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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

Milo's Center burglarized
Police on Ambergris Caye is asking the public's assistance in solving a burglary case on the island. The incident occurred on Thursday January 30th at an establishment located on Pescador Drive belonging to well known Belizean businessman, Jose "Milo" Paz. Initial investigation reveals that access to the building was gained through a hole was observed on the floor approximately two feet by one foot in size. The hole was made at the rear end of the building. An assortment of electronic items and furniture were missing, all to a total value of $3,000.00. Police are investigating the matter, and anyone with information that can assist the police can call 206-2022.

The San Pedro Cancer Society holds first fundraiser for 2014
The San Pedro Cancer Society (SPCS) has commenced their awareness initiative for 2014 and on Saturday, February 1st, they held their first fundraiser of the year. The food and pastry sale was held next to BOAZ Golf Cart Rentals, and was aimed to raise funds to assist patients battling cancer on the island. SP Cancer Society Fundraiser-7The fundraiser was certainly a success and raising a grand total of $1,105.85. Supporters had a variety of cakes, cupcakes and pies to choose from, and even hot tamales were on sale.

Bella Italia-Pastas and Pizzas in Paradise
Ambergris Caye has a whole lot to offer when it comes to the dining scene. While some of our island favorites are fresh seafood and flavorful ceviches, or Belizean favorites like Rice and Beans, there's a whole lot more awaiting your palate! Just travel with us on Barrier Reef Drive as we take you to this little gem that has us coming back time and time again: Bella Italia. If ever you are craving a taste of Italy while in the Caribbean, Bella Italia can give you the best of both worlds. Experience authentic Italian flavors in every bite of Aladdin's delicious pastas and pizzas! (Yes, the owner and chef is named Aladdin! Talk about a treasure!) Along the way, we learned a few key phrases in Italian.

Ambergris Today

Tropic Air Announces Service To Merida, Mexico
Tropic Air announced today, Monday, February 3, 2014, that it will inaugurate non-stop service to Merida, Mexico on March 3, 2014. With the launching of this service, Tropic will be the only airline to operate non-stop scheduled flights between Belize City and Merida. Initially, Tropic will fly (BZE) to Merida (MMMD) three times weekly. Tickets are available for sale at a special introductory price thru February. This new service will allow for the expansion of trade and tourism between the two countries and serve to further grow the historical ties between Belize and Merida. It will also allow the people of Merida to make easy connections to Roatan, San Pedro Sula, Flores, and 11 destinations within Belize,.

Isla Bonita Elementary Students Pay Tribute to Belizean Culture
On Friday, January 31, 2014, the Isla Bonita Elementary School held a cultural fair where students paid tribute to the different ethnic groups that make up the beautiful country of Belize. Arriving at the fair, I immediately felt the cheerful spirit of the Belizean people which consisted of Mestizos, East Indians, Mennonites, Creoles, Garifunas, Arabs and Chinese. I was surrounded and impressed by the colorful booths made up of informative posters and delicious food. Each student was designated a specific ethnic group for them to give visitors a glimpse into their cultural lifestyle. Belize truly is a melting pot of many unique cultures and I am happy to be part of it. It was amazing to walk around the fair and learn so much about the different cultures. Each booth had their charm, but there was one that caught everybody's attention because of their loud festive music and that was the Garifunas. Believe me, I'm a music lover; so I definitely rushed over there. I immediately sat down for some drumming lessons. Unfortunately, I'll stick to dancing and leave the drumming to the professionals.

Traffic Accident Leaves Utility Pole Dangling in Mid Air
Reports from the San Pedro Traffic Department indicate that a young male person lost control of his vehicle and slammed into the utility pole on the corner of Seagrape Drive and Mar de Tumbo Drive. Luckily the vehicle's air bag deployed on impact allowing the driver to walk away from the accident unscathed, except for minor cuts and bruises. Luck was on the side of the driver as it is also reported that the utility pole was also dry rotten, lessening the severity of the impact. Both the San Pedro Traffic Department and San Pedro Police were on hand at the scene of the accident but no official police report has been sent out. It is unknown what charges the person will receive. More information will be posted as it becomes available from the proper authorities.

Misc Belizean Sources

Stink!
By Abdulmajeed K. Nunez In the land down under Gangsters are informers Working for minister and for the mafia Making connection, picking up wet drops Cocaine packs Cooking drug in pots Drug planes being guided, protected and off loaded by cops Smuggling drugs in crops trying to avoid mishaps When gangster starts selling at Finnegan marketplace This what the police should di investigate But then again they contented di participate

Belmopan Property Fees Incentive package
Property owners in Belmopan are eligible to participate in the following discount packages:

US TEAM PROVIDES FREE MEDICAL & EYE SERVICES TO STUDENTS, FACULTY & STAFF
A US based medical team shall be providing free medical and eye services to the entire UB community. Services shall include but not limited to: a. Medical cases (Hypertension, Diabetes, infections, pains, etc) b. Eye screening and provision of prescription glasses. All medications, screening and glasses shall be provided free of charge. Surgical cases shall NOT be attended to, however, dental services are available at the team's facility at Body & Soul in Roaring creek Faculty and staff family members are also welcome. Date: Thursday, February 6, 2014 Venue: UB Wellness center Time Starting: 9:00 a.m.. An initiative of Faculty of Nursing, Allied Health and Social Works in collaboration with Belmopan Campus Student Government.

