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The October 28th, 2012 issue of The STAR (Cayo) is online HERE
This Week's Stories:
- Williams Facing Burglary Charge: The good news coming out of
western Belize this week, is that San
Ignacio police is reporting no major
criminal activity in the community.
The only reported incident this week
is one that took place a week ago in
Bullet Tree Falls Village in which a
Belizean businesswoman reported
being held captive in her house,
for almost 40 hours, by her
common- law-husband whom she has
known for less than four months.
- BWS Team Visits Work
Site In Belize City: As the tremendous amount of civil
works continues in Belize City,
Chairman of the Board of Directors
of the Belize Water Services Limited
(BWSL), Alberto August,
accompanied by the company's Chief
Executive Officer, Alvan Haynes and
members of the Technical Services
Department, today visited the BWS work site on Freetown Road where
the Chairman was afforded the
opportunity to personally appreciate
the magnitude of works currently
underway.
- Riding Across Belize For
A Worthwhile Cause: The Belize Social Security Board's
9th Annual Ride Across Belize cycling
event, with about one hundred riders,
got off to a good start as scheduled
at 7:00 am on Wednesday, October
24, 2012 from in front of the Social
Security office in Corozal Town.
The first leg of the four-day event
ended in front of the Social Security
branch office on Princess Margaret
Drive in Belize City.
The cyclists departed Belize City at
7:00 am on Thursday, October 25,
for the 68 mile ride to the Social
Security branch office at the corner
of Liberty Street and the George
Price Highway in Santa Elena, Cayo.
- Shock As Brazilian Man Turns Up At Own Wake: A Brazilian man gave his relatives
the shock of their lives when he turned
up at his own wake at his mother's
home.
The family was gathered around a
coffin thought to contain 41-year-old
car washer Gilberto Araujo when he
appeared, causing some people to
faint and others to flee in fear.
The dead man, said to closely
resemble Gilberto, is believed to be
another car washer who was
murdered at the weekend.
Gilberto's brother said he had
wrongly identified him in the
mortuary.
- Oldest Mayan Tomb Found In Guatemala's Retalhuleu: One of the oldest Mayan tombs
ever found has been uncovered
in western Guatemala, say archaeologists.
Located at a temple site in Retalhuleu
province, the grave is thought to be
that of an ancient ruler or religious
leader who lived some 2,000 years
ago.
Carbon-dating indicated the tomb
had been built between 700 and 400
BC, said government archaeologist
Miguel Orrego.
A rich array of jade jewels,
including a necklace depicting a
vulture-headed human figure, were
found.
The scientists found no bones at the
tomb in the Tak'alik Ab'aj site - some
180km (110 miles) south of
Guatemala City - probably because
they had disintegrated.
- Mexico Exhumes Relative of Drug Lord For DNA Test: Mexican authorities exhumed a
relative of drug kingpin Heriberto
Lazcano on Monday and took DNA
samples from the corpse to remove
any doubt they had killed the Zetas
leader.
Lazcano, one of Mexico's most
wanted men, is believed to have
been killed at a baseball field in the
northern state of Coahuila on
October 7, but the cartel leader's
body was stolen from a funeral home
by gunmen hours later.
- World Wants Obama Re-Elected AGAIN: BBC Survey: The United States president might
be locked in a neck and neck battle
at home with his challenger Mitt
Romney, but across the world,
including in India, people still
overwhelmingly want to see Barack
Obama re-elected.
According to an international survey
by BBC World Service, Obama is
preferred to Romney in 20 of the 21
countries with Pakistan the only
country where more people favoured
the Republican for an election.
- STAR Humor
- Your Weekly Horoscope and Lucky Numbers
- Letters to the Editor
- Public Notices
Last night's TV news on Channel 7 and Channel 5
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials
The San Pedro Sun
Doctor Love: "Going Nuts"�because of my girlfriend
A young man's girlfriend keeps asking him all these questions, and it's driving him nuts. We love the Doctor's answer...read on...
