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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

Jamila Janmohamed receives award by The Royal British Legion Belize Branch
San Pedro resident, Jamila Janmohamed was honored by The Royal British Legion, Belize Branch, for her efforts at raising significant funds for the Poppy Appeal. Since 1991, The Royal British Legion has been promoting the Poppy Appeal to help support the past and present British Armed Forces and their families. As a previous colony of Great Britain, Belize has also adopted this culture and during the month of November, leading to Remembrance Day, residents proudly wear a poppy flower to honor the many Belizean and Commonwealth veterans who have given their life to protect others. In 2004, Janmohamed took over the running of the collection for the Poppy Appeal. Since then, she has substantially increased revenue for the Poppy Appeal. Previous earnings for the Poppy Appeal in Ambergris Caye were little over $200. In only on her first month as the head of the Poppy Appeal for Ambergris Caye, Janmohamed raised over a $1,000. Then, in the year 2013, she handed over a grand total of $13,246.86 to the Poppy Appeal, far surpassing every other amount raised previously!

Belize Infrastructure Limited to tackle two projects
Belize Infrastructure Limited (BIL), a public sector agency of the Government of Belize (GOB), is undertaking the design, construction and management of capital projects in Belize with particular emphasis on sporting and other multipurpose facilities. Investment project was initiated on March 31st, 2014 with contract signature for consulting services, architectural designs and construction for infrastructure at the Falcon Field Recreation Center and Facilities. BIL, along with technical support from MOW, is working closely with the Local Government Representative for the area. The investments to be financed as a prerequisite to any commencement of the civil works, and relevant to this contract, include the design and construction as related to any environmental management, approved design plans and construction for the Falcon Field Recreation Rehabilitation Project. The winning contract was awarded to Belize City based firm, International Environments Ltd headed by lead architect Mr. Daniel Arguelles.

BTB appoints new Director Of Tourism
The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) is pleased to announce the appointment of our new Director of Tourism, Mrs. Karen Bevans. Mrs. Bevans joins the BTB after 25 years of service with the Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL). She began her career at BTL as an Administrative Officer, then, was promoted to Manager of Administration, Human Resources, and Public Relations, followed by General Manager of Marketing and Administrative Services, which later changed to include further responsibilities of Business Development, Marketing and Sales, and then named the Head of Business Development, Marketing and Public Relations. After a reorganization of the company, she was appointed the General Manager of Business Development and Marketing, and then became the acting Chief Operations Officer, before her latest position as the Chief Operations Officer. She, therefore, brings with her a wealth of knowledge in administration, marketing, public relations, sales, and management, having held the various positions in her ascension to Chief Operations Officer.

Ambergris Today

BTL's 2014 Directory Cover Highlights Belize's Adventure
Of the hundreds of submissions received, the picture submitted by Mr. Daren Lamb ranked first with a total of 1,396 likes. Gracing this year's cover is his uniquely spectacular and uncommon wilderness experience that encapsulates the combined beauty of the Caribbean Sea and a determined Tern. In addition to capturing the bragging rights to have his picture grace the cover of this year's Telephone Directory, Mr. Daren Lamb was also rewarded with an Apple iPad 4 and 1 year free Digicell service. The 2014 Telephone Directory's "All about Belize" section highlights some of the more popular Belizean adventures which both our visitors and locals can experience. Belize, known as the 'melting pot' of Central America beams with an array of adventures yet to be explored. With so much of our natural environment still healthy and intact, travelers and locals are able to explore and create unique adventures of their own. You can get your copy of the 2014 Telephone Directory as of Today, Tuesday, April 1, 2014 by visiting the nearest BTL Customer Service Center and present your most recent BTL bill receipt.

Misc Belizean Sources

San Pedro handyman accused of theft
Police in San Pedro town have detained a man pending charges of theft. The detention of the handyman is on the strength of a report by American retiree Robert Spica who went to police to report that since the first of March the detainee has been stealing money from him. According to police reports, Spica sold a boat at the beginning of March and allegedly hid the money in a bag.

Armed robbers target Belize City doctor
A Belize City doctor was the victim of an armed robbery last night. Dr. Jose Espat arrived at his home on Teachers' Street around 9:30 pm and was accosted by two masked men. Dr. Espat says that one of his attackers carried a handgun and the other hit him on the head with a piece of cement block, leaving him bleeding from a gash to the left side of his forehead.

September Celebrations Theme Competition
Do you have any good ideas for a theme for the September Celebrations? You could win $1000 if your idea wins. The National Celebrations Commission is asking for entries for this year's theme. Send your ideas to [email protected] by Friday, May 16th. Good luck! "Do you love Belize? Do you have a creative mind? Could you use an extra $1000.00? Then this is for you!"

