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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

Massive fire destroys Ramon's Village Resort
Ramon's Village Resort, an iconic tourism institution on Ambergris Caye, located on Coconut Drive, has suffered major damages after a fire ravaged through its grounds. The fire started shortly around 8PM on Tuesday night, August 27th when a building in the southern section of the resort caught fire. It took almost 2 � hours before the fire was brought under control, at which time about 2/3 of the resort was completely destroyed. Neighboring structures received damage and electricity to the entire island was interrupted for nearly an hour. Up to news time, the estimated loss is unknown as the investigation is yet in its early stage. Last year, the resort completed major renovations, an investment that was estimated to have cost millions.

Pesca con Mosca wins the 5th annual Tres Pescados Slam Tournament
The 5th annual three-day Tres Pescados Slam Fishing tournament ended on Saturday August 17th. A total of 19 anglers competed in this year's tournament, which saw the participants applying their fishing skills in both good and bad weather conditions. The purpose of the fishing tournament is to highlight the importance of the three species of protected fish in Belize - Tarpon, Bonefish and Permit. At the end of the competition, the team Pesca con Mosca topped the other anglers. "The tournament raised $12,000BZ for the newly formed CARLOS MARIN FOUNDATION in Belize. These funds will be used locally in Belize to benefit the bonefish, permit and tarpon fisheries, their habitats and the protection of both. On hand for the awards banquet were all our teams as well as many of our sponsors and friends," ended the release. The organizers take the opportunity to thank those who made the event a huge success for sport fishing in Belize. Those

The Chamber responds to the Prime Minister's position on the Public Accounts Committee
The Chamber vigorously renews its call on both the Government of Belize and the Opposition to ensure a fully functioning Public Accounts Committee. The functions of the PAC according to the Standing Orders of the House Representatives are to examine , consider and report on: a. The accounts having the appropriation of of the sums granted by the National Assembly to meet the public expenditure of the country; b. Such other accounts as may be referred to the committee by the House or under any law; and c.The report of the Auditor General on any such accounts. The fundamental concern of the Chamber is to ensure that said reports are thoroughly reviewed and reported upon so that appropriate corrective measures regarding resource expenditures are taken where necessary by the Government and all its departments.

Misc Belizean Sources

Technology experts to help defend Belize against internet attacks
The Caribbean is not immune to the recent global attacks on computer networks and systems by Internet hackers. This was the view expressed by international technology expert Bevil Wooding in an interview on the upcoming sixth regional meeting of the Caribbean Network Operators Group (CaribNOG) to be held in Belize City, Belize, from September 22 to 25. "As governments and businesses in the Caribbean increase their dependence on information and communication technologies, they must at the same time build greater capacity to manage and protect technology assets," Wooding said. He gave various examples of volunteer groups of "ethical hackers" who mobilised and collaborated to help protect local networks around the world.

BBG Bird and Plant Identification Course
The Belize Botanic Gardens are having a free bird and plant identification training course from September 16th through the 20th. There's room for 25 people, so reserve a space now. In Related news, the BBG is having their Professional Gardeners' Training Programme starting on September 30th. The deadline to sign up is September 6th.

Ervin Gordon Tribute Concert
The Tribute for Hick, Ervin Gordon, local bass player, was Sunday night at the Cayo Welcome Center, and quite a few musicians, including the World Culture Band, Emmanuel Mangar, and Eddie Allen, came out to play some songs in his memory. RIP, Mr. Gordon. "many artist came to play a gig in the memory of our local bass player Hick, the Welcome center was jamming with young and old school telent."

SIPL Poetry Night
The San Ignacio Public Library is having their poetry night tonight, Wednesday, August 28th, at 6:00pm. "The Santa Elena Public Library in collaboration with the San Ignacio Public Library are holding a poetry night at the SIPL. Authors who would like to share their poetry to the community are welcomed! Confirmed Poetry Night Authors: Mrs. Melba Marin Velasquez, Ms. Tifanny Simplis, Mr. Hamner Bush, Mrs. Ruth Gutierrez."

