August 9, 2015

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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Spectacular dance performances are lighting up the stage at International Costa Maya Festival Noche Tropical

Sargassum linked to dead fish washing onshore
Reports from residents of Northern Ambergris Caye are that dead fish are washing onshore at the Mata Grande area. According to these residents, hundreds of dead fish line the shores, making for a most unpleasant sight (and smell) for passersby. The Hol Chan Marine Reserve was notified and they have already identified the cause of the problem: Sargassum. According to Hol – Chan Marine Reserve manager, Miguel Alamilla, this phenomenon is due to eutrophication caused by the accumulation of the Sargasso seaweed. Sargassum is a brown microalga that floats freely on the sea and never attaches to the ocean floor. This type of seaweed provides refuge for migratory species and it is an essential habitat for some 120 species of fish and invertebrates. However, in the past months, massive quantities of Sargassum line the coast, affecting aquatic resources and even tourism. Investigations revealed that the great influx of Sargassum on the northern beaches of Ambergris Caye, especially at low tide, has dramatically led to a faster rate in its decomposition, giving way to the mass reproduction of bacteria, which in turn causes eutrophication. This activity causes negative environmental effects such as the death of aquatic animals. Alamilla believes that this is the cause of the dead fish appearing on the northern shoreline of the island. “Due to the accumulation of decomposing Sargassum and the increase of bacteria which consumes all the oxygen in the water, the living organisms such as fish perished due to the lack of oxygen in the water,” said Alamilla.

Work continues towards keeping Belize Medfly free
Belize has signed on to the Fruit Fly Control Cooperative Agreement aimed at managing the pests in order to protect crops in Belize and the United States of America. The agreement was signed on Tuesday, July 28th during the Meeting of the Multilateral Fruit Fly Commission held in Cancun, Mexico. This marks the second time a delegation from Belize has participated in such an event. Concerns regarding the invasive pest grew when on Tuesday, July 21st, Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) detected the Mediterranean fruit fly (or Medfly) in Southern Belize. The Medfly is considered the most devastating agricultural pest in the world, and originated in the Mediterranean area. Capable of causing extensive damage to a wide range of fruit crops, the Medfly has spread invasively to many parts of North, Central and South America. BAHA has identified possible outbreaks of Medfly in the Hopkins Village in the Stann Creek District and Sapodilla Cayes in the Toledo District. As a result, eradication activities such as fruit stripping, ground spraying, and delimitation trapping are underway in these areas. Belize is the only country in the region that is free of this pest and it is only when infested Medfly hosts, such as fruits and vegetables, are brought into Belize illegally that this pest is introduced. Adult Medfly lay eggs under the skins of fruit which serve as a distribution vessel.

Splash Summer Camp: teaching children valuable swimming skills
The third annual Splash Summer camp kicked off on Monday, August 3rd at the Boca del Rio Park in San Pedro Ambergris Caye. The program, which is open to children ages 6-15, teaches the basics of swimming. The camp will run for the entire month of August, on Mondays to Thursdays from 8:30AM to 11:30AM. All interested youth are invited to attend any of the camp days. According to camp organizer Kent Gabourel, the first day had a good turnout and the number of participants is expected to increase in the coming weeks. “As we get more of the swimming materials, we expect to have more children each day. Apart from keeping the children busy during their summer holiday, the camp will also make way for great swimmers as we will teach them the different skills of swimming,” said Gabourel. “Swimming is very healthy for the children since they work out their entire body, keeping them fit, and they learn skills to swim properly in any type of conditions or waters,” stated Gabourel.

Misc Belizean Sources

Annual Tres Pescados Fly Fishing Tournament
The Annual Tres Pescados Fly Fishing Tournament is over. At the awards banquet held August 8th, organizer Wil Flack announced that through the tournament, $15,000BZ will be donated to Oceana in Belize to continue their work in the fight against Gill Net fishing. The tournament is donating $13,000 and 3rd place winners 'Size Matters' donated their $2,000 cash prize towards the cause as well. Congratulations to all involved!!

CTV3

15 Year Old Minor Charged For Samir's Murder
On Wednesday we told you about the murder of 23 year old Samir Vivas and yesterday at the K.H.M.H morgue a post-mortem examination was conducted on the body. According to the Pathologist, Vivas’ cause of death was certified as that of "Exsanguinations due to internal bleeding due to aorta vein injury due to stab wound to the abdomen." And in an update to that murder, police have arrested and charged 15 year old minor of San Antonio Village, Corozal, for the crime of murder. The minor was charged in the presence of his mother and a Justice of the Peace. Since he is a minor we are unable to release is name.

NTV Remains Focus On Their Journey Even With Advice Form BDF Commander
In an interview today with the media Brigadier General David Jones condemned the planned visit of the Northern Territorial Volunteers at the Sarstoon Island in southern Belize on August 16th. He says the trip can jeopardize the relationship between both countries something which we can’t afford at this time. Here is what he had to say. “If they would ask my advice I would advise them not to go. The reason for this is because the border between Belize and Guatemala and the country of Belize has a territorial dispute with Guatemala. They have professed that almost half of the country belongs to them at times, at times they profess that the entire country belongs to them and that area in particular near the Sarstoon they are contesting that the island has never been in dispute. Our version of what we know is that the Sarstoon Island belongs to Belize, they have a different view. It doesn’t make sense to have a confrontation over the issue, it is better for the foreign affairs to foreign affairs try and work out that problem.

BDF Commander Sepaks About Increase Military Presence In The North
Earlier in the newscast we told you about the helicopter found near the vicinity of the Belize/Mexico Border in the community of Blue Creek in the Orange Walk District. The first suspicion that arose was that of El Chapo’s Guzman presence in Belize. Today the media took the time to ask BDF Commander David Jones about Belize’s increased military presence in the North since the escape of Mexico’s infamous drug lord. “We have operations running there at the moment regular operations jointly with the BDF and the police I won’t disclose what sort of operations that we are doing because we can alert people that we operating in the area.”

One More Aircraft To Be Added To Military Fleet
While investigations continue into the mysterious helicopter found in Blue Creek in the Orange Walk District, the Belize Defense Force is looking forward to the addition of two military type helicopters to be added to their fleet of transport. Since the pull-out of the British Military Training unit in 2012, government has been going around cap in hand begging their partners in the US, the UK and Taiwan for assistance in getting a helicopter. And last year October, Government announced that they found a multi-million dollar deal for two helicopters. BDF Commander, David Jones says the helicopters from Taiwan are expected to arrive shortly. “The two helicopters that are expected to come from Taiwan. We expect them sometime the end of this year. Before the end of the year, we are going to have those two helicopters in the country. We had a team from Taiwan who came in to do a site visit. They looked at the facilities we got and they plan to bring the two helicopters in, assemble them and fly them around. And subsequently, we are doing concurrently at the moment, trying to get a different team to come in to train our pilots to fly that particular platform because our pilots have been trained to fly the Bell, which is similar as the helicopter they flew in, but there needs to be some sort of conversion for them to fly a different platform. So we expect those in by end of the year, and they will be operational at the end of the year.”

Orange Walk Police Discovers Abandoned Aircraft Near Blue Creek Village
Yesterday afternoon, Police officers made a mysterious finding in the San Felipe/Blue Creek area of the Orange Walk District. According to authorities, around midday while conducting anti-drug operations in Orange Walk Town, the Anti- Narcotics Unit received information of an aircraft circling San Felipe/ Blue creek area. As a result, the team proceeded to the area where about 3:00p.m they found a grey helicopter with dark tinted windows with registration numbers N607AZ on a feeder road in the Blue creek area. The aircraft was secured and a thorough search was conducted in the area. However, no one or anything else was found. Commander of the BDF, Brigadier General David Jones told the media today that they were called in to remove the helicopter "I won't be at liberty to give you much information on that Bell helicopter. That was a police operation. After the aircraft was probably captured I believe in the Blue Creek area, our Belize Defence Force pilots were requested to fly the helicopter into to our area."

F.O.B. Will Continue For Combating Illicit Activities
For months, stories concerning the construction of the Forward Operating Base near the mouth of the Sarstoon River have been dominating headlines and today discussions on the matter wages on in corporate and public domains. Viewers may recall that in May of this year the Belize Coast Guard travelled to the Sarstoon Island, Belize’s southernmost territorial point, to perform reconnaissance duty for the possibilities of establishing a base on the island. That trip resulted in tense confrontations between the Belize Coast Guard and the Guatemalan Navy. Since then, we had not heard anything about the forward operating base until a few weeks ago when the Minister of Foreign Affairs revealed that the Guatemalan authorities had issues with building the base inside sovereign Belizean territory. And so the project was put on hold until a discussion was held between Belize and Guatemala’s Foreign Ministers. Upon visiting Belize a few days ago Guatemala’s Foreign Minister Carlos Raul Morales mentioned that the reason that the Guatemalan Government opposed to the construction of the Coast Guard's Forward Operating Base was because an agreement was signed in the Confidence Building Measures that neither country would construct military bases at the border. That statement was refuted by four former P.U.P Foreign Ministers and even by Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Assad Shoman who was the lead negotiator when it comes to the confidence building measures. According to Shoman the three agreements signed between 1998 and 2008 which make up part of the signed Confidence Building Measures in no way prohibits Belize from building military bases at the border.

The Reporter

“We’re ready for office”, says VIP
With looming talks of early general elections, the political third party Vision Inspired by the People (VIP) is making strides to establish itself as a viable option for Belizean voters. The party has moved on establishing a national secretariat in the City of Belmopan, and is also looking into having an office operating in Belize City. It has also moved increasing accessibility by establishing its website http://vipbze.org/. The VIP also continues to dialogue with the business community and civil society on the need for policy reforms in the country. Acting chairman for the Belize district, Paco Smith, explained that the party’s efforts are to reassure the electorate of its stability. He added that the party has maintained strong activism, challenging the current administration on national issues. “We’re prepared to make the necessary changes once in office, to make sure Belize is on the right path”, Smith said. “We’re about making the substantive change needed to ensure this country’s development.”

Citizens can help reduce vector borne diseases says MOH
The Ministry of Health, in its latest vector control program report, cited citizen engagement as a major challenge in combating the spread of vector borne diseases. The Report, which details the statistics and interventions in reducing Dengue fever, Malaria, and Chikungunya, showed that while strides have been made in decreasing cases, there are still high incidents of people leaving items in their yards, such as drums, tires and bottles. These serve as breeding sites for mosquitoes. “We need a behaviour change”, said Kim Bautista, chief operator of the VCP. “What the vector control unit does is only about 20 percent of what is needed to prevent dengue.” According to the report, there has been a 16 percent reduction of dengue cases, with Belize City showing the highest reduction rate (46 percent). There have only been nine cases of malaria for this year, primarily in southern Belize, and only two positive cases of Chikungunya, which were not locally contracted.

Likelihood that most wanted drug fugitive is in Belize heightens amidst discovery of mystery chopper near northern border
The discovery of an abandoned helicopter around 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday by the Anti Drug Unit near the Belize-Mexico border has heightened the probability that wanted Mexican fugitive may be in Belize. The chopper was found in very good working condition, but its features and proximity to the border are what led authorities to believe that the man called “El Chapo” could be in Belize. The grey BELL-407 chopper, said to be worth around $4 million, has heavily tinted windows and has registration numbers N607AZ – not traceable to any country thus far. It was on a feeder road near Blue Creek Village, Orange Walk – a community located on the country’s northwestern side of the border – where contraband activity is rife. Inside the aircraft police discovered a number of blue plastic receptacles containing fuel. It was flown to the Belize Defense Force’s Price Barracks base and will join the fleet if two helicopters which Belize will receive from Taiwan, ironically to conduct border patrols.

The Belize Times

KHMH runs of out beds! – …Petrocaribe NOT Rolling Here
The nation’s only referral hospital is overwhelmed. It has begun to turn back patients because they have run out of beds."][/caption] Belize City, August 6, 2015 The Barrow Administration has had access to hundreds of millions of dollars through the Petrocaribe initiative. Some $400m will likely have been borrowed through the initiative by the end of this year. Of those millions, one would think the Government would have been investing heavily on the priorities for our people: education, health care and the creation of jobs. But such is not the case. The Petrocaribe funds, obtained and spent in flagrant contravention of the Finance and Audit (Reform) Act, have been used solely to advance the political agenda of the United Democratic Party in Government. Millions promised to keep the people of the Cayo North East area from rising up against the politician turned passport salesman, Elvin Penner; millions spent in Belize City to prop up the image of a man who uses his office as Mayor to lobby for a political constituency so he could call himself one of the ‘big boys’ in the UDP; millions more to keep UDP cronies happy through the awarding of million-dollar contracts for projects that could have waited as priorities are being neglected. And of course, millions more for buy-elections to gain political seats and power for an absolutely corrupt Government. Petrocaribe has not built a single classroom...

Lying and Deceitful Mayor
I have concluded that the Mayor of Belize City, Darrell Bradley, is a liar and a deceiver. On June 7, I went to his convention at Lopez Mateo Park and when he arrived I asked him if I can take photographs of the event and he agreed. I began to take shots of him as he greeted some of the constituents of Caribbean Shores. I was using a digital camera and because of my experience in taking photographs that would be used for political purposes I did not put a limit to the amount of photographs I would take. A woman by the name of Michelle Smith, whom I believe is a campaigner for the Mayor, asked me if I was taking photographs for the mayor and I said, yes. She then told me that she wanted me to take photographs of every move the mayor makes. At the end of the convention I checked the number of photographs I took and it amounted to 148. I told Ms. Smith that I will burn the photographs on a DVD and she told me that I can give the DVD to her. So the following day, June 8, after I burned the photographs I gave the DVD along with an invoice for $300.00 to Ms. Smith at her office at City Hall. She told me that she will pass them on to Armead, the Mayor’s Campaign Manager.

First Caribbean Bank Closes! – Over 60 Employees Face Termination
The worst kind of news hit over sixty employees of the First Caribbean International Bank with the announcement that the bank will be shutting down its doors for good once it completes the sale of its assets to another local bank. The deal between FCIB, which is owned by the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), and Heritage Bank of Belize has been in negotiations behind closed doors for several weeks, and it was not until the senior officials of international bank met with leaders of the Christian Workers Union on Monday, August 3rd, that the cat was let out of the bag. The Christian Worker’s Union was the first to sound the alarm, confirming reports that had been swirling for at least a month. The CWU had attempted to get answers when they wrote the bank on July 3rd, 2015, but they got none. This week, amidst great controversy triggered by the Union, the FCIB was forced to respond. They offered very little details on the reasons for their decision, and the Chief Executive Officer of CIBC First Caribbean’s Regional Operations, Rik Parkhill, only indicated in a press release that the bank had “conducted a strategic review of our business across the region and given the growth path we have identified we have made the difficult decision to sell our Belize operations”.

Minor detained for fatal stabbing Corozal – 23 yr. old victim would have celebrated his birthday on Monday
A 15 year old minor has turned himself into Police custody following an altercation between him and a 23 year old which ended with the elder youth being fatally stabbed. The minor could be facing murder charges as soon as the Police complete their investigations this week. Meanwhile, the family of Samir Vivas is in mourning as they prepare to put him to rest. The altercation occurred around 8:30pm on Tuesday, in front of the victim’s home in the Venezuelan site of town. According to the Vivas’ family, the minor’s sister was dating their loved one. He had gone to the minor’s home to visit her, but a quarrel ensued over a stolen bicycle. The quarrel turned into a fight and during the brawl, the minor reportedly took a sharp object and stabbed Vivas to the abdomen.

Big Up BelCare!
I beg my readers’ indulgence this week as I take a break from the rhetoric of politics to touch on a topic dear to my heart: sports. I agree with both Mandela and Baron de Coubertin that sports is integral to the development of character and it can serve to break down barriers. I have always felt that way too little attention is paid to sports in our education system and as a result, we are plagued by severe character flaws in our people. There is a direct correlation between the decline of sports in our nation and the increase of crimes in our streets. The second quotes above are by Pierre de Frédy, Baron de Coubertin who was a French pedagogue and historian and is known as the “Father of the modern day Olympics.” He was the primary force in the revival of the Olympic Games in 1896 which was nearly 1,500 years after the closing of the original games in Athens. As “le Renovateur” (the reviver) of the Olympic Games, Pierre de Coubertin influenced the entire world, bringing people of all nations, races, and cultures closer together in a common pursuit of excellence in sports. Born in 1863, Coubertin was himself active in many sports and regarded sports as playing an essential for the development of human character, and that through sportsmanship one develops one’s moral energy. He thus saw sport as an important part of the personal development of young people and regarded it as a core part of the general educational strategy for his home country France. Coubertin subscribed to the theory that “it is not whether you win or lose but how well you play the game”.

When a bank fails…
When the news broke that First Caribbean International Bank with its main branch on Albert Street would be closing its doors, our first concern was the sixty plus employees who were effectively being given notice that their services would be terminated. Their firing is pending the finalisation of a huge deal that will see the bank accounts of private shareholders who own Heritage Bank multiply. This is the nature of the beast known as capitalism in our neo-liberal globalized world. We must congratulate the Christian Worker’s Union and their ever-vigilant President Audrey Matura Shepherd who have stood with the employees and are committed to ensuring that they are not chanced in any way as the banks’ elites make sure they exit with every penny due to them, and more if possible. Such is also the nature of the beast. This situation is a tremendous devastation in many ways. We put it that while the closure of an entire bank is like an economic bomb detonating, which cannot be missed by the news headlines, on the ground level, hundreds of similar but smaller-in-scale economic disasters have been missed and even dismissed by many.

Belize Bank Bulldogs U-14 win “Puppy” Leslie basketball marathon
The Belize Bank U-14 Bulldogs won the “Puppy” Leslie invitational basketball marathon hosted by the Belize Bank Bulldogs Basketball Club at Bird Isle last Thursday to Sunday. The Bulldogs edged out Light of Peace 62-59, led by MVP Philip “P.J.” Parks with 22 points and 23 rebounds. Corey Popper added 12 points, and Kenyon Requena and Artest Ifield had 8 points apiece. Light of Peace’s Kerdell Tench had 20 points and 8 rebounds, while Jahmar Harris added 14 points and Dennis Sanchez and Tariq Pascacio had 7 points apiece. Coach Rupert Brown of the Belize Bank Bulldogs Club presented individual trophies to the champions and medals to the 2nd place winners, and a team trophy to the Bulldogs’ captain and coach. Philip “PJ” Parks won the Most Valuable Player award.

Rising Starz – No. 1 in women’s football playoffs
Undefeated Rising Starz is looking to secure the Cayo women’s football championship as they bombed the Real West Strikers: 4-0 in the Adventures Club football playoffs at the Norman Broaster Stadium on Sunday. Leonella Chuc scored the first 2 winning goals in the 18th and 20th minutes and Shayama Caliz added a 3rd goal in the 41st minute for a 3-0 lead at the half. Shayama scored a 4th goal in the 80th minute to seal the 4-0 win. The No. 4 seed Belmopan Lucky Strikers will take on the UB Jaguars in a consolation match for 3rd place on Sunday, August 9, before the Rising Starz and the Real West Strikers take the field for the rematch to decide the championship.

Deon McCauley is Superb! – Top Striker scores hat trick in friendly match in O.W.
Football fans in the north got to see Belize’s top goleador Deon McCauley work his magic with brilliance as he scored a hat-trick against a formidable Orange Walk selection. The local team hosted the national team for a practice friendly at the Louisiana Government School field in Orange Walk Town on Sunday. The Jaguars have less than a month to complete their preparation, but they have a very good chance of winning against Canada, who they take on in the 3rd round of the World Cup Russia 2018 qualifiers in Canada on September 4. Belize will host Canada at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan on September 8. Macaulay’s 1st goal came in the 13th minute when the Sugar City goalie misplayed the ball on a shot at goal by Gabriel Perez. Sugar City’s sweeper Andrew Allen brought down McCauley on the goal line, but too late, Deon had already tapped the loose ball into the net: 1-0.

UB makes small retreat in mandatory insurance fee scheme
The students of the University of Belize have won a small victory as the University of Belize appears to have made a small but significant retreat with its plan to impose a mandatory insurance policy on its students. Last week the incoming students were slapped with a last minute notice that they must buy insurance to complete their registration at the University. There was no consultation with students about this new scheme. The students riled up and expressed outrage on the social media. “This is rip off. Using coercion on poor students to in the name of insurance,” posted one student. “Ub to chancey.. they know we need our education so they the try find ways fi tek our money,” said another. “We need to protest against UB imposing insurance on all students. It should be optional,” said another post. In support of the students was the Belize Youth Movement, the outspoken and militant youth arm of the People’s United Party. BYM led by its President Alberto Vellos issued out a stern statement calling on the University to withdraw the mandatory policy. BYM indicated that it supports the idea of offering affordable insurance to students, but it should not be imposed on the students.

UB faculty & staff request salary increase – Minister of Education Patrick Faber tells them to join waiting list
Minister of Education Patrick Faber attempted to school the faculty and staff of the University of Belize in response to their request for a salary increase. Faber answered that the University faculty and staff will have to join the waiting line that includes others such as the employees of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital and Belize Electricity Limited who have also requested a pay raise, but are facing resistance by the Government. This resistance has forced the BEL Union members to protest for three days in Belize City last week, while KHMH workers took serious action by cancelling all services except emergencies. It appears UB faculty and staff will have to borrow a page from the books of BEL and KHMH employees if they want any form of results.

10 Yr. Old Robbed by Machete-Wielding Men
A 10 year old male student of Concepcion Village in the Corozal District is traumatized after he was violently assaulted and robbed by two machete-armed men. The child reported to the Police that he was in the area known as Baeza Layout with his sister around midday on Tuesday, August 4th, when they were approached by two male persons who he did not know. The men wore masks, said the child, and they demanded money from them. The child said that one of the men that was armed with a machete, lashed him on his left arm and back of his head, forcing him and his sister to hand over $80 and his LG Touch cellular phone valued at $280.

2 youths shot in Jane Usher “Gaza” area
Two young men are hospitalised after sustaining gunshot injuries during separate shootings in the Jane Usher Boulevard area just before 10am on Wednesday morning. 21 year old Raheem Arnold was shot in the pelvic area by an armed man who confronted him on the street side. Witnesses say they heard the two exchanging words followed by a chase through the bushes and the sound of gunshots. Arnold was found injured in the bushes and rushed to the hospital where he is being treated. Shortly after, gunshots rang out again as 18-year-old Shemar Moore was shot as he reportedly walked to his grandmother’s house. He was shot to right arm, left arm pit, left foot, and to the left upper leg. Police say they are looking for two suspects in relation to these shootings.

Guatemala YET to pay for gunboat’s damage to Belize’s reef – “What do you think we should do if they don’t pay?” clueless Sedi Elrington asks Channel 5 reporter
All indications are that Foreign Minister Sedi Elrington has no clue how he will get the Government of Guatemala to pay for the damages its gunboat made to Belize’s reef on Glover’s Reef in June of this year. The damage to the reef has been estimated by Government officials at a measly $46,000. According to Elrington and his second in command on Guatemalan aggression matters, Colonel (Retired) George Lovell, they sent a diplomatic note to Guatemala informing them of the damage assessment and “inviting” them to pay for it. But it seems this note got lost in the mail, along every other official protest against the continuous and intensifying acts of hostility by Guatemala. Neither Elrington nor Lovell has received a response from Guatemala.

Atlantic Bank loses link to international banks – GOB/Central Bank’s economic “gurus” silent as banks suffer
Yet another bank in Belize has suffered a heavy price as a result of the Barrow Administration’s failure to comply with international accountability and transparency standards. Atlantic Bank announced late last week that its “correspondent bank account with Bank of America will be closed as of Friday July 31, 2015”. As a result, its banking services such as Wire Transfers, U.S. Bank Drafts and Foreign Currency have been adversely affected. In fact, the bank announced to its customers that Thursday July 30th was the last day for wire transfers through its Bank of America account. “…we will not be able to facilitate any foreign currency wire transfers or USD Bank Drafts until further notice,” declared the bank in a notice issued to customers. Atlantic Bank has had an arrangement with Bank of America for correspondent banking. This has allowed customers to make financial transactions to the United States and other parts of the world through a main U.S. bank. U.S. banks, like the Bank of America, are at the center of the global financial system and through the correspondent banking arrangement Belize’s banks are strategically linked to them.

Of this and that…
News in Belize is Bad News. America has investigative journalism. They buss ting and expose. They inform. Big Up Channel 5 at least they have healthy living. Jules, he… Channel 7 does not try to teach. They do not inform. Channel 7 is about propaganda. It is not about information. It is not about education. It teaches you nothing. All bad news. Evening news is a big tool. Missed opportunity. It teaches a nation. Belize is educated at 6:30. It is a lost opportunity. Evan X is right. Politicians should stay out of the news business. Listen to him Jules. Missionary Position A child dies. This is very sad. He drowns on a trip. A trip to Blue Creek Cave. That is in Toledo. He was with missionaries. This is sad. But geez. That place is so pretty.

WOMAN IN THE HOUSE – AMAZING GLORIA
I was in a bit of shock several evenings ago when I received a text message from Emy Gilharry Ramirez, informing family and friends that Gloria Gilharry had passed away in Arizona, USA a few days before, and that the memorial service for her would be held on Friday, July 31 in Corozal Town. For many years I have been close friends with the Gilharry sisters, expecially Grace (Graciela), Gloria and Emy. There are certain persons in life who always hold a very special place in our consciousness and memory. Grace is one such person. For almost two years when I was a law student in Jamaica, I stayed with Grace and Maurice Saunders and their family. Their kindness and generosity towards me when I was a struggling university student is something I will never forget. Through Grace, I became good friends with Gloria and Emy, and I knew their parents, Allan and Andrea Gilharry, quite well and held them in the greatest of respect while they were alive.

SENATOR LISA SHOMAN’S OPEN LETTER TO BTL
Dear Sirs and Mesdames, RE : DIGICELL ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN I write to you on the mentioned subject in several capacities -as a former Chairman of Belize Telecommunications Limited, a Senator, a Belizean, and a woman. As a taxpayer, I would also add the capacity of shareholder. DigiCell has, for some time now been conducting a social media advertising campaign on Facebook and Instagram which carries advertisement of the services offered by your company which are offensive to women, and lately, degrading and in one particular case, suggests that violence/abusive restraint are not only acceptable, but laudable and uses the hash tag #tryduct tape. The matter first came to my attention with the “ Free WiFi Pan Di Road” campaign, when two images were used to sell your product line. One was a close-up of a female bottom, clad in jeans. The juxtaposition was clear to most. Innuendo about “free wifey” escaped the notice of no one, and the egregious use of the body part to sell “wifi pan di road” was unmistakable.

Breaking Belize News

BDF asserts right to work in Sarstoon area
While refraining from any suggestion of misleading statements, Commander of the Belize Defence Force Brigadier General David Jones refuted the position of Guatemalan foreign minister Carlos Morales as presented a few weeks ago that Belize nor Guatemala would increase the number of military bases at the border, per […]

Henry Cunningham wants back gun from GSU – “public safety” a concern, says boss
In December of 2014 we reported on raids conducted by the Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) in the Conch Shell Bay area of Belize City. In one of them, police are accused of breaking into the home of farmer and retiree Henry Cunningham, 82, and retrieving his shotgun and […]

“Tear gas” Grenade found in Eastern Division headquarter
A CS gas grenade was apparently found on the third floor of the Racoon Street Police Station, which serves as official headquarters for Eastern Division (South) and previously for all of Eastern Division in Belize City, on Friday evening. The building had to be evacuated around 3:30 after […]

Immigration “unable” to renew Belize passport for naturalized citizen
Ruth Castillo, a naturalized Belizean originally from Honduras, has for the past year been unable to get the Immigration Department to renew her expired Belizean passport because she does not have a verified birth or naturalization certificate. The 46 year old told Amandala in this week’s issue that she has […]

Blogs

Early Mornings & Late Nights Meet: Costa Maya Festival & Tres Pescados Flyfishing Slam On Ambergris Caye
San Pedro town is absolutely packed. Every golf cart is rented out…and kids are hanging off every balcony in town. The International Costa Maya Festival is in town. The history of the event is pretty interesting, totally worth a look at the pictures and write up in AmbergrisCaye.com. (Awesome body builder contest!) According to Special Correspondent Fin K, the event used to be both day and night. Food from all the Central American countries…ending with a giant parade through town. Here are some pictures I took last night of the set-up of the stage…and the Honduran band, El Chevo (although it said El Chebo on the big screens) practicing for Saturday night. On the total time flip-side, Tres Pescados Fly is holding their 7th Annual Slam Tournament. I say flip-side because while Costa Maya revelers are exiting the clubs, these anglers are headed out to hook tarpon, permit and bonefish…

International Sources

How to Talk to Dolphins: An Interview with Susan Casey
In bestselling author Susan Casey’s third book, she explores the intimate relationship between humans and dolphins. One of the stories that inspired bestselling author Susan Casey’s new book on the intricate world of dolphins, Voices of the Earth, is almost too beautiful to be believed. A biologist named Maddalena Bearzi was studying a group of dolphins off the coast of Los Angeles when she noticed something strange. The “pod” (group of dolphins) had just landed upon a herd of sardines. They were about to start feeding—something that usually transfixes the whole group—when one, unexpectedly, darted off. In moments, the rest followed, swimming full speed out to sea. When she reached them, three miles offshore, the pod had a formed a circle—in the middle of it, a girl’s floating body. Very near death, the girl had a plastic bag with her identification and a suicide note wrapped around her neck. With the dolphins help, she was saved. “I still think about and dream about that cold day,” Bearzi wrote of the sighting. “And that tiny, pale girl lost in the ocean and found again for some inexplicable reason, by us, by the dolphins.” Our inexplicably intimate relationship and longtime fascination with dolphins provides a backdrop for Casey’s third book. From bizarre 1950s scientists to a community of dolphin worshippers, it’s an eye-opening look at the world below the sea.

BELIZE, UM LUGAR PARADISÍACO
A partir de 8 de dezembro, a Copa Airlines oferecerá dois voos semanais para Belize, desde o Hub de Las Americas, na cidade do Panamá. Com isso, o brasileiro terá mais um destino de viagem na América Central. Belize é mais um lugar paradisíaco. Mais de 40% do país foi transformado em parques e reservas naturais com águas cristalinas, cavernas e fauna exuberante. Possui um ecossistema marinho privilegiado composto por atóis, manguezais, bancos de areia e a segunda maior barreira de corais do mundo, o que faz do lugar um destino perfeito para mergulho. Com uma costa com mais de 500 quilômetros, é repleta de atóis e os famosos “Blue Holes”. Os principais pontos de mergulho são as ilhas Turneffe, o Lighthouse Reef, o Atol de Glover e Ambergris Caye. Belize é muito bem servido de “Liveaboards” e resorts especializados em mergulho. A melhor época para o mergulho é de abril a junho.

A threat smelling to high heaven — Obama whiffs it
It was uncanny, but reflective of thoughtful and caring minds, that just days before President Barack Obama made his far-reaching statement about climate change on August 3, Caribbean poet, author and intellectual, Ian McDonald, made a point to me that was echoed by the US president. In responding to a commentary I wrote on July 23, entitled 'Climate change: Time for talking is over', McDonald wrote: "It astonishes me that world so-called leaders continually talk of ISIS (now but not long ago it was al-Qaeda, and tomorrow it will be some other threat du jour) as an 'existential threat' when a real existential threat like climate change is right under their noses smelling to high heaven." Ten days later, in his remarks announcing a "clean power plan" for the United States, President Obama declared: "I am convinced that no challenge poses a greater threat to our future and future generations than a changing climate." It was a bold and courageous step for an American president to proclaim that climate change is a threat, let alone the greatest threat to the future of Americans and mankind.

International fare deals are taking flight
Each week, airfares seem to be going down, down, down. Just last week, we saw nonstop flights from Dallas to Chicago, New York City and Boston for as low as $81 round trip. I don’t think the airlines ever imagined fares this low. If I went to American’s corporate office in August 2014 and told them that in a year they would offer these fares, they would have laughed me out of there. We recently saw a sale from Dallas on United for $225 to Belize, $259 to San Jose, Costa Rica, and $329 to Liberia, Costa Rica. The fares to Liberia are normally in the $700 to $900 range, so it is a dramatic drop. When looking for deals out of Dallas, I’d look at Belize, San Jose, Liberia, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Cancún, Mexico City and Montego Bay for travel after Oct. 15. The prices we are seeing on some of these routes are very similar to what we are seeing out of Houston on Southwest and United.

Ask an expert: Safety and travel in Central America
Q. I'm hoping to tour Mexico, Belize and Guatemala in early 2016 and wondered what kind of vaccinations will be necessary. Also, what are the fastest/cheapest ways to get between Cancun and Mexico City? A. Rabies, malaria, hepatitis and tetanus are worth enquiring about. Yellow fever is not necessary in Central America. Guatemala is such an inspirational part of the world, and stunning! Spend your time in Antigua City, not Guatemala City. Visit Lake Atitlan, climb a volcano and conquer some Mayan ruins.

Videos

August 8, 2015

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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Camp Starfish provides speech and physical therapy to island children with disabilities
As part of the 2nd annual Ambergris Caye Camp Starfish activities, participants will also be benefiting from the assistance of speech and physical therapists. Volunteering their services are Speech-Language Pathology specialist Kimberlee Almon and Physical Therapy specialist Kaity Kobayashi. From Monday, August 3rd to the end of camp, Friday August 7th, the specialist have been visiting the homes of special needs children providing vital therapeutic care. Camp Starfish organizers would like to extend big thanks to Tropic Air for providing the free airfare to specialists from Belize City to San Pedro Town. Special appreciation goes to Almon and Kobayshi for taking the time to visit the homes of children with disabilities and providing them with a service not commonly offered in San Pedro.

Belize’s delegation wins silver at 2015 Special Olympics
On Tuesday, August 4th a large crowd gathered at the Philip Goldson International Airport to welcome the Belize delegation returning from the 2015 Special Olympics. Held in Los Angeles, California, USA from Saturday, July 25th to Sunday, August 2nd, the event saw 6,500 special needs athletes from 165 nations competing in 25 Olympic-type sports. After representing their country proudly, the Belize delegation did not return empty handed as they had captured silver medals in Unified Bocce and Bocce Doubles. Head of the Belize delegation and National Director for the Special Olympics in Belize, Elodia Bautista explained that the four athletes had been practicing for the past nine months and were excited when they placed in their discipline. “It was a first time experience for them, they had no knowledge of what to expect or what to do. When they got there they were surprised at the hospitality of our Belizean community in Los Angeles and of the host village that hosted us for the first few days,” said Bautista. The athletes representing Belize were Jasmine Flores, Ilda Romero, Ana Emmanuel and Jayna Locke, all students from Holy Ghost Primary School in Dangriga.

Police to enforce laws against public drinking and loitering
According Deputy Officer in Charge of the Coastal Executive Unit, Assistant Superintendent Henry Jemmott, island officers have already been informed of the new regimen. Jemmott also indicated that he has consulted with Mayor of San Pedro Town, Daniel Guerrero, who is in full support of the anti-public drinking and loitering initiative. “In working with to reduce crimes that affect quality of life, the department has stated that we will start by first warning the public and educating them on the laws on public drinking and loitering. We will then move on to enforce the regulation,” said Jemmott. Under Section 44:01 (1) of the Intoxicated Liquor License Act, Chapter 150 of the Sustentative laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2003, it is an offence to commit the act of public drinking and any person found guilty of violating the law in the first instance is fined $25BZ followed by a fine of $50BZ if convicted for a second time. Loitering is an offence contrary to section 4(1) XLI of the Summary of Jurisdiction Offences Act, Chapter 98 of the Sustentative laws of Belize Revised Edition 2003. It is committed by any person who loiters or carouses in any street or public place or in any open space of ground in the immediate neighborhood of such street or public place or in or about any shop/store and does not quietly leave or move away when desired so to do by any police constable, owner of shop/store; or threatens, insults or cause annoyance to a passerby. Any person in violation of this law will face a fine of $200BZ, in default two month imprisonment, if found guilty in the first instance. Second instance carries a fine of $400BZ, in default six months imprisonment.

Ambergris Today

Miss Honduras Claims Costa Maya Crown 2015
It’s Honduras’ second claim to the coveted Miss Costa Maya crown since 2006 as Miss Honduras Gabriela Vanessa Salazar Valle was selected as the new Miss Costa Maya 2015 at the Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant that kicked off the San Pedro International Costa Maya Festival 2015, on Thursday, August 6. The pageant was bursting with Caribbean flavor as the theme embraced Carnival in the region during the four segments of the pageant. Entertainment that kept ties with the Carnival theme were performances by The San Pedro AIDS Commission Carnaval Group with the opening act, the Belize National Dance Company with Belizean Soca Entertainer Ernestine Carballo and Alma Caribeña dance group from Mexico. The pageant was hosted by Mr. Eiden Salazar and Karen Jordan, Miss Costa Maya 2012 from Panama.

Camp Starfish Delivers Fun Program for Special Needs Children
Camp Starfish celebrated a very successful summer camp for special needs children on the island of Ambergris Caye with a colorful and cheerful parade through the streets of downtown San Pedro on Thursday, August 06, 2015. Running on its second year, the camp has grown bigger and better, providing more fun and services for its participants. Special invited guest for the last day of camp, awards ceremony and celebratory parade was First Lady of Belize Mrs. Kim Simplis-Barrow, Global Ambassador for Special Olympics and Special Envoy for Women and Children, Founder of Lifeline Foundation, who has also extended a helping hand for the amazing summer camp that provides a two-week program for children with mental and/or physical disorders.

Misc Belizean Sources

More mangrove explorers!
Today we used our magnifying glasses to take a closer look at the critters that inhabit the mangroves, seagrass and sargassum sea weed. There were lots of new things to see! Kaz was lucky enough to spot a seahorse but these wonderful creatures are very shy, and it quickly jumped off its root and disappeared into the cover of the deeper mangrove roots. We will try and find it again next time!

Independent Horror from Austin
The summer is at its hottest this month and there’s no better way to combat the heat than to read a couple of chilling thrillers with the AC full blast (hoping you avoid the rolling blackouts). I mean, you could drive up to Austin and splash around in a river or lake, but I recommend instead bringing Austin into your home with two titles I recently read by authors living in the land of the weird. With his latest, “Hungry Darkness,” journalist and author Gabino Iglesias has crafted a fun, Benchley-esque horror that will keep you from the beaches the way “Jaws” once did. The book opens with the arrogant Nick Ayres, an explorer who dreams of filming an expedition into Giant Cave, a massive underwater grotto beneath the small island of Caye Caulker in Belize. When National Geographic underwrites his exploration, he surreptitiously hires an advance crew to blow open a narrow entrance into a deeper, uncharted cave. This act of stupid hubris frees a massive and monstrous octopod that destroys his team and then proceeds (in a series of interpolated vignettes) to kill and eat a bunch of humans.

Gabriela Vanessa Salazar Valle gives her first official address as Reina de La Costa Maya 2015/2016

Government of Belize Acquires New Helicopter as promised
A possible Narco/Human Trafficking Helicopter was found in the Orange Walk District. On Wednesday 5th August 2015 about midday while conducting anti-drug operations in Orange Walk town, the Anti- Narcotics Unit received information of an aircraft circling San Felipe/ Blue creek area. As a result, the team proceeded to the area at 3:00 p.m. they found a grey helicopter with dark tinted windows with registration numbers N607AZ on a feeder road in the Blue creek area. The aircraft was secured and a thorough search was conducted in the area. However, no one or anything else was found.

BOLEDO DRAWING for Friday, August 7, 2015: 27. PICK 3: 7 4 2

Cleanup campaign on Caye Caulker
Today is the last day of the month long cleanup campaign on Caye Caulker. We will meet in the south at the Nature Reserve around 9. This area needs to be cared for, and an awesome team called the Garbage Warriors do a great job at it, but they can use some help because the amount of litter back there is intense. Boots are helpful. And the area is well shaded. We have had such an incredible response from the Caye Caulker community, totally awesome! Miss Roxy of Oceana Belize will continue to schedule cleanups still, and other activities. We also received a commitment for 20 new trash bins donated to the village. Right now we will work with village council to see how these can be used to better community. Thank you for everything!

Channel 7

Mystery Helicopter Found At BZE/MEX Border: Was Chapo In That Chopper?
Two days ago, the Anti Drug Unit found a helicopter - in perfect working condition - abandoned near the Belize-Mexico border. It was kept a closely guarded secret for 48 hours while the police and BDF carefully scrutinized the chopper. Here's what they found: a grey BELL-407 Helicopter with tinted windows, bearing the registration numbers N607AZ, on a feeder road near Blue Creek Village in the extreme northwestern Orange Walk District. The chopper was found in a clearing. Interestingly, it had been outfitted to make long journeys. And inside the aircraft, police found several blue plastic containers with fuel. More interestingly, the chopper is fully functional. A BDF pilot trained to fly helicopters checked it out and today at midday, flew it from Blue Creek to BDF Headquarters at Price Barracks where it is parked tonight. Here's what the BDF's Commander told us this morning: Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of National Security "You may or may not have been aware that as few days ago the BDF also captured a Bell 407 helicopter which will now bring our number to three once we get the two from the Taiwanese government in November." Brig. Gen. David Jones, Commander - Belize Defence Force "I won't be at liberty to give you much information on that Bell helicopter. That was a police operation. After the aircraft was probably captured I believe in the Blue Creek area, our Belize Defence Force pilots were requested to fly the helicopter into to our area."

Head of Belize's Army Responds to Guat Mistruths About Border Installations
And moving on now to that other neighbor, Guatemala - you'll probably be aware that 5 former PUP foreign ministers have challenged Guatemalan Foreign Minister, Carlos Raul Morales. They say that he lied to the Belizean people last week Monday when he said that in the Confidence Building Measures, signed in 2000 and 2005, both countries agreed that neither Belize nor Guatemala would increase the number of military bases at the border. So, what does the General of the Belize Defence Force think about that statement? After all, he's the leader of Belize's military. Here's what he said today about Morales's statement: Brig. Gen. David Jones, Commander - Belize Defence Force "In the Confidence Building Measures, it doesn't specifically say that we are restricted from constructing military bases along the border. What I do recall is in the Confidence Building Measures is that the other nation - each nation is not supposed to be expressing or showing that they are exerting their sovereignty over the other. But it doesn't restrict us from actually constructing other bases. The measures primarily address the western portion of the border, from up Arenal down to south where Cadenas is. But it didn't really specifically address the area of the Sarstoon."

The Fear Of The Forward Operating Base
And, the issue which sparked this discussion is Guatemala's challenge of the National Security Ministry's intent to build the forward operating base on Sarstoon Island - the southern limit of Belizean territory. As we've reported, the Guatemalan Foreign Minister needed a bit of convincing from his Belizean counterpart that this base is going to be used by the Belize National Coast Guard, and not the BDF. Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington had to explain to him that the reason that the Coast Guard wants to build the base there is to try to curb illicit activity in the area, including drugs smuggling. So, in the end it came down to the fact that Belize has absolutely no intention of amassing a military presence at the border. This base will be used simply for law enforcement purposes. Today, we asked the General, if the argument on the ownership of the base being for military use, is simply splitting hairs, since the BDF coordinates with the Coast Guard and Police on law enforcement activities regularly. Here's what he had to say:

KHMH CEO Says Beds Aren't The Problem
There is not enough space to accommodate all patients at the KHMH. On Wednesday the hospital sent out a press release stating that they will not be admitting any non -critical patients until Monday. This is as a result of the shortage of beds at the hospital. The release says "the management of the KHMH took the decision to suspend elective admissions to the General Surgical Ward and Day Cases due to the overwhelming numbers of emergency cases." This issue can severely impact patient recovery and comfort since there is already a backlog of elective cases at the hospital. Today we spoke with the CEO of the KHMH and he told us that just buying more beds won't solve the problem. Dr. Adrian Coye, CEO, KHMH "As we said in our press release, recurrently throughout the year we are challenged by just surges of cases that are either transfers from the regional hospitals or just trauma cases and sometimes during the week we have beyond our capacity. Remember, the old Belize City Hospital had a capacity or 170 beds and this Karl Heusner 20 years ago was built with 105 beds capacity. So 20 years ago the population could have been around 200,000 and now we are 350,000.

PM Goes To Miami For One-Day Business Meeting
Prime Minister Dean Barrow left the country for the USA today on unspecified official business. A government press release only says, quote, "The Prime Minister will be attending a business meeting on behalf of the Government of Belize in Miami, Florida." There's no word on what that business is - we do know that the last time he travelled to Miami it was to meet with the big cruise companies. It's a short tip and the PM returns on Sunday. Deputy Gaspar Vega is acting PM.

Cubans, Immigration Offenders Or Trafficking Victims?
In the past month - Cubans have been much in the news - and for all the wrong reasons. Since July 6th, we've reported on 23 Cubans without papers caught in transit through Belize. In each case, they were charged for illegal entry. But, anyone with knowledge of how these things work will know that there is more at play here, much more. Instead of being offenders, these Cubans are likely also victims - of human trafficking - who are trying to get north to the USA. But, in Belize, the system is unresponsive and these victims are further victimized by being criminally charged. Today we asked the Immigration Minister about it - and he said - there's not much more they can do:.. Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Immigration "We are dealing with it as best we can and yes we recognize they are victims of human trafficking but as i said all that can be done is when we find that as we try to arrest the persons concern and they lay charges against them." Courtney Weatherburne "For example the 4 cases yesterday that we reported on, four were charged, four men were charged with illegal entry. Is there any more details you can speak about that and how we are dealing with that?"

Minister Hulse Mediates BEL
And switching hats from Immigration to Labour - Minister Hulse also to mediate the ongoing labour dispute between BEL and its union, the Belize Energy Workers. Hulse called both sides in to his office on July 23rd and told us he was confident that he could find common ground on the outstanding issues in a long negotiation. So has he come up with the silver bullet solution. He might have, but you'd have to parse through his alliterative riff to get the sense of it. Here's what he told me today:.. Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Immigration "I sat with BEL this afternoon again at 2 and the union to try resolve their matters, we've been meeting and so far we've had 6 combined meetings, to be able to resolve the 4, what are considered to be the significant sticking points. I feel fairly confident that we will be able to resolve them. The idea there is to get people to come together to work together in a spirit of compromise, commemoration, camaraderie and common ground rather than conflict, confrontation, criticism and being contentious about it. So that is the approach the ministry has taken, and it's the approach I have taken. I am confident we will be able to work it through."

Breastfeeding, Why Not At Work?
Breast feeding: it is usually done in the confines of a home or some private setting. But, it doesn't have to be - in fact coordinators of the World Breastfeeding Conference say it shouldn't be; they say mothers should be provided with a clean and comfortable space to breast feed at their workplace. Now some of you may ask: why do you need a separate space for that? Can't the mother just take a couple minutes out of her lunch break to breastfeed her baby? Well today at the Radisson, health professionals told us that it is about more than just feeding the baby. I found out more. Courtney Weatherburne reporting Mini Mouse strollers, car seats and soft cotton sheets are just a few items that are needed to keep a baby happy and comfortable. But contentment is only one aspect of a baby's life - his or her health is also crucial and there is one steady source/thing that can ensure ultimate wellbeing. Faith Babb, Coordinator Collet Education & Resource Center "Breast feeding is the best source of nourishment for infants and young children." For mothers, this is something they hear too often. During their pregnancy they are constantly reminded through TV and radio advertisements and through informative pamphlets and booklets outlining the numerous benefits of breast feeding to the mother and the child.

BTL Recoils From Charges Of Sexist Ads, Agrees To Sensitivity Training
Earlier this week PUP Senator Lisa Shoman scolded BTL for sexist ads on social media. Chairman of the phone company's executive committee, Anwar Barrow quickly apologized and informed Shoman that the ads had been pulled. Well today the company's public relations department sent out an official response saying that the company is going farther. The release says that the company will give their staff diversity sensitivity training to make sure the social media posts in question aren't repeated. IT adds, quote, "we extend our deepest apologies to those offended… We…will move to implement a more conscientious form of advertising moving forward." End quote.

GSU Took 82 Year Old Farmer's Shotgun Cause He Lives In a Dangerous 'Hood
An 82 year old farmer says the GSU stole his gun, and his money and he wants both of them back. We met Henry Cunningham at his city home in Conch Shell Bay today. He told Monica Bodden that police broke into his home and took his old shotgun that he uses to go to his farm in the Sandhill area. Here's her report:.. Henry Cunningham Flowers - Dispossessed Gun Owner "Before I reached home my neighbor told me that the GSU was in my yard, went into my house and they took out a bag out there but they don't know what they took out." Monica Bodden reporting Inside the bag was Cunningham's licensed 16 gauge shotgun - it was wrapped inside a crocus bag. Henry Cunningham Flowers - Dispossessed Gun Owner "When I came home I went straight where the gun was and when I got there I didn't meet the gun. I went and I searched for the cartridge and I didn't meet the cartridge. I searched for my money and I didn't meet my money. Well I left from here and I went to the police station by where "Boots" has his house got the house there, that's where the police is. There I went and when I got there the police was right there. When they came but they didn't see me.

Mennonite Accused of Assaulting Child
29 year-old Mennonite businessman, Peter Letkeman, is out on bail tonight after being accused of sexual assault. A 13 year-old girl is accusing him of inappropriately touching her. The teenager says that on July 19, she was in Shipyard, Orange Walk, where she encountered Letkeman. That's where he allegedly touched her inappropriately, and tried to convince her to have sex with him. Police investigated her report, and charged him with the offence of unlawful sexual assault. He was arraigned in Orange Walk, and remanded, since there is no bail for that offence at the Magistrate's Court Level. His attorney, Oswald Twist, applied to the Supreme Court, and that bail hearing took place today before Justice Herbert Lord. After hearing from both the defense and the prosecution, Justice Lord ruled that Letkeman should be released on bail of $10,000. That bail comes with the condition that he must hand over his travel documents, and report weekly to police.

