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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials


The San Pedro Sun

St John's College hosts reading fair
St John's College School in Belize City hosted its third annual reading fair on Friday March 28th, with newspapers as the highlight for this year's event. Held under the theme "Newspapers matter: they connect us to the world," the event was aimed to encourage students to look at newspapers as an alternate source for reading. Amongst the newspaper publications invited to attended was Ambergris Caye's only print media, The San Pedro Sun. According to Angie Moody, Head of Language Arts Department at St John's College, the idea of the reading fair was conceptualized three years ago. Moody said that over 66.6% of Caribbean Examination Council's curriculum caters to reading, and given that the students were not reading as much, the school introduced a campaign encouraging them to read in their leisure time.

Child Stimulation Month ends with parade
On Friday March 28th, Child Stimulation Month came to a close with a parade through the streets of San Pedro Town. The preschoolers, accompanied by teachers and parents/guardians, were dressed in brightly colored school tee's waving balloons as they made their way singing and dancing from Central Park north to the roundabout along Pescador Drive and back. Schools present included Ambergris Caye Preschool, ABC Preschool, Holy Cross Preschool, Little Angels, Brighter Tomorrow Preschool and San Pedro Preschool. Under the theme "Family and Culture" the second week of events included a trip to Lady Bug Garden Shop, storytelling day, a cultural day and family movie day.

Unsightly Garbage at new Sunset Boardwalk raises concerns
Residents neighboring the Honorable Louis "Cuz" Sylvestre Sporting Arena, commonly known as the Saca Chispas Football Field, are irate at the amount of garbage being left behind after The San Pedro Sports Committee Football Tournament and other events. According to residents' complaints, which have surfaced on social media networks, the field is not cleaned after use and the mounds of garbage drift into other neighboring areas. The lack of adequate garbage cans in the area also adds to the dilemma. This past weekend in particular, the unsightly garbage was in larger volumes due to the fact that the field was used both for the football tournament and a softball tournament. According to Kenrick Bracket, Councilor in charge of Solid Waste Management, both The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) and The San Pedro Sports Committee (SPSC) have been made aware of this problem. According to Bracket, SPSC members in charge of the football tournament are not ensuring that the public picks up their garbage after they leave the field, nor are they providing garbage bags for people to dispose their trash in.

Take the Belize adventure eastward to the Reef!
Belize is bordered to the east by the Caribbean Sea, from Corozal down to Toledo, and these seaside areas are a haven for those seeking something different from the mountains and flats. Options include enjoying the flight of pelicans and seagulls over the howls of monkeys or cheep of the rainforest birds if only for a moment. For these sorts of delights, there are islands dotting the crystal waters of the Caribbean, offering powdery white sand, swaying coconut trees, seagrape and almond trees offering shade from the blinding sunshine, and water everywhere to wash away every ounce of stress.

Small vessel has capsizes off the coast of Ambergris Caye
The San Pedro Sun can confirm that a small vessel has capsized off the coast of Ambergris Caye shortly around midday today, Friday April 4th. Personnel from the Belize Coast Guard stationed in San Pedro Town and local tour guides were deployed to the area to assist in rescue efforts. Despite a small craft warning for choppy to rough seas, the group of three local men decided to venture into the high seas off of the Belize Barrier Reef on board a small Mexican type skiff. Somewhere near the San Pedro Main Channel, located directly in front of San Pedro Town, the vessel capsized sending all men into the sea. According to a Coast Guard official, when they arrived on the scene, the men had received assistance and the vessel had moved away from the area.

Ambergris Today

New Belizean Rum Sold Exclusively In The USA Wins Award
Belizean rums may not be world famous, but locals and visitors from all over the world who taste rums from the country fall in love with them and are always looking for ways to get their Belizean rum back home. There is exciting news as a new product of Belizean rum has entered the market, Tiburon Rum, a Belizean premium rum sold exclusively in the United States. Tiburon Rum hit the US market about a year ago and has already garnered its first award. Tiburon Rum was entered in the 14th Annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition that took place on March 20 through the 23, 2014 at the Hotel Nikko in downtown San Francisco. Thirty-nine spirits experts convened at the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco where Tiburon Rum was awarded with a Bronze Medal.