Editorial: Mourning what once was�
The day has come where the face of San Pedro has been changed. Over the last year we have seen drug related murders, child molestation, armed robberies and countless, costly burglaries. Now, marred by the recent gang of San Pedro teenagers beating a local man to death and a tourist stabbed during a burglary attempt, the days of our quaint, sleepy and peaceful fishing village are gone�never to return, just like the number of tourists who now decide to vacation and invest elsewhere. Even longtime residents are re-thinking their choice of residence, heartbroken for the once peaceful, tropical paradise they called home.
There will be many who will dislike this editorial. Even I don't like it�and why? Because it speaks of the unmentionable truth that is destined to be our demise, and this truth will not make Ambergris Caye an easy sell. With our livelihoods compromised and our future in question, we can no longer stick our heads in the sand and simply hope these problems go away. But please, don't blame this messenger. These sentiments are out there in full force on every message board and website designed to promote the good life on Ambergris Caye and Belize. Comments after comments are posted by visitors who lament over the good ole' days of carefree island vacations and are now concerned for their safety when traveling to Belize. Potential investors and retirees write about exploring other locations in search of what was once the safe, island persona of Ambergris Caye. This is the word on the street, in the bars, in your office, at the airports and amongst your neighbors.
Wolfe's Woofers: Cheater
Boys and their toys! Wolfe discovers his friend Scott is a cheater in a golf game at Caye Chapel.
Misc Belizean Sources
Jump for Belize (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)
TAS Belize created a music video for Merv Douglas
VIDEO: Lionfish Hunt ,Sponsored Dive, Ambergris Caye, Belize
Mr. Greedy's and Serendib Block Party
The Halloween block party sponsored by Mr. Greedy's and Serendib was awesome! Thousands of people showed up on Burns avenue to partake in the Halloween festivities, and see the winners of the costume awards. And there were some great costumes there too.
Auditor General's Office Speaks at Galen
Representatives of the Office of the Auditor General, including Mrs. Dorothy Bradley, the AG, spoke at Galen's President's Seminar. The seminar focused on what role the AG plays and the functions that the AG's office has. Sounds like the Accounting students learned a lot.
Grease is the Word BIWG Fundraiser
The Belmopan International Women's Group had their 'Grease is the Word' fundraiser. Rydell High all the way!
"The BIWG threw a great Grease fifties themed dinner dance this weekend. All profit goes to their many charitable projects."
Rotaract Halloween Party
The Rotaract Club in Belmopan had a Halloween party at the George Price Center. There sure were a lot of fun activities for the youth that went. Some cute costumes too. They even had a haunted house.
"The Rotaract Club of Belmopan planned a fun party for the children of Belmopan with games, food, hauted house and more..."
CTV3
Orange Walk Teacher Stabbed While Waiting For Bus
A teacher from Orange Walk Town was stabbed last night. Sources within the police department indicate that 36 year old Camilo Mendez was standing in front of Happy Days Restaurant located on Queen Victoria Avenue waiting for a bus when he was approached by a male person of Hispanic Decent. The individual apparently walked towards Mendez and stabbed him on the neck with a pointed object and then left the area. We understand that Mendez has not made an official report to police who is investigating the matter.
Learning How To Become Better Leaders
The Certificate in School Leadership Training Program was launched this morning at the Corozal Junior College. It's an initiative undertaken by the Ministry of Education with partial financial assistance from the European Union. The program caters to enhance the leadership skills of school leaders including school managers, principals, vice principals and persons aspiring to become school leaders at a primary school level. Between the Orange Walk and Corozal Districts, 60 participants were chosen to be part of the program. According to the coordinator, Ravey Vellos, the program is of great importance to the education system.
Ravey Vellos, Program Coordinator
"I would like to say that in the design of this program we are ensuring that the participants then will do more of a hands on learning it is not just book learning, so the way the program has been design then is that each participant will be given a module, which is reading material, the participant will also be allow to have access to the CJC Moodle, which is then the way that they will be accessing online material 24 material a day, they will have support from a course instructor and also from coaches."
Ravey Vellos, Program Coordinator
"Principal who is not trained in that area has limited knowledge might say that the best way to deal with this is corporal punishment, we beat the child, but in this program they are going to learn different strategies and ways on how to deal with students and discipline in a different way."
