Diaz, a Belizean Warehouse Assistant of Salvapan,  was reportedly socializing with some friends at a bar located on Cemetery Road, wh...

Shakeem Humes Charged With Aggravated Assault And Damage To Property
Shakeem Humes has been charged with aggravated assault and damage to property, for an incident occurring nearly three months ago. On July 17, Mr Humes is alleged to have pointed a firearm at Carlos McKenzie, who was in a vehicle belonging to the Government of Belize, and fired shots at him. Mr McKe...

Municipal Convention In Corozal Town Selects PUP Candidates For 2015
It was convention weekend in the Town of Corozal. On Sunday, October 5, 2014, the PUP Corozal Municipal Convention was conducted at the Civic Center. Two teams vied for the opportunity to represent the PUP in the upcoming Municipal elections in 2015...

Amandala

Moya Street resident gunned down
Lincoln Sabido, 30, of Moya Street in the Lake Independence area, was shot to death around 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 4, while sitting on the verandah of a house on Flamboyant Street, by unknown gunmen. Sabido, who is well-known to police, had been employed on the ongoing road construction in the city. Police found him lying on the ground, with gunshot wounds in the head and body. He was taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH), where he was pronounced dead at 10:30 that same Saturday night.

Johnnycake vendor gunned down during blackout
An opportunistic murderer took advantage of a countrywide blackout that occurred last night and during the power outage, put an end to the life of a johnnycake vendor who was riddled with at least five bullets under the cover of darkness. Police investigations suggest that at about 9:15 p.m., Gerald Palmer, 27, was walking through Grant’s Alley, which is located off Hyde’s Lane in north-side Belize City, when, upon reaching the corner of Grant’s Alley and Card’s Alley, he was accosted by a lone gunman, who first shot him in the leg and hand before blasting him with three more shots in the chest as Palmer made an attempt to flee for his life. According to Teral Palmer, who is the twin brother of the murder victim, Gerald had been asleep at their home at #20 Barrack Road, but got up during the blackout and had just left home when he was ambushed by the gunman.

Ex-lover stabs up woman, then hangs himself
A woman who had reportedly ended an abusive relationship was attacked and stabbed multiple times on Saturday morning in Seine Bight by her ex-lover, who then hanged himself. Police say that Byron Castillo, 33, a teacher, stabbed Nicole Swaso, 34, multiple times in the abdomen, chest and neck area at about 10:30 Saturday morning in front of a Chinese store in Seine Bight, and when she fell to the ground, Castillo ran to his house, and, believing that she was dead, put a rope around his neck, attached it to a beam in his house, and hanged himself. People in the area rushed Swaso to the Placencia Polyclinic. She was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit in a critical condition, and doctors there worked diligently to save her life.

BDF soldiers “face off” armed Guat mob in Caracol
Chiquibul–A week and a day after the brutal murder of Tourism Police special constable Danny Conorquie on Thursday, September 25, at the Caracol ruins inside the Caracol Archaeological Reserve, the protected area was the site of an armed attack against Belize Defence Force (BDF) soldiers and a team of carpenters by an armed mob of about 40 Guatemalans last Friday, October 3, who threatened to burn down the new conservation post the Belizeans are erecting to stem the unrelenting tide of illegal incursions and encroachments by Guatemalans. Ret’d Colonel George Lovell, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of National Security, told Amandala that military reinforcement was called in to support the four BDF soldiers who were onsite. Lovell said that the BDF never retreated, but held their ground in the face of threats from the Guatemalans – who carried rifles, machetes and shotguns – that they would burn the conservation post down.

2 shot; 1 dead
Two men who were making their way towards downtown Belize City shortly after 8:00 this past Friday night were met with a hail of bullets which cost one of them his life, while the other is listed in a stable condition at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH). Police reported that they visited the KHMH at about 8:15 p.m. on Friday, October 3, and saw Harrison Smith, 32, of a Police Street address in Belize City, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his body, and Eustace Lewis, 23, of a West Collet Canal address in Belize City, with an apparent gunshot wound to the buttocks. According to police, Smith and Lewis were riding on separate bicycles on North Front Street when they were cornered by a duo of gunmen, also on separate bicycles, one of whom opened fire in their direction.

Why Belize is losing the war for Chiquibul
The recent tragic death of police officer Danny Conorquie has cast a spotlight on an issue that has not received the necessary attention from either the Belizean public or the government. A silent war is being waged inside the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, one that has been raging for many years. The enemy moves freely within the Chiquibul, operates with impunity and greatly outnumbers the nation’s security forces. They are consistently encountered by the Belize Defence Force, Belize Police Department, Friends for Conservation and Development, and other Belizeans who visit the Reserve. Many media reports have been made on this enemy and images of the damage they continue to inflict on the Chiquibul are broadcast to the world. The enemy of the Chiquibul has seized control of the forest and there seems to be nothing the Belize government can do about it. Belize is losing the war for the Chiquibul, and it is apparent that we are now losing the struggle for sovereignty over that part of Belize.

Editorial: Belize’s survival option
This newspaper has described the murder of the Belize tourism police officer, Danny Conorquie, on September 25 at the Caracol Maya site by invading Guatemalan villagers/bandits, as a turning point in the historical development of the Belizean psyche. That murder was followed eight days later by another invasion of Guatemalan villagers/bandits, who threatened Belizean builders and a small Belize Defence Force (BDF) detachment who were about the construction of an observation outpost within Belizean territory near the western border with Guatemala. Scholars and historians may decide that Belizean reaction on the ground to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) option, an option which was first accepted and proposed by the Belize and Guatemalan governments in late 2009, was the real turning point. No professional poll of the Belizean people has been taken, as far as we are aware, but it appears that the gut feeling of the Belizean masses is opposed to the ICJ option. If this is so, then it means that the Belizean people have become militant in their perspective on the Guatemalan claim to Belize.

From the Publisher
The British, the Americans, and the oligarchy of British Honduras were not happy with the Hon. Philip Goldson when he revealed what he remembered of the Webster Proposals in 1966 in what we Belizeans knew then as the “Thirteen Proposals.” British Honduras had been granted internal self-government by the British at the beginning of 1964, and we were supposed to be moving right on to independence. The Guatemalan claim to Belize at the time was the “Anglo/Guatemalan Dispute,” and both the disputing parties, Britain and Guatemala, accepted the United States as the mediating party. Washington appointed a New York City lawyer, Bethuel Webster, to draft proposals to end the dispute so that British Honduras could move on to an “early and secure” independence. The Hon. Compton Fairweather has said that it was the great Samuel Haynes who formed the British Honduras Freedom Committee in New York City.

The other side of the saga within the sugar industry
In what has now become a disturbing period of uncertainty within one of the country’s most vital economic pillars, the besieged sugar industry, and just eight weeks away from the scheduled commencement of the 2014/2015 sugar crop season between late November and early December 2014, the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers’ Association (BSCFA) and factory owners Belize Sugar Industries (BSI)/American Sugar Refineries (ASR) remain at an impasse in their efforts to reach a definitive, refined commercial agreement due to major differences between them. Indications are that neither side is even close to reaching a fixed accord anytime soon, especially as it relates to the troublesome dispute over payment for bagasse, which has been a major roadblock in the negotiations among the industry’s stakeholders. The worrying situation, coupled with plummeting sugar prices in the international market, has prompted BSI’s multinational parent company, ASR, to dispatch a senior executive in the person of Mac McLachlan, ASR’s International Relations Advisor, in an effort to hopefully diffuse the volatile circumstances, but more importantly, to communicate ASR’s sense of urgency in its quest to reach a resolution and ensure the future of the sugar industry.

Belize City Primary Schools Volleyball Tournament results
The Belize City Primary Schools Volleyball Tournament 2014-2015 is in full swing, and we have received the results for games played at Bird’s Isle on Friday, October 3, and today, Monday, October 6. Only 1 game was played on Friday, and it was (M) St. John Vianney defeating St. Ignatius, 25-20, 25-17. Today, Monday, two games were played. (M) St. Martin De Porres def. Wesley Upper, 25-14, 25-15; and (M) Ephesus SDA def. Bethel Assembly, 25-18, 25-18.

Talking football – Part 2
The PLB Interim Committee is reportedly having a meeting on Wednesday of this week. While we wait for word on the new season, we continue with our football musing. BELIZEAN FOOTBALL COMPARISONS Thursday, March 8, 2007 (continued from Amandala of Sun. Oct. 4) Another question that needs to be asked is: why has professionalism in Belize not led to an increase in gate attendance, which would translate to better salaries for players, following the first few years of semi-pro? Instead, many clubs have folded due to financial difficulties, as fan turn-out during regular season games is abysmal. Teams that don’t make the playoffs have no hope of breaking even, and even champion teams have folded, or declined to return to defend their title, (New Site Erei, Sagitun?) due to financial problems. It is strongly suggested, from this scenario, that if the price is paid (in terms of gate receipts) to achieve excellence on clubs, they would be sustainable and continue to improve. But if top clubs collapse at their peak, due to financial constraints, only to then have to start all over again, this will naturally delay the rise of our football standard to match the higher ranked countries in the region.

Looking ahead to November 4
Belize’s National U-17 squad began training this past weekend, after postponement the previous weekend due to rains. We print the below reports to make our fans aware of the level of competition our boys can expect in next month’s Central American U-17 qualifiers in Honduras. Panama hosts U-17 tournament Concacaf.com PANAMA CITY, Panama, Wed. Oct 01, 2014 Nearly two months prior to its participation in a Central American qualifying competition for the 2015 CONCACAF Under-17 Championship, Panama will host a friendly tournament starting Wednesday and running through October 5. Panama, U.S. U17s win again Concacaf.com PANAMA CITY, Panama, Sat. Oct. 4, 2014 Host Panama and the United States each won for the second time in as many games in the Under-17 International Tournament, posting shutout victories on Friday at the Estadio Maracana. After a scoreless opening 70 minutes, the Panamanians netted four times in a 4-0 triumph over Costa Rica. Ronaldo Cordoba (70’, 90’) struck for two goals, while Leandro Avila (80’) and Adalberto Carrasquilla (85’) added one apiece.

Guatemalans attack at Valentin
On October 3, 2014, a mob of about 40 Guatemalans threatened to burn down a new conservation post which Belize is building at Valentin Camp, Cayo, inside the Caracol Archaeological Reserve, in response to incessant illegal incursions by Guatemalans who penetrate the area to carry out a range of illegal activities, including logging, hunting, looting of Mayan artefacts, and gold panning.

Patrick Jones

Maya leaders take part in cultural outreach
Maya Leaders from 38 Maya communities in southern Belize have taken part in a cultural outreach seeking that they call spiritual support from the ancestors. A three-day pilgrimage of the participating Maya leaders culminated with a sacred offering at the great temple of Tikal. On Monday morning, the bus […]

Ministry of Health updates on threats from viral diseases
The Ministry of Health today hosted the press in Belize City to update on its efforts to fight three major diseases, one already making an impact and two others being monitored as a potential threat. We start with dengue, the fever spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. It […]

Study of violence prevention initiatives released
The Arias Foundation of Costa Rica is coordinating with Belizean social scientists to assess how Belize is addressing violence prevention. It has done similar work in other Central American countries and has engaged former education officer and consultant Nelma Mortis, a co-author of the Herbert Gayle Report on […]

Ministry of Health holds media briefing on Chik-V and Ebola
The Ministry of Health is at this hour hosting a media briefing in Belize City on Chikungunya, also known as Chik-V and Ebola. There are NO cases of either disease in Belize at this time; but with cases of Chik-V being reported in the Caribbean and Central America, Belize is on high alert, according to officials.

Blogs

2 Beach parties and North Ambergris Road
New North Ambergris road pictures are further below from when I drove up there last week and the following pics get straight to the tropical beach party part. At the rate of 600 feet a week, it is coming along nicely now and there are 2 nice long stretches of paved road to drive on. Many islanders head to the lagoon side at Grand Belizean estates for weekend parties – our version of a cottage country drive. We ran into Miss Shelly, Miss Joy and their friend enjoying a golf cart potluck party under the shady terracotta roof so we parked our cart as close as we could and joined them. Karen and I walked the beach a bit for some pictures and treasure hunting. Unfortunately I did not find any Maya Artifacts to turn over to Jan Brown for the Marco Gonzalez collection. Still hoping I hit the jackpot with another piece like the full axe head that I found while exploring the back side of the island one day. We spent a good amount of time people watching and chatting – perfect Sunday activities.

Pig Tail at El Fogon Restaurant in San Pedro, Belize
El Fogon is a favorite restaurant in San Pedro preparing classic CLASSIC Mestizo and Creole Belizean dishes in a very classic way. El Fogon has expanded quite a bit over the last year. And though it was empty when I first arrived at about 11.50am, the place was pretty packed up by 12.15. In Belize, lunch time is lunch time. Mid-day. Noon. It’s as if everyone is programmed with some sort of internal clock that rings at that time. And just delicious food. The coconut rice is worth the visit alone. Moist and tasty. I went for a favorite of mine. Pig tail. A “meat” that is very popular in Belize. It is sold from a bucket called a pigtail bucket and though I am hesitant to show you a photo…but…how bad can it be? Here it is.

United Nations map now includes the State of Palestine
he issue of “statehood” of Palestine was settled in September of 2012 when the United Nations General Assembly voted by an overwhelming 2/3rd majority and U.N. General Assembly Resolution 67/191was passed. If we refer to the issue of the State of Palestine being on the official map of the United Nations, you will see that the West Bank and Gaza are demarcated with broken lines without mention of the State of Palestine before the date mentioned.2 On, December 21st, 2012, the United Nations Office Of Legal Affairs (UNOLA) circulated an internal memo, not to member-States or media, but to the United Nations Secretariat. In the last line of Article 8 of this memo3stated: which is now public, states:

SALAD BAR – TOMATO CHICKEN SALAD
Easy side: Preheat grill to 400° to 450° (high) heat. Rub 6 (1-inch-thick) ciabatta or French bread baguette slices with a garlic clove; brush with extra virgin olive oil. Grill bread 1 to 2 minutes on each side or until toasted Grate zest from lemon to equal 2 tsp.; squeeze juice from lemon to equal 2 Tbsp. Combine lemon zest, juice, tomatoes, and next 8 ingredients in a large bowl. Let stand 10 minutes. Toss with crumbled feta just before serving.

International Sources

IMF says economic growth may never return to pre-crisis levels
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has cut its global growth forecasts for 2014 and 2015 and warned that the world economy may never return to the pace of expansion seen before the financial crisis. In its flagship half-yearly world economic outlook (WEO), the IMF said the failure of countries to recover strongly from the worst recession of the postwar era meant there was a risk of stagnation or persistently weak activity. The IMF said it expected global growth to be 3.3% in 2014, 0.4 points lower than it was predicting in the April WEO and 0.1 points down on interim forecasts made in July. A pick-up in the rate of expansion to 3.8% is forecast for 2015, down from 3.9% in the April WEO and 4% in July. But the IMF highlighted the risk that its predictions would once again be too optimistic. “The pace of global recovery has disappointed in recent years”, the IMF said, noting that since 2010 it had been consistently forced to revise down its forecasts. “With weaker-than-expected global growth for the first half of 2014 and increased downside risks, the projected pickup in growth may again fail to materialise or fall short of expectation.”

First lady of Belize visits children at Tockington Manor School
EXCITED children from Tockington Manor School were delighted to welcome some very special guests to their school. Mrs Kim Simplis-Barrow, the first lady of Belize was joined by Ms Perla Pedomo, the Belizean high commissioner at the school on Wednesday, October 1. They were in the country to promote Mrs Simplis-Barrow’s charity, the Belize children’s Trust which held its annual fundraising gala at Old Down Manor later in the day. The Trust is helping to fund the construction of a new ward at the country's main hospital which will provide additional care and services for children in the country. The children were very keen to learn about the charity but also about Belize itself and had prepared Belizean flags during lessons to welcome their special guests.

HMS Argyll moves on to Belize
As part of her flag flying tour, the Type 23 frigate, HMS Argyll has sailed on from Mexico to the Central American country of Belize. Members of her company went ashore there and not only helped at the orphanage but also assisted the Belizean military with survey and training flights in her embarked Lynx helicopter. The visit was also an opportunity to host a capability demonstration and a series of briefings with the Belize Defence Force and Coast Guard.

Where Is My Money? Shunned Investors Search for Relief – CollectiveFX Goes AWOL
A financial services firm that claimed to offer near-zero pricing before the mainstream has suffered a major hit taking it into the minuses. CollectiveFX, a Belize-based entity offering FX trading on the popular MT4 platform, has recently shut down its systems and is unreachable. The FX broker formerly held authorisation under the Belize financial watchdog, the International Financial Services Commission of Belize. The move signifies the vulnerability the FX industry faces under the current operating environment. The broker is believed to have started its crumble in May this year, details show that the broker informed clients that it was undergoing ‘changes’ and withdrawals would take up to ten to fifteen days to process. Although clients raised alarm bells, several were unaware of the prospective problems that were to occur.

New World: Niel Petroleum Fails To Secure Funds For Equity Investment
New World Oil and Gas PLC Wednesday said Niel Petroleum SA has not secured the required funding from Al Maram Trading & Contracting Ltd to progress its equity investment in New World. New World shares dropped 48% to 0.222 pence per share Wednesday morning on the news. In September 2013, Niel Petroleum agreed to invest USD25 million in New World in return for a 75% stake in the oil and gas explorer which operates in Belize and Denmark. Niel Petroleum planned to buy the 2.19 billion shares in New World for USD25 million, while also providing a USD25 million debt facility. Earlier this year, Niel Petroleum made an initial USD4.8 million payment to New World.

The 100 Most Beautiful and Breathtaking Places in the World in Pictures
The great blue hole of Belize continues to put Belize on the map. This time, the Belize Blue hole was listed as 1 of 100 most beautiful and breathtaking places in the world on youramazingplaces.com website. “The entrance to Xibalba. The Mysterious Belize Great Blue Hole is a large underwater hole off the coast of Belize. It lies near the center of Lighthouse Reef,” reads the description of the Belize Blue Hole.

Videos

Video: Chupacabra Killed in Belize, 5min.
Mysterious Chupacabra killed in San Lazaro, Orange Walk Dist., Belize. How this fierce animal reached Belizean Lands? Mystery still unknown.

Video: Snorkeling with stingrays and sharks at Shark Ray Alley in Belize, 2min.
This is a video I took with my iPhone 5S snorkeling in Belize off of Ambergris Caye. The area "Shark-Ray Alley" was filled with huge nurse sharks and Rays. SHOW MORE

Video: I'm on a boat - Belize 2011, 5min.
Angela, Kenny, Gerry, Melissa, Steve, Maggie, Branco, Carrie, Purvis, Brian, Terrie, and Henry.

Video: Belize Medical Mission Trip 2014, 3.5min.
Members of The Water's Edge methodist church in Omaha, Nebraska along with nursing and pharmacy students traveled to Belize for ten days to set up medical clinics in four different villages. The story of their trip lies here.

Video: Honeymoon Done Right - GoPro - Cozumel, Belize, Roatan, 4min.

Video: Beaulah Gillett: Belizean Softball Player!, 20min.
The ninth episode of a documentary series called Belizean Legends that will profile Belizean softball legend Beaulah Gillett as she discusses with Belizean Legends host Bilal Morris how Belize beat the 1970's's softball world champions national team the United States in the 1979 Pan-American Games. Gillett was one of the players on the Belize national team that played an incredible game against the U.S. world champions through team work and collaboration with their pitcher Margaret Usher to win 2-1 over the United States. In an exclusive interview from Chicago where she lives, Gillett chronicled the Belize softball era with an incredible collection of softball memorabilia and spoke about how playing softball in Belize molded her whole life as a person, and how a country and a people supported her and her colleagues to succeed in a sport that gave the country of Belize its first gold medal ever.

Video: Truly Belize, 2min.
Truly belize - schoolproject 2014 Tourism Management y2.

Video: WALADING AKA KING OF BELIZE - NUMBER ONE (STEVE AOKI FEAT IGGY AZALEA - BEAT DOWN MIX), 4min.

Video: Belize 2014, 4min.
Life changing trip to Belize. We stayed at the Sleeping Giant Lodge in Belmapan, Belize, Toured the Mayan ruins at Tikal Guatemala, Tubed the underground rivers in central Belize, and swam with the shark, rays, and sea turtles at the Hol Chan Marine reserve near San Pedro, Belize. I hope you enjoy it.

Video: Snorkeling Kanantik Belize, 3min.

Video: Poaching & Illegal Logging in Belize, 10min.

Video: Belize 2014,, 5min.
San Pedro, Belize 2014 Vacation

Video: Belize and Guatemala, 4min.
Recounting of the adventures in the summer of 2014 through Belize and Guatemala.

Video: Belize Urlaubs Erinnerungen, 35min.
Für Taucher, die ein gewisses Risiko nicht scheuen und gern etwas Abenteuerliches erleben möchten ist Belize ein absoluter Geheimtipp. Die Belize Cays sind das zweitgrößte Korallenriff der Welt und liegen vor der Küste dieses flächenmäßig kleinen Staates in Mittelamerika. Aber die Tauchgebiete vor der Halbinsel Yucatán bieten nicht nur eine ungeheure tropische Vielfalt und Farbenpracht, sie sind auch bevölkert von Haien und das macht das Tauchen hier zu einem nicht ganz ungefährlichen Hobby. Die Landesgrenzen werden im Norden von Mexico und im Westen von Guatemala bestimmt. Die teilweise wirklich wunderschönen Strände am Golf von Honduras sind aber für einen Badeurlaub eher ungeeignet, weil sie teilweise komplett zugewachsen sind. Eindrucksvoll erheben sich die Maya Mountains im Landesinneren auf 1.120 Meter. Belize ist eine Ferienregion für Individualisten, die vom Tourismus bisher weitgehend unberührt geblieben ist.

Video: Moray in Belize, 1min.
Green moray eel hanging out in the clear waters off Belize.

Video: BELIZE DA FU WE, 5min.
Not a piece of land to anyone, lets come as one, Hit song from the Super Fura Band.....all the wa from sugar City Orange Walk.

October 7, 2014

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Enjoying the sunshine with a swim!
When the sun is out, it’s so much fun to play and swim in our very own island-sized playground! This lovely little girl was frolicking and having a grand time swimming in the shallow waters of downtown San Pedro’s beach. Her mother looked on from a little shade under a coconut tree.

La Gaviota – oh the sailing possibilities!
If you’re on the beach by the Central Park, chances are you’ll see her docked, her sails down as she bobs along the gentle waves. I bet a sailing adventure on this boat would be amazing! I managed to talk to captain Luis Nuñez, who teased me with the many fun escapades offered onboard La Gaviota (Spanish for seagull). He rhapsodized about this tour he is offering (for slow season). La Gaviota anchors and guests get to enjoy four snorkel stops. Coral Gardens first, then off the coast of Caye Caulker for a quick peek at the manatees that frequent the area. Of course, a tour of Hol Chan Channel and Shark Ray Alley cannot be missed. “I provide everything: food, drinks, snorkel gear, everything. We don’t even do a beach barbeque. It’s all on the water.” Well…umm…sign me up?! “Honestly, guests just need to show up in their bathing suits and bring sunscreen/suntan lotion.”

Valentin Camp Incident
Earlier on Friday, October 3rd a group of Guatemalan nationals, some armed with rifles, shotguns and machetes, entered into Belize in the area of Valentin Camp where the Government of Belize is constructing a conservation post. They communicated their intention to destroy the conservation post but retreated back across the border after various verbal exchanges with our military. The BDF has since quickly deployed re-enforcement and is firmly and completely in control of the area, and construction of the conservation post continues. Our Foreign Ministry has communicated to Guatemalan authorities our outrage at this blatant armed incursion by Guatemalan civilians. Both Guatemalan and OAS officials have been dispatched to the Guatemalan village to try to de-escalate tensions in an area well known for lawless behavior. Guatemalan authorities have been asked to do all in their power to dissuade civilians from any further such actions as the Belize military will carry out its mandate to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Belize.

Rugby Belize comes to San Pedro
Rugby Belize is expanding its reach across the country and now they have made it to San Pedro. As of Tuesday, September 30th, Martin Dawson is one of four organizers across the country for Rugby Belize. Founded by Tony Gillings, Rugby Belize is an organization aimed at promoting and officiating the sport in the country. It is introducing the sport of rugby sevens for youth to become engaged in a more healthy and beneficial lifestyle. Currently, rugby sevens is in the process of being recognized as an official sport by the Belize National Sports Council. Dawson will be in charge of the organization and administration of the San Pedro Rugby Club.

Ambergris Today

San Pedro Supports Poppy Appeal Fundraising Dinner
Everybody on the island of Ambergris Caye, Belize knows that Jamila Janmohamed is at the heart of fundraising efforts for the Poppy Appeal. She has managed to significantly increase the amount of money donated towards the cause every year. Over the weekend Jamila once again hosted a fundraising dinner at El Fogon restaurant that included a four-course Indian dinner which its proceeds all went towards the Poppy Appeal. Her guests enjoyed a fantastic dinner that included a vegetable samosa, a spicy lentil soup (Daal), Beef Rogan Josh with Aloo Gabi and Pilau Rice and a Mango Kulfi. She is a master in the kitchen and her friends and supporters did not think twice to sign up for the dinner.

Letters: San Pedro Junior Collage Donates to Roman Catholic Church
Please allow us a space in your prestigious Newspaper for the following: On September 19, 2014, San Pedro Junior College joined the George Price Centre for Peace and Development in commemorating our National Day of Prayer and Service. We identified a non-profit organization, in this instance, the Roman Catholic Church, to donate our proceeds of the Bar-b-que Sale that we did for the purchase of a new keyboard. We need to mention that on this occasion, the Lion’s Club agreed to assist us in this endeavor as part of their community service. The following was the final breakdown of our fundraiser: Bar-b-que sale--$1040.00; Lion’s chicken ceviche sale--$87.00; Lion’s Bingo--$453.00. Our grand total of this first ever SPJC Community Service was $1,680.00.

Tourism Cooperation Agreed Between Mexico And Belize
Today, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation of Belize and the Secretariat of Tourism of the United Mexican States on “Cooperation in the Field of Tourism.” Honorable Manuel Heredia Jr, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation of Belize and Secretario Jose Antonio Meade Kuribrena, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Mexican States, signed the MOU during the closing session of the “VIII Meeting of the Belize-Mexico Binational Commission” held on October 2 and 3 at the Ramada Hotel in Belize City, Belize. The objective of the MOU is “to develop and strengthen the cooperation between the Parties (Belize and Mexico) in the field of tourism, based on equal rights and mutual benefit, in compliance with their respective national legislation and international commitments undertaken by the Parties.”

Armed Guatemalan Nationals Enter Belize with Intention to Destroy Conservation Post
On Friday, October 3, 2014, a group of Guatemalan nationals, some armed with rifles, shotguns and machetes, entered into Belize in the area of Valentin Camp where the Government of Belize is constructing a conservation post. They communicated their intention to destroy the conservation post but retreated back across the border after various verbal exchanges with our military. A press release from the Government of Belize stated that the Belize Defence Force (BDF) was quick to deployed re-enforcement and is firmly and completely in control of the area; construction of the conservation post continues.

Misc Belizean Sources

AMBASSADOR OF R.O.C. TAIWAN VISITS SAN PEDRO (21 photos)
On Sunday, September 28, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Belize, His Excellency Mr. Benjamin Ho, and his wife, made an honorary visit to San Pedro along with representatives of the Central America Trade Office (CATO), SpeedTech Energy and Sunmed Medical Group where they met with Mayor Daniel Guerrero and Councilors inside the San Pedro Town Council. As part of their visit, representatives of both SpeedTech Energy and Sunmed Medical Group made a presentation of their products and services they offer and how it could be beneficial for San Pedro Town.

NATIONAL SERVICE DAY 2014 (57 photos)
On September 19, in honor of National Service Day, the San Pedro Town Council visited the schools in San Pedro and presented each student with an exercise book, pencil and sharpener as a token. The students were filled with joy as they received their gift.

Chikungunya and Ebola Briefing
The Ministry of Health is hosting a Press Briefing on Chikungunya and Ebola on Tuesday, October 7th, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. The update will take place at the Central Health Region in Belize City. The release does not say if Chikungunya or Ebola are present in Belize. Chikungunya has been detected in other Central American Countries.

CATM
The Belize Tourism Board along with other hoteliers will be attending CATM in Costa Rica this upcoming week. (4 photos)

Picture of the Week
with Hillyboo Lara, San Pedro Ambergris Caye. The "hoos" are here!

A Team that sticks Together, WINS Together
The Corozal's People United Party Convention held yesterday proved a milestone VICTORY for David "Dido" Vega and his Team of six Councillors. People from across Corozal's spectrum showed up in very large numbers to vote for David "Dido" Vega, Ruben Cruz and both their team of 12 councilors contesting for the Mayoral candidacy and councilors respectively. We extend our sincere congratulations to David "Dido Vega", Zeni Perdomo, Mia Dee Rancharan, Yvette Sanker-Riverol, Orlando Iglesisas, Esteban Pasos and Enrique Vargas. A special congratulations to Ruben Cruz and his team, Canaina Dominguez, Chaldy Vasquez, Eddie Palma, Shannon Duncan, Josue Aaron, Perez and Rigo Vellos who all now are expected to join their strategies to reinforce Team Dido to unseat long standing Mayor, Hilberto Campos in the upcoming March 2015 municipal elections.

Lands & Survey Department Officials Conduct Land Regularisation activities across Belize
The Ministry of Natural Resources & Agriculture informs the general public that Lands & Survey Department Officials will be conducting Field Inspection Sweeps and Consultations throughout the country during the week commencing Monday 6th October, 2014.

Field Inspection Sweep – Belize District
The Ministry of Natural Resources & Agriculture informs the general public that Lands & Survey Department Officials will be conducting Field Inspection Sweeps throughout the Belize District during the week commencing Monday 6th October, 2014.

Killing of Belize lawman by suspected Guatemalan poachers prompts public protest
The Belize Peoples Front on September 30, 2014, headed by its leader Nefretery Nancy Marin, the first woman to lead a political party in Belize, led a broad cross section of non government organizations in the biggest protest ever organized against Guatemalan encroachment onto Belizean territory, which culminated in the killing of a Belizean lawman by suspected Guatemalans who had illegally entered Belizean territory on September 24, 2014. Belizean lawman Daniel Conorquie was killed in the line of duty by suspected Guatemalan poachers who have had unfettered access to prized Belizean plants and timber through a very porous border complicated by an "adjacency zone" policy.

Suite Spot: El Secreto, Belize
From Miami, it will take you two-hours by jet; 20 minutes in a puddle-jumper; a five-minute golf cart ride; and 30 minutes on a water taxi to get here. But El Secreto, a rustic-luxe clutch of villas on the Belizean outpost of Ambergris Cay, is worth it. Blissfully isolated on a jungle-fringed beach, you’ll laze in a hammock on the porch of your villa, rising only to wander to the oceanfront restaurant for ceviche served in a conch shell, or to sip a frozen mojito on the sand as the afternoon sun turns the sea to molten silver. At which point you’ll understand why this Caribbean “secreto” is definitely one worth sharing.

Cayo Tour Guides Association recommendations for Caracol & Chiquibul
There was a stakeholder meeting over the weekend to discuss the future of the archeological reserve and the ‪#‎Chiquibul‬ national park. At the meeting was Belize Tourism Board, NICH, the Institute of Archeology, the Tourism Police Unit, the San Ignacio Police Department, the Friends for Conservation and a selected few of the Cayo Tour Guides Association (CTGA). A few of the suggestions are already taking place such as clearing the underbrush and building an outpost. The opening of the site will be determined sometime this week. However, the recommendations of the CTGA are listed below 1. There is a need to increase the military on the entire route toward Caracol and also at the site. They have to be on the route strategically from 7am. In this way we would be able to access the site for better tourism activities such as ornithology and botanical tours (This may mean that instead of 2 week shifts, one week shifts might be the best option for the defense personnel)

Channel 7

BDF Swarm Valentin Camp Area, Tour Guides Talk With NICH
When we left you on Friday night, things were very tense at the Belize/Guatemala border after some 40 armed Guatemalans from La Rejoya Village confronted the Belizean Military and threatened to burn down the Valentin Conservation Outpost, which was under construction. Well, at this time, the Belize Defence Force remain on high alert. 7News has confirmed that since the confrontation on Friday morning, the BDF has increased the number of soldiers at the Valentin Camp. Things have cooled down considerably, and according to our sources, there have been no further confrontation between the military and the Guatemalan civilians. The increased deployment will remains in place indefinitely.

Noted Teacher And Coach Stabs Wife, then Kills Himself in Seine Bight
The small southern village of Seine Bight is recovering from the shock of a public stabbing and suicide after a well-known resident allegedly killed himself after putting his common-law wife in the Hospital. 33 year-old Byron Castillo viciously attacked and stabbed the mother of his two children, 34 year-old Nichole Swazo on Saturday afternoon in broad daylight. A few minutes later, they founding him hanging from the ceiling of his house. He died shortly after he was discovered, either from the hanging attempt, or from allegedly drinking poison. The problem is that this entire incident caught Seine Bight residents off-guard because Castillo was a career educator at the St. Alphonsus Primary School, and so, that has led them to condemn his actions, but not his character.

City Man Killed By Two On Bike
And while there was deadly drama in Seine Bight - Belize City saw another weekend of gun violence. It started on Friday night when two men were shot at the corner of North Front and Pickstock Streets. It happened at around 8:00 when 32 year old Harrison Smith was shot as he rode his bicycle, while 23 year old Eustace Lewis was injured. The shooters were described as two men on bicycles - who, according to police, seemed to have a plan:.. Raphael Martinez, Police Press Officer "Harrison Smith was riding his bicycle along North Front Street when 2 gun men riding on separate bicycles; one coming from the direction of Pickstock, that would be up stop and the other from the direction of North Front Street who fired several shots at him causing his fatal injury. Harrison Smith received several apparent gunshot wounds to the body and again unfortunately just after about 9:45pm he succumb to his injuries.

Family, Friend of Accused Men Say They Have Airtight Alibis
But the families and friends of those three arrestees say they have an airtight alibi. Bart Lucas's older sister claims that he was at Chon Sing restaurant with friends when the shooting happened and that she has security footage to prove it. She and a friend who asked to appear off camera told us more:.. Voice of Friend "Another bogus charge once again from the police department. The reckless police department who not go out and do their proper investigation. Friday with some shooting with some guys Harris and another gentleman, we were in a restaurant underneath camera with a police officer." Reporter "Could you name the restaurant sir?"

Was Lincoln Sabido Lured To His Death?
The city's other murder happened on Saturday night. Lincoln Sabido was killed less than a block from his home on Moya Street in Belize City. It happened just after 10:00 when his family says the 30 year old got a text message from a female to come to the corner of Flamboyant Street. But when he went out there, he was shot multiple times. He was rushed to the KHMH but died on the way. His family didn't want to talk today - and police say they have no suspects. Sabido had been charged twice for two separate murders in 2007 and 2008 - but got off both times. In May of this year, he was back before the court - accused of robbing a Chinese grocer. Notably, the weekend's other murder victim, Harrison Smith was charged for murder in 2006.

Machete Men Maim Two In Cayo
There were two cases of maim over the weekend in the Cayo District. The first occurred on Saturday in Teakettle at around 6:30 where 24-year-old Aldo Moro was walking out of a store in the village and heading to his vehicle when Shaylon Santos walked up and viciously chopped him across the left hand and to the head in a single motion. The chop to his hand was so severe, that it severed the limb completely. Moro struggled to his car to get away - while police had to come back and get his hand, which had been left on the scene. Shaylon Santos is in custody and will be charged for attempted murder and maim. The two reportedly had an old beef.

Major Drainage Project For City
In all the major road works in the city - one major intersection has been left untouched. That's Cinderella Plaza which connects a cluster of heavily trafficked paved roads - but remains rough and unpaved. And that's because it has been designated as a site for a drainage canal. That's been holding up the paving - for too long it seems. But, finally today, a ceremony was held to signal the start of road and canal construction in the area. Mayor Darrell Bradley discussed the scope of the project and how it will enhance climate resilience in Belize City. Darrell Bradley, Mayor, Belize City "It will going to be very extensive. As I mentioned, it will involve primarily the construction and the clearing of the Douglas Jones Canal. That will not require the digging up of the street. They are going to connect that canal under Freetown Road, the area of Freetown Road that is at the intersection, and then it's going to go through Cinderella Plaza here, and then it's going to go on the section of Baymen Avenue that we haven't completed and then it's going to go out Calle Al Mar and out to the Caribbean Sea. And this is why we haven't finished these areas of infrastructure.

Mayor Says BML Matter Well In Hand
And while we had the mayor, we just had to quiz him on something else. Today it was the more than 40 BML workers who were charged for littering. Their case is scheduled to go back to court tomorrow - even though an undertaking was given to drop all charges. Today, the mayor said, "what charges?":.. Darrell Bradley, Mayor, Belize City "My understanding is all of that was already done. I gave instructions for that to be done a long time ago, but the procedural aspects of it have to be implemented by our people on the ground, our prosecutors and enforcement officers. So that's something that we had already resolved that we were going to do, and we're working with BML to coordinate the transition, and we're also working with them in relation to finishing up the scope of their contract before we move into a new system." "We paid them two hundred thousand dollars. That balloon payment was the last day of September, which I think was Thursday or Friday. And we paid them two hundred thousand out of three hundred and fifty thousand we were supposed to pay them and this week we're going to pay them the remaining one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. We're supposed to make a next payment the end of October."

Another Allegation Of Brutality
Last week was tough for the police department - 6 police officers were criminally charged - and two were charged disciplinary for various acts of abuse and dishonesty. But, tonight the complaints of police brutality continue. According to Michael Lorenzo Herrera, on Thursday night while walking to his neighborhood store, he was stopped by police officers who began to beat him on the street. He was then taken to the police station where he spent 48 hours under lock down. He says it is nothing new and he and his brothers are being targeted by one specific officer. Michael Lorenzo Herrera "While walking down the street, 2 men rush at me telling me to lay down. They didn't ID themselves, I didn't lay down because I couldn't see who it was. They flash their light at me when they got closer and I saw a police officer Castellanos and a soldier in his car. The man grab me on my shirt, burst off my rosary. The other one came behind my foot and got me on the ground to lay down. They start to kick me and handcuff me, out my hand in a position that the handcuff, any movement I do this handcuff gets tight on my hand and it grip into my bone. At the same time they pick up me my sister came and I told my sister to hurry call my mom because the men were beating me.

River Sickly White In Gracie Rock Again
In May of this year villagers of Gracie Rock complained about the Sibun River becoming milky white. Months later, it is still happening. In this riverside community where residents depend on river water for almost everything, it is now been taking a toll on their livelihood. They want answers; they want to know why the river which has always brought them life, now looks so sickly:.. Phillip Clarke - Chairman of Gracie Rock Village "What happen is that we have a situation in Gracie Rock, we have a construction company or a quarry company that's washing some stones up river in a place called Bonanza. What happen is that buy the stones and they take the stones and take the water from the river, wash the stones and the after that the water just return back in the river and it creates a white milky stuff that comes in the river and what it does after a while it settles down at the bottom of the river and all the fishes that were supposed to hatch in the dry season, now the eggs are all covered. So I don't know if we will have any fishes coming next dry season."

Credit Union Making Pitch To Youths
When you think about youths and money, saving doesn't readily fit into that equation. But through the Credit Union's efforts to cater to the financial needs and spending patterns of youths, saving can become an integral part of their lives. Credit Unions countrywide concluded a Strategic Marketing Workshop focusing on the theme of "re-positioning the local credit union movement to better serve youths today and for the future." One of facilitators of the workshop, Virgil Patrick discussed how they plan on attracting the younger crowds. Virgil Patrick, Facilitator "First thing has to be an ideological shift in the credit union's position. About 50 years ago it was really important for credit union to lend to marginalize people and therefore they provided savings on their and they really encourage thrift.

The Last Call For The Bar?
When the Senate meets on Wednesday, it is expected to pass the Legal Profession Amendment Act - signaling the end for the Bar Association as we know it. Once the bill is assented to by the Governor General - the Bar will no longer be able to collect compulsory fees from attorneys - and membership in the association will no longer be mandatory for those attorneys. Some view it is a day to be rude, while others say, who cares? Whichever way, the end of the Bar Association in its original incarnation it is at hand - and so Thursday's exchange in the House of Representatives could be seen as a kind of eulogy for the Bar Association as we once knew it. And, like a drunken thief who had done wrong by everyone including his own mother - even those who defended the bar couldn't find that much good to say about it:.. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister "Nobody cares you know, nobody out there cares about what's going on with respect to lawyers and the Bar Association of Belize."

Still Celebrating Carnival
And while it seems no one's cheering for the bar, there's still praise coming in for carnival designers. The results for the Designer of the Year and Carnival Road March Song competition are in. For designer of the year Marina Welcome of Jump Street Posse took the designer of the year title for the junior band category while David Matus of Erotic Mas Band garnered designer of the year for the senior band category. And Ernestine's "Carnival Di Come" won the prize for most played, most requested and most popular song for Carnival 2014. All 3 winners received $1,000 each.

Chiquibul, Another Return
(Originally posted January 30, 2013) Tonight we go back into our archives for another look at the Chiquibul. The vast and rugged forest covers almost 8% of Belize's landmass - and is complex and intriguing in every imaginable way - from its ecosystem to its security risks. One year ago, Janelle Chanona and Codie Norales went deep into the wilds of Chiquibul, where no camera had been before. Here's the story:.. Posted (January 30, 2013) Over the years we've taken you into Chiquibul more than a few times. And that's because the vast forest - more than four times the size of Barbados - is the pristine protected area where Guatemalan poachers go to gather Xate, hunt wildlife, extract timber, and now, pan for gold. We've visited many parts of this rugged hinterland, but we've never gone to the extremely remote Ceibo Chico - which is the current flashpoint area for Guatemalan gold panners.

Channel 5

3 men arraigned for murder of Harrison Smith
Three murders in three days…on Thursday, twenty-seven year old food vendor Gerald Palmer was shot and killed on Grants Alley by a lone gunman who opened fire on him during [...]

Lincoln “Corn” Sabido is waylaid and killed on Flamboyant Street
The weekend’s second murder took place on Saturday night. Another man, well-known to the law, who also twice beat the murder rap lost his life in a hail of bullets. [...]

Still no arrests in murder of food vendor, Gerald Palmer
As we said earlier in the newscast, twenty-seven-year-old Gerald Palmer, a food vendor of Belize City, was shot and killed on Thursday night during a nationwide power outage.  He was [...]

Teakettle man loses his left hand in a chopping incident
There was more violence over the weekend. A vicious chopping incident in Teakettle Village on Saturday evening has left one man short of a left hand.  Twenty-four-year-old Aldo Moro was [...]

21 year old loses finger in machete assault
  Later that night, twenty-one-year-old Edel Diaz, a resident of Salvapan, lost his left index finger when he was also attacked by a machete-wielding assailant.  Diaz, who works as a [...]

Update on San Valentin where armed Guatemalans threatened B.D.F. soldiers
On Friday, the nation was shocked and outraged at the news that a gang of armed Guatemalan civilians came across the border and confronted BDF personnel. The incident happened at [...]

P.U.P. Leader speaks on Guatemalan-built military facility on Hunting Caye
The Coast Guard’s Forward Operating Base, located on Hunting Caye, remains a point of much contention. Last week, the news broke that the base, funded by the US, is being [...]

Charges dropped against more BML workers
A flood mitigation project is being funded by the Inter-American Development Bank, which is a good thing because the City Council seems to be chronically cash-strapped. A significant portion of [...]

Teacher stabs ex-common-law wife multiple times before taking his life
A terrible domestic tragedy in the quiet village of Seine Bight has left a woman clinging to life, while the man who viciously stabbed her took his own life. At [...]

16 year old girl reportedly raped in the city
From the south to the city where a young girl is claiming she was raped. The sixteen year old minor of Belize City reported to police last Friday that while [...]

Businessman robbed by a gang of 8 men
Belizean businessman, Ignacio Villanueva, was attacked on Sunday by a gang of eight men. Villanueva was on Wagner’s Lane shortly before midnight, when he was targeted. The fifty-one year old [...]

$20 Million project launched to address flooding in the city
This morning, the Belize City Council broke ground on a twenty-million dollar project designed to relieve the perpetual problem of flooding in Belize City. It’s called the Flood Mitigation Infrastructure [...]

An art exhibition created by primary school students
Fifty-five primary school students took part this summer in an art program sponsored by the Taiwanese Embassy and the National Institute of Culture and History. The arts program is taught [...]