Misc Belizean Sources

Corozal Police have been reporting a number of armed robberies and burglaries, lately
The Corozal Police is asking the neighborhood watch groups in the different areas to be more vigilant and to report any suspicious activities or persons in their areas. As Easter approaches, Superintendent Andrew Ramirez would like to advise all the business community and public at large that as we enter the Easter season, criminal elements will step up their criminal activities. Whilst the Corozal Police will commit itself to do its constitutional part, they are asking the public to do the same and together they can combat crime. Corozal Police is asking the general public to please assist in the following: 1. Report anything suspicious vehicle or person(s) especially anyone not known from to live in your area. 2. Close your business on time and do not risk opening after the prescribed hours. 3. Be vigilant at all times and take nothing for granted.

Chinese stores on the Philip Goldson Highway in Corozal targeted by armed robbers.
Naturalized Chinese/Belizean, 28 year old JIAM BON WU, businessman of Philip Goldson Highway, Corozal Town, reported that on Wednesday April 2nd, 2014April 2014 about 9:00 p.m. whilst he opened the shutter in order for his brother in law to exit his shop namely Ban's Store located at his address, two male persons one of Hispanic decent and the other of dark complexion with dark clothing and who had what appears to be warm caps covering their faces came out from the side of his shop and walked up towards him. The dark skin male person was holding what appears to be a .38 revolver hand gun in his hand pointing it at him.

Capital Factory in Corozal
Is now offering construction steel or rebar

Congratulations Jacinta!
Lots of young Belizeans are placing Belize on the map with their successes. Earlier this week, Miss Jacinta Gomez was crowned the University of South Florida's (USF) Miss International. Congratulations Jacinta! We're proud of you for - as you said -putting "[OUR] beautiful jewel on the map" and for "educating the USF community about what we have to offer as a country, as a people."

WORLD HEALTH DAY MESSAGE FROM THE PAN AMERICAN HEALTH ORGANIZATION, WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND THE EUROPEAN UNION
Government of Belize Press Office

MINISTRY OF HEALTH CELEBRATES WORLD HEALTH DAY
Government of Belize Press Office

Paint Up A Storm
This year's Paint Up A Storm is tonight, Saturday, April 5th, at the Cayo Welcome Center. The fun starts at 9:30am, and goes until 2:00pm. They will show the movie 'Wasteland' at 6:00pm. Go see, and make, some art.

NEMO Donates Houses
NEMO turned over the 2 houses that were made for the families that lost their houses in November's flash floods. Thanks, NEMO! SISE Town Council's pictures. Video. "Mr. Calbert Thompson and Mr. Vigilio Requena Sr. and their families were recipients of homes built by Plett's Home Builders."

Mexico to observe Daylight Saving Time
Mexico will begin observing Daylight Saving Time on Sunday. A press release sent out by the Mexican Embassy in Belize says that starting on Sunday, April 6, clocks in Mexico will go forward by one hour. Horario de Verano means that Mexico will be one hour ahead of Belize's local time. The observance of Daylight Saving Time will apply to most of Mexico, including Chetumal, Cancun, Merida and Mexico City. Daylight Saving Time in Mexico will end on October 26.

Corozal town gets a donated garbage truck
The municipality of Corozal has received a donation of a garbage truck to help with keeping the town clean. According to Mayor Hilberto Campos, the truck has already been pressed into service. Mayor Campos says the Town Council hopes to acquire another truck like this one to compliment the work of the municipal body.

High School principals meet in Punta Gorda
The Belize Association for Principals of Secondary Schools ( BAPS) met with stakeholders in the education sector to discuss ways of improving the overall efficiency of Secondary Schools in Belize. The meeting was held at the Social Security Board Conference room i n Punta Gorda Town and had the participation of principals form all over the country. According to the president of the Association Maria Johnston, "we are here to discuss the main topics about how we can go about improving the delivery and the quality of education in the Secondary Schools, to understand what are the roles of Principals, teachers and of course the role of students. They are the key stakeholders in education. "

Belize City youth succumbs to gunshot injury
An 18 year old Belize City youth is dead, following a Thursday evening shooting incident. Anfernee Romero died early this morning while undergoing treatment at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Romero and another man, 26 year old Troy Hyde, were injured when a pair of gunmen opened fire on them at their workplace on Central American Boulevard around 4:45 pm yesterday. Police say Romero was shot to the left side of his head, while Hyde sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

Two students drown in Macal River
There are reports that two students have drowned in the Macal River in San Ignacio/Santa Elena. Preliminary information is that one of the bodies has been recovered so far. More information as they become available.