Henry C. Fairweather "The Mahogany Man"
Henry C. Fairweather "The Mahogany Man" started planting mahogany trees in 1982 and has planted over one-hundred thousand trees, surpassing his dream of planting a thousand trees for each year of his life. In 1998, he joined forces with a community-based project, the Belize River Valley Development Program (BELRIV), to continue planting Belize's mahogany and to plant his knowledge into poor communities in the Belize River Valley. He argues passionately that with an enabling environment, extensive cultivation of mahogany will lay the base for the economic transformation of Belize in the 21st Century.

Belize Screen on the Green is BACK for February!
Please join the US Embassy Belize on Governor General Field in Belmopan on February 13th for a screening of the movie, 42, The Jackie Robinson Story. This screening is in honor of Black History Month in the U.S. and highlights the amazing achievements and obstacles baseball legend Jackie Robinson overcame to achieve great success in the sport of baseball.

The Belize Archives and Records Service will be closed on Friday, February 7, 2014.
The closure is necessary to carry out fumigation of the premises, an undertaking that is required for the proper care of our collections. The Department will re-open on Monday 10th February 2014. We regret any inconvenience caused to our patrons.

George Price Highway Grant
The IDB is giving Belize a grant of over a million dollars to help with feasibility studies for improving the George Price Highway. It might take a long time to finish, but it's a start. Thanks, IDB! This is part of the short term strategy Belize has, targeting four main areas: education, tourism, transport, and trade and tax policy. "IDB provides US$540,000 Grant to Belize for George Price Highway Project Preparation Studies. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Government of Belize today signed a grant agreement for US$540,000 to support the preparation of feasibility studies and social and environmental assessments for the rehabilitation of 32 miles of the George Price Highway between Belmopan and Benque Viejo del Carmen."

Rotaract Club of the Year
Congratulations to the Rotaract Club of San Ignacio for being named 'Club of the Year!' Well deserved. Their Intercitidina was this last weekend, and around 60 Rotaractors from around Belize made it to the event, which was hosted here in Cayo. "We are extremely happy to report that the Rotaract Club San Ignacio received the national award for Club of the Year at Intercitidina 2014! We are very proud of all out members & the efforts they made in making this Rotaract year a success."

UB Graduation Video
The University of Belize put together a feelgood video from their graduation. It's worth a watch, especially to see some of the speech from Ms. Kay Menzies. Congratulations, graduates! "'Keep moving forward. And if you fail, take the lesson from the failure. But keep moving forward. Remain positive and become deaf in the presence of the negative. Do not stop moving forward. Whatever else you do, never give up. Above all, as you leave this room today, as you start the next chapter of your adventure, resolve to enjoy yourselves, enjoy everything life has to offer you, even...or maybe especially...the challenges. You go forward armed with an education that no one can take away, and you will learn much more along the way. Remember that it takes fire to temper steel. And I will guarantee you this: the experience you gain will make the journey endlessly interesting and absolutely worthwhile.' Ms. Kay Menzies, Guest Speaker at UB's Eighteenth Commencement Exercises."

Big Rock Falls Trail Improvements
The first phase of the Big Rock Falls Trail Improvement has finished, and the SHJC students and volunteers did a great job. A big thanks to all the great volunteers that spent their time and effort on this project. Time to go see Big Rock.

Teakettle man accused of sex with his daughter
Sick does not begin to describe the crime that a man from Teakettle village is being accused of committing. A 14 year old girl reported to Belmopan police on Sunday that her father has been having sexual intercourse with her since 2011. Police reports say they girl recounted no less than six times, the last sexual assault being on Saturday night.

Channel 7

Media Badgers Mayor; Bradley Bristles, Blows His Cool
Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley is a man under pressure - being attacked from all sides on matters small and large, from potholes to security workers. And it seems the pressure is starting to get to him - mainly because we suspect he feels that after paving over 100 streets in a year, and creating two superb parks - he shouldn't have to face such sustained criticism. But, in public life these days, the expectations never stop rising - and today that seemed to raise the mayor's ire; simply put, it got to him. It happened during a 25 minute impromptu question and answer session at the Battlefield park. The mayor was there to launch a new fitness programme, but all the media wanted to know about was the 26 security workers that the city council intends to terminate. That subject took up 21 minutes of the 25 minute interview, and in the 18th minute, he cracked and let the media have it. The issue is that he gave 20 of the 26 workers his word that they would be re-hired, but his word wasn't enough - and he feels it should have been. Here's how he explained it:..

Cpl Gino's Justice: Does It Create A Gaping Gun Law Loophole?
Here at 7News we've reported on numerous cases of persons getting convicted of firearm offences. Our archive is littered with stories of these convictions where the defendants, who are ordinary Belizeans, are sent automatically to jail for a mandatory minimum of 5 years for keeping an unlicensed firearm or ammunition or 3 years keeping prohibited firearm or ammunition. Since Amendments to the Firearms Act were passed in the House in 2008, and then 2010, the discretion of the Magistrate was believed to have been taken away and replaced with a mandatory prison sentence. But that's not what happened on Friday afternoon, with Corporal Gino Peck. His attorney, Simeon Sampson, invoked Section 54 of the Summary Jurisdiction Procedure Act in which, on the face of it, seems to give back discretion to the Magistrate. This act says that even if a law says that a mandatory prison sentence is the only penalty for convicted offenders, the Magistrate can impose a fine if the justice in the case requires it.