In a span of 10 months the 60 participants will take part in five courses each having a specific theme.
BSCFA, COM Has New Chairman
Every year, as mandated by the Sugar Act, the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association holds election for six of their branches, three in Orange Walk and three in Corozal. The last election took place last week in the Village of Yo Creek where Alfredo Ortega was re-elected as the Chairman of the Orange Walk Branch. And today elections were held for the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association Committee of Management. Members of both the Orange Walk and Corozal divisional committee met at the BSCFA offices here in Orange Walk where they elected Alfredo Ortega as the new chairman of the Committee of Management for the fiscal period November 1st, 2012 to October 31st, 2013.
Ortega, who served as the chairman of the committee in 2010, takes over the position from Ramon Aban who still forms part of the Committee of Management since he was elected and accepted the Vice Chairman position.
"Ese fue el primero adonde se eligió el Se�or Marciano Novelo como Chairman y el se�or Hern�n Villas como Vice-chairman y despu�s las elecciones del Comit� de manejo adonde lo componemos tres de Corozal y tres de Orange Walk y el proceso se llevo y me dieron una oportunidad para ser el Chairman para este ano fiscal que empieza en Noviembre y el Se�or Ramón Aban va ser el Vice-chairman, el se�or Lucillo Teck es el secretario, Eledino Escarragar el Tesorero, autom�ticamente Marciano Novelo y el se�or Arturo Olivares, entran como miembro del comit� de manejo siempre siendo ellos chairman divisionales, hoy por primera ves tuvimos una oportunidad adonde estuvieron incluidos casi todo los branch chariman siempre solo el comit� de manejo entra y se lleva acabo la elección y se lleva un representante del Sugar Board que conduce esa elección para que sea legal entonces el leva toda las nominaciones y todo pero en esta ocasión decidimos tener a todos los miembros que estaban ac� alrededor e invitarlos para que sean parte de ese proceso y fue una experiencia muy bonita por que por primera ves logramos tener una elección sin presión, una elección donde nos entregamos mutuamente tanto Corozal como Orange Walk y ya no sent�a ese desbalance que hab�amos vivido en el pasado y sirve bien a nivel del branch chairman de la organización."
Mexico Changes Time
If you are a regular traveller to or through Mexico, then a recent change of their time should take your interest. As of Sunday October 28th Mexico will end its daylight saving time in order to bring winter time.
That means that Mexico's local time will be the same as Belize's local time. For those who transit through Mexico, you are advised to check your flight's local time. For those travelling within Mexico on the evening of Saturday, October 27th, the Embassy suggests that their time be changed backward one hour before going to sleep.
ESTM Holds Food Festival
When you sit down to eat every day, do you think about how the meal you're eating is the product of a complex, and broken, global food system? World Food Day is celebrated on October 16th and this year Belize teamed up with a host of allies across the US and around the globe to celebrate the day under the theme "Agriculture Cooperation; the key to feeding the world". Here in the north, Escuela Secundaria Tecnica Mexico, Centro Escolar Mexico Junior College and the Ministry of Agriculture, commemorated the day by holding a food expo at the school grounds. Our News team dropped by and here is that story.
During today's event, the Ministry of Agriculture signed a memorandum of understanding with Escuela Secundaria Tecnica Mexico and Centro Escolar Mexico Junior College whereby both institutions will showcase the latest agricultural technologies through projects implemented by the school.
All sorts of food from fresh fruits to vegetables, processed foods and homemade foods were on display today at the food fest held in celebration of World Food Day.
Today's event was a joint effort between Escuela Secundaria Tecnica Mexico, Centro Escolar Mexico Junior College and the Ministry of Agriculture. The event saw the participation of a wide range of entities from the agricultural sector including BAHA and the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association.
Have You Seen 73 Year Old John Alexander Tate
An elderly resident from the Corozal District has been missing for one month now and tonight his family fears the worst. Forty one year old Candice Carol Tate from the Chula Vista Area in Corozal, told Police that the last time she spoke to her uncle, 73 year old John Alexander Tate, was either on the 23rd or 24th of August at about 1:00pm, while in front of the court house in Corozal Town.