Drug Trafficking For Minor Grams Of Weed
She allegedly tried to smuggle weed into the Belize Central Prison, and tonight, 28 year-old Anna Garbutt, an unemployed of Mahogany Street, is out on bail. Prison authorities say that she tried to smuggle a few grams of marijuana into the prison along with two plates of food. Normally, she would have been charged with drug possession, but because she tried to smuggle it into a correctional facility, she was charged for drug trafficking. She was arraigned before Magistrate Ladonna John, and she pleaded not guilty. She was released on bail of $6,000, and she must return to court on October 7.

BDF's New Soldiers
After 4 months of training, the Belize Defense Force today welcomed 81 new recruits to their ranks as soldiers. It's part of a planned growth of the BDF's numbers - to better equip the army to deal with Belize's wide range of security challenges. Here's more: Daniel Ortiz reporting 81 new BDF recruits passed out today as part of intake number 60, a great accomplishment by young individuals who are now ready to actively serve their country. They had to go through 17 tough weeks of training to get them field-ready and now these newly graduated soldiers now make up an important part of the expansion of the military. Hon John Saldivar - Ministry of National Security "The BDF will have near twice the human resources it had at the beginning of 2012 by the end of 2017. With the 81 soldiers passing out today, this brings our numbers to almost 348 new soldiers that have joined the ranks of the BDF since I took over this ministry. This is addition to 558 police officers, and 156 coast guard officers amounting to a total of 1,062 new personnel who have been employed since 2012. This was done at an approximate cost of 10.6 million dollars."

Army Waiting For Taiwan Helicopters
So, will any of these new soldiers get to take a ride in that mystery helicopter when they take up patrols in far flung border outposts like Rio Blanco? That's usually a grueling 5 day trek through deep jungles with a 70 pound backpack - but with a helicopter, it can just be a 30 minute ride. While this Helicopter is still a piece of evidence in a trans-border mystery occurrence of an illicit nature - the fact is the helicopter is needed, the BDF has someone who can apparently fly it, and it is parked at Force Headquarters tonight. But, that's getting ahead of ourselves. The fact is the BDF is already waiting on 2 helicopters that the BDF will acquire through legitimate means, and those will be coming from the Taiwanese Government. Right now that's all the BDF commander is looking forward to. Here's what he told us: Brig. Gen. David Jones, Commander, Belize Defence Force "The 2 helicopters that are expected to come to us from Taiwan, we expect them some time by the end of this year. Before the end of the year we are going to have those two helicopters in the country. we had a team from Taiwan who came in to do the site visit, after that they looked at the facilities we've got and planned to bring the 2 helicopters in, assemble them and fly them around. Subsequently, we are trying to get a different team to come in, to start training our pilots to fly that particular platform. Because our pilots have been trained to fly the Bell, which is the similar helicopter as the flu in. But there needs to be some sort of conversion for them to fly a different platform. So we expect those by the end of the year where they will be operational."

National Security Getting Major Upgrades
And while the Taiwanese will donate those birds, the Ministry of National Security isn't only begging for upgrades - they are buying their own! As we've reported, the Government is acquiring a loan from CABEI, The Central American Bank for Economic Integration. Today at the BDF recruit passing out, Security Minister John Saldivar outlined a package of upgrades that those funds will be invested into, including the renovation of 100 police structures Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of National Security "Government has also committed US 30 million dollars for national security programs that will be done by way of a loan from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI). This will see the acquisition of some major equipment and infrastructure repairs for the entire national security infrastructure. Projects such as a new forensic laboratory, 2 patrol crafts for the Coast Guard to patrol our exclusive economic zones, repair and construction of over 100 buildings for the Belize Police Department and the BDF will also be acquiring troop lifting vehicles to replace the ageing 4 ton trucks that the BDF now have. These are but a few of the things that will be done out of that US 30 million dollar loan."

A Camp For Kids
Belize Camping Experience and Harvest for Kids - we know them for harvesting rice and corn in the country - but, for the summer, they are in the city. This week camps are being held on Raccoon and Victoria Streets for the children of those neighborhoods. Today 7news stopped by one of the camps to check things out. The camp has one more week before it wraps up. v The camps are funded by local donations and through the BCE Harvest for kid's project.

Water Board Woes
Water Board Woes - it's happening all over the country where the members of some boards have been accused of funny money business. And, it's not all just water under the bridge - many cases of alleged water board fraud are actively being investigated. That falls to the Department of Rural Development - and their Minister Godwin Hulse says it's a challenge, for sure:

Waiting For The Wing
Remember the new pediatric intensive care unit under construction at the KHMH? We covered the launch of the project in March 2014 and a tour to see the progress in March of this year. But when are we going to cover the official opening? We asked CEO Dr. Adrian Coye about it today: The new unit will have the capacity for over 35 babies.

Channel 5

Abandoned Chopper Discovered Near Blue Creek
An abandoned helicopter, presumably used for narco-trafficking, is currently in the custody of the Belize Defense Force. The Bell aircraft was found on Wednesday afternoon on a feeder road in [...]

Confiscated Helicopter to be Added to Incoming Military Fleet
But while Brigadier General David Jones would not go as far as to say that the helicopter is now the property of the Government of Belize, Minister of National Security, [...]

B.D.F. Commander Says Nothing Stops Belize from Building F.O.B. in Sarstoon
Moving to another hot-button issue…In late July, the Guatemalan Foreign Minister, Carlos Raul Morales, said during a press conference that in the Confidence Building Measures, both Belize and Guatemala had [...]

F.O.B. Will be Built to Fight Drug Activity in Sarstoon
According to Brigadier General Jones, the forward operating base on the mainland near the mouth of the Sarstoon River will be constructed. He says that the B.D.F. and the Coastguard [...]

Minister of Labor Comments on K.H.M.H. Salary Adjustment Negotiations
A little over two weeks ago we told you about the go-slow at the K.H.M.H. that resulted from some six hundred employees’ disgruntlement with G.O.B.’s refusal to grant salary increases, [...]

Elective Surgeries to Resume at K.H.M.H. on Monday Says Dr. Adrian Coye
The nation’s largest hospital was hit with a national embarrassment earlier this week when news broke that the K.H.M.H. was unable to facilitate elective surgeries and that there were no [...]

B.T.L. Explains Away Social Media Marketing Blunder
Earlier this week on Tuesday, Belize Telemedia came under attack for a series of suggestive and offensive ads that it had posted on its Facebook.  Senator Lisa Shoman, a former [...]

Territorial Volunteers Full Steam Ahead to Sarstoon Island
Since an armed standoff between the Belize National Coast Guard and the Guatemalan navy at the end of May, the Sarstoon Island has virtually been declared off-limits to civilians.  In [...]

B.D.F. Commander Says Decision by B.T.V. is Ill-advised…
The Belize Territorial Volunteers, despite not having received government’s blessing, is proceeding with an expedition to Sarstoon Island.  But it seems they will also be trekking to the controversial area [...]

…Relationship Between Armed Forces Can be Jeopardized
In spite of Guatemala’s existing claim for ownership of Sarstoon Island, a routine B.D.F. patrol maintains military presence in the area.  Commander Jones told News Five earlier today that the [...]

Unwarranted Trek to Sarstoon Island Can Inflame Conflict
The unwarranted mission to Sarstoon Island, in Jones’ opinion, can very well result in a split in the relationship that the B.D.F. and the Guatemalan army have forged.  That liaison, [...]

New Recruits Join Ranks of B.D.F.
As the B.D.F. faces a number of challenges, it is also strengthening its numbers. Today, a new squad of officers joined its ranks following seventeen weeks of intense training ranging [...]

Government Acquires Loan for National Security Initiatives
According to Minister of National Security John Saldivar, government is also acquiring a loan of sixty million dollars to beef up the security of the country through national security programs. [...]

Godwin Hulse on Immigration Issues
Just last week, the TIP report issued by the US, downgraded Belize to a Tier Three on the Human Trafficking Watch list. The report stated that the Government hasn’t been [...]

What’s Up With Accountability of Water Boards?
In the past three months, reports of accountability with water boards in different parts of the country have been reported in the media. Earlier this week, allegations surfaced that a [...]

Breast is Best at the Workplace
It’s World Breast Feeding Week and Belize culminated its observance with an all day workshop to discuss breastfeeding and work. While there are no pieces of legislation that mandate work [...]

Costa Maya Is where You Need to be
The prime destination San Pedro Ambergris Caye is overflowing tonight with the local as well as international visitors. The San Pedro International Costa Maya 2015 celebrations started on Thursday night [...]

LOVE FM

Precinct Two Evacuated Following Grenade-Scare
Under normal circumstances the police station is where one would run for security or protection … but today, the officers and employees of Precinct Two at Racoon Street had to call on the Belize Defense Force when an object seemed to be a grenade, was found inside a desk drawer at the police station. Commander […]

Authorities Investigate Plane Found in Northern Belize
The news of a plane being found in the Blue Creek area in northern Belize came to our desk this past Wednesday and while it was difficult to confirm that information at that time, today, the Minister of National Security, John Saldivar, did just that as he spoke at an event at Price Barracks in […]

BDF Commander Disapproves of Territorial Volunteers Going to Sarstoon Island
With the soldiers doing their best to carry out their duties and maintain peace and civility at our borders, there is a concern regarding the territorial volunteers who have made several trips to our border areas and have continued to do so. As a matter of fact, they are planning a trek to the area […]

60th Intake for the BDF Produces 81 Recruits
Earlier this year when the Belize Defense Force was taking applications for its 60th intake of recruits, they had received one hundred applications. Today, four months later, there are eighty one men who passed out as part of the BDF’s 60th Intake. Love News was there and following all the pomp and circumstance, Commander of […]

Ministry Supports Breastfeeding in the Workplace
The theme for this year’s World Breastfeeding Week is “Breastfeeding and Work, Let’s Make it Work”. The week began on August 1 and ended today August 7 with a workshop at the Radisson Fort George Hotel in Belize City. The one day workshop is aimed at promoting and facilitating breastfeeding in the workplace. The main […]

Mennonite Gets Bail After Attempting Unlawful Sex with Minor
Twenty-nine year old Mennonite businessman Peter Letkeman, a resident of Shipyard, Orange Walk, who was remanded to prison on charges of sexual assault and attempted unlawful sexual intercourse, was released on a bail of ten thousand dollars today that was offered to him by Justice Herbert Lord. The bail was offered on the condition that […]

Prison Visitor Caught with Weed
Twenty-eight year old Anna Garbutt, an unemployed of Mahogany Street in Belize City who allegedly attempted to smuggle five grams of cannabis in a foam plate with food inside the Belize Central Prison was charged with drug trafficking when she appeared today before Magistrate La Donna John. Garbutt pled not guilty to the charge. She […]

Government Vehicle Goes Missing from Belmopan
Another vehicle belonging to the Government of Belize was stolen in Belmopan. Police say that an employee from the Solid Waste Management Department reported to them that on June 26, more than a month ago, he had parked a black 2011 Toyota Hilux at the Ministry of Lands compound on Queen Elizabeth Boulevard, Belmopan. Fast […]

Minister Hulse meets with BEWU
Godwin Hulse in charge of several ministries as he is also the Minister of Labor and we asked him about the negotiations happening between his ministry, Belize Electricity Limited and the Belize Energy Workers Unions. As we have reported, members of the union are unhappy and are asking for an eight percent increase. The parties […]

Belize and Guatemala strengthen trade relations.
Officials from the Ministry of Trade and Investment in Guatemala are in Belize for a two day conference with their Belizean counterpart to discuss ways to improve the trade relations between the two countries. An official opening was held this morning at the Ramada Princess Hotel where we spoke with the Head of the Belize […]

PlusTV

It Will Take a Community Effort
The Ministry of Health has made major strides in the fight against vector born diseases which has experienced a gradual decrease in vector disease cases since the early 20’s. As part of their seasonal strategy for dengue and other vector born diseases, the Ministry of Health had included a bra...

Vector Diseases Down but Dengue on the Rise
Three vector control diseases have an impact in Belize, namely dengue, malaria, and chickengunya. Yesterday we confirmed reports that there is an outbreak of dengue in its nastiest form called hemorrhagic dengue fever. According to the Ministry of Health, there are a total of 261 laboratory confirme...

It Will Take a Community Effort
When looking at the figures for Malaria and Chikingunya, the numbers show a steady decrease in the number of confirmed cases. For Chikingunya, the total number of tests which returned positive from CARPHA and Central Medical Lab was 8 in 2014. Five from the Las Flores area and three imported. In 201...

Mayor Bradley discusses cut in trade license fee
We have been reporting on the ongoing battle over trade license fees with City businesses reportedly thinking of moving outside of the Old Capital’s boundaries to Ladyville and Hattieville which pay no kind of license fee at all. The City charges 25% of rental value by square foot annually whi...

Belize Camping Experience winds up summer camp
The Harvest for Kids/Belize Camping Experience crew have been all over Belize City making memories for young Belizeans attending their camps. Their tireless work year round in the name of Christ’s youngest disciples is a reminder that no one is least in the eyes of God. We visited their camp o...

Workshops for Principals
The Education sector is wholly embracing technology and is on a route to completely eliminate the use of paper in classrooms and creating a database to make admission and other records more accessible. The initiative is called Open-Emis. This week 60 primary principals of the Belize District are par...

17 Year old Charged for Theft
On Wednesday, Mr. Linden Flowers, Superintendent of Police, stopped and searched a 17-year-old male and found two phones; a white LG cellular phone and a black Sprint HTC cellular phone in his possession. The minor was then taken to the Belama Police Station where a 15-year-old male reported that ...

Amandala

Deadly vigilante justice?
According to police, on Monday, August 3, Anwar Douglas Garbutt, 34, was found lying face-down on the street side of Isla Road, apparently dead. Police say that he was found “with both elbows tied to the side of his body with a brown leather belt.” A police press release dated Tuesday, August 4, 2015 stated that, “… between 8:30 and 8:45 a.m., four male persons were reportedly seen on Mango Street beating him with a stick and dragging him from under a house and unto the streetside, [where] they tied both his elbows beside his body and continued to beat him … police have since retrieved 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber measuring about 6 feet in length from the scene.” Today, Thursday, police have reported that a post-mortem exam conducted on Garbutt’s body confirmed that he died of hemorrhaging due to head trauma. The autopsy was conducted yesterday at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital by Doctor Mario Estradabran.

Guat Foreign Minister “di jokey wi!”
In May 2015, Belize Coast Guard personnel were scouting the Sarstoon River area for a fit location to erect a forward operating base (FOB), in order to police illegal fishing, illegal logging, drug-trafficking and other clandestine activities in the area; but the group withdrew from the area before the completion of their mission after the Guatemalans challenged their presence on the island, and furthermore claimed it to be their territory—a claim which Belize flatly rejects, as the island is drawn, even on international maps, well within our national borders. A few weeks later, when the mission was to resume, the Guatemalans, via official channels, insisted that Belize could not build a base at the Sarstoon before the territorial dispute is settled at the International Court of Justice. Last week, Guatemala’s Foreign Minister Carlos Raul Morales amplified the Guatemalan position when he insisted that under a series of confidence-building measures dating back 15 years ago, the parties had agreed not to build any new military bases in the border area.

Naturalized since 1981, but can’t renew her expired Belize passport
A Honduran/Belizean woman has a unique problem with the Belize Immigration Department and visited Amandala to tell her story about trying to renew her Belizean passport for more than one year now. Ruth Castillo, 46, said her parents brought her to live in Belize when she was only three months old. She has lived in Belize all her life and went to school here. In fact, she said that she has never been to Honduras, since living in Belize. The mother of eight children told Amandala that Belize is the only home she knows. She became a naturalized Belizean in 1981, when her mother, who died in 1986, filed her nationality papers. Both of her parents are now dead. The Immigration Department, however, has told her that they cannot process her application to renew her expired Belize passport, although she has the expired passport as proof of her status in Belize.

Farmers to receive $25 mil in record sugar payment
Belizario Carballo, Chief Financial Officer of the Belize Sugar Industries (BSI), has indicated to Amandala that this year has proven to be “a record for as long as we have been in the sugar business…” in more ways than one. BSI is projecting that roughly BZ$25 million will be paid out to cañeros next week, based on a total crop value of an estimated BZ$82 million and a record second payment, adding to the gains they will receive for a better-quality cane crop this year. Carballo confirmed that not only is there going to be a record second payment for sugar, but the industry also produced a record amount of sugar—shattering the record 125,000 set in 1997. Last year, 123,000 tons of sugar was produced. According to Carballo, there are about roughly 27,000 tons of bulk sugar and 10,000 tons of bagged sugar in storage, as well as roughly 10,000 tons of molasses in the store. Farmers, who receive payments in three installments, get 65% of what is termed the net strip value, which is derived from a formula that considers the expenses incurred in the production, distribution and sale of sugar on both the local and export markets.

Mentally unstable man remanded to prison on burglary charge
A Belize City man who is apparently suffering from some kind of mental ailment was remanded to prison this afternoon after he was arraigned before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser on a charge of burglary. Lincoln Moguel, a former taxi driver, has been on remand at the Belize Central Prison for several months, after he was denied bail on a charge of taking a conveyance without lawful authority. In April 2014, Moguel attempted to drive off with a police pickup truck from Precinct 3, on Racoon Street, but was spotted by Constable Janel Myers, who managed to stop him in time, before he could get away. After many adjournments, Moguel’s case finally concluded before Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith on Monday, August 3, when he was found guilty of the charge. He was spared from spending more time in prison, but was fined $1,000 and released.

Heritage Bank discusses impending acquisition of FirstCaribbean assets
It was confirmed this Monday that CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank has entered into an asset sale agreement with Heritage Bank, and while the ink on the document has dried, it could take a few months before the transaction, which is subject to approval by regulators at the Central Bank of Belize and the Central Bank of Barbados, is complete. Stephen Duncan, manager of Heritage Bank, told Amandala that they want to make the transition as seamless as possible, and for those customers who are thinking of hitting the panic button or jumping ship ahead of the Heritage Bank takeover, Duncan advises them to stay put, as the intent of Heritage Bank, he said, is to honor the arrangements and contacts these customers have in place today with FirstCaribbean, as well as to maintain and even enhance the services they currently enjoy. “Heritage Bank does not want to do anything that will reflect negatively or adversely on our country. We don’t have another country to go to. This is it for us,” he said, as he expressed his hope that the deal will pass the Central Bank’s test.

No Gold, no Silver, no Bronze
The Belize National Junior Female Softball Team returned home on Monday, August 3, after participating in the XI Central American Junior Female Softball Championship that was played in El Salvador. Team Belize placed fourth, after losing a heartbreaking game to Nicaragua for the bronze medal by the score of 8–7. Belize scored 4 runs in the top of the 1st inning, 2 runs in the 5th inning and 1 run in the 6th inning. The team collected a total of 14 hits off the Nicaraguan pitcher; however, Team Belize’s pitching problem continued in the bronze medal game, when starting pitcher Renisha Richards gave up 3 runs in the 1st inning and 2 runs in the 2nd inning, when she was relieved by Shareeni Soberanis in the bottom of the 2nd inning.

Sports Reach of Kentucky, USA to visit Belize this Friday
Christian Sports Ministry Sports Reach of Kentucky, USA is coming to Belize, beginning Friday, August 7, partnering with Hoop Dreams Belize to spread the word of God through sports. Sports Reach has produced several notable alums in the NBA and other organizations, and continues to have an impact on young people’s lives with the awesome power of Christ, who once commanded that no one should keep the children away from him, for they are the kingdom of heaven. Media houses and church groups are hereby invited to a meet and greet with Sports Reach director Bobby Speer and the Division I and II (NCAA) players on the trip. These include Justin Johnson of Western Kentucky University; Ken-Jah Bosley of Kentucky Wesleyan University; and Jordan Montgomery of Union University.

Sunrise tells Easy Does It, “Hold on; we will play THREE.”
The Belize National Cricket Association takes this opportunity to thank our sponsors, Belikin and Smart, for their kind contributions in this year’s cricket competition. We thank you so much. Under the auspices of the Belize National Cricket Association, the Harrison Parks Cricket Competition 2015 continued over the weekend with a game played at Lords Bank between Sunrise and Easy Does It. It was the second of a best-of-three games match-up in the semifinals. Easy Does It had won the first, and, as previously stated, Sunrise would try to even things up. And that is what they did, under the strong determination of captain Garrett Joseph and the strong and brilliant bowling of Zaggi. Easy Does It took to bat first, and stumps fell in this order: 1 for 21; 2 for 53; 3 for 54; 4 for 54; 5 for 67; 6 for 80; 7 for 82; 8 for 83; 9 for 99; and 10 for 103. Kenroy Reynolds top scored with 24 for Easy Does It, while Zaggi took 6 powerful wickets, including that of Warren “Bom Jones” Anthony, a very good batsman. This score might seem big to the Easy ones, but Sunrise was not going to give up that easily, knowing that if they lose, it means it will be over for them till next year.

Editorial: Amandala at 46
Next Thursday, August 13, this newspaper will be marking the 46th year of our existence. For many years now, analysts have focused on the business aspect of our publication, but at Kremandala we have tried to ensure that we make time to pay attention to the social devastation around us in Southside Belize City. This newspaper survived and grew because of the loyalty of our core readers, so that there is a business benefit to having a social conscience, we would say. But there is also a contradiction between strict business and having a good heart. The businesses around us are owned by new Belizeans, and they are strictly about business: they have no social conscience. The new Belizeans have made money faster than native Belizeans, because they do not spend any of their profits on sports or other social welfare programs. In Belize, we operate in a capitalist, hence competitive system. There are winners and losers in the capitalist system, but in Belize City, more than that, we have seen thousands of actual bloody human casualties over the last quarter century. In Belize City, the losers are not only dead and incarcerated: our losers are dead and incarcerated youth, our community’s future.

From the Publisher
Bilal Morris, a Belizean who currently resides in Los Angeles, recently e-mailed me several different video documentaries that he’s done. Bilal is doing important work. He’s chronicling the lives of Belizean superstars who have been living in the United States for three, four decades, such as softball’s Linda Lewis, cycling’s Johnito Miguel, and football’s Peru Olivera. The title on one of the videos referred to one Alexander Marin telling the story of Lynam Agricultural College. To be truthful, I was not that interested. I practically forced myself to watch this video, but when I did, I enjoyed it immensely. In fact, the documentary fascinated and moved me, and it humbled me. When I began high school at St. John’s College in 1959, there was where I first heard of Lynam, the reason being that a couple of my friends from Holy Redeemer Boys and S.J.C. itself who were having problems at Landivar, were either sent or made their way to Lynam. The school sounded like an exile from the city, where all the action was.

Belize on drought watch
If it has seemed hotter and drier to you than it normally is, that is because in reality, it has been. Although Amandala has been unable to get updated rainfall data from local authorities for the first two months of the rainy season, June and July, they have confirmed to us that there is a drought watch in effect, particularly for northwestern Belize, as below average rainfall is expected this season for almost all of the country—except the south. This will be particularly pronounced for the next 3 months: spanning August to October 2015. The seasonal precipitation forecast, published by the National Meteorological Service for August to October 2015, uses data dating back to 1979. A stronger than expected El Niño—which has suppressed hurricane activity this season with only three names storms emerging in the Atlantic—has been having major impact on our weather. On Tuesday, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) issued a release, saying that Central America is bracing for a stronger than expected El Niño, although initial forecasts called for a moderate one.

Belize hosts Central American youth for 11th CABO summit
Over 30 youth from 6 Central American countries are meeting in Belize starting today for the 11th Youth Summit being hosted by the Central American Black Organization (CABO). The summit opened tonight with a ceremony held at UWI Open Campus on Princess Margaret Drive in Belize City and it concludes on Sunday, August 9, with an event at the BTL Park. Amandala spoke with two members of the organizing committee — Krisna Morales, 17, a member of AFROSA (Afrodescendientes y Sus Amigos) of Guatemala; and Jamal Reid, 24, of Emergent Corp in Belize, who described what the delegates from Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama and Costa Rica hope to achieve over the next few days. Morales said that the main accomplishment they will be working towards is the formulation of a youth master plan, which will have education and employment as its priority.

Two hospitalized from morning shootings on Jane Usher Boulevard
The respite that the city was enjoying from gun violence was shattered this morning just before 11:00 when gunfire erupted in the Jane Usher Boulevard area. Two youths were shot and had to be rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) for treatment. Raheem Arnold, 22, and Shamar Moore, 17, were shot during separate shooting incidents that occurred minutes apart. This afternoon police held a press briefing on the shootings. Superintendent Hilberto Romero, the officer commanding CIB Eastern Division said, “Shamar Moore was shot in the right arm, left armpit, left foot and in the left upper leg. Raheem Arnold was shot in the left pelvic area. They are both hospitalized at the KHMH and in a stable condition. We have our investigators out there and there are two suspects that we are presently seeking for this shooting.”

The Reporter

Sharing the good news through sports
Sports Reach, a Christian-based outreach organization is in Belize for a week’s worth of basketball games and missionary work. The Sports Reach team will play against local selections beginning on Saturday at Birds Isle in Belize City, before travelling to Belmopan, San Ignacio and Dangriga. […]

Belize observes World Breast Feeding Day
Belize joined with over 175 countries all over the world this week to celebrate World Breast Feeding Day. To culminate a week’s worth of awareness activities on the importance of breast feeding, the Collet Education and Resource Center organized a workshop at the Radisson Fort […]

9 year-old must have drowned in cave. Human remains found
Divers who have been searching for Jason Pau, a missing Forest Home schoolbo,y have found what are believed to be human remains in the waters of the Hokeb Ha Cave in Blue Creek Toledo. The child had gone on a field trip with 25 […]

Principals train for Open Education system
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, held a series of workshops this week to train principals and school administrators in the new Open Education Management Information System (EMIS). The system captures the personal data of every student and every teacher registered with the Ministry. […]

Fight in Corozal ends in death; minor charged with murder
A young man who was to report for his first week of employment in San Pedro Town, and who would have celebrated his 25th birthday on Monday, was stabbed to death hours before he was scheduled to report to work. The motive is still […]

CARICOM and Vatican connect
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) for the first time ever, has an ambassador to the Vatican City. CARICOM and the Vatican began their new era of diplomatic relations on July 30. Archbishop Nicolas Girasoli, Plenipotentiary Representative of the Holy See, presented his credentials to CARICOM Secretary […]

DIGICELL ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN
Contributed by: Senator Lisa Shoman I write to you on the mentioned subject in several capacities – as a former Chairman of Belize Telecommunications Limited, a Senator, a Belizean, and a woman. As a taxpayer, I would also add the capacity of shareholder. DigiCell has, for some time now been […]

Dad stabs teenage boy for having sex with his 13 year-old daughter
A man of Sand Hill Village has been arrested and charged with wounding for stabbing a teenage boy when he found the lad having sex with his 13 year-old daughter. The 37 year-old man reportedly walked in on love-making the pair at his home […]

Belize City man “flashes”; Dangriga man lashes…to death
A Belize City man was beaten to death after exposing himself to a little girl and one Dangriga man has been charged with murder, as police look for three other suspects linked to the daylight beating. Anwar Garbutt, 34, was in the “Back-a-Town” community […]

Ebola test vaccines 100 percent effective: WHO
Ebola vaccines tested on 4,000 people in Guinea have proven to be 100 percent effective in protecting patients from the deadly virus and could stop its spread help end the outbreak in West Africa and According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the trials […]

Three organizations help feed and improve diet of children in feeding program
The diet of children who are part of “Dara’s” feeding program has been enriched, through a donation and a commitment for continued donations of Lion Fish filet from Oceana and Blue Ventures, two organisations whose purpose is to protect marine resources. Both organisations work closely […]

First Caribbean International Bank robbed of $50,000; four men charged
Belize City police have charged four men for the brazen, early-morning armed robbery at First Caribbean Bank, San Cas Branch last Friday, during which the robbers, who wore no masks, got away with around $50,000 in cash. The men - Patrick Jones, 22, of Gabourel […]

Central Bank Governor clears the air on bank de-risking
Central Bank Governor Glenford Ysaguirre cleared the air on the de-risking actions facing the banking sector, confirming that Atlantic International Bank Limited (AIBL) still hasn’t found a new corresponding banking relation since losing its ties with Bank of America (BOA). According to Ysaguirre, no […]

The possibilities of industrial cannabis in Belize
The Committee on the Decriminalization of Marijuana made several recommendations to Cabinet several months ago, after conducting a survey into the benefits of decriminalizing the substance. However, one entrepreneur is suggesting industrializing the plant, which he says would have enormous benefits for the economy. […]

Editorial
The announcement that the Bank of America has targetted another bank in Belize to deny it correspondence facilities is not good news. Three months ago Bank of America cut off the Belize Bank overseas financial transfers, and now it is doing the same to Atlantic Bank International. These are private […]

No beds at KHMH!
The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority announced this week that due to a spike in emergency cases, the hospital will suspend all non-emergency surgeries. The authority announced its decision on August 5, in light of the overwhelming amount of emergency cases, particularly trauma victims. These […]

BTL apologizes for offensive ads
Belize Telemedia Limited this week, apologized for a line of advertisements which have raised the public’s ire as being offensive to women. BTL issued an initial response to an open letter sent by Senator Lisa Shoman, addressing the issue, where Executive Chairman of BTL, Anwar […]

Citco to slash trade license fee
The Belize City Council will reduce trade license fees by as much as 50 percent in some cases, following an almost two-year-long collaboration with the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) to make the fees more realistic for businesses, especially those that don’t produce […]

12 boycott PUP meeting again
The People’s United Party (PUP) held a meeting of standard bearers on Monday at the request of the 12 who have been lobbying for change and boycotting executive meetings but they never showed up. According to PUP Deputy Party Leader Julius Espat, the meeting […]

Breaking Belize News

BDF add 81 soldiers to the ranks
The Belize Defence Force (BDF) has added 81 members to its ranks. The new soldiers passed out at a formal parade at the army’s headquarters in Ladyville. Commander Brigadier General David Jones spoke to the level of training they experienced en route to becoming a part of the […]

Should women breastfeed in public places?
“Breast is Best” – it is the famous slogan used to encourage the promotion of breastfeeding. As Belize celebrates World Breastfeeding Week this week, the issue is now whether employers should allow working mothers to breast feed their young ones on the job. The issue was discussed at […]

Sports Reach Christian Ministry in Belize
The Christian organization Sports Reach is teaming up with Hoop Dreams Belize, recent winners of the Copa Cancun Tournament, to provide needed experience for local basketball teams and help spread the word of God through sports. Based in Kentucky in the United States, the organization is celebrating 30 […]

BTL to address offensive advertising
This week, Belize Telemedia Limited removed two Facebook posts with suggestive content after complaints by prominent Belizeans including Senator and attorney Senior Counsel Lisa Shoman. The telephone provider on Wednesday sent out a short statement from Chairman of the Executive Committee Anwar Barrow responding to an open letter […]

Woman charged in prison smuggle
Prison officials continue to grapple with the trade of marijuana at the Central Prison in Hattieville. Today 28 year old Anna Garbutt of Mahogany Street, who had gone to visit her brother-in-law around 1:30 Thursday afternoon, was read charges of drug trafficking after officials found 5 grams of […]

Mennonite businessman charged over sex offenses is given bail
A Mennonite businessman from Shipyard accused of sexual assault and attempted unlawful sexual intercourse, allegedly with a girl half his age, has been given bail of $10,000. 29 year old Peter Letkeman was charged following a report that he inappropriately touched a 13 year old girl’s private area […]

Minor arrested for murder of Samir Vivas Richards
A 15 year old minor of San Antonio Village, Corozal District, was arrested and charged by police yesterday, August 6, for stabbing and killing Samir Erick Richards, also known as Samir Vivas, following an argument on August 5. A post mortem examination was conducted on Richards’ body yesterday, August 6, […]

GOB vehicle stolen from Lands Dept. compound
Another Government vehicle has been stolen, this time a 2011 Toyota Hilux from the Ministry of Lands compound on Queen Elizabeth Boulevard in Belmopan City. The vehicle was assigned to the Solid Waste Management Department and was reported missing on August 1st by an employee of the department who parked […]

Authorities in Orange Walk find abandoned helicopter
On Wednesday, August 5th around 3:30 pm, the Anti-Narcotics Unit discovered an abandoned grey helicopter on a feeder road in the Blue Creek area of the Orange Walk District. According to police reports, the helicopter has registration numbers N607AZ and inside the aircraft, officers found several blue plastic containers with […]

CHANGE AND POLITICAL LEADERSHIP
By Delroy Cuthkelvin: The leaderships of both major political parties these days appear to be stuck in their ways and resistant to meaningful change. In the case of the UDP, it is understandable, as the party has been scoring success after success at the polls. As the saying goes, “If it […]

Dengue on the rise as Health Ministry issues warning
Belizean laboratories have confirmed 16% more cases of dengue fever, 261, over the first seven months of 2015 compared to those of 2014 when there were 225. Ministry of Health officials summoned the press for an update in Belmopan on Thursday. According to the Ministry, the majority of cases are in Corozal Town and the corridor of villages from Caledonia to Santa Clara on the Philip Goldson Highway in the Corozal District, and outlying suburbs of Belmopan, Camalote and Teakettle in the east-central Cayo District.

Blogs

Watermelon Juice & Its Variations: World? You are Welcome
WATERMELON JUICE. The world’s MOST refreshing beverage. Iced tea? Yeah…pretty good. Gin and tonic? Meh. THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT TO BE DRINKING ON A HOT DAY. And the beauty is that it is SO easy to make. Everyone buys a huge watermelon in the summer…it’s on sale and just seems like a great idea. And you and the family feast on the big juicy slices one weekend and then half the watermelon gets relegated to the back of the fridge. And it starts to go soft on the edges. Throw it out? Good grief NO! Watermelon. Juice. Here is how I prepare it. And how you must try it too. The United States for some CRAZY reason is basically devoid of this blended bliss. And also, feel free to laugh at my very sad attempts to be like a real food blog (like my favorite Smitten Kitchen…where everything looks perfect). I find cat hair adds just that je ne sais quoi. Extract that watermelon slab from your refrigerator. Or buy a slice at the market. Mine was $4.50bzd.

The Coming Of Kings Pt. 2
The ancient Maya city of Cerros in Belize is located in the northern-most district of Belize, Corozal. It sits reaching out to the Chetumal Bay just across from Chetumal, a province of Mexico which sits on the Yucatan Peninsula. This village of Cerros was a late pre classic (200Bc-200AD) Maya village of fishing folk, farmers and traders. Certainly, they were smack in the pathway of the great coastal trade which only grew in the classic period. Eventually that little village was buried by the public centre. According to Linda Schele, the people of Cerros “did decide consciously to embrace kingship as an institution and the consequence of that decision was profound for all”. In the space of two generations, this small village transformed itself into a mighty acropolis. Everyone was a part of the transformation. From the farmer to the engineers and architects who organised the building in the city, to the healers and priests who made certain there was zen at the transition. But even more impressive, Linda Schele add, “It is difficult for us to imagine such a complete and rapid metamorphosis, but what happened at Cerros constituted nothing less than a paradigm shift.

Belizean Breezes Soap Company
Located in San Pedro, Belize is a MUST see shop! Getting rave reviews from visitors and locals alike, Belizean Breezes has A LOT to offer and we DO mean a lot! The owner has been making all natural soaps for over 15 years and has earned the title, “master soap maker”. Belizean Breezes pours well over 100 different scents of all natural soaps, all natural meaning NO animal products, NO chemicals or additives. Made from only the finest of oils and of course our own Belizean coconut oil which everyone knows is fantastic for your skin! The scents change often as new ones are created. “Using the perfect combination of oils and essential oils makes the best soap and we make a large, yet fun variety,” commented Lynda Perdue. “We pour our soaps and our body products right here in San Pedro and have the capability of very large orders, we supply to resorts and vacation rentals and their guests rave about our products and come to the store to stock up before they leave Belize”.

Honduran performer El Chevo
Karen Brodie Photography captured the arrival of Honduran performer El Chevo when he arrived on La Isla Bonita earlier today. El Chevo is set to perform Friday night, (August 7th) bringing some punta/Caribbean flavor to the night! Also performing will be Belize's mighty Gilharry 7 Band! You don't wanna miss it!!

International Sources

7 Countries Flirting With Bankruptcy
A small country in Central America, Belize is home to just over 360,000 people. It is one of the smallest economies in the world with a GDP of $1.8 billion. Borrowing heavily for infrastructure projects, Belize accumulated a total debt of over $540 million. In August 2012, the country’s central bank announced that it would not be able to make a $23 million bond payment. Due to concerns surrounding the impending debt restructuring, Moody's downgraded the country’s government bond rating to Caa1 from B3 in early 2012. It was later downgraded further to Ca only to be upgraded back to Caa2 in April 2013, after terms of the debt restructuring were agreed upon. Belize’s Credit rating has remained stable at Caa2 since April 2013.

Videos

August 7, 2015

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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Lunch Time in the City at Princess Hotel
The Ramada Princess Hotel and Casino in Belize City is a place often sought out for its safe and top notch party atmosphere and premiere gaming experience. It’s home to Elite Nightclub and its “Las Vegas Style” Casino. But apart from its offering in accommodations and entertainment, there are plenty of reasons to visit The Princess…Let’s talk food shall we?! Obviously the buffet was no secret, as we stood in line the crowds began to pour in and the line behind us grew significantly longer. It was our turn and man were my taste buds beginning to tingle with excitement! Set before us were tamalitos (ducunu),arroz blanco (white rice) , pan seared chicken strips, pibil tacos (OMG- Amazing!) stuffed jalapenos, quesadillas, sopa de limon and plenty of fruit sides and deserts including tres leches cake and arroz con leche (rice pudding)! The food was great and the dining hall was packed, I could honestly tell why these lunch time buffets were such a hit. I wish I had time to meet the chef and snap a few pics with the man behind the amazing recipes but time was running out on me!

Miss Honduras wins the 2015/2016 Reina de La Costa Maya Pageant
Taking the 2015/2015 Reina de La Costa Maya title and crown is none other than Miss Honduras Gabriela Vanessa Salazar Valle. She charmed the judges and audience in all four segments of the 20th annual pageant. As the opening event of the International Costa Maya Festival, this year’s Reina De La Costa Maya pageant brought the carnival vibes to San Pedro with a display of color, music, dance and, of course, beauty. Even though only one could take home the crown, all eight contestants from across Central America and Mexico performed exceptionally well, certainly making their home country proud. Each delegated answered a single question on global issues. Judges for the night were: Gricel Graniel, Idolly Saldivar, Manuel Ancona, Tanya Giacoman Ayala, and Diane Tabony. One by one, the delegates approached center stage, then chose and answered their question. The judges then begun the arduous task of selecting a winner.

Elvi’s Kitchen hosts Costa Maya Pageant delegates
With Chef Jennie at the helm, Elvi’s Kitchen treated the contestants of the 2015 Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant to a delicious dinner on Wednesday, August 5th. Miss Belize Samalia Vernon, Miss Costa Rica Corlina On Porras, Miss El Salvador Genesis Margarita Fuentes Bolaños, Miss Guatemala Lisa Hayet Francis, Miss Honduras Gabriela Vanessa Salazar Valle, Miss Mexico Samantha Gutíerrez Gónzalez-Rubio, Miss Nicaragua Yuliset Laguna, Miss Panama Maria Saavendra, and reigning Miss Costa Maya Elisa Gomez all enjoyed a wonderful feast which displayed the talent of Staines and crew in presenting delicious Belizean specialties. Of course, since there was live music, the ladies could not just sit the night away, and after blessing the dance floor with Honorable Manuel Heredia Jr., Samalia was joined by the rest of the ladies to indulge in some dancing.

Bank of America’s ‘de-risking’ strategy causes break of correspondence with Atlantic Bank International
Another bank in Belize has lost correspondence with the Bank of America, and this time it is Atlantic Bank International Limited. Effective on Thursday, July 30th, Atlantic Bank no longer has any banking relationship with Bank of America, resulting in its customers not being able to conduct international banking transactions. This is the second bank in Belize to lose correspondence with Bank of America due to ‘de-risking’ strategy forced on the United States of America banking industry by federal regulators. The first bank to break ties was Belize Bank, who ceased transactions with Bank of America on April 30, 2015. Atlantic Bank International made the announcement via a press release posted on their website. In the release, they indicated the reason for the break in correspondence as well as the effect it will have on customers. “As you are probably aware by now, the International Banks in Belize have been experiencing issues with correspondent banking services. We are taking this opportunity to inform you that Atlantic International Bank Limited is no exception in this regard and, as a result, our correspondent bank account with Bank of America will be closed as of Friday July 31, 2015. Consequently, a few of our banking services such as Wire Transfers, USD Bank Drafts and Foreign Currency will be affected… We will update you in the next few days what options will be available to you for the movement of both incoming and outgoing wires. Rest assured we are working on several options at the moment and we are very confident that we will have both a temporary and permanent solution to the correspondent banking issue very shortly. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused but we ask your understanding as we work through this issue,” stated the release.

Belize to Observe World Breastfeeding Week
The theme for this year’s World Breastfeeding Week is “Breastfeeding and Work,Let’s Make it Work” and will be commemorated from August 1st to 7th, 2015. The Collet Education and Resource Center Breastfeeding Counseling Service in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Institute on Nutrition for Central America and Panama (INCAP) and the Ministry of Health has organized a one day workshop aimed at promoting and facilitating breastfeeding in the workplace. The objective of the workshop is to sensitize the management of workplaces of the importance of promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding in the workplace.

Who will be moving on to the third round of the Five-a-side Football Tournament?
Now in the second round of competition, the Island Citizen Sporting Club (ICSC) and San Pedro High School (SPHS) Five-a-side Football Tournament is starting to peak, as players are giving it their all to earn a win for their team. In the first leg of the second round, the 16 senior teams played their first match in the round-robin series. As previously mentioned there has not yet been an elimination in the female and little league division, but teams are still striving for points. Games for the week kicked off on Thursday, July 30th shortly after 8PM at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium. Spectators gathered in full force to cheer on their favorite teams. On opening the night were two friendly matches: San Pedro Belize Express, formerly Mecanicos FC, defeated Peace Makers FC in a 15 to 5 point game while Harmouch FC defeated Costa Warriors FC in an 8 to 5 point game.

Ambergris Today

Video Pick: Behind the Scenes Costa Maya Pageant Swimsuit Photo Shoot 2015
Ambergris Today got up at 4a.m. to join photographer Jose Luis Zapata, official photographer of the Costa Maya Festival, on the beach at Ramon’s Village Resort, for the official Costa Maya Pageant Swimsuit photo shoot. We let Jose Luis do his job with the eight beautiful pageant delegates while our video cameras captured the ladies at work. Enjoy the behind the scenes footage we captured for your enjoyment and make sure you make it to the Costa Maya Festival, Pageant Night, Thursday, August 6, 2015, starting at 8p.m.

San Pedro Starts Transporting Garbage Off Island
The Solid Waste Management Project funded by the Government of Belize, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) and being executed by the Belize Solid Waste Management Authority (BSWaMA), Ministry of Natural Resources & Agriculture, continues to deliver on its outputs. The San Pedro transfer station was inaugurated on July 3, 2015 and since then solid waste is being barged to the mainland for final disposal at the regional sanitary landfill located off Mile 24 on the George Price Highway. The regional sanitary landfill is built to international standards and has been recognized as one of the best constructed and operated landfill in the Latin America and Caribbean Region.

Misc Belizean Sources

Caye Caulker People's Coalition Committee
An organization dedicated to: Reduction of crime, resolution of community issues, oversight for Police and CCVC-related topics, and promotion of a well-balanced community environment. Reduction of crime through Island Zone Representative initiative, Neighborhood Watch, Citizens on Patrol and Special Constable services. Resolution of Community Issues by working directly with Caye Caulker Police Formation Command Staff (criminal) and CCVC (zoning, permits, traffic, noise, etc.) problem areas. Oversight of Police and CVCC related topics. The Committee encourages Citizens of Caye Caulker to utilize the Citizen’s Report Form to file complaints (with the PCC) on various aspects of community issues. This is one of the key elements of the PCC and one that deserves a separate paragraph.

Summer Edition of ART IN THE PARK
Bring out the entire family this weekend at the Corozal Central Park. It all starts at around 6:00 p.m. this Saturday August 8th. Here is a great time to meet old friends and reminisce on the good old times in Corozal, while treating yourself to a wonderful piece of art work. Food, music and ART.

Official Reina de la Costa Maya 2015 Photo Shoot
Taken at Ramon's Village Resort

BOLEDO DRAWING for Thursday, August 6, 2015: 82. PICK 3: 6 8 0. FANTASY 5: 24 8 36 32 14 B

Back to School Extravaganza
There will be a big Back to School Extravaganza at the Cayo Welcome Center on Sunday, August 23rd, starting at 10:00am. There will be lots of games and fun activities for the kids. "BACK TO SCHOOL EXTRAVAGANZA Only @ CAYO WELCOME CENTER 23rdAugust, 2015 starting at 10:00am to 5:00pm. All are invited!!!"

Channel 7

Dengue On The Rise In Belmopan
There has been an increase in Dengue cases this year so far. The vector Control Unit along with health professionals have been making their rounds and premise checks in those communities that have shown a spike in cases. Today Ministry of health personnel held a press conference in Belmopan to update us on the figures so far and what can be done to reduce Dengue cases. Courtney Weatherburne reporting With a couple tugs at the metal lever, this thermal fogger rumbled to a start. It's a sound that the vector control team as well as the community are very familiar with. Even more so now since the vector control team has increased its clean up and spraying campaigns in the Cayo district among other communities in the North and South. That boost in campaigns is as result of a 16% increase in Dengue cases countrywide - this year so far there have been 261 lab confirmed cases compared to 225 in all of 2014.

Cubans Caught in Belmopan, Bus Also Had Weed
4 Cubans were charged today in Belmopan with illegal entry. Police stopped a bus on its way from Benque to Belmopan yesterday afternoon and arrested the 4 Cuban nationals. But police also found about 7 pounds of weed on the bus. Today Belmopan Supt. Howell Gillet told us more about this bust and the coincidence. Supt. Howell Gillett, OC, Belmopan Police "Yesterday sometime after 1pm, we received information or intelligence that some drugs and some foreign nationals were being transported on a passenger bus from the Cayo District from the western border to our area. The bus was coming from Benque Viejo to this Belmopan jurisdiction. We immediately enlist of one of the specialists units within the Mobile Interdiction Team (MIT as it is called). We were able to intercept that bus and we found 4 Cubans. They have since been charged. They're names are Keyren Arguelles, Pedro Tehera, Pharrel Sanchez, and Yorda Perdomo.

Saldivar Takes A Walk On The Southside
Today Police Minister John Saldivar continued his working tour of the Eastern Division by visiting the newly formed southside formation. It's his first visit after this - the largest policing division in the country was reconfigured a month ago. He told Monica Bodden what he's looking for:... Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of National Security "I am very impressed with the organization and reorganization that I see happening on the south side. as well as I was yesterday when I visited the north side, I get the very distinct impression that this new configuration is going to do exactly what we want it to do in terms of the crime situation in Belize City. We're trying to put senior officers in charge of a smaller areas so that they can focus their attention and resources in those smaller areas. So whereas the entire eastern division previously was commanded by an assistant commissioner of police, now we have three divisions that are being commanded by assistant commissioners of police and of senior superintendents of police. So we believe that putting senior officers in a smaller area is going to yield the desired results."

Dangriga Police Destroy Drugs
Today, Dangriga police burnt up 261 pounds of marijuana in a bonfire that would bring water to a weedist's eye. The weed and a small amount of crack cocaine were burnt on the seaside just outside Dangriga Town this morning at 10:00 am. The exhibit keeper told the government press office what was burned:... Sgt. Franzine Solano, Exhibit Keeper - Dangriga "We are doing a jet destruction list. For the past 6 months police officers have been conducting routine patrols and operations and within that time span we have confiscated 35,721 grams of cannabis. Those were labeled as found property and persons arrested and charged, the amount of cannabis were 82,817 grams and 14.2 grams of crack cocaine. Those were all that were destroyed by means of destruction and it's an operation that the police do every often." It's a total of 118 kilos of marijuana - and that converts to 261 pounds.

City Cops Caught Marijuana In Swamp
And while Dangriga police destroyed their drugs, Belize city cops are adding to their stockpile of found weed. Yesterday, the northside strike team went on the southside, on Iguana Street Extension. Inside a swamp, they found four pounds of weed stuffed in an ammunition pan. The weed was separated into 17 black plastic bags. The 1.9 kilos was labeled as found property.

When Will The Price Of Rice Go Down?
In late March, the price per pound of rice became a very controversial topic when importer Jack Charles challenged the local producers and accused them of gouging consumers. He was pushing to import Guyanese rice, which he says could be cheaper than what is already on the market. The local producers pushed back and pointed out that they were not the ones gouging. It did prompt an intervention from the Government who promised to get the price per pound - which is currently at $1.15 - decreased so that consumers could get it cheaper. That announcement came on April 1, and the Government said that it would take 1 month for this new price regime to be announced. Since then, it's been been 3 and a half months, and no price change has been finalized. So, when we got the chance today, we asked the CEO in the Ministry of Trade, what's the hold up? Here's what he had to say: Mike Singh - CEO, Ministry of Trade "There has been a lot of movement, just not public movement. There has been a committee that was formed which involves our people from the Bureau of Standards, it involves people from Agriculture, from our Ministry and the Consumer Protection Unit. We've gotten so far, where two weeks ago we actually presented what our calculations of government side has been for the cost of production at which we will set the basis for where the price will be set.