Crooked Tree's Plan B For The Causeway
The Port Authority is now investigating the boat accident in the Crooked Tree Lagoon that caused 20 year old Ben Gentle Jr's death. The Coast Guard has handed over the investigation to that body - but in the meantime, the police department sent out a report listing the report under "manslaughter by negligence." But, as we understand it that is misplaced, there is no police investigation - it is a boating accident and the agency that investigates those matters it is the Port Authority. A post mortem conducted today indicates that Gentle Jr was killed by massive trauma most likely by a propeller blade to his midsection. But the two boats that were in the accident have been recalled from the Lagoon, and so, since the weekend the Coast Guard has deployed a heavy truck to traverse the causeway which is still covered by 15 to 17 inches of water. That was going okay until this morning, when someone called the radio station to say that wasn't gonna work. Today in Crooked Tree, villager Steve Anthony explained the needless fuss and how it was resolved:..

Ruthless Robbers Kicked Vendor's Small Child
There was an armed robbery in broad daylight in Belize City today. A vegetable stall across from #1 Supermarket on Central American Boulevard was robbed at knifepoint by two young men. It happened at around 1:00 pm - and still shaken up, one of the vendors told us that they grabbed her and kicked her daughter. She asked to appear off camera:.. Voice of Owner "They came to rob us. They grab us; my sister and I and they choke us. They beat up my sister and stand on her baby and they threw him down. Afterwards they grab my child as if he was nothing and they throw his at me. I ask them to please give me my baby and they can have the money." Giovanni Brackett, reporter "How old are the two children that they were pulling apart?" Voice of Owner "One is 4 and the other is 2 today; today is his birthday." Giovanni Brackett, reporter "The 4 year old - they had their feet on the 4 year old?" Voice of Owner "They stand on him and they threw him to the ground and then my child ran outside and cries and come to me."

GSU Making Weed Scarce With Busts
In our last segment, 7News told you about the Gang Suppression Unit's bold response to the controversy surrounding the Gino Peck case. Well, they are also making the news tonight for making major drug discoveries. On Friday morning at around 11:30, the GSU were on an operation, on the Faber's Road Extension. They searched the Dyke area, and found 5 black plastic bags which contained a total of 871 grams - or almost 2 pounds - or marijuana. No one was in the area, and so the drugs, which the GSU believes is the property of a drug peddler from that area, was labelled as found property. On Saturday afternoon at around 1:30, the GSU were in operation on Linda Vista Street in the Lake Independence area. They searched an abandoned lot and found 233 grams - or 8.2 ounces - of marijuana inside a black plastic bag hidden among some plantain trees. No one was in the area, and so the drugs were labelled as found property. The GSU believes that it belongs to a reputed drug peddler who operates in the area and resides nearby to the abandoned lot.

City Launches Slimming Proposal
This morning the Belize City Council launched its "Get Moving Belize Fitness program. The council has partnered with the Belize Diabetes Association and Body 2000 to promote healthy living around the city. This new daily exercise program will start at 5am to 6am every Monday through Thursday for the next three months at 4 different locations around the city. Here is how it works and how you can get involved. Mayor Darrell Bradley "What we are doing with the city - we are moving. It's called "get moving Belize" and it's a project which we have partnered with the Diabetes Association and Body 2000 and what we are going to do is we thought about a way that we can enhance usage of the public spaces; Battlefield Park, Memorial Park and Maud Williams basketball court will be used in the morning at 5:30 Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and we are going to have aerobics in these places. We are going to have zumba classes; we are going to be doing a weigh in, so that people can actually monitor their progress. We are going to be working with the Diabetes Association to provide continuous diabetes, pressure and sugar testing, so that we are actually tracing individuals and their making improvement."

Shuttle Bus Explodes Into Flames
A small passenger bus burst into flames on the Western Highway at mile 24 today. This video provided to us by a passerby who captured it on his phone around 1:30 pm, shows the shuttle type bus being devoured by flame, with black smoke streaming out from all sides. As bad as it looks, best information says no one was hurt. There are reports that it was shuttling tourists from a cruise ship, but Officer in charge of Belize Rural Superintendent Chris Noble told us that his scenes of crime team just went to check it out around 6:00 this evening.

Your Water Rate Is Going Up�
Your water bill will probably be going up soon - but be consoled, it's probably not going to be as much as it might have been. Bottom line? BWSL asked for 16% and the Public Utilities Commission gave them 6%. That's the outcome of an Annual Review Proceeding by the Public Utilities Commission. Today at a press conference at the Radisson, the PUC's Director for Water Rudolph Williams explained that the PUC got the proposed increase down by reducing capital investments from 25.6 million to 14.3 million. Williams explained why:.. Rudolph Williams, Director for Water - PUC "We looked at the proposals that were made for the capital expenditure and we believe that some of those proposals could be deferred to the full tariff period and some of them we believe were not necessarily required at this time. The BWS has always had problems with funding their investments and to allow them to do that now; we have not seen anywhere where they will be able to source the funds that they are asking for."

CGA Wants Their Money From CPBL
Over the years, we've told you quite t a lot about the on-going dispute in the Citrus Industry. It has always been the Citrus Growers Association against Banks Holdings, or against Henry Canton. Well, the recent financial troubles facing the growers have been laid at the feet of Banks Holdings. The 2014 season started earlier this month, but the farmers haven't been paid to time for the deliveries of their oranges. The CGA executives say that CPBL is reporting that they don't know when they will be able to pay the farmers. According to the CGA, CBPL is delaying because there is an outstanding audit and no auditor secured to look at the books, so, the banks have frozen their accounts. No accounts mean no money to pay the growers, and it may continue like that indefinitely. With the assistance of our Colleagues from KREM News, we bring you coverage of this weekend's emergency general membership meeting of the CGA. Daniel Ortiz Reports: Daniel Ortiz reporting About 200 farmers gathered at the CGA compound outside of Dangriga Town for an emergency General Membership Meeting. It was to discuss the fact that CPBL was not was not paying growers for their oranges. The CGA executive said that the farmers were owed around 1 million dollars, which at this point stands to increase at a weekly basis.