Tate told police that she left Alexander for a few minutes and when she returned, her uncle, who suffers from amnesia, had disappeared. Reports to Carlo Tate are that her uncle was last seen in Belize City walking on Racoon Street. Tonight the family of John Alexander Tate is hoping for the best but expecting the worst. Alexander Tate is described as being slim built, 5 ft 4 inches in height weighing about 150lbs, has wavy black hair and was last seen wearing a white long sleeve shirt with a dark color long pants and black shoes. If you know the whereabouts of Tate you are asked to contact the nearest police station.
Credit Union Awards Winners Of Essay Competition
Last week Credit Unions across the globe celebrated Credit Union Week under the theme "Members Matter Most". Included in the list of activities was a high school essay competition whereby students were asked to write on the topic "The Credit Union Difference". Essays from all over the country were submitted for the competition and today the names of the winners were released. We are proud to announce that first and second prize was won by students here in the north.
Taking the first prize of $1,000 was Jason Cache of Corozal Community College while the $500 second prize was awarded to Jessica Klassen of Linda Vista School located in the community of Blue Creek in the Orange Walk District. Third prize was awarded to Bret Coombs of Sacred Heart College in San Ignacio who was awarded $250.00.
LOVE TV
Double murders rock north side Belize City
On Thursday's newscast, the officer commanding Eastern Division, Assistant Commissioner of Police Elodio Aragon, Junior noted that there has been a decrease in murders in the old capital. But just a few hours after that pronouncement there was not one, but two homicides on the margins of the City's northside. Love TV's Maron Ali and video journalist Brian Castillo worked the crime beat today.
Regarding the murders of Lebanese businessmen Abdul Aziz Mohammed and Alfred Shakron, police have still not made any arrests in connection with these homicides.
Robbery suspect pushes police officer out of moving vehicle
There was drama a-plenty today in the West Ladivar area of Belize City. Love TV's Natalie Novelo and video journalist Myles Gillett report.
Burglaries and robberies continue
There was a terrifying home invasion reported in Belize City on Wednesday night. The victim told police that she and her sisters and a five month old baby were at home around seven thirty on Wednesday night when they were accosted by three dark men who had their faces covered. The victim says the men pointed a gun at her and ordered everyone in the house to cover their faces. The men then proceeded to search the house and made off with electronic items valued at about one thousand dollars. Police investigations continue.
Separate burglaries have been reported in Cayo. Twenty nine year old Sasha Aguilar, a resident of the Hillview area of Santa Elena town reported to police that her home was burglarized on Thursday. The thief or thieves made off with electronic items and jewelry valued at fourteen hundred and fifty dollars. Police are looking for one man in connection with this incident. In the other incident, a caretaker reported that sometime between Saturday morning and yesterday, someone broke into a house he is caring for situated about a mile from Bullet Tree Falls village. The caretaker told police that the thief or thieves made off with an assortment of tools and equipment valued at ten thousand, eight hundred and forty dollars. Police are looking for one man in connection with this incident.
Police issue advisory on safe Halloween
It's the Halloween weekend and people will be out trick or treating from door to door and holding Halloween parties at specific locations throughout the country. But while the law-abiding find Halloween a time to have some clean fun spooking out their friends and relatives, robbers also use the occasion to carry out their deeds. The Police Press Officer warns the public to take precaution and to keep your children safe this Halloween.
We at Love Television wish those who celebrate the occasion a happy Halloween.
Insurance Awareness week ends with gala
Life Insurance Awareness week is coming to an end with one more day to go. Many activities have been held throughout the week and today Customer Appreciation Day was celebrated by three Life Insurance Companies, namely Guardian Life, Sagicor Capital Life and RF & G Life insurance. Secretary of the Belize Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, Theo Polonio Flores told us more about today's activities.
The Royal Wellness Center was present this morning to provide free checkups. Nutritionist, Lifestyle Councilor and Massage Therapist Cornelio Marfield at the center explained the procedures offered at the Tourist Market today.