Talking Trade With Guatemala
That opportunity to speak with the Trade Ministry's CEO came at a conference held at the Princess Ramada today between the Ministries of Trade from both Belize and Guatemala. They were continuing the discussion on how to formalize trade alliances between both countries, as spelt out in the Partial Scope Agreement, which was signed in 2010. Right now, the Trade technocrats from both sides have divided themselves up into 3 separate subcommittees to work through the challenges. CEO Singh discussed the challenges that they are tasked to overcome to move the process forward: Mike Singh - CEO, Ministry of Trade "And this includes committees for example for sanitary issues which is a SBS committee to deal with how does our BAHA personnel deal with the people in Guatemala to make sure that we equate our procedures so that fighter sanitary issues are acceptable in both sides to enable trade. We have other issues relating to tariff issues with Customs, so that our tariff codes can integrate.

Summer School for Principals
Right now, the summer holiday continues for students, but right now it's workshop time for principals all across the country. It's called the CPD Professional Development training, and as part of this year's session, these school leaders are learning to computerize vital information about their schools so that the Ministry can access it easier, and make timely interventions. They will be doing so using the Open Education Management Information System, or Open EMIS for short. By having this data properly documented and managed through the Open EMIS system, the Ministry will be better able to make policy decisions on what to do with its budget, for example. The government officials would know, after reviewing the data, if they need to buy more textbooks, build more classrooms or schools, or hire more teachers. Today, we dropped in at the training for the Belize District Principals at the Edward P Yorke High School, and we found out more:

Police Cadets Get Swarmed By Bees, Cop Saves Them
13 police youth cadets were stung by killer bees this afternoon. At around 3, about 50 cadets were out on a summer field trip in Macaroni Hill in the Pamona Area of Stann Creek when 13 of them walked right into a swarm of killer bees. The 13 were badly stung and 2 of them even fainted as a result of the panic. Fortunately, the kids as well as a Police Constable Lyons were all taken to the hospital and were treated and released - only the 2 cadets who fainted are still being monitored. We understand Lyons did all he could to distract the bees from the cadets and attract them to him.

Youth Apprenticeship Programme, 150 More
Today, the Youth Apprenticeship Program graduated its 7th intake of students. When the program started in November 2010, it was conceived as a second chance opportunity for at-risk youths who dropped out of the formal education system, and wanted to get their lives back on track. Today, 150 who spent the last 6 months under the tutelage of coordinator Diane Finnegan and her team, graduated at a ceremony held at the Princess Ramada Hotel. Here's what Education Minister Patrick Faber told them during the Keynote Address: Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education "One of the reasons why I come to these graduation ceremony, well apart from the fact that Ms. Diane refuses to have them until I am available to come, is that I get a shot, an injection, an infusion of motivation in the work that I do. When I am able to sit, watch and hear the success stories of our young people whom many, at one point or the other in their lives, are said wouldn't amount to anything productive in our society. When you see them being productive, that's an injection, an infusion of motivation for all of us in the Belizean society.

From Roswell, But Not Via Spaceship
Roswell New Mexico in the United States may be most famous for its UFO sightings - but cops from that City are here to teach Belize police officers - and they didn't come on a spaceship! 35 police officers from the Cayo District are at the training academy learning about everything from first aid to firearms. WE FOUND OUT how it will help local police: Training ends on Thursday.

Incentive For Cops To Bust Cattle Thieves
With the price of Belizean beef soaring in the Guatemalan market - cattle rustling in Western Belize has become a chronic problem. Well, now the Belmopan Police and the Belize Livestock Association have agreed to work together to directly reward cops who run down rustlers. And it's not just small change, either. Any cop whose arrest leads to a conviction of a cattle rustler will get five thousand dollars. We found out more today:.. Supt. Howell Gillett, OC, Belmopan Police "Recently, not only in the Cayo District, the price of beef has gone up tremendously, I think double or more. Along with the rise came the increase in cattle theft, or what we know as cattle rustling. So we knew that because of the increase, there will be a rise in criminal activities so we partnered with the Belize Live Stock Producers Association and they almost readily agreed to the proposals that we took to them and one of them is that last Wednesday, we signed a memorandum of understanding between the Belmopan police and the BLPA.

Getting Shrimp Up To Standard
Last week we showed you the fishermen who hustle every year around this time to catch the rare sea shrimp at the North side of the city. As we showed you it's all about hauling in the most shrimp which will ultimately bring in more cash. Sounds straight forward right? Well, when looking at the Shrimp industry at the commercial level - it is anything but simple. Today stakeholders in the industry held a workshop at the George Price Center in Belmopan to discuss the standards and regulations that Belize must follow in order to enrich the quality and packaging of the product as well as other key elements that will improve service to you the consumers. Janice Hilaire, Project Coordinator "To put it into context, we as I said I work and seeks to harmonize or develop standards across the region across, the Caricom and the Sates. We are network of national grower's standards so that Belize grower's standards is one of our members. So we are working with the bureau and the shrimp value chain and in effort to make the value chain more competitive, the value change has made a lot of strides.

Canada's Advisory
For the past few nights we've been reporting on the slight downturn in tourism arrivals. The BTB says it's because fewer Canadians are travelling to Belize - and indeed the numbers bear that out: arrivals from Canada are down 11.3%. It could be because so many more of them are flying Air Canada to Barbados which has seen 28% more arrival from Canada, or it could be because of this advisory which we found today on the Government of Canada website. Last updated on July 16th, it tells Canadians, quote, "Belize - Exercise a high degree of caution." It goes unto say, quote, "There is no nationwide advisory in effect for Belize. However, you should exercise a high degree of caution due to a high rate of violent crime throughout the country."

Belize Needs Your Vote
And so, Belize needs all the help it can get right now - and you can do your part by voting online for Belize in the 2015 world travel awards. In the Mexico & Central America's Leading Destination 2015Belize is matched against Acapulco Mexico, Bay Islands, Honduras, Cancun, Mexico and Grenada Nicaragua. Cancun has cleaned up for the past 6 years, but the BTB says your vote counts. So far Belize is on the short list and has gotten 580,000 votes. You can find a link to vote at 7newsbelize.com.

Channel 5

Is There a Dengue Outbreak in the West?
The Ministry of Health is currently dealing with an outbreak of dengue fever. A rash of the disease is being confirmed in the country, a concentration of which has been [...]

15 Cases of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Diagnosed Across the Country
The dengue virus is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito which reproduces in areas where stagnant water is not properly drained.  Despite an awareness campaign which remains ongoing, the ministry [...]

MOH: Prevent Dengue By Cleaning Up Your Environment
According to health officials, additional manpower has been brought in to assist with fumigation efforts, as well as the application of larvicides.  Residents are required to do their part to [...]

K.H.M.H. C.E.O. Addresses Bed Scarcity
Still on health related matters, the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital is faced with yet another embarrassing dilemma which has forced the national referral facility to suspend elective surgeries until Monday, [...]

Dr. Adrian Coye Says CT Scanner is Operational Once Again
A similar concern had been raised about the diagnostic X-ray scan.  The CT scanner has been out of service for quite some time and it was only on Friday of [...]

Lightning Strikes Mennonite Farmer
A Mennonite community up north is grieving the unexpected death of one of its own. A freak accident on Wednesday associated with a tropical wave passing through the north took [...]

Still No Charges for Alleged Teen Killer
A fifteen year old San Antonio resident of Corozal remains tonight in police custody for the murder of twenty-four year old Samir Vivas. Vivas was fatally stabbed on Tuesday night [...]

Discussions on Belize/Guatemala Partial Scope Agreement
While Guatemala’s territorial dispute will take time to solve if it lands before the ICJ, trade relations between Belize and Guatemala are moving along. In June 2010, after years of [...]

C.E.O. Mike Singh Says Wrinkles Will Be Ironed in Days Ahead
C.E.O. in the Ministry of Trade, Mike Singh, expressed optimism that in the next few days all the wrinkles will be ironed out in the cross-border trade.     Mike [...]

Strike Team Successful in Recovery Weed on Iguana Street
The North Side Strike team of the Police Force is reporting a huge drug bust in the south side of the city. The team along with the CIB Precinct Four [...]

Lincoln Moguel Remanded for Burglary
Forty-two year old Lincoln Moguel, an unemployed former taxi driver was remanded to prison today for a charge of burglary after he pleaded not guilty. On Monday, August third, Carla [...]

Youth Cohort Completes Apprenticeship Program
The Youth Apprenticeship Program graduated eighty students this morning. The six month course prepared the apprentices to enter and stay focused in the work force.  The program has had a [...]

Harvest for Kids Holds Camp in Belize City
Over the past few years we have shared many stories on the projects of the Belize Camping Experience. It’s a N.G.O. that has been supporting camps with children primarily in [...]

Jasmine Alert, Three Years Later
Three years after Jasmine Lowe was brutally killed in the Cayo District, the Jasmine Alert was created in her memory to help protect young children. A program fashioned after the [...]

Table Tennis is Growing in Popularity
The summer vacation for students is winding down and so are the summer camps that have been keeping them occupied. At Body Two Thousand here on Coney Drive, about sixty-five [...]

Breast is Best in Healthy Living
World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from first to seventh August in more than one hundred seventy countries to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the [...]

CTV3

Prisoner Quarantined For Tuberculosis
One man has been quarantined at the Kolbe Foundation for Tuberculosis. Well, he has been partially diagnosed for the illness according to officials who spoke to the media today. Officials say that the male prisoner had presented symptoms and samples were sent for testing. The results of that was received on July 24th which came back positive but there are more tests that need to get done before the patient is fully diagnosed with TB. In following with protocol, the information has been sent to Belmopan where instructions were given to have the patient quarantined and given treatment. As part of the procedure, the prison officials have conducted a health education with persons who shared the same cell with the patient. Screenings were also conducted with them as well as persons who have come into contact with the patient. Officials say that all persons have been screened and are now awaiting the results of the tests for these individuals. Doctors of the prison say that TB is curable now with proper treatment. Prison officials have confirmed that in February this year seven persons were diagnosed with TB one of who passed in March. The prison’s medical staff suggests however that the individual did not die as a result of the illness but of a cardio respiratory arrest. All other patients have been cleared with treatment.

BSCFA Says Farmers Expected Higher Second Payment
Next week Cane farmers will be receiving their second payment for cane delivered to the BSI/ASR mill. The highest payment is being received by the test group of the Progressive Sugar Cane Farmers Association while the lowest is being received by a group of BSI. The cane price estimate for second payment is seventy dollars and forty-five cents which is an improvement over last year’s final price of sixty-seven dollars and fifty-two cents. This year the estimated average price per ton of cane is a record breaker, according to BSI/ASR. But while the milling company is boasting about an excellent crop, Chair of the Committee of Management at the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, Ezekiel Cansino, says they were expecting a little more. “Estamos contentos con el pecio que hemos logrado hoy atreves de la calidad pero aun así hemos dicho de que de parte de BSCFA estábamos esperando un poquito más unos dos dólares más de lo que estamos consiguiendo pues tendríamos que esperar para el tercer pago para ver cómo vamos a terminar.”

Crime Targets Ten Year Old And His Sister
Tonight this man, Christian Martinez of a Salvapan address, Belmopan, is spending his second night behind bars at the Corozal Police Station waiting to be charged at the magistrate court. Martinez is accused of robbing and beating a ten year old boy on Tuesday afternoon at around 12:58. While police believe Martinez did not act alone, they are yet to arrest his accomplice. The ten year old boy told police that he and his 13 year old sister were in the area of Baeza’s Layout in Corozal when they were approached by two masked men, one of them wielding a machete. While demanding money the criminal armed with the machete swung the weapon at the ten year old injuring him on the left arm and back of the head. Today our Corozal Reporter spoke to the grandmother of the children who told us that they were just a stone’s throw away from home when the incident occurred.

Severe Weather Conditions Destroys Wooden Structure In Calcutta Village
Yesterday Corozal experienced a bad weather, some people are calling it a storm which even caused a power outage. But while most of us were safe in the confines of our home, one man and his parents living in the Village of Calcutta were not that fortunate. The home of Cesario Mossiah Junior was partially destroyed last night during the storm. It is rather an unfortunate incident caused by Mother Nature as Mossiah shared the home with his elderly parents. Today when we spoke to Mossiah he told us he was inside when he heard a loud bang. “Well, I didn’t see it I was with the neighborhood when I heard the noise and the neighborhood said your house fall down and I said I know it is that because it is over there that I heard the noise and when I come out I see that it dropped already and I say I wonder if my mother is in there and I run into the house and my mother in her wheelchair where she usually sit down and then I smell the butane and so I told my mother lets go out here because this thing could catch fire and so I took my mother and I brought her down and so my father he is old and he don’t know what happened so he stayed out in shock and then I told my father better left everything like how it is make now worries left everything like how it is because I done know what happened here already but thank God that worst could have happened but only my mother safe and my father safe and now the house broke down.”

Vehicle Of Police Constable Set On Fire
In the wee hours of this morning, authorities responded to a vehicle fire reported on Rio Bravo Street in Orange Walk Town. Upon arrival at the scene around 2:20am, officials saw a white Kia Sportage engulfed in flames. Fire officials responded swiftly and were able to doze the fire and immediately an investigation ensued. The vehicle is said to belong to P.C Antony Guzman who is presently working at the Caye Caulker Police Station. Authorities say they are looking at the incident as arson since they recovered one small plastic bottle which is suspected to have been used to carry fuel to start the fire. As you can see the vehicle’s interior was totally destroyed by fire.

Blood Flows In Corozal, 15 Year Old Accused of Killing Samir Vivas
A fifteen year old minor is tonight behind bars accused of killing a 23 year old resident from Corozal Town. Reports are that Samir Vivas, who is no stranger to the law, was hanging out in front of his house when became involved in an argument with the minor over a bicycle. The situation escalated and at the end resulted in the minor stabbing Vivas. With the assistance of our Corozal reporter, Karel Herredia, we bring the following story. He formed part of our headlines when we reported on a robbery or burglary in Corozal. Today 23 year old Samir Vivas is the main character of his own story as we report on his murder. Last night around 8:30 Vivas was hanging out in front of his house located at Venezuelan Site Corozal Town, when death came looking for him.

Mask Men Attack and Rob Ten Year Old
A ten year old boy from the Corozal District is tonight recuperating from a frightful ordeal after he was robbed and beaten by two mask men. Yesterday around 12:58 in the afternoon the 10 year old and his sister were in the area of Baeza’s Layout in Corozal when they were approached by two masked men. According to the ten year old, as the men approached him and his sister, they demanded money. But that’s not all. One of the individuals was carrying a machete which he swung at the ten year old while demanding money. As a result the ten year old student from Concepcion Village in Corozal received an injury to his left arm and back of the head. Fearing for his life and that of his sister the ten year old handed over $80.00 and his touch screen phone valued at $280.00 to his attackers.

LOVE FM

Woman Blames Hospital For Losing Baby
A mother of the San Martin Area in Belmopan is in mourning after she went into labor and lost her baby at the Western Regional Hospital. Correspondent Fem Cruz reports as the mother blames the hospital for her loss. MARCIA GARCIA “On July 16 I wake up with a terrible pain on two of my […]

Woman Wants Grand-Daughter Safe From Alleged Rapist
The heart wrenching stories of children being molested and raped are being more and more publicized as children, as timid as they may be at times, are embracing their rights. Today we met a grandmother, who is distraught after hearing that her 13-year-old granddaughter was raped at the age of ten by a man who […]

Changes Announced at the University of Belize
Today a printed email was dropped off at our studious. That email has to do with the University of Belize. The email was reportedly sent from the Officer of Public Information to the community of UB which includes students, faculty and staff. The email states that the Board of Trustees of the University of Belize […]

Belize Nominated for World Travel Awards
Belize has been getting a lot of publicity lately in terms of the attractions and adventures it offers both on land and sea. That publicity and recognition continue as the Belize Tourism Board has announced that Belize was nominated for the 2015 World Travel Awards. The World Travel Awards is a prestigious recognition platform of […]

No Accommodations at KHMH for Patients of Elective Services
A release came out of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital yesterday and while we were not one of the recipients of that release until earlier today, we can tell you that once again patients who were scheduled to receive elective surgeries or services are being put aside temporarily due to limited accommodations at the hospital. […]

Police News
Police in Belize City are investigating a traffic incident that occurred yesterday on the Philip Goldson Highway involving a four door Nissan X-Trail SUV and a black motorcycle. According to police reports, the driver of the SUV, 65-year-old, Emilio Awe was exiting the parking are of DK Supermarket and entering the highway when he saw […]

2015 Shows Two Cases of Chikungunya (Chik-V)
The last mosquito borne disease that health officials update the media on was Chikungunya. Last year, 8 suspected cases returned positive after being sent for testing at CARPHA and Central Medical Lab. For this year, Kim Bautista, says that they have confirmed two cases, so far. KIM BAUTISTA “If you look at last year we […]

Immigrants Account for Several Malaria Cases in Belize
While Dengue is on the rise, health officials reported today that Belize has seen a reduction of Malaria cases by 98.7% during the period of 2000 to 2014. Head of the Vector Control Unit, Kim Bautista told the media today that Malaria continues to be concentrated mostly in the southern District of Stann Creek. However, […]

Health Officials Monitor Toledo, Corozal and Cayo
This morning, the media was called out to the offices of the Ministry of Health in Belmopan where health officials shared the latest statistics as it relates to Dengue, Chik V and Malaria. The three districts that they are closely monitoring are Toledo, specifically Punta Gorda Town, Corozal and Cayo. Hipolito Novelo has the report. […]

PlusTV

Shrimp Association Talks Bacterial infection, Says “We will Survive”
In April earlier this year Plus TV broke the story of a bacterial infection that had infected a couple of shrimp ponds in Stann Creek, which was causing a high mortality rate in the shrimps younglings. BAHA acted quickly to try and contain the spread of this bacteria but a month later, in Jun...

Minor stabs man in the chest
A 15 year old minor is in police custody at this time after allegedly stabbing a man in the stomach and causing his death. on Tuesday sometime around 9:00 pm Corozal Police responded to reports of a male person, later identified as 23 year old Samir Vivas, who had been stabbed. Police visited the Co...

Two youth shot on Jane Usher Boulevard
The sound of gunfire erupted on Jane Usher Boulevard in Belize City this morning just before 11:00. Two young men, identified as 22 year old Raheem Arnold of Curl Thompson Street and 18 year old Shemar Moore, were shot following an argument with another person standing on the street corner. We unde...

BML take Belize City Council to court again
If there was any thought that the hiring of more than three-quarters of the former staff of Belize Maintenance Limited (BML) in January as part of the taking over of their sanitation contract by the Belize City Council would end the long-standing impasse between the two, those hopes have temporarily...

Quality Infrastructure for Shrimp Industry
The Belize Bureau of Standards in collaboration with the CARICOM regional organization for Standards and Quality (CROS-Q), the network of Standard Bureau within Caricom members states, is holding a three day diagnostic workshop between stakeholders of the shrimp industry. The idea is to standardize ...

Belmopan Police Receives Training
Yesterday we told you about a 3 day training workshop for 35 police officers attached to Cayo Division most from the Belmopan formation. The workshop started yesterday with an opening ceremony at the Police Training Academy in Belmopan. On the Agenda for the three day training workshop is how to res...

10 year old injured in Robbery
A 10-year-old male student of Concepcion Village, Corozal District accompanied by his mother reported that around 12:58 p.m. while in the area of Baiza Layout along with his sister, he was approached by two unknown male persons wearing masks who demanded money from them. One of robbers had a machete...

The Guardian

Sweet, sweet second payment for Cane Farmers at $25M this year
Despite major problems at the beginning of the sugar crop, this year has turned out to be one of the best paying years for cane farmers in the sugar belt of Corozal and Orange Walk. In a release from BSIL/ASR the company notes that a total of 106,969 tons of sugar was produced by the factory this year. Of this 139,654 tons was exported to the European Union, the U.S. market took in 11,902 tons and the rest is destined for either local consumption or other smaller markets. According to the release the revised price per ton of sugar stands at an average of $70.45 which is a new record for payment to the cane farmers. The sugar cane delivery payment is done in three portions with the first payment done on delivery, the second payment at the end of the season and a third just before the start of the next crop. This year the first payment was $42.84 per ton of sugar cane delivered. The second payment, depending on the branch will earn farmers between $18.55 per to $23.41 per ton.

Better policing expected from reorganized Eastern Division police
On Wednesday August 5, Minister of National Security, Hon. John Saldivar began a two day tour of the newly reconfigured Eastern Division. Minister Saldivar explained that the division was simply too big to be properly supervised and the decision was made to divide it into three formations including Belize City North Side, South Side and Rural. After a month with the new strategy Hon. Saldivar explained that he was on the ground to let all levels within the police department know, “that they have a minister who is in tune with what they are doing; supervision starts not only with commanders but the minister must also be involved,” he stated. Minister Saldivar’s tour took him to the various precincts on the North Side, he started at the Queen Street police station where he first inspected a Guard of honor. This was part of his overall objective which includes the meeting of officers at all ranks including the most officers as well as checking on the infrastructure, office space and the actual policing strategies which are being employed.

FREEDOM Train Reloaded
The PUP old guard seem to have hunkered down for the long haul. They are standing by their man. The PUP have decided to sink or swim with Francis. It is more than likely they will sink with him. Francis must have the most dirt to spend or the most favors to collect. Just look at the way he is picking off the members of the dirty dozen. The original dirty dozen appears to be down to 9 because 3 of those eggs have been cracked fried and eaten. They were spoilt eggs, but in the PUP they eat spoilt eggs. On Sunday last the party held a RALLY they dubbed Power To The People, but are now insisting it was only a consultation and not a rally. Consultation or Rally it was PILINKY, and to me it very much looked like a throwback of those PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLIES that were held leading up to the '98 elections. Back then those became a Circus act with a brightly colored blue bus in-tow, skimpily clad young girls dancing, Dickie chanting SEX IT UP. Even the old farts of the PUP who were the candidates for that election joined in the dancing on the stage. For them it was a chance to dance with some young girls.

Learning to build computers in Belize
There are hundreds of thousands of smart phones being used in Belize today, a country of just over 330,000 people. Some people have two phones, a tablet, a laptop and a desktop computer. Many would not even be able to function for 24 hours without access to these devices. It is this great dependency on and demand for technology that makes computer science the employment field of the future. Unfortunately for Belize, “as a country we are primarily users of technology; we have very few of our people inventing and we know that our people are as bright as anybody else,” says Colin Young, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology and Public Utilities. The Government of Belize has identified computer science education as key to the country’s development. Young says, “We need to provide the environment through which our people can innovate. Innovation is key to our national development.” This is why the Public Utilities Commission has partnered with the Ministry of Education to improve the I.T. curriculum in secondary schools by introducing the revolutionary credit card sized computer called the Raspberry Pi.

Minor Charged for Carnal Knowledge - Girl’s Father Charged for Wounding
A 37-year-old mechanic from Sandhill Village is out on bail after he was charged for beating up and stabbing a 16-year-old male minor of the same village. According to a police report made by the boy, he was at the mechanic’s house with his 13-year-old girlfriend and another 17-year-old male at around 11 a.m. on Monday, August 3. The mechanic, who is the girl’s father, came home and when he saw them there he got angry. The girl’s father threatened him asking how he was going to exit the house because there is only one door. When the boy tried to walk to the door the girl’s father punched him to the left side of the face and stabbed him with a pliers. He continued to punch the boy in his face then choked him until he passed out. The boy said he regained consciousness sometime after and noticed that he was covered in blood. At this time he saw the father slapping the girl to the face with the back of his hand. When the girl’s father noticed that he had regained consciousness he charged at him with a huge black handled knife but the boy was able to run away and escape further injuries.

Arenal resource center upgraded offering services never before seen in that community
The Government of Belize steadfast in its continued commitment to address the basic needs of Belizeans, in the areas of education and employment will officially inaugurate the Arenal Resource Centre for over 400 residents of Arenal in the Western District, at 2 p.m. July 31, 2015. The newly constructed Arenal Resource Centre financed by the Government of Belize at a total cost of $314,636.99 through a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank will contribute significantly in improving the quality of life of residents as well as to foster and enhance community development. One remarkable feature of the Arenal project is that the building is designed to be used as a hurricane shelter, and host events such as community meetings. The ferro-concrete structure is approximately 60 ft. x 44 ft., with galvalum timber truss roof system and has an access ramp to accommodate persons with diverse abilities.

The people and visitors to Benque receive a renovated Centennial Park
In a symbolic ribbon cutting on Friday of last week, a largely renovated Centennial Park was handed over by partners from the Social Investment Fund SIF to the community of Benque Viejo del Carmen. This event marks a new beginning, especially for the residents of Benque Viejo; as they will now be able to ride around the concrete portion of the sealant retouched walkways at the park. Members of the Benque community will also be able to do morning or evening exercises and benefit from the greenery, while at the same time meet friends and family members. During the brief ceremony, a ribbon was cut by the Mayor of Benque Viejo del Carmen Heraldo Ramcharan as well as the Director of SIF, William Lamb Jr. The ceremony marked the culmination of a series of activities in the most Western Town of Benque Viejo. The park had been adopted by SIF in December of last year. In a press release from the Belize Municipal Development Project, the newly rehabilitated Centennial Park and Sidewalks Project was completed by the Government of Belize for Benqueños, visitors and tourists. Funding for the park and sidewalk project totaled $432,853.50 and was secured by the Government of Belize through a loan from the World Bank along with a three percent contribution from the Benque Viejo del Carmen Town Council, totaling $12,985.61.

Condolences
The family of the late Alfred Williams would like to thank all those who assisted in any way during their difficult time of grief. It has been nine days since the passing of this great man. The United Democratic Party family was very saddened by the passing of a UDP stalwart, friend and great man Alfred Edward Williams of Orange Walk Town. He died peacefully Wednesday last at the Northern Regional Hospital after battling a short illness. UDP supporters will always remember Mr. Williams as an avid supporter who never missed a political event. He had been active in politics since 1984 along with Lelis Carballo who defeated Joe Briceno in the general elections that same year. He was also a fixture at each and every location visited by the Prime Minister during his Countrywide Tour in 2011-12.

New Center for Women of Cristo Rey in Cayo
A new Cristo Rey Arts and Craft Center was inaugurated on Monday of this week in the village of Cristo Rey in the Cayo District. The center is a joint project between the Government of Belize, the Belize Natural Energy Trust and the Kah-Lohil Tepal Women’s Group. The Hon. Rene Montero, Representative for the Cayo Central Division and Minister of Works was on hand to deliver the building to the residents of Cristo Rey. In opening the center, he was accompanied by the Cristo Rey Women’s Group Chairlady, Gladys Martinez as well as the Chairman of the Belize Natural Energy Trust, Alberto August. “As your Area Representative for Cayo Central, I am always working for you, God bless Belize, God bless Cristo Rey, thank you all,” the Hon. Rene Montero remarked on Monday to a group of community members, who had gathered for the eventful occasion.

Dangriga looking better than ever
On Tuesday August 4th, Area Representative for Dangriga, Hope Creek and Sarawee, Hon. Frank Papa Mena was "boots on the ground". Hon Mena was on site at the famous Carl Ramos Stadium to see for himself the progress of the renovation work being done on the facility. Work is progressing steadily, already the massive and impressive bleachers, press box, VIP seating area and concession stands are taking shape. Many youths of the municipality are being gainfully employed in this massive endeavor. Hon. Mena next visited the Rivas Estate Area where he viewed the installation of storm flood concrete culverts on Papa Mena Street. Area residents know that during the rainy season that part of Rivas Estate is flood prone. The large concrete culverts which are being installed are better able to deal with the large volume of water that comes across the road from the Ecumenical area into the area of Powell's Butane and Solid Rock will soon be installed. It is expected that these culverts will go a long way in the alleviating flooding that once plagued the Rivas Estate area.

First Caribbean sells assets to Heritage Bank
First Caribbean International Bank, which has a collective history of over 65 years in Belize, has decided to sell out their assets and operations to the Heritage Bank. It is being touted as the “first of its kind consolidation to take place in Belize”. First Caribbean, which is a regional banking powerhouse with headquarters in Barbados, has decided that the time is right to sell their operations and pull out of this country after more than a half a century. The asset purchase was announced on Monday, August 3, after weeks of rumors circulating that a move was afoot within First Caribbean. The way it will work is that, subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Belize and the Central Bank of Barbados, all assets, will transfer to the ownership of Heritage. Absolutely no concrete reason is being offered publicly as to why First Caribbean has decided that they want to leave. To appreciate the saga of this bank, or its iterations in Belize, readers need to go back to the times of the Colonial Government. First Caribbean was once known as Barclay’s Bank, a financial institution based in London, United Kingdom. The principals of that Bank brought their business to Belize. Then in 2002, Barclays and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), combined their assets in retail, corporate and offshore Caribbean banking operations and launched First Caribbean International Bank.

Patient Bed space availability at the KHMH
On August 5th 2015 The Management of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital took the decision to suspend elective admissions to the General Surgical Ward and Day Cases due to the overwhelming numbers of emergency cases, particularly trauma victims, requiring admission and surgical intervention, over the last week. These patients come to us not only from Belize City, but from the entire country. Unfortunately, at times, our bed capacity is superseded by the number of patients only Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital can care for. In an effort to care for those patients already admitted and requiring surgery in the most effective and efficient manner, we have opted to concentrate all our efforts this week on clearing our backlog. We apologies to the patients who have been inconvenienced and affected by this decision.

$3,000 Fine for the Love of the Camera!
Whoever said, “talk is cheap,” is a liar. Talk is not cheap; especially not for lawyers. Attorney at Law/Media Personality, Audrey Matura-Shepherd, has been ordered to pay $3,000 for failing to keep her mouth shut about confidential proceedings. After a long legal battle between the Government of Belize and the Belize Grassroots Youths Empowerment Association (BGYEA) over the use of the buffer zone in Harmonyville, the two sides were finally about to reach a mutually acceptable settlement through mediation. However, one of the terms of that settlement was that the details of negotiation were not to be publicly discussed until the agreements were final. This settlement was proposed on February 26, 2015, and on that very same day Matura-Shepherd gave an interview to Channel 5, Channel 7 and other media houses in which she completely ignored the gag order that was an essential part of the agreement. She even went further than that and she wrote an article on it in the Amandala Newspaper.

You talk too much!
Attorney at law Mrs. Audrey Matura - Shepard is not known to shy away from the cameras. She is quite comfortable in front of the cameras. As a former journalist, Audrey knows the power of the media and has used the media to her advantage. Some people have suggested that she may believe that she is still working at the BCB (former Radio Belize/ Friends FM/Tv3 ) or at Channel 5 or Channel 7. This past week has not been a very good week for Audrey. Last Friday a decision was handed down against her by the Supreme Court. The judgment stemmed out off a situation where she was being accused of talking too much. Audrey has built a reputation of talking too much in the media about every matter she is involved with. She plays up to the media. She spoke so much that she could be deemed as trying her cases in the media. It is my opinion that in so doing she gets publicity and creates hype but at the same time she puts her clients at a disadvantage.

Police meet with the populace in Cayo
A meeting that was organized by the People’s Coalition of Cayo PCC, between San Ignacio Police and the populace, was successfully held at the Cayo Welcome Center on Tuesday night of this week. A highlight of the meeting was an introduction of the new Commanding Officer of San Ignacio Police, Andrew Ramirez, whose previous post was as Officer in Charge of Corozal Police. The Superintendent of Police brings with him 24 years of experience within the Belize Police Department. Andrew Ramirez took over his new post in San Ignacio on July 20, 2015 in one of the largest police jurisdictions in Belize. “We need the political will; the formation continues to see shortages in vehicles, human resources…this building [we work in] was built in 1950 and it is outdated,” said Andrew Ramirez. There had been “a downward trend in crime” in the West of Belize said Andrew Ramirez, and the support and working relationship with the PCC was “showing fruit.” However; there had been an increase in domestic related incidents and cases where young females “commit murder” on their unborn.

Solid waste management project sites near completion
The Solid Waste Management Project funded by the Government of Belize, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) and being executed by the Belize Solid Waste Management Authority (BSWaMA), Ministry of Natural Resources & Agriculture, continues to deliver on its outputs. The San Pedro transfer station was inaugurated on July 3, 2015 and since then solid waste is being barged to the mainland for final disposal at the regional sanitary landfill located off Mile 24 on the George Price Highway. The regional sanitary landfill is built to international standards and has been recognized as one of the best constructed and operated landfills in the Latin America and Caribbean Region. Phase I of the regional sanitary landfill, consisting of 5 acres, was inaugurated in July of 2013 and has been operational since. From August 2013 to May 2015, Phase 1 has received for environmentally safe disposal a total of 50,000 metric tons of solid waste transferred from the Belize City and San Ignacio/Santa Elena-Benque Viejo transfer stations. On a daily basis an average 54 tons is received from the Belize City transfer station and 20 tons from the San Ignacio/Santa Elena-Benque Viejo transfer station.

Over 1000 Children at Vega’s Summer Camp
The 10th annual Orange Walk North Summer Camp concluded on Friday, July 31, at the San Jose Village Football Field. Deputy Prime Minister of Belize and Area Representative for Orange Walk North, Hon. Gaspar Vega, says it is one of the events he and his family look forward to every year. The first camp was held 11 years ago for primary school aged children 5-13 years old in the Trial Farm area. Only a little over fifty youths participated in the first camp and funding was low. Christopher Hendricks was the coordinator of that camp. He says he can remember presenting the participants with certificates printed on typing sheets due to low financial support. Donations were so poor in 2005 that there was no camp. In 2006, Hendricks approached Hon. Gaspar Vega and shared his idea for the summer camp. Deputy Prime Minister Vega assisted financially and the camp was reborn, this time with 65 participants. The camp grew slightly the following years and in 2009, the Hon. Gaspar Vega decided to extend the camp to the entire division. There were over 300 participants that year. Now, the camp has attracted many more youths and sponsors. This year over 1,000 youths participated in the Orange Walk North Summer Camp. The camp is so huge that it is now divided into four zones to incorporate all the villages of Orange Walk North: Santa Cruz, San Antonio, San Luis, Trial Farm, San Jose, San Pablo, Nuevo San Juan and Douglas.

Beaten to death for exposing himself in public
Anwar Garbutt, a 34 year-old Belize City resident, was killed in Dangriga Town on Monday, August 3, allegedly by a 4 men who were particularly offended that he had exposed himself to a young girl. Police have since detained several persons, and they are being interrogated. Police say that at around 9:15 a.m., they received a call to respond to a man who had broken the law and exposed himself in public. The report was that Douglas had committed the lewd act against a young girl. When they responded, to the Back-a-Town area of Dangriga, they found Anwar Garbutt on the ground, with his hands tied to his side with a brown leather belt. He was severely injured to the head and body, and he was transported to the Southern Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Corozal resident killed in brawl with 15 year old
Corozal Town Resident Samir Vivas was stabbed to death on Monday, August 4, in what looks to be a brawl between the 23 year-old victim, and a 15 year-old minor. It happened at around 8:30 p.m. in front of Vivas’ house at Venezuelan Site, in the town. Vivas and the minor allegedly got into some sort of a verbal argument which escalated to a fist fight which saw both young men rolling around on in the dirt. That’s around the time when the youth pulled a shiv (locally known as a “bora”) and stabbed him in the chest. He managed to stumble over to his grandmother trying to get help for his injury, but he collapsed shortly after and died at that spot.

Deaf mute, Oren Vaughan, accused of assault with a firearm
Oren Vaughan, a 26-year-old deaf mute, spent the weekend in custody at the Queen Street Police Station after he was accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Sharon Wade, 23, with a firearm. According to Wade, who is a resident of Altamira Village in Corozal, she was at a friend’s home in Belize City on Wednesday, July 29, when Vaughan came to the house and cranked a chrome firearm at her. Fearing for her life, Wade went to report the matter to Precinct One Police Station on Euphrates Avenue. Vaughan was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Firearm charges withdrawn against Conch Shell Bay fisherman
On Wednesday, August 5, three Conch Shell Bay fisherman, Gerald Allen, 50, Jeffery Murillo, 36, and Windell Gibson, 25, were freed from gun and ammunition charges originating from an April 22, 2013 bust. On April 22, 2013, the men were along with Ignacio Garcia, 27, inside a boat in the waters of Conch Shell Bay when police conducted a search and found a chrome Phoenix Arms Raven brand .25 caliber pistol with three brass Frontier brand .25 caliber rounds of ammunition. They also found 22 grams of marijuana in the men’s possession. All four were arrested and charged with one count of keeping an unlicensed firearm, one count of keeping unlicensed ammunition and one count of drug possession each. On April 23, 2013, the day after the bust, Garcia pleaded guilty to the two firearm related offenses when he appeared before the Senior Magistrate, Sharon Fraser. He was sentenced to serve two 3-year jail term. Both sentences were ordered to run concurrently. Gibson took responsibility and pleaded guilty to the possession of 22 grams of marijuana. He was sentenced to six months imprisonment.

Five charged for First Caribbean Bank heist
The First Caribbean Bank branch in the San Cas Plaza in Belize City was the location of the second armed robbery in 2 years. The 5 men who are believed to have been the culprits have since been criminally charged, and they have been remanded to the Belize Central Prison. The robbery happened on Friday, July 31, just before 9 a.m. on a crowded payday. The bank, located at the foot of the Belcan Bridge at the corner of the Phillip Goldson Highway and the Central American Boulevard, opened for business as per normal. Customers entered, and began conducting their business, but unbeknownst to them, 4 armed thieves were among them, well-dressed to try to masquerade as legitimate customers. They quickly conducted a blitz where the armed security guard was held at gunpoint and dragged inside the bank. Everyone present was instructed to get on the ground, and the security was searched for any service weapons that he might have had on his person. When the men were satisfied, they jumped over the counter and helped themselves to just over $52,000 of the bank’s money, and they fled the scene in a waiting vehicle.

Robert Mejia accused of attempted rape
A 34-year-old woman from Hattieville Village is accusing her childhood friend, Robert Mejia, 35, of breaking into her home and attempting to rape her. Mejia was arraigned before Magistrate Deborah Rogers on Tuesday, August 4, for a charge of burglary with intent to rape. The woman reported to police that after arriving home from a night club in the village at around 1:20 a.m. on Sunday, June 28, she decided to take a bath in her bathroom, which is located outside in the yard. After she finished bathing, she exited the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her body and as she was entering her house she felt someone pulling the door trying to come in behind her. She fought back the person but her hands were wet and slippery so the attacker managed to pull open the door and gain entry. She recognized her attacker to be Robert Mejia, someone she has known all her life.

Former Municipal Court prosecutor cleared of gun charges
Joseph Nunez, 34, is free from gun and ammunition charges after the prosecution’s main witness was a no show at court on Tuesday, August 4. Nunez is a former police officer who was employed as a Municipial Court Prosecutor at the time of the alleged offense. According to police, he was busted with a firearm loaded with 15 live rounds of ammunition on Sunday, June 22, 2014. Nunez was busted shortly after he intervened in a domestic dispute between his friend and his friend’s wife. According to reports, Nunez convinced his friend, who was intoxicated, to hand over his licensed firearm because the argument with his wife was getting heated and out of control.

Chris Rosado fined $3,000 for avenging his sister
Chris Rosado, 23, owner of Thirsty Thursday Restaurant & Bar in Belize City, was fined $2,000 and ordered to pay $1,000 to his ex-brother-in-law, Sergio Quan, 19, who he beat up in November of 2014. Rosado escaped jail time for the conviction of wounding because Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith exercised leniency since he is a first time offender. Rosado testified that he was away from his business place in the early hours of Sunday, November 23, 2014 when he received a call that his sister, Chelsea Rosado, was seen crying on Baymen Avenue. According to a statement from Chelsea Rosado, she and her boyfriend at the time, Quan, started to quarrel at the establishment and that was when Quan threw a fork that hit her on the left shoulder. He then pushed her to the ground and kicked her several times. Quan then left Thirsty Thursday and Chelsea followed him. They got into another altercation in which he beat her up some more and knocked her down to the street. This time she went unconscious and had to be taken to the hospital. It was around this time that Chris made it back to Thirsty Thursday and learnt about the fight. He was Chelsea’s legal guardian responsible for her at the time and the news enraged him. He stormed out from his place of business enroute to Quan’s home on Slaughter House Road.

Burnt body identified in Scotland Half Moon
Readers may remember that on Saturday, July 18, Ladyville police came upon the severely burnt remains of a man about a few hundred yards away from the bridge which leads to the Scotland-Half Moon Village. After 3 weeks of intense investigations, the police are 100% sure that the victim is 28 year-old Kelvin Usher, a villager from Ladyville who went missing 2 days earlier. Senior Superintendent Edward Broaster, the officer commanding Eastern Division Rural commented to the press on Tuesday, August 4, that through their investigation, and with the confirmation of the body’s identity by Usher’s mother, they are sure that it is him, and they know how he was killed.

Belize Bank Bulldogs and Heritage Bank are co-leaders in the Firms Basketball Competition
The Belize District Basketball Association Firms’ competition continued over the last weekend with games at the Bird’s Isle in the city. On Saturday 1 August, 2015, in the first of three games on the schedule, Digicell upended BWS Pressure by the score of 53-41. The top scorers for Digicell were Raheem Staine with 20 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals; Lupito Acosta with 12 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists and 4 steals and Lennox Cayetano with 10 points, 19 rebounds, and 1 assist. For BWS Pressure, the top scorers were Akeem Trapp with 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 steals; Ashley Hemsley with 9 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals and Leroy Forbes with 7 points, 8 rebounds, and three steals. In game two, Heritage Bank defeated INFOTEL by the score of 70-57. The top scorers for the Heritage Bank team were Felix Martinez with 16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal; Steve Bonnel with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and Karym Coleman with 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 steals.

Special Olympians bring back Silver from the World Games
Belize had representation at the XIV Special Olympics World Games that were held in Los Angeles, California, USA. Belize was numbered among the 160 nations that participated in the games. The Belizean contingent consisted of 4 athletes (all female), plus the coach and the Chef-de-Mission for a total of 7. Belize participated in one single event at the games in both the individual and team competition. Belize’s single event was in the Discipline of Bocce Games. Belize finished second in the overall event, which originated in Italy.

FIFA conducting Physical Fitness Coaches Training in Belize
The Football Federation of Belize is pleased to announce that it is currently conducting a five days FIFA Physical Fitness Coaches Training at the Football Federation of Belize Headquarters in the City of Belmopan. The course commenced on Tuesday 4 August, 2015 and will conclude on Saturday 8 August, 2015. The objective of the course according to the FFB Press Release is to enhance football in the country. The Physical Fitness course is being conducted by FIFA’S Fitness Instructor, Andre Waugh which includes strength training, speed training, agility training, power training, endurance training and proper techniques for warming up and cooling down before and after matches.

SpecRenisha Richards picks up first win in international softballial Olympians bring back Silver from the World Games
The National Junior female softball team of Belize returned home on Monday 3 August, 2015, from the XI Central American Junior Female Softball Championship that was played in San Salvador, El Salvador, from July 31-August 2, 2015. The XI Central American Junior Female Softball Championship commenced on Friday July 31, with Belize going up against Nicaragua in the first game of the championship, which saw Belize winning over Nicaragua in 8 innings by the score of 8-7. Team Belize playing behind the pitching of 15 year old Renisha Richards dug in for the long haul in the game when it scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 1st inning, added 3 more in the 5th inning and then scored the 2 more in the bottom of the 8th inning for the win. The Belize Team collected a total of 10 hits including Designated Player Elma Wade’s 2 run-homer in the bottom of the 5th inning.

Can we justify it to our youths?
If the struggling economy hasn't made it tough enough to keep food on the table and clothes on the family, and if the hectic day-to-day living in Belize hasn't made all of us more than a little agitated, what would we be telling our youngsters to try to calm them and offer them some kind of sense and solace about the continuing violence that dominates the headlines? Positivity is constantly being pushed into the made up realities of our youths, but the opposite is being viewed in society. In the history that I've come to experience, it's the first time that I have ever witnessed so many deaths, home burglaries and the recent bank robbery. How do you justify these actions to our youths, while trying to mold them into future Belizean leaders? Yes, it's true that the number of violent crimes in our country may be nearing historic highs, so parents still must look into their children's anxious faces, comfort them about bad dreams and seek to explain some inexplicable highly publicized recent incidents. It is partly a parents' responsibility to keep their sons off the streets or their daughters safe from harm's way. Youths especially feel the urge to express every corner of their curiosity, which sometimes leads them into the wrong path.

Breaking Belize News

New soldiers pass out Friday
The Ministry of National Security announces the graduation of 81 new soldiers who will join the ranks of the Belize Defence Force. Recruit Intake No 60 assembled on 4 April 2015 and underwent 1 7 weeks of intense training. The recruits were instructed in minor tactics, offensive and defensive operations, unarmed […]

What tourism for Belize?
Statistics show that the tourism industry is growing in the Caribbean, with various countries showing large increases in visitors, but Belize surprisingly has had a decrease in visitors, especially from Canada. Arrivals from Canada to Belize have declined by 11% and arrivals from the USA have also declined by 1.4%, […]

Tuberculosis confirmed at Central Prison
While not an “outbreak” as some fear, officials of the Belize Central Prison have confirmed a single case of the viral disease tuberculosis inside the prison walls. That person has been place in quarantine and is said to be recovering. The quick action negates rumors that the virus has spread […]

Lightning bolt kills man in New Land Area
The black spot on this open road network in the New Land Area of Santa Martha Village was the mark where 24 year old Johan Friesen was struck by a lightning bolt, fatally wounding him yesterday afternoon. Reports are that yesterday around 2pm, Friesen along with two […]

Driver to face charges for traffic accident
65 year old Emilio Awe, a resident of Star Fish Crescent, has been served with a notice of intended prosecution after a motorcycle collided into his Nissan SUV yesterday, August 5. Officers responded to the scene of an accident next to DK Supermarket on the Phillip Goldson Highway, where 21 […]

KHMH overwhelmed by emergencies, briefly suspends elective admissions
The K.H.M.H, Belize’s national referral hospital, announced Wednesday the suspension of elective admissions to the general surgical ward and day cases. According to a press release, this is because of an overwhelming amount of emergency cases from the entire country and also due to a shortage of beds at the […]

Corozal businesswoman attacked at home
Cuban businesswoman, 37 year old Yaquelin Morish, residing in Corozal Town, was attacked with a knife last night, August 5, shortly after 10:00 p.m. at her Consejo Road residence. Morish told police that she heard a banging on her house wall and when she looked outside, she saw a ladder […]

Sugar farmers are told to prepare for lower prices
It is being predicted that sugar prices will fall in 2016, which will have a huge impact on the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) and other organizations if it does indeed happen. So how will the BSCFA and all sugar cane farmers cope with this reduction in sugar prices […]

Diarrhea cases up in northern districts
Parents in northern Belize are being alerted to high reports of diarrhea cases. According to CTV3 News, Doctor Kent Novelo has come across several cases where his patients presented the symptoms of the rotavirus, one of the most common causes of diarrhea and severe infection that leads to […]

Police units recover drugs in San Pedro
Police’s Special Branch, K-9 Unit and Quick Response Team conducted searches in San Pedro Town yesterday, August 5, which led to the discovery of cannabis totaling 1,296.9 grams, all labelled as “Found Property” since no one was in any of the areas at the times of discovery. Around 7:00 a.m, […]

Christian sports ministry in Belize
Media houses and church groups have been invited to a meet and greet with Christian Sports Ministry Sports Reach of Kentucky, USA, who will be arriving tomorrow, August 7th, 2015 comprising of Director Bobby Speer and several NCAA basketball players, including; Justin Johnson, Ken-jah Bosley and Jordan Montgomery. Sports Reach will be partnering with our very own Hoop Dreams Basketball Team which recently won the Copa Cancun Tournament, to spread the word of God through sports. The Sports Reach team will be playing local selections beginning on Saturday at Birds Isle in Belize City before traveling to Belmopan, San Ignacio and Dangriga. The final match features Sports Reach versus Hoop Dreams.

Belize ~ Why The Economy Won’t Move
There is a general feeling among most Belizeans that the economy is not moving at the rate, nor in the direction, that they would like to see it go. That is because most Belizeans are cordoned off from the portions of the economy that are growing. The vast majority continue to see the same pay check….with rising costs for most things that they purchase to live by on a daily basis…..fuel, electricity, telephone, food, rent/mortgages, cable, water, entertainment, spare parts, construction materials, etc. Even Boledo sales are said to be falling, because of the increased pressure on family income. Through increased government spending…..a thousand new jobs may have been created in street and roads construction, and cleaning and maintenance of government properties and municipal spaces. Most of this money go to a small pocket of well connected contractors….the workers get a menial weekly salary. This spending is mostly on cement, steel, machinery, fuel and asphalt…all of which are imported.

Blogs

Tips and stories on diving and scuba diving safety from Belize and Mexico
In this write up, I’d like to comment on dive safety and how to evaluate and find a safe diving outfit to enjoy some underwater adventures during your vacations. The idea to write this came from my own experience some two weeks ago. However, before continuing I would like to start by saying that diving is a very safe sport, yet accidents can happen. However, most accidents are avoidable and can be dealt with. In fact, most serious dive accidents happen when basic rules are not followed (and most often more than one) and panic arises when things go bad. On a recent trip to Playa del Carmen on the Riviera Maya, I decided to go diving. Looking mainly at prices and a bit in a hurry (as the trip was rather short and not planned) I organized three days of diving at what at first sight seemed to be a trustworthy dive shop. Excited about going diving in cenotes (sink holes that appear in limestone) as well as in the ocean, I didn’t check online for reviews. That might have already been my second mistake. I say second mistake, because my first mistake was not to bring my own gear (in particular the regulator – the stuff you breathe through!), but simply to trust the gear handed to me. Dive gear is for the most part simple and durable but it needs to be serviced regularly – especially rental gear that is used often and usually not treated well. On my first dive the regulator (the mechanism you breathe through) stopped working at about 30 m depth, and while my tank still had air -I didn’t. My regulator stopped working and I had to get air support from the guide. As most experienced divers I have trained for situations as such, yet had to wonder how a nervous a novice diver would have reacted.