Jalacte: a look back at the incursions 10 years ago
Jalacte is a remote southern community in the Toledo District and, for many years, was off the beaten path for most Belizeans.  While its inaccessibility placed it out of reach [...]

Sports Monday with James Adderley
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.   The 24th Women’s National Softball Championship reigned supreme insdie Roger’s Stadium yesterday. 7 teams had started the campaign but [...]

CTV3

Tortilleria Chico's Choco Cup Finals A Success
After 14 Sundays of intense football, only four teams made it to the finals of the Tortilleria Chico’s Choco Cup which took place yesterday in the Corozal District. The grand finale was witnessed by a crowd of spectators who cheered for their favorite team. Glenford Marvin – Chairman “Well it was a lot of fun yesterday, it was the grand final for Tortillery Chicos Cup six a side, it has taken three months and it was a success final with a lot of people out here in support to their kids yesterday.” At the end of the matches Mexico from San Andres took home fourth place while Holland from Santa Rita took third. And crowned as first place winners was Team Belize from San Pedro Village. Second place was taken by Brazil from San Antonio Village.

Conch Season Is Officially Opened
Conch lovers rejoice! The delectable mullosk is now ready to grace your tables once again since the Department of Fisheries signalled the official opening of the season as of October 1st. Conch harvesting yields an estimated $11 million annually into the country’s fisheries industry, a significant revenue earner for traditional fishermen. The season will run from October 1st until June 30th of 2015. It is estimated that a total of over 1 million pounds will be harvested this year. According to the Belize Fisheries Department, only persons with a commercial Fishermen’s License are allowed to catch conch for commercial purposes. To protect the industry, the Fisheries Department is encouraging establishments to purchase conch for consumption from the local market and to request a legal commercial Fishermen’s License from the supplier. In addition, they are also encouraging fishermen to abide by the law as it relates to legal size of conch to ensure the sustainability of the Strombus gigas species. The legal size of a conch allowed for harvesting is seven inches in length.

Rotaract Assisting In Education
Education is not getting cheaper in our beloved country and whatever assistance rendered to those with limited financial resources is more than welcomed. One such assistance was rendered over the weekend by the Orange Walk Rotaract Club. It has been several years since the club members have worked on this project and this year, Azalia Torres, Secretary of the club said they managed to aid more students. Over the weekend they handed them a small grant to help them pay for their education. Azalia Torres – Secretary, OW Rotaract Club “It’s been the biggest amount of grants that we have been giving so far since we started Rotaract in 2008 when we were re-chartered every year we’ve been giving four grants, two years ago we gave ten, last year we gave nine and this we will give thirteen, six of them was actually the Club of Rotaract Orange Walk from the funds of our kiki bar during Fiesta Rama and the other seven actually matched by the business community of Orange Walk, we choose these students from four categories; academics, leadership, technical, arts and sports and these are students from different highs schools here in Orange Walk.

Residence Of San Jose Nuevo Palmar Elects New Lands Committee
The conflict surrounding land in San Jose Nuevo Palmar has been resolved and villagers are content with the results of the process that began earlier this year. As we have been reporting, there were problems at the village with the Lands Committee there as they have been accused of mishandling money from sales of land in the village and not accounting for it. The issuance of land was also a problem as the rule in the village, since it was founded, was that descendants of the founders would be the first and only ones able to obtain land in the village. This was not happening and these issues gave rise to contention between the past lands committee and village elders and leaders. On Sunday however, after intervention from government, which is the lands trustee for the village, an election was held to elect three of seven members into a new committee. Chairman of San Jose Nuevo Palmar, Orlando Balam, says he and village descendants are content with the process and results despite the long drag.

Team Dido Wins Convention For PUP Mayoral Candidate
The People’s United Party held a massive convention in Corozal Town yesterday to elect their Mayoral Candidate and councilor candidates that will contest the upcoming Municipal Elections in March of 2015. Two teams met in the political ring, one led by Ruben Cruz and the second headed by David Dido Vega. While the both teams went head to head and foight a good fight at the end there could only be one mayoral candidate and six councilor candidates. Our news team was in Corozal yesterday and covered the convention from beginning to end. Here is that story. The peace and quiet that distinguishes Corozal Town on a Sunday morning was interrupted this weekend as it was convention day for the People’s United Party.

Police Discovered Marijuana Plantation In The Honey Camp Area
Orange Walk Police have arrested and charged one male person for the cultivation of Marijuana and Drug Trafficking over the weekend. According to authorities, an anti-drug operation was launched around midday on Friday some 10 miles south east of Orange Walk in the vicinity of the Honey Camp area. The operation yielded police 118 marijuana trees, standing about three feet in height. Further checks were made in the area where 226 grams of suspected cannabis was also found. At the time of the raid, one Belizean Laborer, 54 year old Jose Ack was in the area. Ack was arrested and charged for the cultivation of Marijuana and Drug Trafficking.

LOVE FM

Saturday Night Turns Deadly for Sabido
The gun violence continued on Saturday night as 30 year old Lincoln Sabido of a Moya Street Address in Belize City was gunned down. Police press officer Raphael Martinez told us what they know at this point. RAPHAEL MARTINEZ “The final shooting that we had of the weekend occurred on Saturday night at approximately 10:11 PM. Police visited the corner of Flamboyant and Moya Street where they saw 30 year old Lincoln Sabido of a Moya Street address with multiple gunshot wounds to the body. He was transferred to the KHMH where he later succumbed to his injuries at about 10:30 in the evening. Initial investigations revealed that several shots were heard on Flamboyant Street and later on at about 10:10 they saw the body of Sabido lying on the Street apparently dead. So far police have not detained anybody, we have no suspects in this case as the investigations continue.”

Belmopan Police Investigate Theft, Robbery and Maim
Police in Belmopan are busy as there have been incidents of theft, robbery and maim coming out of the capital city. In the case of theft, a Field Officer for the La Inmaculada Credit Union, Belmopan Branch, 31-year-old, Roel Moguel has told police that his motorbike was stolen from in front of his home. The blue Meilum cycle was parked on Kaimat Street in Belmopan at around six thirty and was discovered missing just before midnight. The cycle is the property of the credit union…….. Meanwhile, a student of Belmopan has told police that while he was walking on Garza Street last Thursday, he observed a man standing at the corner and as he walked passed him the man began following him.

A Crime Ridden Weekend: Rape, Robbery, Sudden Death, Suicide and Stabbing
A double tragedy struck in the southern district of Stann Creek this past Saturday. Just before midday on October 4, police were alerted of a stabbing incident in Seine Bight Village on the main street where 34-year-old, Nicole Swazo of a Dangriga Town address was rushed to the Placencia Polyclinic. Swazo was found with multiple stab wounds to the neck and upper body regions. Preliminary leads led the investigators to the residence of 33-year-old, Byron Castillo, who allegedly inflicted the wounds on Swazo….but when authorities got to Castillo’s home in Seine Bight Village, they found him hanging by the neck. He too was rushed to the Placencia Polyclinic but he was pronounced dead on arrival at nineteen minutes past midday. His body now awaits a post mortem examination at the Southern Regional Hospital morgue while Swazo has been listed as stable and is still undergoing treatment at the Southern Regional Hospital in Dangriga Town. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Barrow Administration Says US Contract Was A Gift; Opposition Says that Is Unjustifiable
During the Sitting of the House of Representatives last week Thursday, Fonseca brought up the fact that one of Belize’s security bases at Hunting Caye, being funded by the United States of America, is being built by a Guatemalan Company. During this climate of tensions between both countries, Fonseca says that Governments decisions to allow it is of grave concern. Prime Minister, Dean Barrow, told the media on Thursday that he was not informed and Minister of National Security, John Saldivar, says that Government could not say no to a gift from the USA. Fonseca’s says that Barrow’s and Saldivar’s reasoning are unjustifiable. FRANCIS FONSECA “The Prime Minister’s expression of ignorance on this matter is alarming and we should all be concerned. He sits as the Chairman of the National Security Council and he is saying, as the chairman of the National Security Council, the Prime Minister of Belize he did not know who was building a military facility in his country; he did not know. That is alarming and disturbing, that is a degree of recklessness and incompetence; that really is troubling, deeply troubling.

Main Opposition Leader Criticizes The Barrow Administration on Border Issue
The rising tensions between Belize and Guatemala over the murder of Daniel “Danny” Conorquie, and the treats of arson made by some 40 Guatemalans on Friday has become a regular topic discussed among Belizeans. Prime Minister told the media on Friday that Guatemalans entered Belizeans territory and threatened to burn down the Outpost currently being built at Valentin Camp. Luckily no one was injured during the confrontation. Leader of the Opposition, Francis Fonseca, is criticizing how the Barrow Administration is handling the situation. FRANCIS FONSECA “These Guatemalan nationals coming into our territory in those numbers clearly wanted to make a statement just like these cowardly killers came to Caracol wanting to make a statement by executing one of our special constables; they wanted to make a statement at Caracol in front of tourists and in front of the world that they would not be intimidated by our special forces.

From Weed Possession to Aggravated Assault
Shakeem Humes who was charged last Friday with possession of 41 grams of cannabis, was back in court today, charged this time with aggravated assault with a firearm on Carlos Mckenzie and damage to Government property. Humes pled not guilty to the charges. He was remanded into custody until November 17. The incident occurred on July 20. According to the allegation, Humes fired shots at Mckenzie and in the process he damaged the front windshield and rear window of a Government vehicle. The damage is estimated at $2,325.

Majestic Alley Trio Arraigned For Weekend Murder
Three men, all of them residents of Pinks Alley, aka “Majestic Alley”, were charged with the murder of 32 year old Harrison Smith when they appeared today before the Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith. They are Daniel Cain, Oscar Flores and Bart Lucas. They were also charged with use of deadly means of harm and wounding. Cain alone was charged with aggravated assault and profess to be the member of a gang. They were remanded into custody until November 6. The incident occurred on Friday, October 3. Smith and 23 year old Eustace Lewis were on North Front Street when a vehicle drove up and several shots were fired. Smith was fatally wounded while Lewis was shot in his derriere. Lewis is reported to be in stable condition.

Fonseca: PUP Had No Part in Protest at Guatemalan Embassy
In an interview with the Leader of the Opposition, Francis Fonseca, he clarified that the PUP’s Standard Bearer for Port Loyola, Gilroy Usher Senior, took part in a protest as a citizen and not on behalf of the People’s United Party. FRANCIS FONSECA “It was not PUP initiative; it was, as he said, a peoples demonstration that he led as a Belizean citizen. So, he wasn’t acting in his capacity as a PUP Standard Bearer but we certainly support his effort. I think he was trying to send a very strong and clear message of frustration about this very important issue and I think his actions and the actions of those who were along with him reflected the mood of the people at this time. People are very outraged at what has taken place and as I said we want good relations with Guatemala, we want to resolve the claim peacefully and we want to engage economically with Guatemala but at the same time we have to stand up for our country, our citizens and make sure that we are taking a very strong position in support of our territorial and national sovereignty.”

PlusTV

Three Charged For Murder Of Harrison Smith
Police have charged three Belize City men with the murder of 32 year old Harrison Smith. On Friday night, October 3, around 8:00 p.m. Harrison Smith, of Police Street, Belize City, and 23 year old Eustace Lewis of West Collet Canal were shot at by two men riding on separate bicycles, coming at them from both Pickstock Street against the flow of traffic and North Front Street. Harrison Smith died from his injuries, multiple gunshot wounds to the body, and Eustace Lewis is recovering from a shot to the buttock area. Seven 9mm expended shells were recovered. 26 year old Bart Lucas of Belize City; 26 year old Daniel Cain of Belize City, and 18 year old Oscar Flores also of Belize City were read murder charges before Chief Magistrate Ann-Marie Smith on Monday morning. They are also jointly charged with use of deadly means of harm and wounding, while Daniel Cain is separately charged with aggravated assault and professing to belong to a criminal gang.

Lincoln Sabido Murdered In Belize City
30 year old Lincoln Sabido was a victim of gun violence in Belize City over the weekend. With more details here is Police Press Officer Raphael Martinez. Raphael Martinez – Police Press Officer “On Saturday night, at approximately 10:11 p.m. police visited the corner of Flamboyant and Moya Streets, where they saw thirty-year-old Lincoln, of a Moya Street address, with multiple gunshot wounds to the body. He was transferred to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries at about 10:30 in the evening. Initial investigations reveal that several shots were heard on Flamboyant Street, and later on about 10:10, they saw the body of Sabido lying on the street apparently dead.

Patrick Jones

Three men are charged for Belize City murder
Police have charged three Belize City men with the murder of 32 year old Harrison Smith on Friday night, October 3, around 8:00 p.m. Smith, of Police Street, and 23 year old Eustace Lewis of West Collet Canal were shot at by two men riding on separate bicycles […]

BML workers freed of charges as Mayor discusses integration plan
This morning more than 20 workers from Belize Maintenance Limited (BML) attended Magistrate’s Court for the expected dismissal of their cases. In August they had vehemently protested in front of City Hall on North Front Street after learning that at least 50 of them would be sent home […]

Opposition Leader calls for cooperation on border security issues
Leader of the Opposition People’s United Party (PUP) Francis Fonseca and his colleagues had much to say in Thursday’s meeting of the House of Representatives on the matter of border security in the wake of the killing of Special Constable Danny Conorquie. And on Friday, there was a second, more […]

Flood mitigation project launched
The Ministry of Works and Transport and the Belize City Council today broke ground for a project designed to improve the City’s drainage in a key area. Under the eight-month project a new canal will be constructed through Cinderella Plaza from the corner of Douglas Jones Street and Freetown Road […]

Charges for attack on Government vehicle
Shaqeem Humes has been charged with aggravated assault and damage to property for an incident occurring nearly three months ago. On July 17 Humes is alleged to have pointed a firearm at Carlos McKenzie who was in a vehicle belonging to the Government of Belize and fired shots at […]

PUP chooses candidates for Municipal Election in Corozal
The People’s United Party (PUP) had a big convention in Corozal this past weekend to choose the candidates to contest the Municipal Elections in March, 2015. Two slates went head to head in the convention which was held at the Civic Centre in Corozal town. The full results have not yet been released by the PUP but preliminary indications are that 1,946 votes were cast in Sunday’s convention. In the end, the entire slate headed by David “Dido” Vega emerged victorious over the team headed by Ruben Cruz. Joining Mayoral candidate Vega on the winning slate are Yvette Riverol, Enrique Vargas, Mia Rancharan, Esteban Pasos, Zeni Perdomo and Orlando Iglesias.

Blogs

The Royal British Legion Belize
Since taking over the poppy appeal, Jamila Janmohamed has done a wonderful job of getting San Pedro to support both Belizean and Commonwealth veterans. Aside from the traditional fundraising through poppies, she cooks a fantastic Indian meal annually to raise funds. Jamilla has an impeccable reputation for her cooking and it is no surprise that the 2014 dinner was bigger and better than ever. This years event was spilling out onto the street and both the early and late seatings were full. You can read more about Jamilla’s outstanding fundraising efforts and her recent well deserved recognition – Jamila Janmohamed receives award by The Royal British Legion Belize Branch by the San Pedro Sun. The Poppy Appeal is a very worthy cause helping support the current and past British Armed Forces and their families. Please remember to pick one up around town over the next few weeks, Pedro’s and Caribbean Villas will soon have poppy donation containers available.

Stuffed Potato Balls
Another Puerto Rican meal from my friend Carmen. Stuffed Potato Balls incorporates potatoes and ground beef. This dish is spicy and very comforting. Because it's fried this should be a sometimes meal. You can always swap out the meat for cheese and spinach. SHOW MORE

Belize Gets Another Environmental Boost
An ambitious new project addresses the physical and human needs of environmental sustainability in Belize. In Brief: A new partnership between the World Bank and the Government of Belize shows great promise towards maintaining Belize as one of the world’s most pristine, sustainable natural environments. And Chaa Creek’s passionate environmentalists couldn’t be happier. The World Bank just announced the approval, on September 29, 2014, of a US$6 million grant to fund a five year project aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change in Belize. By addressing both the environmental and human aspects of long term sustainability, this internationally funded, locally implemented project may go a long way towards protecting some of those things that make Belize so extraordinary.

Quiet on the Set! Filming of “The Flavors of Belize” on Ambergris Caye With Chefs Jennie Staines & Sean Kuylen
Yesterday filming began on Ambergris Caye for the next episodes of the popular Belize cooking series “The Flavors of Belize” with Chef Sean Kuylen. Location? Gorgeous Belizean Cove Estates at Mile 3, Ambergris Caye. It was an absolutely perfect HOT day. I arrived up at Belizean Cove Estate at about 1pm and the spot is absolutely gorgeous. I took a photo of San Pedro’s lovely “Chefs for Hire” (and their signature lipstick) in front of it. These ladies are FUNNY and from what I hear? Very good cooks.

The October 5, 2014 issue of The STAR (Cayo) is online HERE

This Week's Stories:

• Three Burglaries - Three Arrested:
  As San Ignacio police continue the crackdown on increasing burglary reports, three men from Santa Elena Town were arrested and charged for burglary and handling stolen goods. Those arrested are Victor Hutchison, 43, Belizean driver residing on La Loma Luz Boulevard; Jerome Arnold, 45, Belizean laborer, of #69 Eve Street and Mike Middleton, 54, Belizean laborer who lives in an apartment on Maxi Street. In the first reported incident, Ronel Wagner, 37, Belizean businessman residing at Mile 69 on the George Price Highway between San Ignacio and Benque Viejo Town, visited the police station and reported that sometime between Tuesday night, September 9 and Wednesday morning, September 10, his business place, RW Electronics, located on Joseph Andrews Drive in San Ignacio, was burglarized.
• Heart Attack Claims Two More Lives:
  Heart attacks claims two more lives this week. The first incident occurred on Saturday, September 27, when police were called to the Bullet Tree Falls Village residence of Phillip Koeing, 44, Canadian, were they were directed to the lifeless body of a male person later identified as Michael Martin, 62, naturalized Belizean American from the same village. The investigation revealed that Mike was installing a Roto Plas water tank for Koeing when he collapsed in the yard. The body was transported to the Community Hospital in San Ignacio where it was officially pronounced dead. The legally required post mortem examination, conducted by Forensic Specialist Dr. Ken, certified that cause of death as Acute Pulmonary Edema, Acute Myocardial Infraction and severe Atheromatous of Coronary Arteries.
• Hundreds Of Agri-food Companies To Connect With International Clients At LACFlavors:
  Exporters from Latin America and the Caribbean will meet with buyers from around the world October 8-10 in Mérida, Mexico Follow us on Twitter at #LACFlavors / @BIDComercio @ConnectAmericas Hundreds of agri-food companies from Latin America and the Caribbean will meet with buyers from around the world at LACFlavors, which will be held October 8-10 in the Mexican city of Mérida. Organized by the Inter-American Development Bank through the platform ConnectAmericas.com – the first business-oriented social network in the Americas – the 6th edition of LAC Flavors is supported by ProMéxico, the Government of the State of Yucatán, Mexico’s Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA), through the Agency for Agri-food Marketing and Development (ASERCA) and Trust Funds for Rural Development (FIRA).
• Mineral Rights:
  The Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture reminds the general public that it is illegal to mine, prospect and/or remove minerals without a legitimate permit/license from the Mining Unit of the Ministry of Natural Resources and This is an offence prosecutable by law. Violators will be issued with a Stop Order to cease and desist such activities. Those that do not comply with the Stop Order will be fined and/ or imprisoned as per section 5 (a) (b) of Chapter 226 of the Laws of Belize Mines & Minerals Act.
• Traffic Fatality In Spanish Lookout:
  A road traffic accident in the Spanish Lookout community has claimed the life a helmetless young motorcyclist. Acting upon information received at around 2:00 pm on Tuesday, September 30 a team of policemen headed to the scene of a road traffic accident in Spanish Lookout. Arriving on the scene near Western Dairies the police came upon a white Toyota pickup with Guatemalan license plates parked at the entrance to Western Diaries. The vehicle was seen with a large dent on the passenger side door. About 10 feet away was a blue Meilun scooter on the ground almost in the middle of the road.
• New Rotary Scholars:
  On Thursday 25th September, six new Rotary Scholars, each with an accompanied parent, were invited to attend the Rotary Club of San Ignacio’s weekly meeting to be introduced to the Rotarians who are partly responsible for making their continued education possible. Although many children from local primary schools applied, these 6 students were successful in their applications to receive a 4-year Rotary scholarship at one of the Twin-Town’s high schools. The students introduced themselves to the Rotarians present and, after taking part in the Rotary Club meeting and receiving refreshments, were each presented with a Rotary pen. The Rotary Club of San Ignacio annually selects 6 ambitious students to receive this scholarship and currently is supporting 23 local children through high school.
• 5-Classroom Building for Our Lady of Fatima R.C. School Inaugurated:
  The BELIZE Natural Energy Charitable Trust is pleased to have partnered with Perenco Belize Limited as well as with Our Lady of Fatima R. C. School and the community of Douglas Village to construct the second phase of a two-story five-classroom extension building. This new extension replaces a badly deteriorated building that the students currently occupy. In February 2014, the Trust provided a grant of $100,000 with Perenco Belize Limited contributing a matching $100,000. As well, the community of Douglas Village provided counterpart funding in the form of labour. A ground breaking ceremony was held on March 3rd, 2014 and construction started immediately thereafter. The 25’ x 80’, 4,000 sq. ft. two-story extension building was completed on September 27th, 2014.
• Magistrate Ruling Overturned:
  San Ignacio Magistrate Narda Morgan was in court on Monday, defending her conduct in a Family Court matter held in her courtroom earlier this year. It concerns a child custody case and so we cannot name the persons involved for legal reasons. But the Magistrate is accused of overstepping her boundaries with regard to her handling of this case, and Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin overturned her decision on Monday. As it was explained to us, the woman’s husband, represented by Rachel Montejo, appeared before Magistrate Morgan for an ex parte hearing resulting in her children being taken away from her without proper notice or representation. Rachel Montejo was also representing Magistrate Morgan for a different case but appearing in court before her was a conflict of interest.
• Inauguration Ceremony of the Rotaract Club of Benque Viejo:
  The Rotaract Club of Benque Viejo held its Inauguration Ceremony on Saturday 27, 2014. The Rotary Club of San Ignacio is the sponsor of the newest Rotaract Club in Belize, making it a total of 6 Rotaract Clubs in the country. The Rotaract Club of Benque Viejo was established on April 2, 2014, and chartered by Rotary International on July 31, 2014. The Rotary Club of San Ignacio presented the Charter Certificate to President Miss Astrid Salazar. A total of 15 young adults were inducted as Rotaractors, and welcomed into the Rotary family. Rotary’s Governor Elect for District 4250, Mr. Rene Villanueva Sr., was the Guest Speaker at the Ceremony. This is a historical moment as it is the first Rotaract Club to be founded in Benque Viejo del Carmen. The members are honored to be included in this great fellowship, and eager to continue its service to its local communities in the Cayo West Area.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease:
  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), also known as chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD), and chronic obstructive airway disease (COAD), among others, is a type of obstructive lung disease characterized by chronically poor airflow. It typically worsens over time. The main symptoms include shortness of breath, cough, and sputum production. Most people with chronic bronchitis have COPD. Tobacco smoking is the most common cause of COPD, with a number of other factors such as air pollution and genetics playing a smaller role. In the developing world, one of the common sources of air pollution is from poorly vented cooking and heating fires.
• Mexico Charges Troops with Murder of "Gang Members":
  Mexican state police on 3 July 2014 inside a warehouse where a shootout between Mexican soldiers and alleged criminals on the outskirts of the village of San Pedro Limon, in Mexico state, Mexico. Mexico's attorney general has charged three soldiers with murder for their role in a shootout in late June in which 22 suspected gang members were killed. Jesus Murillo said the soldiers opened fire "without any justification whatsoever". The soldiers were among a group of eight held after the incident in Tlatlaya in the state of Mexico. At the time, the authorities said the victims were members of a drug cartel.
• Supporters of Danny Conorquie:
  A caravan of approximately four hundred demonstrators trekked out to the western border of Belize today in a show of support for the Belizean police force and murdered officer Danny Conorquie. Conorquie was killed last week at the Mayan site Caracol by a shooter believed to be a Guatemalan xatero. Tuesday morning the western highway leading to the border with Guatemala was under tight security, with no less than three police checkpoints between San Ignacio and the border zone. After the peaceable crowd was assembled, there was a stirring rendition of the Belizean National anthem followed by a prayer led by Pastor Lance Lewis. The prayer led by Lewis set the tone for the morning's speakers, with a strong endorsement for the Belizean police, a denouncement of Guatemalan policies towards Belize and demands for the GOB to get tougher with Guatemala. In closing Lewis said to the crowd's strong approval, "We are here for a purpose...this is our land and we will not back down...we have to draw a line in the sand."
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International Sources

Now is the time to buy Central America
The first time I wrote about Central America I got flak from readers for not mentioning Colombia. Let’s be clear, ever since US-supported Panamanian rebels broke away from Colombia in the Thousand Days War of 1899, Colombia hasn’t been part of Central America. It’s a common misconception, but I can understand why lots of British readers might not have an accurate mental map of Central America. After all, it’s hardly been a major player in world affairs, so here’s a quick recap. The region is made up of Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama and home to around 41 million people.

Stealing agri produce costing Caribbean US$ millions; poses serious health risks
Stealing agricultural produce is costing the Caribbean millions of dollars annually and putting consumers at risk of being infected by diseases or poisoned by chemicals and drugs. Consultant, Reuben Robertson told the Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) 2014 being held in Paramaribo, Suriname authorities have been told that their arsenal of weapons to fight back must include the enforcement of tougher laws and the use of modern technology. He added that thieves even go as far as carting off planting materials, fertilizers and farmers’ tools. “We consider praedial larceny to be hitting at the core of the survival of agriculture in the region,” he told the event being held under the theme “Transforming Caribbean Agriculture through Family Farming.” He lamented that such theft has resulted in foreclosure of homes that were used as collaterals, school drop-outs among poor families in the absence of fund. His presentation was made at the workshop on Policy and Strategy for Agricultural Revitalization and Food and Nutrition Security.

Les Mayas toujours vivants au musée du Quai Branly
Les Mayas sont toujours vivants: leurs langues existent encore au Mexique et leur civilisation, sans cesse mieux connue, révèle sa richesse et sa complexité dans une exposition au Musée du Quai Branly. Cosmogonie, pouvoir, religion: "Les Mayas, révélation d'un temps sans fin", qui se tiendra jusqu'au 8 février 2015, réunit près de 400 pièces, dont une cinquantaine de chefs d'oeuvre. Bas-reliefs, masques de jade, calendriers de pierre, sculptures témoignent des avancées de cette culture implantée sur un territoire correspondant à une partie du Mexique, au Belize, au Guatemala, au Honduras et au Salvador et qui connut son apogée entre 250 et 900 de notre ère.

6 Reasons to Take Your Kids to Belize
I haven’t been to Belize (yet), but it’s definitely on my list. There are so many ways to explore nature in Belize, whether snorkeling, hiking through the jungle, cave tubing or exploring Mayan ruins throughout the country, even just over the border in Guatemala. Even better, we’re coming up on the dry season, which begins in mid-November, making now a fantastic time to book a family vacation in Belize. Take a look at six reasons you and your kids will love Belize:

Videos

Video: Tropical Nature Sounds | Jaguar Creek Belize, 37min.
Tropical sounds from Jaguar Creek Belize. Relaxation sounds, Nature sounds for sleeping, meditation, reading, calm sounds for yoga, stress relief

Video: Belize Teaser, 3min.
Just got home from Belize! This is a teaser for an episode coming this winter!

Video: Belikin Beer It's Rich History, Numerous Variants, and US Retailers, 2min.
The top domestically produced beer in Belize, Belikin Beer is one of the things that defines Belize country. Learn about its history, beer variants, and the Belikin Beer distributors in the US. Belikin Beer is Belize’s top locally produced beer. It is brewed by the Belize Brewing Company, which is run by the Bowen family. The company was established back in 1969, and started brewing until 1971. The name Belikin is a Mayan term that means ‘Road to the East,’ although some claim that the name comes from the Belize River, which means ‘muddy.’ The label of Belikin Beer features a drawing of a Pre-Columbian Maya temple at Altun Ha.

Video: Best Ambergris Caye Bars and Restaurants for a Belikin Beer Glass, 2min.
A popular place for vacations, Belize is also known for the infamous Belikin Beer glass. Check out some of the best bars in restaurants in Ambergris Caye to enjoy this and more. Ambergris Caye in Belize has become a popular vacation destination. After all, Belize is home to the second largest barrier reef in the world, along with so many other exciting sights and activities. And after you are done with your diving and sightseeing for the day, there is no better way to end the day than to sit back and relax in a nice and cozy bar or restaurant while sipping on a Belikin Beer glass.

Video: Come Away to Belize With Me, 4min.
Jerry Jeff Walker.

October 6, 2014

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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Wolfe’S Woofer: Medical School
“How are you John?” “I’m doing great. Life could not be better.” I was sitting on the deck at the Holiday Hotel drinking my coffee and reading my book when John walked in holding a cup of coffee in his hand. “Pull up a chair,” I said. “We’ll have a cup of coffee together and […]

Police Report
On Tuesday, September 23rd, an underage male visited the San Pedro Police Station at around 5:01PM to make a report against a police officer. According to the minor, on Monday, September 22nd between 2AM and 6AM his mother, Mirna Judith Berganza was detained for a traffic offense. As a result the minor and a family friend, Saul Chavez, went to the station to see what was happening. At the station Chavez spoke to Police Constable #1139 Oscar Ramirez who demanded $300BZ for the release Berganza. According to Chavez, PC Ramirez arranged that the money be given to him at the round-about on Pescador Drive. At about 5PM on the same date, PC Ramirez caught up with the minor and Chavez again while leaving the DFC Area. PC Ramirez proceeded to demand an additional $700BZ. They informed PC Ramirez that they did not have the money and only had $300BZ. PC Ramirez agreed to take the $300 which was given to him. A total of $600BZ was given to PC Ramirez for the release of Berganza. ON Tuesday, September 30th at about 5PM a group identification parade was conducted where 36-year-old PC Oscar Ramirez was identified. PC Ramirez was formally arrested and charged for the crime of “Extortion”.

Doctor Love
Dear Doctor Love, I have been in a relationship for over a year with a man. I love him and believe he loves me, however I think sometimes love is not enough. When we met and he asked me to be in a committed relationship with him, he let me know (most) of his skeletons […]

Misc Belizean Sources

Passing of Mr. Pedro "Pete" Graniel
Mayor Daniel Guerrero, the San Pedro Town Council and Staff would like to extend its sincere condolences to the Graniel family on the passing of Mr. Pedro "Pete" Graniel. May his soul rest in peace and his family find the strength to overcome this great loss.

CTV3

BSCFA Receives Training In Child Labor
The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association continues to take measure in ensuring the Fairtrade suspension is lifted. Today representatives of the BSCFA and other stakeholders in the industry took part in a training that focused on child labor, one of the most significant non-compliance found by FLOCERT in their audit conducted earlier this year. At that time the BSCFA was found with eight non-compliances and consequently was suspended. Today’s training centered on child labor as several children were found harvesting cane during the crop season and this was deemed hazardous work for them due to the tools used. CEO Oscar Alonzo explains. Oscar Alonzo – CEO, BSCFA “We had delivered some corrective measures to FLOCERT on how we are going to deal with this issue of child labor in the sugar industry and one of the major things is that all the requirements that Fair Trade has relating to child labor is based on the ILO conventions which has been ratified by the government of Belize, now these conventions is incorporated as part of the laws of Belize so a greater awareness for our farmers of what these requirements are will enable us to try to avoid or try to prohibit and or eliminate child labor.”

PM Says No Officer Is Above The Law
Yesterday after the House of Representative meeting was adjourned and as is customary, the media asked the Prime Minister a flurry of questions from national security issues, police brutality, to a domestic dispute allegation against his fellow Minister, Patrick Faber. One individual that stood out most is the contentious household name of Mark Flowers, who is the Commander of the much feared Gang Supression Unit who has been criticized by many Belize City residents for using excessive force and the complaints against him have been mounting. The PM assured the populace that if any wrong doing is validated, anyone found guilty will be dealt with. Honourable Dean Barrow – Prime Minister of Belize "But Mark Flowers isn't the GSU man and while I've said and will continue to say that I think him to be an outstanding police officer; outstanding people do wrong things and if, I don't care who it is, if it turns out that there is merit to the complaints, then the inevitable consequence will have to follow."

Team Cruz Speaks On Their Plans To Move Corozal Forward
The PUP will be holding a convention on Sunday October 5th to elect a team to contest the municipal elections next year. In our previous newscast we spoke with one of the teams and tonight we present the second team which is led by Ruben Cruz who is running for the Mayoral post. Cruz spoke on why his team is the best choice for Corozal. Ruben Cruz– Mayoral Candidate, PUP Convention “We are the team for the people, we are ready to work for Corozal and we have been campaigning that to the people and they believe on us and we will not let them down and we are going to work for Corozal.” Carmelita Perez– Reporter “What are some of the concerns that the people have express to you during the campaign trail?” Ruben Cruz – Mayoral Candidate, PUP Convention “The main one is the streets; everybody complains about the streets, the party in power has been trying to do something lately and it worst especially 7th Avenue, and so we need to come in March and put everything in order and one of our priorities would be that, the streets, all the area down town, all the streets outside the town, everything was a mess.”

Sharing Precious Moments With Our Golden Citizens
Today we continue with our new feature of Golden Moments with senior citizens where we bring you a glimpse into the lives of the elderly in our community. Today, we visited with Leonor Vega of Otro Benque, who shared a bit of her life story with us. Maria Novelo reports. Today we continue with our new feature of Golden Moments with senior citizens where we bring you a glimpse into the lives of the elderly in our community. Today, we visited with Leonor Vega of Otro Benque, she shared with us a bit of her life story. Maria Novelo reports. Maria Novelo – Reporting Born in Belize City, 93 year old Leoni Vega has spent most of her life living in Corozal and Orange Walk but considers shugga citi her home. Vega shared with us how it was like growing up. Leoni Vega – Elderly Citizen “As a kid I was in Corozal because my father died at the age of three years and my mother went to live in Corozal Town and I was there until I was nine years old then I went to Cayo and I went to school and at the age of nine years I come out from school and went back to Belize city and had to work at the age of nine years and just twenty five cents a week I was getting and at the age of fourteen when I started to get seventy five cents a week but in those days with seventy five cents you could have buy the cloth to get your dress sewed."

PUP Demands Investigation Into Danny Conorquie's Murder
There is no doubt that the murder of Special Constable Danny Conorquie is very much fresh in our minds and measures need to be taken to protect our security forces in the vulnerable areas encroached by Guatemalans. Yesterday in the House of Representatives the Government of Belize announced that some measures have been put in place to avoid history from repeating itself and to offer heighten security for our visitors to the site. Opposition Leader, Francis Fonseca, called for justice and demanded some answers in his presentation to the house where he stated that heads of Government need to devise a unified strategy to combat the territorial unrest with the Guatemalans. Whereas the Minister of National Security John Saldivar provided answers to measures taken after a review of the situation was investigated. Francis Fonseca– Leader of the Opposition "The attack on Danny Conorquie Mr. Speaker is not only an attack on him and his family and the police community, but it is an attack on all Belizeans.

Tensions Heighten In Caracol Reserve As Guatemalans Invade Belizean Territory
Tonight there are disturbing reports coming out of the west. Around ten this morning information surfaced that as many as three dozen Guatemalans from a small village along the Belize/Guatemala border came into Belizean territory armed with machetes and threatened workers and their escorts from the Belize Defense Force. The workers are building on an outpost at the Valentin Site near Caracol. It is further reported that the group threatened to burn the building which is for Friends of Conservation and Development. Our Colleagues at KREM News assisted us with interviews from the group’s Executive Director Rafael Manzanero and the Prime Minister. Here is what Manzanero had to say about the incident.

The Reporter

Man stabs ex then hangs self
A man reportedly stabbed his ex-common law wife then hanged himself. Details are sketchy but reports are that the incident happened in Seine Bight Village, Stann Creek on Saturday night. Police have not yet issued any information on this incident.

BEL identifies causes of Thursday night’s power outages
The Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) says that the fault of Thursday night’s two power outages that caused coutrywide blsckouts was damage to a major structure on the transmission system in a remote area near Buena Vista, Corozal District. BEL says that the damage on this major system, which links the country’s transmission to Comercial Federal Electricidad (CFE) caused a total system collapse and that local standby generating facilities were played a major role in restoring power supply to the country. BEL say that it relied on power supply the gas turbine at West Lake and Blair Athol Power Company Limited (BAPCOL).

Another unconfirmed fatal shooting reported
There are more reports of shootings in Belize City on Saturday night, one of which was fatal. The Weekend Reporter Online has also received a report of a drowning, and an incident i Teakettle Village in which a man losta hand. These incidents, however, are yet to br confirmed by police.

Credit Unions wrap up three-day workshop
Several credit unions completed a three-day strategic marketing workshop at the Biltmore Plaza Hotel on Sunday. The workshop, hosted by the Belize Rural/Finance Development Project and facilitated by the Trinidad and Tobago-based consultancy firm, Gbest Company Limited, was geared towards setting goals for the credit unions to achieve by 2030. Virgil Patrick, managing director of Gbest, explained that during the workshop the participating credit unions discussed concepts such as strategic marketing in the context of penetrating youth markets, as well setting performance targets and evaluation performance.

Mass grave discovered in Mexico
Mexican authorities have found a mass grave on the outskirts of the town of Iguala, where 43 students went missing on September 28. It is not clear whether the bodies found in a pit are those of the missing students, who were last seen being forced into police vans. The group had travelled to the area, in the state of Guerrero, to take part in a protest over teachers’ rights. Police opened fire on their buses, killing six people. Twenty-two police officers are being held in connection with the shooting. Witnesses said that most of the survivors – all trainee teachers – were bundled into police vans before disappearing.

The Belize Times

NATIONAL INSECURITY! – Internal memo warning of “high risk” for Tourism Police was ignored
Belize’s national security has been seriously compromised by a Government that has no ability to protect its people from domestic crime and violence or defend our borders from illegal invaders and encroachers. The cold-blooded murder of Special Constable 20 year old Danny Conorquie at the Caracol Archaeological site on Thursday, September 25th, at the hands of armed bandits believed to be Guatemalans was a tragedy that should have been prevented. An internal memo dated January 24th 2014, leaked to the media, Assistant Superintendent of Police Diana Hall warned the Commissioner of Police and officials of the Belize Tourist Board that her tourism officers were in a “high risk position” and “are not the ones who should be manning” the Caracol Mayan site security detail. According to ASP Hall her officers, equipped only with two shotguns, “are no match for our Guatemalan counterparts”.

Men or Mice
The recent callous and as far as we know, unprovoked execution of a member of Belize’s security forces has rekindled some deep and of late, almost dormant feelings of apprehension in the citizens of Belize. In some, it has evoked fear but in some, anger and in many, a feeling of patriotism and determination. Our issues with Guatemala go way back before any of us were born and for many years, presented a roadblock to our Independence. Guatemala has long claimed that Belize belongs to them as a consequence of some unfounded and inherited claim from Spain. The Father of our Nation was resolute in his quest and felt that we should not let the fear of any bully deter us from self determination. In 1981, we finally were given and accepted our Independence, albeit in the face of objections from many even within our fold. Many were afraid and those from among that number that could leave, left! Those who remained dug in and in spite of deep political tribalism and severe economic hardships have forged a nation from the vestiges of colonialism.

Editorial: Barrow Di Bruk Up Belize
He was only 20 years of age. Everyone spoke highly of him. He was an upright and good person. He came from a good family and during his short time on earth he made them proud of him. His goal was to become a member of the Police Department. He was already half way there as he was a Special Constable. What a handsome young man and dashing he was in his uniform. He is a reminder of the many good and wonderful Belizeans who populate the villages of our country. Then tragedy struck. A cold bloodied killer crept up from behind and shot him while he was on duty with tourist at the Caracol Maya site last week Thursday. “Oh Danny boy, Danny boy, the pipes the pipes are calling. From glen to glen and down the mountain side, The summer’s gone and all the flowers are dying” Our hearts are broken, our nation is in grief and on behalf of our Party Leader and from all of us we offer sincere condolences to the family of Daniel “Danny” Conorque.

Cayo Shotokan Karate club hosts international youth karate championships
The Cayo Shotokan Karate Club celebrated its 24th anniversary by hosting an international, invitational youth karate championship at the Sacred Heart College auditorium in San Ignacio on Saturday, where the Belmopan branch of the club won the most medals: 11 golds, 12 silver and 16 bronze. Cayo’s Caesar Dyck, bronze medalist at last month’s CODICADER Games in Guatemala, won the 16-17 years age category kumite championship against Basil Brown of the Belmopan club in the final. Kevin Heredia of the Kazoku Club won the consolation match for the bronze against Kevin Godoy, also of the kazoku club.

Westrac FC drills Succotz IRKA 3-2
The Westrac FC of Spanish Lookout drilled Succotz IRKA 3-2 in the Cayo 1st Division football competition at the Norman Broaster Stadium in San Ignacio on Saturday night. Brothers, Fredy and Elmer Herrera, led Westrac’s attacks supported by midfielders Elvin Larios, Carlos Rosales, David Rodriguez and Brian Barrera, but Succotz IRKA got on the scoreboard first when the Westrac goalie Axel de la Rosa deflected a free kick to Salim “Piojo” Alfaro, who drove it into the net: 1-0.

Team BCB/FT Williams dominates Weekend Warriors’ Boom circuit race
The British Caribbean Bank/F.T. Williams team dominated the Weekend Warriors’ Burrell Boom circuit race, with Mark Gentle clocking 2:04:55 to win the A category on the 40-mile race from Leslie’s Imports to the DataPro junction of the Burrell Boom bypass with the Philip Goldson Highway and back to Belize City on Sunday morning. Team BCB/FT Williams had 3 riders in the top 10 and 5 total in the top 20. Here are the results: 2nd James Frampton – Team Santino’s 3rd Wilbert Jones – Benny’s Megabytes 4th Chris Coye – invitee- 1st in B category 5th Barney Brown – Scotiabank 6th Jack Sutherland – Digicel 4G 7th Stephen Bissett – Team BNE

GSU AGAIN!! – Mechanic says GSU officers abused and threatened to kill him
Belize City mechanic Allan McCoy has accused the notorious Gang Suppression Unit of putting a hellish beat down on him. McCoy had left MJ’s Nightclub on West Collet Canal on Saturday morning when a dark-tinted vehicle with no license plates drove next to his pickup truck and he heard shots being fired. He said he thought it was a robbery attempt, so he sped off. When he looked into his rear view mirror, he saw the flashing lights of a siren so, believing it was the Police, he stopped. It was law enforcement officers but not the regular Police. It was the elite, heavily-armed, military-trained Gang Suppression Unit which was on the prowl in response to a report that Police Constable Dejohn Cayetano had just been knocked down while driving a motorcycle at the corner of North Front Street and Douglas Jones Street. They learnt that the culprit was driving a pickup truck, which led them to McCoy.

Guatemalans build military base for Belize – Opposition Leader protests; blasts UDP Government for not being “awake”
The UDP has gone too far in allowing Guatemala to disrespect our sovereignty and dignity. It has gone too far, and has even cost the life of a young Belizean officer of the law, 20 year old Danny Conorquie. Now there’s the news that the UDP is blindly allowing the Guatemalans to poke fun at us. In no other country would a Government allow an “enemy” state with whom it has a live dispute over territory and full sovereignty to meddle with its national security plan. Clearly allowing such a thing to happen is absurd, but not to the UDP. They are the mothers of absurdity. This Dean Barrow-led UDP Government is allowing a Guatemalan company and Guatemalan workers to construct a military base for the Belize Coast Guard at Hunting Caye. Hunting Caye, which is located within the Sapodilla Marine Reserve, falls right in the 12,700 kilometres of Belizean territory that is claimed by Guatemala. This is absurd! It is also very worrisome because the Prime Minister admitted today that he didn’t even know that it was a Guatemalan company doing the work, even though the construction has been going on for over a year. That the Leader of the Government is asleep at the wheels while the “enemy” keeps “busy” is a grave situation. Clearly the Prime Minister has been on too many personal vacations in Miami.