FFB Championship Better Than Superbowl
The Superbowl may have been playing in New York last night, but that game was a bust. If you wanted to see a quality competition ands real football, you didn't have to look any further than the MCC Grounds, or Channel 7, where FC Belize welcomed the Belmopan Bandits in game one of the Premier League Belikin Cup Final. The stands were full and the game atmosphere was hype as Belize City fans came out in large numbers to cheer on the home team. In contrast to last week's embarrassment at the Marshalleck Stadium in Benque Viejo, Sunday afternoon at the MCC was well played with excellent field conditions. The Bandits shocked the home team when they scored in the fifth minute. Belize's best striker Deon McAuley explained how he did it - and Mark Kelo Leslie of FC Belize explained how he equalized in the second half:..

Marvella's Miracle
Last week we told you about 8 year old Maravella Che - the standard one student who was knocked down in front of her home in Tambran Village in the Toledo District. It was a hit and run incident that has left Maravella with a fractured skull, a broken leg and a broken arm. Today makes one week since the accident and little Maravella has been showing s signs of progress. According to nurses, she has at least 2 more weeks in the hospital before she can be discharged. Today Monica Bodden visited her in the paediatric ward at the KHMH. Monica Bodden "How are you feeling?" Maravella Che, Hit and Run Victim "Hot miss." Monica Bodden "Tell me what part of your body hurts the most?" Maravella Che, Hit and Run Victim "My hands." Monica Bodden "And apart from that, your legs?" Maravella Che, Hit and Run Victim "Yes."

Aragon Will Run!
Elodio Aragon Jr. has successfully transitioned from the number 2 cop to number one for the UDP in Orange Walk East. At the UDP Convention held this weekend in the Orange Walk East, Aragon squared off against David Constanza. At the close of polls, the votes were tallied, and the results were that Aragon defeated Constanza, 1327 votes to 1,033 in a large convention. He was officially installed as the UDP Standard Bearer following the announcement of his victory.

Fabrigas Standards Time
In May 2011, 7News took you inside the operation of Fabrigas Belize, one of the few companies which maintains international standards when it comes to product safety. Well, they now have paper to prove that they maintain those high standards, now respected by the Central American community. The International Organization for Standardization has been working with the company for the last few months, and today, the ISO handed over a certificate which says that Fabrigas meets its highest standards. We're talking about 17 months of training, upgrading works and just over a million dollars in expenditure to comply, so today, the company invited the media and the Director of the Belize Bureau of Standards to note its significance. The company's quality manager explained all that went into earning the certification:

Mayor In Mexico
At the top of the news you saw how the mayor was fed up with the media. But, really, he shouldn't have been, after all, he'd probably just been kicking back with some cervezas last week when he made an official visit to the Mexican City of Queretaro. (KERE-TARO) Bradley and Councillor Dion Leslie returned to Belize on Saturday. He was invited there to speak on a panel at organized an international youth conference. Present were over 500 participants from 22 countries, and speaking alongside Bradley were the former President of Costa Rica, representatives from the Apple Corporation, and from the UN Agencies. Mayor Bradley and Councillor Leslie met with the mayor of the City of Queretaro, which has the record of as the cleanest and safest city in Mexico.


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More News: Scroll up from here

Channel 5

Belize City Mayor says there is no going back for the security guards fired from City Hall
Mayor Darrell Bradley is back in town and let's just say he is not ecstatic about insinuations that his Council treated employees of the Security Department unfairly. The posts of [...]

Canadian national is chopped multiple times in Benque Viejo
A Canadian businessman was chopped multiple times as he and his two year old daughter headed to his business in Benque Viejo del Carmen. He is the third Canadian to [...]

Gino Peck is back on the job; talks about his experience in jail
On Friday Corporal Gino Peck, long-time intelligence cop assigned to Precinct Two, was sentenced to fines totaling six hundred and fifty dollars. Peck was convicted last Monday of possessing prohibited [...]

GSU Head, Marco Vidal, speaks on Peck's sentencing
GSU boss, Marco Vidal, has come under scrutiny during and after the trial and sentencing of Corporal Gino Peck. The search on the home of Peck on January twenty-first 2012 [...]

D.P.P. says Section 54 used to fine Peck is arguable
Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl Lyn Vidal has also responded to queries into the Peck case following trial and sentencing. Following mitigation pleas on his behalf, Peck was fined for [...]

Victims of boating accident in Crooked Tree need assistance
Last Friday, a tragic boat accident on the Crooked Tree Lagoon, involving two Coast Guard boats, claimed the life of twenty year old Benjamin Gentle Junior. Eight others, all high [...]

Burning vehicle on the George Price Highway
The charred vestiges of a passenger van near mile twenty-five on the George Price Highway was a spectacle for onlookers traveling the stretch of road around two o'clock this afternoon.� [...]

Benque Viejo still without an ambulance
Benque Viejo del Carmen has been without the service of an ambulance for several months now, reportedly because the vehicle which was donated to the clinic by the embassy of [...]