Guava Limb Café: Belize’s “2015 Restaurant of the Year”
It’s wonderful to win an accolade such as the Belize Tourism Board’s 2015 Restaurant of the Year at the Annual National Tourism Awards, but we must say that unsolicited emails from private individuals like the one below really make our day. This kind of feedback is one of the best things about our relationship with our Guava Limb and Chaa Creek customers. Which is not to say that we aren’t hugely grateful and appreciative to have the Belize Tourism Board honour us as the 2015 Restaurant of the Year. Being such a small, intimate place tucked away on the banks of the Macal River in San Ignacio, it really means a lot to us to not only be noticed, but to win such a prestigious award. It also speaks volumes about our friendly, hard working and creative staff who, from those tending the Maya organic farm to the chefs and people bringing personality and excellent service to the Guava Limb tables, have all worked together to create something special indeed. We couldn’t be prouder.

14 Facts Of Ancient Indigenous America
The American man (Indian) has been on the American continent for more than 30,000 years! Before the coming of the Europeans the ancient cultures of America existed in the great splendour of mighty cities such as cities of the Zapotecs, Tainos, Inuit, Maya, Inca and many more The cities were based on agriculture and trade; the people understood the value of nature and lived harmoniously with nature More than 50% of the agricultural products on the planet consumed originate from the America’s Tenochtitlan, in Mexico. hosted up to 300,000 inhabitants! This reflected a city 5 times the population of Madrid, Spain at the same time! None of the American cultures were isolated from the other. Trade and communication was prominent between them.

Visiting Belize in September? Don’t Let Unbelievable Deals at These 8 Belize Resorts Get Away!
It’s the biggest secret in Central America: Belize turns into a wonderland of parties, pageants and pleasure every September in honor of the nation’s independence. Airlines understand this, which is why carriers like Delta have increased their routes dramatically. But airline conveniences aren’t the only surprises awaiting you in Belize: Huge savings reign supreme at resorts, no matter which corner of Belize you choose to visit. Which of the following sounds most appealing for your September vacation?

Golden Rum Cake
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a 10 inch Bundt pan. Sprinkle chopped nuts evenly over the bottom of the pan. In a large bowl, combine cake mix and pudding mix. Mix in the eggs, 1/2 cup water, oil and 1/2 cup rum. Blend well. Pour batter over chopped nuts in the pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Let sit for 10 minutes in the pan, then turn out onto serving plate. To make the glaze: in a saucepan, combine butter, 1/4 cup water and 1 cup sugar.

5 Reasons Why You Should Visit Belize
Imagine the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea lapping on the shores as the white sand glistens in the sun. Sea turtles and whale sharks swimming among you as you snorkel and dive in the second largest coral reef in the world and the longest in the Western Hemisphere. Ancient Mayan ruins towering above the jungle landscape. And you’ll find yourself in Belize. But jungles, beaches, and snorkeling aside, there are many reasons why you should add Belize to your bucket list. Here are 5 simple reasons why you should travel to Belize: 1. No Visa Required 2. English Is Spoken 3. Set Currency Rates 4. Dollars Accepted Everywhere 5. Short Flights From the US

International Sources

One mans trash, another mans treasure
A program that started in Vermilion, Alta., is reaching well overseas by way of donating old books and school supplies to schools in Belize. Robin Sherwood, creator of the Books For Belize Program, started collecting donated books after a trip to the southern country showed him how few resources Belizean children have in schools. “There is quite a use for our material down there,” Sherwood said. “We’re really focusing on children and education books. We’ve been in several of the school and resource wise, they have not caught up to our single school houses from 70 years ago. It’s a third world country.” Sherwood explained in many of the rural areas in Belize, “the teachers are expected to have their own library.” “Their wages aren’t great and with the humidity, if the teacher let every (child) bring home a book, the shelf life on it would be not very long,” he said.

MEDICINAL AND RITUALISTIC USES FOR CHOCOLATE IN MESOAMERICA
The Maya and the Aztecs believed that cacao was discovered by the gods in a mountain and was to be given to the people following their creation. The Maya held a yearly festival to honor the cacao god Ek Chuah, which included several offerings and rituals to him. Although sustaining the high possibility that is was not a native Mesoamerican crop, the cacao tree was one of the ancient Maya and Aztec’s most prized. The warm, liquid form of the chocolate consumed was very different from today’s hot cocoa, being laden with chili powder and other spices making it a hot and sultry treat popular with royalty while lay people occasionally enjoyed its healing qualities. The Spanish who moved into Mesoamerica were unfamiliar with the ‘savage’ flavors of the spicy chocolate and determined that it would not be popular as it stood and was not to sent back home without proper adjustments like the elimination of many spices and the addition of sweetening ingredients. While archaeological evidence for cacao use by the Aztecs and Maya is rather limited, pictorial and iconographic evidence is quite substantial. The goal of this poster is to demonstrate the many ways in which the cacao tree was especially important ritually, medically and spiritually to the ancient civilizations of Mesoamerica..

Videos

August 6, 2015

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, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Saga hosts fundraising event alongside Costa Maya delegates
The Saga Humane Society held a successful fundraising event on Sunday, August 2nd at the SandBar and joining them were the beautiful contestants of La Reina de La Costa Maya. To raise funds, Saga sold food, held raffles and guests could pay for photos with the beauties too! The proceeds of the event benefit the care of the animals under Saga’s watch, as well as the Spay/Neuter Initiative Program (SNIP). The event kicked off at 6PM with the serving of a delicious roasted pork dinner for a price of $20. The meal included homemade baked beans, potato salad, and coleslaw not to mention a good helping of slow cooked pork. Raffle tickets were sold in different forms to give supporters good chances of winning one of the many great prizes. Those ranged from 24-hour Moncho’s golf cart rental, a grooming session at Pamper Paws (valued at $50) to lunch at Caramba Restaurant and sunset cruise with Seaduced by Belize. Around 7:30PM the Costa Maya delegates arrived at the event, ready to mingle and help our furry friends! For a donation of $5, patrons had the opportunity to have a picture taken by professional photographer Jose Luis Zapata with all the delegates.

European Union – making tourism benefit communities adjacent to Archaeological Sites
Three more archaeological sites: Caves Branch, Barton Creek and the Atun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave in Belize have received infrastructural improvements and upgrades under a $4 Million project funded by the European Union – “Making Tourism benefit Communities Adjacent to Archaeological Sites” (MTBCAAS). The EU’s Ambassador to Belize, H.E. Paola Amadei, admitted even she found the project’s name a bit of a mouthful, and the acronym equally cryptic, but she was happy to join the acting chief Executive officer of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation, Mr. Abil Castaneda in cutting the ribbon to officially inaugurate all three site upgrades. The ceremony was held on Wednesday, July 29, at the most popular site – Caves Branch which offers cruise ship visitors: cave tubing and zip-lining under the forest canopy. Caves Branch is one of Belize’s most popular archaeological sites, attracting over 178,000 visitors last year.

Belize Tourism Board host 2015 Tourism Industry Conference on Ambergris Caye
On Saturday August 1st, tourism stakeholders and industry partners converged on Ambergris Caye for the 2015 Tourism Industry Conference. Hosted by the Belize Tourism Board (BTB), the conference took place at Fido’s Courtyard and saw a host of industry professionals’ part taking in a two-part panel discussion that focused on Service Excellence and Tourism Digital Marketing. The welcome remarks were formally given by Dr. Carla Barnet, Chairman of the Board (BTB), while Minister of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation Hon. Manuel Heredia gave his official remarks which reiterated the positive works of the BTB and Ministry of Tourism within one of the country’s largest industries. This was followed by a video of the BTB’s Year in Review which encompassed all the works of the board throughout 2014. This includes several programs held throughout the year to enhance the skill and knowledge of site guides, hospitality training, taxi association branding and hospitality training, road infrastructural works including Northern Ambergris Caye, and the Sunset Boardwalk Project and Hon. Luis Sylvester Stadium to name a few.

Ramon’s Village hosts Noche San Pedrana
It’s a traditional event that brings out the crowd to get to know the Reina de La Costa Maya contestants, and Ramon’s Village once again pulled out the stops to host Noche San Pedrana in style. Under the glow of the beautiful blue moon and tiki torches, guests enjoyed cocktails and nibbles while Rompe Raja played some lively music to get the vibe going. Of course, the highlight of the evening was the presentation of the beauties in their Cultural Costumes! Miss Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama were tasked with modeling a cultural dress from their country of origin. Judges in the audience assigned points to each contestant, and those points will be tallied on pageant night, August 6th. The audience was blown away by the beautiful handiwork on each costume, some flowing and elegant, others chic and form fitting, each depicting an integral part of the wearer’s culture.

Ambergris Today

Wild Crocodile Encounters at Ambergris Caye’s Newest Tour
So you have swam with the sharks and stingrays, interacted with the manatees, fed the tarpons and seen the monkeys in the mainland. Then how about seeing a professional wildlife expert getting in the water and wrestling with crocodiles? Got your attention huh!? Well you can’t swim with crocodiles as they are wilder animals, but you can surely experience this thrilling tour in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. It WILL have you interacting with the wild reptiles and at the same time helping protect them and conserving their natural habitats. The American Crocodile Education Sanctuary (ACES) will have you appreciating and (YES) loving these threatened species and not looking at them as scary and dangerous creatures. ACES’ Crocodile Scientific Investigators (CSI) tour is a unique experience that has you traversing through mangrove forests at night on the back side of the island. Yes! The tour takes place at night, as it’s when the crocodiles are more active and hunting for food. Vince and Cherie, founders of ACES started the tour, but their most knowledgeable Crocodile Expert Chris Summers is mostly in charge of taking out the tours.

Belize Tourism Industry Conference Looks at Improving Tourism
The Belize Tourism Board held the Tourism Industry Conference at Fido’s Courtyard on August 1st, 2015. The day began with welcome address by Chairman of the Board, Dr. Carla Barnett; followed by remarks from the Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. The year in review video was played for stakeholders to view tourism accomplishments of 2014. It included statistics comparing growth over 2013, successful impressions obtained through marketing initiatives and accolade of events throughout the industry. The day proceeded into two sessions of local and international panelists to discuss Service Excellence and Digital Marketing.

Team Belize Scores Silver at the Special Olympics World Games 2015
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, in partnership with Special Olympics Belize and the Special Envoy for Women and Children congratulates the Belize Female Bocce Team on winning silver medals in both Unified Bocce and Bocce Doubles at the World Special Olympics Games 2015 held in Los Angeles, California from July 25 to August 2. The Belize Team competed among 165 countries and 6,500 international athletes in an air of friendship and goodwill. Their participation under the Unified Sports Experience events helped to foster a relationship of respect, acceptance, camaraderie and victory as Silver Medalists. The delegation was comprised of athletes: Jasmine Flores, Anna Emmanuel; partners Ilda Romero and Jayna Locke, all students from Holy Ghost Primary School in Dangriga. The athletes were accompanied by the Special Olympics National Coordinator, Mrs. Elodia Bautista; Team Coach, Ms. Kadey Kerr; Team Physician, Dr. Nelson Marin; Teacher, Ms. Devon Garcia; Observer Mr. Axil Marin and representatives from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports; Dr. Candy Armstrong, Chairperson of the Board of Directors – Special Olympics Belize Dr. Carol Babb, Deputy Chief Education Officer and Education Information Officer Yma Casey.

Misc Belizean Sources

Reina de la Costa Maya Delegates with owner Elodia and son Josh
They are about to enjoy some fresh sea food delicacies at Hurricanes Ceviche Bar & Grill.

The International Costa Maya Festival would like to express its sincere gratitude to all its sponsors and friends. Thank You!

Emergency power interruption 5:30am to 7:00am, Thursday, August 6: entire San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye
BEL to install protective device at Maskall Substation.

Cayo BTIA Summer Meeting
The Cayo BTIA is having their big Summer meeting at Maya Mountain Lodge this evening at 6:00pm. They'll be outlining their goals. Everyone is encouraged to attend since Cayo is the ecotourism capital of Belize.

BOLEDO DRAWING for Wednesday, August 5, 2015: 49. PICK 3: 8 3 2

UPDATE ON NORTH ROAD: August 5, 2015, San Pedro
The clearing/preparing of the road has now reached by Las Terrazas Resort.

Poets Corner: Lie and Story
By Abdulmajeed K. Nunez. Fe fi fo fum I smell in the air devaluation First Caribbean announced the sale of their Belize operation It’s being called the first of its kind maneuver This was an orchestrated merger After First Caribbean violated Money Laundering Prevention Act Stephen Duncan came under attack Arraigned on 113 charges back in 2008 Anyone knows the result of the case? All I know in my mouth there is a bad taste Defended by UDP FIU prosecutor BQ Pitts Things took an interesting twist Then Duncan’s second mystery This is an irony; Ysiguerrie Has limited experience in this industry Becomes Central Bank’s HNIC The Central Bank governorship was slated for Duncan But their litigation brought everything into question He was rewarded with Heritage Bank Sights still on the assets of First Caribbean Bank Was this merger perhaps from his diagram? I beg to ask the question

Cristo Rey Arts and Crafts Center Inauguration
Cristo Rey now has an Arts and Crafts Center, thanks to help from the BNE Charitable Trust, the Cristo Rey Women's Group, and Representative Montero. The CRWG will get some great use out of the building. Thanks to all involved! "The BELIZE Natural Energy Charitable Trust partnered with the Area Representative for Cayo Central, Hon. Rene Montero, and the Cristo Rey Women’s Group to fund the construction of an arts and crafts center in the village of Cristo Rey."

Hopkins Bay Belize nominated for the 2015 World Travel Awards.
Hopkins Bay Belize combines the comforts of home with the unparalleled adventures of a unique destination; they curate experiences that offer new and life-altering memories of an authentic Belize vacation. The relaxed beach property offers every opportunity for guests to enjoy marine & jungle tours, whilst being immersed in the local culture and cuisine of Hopkins village. The resort focuses on creating special moments as you embark on a journey of discovery. Your vote for Hopkins Bay Resort as Belize’s Leading Villa Resort, allows them to indulge more guests in once-in-a lifetime adventures and experiences that are truly worthy of Belize.

AN OPEN LETTER TO BTL ABOUT THEIR DIGICELL ADS WHICH ARE OFFENSIVE AND DEGRADING TO WOMEN.
I write to you on the mentioned subject in several capacities -as a former Chairman of Belize Telecommunications Limited, a Senator, a Belizean, and a woman. As a taxpayer, I would also add the capacity of shareholder. DigiCell has, for some time now been conducting a social media advertising campaign on Facebook and Instagram which carries advertisement of the services offered by your company which are offensive to women, and lately, degrading and in one particular case, suggests that violence/abusive restraint are not only acceptable, but laudable and uses the hash tag #tryduct tape. The matter first came to my attention with the “ Free WiFi Pan Di Road” campaign, when two images were used to sell your product line. One was a close-up of a female bottom, clad in jeans. The juxtaposition was clear to most. Innuendo about “free wifey” escaped the notice of no one, and the egregious use of the body part to sell “wifi pan di road” was unmistakable.

Stay tuned next Thursday August 13th to Reef TV Channel 20
For our Annual Karaoke Competition. Broadcasting live from Jaguars Temple Night Club.

Channel 7

Teenager Accused of Killing A Man Over A Bike In Corozal
A 15 year old boy allegedly stabbed and killed a 23 year old man in Corozal last night. At around 9, Samir Vivas was in front of a friend’s house when he got into a fight with the teenager. The boy claims that Vivas stole his bicycle but Vivas denied it. Still, things got out of hand and the 15 year old stabbed Vivas once in the stomach. Today we traveled to Corozal to find out what happened – we got two totally different versions of the story. Courtney Weatherburne has the report. Supt. Dennis Arnold - OC, Corozal Police "Police initial investigation reveal that Vivas was at home, Venezuelan site area, Corozal Town where a minor had approached him and accused him of stealing his bicycle." It is that accusation that led to the murder of 23 year old Samir Vivas. Today Vivas’ mother – broken by her son’s senseless death - held on tightly to her neighbour right in front of the spot where her son was stabbed. It happened in front of this house - a couple feet away from Vivas’ home. Vivas got into a fight with a 15 year old boy over a missing bicycle. During the scuffle on this patchy lawn, Vivas was stabbed in his stomach.

City Shooting In Gang Hotspot
While police from Corozal try to solve the murder of Samir Vivas, investigators from Belize City must try to find the shooters who tried to kill 2 young men in the Jane Usher Boulevard Area this morning before 11 o’clock. The victims are 22 year-old Raheem Arnold of Curl Thompson Street, and 17 year-old Shemar Moore, who lives in the neighborhood. They are hospitalized at the KHMH, and at this time, police aren’t saying why they believe that these youths were targeted. The officer commanding Eastern Divisions Criminal Investigations briefed the media about what they know at this time: Supt. Hilberto Romero - OC, CIB Eastern Division "This morning we had a shooting on Jane Usher Boulevard where two persons were shot. Shemar Moore was shot to the right arm, left armpit, left foot and to the left upper leg. We have Raheem Arnold, he was shot in the left pelvic area. Both persons are at the KHMH in stable condition. We have our investigators out there, we have 2 suspects that we are presently seeking for this shooting." Daniel Ortiz "Can you tell us what police believe prompted this shooting?" Supt. Hilberto Romero - OC, CIB Eastern Division "Okay, these guys were on the street on Jane Usher Boulevard when they had some argument with some persons in that area. One was shot first then as he was going to his grand mother's house, the other person was shot."

Sr. Supt Chester Vex With GSU?
And just last week Commander of eastern Division Southside Chester Williams was doing house to house visits in the same general area where today’s shooting took place. At the time he expressed confidence in de-escalating the gang warfare in an area, which had witnessed chronic gun violence for over a year. Sr. Supt Chester Williams, OC - E.D. Southside "I can tell you clearly that yes, I have a full appreciation for what is taking place on south side Belize city. particularly in Jane Usher and Freedom Street, Gill Street and Caesar Ridge Road.And it is based on those credible information I have obtained - why I'm doing what I'm doing to see how best I can use my influence to help these young people try to make a positive difference in their lives." Jules Vasquez "Will you speaking directly with the combatants in the gang war?" Sr. Supt Chester Williams, OC - E.D. Southside "Yes, I am making arrangement to speak with them. And I can tell you Jules that the people are coming along.”

The Victim Is Also The Accused In Sandhill Stabbing & Sex Crime
The Sandhill stabbing case went to court today. Both the 37 year old father and the 16 year old boy were charged. The 37 year old father was charged with wounding when he appeared before Magistrate Deborah Rogers this morning. The father was granted bail of $500 plus one surety. But there are a number of conditions to his bail – the father was ordered to stay away from the 16 year old boy as well as his family. His next court date is set for October 5th , 2015. As for the 16 year old boy he was charged with unlawful carnal knowledge. He was not remanded and no plea was taken. Because minors are involved we can’t show you any photographs of the accused. As we reported, on Monday afternoon the 37 year old father caught the 16 year old boy having sex with his 13 year old daughter in their house. In a rage, the father punched the boy several times in his face and head, choked him until went unconscious and grabbed a pliers and stabbed the boy. After the boy regained consciousness the father apparently went to get a large knife but the boy managed to get away.

Senator Shoman Scolds BTL
Senator Lisa Shoman has chastised BTL for some off colour ads that they placed on social media – and tonight the phone company is apologizing for its bad taste. The ads appeared on facebook and instagram and the first depicted Hollywood actress Jennifer Coolidge in a suggestive pose, with the accompanying text: “ladies meet cougar. she is the enemy. she is mature, experienced, rich and loves young boys. your young boys. luckily DigiCell has equipped you to fight back!” Shoman calls the message degrading and adds, quote, “The message...(implies) among other things, that older affluent women are insatiable pedophiles.” End quote. She then turns her ire to another BTL social media Facebook ad which shows a young woman with duct tape covering her mouth, cradled by a man, captioned: “This could be us but you keep escaping.” Shoman points to the accompanying text which says, quote: “if your true love keeps escaping, Talk & Text with them ALL NIGHT…

Domestic Violence, Where's The Anger Coming From?
Senator Shoman has hit upon a topical issue – that’s because of the chilling cases of domestic violence we’ve seen in just the past month!: Juana Cowo-Cardinez was killed in Punta Gorda, Keisha Buller was killed in Benque Viejo, Thytis Blancaneux was killed in Lord’s Bank, and Merlin Elizabeth Herrera Mejia, was killed in Belize City. All those domestic murders happened in July! It’s a staggering statistic – and a worrying state of affairs. But what’s driving all this homicidal domestic violence? And what can be done to save victims of intimate partner violence from the cycle of battery before their partner seriously harms kills them? That’s what Courtney Weatherburne asked psychologist and counselor Aimee Jex yesterday. She told Courtney the violence we saw in July is really just a symptom of a culture of of gender based violence:… Aimee Jex- Psychologist "It just seems to happening more violently right now, but there is always that issue of how is a woman being treated in our society. What respect does she have, what respect does she demand, what respect does a man give to a woman and that’s where we have to start looking." "We have a lot of people who say, "I woulda never touch she, I noh beat woman" – but all day long they’re saying degrading things, they're saying mean things, they are controlling in different ways and we have to realize that is part of intimate partner violence. It's a cycle and the battering and the beating is just the part we see."

Too Many Trauma Cases, KHMH Out of Beds!
Last month – KHMH employees went on a go-slow where all clinics and elective surgeries were cancelled. Well, now the hospital administration is doing much the same but for a very different reason. A release sent out an hour ago says that today the administration, quote, “took the decision to suspend elective admissions to the General Surgical Ward and Day Cases due to the overwhelming numbers of emergency cases, particularly trauma victims, requiring admission and surgical intervention, over the last week.” The release adds that the patients are referred to the KHMH from all over the country –so many that there were more patients than there were available beds. So now the KHMH isn’t taking any new cases to the surgical ward, basically so that they can clear out the current backlog. So when will things normalise? Well, the release says that if all goes well, they will resume admission of elective and Day Cases on Monday August 10th.

Police Minister Tours
The Eastern Division went through a dramatic reconfiguration three weeks ago – and, Police Minister John Saldivar has embarked on a working tour to find out if the new setup is working. He started today in Eastern division north, all that area north of the Swing bridge – up to the Haulover Bridge. Saldivar did all the ceremonial stuff such as inspecting officers – but he also went extensively behind the scenes, delving into the formation’s operations. He told us what he was looking for. Hon. John Saldivar - Minister of National Security "Today I'm here after one month to see how things are going, to see how we have been able to adjust to the changes both in terms of looking at the physical infrastructure, the office space and everything that have been done. And also to look at the different strategies that are being employeed now that we have 3 smaller formations to deal with the Belize district."

City Leaders Meet To Discuss Revenue
Today, local government leaders from 7 towns and 2 Cities fathered at the Biltmore to learn how to tax you better! It’s called “revenue enhancement” and the event is organized by the Mayor’s Association – after all, to keep your municipality going, city and town boards have to generate revenue. Ideally, these towns and cities leaders want to be independent, and able to fund their own programs without having to rely too heavily on the government subventions. We spoke with the coordinators about the ways that revenue generation is expected to improve: Eugene Palacio - Director, Local Government "What we have is a first of a series of training at a aim of capacity building of the council, strengthen the capacity of the council to carry out their functions. Local government is set of roles and responsibilities given to a municipal council by the central government and a set of revenue sources which they administer to carry out those sources. And so the mayor's association met with the ministry, the minister and the ministry and identified training needs as one of their priorities and the ministry accepted that. And so in collaboration with the mayor's association the ministry is having a series of training with the municipalities. This is the first one. The first one is budget preparation exercise and revenue collection enhancement."

Taking the Bite Out of Trade Licenses And Property Tax
And keeping it right in line with revenue generation, as you heard in the interview, the collection of property taxes and trade licenses is a major part of revenue generation for a municipality. For the 2 past years, the Belize Chamber of Commerce has been trying to work with the Belize City Council to bring down trade licenses fees and property taxes for businesses. The task force has concluded that the city’s current tax regime is too arbitrary - penalizing businesses owners who have large properties but who do small volume business. On the other hand, they say it gives tax breaks to high volume businesses - such as law firms and accounting firms - which have small property spaces. After exploring different options, the proposal is to lower the property tax by as much as 50%. That would mean that the city’s revenue would decrease dramatically, right? Not necessarily, says Mayor Bradley, and he explained that it incentivizes more business owners to launch startups in Belize City. And in the meantime, the Council is weaning itself off the dependence on hyper-taxation:

10 Year Old Chopped and Robbed in Corozal
Police say A 10-year-old boy was chopped and robbed yesterday afternoon in Corozal town. The 10 year old boy was with his sister in the Baiza Layout area when two masked men approached them demanding money. One of men was swinging a machete at him. The 10-year-old boy was hit on his left arm and to the back of his head. The men got away with $80.00 and the boy’s white LG touch screen phone valued at $280 dollars. Police have since detained Belmopan resident Christian Martinez pending charges of Robbery and Harm. Police told us that they have retrieved the phone.

Decoding The Sargassum Phenomenon
On Monday, we told you how the coastline of Belize - like the rest of Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean - has been inundated with sargassum – a type of seaweed - which has been drifting in from the ocean. It’s an eyesore and a nuisance to hoteliers and other tourism workers who depend on the beauty of the beaches to attract tourists. Despite that, there isn’t really anything that they can do about it, except hire workers to haul the stuff off the seafront. Today, the country coordinator for the Healthy Reefs For Healthy People Initiative discussed the phenomenon with us, and what is causing it: Roberto Pott - Belize Coordinator, Healthy Reefs For Healthy People Initiative "From what I understand and people should know there's a huge area in the north Atlantic, they refer to the sargassum sea. So there's this huge platform that actually for science it's a spectacle because there's a whole community and they equate it to the diversity of a rainforest that's out there. Unfortunately one of the things that happen, we can argue about climate change - that they are changing current patterns at times due to temperatures in the water I believe. And that causes some of that sargassum sea or platform to strip off and come into our area. And I really have to empathise with the people who live along the coast because they've been overwhelmed with this pad of sargassum that floats in. Unfortunately there's no easy solution to it.

Regional Tourism Growing, Why is Belize Not?
And while the Sargassum is smothering beaches from Placencia to Playa Del Carmen to Port of Spain – tourism numbers in the Caribbean are generally going up. Figures from the Caribbean Tourism Organization show that countries like Barbados, Cuba, Trinidad, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Aruba are showing strong tourism growth at the end of June. Belize, though, is showing a small downturn. The BTB attributes that to a decline in arrival from Canada – which is down 11%, but the figures also show a decline in the arrivals from the USA, which is down 1.4%. The experts say that is due to a weaker Canadian dollar – but that dollar is working just fine in Barbados which has the same exchange rate as Belize and saw a 28.4% increase in Canadian guests in the first half of 2015. Of course, they have Air Canada flying into their airport – which the BTB is trying to get to come to Belize. But that’s just at the discussion phase – so what’s making Belize tourism contract when Central America and the Caribbean are growing? That’s what we asked the President of the BTIA on Saturday – holding to the BTIA line, he used the opportunity to take a shot at the cruise tourism sector:…

Diabetes Association Gets Needed Help
According to statistics from the Belize Diabetes Association, approximately 50,000 Belizeans are currently living with diabetes. That’s almost 14% of the population. So the association has its work cut out for it - and that’s why they are grateful for a very huge helping hand from abroad. The Association President attended a diabetes conference in New York not long ago, where he met the principals from the overseas agent called Insulin for Life. Insulin for Life committed to provide them with a large stock insulin and other supplies such as syringes, and blood testing supplies. The trouble is that with all this insulin, the Association needed to keep them refrigerated. That’s when they decided to approach Tropigas for a refrigerator as a donation, and was surprised when they got a little more than they asked for. 7News stopped by the handing over today, and found out how the Association was pleasantly surprised at the generosity of the company.

Channel 5

Murder in Corozal: Minor Stabs 24-year-old During Altercation
It has been relative free of violent crimes in Corozal Town since the start of the year. But on Tuesday night, all that was shattered when a horrible murder took [...]

Gunfire on Jane Usher Blvd. Leaves Two Men Injured in Separate Incidents
In the city, two persons were injured in separate, but related shootings this morning on Jane Usher Boulevard. Shamar Moore and Raheem Arnold were rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial [...]

Digicell Under Fire for Offensive Online Ads
Belize Telemedia Limited, a government-owned company, is under fire tonight, for a series of controversial ads that have been posted on social media.  If you’re a subscriber of Facebook or [...]

BML and CitCo Back in Court Over Partially Paid Judgment
This time last year, the staff of Belize Maintenance Limited (BML) was protesting in front of City Hall; garbage was strewn across the street and the protestors were arrested by [...]

Mayor Bradley Says There’ll Be No Residential Garbage Fee…
According to Bradley the Council has paid off what was outstanding to BML in terms of compensation for terminating the contract. He is not considering implementing a proposed ten dollars [...]

…But What About Trade Licenses?
Mayor Bradley also discussed the issue of trade licenses. Some Belize City businesses are reportedly thinking of moving outside of the Old Capital’s boundaries to Ladyville and Hattieville which are [...]

McAfee Arrested in Tennessee for Driving Under the Influence
In recent days, not much has been heard about the John McAfee, the eccentric millionaire who remains a person of interest in the murder his neighbour, Gregory Saul in San [...]

16-year-old Arraigned for Unlawful Sexual Intercourse, Attacker Charged with Wounding
This afternoon, a sixteen year old minor was arraigned for Unlawful Sexual Intercourse at the Family Court. The minor was allegedly stabbed on Monday when the father caught him sexually [...]

Banner Year for Sugar Production
The sugar crop got off to a rocky start but it is surely ending on a sweet note. This season, sugar production peaked to over one hundred and forty tones. [...]

Are Caneros Prepared for Changes in Sugar Prices Come 2016 Season?
While cane farmers are enjoying the fruits of their labor for a bumper crop this season, come 2016 things will get a lot tougher, as sugar exported to the international [...]

Workshop on Revenue Enhancement for Municipal Governments
It is budget season for the nine municipalities across the country, who feed in their requests to the Ministry of Local Government to be forwarded to the Ministry of Finance [...]

CitCo Leads By Example; Says Revenue Stream is Healthy
Also participating were the local staff of the CARILED project which has been assisting various municipalities. Even with the largest revenue base of all the municipalities, Belize City still has [...]

Shortage of Beds at K.H.M.H.
Two weeks ago, the staff of the national referral hospital went on a brief go-slow, canceling all referral services from the districts. That was called off after a meeting with [...]

Corozal Police Meets and Greets Residents
As we told you earlier, the second murder for the Corozal district happened on Tuesday night in the Venezuelan Site area of the town. It is also the first murder [...]

Tropigas Donates to Diabetes Association
Today, the Diabetes Association was gifted with a donation valued at a little over three thousand dollars. Tropigas has partnered with the association before, so when the association went calling [...]

CTV3

Lightening Claims The Life Of A Mennonite Man
The change of weather experienced this afternoon was a welcoming treat for Belizeans all across the country but for a resident of Shipyard, the weather proved to be deadly as he was struck by an unexpected bolt of lightning causing him to lose his life. The event is an unfortunate one and is being deemed as a freak accident. From what we have been able to gather, around 2:20 this afternoon, 24 year old Johan Friesen of Camp 3 in the Shipyard community, was struck by lightning whilst walking home. Authorities say their investigation revealed that Thiessen had just left the New Land Area in Santa Martha Village where he was cutting logwood when the incident occurred. As a reminder to the public, officials say when lightning occurs; it is well-known that people should stay away from anything that conducts electricity. We’ll have more on this story in tomorrow’s newscast.

Number Of Patients Suffering From Diarrhea Fight In The North
Parents need to pay extra attention to their children during this summer or the remainder of the summer as doctors are seeing a spike in the number of patients suffering diarrhea. According to Pediatrician Doctor Kent Novelo, he has noticed that many of his patients have presented the symptoms of the rotavirus, one of the most common causes of diarrhea and severe infection is the leading cause of severe, dehydrating diarrhea in infants and young children. “For the past few weeks we have been seeing an increase in the incidents of diarrhea and this of course is accompanied with vomiting and fever and cramps and it has been localized in certain areas of the district initially started on the southern part of Orange Walk but heard right now that is in town even and even in the Corozal district we have seen some so there is a spike in the number of patients consulting for diarrhea and vomiting.”

Vehicle Of Police Constable Set In Fire
In the wee hours of this morning, authorities responded to a vehicle fire reported on Rio Bravo Street in Orange Walk Town. Upon arrival at the scene around 2:20am, officials saw a white Kia Sportage engulfed in flames. Fire officials responded swiftly and were able to doze the fire and immediately an investigation ensued. The vehicle is said to belong to P.C Antony Guzman who is presently working at the Caye Caulker Police Station. Authorities say they are looking at the incident as arson since they recovered one small plastic bottle which is suspected to have been used to carry fuel to start the fire. As you can see the vehicle’s interior was totally destroyed by fire.

BTL's Advertising Campaign Gets Them In Trouble
BTL’s advertising campaigns has taken a controversial turn and opposes are using the cyber market to express their discontent. A four page letter authored by Senator Lisa Shoman explains that and we quote…..”DigiCell has, for some time now been conducting a social media advertising campaign on Facebook and Instagram which carries advertisement of the services offered by your company which are offensive to women, and lately, degrading and in one particular case, suggests that violence/abusive restraint are not only acceptable, but laudable and uses the hash tag #tryduct tape,” end quote. Shoman says that the new ads are sending the wrong message to the public and especially women. The release continues to state that “Memes like these help to perpetuate a culture of contempt for women and abuse of their personhood. It is this that helps to cement a culture of violence against women, and equates women as flesh for male consumption. It caters to, and is dreamed up by an adolescent male fantasy of rape, submission, degradation and depredation of women,” end quote.

Belize Celebrates Breast Feeding Week
The Ministry of Health has for the past few years been promoting breastfeeding and that campaign is nowhere near over. This is “Breastfeeding week and it is being observed under the theme “Breastfeeding and Work, Let’s Make it Work” and will be commemorated from August 1st to 7th, 2015. As part of the events to observe the week, a workshop will be held to promote and facilitate breastfeeding at workplaces. Now there have been mixed feelings about breastfeeding in public across different societies, but the benefits, as far as medical specialists indicate are immeasurable as it is the best source of nourishment for infants and young children and go beyond the first months of life. The workshop hopes to sensate managements of workplaces of the importance of promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding in the workplace.

Vivas' Mom Talks About Her Sons' Death
While the 15 year old minor is now in police custody that is no consolation for the family of 23 year old Samir Vivas, especially his mother, Anabell Vivas, who told us today she was at her house in the village of Calcutta when she received the shocking news of her son had been stabbed. “I live in Calcutta Village roughly about eight in the night my mom called me and told me to please come up here at her house and I told her for what and she say Steven just stabbed your son and looked like injure is deep so just please hurry come up. By the time I reached here catch a taxi from the village and got here I went in there and I told my mom what happened and she told me Steven stabbed Zamir so then I say where is Zamir and I see my son was right there lying down on the ground and then I went and I approached him and I told him Zamir, Zamir lets go, lets go and the taxi was waiting here for me and tell him if could please help to carry this boy to the hospital and then my mother told me that he was drinking earlier and then she told me that the stabbing happened over there at the labor and then he came here running and say he got stabbed and he just collapse right there.”

Orange Walk Police Engage In New Tactic To Combat Crime
The Orange Walk Police has employed a change of tactic to address the problem of rural crime in the Orange Walk District and the hope is to put an end to a spate of offences and improved confidence in the police. Today members of the police formation including Officer Commanding, Assistant Superintendent Selvin Tillett, met with residents of the San Felipe Village in an effort to reduce crime. Tillett says the formation is delivering a consistent proactive and preventative approach to meet the needs of rural communities. “We realize that we don’t want that only when they want they go to the police station but we come out and meet them and who better than the villagers, people themselves tell us what is their problems and ask them what is their problem, what and how we can improve the police service to them, what can we do to better our living standards but I believe that this is only to try to garner back the confidence in the community and we intent to start the Orange Walk formation.”

Masked Men Attacked And Robbed Ten Year Old
A ten year old boy from the Corozal District is tonight recuperating from a frightful ordeal after he was robbed and beaten by two mask men. Yesterday around 12:58 in the afternoon the 10 year old and his sister were in the area of Baeza’s Layout in Corozal when they were approached by two masked men. According to the ten year old, as the men approached him and his sister, they demanded money. But that’s not all. One of the individuals was carrying a machete which he swung at the ten year old while demanding money.

Woman Accuses Pawn Shop Owner of Swindling Her Land
A Pawn Shop in Corozal Town has been accused of swindling a property for a loan that was issued and the client is tonight crying foul. According to a resident from Sarteneja, who requested to remain anonymous, in 2013 she borrowed a loan from the Pawn Shop of $3,500 dollars but in order for the loan to be approved, the client was asked to provide her property title, which she did. The property owner says that she had a few problems in making payments due to financial constraints and that is when she said the Pawn Shop owner took advantage of the situation….. We spoke to her via telephone today “Yo le hice un préstamo a el de $3,500 y yo le estaba pagando a él cada mes el interés que él me estaba cobrando era de $525.00 y lego un momento que yo ya no lo ida pagar porque yo soy ama de casa y tuve unos atrasos y él me dijo que ya no ay tiempo y que ya no es mío el terreno porque él ya me lo quito. Entonces el mando un carta acá en Sarteneja con el pólice y en la carta decía que me tengo que salir de mi casa y la carta no estaba sellado ni confidencial. Viendo tanto interés que me cobraban yo busque ayuda que me aconsejen porque el interés era demasiado porque ni el banco ni el credit te cobran $525.00 de interés por $3,500.00, busque ayuda y se suma a $7,000 que yo ya le pague al señor y él me quiere quitar mi casa y él se quedó con mis documentos de mi casa y yo lo voy a pelear en la corte porque es injusto lo que me hizo porque se aprovechó de mi necesidad y mi casa tiene dos cuartos, una sala, una cocina y un baño y es casa vaciado.”

BTB Tackles Crime To Boost Tourism
The Belize Tourism Board held the 2015 Tourism Conference in San Pedro this past weekend. In an interview with the Director of Tourism Karen Bevans, she spoke on several issues of importance within the industry. One of these things she said was the crime situation and how it has affected the industry. She adds that they are working with the police to boost security and encourage businesses to do just that. “The crime situation is a challenge for us and what we are doing is things like brochures to advice travelers when they land at the airport where to go, where are the good places, the safe places to go. So further to that we worked with the Commissioner of Police and he has put more police officers in San Pedro for example and you have heard of the restructuring done in Caye Caulker, he is increasing the number of officers in Hopkins so he has been looking at all the tourist areas to see how he can boost up security. Additionally he had recommended to us that we work with stakeholders in getting security cameras. We took action and we are already implementing security cameras around the entire Fourth Street Tourism Zone and most of the stakeholders are moving towards getting their place camera ready.”

Local Tourism Proves To Be A Huge Success
Earlier this month the Belize Tourism Board launched a campaign to promote local tourism and as part of the initiative, several businesses are collaborating with the BTB. Director of Tourism, Karen Bevans says the initiative has been a success as local tourism is a hit. "That is impressive; we did not expect the results we have been seeing so far. Stakeholders have been contributing promo codes, we've been given special rates to Belizeans and already we are hearing feedback that the stakeholders are seeing the promo codes being used. In fact just today, they told me that a wedding is happening because of the promo codes as well.”

Corozal Fire Department Discusses Bush Fires and Heat
A few weeks into Belizean summer and we have seen scorching hot conditions that have been dominating our weather. And while we are seeing an intense dry season, vegetation tends to become dry thus becoming a contributing factor for fires say officials from the Fire Department. Deputy Officer in Command at the Corozal Fire Department, Kevin Williams, told us today that burning within town limits is prohibited. If you need to burn garbage or any organic material you must first seek advice from the fire department. Kevin Williams- Second officer in command Corozal Fire Department “It is prohibited to burn these fires but if you have to we ask that you come to the fire department and then we will direct you how to do the burning. What we normally advice people is that if you need to burn you burn in small patches and you burn away from wooden structure mostly. The person also needs to form a firewall around your building that is like a five feet clear path so that if the fire would happen in the bushes it would stop there before it reaches your home. In the community we look on the wind direction mostly because we do not want to burn and have all that smoke go to your neighbors so you look at the wind direction and always have means of water should in case it gets out of hand.”

PUP Leader Discusses Tourism In The West
And while tourism is all the talk these last days on the news, the People’s United Party has joined in the promotion of it. In the launch of its national tour in San Ignacio on Sunday, PUP leader Francis Fonseca pledged the community a fully equipped hospital along with the promise of helping to boost tourism. “Tourism is another important industry here in the west and it is an important industry for the country of Belize and we are absolutely committed to making sure that we set up a health fund, an education fund but we also want to setup a small business fund that will allow people who want to invest in small tourism operations for example to access low interest financing that will allow more Belizeans to get involved in the Tourism Industry at many levels. So we have a full policy that we will be sharing with the Belizean people on Tourism and these are thighs that we will be presenting to the Belizean people before the next General Elections.”

Former Orange Walk Mayor Found Guilty Of 2008 Deadly Traffic Accident
After a little over seven years, a verdict was finally handed down on a road traffic incident that killed two persons near Rahburn Ridge Village in the Belize District. Viewers may recall that on June 15th 2008, former Mayor of Orange Walk Town, Ravell Gonzalez, knocked down and killed a 2 year old girl and one of her relatives. Yesterday, a jury of nine found Gonzalez guilty of two counts of causing death by careless conduct. The jury of five men and four women deliberated for three hours before reaching a unanimous verdict in the Supreme Court of Justice Troadio Gonzalez. After pleas of mitigation from Oscar Rosado and co-attorney Ellis Arnold, Justice Gonzalez set a fine of $4,000 on each count and ordered further compensation to the family of two year old Martita Lopez.

LOVE FM

Double Shooting in Jane Usher Boulevard
Two separate shooting incidents occurred this morning in the Jane Usher Boulevard area in Port Loyola, Belize City where two young men were injured and currently hospitalized. The two victims are 21-year-old, Raheem Arnold and 18-year-old, Shemar Moore. Superintendent Hilberto Romero of the Crimes Investigative Branch briefed the media. HILBERTO ROMERO “This morning we had […]

PUP G-10 In Discussion of Party Resolutions Passed
In a media briefing held last week at Independence Hall with the People’s United Party, Francis Fonseca, the Party Leader had announced several resolutions that came out of the joint meeting of the National Executive and the Standard Bearers. Those resolutions came following a letter with three requests from ten PUP Standard Bearers who are […]

Inspiration Centre Not Closing Its Doors
Some weeks ago there were talks of the Inspiration Centre being in danger of closing its doors to the children with disabilities who they cater to. Earlier this week we met up with the Special Envoy for Women and Children, Kim Simplis-Barrow who told us that while there are indeed financial challenges, the sustainability of […]

Efforts for Peace Among Gangs Continue
The new Commander of Eastern Division South, Senior Superintendent Chester Williams, has been meeting with gang leaders with an aim of creating peace among the criminal elements. We are told that he has been accompanied by Dianne Finnegan who runs the Youth Apprenticeship Program and Douglas Hyde, the Public Relations Coordinator for the Belize Police […]

10-Year-Old Gets Robbed and Injured in Northern Belize
Corozal Police have detained a man from Salvapan area in Belmopan pending charges of robbery and harm. A ten year old boy from Concepcion Village along with his mother went to the Police Station where he reported that just before one o’clock on Tuesday afternoon he was along with his sister in the Baiza Layout […]

Man Remanded After Accused of Trespassing Into a Woman’s Home
42-year-old, Lincoln Moguel, who was convicted of taking a conveyance without lawful authority and was fined $1,000 two days ago, was back in court today to face a charge of burglary. According to the allegation, on August 3 Moguel entered the home of Margaret Trapp, located on Polonio Street, with intent to cause grievous bodily […]

Accused Burglar Says He Is Being Targeted by the Police
24-year-old, Elect Alexander Mckoy, a labourer of Racoon Street Extension in Belize City was charged with burglary and handling stolen goods after it was alleged that he stole four thousand dollars worth of items. McKoy appeared today before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser and pled not guilty to the charges. He was denied bail and was […]

PlusTV

Former Staffer Says the Writing was on the wall for sale of CIBC Bank
Uwahnie Martinez, in 2014, left the first Caribbean Bank of Belize Dangriga Branch after reports that she was discriminated against for speaking in her native Garifuna tongue during office hours. The allegations made headline news and gave the bank a black eye. Now, the bank is being liquidated and...

Pawpa Mena responds to Okeke

Minor wounded in altercation with father
There was an incident reported in Sandhill on Monday where a 16-year-old minor was stabbed. The incident is sensitive but we understand that it happened when he was caught in a compromising position with a young woman, allegedly by that young woman’s father, who inflicted the stab wounds. Seni...

Police make progress in Kelvin Usher case
In other news from the Rural Police Division, the body of Kelvin Usher, found badly burned on the roadside in the village of Bermudian Landing two weeks ago, has been positively identified as his. Police believe they know what led to his death but continue their investigations so for now, they are k...

Special Envoy addresses crime against women
The recent spate of domestic incidents involving and against women has become serious enough to attract the attention of the Police Department which is fashioning a special strategy to address it. Also keeping an eye is the office of the Special Envoy for Women and Children, and today Mrs. Kim Simpl...

Kids skipping CXC’s despite subsidy?
The Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examination (CSEC) is the standard end-of-term examination for fourth form students leaving high school. Since last year based on the Ministry of Human Development and Education’s means survey among Standard five students preparing for the Primary ...

Special Olympics athletes return with silver
The four young women representing Belize at the 14th biennial Summer Special Olympics World Games concluded over the weekend in Los Angeles, California, returned home today with very special medals. Ana Emmanuel, Jasmine Flores, Jayna Locke and Ilda Romero placed second in the unified team category ...

Breaking Belize News

Attorney writes BTL over offensive advertising
Belize Telemedia Limited has removed two Facebook posts with suggestive content after complaints by prominent Belizeans including Senator Lisa Shoman. The telephone provider sent out a short statement from Chairman of the Executive Committee Anwar Barrow responding to an open letter from Shoman as follows: And we quote, […]

Belize Camping Experience winds up summer camp
The Harvest for Kids/Belize Camping Experience crew have been all over Belize City making memories for young Belizeans attending their camps. Their tireless work year round in the name of Christ’s youngest disciples is a reminder that no one is least in the eyes of God. We visited […]

Tropigas donates to Belize Diabetes Association
In addition to supporting adults and youths with diabetes the Belize Diabetes Association is conducting an awareness campaign among the general public. This morning local dry goods superstore Tropigas made a $3,000 donation of a refrigerator, laptop computer and projector. Association president Anthony Castillo welcomed the donation as […]

Mayor Bradley discusses cut in trade license fee
We have been reporting on the ongoing battle over trade license fees with City businesses reportedly thinking of moving outside of the Old Capital’s boundaries to Ladyville and Hattieville which pay no kind of license fee at all. The City charges 25% of rental value by square foot […]

BML take Belize City Council to court again!
If there was any thought that the hiring of more than three-quarters of the former staff of Belize Maintenance Limited (BML) in January as part of the taking over of their sanitation contract by the Belize City Council would end the long-standing impasse between the two, those hopes […]

Local Government staff meet to discuss revenue enhancement
It is budget season for the nine municipalities of Belize, who feed in their requests to the Ministry of Local Government in Belmopan to be forwarded to the Ministry of Finance for inclusion in the annual National Budget due in March. The Ministry is teaming up with the […]

Two youth shot on Jane Usher Boulevard
The sound of gunfire erupted on Jane Usher Boulevard in Belize City this morning just before 11:00. Two young men, identified as 22 year old Raheem Arnold of Curl Thompson Street and 18 year old Shemar Moore, were shot following an argument with another person standing on the […]

Lightning strike kills Orange Walk man
A family in the Shipyard Community is mourning the loss of one of their own after he was struck by a bolt of lightning and died as a result. Authorities in the north say they received the call around 2:20pm this afternoon and dispatched a team to […]

Lincoln Moguel in trouble for following woman home
He was accused of taking a police conveyance without lawful authority but avoided jail time. However 42 year old Lincoln Moguel is in even more serious trouble. This time he faces a charge of burglary; however, the threat is not of stealing but entering a woman’s house intending […]

Elect Alexander Mckoy, charged and remanded for burglary
Elect Alexander McKoy of Racoon Street Extension has been charged with the burglary of the home of Carla Cleland on Chetumal Street in Belize City on August 3 and handling stolen goods before Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer. Police accuse McKoy of breaking into Cleland’s home and taking a […]

Encouraging acceptance of breastfeeding at work
August 1st-7th of each year is celebrated as World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) in more than 170 countries worldwide, encouraging breastfeeding and ultimately improving the health of babies. This week commemorates a declaration signed by WHO, UNICEF and other organizations to protect, promote and support breastfeeding since it has been proven […]

Weather over Belize turns moist
The National Meteorological service of Belize calls for a relatively moist airflow which will persist for another 12 hours within the country. Conditions are to return to fair and warm weather shortly after. The 24 hour forecast is for sunny with cloudy spells today and cloudy at times tonight. Few […]

John McAfee charged in Tennessee for DUI and firearm possession
Eccentric software billionaire John McAfee is in trouble again. According to The Register, he was arrested in Tennessee, where he now resides, on Sunday night and was charged with driving under the influence and possession of a handgun whilst intoxicated. McAfee, who remains a person of interest to […]

Family prepare final farewell for Jason Pau
Ten year old Jason Pau of Kuxlin Ha, Toledo, has now been missing for more than five days after disappearing in the Hokeb Ha (Blue Creek) Cave while on a swimming tour with visiting American volunteers. His family now believes that he is dead, despite no body being […]

Belmopan man accused of robbery in Corozal
Christian Martinez of Salvapan address in Belmopan faces charges for robbery and harm in Corozal Town. According to Corozal Police, a 10 year old accompanied by his mother, reported that around 12:58 p.m. while in the area of Baiza Layout along with his sister, he was approached by two unknown […]

Minor sought in Corozal stabbing murder
Corozal Police are today piecing together information of a fatal stabbing in that municipality. According to police report, on August 4th, around 9:53 pm, they visited the Corozal Community Hospital where they observed the lifeless body of 23 year old Samir Vivas. On the body police observed one single stab […]

Blogs

Belize is SO Different: And Here’s Why…
I was just reading an article talking about Caribbean vacation destinations and it states: Another major problem…is that the islands mostly offer the same thing, so they simply take tourists from one another. Today the Cayman Islands is a hot destination, siphoning off high-end tourists from Barbados and Bahamas. And tourists travelling on a budget (my category) often search for cheap tickets and go from there But you don’t just pick Belize based on a cheap ticket. Though TICKETS this coming season…fall and winter…are as low as I’ve seen them in 10 years. Belize is different. WAY DIFFERENT. Sure, we are technically a Caribbean vacation destination. Well…partly. But it is SO MUCH more. We’ve got beaches and tiny sand cayes, we have gorgeous blue water and sunny, warm temperatures. But here are some reasons why I think Belize is not part of that interchangeable “Caribbean island mix”.