BUSTED!!! – Barrow caught violating the Finance and Audit Act
The Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, Dean Barrow has been busted by the Opposition, People’s United Party (PUP) and the media, in particular Jules Vasquez of Channel 7. The PM has been exposed making excessive borrowing from the Petrocaribe Fund provided by the Venezuelan Government but not seeking proper approval from the House of Representatives for it. The UDP Government has been borrowing monies from the fund and spending without adhering to the Laws of Belize. The Finance and Audit (Reform) Act of 2005 requires that any effecting borrowing by the Government of Belize that is over or above ten million Belize dollars (BZ$10.0m), or the aggregate of the said sum in any fiscal year shall require a resolution by the National Assembly to approve such borrowing.

18 Cops in Interdiction for Alleged Misconduct
18 Police Officers are currently under investigation for alleged misconduct, according to Assistant Superintendent of Police Glen Rivero, who heads the Police’s Professional Standard Branch. These officers are on interdiction pending the outcome of investigations being conducted by the Police. That number will increase after three more allegations surfaced of Police abuse this week. There is Allan McCoy who said he was detained and beaten up wrongfully by the GSU on Saturday morning. Then there is the case of 22 year old Tremane Ciego, who said that on Sunday night while he walked home from work, he was abused and robbed by two Police Officers.

From A Little Room in an Unpainted Building
A Spanish expedition setting out from Yucatán to Chetumal in 1531, faces fierce Maya resistance from leader Nachankan who announced the tribute he would pay would be turkeys in the shape of spears and corn in the shape of arrows. Powerful British of the Bay in 1787 began to pass laws, which resulted in them owning four-fifths of all the land. This settlement was 86% African, just two years after the infamous St. George’s Caye battle, a distorted figure since no one counted the indigenous Maya on the register, and the main reason they counted Africans was that they were still enslaved assets. In the 19th century the mahogany lords band their slaves from cultivating this land, a historical African tradition; and instead structured the economy on exploitation and extraction feeding the headquarters of the British Empire 5200 miles away. My young brothers this is a land of struggle and resistance to oppression. The British were constantly in fear of revolts and escapes. One such revolt in 1773 lasted five months and was only suppressed with help from a British naval force from Jamaica. In 1820 the British reported “two Slave Towns – long formed in the Mountains to the northward of the Sibun.” On the white paper it says that slavery was finally abolished in 1838, but who still owned the land, and who controlled the power and wealth of the economic system that had been established and entrenched by empire?

ILLEGAL BORROWING & SPENDING!!
The Loan Motion seeking to ratify GoB’s unauthorized borrowing (and partial spending) of $228,000,000.00 BZ since September, 2012, in its recital is said to be in compliance with section 7(2) of the Finance & Audit (Reform) Act, 2005. Far from complying with the Act, the Loan Motion seeks to ratify/confirm an illegal borrowing and spending of GoB since September, 2012. The manner in which the borrowing and spending has been conducted is contrary to the intent of the Act and has defeated and frustrated the intent of the Act, which was to provide for better provisions regulating public revenue and expenditure (taken from long title of the Act). The manner of the borrowing and spending has precluded oversight, accountability and transparency of debts incurred by GoB, without the people’s approval and consent (for that is what the National Assembly is). This is seen when these sections are considered: section 7(2), 7(8) and 7(9).

WOMAN IN THE HOUSE – SEDI STILL NO READY!!
It is clear that all Belizeans are shocked and outraged at the cold blooded execution of Special Constable Danny Conorquie. We all feel deeply for his family, and we send our condolences. Initial reports about the incident are being shown by Police not to have been true at all. Police are saying now that evidence shows that Mr. Conorquie was shot in the back in broad daylight at his place of work and while in the service of his country. Could there have been a dry eye on Friday evening when we saw his relatives Jean and Jennifer Conorquie grieving, yet still showing extreme restraint and dignity in view of the incredible comments made by Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington about this incident? We all must be shaking our collective heads about how Hon. Elrington always seems to get it wrong. How can Hon.Sedi invariably manage to completely misjudge the mood of the Belizean people? How can he possibly sit there in his home and nonchalantly talk about this incident not being at all within his remit? How can he distance himself in such a cold and uncaring manner from the outrage we are all feeling? He must be completely tone deaf and aloof from the suffering of Belizeans. He called the incident a sad shooting. A “sad” shooting, Sedi? Why not a shocking and callous shooting? Why not a wicked and egregious shooting?

A Tribute to Ramon Cervantes Sr.
Let us speak of great men! On the 18th day of July 1942, a boy child was born to Florencio and Benedicto Cervantes in the village of San Antonio, Rio Hondo. He was named Ramon, and into his 72 years, just over three scores and ten, he was able to pack a lifetime of great achievements and service to his extended and nuclear family, his political family and his community. Although from very humble beginnings, he did not stop at a primary education but went on to secondary and tertiary achievements, and he passed on this quest for a sound education to his children. From very early on he became a staunch member and supporter of the People’s United party, sharing with the Father of the Nation George Price the vision of one Belizean people and an Independent nation. He became a Standard Bearer for our great Party as well as a Senator and Mayor at different points in his career. In his later years he was a member of the Marshalls Community Service Corp and then our Order of Distinguished Service.

REFLECTIONS ON THE PUBLIC SQUARE – HAPPY 64TH BIRTHDAY PUP!!
On Monday, September 29th, 2014 the People’s United Party celebrated its 64th Birthday. Over these past 64 years, the PUP has been at the center of Belize’s social, political, and economic development every step of the way. The PUP led the nationalist movement that charted our nation’s course to self-government and political Independence in 1981. Every major achievement in Belize’s history and development has come with the PUP leading the way. While the UDP cowered and said Belize was not ready for Independence, George Price and the PUP boldly led the way. It is the PUP who launched an aggressive Land Reform Program which took lands away from major foreign landowners and put them in the hands of the Belizean people. It is the PUP which built roads and bridges connecting all our district towns. It is the PUP that brought water and electricity to even the most remote communities in our country. It is the PUP that established Social Security and the National Health Insurance (NHI). It is the PUP that established our capital of Belmopan and created a sense of national unity through our flag, national symbols, National Anthem.

Green Tropics & Valley of Peace farmers settle land dispute
After months of legal fighting over land access and use, the farmers of Valley of Peace and representatives of Green Tropics, a private company that recently started in Belize, have reached a settlement that has restored peace in the community. In March of this year, the farmers accused the company of destroying their crops valued at thousands of dollars after the company carried out fly-over spraying. The company rejected the claim and launched its own offensive, accusing the farmers of encroaching on lands which they privately own. The company, furthermore, threatened the farmers to move out of the lands or they would seek legal recourse.

Blogs

This Past Week on Ambergris Caye Has Been the Most Beautiful Ever
So September is over. The slowest of the slow period (or maybe it’s tied with October)… the heart of the hurricane season (September 11th is the peak statistically when it comes to storms) and what I thought was an excellent month. I so love September celebrations. I also think we’ve had some pretty gorgeous weather. Yes it was rainy and grey for four days two weeks ago, but otherwise, it has been HOT and just incredibly blue. I’ve written a few posts about why you MUST come to Belize in September. And I stand by it. Here are some pictures from this past week…

A guide to diving Esmeralda Canyons
If you ever get a chance to dive into the waters in front of Ambergris Caye, make sure at least one of your dives is at Esmeralda Canyons. It is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful sites on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. For reasons that only an oceanographer may be able to explain, the sites there share a distinct geography that features hard coral ridges running west to east. These structures gradually extend and create deep canyons, like rows of bookshelves in a vast underwater library. Atop the hard coral that appears to have been built up by countless generations of coral polyps, soft corals speckle the landscape: sea fans rock back and forth to the music of the waves, and sea plumes dance, inclined into the direction of a gentle whispering current. Esmeralda reigns supreme in this area because it boasts its own collection of unique canyons plus a bustling community of nurse sharks, rays, moray eels and spiny-lobsters. A typical dive trip out to the Hol-Chan area, where the dive site is located, may take five minutes if you’re diving off San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye. If your trip is leaving out of Caye Caulker it will take about 40 minutes and it is almost always worth the travel time.

International Sources

This illustrated guide makes marine protected areas fascinating
Awesome...

Caribbean Utilities Company, Ltd. Successful Bidder to Build New Generation on Grand Cayman
Fortis Inc. ("Fortis" or the "Corporation") (FTS) announced that the Electricity Regulatory Authority ("ERA") has selected the proposal of Caribbean Utilities Company, Ltd. ("Caribbean Utilities") (CUP.U), the Corporation's operating utility on Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, to build new generation capacity in response to the ERA's request for proposals issued on January 31, 2014. As a result, Caribbean Utilities will develop and operate a new 39.7-megawatt ("MW") diesel power plant, including a 2.7-MW waste heat recovery steam turbine. The project cost is estimated at US$85 million and the plant will be commissioned no later than June 2016.

SPRFMO scientific Committee assesses jack mackerel quotas for 2015
Chilean delegates are attending the second meeting of the Scientific Committee of the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO) held in Honolulu, Hawaii, which ends on Tuesday, 7 October. The Chilean delegation is composed of representatives of the Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture (SUBPESCA), the Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP) and Institute for Fisheries Research. Maria Angela Barbieri, chief of SUBPESCA Fisheries Management Division stressed that Chile's participation in this event is very important. "The country is an important member of ths RFMO, in which discussions are held on the conservation status of a resource that is really relevant to us as jack mackerel and inputs for its management at the regional level are given," the official explained.

Videos

Video: Interpretation Of Belize National Anthem - Rene VILLANUEVA, Sr. [Love FM 98.1], 15min.
Ripped From Love FM Online Internet Radio By Mardo A. L. Urbina On October 4th, 2014; And Edited By Mardo A. L. Urbina On October 5th, 2014.

Video: Belize Zip Line September 2014, 3.5min.
Went on a Zip Line in Belize City, Belize.

Video: Hot Mama Angie Harmon Rocks Bikinis In Belize, 1min.
Hot Mama Angie Harmon Rocks Bikinis In Belize Hot Mama Angie Harmon Rocks Bikinis In Belize.

Video: French Lady Guest House - Caye Caulker - Belize, 2min.

October 5, 2014

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Fish for Sunday Dinner
Taking into account all those life-lesson stories I’d read online – at work (sorry boss), I decided to look around me. Breathing in. Taking in the sights. All that good stuff. I looked up. Not even that high up, there was a bunch of frigate birds swooping out and about, which had to mean someone was cleaning fish. Sure enough, round the bend and just behind a dive shop sign, was a mess of fish on a rickety table. A mom and her young son were cleaning fish and eager birds hovered above waiting for some scraps. A huge Jack got the clean-up treatment, and the young boy threw up pieces into the air for the birds. Mom says the fish is for Sunday dinner (that’s lunch and probably leftovers for dinner).

A sports man and role model: Kent Aneri Gabourel
While many opt to get as much sleep as possible in the mornings, San Pedro star athlete, Kent Aneri Gabourel prefers to rise before the break of dawn to get ahead, training and practicing for the sports he loves. Gabourel, better known as Bob, is no stranger to The San Pedro Sun, as we have featured him on several occasions for his countless achievements in cycling, running and triathlon competitions. But this is the first time we’ve learned more about the man himself, and we even gave up our gold medal in sleeping to catch him in training action with fellow island athletes Russel Dominguez and Eric Donis. 34-year-old Gabourel is originally from Unitedville Village in the Cayo District. He spent the first 20 years of his life there surrounded by a sports centric family. “I was born into the life of an athlete. My dad, Kent “Kenty” Gabourel, is a huge football legend in Belize, so I pretty much grew up watching him play. My mom, Jean Gabourel, also played football and softball, she even still plays today at the age of 54. My sister was also a great athlete in both sports. Most of my childhood I remember either watching my family’s sports matches or being on the field, playing myself,” said Gabourel. The strong sports influence shaped Gabourel into the exceptional athlete he is today. “Football has been my favorite sport because that is what my family is known for. But I played softball in high school and did track and field too. But most importantly, running is my ease in life. When I’m running, I’m one with myself, in my own world.”

Dr. Nidia Larrinaga joins Polyclinic Staff
On Tuesday September 30th, Dr. Nidia Larrinaga joined the line of health care professionals at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez Polyclinic II. Dr. Larrinaga, who is originally from Cuba is a naturalized citizen of Belize and has been living and working in the country for the past 16 years. While Dr. Larrinaga specializes in family medicine, she works in the capacity of a general practitioner, and especially enjoys attending to her tiniest patients in pediatrics. Dr. Larrinaga is expected to be on the island for a period of two years and is looking forward to serving the community and enjoying the sun, sand, and sea of Ambergris Caye.

Belize Institute of Mixology host Advance Bartending Course
On September 27, 2014 the Belize Institute of Mixology (BIM) graduated its second set of participants. This was the Advanced Course and lasted for five full days. The previous course was geared towards those that had little or no experience and most of them were then qualified and had the option of taking the Advanced course as the conditions to take it was either a minimum of 3 years’ experience in an active bar or to have successfully completed the Introduction course. This latest course created a flurry of excitement as the participants were then learning a whole new level of Bartending that included liquor and wine segments, pairing, building complex cocktails, as well as a visit to the Belikin plant where they were given the VIP treatment. They learned all about Belikin and our guest instructor, Dr Cuellar made his presentation on alcohol awareness as well. Bowen’s group of companies have partnered with the BIM team and as such, this segment will always be available in the advanced. They also presented the participants with their own certificates as well as gift packages.

Misc Belizean Sources

QUINTANA ROO, Mexico and BELIZE hold VIII Bi-national Meeting
The bilateral agreements seek to strengthen the fight against transnational crime and establish a new and healthy outlook between the two borders. Governor of Quitana Roo, Mexico Roberto Borge Angulo spoke of his country’s continued willingness to strengthen the bonds of friendship that exist with the Belizean people. The Government of Quintana Roo reiterated its commitment to protect the common border shared with Belize against illegal activities of organized crime and to establish new joint strategies in the matter of prevention to the health and protection of the environment. On behalf of Governor Roberto Borge Angulo, the secretary of the State, Gabriel Mendicuti Loría affirmed at the VIII Binational Meeting Mexico/Belize that “the quintanarroenses seek to strengthen the bonds of friendship that have historically united us with our neighboring country”.

3 weeks internship at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Florida for Caves Branch Botanical Garden
Two people from our garden will be going to the 3 weeks internship at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Florida. We work with that Botanical garden on inventory of epiphytes of Belize and really happy to be able to go to expand our knowledge on that topic. The Gardens reportedly maintain the most diverse collection of bromeliads in the world, and feature over 20,000 plants from some 6000 species in 1200 genera from 214 plant families, including 6,000 live orchids. We were happy to host their team here in April and looking forward to the future trips.

The Reporter

Another fatal shooting in Belize City
Reports are that there were two shpotings in the early hours of Saturday in Belize City. We understand that one of the shootings happened on North Front Street and the other occured on Vernon Street. Information reaching The Weekend Reporter Online is that one of the shootings was fatal. Police have not yet issyed any details of these latest incidents.

Man shot and killed during power outage
Gerald Palmer, 27, a food vendor of Barrack Road in Belize City was shot and killed on Thursday night, not far away from his house. The incident occured on Grants Alley shortly after 9 p.m. and Palmer, who suffered bullet wounds to his hest and arms, died early Friday morning at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Police say that Palmer was walking on Grants Alley towards Barrack Road when a man approached him as he reached the corner of Grants Alley and Cards Alley. Police have recovered five 9 milimeter expended shells and a .380 expended shell from the scene. They are trying to figure out how teo different types of expended shells were at the scene if reports indicate that there was only one shooter.

Coastal weekends off with film festival
The Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute ended “coastal zone awareness week” with a film festival at the Memorial Park in Belize City. The event showcased nine short films submitted to the CZMAI amateur film maker’s competition. Each submission had to be between two and four minutes long and reflective of this year’s theme: Planned Development Today for a Sustainable Coast Tomorrow. First, second, and third place prizes were awarded, along with a viewer’s choice award for the most likes on the CZMAI Face Book page. First place was awarded to Haywaed Corrie and Johnny Cantun of Ocean Accademy Caye Caulker.

Messi to face trial for tax evasion
Lionel Messi, Barcelona and Argentina football star is to face trial for alleged tax evasion. A Spanish judge has rejected a prosecution recommendation to drop the charges on the grounds that the player’s father was responsible for his finances. Messi and his father, Jorge are accused of defrauding the authorities of more than US $5 million. The pair, who deny wrongdoing, have five days to appeal against the ruling. It is alleged that they withheld the money between 2007 and 2009. Messi and his father are suspected of avoiding paying Spanish tax by using companies in Belize and Uruguay to sell the rights to use Messi’s image.

Patrick Jones

Early morning fire destroys building in Punta Gorda town
An early morning fire in Punta Gorda town today completely gutted a two-storey building. Personnel of the PG Fire Service responded to the blaze just after 3 am today at the on West Street. According to reports, the building was unoccupied at the time of the fire […]

Belize and Mexico sign cooperation agreements
The eighth binational commission meeting between Belize and Mexico concluded on Friday after a marathon round of discussions between one of Mexico’s largest diplomatic delegations and their Belizean counterparts. Agreements were signed for in the following matters: 1) Memorandum of understanding in tourism cooperation. 2) Letter of intent […]

Credit unions perform strategic planning
October is celebrated internationally as the month of credit unions. Known as the “poor man’s bank”, the credit union is a source of affordable financing for Belizeans for almost any venture small or large. But as the nation develops credit unions are confronting specific challenges in reaching key targets including the […]

Taiwanese trade delegation visits Belize
The Republic of China (Taiwan)’s Central American Trade Office (CATO) and representatives of private companies have concluded a working visit to Belize. From September 27 to 30 a seven member delegation visited Belize to explore the potential opportunities for cooperation and to promote the trade relationship between Belize and Taiwan. […]

Belize: Getting Behind The National Security Money
By Richard Harrison Most Belizeans feel that there is a trend of declining personal safety inside the borders of the country….and more recently, believe that there is also increasing threat from beyond the borders, and especially from Guatemala. The budget proposed for the Ministry of National Security for 2014/15 is $114.8 million [14% of the […]

Murder on Pickstock Street; stabbing in Belama Phase 4
A shooting incident in Belize City on Friday night has left one man dead. Police have not yet confirmed, but the victim has been identified to us as Harrison Smith. According to reports received, Smith was shot multiple times at the corner of North Front and Pickstock […]

Foreign Minister insists on cautious approach to Guatemala
One week and some days after seeming to suggest that there was no evidence pointing to the killers of Special Constable Danny Conorquie being conclusively Guatemalan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington has not backed down. He told reporters on Friday that one week after the 20-year-old’s death, there […]

Demonstrators target embassy of Guatemala in Belize City
A few Belizeans took their protests over the death of Special Constable Danny Conorquie to the doorsteps of the Guatemalan Embassy on A Street in the King’s Park area on Friday. They demanded the Guatemalan Government respond and help Belize catch Conorquie’s killers. The Government has officially been informed and […]

Blogs

Drinkable tap water and 3 restaurants in Placencia
There is an old saying, you learn something new every day, I find this applies to travel too. Every time I revisit somewhere I learn more, this time it was that the tap water in Placencia is drinkable. It sure was handy to learn that for making our morning iced coffee – thanks Dave. Placencia peninsula is fortunate to have some of the cleanest water in Belize and is completely safe to drink. Other parts of Belize that tap water is currently drinkable are Mango Creek, Big Creek, Independence and Seine Bight Villages. In San Pedro we drink bottled water and while I do believe Dee that the water from Consolidated Water is safe to drink, it is the pipes between the plant and our house that I am unsure about. It was same for me in Toronto too especially when it was really hot in the summer – our tap water smelled faintly funky. Onto the great restaurants part. Carlos and Sue took me to Mojo last night for a lovely dinner. It was a toss up between shrimp pesto and the pear with brie, we picked the latter of the 2 bruschetta options and it was delicious. After trading tasters of our main courses, the consensus was that everything was delicious and we were all super pleased with our individual orders. I had coconut encrusted barracuda with veggies and scalloped potatoes super tasty.

Finn Kardashian Does Central America, Episode 3: Guatemala & El Salvador
Last we left our UNESCO heritage friend, Finn, in Lake Atilan – a gorgeous volcanic lake and also the deepest in Central America at over 3000 feet. Finn Kardashian is a born and raised San Pedrano, a local celebrity and socialite (sometimes in his own mind), the bar manager at the beautiful and world-celebrated Rojo Beach Bar, North Ambergris Caye, a fantastic photographer and a creative, FUN, witty, worldly guy who is a blast to Crossfit with. He is now backpacking through Central America. This church below is super awesome. It was the only church that remained after the volcano popped open with water after weeks of rain. The myth is that when the emperor died in Mexico news came to his wife months after his death in and his wife demanded that everyone paint their house black. On the ninth day of his death, the volcano popped. BTW the emperor died by a horse falling on him like LMFAO karma is a Bitch!

International Sources

Guatemala Shooting Raises Concerns About Military’s Expanded Role
The Guatemala military, once one of the most brutal and feared in Central America, is resurging to take on violent crime, forging closer ties with American troops and law enforcement even as worry over human rights abuses and corruption intensifies. Those concerns deepened in recent weeks with the revelation of ties between former soldiers and drug gangs, and the fatal shooting of several indigenous demonstrators by soldiers on patrol with the police, an event critics of the militarized approach to policing seized on as an example of what can go wrong. Allegations of corruption and killings by the military have also raised questions about the partnership with the American antidrug program here...

Videos

Video: U.S. Riverines Train Belize Defense Force, 2min.
LASO Team Trains BDF. Courtesy HD Video | U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South | Date: 10.01.2014. Land Attack and Subsequent Operations Team with Southern Partnership Station train the Belize Defense Force in infantry tactics.

Video: Zumba Fitness - Afro - Fusion w/ Kaleila J. (Belize City Workshop), 2.5min.
Zumba Fitness and Afro-Fusion workshop taught by Kaleila Jordan and hosted by Belize Dance Company during the weekend of the 1st annual Jazz and Soca Festival of Belize City, Beliz

Video: Machel Montano Live in Belize, 5min.
CBC creation. BEST CONCERT EVER.

Video: Diving Hol Chan Marine Park - Ambergris Caye Belize, 18min.
Scuba diving Hol Chan Marine Park - Ambergris Caye Belize. This dive has it all from shark, turtle, barracuda, moray eels, rays, wrasses, etc. If you travel to Ambergris Caye or if you're a new diver starting out, i highly suggest diving Hol Chan. Divers start in roughly 6' of water and gradually descend to roughly 30'. Visibility is good and marine life is lush. Filmed on SJ4000 camera which is similar to the GoPro.

October 4, 2014

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Blessed by the Taco Gods: Neri’s Tacos
So, you may be wondering what’s so great about this Belizean version of tacos. Well, it’s pretty simple; a Belizean taco follows the principle of ‘simplicity is best’. Our tacos are just a heaping helping of delicious shredded, stewed chicken and a cabbage or onion slaw rolled up in a hot corn tortilla. Perfection! Oh, I forgot to mention that every tacos deli has its own form of pepper sauce for those that need that extra spicy kick. At Neri’s, (my favorite breakfast joint in San Pedro, I ordered my usual $2 helping of tacos (six tacos). I usually get them to go, but sitting down to eat them is such a cool experience! OMG! They were so darn good! I downed them in record time, and even had to ask for another $2. The tortillas were soft and warm, and the chicken was oh-so flavorful! With a refreshing glass of lime juice, I was set to face the day!

How prepared is Belize for an Epidemic Outbreak?
For the past few months, two epidemic outbreaks have been looming over much of North and Central America. In the United States of America, the threat of an Ebola outbreak has all health service agents and medical facilities on high alert. With several suspected cases in Canada, USA and Mexico, the threat has become so grave that neighboring countries have also started evasive plans of action against the deadly disease. Even closer to home, however, is the threat of the Chikungunya virus, which has been ravaging El Salvador with more than 30,000 confirmed cases. So with these potential disasters knocking at our door, is Belize prepared to handle an outbreak of Ebola, Chikungunya or even both at the same time? The San Pedro Sun spoke to Doctor Marvin Manzanero, a director of the Epidemiology Unit at the Ministry of Health (MOH) to find out how prepared Belize is for an epidemic outbreak.

ACCSD responds to proposed subdivision
The Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Development (ACCSD) is a local NGO that was formed to help balance development with sustainability of our environment and tourism industry. In this goal we have worked with our local and national governments as well as other organizations such as Oceana and Coalition for Belize. A major goal has always been the legalization of a Master Plan for the island. Through a collective initiative, community groups and government officials of Ambergris Caye came together to formulate a plan to protect the Bajos on the west of the island, the mangrove wetlands and Mexico Rocks. The purpose of the project is to maintain the integrity of our environment and guarantee the long term sustainability of our tourism industry. The boundaries and scope have been studied and modified to best meet the needs of the reserve and the community. Several public consultations have been held confirming overwhelming public support. The recent proposal of a subdivision in an obviously unsuitable area and continued building of high density units in residential areas further highlights the fact that the Master Plan and the Expansion of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve need to be completed now.

2014 Conch season officially opens
October 1st marked the official opening of the 2014/2015 regular season of the Queen Conch (Strombus gigas). Conch harvesting yields an estimated $11 million annually into the country’s fisheries industry, a significant revenue earner for traditional fishermen. The season runs from October 1st until June 30th of the following year. It is estimated that a total of over 1 million pounds will be harvested this year. Last year, a little over 1 million pounds of market clean conch and a little over 8,000 pounds of fillet conch were harvested. That yielded an estimated $11.06 million into the country’s revenue. It is estimated that at least 10% of total conch harvested is consumed locally (by law 5% must stay in Belize). In Belize, conch is a common staple on most restaurant and home menus during the open season. The flesh is commonly prepared in ceviches, conch fritters, soups and even chowders.

Ambergris Today

Tiburon Rum of Belize Making Waves Internationally Arrives in Belize
In just its first year of being out in the US Market, Tiburon Rum is making waves across that nation with now having won nine major awards. Tiburon Rum was being only marketed as ‘The Spirit of Belize’ in the United States of America, but now it has finally arrived in Belize for the country to experience the flavor and buzz of the world class rum that comes from the country’s very own Travellers Liquors. Tiburon Rum is a hand crafted, double-aged, premium rum, from the old Perdomo family of Belize who own Travellers Liquors. Basil DeStefano, a Belize resident and rum lover, has joined with Travellers Liquors, to create Tiburon Rum. Small-batch rums of various ages are re-casked by Master Blenders into Kentucky Oak Bourbon Barrels for the ‘second maturation’.

Misc Belizean Sources

SAN PEDRO TOWN: A SUSTAINABLE AND CHILD FRIENDLY MUNICIPALITY (15 photos)
The San Pedro Town Council joined other municipalities and cities throughout the country to sign on to an agreement to become a Sustainable and Child Friendly Municipality. The signing of certificate demonstrates the municipal government’s commitment to ensure that during the next 16 months, the town would adopt policies that will ensure that every child lives in a safe, healthy and crime-free environment. The initiative, which was launched simultaneously in every town countrywide on Friday September 26th, is being spearheaded by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Belize Mayor’s Association and the Government of Belize.

Corozal: National Youth Week
Can we have more young people voicing their opinions on what activities they want for YOUTH WEEK?? This is the opportunity for you to be part of the youth decision making in Corozal Town! Youth week will be November 2nd - 8th.

YOUTH FORUM, COROZAL
The Corozal Youth Ambassador in collaboration with the Department of Youth Services in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports will be having a YOUTH FORUM. This is a great opportunity for all youth of Corozal District, who will take part in the Youth Forum to “Increase their knowledge of the linkage between alcohol, marijuana consumption - with teenage pregnancy and HIV/AIDS.” It will be a fun event with speeches from the CARICOM Youth Ambassador in Belize and other young people who have been integral in the process. Over 200 participants are expected to attend. This event will be held on Thursday October 9th at the Andres Campos Civic Center from 1:00 p.m. and end by 3:30 p.m. We ask that you be seated by 12:30 p.m. With this in mind that we humbly ask for your kind cooperation and attendance in this Youth Forum. Please kindly contact our office at 402-0440 or Ms. Nekeisha Lima at 651-1897 for further details.

Regularization of Lease in Silk Grass and Trio Village
The Ministry of Natural Resources & Agriculture informs that Lands Department Officials will be visiting the villages of Silk Grass in the Stann Creek District and Trio in the Toledo District on Tuesday 7th October, 2014 to meet with residents to resolve and rectify the land demarcation issues for leases issued to the residents of those villages.

INVEST BELIZE Magazine Launch Vol. 3
3 minute video

SUPPORTING THE HUMAN IMAGINATION AT WORK
The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) is supporting the participation of nine (9) CARIFORUM SMEs through funding a collective pavilion at the Innovation Village that forms part of the VIII Americas Competitiveness Forum (ACF) scheduled to be held at the Jean Pierre Complex, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago during October 9-11, 2014. Following a recent Expression of Interest that involved video pitches, the Agency selected the nine firms from 5 Caribbean countries who are producing a range of products and services that range from educational applications to animation and new media production, as well as energy efficient products, thus highlighting innovation as a critical component of the CARIFORUM economy.

TsugaruShamisen Concert by "Abeya"
7-9pm at the Bliss Center, Fri., Oct. 10th. Free Admission, open to the public.

UDP San Pedro
UDP Endorsement Convention this Saturday, October 4, 2014 at 7:30 at Central Park!

INDEPENDENCE DAY JUMP UP PARADE 2014 (60 photos)
We would like to congratulate and thank everyone who participated in the 21st Independence Jump Up Parade! Below are the winners of this year's parade: SCHOOL CATEGORY: 1st Place: Wil Alamilla presents the Octopus - Arm in arm, let's unite. 2nd Place: The Island Aademy ADULT GROUP: 1st Place: San Pedro AIDS Commussion 2nd Place: Ruan Nuñez 3rd Place: Wings BEST FLOAT Wil Alamilla presents the Octopus - Arm in arm, let's unite.

INDEPENDENCE EVE 2014 (66 photos)
September 21, 2014 marked our 33rd year of celebrating and honoring Belize's Independence. Everyone gathered at the Central Park for the countdown of this patriotic celebration. The official ceremony began with an invocation offered by the priest of the San Pedro R.C. Church and included addresses by Mayor Daniel Guerrero, Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Mr. Eulogio "Elito" Arceo (Standard Bearer for the Opposition for Belize Rural South) and Councilor Kenrick Brackett. Following the speeches, the reigning Miss San Pedro, Miss Michelle Nuñez accompanied by Deputy Mayor Gabriel Nuñez made her arrival escorted by the San Pedro Cultural Marching Band and the Lions and Leo's Club members with fire torches. Following their arrival, master of ceremonies, Mr. Eiden Salazar, invited the members of the Belize Coast Guard for the 21 gun salute and gun inspection. The event ended with music by Skynet Soundz and a spectacular display of fireworks!

Tensions at the Western Border
Approximately 40 Guatemalan Citizens threaten to burn Valentin Camp near Caracol - Valentin Camp Coordinates: UTM : BD65 Geographical coordinates in decimal degrees (WGS84) Latitude : 16.766 Longitude : -89.162 Geographical coordinates in degrees minutes seconds (WGS84) Latitude : 16 45' 59'' Longitude : -89 09' 45'' According to reports, construction work on an outpost at the Valetin site near Caracol is on going. This morning near 10:00. a.m., Guatemalan villagers, armed with machetes threatened the construction workers and the Belize Defense Force Soldiers. They also wanted to burn the construction which was for Friends for Conservation and Development. The OAS and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are both expected to address the issue.

BEL Restores Power to the Country Using Standby Generation Sources
Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) reports that local standby generating facilities were integral in restoring power supply to the country following unplanned power interruptions on Thursday, October 2, 2014 that affected the entire country, for various durations. Power supply was being provided to the entire country via Belize Electric Company Limited’s (BECOL) hdyro supply and Mexico’s Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE), when a trip was experienced on the transmission system at 8:27 p.m. BEL crews later identified the fault as damage to a major structure on the transmission system in a remote area near Buena Vista, Corozal District. The damage on this major system, which links the country’s transmission to CFE, caused a total system collapse. As part of the Company’s restoration protocol, BEL immediately commenced restoration efforts using its Gas Turbine at West Lake and Blair Athol Power Company Limited (BAPCOL) standby units.

Corozal Independence Day Parade 2014
The traditional Independence Day Parade was held in Corozal on Sunday, September 21, 2014. The students in the Corozal High Schools always parade, as well as a few other groups. On this page is a sampling of the many many pictures we took that day. All those images are found in our Yearbook. There is a link in the last paragraph on this page.

Channel 7

Tensions In Caracol Reserve: Guats Threaten Arson
Tonight the Ministry of National Security Ministry and the Belizean Military are on high alert at the Western Border after a group of Guatemalans barged into Belizean territory making threats to civilians and BDF personnel inside the Caracol Archaeological Reserve. We've confirmed with official sources that at around 9:30 this morning, there were 4 BDF soldiers along with several carpenters and builders who were at the Valentin Camp. They were working on the Valentin Conservation Outpost. Viewers may remember that this is one of 3 facilities which the Prime Minister committed to see to completion in an effort to help safeguard against Guatemalan incursions. A reported 40 Guatemalans from the border village of La Rejoya, came armed with machetes and sticks and threatened the Belizeans present. They were angry with the construction of the conservation outposts, and reports say that they threatened to burn it down because they did not want it there.

The Ushers Protest Against Guatemalan Embassy
And so now while there is another worrying issue affecting the Western Frontier, today in Belize City, protesters staged a demonstration in front of the Guatemalan embassy to send a distinct message to Guatemala about the murder of Constable Danny Conorquie. It began after 10 this morning and 7news was there to capture the event. Courtney Weatherburne reporting These chants were echoed along A Street this morning as about 30 protesters circled in front of the Embassy of Guatemala vehemently condemning the murder of 20 year old Constable Danny Conorquie by Guatemalan intruders. While their chants were full of rage, their posters also gave voice to the distrust that many harbor towards those Guatemalans who make incursions into the Chiquibul. PUP Standard Bearer Gilroy Usher who led the protest took it to another level when he threw 2 eggs at the embassy. That gave the signal for the rest of the well "egg-quipped" group to launch their own egg blasts mostly harmless volleys - but symbolic of contempt.

PM: The People Must Protest
And while, as we told you, there was a political overtone to protest at the Guatemalan Embassy, it also brings up a very tricky issue. That's because as we've told you although there is every reason to suspect that the culprits who executed Danny Conorquie are Guatemalans, there is no irrefutable evidence of that. Today we asked the Prime Minister about the implications, and he said that Belizeans have a constitutional right to demonstrate: Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister "People have a right to demonstrate generally on an issue such as this is incendiary, the degree of Belizean outrage is not just almost unprecedented, but it is entirely unjustified. This was a horrible absolutely dastardly act and we should be grateful that we live in a country where at least people are still going to employ peaceful means to record their dissatisfaction, record their concern, record their outrage over something like this. You are saying they picketed or demonstrated, they didn't try to burn down the place or to damage the property of the Guatemalan Embassy. They have every right to protest."

Foreign Minister Elrington Was A Firebrand Too
That's pretty much the same thing that Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington had to say when he caught up with him at another event. He added that while he must be measured on all controversial issues such as this, he was once a firebrand who participated in many protests in his youth: Reporter "There was protest this morning in front of the Guatemalan Embassy. Some Belizeans.... Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs "Nobody use to protest more than me you know." Reporter "Do you believe that this many hinder this wonderful relationship...." Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs "It's not going to hinder it. I use to do worse than that when I was younger." Reporter "What do you have to say to those protesters?" Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs "That is democracy. People do that all over the world. People have the right to express their views. I was once arrested for doing the same thing you know."

Hon. Elrington Responds To The Critics On Foreign Policy Issue
But, gone are the days when Elrington would take a forceful, unadvised position. His foreign policy has been harshly criticized as being too appeasing and in this particular instance, his comments following the murder of Danny Conorquie, were used by his opponents as yet another example of his attempts to pacify Guatemala. He told us today that what they may not know is that Belize's relationship with Guatemala is the best it has been in years, and they've stopped being openly hostile. Here's how he explained it: Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs "As a foreign minister I have the responsibility not only to Belize and the government of Belize and the people of Belize - that's where I have my first responsibility, but we are now part of an interconnected world and so I've got to think in terms of the impact of what I say on the world at large. Guatemala is not only our neighbor, but they are also a very powerful neighbor and all their relationship with us as far as I am aware since I have become foreign minister - they are always been polite and they have always try to be proper. Dealing at the foreign minister's level I think it is only right that I take the same position too, so I am not going to say anything that is not necessary to be said and that can caused a bad situation to be even worse.

Palma Murdered During A Blackout
There was a countrywide blackout last night - and during the outage, a Belize City man was killed in the quiet, dark night. It happened at 9:15 in an alley near Barrack Road in Belize City. Monica Bodden spoke to Gerald Palmer's family today:.. Monica Bodden reporting It was through this alleyway known as Grants Alley - where 27 year old Gerald Palmer was gun down sometime after 8 last night. Palmer had just left him home on Barrack Road during last night's blackout - and was walking through the alley- when he was attacked by a gunman. The first shot allegedly caught him in his leg which gave him time to run - but not too far -because his attacker continued shooting with as many as 6 shots. 5 of those caught Palmer to multiple parts of his body.

BEL's Connection To CFE Went Down
And if you're wondering what caused the extended power outage last night, BEL says that the connection with CFE in Mexico went down around 8:30. But don't blame the Mexicans - BEL says there was damage to a major structure on the transmission system in a remote area near Buena Vista, in the Corozal District. That system links Belize to CFE's power - and when it tripped, it caused the entire system to collapse. BEL used standby generators to restore power supply. Power supply was restored to the entire country between 10:25 p.m. and 12:20 a.m.

ASR: Cane Sugar On The Decline In Europe
The next few weeks will prove pivotal for the sugar industry. ASR-BSI and the Belize Sugar cane Famers Association will be meeting to discuss the commercial agreement to pay for bagasse. IF they don't reach an agreement in time for the start of the cane season - it could be catastrophic for the industry. But even if they do hammer out an agreement, that would only be step one in a long journey towards long term prosperity for the sugar industry. That's because the global industry is at a turning point where European produced beet sugar is threatening to overtake cane sugar in the most lucrative market. Earlier this week, ASR's Mac Maclahclan explained it to us:.. Mac McLachlan, International Relations Advisor - ASR "The global sugar market is changing and in particular the European market and the prices in Europe are falling. They are falling away as we speak and by 2017 when the market is fully regulated we are expecting that the prices that can be attained for sugar from any of the ACP countries to be around the global market level and we have to improve our competitiveness to get there. There are series of bottlenecks to achieving that and one of the key one is the sugarcane yield that we get in Belize at the moment which is a general problem for the industry.

Lawless Officers Arraigned; Remanded
Last night, we told you about Constable Jamil Scott who was charged by police internal affairs after he was allegedly caught red handed with jewelry he allegedly stole while conducting a search at a woman's house. Well tonight, he and the woman he was caught with are out on bail after being taken to court. Police Constable Jamil Scott was charged with 2 counts of robbery when he appeared today before the Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith. Scott pled not guilty to the charges. He was released on a bail of $1,000 and his case was adjourned until November 28. The bail was offered on the condition that he hand in his passport, that he don't go near to the complainant or any member of his family and that he reports to Queen Street Police Station. The first theft occurred on September 28. The item stolen was a black Kenwood brand hand held radio with a value of $650, the property of the Police Department. The second theft occurred on October 1 and the items that were stolen included a wrist watch and a gold ring with a combined value of $300, the property of Randolph Gentle. The police charged Scott when they conducted a search at a house at 18 Antelope Street on October 1 and found the stolen items. Chelsea Zepeta, who the police said was also present at the house, was charged with 2 counts of handling stolen goods. She pled not guilty to the charged when she appeared today before the Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith. She was offered a bail of $500 in cash. The bail was on the condition that she hand in her passport, that she don't go near the complainant and that she reports to Queen Street Police Station.

CARACAMO SAYS..
It's been over two months since Chairman of Hattieville Kevin Carcamo disappeared without a trace. Public interest has waned, and authorities have been forced to pull back their resources form the search - but his family has soldiered on. But, now they are growing tired…and despondent. Today his brother called the media to offer a reward for Kevin, dead or alive. Ian Arana, Brother of Kevin Carcamo "We have come to the conclusion that we are just meeting all dead ends. So we decided that this is the way to go to give a reward for information basically leading to his recovery either dead or alive because at this time after 2 months we are on 2 months 6 days or probably 8 days now and what is left for us to believe that he is dead - that's my belief and my belief is also that he is living probably and is bound somewhere by someone. So I am pleading and asking that person or persons who may be responsible to come forth and let him go or give us a call so that we can find him. There is a reward for you, so we need closure. If he is alive I am asking you humbly to please don't hurt him because we have a reward, just let him go and you leave a note on him, or something on him and you will get your money - that's not a problem. You let us find his body, you will get your money. All we need is closure at this time."

BELIZE/MEXICO MEET...
Earlier in the news, we told you about the rising tensions between Belize and Guatemala. Today, however, Mexico, the neighbors to the north, worked to strengthen their friendship with Belize. That came with a summit called the Belize-Mexico Bi National Commission, the 8th in the series, since 1981, when Belize got its Independence, and today, the Foreign Ministers of both countries told the press about it: Jose Antonio Meade - Mexican Foreign Secretary "We will start to work in this bi-national, but will continue to do so and is to establish a legal framework that will allow for more investment of Mexico in Belize. Cooperation in terms of health which is very important regionally, which is a characteristic that Mexico and Belize want to strengthen." Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs "For tourism for example, we enter into legal arrangements for them so that their tourism operators will be able to work with our tourism operators here to have tourists come from Belize to Mexico and from Mexico to Belize.

PM/Church Reconcile On NGP
The National Gender Policy, we've haven't reported on that document since May. But, as you may remember the policy's original draft caused the Churches sounded the alarm saying that it had pro-LGBT elements to it, which they couldn't support. Well, as we've told you, the Prime Minister has been consulting with representatives from the Church, and today, another meeting was held. The sentiments coming out of the 3-hour plus meeting is that all the questionable sections of the Gender Policy have been revised, and the Church can now give their approval. The Pastors told us that their biggest concern was that the Gender Policy would be used as a spring board to agitate for amendments to the Belize Constitution: Pastor Eugene Crawford - Belize Evangelical Assoc. "One of the terms that set the stage for a very progressive move was the gender. Gender meaning man and woman. It was a little nebulous at first, but when that was being defined, then we know most of the other points that followed it was already ventilated."

PROFILE...
You may know Elena Smith as a union firebrand who showed her mettle during the unrest of 2004 and 2005. This fiery unionist, is also the strong and steady teacher at St. Ignatius Primary School. But, she wasn't always so strong and sure of herself; she tells the I AM Belize profile, that it was because an adult touched her inappropriately when she was a child. She explained how she worked through that and found her love of teaching: With that installment, the profile series is back and will be a regular weekly feature on 7News.

KHMH Under Pressure
Tonight a teenage girl is dead and doctors cannot say why. 13 year old Maria Larios, a student of Stella Maris was taken to the Cleopatra Policlinic on Monday morning where she was treated for a high temperature and no appetite. After the symptoms continued, she was admitted to the KHMH. Numerous x-rays and blood work was done on the teenage girl - including a test for dengue - which all came back negative. Maria spent 3 days in the hospital and her fever was treated with Tylenol. Her conditioned worsened on Wednesday afternoon when the young girl was struggling to breathe. Her family was told by a doctor that she was suffering from pneumonia and she was going to be sedated in order to have a tracheotomy. As the procedure was being conducted, Maria's health began to quickly deteriorate and just minutes after, the young girl passed away. Tonight her family is claiming negligence on behalf of the KHMH doctor. They claim that Maria's lung was allegedly punctured when the tube was introduced into her throat and that's what caused her death. A postmortem examination was conducted on the young girl today but it was inconclusive as to what was wrong with Maria Larios. Today her family expressed the bewilderment. Danilo Luna - Father of Decease "The doctors gave us a certificate that says that the cause of the death is because of blood in the lungs. The physical examination doesn't have an exact data that caused the death of my daughter. Really they don't have the exact information. They haven't told us the cause of death, until two weeks' time they will tell us the exact motive of her death. They say it might be a disease of an infection or an unknown virus or something new. Right now we don't have no more information."

The Guatemalans Went Back
At the top of the news, we told you about the rising tensions at the Western Border in the Caracol Archeological Reserve. That's after 40 armed Guatemalans went to Valentin Camp to threaten the Belizeans with arson if they continued to build the Valentin Conservation Outposts. Well, information reaching our newsroom at this time is that another group went back to the camp in the afternoon. FCD's Executive Director, Rafael Manzanero, was informed that a smaller group of Guatemalans from La Rejoya Village went back. The quickly realized that since the first confrontation this morning, more BDF soldiers had arrived at the Camp, and so they left without incident.