2 persons detained for the rape and murder of Sittee River mother
Forty-three-year-old Ana Foster, a domestic of Sittee River, was murdered near the outskirts of the village at the start of the weekend.� On Thursday morning, Foster set out on bicycle [...]

Man pleads guilty to wounding ex common-law-wife
A Belize City man pleaded guilty to Wounding before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith after he allegedly beat up his ex-common-law wife.� Sixty year-old Wilbert Humes admitted to causing injuries [...]

2 Guatemalan men charged with immigration offences
Two Guatemalans nationals, thirty seven year old Cristobal Jesus Marroquin and twenty-nine year old Mauricio Garcia Bolo were detained over the past weekend for illegal entry. They were caught after [...]

Fabrigas gets internationally certified by the ISO
The Occupational Safety and Health Bill has gone through a first reading in the House and still has some way to go, including public consultations, before it is approved and [...]

The National Elite Basketball Tournament: Meet Belize City's No Limit
Basketball will be back this coming Friday and we will be carrying it live on this station. The series is dubbed the National Elite Basketball Tournament and will feature eight [...]

The Get Moving Belize Fitness Program
The Belize City Council will be teaming up with the Body 2000 Fitness Club and the Belize Diabetes Association to get citizens in shape. It's an initiative which gets underway [...]

Football, karate and basketball in Sports
Good evening I'm James Adderley and this is Sports Monday. The Belikin Cup finals blasted off inside the MCC Grounds yesterday as FC Belize hosted Belmopan Bandits to kick off [...]

LOVE FM

Police News: Incest, Missing Person, Drugs
A minor residing in Teakettle Village in the Cayo District has reported to the Police that her father has been engaging in sexual intercourse with her. According to the 14-year-old, her father began having sex with her in 2011 at their home. The act continued in the years 2012 and 2013 on several occasions. The minor, in her report dated February 2, 2014, stated that her father had sex with her as recent as January 30, 2014 and February 1, 2014 when she was asleep in her bed and was awoken by her father for sex. Police in Belmopan have detained the young girl's father pending charges of incest Police in the Cayo District are appealing to the public to be on the lookout for a teenager that has been reported missing. Reports indicate that Ashley Perez and another young girl, both fifteen years of age went missing from the Marla's House of Hope. According to one of the caregivers, 41-year-old, Theresita Bethran, she had gone to make checks on the girls on January 31 at around 5pm when she noticed that the two young girls were missing. One of the girls has since returned to the home but Ashley Perez remains unaccounted for. She has fair complexion, long black hair and is slim built. Anyone knowing where Ashley Perez may be is asked to notify the nearest police station.

PUC Approves Hike in Water Rates
Recently, consumers breathed a sigh relief at the news that the rates for electricity had been decreased but that relief seems short lived as now consumers will have to find an extra few dollars to pay their water bills. The Public Utilities Commission announced today that they have approved an increase in water rates as was requested by the Belize Water Services Limited. Love News spoke with the Director for Water and Waste Water Sector of the PUC, Rudolph Williams who explained how they came about the six point four percent increase. RUDOLPH WILLIAMS "BWS requested a sixteen point two five percent increase in the existing water tariffs for Belize. The Commission approved a six point four increase. The commission looked at the progress of the current business plan, looked at the projections for the remainder of the business plan; this is three months into 2014 and then 2014 into 2015. Then they looked at the capital expenditure, they looked at the projections for the amount of the water that is expected to be produced and consumed by the public and they looked at the projections for the number of customers that is expected to come online; when we looked at it we said, the capital expenditure - we don't believe that they would be able to spend that amount of money. We looked at the projection for water consumption and we didn't think it would go that way and so we recalculated it and we said the RAV would be less and so the rate would be less. The way we set rate is the regulated asset value (RAV) that we apply a rate of return on and if the RAV remains the same that means you will get the same amount of return.

Midget Arraigned for Murder in Western Belize
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed San Ignacio Police to levy the charge of murder against 30-year-old, Kevin "Midget" Manzanero. Inspector Reymundo Reyes updated the media on the case. INSPECTOR REYMUNDO REYES "Today, based on directives from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Kevin Manzanero was formally arrested and charged for the crime of murder in respect to the date of Mr. Freddy Lopez' murder that happened on the twenty third of December, 2013." The charge against Manzanero is the result of an incident that occurred on December 23, 2013 where 57-year-old, Freddy Lopez lost his life. The murder occurred in the Kontiki area in San Ignacio while Lopez was walking with his wife, children and grandchildren. Police reports indicate that they believe it was a robbery gone wrong. Lopez and his family were reportedly approached by two men who demanded them to hand over their properties. As Lopez bent down to pick up a stone, he was shot in the right side of his chest by one of the robbers. The bullet exited through the lower back. The two men then escaped into the bushes and nothing was taken from the family. Police had identified the two men as Kevin 'Midget' Manzanero and Alex Reid.