High school students from Corozal drown in the Macal River
Two high school students drowned this afternoon in the Macal River in San Ignacio/Santa Elena town. The deceased students of Escuela Secundaria Tecnica Mexico in Corozal, have been identified as 16 year old Edgar Puk and 15 year old Anahli Zepeda. The two students were part of a class trip to the Chechem Ha cave in Benque Viejo del Carmen. On the return journey to Corozal, the bus stopped in the vicinity of the Macal River Park. And that was when some of the students decided to go for a swim. Around 4 pm, tragedy struck. Puk and Zepeda were carried away by the current in the river and disappeared under the water and did not resurface.

American diplomat visits Belize, donates to library
On Thursday, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Central America and the Caribbean in the Department's Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Francisco Palmieri, began a two-day visit to Belize. After meeting with the heads of the Belize Defence Force (BDF), Brigadier General David Jones, and the National Coast Guard, Rear Admiral John Borland, his next stop was the Leo Bradley Library, headquarters of the Belize National Library Service and Information System (BNLSIS). He handed over a donation of books for the establishment of the Education USA Reference Center, to be housed at the Leo Bradley Library on Princess Margaret Drive. The books include reference guides on education, U.S. culture and law and is intended to help students going to the U.S. to develop their knowledge of our giant northern neighbour.

Mayor not backing down from Waste Control
Belize Waste Control (BWC) will continue its lawsuit against the Belize City Council despite Mayor Darrell's Bradley's stance, which is that by the terms of the contract the Council is allowed to be four weeks behind on payment but not more without being sued. The Mayor repeated his concerns about the high cost of sanitation and suggested that City residents are obligated to take on more of the burden. After all, he says, it's their City too. The Council also has sizable payments owed to the other sanitation company, Belize Maintenance Limited (BML.) The case returns to court on April 15.

Mayor missed deadline to run for second term
Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley has admitted he missed the Monday, March 31 deadline to file papers declaring his intent to run for a second term under the United Democratic Party (UDP). While he has earned rave reviews for his work thus far, his chances of continuing past next March depended on making that deadline. But it does not seem to bother the Mayor, who says he is more worried about keeping up his current performance and being able to report continued success to the people of Belize City. So that is that. Or is it? The Mayor says he does wish he could run again, but he was honest enough to say that before he considers a second term, he wants to fulfill the promises he made in his first. Nevertheless, he admits it is now out of his hands.

BTL employees protest pay negotiations
This afternoon in Belize City, there was an unusual protest at the Church Street office of Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL). Employees of the state-run telephone company are negotiating with management for a 5% raise of pay. Following negotiations last week, the Belize Communications Workers' Union (BCWU) met with its members to present a counter offer of 3.5%. With a transition in executives taking place this week, the employees seized the opportunity to make their concerns known. At 10 this morning and again at 3 this afternoon, employees observed a one-minute protest in which they knocked their knuckles on their counter-tops, causing a short delay in tending to customers.

Air Force major deploys to support Belizean, US medical training
A U.S. Air Force major is taking advantage of an opportunity to interact with the Belizean people and learn about their culture as she's deployed in support of New Horizons 2014 in Belize, Central America. Maj. S. Kellie Williams, an international health specialist, is the New Horizons Expeditionary Medical Operations Squadron deputy commander, a role that puts her at the heart of U.S. medical coordination with Belizean medical officials. New Horizons is an annual event coordinated amongst U.S. Department of Defense service members, the U.S. Embassy and the host nation government to conduct civil engineer and medical training. The training benefits U.S. forces as they are offered an opportunity to practice deployment and joint training procedures. As the deputy commander, she is responsible for relaying the EMDOS commander's intent to all U.S. medical operations at each of the New Horizon's medical readiness training exercise sites throughout the country of Belize.