Channel 7

Chelsie's Body Found
Last night, we told you about the search for 7 year-old Chelsie Smith, the child who was presumed to have drowned in Isabella Bank on Sunday. Well, after 2 days of gnawing uncertainty, her body was recovered from the Belize River this morning, quite a distance away from the area she went under. It is the confirmation of the worst news for the family, who must now find closure in her burial. We went back to Isabella Bank today, where we got a chance to speak with Chelsie's family. Here's what they told us about how the body was discovered today: Carol Leslie - Family Friend "We found the body approximately 10:10am, after the boat was driving slow - we had about six of us in the boat, we were looking both ways and the driver saw something on the edge by the bushes and he turned around and we went back. While getting a closer view, we saw that it was baby Chelsie in the water. Her hand was hooked on one of the tree limbs and underneath the tree and when we went closer that is when we identified that it was her."

PUP Sign to PAC Declaration
The Public Accounts Committee - for decades, nothing happened with it, no meetings were held, important public work was left undone, only few noticed and hardly anyone complained - but ever since PUP Deputy Leader Julius Espat raised the idea for a radically re-constituted P-A-C at the end of July, it's become an issue of great public discourse and debate. The Chamber of Commerce was the first to endorse it and then the NTUCB, but in a release sent out yesterday, the Chamber seemed to have cooled off considerably on the Espat plan, and basically urged both sides to just get the P-A-C working. With that tepid reaction and the fact that the Council of Churches has not gotten on board - the effort for radical re-constitution of the moribund committee might have seemed to be losing steam. But politics, like nature, abhors a vacuum and just as things were starting to lag, the PUP Representatives went all-in today, starched up those Guayaberas and headed for Belmopan from as far as Punta Gorda and Orange Walk. There, on Independence Hill they made a declaration on the PAC - and 7news was there for it.

Cabbie Can't Come Up With Teenaged Son's School Sneakers, Almost Gets Chopped!
It's back to school time, and the pressure is on for parents who have to come up with the new books, bags and footwear. And, one Belize City taxi-man who wasn't coming up right narrowly escaped a beat down from his two teenaged sons. Yesterday afternoon at around 1:00, 61 year old taxi driver, Elihue Bailey pulled up at his Raccoon street Extension home, and went upstairs where he was confronted by his 13 year old son who asked him when will he get his tennis for school. The taxi-man replied "next week", but the teenager wasn't having that and threatened to smash the windshield of his father's vehicle with a two by four. The taxi-man retreated, but by then his other son, who was cutting cane in the back of the yard came to the front with a machete. Bailey told police that both of them tried to assault him - one with a stick, one with a machete. He scampered into the car, and they missed him but hit the top of the driver's door. Police recovered the 2ft long machete, and the four foot long two by four. They detained both minors but they were later released into the custody of their mother. Bailey also dropped the charges.

Alleged Lady Drug Trafficker Sent To Jail
Last night, we told you about the 31 year Therese Elijio, aka Tanisha YOUNG, and 33 year-old Karim Bood who were busted yesterday by the Gang Suppression Unit with separate stashes of marijuana. The GSU searched Eligio's apartment and found a total of 75 pounds of marijuana. Eligio was charged with 2 counts of drug trafficking. She pleaded not guilty when she was arraigned today before Magistrate Clive Lino. Due to the amount of marijuana, and because she owed the court for previous convictions, she was remanded to prison. She will be taken back to court on October 18. Bood was busted by the GSU in his apartment adjacent to Eligio's. They saw him throwing plastic bags through the louvers of a bathroom window, and when they recovered the bags they found 3.52 pounds of marijuana, so the GSU charged him with drug trafficking.