Channel 5

Armed Incursion at Camp Valentin Threatens B.D.F. Soldiers
Tonight, there is real and present danger of bloodshed in the forests along the Belize/Guatemala border, and a chilling sense of escalating violence. This morning at around nine-thirty, there was [...]

PM Barrow Says B.D.F. Will Use Force if Necessary
The newly constructed outpost at Camp Valentin is less than a kilometre from the Guatemalan border. Reinforcements were called in from Camp Belizario, located at least four hours from the [...]

P.U.P. Leader Condemns G.O.B. for Ignoring Caracol Memo
The question of the adequacy of the government response to threat is a pertinent and valid one. After all, Danny Conorquie was murdered fully eight months after the head of [...]

Belizeans ‘Egg’ Guatemalan Embassy
A week after his execution, the country is still grieving the death of Conorquie, a twenty-year old tourism police constable working at the Caracol Archeological Site. Two protests were held [...]

Hunting Caye F.O.B. Under Fire
In the wake of significant unrest and public outrage towards Guatemala, the news that the Coast Guard’s forward operating base on Hunting Caye is being built by Guatemalans has likely [...]

Food Vendor Slaughtered on Barrack Road
During the national blackout on Thursday night, twenty-seven year old Gerald Palmer was shot multiple times on Grants Alley.  The food vendor of Barrack Road had just left home when [...]

Foreign Minister Maintains Position on Conorquie Murder
Immediately following last Thursday’s murder of Conorquie, Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington told the media that he was uncertain whether the shooting death of Special Constable Danny Conorquie was indeed perpetrated [...]

Elrington Applauds G.O.B. for ‘Diplomatic Strides…’
In responding to criticism that he is too lenient on the issue of how the Guatemalan claim is being handled, Elrington told the media today that despite seeming public disapproval [...]

U.S. State Diplomat Concludes Working Visit to Belize
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary John Feely, of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, concluded a two-day working visit to Belize today after meeting with various organizations, including [...]

Speaks About Visit to National Youth Cadet Corps
On Thursday evening, upon his departure from the Leo Bradley Library, Feely visited the National Youth Cadet Corp on the George Price Highway where he met with a number of [...]

Ministry of National Security Condemns Armed Incursion
Back to the encounter between Guatemalan civilians and the B.D.F. at Camp Valentin. Late this evening, the Ministry of National Security issued a release saying that the group of Guatemalans, [...]

PM Barrow Says No Doubt Conorquie Killer was Guatemalan
The police continue to investigate the murder of Danny Conorquie. But at this point that’s more an exercise of proving what everybody believes to be true. With the exception of [...]

PM Barrow Says G.O.B. Will Purchase a Helicopter
The threat to our armed forces this morning has highlighted a deficiency in our military capacity which is certainly no secret. There is need for a helicopter to assist in [...]

Aspiring Politician Denny Grijalva is Guatemalan
And with sentiments against Guatemala running high, News Five has obtained a copy of a page of the passport of U.D.P. Orange Walk Central candidate Denny Grijalva. The information contained [...]

3 Cops Arraigned on Criminal Charges
In a cleansing of the police department, three police officers were before the court today to answer to criminal offenses.  First to be arraigned were two alleged rogue cops who [...]

Cop & Girlfriend Arraigned for Stolen Jewellery
A third cop and his girlfriend were arraigned but were able to get bail today. Police officer Jamille Scott is accused of stealing jewelry and other items from the house [...]

PM & Church Leaders Meet on Gender Policy
The prime minister met with church leaders today on the revised gender policy. The leaders from the various churches have made numerous recommendations that they wish to be included in [...]

Belize & Mexico Discuss Foreign Policy
A high-level meeting between government officials from Belize and Mexico was held earlier today to conclude the eighth meeting of the Bi-national Commission.  A delegation from the neighboring country, led [...]

…Establish Guides for Tourism and Trade
According to Jose Antonio Meade, Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs in the cabinet of President Enrique Pena Nieto, a guide has been established in order to achieve the purposes of [...]

FCIB Organizes Cancer Walk
Everyone has or knows someone that has been afflicted with cancer. Over the years it has become even more prevalent in Belize regardless of age or gender. The Belize Cancer [...]

Government Drivers Conclude Defensive Driving Workshop
A Defensive Driving Course for government drivers concluded on Thursday in Belize City; it is part of a larger eighteen million dollar initiative called the Belize Road Safety Project funded [...]

Protest at San Martin Government School. Was Primary School Student Raped?
The House of Representatives met in Special Session in the capital today. We’ll have full coverage of that coming up but we start with what was happening outside the House [...]

Belmopan Police on Rape Investigation
The Belmopan Police has been investigating the allegation of sexual molestation since it was reported to them. Even as the mother of the alleged victim and other parents claim they [...]

CTV3

Renovation Of Gabriel Hoare Market Lane Face Hold Up
A few weeks ago we reported on the much awaited renovation of the Gabriel Hoare Market Lane in Corozal Town. When Deputy Mayor for Corozal Town Rafael Castillo spoke to us about the project eh stated that under the second phase of the Municipal Development Project, 15 cement stalls would constructed along the lane. The project was set to commence in the month of August and expected to be completed by February 2015. But more than two months after the day of launching, construction of the new stalls are yet to commence. So what’s the hold up? We asked Local Government officer and representative of Social Investment Fund, Clifford King.Clifford King – Local Gov’t. Officer/ SIF Rep “These project goes through a procurement process which is very lengthy that goes from feasibility studies to end of a contract in terms of implementation and these are very complex activities within a process and sometimes things take longer than you expect them to take but we are very close as a matter of fact, the draft designs have already been shared with the council for this project and so the next step now is to complete that process and we anticipating that before the end of the year this project will be on the ground here in Corozal.”

Projects That Will Be Implemented Under BMDP Discussed In Corozal
The Corozal Town Local Planning Working Group, LPWG, hosted its fourth meeting today with members of the business community, principals and church leaders, to discuss the draft plan of the Belize Municipal Development Project for Corozal. The BMDP is a project implemented by the Social Investment Fund SIF, in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Local Government that is dedicated to improve the access to basic municipal infrastructure and the enhancement of the municipal management in towns and cities of Belize.Keisha Rodriguez – Urban Planning Officer “We have been hosting stakeholder meetings in the seven municipalities that are involved in the Municipal Planning aspect of the Belize Municipal Development Project, since May 2013 we have worked with these seven municipalities including Corozal Town in preparing a Municipal Development Plan and now seven of the municipalities have drafted their Municipal Development Plan and we are meeting with various stakeholder groups to discuss with them the content of those plans are and to garner feedback from them in relation to the plans.”

LOVE FM

PlusTV

Armed Guatemalans threaten to burn down Conservation outpost in Chiquibul
There are reports of illegal Guatemalan incursions into Belizean territory allegedly occurring on Friday morning. Reports are that a Belizean Conservation outpost inside the Chiquibul Forest Reserve was breached by a mob of armed Guatemalans. Construction work is currently being done there by Belize...

Gerald Palmer Fatally Shot During Power Outage In Belize City
A Belize City man was murdered Thursday night. The victim has been identified as 27 year old Gerald Palmer. Police report that Palmer was accosted by a lone gunman as he walked at the corner of Grants and Cards Alleys around 9:15 p.m. Thursday, while there was a power outage in Belize City...

Two Police Constables Face Charges Of Robbery And Wounding
Police Constables Edgar Depaz and Jefferson Dawson face criminal charges of robbery and wounding, and PC Dawson separately charges of using threatening words and aggravated assaul, for their attack on gas pump attendant Tramane Ciego on September 29. On Friday, before the Chief Magistrate, Anne Ma...

PC Jamille Scott Charged With Two Counts Of Robbery
Police Constable #1096 Jamille Scott is the man accused of stealing jewelry from a house on Antelope Street, Belize City, while part of a team of officers on operation conducting a house search. PC Scott was charged with 2 counts of robbery when he appeared today before the Chief Magistrate, Ann...

Ron Myvett Charged With Attempted Murder
Ron Myvett, a resident of Belize City, was charged with attempted murder when he appeared on Friday before the Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith. Ron Myvett was also charged with dangerous harm, use of deadly means of harm, discharging a firearm in public and aggravated assault...

Churches satisfied with meeting with PM
Church Leaders left a meeting with Prime Minister Dean Barrow on Friday upbeat and optimistic. The meeting was to discuss the Church’s recommendations for changes to the Gender Policy. We spoke with Pastor Scott Stirm late Friday evening for his take on how the meeting went.

23 year old female charged with rape of 14 year old boy
We often here cases of men raping women but it is quite an unusual situation where a male person reports having been raped by a female, though it does happen. Recent reports are that a 23 year old female had a forceful sexual intercourse with a 14 year old boy in Belmopan, and was recently charged.

Prison Officer Detained Pending Drug Charges
A Belizean Prison Officer is detained at the Belmopan Police Station pending charges of drug trafficking. According to police reports at around 4:00 pm on Thursday, Police interceted a green Infinity car in Teakettle village Cayo District...

Dangriga Market Project Stalled Again
The Dangriga Market project was launched in May 2012 has had  some severe set backs after several inconsistencies with some Social Investment Fund (SIF) workers...

Belizeans Protest In Front Of Guatemalan Embassy
A few Belizeans took their protests over the death of Special Constable Danny Conorquie to the doorsteps of the Guatemalan Embassy in the King’s Park area of Belize City. They demanded the Guatemalan Government respond and help Belize catch Danny Conorquie’s killers. We understand that eggs were th...

Remembering A Belizean Hero
Friday marked the birthday of one of Belize’s fallen Heroes, Phillip Goldson, who fought for Belize’s independence to the point of imprisonment for his ideals. He served as Deputy Mayor in the Belize City Council was the editor of the Belize Billboard. In1951 he was convicted of Seditious Intent...

Officer Commanding Tourism police raised security issue at Caracol since January
While new measures are now being taken to provide adequate security to Caracol, it has been reported that those measures were being suggested and recommended from January of this year. What is believed to be a genuine internal police memorandum sent in January from the Officer Commanding the Tourism Police Unit ASP Diana Hall, has been leaked to the media. In the memo addressed to the Commissioner of Police, ASP Hall raises security concerns in Caracol. The Leader of the Opposition brought up the memo in Friday’s House meeting. Francis Fonseca – Leader of the Opposition “That letter is very damning because it foretells what has actually taken place and it made clear that within the ranks of the police department, within the ranks of the Police Tourism Unit at the highest levels – there were very serious concerns.

Second reading for the Amendment to the Legal Profession Act
The Second reading for the Amendment to the Legal Profession Act was done in the House of Representatives on Friday. It was the major business of the sitting, and with so many lawyers in the House, it was a passionate presentation from Attorney General and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington, who says he sees no reason why he should be forced to be a member of an association that does nothing for him or the community. Wilfred Elrington – Attorney General “I feel cheated, and I feel defrauded, because my monies are taken from me, year after year after year, under false pretences. Who can show us what we’ve got for the money which we have paid?”

Parents say a cover up happened in case of alleged child sodomy
Allegations that a five year old child was sodomized at a primary school in Salvapan Area, Belmopan, has stirred the emotions of many. Last week we reported that the medical results of the test swab that was taken from the child proved negative. According to police, the medical reports are saying that the child was never penetrated. But the mother and some residents of the Salvapan area firmly believe there is concrete evidence to determine that the child was indeed penetrated. Thursday the mother of the child and some 30 members of the community, joined now by Patrick Menzies of BelizeCan, lead a small demonstration beside the Salvapan Bridge demanding swift justice for the alleged victim and calling for the shutdown of the School. The protesters ran into some mishap with the authorities, who claimed that it was an illegal gathering and began to arrest them. The images show two mothers handcuffed together and police about to handcuff others. There were some heated exchange of words and reports are that some police officers shook off a few children who were clinging to their mother but the police did not arrest anyone and let them go.

Facility for Belizean security arm being built by Guatemalans!
There is undeniably an increased sense of nationalistic fervour being experienced by many Belizeans, brought into sharper focus by the death of an on duty officer by the hands of Guatemalans. Border security and integrity, especially as it pertains to a nation which has expressed a claim on Belize, is of utmost concern in times like these. It is no wonder then that many are outraged at developments happening on Hunter Caye. On that Caye is being built a Coast Guard Security Facility.; which is all fine and well. The problem is that this facility for one of Belize’s security arms is being built exclusively by a Guatemalan company with only Guatemalan workers. The Leader of the Opposition asked how the Ministry of National Security would allow such a thing to be happening. The Minister of National Security addressed the question saying that it was a gift from the United States, and having Guatemala build the facility, was the United States’ stipulation.

Still no proof Guatemalans killed Danny Conorquie, only strong suspicion
The security of Police Officers stationed at Caracol has now come under scrutiny, since Danny Conorquie was shot at the hands of Guatemalans at the National Archaeological Site. The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Francis Fonseca spoke about the issue of border security and integrity at Friday’s sitting. For the first time since the incident, members of Government have said that they believe the perpetrators to be Guatemalan. The Prime Minister said so as well as the Minister of National Security. In fact, the Minister of National Security says they are sure that the killers escaped to Guatemala. He told the National Assembly about the developments in their investigation. -->

Amandala

More police brutality “craziness”
In the southside of Belize City, to be on the streets sometimes at night could place one at high risk, especially if you are a young black man, since the odds are high that you will become the subject of the police’s oftentimes unnecessary and unconstitutional searches which are too often lacking in basic human decency, not to mention the legal requirement of at least, “probable cause.” Just a young black man’s presence on the streets appears to give the rogue elements in the Police Department license to violate his constitutional rights. On Sunday night, two policemen who were on foot patrol on Central American Boulevard allegedly acted criminally toward a young working black man. According to the victim, Tramane Ciego, who, ironically, lives in close proximity to the police’s Precinct 2, on Racoon Street, one of the officers went as far as to threaten to kill him. To its credit, however, the Police Department’s Professional Standards Branch acted promptly in its investigation of a report made by Ciego.

Justice for Danny!!
ourism Police Special Constable Danny Conorquie, 20, was laid to rest in his home village of Georgeville on Sunday, and tomorrow, Tuesday, hundreds of Belizeans are expected to make their way over to Belize’s western border to make an international statement on the cold-blooded execution of the young tourism police officer around noon last Thursday at the Caracol Archaeological Reserve in western Belize at the hands of illegal Guatemalan loggers who may have retaliated after security forces confiscated their horses. Tuesday’s show of national outrage is being led by the Belize People’s Front (BPF), an organization headed by Nancy Marin. The executive members of the Belize People’s Front include Louis Diaz and Ronny Plette in Belize, and Joseph Roca, Wellington Ramos and Joseph Guerrero in the USA. Speaking with Amandala today, Marin said that their bottom-line message is “Justice for Danny.”

US Southern Command “punks” Belize!
In a disclosure that has sparked nationalistic outrage in some quarters, Evan “Mose” Hyde, KREM TV manager, and Wil Maheia, Punta Gorda activist, captured several images at Hunting Caye last week of construction operations by a Guatemalan company, Binarq S.A., on Hunting Caye, the country’s southernmost island on the Sapodilla Range. This morning on the KREM WUB, Hyde detailed what he had observed while on a recent vacation outing in the area along with Maheia: Guatemalans building a forward operating base on a Belizean caye, in a project financed by the US Government for the Belize Coast Guard. There are those who have asked whether a competent Belizean company could not have done the works, but beyond that, there are those who contend that the decision poses a national security risk for Belize. One of those persons is Opposition Leader Francis Fonseca, who mentioned Hyde’s report in Parliament this afternoon, detailing that the Coast Guard contract to build is held by Guatemalans and every single worker is a Guatemalan national.

Another cop accused of extortion in San Pedro
On July 24, Constable Elvin Nah of the San Pedro police was arrested and charged with extortion and released on bail of $2,000 in the San Pedro Magistrate’s Court. A little over two months later, another officer of the San Pedro police – Constable Oscar Ramirez, has also been charged for an act of extortion, which allegedly occurred on September 23. PC Ramirez was taken to the San Pedro Magistrate’s Court today, where he was released on bail of $3,000 and ordered to return to court on Tuesday, November 18. Police charged that PC Ramirez demanded $700 – of which he collected $600 – for the release of a woman who was in custody for traffic offenses.

House approves $29.7 mil CDB loan for new Haulover bridge and airport road upgrade
The House of Representatives today approved a $29.7 million loan from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) for a new bridge at Haulover, five miles out of Belize City, as well as a major upgrade to the Philip Goldson Highway from Belize City to the Philip Goldson International Airport in Ladyville. In presenting the loan motion to Parliament, Minister of Finance, Prime Minister Dean Barrow, said that the loan would include climate adaptation works. The loan repayment schedule is complex, since it would be released in multiple tranches which carry varying interest rates, as well as different repayment schedules. The funds should be fully disbursed by the end of 2018. The portion for $13,740,000 should be repaid in 48 quarterly installments, after a 3-year grace period, at a rate of 3.59% per annum. There is a 1% per annum commitment fee on the unwithdrawn portion of loan.

Viral Caracol video documents aftermath of Danny Conorquie’s murder
On Monday, September 29, expats who were at the Caracol Archaeological Reserve last Thursday uploaded video imagery of events which unfolded after Tourism Police special constable Danny Conorquie was executed, allegedly by illegal Guatemalan loggers, who are believed to have killed the security officer in retaliation for a sweep earlier in the week which led to the confiscation of five horses. The video, which went viral on social media on Tuesday, September 30, began with the sound of gunshots, but did not capture the actual shooting of Conorquie. “They shot a person?” one tourist asked. “Yeah,” another responded.

Cricket Corner: A gentle giant – David Banner
On Sunday last, me, my wife and family went to the beautiful village of Lemonal to attend a well put together double birthday fun time for two beautiful girls, Dawn and Breena Banner, both sisters. On our way, a question was asked, who were the first settlers of Lemonal? I must say that I am not too well informed of this. I was informed some time ago that a Scottish man had paddled up the Spanish Creek, went to a village named after a lady, De Dolores, where there was a Mayan settlement. This man’s name was Francis Banner. This village is now Rancho Dolores. Mr. Banner, I understand, took this lady and brought her to live with him at what is now Lemonal. As I said, I do not know the history of this village; but I will try to get more information from the archives for educational purposes. What I do know is that, aside from some of the best cricketers (They are the reigning champions – Easy Does It), Lemonal produces many persons, including many priests, that are shining brightly in society. There are teachers (educators), magistrates, police officers, contractors for home buildings, farmers and an attorney newly called to the Bar, etc.

Belize City Primary Schools Volleyball Tournament results
The Belize City Primary Schools Volleyball Tournament 2014-2015 tipped off this week with games on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at Bird’s Isle. In games played on Monday, (F) Holy Redeemer defeated St. John’s Primary, 25-12, 25-12; (M) St. John’s Primary def. Holy Redeemer, 25-14, 25-12; and (M) Belize Elementary def. St. Ignatius, 25-5, 25-12. On Tuesday, (F) Ephesus SDA def. Queen Street Baptist, 25-23, 25-17; and (M) Queen Street Baptist def. Ephesus SDA, 25-16, 25-15. And today, Wednesday, (M) St. John Vianney def. Bethel Assembly, 25-22, 25-17; and (M) Wesley Upper won by default over Trinity Methodist. No games are scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday.

Talking football
As there is a slight lull on the local football scene, with no definite date yet announced for the start of the next Premier League competition, perhaps it is a good time to reminisce. I was doing some of that a few years ago, and thought it would be a good time to share it with our football fans, although the work was incomplete. Time does fly. Here goes: BELIZEAN FOOTBALL COMPARISONS Thursday, March 8, 2007 Belize is presently ranked near the bottom, in fact some are saying we are at the bottom of the list of football ranked nations in FIFA, the world governing body of football, to which Belize gained provisional membership in 1981 when our nation became independent, and then full membership in 1986. Yet, some young footballers of today argue that they are playing ‘higher’ ball than teams of yesteryear, because they are now “semi-pro.”

Respect our army; equip our army
A Belizean died in Great Britain recently who had traveled from here to London and flown combat missions in the Royal Air Force during World War II. His name was Clifton Pinks. He married in England and spent his life there. But he was part of the Belize lobby in England, led by Nadia Cattouse, which made sure that the British public and the British government remembered that Belizeans had served the British loyally during the war and argued that Belize should not be abandoned to Guatemalan aggression. This lobby was active during the late 1950s, 1960s and 1970s when the Belize issue was an Anglo-Guatemalan dispute. The Belizean leaders at the front line of our final push to independence in 1981 always claimed that they did not trust the British where the matter of land cession to Guatemala was concerned. They have stated that they went for a risky independence without a defence guarantee because they were being pressured by the British and the Americans to cede Belizean land to Guatemala in return for a settlement of the claim.

From the Publisher
When the Mexican Revolution began in 1910, Mexico was already an oil producing country. The Mexican oil industry was owned by British and American investors. Oil was becoming more and more important in the world, because the Europeans, led by the British, the Germans, the French, the Italians, and so on, were converting their navies, as quickly as they could, from steam power to petroleum power. At the time of World War I, which was fought from 1914 to 1918, navies were vastly more important than air power, which was primitive at the time. In fact, even in World War II, between 1939 and 1945, the navies, which included submarines, may have been greater factors in the outcome of the war than the respective air forces. Certainly in the beginning of World War II, the fight for control of the Atlantic Ocean was considered vital to the two main combatants – Great Britain and Germany. (The opinions in this paragraph are a layman’s opinions: I am not trained in military matters.)

Letters: Sellout of Belize
In the light of irrefutable evidence gathered by the officer in charge of San Ignacio ASP Dinsdale Thompson, the refusal of the Government to acknowledge that Guatemalan poachers are responsible for the murder of Tourism Police Officer Danny Conorquie while he was on duty at the Caracol Maya site is shocking and indicative of its fear of holding the Guatemalans to task for anything, including the murder of an on-duty law enforcement officer by one its citizens. Everyday Guatemalans are the people that cross deeper and deeper into Belize illegally to make milpas and extract xate leaves and precious timber from our forest unlawfully. It is also a fact that those Guatemalan poachers have repeatedly pulled machetes and shot at Belizean law enforcement officials who try to stop their illegal activity in the country.

Letters: Nothing for nothing, very little for sixpence …
I don’t know what the exact population of Belizeans living in the U.S. is. But for the purpose of this letter I will “guesstimate” it is 300,000. If there are 300,000 Belizeans currently residing in the U.S., I will guess further that about 150,000 or 50% of that population are naturalized citizens and therefore eligible to vote. Any group of people can lobby their local, state or federal representative, but for a representative to take up their cause and fight for it would mean the group can deliver votes for that politician to get elected. With 150,000 people scattered across 50 states or concentrated in a few cities such as Chicago, Detroit, Florida, Houston, Los Angeles, New Orleans and New York, Belizeans offer very few votes to any politician and would be at the bottom of their list of issues to bring to Washington, D.C. There are about 50.5 million Hispanics living in the U.S. and they have groups such as LULAC that helped to deliver 6.5 million votes in 2012. There are 11.2 million Jews in America and 2.5 million of them voted in 2012. It’s a numbers game!

Sedi tones down plea at UN for security assistance
Belize Attorney General, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington, told the 69th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York on Tuesday that security remains one of the nation’s priorities. While Elrington made no mention of the recent murder of Daniel Conorquie at the Caracol Archaeological Reserve, allegedly at the hands of illegal Guatemalan loggers, he did use the opportunity to further a campaign for the parties to submit the territorial differendum to the International Court of Justice, a legal instrument of the United Nations.

Senior Citizens’ Week underway to highlight elders in our community
Today, October 1, is observed globally as International Day of Older Persons, and to commemorate this initiative to honor the elders in our midst, HelpAge Belize is hosting a full week of activities to draw attention to these “Golden Citizens” in our community, who, while many often suffer from neglect, actually are sources of a wealth of wisdom, as well as values and principles, derived from their life experiences which were amassed over many decades. HelpAge Belize has been an affiliate of HelpAge International since 1984, and while the main thrust of their work has been centered on social pensions, they also run what are referred to as nine-day centres across the country where older men and women get an opportunity to socialize, exercise, receive health education, and discuss current affairs.

Supt. Luis Castellanos, OC San Pedro, honored
Superintendent Luis Castellanos, Commander of the San Pedro Police, was honored for his hard work and dedication at a ceremony on Friday, in San Pedro, and was presented with a certificate of appreciation by Mayor Danny Guerrero on behalf of the San Pedro Town Council, and Hon. Manuel Heredia, San Pedro’s area representative. The event was held at Fido’s Courtyard. OC Castellanos will leave the island town and will proceed on studies overseas, and Friday was his last day with the San Pedro police. Mayor Danny Guerrero said that Superintendent Castellanos has been a hard worker; that his method of operation was not complained about, and he put people first. The Mayor said that OC Castellanos truly helped to improve San Pedro.

Maya leaders to propose framework for consent agreements by oil, forestry industries
Litigation proceedings aimed at resolving the land rights claim of the Maya of Toledo begin at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) with a case management session on October 13, and while the parties — the Maya Leaders Alliance and the Government of Belize, still intend to proceed with their claims at the CCJ, the parties met last Thursday, September 25, to initiate dialogue which the Maya delegates hope would lead to a final resolution of the problem. Cristina Coc, spokesperson for the Maya Leaders Alliance (MLA), told Amandala today that even when the case concludes in the months ahead, the Maya people are not going anywhere and it is in the best interests of both parties to resume dialogue in order to turn the rights of the Maya into reality.

Mexican national perishes in traffic accident outside Corozal Free Zone
A Mexican national lost his life, while another was injured following a fatal traffic accident that occurred yesterday evening on the outskirts of the Corozal Free Zone in northern Belize. At about 4:20 p.m. yesterday, September 29, police were called to the scene of an accident in the vicinity of the Corozal Free Zone where they saw a blue Ford Ranger pickup truck in an extensively damaged condition in the middle of the road. Approximately thirty feet away from the vehicle, police also observed the lifeless body of Jose Benigno Perez, 37, a Mexican watchman of Subteniente Lopez, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Police charge three cousins with gang membership offense
Belize City police, in their operation, “Not in My City,” have been on the offensive against persons they believe are affiliates of criminal gangs, and have been entering the various gang turfs and the homes of gang-affiliated persons, arresting them for gang-related offenses, and charging them under the section of the Crime Control and Criminal Justice Act, which prevents them from being granted bail at the Magistrate’s Court. Most of the men who have been remanded to prison, however, are employed with Cisco Construction in the City’s street rehabilitation program, so the arrests of these individuals appear to be whittling down the numbers employed by the program. Today, three more men who were employed by the program have been remanded to prison. Maurice Felix, 29, a resident of Sanker Street, who along with his brother Emory walked free from a murder case after three Supreme Court trials, pleaded not guilty to professing to belong to a criminal gang, namely, the Gill Street Gang.

Delivery truck rips down power line and lamppost on Evergreen Street
Traffic was interrupted for several hours this morning on Evergreen Street, which is located behind the headquarters of Belize Water Services (BWS), after a delivery truck tore down a power line and a lamppost during the height of rush hour traffic. Eyewitnesses said that sometime after 8:00 a.m., a white delivery truck, belonging to Grace Kennedy (Belize) Limited, was traveling on the street when the top portion got entangled in some low-lying power lines, which were hanging across the street. The truck driver, who was apparently unaware of the situation, continued on his journey; however, the entanglement flipped the vehicle on its side and caused it to lean to its right on two wheels on top of a grey Saturn car which is owned by an employee of BWS, and which was parked on the street side.

2014 dengue outbreak in City marked by high level of hemorrhagic cases
Data released today by the Vector Control Unit in Belize City indicate that there have been 77 cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) documented in the City, primarily based on clinical diagnoses between January and September 2014. Overall, the total number of dengue cases in Belize City, including the severe hemorrhagic form, amounted to 264, making up 82% of all cases reported for the Belize District area. No national figures have yet been provided. Senior Public Health Officer Javier Alpuche said that from January to September 2014, 59 cases of dengue were reported in the Belize District, outside of the Belize City area, and 25 were recorded as DHF cases. In all, the Belize District recorded 323 cases for the period.

Two Bahamians wanted by the U.S. bailed
This morning, Supreme Court Justice Dennis Hannomansingh granted bail of $100,000 to two Bahamians who were arrested by Belize authorities on a provisional arrest warrant pending an extradition request from the United States. Kelvin Leach, 34, and Rohn Knowles, 29, two Bahamians who, along with four other individuals, were named in a U.S. indictment which was unsealed in Brooklyn, in the Eastern District Court of New York earlier this month, regained their freedom after being in lockdown at the Kolbe-managed Belize Central Prison. On Monday, September 15, Leach and Knowles appeared in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court to answer to a charge of failure to declare funds when leaving Belize. The charge was laid by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) after the two were intercepted at the Philip Goldson International Airport.

The Reporter

Armed Guatemalans threaten Belizean construction workers
Prime Minister Dean Barrow gave his assurances on Friday that additional military personnel have been deployed to the Caracol Archaeological Reserve after over three dozen Guatemalans crossed into Belizean territory around 10 a.m. armed with guns and machetes, threatening construction workers building the Valentin Conservation Outpost there. The outpost, which is in the archaeological reserve, is being built by Friends for Conservation and Development. Director of FCD, Rafael Manzanero told The Reporter late Friday that while the situation is regrettable, no one was harmed. “Apparently they were offended that we are building this outpost, which is on Belizean territory, so they came and threatened our workers and threatened to burn the outpost down,” Manzanero said.

Taiwanese trade delegation visits Belize
A seven-member Taiwanese delegation was in Belize from September 27 to 30, to explore the potential cooperation opportunities and to promote the trade relationship between Belize and Taiwan. The delegation comprised of one official trade office and two well-known private companies: Central America Trade Office, Chong-Wai medical instrument Ltd. and Speed Technology Ltd. During their stay in Belize, they visited San Pedro Town, Belize Electricity Ltd.(BEL), Beltraide, Belize Medical Associates, Belize Healthcare Partners Ltd.(BHCP), Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital(KHMH), and Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry(BCCI). The Chong-Wai medical instrument Ltd. and Speed Technology Ltd. has established cooperation with BHCP and BEL, which is expected to facilitate the mutual trade relationship between Belize and Taiwan.

Top Mexican drug lord captured
Hector Beltran Leyva, one of Mexico’s most wanted drug lords, was captured in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico when troops closed in on nabbing a seafood restaurant on Wednesday. His arrest came after 11 months of investigation as intelligence officials traced his path. Mexican authorities were offering a reward of more than US $2 million for information leading to his capture. The U.S. State Department’s Narcotics Rewards Program was also offering a reward of up to US $5 million. Beltran Leyva, who led a cartel by the same name, had been living a discreet, low-profile life in Mexico’s Queretaro state, abandoning a life of luxury to appear as a simple businessman.

What really happened at Caracol on Sept. 25?
A telling video recording of the immediate aftermath of the murder of Danny Conorquie was circulated on Facebook and You Tube this week. The video is the work of one of the tourists present at the Caracol Maya temple where the incident happened last […]

Belizeans protest for fallen cop, Danny Conorquie
About 200 Belizeans protested peacefully at the western border in Benque Viejo on Tuesday to demand justice for Special Tourism Police Constable, Danny Conorquie, who was shot dead on his job at Caracol Archaeological Reserve last Thursday. Led by Neferteri Juan of Belize People’s […]

Coastal awareness week gets surprising public support
The Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute launched Coastal Zone Awareness week for the first time in ten years on Monday, September 29. The week was observed under the theme “Planned development today for a sustainable coast tomorrow.” The official opening ceremony was held on […]

BISL wins 1st round in court vs GOB
The Belize International Services Limited (BISL) received a ruling in its favour Wednesday against the Government of Belize in a case regarding the payment of taxes by the International Business Company (IBC). Justice Shona Griffith ruled in the Supreme Court that, BISL because of […]

GOB and Belize Bank in court over UHS loan
The Government of Belize and the Belize Bank were in court this week to make closing arguments in the case of a $33 million loan owed to the bank for the former Universal Health Services. Justice Shona Griffith heard arguments from both sides and […]

BELTRAIDE launches third Invest Belize magazine
The Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) on Tuesday launched the third edition of its Invest Belize magazine, an investment publication meant to highlight business opportunities in the country. Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Trade & Investment Promotion Michael Singh said […]

CARICOM says that member states need of take up
This week the Caribbean Community engaged in discussions with regional and international organizations about how to manage the chikungunya outbreak and prepare for eventual cases of the Ebola virus within member states. In late September, CARICOM Secretary General Irwin Larocque met with the Director of […]

Mexican dies in accident at free zone
Jose Benigno Lopez, 37, a Mexican watchman, died on Monday afternoon when the vehicle he was driving overturned in the Corozal Commercial Free Zone. According to police, sometime around 4 p.m., Lopez, who was said to be travelling at high speeds when exiting the […]

Teenager charged for attempted murder
A 17-year-old youth has been arrested and charged for last Saturday night’s attempted murder of Joseph DeBride. The minor was charged with attempted murder, dangerous harm and use of deadly means of harm and was arraigned in court on Monday. According to police, they […]

Bahamians granted bail
Bahamian nationals Kelvin Leach and Rohn Knowles, both wanted in the United States on charges of securities fraud, were granted bail Monday in the Supreme Court by Justice Denis Hannomansingh. Attorney for Leach and Knowles, Godfrey Smith, explained that under the terms of the […]

Policeman charged for shooting youth
Police Constable, David Griffith has been arrested and charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of Rasheed Elijio, 18, who was shot and killed in Punta Gorda Town in May of 2013. Elijio was reportedly taken into custody on a charge of unlawful carnal […]

EDITORIAL
The murder of Special Constable Dannie Conorquie by Guatemalan gunmen at the Caracol archeological site last Thursday has provoked outrage in Belize, sparking demands for the Government of Prime Minister Dean Barrow to pursue and bring the killers to justice. Danny Conorquie was working as a tourism police officer at […]

Irony of ironies! Guats to build Belizean military base
Belize will soon have a spanking new military base on Hunting Caye in southern Belize, but what is ironic about the project is that the contractor and masons building it are Guatemalans! On Thursday in the House of Representatives, Leader of the Opposition, Francis Fonseca, […]

Three constables ‘put in check’ – one imprisoned!
Three police constables, who over the past several weeks have come under scrutiny on allegations made by the public, have been disciplined by Professional Standards Bureau, while a fourth has been sentenced to prison by the court system. On Wednesday, the commander of the bureau, […]

GOB promises to beef up security
Belize’s national security features at archaeological sites will see a marked improvement, which will include added manpower, mobility and even a helicopter (whether purchased of gifted) to monitor intrusions. The news came out of Thursday’s special House sitting which dealt at length with the situation […]

Patrick Jones

PM says Guatemalan “invaders” are “facey”
Prime Minister Dean Barrow today said that any attempt by Guatemalan civilians to make good on a threat to burn down a conservation outpost that is being constructed at Valentin, about 1 kilometer inside Belize’s territory near the Belize/Guatemala border “will be met by a response that […]

Man charged for attempted murder
Ron Myvett, a resident of Central American Boulevard, was charged with attempted murder when he appeared today before the Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith. Myvett was also charged with dangerous harm, use of deadly means of harm, discharging a firearm in public and aggravated assault. He was remanded […]

Policemen charged for attack on citizen
Police Constables Edgar Depaz and Jefferson Dawson face criminal charges of robbery and wounding. Dawson separately faces charges of using threatening words and aggravated assault for their attack on gas pump attendant Tramane Ciego on September 29. They appeared today before the Chief Magistrate, Ann Marie Smith and pleaded not guilty […]

Armed Guatemalans allegedly accost Belizeans in the Chiquibul
There are reports of an incident involving illegal Guatemalan incursions into Belizean territory this morning. Preliminary indications are that it happened at a Belize Conservation outpost inside the Chiquibul Forest Reserve where construction work is being done, in Belize territory, by Belizeans at the Valentin site. According […]

Constable charged for theft from searched house
Police Constable #1096 Jamille Scott is the man accused of stealing jewelry from a house on Antelope Street while part of a team of officers on operation conducting a house search. Scott was charged with 2 counts of robbery when he appeared today before the Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith. Scott pleaded […]

Good weather conditions heading into the weekend
Warm conditions are dominating factors in our weather heading into the weekend. The general forecast for Belize and her coastal waters is for mostly sunny skies today. Tonight will be partly cloudy. Showers or thunderstorms will be isolated. Winds over the open sea and along the coast […]

Fatal shooting incident in Belize City
A Belize City man was murdered last night. The victim has been identified as 27 year old Gerald Palmer. According to police reports, Palmer was accosted by a lone gunman as he walked at the corner of Grants and Cards Alleys around 9:15 pm. Several shots were […]

SBDC unravels mystery of business loans
For businesses, the most nerve-racking part of getting off the ground is obtaining financing. The Small Business Development Center (SBDC), an arm of BELTRAIDE, hopes to take some of that nerve away by reaching out to business owners through regular workshops. Today’s was called “How to Obtain a […]

Blogs

Two Lovely Nights North on Ambergris Caye: Sapphire Beach Resort
Earlier this week I took a 20 minute boat ride to the north part of Ambergris Caye to explore and to check out Sapphire Beach Resort at mile 10. I took a bunch of pictures of the GORGEOUS stretches of comparatively untouched beach at and around Sapphire… I was met at the resort dock with an ice cold watermelon juice and a COLD towel. Love that. went right up to my suite. Two bedrooms, full kitchen…very very comfortable including good sheets and great towels. I was also given a Smart phone and a Smart Mi-Fi so I would have reliable internet both in the room and if I popped it in my pocket, pretty much anywhere. I had a great time. Quiet, gorgeous and the miles north and to the south, are absolutely gorgeous. Some of the best beach walks I’ve been on here. Beautiful wildlife, plants, the sea is crystal clear…a whole different feel from downtown San Pedro.

AWOL internet in Placencia
Thankfully the connection Barefoot Bar beside the Belize Mixology course at the Tipsy Tuna is is good for us right now. As a result most of the time Fermin and I have tried to connect to the net and do something we get bounced around like ping pong balls. Even though has been frustrating, we both agreed we are glad to be here in spite of tech troubles. Plus I found out we are not alone, I received a text that the internet acting up for some in San Pedro after the countrywide power outage last night. It has been triple shower weather in Placencia since the day we arrived – hot hot hot with a side of sweaty. I am not complaining though, I have following report of hell freezing over from my Montana Weatherman…

“Forever Young (Young Forever)” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
With Ziggy ensconced at the vets Rose and I headed to ‘Town to renew her Belize Drivers Licence. It seemed like only yesterday that she got it but that’s how quickly the year seems to have passed! The first time you get a licence it’s for a year but for renewals you get the option of getting one for three years and that’s the option Rose elected to go for. You don’t save any money but … Rose was dreading having to have her photo taken (every year that passes and all that) and was as pleased as punch when the lady told her they would use the same one as last year. As she was told this I heard Rose mumbling something about being forever young (or young forever)! If she’d had her way though she would have used this photo! With the licence renewed (BZ$ 180) we headed to Coral Cable to organise an Internet service to start at the end of the month. We’ve been using Smart’s service for the last year and although we know people that it works very well for it just hasn’t “done it” for us. The recent decision by BTL means that we will get double the bandwidth for the same price. I’m sure it will still be slow but hopefully not as slow!

UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms
Whereas the work of law enforcement officials 1 is a social service of great importance and there is, therefore, a need to maintain and, whenever necessary, to improve the working conditions and status of these officials, Whereas a threat to the life and safety of law enforcement officials must be seen as a threat to the stability of society as a whole, Whereas law enforcement officials have a vital role in the protection of the right to life, liberty and security of the person, as guaranteed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and reaffirmed in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Whereas the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners provide for the circumstances in which prison officials may use force in the course of their duties,

International Sources

6 Reasons Visiting Belize Is a Really Good Idea
Going on vacation doesn’t mean that your healthy lifestyle goes on hiatus. While exotic beaches may conjure up visions of piña coladas and endless napping for some people, it’s easy to stay healthy when you choose the right vacation destination – and visiting Belize is a super smart destination for people in search of a healthy living paradise. Imagine traveling to a place that feels very far away – but there’s minimal jet lag from the short flights to and fro. It’s a foreign country, yet everyone speaks English. The tourist infrastructure is well developed and it’s easy to get around, whether you want to explore Mayan ruins in the jungles, experience a cave tubing adventure, or set sail around a postcard-perfect island.

Sugar Land rock climber survives more than 1,000 bee stings
A Sugar Land rock climber who was stung more than 1,000 times in an attack by Africanized bees is telling the remarkable story of how he survived alone in a Belize jungle. Mitch Parker, 29, lives in the central American country working on environmental impact studies ahead of potential oil and gas development. The expert rock climber was exploring new terrain up a 200 foot high cliff when a wrong move with his rope led to an attack so vicious he thought he was going to die. "I was just sort of cutting bushes away and checking the climb was worthwhile ... then I threw my rope somewhat hastily through a hole and as soon as I got down to that ledge I started getting stung," said Parker.

Book Review: ‘An Indomitable Beast’ by Alan Rabinowitz
Jaguars, the largest cats in the Western Hemisphere, are smaller than lions and tigers but arguably tougher. Solitary and extremely secretive, they can find cover in mere slivers of forest, and the force of their bite, relative to their size, is much greater than that of Old World cats. Jaguars snap right through the skulls of mammals and the shells of nesting sea turtles. Capable of an unusually wide range of motion, they can ambush prey from awkward positions, even while swimming. They are not picky about the animals they eat, making do with whatever is around. Little of this was known in the early 1980s, when Alan Rabinowitz, then a newly minted wildlife biologist, arrived in Belize to study jaguars for the conservation wing of the Bronx Zoo, where he had fallen in love with the cats as a kid. Wild jaguars were in dubious shape then. Jacqueline Kennedy’s appearances in a leopard-fur coat in the early 1960s had sparked a fad for spotted cat skins that lasted throughout the decade, when some 18,000 jaguar skins a year were exported from Central and South America. By the time international bans on pelts finally arrived in the 1970s, the jaguar was facing localized extinction or worse.

10 of the best tropical islands for retirees
Does your vision of how you’d like to spend retirement involve sunset walks on a long stretch of deserted beach or exploring nature in an exotic setting far removed from the cares of the world? Or is your view of the perfect tropical retirement destination clouded by perceived hassles of getting settled in a new place, stepping over sunbathing weekend tourists and dealing with rickety roads? Truth is, the authentic tropical island experience is entirely attainable and within your reach. You just have to know where to look. There are affordable, accessible, breathtakingly beautiful, exotic tropical islands with world-class amenities that are suited to American retirees. Here are 10 excellent places to own an island lot or, even better, an entire island. Smaller and less populated than nearby tourist favorite Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker is the perfect place to slow down and live at your own pace. Here, life is lived outdoors, where the chirping of birds and the chattering of neighbors are the only sounds you’ll hear, since cars aren’t allowed. In fact, there aren’t even any paved roads on the 5-mile-long island in the Caribbean Sea, just off the coast of Belize. Shorts, sundresses and flip-flops are the recommended dress code for al fresco dining on some of the best seafood in the region.

The Poorest Countries in the World
There are two standard methods of measuring the wealth of countries and how rich or poor its inhabitants are. The measure most often used is Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which represents the size of a country’s economy. A refinement of this is per-capita GDP, which is a measure of the average welfare and affluence, or poverty, of residents of a country. However, GDP and per-capita GDP are less useful when comparing economies across national boundaries – which one must do to determine the poorest countries in the world – because GDP is expressed in a country’s local currency. The measure that most economists prefer is GDP at purchasing power parity. GDP (PPP) compares generalized differences in living standards on the whole between nations because PPP takes into account the relative cost of living and the inflation rates of countries, rather than using just exchange rates, which may distort the real differences in income.

Videos

Video: Welcome To The Mar, 3min.
The Mesoamerican Reef is a popular tourist destination. Sadly, this precious ecosystem faces many threats. Local communities are doing their part to protect the MAR. Tourists can play a big role in helping to preserve this special place.

Video: Riding in the "Jumping Viper" after Doyle's Delight - Highest Point in Belize, 2min.
The John Deere tractor cuts through the deep jungle mud without a problem.

Video: Riding in the "Jumping Viper" after Doyle's Delight - Highest Point in Belize, 1min.

Video: Loving Belize episode 6 Little Kitchen fishing, Caye Caulker, Belize Music Awards, Belize City, 31min.

Video: TE A Laguna Guesthouse, Belize, Toledo Ecotourism Association Near Punta Gorda, 2.5min.