Vidal Says Peck’s Incident Was Sanctioned by Compol and Not Personal
The case of Gino Peck, the Police Corporal whose home was searched on January 21, 2012 by the Gang Suppression Unit of the Belize Police Department received much publicity and attention from the public over the last week as he was found guilty of the firearm and ammunition charges. But while Peck was spared a sentence of confinement, there have been talks on the street that Peck was targeted by personnel in the department, particularly by members of the Gang Suppression Unit (GSU). In response to those talks, a release was issued by the head of the unit, Marco Vidal, in an effort to clear up the misconceptions that the public is having. The release says, "The search conducted at the residence of Gino Peck on the 21st January 2012 was an intelligence-led operation which had been discussed with, and then sanctioned by, the then Commissioner of Police. The charges that were laid as a result were also initially sanctioned by that Commissioner. It was only after those charges had been laid that a directive was given to abort the proceedings. By that time the matter was out of our hands. The suggestion that the case against Peck was motivated by some personal vendetta is preposterous. My interaction with Peck during the course of our careers has been at best, minimal. This, however, seems, of late, to be the cry of anyone who finds himself on the wrong end of the law, regardless of how remote or incredible the association.

GSU Operations Yield Substantial Results
Operations conducted over the weekend in Belize City by the Gang Suppression Unit yielded over a kilo of marijuana on the south side. Members of the GSU conducted operations on Friday, January 31 that led them to the Faber's Road Extension at around 11:30am where a search was conducted in the Dyke Area. The search resulted in the uncovering of five black plastic bags containing cannabis weighing 871 grams. The drug was labelled as found property as no one was in the area at the time of the search. According to the GSU, the drug they found in this area is believed to be for a reputed drug peddler who operates from that area. The operations continue over the weekend as 233 grams of marijuana was uncovered in the Lake Independence Area. On Saturday, February 1 at around 1:13pm, the GSU went to Linda Vista Street and searched an abandoned lot where they uncovered a black plastic bag between some plantain trees. This too was labelled as found property as no one was in the area at the time of the search. And while these two finds amount to a significant volume of cannabis taken off the streets, the GSU made an even bigger bust on Sunday, February 12 at around 11:45 in the morning.

Police Retrieves Young Boy’s Body From Deep Pond
Orange Walk police were called out to a marl pit three miles south of Chan Pine Ridge Village in Orange Walk where they saw the lifeless body of 13 year old Luis Armando Uh. Uh and some friends went to the area to swim as the pits are filled with water following recent rains. Uh reportedly drowned as he was swimming in the deep pond. Police retrieved the body just before six o'clock on Sunday evening. The body was transported to the Orange Walk Morgue.

Estranged Spouse Attacks Woman at Workplace
Sixty year old Wilbert Humes, who beat his ex-common-law wife, was not given a custodial sentence when he appeared today before Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith and pled guilty to a charge of wounding. Humes was ordered to pay 200 dollars in compensation to his ex-common-law wife by February 28 and a fine of 100 dollars forthwith. If he defaults on payment of the fine he will serve two months. So far, Humes has not paid the fine. The incident occurred on January 20. Humes' ex-common-law wife, reported to the police that while she was at her work place, Humes went there and threw kool aid in her face and punched her several times in her mouth which caused a wound to her upper lip. As a result, Humes, a laborer of Mayflower Street, was arrested and charged.

BNE Announces More Money For Education Loans
The Belize Natural Energy Charitable Trust has expanded its National Student Loan Program. The Student Loan Program is a partnership with local credit unions and started as a pilot initiative in April 2009 when the Trust seeded an initial investment of one million dollars. Over 600 Belizean students pursuing secondary and tertiary education at local institutions throughout the country have benefitted from the program. Today, the Belize Natural Energy Charitable Trust announced an additional investment of one point five million dollars to scale up and expand the program. Today representatives of BNE Trust and La Inmaculada Credit Union signed a cooperation agreement. It is expected that similar agreements will be signed with other credit unions shortly.

Canadian National Assaulted in Western Belize
A Canadian national residing on Riverside Street in Benque Viejo del Carmen Town in the Cayo District was assaulted in front of her two year old daughter. Reports are that 45-year-old, Steven Reichert was walking in the Chapel Hill Area heading towards the Amin Hegar Football Field when he was approached by a Hispanic man. The man, Genaro Hob was armed with a machete and an axe and had reportedly swung the machete in the direction of the child but he missed. In an effort to protect the little girl, Reichert picked up his daughter and began running away from the assailant but he was pursued and his attacker caught up with him and swung the machete at him causing Reichert to suffer a swollen left forearm and abrasions. On another attempt to further injure Reichert, Hob swung the machete and inflicted a chop wound with the machete to the left side of the neck. According to Police in Benque Viejo, the men had done some business together and the confrontation was a result of unresolved money issues. Investigation continues.

PlusTV

Mr. Verde's Attempted Murder Charge Dropped According to DPP
This evening Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl-Lynn Vidal responded to our remaining queries from Friday with regard to Reynaldo Verde, the tax supervisor who alleged he was framed by someone planting a firearm in his yard. While that case is being reviewed by her office, she has confirmed that the case...

Man Charged for Killing Elderly Man in Front of his Family
Today, Kevin Manzanero was arraigned for the murder of a man gunned down in front of his family, two days before Christmas. Police believe that on the night of December 23rd, sometime around 9:30 p.m., Mr. Manzanero, along with accomplice, Mr. Alex Reid, approached 56 year old Freddy Lopez Sr....

GSU Commander Speaks Out on the Gino Peck Case
The arrest and conviction of 22 year veteran Police Corporal Gino Peck, has loaned much public scrutiny on the Gang Suppression Unit. It was the GSU in January of 2012 that conducted a search at Peck's home, which led to the discovery of a number of unlicensed and prohibited ammunition....

Mayor Defends Security Privatization
This morning, following the launch of a fitness program being carried out by the Belize City Council, the Mayor got plenty verbal exercise as he bobbed and weaved through the media's questions on the recently publicized decision to privatize the Council's security. According to the Mayor, the decision was...