15th Annual Junior Cross Country Cycling Classic
The 15th annual Junior Cross Country Cycling Classic was Sunday. More pictures from the event have been posted. There's a pre-cross country warm up race this Sunday. Overall winners: 1st. Keion Robateau - BECOL Uprising 2nd. Delon Gentle - BECOL Uprising 3rd. Zamir Guerra - Cayo High Road 4th. Philip Mencias - Mando's Cycling 5th. Tarique Flowers - Benny's Megabytes 6th. Delawn Abraham - Benny's Megabytes 7th. Zahir Figueroa - BECOL Uprising 8th. Devin Azueta - Cayo High Road 9th. Darien Anderson - Smart 10th. Dennis Arnold - Unattached 11th. Michael Grajalez - Mando's Cycling 12th. Patrick Williams - Unattached 13th. Stephen Cabral - Unattached 14th. Kyle Saunders - Unattached Youth Category: 1st. Devin Azueta - Cayo High Road 2nd. Darien Anderson - Smart 3rd. Dennis Arnold - unattached 4th. Michael Grajalez - Mando's Cycling 5th. Patrick Wiliams - Unattached

Rotary youth build park at St. Martin de Porres
St. Martin de Porres Primary School has a brand new playground courtesy of visiting volunteers from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The teenagers of the Terwillegar Interact Club of Lillian Osborne High School - the youth arm of the Rotary Club - worked with Belizean counterparts Sunrise Rotary and RESTORE Belize to build the park on Vernon and Partridge Street behind the school compound. It was opened today and project coordinator Margo Ross-Graham said it was an opportunity for the youths to see the world beyond their hometown in the Canadian West.

Steven Buckley and family in court over drugs
42 year old Steven Buckley and his family appeared in the Magistrate's Court this afternoon over, in his words to Magistrate Hettie Mae Stuart, a "lee roach." This morning around 10:00, police searched Buckley's residence at 13 A George Street for firearms and drugs and in his room, which he told police only he has access to, officers found 0.4 grams of suspected cannabis. Elsewhere in the house they recovered a pipe of the kind used for taking crack cocaine. Buckley chose to plead guilty to the charge of possession of a controlled drug and was fined $50, due by May 2. If he defaults he will serve 2 weeks in prison. But Buckley, his common-law wife Juanita Juarez, 46; their stepsons 21 year old Emmanuel Villanueva and a 17 year old minor; and two visiting friends, brothers Isaiah and Charles Middleton, both in their late teens, are trying to arrange bail of $700 this evening on the charge of possession of a utensil adapted for using controlled drugs.

Prisoner bites another inmate's ear
A prisoner serving time on a burglary charge was slated to appear in court on a separate case this morning, but instead he spent his day at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital being treated for a bite to his left ear. Cruz Allen was seen holding his left ear as he exited the bus and was immediately sent for medical attention. Allen and another, unnamed inmate got into a fight on the prison bus while coming down from Hattieville to Belize City wherein he sustained the injury.

Consultations begin on Occupational Health and Safety Bill
The Occupational Health and Safety Bill was tabled in January at the first session of the House of Representatives for 2014. It seeks to regulate and improve working conditions for workers at all businesses countrywide and has the unrelenting and vocal support of the trade unions. But the business community straddles a fine line between trying not to deny workers their rights and dealing with the economic bottom line. On Wednesday night, the first in a series of nationwide consultations took place in Belize City hosted by the Public Service, Trade, Industry and Labour Committee of the House of Representatives, which has charge of the bill. They met with financial members of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, including executives of Belize's leading businesses. We spoke to Daniel Gutierrez, a councilor on the Board of the Chamber who said that while businesses understand and respect workers' rights, the bill as currently presented hurts local business and may lead to loss of jobs.

Belize Waste Control takes CitCo to court again
The Belize City Council and sanitation company Belize Waste Control will be back in court again this week, unable to settle their long-running dispute over late payments on the City's sanitation contract. From as much as 15 weeks' late payment in December, the Council has trimmed the figure to six weeks behind and according to Mayor Darrell Bradley, will pay double this week to reach the contractually acceptable four weeks' lag in payments. City Hall has constantly contended with regard to sanitation that at 45% of all expenditure the Council cannot afford to keep up with payments, especially in the slow season, and Bradley says that things will look up once the contract with Belize Maintenance Limited (BML) expires next year.

SATIIM leader dismisses planned protest
On the eve of a planned peaceful demonstration in Punta Gorda targeting SATIIM, the leader of the Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management has dismissed the protest. Gregory Choc today said that explained that the demonstration being organized by the Toledo Association for Belizean Rights will not affect SATIIM in anyway, so he will have no further comment on the matter. Choc did say, however, that "everybody has the right to express their opinions," noting that SATIIM is mobilizing members of the communities adjacent to the proposed drill site to head to Belize City on Thursday morning. Justice Michelle Arana is expected to hand down her decision in the case brought last October by SATIIM trying to get the government of Belize to affirm customary land rights held by the indigenous communities. But while the decision is being handed down in Belize City, Joseph Estephan and his Toledo Association for Belizean Rights plans to be demonstrating at the PG Central Park against what has been described as an unfair claim to any prospective oil revenue by SATIIM on behalf of the indigenous communities.