GSU Gets SSG Gun
And while the GSU Believes that Therese Eligio is an associate of the Mayflower/Ghost Town gang, today they report that they've arrested and charged 4 men they believe are members of the Southside Crips Gang. This afternoon at around 1:45, they conducted a raid on the residence of Michael Anderson, located on Guerrero Street in Port Loyola. Anderson was not there, but inside the yard, the officers found Ian Craig, Eion Myers, Keon Lacayo, Gilbert Wade, and a 16 year-old minor. They searched an old shack in the yard, where they found a .38 revolver which was loaded with 6 live rounds of ammunition, from which Scenes of Crime personnel lifted 2 fingerprints

Will Dan Silva Return to The PUP
Former PUP Minister of Agriculture Dan Silva has been shading the political background ever since he walked away as PUP Deputy Leader in January of 2011. But the former two term Cayo Central Representative is still considered the "big-man" for the PUP in that division, even if his interest in politics is on-again, off-again. Well, it's on right now as Silva recently posted on FACEBOOK his interest to offer himself for Cayo Central. Party Leader Francis Fonseca and his would-be convention opponent Luke Espat commented on that today in Belmopan:� Hon. Francis Fonseca - Leader of the Opposition "Like every other candidate, Dan Silva will have to apply to be a candidate, if he intends to run in Cayo Central and his application will have to be vetted by everybody else. Dan Silva, obviously, has a long history and relationship with the People's United Party in Cayo so certainly that is something that we will have to look at very closely." Jules Vasquez "Will it factor into your considerations that his son there's an interpol want for killing a female in Cayo Central?"

PUP Leader Says Amin Hegar Has Some Catching Up To Do
Another former PUP Minister who's declared an interest in re-entering politics is Amin Hegar. He told us last week why he's retracting his endorsement of Patrick Jason Andrews in Belmopan. But, Deputy Leader For the West Julius Espat says that Hegar can't run because he'd be going back on his word. But what does the party leader have to say? We asked him today:� Hon. Francis Fonseca - Leader of the Opposition "The door is not closed on Mr. Hegar, he has not yet applied for Belmopan despite everything you've been hearing. When Mr. Hegar applies then his application will be vetted by various committees of the party and the National Executive. What I said earlier s that his actions over the past two weeks have to form a part of that discussion." Jules Vasquez "Will that factor into the deliberations?" Hon. Francis Fonseca "Well, it's in my view not a mis-statement because he spoke with me on the matter directly and in fact very recently has met with me again. I would not characterize what he did as a mis-statement and I think all of his actions in respect of withdrawing and publicly endorsing another candidate - those are issues that I deem relevant to the application process."

An Officer, A gentleman, And A Politician?! Major Mira Explains His PUP Passion
And while Hegar is fighting to get back into Belmopan for the PUP, a newcomer is hoping to come from behind the steal the show. He is Oscar Mira, a major in the BDF, who's leaving his military career to get into politics. Seems like a big gamble to us, but Mira explained why he's getting into the race:� Jules Vasquez "Mr. Mira tell me why are you leaving an excellent career in the military to go into something as speculative as politics?" Major Oscar Mira (Ret'd) - PUP Aspirant for Belmopan "Jules, I've been thinking about this for a long while. It has been over 21 years in the Military - the first course that I did the motto was 'Serve to Lead' and I have been serving my country and I have done everything to serve my country for the past 21 years and I believe that there is another way that I can serve the people in the country of Belize." Jules Vasquez "Deputy Leader for the West, Julius Espat, has his favorite candidate who is Mr. Andrews so then it would appear that you're entering as an underdog." Major Oscar Mira (Ret'd) "Well, I wouldn't want to speak for Mr. Espat and who he is supporting but I believe in a democracy you are free to support whoever you want. At the end of the day, the people in Belmopan will decide."