Western Ballaz Hit Century Mark
The Western Ballaz proved they are the best team in the league last night! They hit the century mark, and won against the Orange Walk Running Rebels 100 - 50. Awesome job, Western Ballaz! "The Western Ballaz hosted the Orange Walk Running Rebels tonight, and they hit 100 points, winning the game 100 - 50. The Cayo over 35 team won the first game against the Belmopan over 35 team, 74 - 66. Western Ballaz are number 1!"

AKT Weekends
AKT - Art for Kids and Teens - is starting up their Saturday art weekends, starting today, April 5th. It all happens at Barn and Grill. Today is dance. "It's about to happen! Opening April 5th here at Barn and Grill"

Belize's Premier Modeling Agency, Nouveau Model Management, is holding their last casting for the year for Male and Female Models on Saturday, April 26th

Supreme Court Declares Belize's Obligation to Protect the Maya People under UNDRIP.
The Maya Leaders Alliance and the Toledo Alcaldes Association would like to express our gratitude to the Supreme Court for its careful consideration of the issues that were before them in the SATIIM vs. Attorney General Claim no. 394 of 2013. We are pleased that the court has reaffirmed our people's right to the land that we use every day and depend on to survive, and that our Free Prior and Informed Consent must be given for activities on these lands. We are encouraged by the words of Justice Arana where she declared: [the] Defendants [Government of Belize and US Capital Energy] would comply with their obligations under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to respect the rights of the Indigenous Maya Peoples to their lands, territories and resources which they have traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used or acquired [when issuing permits and concessions]. (Claim no. 394 0f 2013 decision pages 55 and 56)

Southern Tour - Ministry of Natural Resources & Agriculture
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Agriculture - Honorable Gaspar Vega, Minister of State - Honorable Hugo Patt, Chief Executive Officers of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture and senior officers of the Lands and Agriculture Departments and the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) toured the southern districts on April 1 and 2, 2014.

Video: Beautiful Belize Chillout and Lounge Mix Del Mar 2014
1hr18min. Mellow music and views of Belize by Chillout King Ibiza. LOTS from Ambergris Caye. "this week's episode of my Chillout Holidays series takes us to beautiful Belize - did you know it was the Belizeans who actually invented chewing gum? Anyway, enjoy this Lounge trip and tell a friend!"

Video: Sacred Heart Flashmob
Sacred Heart School in San Ignacio in Cayo, Belize performed 'Gotta Keep Reading' to raise awareness for literacy in Belize. This was done in cooperation with the 'Literacy Alive' project which was supported by Rotary International and the Rotary Club of Red Deer, Ab, Canada as well as the Rotary Club of San Ignacio.

Video: Cave Kayaking in Belize
Kayaking 9 caves south-east of Belmopan, Belize. We toured with Maya Guide Adventures (www.mayaguide.bz) and had an amazing day!!

Video: Snorkeling with Sharks and Turtles in Belize: Ambergris Caye Gopro HD
Filmed with GoPro Hero 3 White edition. Here are a few clips from our snorkeling adventure in Ambergris Caye Belize, staying in El Pescador Lodge. This is primarily a fly fishing destination, but we were able to go out for an afternoon of snorkeling. Nurse sharks were everywhere, as well as rays and big mutton snapper.

Video: Belize
A brief look at the Belize 2013 trip

Video: Swimming with Reef Sharks in Belize
Two Grey Reef Sharks show-up while we are snorkeling on Ambergris Kaye - Belize. Sharks became very agitated when food ran out ... we quickly climbed back on board the fishing boat.

Video: Belize In America in Hopkins Village, Belize

Video: Shark and Ray Alley - Belize Caye Caulker
Brown nurse sharks and Atlantic Stingrays

Channel 7

High School Class Trip Turns Terrible: Two 4th Formers Drown
Two teenaged high school students, a male and a female drowned today on a class trip to the Cayo District. It happened at around 4:00 pm in the Macal River near the low lying bridge in Santa Elena. The students - who are from Escuela Technica Mexico in San Roman, Corozal - had gone on a class trip to the Che-Chem Ha caves in Cayo. On the way back, the entire contingent travelling on bus stopped for a swim in the river. This, we are told, was not on the planned agenda. During the swim two students went under - reportedly pulled by the currents - and they did not re-surface. The body of the male student was retrieved shortly after, and about an hour ago, the body of the female, was found. We have their names, but will not release them until we are certain all family members have been informed of their death. We can say that they were both fourth form students he from Patchakan and she from San Joaquin.. Both bodies have been transported to the morgue. She was wearing long jeans pants when her body was found.