BIL Upgrading Cayo Sports Facilities
Belize Infrastructure Limited is looking to upgrade Falcon Field and Marshalleck Stadium. BIL signed International Environments Ltd to do initial surveys on Falcon Field, and LAR Architects and Associates for Marshalleck Stadium. Thanks, BIL! "PRESS RELEASE - ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING ELEMENTS, COSTINGS AND CONSTRUCTION FOR THE FALCON FIELD RECREATION CENTER AND FACILITIES"

Agric Getting Upgraded
The National Agriculture and Trade Show is only a month away, and they've been upgrading the facilities in preparation for the event. Agric starts on May 2nd, and finishes on May 4th. "We are pleased to inform that at least five new buildings will be constructed before this year's show. Two food courts, two display pavilions and a new entertainment stage. Follow us as we build these for your use and enjoyment!"

BEL Submits 2014-2015 Annual Tariff Review Proceeding Application to the Public Utilities Commission
Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) submitted an application on April 1, 2014, to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) under the Annual Tariff Review Proceeding (ARP) for the period July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015. BEL's application requests a reduction in the Mean Electricity Rate from 44.65 cents to 43 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh). BEL's proposed reduction takes into consideration the most recent forecast of cost of power and the opportunity to pass on savings to customers, by continuously seeking ways to lower the cost of electricity in Belize in the short term and long term. It is also in line with the Company's Mission "to provide reliable electricity at the lowest sustainable cost, stimulate national development and improve the quality of life in Belize."

NEMO HANDING OVER CEREMONY
Mr. Calbert Thompson and Mr. Vigilio Requena Sr. and their families were recipients of homes built by Plett's Home Builders.

Kung Fu Dunk screening
Apr 3 - The Corozal Organization Leading Cultural Heritage and Art(COLCHA) in association with the government of China Taiwan will be having a free screening of the Taiwanese film 'Kung Fu Dunk' (action) at the Corozal Town Central Park Saturday April 5, 2014 at 7 p.m.

Video: Red Creek Biological Reserve Stann Creek, Belize
4min. Red Creek Biological Reserve Jaguar Corridor in Stann Creek District, Belize. Established in 1995, to protect the Tropical Moist Forrest, Pine Forest, and the watershed of Red Creek in Southern Belize. Red Creek is a 754 acre private reserve that connects Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary with the coast of southern Belize. Red Creek joins Cabbage Haul Creek and provides the fresh water to the Sapodilla Lagoon near the Sittee River. This reserve provides habitat for Jaguar, Puma, Tapir, Ocelot, Jaguarundi, Yellowhead Amazons, Tinamu, Great Currasow, and many other species of wildlife. Red Creek is 4 miles from the Caribbean, on the west side of the Southern Highway on the way to Placencia. It is 12 miles from the village of Hopkins. It is 65 ft. above sea level on the highway frontage and reaches more than 300 ft. elevation on the western border 1.4 miles west of the highway. The high forest at Red Creek has a canopy of 65 ft. with emergent trees, such as Ceiba over 100 ft. tall. Tapir Creek enters Red Creek from the south. Founded by RW Ehrig in April, 1995.

Video: Spanish 3 PAP Cooking Project- Fry Jacks de Belize
1.5min

Video: Turtles, Rays, and Nurse Sharks The Cayes of Belize
Hightlights from diving and snorkeling in Belize. Sites include: Hol Chan Shark/Ray Alley Esmeralda Reef

Video: Nurkowanie Belize
9min. Scuba diving, creatures of the reef. Film z organizowanej przez FeelActive.pl wyprawy na Belize w marcu 2014 roku. W trakcie wyprawy nurkowaliśmy na Blue hole, Ambergis caye i Turnafe. Przyzwyczajone do nurk�w rekiny wąsate (Nurse shark) są bardzo przyjacielskie w tej okolicy i dają się głaskać, prawie jak zwierzaki domowe :) Mieliśmy też szczęście spotkać orlenie i rekiny karaibskie. Bawiliśmy się też z zaprzyjaźnioną mureną :)

Video: Belize Diving&Snorkeling
3min.

Video: Drums Not Guns Punta Gorda Belize March 2, 2014
Maroon Creole Drum School sponsors a drum circle in the park for a progressive youth movement

Video: AP Espanol Belize
7min

Video: Project Smile - Belize
One of a series of short videos about Project Smile, which has given free dental care to 12,300 patients in Belize since 1992. In this video, Dentist Jay McCaslin and Hygenist Vera Peterson discuss what project Smile does and what it has meant to each of them to take part in the short-term dental mission trips.

Video: Brian Ernst :: Acoustic Sessions :: Belize
New song. "Ubuntu" written in Africa. Support independent music.

Video: Chef Bourque Is On The Route To Belize!
2min. Join Chef Bourque as he shows off some of his menu items he will be putting together for the Central America Overland Expedition team from Georgia, that will be stopping in visiting while in route to Belize.