Man Found Guilty In Civil Court For Selling A Bad Car
Whenever buying a used car in Belize, the warning is always to let the buyer beware - and if you're paying under five thousand dollars, the chance that you're getting, at best, a fixer-upper, or, at worse, a "hunk of junk" increases exponentially. And that's the chance a Cayo woman took when she Bought a Nissan Altima for four thousand dollars in December. Shortly after she bought it, the car started having major mechanical problems. She filed civil suit in magistrate's court against the couple she bought the car form - and, in a surprising outcome, she won: the couple has to re-imburse her. Jessie Castillo is the one the action was taken out against, and he told us about this strange legal ordeal which almost landed him in Jail!:� Jessie Castillo -Sued for selling defective car "In December, a woman bought a car for my wife and like two weeks after that she came back and said that the timing chain was popped so my wife offered to replace the chain and then my wife gave her the money. She came back like two days after that and said that the whole head of the engine was cracked or bent and that it needed to be replaced. My wife told her that if the head was bent prior to her buying the car the she wouldn't have been able to move it."

The Unbreakable Janay's First Day At High School
At approximately 7:45 this morning, the Blue Toyota Camry pulled inside the compound of Comprehensive High School- Sticking out from its trunk was this blue wheelchair, belonging to 12 year old Janea Matute - Today was Janae's first day of High School at Belmopan Comprehensive. With the help of her mother and her big sister Amy, her wheelchair was removed from behind the trunk of the car and then 70 pound Janae was hoisted from out of the back seat of the vehicle and into her chair. -this is just a small part of their daily routine for the next 4 years. Born with cerebral palsy - which is damage caused to the motor control centers of her brain- due to what the court said was medical malpractice - Janae has been a local hero for many and is highly admired for her zest for life.

Human Rights Rapporteur Writes GOB On Mayas
The Mayas of southern Belize have been agitating for their rights and in April the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food has sent a letter to the government of Belize, US Capital Energy in Belize and its parent company in the US. The nine page letter speaks to a number of issues and gives the government 60 days to respond before the communication becomes public. No response was made and the letter is now being made public. It warns the government about the impact of oil concessions on the access to food, the communities' lack of consent to activities happening in their traditional lands, and the Government's disregard for rulings of the Supreme Court and the Inter American Commission on Human Rights.

Road Safety Strategy Cemented
7News has been closely following the establishment of Belize's National Road Safety Strategy. It is an initiative funded by the Government of Belize, and the Caribbean Development Bank to make Belize's highways safer. We've told you about the first phase of the project to establish defensive driving, and now, the project is move along with the launching of the National Road Safety Committee. Today, there was a small ceremony to note importance of the committee, and the CEO of the Ministry of Economic Development explained its mandate: Ms. Audrey Wallace - CEO of the Ministry of Economic Development "The establishment of this committee is a condition of the finance agreement between the government and Caribbean Development Bank with respect to the road safety project - it is a condition but it's also a very important link forward in terms of government's plan in the area of road safety, citizens' security. This project is expected to serve as a launch pad in a comprehensive and longer term road safety strategy.

Red Cross Flags Up
The Belize Red Cross Flag is flying this week at the Flag Monument at the City's entrance. It's part of the organization's 30th Anniversary Celebration as a non-charitable organization in Belize. So, yesterday, bright and early 14 scouts led by 3 scout leaders of the Belize Scouts Association, mounted the flag at the Flag Monument.

Channel 5

Michael Silva allegedly coming back to explain his side of the story
In July, INTERPOL issued a warrant for the arrest of twenty-eight year old San Ignacio resident Michael Silva. Silva is wanted in connection with the September 2011 murder of nineteen [...]

Dan Silva intends to reclaim Cayo Central
And while Michael Silva is allegedly coming back�Dan Silva is coming back for sure. The successful former politician and P.U.P. Minister says he intends to reclaim his old stomping grounds [...]

Luke Espat says he is excited and ready to contest Cayo Central
But Silva won't be back, at least not officially, until he gets past the P.U.P.'s vetting process. That process should be applied to all persons who aspire to contest conventions [...]