Alleged Contract Killer Says He Made It Up; UDP's Pawpa Mena Still Uneasy
Earlier this week we told you about the disturbing report of a death threat against UDP Standard Bearer for Dangriga, Frank "Pawpa" Mena. A Dangriga resident named Jermaine Miranda told police that no less than the clerk of the National Assembly, Eddie Webster had contracted him to kill Mena. The charge was outlandish in the extreme since both men are prominent UDP's in the town. Well, today we learned that Miranda has withdrawn the allegation. He tells the police he made it all up. But, that doesn't make it all just go away, because there's still a great sense of disquiet since the story is not the kind that just gets pulled out of the air. Today all sides: Mena, Webster, the accuser Miranda and the Speaker of the House Michael Peyrefitte met with the officer commanding for the Southern formation Senior Superintendent Robert Mariano to try and clear the air. That meeting happened at 11:00 and 7News was in Dangriga when it was finished an hour and fifteen minutes later. We spoke to Peyrefitte and Mena:.. Hon. Mike Peyrefitte, House Speaker/Attorney "We cannot get away from the fact that Mr. Webster is the clerk of the National Assembly and when I heard the matter on the news and clearly it was troubling to him understandably and it was affecting his work, so I decided I had to get involve and try in some way to accompany him to visit the police station. I made a call as well to Mr. Pawpa Mena and Superintendent Mariano and we agreed we will meet here to discuss this matter along with the person who allegedly made the report against Mr. Webster. We met and the young man was present in the meeting and he stated categorically that the entire matter was mischievous, that he was trying to create some problems and when we ask him to what benefit he refused to answer."

Mayor Dragged Back To Court
On Tuesday, we told you about the latest development in the dispute between the Belize City Council and Belize Waste Control. Again, they're battling in court over arrears for garbage collection. On Tuesday, Waste Control wanted to press the case because the council owed 6 weeks in arrears. Well today, 3 days later, Mayor Darrell Bradley told the media that City Hall has paid for 4 weeks, and only owes 2 more. He told the media, after the adjournment before the Chief Justice, that he's hoping the company drops the case this time: Mayor Darrell Bradley "I was able to inform the court that we were only two weeks outside of what we owe them and they are still pursuing litigation. I had impress upon the court to consider the fact that by the terms of the contract we can be 4 weeks in areas and I want to make that very clear. It doesn't mean that we don't owe the two weeks, but there is a difference between owing a sum of money and being in breach of contract giving rise to a suit and giving the claimants in this case Waste Control the right to sue you for the arrears. This is something common in when people pay their rent - you pay your rent by the end of the month but they tell you, you can pay up until the 7th of the following month. Within that period which is a grace period you are not to be sued. What we are saying is that as long as we are within this 4 week period and at the present moment we are two weeks, we are not to be sued and the case is to be discontinued. The judge gave time for Waste Control to file a statement of facts and issues because the judge wants to be satisfied in respect to what remaining tri-able issues there are and we are to return to court on the 15th April for the judge to consider that and to consider whether or not the matter has been settled or whether or not the matter is to proceed forward."