Channel 7

Guatemalan Civilians Crossed The Line
On Monday, we told you about the armed encounter on the border where Belizean Armed Forces killed a Guatemalan civilian. They said that he shot at them first, and that there were signs that these civilians were engaging in illegal activities in Belizean territory. Well tonight, we'll show you photographic evidence which supports their story. We've also been able to gather a bit more details as to how the incident unfolded. Approximately at around 4 o'clock Saturday afternoon, a joint team of officers from BDF and Police were on operation with FCD rangers. They were 4 miles from Rio Blanco and 2 miles within Belizean Territory, patrolling the area, when they discovered this clearing in the Chiquibul National Park. It's a forest reserve so naturally, the patrol investigated why the trees were cut down. That's when they found 2 huts, which suggested that human activity taking place in the area. They also found discarded food, and further investigation of the area led them to find 40-50 marijuana plants, and a garbage bag containing unplanted marijuana seeds. These discoveries led the Belizean lawmen to believe that the area was cleared for marijuana cultivation, and that the huts and the food belonging the farmers who were trying to harvest these drugs.

Confirmed: KB New Boss At BTB
Exactly one week ago, we showed you former BTL senior executive Karen Bevans going into the headquarters of the Belize Tourism Board to talk to Minister of Tourism Manuel "Juniour" Heredia about taking on the post of Director of Tourism. Bevans had been hand-picked for the job by Cabinet, but last week she hadn't said "yes" yet. Well, she has now. A BTB release issued an hour and a half ago confirms that she is the new Director of Tourism and that she takes up the job next week Wednesday, April 9th. Tourism Minister Manuel Heredia is quoted in a release as saying "Her impeccable reputation precedes her and we certainly expect to see great things from her. " Of course, we are told Heredia had little say in the matter, this was, as we said, a Cabinet call - since Heredia and his board's last two hirings for the Director post - resulted in abrupt and tumultuous resignations.

Terrible Tourist Rape and Robbery on Placencia
Placencia police have confirmed that they are investigating a robbery and rape involving a Canadian Couple that happened on peninsula last week. According to police, the couple were on the beach in Placencia on Thursday night when 2 men ambushed them and held them up at gunpoint. The assailants then raped the Canadian man's wife in his presence after they had a short discussion. The Canadian man was ordered to go back to his room to retrieve electronic devices to hand over to them. Fearing for his life, and the life of his spouse, the tourist complied and went back to his room, where he got some items and handed them over. The men got more brazen and then sent him to an ATM to withdraw money to hand over to them, which he did. When he returned, he handed over what he had gotten, and that's when the robbers released the couple and escaped. Both tourists reported the incident to police and they took the next flight out of the country the following day. Today, 7News spoke with the Commanding officer of Placencia Police, who told us that they are closely investigating this crime but have no suspects at this time.

SIF: Starting All Over Again At Griga Market
By now, even the casual news watcher will know all about the fiasco at the Dangriga Town Market. The project is 9 months behind schedule and about halfway to completion. It's been stalled for the last 7 months - and has become an eyesore in the town. And that's where the Social Investment Fund comes in. The corruption allegations over the last project saw the forced resignation of their executive director and three senior staffers. But, still SIF has got to carry the project forward - it's a major part of a much larger municipal development project all across the country. So today, it was back to Dangriga where a new contractor has been named, and a new budget assigned. But is this new deal going to see the job through? 7News was there to ask the tough questions: Jules Vasquez Reporting In Dangriga, the word SIF is like a curse word, the reputation of the institution perhaps indelibly linked to corruption and for evidence of that its critics need only point to the market - it should have been opened 9 months ago - and here it is still an unoccupied half completed shell. But now, SIF is hoping to put this embarrassment behind it with the appointment of a new contractor CB Construction, as in Cesar Bedran construction who arrived at the market today and gave a commitment to finish it in 6 months.

Buckley Busted
Steven Buckley� 7 months ago he got his partial payment of $50,000 from the Government after he was disabled by a police shooting. Well tonight, Buckley makes the news because he pleaded guilty to drug possession in Magistrate's Court. Police searched his George Street house today at around 10, and the 42 year-old Buckley was present at the time, along with his wife; 46 year old Juanita Juarez, her two sons, 21 year old Emmanuel Villanueva and 17 year old boy; and two brothers, 19 year old Isaiah Middleton; and 18 year old Charles Middleton. A search of the house led to the discovery of 0.4 grams of cannabis and a pipe adapted for smoking drugs. The officers then charged everyone present with drug and pipe possession.

BEL Wants To Lower Your Light Bill, Again
BEL wants to lower your light bill - and they are asking the PUC to make it so. The utility's Annual Tariff Review was submitted to the PUC yesterday and it asks for a reduction in the average Electricity Rate from 44.65 cents to 43 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) for the period July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015. BEL says the request for a reduction takes into consideration high rainfall projections. The company most recently reduced rates in December 2013 by four cents per kilowatt hour.