Video: Whale Shark Belize 2014, 5min.
Diving in Belize with the Whale Shark. Amazing experience with truly wonderful friends and family.

Video: BELIZE ARTHUR GUINNESS DAY AT BTL PARK - COPPERSHOT, 13min.
Bad Arthur Presents Arthur Guinness Day at BTL PARK & PIER 1

October 3, 2014

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Biologist Lisa Carne and Manatee Expert Jamal Galvez get Ocean Hero Award
Two outstanding conservationists received the Ocean Hero Award from Oceana in Belize during a special ceremony on Saturday September 27th. The two recipients of the prestigious award are Biologist and Coral Researcher Lisa Carne, and self-made Manatee Expert Jamal Galvez. The two were awarded for their heroic work with two endangered wildlife species, the Acropora Corals and the West Indies Manatee. According to Oceana in Belize, being an Ocean Hero can mean that the recipient takes action to help to protect the marine environment for people and creatures of today and for future generations, and as such, the award recognizes their efforts.

Music Video: Belize by Wayward
“You left me for Belize too soon…” Pop music…plus a visual feast showing so much about Belize…Belize, Belize, Belize…just watch and enjoy…

Tourism Police executed at Caracol by suspected illegal Guatemalan Xateros
The death of a Tourism Special Constable working at Caracol Archeological site in western Belize has caused public outrage amidst a police investigation. 20-year-old Tourism Special Constable Danny Conorquie was shot to death by armed Hispanic men at the Archeological site just before midday on Thursday September 25th in plain view of tourists and other Belizean tour guides. While Belizean Ministerial authorities have been diplomatic in dealing with the murder, authorities have been unable to bring those responsible to justice. Because the murder happened about five miles within Belizean territory near the Guatemalan border, and because the culprits jumped across the border, they are believed to be Guatemalans.

Canary Cove donates to New Horizon SDA Primary School
Canary Cove has embarked on a three phase project to improve New Horizon Seventh Day Adventist Primary School and on Monday, September 29th a donation was handed over to complete phase one. The donation was made in the form of a check for $9,198 and will cover expenses for the construction of a veranda and staircase for the newly constructed building at New Horizon, as well as other elements needed for the completion of the building. According to supervisor of Canary Cove, Gilberto “Gil” Nuñez, the donation was made after the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) identified the need for better education facilities at New Horizon. The school is quickly becoming over populated and needs more classrooms. Once completed, the building will serve as two classrooms. “Our purpose with these donations is to improve the quality of education that the children at New Horizon receive. Right now, some of the classes have almost 40 students. We want to create more space for these children,” said Gil Nuñez.

Ambergris Today

Belize Coral Researcher and Manatee Expert Awarded as Ocean Heros by Oceana
On Saturday, September 27, 2014, Oceana Belize formally recognized coral researcher Lisa Carne and manatee expert Jamal Galves as ocean heroes. Being an ocean hero can mean many things but mostly, it means deciding that you are ready to take action to help to protect our marine environment for people and creatures of today and for future generations. In 2006, Ocean Hero Lisa Carne was a young biologist who had witnessed the devastating impact of Hurricane Iris in Southern Belize and was deeply troubled by the vulnerability of Belize’s marine environment to climate change through rising sea temperatures and stronger storm surges. Using the Laughing Bird Caye National Park as a natural laboratory, Carne established a coral “nursery” in attempt to restore critically endangered Acropora corals. Today, with support from the communities of Independence and Placencia, her “Fragments of Hope” project has more than five thousand out-plants in more than eighteen sub-sites.

Misc Belizean Sources

Stomach Flu wreaking havoc in our Corozal schools and community
The economic burden caused by Acute Gastroenteritis (AGI), also known as Stomach Flu, is estimated at over $18 million countrywide, according to data released by the Ministry of Health. The ministry released some of the findings from the Burden of Illness (BOI) research study on AGI and causes of food borne illness in Belize last week. The study was done in collaboration with Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). The impact on the public health system alone is estimated at $6.2 million annually, when considering basic medical services, supplies, hospitalization, and the need for care-giver services. Loss of income due to unproductive days is estimated at $10.9 million, and patients are estimated to lose some $4 million annually due to being out of work.

CENTRAL AMERICA & MEXICO INDEPENDENCE EVE 2014 (11 photos)
On Saturday, September 13, 2014, the San Pedro Town Council hosted its annual Central America & Mexico Independence Eve at the Central Park where residents and visitors had the opportunity to indulge in the various culinary treats each country had to offer in honor of their independence. Hon. Manuel Heredia, Minister of Tourism, Culture & Civil Aviation offered a few remarks and Mayor Daniel Guerrero welcomed everyone to the event.

Welcome to Corozal but sorry for the interruption

Channel 7

ASP Hall's Dire Warning About TPU In Caracol
Since the news of Special Constable Danny Conorquie's death at the Caracol Archaeological Site, security at border locations, especially those trafficked by tourists, has been at the forefront of the national discourse. But, in real terms, it's too little too late: one promising young life has been lost, and tourists have been badly rattled: so much so that there are mass cancellations of pre-booked tours. But, could it all have been avoided? Quite possibly. As we showed you last night, our newsroom has obtained a leaked police memorandum from the Commander of the Tourism Police Unit, Assistant Superintendent Diana Hall. In that letter, she more or less foretold the death of Constable Danny Conorquie at the Caracol Archaeological site. She wrote the Commissioner of Police on January 24, 9 months ago, and discussed the serious security concerns at Caracol. In that letter, she notes that the Tourism officers posted there expose themselves to a high level of risk every time they report for duty.

Opp. Leader Asks Why Didn't Police Heed Hall's Warning
But - after we broke the news last night - the ASP Hall letter certainly caught the attention of Leader of the Opposition, Francis Fonseca. Today in the House of Representatives, he demanded to know why her very dire warnings and recommendations were ignored:.. Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition "That letter is very damning because it foretells what has actually taken place and it made clear that within the ranks of the police department, within the ranks of the Police Tourism Unit at the highest levels - there were very serious concerns. What follow up there was to this letter? The Commissioner of Police was alerted to this letter. Was it brought to the attention of the Minister of National Security? Was it brought to Cabinet? Was it taken to the national Security Council? These are serious matters. The inspector/commander said "God forbid one of our people or more than one of our people get killed" and unfortunately regrettably that has what has taken place Mr. Speaker."

PM Says Security Minister Should Answer
Today the Minister of National security addressed the House Meeting at length - and we'll have that for you shortly - but, very notably, he had nothing to say about the ASP Hall letter. And while Saldivar slipped out before we could question him - we did ask the Prime Minister who chairs the National Security Council. He said the letter was not brought to his attention:.. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister of Belize "In terms of what Ms. Hall flagged. Again I don't know if that's the sort of thing that you would bring to the national Security Council. You would expect that the ministry would handle that almost as a matter of routine." Jules Vasquez "Apparently they did, the band played on, nobody paid it any attention - next." Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister of Belize "It is as I say, I can't fault the minister or anyone for not bringing that to my attention. My God man that's a detail for the ministry." Jules Vasquez "Perhaps you can fault them for not taking into account properly." Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister of Belize "I don't know what would be their response when ask about this and that's why what I can do and what I will do is to say to the minister, I try to suggest to all ministers you can't not talk to the media. Very many of you in the media that I consider a pain, but a necessary pain."

Tour Guides Protest in Belmopan
And that kind of inaction and indifference to clear and present dangers is what spurred the Cayo Tour Guides Association to hold a protest outside the National Assembly this morning - while the House of Representatives met inside. The guides say that they're the ones who have to work at the archaeological sites like Caracol and El Pilar, which are targeted by cross-border bandits. The CTGA says that they've submitted recommendations to the Government officials in charge of the tourist sites in the west, and they've been ignored. The association staged it's first ever protest today, and 7News there. Daniel Ortiz reports: Daniel Ortiz reporting On the stairs of the National Assembly, some 47 tour guides from the Cayo Tour Guides Association assembled for a protest. They were assembling for maximum effect and to catch the attention of the Government Officials.

Security Ministry Reviews and Revises Security Deployment At Caracol
And without even knowing what their complaints were, National Security Minister John Saldivar responded to them today. Saldivar told the house that his ministry has made a full security review of Caracol - and they are determined to safeguard visitors and prevent another loss of life with the following measures. Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of Nat'l Security "Our review has revealed that the BDF escort that would normally accompany the visitors to Caracol did not on that day accompany the visitor due to mechanical problems. This led to reduce security at the Caracol site. We firmly believe had the escort service been provided security would have been adequate to up to the point where the escort left with the visitors. Approval has now been given for the acquisition of two vehicles for the purpose of escorting visitors to Caracol. We are also reviewing the procedures to be applied when due to unforeseen circumstances the BDF is unable escort services. The review also revealed that 5 horses that were confiscated the previous day by a patrol in the area had been kept at the Caracol site up to the time of the incident.

PUP Says Guatemalans Must Answer For Danny's Death
And while those measures WILL go into effect - right now, there is a strong call for justice for Danny Conorquie. Today the Leader of the Opposition demanded answers - and the police minister did provide some:.. Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition "The attack on Danny Conorquie Mr. Speaker is not only an attack on him and his family and the police community, but it is an attack on all Belizeans. An attack on our national sovereignty, an attack on our territorial integrity, it's an attack on our dignity as Belizeans citizens and the Belizean people expect that we respond to it accordingly. No effort should be spared. No stone left unturned Mr. Speaker, in investigating this crime and bringing these killers to justice. We expect and in fact we demand that the relevant Guatemalan authorities treat this matter as if on of their own security forces had been shot down and killed and do everything within their borders to find these cowardly killers."

Guatemalans Building Belize Coast Guard Base At Hunting Caye
And while Caracol has come to the fore of national attention, something else is bubbling up on the current affairs horizon and it's not too pretty. This morning on KREM WUB host Mose Hyde revealed news of a contract that a Guatemalan Company has gotten a contract to construct the Belize Coast Guard's Forward operating Base on Hunting Caye - which is one of Belize's southern-most islands in the Sapodilla Caye Range. Today in the house, Opposition Leader Fonseca expressed his outrage, while the PM confessed his ignorance:.. Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition "We are building some facility out at Hunting Caye, the Coast Guard. I don't know if it's a headquarters or some other facility for the Coast Guard and he is saying he went out there personally and the contract to build this Coast Guard facility is held by Guatemalans, a Guatemalan company and every single workers there, this is Mose Hyde saying this, is a Guatemalan national. The Guatemalan company and Guatemalan workers building our Coast Guard facility. Man, there must be some national security risk in that taking place. Somebody has to be awake man, we can't all be sleeping over there in the government. Who is looking after these matters?"

Mother Wants Justice For Autistic Son She Says Was Sodomized
Over 2 weeks ago, there was a very disturbing report which emerged from the St. Martin Government School, which is right in the middle of an immigrant community in Belmopan City. It involved a 5 year-old boy who was indecently assaulted by another 5 year-old who allegedly touched his privates, and supposedly sodomized him. 7News didn't pick up the story because police sources told us that the investigators could not find any evidence that it actually happened. Still, the disturbing report lingered, until things came to a head today. The mother of the child is convinced that the school, the police, and the Education Ministry aren't doing enough to get to the bottom of it. It led to a protest today, and our team was there. Here's that report: Daniel Ortiz reporting A number of parents who enroll their children at the San Martin Government School, refused to send them to classes today. They organized themselves in the neighborhood church, an impromptu Parent meeting.

Police Says Mothers Complaint Has No Basis In Fact
Well, as you heard, there are allegations against the Belmopan Police that they have somehow mishandled the investigation into the report. Today, Belmopan's Commanding Officer, flanked by the Belmopan Education Officer, and the lead investigator, hosted a media press conference to respond directly to that allegation. They told us that they've done all they can to investigate this report, and they just can't find any evidence to support the allegation. The OC explained to us what they've found: Supt. Howell Gillett - OC, Belmopan Police "I am certain and happy to have this report in our possession, the child was not sexually abused. There was no penetration and the doctor was very clear on that, so I don't know why others are saying this. I think there was some inconsistencies on the part of some media house's I do not care to mention now, but I think that is what got this thing out of control. We are very clear and we are happy to report to the media that there was no penetration, no foreign fluid, anything on this child's test that was done. We are safe to present to the media and to the public that there was no sexual abuse. The mother, we can't fault the mother. She has all right to be pressing for police to take action. In my view I am happy to say that we did all that we could have done to bring this matter to a close, hence the reason why the report was made on the 16th September and it didn't take too long for us to get to the bottom of it."

More Cops Face Serious Charges
Last night, we told you about the outrageous complaint against police in which a Belize City resident discovered that her jewelry was stolen when a team of police officers searched her home. Well, tonight, we can reveal the identity of Constable 1096 Jamille Scott, the officer who police caught red handed with the woman's jewelry. As we told you, Scott was part of the team who searched the woman's Antelope Street home yesterday, and while it was happening, she realized that her jewelry was missing. She acted quickly enough, and reported it to police. The officers were all ordered to remain at the site of the search, but Scott allegedly left, and so police officers followed him. They stopped him on an uninsured motorcycle, and when they searched him, they found the missing jewelry on him. He has since been charged with theft and handling stolen goods.

Dengue Cases Rise In Lake I
Dengue has become a serious health issue affecting residents in cities, towns and villages. And according to the Central Health Region, it is worsening in certain areas of Belize City. Courtney Weatherburne found out about this latest spike and what you can do to make sure Dengue doesn't come through your door. Courtney Weatherburne reporting If you tune into news often, you have definitely seen this Dengue commercial air over and over. Many of you can even recite some of the lines of the script, although the commercial sends a clear message on key measures to prevent the spread of Dengue, cases are on the rise. Javier Alpuche, Senior Public Health Inspector "In late June early July we started seeing an increase in the number of cases of dengue specifically here in Belize City. What we basically also noted was that while the number of dengue cases was somewhat expected what we were having is a higher number of dengue hemorrhagic dengue cases being reported. At that time when we detected that increase in cases we of course did a number of things; one of the things that we did was enhance the surveillance to ensure that we were collecting all the necessary data on dengue cases, not only from the public hospitals, but from the private hospitals as well including laboratories. To date since January to now we are taking about 331 cases and of these 247 are classical dengue and 84 are dengue hemorrhagic fever and that's for the entire Belize District because we do have cases being reported from some of the rural communities as well."

New, More Rational Gun Law Passed
We've already covered all the headline news coming out of today's House Meeting in Belmopan - but the House Business also had some big news. First was the passage of the Firearms Amendment Bill - which is to rationalize gun possession laws, the make it so that persons who may have been wrongfully detained can get bail. The Leader of the opposition said that he thinks it still doesn't go far enough in relaxing the punitive provisions of the law:.. Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of The Opposition "It still remains that section 6A of the firearm act we believe is unconstitutional; it infringes the presumption of innocence, it still throws a very wide net on a wide class of innocent citizens because we believe that while the current amendment is a step in the right direction, it does not in fact cure and address the real problem that is really at the root of the outcry that the public has about this matter."

PM, AG Say Buh-Bye Bar Association
And the other big piece of legislative business coming out of the House today was the Legal Profession Act - which will make it so that lawyers no longer have to be members of the Bar Association, and no longer have to pay an annual membership fee. It will also change the composition of the General Legal Council. For the Barrow Administration which has long been at odds with the Bar - which it says is pro PUP - it is a signal accomplishment - for the PUP it is an extension of a police of discord:.. Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of The Opposition "The purpose and intent of the body and the association is a public purpose and if there are difficulties with the performance of the Bar then lets address those, but this attempt as the bill seeks to, to really undermine the Bar Association and really to dismantle the Bar Association in our view. It certainly not something we should support. It's a bill that's truly reflection of this UDP government; if I cant control you or don't like what you are saying or what you are doing, then I will seek to destroy you, to undermine you, to discredit you - to use the power of the state against you. I mean that really is not the direction that Belizeans want to see the country going. Not just because a government feels that the Bar is a bunch of PUPs that means that you must then resolve to destroy the Bar and break up the Bar? That is absolutely ridiculous man, it's crazy - dividing our society, destroying our society."

Police Brutality Is Issue For House
And on the adjournment of today's House Meeting, the member for Belize Rural Central also brought up the very topical issue of police brutality. She spoke about many cases including the recent case of Allan McCoy:.. Hon. Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Belize Rural Central Rep. "Mr. Allan McCoy was extremely articulate and detailed in what he suffered at the hands of the GSU. All I could do is shake my head and say to myself, those members of the GSU, it seems to me that they believe that they have some kind of license to brutalize because they thought that Mr. Allan McCoy had been involved in an incident involving one of their own - every single somebody in the GSU in that incident was getting in their licks even the woman GSU personnel. And the most horrendous kind of brutality that we as Belizeans can imagine and almost every single day we are hearing about more and more incidents of police brutality."

Barrow Still Defending Insp Flowers, GSU
The media also asked the Prime Minister about the GSU. He has stood up on multiple occasions for its controversial commander, Inspector Mark Flowers. But Flowers ahs also been the target of police complaints - and we asked the Prime Minister to reconcile his high praise with the dim view taken by some in the community: Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister "I don't know of those particular circumstances, but I think Mark Flowers, while he is a hard charging police officer, I think also to be a very bright police officer and I find it difficult to understand how he would put himself in circumstances where he could be busted so easily, so I don't know the facts and I therefore will refrain from commenting on whether the allegations have merit but if formal reports have been made then those reports need to be processed, need to be investigated."

GSU Arrests "Bobo"
And while controversy about the unit hasn't subsided, the GSU says it is still getting on with its work. Yesterday morning, they arrested well known West Canal resident, Elwin Lewis known as Bobo - who the GSU says is a key figure in the George Street gang. He was arrested and charged allegedly after GSU caught him trying to get rid of a supply of drugs. Yesterday at around 7 in the morning GSU arrived at Lewis' residence with a search warrant. Officers were searching for illegal drugs and firearm but when Lewis saw the officers, they say he threw away a bulky black plastic through one of the windows, which fell in his neighbor's yard. The GSU found 18 parcels of cannabis in transparent plastic amounting to 127 grams or quarter pound. As a result, 33 years old Elwin LEWIS was arrested and charged for Possession of controlled drug with intent to supply.

Van's Spontaneous Combustion
Just after one this afternoon, a van became engulfed in flames in one of the city's busiest areas. Reverent Alfred Ramsey Jr, a resident of Independence Village was traveling on Mahogany Street along with his family in a rented van. They began smelling a strong scent of gasoline and quickly pulled the van over. That was when they saw the blaze streaming from under the vehicle. Ramsey managed to remove his 7 passengers' safely from out of the vehicle but it was only a matter of seconds before the entire van went erupted into flames.

Woman Arraigned For Carnal Knowledge In Capital
On this newscast, we very regularly report on sex crimes in which men take advantage of female victims. Well, tonight, the story is about a 23 woman who is accused of taking advantage of a 14 year-old boy from Belmopan in February of this year. The Commanding Officer in the capital told us that the woman has been charged with carnal knowledge: Supt. Howell Gillett - OC, Belmopan Police "A report made by a 14 year old male minor of Belmopan that sometime in the month of February of this year a female forcibly had sex intercourse with him. That female has been identified as Ms. Selma Markita Ortiz, she has been charged, but was granted bail recently. This report was made to us on the 18th September and we acted on it and the person has since been charged and taken to court."

Castro Says He's Not Worried About Saldivar Replacement
The PUP has not yet found a replacement for Arthur Saldivar in Belize Rural North. But, the incumbent and two-term area representative Edmond Castro isn't worrying. He says that the area is a tall order for any newcomer candidate. He spoke to us about the political lay of the land yesterday:.. Hon. Edmund Castro, Area Rep - Bze Rural North "It doesn't matter who they bring, but one thing I can tell you is that 26-27 villages spread out in Belize Rural North is not easy to cover in the short space of time that we have to go towards the general election. Its next to impossible." Jules Vasquez "So even if Arthur Saldivar is out of the picture honestly you think that you still have an advantage?" Hon. Edmund Castro, Area Rep - Bze Rural North "We will win." Jules Vasquez "But if they have a new candidate with an unblemished record, yes the villages are plenty but man you could do it if you work 7 days a week."

British Warship Visits
Usually when you think about warships, the last thing that comes to mind is a grand tour. Well today the media got one of The Royal Navy Warship: The HMS ARGYLL. It arrived yesterday and it is here to meet with the coast guard and the BDF in order to improve relations. The media got to see the 4.9 inch Mark 8 naval gun, the harpoon anti-ship missiles among other war weapons as well as inside the Bridge. Here is what the Executive Officer had to say about the visit to Belize. The HMS Argyll recently conducted successful Counter Narcotics Operations in the Caribbean Sea and is also equipped to provide humanitarian aid. The ship leaves Belize on the 4th.

PM Visibly Uncomfortable With Faber Domestic Abuse Questions
Today, the media asked the Prime Minister about all kinds of stuff including his bad back which had him wincing and rocking in pain for much of the house meeting. He said that was caused by a muscle he pulled trying to strengthen his back. We also asked him about the allegations of domestic abuse against his Minister of Education Patrick Faber. The story isn't exactly fresh - in fact the allegations emerge din the first week of September. But, the Prime Minister has never commented on the prickly issue - and today he did so with some visible discomfort:.. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister "The fact that the lady withdrew the complaint, I don't know that you can argue that. That means that perhaps there was never any real substance in the complaints. I wouldn't think so; I would think that there was. And if there was, then clearly that sort of thing is extremely regrettable and cannot be condoned, but I certainly can't take any formal action, except that there is a complaint that is going to be pursued by the victim."

Channel 5

Minister of National Security Breaks His Silence on Caracol Murder
We go now inside the House of Representatives that concluded its special sitting before two p.m. today.  Tourism Police Special Constable Danny Conorquie was killed exactly one week ago. His [...]

What’s the Deal with the FOB at Hunting Caye?
The Minister of National Security John Saldivar also addressed the House on a number of new initiatives which have been put in place to enhance security on our border and [...]

Security Measures to be Put in Place at Caracol Following Danny Conorquie’s Death
Back to the House of Representative. Tour guides assembled outside the house looking for quick solutions for a problem which could cost them their lives, just as it did the [...]

Cayo Tour Guides Protest Outside Assembly Building
Even as the discussion surrounding murdered special constable Danny Conorquie took center stage inside the House, outside the members of the Cayo Tour Guide Association stood in protest. They want [...]

Francis Fonseca Criticizes Legal Profession Act
As far as House meetings go, today’s session was decidedly tame, with little of the acerbic repartee we’ve become accustomed to. Some significant bills were pushed through to final reading, [...]

P.M. Barrow Says Bar Association is all P.U.P.
Those hits from across the floor got the PM’s hackles raised, and he fired back, taking direct aim at the Bar Association which he says has been totally and completely [...]

3 Police Officers Charged for Criminal Wrongdoings
On Wednesday, the Professional Standards Branch of the Belize Police Department told the media that there are at least seven officers currently under investigation, following allegations of criminal wrongdoings.  Among [...]

Sudden Death at K.H.M.H., Teenager Dies Mysteriously
A mother and aunt are tonight grieving the sudden death of a thirteen year old girl at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Maria Larios was admitted to the K.H.M.H. on [...]

Was Maria Larios’ Throat Punctured, did it result in her Death?
According to the women, a doctor was called in and somehow Maria’s lung was allegedly punctured when a tube was introduced into her throat. Within minutes and before their eyes, [...]

Charges Brought Against John Popper for Breaching Protection Order
Police say fifty year-old John Aaron Popper committed a number of criminal offenses when he breached a protection order to stay away from his ex-common-law wife, forty-one year old Cecilia [...]

P.M. Barrow Comments on Beleaguered GSU…
The GSU, or more specifically GSU commander Mark Flowers, have been in the news almost nightly. The elite, aggressive unit has been under fire after allegations of excessive force and [...]

…and His Statement of Patrick Faber
Special Sitting of the House: It was only a couple weeks ago that Minister of Education Patrick Faber was accused of assaulting a young woman who works in his Ministry. [...]

Healthy Living looks at the Quality of Life for Older Persons
This week is being celebrated as Senior Week which includes the celebration of International Day of Older Persons on October first. In Belize, there are several groups advocating for a [...]

LOVE FM

Police Officers Turn Criminals After Police Brutality Charges
Yesterday we told you about the investigations being carried out by the Professional Standards Branch into several police brutality allegations. Tonight we’ll share the names of the officers and what they have been charged with. We start with the allegations made by 19 year old Armani Bailey. Bailey told police that on September 6, he was taken by two police officers to a remote area near Belizean Beach where he was reportedly physically attacked by the officers. Those officers, Police Constable 1416 Larry Sutherland and police constable 1058 Wayne Trapp were charged with one count of being“uncivil when on duty”. PC Sutherland was also charged with one count of, “act to Prejudice to Good Order and Discipline” as he is one being accused of punching and attempting to drown Bailey in a garbage dumpster. This matter is before a Tribunal.

Cover Up Suspected in Case of 5-Year-Old Rape
Late last month we reported on a disturbing case coming out of San Martin Government School where a five year old boy was reportedly sexually abused. When we spoke to the child’s mother she expressed her displeasure at the lack of support from the school, Ministry of Education as well as law enforcement officials. At the time Police told they had received a report from the mother of the child and was investigating the matter. Today, once again a protest took place on the school grounds led by Belize Can Patriots who claim that a cover up is taking place regarding the incident and they called for a shutdown at the school. When we checked with Belmopan Police they told us that their investigation is still ongoing.

Internal Investigations Ongoing on Cases of Police Brutality
Over the past few weeks several reports of police and GSU brutality have surfaced in the media. The victims alleged that they were roughed up for no apparent reason. Three cases- those of Armani Bailey, Allan McCoy and Tremane Ciego- are currently being investigated by the Professional Standard Branch. We will tell you what the outcome of those investigations is so far but first we report on another police officer who is being accused of stealing. Sometime today, a police unit, carrying out operations in the City, searched a residence but during the search one of the police officer couldn’t help himself and used his sticky fingers to grab several pieces of jewelry. Officer Commanding the Professional Standard Branch for the Belize District Assistant Superintendent Glen Rivero shared more details.

Training on Bird and Environmental Education
A two day training on bird focused environmental education curriculum ended yesterday in the Toledo District. Correspondent Paul Mahung reports. PAUL MAHUNG “One of the event coordinators was Yak ‘she’s outreach education officer Julio Chu.” JULIO CHU “Two days training program was held on the 29th and 30th of September at Yak‘che Feed station with a focus on environmental education curriculum developed by the lab of ornithology’s education program from New York. The participants of the training are now expected to engage elementary and middle school students in Belize in hands-on learning about birds, citizens’ science and conservation. The training session was facilitated by Jennifer Fee of Cornell Lab of Ornithology USA.” PAUL MAHUNG “The participants were from different organization as explained by Chu.”

Belize Joins In International Day of Older Persons
Today is the 24th celebration of the International Day of Older Persons and as a result, Helpage centres around the country are having treats and entertainment for senior citizens in their community. Today, Love News spoke with the Chairman for Helpage, Evan Dakers, who spoke to us on the population of older persons living in Belize. EVAN DAKERS “Helpage International which is our parent body has, organizational affiliates; they call them all over the world. There are about four regions; Belize is a part of the Caribbean and Latin American region. The office is based in Kingston, Jamaica and I think it’s going to be shifted shortly to Panama. In terms of where we fit in the demographics, first of all, in Belize, we are still a relatively young nation. The population that is 60 and over is somewhat about 7.1%; that was the last statistic we got from the Statistical Institute of Belize in 2010. However the projections are showing that that figure will be almost double or more than double in the next twenty to twenty-five years.” As we mentioned earlier, there will be various activities taking place around the country in celebration and recognition of International Day of Older Persons. Dakers told us about the events.

Bahamians Meet 100K Bail
The two Bahamians who were granted bail on Monday, September 29 before Justice Hanomansingh in the Belize Supreme Court met bail today and are now free men. 34-year-old, Kelvin Leach and 29-year-old, Rohn Knowles were bailed earlier today for the sum of one hundred thousand dollar each plus a surety of the same amount. The men had been unlawfully imprisoned after court personnel failed to adhere to the instructions given on a warrant for the men’s arrests. However, their attorneys, Eamon Courtenay and Godfrey Smith presented arguments to the judge citing the instructions of the warrant and the fact that there was no document issued with the directive to have the men taken to the Belize Central Prison. As a result, bail was granted with the stipulations that the men are to report to the Queen Street Police Station every Monday and Friday between the hours of 8am and 4:30pm; the other condition was that they are not to leave the jurisdiction unless authorized by the Supreme Court.

Biker Dies Following Collision in Western Belize
A cyclist is dead following a traffic accident yesterday in the Cayo District. Police say that around 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon, they visited an area on Center Road in the Spanish Lookout community near the junction with Western Dairies where they saw a white Toyota Pickup bearing Guatemalan license plates and a dent on its passenger side door. About 10 feet away, they observed a blue Meilun scooter lying almost in the middle of Center Road. Police found out that an hour before they arrived on the scene, the driver of the Toyota pickup, Oscar Perez Sr. of Benque Viejo Town, was exiting the Western Dairies parking area when 23-year-old, Santa Elena Town resident, Heber Flores, who was on the motorcycle, collided into the door of the pickup. As a result of the impact, Flores was flung from the motorcycle receiving serious head injury and was rendered unconscious.

PlusTV

Cayo Tour guides demonstrate in Belmopan
The death of Danny Conorquie, Special Constable attached to the Tourism police, continues to dominate the headlines in one way or another. On Friday, it took the form of another protest, this time in front of the National Assembly Building, where the House of Representatives was meeting. Members of the Cayo Tour Guide Association demonstrated to draw attention to their need for better security in potentially dangerous tourist destinations such as Caracol which is near the border with Guatemala. According to Joe Awe, President of the Caracol Tour Guide Association, safety for tour guides and their charges is a must.

Two men arrested; found with items from numerous burglaries
Two men have been arrested and charged, after they were found with a number of items, identified as the property of several victims of burglary in the Cayo area. Ronel Wagner’s place of business in San Ignacio was burglarized on 9th September. Sometime around Independence day, Allan Kelly reported that his house was burglarized, and on September 27th, Reynold Reimer’s business place was also burglarized. According to police, on Wednesday, San Ignacio Police visited the residence of Victor Hutchinson, a 43 year old Belizean Driver of Santa Elena Town. There, they found Alan Kelly’s TV, DVD player, and watches. Along with Victor Hutchinson was Mike Middleton, on whom police found Allan Kelly’s German model rotisserie knives. At Hutchinson’s house, police also found an external hard drive belonging to Ronell Wagner.

Church leaders to meet with PM on Gender Policy Friday
Thursday night was the final night of a three night call to prayer spearheaded by the Evangelical Association of Belize and the Council of Churches. Believers are being asked to pray for Spiritual leaders and the Prime Minister of Belize, as they go into a meeting scheduled for Friday October 3rd. The meeting is for the Prime Minister to respond to the church leaders, regarding the Church’s submission on the changes they would like to see made in the Gender Policy. That Church report was handed in to the Prime Minister some 11 months ago for revision.

Armed Robberies in Belize City
An armed robbery occurred at Lavish Store on Albert Street, Belize City, on Wednesday September 30, at 11:30 in the morning. Two armed men who made off with $1,600.00 cash and a phone valued at $1,000.00. Police are following several leads as investigation continues. And also on Wednesday, at about 4 o’clock in the evening, a Western Diaries delivery truck was robbed at gunpoint in the Lords Bank area of Belize City, where over two hundred dollars were stolen.

Professional Standards Branch acts in abuse cases
The Professional Standards Branch of the Police Department has been kept busy over the last few weeks taking complaints from Belize City residents who have suffered at the hands of those called to protect and serve them. On Wednesday it provided an update on several cases, some of which have seen charges filed. Assistant Superintendent of Police Glen Rivero, who commands the Professional Standards Branch in Eastern Division, spoke to the press on the incident involving Armani Bailey, who was taken from his residence by officers and left for dead in a garbage dumpster up the George Price Highway, and Jermaine Ciego who was also abused.

San Pedro Police Officer Charged With Extortion
A police officer on Ambergris Caye has been charged with extortion. On September 23, a 17-year-old male, along with his mother, reported to San Pedro Police that the day before, his Mother was detained at the San Pedro Police Station for Traffic Offences. As a result, the teenager and a family friend visited the Station to see the mother. The friend spoke to P.C. Oscar Ramirez, who allegedly demanded $300.00 for the release of the mother, and later demanded $700.00 more. The complainant further stated that a total of $600.00 was given to P.C. Ramirez for the release of his Mother.

BISL will not pay ‘unlawful’ tax assessments
Earlier this year the former owners of the IMMARBE and IBC Registries, Belize International Services Limited (BISL), took the Government of Belize to court, charging that they unlawfully assessed taxes owed of over $30 million, dating back to 1993. The company says it operated under the original management services agreement signed in 1993 which was extended a further seven years from the original decade-long arrangement but Government contends that this was illegally and improperly done. GOB says BISL was contravening the International Business Companies Act by carrying on business with persons in Belize and lost its tax-free status, and additionally that it should not have had that status to begin with because no parliamentary approval was sought for the agreement. It also noted that the law could provide for a stay of execution to challenge the decision of Commissioner of Income Tax, Kent Clare.

The Guardian

Brazen Belize Bank still wants to collect PUP UHS debt
In the Crazy days of the PUP administration, the then Prime Minister Said Musa guaranteed a private debt, the Universal Health Services Debt for 33.5 million dollars. Basically the Musa administration took on a private debt owed to the Belize bank. This singular act was emblematic of what the Musa administration was all about, that is to take care of friends and cronies at the expense of the tax-paying public. Well back then the decision was met with severe resistance and on May 18, 2007 it was cause for a riot in Belmopan. Despite all objections however, the Musa government went on to pay the Universal Health Services debt. Money that was supposed to have been used for the betterment of the lives of Belizeans was used to pay off the debt. 10 million U.S. dollars came from the Venezuelan government’s housing assistance and an additional 10 million U.S. dollars from the Taiwanese government which was actually for the improvement of the health sector in the country. Both payments were made without the knowledge of anyone, it was yet another secret agreement of the Musa regime.

BTL records 19.6M in profits and gives more to customers
As of October BTL's internet rates will be $25 for 256Kb, $56 for 512Kb, $88 for 1Mb, $140 for2 Mb, $240 for4Mb, $390 for 8Mb, and as a new service $700 for 16Mb. The new internet rates give an idea of the direction that the company is moving into. On Thursday, BTL held its 8 AGM as a nationalized asset and the announcement was that BTL continues to be one of the most profitable companies in the country. Chairman of BTL, Nestor Vasquez, announced that the company made a whopping 19.6 million dollar profit and while it is big, the profits are 1.4 million dollar less than last year. The fall in profits however came as no surprise for the company which has been consistently and exceedingly been giving back to customers. Executive Committee Chairman, Anwar Barrow, stated that the company has opened up the Voice Over the Internet Protocol (VOIP) which allows communication via applications that cut into BTL's profits like Viber, WhatsApp, Magic Jack and others which give the same services through internet as BTL would. And it is in this arena that BTL will be making significant investments which necessarily will cut into BTL's profits but for the greater good of the company which is maneuvering to increase penetration in the data arena.

Tourism Police Officer buried with full honors
Tourism Police Officer Danny Conorquie was buried with full honors in his hometown of Georgeville in the Cayo District on Sunday of this past weekend, three days after having been shot it broad daylight while on security duty. There was a twenty one gun salute at his site of burial as hundreds turned out to bid him farewell. A release from the Cayo Special Constable Committee issued yesterday states, “Today we laid to rest a hard working colleague of ours. His dream was to become a police officer. He was honored as the officer he was. He died defending our natural heritage.” The twenty year old Tourism Police Officer, Danny Conorquie was shot last week Thursday at the Maya site of Caracol in the Cayo District. The Caracol Archaeological Park is an integral part of the Chiquibul Forest and is some three miles from the Belize-Guatemala border. Danny Conorquie was attached to the Tourism Police Unit (TPU) and at the time he was with another TPU Officer Monty Peck. They were both conducting routine patrols within the Caracol Archaeological Park.

Bahamians out on Bail
Attorneys for Bahamian businessmen Kelvin Leach, 34, and Rohn Knowles, 29, secured bail for their clients at the Supreme Court on Monday, September 29, after challenging the constitutionality of their detention. Leach and Knowles are the principals of Titan International Securities, a firm which has been named in a United States indictment for tax and securities fraud. On Tuesday, September 9, officers from the US supported Anti Drug Unit in conducting an 8-hour raid on the offices of Knowles, Leach and others at the Mattalon Building and handed over everything inside to the Financial Intelligence Unit. At the time of the search, Leach and Knowles were allowed to leave freely because no charges were imminent based on Belize law. However, US officials had indicated that they intend to seek an extradition order for the men to face charges in New York. On Friday, September 12, Leach and Knowles were stopped at the Phillip Goldson International Airport as they were about to board a chartered flight out of the country.

Maurice Felix Back in Prison
Maurice Felix of the infamous Felix brothers is back in prison after a brief period of freedom. Police conducted a search on the Felix’s home in the Gill Street area on Thursday, September 25, and found 0.2 grams of cannabis. Maurice Felix, 29, his two cousins, Ryan Bennett, 26, and Roy Bennett, 30, were present at the time and were arrested by police. The men were detained at the Queen Street Station until Friday evening, September 26, when they were taken to the Belize City Magistrates Court.

McCaffee’s Cop Gets 18 Months for Attempted Bribery
Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith found Corporal Darius Martinez guilty of attempting to corrupt a public officer after he tried to intervene in an investigation surrounding John McCaffee in 2011. In 2011 police raided McCaffee’s compound in Orange Walk and a number of weapons were confiscated and people detained. WPC Stacey Smith of the Gang Suppression Unit reported that she was called by Martinez after the raid and he asked her if she “wanted to make some money”. Smith recorded the conversation in which Martinez told her that she would not have to do anything illegal – all she had to do was take care of someone for McCaffee. Smith recorded the conversation and Martinez was arrested and charged.

Michael McDougal Charged with Causing Public Terror
Michael McDougal, 23, is on remand at the Belize Central Prison after police arrested him for allegedly discharging a firearm near BTL Park during a public event. Police responded to a shooting near BTL Park at 3:09 a.m. on Sunday, September 28, and allegedly saw McDougal shooting at another man. This incident took place shortly after the conclusion of the Arthur Guinness memorial festivities. Police say that when McDougal saw them he threw the firearm behind a parked vehicle. Police apprehended McDougal and searched the area. They found a .38 special revolver with serial number 796694 and five expended shells.

Inauguration Ceremony of the Rotaract Club of Benque Viejo
The Rotaract Club of Benque Viejo held its Inauguration Ceremony on Saturday 27, 2014. The Rotary Club of San Ignacio is the sponsor of the newest Rotaract Club in Belize, making it a total of 6 Rotaract Clubs in the country. The Rotaract Club of Benque Viejo was established on April 2, 2014, and chartered by Rotary International on July 31, 2014. The Rotary Club of San Ignacio presented the Charter Certificate to President Miss Astrid Salazar. A total of 15 young adults were inducted as Rotaractors, and welcomed into the Rotary family. Rotary’s Governor Elect for District 4250, Mr. Rene Villanueva Sr., was the Guest Speaker at the Ceremony. This is a historical moment as it is the first Rotaract Club to be founded in Benque Viejo del Carmen. The members are honored to be included in this great fellowship, and eager to continue its service to its local communities in the Cayo West Area. This includes Benque Viejo del Carmen, San Jose Succotz, Arenal, Corozalito and Calla Creek.

Titis
Before I go into the main head of this essay, let me first comment on the public squabble surrounding one Mr. Fuentes, former trade unionist with the BNTU, and now Mayor of Punta Gorda; two public pursuits of this gentleman where he has demonstrated an alarming lack of alacrity to perform effectively. Fuentes surprised many when he actually won the municipal elections in PG, since he has always been considered laid back and non-productive in his tenures, both as an educator and as a union official. But in the final tally he did win as Mayor, and, as you have heard, PG has never seen worse days than with this gentleman at the helm. In the last House meeting, Fuentes was accused of having authorized personal loan repayments to be deducted for him and other Councilors from the monthly government subventions sent to Punta Gorda Town. The Prime Minister asserted that this action was questionable since government subventions are to be employed only for the procurement of goods and services for the town.

Primary Schools Volleyball Competition opens
The 2014-2015 Belize City Primary Schools Volleyball Competition opened on Monday September 29, 2014, at Bird’s Isle in Belize City. The schools that are participating in this year’s girls’ competition are Belize Elementary School, Ephesus SDA, Queen Street Baptist School, Holy Redeemer School and St. John’s Primary School. Meanwhile, in the boys’ competition the schools are Belize Elementary School, St. Ignatius School, Queen Street Baptist, Ephesus SDA, and St. John Vianney School, Bethel Assembly School, Holy Redeemer, St. John’s Primary School, Wesley Upper School, St. Martin De Porres and Trinity Methodist School. On Monday, September 29, 2014, in the only game played in the girls’ competition, Holy Redeemer School defeated St. John’s Primary School in two sets by the score of 25-12 and 25-12.

XXIV National Women’s Softball Championship set for October 3-5, 2014
The XXIV National Women’s Softball Championship will be played from October 3-5, 2014, at Rogers Stadium. The National Softball Championship is played between the champions and sub-champions of the Affiliated Associations that makes up the National Federation. The championship will feature from Belize City the Belize Bank Bulldogs (Champions) and Beacon (Sub-champions), from Belize Rural Sunrise of Lord’s Bank (Champions) and Burrell Boom Orchid Girls (sub-champions), from the Cayo Association Roaring Creek Grace Kennedy (champions) and Esperanza Wolverines (sub-champions) and from Orange Walk Carmelita’s Caribbean Queen the number one seed. The championship will commence on Friday October 3rd at 6:30 pm with game one between Beacon and Roaring Creek and this will be followed by game two, which will see Belize Bank Bulldogs against the Esperanza Wolverines.

Belmopan Shotokan Karate Club winners of the CSKC Invitational Anniversary Karate Championships
The Cayo Shotokan Karate Club celebrated its 24th Anniversary on Saturday, September 27, 2014, by hosting an International Karate Championship, where some 60 athletes competed against international competition. The championships were held at the Sacred Heart College Auditorium in San Ignacio Town. The clubs that participated in the championships were Kazoku Shotokan Karate Dojo of San Ignacio, Cayo Shotokan Karate Club-Belmopan, Poptun Shotokan Karate Club-Guatemala, El Salvador, and the host club Cayo Shotokan of San Ignacio Town. At the end of the CSKC – Belmopan won the championship with 11 gold medals, 12 silver and 16 bronze medals. Second place went to CSKC of San Ignacio with 6 gold medals, 4 silver medals and 2 bronze medals. Third place went to Guatemala with 3 gold medals, 3 silver, and a bronze medal.

Improved monitoring for climate change in Belize
Belize continues to boast the biggest barrier reef system in the Americas, and the second largest in the world, but everyday, climate changes threaten the coral reef system in the world’s oceans and seas. To combat this, Belize has obtained a second piece of sophisticated climate change measuring equipment. It's called the Coral Reef Early Warning System or CREWS for short. Each CREWS System is equipped with 400 thousand dollars' worth of measuring instruments. It looks like a simple buoy, but can measure wind speeds, pressure, ultraviolet radiation and other meteorological conditions. Each CREWS system can also measure all the environmental changes that happens underwater, and how that affects the ecosystem, especially the coral reefs. The buoy is equipped with sensors that measure the sea currents, the amount of carbon dioxide gases which is absorbed by the water. It measures the rising temperatures, the level of pollution, and the acidity which introduced in the sea. All of these environmental changes, when they increase, causes negative effects on the coral reef system because it cripples the reef from being able to grow, replenish, or repair damaged areas.

Corazon Creek gets new school building
A new school building was handed over to Corazon Creek Technical High School in the Toledo district. The building was much needed after the rapidly growing high school has seen increased enrollment. Currently there are 248 students. The building and accompanying equipment came at a cost of $595,894.50 and has three classrooms equipped with male and female bathrooms for both students and staff. It is 3,250 sq. feet in size and includes a 6 ft verandah. Corazon Creek High was opened in 2009 and saw its first graduating class last year. The school is part of the ministry of education's goal to increase access to secondary education for students who would ordinarily not get the opportunity to study. Corazon Creek high is one of only three high schools in the entire Toledo district and because of its location has opened up access to high school to students who would either have to travel very long distances to attend high school or in some instances have no high school education at all.