The opposition continues to seek for the restructuring of the PAC
The new and improved Public Accounts Committee is still just a proposal which never made it past the floor of the House of Representatives. The Opposition is seeking the restructuring [...]

Seven year old drowning victim's body is found
After scouring the Old Belize River since Sunday night, the body of a seven year old girl was found this morning. The Sand Hill school girl was at a birthday [...]

Jaguars yet to receive payment for participation in Gold Cup
The flare of Gold Cup 2013 has dwindled since the annual CONCACAF tournament concluded in Chicago a few weeks ago.� Despite a less than stellar debut in the regional competition, [...]

SATIIM condemns action taken by government
On Monday, the Sarstoon and Temash Institute for Indigenous Management, SATIIM, condemned the actions of the Government for allowing the police to dispatch armed officers into the Sarstoon/Temash National Park [...]

Neighbors going to the Belize Central Prison
Two neighbors will be spending their first night at the Central Prison. The Gang Suppression Unit, on Monday detained a Belize City woman and a man who live next to [...]

He stole a bike to buy HIV/AIDS medication
A Belize City resident told the court this morning on arraignment that he is afflicted with HIV AIDS and had to steal for medication. Thirty-four year old construction worker, Kenroy [...]

Five adults and one minor charged for gun and ammunition
On Monday, the Gang Suppression Unit made a surprise raid at Antelope Street Extension; it yielded them some eighty pounds of marijuana. This afternoon, the GSU executed a search at [...]

Third annual Back-to-School Drive; get free grooming at Fabers Road
The third annual Back-To-School Drive, organized by Brian Dena, a community activist of the Fabers Road area, kicks off this Friday.� But Dena is wasting no time in appealing to [...]

P.U.P. party leader says Amin Hegar's actions are going to be taken into consideration
There is much political soup bubbling on the fire in Cayo Central with the announcement of the re-emergence of Dan Silva. But there is also some measure of controversy in [...]

Revisiting the award winning Decriminalization of Marijuana
Last year, a former minister of government introduced into the national discourse a proposal to decriminalize the possession of small quantities of marijuana. A committee was formed to look at [...]

Who will Be The Next Superstar? We find out tonight!
It is here…The grand finale of Be the Next Superstar and shortly, the winner of the Season Two will be revealed at an event that will celebrate talent and creativity. [...]

LOVE FM

Dog Attacks Toddler in Western Belize
Last week Love News reported on the vicious mauling of a three year old girl and her mother by a pit-bull dog. The incident occurred in the Iguana Street Extension area of Belize City. But the problem it seems is not confined only to Belize City, as another three year old was bitten to the face by a dog in the Cayo District as well. Correspondent Fem Cruz reports. FEM CRUZ "A three year old was viciously attacked by a dog in Armenia Village on the Humming bird Highway. The mother, Elsa Lemus reported to police that on Monday around 3:30pm while she was inside her house, her three year old son went outside to pick up craboo under a tree in the yard. A few minutes later, she heard her son crying out; when she ran outside she saw her son bleeding on his face; about a yard away from her child she saw a black dog. Children who were nearby told the mother that the dog bit her son. According to the mother this is not the first time that the dog has attacked residents." Like the case we reported last week in Belize City, the owner of the dog has reportedly stepped out to assist the victim's family.

Fight Ensues At A Municipal Office Over Money 'Owed'
A man was injured during a misunderstanding at the Orange Walk Town Council office today. Reporter Dalila Ical has the story. DALILA ICAL "One man is injured during a misunderstanding at the Orange Walk Town Council. Love News understands that Orange Walk resident Oscar Calderon visited the Town Hall and approached the office messenger. Things got heated on the second floor as we understand Calderon started to demand money owed to him by the Council for work he had done. The situation quickly escalated and become physical between Calderon and the Office Messenger. We understand that Calderon first assaulted the Messenger and in the process attempted to take his gold chain but only managed to pull it off from around his neck. The Messenger, we are told, in his defence pulled out a machete from under the counter and inflicted a wound onto Calderon's head. The incident stirred a big commotion as other employees at the council arrived to restrain Calderon who remained irate. The police were called and eventually arrested Calderon. He was treated for his wound and will be charged for threatening words. As for the messenger who inflicted the wound, Love News understands he will not be charged as he acted in self-defence. Love News has also been reliably informed that Calderon has not been employed at the Council and no money is owed to him.