VISUAL ADVENTURE: CAYE CAULKER
Hammocks, sunsets and sea shells: Wanderer-in-Residence Gary Arndt learns what it means to “go slow” on this Caribbean island. In 2012, I took two weeks off to process some photos from recent travels, and to relax. I decided to spend that time in Caye Caulker, Belize, where the motto is “go slow.” It’s a sentiment that applies to everything on the island, from transportation (there are no cars here) to the attitude, and even the internet. Here are some of the images I captured during my stay.

International Sources

Get Your Shine On in Belize!
As our plane descended toward the island of Ambergris Caye, the ocean below revealed every shade of blue, lush green archipelagos and pockets of life dotting the coast. Color electrifies every corner of Belize, from the radiant stilted houses of Hopkins Village to the multi-hued barrier reef. Smiles are as commonplace as the tourists who are welcomed to the Central American country. Walking the streets, you might hear people singing for no particular reason, enjoying a cold beer in the morning or riding golf rental cars to the edge of town. Although it has the lowest population density in Central America, each part of Belize feels distinctly its own. The history of its people is rich and diverse. Mayan culture flourishes in Belize through historical ruins, relics, food and language. In Southern Belize, the Garinagu people celebrate Garifuna culture with West African traditions and communal gatherings. Belize also provides the best nature has to offer, with the second largest barrier reef in the world. Sixty-two percent of its land mass is rainforest. Whether you’re exploring the jungle, dancing to the sounds of Garifuna drumming or swimming with sharks, finding something that interests you in Belize is easy. Narrowing it down may be the hard part. If you’re visiting Belize for the first time, here are three areas worth visiting with very different vibes.

FirstCaribbean sells assets in Belize
A major Caribbean bank, which has its head office in Barbados, is divesting its Belize operations and is awaiting regulatory approval from the Central Bank of Barbados, as well as the Central Bank of Belize. CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank, which is headquartered in Warrens, St Michael, has sold its assets in Belize to the local financial institution, Heritage Bank. CIBC First Caribbean did not disclose the cost of the sale. Chief executive officer of CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Regional Operations Rik Parkhill said the decision was not an easy one, but that it was a necessary one. “However it was necessary to sharpen our focus on the growth opportunities we have in other markets where we operate. We conducted a strategic review of our business across the region and given the growth path we have identified we have made the difficult decision to sell our Belize operations. This decision was made easier because of the credible and respected partner we have been able to identify for this transaction, Heritage Bank,” said Parkhill.

Caribbean Seeks to Provide Additional Support to Existing Investors
Targeting existing investors to reinvest in the Caribbean and creating linkages in the domestic economy between investors and local suppliers to drive investment growth were issues at the centre of the strategy recommended to the region’s’ Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) at the recently held workshop facilitated by the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) in collaboration with the Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (CAIPA) on 27-28 July in St. Lucia. During the workshop, 22 representatives from 11 IPAs across the Caribbean region were exposed to best practices in facilitating existing investors and in key account management. “It takes up to 3 years to secure an investment from a greenfield project”, noted the CAIPA President, McHale Andrew of Invest Saint Lucia, “but it can take as little as 1 year to secure additional investments from an existing investor. With the current challenges of reduced promotional budgets and a demand for increased foreign investment and jobs, it seems logical that we seek to engage further with those investors

Videos

August 5, 2015

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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Searious Thing: Beauty Queens Enjoy La Isla Bonita!
The beauties of Costa Maya Festival 2015 have been busy getting to know all about Ambergris Caye since they arrived on the island on Wednesday, July 29th. From dinners to photo calls and even attending awards shows, they have been quite busy. But on Sunday, August 2nd, it was time to get SEArious! Costa Maya Pageant Catamaran Searious Adventures-23Okay, not really! But they were ready for some real fun and relaxation at sea. And providing the perfect getaway was SEArious Adventures! All eight beauties from Central America and Mexico jumped on board the Searious Escape Catamaran for a wonderful day tour to Caye Caulker. The sun was blazing gloriously early on Sunday morning, and after slathering on the sunscreen, it was off to one of the most recommended spots in Belize: Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

Camp Basil Jones works with inner city at-risk youths to create safer streets
From July 6th to the 24th the second annual Summer Youth Camp at Camp Basil Jones was held on North Ambergris Caye under the able direction/coordination of Guillermo “Mito” Paz of the San Pedro House of Culture. This one-of-a-kind camp has awakened the attention of local news media, organizations and individuals as it has as its main purpose to reduce the chances of at-risk Belizean youths to go astray. One hundred Belizean children mostly from Belize City and other parts of the country were able to participate in this camp. It is imperative that we point out to this community the major role that this camp plays in the life of these young people. According to Mr. Paz some of these children have never been snorkeling or have never worn a mask. Some come from single parent homes with extremely limited resources. In other words this camp is a “Safe Haven” for these at-risk youth where they can be exactly what they are –children; and forget for a week the harsh living conditions that society and the world has thrown their way.

San Pedro Town hosts the 13th National Tourism Awards
It is known as the grandest event of the year for The Belize Tourism Board, and on Saturday August 1st, the San Pedro Holiday Hotel hosted the 13th National Tourism Awards. Tourism stakeholders from all across the country were seated beachside on La Isla Bonita as they awaited the announcement of the winners of the evening. Joining the celebrations was Prime Minister of Belize, Honorable Dean Barrow and his wife, Special Envoy for Belize Mrs. Kim Simplis-Barrow. Eiden Salazar Jr. and Indira Craig were the amiable MCs for the evening, getting the show underway after the singing of the National Anthem and a short prayer. With categories ranging from Guesthouse of the Year, to Hotel of the Year, Minister’s Award, Festival of the Year and more, there were many prizes to be handed out. San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye was nominated in several categories, but standout winner of the night was the San Pedro Lobster Festival. Organizer Rebecca Arceo graciously thanked the San Pedro Business Association and volunteers who work diligently year after year to ensure that the festival takes place. San Pedro’s festival is unique in that it is about the food – challenging restaurants and chefs to come up with creative ways to present the lobster for a panel of judges. In the meantime, revelers at the Block Party have ample opportunities to taste and decide for themselves. The festival has garnered quite the following, with repeat visitors making plans a year in advance to make it to the festival again and again. Congratulations to the San Pedro Lobster Festival!

B A- 1 Project kicks off in Caye Caulker
On Monday, July 27th the Belize Training Employment Centre (BTEC) kicked off the B A-1 training seminar for women in Caye Caulker. A collaboration of the Women’s Department of Belize, the Ministry of Human Development and funded by the Central American Integration System (SICA), the program was successfully launched in San Pedro in June. Held at the Caye Caulker Roman Catholic Primary School, the program is being coordinated by program Coordinator for San Pedro and Caye Caulker Jorge Aldana. The training seminar targets victims of human trafficking and domestic violence by assisting them with personal development. Currently 20 women have enrolled in the training program, which is expected to last three weeks. In the first phase, participants will learn the necessary skills in life planning and personal development. Followed by the second phase which will train the women how to develop a business plan and become successful entrepreneurs. “We are having the second training of the clusters happening in Caye Caulker at the moment, the first training already took place in San Pedro. What we expect from this initiative is that when the B A- 1 project is fully implemented, we hope to have developed a local plan of action to address violence against women,” said Aldana.

San Pedro Lions to host BCVI clinic in August
The Lions Clubs of Belize will be conducting a free eye screening program for children in day care centers, kindergarten schools, primary schools and even in the different summer camps on Friday, August 14th. This service is possible through a grant provided by Lions Clubs International Foundation and local Lions Clubs Funding. The Lions Clubs of Belize comprises of Belize City Lions Club, Belmopan Lions Club, San Estevan Lions Club and the San Pedro Lions Club. A special portable Plus Optix Eye Screener will be used in the program. The device is designed to look for many common eye problems. During the screening there will be no physical contact with the child’s eye. The screening will determine if the child needs treatment, in which case parents will be informed. An eye doctor will be assigned and costs of the treatment will be taken care of after verifying that the parents qualify.

Ambergris Today

13th National Tourism Awards Recognizes Belize’s Best
The Belize Tourism Board held its 13th National Tourism Awards on Saturday, August 1st in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. The event had a grand turn out with guest converging from all corners of the country for this gala event. Distinguished guests included the Prime Minister, Honorable Dean Barrow, Ambassador of Taiwan, H.E. Benjamin Ho, and Minister of Tourism, Culture, & Civil Aviation Honorable Manuel Heredia Jr. among others. The event began with a cocktail reception, following seating of guests to commence the festivities. Nominees were all well represented and showed up in full force anticipating the results of the judging process. This year, the list of categories had increased to 11 with a total of 57 nominations.

Misc Belizean Sources

The Belize delegation is back from the Special Olympics games
Congratulations to the team!

$1,200 a Month to Live Well in The Heart of Belize
Every hillside, every valley, was brushed with the vivid, appealing colors of nature…crimson and orange flamed hues of flamboyant trees in full bloom contrasted with the soft blue and mauve blossoms of what appeared to be jacaranda trees… The entire countryside of Belize’s Cayo District was bursting with color. A recent trip to this area reminded me how much it has to offer. I relish living on the country’s Caribbean coast but every now and then I love to escape and indulge in the Cayo’s raw, bold beauty. Driving up to their home, the first thing I noticed were the series of solar panels lining the roof. The abundant Cayo sunshine recharges the solar batteries that power their indoor, and outdoor kitchens, lights, air conditioning, and swimming pool pumps. They have no utility bills and they seldom use their air conditioning, since their home has been designed to take advantage of the breezes blowing from the hills towards the river.

Communications and Marketing Officer
The National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) is seeking a suitable applicant to fill the post of Communications and Marketing Officer. To find out more information see vacancy posting or call Stephanie at 822-3302.

Paint N Splash "Dolphin Tales"
Tomorrowat 2:00pm. Come join us at Crazy Canucks. Step by step instructions. This one is going to be a good one.

BOLEDO DRAWING for Tuesday, August 4, 2015: 68. PICK 3: 4 1 0. FANTASY 5: 35 20 12 37 15 U

Power Interruption 6:00am to 2:00pm, Sunday, August 9
Entire City of Belmopan, and all that area from Mile 30 to Mile 59 on the George Price Highway, including La Democracia, Mahogany Heights, Franks Eddy, Saint Matthews, Cotton Tree, Valley of Peace, Roaring Creek, Camalote, Teakettle, Ontario, Blackman Eddy, Buena Vista and all that area from Belmopan to Armenia Village on the Hummingbird Highway. BEL to relocate high tension structure on the transmission system in the area.

UB Awards 85 Scholarships
Great news on the education front! The University of Belize had their annual Scholarship Award Ceremony for the 85 recipients of this year's scholarships. Congratulations to all. Study hard! "The University of Belize (UB) held its annual Scholarship Ceremony on August 3rd at the Jaguar Auditorium. At this year's ceremony eighty-five students were awarded scholarships for the upcoming academic year. Recipients were awarded from three of UB's scholarships funds: Barton Scholarship Fund, Diane Sylvestre Endowment Fund, and the Student-Athlete Scholarship Program."

Raptors are magnificent, wild creatures. Not pets!
Twiggy's story is a prime example of why wild animals need to remain in the wild and not in someone's home or backyard. Twiggy was a baby black hawk who had apparently fallen from a nest and was being kept illegally as a pet. When the person keeping her found out about BBR, he surrendered her immediately, but by then the damage was done. She had a severe respiratory infection, dehydration and was horribly malnourished by her 4-week diet of tiny amounts of bread and milk given once a day. She had metabolic bone disease: her bone growth was stunted and her limbs soft and deformed. After treatment for the infection and a proper diet, Twiggy began to put on weight and appeared to be in better health and spirits, but her wings were so badly deformed that it was unlikely she would ever be releasable. One evening, Twigs simply laid down and died. The specific cause is likely to remain unknown, but the underlying issues of poor skeletal and organ development were a direct result of the poor diet during her formative weeks being kept as a pet.

Channel 7

First Caribbean Regional Executives Comment
Last night, we told you about how Heritage Bank is buying First Caribbean Bank's assets, in what is called in a "first-of-its-kind consolidation." But the downside is for the employees of First Caribbean, 60 of them who will be let got - and have no guarantee of getting a job with Heritage. But we're not there yet - all employees will remain fully employed until the sale is final, which could take until November. Today, the Regional representatives from First Caribbean, who had flown in to handle the negotiations and dialog with the employees, returned to headquarters in Barbados. Daniel Ortiz tried to speak with First Caribbean's CEO of Regional Operations, Rik Parkhill, , when he exited the bank on the way to the airport. As you can see here, Parkhill turned us down, and he made a bee line for the waiting transport. But his manager of Corporate Communications was more forthcoming and took our questions:

Heritage Bank Steps Up With Takeover, But How Many FCIB Employees Will They Take Over?
The Managing Director of Heritage Bank is also watching these employees. Stephen Duncan took over the Heritage Bank in 2009 when it was teetering and has brought it around to a level of modest profitability. Now the local bank - which only exists in Belize - is making a big, bullish move, sort of going up in weight class from light weight to middle-weight. Today Steve Duncan - who used to run First Caribbean in Belize - told Jules Vasquez why they are excited about the upgrade - and what it means for the employees of a bank he used to run: Stephen Duncan, Managing Director - Heritage Bank "I think the best way to describe is to say that we are excited about what is happening. This is for us, such a big deal. I mean, for one of the bigger banks, it might not be as big a deal. But for us is a big deal. It is going to double our balance sheet size immediately and you can't scuff at something like that [smiling]." "This would represent a growth for us that would have taken us a couple years or a few years to accumulate. So effectively you get a level of growth within let's say for argument sake one year - that under normal circumstances could have taken four years to accomplish. We intend now to go through a period of consolidation as we integrate this. Which will require us to focus both on our existing customers as well as the new ones that will be coming on board. And I would want to say to the customers of First Caribbean that we will at Heritage to do our best if given the opportunity and if the deal is approved by the regulators and it goes through, we will certainly do our best to provide them with the service that they desire and that they deserved."

Outgoing Country Manager For First Caribbean Comments
The current country manager for First Caribbean Bank Glen smith will have to handle a large part of that transition - which includes negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement with the Christian Workers Union. Today he told Monica Bodden that it is a bittersweet departure for First Caribbean:... Glen Smith - Country Manager, FCIB "It is one of mix feelings. We had been in Belize since 1949 and so approximately 66 years of working in the country, it gives us mix feelings to do that. However, based on the global and regional position of the bank, it wasn't an easy decision to arrive at, but the principals having done a complete strategic review of the bank within the region arrived at this decision." Monica Bodden "We have all heard about the 60 employees that will be let go. What will happen to them?" Glen Smith "We have treated with our employees and also with the union representative and suffice to say that the bank has always consider its employees as our most valuable asset and so we will be fair to them and I can assure that we will be in our severance package, that it will be better than minimum required under the law and so we will continue to treat with the union representative and our staff in this regard."

Police Confirm Body Found 10 Days Ago is Usher
2 weeks ago, we told you about the burnt body which was found on the main road heading to Scotland Half-moon Village in Belize Rural. As we reported, the family of 28 year-old Kelvin Usher, a resident of Ladyville, believed that the burnt body was his. He had gone missing 2 days before. Well, Ladyville police finally confirmed today that they are 100% sure that it is him. Senior Superintendent Edward Broaster, the officer commanding Easter Division Rural, told the press in Ladyville today that after their investigation and the post-mortem conducted by Dr. Mario Estradabran, they are sure that the burnt victim is Usher: Reporter "The body that was found in Bermuda Landing some weeks ago, has there been identification of that body?" Sr. Supt. Edward Broaster, Commander, Eastern Division Rural "Yes, it's the body of Usher I believe." Reporter "So that has been confimed through forensics?" Sr. Supt. Edward Broaster "That was confirmed by the mother and investigation on the body that was conducted by the doctor."

Vigilantes Kill "Flasher" In Dangriga
A man was beaten to death by residents in Dangriga yesterday in a case of vigilante justice. 34 year old Anwar Douglas Garbutt exposed himself to a young girl in the Back-a-Town area yesterday morning. The community decided to take matters into their own hands - that's when 4 men tied Garbutt's elbows together with a leather belt, dragged him from a yard onto the street side where they beat him to death. 2 pieces of 2X4 lumber measuring about 6 feet in length have been retrieved from the scene. Police have detained 4 men from the village in connection with this brazen murder. Police say that this is not the first time that Garbutt has done this - he has been charged twice before with indecent exposure but police also say that the resident may have taken it a too far because there are no reports that Garbutt touched the young girl.

News Sweetens For Sugar Industry After A Season That Started With Bitterness
Despite a late start to the cane season - which left some farmers with cane in the fields - it was still a very good year. There was a record crop of 141,998 tonnes and now there is a record high second payment, which farmers will get next week. This is based on the revised cane price of 70 dollars and 45 cents - the highest on record -and actually higher than the final payment for last crop. So that means farmers will get on average 21.27 cents average payment per tonne on this second payment - which is way up from last year. Financial Controller Belizario Carballo told CTV-3 more. Belizario Carballo, Financial Controller, B.S.I. "So the revised cane prices is now $70.45, which is a new record in terms of 2nd payment cane price estimate. This is the highest on record for a 2nd payment cane price estimate. Last year for example, the 2nd payment cane price estimate was actually the final cane price estimate for the crop was $67.52. The 2nd cane price estimate was, we know that. So, this 2nd payment cane price estimate is above the final payment for payment for last crop was."

Police Say Sandhill Teen Stabbing Victim May Also Be Perpetrator of A Sex Crime
Last night we told you about the man who stabbed a 16 year old boy after catching him in bed with his 13 year old daughter. It is a very delicate situation - we can't disclose the identity of the father nor any family member or neighbors because it would reveal the identity of the minors. Today we spoke to Senior Supt. Edward Broaster and he told us the little information he could provide on this case. Sr. Supt. Edward Broaster, Commander, Eastern Division Rural "Yesterday we received a report of a stabbing incident where we visited the scene. A 16 year old was stabbed at Sandhill Village and he was taken to the KHMH where the doctor certified wounding. He got stabbed to his navel area. The individual that stabbed him is in custody and will be charged accordingly for the injuries that he inflicted on the minor." Reporter "The circumstance surrounding that incident, what led to that stabbing?" Sr. Supt. Edward Broaster, Commander, Eastern Division Rural "Well, the circumstance leading to that stabbing was the fact that he found him in his house doing something that he should not have been doing."

Special Olympians Return With Silver
The Belize Special Olympics Team brought back silver medals from the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles, California. The team only participated in Bocce matches but played against big teams such as Italy and Austria. At the end, the 9 months of training paid off for the team and they earned silver medals in both the single and team category. Today we were part of the greeting party for the team at the PGIA and they told us how rewarding this experience was for them. Courtney Weatherbune reporting A marching band, large picture banners, homemade posters and bouquets of welcome home balloons were all brought out at the Philip Godson International Airport this morning. The spectacle was set up for these kids - the Belize Special Olympics team. They emerged only to be greeted with loud cheers and with the warm and eager embrace of family members.

Disabled Man Got Viciously Beat Down
And while that I the good news for those special needs persons - there is also some ugly news tonight. A disabled man is hospitalized with a fractured skull and a broken jaw. It happened two weeks ago when 30 year old Brandon Nicolas was badly beaten inside his home. He was found lying in a corner by his older sister. Nicolas is crippled in both hands and feet and is a deaf mute so he has been unable to help police in their investigation- but according to his sister, she doesn't believe the cops are doing all they can to catch the culprit. Today 7news visited the home where the merciless beatdown took place. If you would like to assist Nicholas you can contact his sister at telephone numbers 6-6-8-8-2-9-4 or 6-0-0-6-7-3-3.

Solid Waste Management Transformation
A month ago, the Solid Waste Management Authority officially opened the San Pedro Transfer Station, which the island's version of the streamlined and upgraded dumpsites in Belize City, Cayo, Belmopan. It's all part of the Solid Waste Management Project to transform the way the country manages its garbage. The San Pedro Transfer Station was officially inaugurated on July 3, and it now forms a part of the garbage transfer process. When the sanitation workers on the island go and pick up garbage from residents, they will deposit it at the transfer station. From there, it will be brought in to the mainland by barges, and then that garbage will be transferred to the mile 24 Regional Sanitary Landfill. From August 2013, when it was first opened, to May 2015, the facility has been used to dispose of 50 thousand metric tonnes of solid waste transferred from Belize City and the San Ignacio/Santa Elena/Benque Transfer Station. On a daily basis they receive around 74 tonnes of garbage.

Belize's Heptathlete
Professional Track & Field athlete Katy Sealy has been representing Belize for the past 5 years, but she started making the news last year June when it was first announced that she would be the Belizean Flag bearer for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, which were held in Glasgow Scotland. Since then, this British-born Belizean athlete has continued to represent Belize at international athletics competitions, but she's never granted the local press any interviews before today. She did so this morning at the Biltmore Plaza Hotel, and one of the first things she was eager to discuss with the media was her connection to Belize. Here's what she had to say:

Assad Shoman Says No to Guat Foreign Minister
Last week Thursday, we told you about how 4 former Foreign Affairs Ministers from the PUP challenged the Guatemalan Foreign Minister and said that he was misleading the nation. That's because on last week Monday, 7 days ago, CARLOS RAUL MORALES said in a press conference that the reason that the Guatemalan Government objected to the construction of the Coast Guard's Forward Operating Base was because an agreement was signed in the Confidence Building Measures that neither country would construct military bases at the border. In our coverage of that story, we told you that Assad Shoman was the only Foreign Minister from the PUP who had not thrown his voice in with the other 4. His absence was notable because he was the lead negotiator on the Guatemalan issue for a long time, and he was a co-framer of the Confidence Building Measures. Well we contacted us today to explain that the reason he did not join the signing of the press release from the other PUP Foreign Ministers was that he did not see the invitation to join the signing via email until it was too late.

Still No Sign Of Drowned 10 Year Old
There is still no sign of 10 year old Jason Pau. He went missing on Friday on a summer camp trip at the Blue Creek Cave in Punta Gorda. At the end of the cave tour, the group realized that he was missing; police search teams have been looking for him since. Yesterday during the search police and divers picked up a foul smell coming from inside the cave but that led them no closer to finding Pau. When we spoke to police today they told us that the search will continue tomorrow.

Noted Principal Passes
Tonight we note the passing of career educator and principal Samuel Sukhnandan. THE 52 YEAR OLD died LAST WEEK Friday of a heart attack in Guatemala City. His son told us that he had kidney failure and the heart attacks were the result of complications resulting from a kidney transplant. His funeral will be held tomorrow morning at 10:00 am at Nazarene Church - on the compound of the same school he had been principal of for many years.

Channel 5

Business As Usual at FirstCaribbean Despite Looming Sale to Heritage Bank
A formal announcement confirmed on Monday that CIBC FirstCaribbean’s local assets were being acquired by Heritage Bank Limited, a move that will change the banking landscape locally. But the acquisition [...]

Central Bank Governor Says Transition Should be Seamless
But will the transfer of FirstCaribbean’s assets affect its existing clients and what does the sale mean for the banking sector?  That’s what we asked Central Bank Governor, Glen Ysaguirre, [...]

Acquisition of FCIB Means Growth for Heritage But What About Employees?
The purchase of FirstCaribbean’s resources sets the stage for Heritage Bank to expand its operations across the country and with that growth comes a need for additional human resources.  According [...]

Atlantic International Remains Without Correspondent Bank
There is other news in the financial sector which is also affecting banking transactions overseas in the offshore industry. Atlantic International Bank, which formally severed ties with Bank of America [...]

Should Heritage Bank Hire First Caribbean Personnel That Are Losing Their Jobs?
And tonight’s question is: Do you think that Heritage Bank should hire First Caribbean personnel that are losing their jobs in the sale of the bank to Heritage? Send your [...]

4 Persons Detained for Murder of Anwar Garbutt in Dangriga
Four of five persons, including a minor, are in the custody of the Dangriga Police tonight and are likely to be charged for murder in the wake of the vigilante [...]

Body of Missing Child Still Not Recovered from Blue Creek Cave
The recovery effort to retrieve the lifeless body of ten-year-old Jason Pau from the Ho’Keb’ Ha Cave in Blue Creek Village resumed earlier today with a dive team descending into [...]

Father Stabs Teen After Catching Him in Bed with 13-year-old Daughter
A thirty-seven year old and a sixteen year old resident of Sand Hill are facing criminal charges in connection with a stabbing incident in the village on Monday afternoon. Sometime [...]

Firearm Charges Against Joseph Nunez Struck Out in Court
In June 2014, a prosecutor with the Municipal Court was arrested and charged for two firearm offenses after he claimed he stopped a friend from committing a serious crime by [...]

Hattieville Resident Arraigned for Burglary; Did He Attempt to Rape Neighbor?
A Hattieville resident is out on bail after he was charged with the offense of Burglary with the intent to rape his thirty-five year old neighbour, whom he knew for [...]

Motorcycle Accident Leaves Cayo Resident Clinging to Life at K.H.M.H.
A seventeen year old is tonight fighting for his life at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital after he was knocked off his motorcycle on the Bullet Tree Road on Monday.  [...]

Said Musa Supports Francis Fonseca in Wake of Boycott
The G-twelve in the P.U.P. has not been heard from since their boycott of national executive and standard bearers meetings in the past two weeks. That is except for Dan [...]

Chamber of Commerce and DFC Sign MOU…
The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Development Finance Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding earlier today.  The mutual partnership will see both organizations strengthening their respective services [...]

…Business Agreement Forges Meaningful Partnership
The partnership, Aikman says, will allow the Chamber to expand its reach across the country.   Kim Aikman, C.E.O., Belize Chamber of Commerce & Industry “They will also assist the [...]

Special Olympic Athletes Return to the Jewel
Four very special athletes returned home to a warm welcome today. And they did not come empty-handed; the athletes returned to the jewel with medals around their necks after taking [...]

Holiday Hotel Celebrates Fifty Years of Service on La Isla Bonita
Over the weekend, the Belize Tourism Board held its annual tourism awards in San Pedro. The event honored hotels and resorts, as well as individuals who have excelled within the [...]

LOVE FM

Belizean Athletes Earn Silver Medals at Special Olympics 2015
A team from Belize returned home boasting silver medals that they won at the Special Olympics recently held in Los Angeles, California, USA. Love News was among several groups that were at the Philip Goldson International Airport to welcome them home. We spoke with Elodia Bautista, head of the Belize delegation. ELODIA BAUTISTA “It was […]

Regional Managers in Belize To Wrap Up Sale of Assets For CIBC First Caribbean Bank
On Monday CIBC First Caribbean International Bank made the announcement that its operations in Belize will be taken over by Heritage Bank. For its part Heritage Bank says the acquisition of CIBC First Caribbean’s Belize assets is an excellent opportunity for the Bank as it will provide the ability to further cement itself in the […]

Young Boy Stabbed for Unlawful Sexual Intercourse
A father is facing a charge of wounding after he stabbed a 16-year-old in the abdomen yesterday in Sandhill Village, Belize District. Love News spoke with the Rural Executive Officer, Senior Superintendent Edward Broaster on the incident. EDWARD BROASTER “Yesterday we received a report of a stabbing incident. When we visited the scene, a 16-year-old […]

Regional Sanitary Landfill Progressing With International Standards
In 2013, Phase One of the Solid Waste Management Project started to take shape with the building of a five acre regional landfill located off Mile 24 on the George Price Highway. And recently, the San Pedro transfer station began operations in July. The regional sanitary landfill is built to international standards and has been […]

Special Envoy Speaks on Domestic Violence
The news of domestic violence continues in many communities around the country with some intervention from several agencies including the Ministry of Human Development. Another such agency who intervenes in such situations is the Office of the Special Envoy for Women and Children. Belize’s Special Envoy, Kim Simplis-Barrow explained to Love News, their role as […]

Broaster Explains Strategy and Progress in Rural Belize
Some weeks ago we told you of the changes that occurred within the Belize District with the return of Senior Superintendent Chester Williams. With those changes came a new Rural Executive Officer, Senior Superintendent Edward Broaster. Today, while we were at the Ladyville Police station, we asked Broaster on his strategies of combatting crime in […]

Belizean/British Athlete Represents Belize Abroad
British/Belizean Athlete, Katy Sealy, is in Belize but not for long because she will leave the country shortly on her way to Costa Rica for the North American, Central American and Caribbean Championships. Sealy will represent Belize in two sports, 100 meter hurdles and the long jump. Sealy says she hopes to represent Belize well. […]

PlusTV

Tourism partners hail successful year at annual conference
The Belize Tourism Board’s (BTB) Annual Tourism Industry Presentation, held Saturday at Fido’s Courtyard on La Isla Bonita has been expanded to a full-day conference offering continuing education in tourism topics – this year, service excellence and tourism digital marketing. But its primary purpose is to provide a report on the past year’s activities by the Board and look ahead to the coming year. It was recently reported that overnight tourist arrivals from January to April of this year, particularly from the United States and Canada, had slowed down by over 100,000 compared to the first four months of 2014 – that is a reduction of 1.2%. However, the industry now second in Belize only to agriculture for revenue and job creation is not in panic mode. Director of Tourism, Karen Bevans, told reporters that the temporary blip can be easily corrected.

Child goes missing in cave; Father Pleads for Answers!
The search continues for 10 year old Jason Pau of Xulin Ha Village, Toledo who was reported missing on Friday July 31st at the Blue Creek Cave in Blue Creek Village. The distress call was made to police around 6:03 pm on Friday and authorities immediately launched an extensive investigation into the...

Man Beaten To Death…For Exposing Himself?
A personal dispute in Dangriga has left one man dead after he was brutally beaten and then left there to die. The incident occurred sometime between last night and this morning in the vicinity of Ecumenical Drive, Dangriga Town....

Respectable numbers at PUP Rally, But where is G10?
It has not been a good year for the People’s United Party, undeniably so. They lost two consecutive by- elections by huge margins, suffered a blow out defeat at the municipal elections and have been faced with discontent within members of the party. With elections in the near future, the part...

4 persons arrested for Bank robbery
As we reported on Friday July 31st, for the second time in the last three years, the First Caribbean Bank of Belize, Belize City Branch was held up at gun point. It occurred about 8 or 9 am in broad daylight and the culprits, witnesses said, didn’t even bother to mask their identity which migh...

Violent boyfriend shot by police
Punta Gorda police shot a man during a domestic violence situation. According to police, on Saturday August 1at 7:00 p.m., police were called to a home on Wilson Ro ad, Forest Home Village, Toledo District to break up a domestic dispute turned violent. Police say they approached the residence of 47...

Ex-Orange Walk mayor guilty in traffic accident
Seven years after he knocked down and killed a 2 year old girl and one of her relatives, a jury of nine found former Mayor of Orange Walk Town Ravell Gonzalez guilty of two counts of causing death by careless conduct. The jury of five men and four women deliberated for three hours before reaching a ...

23 year old charged with unlawful carnal knowledge
A 23 year old Santa Elena Resident has been arrested and charged for unlawful carnal knowledge of a 15 year old minor. The 15 year old female student of San Ignacio, in the company of her mother, reported of her sexual involvement with the man since May of this year. Though medical findings were ...

Amandala

Gunmen jack FirstCaribbean of $52,753.25
–Five men who police say were involved in the armed robbery of FirstCaribbean International Bank on Friday morning were arraigned in the #3 Magistrate’s Court this afternoon on robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery charges before newly appointed Magistrate Deborah Rogers. Four of the five men – Patrick Jones, 22, a laborer of Gabourel Lane; Jarrett Crawford, 30, a laborer of Gabourel Lane; Jermaine Belgrave, 33, a laborer of Courtenay Crescent; and Emerson Skyers, 24, an unemployed of Cemetery Road – were charged with one count of robbery. The court prosecutor, Corporal Kennard Clarke, indicated to Magistrate Rogers that no plea should be taken, because the amount of money that the men are accused of stealing, $52,753.25, dictates that the matter be heard on indictment at the Supreme Court.

Father stabbed youth, 16, caught having sex with his daughter, 13
A 16-year-old young man of Sandhill was stabbed twice in the chest by the angry father of a13-year-old girl after the father caught him having sex with the girl at his home in Sandhill, at about 10:00 this morning, Monday. The young man was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where he was admitted to ward in a serious condition. Police have detained the father pending charges of aggravated assault. Police told Amandala that the girl’s family was aware that the boy and the girl were “friendly,” but had told the boy several times to keep away from the girl because she was too young. The girl’s parents even took away her phone to discourage her from communicating with him.

FirstCaribbean exits Belize
Exactly two weeks ago, we reported to you about concerns raised by close to 50 staff members of CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank, represented by the Christian Workers Union (CWU), amidst talks of a buyout of FirstCaribbean’s assets by Heritage Bank—and the flat-out denial by the bank (CIBC FirstCaribbean) that a sale was actually afoot. Well, today, CIBC FirstCaribbean confirmed that they have entered into an agreement with Heritage Bank for the sale of its assets here in Belize. This will mean that scores of Belizean workers from FirstCaribbean branches in Belize City, Belmopan, Dangriga and Orange Walk, will soon be out of a job, since the sale does not include an agreement to take on FirstCaribbean’s staff, who we understand total roughly 75, including 44 represented by the CWU and 16 other non-management workers. As some of these workers—appearing a bit camera shy and nervous to see the press at their doorsteps—exited their office this evening on Albert Street, where CIBC FirstCaribbean’s main Belize office is located, onlookers wondered whether the decision by FirstCaribbean to exit Belize had anything to do with last Friday’s BZ$50,000 bank heist at its San Cas Plaza branch, the second time the bank has been held up.

Audrey Matura-Shepherd ordered to pay $3,000
Supreme Court Justice Courtenay Abel issued his ruling on the contempt of court case filed against attorney Audrey Matura-Shepherd this morning and ruled to sanction the outspoken attorney and trade union leader with a $3,000 fine for violating the non-disclosure rules of the court’s mediation proceedings. Following the court-connected mediation settlement of the Belize Grassroots Youth Empowerment Association (BGYEA) in late February, Matura-Shepherd gave a television interview, announcing that a settlement had been reached between her client, Nigel Petillo, the BGYEA leader, and the government’s Lands Department, which had obtained an injunction from the Supreme Court to prevent BGYEA from using a so-called buffer zone at their Harmonyville settlement. Matura-Shepherd not only gave a television interview about the settlement, she also wrote about it in her Amandala column. Her public pronouncements about the mediation settlement prompted attorney Julie-Ann Bradley, one of the attorneys from the government side, to file an application for contempt of court proceedings against her.

9-year-old disappears in cave during church group outing
Police say that Jason Pou, 9, of Blue Creek, went to the Hokeb Ha Cave of Blue Creek along with a church group on Friday, as a part of a church outreach summer program field trip, when he somehow became separated from the group and became missing. Church members, along with villagers, family members, police from Punta Gorda and soldiers of the Belize Defense Force located in Toledo, have all joined in a search to find him. Reports are that Pou was along with 34 others, including teachers and students, who went on the field trip to the cave, along with a tour guide. It is feared that he may have fallen into a sinkhole, which has a depth of 50 feet, with whirlwind currents, and may have drowned.

Belize City man, Anwar Garbutt, 27, beaten to death in Dangriga
Police are investigating the death of Anwar Garbutt, 27, of Belize City, who allegedly was beaten to death in the Sabal Community at about 7:00 this morning. He was found face-down on the ground after allegedly being beaten by a group of men. Reports to Amandala are that Garbutt had gone to the area and exposed his private parts to a little girl who screamed and cried, which caused some men to go to see what was happening. The men reportedly chased Garbutt and caught him. They then subjected him to a mob beating, after which they left the area, leaving him on the ground. Police were called to the scene after the incident and they took Garbutt to the Southern Regional Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Verdes cruises to 8-1 win in training match vs Calcutta eleven
In a training match this evening in preparation for their Tuesday, August 18, Champions League encounter with Queretaro FC of Mexico, Verdes FC shared the playing time among their full roster of players, on their way to an 8-1 drilling of a feisty Calcutta eleven who featured the formidable Michael Whittaker up front. Deon McCaulay was warming up to enter the game when I arrived at half-time, and he quickly got on the scorecard, while sharing the ball and assisting on a couple goals for his teammates. The Calcutta team is no pushover. They just defeated a fresh young FC Belize squad, 4-3, a week ago on Saturday; but Verdes was obviously at another level. Are they ready for Champions League? We’ll find out in a couple weeks’ time.

Belize National Junior Female Softball Team defeats Nicaragua
The Belize National Junior Female Softball Team played its first game at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, July 31, against Nicaragua in the XI Central American Junior Female Softball Championship, being held in San Salvador, El Salvador. The game went 8 innings, with Belize defeating Nicaragua, 8–7. The winning pitcher was Renisha Richards. Belize’s offense was cued by designated player Elma Wade, who had a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth inning. Belize also goes up against El Salvador today. - press release - (Ed. Note: Congrats to our junior softball girls in El Salvador! Up to today, Monday, at 6:00 p.m., we have received no further reports from the Belize Softball Federation.)

Youth teams to compete at first-ever U-13 Champions League
The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and Scotiabank today confirmed the format for the first-ever Scotiabank CONCACAF Under-13 Champions League invitational tournament, set to take place in Mexico City, August 4-8. Eight teams from across the three CONCACAF sub-regions will compete in the invitational, taking place at the Cruz Azul Acoxpa Stadium – a Cruz Azul futbol training facility. The field for the inaugural tournament was selected based on the performance of senior teams from represented countries in the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League. The eight clubs participating in the inaugural Under-13 Champions League Invitational, in alphabetical order by country, include: Montreal Impact (Canada), CS Herediano (Costa Rica), CD Chalatenango (El Salvador), Harbour View FC (Jamaica), Aguilas UAS (Mexico), Toluca FC (Mexico), Chepo FC (Panama), and DC United (USA).

Editorial: Through the wreckage and the rumble …
On the morning of Wednesday, July 8, in Dangriga, the People’s United Party showed life and the United Democratic Party appeared a little off their game, a little taken aback at the PUP, who had appeared to be flat-lining in January in the Cayo bye-election and again in the municipal elections in March. But that was the morning. By day’s end, the script had returned to the one we have grown to know well: The PUP seemed lifeless and leaderless and the UDP swarmed to a 637-vote victory – that’s despite the PUP having an excellent candidate in former educator/administrator Anthony Sabal. There is enough blame to assign to PUP leader Francis Fonseca and his support team. They mishandled the Ivan Ramos departure badly. They considered not contesting the bye-election for a full week. They scarcely spent any resources in the remaining three weeks of the campaign, at least not anything near what they have been spending on TV ads and mobilization in the last 7 days. And our reports say it wasn’t until the last few days of Sabal’s campaign that Queen Street sent in a coordinating team to help organize the first-time candidate.

From the Publisher
Bilal Morris, a Belizean who currently resides in Los Angeles, recently e-mailed me several different video documentaries that he’s done. Bilal is doing important work. He’s chronicling the lives of Belizean superstars who have been living in the United States for three, four decades, such as softball’s Linda Lewis, cycling’s Johnito Miguel, and football’s Peru Olivera. The title on one of the videos referred to one Alexander Marin telling the story of Lynam Agricultural College. To be truthful, I was not that interested. I practically forced myself to watch this video, but when I did, I enjoyed it immensely. In fact, the documentary fascinated and moved me, and it humbled me. When I began high school at St. John’s College in 1959, there was where I first heard of Lynam, the reason being that a couple of my friends from Holy Redeemer Boys and S.J.C. itself who were having problems at Landivar, were either sent or made their way to Lynam. The school sounded like an exile from the city, where all the action was.

Central Farm in 1972: Romel Cuello
Dear Editor, A while back in Colin bh’s Corner he stated that Central Farm School of Agriculture was established in 1977. Actually, GOB had made a try at this school in February of 1972. Recently graduated from Muffles College (High School), yours truly was invited by Mr. Landy Orio, Chief Agricultural Officer in Orange Walk at the time, by way of my late father, Pete Cuello, to a new 2-year agriculture course to take place in Central Farm. There were approximately 15 of us, 13 young Farm Demonstrators in the employ of government, and 2 invited guests, yours truly and Mr. Eladio Carrillo, a teacher from San Lazaro, Orange Walk District. We went there all enthusiastic for a chance to further our studies, but upon entering we were greeted by the dean, Mr. Nolbert Arzu, with the bad news that the course would only last 3 months. Disappointed, but with the idea that anything learned is profitable, we decided to stay on. Let me see if I can remember all the guys: Russell “Chiste” Garcia (R.I.P.), Rene Montero (Hon.), William “Bill” Flores, Kent “Jack of Spades” Parham, Hugh “Packa” Marin, Gustavo “Gush” Torres, Acadio “Management” Marin, 2 Tzul brothers, Edgar Frutos, “My Man” Parham, Pat “Professor” Mena, Lawrence “ Zet” Zetina. We were joined later on by a Mr. Gordon and then ”Mr. Ching” (can’t remember his real name).

Field assessment to determine extent of un-harvested cane begins
Jose Novelo, chairman of the Sugar Cane Production Committee (SCPC), told Amandala today that the field verification exercise to determine the extent of un-harvested cane, the new acreage planted, as well as the “ratoon,” a word used in the industry for regrowth of harvested cane, is due to commence today and continue for the next two months or so, as they go field by field. Over the past few weeks, the SCPC has been receiving reports from cañeros which will enable them to determine the exact acreage of stand-over cane. This figure, said Novelo, should be available to us on Wednesday, while a better estimate of the tonnage should be available after the field verification exercise. Industry stakeholders had expressed concerns that although sugar production has hit a record high this year, roughly 80% of cañeros still have hundreds of tons of un-harvested cane, valued at tens of thousands of dollars, in their fields.

Reparations due. Let’s preserve our friendship
If the Belizean people and the Guatemalan people are genuinely friendly and committed to peace, as espoused by the Guatemalan Foreign Minister, and agreed on fully by the Belize Foreign Minister last night, then we should do all in our power to preserve this friendship. But there is a big problem that could affect the growth and strengthening of that friendship. The stumbling block has been, and still is, the “unfounded Guatemalan claim of Belizean territory.” If Guatemala sincerely feels so aggrieved about the wrong it perceives was done to them by the British in not fulfilling one of the articles in the 1859 border treaty, then she will certainly be even more bitter and aggrieved if we should both go to the ICJ, and the ICJ should rule fully in favor of Belize, keeping our full sovereignty and territorial integrity, with not one square centimeter being lost to Guatemala, except, as in the Maritime Areas Act, that she is allowed free passage through our southern waters to access the high seas.

Fairtrade cites progress with child labor in cane fields, as BSCFA takes corrective measures
The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) has recently received the official 2015 report on the annual audit conducted by the UK-based Fairtrade program—a report which cites progress by the BSCFA on the child labor front, as teenagers who had been toiling as cane cutters rather than attending school have largely been removed from the fields, after an extensive public education campaign by the association. BSCFA chairman, Ezequiel Cansino, told Amandala that the BSCFA failed last year on non-compliance with child labor, but they have since managed to mitigate that problem, after the launch of a pilot project to address the issue. He said that paid work by teens, usually ages 13 and 14, especially work which involved intensive labor in the hot sun, was frowned upon by Fairtrade, and parents were advised that at most, these young teens could be allowed to work an hour or two on the weekends and only under the supervision of their parents.

Ravel Gonzalez, 37, guilty of causing 2 deaths by careless conduct
Today, a jury of 5 men and 4 women deliberated for less than three hours before returning into the courtroom of Supreme Court Justice John “Troadio “ Gonzalez to announce their unanimous guilty verdict against Ravel Gonzalez, 37, a Crown counsel in the Ministry of the Attorney General and a former United Democratic Party (UDP) mayor of Orange Walk Town, who was indicted on two counts of causing death by careless conduct. On June 15, 2008, Gonzalez, who was the mayor of Orange Walk Town at the time of the accident, was driving his burgundy Dodge Caravan when he fatally injured Martina Lopez, a two-year-old, and Manuel Coto. The incident occurred between Miles 35 and 36 on the Philip Goldson Highway. Ravel was heading from Belize City to his home on the San Antonio Road, in the Orange Walk District, when he accidentally knocked down Coto and Lopez. Coto was walking a bicycle with Lopez on it, when they were knocked down while in the company of three other family members on the highway.

Breaking Belize News

Police make progress in Kelvin Usher case
In other news from the Rural Police Division, the body of Kelvin Usher, found badly burned on the roadside in the village of Bermudian Landing two weeks ago, has been positively identified as his. Police believe they know what led to his death but continue their investigations so […]

Minor wounded in altercation with father
There was an incident reported in Sandhill on Monday where a 16-year-old minor was stabbed. The incident is sensitive but we understand that it happened when he was caught in a compromising position with a young woman, allegedly by that young woman’s father, who inflicted the stab wounds. […]

Kids skipping CXC’s despite subsidy?
The Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examination (CSEC) is the standard end-of-term examination for fourth form students leaving high school. Since last year based on the Ministry of Human Development and Education’s means survey among Standard five students preparing for the Primary School Examination (PSE) and Third Form students […]

Special Envoy addresses crime against women
The recent spate of domestic incidents involving and against women has become serious enough to attract the attention of the Police Department which is fashioning a special strategy to address it. Also keeping an eye is the office of the Special Envoy for Women and Children, and today […]

Special Olympics athletes return with silver
The four young women representing Belize at the 14th biennial Summer Special Olympics World Games concluded over the weekend in Los Angeles, California, returned home today with very special medals. Ana Emmanuel, Jasmine Flores, Jayna Locke and Ilda Romero placed second in the unified team category in the […]

Value System Disorder
Post Independent Belize: The Belize political system, which has been ruled via bipartisanship of the People’s United Party (PUP – current opposition) and the United Democratic party (UDP – current party in power), have been successful in obscuring the vast wealth of Belize and also successfully conditioning you, the Belizean people, […]

Construction workers safe after vessel capsizes near Punta Negra
Placencia Police confirm that the four construction workers traveling on a small vessel with materials from Placencia to Punta Negra which capsized this morning are safe. Their safety was in doubt after it was reported that the group did not know how to swim in deep waters but […]

UDP offers advice to PUP, but no election date
The People’s United Party (PUP) continues to fight its way out of the political wilderness. For their chief opponents, the United Democratic Party (UDP), the public rivalry is both a source of humor and caution. Education Minister Patrick Faber, the area representative in the Collet Division told 7 […]

Teenager injured in road traffic accident
A traffic accident at the entrance of Bullet Tree Village around 6:00 p.m yesterday, August 3rd, resulted in a teenager being transported to the K.H.M.H after the motorcycle he was driving, crashed into the back of a Toyota pickup truck. The pickup truck, driven by Arnulfo Manzanero, was coming from […]

Ex-LICU GM thanks members for support; vows to clear name
Two weeks after being officially terminated as General Manager for the La Inmaculada Credit Union Ltd, yesterday Yolanda Gomez spoke for the first time since the controversy surfaced. Gomez has gone on record to state that while the matter is in her attorney’s hands, she cannot divulge details […]

Blogs

Judging the 2015 Belize Tourism Board awards and the big party
This year I was selected by the Quality Assurance team to be a judge for the 13th annual Belize Tourism Board Awards. It was an enjoyable and challenging job, but a great learning experience. There were 5 of us who traveled the country going to resorts, restaurants and tour companies scoring them on a set of questions they had answered and for the most part had already turned in. I was asked to judge one resort and two dive shops on Ambergris Caye and then fly over to Caye Caulker to score two tour companies there. A member of the Quality Assurance team was sent with each judge to monitor the interviews. The team member with me was Vanessa Jacobs. I met her at Tropic Air and off we went. As we interviewed the different businesses, I learned something new and interesting about each one and how they operate.