Life Insurance Week ends tomorrow with the Annual Red Night Gala at the Biltmore Plaza Hotel. President of the Belize Kidney Association, Olga Herrera filled us in with the details.
The gala will take place at seven p.m. Once again the price is for a hundred dollars and everyone is expected to wear red.
Prizes handed out for Credit Union week activities
Last week was observed as Credit Union Week and a part of activities held was a high school essay competition. High school students were asked to write on the topic "The credit union difference'. Today the winners of the competition were announced. Jason Catch of Corozal Community College walked off with the first prize of $1,000.00; Jessica Klassen of Linda Vista School in Blue Creek Village in the Orange Walk District placed second and took home $500.00 and Brent Coombs of Sacred Heart College in San Ignacio was third. He walked away with $250.00.
Fun things to do in Belize
Halloween has always topped my list for fun things to do in Belize, people go all out for costumes and we always have a great time. Last night we started a bit late and got to Roadkill bar just in time to have a quick one and head to Pedro's for the pimp n ho party. The bell got rung twice during the short time we were there and some people were feeling very merry from the jager shots by the time we headed to town.
We all piled in our golf carts and met up Fido's for some live music and dancing, of course I was not doing any dancing in my crazy boots ha ha. Then we all headed down to the Holiday Hotel, it was super packed as always. This was the first year I did not go in, we just hung around out side chatting and watching all the cool costumes.
Don't forget today is the big SAGA Halloween fundraiser in Central park starting at 11 am. The SAGA volunteers have been working really hard to make this a big success and have lined up tons of great prizes. Stop by and check out all the great pet costumes and spend lots of money on food and drinks.
Halloween in Belize: The Ultimate Costume Party Is San Pedro
I apologize for not blogging for a few days, I really do. I have been planning a party for the Humane Society. But lucky for both of us, my friend Krista from Crazy Canuck's Beach Bar went to the late night Halloween party at the Holiday Hotel. And took these awesome pictures. And sent me comments. So here is her blog. My first guest blogger! Let's call her GingerScoop (she's a red head after all).
Here is my favorite picture that she took. Please stop into Crazy Canuck's, buy a drink, and a panini and fill her with praise. I need a helper!
Enjoy.
One of my favorites. Okay...just your run-of-the-mill priest costume...
I almost spit my beer. Here he is from the back side.
Classic.
Gilligan's Island.
International Sources
Cheap Color Test Picks Up HIV
A cheap test which could detect even low levels of viruses and some cancers has been developed by UK researchers.
The colour of a liquid changes to give either a positive or negative result.
The designers from Imperial College London say the device could lead to more widespread testing for HIV and other diseases in parts of the world where other methods are unaffordable.
The prototype, which needs wider testing, is described in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.
The test can be configured to a unique signature of a disease or virus - such as a protein found on the surface of HIV.
If that marker is present it changes the course of a chemical reaction. The final result is blue if the marker is there, red if the marker is not.
The researchers say this allows the results to be detected with "the naked eye".
Prof Molly Stevens told the BBC: "This method should be used when the presence of a target molecule at ultra-low concentration could improve the diagnosis of disease.
"For example, it is important to detect some molecules at ultra-low concentrations to test cancer recurrence after tumour removal.
"It can also help with diagnosing HIV-infected patients whose viral load is too low to be detected with current methods."
Early testing showed the presence of markers of HIV and prostate cancer could be detected. However, trials on a much larger scale will be needed before it could be used clinically.
Safety Tips When Women Travel Solo
There are real challenges to being female and on the road, like sexual harassment, including being touched or groped or receiving inappropriate or uncalled for remarks.
When women travel solo, they are more likely to be the victims of theft, too. However, a majority of women say that personal security issues are their number one concern when traveling alone. Or even with female companions.
But it seems that the joys of travel are so strong, these women would rather travel alone than not travel. Here is some of the best advice we've heard for women of any age who travel solo:
Perhaps the best tip is to ask directions from other women or women with families, and not from men. A woman's take on what's safe, particularly in a new town, is very different from a man's.
Marybeth Bond is a bit of a legend among women travelers, and indeed among all travelers, because she more or less opened up the discussion about women road warriors.