Young Girl's Body Retrieved from Belize Waters and Laid to Rest
The body of seven year old Chelsie Smith was found today after a three day search was launched. As we reported, Smith drowned in the Belize Old River on Sunday Morning whilst at Isabella Bank Village in Rural Belize. HIPOLITO NOVELO REPORTING "Almost two days later following the disappearance underwater of seven year old Chelsie Smith, her body was retrieved from the Belize Old River. As we reported, Chelsie along with her mother, Pamela Olivera, and four other children were fishing alongside the banks of the Belize Old River in Isabella Bank Village on Sunday morning when the tragic incident occurred. Chelsie fell off an underwater trench and subsequently drowned. A search team comprised of the Belize Defense Force, the Belize Coast Guard and family members set out to recover her body. After diving into the murky waters for the past two days, it was not until this morning at about ten minutes after ten o'clock that the body was located by family members. Carol Leslie is Chelsie's godmother.

Former Speakers of the House of Representatives Register Disgust with Conduct in Recent Sitting
The People's United Party today shared a letter written by former speakers of the House of Representatives, Sylvia Flores and Elizabeth Zabaneh, and addressed to the current Speaker of the House, Michael Peyrefitte registering their disapproval with the conduct displayed in the House. A sentence in the letter reads quote "we write you to register, for the record, our strong disapproval and dismay regarding the conduct publicly displayed in the House of Representatives over several months and in particular the behavior of the Member for Mesopotamia at the last House meeting" end quote. They also say that they believe that the behavior represents a "low point of conduct" and should not be allowed to continue in the House. The letter continues saying that the business of the people must be carried out with cordiality and respect saying quote "The authority and dignity of the House should never be brought into disrepute and we, therefore, insist that an atmosphere of respect for the Speaker and for both sides of the aisle has to be restored" end quote. In the letter both Flores and Zabaneh also let Peyreffitte know that the Belizean public has been expressing their disgust at the offensive behavior and disrespect toward the woman member of the House. They close with quote "For our democracy to remain vibrant, all Members of the National Assembly must be able to expect that there will be civility, respect and due regard for their human dignity. We therefore, trust that you will take these, our serious concerns, into account. The letter which is dated the 21st of August was also copied to Governor General Sir Colville Young, Prime Minister Dean Barrow, and leader of the Opposition, Francis Fonseca.

Most Trusted Employee Runs Away with Company's Day Sales
A man goes missing in the Orange Walk District on Monday but as his employers searched for him, they realize they were robbed. Dalila Ical has the story. DALILA ICAL REPORTING Nazira Romero and her husband who run ER's Icy Treats, an ice pop business in Orange Walk Town began their search for one of their vendors, Roejlio Balam after he failed to report back in after five Monday evening. Romero told Love News that they found it "strange" that Rojelio Balam, a born Belizean and a trusted employee who has been with them for over a year would not report in without notice. Romero says they naturally became worried. NAZIRA ROMERO "The time they usually come is 5 - 5:30 and we always worry because they are out there and they are like part of our family. When we realized he was missing, my husband went looking for him and we started making phone calls to different villages to see if someone had seen him; we even put it on our Facebook page to see if customers had seen him because he is one of the most known vendors. About ten that night after calling the police, we decided that we should put it on the radio."