San Pedro, Belize Walk-About: A Groyne, A Foaming Jaguar And Dress Shopping
It’s nice to be settled in back on the island – back at home. After a whirlwind July, 2 trips to Cayo, 2 kids summer camps – from ATM Cave to snorkeling the Blue Hole…I’m back for just about two weeks and then I’m off to another island. Beaver Island, Michigan. I’ve never been but I’m guessing some very different scenery. And cherries and cheeses and chilly nights…oh my. Yesterday, I walked up to town along the beach and…the sargasso is a serious situation. Here’s a view of it in front of Exotic Caye Resort. They have built a bit of a sea wall at the south end of their property. Sea wall…or is it a groyne? A sand and sargasso catcher… A much larger sea wall has been installed at the north end of the property going up to the property next door. I’m assuming Exotic Caye bought this house and its large lot?

7 Thrilling Belize Adventure Tours to add to your Bucket-list!
Belize offers an exciting mix of adventures to get your adrenaline pumping. If you are into adventure & exploring then we suggest you jump on the next flight that’s headed straight for Belize & scratch these off your bucket-list! Air Belize Skydiving allows you to fly above the Caribbean Sea where you will witness the beauty of Belize and the Placencia Peninsula from the sky. Never skydived before? no problem – Air Belize will get you up and off in no time with their newbie training program. There is no better way to travel within Belize, than by taking a thrilling helicopter ride with our friends over at Astrum. You will find yourself soaring over beautiful lagoons, rivers, caves, mountains and awe-inspiring waterfalls. You do know what a bird’s eye view is like, right? BETTER. Belize offers a unique opportunity to swim with one of the world’s largest mammals, the Whale Shark. Swimming amongst these gentle giants is a one of a kind and an accelerating adventure experience.

How to Have a Perfect Family Vacation in Belize
Picture this: Your kids all grown up, sharing their favorite vacation memories with their children. They’ll speak of the unforgettable adventures they went on with you in the heart of the Belizean rainforest, and how much fun you all had getting sweaty under the Central American sun. What could be better? Got a couple of hard-to-impress teens? Kids with wandering minds? Picky adults who crave both unforgettable adventures and quiet moments? We’ve got you covered. From the moment you walk through the doors of your private 2-bedroom villa, this vacation will already be one for the scrapbooks. As the kids bounce on the beds, take a moment to decompress from your journey in your own private garden – or take a dip in the plunge pool!

International Sources

CIBC FirstCaribbean sells out to Heritage Bank in Belize
Heritage Bank Limited (HBL) has bought the Belizean operations of CIBC FirstCaribbean. The transaction is pending approval of the central banks of Belize and Barbados. "We have a strong team in Belize and these decisions are never easy, however, it was necessary to sharpen our focus on the growth opportunities we have in other markets where we operate," said Rik Parkill, the chief executive officer of CIBC FirstCaribbean Inter-national Bank, which is based in Barbados. "We conducted a strategic review of our business across the region and, given the growth path we have identified, we have made the difficult decision to sell our Belize operations," he said.

Honduran Guitarist Aurelio Martinez Brings Afro-Caribbean Sound to SFJAZZ
Singer and guitarist Aurelio Martinez from Honduras brings his highly global musical style to SFJazz Center at Miner Auditorium on Thursday, August 6th. The Central American musician obtained international recognition beginning at age 14 thanks to his creative world music, which channels Afro-Caribbean sounds along with roots from his native Garifuna heritage. Aurelio was born in the coastal town of Plaplaya in Honduras, and he absorbed the guitar-based ‘paranda’ music of his Garifuna community, descendants of shipwrecked African slaves on the island of St. Vincent who were deported to the Central American coast in the late eighteenth century. When performing, Aurelio grooves with a big band, which includes Tony Peñalva on guitar, vocalist Alex Ciego also on bass, Dony Medina playing tambor primera, vocalist Andy Ordoñez on shaker, as well as vocalist and percussionist Carlos Moralez.

Seven Central American Attorneys General to Meet With Assistant Secretary of State Brownfield
Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) William R. Brownfield will meet tomorrow, August 5, at the State Department with Attorneys General from Central America to discuss justice and law enforcement issues, as well as ongoing reform efforts, in the region. The Attorneys General of Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama are taking part in the discussion as part of a visit to the United States organized by the U.S. Department of Justice. Central America is a priority region for the State Department, which provides support to these nations under the U.S. Strategy for Engagement in Central America. The INL Bureau, as part of the U.S. government’s Central America Regional Security Initiative, or CARSI, supports regional governments’ efforts to fight corruption, increase law enforcement effectiveness, combat gangs, reform justice sectors, and strengthen civilian security.

Videos

August 4, 2015

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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Searious Thing: Beauty Queens Enjoy La Isla Bonita!
The beauties of Costa Maya Festival 2015 have been busy getting to know all about Ambergris Caye since they arrived on the island on Wednesday, July 29th. From dinners to photo calls and even attending awards shows, they have been quite busy. But on Sunday, August 2nd, it was time to get SEArious! Okay, not really! But they were ready for some real fun and relaxation at sea. And providing the perfect getaway was SEArious Adventures! All eight beauties from Central America and Mexico jumped on board the Searious Escape Catamaran for a wonderful day tour to Caye Caulker.

Caribbean Flavors
Capture the flavors the Caribbean with fresh local produce. Whether local ground food, fruits or veggies there’s no better way to experience the best of Belize than through taste :-)

Miss San Pedro delegates sashed at official ceremony
Six beautiful island ladies were officially sashed as delegates of the 2015-2016 Miss San Pedro Pageant on Thursday, July 31st. The ceremony was held at Belizean Shores Resort on Northern Ambergris Caye, where each contestant was presented to their sponsors. The event kicked off at 7:30PM with Mayor Daniel Guerrero giving his remarks on the pageant. Guerrero congratulated the pageant committee’s dedication to making the event so successful year after year, bringing local and international recognition. Following the opening address each delegate was presented with their sash by outgoing Miss San Pedro 2014-2015 Michelle Nuñez and pageant choreographer and former Miss San Pedro, Yakarelis Hernandez. After the sashing, the delegates mingled with the guests, stopping at each table for a few minutes to converse.

Reina de La Costa Maya contestants officially presented to the public
The highly anticipated Reina de La Costa Maya Pageant is nearing, and the eight lovely ladies vying for the crown are preparing for a spectacular show. As per tradition, Fido’s Restaurant and Bar hosted the ladies on their second night on the island, officially sashing them as Cost Maya delegates. The glamourous event took place on Thursday, July 30th shortly after 9PM under the biggest palapa in San Pedro. After receiving their sashes, the beauties enjoyed a spectacular night of dining, dancing and mingling with the Belizean community. Presenting the delegates with their official sashes that will be used throughout the rest of their stay, was Fido’s general manager, Brian Cook accompanied by the reigning 2014/2015 Queen Elisa Espinoza Gómez. Dressed in stunning outfits, each participant proudly received their sash and shared a couple words with those in attendance. In the running for the title and crown are Miss Belize Samalia Vernon, Mexico Samantha Gutíerrez Gónzalez-Rubio, Miss Costa Rica Corlin On Porras, Miss El Salvador Genesis Margarita Fuentes Bolaños, Miss Honduras Gabriela Vanessa Salazar Valle, Miss Nicaragua Yuliset Laguna, Miss Panama Maria Saavendra and Miss Guatemala Lisa Hayet Francis.

Renowned Biologist Shawn Heflick studies American Crocodiles in Ambergris Caye
Another issue identified by Heflick is the declining health of the animals. Through testing and previous studies by Tellez, who is the Central American Co-Chair of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and sits at the International Species Survival Commission of the Crocodile Specialist Group, it has become evident that many crocodiles are sickly. “We are seeing several issues with crocodiles’ health. Those suffering the most are hatchlings. They are very sick and dying at unprecedented rates. These are the next generation for the species, and if they don’t survive, the population will crash. The growth in human population is altering the ecosystem where these animals live and they are suffering the adverse effects,” said Heflick. Crocodilians have been one of the longest surviving creatures on the planet and are known to have one of the most resistant immune systems that can live and survive healthily in the worst environmental conditions. Heflick stated that these signs of illness in crocodiles in San Pedro indicate major concerns in the ecosystem that need to be rectified immediately.

Ambergris Today

San Pedro Bids Farwell to Mr. Efrain Guerrero
San Pedro is in mourning as we report with sadness the loss of a son, a bedrock, a beloved dad, grandfather, uncle, brother, and great grandfather, Mr. Efrain Lorenzo Guerrero. Frain or Frainy, as his close friends and family called him, was one of San Pedro’s grand activists and contributed much to the development of the coconut community, the fishing village and the vibrant Town of San Pedro. In the 1950’s it was Don Efrain who acted as agent of the lobster buyers Colony Club, that operated from Belize City. Fisher folks delivered whole lobsters right at the beach and received payment immediately from don Efrain, who transported the produce to Belize City by sailing boat. Don Efrain introduced to San Pedro the very first outboard engine opening the doors for others to enjoy this privilege.

Costa Maya Pageant Delegates Paint the Town Red
One of the perks of being a beauty ambassador at the Costa Maya Festival is that local businesses pamper the candidates, including restaurants, resorts, tour operators and gift shops. During the days leading to pageant night, August 6, 2015, the eight contestants, along with the reigning Miss Costa Maya, enjoy San Pedro’s hospitality as they are wined and dined at some of the island’s best eateries, explore the underwater marvels of our coral reef and set sail to our national marine park and visit neighboring islands. Here are some of the highlights: Sailing and Dining on the Yolo Catamaran, Island Dream Tours, Sashing Ceremony at the Fido's Restaurant & Bar, Sea Trek adventure with Discovery Expeditions...

BTB Honors Celi McCorkle as Belize Tourism Pioneer
“I wish I had 50 more years,” is all Mrs. Celi McCorkle had to say to the gathering at the BTB Tourism Awards ceremony that took place on Saturday, August 1, 2015. The award’s show, now in its 13th year, celebrated a special 50 Years of Tourism on Ambergris Caye. The highlight of the evening was a celebration of a pioneer in the tourism industry for the entire country of Belize. Mrs. Celi Nunez McCorkle, whose hotel, Holiday Hotel, is celebrating 50 years of service to San Pedro, also marks the commencement of tourism in Ambergris Caye and in a way, the entire country.

Misc Belizean Sources

Men charged for Bank Robbery
First Caribbean Bank Branch, located at the corner of Phillip Goldson Highway and Central American Boulevard in Belize City was robbed on July 31st at 8:40 a.m. Three men escaped with $50,000. Police had reviewed cameras from the bank and detained 5 persons for questioning. Officers have since arrested and charged 22-year-old Patrick Jones of Gabourel Lane, 33-year-old Jermaine Belgrave of Courtenay Crescent, 30-year-old Jareth Crawford of Gabourel Lane and 24-year-old Emmerson Skyers of Cemetery Road, jointly for the crime of “Robbery.”

Costa Maya Delegates with Rene, owner of Caramba Restaurant
They are ready for a savoring lunch.

Pueblo Nuevo Ferry closed Thursday
The Pueblo Nuevo Ferry on Ferry Road will be closed this Wednesday August 5th, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Ministry of Works apologizes for any inconveniences caused.

Belize does not have to consult anybody to build a coast guard base
By Wellington C. Ramos. Under international law, nations have the right to govern their countries and citizens in accordance with their constitutions, without the interference of other nations in their domestic affairs. For Guatemala to tell Belize that they do not have the right to establish a coast guard base on Sarstoon Island is in gross violation of international law. Unless, Belize signed an agreement with Guatemala stating that before they construct any type of military base in that area Guatemala must be consulted first. If Belize signed such an agreement with them, the people of Belize should know, because that is conceding some of our territorial rights to a foreign nation, which is in violation of the government's constitutional obligations.

Cristo Rey Women’s Group Arts and Craft Center Inaugurated
he Minister of Works and Transport and Area Representative for Cayo Central, Hon. Rene Montero today inaugurated an Arts and Craft Center for the Cristo Rey Women’s Group. The women’s group was formed in June 2012 with the ambitious goal of producing arts and craft and bakery products. Their members total 30 gracious ladies. The ladies have been using the Community Center for their arts and craft and baking activities. However, since the Community Center is used for various village purposes there was need for the construction of a building that would be specific for commercial use by the ladies group. Three years after its formation the group can proudly say that it has its own Arts and Craft Center. The construction of the Center was completed at the end of June this year. The Center has a kitchen section for hygienic food preparation and an area for arts and craft production, exhibition and sales. This project is a timely investment in the Group’s quest to become an effective and sustainable economic entity in Cristo Rey Village. With their new building and the use of proper business management practices, the ladies are now poised to contribute to an increase in employment and earnings for themselves and their families.

BOLEDO DRAWING for Monday, August 3, 2015: 94. PICK 3: 8 8 6

Plastic trash in the environment
As you may have noticed we have a group of visiting scientists / artists visiting Caye Caulker and raising awareness about plastic trash in the environment by collecting trash and turning it in to art. These visitors and local residents will be joining forces tomorrow morning, Tuesday to pick trash up along the shoreline from the Mini Reserve to as far south as we get, including the cemetery if we have enough help. Meet at the Mini Reserve at 7 AM. Gloves are recommended, buckets are helpful, trash bags are always appreciated.

Reina de la Costa Maya Delegates enjoying a delightful evening at Mambo Restaurant.

Noches San Pedrano - Traditional Dress — at Ramon's Village Resort.

Big Up our Corozal talent heading to the Nationals!!!
Our home grown talent is headed to the National Song Competition in Belize City, Friday August 14th. Both Mr. Egbert Gill (Senior Division) and Miss Brianna Castro (Junior Division) won in the Regional Elimination Rounds held last month and will represent the Corozal District in the Belize Song Category. You can listen to the songs at www.mynationalsong.bz. Congratulations on your achievements, and we wish you all the best at the Finals!!

PAT BENNETT & BELIZE'S SOFTBALL HALL OF FAME!
Belizean softball giant, Pat Bennett, of the 1974 Gold Medal Team became one of the assets against the Caribbean and Central American softball teams to win the historical gold medal for Belize. She later on became Belize's first female president of Belize Softball Federation doing an incredible job for the continuation of Belizean softball. A true Belizean hero beyond the game!

MICHAEL HYDE: BELIZEAN GRAMMY AWARD WINNER!
Belizean Legends look forward soon to bring you the incredible success story of Belize's most accomplished musician and artist of all times, Michael Hyde. The prolific piano and keyboard player carries a pack schedule every summer, juggling his work with the legendary Jamaican artists, Ziggy Marley with the worldwide performance of some of the biggest acts in reggae music like Big Mountain, Wailing Souls, and other big reggae and world beat acts.

BELIZEAN SOFTBALL PAN AM GAMES STAR, BERNADINE MCDOUGALL, ON THE SET OF WHEN WE WERE QUEENS!
Called here at Belizean Legends, the Quiet Storm of Belizean softball stardom, Bernadine Mcdougall became of those outstanding Belizean softball champions of the 1979 Belize Softball Hall of Fame that won over the United States in the 1979 Pan American Games. The gold and Bronze medalist appears here on set with your truly, Bilal Morris in the shooting of the documentary When We Were Queens. Outstanding!

THE ONE & ONLY LORD RHABURN IN RARE FORM!
Belize's most celebrated Calypsonian, musician, artist extraordinaire, and musical legend, the Mighty Lord Rhaburn strikes one of his most popular poses during a performance with his legendary band, The Lord Rhaburn Combo. The Lord will be Primetime act at the 2015 Belize Independence Day Celebrations at Hollywood Park & Casino in Inglewood in September of this year. Belizean Legends will post event soon. The Mighty Lord Rahburn, coming down to Los Angeles, California like dogs of war!

IN STUDIO WITH SOFTBAL LEGEND DEBORAH THEUS SANCHEZ!
Deborah Theus Sanchez held her own as one of the 1974 Gold Medalist that played at the 1974 Central American & Caribbean Games in Santa Domingo where Belize won the gold medal. They are called the Gold Medal Team, and Theus Sanchez has been no stranger to glory and victory in Belizean softball of old.

FROM THE GLORY DAYS OF MCC GROUNDS TO THE MARION JONES SPORTING COMPLEX: LET THERE BE TRACK!
The building of the new synthetic track at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex appears to have reach completion but without any fanfare and publicity in terms of its readiness for competitions. We Belizeans celebrate the glory days of Track & Field in Belize in the 1960's, 70's and 80's, and mourn for the days of track and field glory to come back again. Let the races begin!

SHOOTING WHEN WE WERE QUEENS WITH THE INCREDIBLE BELIZEAN SOFTBALL STRIKER, GLENDA ELLIS!
Even the golden ladies of Belize's softball hall of fame before her like Linda Lewis mentioned Glenda Ellis's incredible softball athleticism as one of the upcoming players that were talked about in the Belizean softball circles. It was an honor to hear this softball great story!

ON THE SET WITH BELIZEAN SOFTBALL GREAT, ELAINE SMITH!
Memorable and lasting shots with Belizean softball great, Elaine Smith, that will produce one of the most outstanding softball stories of all times called When We Were Queens. This Belizean gold medalist was one of the champions of the 1974 Central American & Caribbean Games when Belize whipped every nation in sight in the Caribbean and Central America to win the highest award, The Gold Medal!

YOURS TRULY & BELIZEAN SOFTBALL ACE PITCHER, MARGARET USHER!
Margaret Usher pitched gold in the 1979 Juvenille Softball tournament in Mexico, and then went on that same year to beat the greatest softball team in the world at that time, the United States Orlando Rebels, wining the bronze medal at the 1979 Pan American Games. Golden lady!

TWO CLASSIC BELIZEAN BROADCASTERS REVISITED!
True memories of two of the most talented Belizean broadcasters who were masters in their own leagues. The captivating voices of the late Edison 'Seferino' Coleman and David Buddan still lingers on in the minds of many a Belizeans. Stay gold gentlemen!

Channel 7

Bank Robbers Busted
On Friday, five armed men robbed the First Caribbean Bank's northside City Branch - and tonight police charged the 5 men who they believe are the culprits. They are 22-year-old Patrick Jones, 33-year-old Jermaine Belgrave, 30-year-old Jareth Crawford, 32 year-old Erwin Castillo and 24-year-old Emerson Skyers, and they have been charged with conspiracy to commit robbery. Everyone except Erwin Castillo was additionally charged with the crime of robbery. All five have been remanded to prison. As we told you, the robbery happened just before 9:00 a.m. on Friday at the san Cas Plaza - in the thick of the payday rush, and the robbers first right in - they dressed like ordinary civilians to get inside without raising any suspicion. Their faces were caught on the bank's surveillance cameras, and that will be a key piece of evidence when they actually face trial.

Heritage Bank Buys Over First Caribbean Assets, 60 Workers Sacked
But collecting the insurance on that money won't be First Caribbean's problem - and that's because they are selling out their Belize operations to Heritage Bank. A release this evening confirmed what has been rumoured for weeks: FirstCaribbean and has finalized an agreement to transfer their assets to Heritage Bank in what is called a "first-of -its-kind consolidation." The deal will still take some weeks to finalize as it has to meet with regulatory approval in both Belize and Barbados where First Caribbean is headquartered. Managing Director of Heritage Bank, Stephen Duncan, is quoted as saying that the acquisition will cement his bank's place in the Belize market. The CEO of FirstCaribbean's Regional Operations, Mr. Rik Parkhill is quoted as saying, "these decisions are never easy, however it was necessary to sharpen our focus on the growth opportunities we have in other markets where we operate….given the growth path we have identified we have made the difficult decision to sell our Belize operations."

PUP Kumbaya, Kinda...
Recently, we've been telling you about the PUP's rebel 12, a dozen candidates who feel that the party is on the road to electoral ruin. They were calling for a national convention - one where they could challenge leader Francis Fonseca. That proposal was squashed by the national executive - and the PUP moved ahead with business as usual, launching their "Power to the People Tour" - the first one going right into the heart of Cayo - where one of the lead rebels, Dan Silva has his political stronghold. Well, right on cue, Silva showed up, while 10 of the other 12 dissidents stayed home. We asked him pointedly if the rebellion has been put down. Here's what he told us: Daniel Ortiz "You're seen here, we know that you were a part of the original 10-12 individuals from the party politicians who voiced that issue that they want that national convention held and we want to see if the support is still for Francis Fonseca as leader. What should we make of attendance here today? Are you separated from that 10 now or what do we make of it?"

While the PUP Fights, UDP Observes
And while the PUP is trying to stir the spirit of '96 with its power to the people tour, the UDP is just looking on….no doubt happy for the PUP's internal strife and political misfortunes. Today, we got an opportunity to discuss it with Education Minister Patrick Faber, the area representative in the Collet Division. As a veteran politician, he commented on the rift in the opposition, and the influence it has on the voting public: Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education "We've gone on record to say that we love Francis Fonseca as Leader of the Opposition. Can't seem to win an election and that of course keeps us happy that he is the leader of the party. But I think if I am allowed to meddle a bit - that they really do some soul searching in that party and to own up to some realities. I've heard the leader of the opposition say that he has placed his leadership on the table for anybody to call him out if you will. But nobody should have to do that. If you are in the position where you have lost so many elections, it should be unconditional that you say to your party 'you know what, I cannot, I have not done it, I have failed you and so I should depart.' That would certainly be a position that I would take. You've heard Mr. Barrow take similar position over the time that he has been leadership in the UDP. Of course he has not been in any position near what Francis Fonseca has been in. Since he has been leader, we continue to make gains and we have small victories that eventually translate` into much larger victories for the UDP."

With PUP Problems, Is The UDP Heading For An Early(ier) Election?
So, since these problems continue to plague the PUP, will the UDP Government call a snap general election? That's what everyone wants to know, and when we asked Faber about that, he said that the Prime Minister is playing it close to his chest: Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education "We have to be weighing these events happening with the opposition quite continuously, because you never can tell what is going to happen next. A lot of things have happened so far, but whether it translates into an early election for us is something that requires more thought. We are always very careful. I mean there are examples in the past where people have jumped at such opportunities and of course that has not turned out well. So, we want to be careful. We are optimistic that we can call an early elections and in fact the Prime Minister has given indications that is something that is quite possible. He is the ultimate decision maker when it comes to that. But as far as we see it, yes, an early election is quite possible. When it is, when it is the right time to strike is what is still to be decided and of course as I've said, the ultimate decision will be made by the Prime Minister. But of course we weigh in all of these factors that are happening with the opposition." "I myself are never too overly cautious, because I know that the UDP for instance was once in a very bad position back in 1998 and of course it did not signaled the death of the UDP. The UDP came back, rose and is now the winningest part since the independence of this country. So, the PUP is down, but I am not counting them out and we are not taking anything for granted."

Former OW Mayor Guilty OF Causing Death By Careless Conduct
He's a Crown Counsel in the Attorney General's Ministry, and a former mayor of Orange Walk Town, but tonight Ravell Gonzalez guilty of knocking down 2 persons and causing their deaths by careless conduct. That's the verdict that a jury of 9 handed down this evening after 3 hours of deliberation. The incident happened on at around 7:30 p.m. on June 15, 2008, between miles 35 and 36 on the Phillip Goldson Highway. The jury heard evidence that Gonzalez was driving his Dodge Caravan, heading towards Orange Walk. That's when he knocked down and killed Manuel Coto and his 2 year-old toddler Martita Lopez. Coto was walking the bike, while the toddler was sitting on it. In his defense, Gonzalez told the court that he was temporarily blinded by a light of a vehicle coming in the opposite direction. After deliberating the evidence presented on both sides, the jury found Gonzalez guilty of both counts of causing death by careless conduct.

10 Year Old In PG Missing In Water Mishap, Presumed Drowned
A police search team has been looking for a 10 year old boy who went missing in Punta Gorda on Friday. That's when a few American summer camp organizers took a group of Belizeans including kids on a tour of the Blue Creek Cave. But after the tour ended at 3:30, they realized that 10 year old Jason Pau was missing. The group searched the area and then called police when no one could find him. When we spoke to Punta Gorda police today, they told us that there are varying reports. Some witnesses say the boy jumped into the water others say he was pushed in and drowned - police are still trying to piece the facts together. They told us that another search was done today in the cave because there was a foul odor coming from inside but there was no sign of the boy. For now police are treating this case as a missing persons case until they actually find a body to confirm that it was a drowning. Police say they will continue to search tomorrow. Pau is from Cuxlin Ha Village.

BTB's Gives Private Sector Broad Strokes Of Tourism Re-Tooling
On Saturday in San Pedro, the Belize Tourism Board held its Industry Conference. It's an annual event where the BTB sits down with private sector stakeholders to discuss common concerns - and try their best to convince the private interests that their investments are safe, and things are looking up. That's proven true in the past few years when arrival figures have been on an upward trend - but this year, the figures are on a down tick - so we wondered what the message would be. Director of Tourism Karen Bevans gave that to us right off the bat:.. Karen Bevans, Director of Tourism "The main message Jules, is that the industry is strong, it's stable, tourism is growing and there are many opportunities in new and emerging markets that the BTB is looking at and is going after for the stake holders." Jules Vasquez reporting On Saturday at the Fido's courtyard in San Pedro - that's the message that tourism stakeholders - mostly from the overnight sector gathered to hear at the annual industry presentation.

Learning Computers Engineering From Bottom To Top
Last week, we told you about how the Public Utilities Commission wants your high schooler to become tech savvy. They want to give kids the tools to learn how to take apart a computer and build it from scratch, using the most basic components. The science will come from the computer teachers in their high school. So, the PUC opened their train the trainers workshop today where the teachers are going to be learning how to make use of the Raspberry Pi computing system as the teaching tool. 7News stopped by to see the start of the program. Daniel Ortiz reports: Daniel Ortiz reporting The first 3 units of the Raspberry Pi were on display at the official opening of the Train the Teachers workshop.

Cops Commence Crackdown On Public Drinking/Loitering
Public drinking and loitering - these two practices are the bane of the city's southside - and commander Chester Williams is determined to put an end to it. Now others have tried and failed, but Williams - who is an attorney - is putting his lawyerly knowledge to use by issuing warning letters - which spell out very clearly the offence, and the penalty for offenders who ignore the warning. Last week, he told us what's behind the crackdown:.. Sr. Supt Chester Williams, OC - E.D. Southside "Most of the crimes occurring on the streets of Belize City emanates from either loitering or public drinking. So what we will be doing one month from today, we will be enforcing public drinking and loitering. So I am drafting some generic letters, which I will be giving to the patrolling officers. So if they see you to meet you public drinking, they will serve you a written notice informing you, 'you know what, what you are doing here is public drinking, it is contrary to this section of the law and the consequence of public drinking is X,Y,Z and if you are caught public drinking again, this will be the result.' The same thing with loitering." Williams says they have started issuing the warning letters today.

Cops Shot Man Twice
Police shot a man twice for advancing towards them with a machete. On Saturday night around 7:00, 47 year old Jennifer Ramos was at her home in Punta Gorda with her 19 year old boyfriend Byron Paiz when he began threatening to burn down the house. Ramos called the police and when they arrived Paiz advanced on the two officers with a machete. One of them shot Paiz in his right hand to subdue him. The officers took the machete away and threw it on the ground but Paiz scrambled to reclaim it - and that's when the police officer fired the second shot to his right leg. He was taken to the Punta Gorda Hospital where he was later transported to the K.H.M.H in a stable condition. When Paiz is released he will be charged with 2 counts of aggravated assault.

Man Stabs Teenager, Throws Acid in His face For Having Sex With Underaged Daughter
A man stabbed a 16-year-old boy for allegedly having sex with his 13 year old daughter. The incident happened in Sandhill this afternoon at around 1:00. The father reportedly walked in on both having sex at their house. The enraged father grabbed a knife and stabbed the 16 year old boy twice and then threw acid on the boy's face. The boy is at the KHMH with a stab wound to the stomach and the father has been detained by police.

Wide Sargussum In Seas Off San Pedro
The entire Caribbean, including the islands and Coast of Belize as well as Mexico's eastern seaboard are under attack by Sargussum - which you might call seaweed. But sargussum is different from the traditional seaweed - the brown mass it moves in vast drifts and is a living organism. But, it's a blemish on the beaches and shoreline- and a major headache to clean because it rots and generates a foul odour. In San Pedro on Saturday - with a sargassum spread right in front of her - The Director of Tourism told us it is on their radar. Karen Bevans, Director of Tourism "The seaweed, the sargussum, is something by nature which we are working with stakeholders in some way or the other to get the necessary equipment or resources to clean up the beach. most of them have employed additional workers to clean up the beach daily, which yes it's unfortunate that we have that situation, it do creates some employment for some of the persons out here. We are now just trying to deal with it how we can to minimize the effect on tourism." Jules Vasquez "Is it resulting a lot of negative reviews on Trip Advisor?"

The Changing Airline Picture
And while that is in the sea, in the air the Belize Tourism Board has other worries. Yes, as we've been reporting the number of airlines coming to Belize are more than ever - but that also means that traditional hubs such as Miami are seeing their dominance erode. In fact reports say that American may soon be sending smaller planes to Belize less frequently do to unsold seats. On Saturday we asked the Director about the changes in the dynamics of air transport into Belize:.. Karen Bevans, Director of Tourism "We recognize that maybe certain areas, the seats are not filled, but if you look at it now, south west is moving into the Houston area. Because we have to look at the travelling patterns and recognize the hubs which the travelers are using. So yes one are may not work out, for example, Miami may be going down but we're opening up in Houston and LA. Again we have been asked to look at Canada which we are in serious discussion trying to get a direct flight from Canada."

Local Tourism A Hit
And while the international tourists can jostle for space on all those carriers - local tourists can jump in a bus, or a water taxi for their vacation. That's what the BTB is encouraging with a local tourism drive which they launched earlier this month. Director Bevans says it's been going swimmingly:.. Karen Bevans, Director of Tourism "That is impressive, we did not expect the results we have been seeing so far. Stakeholders have been contributing promo codes, we've been given special rates to Belizeans and already we are hearing feedback that the stakeholders are seeing the promo codes being used. In fact just today, they told me that a wedding is happening because of the promo codes as well."

The PUP Taking It To The People
At the top of the news, we showed you interviews with PUP big shots talking about the ongoing internal rift in their party. They were speaking at the first stop of the PUP's Power to the People Tour. And while the controversy eclipsed the tour, the idea behind the meetings is to make the leaders of the party more available to their followers for public consultation. As we said at the top of the news, we counted about 700 persons in attendance, but the politicians at the event told us that they're satisfied with yesterday's turn out in San Ignacio.: Hon. Julius Espat - Deputy Leader PUP "This is not a rally. This is a the start of our consultation and I think it's a reasonable crowd, we have I believe a little over 1,000 people which is a fair amount of people for what it is. It is the start of what we are going to do throughout the whole country which is consultation. Anybody can go up there, ask their questions, make a statement and hopefully we can respond a way that they see fit."

How To Pick Your Favourite September Song
The National Song Competition: it's the event that marks the beginning of the September celebrations and gets everybody in the mood for Carnival and the calendar of events throughout the month. Well, the competition is set for the 14th of this month and the 18 finalists are preparing to take the stage. Today we spoke with the Communications Officer for NICH, Shari Willaims and she told us why it's important to have this competition every year and what you can expect on the 14th. There are two main categories in the competition: The Belize Song and Carnival Song. To vote for your favorite song you can go to the website mynationalsong.bz. All the songs have been uploaded so you can listen and click to vote.

Yolanda Gomez Speaks, Just A Little
Last week we told you how the General Manager of La Inmaculada Credit Union, Yolanda Gomez got her walking papers. They also said she had failed to comply with proper banking procedures and that she was afforded the opportunity make herself available to assist in the investigations but she did not do so. So, you might think she is lying low - but today she gave CTV -3 an interview in which she noted the petition in her favour: Yolanda Gomez was very limited in what she could say on the instructions of her lawyer.

Channel 5

Breaking News: Stabbing in Sand Hill
There is a report of a violent incident in Sand Hill Village on the Phillip Goldson Highway. The father of a young girl reportedly stabbed and threw acid on a [...]

CIBC First Caribbean is Sold to Heritage Bank
There is big financial news tonight. CIBC First Caribbean Bank which was hit by robbers last week today informed it’s management and staff that it was selling out it assets [...]

Did Residents of Culture Capital enact Vigilante Justice on Anwar Garbutt?
How far is too far for citizens to take matters in their own hands? Well, it is believed that they went too far in Dangriga this morning when a man [...]

P.U.P. Launches National Tour Amid Dissention Within the Grand Old Party
The deep internal rift in the People’s United Party has been dominating the headlines for weeks. But on Sunday, at least for a few hours, the chasm was not as [...]

Dan Silva Says G12 is Only Fighting to Make P.U.P. Better…
Cayo Central Standard Bearer Dan Silva was the chief organizer of the first leg of the P.U.P. national tour in San Ignacio which was planned some time ago, even before [...]

…But How If They are Boycotting National Executive Meetings?
While Silva’s position is that they have a righteous cause for going against the status quo, Deputy Leader Julius Espat maintains that boycotting national executive meetings does nothing to bring [...]

Minor Drowns in Blue Creek Cave, Recovery Effort Underway
A recovery operation to retrieve the body of ten-year-old Jason Pau from the Ho’keb’ Ha Cave in Blue Creek Village remains open, following the disappearance of the minor on Friday [...]

Band of Thieves Arrested for Robbing First Caribbean Bank
As the CIBC First Caribbean Bank changes hands, five men have been charged in connection with the daring bank robbery this past Friday at the First Caribbean International Bank at [...]

Former Sugar City Mayor Guilty of Causing Death by Careless Conduct
A jury of five men and four women found former U.D.P. Orange Walk mayor, Ravell Gonzalez guilty of two counts of causing death by careless conduct. The thirty-seven year old [...]

Thirsty Thursday’s DJ Chris Charged for Beating Up Ex Brother-in-law
Also this morning, businessman Chris Rosado, the owner of the popular Thirsty Thursday Restaurant and Bar located on Newtown Barracks, was found guilty of wounding his ex- brother-in-law, Sergio Quan. [...]

Anthony Obando Arraigned for Unlawful Sexual Intercourse with Underage Girlfriend
Tonight, there is another report of sexual abuse against a minor. A fifteen year old student in the Cayo area has confirmed to police of an ongoing illegal relationship with [...]

Former La Inmaculada General Manager Breaks Silence on Credit Union Debacle
Since her termination as general manager of the beleaguered La Inmaculada Credit Union on July twenty-seventh, erstwhile head of operations Yolanda Gomez has broken her silence on the issues that [...]

What’s the Status of Belize’s Tourism Industry?
To coincide with the fiftieth anniversary of tourism in San Pedro, the 2015 Tourism Industry Conference was held in the prime tourism destination. On Saturday, the Fido’s Courtyard was the [...]

Is B.T.B. on Sound Financial Footing?
Karen Bevans has been with the B.T.B. for the past sixteen months, following her departure from Belize Telemedia Limited as Chief Operations Officer. She was brought in after the resignation [...]

B.T.B. Awards Outstanding Tourism Stakeholders Big and Small
The National Tourism Awards was the highlight of the weekend out in San Pedro. Following the tourism industry conference at Fido’s courtyard, stakeholders in the industry were recognized at the [...]

Sports Monday with James Adderley
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.   The national senior male football team continued its preparatory work for the 3rd round World Cup Qualifying series with [...]

CTV3

Summer Art Wave Program Takes Place In Corozal
In July of this year, the Corozal House of Culture kicked off its summer art wave program and so far it has been a raging success for the most northern community. Coordinator, Deborah Wilkes told us today that with the support of the business community, the program seeks to maintain Corozal’s culture alive. “We are nearing the end of our Summer Art Wave 2015 program here at the house of culture so we are so thrilled it really takes a community to pull these activities off and we’ve reached out to our community and we had some wonderful sponsors this year including Atlantic Bank and we also have Bowen and Bowen and we also have CCC and we have JICA and they were the ones who initiated the summer program and we are part of the environmental art program, they are an organization that have volunteers throughout the country and so this summer they all came together to Corozal to do their Summer Camp they call it.”

Sugar City Invaded For Fiesta Rama 2015
Fiestarama 2015 has wrapped up and while the turnout has not been fully reviewed, Orange Walk Mayor Kevin Bernard says he is pleased with the results so far. The event started on Friday and concluded on Sunday seeing the participation of local music bands and singers, businesses, food vendors and even entertainment for children. It is, after all, an event catering for the entire family. The event saw many visitors once more this year says Mayor Bernard. “I’m very much pleased but we haven’t compiled all the data as yet we are still putting together the reports and I believe that yes this year Fiesta Rama is another successful Fiesta Rama and I want to thank all those people that were involved, I want to thank my operations manager and his team for preparing the grounds, these guys work very hard, I want to thank our Traffic Officers for ensuring that Traffic Control was there and of course the stall that assisted at the booths and so forth and again thank the businesses that participated and the businesses that sponsored us; Fiesta Rama is always about a community that come together and working for the betterment of our people and as you every year we try to target some of the funds to go back to our summer work program and in fact this morning I understand that huge crowd of students were here already but we are going to wait until after the report is out and then we will decide how much students we can assist because we have also decided that part of it needs to go to fix Guadalupe Street so we are trying to make sure to invest some of the Fiesta Rama monies back on the street and so I think we will do handsomely well again this year so I am very much pleased.”

BTB Says Tourism Industry Is Stable
At the top of the newscast we told you about the 2015 Tourism Industry Conference held by BTB in San Pedro Town. A number of issues pertaining to the tourism industry were discussed during the event including the influx of tourists flying in. During an interview with Director of Tourism at the BTB, Karen Bevans, she expanded on the current situation facing the industry in that sector. “We have to study the market and we recognize that maybe certain areas, the seats are not filling that area but if you look at it Southwest is moving into the Houston area because we have to look at the travelling patterns and recognize the hubs which the travelers are using so yes one area might not work out for example Miami maybe going down but we opening out in Houston opening in LA and again we have been asked to look at in Canada which we are in serious discussions trying to get a direct flight from Canada further to that we recognize barrier with US visas and hence the reason COPA is a big announcement for us because travelers coming from the Caribbean who may not have a US visa coming out from Europe and South America with no US visa but they want to come to Belize so opening the Panama route via COPA will now give that opportunity which was not there before.”

Nine year Old Boy Missing In Toledo
Tonight, a 9 year old boy from Blue Creek Village in the Toledo District remains missing and according to reports authorities believe that he may have drowned. Around 6:00 on Friday evening police received a report that Jason Pau who was swimming and to touring the cave in Blue Creek Village along with a group of missionaries, had gone missing. Initial information revealed that sometime around 3:30p.m volunteers realized that Pau was unaccounted for. They immediately began making checks for him in the water and on land but to no avail. And while that was preliminary information, police say they were later made aware that Jason had jumped in the water, went under and did not resurface. Police, along with BDF Soldiers and community members are presently engaged in an intense search and rescue mission in an attempt to locate Jason but their efforts so far have been fruitless. It is uncertain if any of the volunteers, tour guide or tour operator will be charged for negligence of the missing boy.

Four Men Detained For Heist Ar First Caribbean Bank
On Friday we told you about a major heist at the First Caribbean Bank located at the San Cas Plaza by the Belcan Bridge in Belize City that resulted in the robbers escaping with some one hundred thousand dollars from the institution. Police today have reported that the surveillance footage from within the bank was vital in identifying the perpetrators and leading to them being charged. They are 22 year old Patrick Jones of Gabourel Lane, 33 year old Jermaine Belgrave of Courtenay Crescent, 30 year old Jareth Crawford of Gabourel Lane and 24 year old Emmerson Skyers of Cemetery Road. All four men are from Belize City and were jointly charged for the crime of robbery.

BYM Demands Answers For Increase Of Fees At UB
The youth arm of the People’s United Party, the Belize Youth Movement today issued a release expressing its discontent with a recent publicized announcement from the University of Belize. The release says it is calling on the Board of the University of Belize to recall the newly-imposed mandatory insurance scheme for students registering for the new school year. BYM feels the new fee will act as yet another prohibitive factor for young people who are already struggling to access tertiary-level education. Statistics show that a staggering 93% of our youth-adult-aged population does not access tertiary-level learning. We recall that the cost of UB fees increased for students following the cancellation of the Government’s student-subsidy in 2012 and other increases in fees every other year. The release further states that and we quote, “ We are not against the idea of offering insurance to students as an option and with proper notification, but all indications are that the stiff decision was arrived at without any form of consultation with the student body and imposed without notice” end quote. It ended calling on students to speak out and reject the mandatory insurance and on the University to withdraw the decision forthwith.

Fashion Show Conducted To Boost Economic Activity
Over the weekend, the Corozal Commercial Free Zone saw the conclusion of fashion week 2015. The event was possible with the support of many business outlets and one such company is Turqueza Group limited. Representative Elmer Cornejo elaborated more on the event. “What we are having today is a one of its kind event, is the first ever event actually of fashion show Verano 2015, that is the name of the event and all together we have twenty two models in our show for these two days, we have four males and the rest are girls.”

LOVE FM

Yolanda Gomez Speaks on Her Recent Termination from Credit Union
After being placed on administrative leave since April, Yolanda Gomez was officially dismissed two weeks ago from La Inmaculada Credit Union in Orange Walk after serving almost twenty five years as an employee. Gomez broke her silence today and spoke with Orange Walk Correspondent, Arturo Cantun.

Search Officially Called Off For Missing 9-Year-Old
Yesterday evening at around six o’clock the search was called off for 9-year-old, Jason Pau of Cuxlin Ha Village in the Toledo District who had gone missing inside the Blue Creek Cave in the Toledo District. Pau had left home on the morning of Friday, July 31 to go a summer event at the Blue

CIBC First Caribbean Bank Leaves Belize; 60 Workers Will Be Terminated
This evening the Christian Workers Union sent out a release in which it reveals that CIBC First Caribbean International Bank will, basically, not be operating in Belize anymore. According to President of the CWU, Audrey Matura-Shepherd, top management of the bank had a meeting with the union in which it was shared that the bank

Five Men Arraigned and Remanded For Recent Bank Robbery
Three days after a group of thieves made a brief escape from the San Cas Plaza in Belize City where they robbed the CIBC First Caribbean International Bank of fifty thousand dollars, they were brought into the courtroom of Magistrate Debbie Rogers where four of the five men detained for the incident were arraigned on

Club Owner Fined for Defending Sister From Abusive Boyfriend
Twenty-three year old Chris Rosado, the owner of Thirsty Thursday, a restaurant and bar located on Newtown Barracks, was spared a custodial sentence today when he was found guilty of wounding by the Chief Magistrate, Ann Marie Smith. Rosado was fined $2,000 and he was ordered to pay $1,000 in compensation to the victim, his

Former Mayor Found Guilty Following 2008 Fatal Traffic Incident
Ravell Gonzalez, a Crown Counsel in the Ministry of the Attorney General and a former Mayor of Orange Walk Town, who was charged with 2 counts of causing death by careless conduct, was found guilty of both charges today by a jury of 5 men and 4 women. The jury deliberated for almost 3 hours

Police Subdues Teenager with Shots to Hand and Leg
A teenager is hospitalized at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital following a shooting incident on Saturday night in the Toledo District. Punta Gorda Police say they responded to a domestic dispute in Forest Home Village and upon their arrival 19-year-old Byron Paiz advanced towards them with a machete. The officer reportedly fired a single shot

Boyfriend Charged for Unlawful Sexual Intercourse
A mother in western Belize took her daughter into the police station in San Ignacio to file a complaint against her daughter’s boyfriend. The mother told police that the 23-year-old man had engaged in sexual intercourse with her fifteen year old daughter on several occasions. As a result Anthony Phillip Obando was arrested and charged

BTB’s Director Announces Strategies to Boost Tourism in Belize
The Belize Tourism Board is implementing new strategies geared at tapping into new and emerging markets. The recent strategy is the introduction of COPA and Southwest Airlines in Belize. Karen Bevans, Director of BTB spoke to Love News on those strategies. KAREN BEVANS “Lately we announced the COPA flight coming to Belize that is a […]

PlusTV

Armed Robbery at First Caribbean
On this last day of July, thousands of Belizeans line up at the banks to collect their pay and pay their bills. Add that’s it’s a Friday and the situation becomes even more hectic. But a group of individuals in Belize City decided to try to make some money the easy way, by robbing a bank...

Traffic Accident on Hummingbird Highway
There was a near fatal traffic accident about one and half miles on the Humming bird Highway sometime after 2 pm this afternoon. The incident has put five people in the hospital. Two are being treated for minor injuries and three we understand are in a serious condition at the Western Regional Hospi...

Minister says Insurance at UB is a good deal
The Minister of Education in an interview with our colleagues at Channel 5 said that he does have a concern with the way the mandatory insurance policy payment was announced to the students that they must pay or risk non completion of registration. But overall, he says the cost of the insurance and...

Belize Sagicore Visionaries Place Third in Regional Challenge
They’ve graduated from High school already but 5 students from the Bishop Martin High school in Orange Walk left their mark for being the second team to win the national Sagicore Challenge and go on to represent the country at the Regional level. The ambassadors for each group in the region tr...

Is Canadian Mom Hiding Child in Spanish lookout?
Police from the city of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, believe they have narrowed their search for the missing 31 year old Robin Trockstad nee Greenway and her 2 1/2 year old son Treyson to Spanish Lookout, Cayo District in western Belize. There is an Interpol arrest warrant out for Robin Trockstad in...

Tried to make off with police vehicle
For no apparent reason, 42 year old former taxi driver Lincoln Moguel had the urge to take a police pickup from their headquarters and attempt to drive it away. He didn’t get very far, and today he was lucky to avoid jail time because he reportedly suffers from mental health issues. Moguel wa...

UB Exec says Da Dem Ask fi it
Today plus news sat down with University of Belize President Alan Slusher to speak on a matter that seems to have sparked student outcry. That is the mandatory insurance policy that the university will be implementing this year. The implementation of the insurance payments appears to have caught sev...

Breaking Belize News

Women of Cristo Rey have arts and craft center
30 women of the village of Cristo Rey, Cayo District, have been built a new home for their arts and craft and baking facilities. The Cristo Rey Women’s Group’s Arts and Craft Center was inaugurated today by Representative Rene Montero and offers a separate space from the village’s community center. Completed […]

Coast Guard’s home burned down
A Coast guard officer is picking up the pieces after his house burned down early on Monday morning and arson may be the cause. Hattieville Police visited house No. C-190 in Mahogany Heights Village around 2:30 this morning, and found a cream in color 2 bed room plycem bungalow structure […]

Five charged for robbery of First Caribbean
Police over the weekend cracked the robbery of First Caribbean International Bank at the San Cas Plaza. They arrested and charged 22-year-old Patrick Jones of Gabourel Lane, 33-year-old Jermaine Belgrave of Courtenay Crescent, 30-year-old Jareth Crawford of Gabourel Lane and 24-year-old Emmerson Skyers of Cemetery Road, jointly for […]

CWU confirms sale of CIBC First Caribbean to Heritage Bank
Late this evening the Christian Workers’ Union (CWU) confirmed plans by CIBC First Caribbean International Bank to sell its Belize operation to Heritage Bank of Belize. The local management, after meeting with the Union who represents the bank’s employees, is meeting at present with the employees themselves. According […]

Ex-Orange Walk mayor guilty in traffic accident
Seven years after he knocked down and killed a 2 year old girl and one of her relatives, a jury of nine found former Mayor of Orange Walk Town Ravell Gonzalez guilty of two counts of causing death by careless conduct. The jury of five men and four […]

P.G. Mayor defends alleged “illegal” garbage dumping
Punta Gorda Mayor, Her Worship Fern Gutierrez, has suggested that residents of the town present strategies for addressing the dumping of garbage along the roadside at the Town dumpsite four miles out of P.G. Last week conservationist Wil Maheia photographed and published a Punta Gorda Town Council truck “illegally” […]

John Briceno Court Case adjourned
This morning, Orange Walk Central Area Representative, John Briceno was again back in court. For context, Briceno is accused of running over the foot of Gaspar Vega’s Driver, Christopher Hendricks on January 22nd of last year at an event in Trinidad Village. And while Briceno maintains that the allegations […]

Bar owner guilty of wounding ex-relative
An argument between a Belize City couple almost turned deadly last November and the alleged aggressor was later beaten up by the girl’s brother. However, Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith found 23 year old owner of Thirsty Thursday Restaurant and Bar on Newtown Barracks Chris Rosado guilty of […]

Strong odor is coming from inside the cave where Jason Pau went missing
Reports coming from Blue Creek Village, Toledo, where 10 year old Jason Pau went missing in a cave on Friday, July 31, are that a strong odor is coming from inside the cave as the search and rescue team continues in their effort to locate the child. Pau, a resident of […]

Audrey cited in BGYEA confidentiality case
On Friday Supreme Court Justice Courtney Abel issued his decision in writing on the claim made by Government attorney Rodwell Williams that his opponent, Audrey Matura-Shepherd, violated the terms of the mediation agreement between the Belize Grassroots Youth Empowerment Association (BGYEA) and Government by speaking prematurely to the […]

Police discovers large amount of gun ammunition
Belize City police has made yet another discovery of a large amount of gun ammunition which was found in an early morning operation on August 1st. While searching an abandoned lot in Trench Alley, Belize City, around 8:30 a.m, officers found a bag inside a bottle, which contained 40 live […]

Police have identified the robbers that hit First Caribbean Int. Bank
The names of the men arrested and charged by police, in connection with the robbery of First Caribbean Bank in Belize City, have been released. Those men are: 22 year old Patrick Jones of Gabourel Lane, 30-year-old Jareth Crawford of Gabourel Lane, 33-year-old Jermaine Belgrave of Courtenay Crescent, and 24-year-old […]

Weather continues to be excellent
Mainly fair and warm weather conditions are expected during the next couple of days. The National Meteorological Service of Belize is predicting mostly sunny skies with cloudy spells and isolated showers or thunderstorms today. Skies will be partly cloudy tonight with little or no rainfall. Winds will be blowing to […]

Will the food riots in Venezuela affect Petrocaribe Program in Belize?
Food riots in sections of Bolivar State, Venezuela have resulted in at least one person dead and 30 arrested earlier this weekend. The Bolivar state is home to the largest number of Guyanese living in that country and according to El Universal news, a supermarket was looted in San Felix […]

Belize Cane Farmers are Certified by Fairtraide
The official results of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association’s Fairtrade Audit have been released and the Association has been found with 9 non-compliances. Chair of the Committee of Management, Ezekiel Cansino says that while they see the non-compliances as minor, they have sent a resolution for corrective measures. Some […]

Blogs

The Shell Goret
There were many interesting presentations at the BAAS 2015 and, for me, the most captivating was the one delivered by Dr. Jason Yeger and their discovery of a shell goret at Buena Vista del Cayo. Made from marine shell, the species is still undetermined because of it was so heavily modified. It was likely worn and suspended from the neck, as indicated by two drilled holes. It also has a concave shape and is 13cm by 9cm, likely dating to AD 450. The disk has hieroglyphic text across the top half and an ancestral head profile looking downwards. The glyphs name the bearer of the goret as being Naah Uti’ K’ab and it was likely found within his grave.