The Burdens Of High Office Weigh Heavily On Bradley
So, as you've seen many times, Bradley has consistently told the media that the current sanitation charges are an unsustainable and unmanageable burden on the council. With many other no-win situations like that one in the sphere of municipal affairs, we wondered if the cumulative load of woe played into Bradley's decision not to enter his name as a mayoral candidate for the next election. While we had the opportunity, we asked Bradley about it, and here's how he responded: Mayor Darrell Bradley "People always ask that question and I maintain this view that I can see myself going forward in the City. Of course these things do not make it easy. The job of being mayor is very difficult, we are in litigation a lot, there is a lot of problems that I have inherited. I do think that think that we have made in-roads in terms of the parks and the infrastructure, quality of life and in terms of reduction in crime - all of those things putting the financial house of the City Council in order and I have maintained to the media and to the public that the thing that I am chiefly concerned about is being able to deliver on our manifesto promises and services. From the very beginning, because you want me to go a certain way, which I haven't given a lot of thought to. I have maintained that we are about service, we are about cleaning house at City Council, and we are about delivering on core promises. Right now we are at 107 concreted streets. The city has 8 streets going on including Buttonwood Bay's Independence Drive, Seashore Drive, the extension of Vernon Street, the extension of Dean Street, West Canal, Castle Street - we have a lot of infrastructures going on, those things are causing headaches because we are coordinating with people in terms of traffic and business and all of those things. Those are the things which keep me up at night, those are the things that I am worried about - I am not worried about an election. I am worried about performance and being able to stand in front of every member of the city and tell them that I have done right by them and I have discharge my obligations to the fullest extent possible."

Teenager Was Shot At Work, Died This Morning
Last night, we told you about the shooting at the eastern end of Central American Boulevard where 26 year-old Troy Hyde and 18 year-old Anfernee Romero both suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Well, tonight, we report that Anfernee Romero, who was shot in the head, died at around 4:20 this morning, 12 hours after he was shot. Police say that Hyde and Romero were doing their work at Locksmith Service on Central American Boulevard, where they are both employed, when 2 gunmen rode past and opened fire at both of them. Death found Romero at his workplace, which is especially tragic for his family since he had worked very hard to become gainfully employed. He graduated last year as part of the 4th intake of the Youth Apprenticeship Program, a Belize City based second-chance program for young adults. Coordinator Diane Finnegan spoke with us this afternoon, and told us that when she had learned that one of her promising past students had been shot, she took it as if Romero had been her own son. Here's how she explained it:

Squatters Beg For Some Solution
Last night, you saw the squatters who were getting in the way of the construction of Lake I Boulevard which will connect the Western Highway with Belama's Chetumal Street. The reports we were getting on the ground were that 20 houses and 100 people needed to move. Tonight, we've confirmed with the contractor that based on their official survey, only 6 of those houses will have to be moved from where they're currently located. But since yesterday, the group of people who believed that they were being forcibly removed for the development, have been trying convince the Government to basically leave them be. Things got confrontational this morning when the loads of clay ended up right at the door step of one those houses in the way, and we went back to find out what would be their fate. Daniel Ortiz reports:

BTL Workers, Desk Bangers
If you were in BTL offices this morning at 10:00 am or this afternoon at 3:00 pm, you probably witnessed a strange thing: employees spontaneously banging on their desks for one solid minute - and one minute only. It caused quite a stir at the usually very business-like offices, and President of the Communication Workers Union Emily Turner says it's simply a show of solidarity for the union as it negotiates a new collective bargaining agreement with management. Turner says the negotiations have been proceeding in good faith, and today's action was only intended to show the union's unity. Turner says the negotiations started last year, and she hopes they can be concluded by the end of this month or next month. Reports say the Union is asking for a 5% increase and management has offered 3.5%.

Police Puzzle Over Inconsistencies In Canadian's Rape/Robbery Report
On Wednesday's Newscast, we told you about the report coming from the Placencia Peninsula that a Canadian Couple was robbed, and that the woman was raped by the assailants. Well ambiguities in the report are surfacing and police are looking more closely at it. As we told you, the Canadian couple told police that 2 men held them up, raped the woman and robbed them of cash and electronics. Well, police say there are some details that they've given that aren't adding up. Other sources from Placencia tell 7News that the couple left without participating in a medical checkup as a routine part of the investigation into a case like this one.

Haylock's Bus Banned (For A Week)
Yesterday we showed you the outrageous traffic maneuver pulled off by a driver for Haylock Bus. He drove the bus diagonally across the Northern Highway at mile 1, going from Captain Eiley Street across the lane of northbound traffic, and then forced himself into the southbound lane. We called it so lawless, it seemed even laughable. But it's no laughing matter for the City's Traffic Department. Reports to 7News say the Department has recommended that Haylock's Bus Line be suspended for the period of one week from their Belama Run within the city. Haylock's also runs from Ladyville - and because the city has no authority over that run, it remains intact. It would be the second high profile suspension for Haylock's bus - which was forced to do the same in late 2012 when a young student fell out of the back of a moving bus when the door sprang open.