PUP Attacks Anwar B.
At to top of our newscast, we told you about Karen Bevans's hiring as the Director of the Belize Tourism Board. Well, BTL, the company that Bevans left behind officially, yesterday is being criticized by the opposition PUP tonight because of Board member Anwar Barrow's elevation to the most senior executive management post. As we told you in last night's newscast, Nestor Vasquez, demitted office as Chairman of the Executive Committee. He will stay on as Chairman of the Board and member of the Executive Committee, but Board Director Anwar Barrow takes Vasquez's place as Chair of the Executive Committee. That's prompted the PUP to state that his appointment is the product of nepotism. The PUP released a statement today which says, quote, "Anwar Barrow is the son of Prime Minister�Dean Barrow. We view Anwar Barrow's appointment as a blatant act of Nepotism and do not believe it to be in the best interest of BTL or the people of Belize."

The Dangriga Beach: Call It A Comeback
In early 2013 we reported on the worrying rate of erosion on the Dangriga town shore-line. Photos taken just months apart showed a dramatic reduction in sea frontage. But, since then, the situation has changed dramatically: when we visited the town today we saw that the beach was back! We wanted to know what was up with that - the mayor had a few answers: Jules Vasquez Reporting In February of 2013, we told you about the alarming rate of erosion on the coastline of Dangriga Town. These pictures taken just five months apart, showed a substantial deterioration between late 2012 and early 2013 - where the picnic bench toppled into the sea Resident "Where we're standing right now, this was actually in the sea." But today it was dry, gorgeous beach. A thing of wonder, virtually a miracle. In just three or four months, the beach is back - thick, high and wide - the combination we gather of Mother Nature and some cleverness by the town council:

NEAC Approved NCL? BTIA Wants Decision Recalled
The last time we reported on the Norwegian Cruise Lines Project for southern Belize, it was to update you that the company had handed over an addendum to their failed EIA, which their opponents suggested was a negative step. Well, tonight, there are reports that the NEAC has since met on the project, and that they gave the environmental green light 5 weeks ago. That has prompted the Belize Tourism Industry Association to voice its concern. Last week Friday, their attorney, Godfrey Smith, wrote a letter to Chief Environmental Officer Martin Alegria, who is also Chairman of the National Environmental Appraisal Committee. The letter demands that NEAC reverse the approval of NCL's project and to put it to a public hearing. The 3 page letter outlines a laundry lists of faults and fouls of the environmental laws, and calls NEAC's approval irresponsible. BTIA says quote, "the great haste and secrecy with which this matter was approved suggests an intention of the part of NEAC and DOE to pay lip service to the environmental laws and regulations of Belize"

Ebony Street Bathed In Dust
Progress brings problems - that old clich� still rings true in Belize City where there has been lots of progress but also some problems along the way. Residents of Ebony Street know all about that. While Vernon Street as one of the busiest streets in the city is being paved, the unpaved Ebony is being used as a detour. Monica Bodden found out how all the traffic is leaving residents choking up on dust:

Cayo Residents Lose Homes In Flood, Get Help From NEMO
Two Cayo families aren't complaining after they got new houses today. You may recall that in the epic rains of 2013, we told you about 2 houses that were washed away in Santa Elena Town. Well today NEMO donated two houses to the family who lost everything in the floods. The gesture was well received and here is the story.

A Park With A Purpose
Today, the newly renovated Park at the Saint Martin De Porres Primary School was officially inaugurated and opened for use thanks to the efforts of the 2 Canadian Rotary Clubs. It's a 2-year initiative from Rotary Clubs of Edmonton Glenora and Edmonton Downtown, together with Sunrise Rotary Club, Literacy without Borders, RESTORE Belize and the Rotary Club of Belize City. Here's what one of the organizers told us about it: The completed park will cater to 900 children.


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Posts: 84,396
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More News: Scroll up from here

Channel 5

Opposition says appointment of Anwar Barrow as Chairman of Executive Committee at B.T.L is nepotism

On Tuesday, we reported on a series of major management changes at the top of the government controlled Belize Telemedia Limited on the heels of the departure of Karen Bevans [...]

Karen Bevans replaces Laura Esquivel-Frampton at the B.T.B.

But back to Karen Bevans�.The former Chief Operations Officer of B.T.L. resigned from the telephone company on February seventh. Last Thursday was her last day at B.T.L., and this coming [...]

B.T.I.A. threatens court action for faulty EIA done for NCL Project

The Norwegian Cruise Lines tourism project ran into stiff opposition from the get go from stakeholders in the south who support pocket tourism as opposed to mass tourism. The controversial [...]

CitCo owes Belize Maintenance Limited approximately $3.5 Million

Mayor Darrell Bradley - it's probably a good thing he's an attorney and can represent himself in court because he's there a lot. As News Five told you on Tuesday, [...]

Mytheon - big business and big money - is it owned by Minister John Saldivar

It is not unheard of for ministers of government to be involved in personal businesses which benefit from their offices and positions. It is certainly not unusual. It is unethical, [...]

Ebony Street residents complain of dust on street

Belize City is currently in the midst of unprecedented, major infrastructure works. It's enough to make any city resident smile…or at least it will be when the street and drainage [...]

Viola Pook to be retried in May for the murder of her common-law husband.