International Sources

The Journey of the Sargassum
There is a sea on the Planet Earth which has no shores. It is over two million square miles in size, and it is completely distinct from its surrounding waters both oceanographically and ecologically. It supports roughly a million tons of plant life, which provides habitat for over 100 species of fish and 140 species of invertebrates, and many of them occur nowhere else. All this teeming abundance is in waters that are so nutrient poor that visibility can be a couple hundred feet on a good day. If not for this astonishing ecosystem, in this astonishing sea without shores, this place would be an aquatic desert. It’s called the Sargasso Sea. It is contained by a clockwise gyre of four different ocean currents that circle between North America, Europe and North Africa, and it is about 1,000 miles across at its widest point. Its sea level is three feet higher than the surrounding waters, and the waters are warmer and saltier. The foundation of the ecosystem is a remarkable seaweed called sargassum (Sargassum natans and Sargassum fluitans), a highly unusual marine algae that is completely pelagic (free drifting). It reproduces asexually through simple fragmentation, and it can do so easily, and anywhere it goes. Because it is pelagic, it does not have to compete for precious real estate on the ocean bottom, and it also is not limited to shallow coastal waters like the benthic (attached) seaweeds, which not only have to find some substrate to attach to, but then have to be able to grow up into some light so they can photosynthesize. Sargassum has none of those constraints, and it grows in great mats and windrows in a sprawling, mid-ocean world where the coastlines are hundreds of miles away and the bottom is sixteen thousand feet down. It consumes carbon and produces oxygen in huge quantities. It has been called the golden floating rainforest of the ocean.

Summer events in Central America
There’s always plenty going on in Central America – but if you needed an extra excuse to throw the backpack on and spend your rainy day savings on a flight, here are some tempting happenings… Every August, Ambergis Caye, Belize’s biggest island in the north east of the country, celebrates the reunification of the Mayan empire with a weekend-long multicultural spectacle comprising dance, music, pageants, food and drink from the Mayan World countries. On the opening night of the festival, beauty queens from neighbouring Central American countries including Miss Guatemala, Miss Costa Rica, Miss El Salvador, Miss Belize and Miss Honduras, compete for the coveted title of La Reina de la Costa Maya International. Traditionally, the final night, known as ‘Noche Internacional’, includes an appearance from a surprise international film star or recording artist followed by an all-night celebratory dance. The full line-up for the festival is yet to be announced. www.internationalcostamayafestival.com

Peering into a Maya pyramid
Roy Schwitters is bringing together the worlds of archeology and physics. “Roy is kind of the Indiana Jones of high-energy physics,” said Michael Riordan, a long-time friend and chair of the Orcas Currents Steering Committee. Schwitters is coming to Orcas Island to present an Orcas Currents lecture on “Peering into a Maya Pyramid Using Cosmic Rays.” His multimedia presentation is on Thursday, Aug. 6 and will begin at 5:30 p.m. in Emmanuel Parish Hall in Eastsound. Admission is free. His Texas research team is currently applying the technique to the study of a Mayan pyramid in the Belize jungle, trying to discern chambers and passages within it. To do so, they have had to build a large photovoltaic array to convert the abundant solar energy into electricity, as no convenient power source is available nearby. “I got interested in applying the technology I used in my particle physics career to more general issues, including national security and archeology,” Schwitters said. “That led to my collaboration with UT colleagues in archeology, Belize and Maya pyramids ... I will talk a little about the history and culture of the Maya and the technology we are developing to ‘see through’ jungle and rock looking for hidden chambers in a large, un-looted pyramid.”

Understanding the threats to big cats worldwide
By now, most of the country has heard of Cecil and his early demise. He was a black-maned lion who lived in Zimbabwe, until he was shot last month by a Minnesota trophy hunter. For those truly interested in understanding the threats to big cats worldwide, I can think of no better read than "Life in the Valley of Death" by Dr. Alan Rabinowitz. Rabinowitz is a renowned zoologist and the founder of a jaguar sanctuary in Belize. The New York Times dubbed him the Indiana Jones of wildlife science. When you read about how he discovered a remote and shrinking tiger habitat in Myanmar, you'll know why. To save the habitat, he had to persuade the country's military dictators of the tigers' importance. Don't miss the story of how he did it.

The Flying Ants Save the “Good People”
At the end of May in 1848, essentially all the surviving non-Maya citizens of Yucatán — the buena gente — had crowded into Mérida or within the high walls of Campeche. The Maya rebels, led by Cecilio Chi in the north and Jacinto Pat in the south, had swept their oppressors westward across the Peninsula. Terrified masses of refugees had flooded into the cities along with the collapsing army. The military, politicians, and priests had all failed to halt the fighting, which had become a series of massacres. As resistance became suicidal, morale and discipline gave way, exhaustion and cowardice ruled, and the troops fled. Mutineers and deserters were too numerous to arrest or execute. The population of Mérida swelled to more than 100,000. Refugees — the destitute, sick, wounded, and dying, the old and very young — crowded into the churches, convents, and public buildings. They huddled in desolation under the arcades of the plaza. They broke into abandoned houses seeking shelter and sustenance. Prices, which had been frozen against profiteering, collapsed. Merchants offered entire inventories at a fraction of their value and found no bidders.

Videos

August 3, 2015

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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Wolfe’s Woofer: Nightmares
“Do you want another bowl of chili?” Sherry asked. “Yes, but I don’t think I’ll have one,” I told her. “Why not? You don’t like it?” “I love it. This is probably the tastiest batch of chili that you’ve ever made.” “If you like it so much then why not have another bowl?” “Because it’s so late,” I said. “It’s already after eleven o’clock. Remember, last Wednesday I ate two bowls full before I went to bed. That night I had some of the worst dreams of my entire life.” “And you think your bad dreams were caused by my chili?” “That’s the only thing I can think of that would cause it.”

Tropic Air presents new livery
Tropic Air has today unveiled a modern new look to its iconic brand livery. The new design which will be applied to all of the company’s aircraft was today showcased on a Cessna Caravan V3-HHW. Commenting on the new livery, John Greif III, President of Tropic said: “We’re a dynamic and innovative Belizean company. We have so many exciting changes happening, that we thought the time had come for a new visual expression of who we are. An expression that joins our past to our present, and sets the course for where we’re headed in the future.”

Doctor Love: Gifts and Widower
Dear Doctor Love, Next year I will be married to a man who is everything I want. We come from similar families and the families have much in common. One of these is gift-giving. There are gifts for all occasions from birthdays, holidays and graduation. Both families are horrible gift-givers. Neither of them have a clue about what we need or what we like. They buy whatever attracts their eye. They especially like humorous gifts that have no use other than as money wasters. Would it be wrong to tell someone close to you that their gift doesn’t suit you?

Misc Belizean Sources

Bookkeeping Workshop
Presented by: Ms Helen Frampton, Client Mgmt/Training Officer, SBDCBelize, BELTRAIDE Workshop Date: August 6th, 2015 Time: 9am to 12pm WORKSHOP LOCATION: SBDCBelize , BELTRAIDE - UB Campus, Faculty of Management & Social Sciences, Belize City, Belize. Tel: 2233195. Bookkeeping is the heart of any business. Without it, we cannot hope to keep track of the most important part of any business; money. Gain excellent skills in using various accounting procedures and maintain your books efficiently and effectively for the success of your business. On completion of this course, you will have a sound knowledge about the basic steps and techniques used in bookkeeping, including Identify the differences between commercial environment.

BELIZE FISHING REPORT: Weeks of July 26th – August 1st, 2015
Oh Baby there was some action going on this week. First and foremost was a DOUBLE grand slam by Kassie and Joe, 2 anglers, one boat, 2 slams. My hats off to them and their guide. I am not done… Max achieved the coveted prize, Joe did it and Hackney got into the groove right away on his first day! FIVE grand slams in a week! You should have been here last week!!! Another epic permit week with the tarpon coming on strong around the full moon! Again, debunking some of the myth about tarpon eating all night on a full moon.

Reina de la Costa Maya pageant contestants were treated to a fun sailing trip to Caye Caulker onboard SEArious Escape
..snorkeling, swimming with sharks, even fishing and fun photo ops...the girls had a blast!

Costa Maya Delegates enjoying the best of Caye Caulker

The 2015 Belize Tourism Board Winners Are Announced at The San Pedro Holiday Hotel
Ok, ok, so I wasn’t actually there. Not invited to be exact. But last night, the 2015 Belize Tourism Board Winners were announced at the Holiday Hotel and Miss Celi McCorkle was celebrated for her extensive role in ushering tourism to Belize. Here she is with her special recognition award. 2015 Best Guesthouse: Hickatee Cottages in Punta Gorda, Belize. One of my favorite spots on earth. And my friend Yoli, from Parrot’s Cove in Hopkins, collecting on Kate and Ian’s behalf. (Yoli was also nominated for Best Front Line.) Congratulations! 2015 Hotel/Resort of the Year went to Gaia River Lodge. I have never been but was just in the area (the Pine Ridge in Cayo, Western Belize) and I hear it is absolutely spectacular. 2015 Restaurant of the Year went to Guava Limb Cafe in San Ignacio, Belize! I just spent the last week gushing about their gorgeous FRESH food and the lovely setting – my #1 pick in San Ignacio is confirmed. Lovely LOVELY spot.

Five Days in Cayo, Part Two: The Lodge at Chaa Creek to San Ignacio Town to The Deep Jungle
My FINAL post from my trip to Cayo last week…I PROMISE. But after gushing GUSHING about my two meals at the Guava Limb Cafe in San Ignacio, I was very pleased to see that they were named 2015 Restaurant of the Year by the Belize Tourism Board last night. Congratulations beautiful restaurant. Let me continue from Part One…which ended with a big piece of coconut cake at Sweet Ting in San Ignacio, I was headed back down the hill to search for Artemis Glass. Paul, the owner and artist at Artemis, has a studio and a small display room for his work in the back of his house. He and his family are absolutely LOVELY. You must stop in…

Lamanai Maya Ruins: What You Can Expect to See
The Lamanai Mata Ruins is one of the biggest Maya ceremonial centers. Learn about the many things that you can expect to see and experience while visiting Lamanai. Lamanai Maya Ruins, one of Belize’s biggest Maya ceremonial centers, is a Mesoamerican archaeological site that is found on the banks of the New River Lamanai maya ruinsLagoon in the Orange Walk District location in northern Belize. These ruins posses a unique characteristic from most Maya ruins: it is close to a body of water. Because of this, Lamanai managed to have the longest occupation span of any Maya site, spanning from the 16th century BC until 17th century AD, before the severe drought that led to the decline of the civilization in 900 AD. The name Lamanai comes from a Yucatec Maya word that means ‘submerged crocodile,’ a name fit forthis place as the New River Lagoon is filled with crocodiles. To get there, you should take a scenic 26-mile boat ride up the New River Lagoon from Orange Walk Town. This is the easiest way to get to Lamanai, with the hour-long journey as interesting as Lamanai itself because the virgin banks of the river are teeming with local fauna and flora, making it perfect for crocodile spotting and bird watching. If weather conditions are not favorable, you can drive or take a bus ride to the site. This route is almost as good as the boat ride because you will cross through the Mennonite villages and see how they really live. You can also stay at the Lamanai Outpost Lodge, which is a mere 3-minute boat ride from the ruins.

Ramblings of a Fool
Well hello again. Suppose I've been away from this a bit long...I looked through my "drafts" and realized I've started a good many blogs and not completed a one - so I elected to crumple them up and throw them all in the bin; such as it is anyway. Kinda anti climactic to just delete a draft really. I was seriously tempted to print them, crumple them, and chuck them in a bin. It's always looked so fun in the old movies...just another item lost to technology I suppose. So what have I been up too? Crap tons really. Since we've spoken I've done lobster fest in San Pedro and Caye Caulker, 4th of July, my good friend Kira came to visit, BTB Awards dinner, got voted on the Belize Tourism Industry Association board...so crap tons. The real issue is I got kinda bored talking about doing cool stuff. It become mundane pretty easily really. I mean Jake from State Farm hula hooping with a rip in his pants so 'mini Jake' is on display is something everyone wants to read about...but I just got tired of writing about it.

Cayo Winners 2015
Last night was the 13th National Tourism Awards. Congratulations to all the winners. Your hard work and dedication pays off. CayoGuides.org congratulates the Cayo winners, those hard working Cayo people that brought all those awards home because when we win, the Cayo District wins. And the Cayo winners are Guava Limb Cafe, Table Rock Lodge, Gaia River Lodge, San Ignacio Resort Hotel and Anderson’s Caves Branch Jungle Lodge. Guava Limb Cafe won Resturant of the Year. It is located in downtown San Ignacio. The exterior is a colonial building with a modern touch. It prides itself in serving quality coffee drinks, pastries, signature dishes and a wide variety of specials. Table Rock Lodge won Small Hotel of the Year. Located just outside the village of Cristo Rey on the Pine Ridge Road, it offers a beautiful Jungle and farm cabins for their guests. Hotel of the Year went to Gaia River Lodge, located in the Elijio Panti Forest Reserve near the mountain Pine Ridge. It offers fine dinning and comfortable cabins all overlooking the 5 Sisters Falls. Hospitality Award went to San Ignacio Resort Hotel, located in the heart of San Ignacio Town. The hotel offers prestigious accommodations, exquisite dining at their Steakhouse Resturant and a variety of amenities like the Green Iguana Conservation Project. It is managed by Mrs. Mariam Roberson, who also brings home the Minister’s Award. Tour Operators of the Year went to Ian Anderson’s Cave Branch Jungle Lodge, located along the Hummingbird Highway, near the St. Herman’s Cave and Blue Hole National Park. It offers a jungle setting, beautiful river, treehouses, jungle suites and exciting adventure cave tours.

National Tourism Awards Winners
Last night was the 13th National Tourism Awards. The Annual National Tourism Awards has brought out the Prime Minister of Belize, Hon. Dean Barrow along with Mrs. Kim Simplis-Barrow. Congratulations to all the winners.... CONGRATULATIONS again Mrs. Celi McCorkle on her Special Recognition! Receiving the first ever "Celi McCorkle Award" is the late Mr. Gerald McDermott. Congratulations Ms. Mariam Roberson on receiving this year's Minister's Award!! CONGRATULATIONS to the “San Pedro Lobster Festival” on winning the “Major Events and Festivals”! And the “Small Hotel of the Year” goes to Table Rock Lodge! CONGRATULATIONS!

The Reporter

Boy, 10, missing from field trip to Toledo cave system
Joseph Pao, a 10 year-old student of the Toledo District is missing following a field trip to a cave system in Blue Creek, Toledo last Friday. The child was along with a group of missionaries and other children who went to tour the cave when he disappeared and is believed to have been sucked into the water. Persons close to the child’s family have complained that the trip only included obe tour guide, when by tourism stipulations, there should be obe tour guide for every eight persons on any given tour.

PUP launches National Tour in Cayo district
The People’s United Party (PUP) launched its National Tour in San Ignacio Town, Cayo on Sunday at the Octavio Ochoa Park – an event called a People’s Assembly. The event saw the attendance of about 700 party supporters from across the country, and several PUP standard bearers delivered addresses. The PUP’s National Tour called Power to the People, features a blue bus on which its 31 standard bearers will travel across the country. Sunday’s event followed two consecutive weeks of boycott to executive meetings by at least 10 PUP standard bearers, in their disapproval of Francis Fonseca as their leader.

The Belize Times

PUP’s Radical Love! – National Executive Affirms National Convention Plans & Support for PUP Leader
At a joint meeting of the PUP National Executive and Standard Bearers in March of this year, PUP Lake Independence Standard Bearer Cordel Hyde once described the evolution of the People’s United Party over the years as “radical love”. Hyde was borrowing a quote from U.S. civil rights activist Harry Belafonte to explain that while some get tense and even suffer anxiety over the history of the PUP, he and others respect it. The leaders attending that meeting, numbering 31 and representing a majority of the National Executive and Standard Bearers, expressed their full support for PUP Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca and approved plans for a non-contested national convention to be held later that year. This week, in light of a recent letter written and signed by twelve PUP standard bearers, making three requests that include that the Party holds a national convention, the National Executive met with Standard Bearers once more on Wednesday.

PUP’s Radical Love! – National Executive Affirms National Convention Plans & Support for PUP Leader
At a joint meeting of the PUP National Executive and Standard Bearers in March of this year, PUP Lake Independence Standard Bearer Cordel Hyde once described the evolution of the People’s United Party over the years as “radical love”. Hyde was borrowing a quote from U.S. civil rights activist Harry Belafonte to explain that while some get tense and even suffer anxiety over the history of the PUP, he and others respect it. The leaders attending that meeting, numbering 31 and representing a majority of the National Executive and Standard Bearers, expressed their full support for PUP Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca and approved plans for a non-contested national convention to be held later that year. This week, in light of a recent letter written and signed by twelve PUP standard bearers, making three requests that include that the Party holds a national convention, the National Executive met with Standard Bearers once more on Wednesday.

Taking bread from poor peoples’ mouths – CitCo chances women street vendors
If it were not for the embarrassing public spectacle of their cruel behaviour and actions, Mayor Darrel Bradley and the Belize City Council would have succeeded in taking away bread from the mouths of two hardworking women vendors who make ends meet for their families by selling newspapers and used school books. On Friday morning, City Council special constables launched a vicious assault on the hardworking vendors along Queen Street. Among them were Myrna and Yolanda Montejo, two single-parent mothers who use a private space next to the sidewalk to sell used school books and newspapers. The women reported to the BELIZE TIMES that two female special constables showed up and demanded that they move from the area because they were illegally occupying public space.

Vega’s case against Monchi Cervantes suffers major blow – Claimants seek time to “regroup”, trial adjourned to September 17th
Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin denied a request by Senior Counsel Rodwell Williams to allow the use of a transcribed document as evidence in the defamation trial between Acting Prime Minister and UDP Orange Walk North Area Representative Gaspar Vega and PUP Orange Walk North Standard Bearer Ramon Monchi Cervantes, as the parties met for the second day in court on Friday, April 24, 2015. The transcribed document is an unofficial translation of an audio recording that is in Vega’s possession. In Court, Vega claimed that the recording he has is the same as that which was played at a memorial service for the late Ramon Cervantes Sr., the first respondent’s father. The service was held five months after Cervantes Sr. had been found murdered, buried in a grave at an abandoned property in the Honey Camp Area of the Orange Walk District. Cervantes Sr., who resided in Orange Walk Town, was kidnapped during a visit to his cane farm. After days of searching, three men were detained and reportedly led Orange Walk Police officials to the site where the body had been buried. Cervantes Sr. had a gunshot to his head. His hands were bound by Police handcuffs.

Belize fails U.S. Human Trafficking Test – Downgraded to Tier 3 “for not fully complying and not making significant efforts”
Belize’s efforts at fighting human trafficking have worsened. That’s according to the latest annual report from the U.S. State Department, which rates 188 countries on their efforts to stamp out the scourge. On Tuesday, July 28th the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry released the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. He explained that the report sought to enlighten, energize and empower activists fighting the “human trafficking industry” across every continent. But in Belize’s case, it exposed a failing system. Belize was downgraded from 2014. The latest report indicates that the U.S. has placed Belize in Tier 3 category for not fully complying and not making significant efforts to fighting trafficking in person. Tier 3 is the worst it could get for any country.

Think About It
EARLY ELECTIONS How early is early? For early elections the government only needs 30 days. Can the elections be called for September 2015? Yes. Why? The conditions are as ripe as they can be. The government is at its strongest. The opposition appears to be the opposite. The government is flushed with money. The opposite is the case of the opposition. PHILLIP GOLDSON Phillip Goldson was officially awarded (after his death) with Belize’s highest honor, Order of the National Hero, by the UDP government in September of 2008. Mr. Goldson had left this world on 3 October 2001. At his funeral at Holy Redeemer Church, Hon. Dean Barrow (Leader of the Opposition) and Dickie Bradley (then Minister of Government) spoke in glowing remembrance of a man who had helped form the PUP and later the UDP. SPEAKING OF GUATEMALA In an incredible development, the Foreign Minister of Guatemala at the invitation of the Belize government was a guest presenter at a public forum at the Bliss Institute. It was a love fest. Speaking on Channel 5, “Open Your Eyes” Tuesday morning Senior Carlos Raul Morales made the incredible statement about an incident in March this year.

Not a blade a grass
The debate surrounding the Guatemalan Claim has heated up considerably and has been dominating the public discourse for the past few weeks. Actually, since the death of Tourism Police Danny Cornorquie, this issue has never really moved off the front burner and Belizeans remain engaged. This past Monday, the media was called out to Raddison Fort George where the Foreign Ministers from both Belize and Guatemala along with senior representatives from the Organization of American States (OAS) agreed to face the press and answer a few questions. Instead of quelling fears as it was supposedly meant to do however, this latest move seems to have done more to aggravate the situation. The problem is that Belizeans do not trust Guatemala. What is even worse is that our people now seem to have also lost trust in our own government and in particular, Foreign Minister Sedi Elrington. What it is about Elrington that rubs a lot of people the wrong way is difficult to pinpoint but it exist and it is protuberant. Maybe it is the way he speaks, the way he tends to look down and talk down to people, his jargon, his body language; maybe all of the above.

Heritage Bank & Belize Bank Bulldogs win in Firms basketball
Heritage Bank and the Belize Bank Bulldogs are leading the Belize City Firms basketball tournament, the Bulldogs with 7 wins, Heritage Bank with 6 wins, at Bird’s Isle over the weekend, while Atlantic Bank and DigiCell are also in the hunt for the playoffs, each with 4 wins -4 losses. Game Results: DigiCell vs. Infotel – 77-59 Top scorers: Raheem Staine, 17pts; Stafford Young, 19pts Atlantic Bank vs. BWS Pressure – 68-64 Top scorers: Ian Lennan, 22pts; Luis Barcelona, 28pts

Real West Strikers & UB Jaguars enter playoffs
The Real West Strikers are in 2nd place and the UB Jaguars are in 3rd place as both clubs posted big wins entering the Adventures Club female football playoffs. The Real West Strikers stomped the Infinites 7-1 with Captain Heydi Aceituno scoring the 1st goal for a 1-0 lead. Real West’s Natasha Tillett then scored 4 goals and Julie Ponce added a 5th goal for a 5-1 lead at the half. After the break, Vicky Ponce added 2 more goals for the 7-1. The Lucky Strikers drew 1-1 with Rising Starz, after Lucky Strikers’ Kim “Brazilian” Perez scored in the 33rd minute, and Rising Starz’ Erin Hope equalized 1-1.

Brown Bombers win SOL Belize Football Marathon
The Brown Bombers Under-13 and Under-15 teams won the one-day football marathon sponsored by SOL Belize Ltd at the MCC Grounds in Belize City last Saturday, July 25. In the U-15 final, the Brown Bombers won 1-0 against the Collet Strikers with a goal by MVP Sherwin Requena. The Bombers had defeated the Ladyville Rising Stars 1-0 with a penalty goal in the semi-final match.

Power to the People Tour Kicks Off! – PUP leaders will reach out to supporters in series of national consultations
The leaders of the People’s United Party will launch a serious conversation with its supporters and Belizeans with the Power to the People tour that kicks off this Sunday, August 2nd, 2015 in San Ignacio, Cayo District. The tour will give our leaders the platform to share and discuss the elements of the Party’s progressive ideas and policies with the people of Belize. The Party, under the leadership of Hon. Francis Fonseca, has already launched policies laying out proposals for radical change and development in the areas of Governance, Education and Social Justice. It will also provide supporters and other concerned Belizeans an opportunity to share their views and suggestions with leaders of the Party. The first round of the tour will take place at the Theodocio Ochoa Park in San Ignacio Town. This is in the Cayo North constituency represented by outspoken Michel “Micho” Chebat.

Salvadoran mother found dead at home
Belize City Police are seeking Honduran national Ulysis Mayorga for questioning in the murder of his wife, Merlin Elizabeth Herrera Mejia, a 21 year old Salvador national. Mejia was found lifeless inside a room in an apartment located on Morning Glory Street on the morning of Wednesday, July 29, 2015. Her throat had been slit and she had sustained other injuries. According to the victim’s mother, Maria Dora Alas de Mejia, the last person who saw her daughter alive was the husband. She said Mayorga had called her on Tuesday night, complaining that her daughter was drunk and that he would go for their 4 year old son.

OW resident killed in crash, 1 day after birthday
On July 30th 2015, at approximately 3:30a.m. police responded to a traffic incident in the vicinity of the riverside about 3 feet south of the Toll Bridge, Tower Hill Village, Orange walk District where a black Dodge ram 4-door Pickup Truck was seen partially submerged in the New River. The body of a 35-year-old Leonel Guerra of Santa Martha Street, Orange Walk Town was then removed from inside the cab and transported to the Orange Walk Northern Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Police investigations continue.

BYM appeals for recall of mandatory insurance for UB students
The Belize Youth Movement, the youth arm of the People’s United Party, is calling on the Board of the University of Belize to recall the newly-imposed mandatory insurance scheme for students registering for the new school year. This new fee will act as yet another prohibitive factor for young people who are already struggling to access tertiary-level education. Statistics show that a staggering 93% of our youth-adult-aged population does not access tertiary-level learning. We recall that the cost of UB fees increased for students following the cancellation of the Government’s student-subsidy in 2012 and other increases in fees every other year. We are not against the idea of offering insurance to students as an option and with proper notification, but all indications are that the stiff decision was arrived at without any form of consultation with the student body and imposed without notice. The University also clearly failed to carry out the necessary evidence-based analysis to ensure that this policy decision does not adversely affect students. The decision; therefore, is arbitrary and grossly unreasonable.

Former PM & Foreign Ministers Respond to Guatemala’s Foreign Minister, Carlos Raul Morales
As a Former Prime Minister and former Foreign Ministers of Belize during the period 1998 to 2008, we wish to categorically state the following in response to the assertions of the Foreign Minister of Guatemala, Carlos Raul Morales, that Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) signed by Guatemala with Belize in 2000 and in 2005 “took the decision to not increase the military bases in the vicinity of both countries.” 1. Neither the 2000, nor the 2005 instruments on the Confidence Building Measures between Belize and Guatemala contain or state anything at all about military bases in either country; 2. No decision or agreement was ever made with Guatemala, in the years 1998 to February 2008 by the Government of Belize with regard to increasing or removing military bases in either Belize or Guatemala;

BDF Soldier Asks: How can you expect so much of us when we are given so little?
Dear Brigadier General David Jones, I am writing you this letter to inform you about the many atrocities and challenges that we are facing as Private Soldiers and NCO’s of the Belize Defence Force. There are four major concerns that need to be urgently addressed, in order to improve the overall conditions of the soldiers and the force. These four major concerns are our Equipment, Salary, Medical and Food. The first and most important situation that I want to bring to your attention is the deplorable conditions of our kits. Are you aware that as an infantry soldier many times we patrol without boots, without a good burgen, proper webbing and no hexamine? These are equipment that are very vital for us as soldiers to properly and respectfully execute our duties. When we do inland patrols in the villages and other rural parts of the country, we have to sleep on cement floors simply because we do not have our necessary equipment. These villages have “centres” where beds or something to sleep on could be left for us to use when we go on patrol. We are also sent on patrols without machetes, flashlights and anti-venom packs. ARE WE EXPECTED TO PURCHASE ALL THESE EQUIPMENT FROM THE LITTLE SALARY WE ARE GIVEN??

Breaking Belize News

Jaguars with convincing win in today’s friendly match
The friendly football match between the Belize Jaguars and a selection of Orange Walk District’s senior players, got underway at the Louisianna Football Field in Orange Walk Town this afternoon. A massive crowd gathered to watch the Jaguars led by Belize’s most exciting and talented striker, Deon McCaulay and Orange […]

PUP holds ‘power to the people’ rally in Cayo
Today the People United Party held a rally at the Theodocio Ochoa Park in San Ignacio. A respectable crowd, estimated by BMG to be between 1,300 and 1,500 people, attended the rally which began with a motorcade departing Esperanza Village at 2:30 p.m.,travelling up the George Price Highway through Santa […]

Police detain five for First Caribbean robbery
Belize City Police have detained 5 men pending investigation in connection with the early Friday morning robbery of First Caribbean Bank at San Cas Plaza, Belize City. The bank branch’s manager reported that 3 male persons entered the bank at around 8:40 a.m and robbed it of more than $50,000, […]

Man charged for sex with teen girlfriend
23 year old Santa Elena Town resident, Anthony Phillip Obando, has been arrested and charged for the crime of “Unlawful Sexual Intercourse” after his 15 year old girlfriend reported that she had been sexually involved with him multiple times. The minor was medically examined and it was certified that she […]

Missing Toledo boy named; feared drowned
On Friday, July 31, at around 6:03 p.m, it was reported to Punta Gorda Police that a 9 year old boy was missing in Blue Creek Village, Toledo District, and had apparently drowned. When police arrived at the village to join in the search efforts, it was discovered that the […]

Jaguars and U-23 national selection face Orange Walk teams today
The Jaguars and the national under-23 football selection of Belize will be visiting Orange Walk Town today, playing against that municipality’s U-23 and senior selection. Organizer Edmundo Canul told BMG that the objective of today’s matches is to provide an opportunity for players in the north to have […]

Toledo boy now missing 24 hours in Hokeb Ha Cave
It has now been more than twenty four hours since a 9 year old boy went missing while on a field trip at the Hokeb Ha Cave in Blue Creek Village, Toledo. The search began Friday night, July 31, with the boy’s father and villagers who were later joined by […]

Blogs

Betting Against Global Agriculture Collapse
Our apparently robust civilization is facing a prospect of global breakdown as major support systems begin to crumble. Locked into a centuries-long course of growth and expansion, humanity has taken over the planet’s land surface and assaulted the oceans, denying more and more living space and resources to other life-forms. Natural resources needed to support the industrial lifestyle are showing unmistakable signs of diminishing returns to investment. Central to this growing dilemma is the agricultural system that supplies food for humanity but is increasingly stressed by climate change, resource constraints, and rising demand. And most do not understand the deep underlying connections between food and the many other aspects of the world in which we live that are also dangerously constrained. Humanity today complacently assumes that the world agricultural system can continue to feed the huge and growing human population indefinitely without revolutionary changes in strategy and behavior. The world community is taking a gigantic risk that even today’s inadequate level of nourishment can be maintained for as many as 9.7 billion people, a third more than exist today projected in 2050, a mere 36 years from now.

AMBERGRIS CAYE, BELIZE ALWAYS PROVIDES THAT “SOMETHING BLUE”
Whether you arrived on Ambergris Caye with friends or your significant other, your kids & husband or just a book and your suntan lotion, something blue is always the first thing you notice. It’s right there out the window. Belize’s barrier reef, the 2nd longest in the world, is nothing short of spectacular. 1000 shades of blue… The island is all about water sports, snorkeling, swimming, diving, paddling and one of our favorite water activities…relaxing in the pool. (Read more about our on-site water sports shop here ) And with this view and these pools? Grand Caribe Resort might just be the perfect place for it.

AMBERGRIS CAYE, BELIZE: YOU CAN HAPPILY VACATION WITH YOUR CHILDREN (AND EVEN YOUR IN-LAWS)
Just this week, The Huffington Post printed a humorous article titled: Vacation or Trip? A Helpful Guide for Parents. The premise? If you are going on a vacation with children, it is not a get-away from real life at all…it is merely a trip. A trip includes things like cramped living quarters and passive-agressive in-laws. A vacation – tropical weather, relaxation and pina coladas. We at Grand Caribe Resort Belize proudly invite all families for a VACATION in Belize. And here is why we think a get-away to Belize right now is the perfect summer vacation for both parents and kids.

Videos

August 2, 2015

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, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Copa Airlines Launches Airline Service to Belize
On Wednesday July 29th, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB), in collaboration with the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. held a press conference, which officially announced the launch of Copa Airline services to Belize’s Phillip S.W Goldson International Airport. BTB’s Director of Tourism Karen Bevans opened the conference which was held at the Best Western Biltmore Plaza Hotel. Among those present were Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Hon. Manuel Heredia, official Copa representatives, a host of tourism industry stakeholders and invited press. With the official launch of services commencing in Belize in December 2015, Copa will now be operating in 75 cities and 31 countries in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.

Island Pets at risk of Canine parvovirus
San Pedro may be facing a potential Canine parvovirus (parvo) outbreak. According to the San Pedro Animal Hospital (SPAH), there has been an escalating number of positive parvo cases over the past six weeks. Parvo is a highly contagious viral disease that can produce a life threatening illness in puppies and dogs. While SPAH cannot identify the cause of the increase in number of infections, it believes that the virus has come to the island through the increasing number of puppies being brought over from the mainland. Not only is the disease life-threatening, but it is also very contagious, and if kept unchecked, can spread across the island, endangering the lives of many pets. “It is hard to say why there is a sudden outbreak of this disease, but we believe that the high number of cases is coming from infected puppies being brought from the mainland. These puppies that people buy are not properly screened before being brought to the island and can carry disease that is not common here. As the number increases, Parvovirus is likely spreading between the dogs and puppies on the island,” said Droke.

San Pedro Town Library hosts Summer Reading Camp
The San Pedro Town Library started their annual Reading Camp on Monday, July 27th. The camp will run for two weeks culminating on Friday, August 7th. Each week, the camp sees a different group of children involved in various activities with the assistance of volunteer teacher students from the University of North Carolina, USA. According to Senior Library Assistant Brianne Leiva, the reading program targets children between the ages of five to eight and nine to thirteen. The first week of the camp was designed for the younger students, while the older children participate in the second week. From 2PM to 4PM, children read, enjoy story-telling, and even do arts and crafts. Every day, they choose an animal that the children are familiar with, and then create reading activities around the said animal. In the first day, reading exercises were done involving a local friend of ours, the frog! The camp participants were supported by the teacher students, who took turns in leading the various activities such as arts and craft, singing, reading and story writing projects.

Misc Belizean Sources

BTB's Tourism Industry Conference 2015 taking place in San Pedro, Ambergirs Caye

Reina de la Costa Maya Delegates
Enjoying the 13th National Tourism Awards and the Celebration of Fifty Years of Tourism in San Pedro at the Holiday Hotel.

The delegates of La Reina de la Costa Maya had a wonderful time at Grand Caribe Belize Resort
Thank you for your hospitality!

Reina de la Costa Maya Delegates ready to enjoy a savoring meal at Rain Restaurant.

Snap Kiss and Makeup
There's a Makeup Art Show at Cahal Pech on Sunday at 1:00pm. "Revolution Artistry is having its Official Makeup Art Show First ever event 3 in 1show August 2nd at the Cahal Pech Resort At 1pm. SNAP KISS & MAKEUP SHOW is a 3 in 1 show the first segment will be a Makeup Art show which has 5 different type of makeup looks will be displayed..."

The Reporter

Belmopan turns 45 years old
Belmopan – the nation’s capital, turned 45 years-old on Saturday. The “new” capital, or Garden City, as it is called, came about after Hurricane Hattie in 1961 destroyed 75 percent of the wooden houses and businesses in Belize City. Belmopan now has a population of over 20,000 – the smallest capital city in the continental Americas by population, It is the third-largest settlement in Belize, after Belize City and San Ignacio. It was founded in 1970, and is one of the newest national capital cities in the world. Since 2000, Belmopan has been one of two settlements in Belize to hold official city status, along with Belize City. It is located just east of the Belize River, 50 miles inland from Belize, in the Cayo District and has an altitude of 249 feet above sea level. The government was moved to Belmopan in 1970. Its National Assembly Building is designed to resemble a Pre-Columbian Maya temple.

Breaking Belize News

BDF sergeant hurt in traffic accident
A traffic accident last night on the Phillip Goldson Highway resulted in a Belize Defense Force Sergeant being badly injured and hospitalized at the KHMH. According to reports reaching our news room, Sergeant Shawn Garbutt, who is attached to the Training Company, Service and Support Battalion, was driving a Mahindra […]

Independent survey launched
An independent, private and non-profit consultancy group, called Belize Independent Development Research Group (BIDRG), has released a survey it operates and designed to check the vibrancy of the Belizean electorate for the next few months. This survey was released at this time since we are quickly approaching what is considered […]

US continues to assist Belize in fighting Medfly
Earlier this week a team of agriculture specialists visited Cancun, Mexico, for the second annual meeting of the Multilateral Fruit Fly Commission. Ministry of Agriculture CEO Jose Alpuche; Emir Cruz, Managing Director of BAHA; and Hernan Zetina, National Medfly Coordinator, witnessed the reneweal of signatures of the Fruit Fly Control […]

Police still searching for First Caribbean robbers
An early morning robbery of First Caribbean Bank in Belize City yesterday, July 31, has left police trying to piece together clues and looking through security camera footage in an attempt to identify the culprits who executed this bold criminal act. According to Police Superintendent Linden Flowers, who is responsible […]

Tourism partners say Belize continues to succeed in 50th year
SAN PEDRO TOWN – With 9% growth in the overnight sector and 62% in the cruise tourism sector, a temporary slowdown in overnight arrivals in the first half of 2015 is not enough to dent the confidence of Belize’s tourism partners and stakeholders. The Annual Tourism Industry Presentation, […]

Search continues for 9 year old now missing for 13 hours
More than 13 hours have elapsed that a nine year old child from Hokeb Ha Cave of Blue Creek Village in the Toledo District, has been reported missing. A search and rescue team has been deployed to the area and are working tirelessly in search for the 9 year old. […]

Santa Elena man charged for consensual intercourse with minor
A 23 year old Santa Elena man has been arrested and charged for having sexual intercourse with his 15 year old girlfriend on two occasions, most recently just two days ago on July 30, 2015. The minor, who described her relationship with the 23 year old as being intimate, was […]

BTB hosts Tourism Industry Conference 2015 in San Pedro
50 years after the start of tourism in Belize, the home of Belizean tourism, San Pedro Town, is hosting the Annual Tourism Industry Conference, now expanded from the standard presentation of previous years. A group of industry professionals will be discussing service excellence and tourism digital marketing with participants. Our […]

International Sources

What's hot, what's not in the Caribbean
So, today's travel article is especially for all of you who come into Monroe Travel Service and say, " Give me a beach, not just any beach, but the best the Caribbean has to offer." Of course, I have my favorite five list from the gazillion resorts in the Caribbean, but, since our first wave of travelers have just returned, I thought it might be nice to give you their thoughts about what's hot and what's not this summer. Who knows? Perhaps if we do the heavy lifting — you know, tell you which beaches and resorts are stand outs — you will envision yourself sipping a tall mojito on the beaches of one of these sizzling Caribbean hot spots in the near future, too! "Off the grid at CAYO ESPANTO and loving it. We only have to ask to get anything we want! Yesterday the chef made us a lobster lunch that we ate under a coconut tree. Beach is small, but the view from the dock or our plunge pool is so amazing it does not matter. Best part is what's beneath the water: the Belize Barrier Reef system blows your mind. Suppose you know it is the longest barrier reef in the western hemisphere. An amazing laid back and quiet getaway — only 18 guests can be here. I understand you can rent the entire island for $14,000 a night! Must remember to ask my butler (or houseman) if that really ever happens!"

Videos

August 1, 2015

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, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Belize is officially a member of CAMCAYCA
In a historical ceremony, San Pedro hosted the reunion of the Confederacion de Associaciones Nacionales de Municipalidades de Centro America y el Caribe (CAMCAYCA) on Monday, July 20th, at Ramon’s Village Resort. The meeting was a success, culminating with the signing of the Constitutional Act of CAMCAYCA and making the non-profit organization legal and active with its eight members which comprises of: Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. The confederation is led by Mayors of the different municipalities throughout Central America and the Caribbean. Various topics of importance for the region were discussed at the event, including national security, immigration, health and trade. The ceremony saw the presence of His Lordship Mayor Daniel Guerrero, President of Belize Mayor’s Association His Lordship Mayor Darrell Bradley, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture Honorable Manuel Heredia Jr, President of the CAMCAYCA Isais Martinez, Stephan Visser from the Association of Dutch Communities (VNG) among other invited guests and mayors from across Belize.

Lubaantun Archaeological Site
The Lubaantun Archaeological Site is nestled within the Rio Grande basin in the Toledo District. It is a Late Classic Maya site, and getting to it one travels through picturesque San Pedro Columbia village. Known as “The place of fallen stones”, Lubaantun’s structures truly look the part. Once we’ve navigated the nicely paved steps down one steep hill and up another steep one, we come up to the visitor’s center where we pay our $5 Belizean’s fee and have the site all to ourselves. The fallen stones are immediately noticeable: when one mentions the words “Maya Ruins”, some of the temples at Lubaantun would probably fit the bill…but honestly, the further in we went, we noticed a pattern.

Don Efrain Guerrero passes away
The San Pedro Sun extends its sincerest condolences to the Guerrero family on the passing of Don Efrain.

UNICEF holds “Child Friendly” Board Meeting
On Wednesday, July 22nd, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) held a general meeting at the Best Western Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City. The meeting endorsed the Sustainable and Child Friendly Municipalities Initiative (SCFM), a joint initiative of United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and UNICEF, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, Local Government, Rural Development, New European Media (NEM), Immigration and the Belize Mayor’s Association (BMA). Members from the various committees from across the country attended the event designed to share ideas and listen to guidance towards the goal of becoming a certified child friendly community. Present at the meeting was His Lordship Mayor of Belize City Darrell Bradley, special invited guest from Costa Rica Georgina Zamora, among others.

Former San Pedro Police Officer Dean Perez found guilty of theft
After almost a year since being charged for “theft”, Police Constable (PC) Dean Perez, formerly attached to the San Pedro Police Department, has been found guilty of his crime and sentenced to three months imprisonment. Originally from Belize City, Perez was formally arrested and charged for his crimes on October 28, 2014. He had been positively identified for stealing cash and a cell phone from a San Pedro Town resident while carrying out an investigation. Perez was found guilty on Thursday, July 23rd and sentenced on Monday, July 27th by Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith. The incident goes back to October 5, 2015 when Perez visited the residence of Jose Hernandez investigating and inquiring about his identity. Hernandez was in the process of providing his documents when Perez allegedly took his identification cards which had $600 between them. In addition, Hernandez also claimed that Perez took away his cell phone valued at $400. After positively being identified and an intensive investigation carried out, Perez was charged and arrested, but he met bail in the sum of $2000. In the meantime he was placed on interdiction with half salary until the case concluded.

Ambergris Today

Celebrating Summer with Colors Beach Festival in Corozal
Corozal Town is such an easy going and quiet town on the bay of the Caribbean Sea, but around July things get a bit louder. The annual Corozal Colors Beach Festival brings people from all walks of life together to celebrate summer in a colorful way. The Colors Beach Festival draws a party crowd to the beautiful Corozal Bay Inn where explosions of colors and water decorate everybody in a mixture of art, music and fun. It’s a music festival that is hyped up with a lineup of Deejay, happy people, great location and entertainment. This year saw the second annual Colors Beach Festival and with much anticipation it was a very successful event. Growing quickly every year the CBF team is happy to state that the festival will provide an even bigger line up of deejays and include international performers in years to come.

The official Sashing Ceremony of the Miss San Pedro 2015 Contestants
The official Sashing Ceremony of the Miss San Pedro 2015 Contestants was held at Sandy Point Resorts on Thursday, July 30, where all the six contestants where handed with their sash by their corresponding sponsor. It was an intimate cocktail event shared with family, sponsors and special invited guests.

Camp Basil Jones Works with Inner City At-Risk Youths to Create Safer Streets
The one-of-a-kind second annual Summer Youth Camp at Camp Basil Jones has awakened the attention of local news media, outside organizations and individuals as its main purpose is to reduce the chances of at-risk Belizean youths to go astray. This year’s camp was held from July 6 to the 24, at the Basil Jones area in north Ambergris Caye under direction/coordination of Guillermo “Mito” Paz of the San Pedro House of Culture. One hundred Belizean children, mostly from Belize City and other parts of the country, were able to participate in this camp. “The focus of this summer camp is to instill in our youth an appreciation of the marine and coastal environment, provide alternative activities for at-risk youth at higher risk of gang affiliation and/or engaging in criminal activity (both in school and no longer in school), to teach our youths marketable skills through art & crafts using natural materials, to counter criminal gangs by engaging at-risk youth in anti-gang/drug-related activities and to encourage at-risk youth to graduate high school,” indicated Mito Paz.

Belize Murder Trend Shifts to Domestic Conflicts Indicates Mid Year Report
Belize Police Department Mid Year Review - The Minister of National Security, Hon. John Saldivar, recently met with the Senior leadership of the Police Department including the Acting Commissioner of Police Russell Blackett and five regional commanders, namely Senior Superintendents Ralph Moody (South), Aaron Guzman (Western), Alford Grinage (Acting Eastern North), Edward Broaster (Eastern Rural) and Chester Williams (Eastern South). The purpose of the meeting was to review performance over the first six months of 2015 and agree on strategies for the second half of the year. During the meeting the recently appointed commanders of the three new regions in the Belize District expressed to the Minister their endorsement of the new organizational strategy and their expectation that the new arrangement will produce the desired results. Decisions were also made to establish a formation for the villages in Cayo South separate from the Belmopan formation and a formation for the villages of Hopkins, Sittee River, Kendal, and Silk Grass separate from the Dangriga formation. Both new formations will now have a separate Officer in Charge answerable to the Regional Commander Western and South, respectively.

Misc Belizean Sources

Belize Tourism Board hosts annual tourism industry conference
The Belize Tourism Board will be hosting its annual tourism industry conference on August 1, 2015 in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. The purpose of the event is to update industry partners about the tourism accomplishments over the past year in the “Year in Review”, and inform on strategies implemented for the ‘Year Forward’. This year’s event will have a slight twist from the usual setting, as there will be two informative sessions administered by local and international panelists. The topics and panelists are listed below: a) Service Excellence: A Silent Seller – focused on hospitality and customer service • Importance in the Caribbean – Dr Emil Lee – president of Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association • Importance of Service Excellence in Wedding Destination – Jacqueline Johnson – president of Global Bridal Group

Mr. Efrain Guerrero Sr. passes away
The International Costa Maya Festival Committee and volunteers would like to express its sincere condolences to Mr. Gaspar Guerrero, Festival Director, and his family on the passing of his father, Mr. Efrain Guerrero Sr. Mr. Efrain is also the father of Mayor Daniel Guerrero and grandfather to Deputy Mayor Gary Greif. At this difficult time we wish the Guerrero family strength in the love of family and in the warm embrace of friends. R.I.P. Mr. Efrain Guerrero.

Here are the photos from the official sashing ceremony at Fido's.

Second Meeting of the Multilateral Fruit Fly Commission
On July 28, 2015 Belize participated in the 2nd MEETING OF THE MULTILATERAL FRUIT FLY COMMISSION held in Cancun, Mexico. During this meeting the Fruit Fly Control Cooperative Agreement between the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture, and the Belize Agricultural Health Authority was signed. The Cooperative Agreement is signed annually between the parties to govern cooperation in the management of fruit fly pests of interest to protect crops in Belize and the United States. The cooperative efforts include the control and eradication of fruit fly pests; the management of an exotic fruit fly surveillance program, and technical cooperation with respect to the management of fruit fly pests and related activities in Belize.

Corozal Fashion Week
It is the end of FASHION WEEK this weekend August 1-2 at the Corozal Free Zone.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
The Corozal Town Council would like to inform the general public to beware of a lottery scam through the means of a fake Facebook profile posing as the Corozal Town Council and Mayor Hilberto Campos. Currently, the Corozal Town Council is not facilitating any fund raisers. Any future fund raisers can be verified on this official Corozal Town Council Facebook page or our website

John Paul II JC 1st Graduating Class
Congratulations, graduates! Pope John Paul II JC had their 1st graduating class. "Congratulations to the 1st graduates of our 6th Form in Benque Viejo, our very own John Paul 11 Jr. College Class of 2015, we are so proud of this great initiative,keep on the great spirit, this is just the start of more greatness in Benque Viejo Del Carmen. Snippets of July 30th, Historic Moments. JP11JC"

Benque Full Moon Concert
The Mexican Embassy teamed up with the Benque HoC to bring Tierra Blanca to Centennial Park. . "The Benque House of Culture embraced the partnership of the Mexican Embassy in Belize by offering a Summer Night Full Moon Concert at the Centennial Memorial Park on July 29th, 2015 featuring 'Tierra Blanca' horocho style of music with the unique and harmonious harp. Graced by great friendship, warm ambiance and a lifetime memories! Benque like no other!"