NEMO holds shelter management workshop in Cayo
Over a dozen public officers participated in a shelter management workshop at the Center for Employment Training in San Ignacio Town on Monday of this week. The workshop was sponsored by the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) and the Government of Belize. It was an opportunity for public officers to be attuned on the requirements and challenges faced during a time of natural disasters like earthquake, flooding and hurricanes; when residents are unable to stay in their own homes. For a shelter to be declared as adequate it must first satisfy standards in health, safety and structural integrity. As a result participants were taken through an exercise to estimate the carrying capacity of the building they were in. Public officers were also advised that a school building should not be occupied as a shelter for more than two weeks. Public officers were also advised that in the management of the shelters, the team leaders need to meet periodically, record all data on events within the shelter and foster proper communication.

Old Northern Highway to be upgraded
The Old Northern Highway consisting of 40 miles traversing rural Belize’s eastern villages of Boston, Lucky Strike, Santana, St. Ann’s, Maskall and Santa Martha. It’s quite a scenic route and in its heyday which lasted up until the late 70’s, when the existing portion of the Northern Highway from Carmelita to Sand Hill Village was completed, was part of the Pan American Highway. This meant that it was an important link; in fact the only terrestrial access from the northern border to the rest of the country. It was also the vein used by the farmers who still live and produce in the above mentioned villages, to transport their produce to Belize City. This particular area became known as the bread basket of Belize as it is where most of the food supply for the city came from. This road is currently the only access route to the world famous Altun Ha Maya Site, which receives visits by thousands of tourists both local and foreign every year. After the completion of the new portion (from Carmelita Village to Sand hill village) of what is now known as the Phillip Goldson Highway in the late 70’s, this 40 mile section became known as the Old Northern Highway. And old is what it has become. The original pavement is all but non-existent. The last time any significant work was done on that stretch of road was in the mid 70’s by Ministry of Works.

PM Hon. Dean Barrow Expresses Condolences to Family of Special Constable Danny Conorquie
Prime Minister Hon. Dean Barrow and the Government of Belize join the rest of the nation in expressing deepest condolences to the family of Special Constable (SC) Danny Conorquie, murdered in the line of duty while seeking to guard and protect Belizean patrimony. The Prime Minister has spoken personally to SC Conorquie’s next of kin, and offered every assurance that the ultimate sacrifice made by this Belizean hero will not be forgotten. While nothing can bring him back or properly console his loved ones, the Government commits to looking after the financial welfare of his immediate survivors.

Francis wants to save Belize, please...
Apparently the PUP was celebrating its anniversary sometime this week and on the occasion, Francis Fonseca opted to make public appearances and give interviews to some media organizations. Well, Francis would have been better served had he simply kept his mouth shut. During the interviews he was telling the entire nation that his party is in shambles and all they do is fight amongst themselves. He appealed that these self serving individuals put aside what is their inherent nature and come together to better themselves. Well what the PUP does or does not do is neither here nor there, after all they are not even a party at this point in time and the country would be better off if they were to simply disband and go quietly or loudly into the night.

BELTRAIDE’s Latest Investment Magazine Centers on Agribusiness
In 2013, the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service launched the magazine “Invest Belize” in an effort to promote its initiatives and highlight the investment opportunities available in Belize. On Tuesday, September 30, BELTRAIDE unveiled Invest Belize Volume 3 which is concentrating on opportunities available in the agribusiness sector. Invest Belize Volume 1 focused on offshore business outsourcing and Volume 2 was centered on tourism development. Mike Singh, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Trade, says this edition may be the best yet. BELTRAIDE selected McNab Publishing Limited for Invest Belize Volume 3. McNab has a track record of producing exceptional pieces such as the Flavours of Belize Cookbook, Belize Travel Guide and the Inspirational Calendar. Singh says he is extremely proud of the quality of articles in the magazine: “We are getting articles written by very senior people in government and very qualified people in the private sector.”

More than 18 Police Officers on Interdiction and More Charged for Abuse
Commander of the Professional Standards Branch of the Belize Police Department, Assistant Superintendent Glen Rivero, says that there are more than 18 police officers currently on indictment and four more officers are set to face a police tribunal for conduct unbecoming an officer of the law. On Wednesday, October 01, Rivero briefed the media on their investigations into the seven most recent allegations of police abuse. On September 3, officers of the Gang Suppresion Unit were conducting patrols in the George Street area when they went to search a yard on King Street. During that search they met Karique Tzul and Bernard Myers. Neighbours say the officers beat the men in a house and in the yard. Multiple news reporters and camera men arrived at the scene to find the men detained and grimissing in pain. It is alleged that the beating was so severe it caused Tzul to soil his pants. Rivero says the investigation into that incident is ongoing. He adds, “We have difficulty when members of the public comes forward and cannot identify officers who they believe committed the abuse.”

Social Investment Fund launches Orange Walk Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project
Residents in Orange Walk Town and surrounding communities in the northern region of Belize will soon benefit from the upgrading of the Orange Walk Central Park; thanks to the infrastructure rehabilitation project financed by the Government of Belize at a total cost of $333,052.24, with funds through a loan from the World Bank of which three per cent is contributed by the Orange Walk Town Council. The Orange Walk Central Park project is being implemented by the Project Implementation Unit of the Belize Municipal Development Project (BMDP), under the umbrella of the Social Investment Fund. It is designed to transform and modernize the respective municipality for present and future generations.

Two attempted murders over the weekend
Adolphus Palacio Jr., 20, was remanded on Monday, September 29, after he was taken to court for allegedly shooting a man during the weekend just outside La Democracia Village on the Western Highway. 21 year-old Joshua Daniel Martinez reported to police that at around 10 p.m. on Friday, September 26, he and his 16 year-old sister got off a Shaw Bus at La Democracia Junction. They were sheltering from the rain under the bus shed when 3 men walked up to them. One of those individuals pulled out a weapon and fired 6 shots at them, injuring Martinez in the right arm and back. He was rushed to the hospital, where he is in stable condition.

Guatemalan National Pleads Guilty to Immigration Offense
Mauricio Gutierrez Perez will be spending the next three months at the Belize Central prison after he pleaded guilty to an immigration offense on Friday, September 26. Perez is a Guatemalan national who failed to comply with his visitor permit. He arrived in Belize on January 6, 2014, and was allowed to stay in the country for six months, until July 4, 2014. However, police picked him up on Monday, July 28, and discovered that he had no legal right to still be in the country. Mauricio Perez had been on remand for almost two months when he appeared in the Belize City Magistrates Court on Friday to change his not guilty plea to guilty for failure to comply with a visitor permit.

St. Catherine Academy, Pallotti High School and Belize High School males wins in opening volleyball games
The 2014-2015 Central Region Secondary Schools Volleyball Competition opened on Monday September 29, at Bird’s Isle in Belize City. In the first of two games played in the female competition, defending champions Pallotti High School defeated Maud Williams High School in two sets by the score of 25-17 and 25-20. In the second female game, defending champions St. Catherine Academy won over Belize High School in two sets by the score of 25-22 and 25-13. In the only game in the male competition, Belize High School won over St. John’s College by the score of 25-18 and 25-23.

Cycling Federation names National Team to Caribbean Championships
The Cycling Federation of Belize has released the names of the Cyclists that were selected based on three Test Events to represent Belize at the Elite Caribbean Cycling Championships scheduled for Puerto Rico on October 10 and 11, 2014. According to the Cycling Federation of Belize, the invitation is for 5 male cyclists and 3 female cyclists, where two males and all three female cyclists must compete in the Individual Time Trial. The male cyclists selected to represent Belize are Marlon Castillo from BTL Cycling Team, Darnell Barrow from SMART Cycling Team, Joel Borland from BTL Cycling Team, Giovanni Lovell also of BTL Cycling Team, and Geovanni Choto of C-Ray Road Addikz.

Old School blasted Uprising in Vega Cup Tournament
The 2014 Vega Cup Tournament, which is sponsored by the Hon. Gaspar Vega, Deputy Prime Minister of Belize, continued on Sunday, September 28, with a number of games on the schedule. The games were played at two locations in the Orange Walk North Constituency. In the games played at Trial Farm Football Field, in game one, San Juan blanked AC Aliari by the score of 4-0. The goals for San Juan were scored by Jair Blanco in the 34th minute of play, Reynalso Mendez in the 40th minute of play, Juan Acosta in the 55th minute of play and an autogoal in the 69th minute of play. In the second game of the day, United Ballers won over Awe V. United by the score of 4-1. The goals for United Ballers were scored by Nathiel Williams in the 13th minute of play, Kadir Galindo in the 42nd minute of play, Alfredo Popper in the 80th minute of play and Andrew Allen in the 87th minute of play. For Awe V. United, the only goal of the game was scored by Osmar Duran in the 10th minute of play.

A More Mature Patriotism
It is refreshing that finally our patriotic celebrations appear to have risen above the tangle of partisan politics. True, there were veiled barbs within some of the speeches but on the whole everyone was able to mention the name of a patriot thought to represent the opposing political party, though it may have stuck in throat of some of the older politicians. This is the way any long standing dispute, including wars, rebellions and other traumatic events must finally be dealt with so that new generations are not burdened with the malice of the old. The popular appeal, especially for the young, of the Carnival and J’ouvert, is probably linked to their non-partisan nature. Going forward it will be useful to remember that events evolve and the particular format of any celebration can and must change to meet new realities. Indeed, Carnival is a relatively new phenomenon, having been introduced along with trucks carrying generators to blast music by Henry Young in the 1970s.

Caye Caulker Chronicles

Caye Caulker Featured In An International Music Video
Wayward is a new electronic group duo consisting of Louise Greenwood and Lawrence Gale Hayes from London via Leeds, England. The music video featured below has been going viral within the Belizean Community hence the name “Belize“. It is even more amazing because our very own islanders are featured in this video. Pretty sure they didn’t know they were going to be a part of a music video! Like and share the video!

Patrick Jones

Maya leaders meet with Prime Minister Barrow
Representatives of the Maya Leaders Alliance and the Toledo Alcalde’s Association met late last month with Prime Minister Dean Barrow in his Belmopan office. During the meeting, discussion focussed on issues affecting the Maya people of the south and in particular the subject of drilling for oil in the Sastoon Temash National Park. According to a statement put out by the Maya Leaders Alliance, the Alcaldes mentioned to the Prime Minister that they are in the process of formulating a proposal on a framework for consent agreements on oil exploration as well as the extraction of other materials from traditional Maya lands.

Professional Standards Branch acts in abuse cases
The Professional Standards Branch of the Police Department has been kept busy over the last few weeks taking complaints from Belize City residents who have suffered at the hands of those called to protect and serve them. Today it provided an update on several cases, some of which have seen charges filed. Assistant Superintendent of Police Glen Rivero, who commands the Professional Standards Branch in Eastern Division, spoke to the press on the incident involving Armani Bailey, who was taken from his residence by officers and left for dead in a garbage dumpster up the George Price Highway, and Jermaine Ciego who was also abused and had his money stolen. Two officers in the Bailey case are before an internal police tribunal and two more are expected to follow in the Ciego case in addition facing criminal charges.

Toledo family seeks assistance for medical emergency
A family from the village of San Marcos, Toledo is appealing for the public’s assistance in getting urgent medical care for an ailing loved one. 76 year old Juan Caal has a brain tumor and requires urgent life-saving surgery. The family has taken Mr. Caal to Guatemala City for medical treatment and doctors have informed the family that the needed surgery will cost GTQ12,000 or just over $3,100.

World Bank approves project grant for Belize
The World Bank is giving Belize US$6 million to be used for a 5 year project designed to mitigate the effects of Climate Change. According to a statement from the World Bank, the multi-million dollar grant from the Global Environment Facility will be supplemented by counterpart funding by the government of Belize to the tune of US$3 million. The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and Sustainable Development and, according to the project documents will involve the expansion of the areas under sustainable forest management...

Blogs

“The Boys Are Back in Town” (Part two) in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
I was so overcome with excitement yesterday with the re-opening of Estel’s Dine By the Sea that I failed to notice all of the changes that have been made during the one month closure. Funny what happens when you get excited, isn’t it! I just sensed that there were things that were different that I just didn’t pick up on so I just had to go back there today. Feeble excuse? Maybe. Or maybe I’m not as stupid as I look! I was right though. They’ve changed the seating arrangements -both inside and out- and it’s a tremendous improvement in my opinion. The wooden tables that were on the patio area have been moved inside We (Rose actually – yes it’s true- came for breakfast with me. Well, she didn’t have breakfast but did have a coffee) hadn’t been sitting there long when Charles came to our table. “What size are you?” he exclaimed. “Small, but perfectly formed” I replied. ” Why?” ” You need one of our new design “T” shirts” he told me. And he was right, I did. And they’re great.

UnHappy Birthday Belize
I wanted to wait for the festivities to simmer down before I put my thoughts out to my fellow Belizeans. I do not know how you will receive my speech or how it will be scrutinized or received, but these are my heartfelt convictions. I heard some of the speeches and for the most part heard a lot of pretty flowers, shiny gems and smelt nice perfume that all masked the reality that our nation faces today, 33 years and a couple days old. I won’t go into the pretties too much, you know that is not me. My idea is to point out the issues we face today because they are there, they are real and they need to be discussed not hidden. It is only through knowing and understanding that we can find real world solutions to them. The one that stood out to me was the BPF address, not speech; Mrs Marin addressed the issues at the core of our plight as we move ahead as a nation. In opening she addressed the issue of Guatemala and their claim on Belize and some other issues that I have spoken about over time as well.

E-course Announcement, Government of Belize Press Office

International Sources

Marlon James’s New Novel, ‘A Brief History of Seven Killings’
In his novel “A Brief History of Seven Killings,” Marlon James tries to make sense of the Jamaica of his childhood, including the 1976 shooting of Bob Marley.

Ukip donor has links to Belize and mining in southern Africa
A new Ukip donor who surprised the political world on Thursday with a pledge of £1m is involved in mining in southern Africa and has connections to Belize. Arron Banks announced his defection to Ukip and increased his donation to his new party from the £100,000 he had originally intended to give after William Hague dismissed him as insignificant. He held a black-tie fundraising dinner for a Belize children’s hospital at his home on Wednesday night. One of the guests at the party is understood to be a family member of the Belize prime minister, Dean Barrow.

Belize native indicted in Las Vegas slaying case
A 27-year-old native of Belize has been indicted in Las Vegas on multiple charges in the shooting death of one woman and the wounding of another in a parking lot outside a steak and sushi restaurant. Court records show that Carim J. Cruz is due for arraignment Oct. 14 in Nevada state court following his indictment Wednesday on murder, attempted murder and other charges in the Aug. 16 shooting outside the Geisha House on Flamingo Road near the 215 Beltway. Defense attorney John Momot didn't immediately respond Thursday to messages. Cruz was arrested Aug. 21. He's being held without bail at the Clark County jail.

Irish Swimmers Harassed by Feisty Dolphin
A handful of swimmers in Ireland's Galway Bay got a dose of excitement and a bit of pain with their frolicking Wednesday when they were confronted by, of all the unexpectedly unfriendly creatures in the sea, a dolphin. The large adult dolphin surrounded five swimmers and then moved in close, slapping and butting two of them, thejournal.ie reported. Boats in the area soon created some space between the aggressive mammal and the swimmers until a lifeboat could rescue the shaken but not injured bathers. After ferrying the swimmers to shore, the lifeboat continued to monitor the area. Meanwhile, other would-be swimmers were told to remain on shore. "This is the first time we've been called out to aid swimmers coming under -- I don’t know if you’d call it an attack but the dolphin was definitely corralling and slapping them," Galway Lifeboat Station Operations Manager Mike Swan told thejournal.ie.

"Indomitable" Jaguars May Have Lessons in Survival for Us
Alan Rabinowitz, author of Jaguar: An Indomitable Beast, has devoted his life to studying and protecting jaguars. He established the world's first jaguar sanctuary, the Cockscomb Basin Preserve, in Belize. And he was the moving force behind identifying and securing jaguar corridors throughout Central and South America. Speaking from his home in New York, he talks about how a childhood speech impediment made him bond with jaguars, how a fur coat worn by Jackie Kennedy triggered a catastrophic decline in jaguar populations, and how looking to jaguars could help us deal with problems we face, like climate change. The book begins with a moving story of a childhood encounter with a jaguar. Tell us about the young Alan Rabinowitz. From the earliest time I can remember, I was unable to speak the way other people speak, fluently and easily. I was born with a debilitating stutter. I had very, very bad speech blocks and would spasm and shake, trying to get the words out. They called it "frozen mouth" at the time. So my entire childhood was filled with the feeling that I was not normal. But from a very young age, I realized I could take comfort from and even speak, semifluently, to animals. That was my comfort zone.

Five Surprises That Emerged From Monarch Butterfly Genomes
Sequencing 101 butterfly genomes has revealed a few of the monarch's secrets, including some keys to its epic annual migration. A monarch butterfly migration is a memorable sight. In North America, the iconic insects travel south to Mexico in the fall and north again in the spring. Wherever they stop, hundreds of fluttering bugs rest in the trees, and a sea of orange, white and black wings fill the sky. Until now, entomologists had suspected that the non-migratory southern monarchs were at the base of this butterfly’s evolutionary tree, and that migratory North American monarchs had evolved from their tropical brethren. But the genetic analysis shows that monarchs got their start in the north. “It was hard to wrap our heads around this new idea of where the monarchs came from,” says Kronforst. Three branches emerged from North American monarchs: one in Central and South America, one in the Pacific and one across the Atlantic. The researchers posit that monarchs spread from the southern United States or northern Mexico, headed south into Belize and Costa Rica, then ventured into South America and the Caribbean. Historical records put their spread across the Atlantic and Pacific around the early 1800s, but the genetic analysis suggests those populations split even earlier—between 2,000 and 3,000 years ago. Eastern monarchs crossed the Atlantic to Portugal, then Spain and Morocco. Western monarchs island-hopped from Hawaii to Samoa and Fiji, and eventually on to New Caledonia, Australia and New Zealand. These butterfly populations have grown considerably in the last 200 to 500 years, which could account for the discrepancy in the timing.

Coral reefs may be threatened, but some species likely to thrive in rising water temperatures
While rising ocean temperatures and human activities are generally seen as deadly threats to the coral reef systems throughout the world, there are going to be both winners and losers in the world's coral species in the future, a new study says. At least some present coral species will likely continue to survive in our planet's oceans amid both natural and anthropogenic environmental threats, experts at the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis of the University of California, Santa Barbara predict. Twenty scientists from a number of U.S. universities were part of a Tropical Coral Reefs of the Future working group attempting to predict upcoming fluctuations in coral reef ecosystems in response to the menace of rising temperatures in the oceans. "Although many corals are becoming less abundant, there remain a number of species that are holding their own or increasing in abundance and these corals will populate tropical reefs over the next few centuries," says lead study author Peter Edmunds, a biologist at California State University, Northridge.

Fruit-Full Solar Dried Fruits Promotes Conscious Capitalism
The biggest movements can originate from ideas that come from even the most remote communities. The powerful theme of Conscious Capitalism comes from Jack Nightingale and his company Fruit-Full Solar Dried Fruits which is located in Punta Gorda, Belize. The idea that business interests should serve the community is not a new one, but the way it is being implemented at Fruit-Full is highly original. Jack based his organization on two principles: 1) Ethical Business Exchange which promotes ethical business practices and 2) Utilizing those practices to create outstanding sun-dried organic fruits. The Fruit-Full organization helps communities in Belize by teaching the residents how to set up businesses and develop enduring relationships with markets and business partners.

Videos

Video: Memaids Lair Belize, 11min.
On our second dive in Belize. Very rough on the surface. Sept 21, 2014. Dive Master Mike recorded much of the video, fellow divers were Karina and Ray. SHOW MORE

Video: FOBI- Lighters Dem, min.
Check out "Lighters Dem" the latest music video from Fobi. Video Dir. by Sol Ainra (SolVision), Music Prod by Belizean Hitmaker.

Video: Caye Caulker, Belize, 4min.

Video: Street Segments: Fresh Ginger Challenge (Belize City), 2.5min.
Ginger is healthy and has a strong distinct flavor. It's great for cooking and preparing in food and dishes. But to eat it on its own?

October 2, 2014

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

The People’s United Party, the oldest political party in Belize, turned 64 on Monday September 29th. The event was celebrated with a National Party Council meeting on Sunday September 28th in Belmopan City, where over 300 delegates from all 31 electoral divisions attended. The Party was officially founded by a group of young Belizeans on September 29, 1950, following the devaluation of the British Honduras (BH) dollar. In a press release, the PUP said that they took the opportunity to reflect on the party’s accomplishments during its 64 years of existence. “Some 300 delegates from throughout the country ratified various resolutions and conducted Party business. Most important among the resolutions was that of the Party’s Social Justice Agenda, which reiterates our commitment to placing the needs of all Belizeans, especially the less fortunate, front and center of the Party’s Manifesto Pledges,” stated the release.

On Sunday September 28th, 19 children from Friends Boys School in Belize City visited the island to enjoy a day on the water as marine scientists. The trip was a part of the “Kids Meet Sharks Program” led by marine biologist Dr. Rachel Graham and team. According to Dr. Graham the program aims to bring awareness and appreciation for not only the sharks and rays of our Caribbean waters, but also the importance of the marine ecosystem. For Graham, this program was all made possible through funding awarded from the Whitley Fund for Nature. Since the inception of the program in 2011, it has seen the participation of children from Punta Gorda, Chunux, Sarteneja, Caye Caulker, San Pedro Town and now Belize City’s Southside. Before heading out to the waters with Ambergris Divers, the kids gathered at the Lions Den, where they were briefed on the day’s activities and the tools they would be utilizing.

Established in June of 2010, the San Pedro Cancer Society has been aiding cancer victims, one patient at a time. On Saturday September 27th, that generosity was shown once again when they hosted a food and pastry sale to assist yet another cancer patient on the island. $476 was handed over to Alicia Hernandez who is battling with cancer and must seek further medical attention abroad. According to the San Pedro Cancer Society, their primary mode of assistance is by directing and guiding cancer patients to access medical attention in facilities in Belize. When necessary, a monetary donation is given to these patients. In Belize, the cancer patients are referred to the Belize Cancer Center in the Stann Creek District. According to Miguel Perez, President of the San Pedro Cancer Society, they encourage cancer patients to make an initial assessment at this facility before venturing into accessing medical attention abroad. “The cancer center allows a payment plan for cancer patients. If you don’t have money, they won’t refuse treatment,” explained Perez.

Ambergris Today

Cancun-Belize Connection Made Easy via Tropic Air
It’s faster, more convenient, scenic, luxurious and easy. Everybody likes EASY! This is what Tropic Air has done with travel to and from Belize and Cancun, Mexico. Its daily scheduled flights have bridged a gap between both countries and eliminated the cumbersome overnights stays in Cancun or long bus rides for those travelers connecting to Belize and Central America. Plus it’s ideal for Belizeans who choose Cancun as a vacation destination. Cancun and other Mexican destinations in the Yucatan Peninsula seemed a long distance away as the usual route would be to take an 8-hour bus ride from Belize City or 6-hour bus from Chetumal, Mexico to Cancun. These long and tedious traveling hours have been significantly reduced with Tropic Air’s connection that was first launched over a year ago on March 2013.

Misc Belizean Sources

3rd Volume of the Invest Belize Magazine 2014
Yesterday, Sep 30th was the launch of the 3rd Volume of the Invest Belize Magazine 2014. BELTRAIDE along with local publishing company McNab Publishing Ltd. proudly presented the magazine to industry stakeholders. Invest Belize Magazine is the first and only magazine with a focus on business, trade, and investment in the country. Many thanks to all adverisers, contributors, attendees, and all who helped in any way. An ONLINE version of Volume 3 of the Invest Belize Magazine can be viewed and downloaded here.

Mining Licenses Required
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture reminds the general public that it is illegal to mine, prospect and/or remove minerals without a legitimate permit/license from the Mining Unit of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture.

BUA statement concerning the murder of Special Constable Danny Conorquie
The Belize Unity Alliance joins together parties, organizations and individuals who all hold to a basic set of principles. One of those key principles is the defence and protection of our borders and our territorial rights. There is no argument in our minds that the claim by Guatemala is entirely false, and should be treated with the contempt it deserves. The Guatemalan government in our opinion encourages its citizens to believe that Belize is owned by Guatemala. In fact, this is what Guatemalan children are taught in school. Successive Belizean administrations have appeased Guatemala, and now it seems that Guatemalans have murdered an officer in the line of duty. Any government which truly cared about Belize and Belizeans would have taken serious steps immediately.

100,000 Artist, Poets, and Musicians for Peace
Many Cayo artists came together last weekend at the Cayo Welcome Center for peace. The World Culture Band, Barefoot Skinny, In Bloom, and many more performed. Daniel Velazquez got some video, and some great pictures, of the event. "100.000 artist poets and musicians for peace, a GLOBAL EVENT, a very diverse group of artist came out to the Cayo Welcome Center, all communicating the universal languish of art, for PEACE."

Our Mottled Owl is all grown up and back in the wild.
Good luck little one!! Belize Raptor Center

Sept 21, 2014 - Sept 27, 2014 Fishing Report
A pretty dismal weather week turned in some good fishing. With only 2-5 boats a day going out the results were very good. The sight fishing as tough as guides had to rely on reading the water surface to find fish. This could be tarpon rolling, permit making wakes, or bonefish tailing. Both anglers and fish were pretty wet!

The Beauty Club
Attention residents of the DFC Area, San Pablo and Escalante - The Beauty Club is now ready to serve you on Marina Drive. For appointments call us at 610-5512. Special on Acrylic Nails, Manicure, Pedicure and Gel Nails. Make your appointments today.

Some R & R at Mahahual
No it is not a piñata - It is a sculpture of recycled plastic bottles and material!!

Channel 7

Cop Caught Red Handed With Stolen Jewellry
Tonight, our newscast is loaded with reports of police behaving lawlessly or abusing their authority while in the line of duty. There are 7 officers who are facing either disciplinary or criminal charges for 6 separate complaints to police. There have been some outrageous reports made to us recently, but the next one really takes the cake: today, a police man searched a woman’s house, allegedly stole her jewellery and was then caught with it red-handed! Here’s what happened: After the search, the woman quickly caught up on her missing jewellery, reacted in time, and called police. They, in turn, reacted quickly, and caught the officer in the act with the jewellery in his possession. That constable is detained tonight pending charges. The Officer Commanding Professional Standards Branch for the Belize District outlined it for us today:

Cop Charged For San Pedro Shakedown
Another police officer who is being investigated for lawless behaviour while on duty is Police Constable Oscar Ramirez, who is attached to the San Pedro Police Station. According to police, a 17 year-old young man reported that last week Monday, his mother, Mirna Judith Berganza, was detained by police. The minor says that he and a family friend visited the station, and they spoke with Constable Ramirez who demanded that they pay him $300 and he would then release Berganza, after which, they would have to pay him an additional $700. The young man says that they ended up handing over $600 to Ramirez, and he let his mother go. Well, police from the Professional Standards Branch investigated Constable Ramirez and charged him with extortion. The officer commanding Professional Standards said that this case and the successfully prosecuted one against Corporal Darius Martinez who was yesterday jailed for 1 and a half years should show the public that the department treats such allegations harshly:

Ciego Lost His Pay, Pride and Fried Chicken To Cops, Charged Today
And while he was on the topic of police officers he discussed with us the most recent complaint of police brutality, which emerged our Monday Newscast. The first was 22 year-old Tremane Ciego who says that on Sunday night, he was coming home with his entire week's pay after buying food when 2 police officers stopped and searched him. He claims that it escalated to a police beatdown, where they put him to kneel down, pointed a gun to his head, brutalised him, and kicked him in to the canal. And then to add insult to injury, one of the officers allegedly robbed him of his entire pay and threatened his life. Well, his allegations proved credible and substantial. Today, ASP Rivero told the media that these officers will be facing both criminal and disciplinary charges:

Cops Say Mechanic's Complaint Is The Real McCoy
Then, there was the well-known mechanic, Allan McCoy who says he got a dose of beatdown from the Gang Suppression Unit after they concluded that he had knocked down one the officers attached to their unit, Constable Dejohn Cayetano. As we told you the officer was knocked down in a hit and run at around 2 a.m. on Saturday morning, and the GSU officers believed that McCoy was the one who did it. He claims that the officers pulled him over after firing shots at him, and then they took turns brutalizing him, while refusing to accept his story that he had no involvement in the accident. Well, today, the Professional Standards Branch investigator told us that they are treating this report very seriously:

Armani's Police Attackers May Be Criminally Charged
But first, there are two reports currently giving Professional Standards a bit of difficulty to investigate. Those involve brutality reports made by Armani Bailey and Kariq Tzul. As we told you, earlier this month, Armani Bailey, the nephew of well-known JP Grace Flowers, said that police officers took him to an area at mile 4 on the Western Highway where they tried to drown him in a garbage bin after contemplating shooting him. Today, the Professional Standards Branch told us that these officers who have been accused by Bailey have since been assessed with disciplinary charges, and that criminal charges may follow: ASP Glen Rivero - OC, Professional Standard Branch "That matter was investigated. We visited the scene, we saw the dumpster, we have interviewed a person that claimed he visited shorty after being abused. It was confirmed, but again we need supporting evidence in some of these cases to ensure that we have an air tight prosecution and conviction at the criminal level.

Cops In Kariq's Case Hard To Charge
You may also remember Kariq Tzul, the King Street resident who was the victim of a beatdown by the Gang Suppression Unit on the first day they were testing a new surveillance bus in GSG territory. As we told you, the GSU pulled out their new state-of-the-art mobile command centre and was monitoring gang activity in and around the George Street area. Tzul claimed that he was inside a house on King Street when officers from the GSU barged in and started to brutalise him for no reason. He said that one of the officers kicked him so hard in his abdomen that he soiled himself. Well, officers from professional standards have been investigating the report, and they say that it has been difficult to bring charges due the circumstances surrounding the allegation:

Crystal Got Off With A Fine For Wounding Female
Last month we told you about Crystal Nunez – who was remanded to prison for two weeks while the magistrate pondered her sentence for beating another woman. She was found guilty of wounding 19 year old Vanessa Clark. Today, Nunez got out of jail. The 27 year old was spared further jail time when they and ordered to pay compensation to her victim and to the court. Nunez was ordered to pay Clark $150 dollars in compensation for her burst lip by October 17, in default 2 months imprisonment. She was also ordered to pay the court a fine of $100by December 21, 2014 in default 1 month imprisonment.

Leach and Knowles Meet 100K Bail
On Monday Bahamian security traders Rohn Knowles and Kelvin Leach, were granted bail of $100,000 after being detained in Central Prison since September 15 on a warrant for extradition. That’s a very high bail, and the news is tonight that they were able to meet it this morning. With that they were released this morning and must remain in the country – their travel documents are being held by police. Both are to report to Queen Street Police Station every Monday and Friday until extradition proceedings are completed.

Hon. Castro: Mex Federales Say Bze. Vehicles Need Insurance
All this week senior Mexican officials are in Belize for the eighth meeting of the “Bi-National Commission Belize Mexico.” It’s held every two years and authorities from both sides of the border discuss and analyse common issues in all areas affecting bi-lateral relations. And we’re talking big-ticket items including culture, security, tourism, education, technical and scientific cooperation, immigration, customs, trade, transport and foreign affairs – apparently the only thing not on the agenda are gift certificates for Applebee’s and McDonald’s. But one item that caught our attention was a change in regulations that might affect your next trip to Chetumal: it’s insurance, to be specific, Mexican insurance for buses and private vehicles. Now the Mexicans have been requiring insurance for Belizean vehicles travelling to Chetumal for some time – but travellers generally ignore the provisions – except this time, Federal authorities are insisting that Belizean vehicle owners purchase Mexican insurance.

ASR Expresses Worry For Sugar Crop
The sugar crop is supposed to start at the end of November or early December and ASR-BSI and the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association still have not reached an agreement on payment for bagasse; want to know what’s worse?: They aren’t even close. To communicate their sense of urgency, ASR has dispatched a senior executive to talk to the media. That’s a change of strategy, since BSI rarely speaks to the media. But Mac McLachlan has been deployed to get ASR’s side of the story out there and today he came to 7News to discuss the narrow timeline to reach a settlement:… Mac McLachlan, International Relations Advisor - ASR "We have no agreement. We're 8 weeks away from a cane crop and as things stand we have no commercial agreement to purchase cane as we stand. That is a very worrying situation for us, and I believe it is a worrying situation for the cane farmers as well.

One More Report Of Bad Cop
At the top of the news, we told you about those police officers who allegedly behaved lawlessly, well tonight, there is one more. He's Constable Aton Martinez, and he's accused attacking and beating up a civilian from Seine Beight. The exact details of the case haven't been revealed to us as yet, but according the court details, on July 7, 2014, Martinez allegedly inflicted a beatdown on John Valerio Jr, a civilian from Seine Bight Village. He was arraigned this evening before Magistrate Herbert Panton on a charge of harm, and he was released on bail of $300. He must return to court on November 28, 2014.

Court: BISL Doesn't Owe Back Tax
Since July, the Government of Belize and the Ashcroft Allied, Belize International Services Limited, which used to managed the IMMARBE and IBC Registries before Government Nationalized them, have been locked in a legal battle over 30 million dollars in taxes. The Government says that the company accrued these taxes accrued for the past 20 years and counting. Well, the Supreme Court has ruled that these taxes cannot be enforced because they are unlawful. As we told you, BISL's attorney Eamon Courtney argued before Justice Shona Griffith these taxes from the Commissioner are arbitrary because BISL operated as an IBC, and therefore has tax-free status. Deputy Solicitor General Nigel Hawke countered that BISL lost that status because they were doing business with local companies and persons, and therefore, they are taxable. It's all a part of the legal battle over the IMMARBE and IBC Registries which the companies took over control from BISL, and today, Courtenay told our colleague from PLUSTV that this win serves his clients well in the quest to get back these registries:

Building Along the Injured Coast
The activities continue for Coastal Awareness Week. It began on Monday with the launch of The State of the Belize Coastal Zone Report. Today the discussion deepened and was centred on the topic of “Sustainable, Planned Coastal Development”. Now in the era of climate change and rising sea levels – any development along the coast is suspect, because the experts say that in a few decades it could be submerged. Courtney Weatherburne found out more from the experts:…. Courtney Weatherburne Reporting Sea front property is the most highly valued real estate in Belize. But while the view is stunning, the damage and erosion of the coastal lines is not. Erosion of the coastal line has a detrimental effect not only on the survival of marine life, but as well as human life. Private sector stakeholders joined the coastal zone management authority in the discussion about protection and conservation of the coastal zone. Arturo Vasquez - CEO Port of Belize Limited "As development continues, the port will always be mindful of it's ongoing development plans and will continue to maintain a responsible approach to development by striking a balance between development and conservation. There is currently a development plan in the making that will certainly encompass significant dredging, coastal improvements as well as in land clearing and filling. The fact that existing port operating continue to have an impact on the costal environment, the port will always take measures to minimise this impact by using regional and international best practices."

Inspector Flowers Investigation Update
All through the newscast, we’ve been telling you about the police brutality allegations being investigated by officers of the Professional Standards Branch. Well, one allegation which we didn't tell you about was that one against GSU's Commander Mark Flowers, in which Tamra McFoy and her sister reported that he roughed them and a group of children up while on Wilson Street. As we showed also, Allan McCoy also accused the commander of joining his officers on Saturday in the beatdown when they were accusing him of knocking one of their own officers down in a hit and run. Well, today, we asked about those two complaints against Flowers, and the OC of the Belize Districts Professional Standards Branch told us that because of Flower’s Inspector Rank, his case will be dealt with by the Public Service Commission, which complicates things;

Was Danny's Death Preventable/Foretold?
We’ve shown you the video captured by tourists at Caracol in the terrifying minutes after Special Constable Danny Conorquie was murdered, presumably by Guatemalan cross border bandits. It is an important document – and today, the group of tourists who captured and posted the video sent us an email saying, quote: "Despite this isolated incident in Caracol, our impression of Belize is very positive. We did not feel unsafe in anyway.” "We thought that the situation was handled very well by the local guides and guards in the area. We know that Mr. Conorquie was doing his job protecting tourists like us. We feel grateful for that. We really hope that the politicians of both countries care enough about their people to resolve this long standing border issue." But, do they care enough, and has anyone been heeding the many warnings of grave risk to the lives of under equipped security personnel? There is credible reason to doubt that tonight. 7News has received what we believe to be a genuine internal police memorandum sent in January from the officer commanding the Tourism Police Unit ASP Diana Hall. The document is about serious security concerns in Caracol and warns that the TPU officers are quote, “equipped with two shotguns which are no match for our Guatemalan counterparts many of whom also have a military background.” She notes that Guatemalans have gone as far as to fetch water from the building that houses the Tourism police.

APAMO Demands Border Security
Adding to those concerns are conservationists who say that Conorquie's death only serves to highlight the dangerous circumstances that exist around border management, and today, the NGO community voiced their position. They say first that Foreign Affairs Minister Elrington's reaction was not appropriate, and that Government should now immediate and direct action to deal with the border security issue: Jose Perez - Executive Director, APAMO "These activities are always occurring in Chiquibul, they occur in the Colombia forest reserve, they occur in the Bladen nature reserve and our NGO staff are constantly being undersized by these people, we have to do something and we have to do it now. We also call on the government to be assertive in engaging their counterparts in Guatemala. Let's bring these people to justice." Daniel Ortiz "We still aren't able to show that was committed by a Guatemalan national.”

Abandoning El Pilar Due To Security Concerns
And while Caracol's security has been into sharp focus after the lawman's slaying, the Tour Guides from Cayo say that this Mayan site isn't the only one under constant siege by Guatemalan Bandits. As we showed you last night, the Cayo Tour Guides Association is concerned that because EL Pilar National Park has been getting institutional neglect for years, they will soon have to abandon it completely. They took use into the Mayan Archeological Site yesterday evening, and Daniel Ortiz has that story: The El Pilar Archeological Site, It's a Maya Ruin just about 11 miles outside of San Ignacio Town. The problem is that this Temple Site sits both in Belizean and Guatemalan Territory.You can climb on top of one of the ancient ruins, look out in the distance, and see Guatemala.

Tour Guide Alleges Belizeans Log Illegally Too
Over the years, here at 7News we've told you about many instances where Guatemalans have been making incursions into Belizean territory to conduct illegal activities in trying to get at the country's natural resources. We've never heard of Belizeans going over to Guatemala to do the very same thing which even at the faintest whisper, inflames the passions the patriots and activists. Well, there is a report coming from tour guides in Cayo which says that Belizeans have been engaging in the very same thing over in the archaeological reserve of El Pilar on the Guatemalan side. One Tour Guide gave us his version: Patrick Bradley, Cayo Tour Guide "Just like how we have the Guatemalans coming into Belize, as we know, all stories have two sides. If the presence of our government forces an ad out there, what's happens to the Guatemalans are happening to the Belizeans. What happens to the Belizeans are happening for the Guatemalans. We see in the area that we have some loggers that log within this area, would go over to Guatemala and doing illegal cutting as well. Why? The presence of the military, the presence of the government is not out in the area. What we see they do in the north or the south of Belize in the Caracol area, in the north part of Belize in Guatemala, the Belizeans are going over to Guatemala to do illegal cutting."

A Corn Field In Chiquibul Is Just The Start
And from Pilar to the Chiquibul National Park, which is the largest protected area in Belize covering more than 264,000 acres – which includes the Caracol Archeological Reserve. That vast area is resource rich and it borders areas of Guatemala that have been stripped of all their timber, and agricultural lands. In short, it is a green forest of plenty jammed right up against, brown lands that have been flattened by years of agricultural over use. The people who occupy those lands in villages like Monte Los Olivos are poor and in their search for land they come to Belize. We found one such spot in 2009 – and we reprise that story from our archives…. Lt. Justo Velez, Commanding Officer “So we come down this track which will actually lead us to the farm.”

Channel 5

Conservation Community Criticizes GOB Over Caracol Incident
The callous execution of Special Constable Danny Conorquie at Caracol remains an issue of huge national importance tonight. Citizens and activists converged on the western border on Tuesday to protest [...]

APAMO Decries Sedi’s Position on Danny Conorquie’s Murder
Perez, speaking on behalf of the conservation community, also decries the recent position taken by Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington, stating that the ongoing issue of Guatemalan incursions cannot [...]

Is El Pilar Really Forgotten and Overran by Bandidos?
While Caracol has been in the news since last week, another Mayan site, though not as visited due to its remoteness, is perhaps the most dangerous to visit. El Pilar [...]

BISL Victorious In Court Against Government, Tax Assessment Ruled Unlawful
There have been a number of weighty matters in the court this week. Today, Government suffered a blow in the Supreme Court in their legal battle concerning the takeover of [...]

Belize Bank Versus G.O.B., UHS Debt Still Accruing
There is another case which we reported on Tuesday against the government for which closing arguments were heard in the courtroom of Justice Shona Griffith.  The Belize Bank Limited is [...]

7 Police Officers Under Investigation for Various Criminal Allegations…
Tonight there is also scrutiny on the police force. A number of officers are under investigation by the Professional Standards Branch of the Department for allegations of wrongdoing including brutality [...]

…GSU Boss Mark Flowers Makes the Cut
Today, Assistant Superintendent Glen Rivero, Commander of the Professional Standards Branch, spoke to the media of the various investigations involving police officers, including Inspector Flowers.   ASP Glen Rivero, Commander, [...]

Police Constable Oscar Ramirez Charged with Extortion
On Tuesday, Darius Martinez from Dangriga started an eighteen month conviction for Corrupting a Public Officer. But there is another cop in the hot seat. He is Oscar Ramirez assigned [...]

Another Cop Busted for Handling Stolen Goods
Earlier this afternoon, another officer was arrested and detained pending criminal charges after he was found in possession of a number of stolen items believed to have been lifted during [...]

Requeña Brothers Acquitted of Attempted Murder
Back to the courts on criminal matters…Two brothers Giovanni and his older sibling, Denton Requeña and their friend, David Sedacey, were freed of a very serious offense. They were acquitted [...]

San Ignacio Man Dies in Fatal Traffic Accident
A Guatemalan national was today arraigned for the death of a Santa Elena resident who was killed following a traffic accident on Tuesday. Eighty-three-year- old Oscar Perez Senior, a resident [...]

Pulse of the People on Danny Conorquie’s Murder
Danny Conorquie was executed on Thursday and buried on Sunday. His murder is galvanizing public sentiments that government has to step up its game in respect of the persistent incursions [...]

International Day for Older Persons Celebrated in Belize
Across the globe, senior citizens took prominence today. October first is celebrated as International Day of Older Persons. Locally, HelpAge Belize has organized a series of activities to highlight the [...]

CTV3

Renovation To Commence On Central Park
Over the last few weeks we have been mentioning the plans on the rehabilitation of the Orange Walk Central Park. That project is now officially launched after the Mayor handed over the park to representatives of the Social Investment Fund, which is implementing the project. SIF in turn turned the project over to the selected consultants. Earnest Raymond, Project Coordinator of the Belize Municiapl Development Project under which the project is being carried, spoke more on the project. Earnest Raymond – Project Coordinator. BMDP “LARS, they are the supervision consultant and so it would be them and the Contractor, Coleman Construction Limited, they are the ones that will do the works.”

David"Dido"Vega Ready For Convention Day
Preparations are underway in both political parties in Belize as the next municipal elections draw nearer. October fifth is slated for the convention of the People’s United Party to elect a slate to represent the party in Corozal Town. Two slates are hoping to gain the most popular vote within the party supporters. One slate is being led by David “Dido” Vega who is running for Mayor. He spoke with us today about their plans. David “Dido” Vega “I have with myself all my fellow councilors and we decided to get into the political arena because we believe that Corozal Town instead of moving forward has been moving backwards and currently you know that Corozal Distirct is the second poorest district in our nation and I believe we need to get into politics so we can serve.

Honoring Another Golden Citizen
Today across the globe is being observed as International Day of Older Persons and in lieu of this we bring to you the 4th instalment of our newest feature that celebrates the lives of those golden citizens in our community. Today, we’ll take a glimpse into the life of Magdalena Jimenez who is one of the eldest of the Helpage Family. Today, she was more and happy to share with us some of her history. Maria Novelo reports. Maria Novelo – Reporting Born in Guinea Grass Village and partly raised there, 97 year old Magdalena Jimenez grew up with four other siblings. She and her brothers and sisters were raised by her single mother since her dad passed away. But that did not stop Jimenez’s mother from providing them with food and shelter. Jimenez explained that while she grew up in a struggling home, she is grateful for all that her mother did for them.