CGA to Negotiate New Auditor for CPBL
The Citrus Growers Association is pursuing negotiations with auditing firm Baker Tilly Hulse to succeed PKF Belize in auditing Citrus Products of Belize Limited. This news came out of a consultation meeting with growers held on Saturday at the CGA headquarters in Stann Creek District. The man leading the...

Is Nelson Young's Tribunal Report Complete?
On Friday we reported on the case of Nelson Young, sent home more than 9 years ago by employers BTL, then owned by Michael Ashcroft. He told his story to an Essential Services Tribunal convened to look into the case, but it has been almost a year and there is...

Roaring Creek Police Substation Gets Upgraded
Who can forget the eerie months September and October of last year that rocked the village of Roaring Creek in Cayo with heinous acts of murder and attempted murder. Furthermore, the police statistics for the year 2013 noted an increase in the level of crime in the rural areas...

NEMO Establishes Partnership in Rural Communities
We usually hear about the NEMO in times of natural disasters, but the emergency management organization works throughout the year on programs geared at educating and equipping the public to better cope with everyday circumstances. One such program is presently being developed in rural communities in Belmopan, in conjunction...

The Guardian

Caye Caulker Chronicles

On Saturday, February 1st our Caye Caulker Kids Alanis Badillo, Malik Jones, Ricky Enriquez, Angel Pol and Harrison Cadle Jr. joined the kids of the San Pedro Junior Sailing Club in an endurance challenge sailing from San Pedro to Caye Caulker. This challenge also served as a practice for the upcoming regatta that will be held in Corozal on February 8th and 9th 2014. This will be our kids first official regatta. On all sailing practices and regattas, rescue boats are required. The kids were accompanied by Commodore Jimmy Jones of the Caye Caulker Sailing Club, Bob Greaves, member of the Caye Caulker Sailing Club, Randy, Agustin-the Argentinian trainer and Tammy Peterson of the San Pedro Junior Sailing Club, and Neil Bradley President of the Caye Caulker Sailing Club.

Blogs

Preview of Zen Arcade: Wellness DOES Include Yoga, a Bit of Wine & Maybe Botox
The Wellness Center, Zen Arcade, has been in the planning and building stages for quite some time now. But it's not surprising. The chosen building (located just around the bend from Island Supermarket and the Old Belikin Distributor just south of town) was an apartment complex�and needed to be totally gutted and totally re-done. Noele and Tara had a plan. Both ladies have lived in San Pedro for a few years (at least). Noele worked up at the beautiful Azul/Rojo Lounge and then was co-owner of the busy bar Wahoo's Lounge (Home of the famous Chicken Drop) but all that time she loved, practised and taught yoga. Tara is a fantastic yoga teacher who did great classes - they even had me going! - at Exotic Caye.

Vegetarian Chili Beans
Although, I'm not vegetarian, I love beans. I love chili with meat and I love it with beans and I also love plain chili beans. This recipe is very simple and can be done in the slow cooker.

Cooking with Flavors of Belize & Chef Sean Kuylen - Fry Jack
On the latest episode of Cooking with Flavors of Belize & Chef Sean Kuylen, our team tackles a classic Belizean recipe - Fry Jacks. A Breakfast staple for any Belizean family or home across cultures; Chef Sean prepares a breakfast that's both mouthwatering and easy to recreate.

Manslaughter By Negligence - But No Notice Of Intended Prosecution
On Friday, Jan 31, 2014 at about 6:25 a.m. based on information received of a fatal boat accident in Crooked Tree Village, Ladyville Police visited Crooked Tree Village. About two miles from the junction with the Philip Goldson Highway, three young ladies were seen receiving medical attention; police then visited an area through a channel where two boats belonging to the Belize Coast Guard were seen tied together. Inside one of the boats was the motionless body of a male person lying face down with apparent huge chop wounds to his shoulder, under his right arm and the right side of his lower back. His was identified as 20 year old Benjamin Jerome Gentle, laborer of Crooked Tree Village. Investigation reveals that on the said date about 05:30 a.m. the two boats belonging to the Belize Coast Guard driven by personnel of the Belize Coast Guard were assisting the Villagers of Crooked Tree Village in crossing the lagoon when they crashed into each other, resulting in the death of Benjamin Jerome Gentle. The smaller boat had in it Jerome Gentle and ten students who all suffered varying degrees of injuries and were later transported to the KHMH.

International Sources

25 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Belize
1. It's the only English speaking country in Central America: Belize was occupied by the British, making it unique among its neighbors. 2. It was the center of the Mundo Maya: The Mayan once occupied Belize, as evidenced by the dozen or more protected archeological sites. Practically every buried mound you spot is a piece of history. 3. Most Belizeans are trilingual: They speak Kriol, Spanish and English. Some also speak additional languages, such as Garifuna, Mayan dialects, and German. 4. You can have a plate of coconut rice n' beans: Proof of Caribbean culture? Coconut rice and beans is sold on every corner, alongside a tasty stew of your choice. 5. You can eat African fufu and cassava: The Garinagu people, descendants from West Africa, settled along Belize's southern coast and brought with them their plantains and cassava. The result? Dishes like hudut--mashed plantains, also known as "fufu" in West Africa, served with a fish stew.