Belize Hosts Tourism Conference
The Belize Tourism Board is set to hold its annual Tourism Industry Conference this weekend. Industry partners will gather to discuss tourism accomplishments in the past year, as well as strategies to be implemented in the coming year. The conference will feature information sessions on two main topics: “Service Excellence: A Silent Seller,” which will address hospitality and customer service, and Digital Marketing, which will focus on branding, social media, and online mediums of marketing. Several panels will be held for each topic, each hosted by Caribbean tourism officials and industry leaders. The conference convenes Saturday, August 1 at Fido’s Courtyard in San Pedro, Ambergis Caye.

Noche San Pedrana is being hosted by the lovely Ramon's Village Resort
The beauties vying for the Reina De La Costa Maya crown model Iconic Maruba wear by Belizean designer Adrian Roca.

Beach cleanup on Caye Caulker today
Please join us today! 9 am in Palapa Gardens.

Snap Kiss and Makeup
There's a Makeup Art Show at Cahal Pech on Sunday at 1:00pm. "Revolution Artistry is having its Official Makeup Art Show First ever event 3 in 1show August 2nd at the Cahal Pech Resort At 1pm. SNAP KISS & MAKEUP SHOW is a 3 in 1 show the first segment will be a Makeup Art show which has 5 different type of makeup looks will be displayed..."

Belize Duck Race 2015
The date is set for the 2nd annual Belize Duck Race. It'll start at the Hawkesworth Bridge, and will happen on November 21st. All proceeds go towards Rotary community service projects. "The Rotary Club of Belmopan is holding the 2nd Annual National Belize Duck Race on Saturday, November 21st, 2015, in San Ignacio, Cayo District. The Rotary Club of Belmopan will use the funds from this event to continue its efforts towards community projects and existing initiatives focused on children’s health."

Channel 7

A(nother) Broad Daylight Robbery At First Caribbean; Reports Say Robbers Got 100K
The First Caribbean International Bank branch, in the San Cas Plaza by Belcan Bridge in Belize City was robbed early this morning. It happened between 8:30 and 9:00, when the morning rush was just beginning for the end-of month payday. The bank was more crowded than usual, and that's the when 5 armed robbers stormed in. They were well dressed like regular customers but dramatically flipped the script when they threw the security guards to the ground, jumped over the counter and helped themselves to as much as a hundred thousand dollars. By the time police responded, they were gone. We arrived shortly after and found out how the second daylight armed robbery in two and a half years happened at the same bank branch: Daniel Ortiz reporting The First Caribbean Bank in the Plaza should have been opened for business when we arrived, but the "we're closed" sign was up. Inside, employees and customers alike were present, most likely reporting to the police what they saw and heard during the armed robbery. All around the premises, city police had the area surrounded; they were out in numbers - numbers which couldn't change the unalterable fact that there had been another broad daylight robbery at this northside bank.

Cops Say Taylor's Alley Affiliates Responsible For Robbery
The robbery happened in Precinct 4, and police have been doubling down - trying to identify the suspects in the security video. Their commanding Officer told us that police have made major progress in locating the perpetrators, whose faces were seen in the bank's surveillance footage. He discussed the information that they've been able to find out so far: Supt. Linden Flowers, OC, Police Precinct 4 "The first call came in around 8:40am that a robbery was going on at the First Caribbean Bank at San Cas Plaza. Police officers from the station, which included uniformed officers as well as members of my strike team, was dispatch to the area and it was discovered that indeed a robbery had taken place. The information that I have received from my investigators who are still on the scene and working the scene interviewing and reviewing and canvassing for the information, is that 3 male persons of dark complexion, enter the bank, taking the security guard who was stationed outside the bank inside the bank. At that time they ordered the persons who are doing business in the bank as well as workers to go down to the ground, which my information is that they all complied going down to the ground." Daniel Ortiz "Can you reveal to us if they got away with any money?" Supt. Linden Flowers, OC, Police Precinct 4 "Yes, I can inform you that monies were stolen from the bank."

One Female Bank Worker Was Hurt
This afternoon, the Christian Workers Union - which represents bank workers - released a statement on the robbery, saying that one female staffer was injured, but not seriously. CWU President, Audrey Matura Shepherd, says, quote, "I condemn in the strongest possible terms this brazen... robbery of the Bank. I hope anybody with information...assists our law enforcement authorities." End Quote

Attorney Matura Shepherd Sanctioned For Contempt
While Matura-Shepherd was very vocal in her condemnation of the crime, she was very silent today on the news that she becomes the first attorney in memory to be sanctioned by the Supreme Court for contempt. She has been ordered to pay $3,000 for it. That's the decision that Justice Courtney Abel handed down after her case was argued before him in chambers. Matura made her mis-step when she was representing BGYEA. You'll probably recall that the Lands Department was trying to block them from using the road reserve in Harmonyville on the Western Highway. The Government took them to court, and the case was finally settled in February, after mediation. But, before the attorneys for both sides could sign on the dotted line, Matura-Shepherd granted an interview to the press in February and she outlined the resolution.

Easy Glen Leaves Court In Ambulance For Hospital, Escapes Prison Bus Bound For Jail
Well known street operator Goldburn Adolphus, known as Easy Glen went from courthouse to emergency room today - after he fell into a sudden seizure, just as he was told he would be remanded for the weekend. Adolphus was charged for aggravated assault with a pint bottle upon Court prosecutor, Cpl. Noel Muschamp. When he appeared in court this afternoon, He pleaded guilty, begged to apologize and generally threw himself on the mercy of the court. Magistrate Ladonna John accepted his guilty plea but remanded him to prison until Monday, August 3, 2015 for sentencing. And that's when Easy Glen took a hard fall to the courtroom floor. He was having some sort of seizure, and when his head slammed against the floor, his dentures flew out. Court orderlies called an ambulance and got first aid advice over the phone to stabilize him.

Cops Fundraise for Fallen Colleague
A month ago, we told you about Police Constable Jason Hall, the officer attached to Precinct 3 in Belize City who was the victim of a brutal assault by a civilian. That attack happened near the entrance of Rhaburn Ridge Village at Mile 37 on the Northern Highway on Monday, June 29. That's where PC Hall had a blow out in his private vehicle on his way to work in Belize City. A man came along who offered to help him fix the flat tire, and as soon as they got it fixed, the man clubbed him over the head - and took off in the car, leaving the cop unconscious on the side of the road. When he regained consciousness, he called for help, and was rushed to the KHMH for medical treatment. Since then, it's been a slow recovery, and in that time, the officer has incurred a medical bill that he must pay. Today, his fellow officers chipped in with a barbecue fundraiser. 7News dropped by to see how it went:

Full Moon Brings Full Nets For Shrimpers
Farmed shrimp may be the convenient craze these days, but there is still a lot of "shrimp" in the sea - problem is you just got to know how and where to catch them. Today we met a group of veteran fishermen who know the exact spot to pull them in. Every year around this time fishermen flock to Buttonwood Bay to catch sea shrimp. We met with 2 fishermen who told us why they go out every year to the Northside and what their catch means for their survival. Courtney Weatherbune reporting A white cast net and an ice box: that's all Winston Lucairo needs to catch sea shrimp. He is just one of the fishermen who have been out here since 6 this morning. You would normally see them on the Southside catching shrimp but today they've tracked down these rare bottom feeders to the Northside of the city.

USDA Money For Medfly Eradication
The Mediterranean fruit fly has been detected in southern Belize and now there is a million dollar plan to eradicate it. The United States Department of Agriculture has committed 372 thousand Belize told and the Government of Belize will chip in with another 687 thousand dollars for medfly eradication activities and the procurement of equipment, materials and supplies, as well salaries and operational expenses for the medfly programme. That's the plan coming out of the 2nd meeting of the Multilateral Fruit Fly Commission held in Cancun, Mexico. The Cooperative Agreement is signed annually to manage the fruit fly in the interest of protecting crops in Belize and the United States. BAHA is currently making eradication sweeps in the south to contain the medfly.

Summer Drums, Summer Fun
There are all kinds of summer camps, but one of our favourites has to be the drum workshop. It's an effort of the National Kriol Council - where 100 youth get to master infectious rhythms on the oldest instrument on earth - which sounded as fresh today - as it did when the first man beat the first drum like…six thousand years ago. I spoke to the particpants:… The Drum Camp is part of the Project called "Bridging the Gap to Safer communities through Education, Training and the Creation of Business Opportunities in Cultural Arts for Youth in the Belize District" funded by the U.S. Embassy through the Central American Regional Security Initiative.

Taking On Technology In New TV Show
The Belize Film Commission has embarked on novel mission, to educate the public how professionals harness technology in everyday activities you probably didn't even know about. And to bring the high-tech down to earth, they've hired American Television producer, Steve Odell and former Engineer Cadet Henderson. Both men have been hard at work, and earlier this week they brought us a snippet of this new television program called, Technology Belize, Greatest Places on Earth. Both men stopped by to explain why you will want to tune in: The Commission is expected to start airing the show as episodes on national television.

Months Later, Burnt Out Family Still Putting Pieces Together
3 months ago, we told you how Belize City resident Caroline Hamilton and her family suffered great misfortunate when their house burnt down. As ae showed you weeks later, they had nowhere to go. So, they did the only thing they could think of and slept in the burnt shell of their destroyed home, while they waited for help from the Government and whomever could make donations to assist them. Well, the Government assistance has not arrived yet, but the community has been chipping in little by little with donations of construction supplies. Her common-law husband has been making repairs with those supplies, and today, she told us that while her family's house is on the way to being fully repaired, she still needs a little more help.: Caroline Hamilton, Fire Victim "It's been a rocky road, but I as a strong mother stand up and face my crisis. Because if I turned my back, what will happen to my children. So I beg and I cry and someone heard me started to send me help from the Facebook and I thank everybody who helped me out there. Thank them, that they have a heart towards me and my children, but I still need help along the way.

All For Arenal
Arenal village in at the western edge of Belize - half of the village is in Guatemala, the other half in Belize. And while contraband is often the main business in this frontier community, now the 400 Belizean residents have a suped-up resource center to keep them busy. The newly constructed Centre valued at $315 thousand dollars through a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank was opened today. The building features a new computer lab including 5 computers, with all the peripherals. A part of the project is that eight young persons from the village were trained in Computer Skills Training, and Desktop Publishing. They learned graphic design applications and how to create artwork for print, advertisements, logos, and book layout. The building also doubles as a hurricane shelter.

Hopkins Law Enforcement Beefed Up
A week ago, we told you about that mid-year review that Police Minister John Saldivar held with the most senior officers of the Department. As part of the discussion, the Police Department decided that they would create a police jurisdiction for Hopkins alone, and today, they began discussions with the community to make that happen. Today in Hopkins, Saldivar met with Southern Regional Commander Ralph Moody, Assistant Superintendent, Mark Stephens, Sergeant Cardinal Smith, and the Chairman of Hopkins Village, Wayne Casimiro. Also at that meeting was the Belize Tourism Industry Association, representatives of the Belize Tourism Board, and members of the Business Community.

Channel 5

Robbers Hit FCIB; Undisclosed Amount of Cash
A group of armed bandits slipped pass a police officer on duty and bank security to pull off a daring heist at a bank in Belize City this morning. The [...]

Audrey Matura Must Pay $3,000 to Court
Attorney Audrey Matura-Shepherd was ordered today to pay three thousand dollars to Court after Justice Courtney Abel determined that she had breached the confidentiality of a court-connected mediation session held [...]

People’s Assembly in Cayo on Sunday; Will the G-10 Be There?
On Wednesday, twenty-one of thirty-one P.U.P. Standard Bearers and the executive of the party met at Independence Hall. It was to have been a showdown between the Fonseca faction and [...]

Heart Clinic in City
Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in Belize according to recent figures from the Ministry of Health. The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital has been providing treatment for [...]

Easy Glen in Court on Assault Charge
Well-known political mouthpiece Easy Glen, formally known as Goldburn Adolphus, was arraigned today before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith for attempting to assault a police officer with an empty bottle.  [...]

Corozal Man Remanded For Aggravated Assault
Twenty-six year old Oren Vaughan is tonight on remand for committing an aggravated assault with a firearm upon his ex-girlfriend, Sharon Wade.  Wade, a Corozal resident, reported to police that [...]

Territorial Volunteers Respond To Guatemala’s MFA
The last time the Belize Territorial Volunteers went near the Sarstoon River, thirty-seven of them in a skiff were detained by Guatemalan military and taken to Livingston. The incident happened [...]

Belizean Authorities Silent Says BTVS De la Fuente
De la Fuente says the silence from Belize’s authorities is frustrating because they were given a compilation of footage from the Livingston incident which clearly shows the thirty-seven Belizeans were [...]

Fairtrade Certifies The B.S.C.F.A.
The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association has received the acceptance of their proposed corrective measures to non-compliances cited by Fairtrade auditors last month. Last year the largest cane-farmer’s association was [...]

B.S.C.F.A.’s Cansino Says Measures To Be Put In Place
There is some measure of relief from the positive news coming out of Fairtrade. In December 2014, faced with terrible financial woes because of a crop delayed by hostile negotiations [...]

Heredia on the Status of Puerto Azul
What is the fate of the controversial Puerto Azul development project?  It’s a question that’s difficult even for Minister of Tourism Manuel Heredia to answer directly.  That is because there [...]

Youth Services Commemorates Job Program for Youths
A closing ceremony was held today to commemorate a programme that helped over fifty young people to receive job training and summer employment. It is an initiative under the Department [...]

Basketball Tournament Underway In the City
Peace and Light Foundation, with support from the Belize Bank and other partners, is hosting a basketball tournament at the Bird’s Isle Basketball Court. Eight teams in two categories are [...]

LOVE FM

Fined for Driving Police Mobile Without Authorization
Forty-two year old Lincoln Moguel, a former taxi driver who got into a police pick-up and reversed it, was fined $1,000 today by the Chief Magistrate, Ann Marie Smith after she found him guilty of taking a conveyance without lawful authority. Moguel was given until December 31 to pay. If he defaults on payment he will serve […]

Audrey Goes Mute on Her Court Sanction; Fined $3,000
Outspoken attorney, Audrey Matura Shepherd was ordered to pay a fine of three thousand dollars by way of sanction for breach of confidentiality. (VO STARTS) That was the disposition that came out of the courtroom of Justice Courtney Abel this morning. The fine comes after Matura Shepherd was facing charges of contempt after she spoke […]

Trio Charged for Drug Trafficking in Western Belize
Three persons from Santa Elena have been charged with drug trafficking. On Thursday while San Ignacio Police were on special operations, they conducted a search at a home in the Bradley’s Bank area of Santa Elena. Present during the time of the search were 47-year-old Junior Cherrington and 40-year-old Cladett Diana James. Police say while […]

Family Court Fails to Protect Husband Despite His Requests
Oftentimes when we hear complaints about the Family Court it is women claiming they are being given the run around. Today Adolphus Barrett came to our news center to speak of his discontent about what has been happening. Barrett said he went to the family court to get a legal separation from his wife and […]

Brazen Bank Robbery at CIBC First Caribbean
Belize City police are investigating a bank robbery. Robbers barged into CIBC First Caribbean International Bank at the San Cas Plaza this morning at around 9 o’clock. A group of young men, some of whom, were armed with handguns held up the teller and ordered the security officers to the ground along with the bank’s […]

Belize and US Sign Agreement on Fruitfly Eradication
A Belize delegation recently returned from Cancun, Mexico where they attended the second meeting of the multilateral fruit fly commission on Tuesday, July 28. Coming out of that meeting was a signed Fruit Fly Control Cooperative Agreement with the parties being the United States Department of Agricultrue (USDA), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, […]

PlusTV

Why you should pay for TV Ramos bust
Sculptor Stephen Okeke has been battling for over a year to receive what he is owed for the completed bust of Garifuna hero Thomas Vincent Ramos, now on display in Dangriga. And it appears he will not be getting it from former Dangriga area representative Ivan Ramos who has well documented financial...

Cracking down on cattle rustling
The Belmopan Police Station and the Belize Livestock Association signed a Memorandum of Understanding today to set up a bounty of sorts to provide a reward to police officers who successfully prosecute individuals involved in livestock rustling. Recently, there has been a spike in cattle theft and ...

Improved FIFA ranking gives Belize hope for Round 3
On the 25th of July , Belize drew Canada as its round 3 competitor for the World Cup Qualifiers after defeating the Dominican Republic on an aggregate score of 5-1 in round 2 of the Qualifiers. This small third world central American country has received positive nods from international FIFA executi...

Belmopan School plants trees
Yesterday Our lady of Guadalupe high School in Belmopan in collaboration with personnel from the Caves Branch Botanical Garden,the Ya’axche conservation Trust and the Global Trees Campaign held a special tree planting ceremony at the high school grounds as part of an ongoing project called ...

Older Belizeans benefit from therapy clinics
If you are one of the many Belizeans whose loved ones suffer from end-of-life disorders such as dementia, Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease and others, it can be very frustrating when the person whom you have loved all your life may occasionally drift away from you or lash out without k...

Man crashes off Orange Walk Toll bridge and dies
A man lost his life today after running over the toll bridge at the Entrance of Orange Walk Town in the wee of hours of Thursday morning. According to authorities, police responded to the traffic mishap around 3:30 this morning in the Belize new river about 3 feet south of the Orange Walk Toll Brid...

12 year old says father sexually abused her
Tonight there is disturbing news coming from the village of Independence regarding the sexual assault of a female minor. According to authorities, on Tuesday July 28th, a 12 year old minor accompanied by a social worker visited the Independence police station and reported to authorities that as rec...

18 year old missing from Corozal
A family in Corozal is concerned over the whereabouts of their loved one who has been missing since Monday July 27. According to the mother of Ranchito Village, Corozal District, her 18-year-old son, Jorge Adrian Chulim left home sometime in the afternoon and up to time of making the report today T...

Amandala

Woman’s throat cut after domestic quarrel
At press time tonight, police are still seeking Ulysses Manuel Mayorga, 25, a Honduran whom, they told the media at a press conference held yesterday, Wednesday, in Belize City, they need to question with regards to the bloody murder of a 21-year-old woman with whom he had previously been living, and whom he was visiting at the time of her death. The murdered woman, Merlin Elizabeth Herrera Mejia, 21, a Salvadoran, lost her life as a result of what is suspected to be domestic violence, almost three weeks after Customs officer Keisha Buller, 25, of Benque Viejo Del Carmen, was brutally murdered, allegedly by her abusive ex-common-law husband, who stabbed her about 10 times in front of her grandmother and her 4-year-old child from a previous relationship, police reports said.

Celebrated 35th birthday, then drowned in New River
Leonel Guerra, 35, well-known manager of Guerra’s Construction, of Santa Martha Street, Orange Walk Town, died this morning at about 3:30 when his vehicle ran off the Orange Walk Toll Bridge and took the long plunge into the New River, which runs below. Reports are that Guerra was celebrating his birthday in Belize City yesterday and was travelling back to Orange Walk Town this morning when on his arrival at the Orange Walk Toll Bridge, he lost control of the pickup in which he was travelling. The vehicle hit the protective rail of the bridge, breaking the rail, and the truck fell off the left side of the bridge. It landed in the river with its four wheels up, a part of it submerged. People in the area who were alarmed by the loud bang when the pickup hit the guard rail came out to see what had happened, and when they saw the vehicle in the water, they called police, who found Guerra trapped in the vehicle, already dead.

Scurvy Charles Bucknor!
For over two years, Charles Bucknor has maintained his innocence in regards to the allegation that he committed an aggravated assault of an indecent nature upon a minor who was 13 years old at the time, but today, he was found guilty of the offense and was given the maximum sentence of 3 years in prison. Perspiration began to form on the face of the 50-year-old laborer as he tried to interrupt Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith as she was summarizing the evidence presented in his trial this morning. At the last adjournment of the case, Bucknor had indicated to the court that he would call his assistant as a witness in his defense. This morning, however, his assistant was a no-show in court. Before she handed down the three-year sentence, the Chief Magistrate told Bucknor, “You, Mr. Bucknor, are nothing but a pervert, and a sick pervert at that, and you are a liar. You, Mr. Bucknor are going to prison.”

PUP (minus ten) says party leader Fonseca’s position “safe”
The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Francis Fonseca, called a special PUP national executive and standard-bearers meeting yesterday afternoon at Independence Hall to hammer out the details of demands made on Monday by a dozen standard-bearers who wrote to him and the party chairman, Henry Charles Usher. Among the changes the group of 12 were requesting was for the party to conform to its constitution to have a national convention, since it has been almost 5 years since the party’s last national convention. The Party’s constitution prescribes that a national convention must be held every two years on a day in November. Additionally, the standard-bearers were calling for immediate national consultations to commence to inform the party’s policy positions, and for the party’s national executive to be restructured, arguing that the party’s leadership structure was not inspiring confidence, as evidenced by the poor showing in three elections in the last six months.

Two more banks in Belize face cut-off by Bank of America: Central Bank
Two banks in Belize—one domestic bank and another which holds a license under the International Banking Act—are scurrying to put alternative measures in place for correspondent banking relations, which enable them to conduct foreign money transfers and clear overseas payments, after receiving warning that their correspondent banking relationship with Bank of America, the second largest bank in the US, could soon be cut off. We saw a notice from the international bank based in Belize City which says that the correspondent banking relationship with Bank of America will be severed as of this Friday, July 31, 2015. The notice said that, “…a few of our banking services such as wire transfers, USD bank drafts and foreign currency will be affected.” While the bank said that it is working on several alternate arrangements for correspondent banking, it notifies customers that, “…we will not be able to facilitate any foreign currency wire transfers or USD bank drafts until further notice.” In April, Bank of America severed its correspondent banking relations with Belize’s largest domestic bank – the Belize Bank, both its domestic and international institutions, on the claim that there was a business model mismatch.

Guatemala’s exact claim over Belize still undefined
Belize and Guatemala have been in territorial talks under the auspices of the Organization of American States (OAS) since 2000, and while OAS officials said in the Tuesday night forum, dubbed “Culture of Peace Forum”, that we are very close to solving the age-old dispute, the extent of Guatemala’s claim—deemed by all Belizeans to be unfounded and unjust—has still not been clearly defined. We understand from Foreign Affairs officials that Guatemala’s last written communication staking claim to half of Belize, from the Sarstoon to the Belize River, said in another breath that Guatemala is reserving the right to resurrect its claim to “all of Belize.” In fact, this is reflected in the country’s new passport, which has a dotted line along the full length of the country’s western border with Belize. When we probed our sources within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the matter, we were told that they do not know exactly what claim Guatemala will bring, if the matter is voted for adjudication at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

2015 Brodies Strong & Weak Doubles Table Tennis Tournament
The 2015 Brodies Annual Strong & Weak Doubles Tournament took place this past Sunday, July 26, at the BES Auditorium, the home of table tennis. Following a Double Elimination format, 16 Strong & Weak Doubles teams began competing for this year’s title. Last year’s winners Billy Musa, Jr. & Samron Pott came into this event as the top seed. Petie Matus & Marion Usher, last year’s other finalist, did not play this year, leaving the second seed position open to Carlos Cui & Terry Su. In the Upper portion of the draw, Mishek Musa & Fabio Carballo made it to the semifinals by beating out Alain Gonzalez & Kareem Stewart, Taye Parkinson & Jayden Sutherland, and Billy Musa & Samron Pott, before losing to Carlos Cui & Terry Su.

Belize basketball heroes display Copa Cancun trophy
Yesterday morning, at the Quan Volleyball Gym on Princess Margaret Drive, manager/owner of Hoop Dreams Belize, Brads Neal presented to the assembled media his triumphant U-19 basketball team along with the beautiful silver trophy they recently won as champions of the Copa Cancun tournament in Cancun, Mexico. The team, consisting of some of the best young players in Belize who have been with the Hoop Dreams program for the past five years, travelled to Cancun last week for four consecutive days of basketball competition, from Thursday to Sunday, in which they won 6 games on their way to the Copa Cancun championship. Despite blowing out most of their opponents, they did have one very big test against the recently crowned Mexican U-19 champions, Veracruz Marlins. According to Brads Neal, “They were the champs of the country … and they were geared to play against us. The media, everybody was hyped about it, thought it was going to be a great game, and they thought that the Marlins was going to beat us. But it was a hard fought game, and in the last minute of the fourth quarter, we took that step to victory.”

SOL Belize hosts U-13 and U-15 Football Marathon
SOL Belize sponsored football Marathons in two categories – U-13 and U-15 on Saturday, July 25, at the MCC Grounds. Six (6) U-13 teams and four (4) U-15 teams participated in the Marathon, which followed a simple knockout format. Most of the participating teams involved players and coaches from the recently completed Smart 13 & Under football tournament, and past players of these teams who were now over the 13-year age limit. The tournaments were also coordinated by the same staff of the Smart 13 & Under, led by Stanley “Jordan” Reneau and Tyrone “T-Bone” Muschamp. Brown Bombers was victorious in both the U-13 and U-15 categories. Second place in the U-13 was taken by Charlston FC, while Collet Strikers claimed the second place trophy in the U-15.

Editorial: Capitalism’s adjustments
The original theorists of communism and scientific socialism, Marx and Engels, thought that revolutionary change, where workers would take over the means of production, would first occur in the industrialized countries of Europe, where laissez-faire capitalism was at its most cruel, rapacious and contradictory in the latter part of the nineteenth century. Instead, the first communist revolution took place in 1917 in Russia, which was an agrarian, almost feudal society which was a combination of Eastern European and Asian in geography. A revolution had begun in 1910 in Mexico, but it was not a communist revolution. After the ideas of the Russian Revolution spread to the Western Hemisphere, the Mexican Revolution clearly took on socialist and communist aspects in the 1920s. The world war which began in 1939 featured industrialized capitalist economies on both sides. On the so-called Allied side were Great Britain, France, and later the United States of America. On the so-called Axis side were Germany, Italy, and Japan.

From the Publisher
Belize will be marking Emancipation Day this week in a really significant way for the first time in my memory. Emancipation Day has been a big event all over the British Caribbean for a long time. At least, this is what I have been told. Emancipation Day is a time when mulatto Belizeans should look themselves in the eye. “Mulatto” is not a term used much in Belize. All people who have any kind of African ancestry here have been called, or called themselves, “Creoles.” There have been Belizeans with dark skin and tight hair lumped under this general heading along with light-skinned Belizeans with European features. My late paternal grandmother, Eunice Locke Hyde, used to refer to darker-skinned Creoles as “able Creoles.” Then there was a general reference made in Belizean society to lighter-skinned Creoles as “royal Creoles.” There was still some ambiguity in the “royal” designation, however, because there were some dark-skinned families who had been very British for generations, and I think they fell under the “royal” heading. It is all quite confusing sometimes.

Ahead of vote, Belize, Guatemala officials insist on ICJ
Belize Foreign Minister Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington told the media at a press briefing held at the Radisson Fort George Hotel this morning that it was the distrust that Belizeans had decades ago for politicians involved in the Belize-Guatemala process which triggered a demand—now a legal requirement—for a referendum to be held before any move is made to reach a settlement with Guatemala with respect to their unfounded territorial claim over at least half, but as much as all, of what constitutes modern-day Belize. Evidently, that suspicion of Government officials has gone nowhere; and neither has the requirement for a national referendum—despite the fact that diplomatic officials from both Belize and Guatemala tout the same mantra: that the matter will be resolved at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Both Foreign Ministers, in one breath, chanted their official line—that the Belize-Guatemala differendum WILL be settled at the ICJ; but in another breath, they spoke of plans to hold national referenda in the respective countries to allow their electorates to say whether they want the ICJ to adjudicate on the matter.

Mid-year economic stats reveal billion-dollar import bill and falling exports
The Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) today released the latest economic data reporting on mid-year trade and consumer prices. According to the SIB, merchandise imports for the first half of 2015 grew by 5% or $46 million, for a total of almost $1 billion, while the country’s exports for the same period fell by roughly 11% or $37 million, down from $341 million exported during the first half of 2014 to $304 million exported for the first half of this year. “Crude petroleum contributed greatly to that decline, with earnings dropping sharply by almost $33 million from $51 million to $18 million during the period,” the SIB said. For the month of June 2015 alone, Belize imported goods valued at $189.2 million, up by $31.7 million or 20.1%, from the $157.5 million imported in June of 2014. According to the SIB, the largest increase was in the category of ‘machinery and transport equipment,’ up by almost $16 million, from $31 million to $47 million, due to purchases of sailboats and airplanes during the month.

Officials press ICJ agenda at Belize-Guatemala peace forum
At a rare public forum held by officials of the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Belize Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday night, July 28, 2015 at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts, the presenters kept campaigning for the territorial differendum to be taken to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the claim that it is the only way to arrive at a speedy resolution to the age-old problem. “We need to go to the ICJ because that’s a precondition for us to be able to demarcate our land boundary, as well as our sea boundaries. At present, we are a nation without defined and demarcated boundaries, and the only issue remaining is for us to get a pronouncement on the boundaries…” argued Belize Foreign Minister, Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington in a statement which some protestors at the event deem to be a contradiction of Elrington’s earlier statement that the country’s borders are already defined in the 1859 Boundary Treaty between the UK and Guatemala.

Women, children make bold statement as Santa Cruz 13 return to court
The Santa Cruz 13—a group of villagers who had been arraigned and charged after Rupert Myles, who was handcuffed and tied up with a rope when he was detained by local authorities in Santa Cruz Village last month—reappeared in the Punta Gorda Magistrate’s Court today, and at that point those who had not been charged for common assault on Myles were additionally read that charge on top of the charge of illegal imprisonment. The group, represented by Maya attorney, Monica Magnusson, is due to reappear in court on September 29, 2015, and they remain on bail. Maya leaders from the village had claimed that Myles had to be restrained because he had been threatening violence against villagers who had objected to him setting up his domicile at a sacred Maya site – Uxbenka, where he had taken up residence without permission from village leaders. For his part, Myles, a Creole Belizean who is also the common-law husband of a Maya woman of the village, had claimed that he was a victim of discrimination, and claimed he was told that he was not wanted in the village because of his race—a charge which the Maya have denied.

Police meet-and-greet on gang turfs
The new Commanding Officer of Eastern Division South Side, Belize City, Senior Superintendent Chester Williams, went to neighborhoods on Kraal Road, Gill Street and other high-crime areas in the Southside of Belize City yesterday to meet and talk with residents Williams said that he aims to establish peace in the area through the use of a new style of policing. Police will go into the communities to talk to the residents to hear their concerns, and to get advice from them on how police can be more effective in the area. Williams said that these tips, bits of advice and expressions of concern will be compiled and reviewed. The area was divided into four sections, and each section will be overseen by a senior police officer who will visit the homes of people in the area, while Williams himself will visit the notorious Gill Street, Kraal Road and Nurse Findley Crescent areas.

Woman slapped her man in front of police … twice!
A Belize City woman broke down in tears as she was led by court police to the holding cell area of the Magistrate’s Court this morning, after she was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until Monday, when Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith will sentence her. Tifara Tillett, 21, an unemployed resident of Berry Street, was arraigned on one count of common assault against her common-law husband, Belize Defence Force private, Kenrick Archer, 24. When the Chief Magistrate asked her to enter a plea, Tillett pleaded, “Guilty with an explanation.” Smith asked the court prosecutor, Inspector Carol Tucker, to give the court the brief facts of the charge.

No ban on military bases in border area!
Four ex-Foreign Ministers who served at varying points between 1998 and 2008, the decade when the Opposition People’s United Party was in office, have issued a joint statement refuting claims made on Monday by Guatemala’s Foreign Minister Carlos Raul Morales that Belize and Guatemala had agreed “to not build another military base” in the border area after their 2000 agreement. Of note is that while Guatemala has not exactly built any military bases on the border with Belize, it has within the recent years been bolstering several military bases, apart from constructing new ones inland, with several millions of dollars in US aid, which are said to be a part of the anti-narcotics strategy for the region. For example, in August 2009, it reportedly received US aid to the tune of over US$1 million for a Special Forces (kaibiles) base in Poptún, Petén, just west of Belize.

BTV to erect flag monument on Sarstoon Island
Scores of Belizeans are being offered the opportunity to be a part of a historic expedition to Sarstoon Island, near Belize’s natural southern boundary with Guatemala, on Sunday, August 16, 2015, when the Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) will lead a boat trip of Belizeans from various parts of the country to witness the unveiling of a flag monument on the island. In May, Belize Coast Guard officials were recalled from a reconnaissance mission to the island after Guatemala Navy officers—who claimed it as a part of their country but who could not produce a supporting map—challenged their presence there. The Belize Coast Guard—which initially stood its ground and camped on the island until a directive came from Prime Minister Barrow for them to cut their mission short—was able to produce a map showing the Guatemalans that they were squarely located inside the internationally recognized territory of Belize.

The Reporter

First Caribbean Bank, San Cas Plaza, robbed
First Caribbean Bank at the San Cas Plaza near the northern entrance of Belize City was held up at gunpoint on Friday morning, and one of its employees had to be treated for injuries sustained during the incident. The incident occurred shortly after the bank […]

Orange Walk contractor dies in RTA after birthday celebration
Lionel Guerra, 35, a popular contractor of Orange Walk Town lost his life just three hours after he brought in his birthday, and just outside of his hometown in a tragic road traffic mishap at the Toll Bridge at Tower Hill. Guerra had reportedly left […]

San Narsico health center gets makeover; Trial Farm Village gets cancha bleachers
The Belize Natural Energy Charitable Trust has partnered with the Ministry of Health to fund the renovation of the San Narciso Health Care Center in the Corozal District. The Trust also partnered with the Trial Farm Village Council to renovate bleachers for sporting events. Minister […]

CitCo hosts breakfast for Guatemalan and Belizean children
The Belize City Council hosted a breakfast and entertainment session for Belizean and Guatemalan children at the BTL park on Wednesday morning. It is a part of continued efforts to further strengthen diplomatic relations between both countries, in the face of the long standing […]

Primary school students see a bright future with Scotiabank
This week Scotiabank continued to invest in Belize’s development by offering high school scholarships to primary school students. The Bank’s Albert Street branch presented 25 of those scholarships to students on Tuesday, along with schoolbags containing supplies for the upcoming school year. The scholarships form […]

CTO says tourism slowing in Belize
Belize is seeing a decline in tourism arrival numbers this year, after years of strong growth, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). This is contrary to what the Belize Tourism Board reported earlier this year. Belize received 129,316 tourist arrivals in the first […]

Belize continues Ebola preparedness with help from Taiwan and PADF
The Ministry of Health has received clinical care kits for Ebola patients through donations from the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) and the Republic of China/Taiwan. The donation is part of a larger regional effort to prepare for and control a potential Ebola outbreak. […]

12 PUP heavyweights call for National Convention; leadership tested
Twelve standard bearers of the People’s United Party (PUP), some of whom are considered senior members, have written to PUP Leader Francis Fonseca and Chairman Henry Usher, calling for an urgent national party convention, exposing their discontent and lack of confidence in the leadership of […]

Police crack down on loitering and public drinking
The Belize Police Department’s Eastern Division (South) announced that starting this week, despite a recent shift in policy from cracking down on quality-of-life offenses, such as riding a bicycle without bells and lights, police will crack down on loitering and public drinking. According to […]

Bacab watchman shot dead at home! Police suspect robbery
Police suspect robbery was the motive of the shooting murder of Prudencio Gonzalez, 48, the watchman of Bacab Eco-Park, who was killed inside his home at Ridge Lagoon, off the Burrell Boom Road on Sunday night. Gonzalez, who lived a short distance away from his […]

Productivity Matters Part IV: Tourism
Over the past few installments of this conversation on the role that productivity and efficiency (measured by Total Factor Productivity, TFP) have in the economic growth debate, we’ve done two things. Firstly, by using the work of Abdychev et. al (2015)—entitled “Increasing Productivity Growth In Middle Income Countries”—we’ve established the […]

The Role of the Opposition
In a real democracy, the will of the people prevails. Ideally, political parties chart a mandate which is pretty much a plan of what they want to do for the nation. The plan generally encompasses broad areas such an economic, social, security, environmental and educational portion. This is then presented […]

Police department gets $50 thousand worth of new equipment
The Ministry of National Security, in a ceremony at the Ministry’s conference room in Belmopan on Thursday morning, handed over $50,000 worth of hand held radios to senior officials from the police department to assist in the improvement of policing effectiveness across the country. […]

Editorial
On Monday of this week an extraordinary press conference was held at the Radison Fort George Hotel here in Belize City. The two protagonists were the Foreign Minister of Belize, the Hon. Wilfred Elrington and the Foreign Minister of Guatemala, Lic. Carlos Raúl Morales. . They called the press conference […]

Domestic violence claims 4th life in one month
A 21-year-old mother has become the fourth and latest victim of domestic violence in a span of 27-days. Merlin Elizabeth Mejia was found with her throat slashed at her home on Morning Glory Street early Wednesday morning and police cannot locate her spouse, who […]

PUP vs PUP Convention will not contest leadership
The People’s United Party (PUP) called another national executive meeting this week to discuss a request for a convention that would have seen the PUP’s leadership contested. In what could only be described as a sustained boycott, 10 of the 12 missing representatives from the […]

Cop breaks and enters into Magistrates’ Court!
A police officer is being investigated pending possible charges of burglary and damage to property, for allegedly entering the Belize City Magistrates’ Court without permission and for causing damages to the door. The scene at court on Thursday morning was an interesting one, as […]

Joint unions call for raise for KHMH workers
The three unions, which include teachers and public officers, who have been in negotiations with the government for a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), have called on the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) Board of Governors to raise the employees’ salaries. The joint unions, the […]

Belizean banks targeted Is the Central Bank next?
Atlantic International Bank Limited (AIBL), an offshore institution not affiliated with Atlantic Bank Limited, has confirmed reports that more financial institutions in Belize had corresponding banking ties with Bank of America (BOA) cut off. This week the AIBL put out a notice to its […]

Breaking Belize News

Boy, 9, missing in Hokeb Ha Cave; search and rescue mission to begin
Tonight a father is desperately searching for his 9 year old son in the Toledo District. Information reaching our newsroom is that members of Palm Harbor United Methodist Church Mission Outreach, were out on a field trip at the Hokeb Ha Cave in Blue Creek village, Toledo. The boy’s father and […]

Audrey returns for BGYEA confidentiality case
Supreme Court Justice Courtney Abel reportedly entertained the parties in the case between the Belize Grassroots Youth Empowerment Association (BGYEA) and the Government of Belize this morning. A decision is pending on the claim made by Government attorney Rodwell Williams that his opponent, Audrey Matura-Shepherd, violated the terms […]

First Caribbean Bank in Belize City robbed
On this last day of July, a Friday, thousands of Belizeans line up at the banks to collect their pay and pay their bills. Taking advantage of the hectic situation, a group of individuals in Belize City decided to try to make some money the easy way, by […]

Man tries to make off with police vehicle
For no apparent reason, 42 year old former taxi driver Lincoln Moguel had the urge to take a police pickup from their headquarters and attempt to drive it away. He didn’t get very far, and today he was lucky to avoid jail time because he reportedly suffers from […]

Belize Tourism Board to host annual tourism industry conference in San Pedro
Fido’s Courtyard in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye will be the venue for BTB’s Tourism Industry Conference which is slated for Saturday, August 1st. The much anticipated event is geared at updating industry partners about the tourism accomplishments over the past year in the “Year in Review”, and inform on strategies implemented for the ‘Year Forward’. Organizers say this year’s event will have a twist as there will be two informative sessions administered by local and international panelists.

Orange Walk Town gears up for Fiestarama
Orange Walk Town’s biggest annual event, Fiestarama is scheduled to commence tonight with opening ceremonies at the Orange Walk People’s Stadium. The stage has been set and according to the Mayor of Orange Walk Town, Kevin Bernard the 3 day weekend of festivities will include wholesome fun […]

Traffic Accident on the Hummingbird Highway
Belize Media Group has received a report about a traffic accident that happened on the Hummingbird Highway just now. The incident happened about 1.5 miles away from Belmopan. According to our sources, an elderly person was injured and has been taken to the Western Regional Hospital. Police and paramedics are […]

Former PUP Foreign Ministers Take Guatemalan Foreign Minister To Task
A recent PUP statement is making its rounds in the mainstream media today. This time though not for any internal turmoil but rather for contradicting what Guatemalan Foreign Minister had said earlier this week concerning the military bases in both countries. In a conference on Monday, Foreign Minister of Guatemala, […]

Canadian mom may be hiding child in Spanish Lookout
Police from the city of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, believe they have narrowed their search for the missing 31 year old Robin Trockstad nee Greenway and her 2 1/2 year old son Treyson to Spanish Lookout, Cayo District in western Belize. Robin Trockstad faces an Interpol arrest warrant for abduction of […]

Police reorganization helping crime fight in islands: Heredia
Belize Rural South area representative Manuel Heredia Jr. says a re-organization of the Police Department in San Pedro Town and Caye Caulker village is contributing to a reduction of crime. Speaking with News 5, Heredia stated that additional personnel and vehicles have been dispatched to participate in patrols. On Caye […]

Mainly fair weather will prevail through tomorrow
The National Meteorological Service of Belize is predicting mostly sunny skies during the course of the day and partly cloudy skies tonight with only isolated showers along with the chance of a thunderstorm developing inland this afternoon or in the deep South tonight. Winds will be blowing to the East […]

Armed Robbery at First Caribbean International Bank in Belize City
Reports reaching our newsroom are that a group of men in Belize City robbed the First Caribbean International Bank around 9 am this morning. Police are currently at the scene. We will be updating this story as more information becomes available.

Blogs

Belize’s First Tourism Hotel Celebrates 50 Years & The Amazing Visionary, Miss Celi McCorkle
The day before the presentation of the 2015 BTB Awards at the Holiday Hotel in San Pedro, Belize, it seems fitting to write about Miss Celi McCorkle. The woman who opened and ran the very first tourist hotel in all of Belize. Who brought tourism to Belize – 50 years ago. Earlier this year, we sat down together for lunch, with her daughter Lisa, and I got what she called “her very first interview”. Picture this if you can. The bustling tourist town of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize about 60 years ago. The island that now is estimated at 20,000 residents +, was inhabited by less than 500. And there wasn’t a motorized vehicle in sight – no motor boats and definitely no cars or golf carts. A young San Pedrana girl sat in her skirt (NO SHORTS in those days) on a coconut log on the beach in front of what is today’s Holiday Hotel.

TWO MARGARITA MIXES FOR YOU FROM THE TIPSY BARTENDER RECIPE IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH...RECETA EN ESPANOL Y INGLES
PINK FLAMINGO MARGARITA 2 oz. (60ml) Tequila 1 oz. (30ml) Lime Juice 1 oz. (30ml) Cranberry Juice 1 oz. (30ml) Pineapple Juice 1 oz. (30ml) Peach Schnapps 2 oz. (60ml) Watermelon Pucker Splash of Simple Syrup MARGARITA FLAMENCO ROSADO 2 oz (60 ml) Tequila 1 oz (30 ml) de Jugo de Limon 1 oz (30 ml) Jugo de Arándano 1 oz (30 ml) Jugo de Piña 1 oz (30 ml) Licor de Durazno 2 oz (60 ml) Pucker de Sandía Un Chorrito de Jarabe Simple

HARD TO BELIZE: THERE’S SO MUCH TO DO IN CAYE CAULKER
es, Caye Caulker is an appealing place in which to do nothing, or to do not much. Stroll the dirt-road Front Street. Dangle your feet in the water at The Split, Caye Caulker’s answer to its non-existent beaches. Rent a bike and meander around the side roads. It’s all a dream. But assuming you’re craving a little more adventure, that too can be found on Belize’s favorite backpacker island! And it won’t put you in the poorhouse either. While boat tours are pricey compared to other Central American activities, there’s plenty of free and reasonably priced things to do as well. Read on for seven of them. The flat, shallow waters surrounding Caye Caulker were made for Stand Up Paddleboarding — though the current will give you a proper workout in some directions! We found just one place renting SUP boards, along with windsurfing gear and standard surf boards (you’d need to boat out to an area with waves for the latter).

20 Must See Places in Belize
1. Ambergris Caye: It’s the largest, boldest, most “happening” island in Belize. Find water sports, Mayan ruins, charming shops and a party vibe pervading the island 24/7. 2. Placencia: This finger of land boasts 16 miles of beaches. The village is awash in pubs, shops, restaurants and luxe accommodations within this Garifuna village. 3. Caye Caulker: Golf carts replace cars on this four-mile-long caye near diving, jungles and natural wonders. The vibe is so laid-back, visitors abandon their shoes. 4. San Ignacio: This sprawling epicenter, known as Cayo, draws curious souls eager to see Mayan heritage sites, caves, rivers, pools and waterfalls. Come for the ice cream and the iguanas! 5. Caracol: Situated in the foothills of the Maya Mountains, Caracol is an impressive archaeological ruin featuring stele, altars, ball courts and Sky Palace, one of Belize’s largest man-made buildings.

Easy recipe with local ingredients....Inspired by GREAT Indian food in Belmopan!
It is frustrating to cook here sometimes, as you will go to the store with a list and find that some basic things just aren't in stock this week. You can find yourself changing up your menu on a whim. Sometimes you will find that you accidentally create a masterpiece! I got the idea for this recipe when, earlier this month, Dave and I had to go to Belmopan for some errands, as most people find they have to do if you live here. Dave saw a review for an Indian restaurant in Belmopan's outdoor "restaurant row" (I do not know if this is what it is called, that is what I am calling it :)...picture a couple rows of outdoor wooden booths filled with delicious street food, but with tables and wifi!) Anyway, this place is now the place we will go every time we have to go to Belmopan. YUM! There is a great Indian/Caribbean place called Tiger on the peninsula that is slow food--this was the best fast Indian food ever!

Camp Basil Jones works with at-risk Belize kids to create safer neighborhoods
From July 6th to the 24th the second annual Summer Youth Camp at Camp Basil Jones was held on North Ambergris Caye under the able direction/coordination of Guillermo “Mito” Paz of the San Pedro House of Culture. This one-of-a-kind camp has awakened the attention of local news media, organizations and individuals as its main purpose was to help reduce the chances of at-risk Belizean youths to go astray. One hundred Belizean children mostly from Belize City and other parts of the country were able to participate in this camp. It is imperative that we point out to this community the major role that this camp plays in the life of these young people. According to Mr. Paz some of these children have never been snorkeling or have never worn a mask. Some youth come from single parent homes with extremely limited resources. In other words this camp is a “Safe Haven” for these at-risk youth where they can be exactly what they are – children; and forget for a week the harsh living conditions that society and the world has thrown their way.

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary: A Home for Jaguars
The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the places that you need to visit inBelize. Learn more about the many sights and activities you can enjoy while staying in CockscombBasin Wildlife Sanctuary Lodging. Located in Southern Belize, the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary sits below the peaks of Cockscomb basin wildlife sanctuary. The name ‘cockscomb’ is derived from the jagged look of the range when seen from the north or south. This place was declared a forest reserve in 1984, and a part of it was set aside to be transformed into a wildlife sanctuary. In 1993, the whole basin was declared a wildlife sanctuary and new movements were taken to the Trio Valley. Today, over a hundred thousand acres are protected following a big international effort to save the juguar population of the basin. The ancient Mayas were believed to be the first inhabitants of the basin, as evidenced by the ruins of Chucil Baalum, a small ceremonial site from the Classic Period of the Mayan Civilization. The Golds worthy expedition in 1888 was the first known attempt to head to the peak of the Cockscomb Range. Up there, they found loggers already go here, acquiring mahogany cedar. The logs floated down South Stann CReek to the coast and are then brought to Belize City. Many of the names on the basin’s map retained the interesting names of timber caps like ‘Go to Hell Camp’ and ‘Sale Si Puede.’ All these camps were reclaimed by the jungle long ago.

International Sources

Gender, Education and the Drive for Well-Being in Belize
I was flooded with memories last January as I stepped into the rural high school on Ambergris Caye, Belize. Nearly two decades earlier, I had begun dissertation research here regarding the health and well-being of the first mass high school-educated cohort of young women in the tourism-centric region. On my first day of fieldwork, the principal announced that I hoped to speak to interested students during their study halls. As soon as the next bell rang, a line of young women formed, all eager to share their stories with an insider-outsider—someone deemed trustworthy and also not fully embedded in the history and lineage of the community. Now I had returned, this time to learn more about how those young women’s adolescent experiences had influenced their own development as adults—and also driven changes in their community. My initial work (1996-2001) had taught me that these young women were not blank slates upon which global narratives were written. Rather, they brought their own ways of seeing the world to bear upon transnational media, images, messages, people, and opportunities. More, their life stage as teenagers—attuned carefully to new technologies and media—mattered enormously in how they marshaled community changes to further their educations and improve their well-being.

Local students learn global lessons in trip to Guatemala and Belize
Eleven students and two chaperones from The Wardlaw-Hartridge School in Edison embraced a new culture, language and way of life during a two-week service learning trip to Guatemala and Belize in July. "These trips very much reflect our mission of global learning," said Head of School Andrew Webster, who accompanied 16 students on the school's first service learning trip to Peru in 2012. Wardlaw-Hartridge has worked in tandem with the World Leadership School on all of its service learning trips. Students on the trip to Guatemala and Belize ranged from rising freshmen to recently graduated seniors. Chaperones Tanda Tucker of Bernardsville and Ryan Oliveira of Middletown were impressed with the teamwork and maturity of the students.

Maya monuments unearthed: 1,700-year-old relics reveal king, rites of rulership
Ancient Maya artifacts depicting a Mayan ruler and the rites of royal accession have been unearthed in Guatemala that date back to the fourth century, CE, according to archaeologists. The discoveries include a stela (monuments made of a slab of stone or wood, usually ceremonial but sometimes used as a territorial marker) and extremely well-preserved panels that shed light on a period of Mayan history of which very little is known.

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