October Is The Month Of Golden Citizens
October first is observed as Senior Citizens Day and presents a perfect opportunity to long term contributions of older persons within our communities. Here in Orange Walk, the Help Age has organized a week filled of activities for at least one hundred of its members. On today’s agenda was an afternoon of interaction and fun as members gathered to play games at the Help Age Center on Stadium Street. Arcelia Leiva is the President of Help Age, Orange Walk. Arcelia Leiva – President, Help Age Orange Walk “It was real fun because we play chalupa, bingo and they had conversations of what they did and how they spend their day and we interacted with each other and we had lots of jokes in between we say jokes and like one of them the eldest of the group she came to this gathering and she is 96 years old, Mrs. Magdalena and she had lots of fun and she is full of life.

Belize Listed Among 11 Country Most Likely To Go Bankrupt
Tonight there is bad news for Governments finances. Moody’s, the international rating agency, today announced that eleven countries including Belize face a substantial risk of defaulting on debt and declaring bankruptcy. Accompanying Belize is Argentina, Greece, Ukraine, Egypt, Cuba, Cyprus, Jamaica, Ecuador, Venezuela and Pakistan. Moody’s credit rating for Belize was Caa2 with a stable outlook. The country without a doubt has suffered from debt problems for years, first defaulting nearly a decade ago, after which it consolidated all of its international debts into a single bond.

Officer Charged For Extortion
Authorities on the island of Ambergris Caye have charged one of their own with the crime of extortion. According to police, on September 29th after 5:00pm, a 17 year old male along with his mother, reported to San Pedro Police that between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on September 22nd his Mother, Mirna Judith Berganza, was detained at the San Pedro Police Station for traffic offences. As a result, he and a family friend visited the Station whereby the friend spoke to P.C. Oscar Ramirez who demanded $300.00 for the release of Mirna Berganza and later demanded $700.00 more for her release. According to the complainant, a total of $600.00 was given to P.C. Ramirez for the release of his mother. Police have since arrested and charged 36 year old Police Constable #1139 Oscar Ramirez of San Juan Area, San Pedro Town for the crime of extortion.

Men Charged For Drug Trafficking
On Tuesday we reported on the four Mexican naturalized Belizeans who were detained by Corozal Police pending charges of drug trafficking. Today all four men including a minor were arraigned in front of magistrate Hurl Hamilton and offered bail. As previously reported 25 year old Rodrigo Meza, 27 year old Esperanza Ack, 24 year old Isaias Medina and the 16 year old minor were arrested after police searched Meza’s yard and found a bag containing two parcels of suspected cannabis weighing 109 grams and 128.4 grams respectively.

Residence Concerned About Gunshots Been Fired In Calcutta Village
This morning our Corozal reporter Victor Castillo was called out to the Village of Calcutta in the Corozal District. Upon his arrival he spoke to a number of residents who claim that for the past two nights the sound of gunshots reverberates across the village. Speaking off camera, the villagers stated that they have reported the matter to police who are yet to visit the village. When we contacted the Corozal Police Formation, Inspector Peter Serrano, Deputy Officer in Command, assured us that no complaint has been lodged at the department, however; the matter will be looked into.

Ramen Noodles Found Guilty Of Being Unhealthy
Ramen noodles, some people say it is the next best thing to a plate of rice and beans, chicken and salad. But is it as healthy? We know it is definitely cheaper, but as consumers, have we truly considered the side effects of eating ramen noodles, that is, if any exists? An experiment conducted abroad shows that the product is unhealthy but in site that the ramen noodles is highly consumed in Belize, we decided to consult with our local doctors to verify if the product is as damaging to our body as reports suggest. Victor Castillo reports. Victor Castillo – Reporting With the high cost of living In Belize there is no doubt that many Belizeans often find themselves purchasing the cheapest products on the shelves. This includes from toiletries, clothing and most importantly food. If we base ourselves on the area of food we find that people with small food budgets, prefer to purchase a pack of ramen noodles at 50 cents than pay $6.00 to $8.00 for a plate of food or spend much more preparing a meal.

Another Court Date For Mark Vega
Today at the Northern session of the Supreme Court, the trial against Mark Vega was to be heard. After a request for postponement from his attorney, Brian Neal, Sitting Judge Herbert Lord granted the adjournment. In 2005, Mark Vega’s murder trial ended in a deadlock and the D.P.P. re-filed the charges which were done on May 17th 2005. Vega’s next court appearance is scheduled for October 6th, 2014.

ASR/BSI And GOB Meet To Discuss Sugar Industry
The discussions on the future of the sugar industry continue and yesterday representatives of the government, including Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega, met with representatives of the BSI/ASR group. Mac McLachlan, international advisor for the ASR group spoke with us after the meeting siting that it was more of an informative session with the government officials. Mac McLachlan – International Advisor, ASR Group “It was an opportunity to share among the industry stakeholders the real challenges ahead and that the industry has in Belize, we were able to see what is happening in the external market particular in the EU market where the sugar prices are falling very rapidly and we were able to look at what we need to do in Belize to overcome those issues and there is a whole of interconnected problems but last week we have to improve on our yields sugar cane here, the productivity of that cane to reduce the cost of producing sugar in order to be competitive, the EU market had come down a lot more rapidly when perhaps when we were expecting and we need to be working right now to be preparing for all of those issues and I think the issue on an agreement between BSCFA and BSI and I think we all understood and we were all clear that the crop is only eight weeks away and presently there is no agreement and it is imperative to have that agreement in time to start.”

Trial Farm Government School Celebrates 30 Years Of Service To Community
Today Trial Farm Government School celebrated thirty years of service to the Trial Farm Village residents. It was a momentous occasion for the entire school population. Here is a look at what the school celebrated. Dalila Ical – Reporting Like in almost all villages, children from Trial Farm had to commute to attend school. This was in the late seventies and eighties. A joint community effort though changed this and soon enough the children were able to attend school within their own community. This says today’s school Principal, Nazira Romero, is thanks to key players.

Spreading The Word Of God In A Peculiar Way
On November 1st of last year the Calcutta Adventist Church, with the assistance of authorities carried out a checkpoint at the entrance of Calcutta Village in the Corozal District. But the church members were not there to assist officers in enforcing the law. Instead, they were there to reinforce and share the word of God to those willing to listen. On the day the checkpoint was carried out, a number of faithful’s joined in the venture including Ricky Oliveras who taped the work of the members. Oliveras then made a video demonstrating how here in the north, the word of God reaches to others. That video has placed Belize on the map as it will be used for this year’s International Adventist General Conference.

Residents Of Carmelita Village Express Fear For Their Lives
Two residents of Carmelita Village came to our studios today to file a complaint saying they don’t know where else to turn after being violently hassled by a neighbor for over one year and the police have not been of much help. Rigoberto Rivas shared his story as briefly as possible but says that he has been facing this problem for over a year. After countless encounters with his young neighbor who he says has been stoning his house with large stones and several verbal confrontations, Rivas says he turned to the media to see if there is anyone who can provide some assistance before things go dreadfully wrong. Rigoberto Rivas – Complainant “Ayer me tiro la casa como casi hora y media; tengo pruebas y tengo el video y tengo todo y ya no aguantamos más por eso decidimos venir al media para que alguien nos ayude con esta situación.”

Home Of Electrician Invaded By Burglar or Burglars
Orange Walk Police are tonight looking for the person or persons responsible for burglarizing a house located on Bougainvillea Street, Orange Walk Town. The incident occurred last night between the hours of 7:00pm and 8:30pm at the residence of a 28 year old Belizean electrician. According to the electrician someone cut his chain link fence, entered his yard and then proceeded to invade his home. Stolen from the premises were tools, electronic items, personal documents and an undisclosed amount of cash adding up to $4,740.00.Police investigations continue.

Brothers Accused Of Murdering Eder Alcoser Return To Court
Today the trio accused of causing the Today the trio accused of causing the death of 26 year old Eder Alcoser were back at the Corozal Magistrates. But the case against brothers, 31 year old Elias Rosalez, 34 year old Perfecto Rosalez Jr. and 27-year-old David Rosalez, all fishermen of Caledonia Village charged for Murder and attempted murder was adjourned to December 16th 2014. Viewers might recall that sometime around 9:00pm on Sunday, May 25th 2014, Alcoser went to Mei Mei store located in the Village of Caledonia where he got into an argument with David Rosalez. The argument escalated into a fist fight and that is when Rosalez’s brothers, Elias and Perfecto Jr., came to their brother’s aid armed with machetes and attacked Alcoser who was chopped repeatedly by his attackers and the torture did not stop until his family members rushed to his defense. This is when Alcoser’s father, Marcelo Alcoser and Eder Alcoser were also injured. of 26 year old E

Video Of When Danny Conorquie Is Shot Presumably By Guatemalans Goes Viral
There is still much to be uncovered in the death of Danny Conorquie who was fatally wounded at the Caracol Mayan Site. He was buried on Sunday and there has been much controversy over the incident. Five days after his death, a video is released online by tourists who were at the site at the moment of the shooting. It appears the video was shot minutes after Conorquie was killed. The incident alone sent shock waves across the country as the initial reports were that he died at the hands of illegal Guatemalan Xateros. While there seems to be some confusion now as to what really happened or who pulled the trigger, the images that were captured by the visitors to the site are unnerving. According to the information we gathered, the video was shot by Austrian and Turkish expats as they visited the archaeological site. The video is edited and starts off with the introduction that reads, “Caracol is a Mayan archeological site remotely located near the Guatemalan Border in Belize. On September 25th 2014, we were there observing the site from the top of the pyramid.” The introduction was followed by the sounds of shots ringing. Here is a look at that video. We inform our viewers though that we have made some adjustments to it in respect to the Conorquie family and other Belizeans in the video.

Belizeans Demonstrate At Western Border, They Demand Justice For Conorquie's Slaying
Following the execution style killing of 20 year old Special Constable Denny Conorquie on Thursday at the Caracol Archeological Site, much public debate and outpouring of support to his family has been raised. While his death is reportedly at the hands of Guatemalan bandits, San Ignacio Police are still unable to confirm if that is indeed the case but are looking at all possible angles. And today, in a showing of social justice and solidarity, over a hundred men and women converged at the Macal River Park where they travelled to the western border to stage a peaceful demonstration. With placards and signs that read ‘Justice for Danny’ and the Belizean Flag in hand, it was a symbolic showing of solidarity among Belizeans and a zero policy message to our Guatemalan counterparts that we, as a nation, will not stand and take it.

Helpage Continues To Celebrate Golden Citizen In Our Community
Today we bring to you the 3rd instalment of our newest feature that celebrates the lives of those golden citizens in our community as we take a glimpse into their lives. Just as your average person is a product of their environment, and their life experiences, the elderly are as productive as we encourage them to be. They are the generations that came before us and set a foundation for us, and as such October they will be honoured during Older Persons Month. Today, we’ll take a look at the life of Florencia Campos who was born and raised in Orange Walk. Campos is one of the eldest of the Helpage Family. Today, she opened up her doors and welcomed us with warm embraces. Maria Novelo reports. Maria Novelo – Reporting A music lover and dancing enthusiast at heart, 83 year old Florencia Campos, affectionately known as Ms. Poy, was born and raised in Shuggah Citi near the riverside in the vicinity known as slaughterhouse area. Today she reflected on her childhood days.

LOVE FM

Police Constable Allegedly Extorts Money for Woman’s Freedom
San Pedro Police is investigating a case of extortion purportedly committed by a police officer. According to police reports, on Tuesday, September 23, a 17-year-old boy along with his mother, Mirna Judith Berganza, reported to San Pedro Police that between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on Monday September 22, his mother was detained at the San Pedro Police Station for traffic offences. As a result, he and a family friend visited the San Pedro Police Station whereby the friend spoke to P.C. Oscar Ramirez who demanded $300 for the release of Mirna Berganza and later demanded $700 more for her release. The 17 year old further alleged that a total of $600 was given to P.C. Ramirez for the release of his mother. Police have since arrested and charged 36-year-old Police Constable #1139 Oscar Ramirez of San Juan Area, San Pedro Town for the crime of “Extortion”.

APAMO Leans On Minister Alamilla for Action on Guatemala Issue
The Association of Protected Area Management Organization, APAMO, is calling on the Government of Belize to assert itself in securing the borders and to safeguard Belize’s Protected Areas. APAMO joins in the condemnation and denouncement of the murder of Danny Conorquie at the Caracol Archaeological Reserve. In a release issued out today, APAMO expresses its strong disappointment in the manner in which the Government of Belize, specifically the Ministries of National Security and Tourism have dismissed and belittled the crime which is a clear demonstration of a hostile attack on the sovereignty of this nation. Executive Director, Jose Perez, is calling on the Government to listen to the outcry of its people and hasten to evocatively engage its Guatemalan counterparts to apprehend and bring to justice the perpetrators of this murder and to commence the restoration of the confidence lost in our policy and decision makers.

Tour Guide Claims Belizeans Are Doing Illegal Logging in Guatemala
Numerous reports have been made of Guatemalans coming into Belizean territory and reaping off our natural resources. Not one report has been made of Belizeans going over to the Guatemalan side of the border and doing the same. That is-until tonight. Tour Guide, Patrick Bradley, says that for the past years, Belizeans have been making their way through EL Pilar into Guatemalan territory and harvesting logwood. PATRICK BRADLEY “Just like how we have the Guatemalans are coming into Belize as we know most and all stories have two sides to the matter. If the presence of our government forces are not out there what happened to the Guatemalans are happening to the Belizeans. What happened to the Belizeans is happening to the Guatemalans. We see in the area that we have some of the loggers that log within this area would be going over into Guatemala and doing illegal cutting as well. The presence of the government military is not out in the area so what we see them do in the south of Belize in the Caracol area in the north part of Belize in Guatemala the Belizeans are going over to Guatemala to do illegal cutting and stuff like that.”

We Are Not A Paramilitary State
There has been much debate on whether not or not Guatemalans were behind the cold blooded murder of 19 year old Daniel “Danny” Conorquie. While the Foreign Minister wants absolute evidence to absolutely declare that Conorquie was killed by Guatemalans, attorney Audrey Matura-Shepherd, like many others, is one hundred percent sure about it. As an attorney, she is aware how much important is having hard evidence to prove something. But as she explained, there is circumstantial evidence that proves Guatemalans killed Conorquie. AUDREY MATURA SHEPHERD “The evidence if the people at national security want to publish it and you all should demand to see it, the evidence is that FCD who will willingly give you information, every time they go in that area and they track down and they record what’s going on there it leads back to the Guatemalans. When the police or the BDF on the ground go they are yet to tell you that they find non Guatemalans there.

PlusTV

Fatal Traffic Accident in Spanish Lookout
San Ignacio Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident that occurred in an area on Center Road, Spanish Lookout Community. Police visted the scene at around 2:00 pm on Tuesday September 30th , where they saw a white Toyota Pickup with Guatemala license plates parked at the entrance to Western Diaries, with a dent on its passenger side. 10 feet away police observed a blue Meilun scooter lying almost in the middle of Center Road. Initial police investigations revealed that around 1:00 pm, an hour before police arrived at the scene, the white Toyota pickup, driven at the time by Oscar Perez Sr. of Benque Viejo Town, Cayo, was exiting the parking lot when the motorcycle coming from a north to south direction collided into its right passenger’s side. As a result, the driver of the motorcycle, identified as 23 year old Heber Flores of Santa Elena Town, was flung from the motorcycle. Mr Flores received serious head and body injuries, and was rendered unconscious. He was immediately rushed to the Western Regional Hospital in Belmopan, and later transported to the Karl Huesner Memorial Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. His body lies at the morgue awaiting a post mortem examination.

Maya Mopan Bridge Repaired
Since August of this year, we’ve been reporting on the dilapidated condition of the single lane wooden bridge, that connects the Maya Mopan area to the San Martin Area and by extension the City of Belmopan. The bridge was closed off to vehicular traffic in mid-August with plans to have it fixed by mid-September. There were some delays, but none the less, the bridge was reopened on Wednesday to the free flow of traffic. But not all are satisfied. Members of the Maya Mopan community say it is high time for City Council to invest in the construction of a proper two lane bridge for the community. According to City Council’s project manager for the reconstruction of that bridge, the renovations are temporary, and though there are no plans set in place as yet, there are hopes that the bridge will be fully reconstructed into a two lane bridge in the near future.

Orange Walk Central Park to Receive Major Renovations
Major works are to come to the Orange Walk Central Park through the Belize Municipal Development Plan (BMDP), under the umbrella of the Social Investment Fund (SIF). The project is being financed by the Government of Belize at a total cost of over a three hundred and thirty three dollars via a loan from the World Bank, of which 3 percent is being contributed by the Orange Walk Town Council. The Orange Walk Central Park is to be the main focus of this infrastructure project which, according to a press release issued on Wednesday, is to be implemented by the Project Implementation Unit of BMDP. The project is being carried out in all municipalities, but Wednesday saw the official launch of the project in Orange Walk through a meeting between the contractor Coleman Construction Limited of Belize, and the mayor of Orange Walk Town, Kevin Bernard.

Second Day of Call to Prayer
Wednesday night, Oct 1st , was the second day of a three day call to prayer by the Evangelical Association. The days of prayer are in preparation for and to intercede on behalf of those religious leaders who will be meeting with the Prime Minister over the Gender Policy. That meeting is scheduled for this Friday. Day one of the prayer session occurred in various locations on Tuesday across the country and were well attended. Pastors and spiritual leaders met on Wednesday to discuss the way forward with Friday’s meeting, and we have been informed that the meeting was very productive with a unified consensus.

Belizeans protest at the Western Border over the murder of Tourism Police at Caracol Site
Many Belizeans have expressed outrage that  a Belizean Officer in the line of duty was shot down and killed allegedly by Guatemalan poachers; and that it would appear they will not be held accountable. On Tuesday, about two hundred Belizeans organized for a rally, protesting Government’s handling o...

Fatal traffic accident at Free Zone in Corozal
There was a fatal traffic accident in the Corozal District on Monday September 29. It happened in the vicinity of the Free-Zone Gate, where a blue Ford Ranger pick-up truck was seen in the middle of the road extensively damaged...

Belize Bank in court seeking enforcement of arbitral award
Belize’s largest bank, Belize Bank, has been pursuing for several years now the return of some $33...

Bill to Amend the Legal Profession Act discussed in Committee
At the last sitting of the House of Representatives, the members of the House discussed a Bill to Amend the Legal Profession Act, which was presented by the Attorney General Wilfred Elrington. The bill and the implications it holds for the Bar has made the local headlines for quite some time. The Am...

Patrick Jones

Police officer charged for crime of extortion
A policeman stationed in San Pedro town on Ambergris Caye, has been arrested and is accused of the crime of extortion. Constable #1139 Oscar Ramirez, 36, has been charged for extortion after he was accused of shaking down a family for the release of a woman who […]

Belize Bank seeks return of UHS millions via arbitral enforcement
The Belize Bank Limited, Belize’s largest commercial bank, has been pursuing for several years now the return of some $33.5 million it says it is owed on a loan note signed seven years ago by the Musa administration. It is in relation to monies owed by the former […]

Motorcyclist killed in collision
A man from Santa Elena town, Cayo has died after a collision between a motorcycle and a pickup truck on Tuesday afternoon in Spanish Lookout. 23 year old Heber Flores died while undergoing treatment at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. According to police reports, Flores was driving a motorcycle on Center Road in Spanish Lookout around 1 pm on Tuesday when he collided with a pickup truck driven by 83 year old Oscar Perez, Sr., a Guatemalan national residing in Benque Viejo del Carmen town.

Murder trial of Mark Vega adjourned
The case of Mark Vega, accused of murder, has been adjourned until Monday, October 6. A request for the adjournment was requested by his attorney Brian Neal and granted by Justice Herbert Lord. Vega is accused of the 2002 murder of Susana Petkau. She and her husband Enrique were travelling on the August Pine Ridge road when they were held up at gunpoint, shot and robbed of their vehicle. While Enrique Petkau survived, his wife did not. Vega and two other men allegedly went to Corozal in the stolen van and then reportedly committed other crimes, including kidnapping and rape.

Cayo Tour Guides to demonstrate in Belmopan
The House of Representatives will be meeting in special session on Thursday at the National Assembly building in Belmopan. But when parliamentarians from the Lower House arrive for the meeting, they will be greeted by demonstrators. The Cayo Tour Guides Association has obtained a permit to demonstrate and will take up positions in front of the House of Representatives on Thursday between the hours of 10 am and 12 midday. According to a press release sent out this evening the purpose of the demonstration is “to highlight a few demands which we believe will help with the safety necessary for tourism to operate at our national parks where we work.”

Blogs

Chaa Creek Hails Belize Ocean Heroes
“Heroes are Hard to Find” is not only the name of that great Fleetwood Mac album, it can also be an unfortunate fact of life. But not, apparently in Belize, where two “Ocean Heroes” were acknowledged by international ocean environmental group Oceana at a ceremony held in Belize City September 27 2014. Coral researcher Lisa Carne and manatee saviour Jamal Galvez, who we’ve written about before, were singled out by Oceana as two people who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help preserve Belize’s stunning sea life and maritime environment. Ms Carne received her gong for her “Fragments of Hope” project. With the assistance of fishermen and tour guides from the villages of Placencia and Independence, she established a coral nursery at Laughing Bird Caye National Park as a natural laboratory in a bid to save endangered Acropora corals. To date, the project has resulted in some 5,000 out-plants established in 18 different sites.

“The Boys Are Back in Town” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
What could cause such a state of mind you’re thinking. Did the rainwater collection tank under the house run dry? Did Rose see sense and leave me? No, nothing as trivial as that! Estel’s Dine By the Sea has been shut so that the owners and staff could all take a well earned break (now that little comment has got to be worth a couple of extra rashers of bacon). This morning though I got my equilibrium back. Estel’s reopened and in honour of this momentous occasion I needed something special to wear. No not a tuxedo but something far more classy and fitting, my honorary Estel’s ‘T’ shirt. The decision made itself! I was tempted, sorely tempted to be there when the doors opened at 06.00 hours but I showed amazing levels of self control and didn’t set off from home until 06.30 hours. Impressed? Of course you are. But something was different. What was it? And then it “hit” me. They’d freshened up the murals above the northern and southern beachfront entrances.

A Walk Up North From Sapphire Beach to El Secreto: Ambergris Caye Miles 10 & 11
For the past two nights, I have been staying on North Ambergris Caye, mile 10 to be exact, at the lovely Sapphire Beach Resort. The weather has been absolute perfection. Sunny and hot but breezy. Check out this map of the island and…as look northward from town, you will see the Las Habaneros area (roughly translated “the Habanero”) – that’s where I am. Yesterday, I took a walk from Sapphire (at mile 10) up to El Secreto – which is currently closed for upkeep. The reef here is close. Rocky Point, just a few miles north, is where the reef actually touches land. So, the farther north you get, the closer you are to the barrier reef. The Habaneros area is a BEAUTIFUL stretch of land. Seriously beautiful. And from what I can tell, sparsely populated. Here is what I saw along my walk.

Popular Waterfalls of Southern Belize
Belize is a country teeming with stunning natural land and water features. If you are looking for a cool swim and an adventure at the same time, heading to one of their glorious waterfalls would be the perfect idea. You should find so many in this country, where you can swim, hike and enjoy varied wildlife. Here are the top four waterfalls of Belize country. About 6 miles north of San Antonio, past the village of Santa Cruz lies the Rio Blanco Waterfall Park, a popular stop for both visitors and locals. The Rio Blanco flows through wide, shallow waterfallspools and gentle cascades formed of smooth slabs of sandstone and mudstone, before pouring over a 15-foot ledge into a deep pool. Surrounding limestone boulders allow easy exploration above the pool. San Antonio Waterfall Just a mile from San Antonio Village flows the tranquil San Antonio waterfall and pool, just a couple of yards off the roadside. The waterfall cascades 8 feet over a smooth pear shaped limestone rock covered with bright green moss. Riverine vegetation surrounds the entire pool. Above the waterfall is thick vegetation surrounding an upper cove with a smooth limestone floor. Golden Stream Waterfall/Pools The Golden Stream waterfall and pool is located near Golden Stream Village along the Southern Highway. Tall trees and thick vegetation grow along the sides of the crystal clear waterfall. Small waterfalls tumble from a two-foot ledge into a big pool. Further up the river, gentle cascades tumble over a short ledge of limestone boulders into a smaller pool. The pools are separated by an upper level of flat limestone covered with shallow grooves. Pueblo Viejo Upper and Lower Falls The Pueblo Viejo Upper and Lower Falls are located at the base of limestone hills below Pueblo Viejo Village. Small waterfalls flow over each ledge, rushing through narrow cuts on each level toward the next fall. Each level is flat and extends about 10 feet long and 20 feet wide. They are covered with shallow puddles where tadpoles thrive.

International Sources

Caribbean leaders warn of 'real, ruinous' impacts of climate change
Spotlighting the “gathering and intensifying threat of global climate change” leaders from Caribbean Islands on Monday warned the United Nations General Assembly that indifference, narrow interests and electoral cowardice threaten to squander “our only real chance to save the planet.” Addressing the Assembly on Monday afternoon, minister for foreign affairs for Grenada, Nickolas Steele, said climate shocks are amongst the “most terrifying” for his country and other small islands around the world and given such risks, island states need concessionary financing. The indebtedness of small islands developing states (SIDS) must be regarded among the many challenges of our time, he said, adding that the “annual cry” of small islands to make concessionary funding available should serve as an early warning system for the international community.

Belize -- Still for the Intrepid
Returning to what has been one of my favorite places on earth since I was a young girl for my first extended stay in years, I found Belize's Cayo hardly changed. Me? I have to admit that, back in Belize at last, I was a little harder to recognize. I came to Cayo for the first time almost 30 years ago. I had seen little else of the rest of the world by that time, but I recognized something in this part of Belize that I appreciated immediately--a big-time potential for adventure and discovery. "This is what's great about Cayo," I told my 14-year-old son Jackson as he, his father, and I drove around lost in the dark on the unpaved, unmarked, unlit jungle roads our first night in the country trying to find our lodge. "You can always count on having an adventure." On my first visit to this part of the world three decades ago, my first friend in Belize, Mick Fleming, wondered just how much adventure I was up for.

Belize, Barbados Condemn U.S. Blockade Against Cuba
Belize condemned today before the UN the continuous U.S. blockade against Cuba and the Israeli indiscriminate attack at innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip. In his speech during the 69th period of sessions of the UN General Assembly, Foreign Minister of Belize, Wilfred Elrington, expressed his government's concern about the recent death and destruction of innocent Palestinian civilians, mainly unarmed women and children in Gaza. He reiterated his government's support to the peaceful, safe coexistence of the State of Israel and the State of Palestine in their respective borders recognized by the international community. He called for including in the UN agenda the elimination of unilateral harmful practices and joined the rest of the international community demanding the end of the "anachronistic U.S. blockade" against Cuba. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister of Barbados, Maxine McClean, expressed his country's rejection of the U.S. blockade against Cuba as a unilateral action that must be a thing of the past.

First FATCA Fraud Goes Before US Courts
US federal prosecutors have laid what is believed to be the first Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) enforcement case before the courts. Prosecutors in New York claim alleged offenders in the city, Belize and Panama conspired to submit false FATCA documents, fraudulently manipulate shares prices and launder the proceeds. The $500 million fraud involved trying to cover up a US taxpayer’s role in the conspiracy by submitting forged paperwork to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Lawyers say this is the first time a FATCA violation has led to charges before a court and shows the willingness of the US tax authorities to impose strict compliance with the new rules. Although FATCA came to the US state book in 2010, years of bickering and technical problems led to a delay in implementation until July 2014.

Experts join heads on Caribbean cyber security
Cyber security topped the agenda as 60 technology professionals from 13 countries gathered for a major regional technology conference. The meeting is the eighth gathering of the Caribbean Network Operators Group (CaribNOG) and the sixth in a series of Caribbean meetings hosted by the Latin American and Caribbean Internet Addresses Registry (Lacnic). The choice of venue for discussions about Internet security seemed fitting. Curacao is an exceptional Caribbean island, in that its critical Internet infrastructure development allows it to offer data centre services to a global market. Because technology-based enterprise is such an important part of the country’s economy, cyber security is recognised as an important, said Shernon Osepa, manager of regional affairs for the Internet Society (ISOC) Latin America and the Caribbean, who is from Curacao.

In the Blogs: It’s a FATCA Life
Highlights of some of our favorite tax-related blogs from the past week. Legally speaking Taxable Talk: How the California legislature passed a law mandating e-filing of most business returns beginning with 2014 returns filed in 2015. Exemptions are available, but you must request them from the Franchise Tax Board. One wrinkle: Most tax software today doesn’t allow for e-filing a single-member LLC return. Mauled Again: Hell No We Won’t Pay Dept.: A look at a recent Tax Court case, Salzer v. Comr., that reveals yet another disadvantage to tax protesting. Granted, the blogger adds, “The Court correctly noted that the outcome must be based on what the taxpayer did, not what the taxpayer would have done had he not failed to file returns in the first place.” Rubin on Tax: Healthy growth of a 501 and its mission is one thing, exemptions another. How one charitable operator of private schools vaporized its own tax status by drifting into real estate.

Online resource to support the work of biodiversity conservation organizations Read more: Online resource to support the work of biodiversity conservation organizations
A free online resource, launched today (1 October), will help conservation organisations share expertise and tools, aiding them in addressing some of the planet’s most challenging conservation issues. Capacityforconservation.org is a free online resource designed to act as a central hub where biodiversity conservation organisations can download tools, contribute their expertise, and learn from one another to strengthen their ability to address complex conservation challenges. Knowing the best way for an organisation to develop to become a sustainable and resilient entity, or even understanding the questions the organisation needs to ask of itself in order to start this development, can be a daunting challenge.

Videos

Video: Reckless flores - Andy P Gone ft Biggs Da C.E.O - Official Music Video (Dangriga, Belize), 5min.
the song is written by Reckles off his new album of 2014 entitled " Call Ih Name" music video is produced n directed by Jeremy Lewis (Out Da Box Films).

Video: JefeccarDoBelize, 8min.

Video: Globe Trekker - La Ruta Maya (Guatemala, Belize & Yucatan) with Justine Shapiro, 48min.
Justine Shapiro follows the route of the Maya, starting her journey in Merida, Mexico, where she visits the local market and samples the local delicacy, cow's stomach stew. Justine heads for the ruins of Chichen Itza and the beautiful beach resort area Tulum on the Caribbean Coast. Her journey takes her on to Belize, the only English speaking countries in Latin America. In Dangriga, a tiny town home to the Garifuna people, Justine witnesses a festival. Then heads for the tiny idyllic beach resort of Placencia, where Justine goes scuba diving and takes a river trip to see the famous howler monkeys. Before visiting the Mayan ruins of Caracol, Justine meets with two Mennonite families, descendants of 18th century religious refugees from Germany who call Belize home. From here, Justine takes the bus over the border to Guatemala. Her first stop, the Mayan ruins of Tikal, are located in the heart of the jungle. After flying into Guatemala City, Justine heads west to Lake Atitlan and the Indian villages surrounding the lake. She visits an indigenous painter, goes to an Indian market at Nahuala and then heads to the Easter celebrations in Antigua, hailed as the most spectacular in all Latin America. Justine's trip ends with her own personal adventure, climbing the spectacular active volcano of Pacaya.

Video: Believer's World Outreach Belize Mission Video, 7.5min.
Ambergris Caye, Belize

Video: The 5 Most Popular Beers Produced by the Belize Brewery, 2min.
After you are done with all the swimming, surfing and sightseeing, wouldn’t it be nice to lounge in the sand and just rest? To make this all the more relaxing, why don’t you add a Belize beer to the equation? Then take a trip to the Belize Brewery and grab yourself some of their best beers. Know, though, that are only four main beers in Belize. But if you include the locally-brewed Guinness and the three seasonal beers, then there would be eight.

Video: 6 Cool (and Mostly Free!) Things to Do in San Pedro, Belize, 3min.
Many visitors flock to San Pedro Belize to experience its local fauna and flora. Here are six exciting and mostly free things to do while on your San Pedro vacation. Many visitors go to Ambergris Caye to marvel at the sea life in its natural habitat, but San Pedro Belize also offers numerous other opportunities to experience local flora and fauna without venturing into the deep blue seas. Below are 6 things to do that happen daily or on an ad hoc basis, so you can catch them anytime during your San Pedro vacation. They are also mostly free, and are an affordable supplement to expensive diving or snorkeling excursions.

Video: 4 Great Ambergris Caye Belize All Inclusive Resorts to Stay In, 2min.
There are several Ambergris Caye Belize all inclusive resorts for every want and need. Know more about the 4 best hotels in Ambergris Caye. If you are thinking of experiencing Belize resort vacations for a romantic getaway or honeymoon, you still have a few months left to plan before the rainy season comes. For divers and snorkelers, one top destination in the country, home to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and the Blue Hole, is Ambergris Caye. This is a long and slender island is home to a wide range of beach resorts and the whimsical town of San Pedro. Each of these Ambergris Caye Belize all inclusive resorts, so read on and learn more details about the top hotels in Ambergris Caye to see the one that’s right for you.

Video: Rhodes Family Belize 2014 Long Trailer, 5min.

Video: Underwater World Belize, 10min.

October 1, 2014

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Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

DFC hosts Customer Appreciation Day
On Friday, September 26th, the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) held a Customer Appreciation Day as part of its 51st anniversary celebrations. The event was held simultaneously across the country and encouraged customers and non-customers to visit the branch office for an opportunity to receive information on loans, interest rates and payment plans, and even a chance to win great prizes! According to Nalleli Gilharry, representative of DFC San Pedro Branch, the event is a way to give back to the community. “As part of Customer Appreciation Day we are offering our customers the opportunity to receive huge discounts on their accounts. But this event wasn’t only for our customers; we also took the opportunity to share information on loans and promotions with the community. One lucky visitor even won a brand new Samsung Galaxy cellular phone!” said Gilharry. A 50% discount on process and application fees was offered to persons wanting to apply for a loan.

San Pedro signed on to become a Sustainable and Child Friendly Municipality
The San Pedro Town Council joined other municipalities and cities throughout the country to sign on to an agreement to become a Sustainable and Child Friendly Municipality. The signing of certificate demonstrates the municipal government’s commitment to ensure that during the next 16 months, the town would adopt policies that will ensure that every child lives in a safe, healthy and crime-free environment. The initiative, which was launched simultaneously in every town countrywide on Friday September 26th, is being spearheaded by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Belize Mayor’s Association and the Government of Belize. The Sustainable and Child Friendly Municipality program identifies the steps to build a local system of governance committed to fulfilling children’s rights. It is within the scope of the Convention of the Rights of a Child which Belize signed on to in 1990. The framework document outlines the “building blocks” that need to be adopted to become a Child Friendly Municipality. These building blocks include structures and activities that municipal government agencies should have in place to engage children’s involvement. These measures will ensure a children’s rights perspective in all relevant decision-making and equal rights of access to basic services.

Ambergris Today

Belize to Strengthen Security Arrangements along Guatemala Border after Shooting Incident
Prime Minister Hon. Dean Barrow and the Government of Belize join the rest of the nation in expressing deepest condolences to the family of Special Constable (SC) Danny Conorquie, murdered in the line of duty while seeking to guard and protect Belizean patrimony. A press release from the Government of Belize Press Office stated that the Prime Minister has spoken personally to SC Conorquie’s next of kin, and offered every assurance that the ultimate sacrifice made by this Belizean hero will not be forgotten.

Misc Belizean Sources

Protest/motorcade to the border
This morning Belizeans gathered in Cayo for a protest/motorcade to the border. After assembling at the Macal River Park they travelled west to the border to send a message to the governments of Belize and Guatemala. They vow that the life of Tourism Police Special Constable Danny Conorquie would not have been taken in vain. The group of about one hundred persons from all over the country arrived at the border singing "We noh want no Guatemala. We want our country free."

ARACOL ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESERVE remains CLOSED
Institute of Archaeology (NICH) Belize informs ALL Tour Guides, Tour Operators, and the General Public that as of 6:00 a.m. on September 28, 2014, the CARACOL ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESERVE remains CLOSED until further notice. The NOHOCH CHE'EN ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESERVE and ALL other Archaeological sites remain OPEN. Daniel "Danny' Conorquie a Tourism Special Constable Police and his fellow counterpart both attached to the Cayo Formation fell under fire while on duty at the Caracol Archaeological site by highly suspected Guatemalan Xateros. 20 year old Danny Conorquie of Georgeville was shot and killed.

Corozal's People's United Party (PUP) holds its party convention
POLITICAL NEWS at the Andres Campos Civic Center this Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Who will be the people's choice this Sunday October 5th, as Corozal's People's United Party (PUP) holds its party convention to elect its Mayoral candidate for the upcoming municipal elections scheduled for March 2015. David "Dido" Vega and Ruben Cruz are both new to the political arena. David "Dido" Vega recently contested the Corozal Bay constituency as area representative and barely lost to Gregorio "Papas" Garcia by a narrow margin of approximately 12 votes. Both "Dido" and Cruz will be contesting as Mayoral candidates, respectively with their full slate of 6 councilors in their bid to unseat long standing incumbent United Democratic (UDP) Mayor of Corozal-Hilberto Campos and his councilors, who were handpicked to contest the municipal elections early next year.

Turtle nesting season is slowing down
but a few green turtle females are still nesting. Currently there are a total of 74 nests in Ambergris Caye.

Perspectives of our Past
Thursday October 9 at 7pm the Corozal House of Culture presents our second lecture of the series as Mr. Roy Rodriquez speaks on Social and Economic History of Corozal Town

Channel 7

Tourists Capture The Terrifying Minutes After Danny Conorquie Was Shot
Special Constable Danny Conorquie, he is the first Belizean lawman to be killed in the line of duty, apparently by a Guatemalan civilian - and tonight, five days after he was killed, the 20 year old is still making national headlines. There was a motorcade and protest at the Benque Viejo border today - and we'll tell you about that shortly. But first to a video that was posted on Vimeo last night by a group of tourists who were at Caracol when Conorquie was killed by Guatemalan bandits. Their video is the most arresting footage we've seen, and we air it un-edited tonight. The tourists have put some production into it - and it begins with the sound of gunshots followed by panic - we have blurred some images:…

Protestors Want Justice For Danny
Special Constable Danny Conorquie, he is the first Belizean lawman to be killed in the line of duty, apparently by a Guatemalan civilian - and tonight, five days after he was killed, the 20 year old is still making national headlines. There was a motorcade and protest at the Benque Viejo border today - and we'll tell you about that shortly. But first to a video that was posted on Vimeo last night by a group of tourists who were at Caracol when Conorquie was killed by Guatemalan bandits. Their video is the most arresting footage we've seen, and we air it un-edited tonight. The tourists have put some production into it - and it begins with the sound of gunshots followed by panic - we have blurred some images:…

Government Battles Ashcroft Alliance Over Universal Guarantee
Today in the Supreme Court, the Ashcroft Alliance and the Government of Belize were back at it - and this time they were arguing over one of the seminal events that led to the demise of the Musa Administration. That's the publicly guaranteed 33.5 million dollar Belize Bank loan for the private hospital formerly known as Universal Health Services. In 2007, it was revealed that Former Prime Minister Said Musa and then Attorney General Francis Fonseca had signed a loan note guaranteeing the debt for UHS without Cabinet's knowledge and without taking it to Parliament. PM Musa eventually - and without public disclosure - used a 10 million US dollar grant from Taiwan and another 10 million US from Venezuela to pay off the debt. The Bank then sold loaned that money to the Healthcare Partners group and sold the hospital for 39 million. That should have put the matter to bed but it didn't, and the Bank still wants back its money. It says that's because $20 million dollars that former PM Musa had paid to settle the debt, had to be returned to Government and so the settlement agreement collapsed and the Government remains on the hook. The London Court of International Arbitration agreed with the Bank and now it is going to the Supreme Court of Belize to try and enforce the award here.

Cop Sent To Jail For Attempt To Corrupt Another
Police Corporal Darius Martinez is spending the first night of an 18-month sentence after he was convicted before the Chief Magistrate of attempting to corrupt a public officer. The allegation was that he tried to bribe a member of the Gang Suppression Unit to give him information about the investigation into the infamous John McAfee case. The main witness in the trial against Martinez was Woman Police Constable Stacey Smith who testified that on May 11, 2012, Martinez contacted her by cell phone and asked her if she wanted to make some money. She says that Martinez didn't go into detail about what she would have to do to earn that money until they had a second conversation, which she recorded. That recording was presented before the court and admitted into evidence. In that conversation, Martinez wanted WPC Smith to tell him what the GSU found at McAfee's residence outside of Orange Walk Town in May 2012. He was also interested to know about a diary which was supposedly confiscated.

Alleged Park Shooter Jailed For Gang Membership
Tonight, 23 year-old Michael McDonald, a King Street resident, is at the Belize Central Prison after he was taken to court for a very public shooting, which terrified BTL park-goers early on Sunday morning, around 3:00 am. According to police, they responded to a shooting in the vicinity of the BTL Park. They caught McDonald with a .38 firearm, and they also retrieved 5 expended shells. No one was injured, but police charged him with causing public terror, discharging a firearm in public, keeping an unlicensed firearm. Additionally, they say that he claimed to be a member of the George Street Gang, and so, he was charged with professing to be a member of a criminal gang. He was arraigned before the Chief Magistrate, Ann Marie Smith, and due to the nature of the offences, he was remanded into custody until November 17, even though he pleaded not guilty.

Robber Said He Wanted A Blood Test
Yesterday, a man who went to a medical lab asking for a blood test ended up robbing the lab. At 1:15, two men went into the Belize Medical Center on St. Thomas Street. One of them said he needed a blood test and went inside to have it administered. But before he could sit down, he pulled out a gun and robbed the 65 year old lab technician. Two women who were in the waiting area dashed outside the door ads the men grabbed the money from the cash pan. The owner of the lab tried to grab one of them on the way out, but he turned the gun on him - and the owner let him go. No one was hurt and police have no suspects.

Daylight Downtown Robbery
There was a brazen broad daylight robbery in the heart of downtown Belize City this morning, but this time it wasn't a business that was targeted it was a customer. According to reports, an Italian man entered Lavish store on Albert Street and was robbed of his phone. We found out that the customer was so badly shaken up that he refused to give a statement to the police because he feared his and his family's safety..

Fatal Accident Outside Free Zone
Yesterday afternoon there was a fatal accident at the Northern border. It happened at around 4:00 pm when Mexican watchman 37 year old Jose Benigno Lopez, shot out of the free zone at high speed in a Ford Ranger pickup. He and his 50 year old passenger, a Mexican farmer flipped when Lopez lost control of the vehicle and it flipped several times. Both men were flung out of the vehicle and Lopez suffered a fatal blow to the head. His body was taken to the Corozal Town Hospital where it was pronounced dead on arrival. His passenger Tilo Lopez was treated for minor bruises and a small cut wound to the head and was released.

The Art Of Defensive Driving
Many of you who have been driving for over 15 years may think enrolling in a driving workshop, is useless and maybe even laughable, after so many years on the road. But you might be surprised to find out that some very seasoned drivers are benefiting from a defensive driving workshop. Courtney Weatherburne has the story. The workshop lasts for 4 days: Two days of theory and two days of practical. About 24 drivers are attending.

Is El Pilar Another Archeological Hotspot On Border?
At the top of the news, we showed you the dramatic video footage captured by the tourists who were at Caracol when Danny Conorquie was killed. The conservationists and tour guides who operate in border hotspots, like the archeological reserve areas, say that Conorquie is not the first law man to be shot at, just the first to be killed. The Cayo Tour Guides Association was very vocal about the lack of tight security at the Caracol Archeological Site, but they stress that this is not the only historic Mayan site that remains under pressure by illegal border activities. Today, after the protest for Danny at the border, they took the media to the El Pilar Mayan Ruins inside the national park which is under the jurisdiction of NICH. They say that for years the site has been under pressure by Guatemalan border bandits who target them and their guests when they visit El Pilar. Our team arrived shortly before news time, and will have a full look at the problem they face tomorrow, but here's an excerpt of our discussion with the tour guides:

Chiquibul, Security Problems Since Forever
And while El Pilar is a hotspot – Chiquibul – with its vast forested area, its bounteous timber stock and its gold reserves…are a cauldron. 7News was the first media house to go embedded with the Friends for Conservation of Development in 2009 – and sound the alarm about the security and conservation issues inside the Chiquibul. Since then our teams have gone inside the Chiquibul many more than any other media house. Tonight, we look back at our first engagement in 2009 – which is a very small snapshot of how dangerous and difficult law enforcement in Chiquibul can be:… Jules Vasquez Reporting, “He has a machete; he has a weapon” those were the words of the BDF as they chased down Benigno Garcia and captured him here – 600 metres from the Guatemalan border in the Caracol Archaeological Park. The BDF caught him but the police on the patrol had the power of arrest. Garcia was searched – while the park ranger for Friends of Conservation and Development unloaded his 22 rifle which carried 6 live rounds. Garcia’s dogs looked around confused – while the BDF brought his makeshift knapsack into the open area where they questioned Garcia.