On March fourteenth, 2014, the Court of Appeal set aside a conviction on fifty-six year old Viola Pook for the murder of her common-law-husband, forty-eight year old Orlando Vasquez, and [...]

Steven Buckley is hauled back to court; this time for drug offenses

Remember Stephen Buckley? He was awarded a sizeable settlement after he was shot multiple times to the head by an inspector of police which left him unable to work. Well [...]

Dangriga Market Project to resume, but at a higher cost

The Dangriga Market Project, after months of delay, is finally set to resume, but at a higher cost. The market which was originally contracted to Kenard Smart at a cost [...]

KTV Latino finalist robbed with gun and cement block

Thieves have become more brazen over the years and on Tuesday night; two robbers set their eyes on Doctor Jose Espat. Doctor Espat is the well-known finalist in Channel Five's [...]

Fire in Biscayne village

There was a fire on Tuesday afternoon in the village of Biscayne. An elevated wooden and concrete structure at mile twenty-seven and a half on the Phillip Goldson Highway, was [...]

Rotary project to rejuvenate South Side Belize City with playgrounds and libraries

The mayor is building streets all over the city, but a project between Rotary Club of Belize and Restore Belize is intended to rejuvenate the south side with playgrounds and [...]

CTV3

LOVE FM

Accused Burglar Gets Ear Bitten Off by Prison Inmate
Twenty-nine year old Cruz Allen, a prisoner who is serving 15 years for burglary and other convictions, came off the prison bus this morning holding his left ear. According to reports, a piece of Allen's left ear was bitten off by another inmate in an altercation that occurred while they were being transported from the prison to the magistrate court in Belize City. Allen was taken to Karl Heusner Memorial hospital where he was treated and released then taken back to prison. So far, no one has been charged in connection with the incident. Allen was to appear in Court for trial on a charge of burglary.

Police News: Robbery, Theft and Carnal Knowledge
Police are investigating a robbery that occurred on Tuesday night. Doctor Jose Espat reported to Police that on arrival at his home, he was approached by two dark complexion men. He said the men wore mask and one was armed with a handgun. The other man reportedly hit Espat with a piece of cement block to the head leaving him with a wound to the left side of the forehead. One of the men then grabbed off Espat's gold chain valued at ten thousand dollars from around his neck. Both men then escaped. San Pedro police have detained a man pending a charge of theft. An American retiree who lives on the island told Police he sold a boat on March 1 and hid the money in a bag. He said sometime between that time and the end of the month his handyman stole three thousand dollars. The handyman has owned up to stealing the money. He was detained pending charges.

BEL Applies For Reduction of Rates
Belize Electricity Limited has applied for a reduction in the mean electricity rate. BEL made its submission to the Public Utilities Commission under the Annual Tariff Review Proceeding for the period July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015. The reduction is from forty four point six five cents to forty three cents per kilowatt hour. According to the company the proposed reduction takes into consideration the most recent forecast of cost of power. Copies of BEL's submission are available at its corporate headquarters on the Philip Goldson Highway and its branch offices countrywide or at PUC's office on Gabourel Lane.

Barrow Says PUP Is Playing Petty Party Politics
Late this evening, Anwar Barrow responded to the release sent out by the People's United Party, saying that the party, for many years, has been attacking his credibility, making baseless. He added that as far back as 1997, the opposition party has had to settle several libel suits through financial compensation to him and have been compelled to make several public apologies the last of which was made in 2010. Barrow, pretty much concluded that he will not give attention to the petty party politics but rather he will remain focused while working with the board and committee members to move BTL forward under the stewardship of the Board Chairman, Nestor Vasquez.

Opposition Party Objects to BTL Chairman
As we mentioned earlier, a shift in the powers that be have occurred at the Belize Telemedia Limited via the appointments of a new Acting Chief Executive Officer and a new Chairman of the Executive Committee of Management. Well, in view of the change on the company's Executive Committee, the People's United Party made clear their objection to the choice in the new Chairman, when they fired out a release today calling on the company's Board of Directors to take back their decision of appointing Anwar Barrow as the new chairman, noting that the company is state-owned and government controlled and citing that Barrow is the son of the Prime Minister/Minister of Finance. The release added that the move is a clear act of nepotism and the opposition party does not believe that the move is in the best interest of the company or the people of Belize. The release went on to say, (quote) "There already, in our respectful view, exists a perception that BTL is being used to advance the political interests of the UDP and this appointment only serves to strengthen this perception. Further, there are serious and credible allegations which we are presently investigating, that Anwar Barrow may in fact be a "silent partner" in business interests which either have contracts with BTL or are indirectly engaged in business with BTL. If the BTL Board fails to act, we call on Prime Minister Barrow to do the right thing and to ask his son, Anwar Barrow to resign." Love News attempted to get an interview with the Opposition Leader, Hon. Francis Fonseca today but we were told that he has been in meetings all day. We will continue following this story, bringing you the details as they unfold.