Belize Famous For Contraband Smokes
Jalisco, it's one of the most economically active and culturally prominent states in Mexico, but a watchdog group in that country says that it's also a hotbed of contraband cigarettes, most of which they say comes from Belize. According to the El Universal website, authorities estimate that 46% of Jalisco's cigarettes are contraband made in Vietnam, China, Paraguay and the United states, smuggled into Mexico through the Belize border. In March authorities seized 103,000 illegal cigarettes in the state - and those were said to be from Belize.

Both Drivers Served With NIP In Tourist Accident
Last night we showed you the aftermath of a scary head on collision between two vehicles, one of them with tourists as passengers. Tonight police say it was a white westbound Toyota Previa crashing into an eastbound Mazda Prot�g� four door car - both of them with private plates. The Previa was driven by 30 year old EDMOND CARTER from Western Paradise while the Prot�g� was driven by 48 year old Orlando Arnold from Maskall Village. Four persons were injured and notices of intended prosecution were issued to both drivers.

PRE Panicked Parents Buying Up Preparatory Software
Last year we told you about Game Prep, digital entrepreneur Tanya Simpson's PSE preparatory software. The game's popularity has taken off with software and an app for mobile platforms. And, with paper one of the PSE exam on Monday, sales this week have stepped up sharply. It may be a purchases driven by panicked parents coming just a little too late, but Simpson tells us she's used to the last minute spike:..

Father Fundraises for Son's Surgery
Today, a father from St, Margaret's Village took out his bar-b-que put and got staffers from his son's school to come out and help him fundraise. His son, 9 year old Kriss Salam has hydrocephalus commonly known as water in the brain, where spinal fluid accumulates in the cavities of the brain. It can be treated with the installation of a shunt to drain the fluid and the procedure can be performed locally. But it's going to cost and this father told us he's fundraising in advance: Those wanting to help can call Longino at 660-3866.

Channel 5

2 students from the Escuela Mexico drown in the Macal River
A field trip ended tragically this afternoon; two students from Escuela Secundaria Tecnica Mexico in the Corozal District have drowned in the Macal River. The body of Edgar Pook was [...]

Anfernee Romero, 18, killed in Central American Boulevard shooting
� In 2013, the number of murders fell significantly below the hundred mark but since the beginning of the year, crime figures are creeping up. According to our count, there [...]

Mytheon Solutions under scrutiny; millions in revenues?
Tonight there is much scrutiny of a company called Mytheon Solutions, registered in Belmopan in 2009. The family operated business deals in phone credit. In this case, at least, the [...]

Squatters removal imminent
On Thursday, News Five visited the plight of squatters on Holy Emmanuel Street, many of whom have been there for years. Squatters, Belizeans and immigrants, find a piece of unused [...]

Mark King promises squatters land titles
Residents of the area, all squatters, have told News Five that Area Representative Mark King conducted a survey late last year. They say that they were even given house numbers, [...]

Mayor Darrell Bradley and Belize Waste Control negotiate outstanding debt
Mayor Darrell Bradley, in his dual capacity as attorney for the Belize City Council, was back in court this morning where he appeared before Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin in ongoing [...]

Will Darrell Bradley run for mayor again?
The deadline for entry into the upcoming U.D.P. mayoral convention expired last Friday. While it is expected that Mayor Darrell Bradley would seek another term in office, his candidacy is [...]

Environmental community supports Supreme Court decision in SATIIM/GOB lawsuit
On Thursday, Justice Michelle Arana handed down a judgment in favor of the Sarstoon-Temash Institute for Indigenous Management. Justice Arana declared that the decision of the Government of Belize to [...]

2 San Pedranos rescued after skiff capsized off the coast of Ambergris Caye
Three residents of San Pedro were successfully rescued from the sea earlier today when their small Mexican skiff capsized off the coast of Ambergris Caye. The men were in the [...]