A Magazine For Investors
Beltraide launched the 3rd volume of its INVEST BELIZE MAGAZINE today. A ceremony was held at the Belize Biltmore Plaza not simply to launch another publication but more importantly, to celebrate the foreign investment opportunities it will garner for Belize. The CEO in the Ministry of Trade and Investment shared his vision on the impact the magazine will have on Belize's global image. Mike Singh "So we started with the first edition and then we ended up with the second one. Before we had a different publisher. We made a decision to spread the business and to work with McNab Publishing this time and I think the quality we are getting is exceptional. I think the quality of articles is exceptional.

Getting Brands Up To Standard
If you are into shopping, you certainly have your favorite brands that you purchase on a regular basis. Well, you better start looking beyond brand loyalty to the possible threats the consumption and usage of some of these products may have on you. Many of these products may have harmful substances or undeclared or uncertified ingredients. The partners in the CARICOM Rapid Alert System for the Exchange of Information on Dangerous (non- food) Consumer Goods met today to educate members states on strategies to regulate this issue and to get those harmful goods off the market. McClauren says that efforts are being made to link CARREX CARICOM with the OAS information system to facilitate a broader sharing of data on this issue.

Maya Leaders Meet PM
The Maya Leaders Alliance met with the Prime Minister in Belmopan last Thursday to say that they are willing to engage with the oil company US Capital Energy and the Government, but on certain terms. It is a follow up on a letter from the Alcaldes' Assembly notifying Government that the Alcaldes are developing a proposal for consent agreements by oil development and other extractive industries for activities on Maya traditional lands. A statement says, quote, "This proactive initiative by the Maya People manifests our commitment to explore opportunities for constructive, respectful, and good faith engagement with the Government of Belize and extractive companies on Maya traditional lands, looking forward to a future in which the legal status of those lands is no longer in dispute." End quote.

Channel 5

Tourists Release Shocking Video Following Danny Conorquie’s Murder
The tragic execution of Danny Conorquie at the Caracol Mayan Site has made headlines since last Thursday. Tonight, there is a shocking new edited video which has gone viral since [...]

Are Confiscated Horses Related to Conorquie’s Murder?
Very few of the stories aired following the murder of Tourism Police Special Constable have touched on the five horses which were tethered at the Caracol Site on September twenty-fifth, [...]

Conorquie Family Responds to Thompson’s Sudden Retraction of Statement on Danny’s Killers
The nationality of the men who ambushed Conorquie remains a mystery to Belize’s Foreign Minister and to the politicians in the Ministry of National Security. But there is little doubt [...]

Belizeans Gather Near Western Border in Protest of Senseless Murder
Tourism Police Special Constable Danny Conorquie was killed last week Thursday, murdered by bandits who then fled over the Guatemalan border. The outcry has been tremendous…the outrage at the senseless, [...]

Do you believe that Guatemalans murdered Special Constable Danny Conorquie at Caracol?
And tonight’s question is: Do you believe that Guatemalans murdered Special Constable Danny Conorquie at Caracol? Send your comments and responses using your SMART phones to 8686 or post your [...]

Cayo Tour Guides Association Writes Letter to B.T.B. About Caracol Security
The video we showed you at the top of the newscast captures the moments following the cold-blooded murder of Danny Conorquie. In addition to the tragedy and the continued incursions [...]

Belize Bank and G.O.B. in Court Over U.H.S. Debt
In the Supreme Court today, Justice Shona Griffiths heard arguments from The Belize Bank and the Government of Belize. The proceedings today concerned the enforcement of an arbitral award obtained [...]

Police Corporal Darius Martinez Sentenced to Eighteen Months in Prison
This morning, Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith heard closing arguments in the case against Police Corporal Darius Martinez. The cop was facing charges for Attempting to Corrupt a Public Officer [...]

BELTRAIDE Unveils Invest Belize Volume 3
The third edition of Invest Belize was launched today at the Best Western Biltmore Plaza. This edition focuses on agribusiness, which is forecasted to become one of the significant pillars [...]

Sedi Elrington Delivers Address at U.N. General Assembly
The murder of Danny Conorquie continues to be the number one topic of public importance on the airwaves five days after it occurred on the Caracol Maya site.     The PM [...]

U.S. Embassy Hands Over Three Million Belize Dollars in Grant Funding
The United States Embassy in Belize has been making donations to various initiatives across the country through the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation.  While there have been significant contributions [...]

Love Foundation’s Unique Approach to Conflict Resolution Among Broken Families
Among the seven grant recipients is the Love Foundation.  Through its Summer Arts Academy and After School Program, the initiative aims to break the communication barrier between children and parents [...]

Just Us Inc., One of Seven Organizations to Receive U.S. Embassy Grant
On the south side of Belize City, there is also a program that is presently working with at-risk youths to develop computer literacy and other skill sets that are necessary [...]

United for Kids Assists Cleyon Marage Jr. for Leukemia Treatment
Last Thursday, we showed you a ten year old student who has been diagnosed with Acute Myloid Leukemia. But Cleyon Marage Junior cannot receive medical treatment at the local hospitals [...]

His Mother Is Overwhelmed By Outpour of Support
The mother of Cleyon Junior is overwhelmed by the outpouring support of the Belizean public. She says that the donations received so far give her hope that her son will [...]

CARICOM Youth Ambassadors go Socially Conscious for Caribbean Youth Day
Today is recognized within the region as Caribbean Youth Day. CARICOM Youth Ambassadors across the member states have embarked on socially conscious activities to motivate youths to become proactive and [...]

What’s Happening in Local Sports?
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday on a Tuesday.   Pressing engagements made Monday’s appearance impossible and we extend our heartfelt apologies to all our supporters [...]

CTV3

Video Of When Danny Conorqui Is Shot Presumably By Guatemalans Goes Viral
There is still much to be uncovered in the death of Danny Conorquie who was fatally wounded at the Caracol Mayan Site. He was buried on Sunday and there has been much controversy over the incident. Five days after his death, a video is released online by tourists who were at the site at the moment of the shooting. It appears the video was shot minutes after Conorquie was killed. The incident alone sent shock waves across the country as the initial reports were that he died at the hands of illegal Guatemalan Xateros. While there seems to be some confusion now as to what really happened or who pulled the trigger, the images that were captured by the visitors to the site are unnerving. According to the information we gathered, the video was shot by Austrian and Turkish expats as they visited the archaeological site. The video is edited and starts off with the introduction that reads, “Caracol is a Mayan archeological site remotely located near the Guatemalan Border in Belize. On September 25th 2014, we were there observing the site from the top of the pyramid.” The introduction was followed by the sounds of shots ringing. Here is a look at that video. We inform our viewers though that we have made some adjustments to it in respect to the Conorquie family and other Belizeans in the video.

Belizeans Demonstrate At Western Border For Justice For Danny Conorqui
Following the execution style killing of 20 year old Special Constable Denny Conorquie on Thursday at the Caracol Archeological Site, much public debate and outpouring of support to his family has been raised. While his death is reportedly at the hands of Guatemalan bandits, San Ignacio Police are still unable to confirm if that is indeed the case but are looking at all possible angles. And today, in a showing of social justice and solidarity, over a hundred men and women converged at the Macal River Park where they travelled to the western border to stage a peaceful demonstration. With placards and signs that read ‘Justice for Danny’ and the Belizean Flag in hand, it was a symbolic showing of solidarity among Belizeans and a zero policy message to our Guatemalan counterparts that we, as a nation, will not stand and take it.

ASR/BSI And GOB Continues Negotiation Before Crop Opens
The discussions on the future of the sugar industry continue and yesterday representatives of the government, including Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega, met with representatives of the BSI/ASR group. Mac McLachlan, international advisor for the ASR group spoke with us after the meeting siting that it was more of an informative session with the government officials. Mac McLachlan – International Advisor, ASR Group“It was an opportunity to share among the industry stakeholders the real challenges ahead and that the industry has in Belize, we were able to see what is happening in the external market particular in the EU market where the sugar prices are falling very rapidly and we were able to look at what we need to do in Belize to overcome those issues and there is a whole of interconnected problems but last week we have to improve on our yields sugar cane here, the productivity of that cane to reduce the cost of producing sugar in order to be competitive, the EU market had come down a lot more rapidly when perhaps when we were expecting and we need to be working right now to be preparing for all of those issues and I think the issue on an agreement between BSCFA and BSI and I think we all understood and we were all clear that the crop is only eight weeks away and presently there is no agreement and it is imperative to have that agreement in time to start.”

BWU And IUF To Hold A Three Days Workshop On Components Of Sugar Industry
A three day workshop which is a joint venture between the Belize Workers Union (BWU) and the International Union for Food Workers (IUF) is set to commence on Thursday and scheduled to end on Saturday. The aim of the session is to discuss and analyse several components of the Sugar Industry. Today we met with President of the BWU, Ramiro Gongora and facilitator Jorge Chullen of IUF, who gave us a preview of the workshop. Ramiro Gongora- President BWU “We are trying to continue with this IUF/BWU, what we would say a venture that had started many years ago with regards to the support.” Maria Novelo – Reporter “What relationship like between your Union and the IUF?” Ramiro Gongora- President BWU “Well, we are affiliated for the past ten year I would say and we actually pay our dues on a yearly basis to them and this is paid on the amount of membership and it is forward way in Geneva so the BWU has to make a lot of transactions to cover the fees so that it could be forward to Geneva.”

Corozal Police Investigates FTA Involving The Live Of Mexican National
Last night on our news cast we reported on the fatal traffic accident that occurred near the Las Vegas Hotel and Casino located in the area of the Corozal Commercial Free Zone. The incident claimed the life of a Mexican national. Reporter Victor Castillo has the details to the incident in the following report. Victor Castillo – Reporting Tragedy struck the Perez family a little after 4:00 yesterday evening when they were informed that their loved one, 37 year old Mexican National Jose Benigno Perez, lost his life in a traffic accident. Perez, a resident of Subteniente Lopez in Chetumal Quintana Roo, Mexico, lost control of his pickup truck as he headed out of the Corozal Free Zone. The tragic accident occurred here, near the Las Vegas Hotel and Casino located in the vicinity of the free zone, when Perez reportedly lost control of his vehicle which flipped several times in the air. The 37 year old was flung out of the vehicle and all indications are that upon landing on the pavement, he hit his head on the concrete barrier that is located along the road causing his death instantly.

Oceana Issues 2014 Ocean Hero Award
On Saturday, September 27th, Biologist Lisa Carne and manatee expert Jamal Galvez were formally recognized as OCEANA’s 2014 Ocean Hero Award Winners. In 2006, Carne witnessed the devastating impact of Hurricane Iris in Southern Belize and was deeply troubled by the vulnerability of Belize’s marine environment to climate change through rising sea temperatures and stronger storm surges. Using the Laughing Bird Caye National Park as a natural laboratory, Carne established a coral “nursery” in attempt to restore critically endangered Acropora corals. Today, with support from the communities of Independence and Placencia, her “Fragments of Hope” project has more than five thousand out-plants in more than eighteen sub-sites.As for Galvez he has been a self-proclaimed “manatee protector” since age eleven. To date he is a recognized expert of manatees and his affection for the animal has propelled the need to protect manatees into national consciousness since they are an endangered species due to threats like boat collisions, destructive gear like nets and even poverty.

COLA Expresses Outrage For Murder of Danny Conorqui
On Friday the Peoples United Party issued a release expressing outrage for the killing of Danny Conorquie and demanding that a full investigation be launched into the death of the 20 year old. But the PUP is not the only organization clamoring for justice. So is Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action, COLA. Today the organization, via a press release, announced that they will join the Belize People’s Front at a press conference and a demonstration scheduled for tomorrow at the western border. In the release, COLA also chastises the Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington for his statement made following Conorquie’s death that there is no evidence that suggests that the special constable was killed by Guatemalans.

PM Says Family Of Deceased SPC Will Be Taken Care Of
And while Conorquie was laid to rest and honored with a police funeral including the 21 gun salute, Belizeans are now questioning whether his family will receive monetary compensation from Government. The question arises since in the past GOB has compensated the family of a Guatemalan National who was shot and killed in Belizean territory. On March twenty-ninth, twenty-six year old Tomas Desdicho Ramirez, a resident of San Marcos in the municipality of Dolores, Guatemala was fatally hit in the chest, the abdomen and right leg. Ramirez was killed after a joint B.D.F. and Police Patrol came under fire by a group of men. But while many believe that Conorquie’s family should be compensated since he died while in the line of duty, Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington has stated that there is no basis for compensation. Elrington has stated on the record that and we quote “Before any compensation can be sought it is necessary to ascertain who committed the offense. At this point in time we don’t know who committed the offense.

LOVE FM

Armed Robber Nabbed By Ladyville Police
Love News has confirmed that there was an armed robbery that occurred early this afternoon in the Lord’s Bank area of Ladyville Village, Belize District. Ladyville Police was alerted of the crime in progress near the Brothers’ Store and as a result of quick response, the officers were able to intercept the robbery and pursue the gunmen. The chase of the robbers was brief as just minutes later one of them was found hiding in some bushes and armed with a nine millimetre pistol. As a result, 31-year-old, Stephen Barrow, who has provided his address as being Roaring Creek Village, Cayo District was taken into the Ladyville Police Station and will be charged with kept unlicensed firearm and ammunition with a charge of aggravated robbery pending. The story is that Barrow had allegedly held up the workers in a Western Dairies delivery truck but since the men had no cash sales on them, their cellular phones and personal pocket money was taken from them. Police remain on the lookout for the other robber.

Belize/Guatemala: Where Do We Go From Here?
For over five decades now the issue between Belize and Guatemala has been discussed and taught in schools, on the streets, behind closed doors and even overseas ….. IMG-20140930-WA0006but despite the meetings, the discussions and the expressed urgency by both sides of the political divide and Belizeans, on a whole, to have the matter settled, 2014 is almost over and there is no sign of closure on the matter in the near future. Tonight, we look at various incidents that have occurred between both countries over the years and the emotional rollercoaster that the myriad discussions have jerked in the Belizean people…..but first let us look at the root of this territorial dispute. According to history lessons and books, the unresolved matter stems from way back in 1821 when Guatemala declared its independence from Spain. At the time the United Kingdom still had not embraced our country as a crown colony…that is not until 1862 …..

Party Leader Says PUP Is United
There has been a number of divisions within the Party and today we asked the party leader how far he is in terms of uniting the party. FRANCIS FONSECA “I spoke about the issue of unity; all the deputy leaders of the party and all the other speakers spoke about the importance of that issue and I think absolutely that we achieve that, that was one of the objectives going into the national party meeting and I think we absolutely achieved that. We came out of that meeting I think united, strong with a clear sense of purpose, a clear sense of direction and understanding that we have to work together and that the Belizean people are depending on us to rescue them from what is taking place today.”

Supreme Court Grants Bahamians 100K Bail
34-year-old, Kelvin Leach and 29-year-old, Rohn Knowles were brought down to Belize City this morning for a bail application hearing before Justice Hanomansingh. After almost three hours of submissions by the attorneys and the Solicitor General, the two men were granted bail. It was an interesting argument presented in court, which we will tell you about later on in our newscast. For now, we will continue our story of the men and their bail applications which were approved by the Supreme Court judge. Just after the hearing, the media got an interview with Knowles’ attorney, Godfrey Smith. GODFREY SMITH “Effectively or rather in summary the judge granted bail to the petitioners. They are to report to the police station twice a week and the usual bail conditions and the reason he did so was that he came to the conclusion based on our arguments that the process was defective, that the government misunderstood their powers under the extradition act. They just grabbed the men and sent them off to Kolbe without giving them an opportunity to challenge the basis of the provisional warrant for arrest, to make arguments for bail or any such thing; so, he was obliged to grant bail. It’s a matter for the discretion of the judge. Yes it’s a steep figure but that apart, I suppose the judge had some advertence to the fact that it is an extradition related matter and so on.”

PlusTV

New tourist video of murder at Caracol surfaces on the internet
The murder of Danny Conorquie, a Special constable attached to the Tourism Police, who was shot to the head while he was stationed at the Caracol Mayan Site, has caused national outcry. The Hispanic men who made their way on the National Archaelogical site, are believed to be Guatemalan men who retaliated because their horses were confiscated while they were found poaching in Belize’s Forests. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, however, has stated that there is absolutely no proof that the killers were in fact Guatemalans and therefore there is no basis to approach Guatemala about this murder.

Protest planned at Western Border over Danny Conorquie’s murder
The Belize People’s Front (BPF) has rallied residents of the West, and indeed all of the country, to attend a rally at the Western Border, to protest the Government’s seeming inability to develop a policy to police our borders and protect our natural resources. In the wake of the death of 20 year ol...

PUP celebrates 64th anniversary
The People’s United Party Secretariat, in a press release on Monday, said the PUP is alive and vigorous at 64. On September 29^th  in the year of 1950, exactly 64 years ago, a group of young Nationalists met at 11-14 Pickstock Street, Belize City and formed the People’s United Party. In commemor...

Amandala

Organized crime in Chiquibul costing $20 million and Belizean lives
The broad daylight execution of Danny Conorquie, 20, a Belizean Tourism Police officer, allegedly by illegal Guatemala loggers at the main temple of the Caracol Archaeological Reserve last Thursday, September 25, underscores the security threat Belize faces on account of ceaseless incursions inside its protected areas for a range of illegal activities, the main one now being the multi-million-dollar trade in illegal timber, believed to be connected with organized crime and possibly narco-trafficking elements in Guatemala. Rafael Manzanero, Executive Director of Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD), who laments Conorquie’s murder, which he says appears to have been a “hit” executed by illegal loggers, reports that for the past two years, roughly $20 million worth of cedar and mahogany have been extracted and along with that, expansion in illegal logging also comes, expanding security risks to both security and conservation personnel.

4 weekend shootings leave 2 injured
Although no murders were recorded in the Belize District over the weekend, which would be considered welcomed news for many residents, especially city dwellers, there were at least four shootings which have left two individuals in stable condition at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH). The first shooting, which also happens to be the most serious of the four, took place this past Friday, September 26, at about 10:40 p.m. while Joshua Daniel Martinez, 21, was seeking shelter from the rain under a bus stop which is located at the junction of the George Price Highway and the Old Coastal Road at Mile 31, directly in front of La Democracia Village. According to police, Martinez had just come off a Shaw’s Bus, and while standing under the bus shed with his 16-year old sister, he was approached by three men, one of whom pulled out a firearm and released six shots in their direction.

Justice for Danny!!
Tourism Police Special Constable Danny Conorquie, 20, was laid to rest in his home village of Georgeville on Sunday, and tomorrow, Tuesday, hundreds of Belizeans are expected to make their way over to Belize’s western border to make an international statement on the cold-blooded execution of the young tourism police officer around noon last Thursday at the Caracol Archaeological Reserve in western Belize at the hands of illegal Guatemalan loggers who may have retaliated after security forces confiscated their horses. Tuesday’s show of national outrage is being led by the Belize People’s Front (BPF), an organization headed by Nancy Marin. The executive members of the Belize People’s Front include Louis Diaz and Ronny Plette in Belize, and Joseph Roca, Wellington Ramos and Joseph Guerrero in the USA.

Constable David Griffith charged for the death of escaped prisoner 16 months later
Constable David Griffith of the Punta Gorda Police Formation has been released on bail of $8,000 after he was taken to the San Ignacio Magistrate’s Court on Friday, on a charge of manslaughter for the death of prisoner Rasheed Elijio, 18, of Punta Gorda, who was shot and killed during an attempt to escape from police custody. Griffith was ordered to return to court on October 28. Police reports are that on May 9, 2013, Brian Garcia, 19, a security guard of Ogaldez Street, Punta Gorda Town, and Rasheed Elijio, 18, a laborer of Ogaldez Street, Punta Gorda Town, were both charged for the crime of carnal knowledge.

New sugar deal “in the works”
At this time, the two main partners in Belize’s sugar industry, namely the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) and the Belize Sugar Industries/American Sugar Refineries (BSI/ASR), are working on a proposed commercial agreement to govern the relationship between the two parties, and which will aim to settle several points of contention that have overshadowed the rocky relationship – in particular, a revenue-sharing arrangement for bagasse, a disputed byproduct of sugar which is currently sold for use in the generation of electricity. Two weeks ago, on September 8, BSCFA and BSI/ASR held a meeting at which the sugar producers presented a completely new commercial agreement to the cane farmers; however, neither side elaborated on the contents of the new agreement at the time, so as not to jeopardize the state of the negotiations.

Mother of leukemia patient seeking assistance
The mother of an ailing leukemia patient is making a desperate plea for the public’s assistance in order to be able to provide medical treatment for him, and hopefully, give him a better chance of survival. In April of this year, just before school re-opened after the Easter holidays, Clovis Matura got the shocking news that her son, Cleyon Marage, Jr., 10, was gravely ill after she noticed a swollen lymph node on his neck, which was followed by diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and weakness. When they took him to the hospital, he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, also known as AML, which is a relatively rare type of cancer that affects mostly adults, in which there is rapid growth of abnormal white blood cells in the bone marrow that end up interfering with the production of normal blood cells.

Man, 33, rapes daughter, 12
The 33-year-old father of a 12-year-old girl, of a Jane Usher Boulevard address, is accused of taking her to his house in the Lake I area on Independence Day Eve and raping her. The incident allegedly occurred at about 6:00 Saturday evening, September 20. When the child went home on Sunday, she reported the sexual abuse to her mother, and they went to the police on Sunday, Independence Day, and made a formal report that her father, a Salvadoran, had repeatedly raped her.

Local karatekas shine at Cayo Invitational Karate Championships
The Cayo Shotokan Karate Club (CSKC) celebrated its 24th Anniversary in a grand fashion on Saturday, September 27, by hosting an International karate championship, where 60 athletes competed to represent their clubs and countries. For the entire event, the auditorium at Sacred Heart College was filled with constant roars from karate enthusiasts and spectators. Still in the September patriotic mode, our young athletes fought their hearts out to protect their home turf, Belize, literally with blood, sweat and tears. The clubs who participated were Kazoku Shotokan Karate Dojo of San Ignacio; Cayo Shotokan Karate Club-Belmopan; Poptun Shotokan Karate Club-Guatemala; El Salvador; and host, Cayo Shotokan Karate Club-San Ignacio. At the end, CSKC-Belmopan overwhelmingly won the championship by winning 11 gold, 12 silver and 16 bronze medals. Second place was CSKC-San Ignacio with 6 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze medals. Third place was Guatemala with 3 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze medal.

Here we go again, preparing to fail? – no Belize City player on National U-17 squad
Last week Wednesday, the Football Federation of Belize (FFB) announced the 25-member National U-17 Team which will represent Belize in the upcoming UNCAF U-17 qualifier to be held in Costa Rica from November 4-8. Internationally, U-17 qualifiers are considered very serious business. That’s because, aside from the fact that these qualifiers lead all the way to the U-17 FIFA World Cup, it is this squad that is expected to become in a few years’ time the base for the National “A” Team, perhaps as early as World Cup 2018, but certainly by World Cup 2022. The National U-17 team, then, should be the culmination of a tough annual selection process that involves no less than a credible national U-16 competition, which has been preceded by regional U-16 tournaments to produce the best players to be showcased in the U-16 national tournament. Competition hones talent and also provides a showcase for fans and scouts alike to determine which players have developed the necessary skills and character attributes to earn a spot on the national U-17 team.

Special Olympics Belize partnership with Arizona
All during this week, Special Olympics Belize have been travelling about the country along with volunteers from Special Olympics Arizona (USA) in order to train clinicians and coaches on working with athletes who have intellectual disabilities, as well as to set up (more) Youth Activation Councils in the various districts, and to witness Special Olympic competitions. Those events took place in Belmopan, Belize City, Dangriga and Orange Walk. Tonight is the culmination of this week’s activities for us, and we hope to end it with Special Olympics Belize and Special Olympics Arizona entering into a formal Memorandum of Partnership agreement. The signing of this MoP will take place tonight, Friday, September 26, in the Altun Ha Room at the Radisson Fort George Hotel.

Editorial: A turning point
When you enter Mexico, it does not take you very long before you become conscious that you are in a territory which belongs to some people called Mexicans, and that you must tread carefully amongst these people inside the land they own. This applies whether you are a Belizean from small, poor Belize, entering Mexico from the south, or if you are an American from the mighty superpower United States of America, entering from the north. Mexico demands that you recognize that Mexico belongs to Mexicans. This was not always so, you know. A hundred and fifty years ago the French, all the way from Europe, installed an Austrian named Maximilian as emperor of Mexico. This was more than forty years after the Mexicans gained their independence from Spain in 1821. Mexican independence had been shaky and unstable, because, as usually happens in early post-colonial societies, oligarchical classes had begun fighting for control of the new nation-state. In addition, a powerful neighbor, the United States, saw opportunity for territorial aggrandizement. Even as Mexico was losing Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, and other territory to the United States, the Maya of the Yucatán rebelled in 1847. The new Mexican state of 1821, and for some decades afterwards, was hardly the Mexico we know today in 2014.

From the Publisher
A very serious incident took place at the Caracol Maya site near Belize’s border with Guatemala on Thursday, September 25, 2014, around midday. A Belizean tourism police constable, Danny Conorquie, 20, was shot dead in the presence of tourists and tour operators by individuals believed to be illegal loggers from the Guatemalan side of the Western border. In that single, isolated incident on Thursday, Belize took more casualties than we did in eight days of what has been glorified as “The Battle of St. George’s Caye” in September of 1798. Danny Conorquie was killed in the line of duty while he was protecting the nation of Belize and Belize’s national assets from people who are most likely invaders. There are Belizeans, and they include Wil Maheia, Rafael Manzanero, Tony Rath, and the Belizeans who work at KREM Radio and KREM Television, who have been trying to inform the rest of us that Belize is being invaded from the west and the south by Guatemalans who are damaging our national parks by cutting down trees and planting milpa crops, extracting xate leaves, hunting our animals and stealing our rare birds. The Guatemalans are also involved in illegal logging of our precious hardwoods and illegal panning for gold.

Letters: Alcoholism: Belize’s best kept secret?
Is alcoholism Belize’s best kept secret? Maybe it was, but not any more. The recent, highly publicized, deadly traffic accident attributed to heavy drinking by a top official, and other recent deaths related to abuse of alcohol are front page news and point to a serious problem in The Jewel. One that we have ignored and failed to find or even look for solutions. While medical science says alcoholism is a disease as serious as cancer and even suggests it is beyond the control of the alcoholic due to genetic and other biological issues, it is a social and medical problem we need to address NOW, as well as cigarette smoking and AIDS. For example, a large sign hanging from the overpass at the Pallotti High School traffic circle implies it is better to drink than work! What a message to display to the children and others who go to school or wait for buses in the area. And, when we spend more money on flags than we do for rehab programs, we need to examine our priorities. Does anybody really care?

Letters: Seek union, not division: Swatsigga
I thank you for taking consideration of my thoughts and publishing them in your newspaper. Our Constitution clearly gives us the right to openly express ourselves without fear. I compliment your newspaper for being brave enough to share the truth that will awaken many of us. Over the past few months I have been reading news around the world and noticed that most of them are centered on war, politics and economy. Nobody writes on the positive events and technological achievements of mankind that help us to progress as a united species. All of our media is centered on negative events that keep humanity negative and in consequence without hope. Over the course of my reading I have come to understand that by being positive we can move mountains, just as faith can move mountains. Being positive is just a part of having hope!

Letters: Civilization and Maya
The Maya Civilization has persisted for more than 52,000 years. It began two Great Cycles, or Platonic Years ago, each cycle 25,920 years. That is two complete precessions of the equinoxes, or Zodiacal turns. This will be described here in simplified terms and in more detail in a future space. Human civilization, the seeds of man, or human souls, represented by the moon; move around the planet. We do this as part of our learning; we cycle all points, or spheres in spiraling patterns of great complexity. This holds true for race, culture, religion, area of habitat and nation, philosophy, art and sciences. All 5 races take turns holding the seat of economic influence and control; philosophy, science, art and much more. All are spheres of thought, and the distribution of these forces are equalized over time in what may appear as a long time, but are but a blink of an eye in the re-evolution of the Hu-Man, or Hunab-Ku, the divine soul of humanity on its journey back to its origin, the One.

Letters: Valley of Peace checkpoints
I must commend a unit of officers that patrolled and carried, perhaps planned, but at the same time improvised, checkpoints in Valley of Peace village on the evening of Friday, September 26th, 2014. Spot checks and questioning were conducted to questionable individuals within a framework of respect (I would not like to think that the operation was conducted in such a professional manner because witnesses were there.) It is actions like these that make the transgressors accept their fault and acknowledge their guilt, as well as develop their respect for police officers. This also deepens the relationship and perception that the community has for the police.

Oceana announces Belize’s 2014 Ocean Hero award winners
On Saturday, September 27, Oceana Belize formally recognized coral researcher Lisa Carne and manatee expert Jamal Galvez as ocean heroes. Being an ocean hero can mean many things, but mostly, it means deciding that you are ready to take action to help to protect our marine environment for people and creatures of today and for future generations. In 2006, Ocean Hero Lisa Carne was a young biologist who had witnessed the devastating impact of Hurricane Iris in Southern Belize and was deeply troubled by the vulnerability of Belize’s marine environment to climate change through rising sea temperatures and stronger storm surges. Using the Laughing Bird Caye National Park as a natural laboratory, Carne established a coral “nursery” in attempt to restore critically endangered Acropora corals. Today, with support from the communities of Independence and Placencia, her “Fragments of Hope” project has more than five thousand out-plants in more than eighteen sub-sites.

Strange creature found in northern Belize
Folkloric stories about what were once thought to be mythical creatures such as the blood-sucking cryptid, dubbed the “Chupacabra”, which literally means “goat sucker”, have been recited in Mestizo culture for decades, and while there have been several reported sightings in several parts of the Americas, the elusive predator has never been spotted in Belize until this past Wednesday night when a villager was astonished by a strange-looking animal that he accidentally knocked down while on his way home. Cain Cal, a resident of San Lazaro Village, Orange Walk, was driving past a ranch between Yo Creek and San Lazaro Villages about 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday when he struck a curious animal that no one seems to be able to identify as yet. While speaking with the media about the incident today, Cal said, “This animal appeared in [the] middle of the road and I hit it. [First], my wife told me it looked like a kangaroo and we started to laugh, but I said ‘no’ because we don’t have kangaroos here [in Belize], but I know I have never seen it before, and it isn’t a fox – even my daughter was asking me what it is and I couldn’t tell her.”

Toledo Maya villages want benefit-sharing agreement out of court mediation
Under Belize law, landowners receive 5% of the royalty payments made to the Government of Belize, which, in turn, is 7% of oil proceeds. That works out to 35 cents for every $100 earned, which by comparison is not much, but the Maya of Toledo, whose communal land rights claim is being fervently resisted by the Government of Belize, say that they want more than that razor thin slice of the petroleum pie. Currently, US Capital Energy is drilling in Toledo inside the Sarstoon Temash National Park, and the Government of Belize has expressed confidence that a commercially viable supply of crude is available there. Froyla Tzalam, Executive Director of the Sarstoon Temash National Park, told Amandala that the board met last Wednesday and the leaders from the buffer communities around the park, which mounted a legal challenge last year, want to pursue court mediation, ordered by Supreme Court Justice Michelle Arana last year. “We will stick to the mediation process until told otherwise,” said Tzalam.

Patrick Jones

Belize Bank seeks return of UHS millions via arbitral enforcement
The Belize Bank Limited, Belize’s largest commercial bank, has been pursuing for several years now the return of some $33.5 million it says it is owed on a loan note signed seven years ago by the Musa administration. It is in relation to monies owed by the former […]

Online video posts purportedly captured sound of fatal gunshots
A tourist visiting the Caracol Archaeological site on Thursday, September 25, captured on tape what appears to be the sounds of the gunshots that ended the life of Danny Conorquie. Video of the moments immediately after the murder show the fallen Special Constable and the frantic efforts […]

Policeman jailed for attempting to corrupt fellow officer
44 year old Corporal of Police Darius Martinez will spend the next 18 months in prison after being found guilty of attempting to corrupt a public officer. The Orange Walk Town resident is accused of attempting to corrupt Woman Police Constable Stacy Smith, who is attached to the […]

Michael McDonald charged for BTL Park shooting
It is intended to be a safe zone, but authorities were called out to BTL Park on Newtown Barracks on Sunday morning amid reports of gunshots fired. Around 3:09 a.m. they encountered and apprehended 23 year old Michael McDonald of a King Street address and retrieved a .38 […]

CRIME BLOTTER: Shootings, robbery & alleged GSU abuse
Gang rivalry is alleged to be behind an incident that occurred around 10:40 Friday night in La Democracia Village. Police say 21 year old Joshua Martinez had just exited a Shaw’s Bus going west at the junction of the George Price Highway and Coastal Road around 10:40 p.m. […]

Caribbean Community consults on dangerous consumer goods
Consumer recalls are a fact of life, however they sometimes come too late to reverse damage or even death caused by faulty equipment or information. In the Caribbean region a CARICOM Rapid Alert System for Exchange of Information on Dangerous (Non-Food) Consumer Goods, known as CARREX, has been […]

Blogs

SAGA Humane Society Halloween Party
It’s costume planning time and the date has been set for the 11th Annual SAGA Humane Society Spooktacular Halloween Party. On Sunday October 26, 2014 from 11:00am to 5:00pm, Carlo & Ernie’s Runway Bar will host what is expected to be the largest SAGA Halloween Party in history. New and exciting for the 2014 party, celebrity judged contests (Best Costume, Best Kisser, Owner/Pet Look-A-Like, Best Trick, and more), fun activities and games for pets and kids, raffles, auction items and so much more. SAGA is pleased to also include this year a Smooch-A-Pooch kissing booth that is sure to delight young and old. SAGA Humane Society is working hard to make this their largest fundraiser of the year. Aside from raising money, their goals are to raise awareness about the benefits of spay and neuter, and that being kind is not a way of thinking but a way of living. They are also bringing awareness also to the many dogs that are for adoption through Ft. Dog and the shelter.

No matter where you go along the coast of Belize, you see huge conch shells everywhere – polished and on display, heaps on the beach and in the water and used, sometimes, in construction. The word, by the way, is pronounced CONK here in Belize. The beautiful, sometimes HUGE conch shell is the outside of a pretty ugly sea snail. A mollusk. It reaches it’s maximum length of about a foot in three to five years….which I find pretty miraculous. When it is soft, young and tender, it has quite a few predators but once it grows the hard shell? Very few can get in there. Okay…enough chatter…here are some of my favorite conch dishes and where to get them in San Pedro. I LOVE conch soup. Like a chowder but a bit thinner and made with coconut milk, it’s just delicious. I’ve had a number of good ones but my favorites?

CARIBBEAN EXPORT CONTRIBUTES TOWARDS STRENGTHENING TRADE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE CARIBBEAN AND CHINA
The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) supported a contingent of representatives from four (4) of the Region’s Business Support Organisations (BSOs) to participate in the 8th China LAC Business Summit that was held in Changsha, China between September 12-13, 2014. The mission to China led by the Honourable Minister Donville Inniss, Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development for Barbados sought to build relations, discover new potential trading partners and promote the Caribbean for viable investment opportunities. Speaking at the China LAC Summit, Minister Inniss noted that the areas for future cooperation between China and the Caribbean included financial services, logistics, tourism and hotel development, agribusiness and infrastructure development.

Education in Belize: Bullying in Schools / Need for Empathy
October is recognized as National Bullying Prevention month each year in the USA. The entire month is dedicated to combating bullying in Primary/Elementary and Secondary schools -- by placing a spotlight on, and educating others about bullying, in all its ugly forms. Whether physical, emotional, or digital, i.e. via online social media, bullying envelops its victims with many negative and harmful academic, social, and lifetime consequences. Is the pervasive problem of bullying in schools ever accidental, or fully intentional? Does it ever rear its ugly head in schools in Belize today? If it does, is bullying a reflection of our society and/or living conditions?

Belize Gestapo attacks Citizens
For years I’ve been warning you about the impending Police State, a few years ago I even stated we had arrived to that fork in the road. This is one example of it, but yet the leader of the GSU, the Belizeans version of the Gestapo will go on media talking shit. Welcome to the New World Belizeans. So last night I was physically abused by the GSU for a traffic accident that occurred on the corner of North Front street and Douglas Jones. I was heading home when their vehicle pulled up beside me and fired several shots without ever signalling to me that they were police. Well naturally I sped off thinking it was someone trying to rob me. After distancing myself I looked back in the mirror and saw flashing headlights and a very small blue light they had just put on. That’s when I realized they were police and I stopped. They pulled beside me firing several more shots. One came out and said for me to not move. Another said put your hands up and yet another said exit the vehicle. I put my hands tru the door to show them I had nothing yet they seemed even more aggressive. I informed them that I was gonna open the door but from outside so they wouldn’t have any reason to shoot. Two of their officers threw me to the ground and one immediately hit me to the back of my head while another sank his knee in my back.

Invest Belize Magazine vol 3
The main focus of the Invest Belize Magazine Volume 3 is: Agribusiness on the FOREFRONT: Corn, Cacao, Sugar and Citrus (to name a few). With a wide variety of informative articles, content, suppliers and local businesses, I am pleased to present to you:

International Sources

Mosquito Virus That Walloped Caribbean Spreads in U.S
A mosquito-borne virus that can cause debilitating joint pain lasting for years has spread to the continental U.S. after infecting hundreds of thousands of people in the Caribbean and Central America. The virus is called Chikungunya, an African name meaning “to become contorted.” While the illness, first identified in Tanzania in 1952, has long bedeviled Africa and Asia, the only recorded cases in the U.S. before July involved patients who contracted the virus abroad. Now, 11 cases have been confirmed as originating in Florida, spurring concern this may be the beginning of the type of explosive growth seen elsewhere from a disease that has no vaccine or cure. Medical and environmental experts are debating how best to quell the outbreak before it takes off. “In a way it’s surprising it hasn’t been here yet,” said Scott Weaver, a professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

UN: Belize, Barbados Condemn U.S. Blockade Against Cuba
Belize condemned today before the UN the continuous U.S. blockade against Cuba and the Israeli indiscriminate attack at innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip. In his speech during the 69th period of sessions of the Un General Assembly, Foreign Minister of Belize, Wilfred Elrington, expressed his government's concern about the recent death and destruction of innocent Palestinian civilians, mainly unarmed women and children in Gaza. He reiterated his government's support to the peaceful, safe coexistence of the State of Israel and the State of Palestine in their respective borders recognized by the international community. He called for including in the UN agenda the elimination of unilateral harmful practices and joined the rest of the international community demanding the end of the "anachronistic U.S. blockade" against Cuba.

Belize making internet service tax free
Belize will not tax the internet starting October 1, telecoms portal Telegeography reported.

Latin American, Caribbean nations at UN highlight unique challenges, climate change woes
Addressing the General Assembly this morning, Suriname"s Foreign Minister Winston Guno Lackin called on the United Nations to "develop the muscles" needed to democratize itself and move away from the "restrictive" veto power. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belize, Wilfred Elrington also said small countries like his own are disadvantaged by the lack of resources and human, financial and technological capacities, which are only compounded by the increasing effects of climate change. Belize welcomes the UN multilateral legal framework of debt restructuring and hopes it will lead to a robust treaty that will increase the efficiency, stability and predictability of the international financial system. Following the 2008 financial meltdown, there have been "unmistakable and troubling indicia of donor fatigue and a tendency towards isolationism," he said.

Half of nature is still here! ... Yay?
In case you've avoided reading what may be the more depressing reports in the history of the natural world, the awful take-away is basically this: Half the animals of planet Earth have disappeared since 1970, and much of it is the fault of humans. ep, you read that right. Half of the world's vertebrate animal populations are gone. And it happened in only the span of two generations, according the Living Planet Report, which was published on Tuesday by the environmental group WWF, in collaboration with the Global Footprint Network, Water Footprint Network and the Zoological Society of London. "In other words," the report says, "vertebrate species populations across the globe are, on average, about half the size they were 40 years ago." %&*! That's mind-blowingly infuriating. And it's worse for some species and regions, in particular.

New World continues efforts over NP subscription
New World Oil & Gas (LON:NEW) is continuing efforts to progress the Niel Petroleum subscription, announced last year, the firm said in its latest half year results. Under the deal, NP would would invest US$25 million into New World. "Whilst discussions have continued with NP, we regret to inform shareholders that we have not yet seen evidence of sufficient funds for the subscription to proceed although we continue to be assured on a frequent basis that we will and, as noted below, have already received an amount of US$4.8 million in escrow," New World said. The pre-tax loss for the six months to end June narrowed to US$1.9mln compared to a loss of US$9.5mln in 2013 as it reduced overheads.

Videos

Video: Zipling In Belize, 1.5min.
Ziplining Adventure Jaguar Paw, Belize

Video: Wildtracks, Belize 2014, 4min.
My time at Wildtracks, a primate and manatee rehabilitation center.

Video: Taking a Water Taxi in Belize, 2min.
Water taxis, essentially small high-speed ferries, are a great way to travel from mainland Belize to the offshore islands, Ambergris Caye, the most visited spot in the country, and laid-back Caye Caulker to south. You can also travel to remote spots around Ambergris, between islands, and even as far as the town of Chetumal, in Mexico. Travelers often fly in to the international airport in Belize City, take a cab to the ferry landing of one of the two major companies Caye Caulker Water Taxi and San Pedro Belize Express, and then motor over to the islands. There are about five to six ferries per day, with service starting early in the morning and cutting off at dusk. The water taxi are on-time, safe, and reliable. And tickets are inexpensive, running around $22 to $32 round-trip, depending on where you’re going.

Video: GoPro Travel Adventures - Caye Caulker, Belize [The Sweetness of Traveling], 1.5min.
How to spend a week in paradise: Caye Caulker, Belize

Video: Caracol Belize special constable shot dead 2014, 4min.
Just before midday September 25th, 2014, 20 year- old Special Constable (SC) Danny Conorquie, assigned to the Tourism Police Unit was shot and killed in the line of duty at the Caracol Archaeological Site in the Cayo District. Initial reports reveal that SC Conorquie approached two men of Hispanic descent who were on horseback. The two men opened fire, mortally wounding SC Conorquie, and then fled the scene retreating into the dense cover of the jungle. SC Conorquie was rushed to the San Ignacio Town hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. A special constable in Belize is not a full police officer, but rather a low ranking officer receiving two weeks basic training aimed at assisting police officers in the execution of their duties. Caracol is a highly visited tourism site. It is believed that Belizean soldiers in the area had stolen or confiscated 5 horses from peasants in the area, and the peasants retaliated. This is the first time a Belizean has been killed in the area by suspected nationals from Guatemala. Over the past decade some 11 Guatemalan peasants have been shot dead by Belize's security forces.

Video: AT Caracol VIDEO, 4min.
Special Constable Danny Conorquie, he is the first Belizean lawman to be killed in the line of duty, apparently by a Guatemalan civilian - and tonight, five days after he was killed, the 20 year old is still making national headlines. There was a motorcade and protest at the Benque Viejo border today - and we'll tell you about that shortly. But first to a video that was posted on Vimeo last night by a group of tourists who were at Caracol when Conorquie was killed by Guatemalan bandits.

Video: Belize Liveaboard 2012, m18in.
Indy MPH Watersports Belize Liveaboard 2012

Video: 5 Reasons to Travel to Belize Before the Crowds Arrive, 2min.
With the Caribbean dominated by hyperactive all-inclusive resorts, you can still travel to Belize and still go native. Touting a fairytale landscape of white-sand beaches, lush rain forests, and soaring mountains, virtually all activities are accessible from several fun and funky beachfront towns. Belize accommodations are upscale yet small-scale, but much bigger developments are underway.

Video: Christmas in Belize - 2014, 3min.

Video: A fisherman on a pier in San Pedro, Belize netting some fish., 1min.

Video: Belize & Guatemala, 4min.
Caye Caulker & Tikal Travel Video.

Video: Ziplining in Belize, 8min.
GoPro Footage Ziplining in Belize 2 weeks ago.

Video: Half Moon Caye Dive, Belize 9-14, 3min.

Commons Island Community History Visitor Center Goods & Services Search Messages CIG Info Copyright by Casado Internet Group, Belize