PlusTV

PUP Wants Anwar Barrow Out; Anwar Responds
Yesterday, news broke that Anwar Barrow, the second son of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance Hon. Dean Barrow, was appointed to the post of Chairman of the Executive Committee of Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL). Big changes occurred in 2009 when the government nationalized BTL. Since then...

BTIA Says They Want Another Hearing
The Belize Tourism Industry Associaion, BTIA, has retained the services of Senior Attorney Godfrey Smith as it relates to the Norwegian Cruise Line's Nature Park Project on Harvest caye. In a three page letter made public today written to Cheif Environmental Officer, Martin Alegria, Attorney Godfrey Smith laid out...

Consultations begin on Occupational Health and Safety Bill
The Occupational Health and Safety Bill was tabled in January at the first session of the House of Representatives for 2014. It seeks to regulate and improve working conditions for workers at all businesses countrywide and has the unrelenting and vocal support of the trade unions. But the business...

Prisoner Treated for Bitten Ear During Fight
A prisoner serving time on a burglary charge was slated to appear in court on a separate case this morning, but instead he spent his day at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital being treated for a bite to his left ear. Cruz Allen was seen holding his left ear...

BTB Appoints New Director of Tourism
The Belize Tourism Board, which was recently rocked by scandal after the forced resignation of its Director of Tourism, Laura Esquivel Frampton, announced today the Appointment of a New Director of Tourism. She is Mrs. Karen Bevans. If the name sounds familiar, that is because she was the former...

Doctor Gets Robbed
A doctor in Belize City was robbed of a ten thousand dollar gold chain. Last night, at around 9:30 pm, Doctor Jose Espat arrived at his Belize City home. He was on his motorcycle and when he pulled into his yard on Teacher's Street, he was approached by two...

Businessman Failed to Pay GST
70 year old businessman Arthur Seawell has been charged for failure to file returns on General Sales Tax for the last three months of 2013 and the first of 2014. Seawell appeared before Magistrate Hettie Mae Stuart and pleaded not guilty to the charge. The owner of Seawell Seed...

Steven Buckley and Family in Court for Drugs
Belize City Police dragged 42 year old Steven Buckley and his family to the Magistrate's Court this afternoon over, in his words to Magistrate Hettie Mae Stuart, a "lee roach." For the 'not so street savy person', that is a joint of weed. This morning around 10:00, Buckley's residence...

GMO's or No GMO's; Where Does GOB Stand?
And while we were on the topic of Belize's competitiveness of Agriculture in the Food Sector, We asked Director of Extension Belarmino Esquivel, to comment on the very controversial issue of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's) and whether or not Belize should exploit this technology. The Government has so far...

Man Acquitted of Keeping Unlicensed Firearm and Ammunition
Kenroy Vanzie of Arlington Drive was freed today after Police conceded they could not tie him to a rusty 9mm pistol allegedly found at his Arlington Drive residence on New Years' Day of 2013. Vanzie had been in police custody from December 30, 2012 in connection with a robbery...

Concerned Citizen Hands Over Suspicious Bag to the Police
A concerned citizen of Santa Elena spotted a suspicious bag under the steps of a library and handed it over to police. Yesterday afternoon, the police visited Carmen Street, Santa Elena Town by the library where the concerned citizen handed over a black plastic bag containing green leafy vegetable...

Blogs

See some spectacular sights with Tropic Air tours
Want a unique and different way to see the Country of Belize and some spectacular sights? Tropic Air tours could be just what you are looking for. All prices below include GST and are in USD. Lamanai (1/2 Day Only) One of the most common things said about Laminai aside from "stunning" is that the tour is a long day. Not with Tropic Air and you still get to enjoy a scenic boat ride down the new river. , ATM Cave Tour Tropic Air and with Pacz tours come together to bring you an adventure of a lifetime Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave. Black Hole Drop & Botanical Tour Hike the foothills of the Maya Mountains in anticipation of rappelling 300 feet down through the rainforest canopy into the magnificent Actun Loch Tunich and the river that shares same name. On this tour you will learn about cave history preservation and safety.

Belize is more than just a pretty face!
We always like to say that Belize is more than just a pretty face, what with the lively music and arts scene and the national contribution to things such as global responsible travel and sustainable tourism. But that's not to say there aren't many pretty faces around Belize, backed by charm, quick wit, intelligence and all the other things needed to be recognised as a modem Miss International. Yes, gone are the days when it was all swimsuit competitions and prancing around. Modern competitions look for knowledge and sophistication. So it is with some national pride that we announce that Belizean up-and-comer Jacinta Gomez won the annual University of South Florida Miss International Pageant this week. The event, which seeks to "provide a superb opportunity for young women to share their unique cultures and educated members of the USF community about their area of the world," Is an annual event that showcases the most promising women from the area.

How to make Peanut Brittle in the Microwave
No candy thermometer needed. Only 7 1/2 minutes of cooking time and in no time at all you will have gorgeous, delicious peanut brittle

The Beer of Belize

International Sources

Caribbean winds site
An animated map of Caribbean wind and weather. Click for a green circle or position, showing the exact location longitude and latitude, temp and wind speed.