Belize Communications Workers stage minute-long protests at B.T.L.
We've been reporting in the past few days on the changes in the top management of Belize Telemedia Limited. As you know by now, Anwar Barrow, the son of the [...]

Mexican Reports: Contraband cigarettes entering country through Belize
Reports that the contraband of cigarettes is big business at the Commercial Free Zone and the Western Free Zone are nothing new. But a Mexican newspaper is bringing it closer [...]

A first ever Forestry and Fisheries Expo
The annual Expo Marketplace organized by the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry is five months away. But on Saturday, in collaboration with the Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and Sustainable [...]

Valley of Peace farmers seek legal counsel for loss of damages to crop
On Thursday, Green Tropics' Country Representative Beverly Burke, along with Chief Agricultural Officer Roberto Harrison and a team from the media, flew over the acreage of produce near Valley of [...]

Highlights of the 2014 Preschool Festival of Arts
The 2014 season of the annual Festival of Arts got underway last Monday, as preschoolers from districts across the Jewel performed in dance, music and drama. For the Belize District, [...]

CTV3

How To Keep Your Baby Cool During The Hot Weather
Whether you spend it inside or in the great outdoors, when it's hot, like this time of the year, it takes some tricks to keep an infant safe and comfortable. Overdress a baby and he or she could develop an angry heat rash; expose his or her fragile body to hot conditions could lead to a painful, damaging sunburn or heatstroke, a serious affliction characterized by a high fever and rapid breathing. It is important to note that overheating has also been linked to sudden infant death syndrome, a fatal sleeping disorder. To make sure your little one stays cool and protected during the long, hot days here is some advice. If you're going to be indoors, dress your infant in loose-fitting, lightweight garments, preferably made from a natural fiber like cotton, which absorbs perspiration better than synthetic fabrics.

Standard Six Students Prepare For PSE Exams
For standard six students, the Primary School Examinations or as we call it the 'PSE' can be frightening to some and a welcomed challenged for others. And on Monday, students across the country will be sitting part one of the examination, those are the Science and English papers. And while many schools have been preparing their students from the very onset of the school year, we felt it imperative to highlight their academic preparations for the big day. Reporter Maria Novelo and Video journalist Jesus Melgar followed the story and filed this extensive report. Maria Novelo - Reporting Thousands of standard six students across the country will be sitting part one of the primary school examinations on Monday. The examinations serve as a grading scheme and reflect the effectiveness of the National Curriculum, and for the teachers it is an important assessment of what students have learned in 8 years. Today, we visited with several schools and got insight on the preparation process.

Couple From Progresso Village Claim Police Brutality
There have been countless reports on police brutality and abuse of power and there will be many more ahead of us and tonight we have another incident of alleged abuse of authority by police. This time around however, a couple alleges that they have been unable to find help even from the higher ups. Twenty six year old Maricruz Heredia, a resident of Progresso Village, says that their ordeal began on the morning of April first. She says the officer attached to the Progresso Police substation entered her house around five in the morning armed and furious. Maricruz Heredia "Yo estoy durmiendo cuando o� que est�n golpeando la puerta y se abri� y cuando yo me levante ya estaba abierto mi puerta y el entro y yo Sal� con solo calz�n y bracea y yo le pregunte qu�, que hace ac� y �l me dice que adonde esta mi marido y le dije que mi marido no est� porque �l no queda ac� y despu�s de haya �l dice que �l tiene que rebuscar mi casa y le dije que �l no puede registrar mi casa si el no trae un search warrant y �l me dice que �l no necesita un search warrant."

LOVE FM

School Trip Turns Tragic in Western Belize
A day that started out with much excitement and anticipation of their school trip to Chen Chen Ha Caves, ended in tragedy for a group of students from La Escuela Secundaria Technica Mexico in San Roman Village, Corozal District when two of their classmates drowned earlier this evening in the Macal River near the low lying bridge in San Ignacio Town. Reports are that after their visit to the caves, the students went near the low lying bridge when the incident occurred. Tonight, we can confirm to you that both bodies, a young man and a young girl have been retrieved from the waters by the authorities in that municipality. The bodies were taken to the San Ignacio morgue where a post mortem will be scheduled. Love News will continue following this story and will bring further reports to you as they are made available.