Convict Stole Bicycle to Pay For HIV Meds
A 34 year old man who said he stole a bicycle in order to purchase medication because he is HIV positive, was given a fine instead of a custodial sentence when he pled guilty to theft today before Magistrate Leslie Hamilton. He is Kenroy Brown, a construction worker residing on Central American Boulevard. Brown was fined seven hundred and fifty dollas and was given until October 15th to pay. If he defaults on payment he will serve 6 months. Brown, who has a wife and 2 children, said the free medication does not work for him and he was told by a doctor that only the expensive medication can help him. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. on Friday, August 23. The complainant, Christian Samus, an employee of First Stop Pawnshop, located at the corner of Mosul Street and Orange Street, reported to the police that he was closing the shop when Brown jumped on his bicycle and rode away. Samus said he pursued Brown and caught up with him on Water Lane. A police mobile patrol was passing by at the same time and Samus stopped it and reported the theft. As a result, Brown was taken into custody and charged.

Six Months in Prison for Third Theft Conviction
Twenty year old Jason Cawich, a fisherman with 2 convictions for bicycle theft, got his third conviction today when he pled guilty to theft and was sentenced to 6 months by Magistrate Leslie Hamilton. Cawich owes the court over two thousand dollars for fines for which payment is outstanding. Magistrate Hamilton stipulated that the sentence of 6 months is to run consecutively to any other sentence. The theft occurred around 12:55 p.m. on Sunday, August 25. Twenty-six year old security guard Jason Lature reported to the police that he went to work at Heritage Bank, located on Princess Margaret Drive, and he parked his beach cruiser bicycle at the back of the bank near to the restroom. He said he then noticed the defendant jump on his bicycle and ride off. Lature said he pursued the person and caught up with him in front of Jamboree's Restaurant on Mercy Lane. Lature apprehended Cawich and held him in custody until the police arrived. Cawich said that it was a friend who he met in front of Pallotti High School who told him that the bicycle parked at the bank was his. Cawich said the friend told him to go get the bicycle and that was why he rode off on it.

Fifteen Year Old Says She Willingly Had Sex; Construction Worker Charged with Carnal Knowledge
Twenty one year old Victor Casta�eda, a construction worker of San Roman Village in the Corozal District was arrested and charged by police for the crime of unlawful carnal knowledge following a report made on Friday. The report was made by a fifteen year old girl of Xaibe Village in the Corozal District, in the company of her mother. She reported that she had sexual intercourse with Casta�eda of her own free will at her home. Medical examinations conducted on her certified that she was indeed carnally known.

Opposition Party Wants Ruling Party to Quit 'Political Games'; People's United Party Weighs in on Aspiring Candidates
The UDP Government and the Opposition have been at odds lately over the PUP's intention to see the Public Accounts Committee undergo some level of reform. And last week, the Prime Minister's Office took a formal position against the PUP's proposed changes. Since then the Committee's Chairman, PUP's Cayo South Representative, Julius Espat, has said that the Government's position is hogwash. The Government has claimed that the proposed changes to the Committee would be in concert with the Standing Orders of the National Assembly because it requires that the ruling government have majority seating on all Standing Committees. Well today, the People's United Party took their fight to no less than the same National Assembly or at least in front of it where the party leader and the Committee Chairman spok to the media.

Indigenous Mayan People in Southern Belize Claims Disrespect
Last week SATIIM reported that its rangers and community leaders were prevented by BDF from patrolling the Sarstoon Temash National Park. But according to the representative of US Capital Energy Belize Limited, Alistair King, police intervened because SATIIM rangers and the community leaders were headed to US Capital Energy's Temash Number two Drill Site. King says that no one can visit unless permission is granted. Yesterday SATIIM, condemned what it called "continued use of heavily armed police and BDF to intimidate SATIIM and the community leaders of the Sarstoon Temash Region. The organization goes on to say that Government and US Capital are engaged in illegal activities on Maya Customary Titled Lands. King told Love News that US Capital Energy Belize operations are being carried out under regulations and the company is not breaching any law. Today the Belize Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage, sent out a press release expressing their outrage what they said was the imposition of force by the Security Forces onto the Indigenous Mayan People of Belize in an attempt to force them off lands.