10 Caribbean souvenirs worth the suitcase space
It's no secret Caribbean cruise ship passengers love to shop - just watch the flow of the crowd when you visit a port of call. This is a shopping mecca, where you can find refrigerator magnets, Christmas ornaments, t-shirts and other typical tourist fare at every port. Plus, there's plenty of opportunities to buy duty-free jewelry and electronics, sometimes even at bargain prices. But should you want something a little more authentic to show off once you get home, there are also products actually made in the Caribbean. Here are 10 souvenirs worth the suitcase space: Woodcarvings: Look for local artists, such as Carl Henry in Antigua, who creates everything from turtles to miniature sailboats using local Caribbean wood such as mahogany and eucalyptus. A fun buy in this category is handcrafted masks like Puerto Rico's colorful caretas - which depict evil spirits and look great hung on a wall. Hot sauce: Using locally grown peppers, hot sauce (also called pepper sauce) is a big obsession on many Caribbean islands. Great selections can be found at Spicy Caribbee in Old San Juan, Sunny Caribbee Spice Shop & Art Gallery in Road Town, Tortola and Pure Caribbean Specialty in Nassau, among other places. If your cruise includes Belize, look for Marie Sharp's hot sauce.

CENTRAL AMERICA TRAVEL DESTINATIONS ARE GAINING POPULARITY WITH NORTH AMERICAN TRAVELERS
With the beginning of 2014 well underway, travel industry leaders such as TripAdvisor, Lonely Planet and reputable newspapers have begun to leave clues on their recommended travel trends for 2014. The accessibility, shorter flight times and beautiful climate found in Central America has made it a popular and rising star in the eyes of traveling North Americans. In response to these recent travel trends as well as meeting consumer demands, Class Adventure Travel released a new luxury travel collection to Central America. A mix of highlight and exclusive destinations in Belize, Costa Rica and Guatemala have been chosen as Class Adventure Travel looks set to continue providing travelers with an unparalleled travel experience. Due to its proximity to the United States, travelers can leave their houses in the morning and by early afternoon be sat on a beautiful Belizean beach, exploring the ruins of Tikal in Guatemala or, zip-lining their way through the Costa Rican jungle. One thing is for sure, Central America is set to announce its presence in the 2014 world travel market! The figures from Belize's Tourism Board show that in 2012 the country recorded 26,872 more travelers than in 2011, with 277,135 travelers enjoying Belize's beauty. Of these an impressive 63.7% were Americans and a further 8.7% Canadians. Statistics released in 2013 told a similar story and pattern and in January 2013, the number of travelers increased by 17.2% compared to the 2012 figures. North American travelers also favor Costa Rica and in 2012 it was the most popular destination in Latin America with 1,139,624 visitors throughout 2012.

VIDEO: MOTION BELIZE TEASER
Greg and Motion Guest Hiker, Shiloh Janes explore the beauty of Belize beyond the beaches and crowded resorts.

Video Post: Snorkel Adventures in Belize
In this Video Post You Will Discover: Exotic & Dangerous Stingrays Beautiful Coral Invasive Lionfish Delicate Mangroves And Tons More! If you've been following the blog, you'll know that last December I spent a week exploring Belize's southern barrier reef. We kayaked through Southwater Cayes Marine Reserve, stopping to snorkel at every opportunity. I'm pretty sure I spent more time beneath the water than above it - I so love snorkelling. And Belize offers some of the world's finest. Care to see for yourself? I shot this video for Explore Magazine (my day job). Enable full-screen mode, sit back, relax and get ready to spend the next 4:46 in the warm, vibrant and impossibly vital waters of Belize:

Mexiko - Guatemala - Belize: 3 L�nder in 4 Tagen (Teil 2)
Gerade noch im Dschungel von Guatemala und noch immer �berw�ltigt von den mit der Natur verwachsenen Maya-Tempel, geht es jetzt weiter nach Belize. Wie schon in den letzten Tagen versuchen wir wieder, alles in m�glichst kurzer Zeit zu schaffen und nehmen also wieder eine �Abk�rzung": Statt nach Flores zur�ckzufahren, um von dort zur Grenze zu Belize zu kommen, lassen wir uns vom Tourbus auf halber Strecke bei einer Kreuzung absetzen. Nach einer Bushaltestelle suchen wir hier vergeblich, aber Einheimische versichern uns, dass hier die Busse zur Grenze vorbeifahren� und tats�chlich k�nnen wir uns eine halbe Stunde sp�ter in einen kleinen Camion quetschen. Gerade rechtzeitig, um den pl�tzlichen und heftigen Regenguss nicht mehr abzubekommen.

It's Time to Swap Your Snow Shovel for a Hammock
Some years ago a man I know visited Florida and asked a retiree why he moved there. "You don't have to shovel the humidity," the retiree merrily responded. This month my friend's mother is in Florida�wrapped up in sweaters. Times are changing. Even down south, the climate isn't what it used to be. East coast cities are like freezers. And the Mid-West is more tightly in the grip of Jack Frost's icy fingers than it used to be. If ever you needed an incentive to move overseas, this current cold snap is surely it. So how are the New Year Resolutions holding up? Did you promise yourself on New Year's Day to start planning your move abroad? I know�it's not easy to stay motivated about future goals when your energies are all going into surviving, is it? That's why we created Incomes Abroad�to bring you stories of people who were once where you are now. But today they're not bracing themselves against the cold. No, they live in shorts and sandals�watch the sun set on the beach�enjoy good health care and great property deals. Where do they live�? Oh, places like Panama, Costa Rica, and Belize, with great coastlines, modern cities, and jungle getaways.



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