Eating Tilapia is Worse Than Eating Bacon
We all have the notion that eating fish would be the better option over bacon when it comes to health. And the truth is, it really is! Fish is a low fat, high protein food that has a range of health benefits. However, given what we know of fish and its sources today, we may have to re-examine this statement. Fish can either be one of the best foods for you or detrimental to your health depending on where it is sourced. There is a world of difference between fish that is caught in the wild, farm-bred or farm-raised fish. The most common farm-raised fish are: salmon, tilapia, sea bass, catfish, and cod. So why would farm raised fish be toxic to our health? What are the dangers of eating farm-raised fish? We'll answer all of those queries below! Why Farm-Raised Fish is So Bad for You: Recent Studies have found that farm-raised Tilapia may cause more inflammation - Farm-raised tilapia has always been a popular source for fish, not only because it is widely available in the US, but it is also very inexpensive. However, before you stock up on Tilapia, you may want to know about its correlation to inflammation. Recent studies have concluded that eating Tilapia may worsen inflammation that can lead to heart disease, arthritis, asthma and a world of other serious health problems. People who resort to eating more fish as a way to get their dose of omega-3-fatty-acids and lessen their risk of heart attacks may want to hold off on the tilapia. In fact, scientists have found that the inflammatory potential of tilapia is far greater than that of a hamburger or pork bacon!

Latin Based Hot Sauces & Salsas from Costa Rica, Belize Brought the 'Zest and Flavor' to the NYC Hot Sauce Expo 2014
When you savor hot sauce or a salsa do you know where the ingredients really come from? Chances are, you can find that most hot sauces or salsas have a Latin origin and a flavorful island spin. This past weekend I attended the Second Annual New York City Hot Sauce Expo 2014 and found that while I was 'en fuego' like some other newbie "chileheads," I also was pleasantly surprised to find that there was an array of tasty and tolerable sauces that packed a flavorful punch, rather than just set my taste buds on fire. While I was initially leery of turning up the heat, I was thrilled to meet someone who celebrates the Latin origin of hot sauces and salsas that were present at the expo, despite the low number of Latinos in attendance.

The Last Coral Reefs
A new survey is documenting the rain forests of the ocean-before they're gone. There's only one way to lower a $20,000 custom-made camera from a swaying fishing boat into the open sea: very carefully. And that's exactly how Manuel Gonzalez-Rivero's colleagues handled the SVII camera as they nudged it overboard, into the bathtub-warm waters off the coast of Belize. Once submerged, the beach-ball-size camera snapped a photograph of the protected Glover's Reef every three seconds. Later, computers would analyze the pictures, providing a close-up look at one of the most valuable marine ecosystems in the Caribbean. And we have to see it today, because coral reefs may not be here tomorrow. It's a clich� to call coral reefs the rain forests of the ocean, but if anything, that understates their ecological value. They occupy less than 0.1% of the sea area, yet "between one-fourth and one-third of everything that lives in the ocean lives in a coral reef," says Nancy Knowlton, who holds the Smithsonian Institution's Sant Chair in Marine Science. Fish are not the only beneficiaries. The net economic value of coral reefs globally is almost $30 billion a year, and some 500 million people around the world depend on coral reefs for food, coastal protection and tourism.

Teens dig Mayan culture
Davidson Day School students help dig up pieces of history that wind up in museums globally. Soon, experts will make the annual trek to Davidson to discuss other breakthroughs. Teens participate in excavations each summer, where they have joined archeologists in unearthing Mayan ceramics, obsidian and jade as well as temple walls. To prepare for this summer's trip to Belize for more Mayan digs, students will meet with international experts during the fourth annual Maya at the Lago conference, held April 10-13 at Davidson Day School. "It's a meeting of the minds for scholars collaborating and networking," said Davidson Day School archeology department leader Mat Saunders. "Professors give fresh information about new discoveries, but I tell them it has to be to where a freshman in college can understand it." People who buy conference tickets include students, professionals in the field and other enthusiasts. This year's conference includes lectures on reading glyphs, discussion on Pre-Colombian attire, ways Mayans interacted and recent archeological advancements. "The conferences are cool because you can hear leading experts come and lecture," said senior Sebastian Soria, of Huntersville. He especially enjoys learning about glyphs.

Royal Caribbean announces Southern Caribbean itineraries for 2015-2016
Royal Caribbean today announced its 2015-16 Southern Caribbean itineraries, with ships departing Port Canaveral, Port Everglades, Miami and San Juan. Adventure of the Seas will offer seven-night Southern Caribbean cruises out of San Juan, Puerto Rico from May through October 2015. This will be Adventure of the Seas' first summer program from San Juan since 2009, and shifts from Sunday to regular Saturday departures. Adventure of the Seas will offer three itineraries, one calling at St. Maarten, St. Kitts, Antigua, St. Lucia, and Barbados, while the second replaces St. Kitts with St. Croix. A third itinerary calls at St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Aruba and Curacao. A one-time, six-night itinerary sailing on May 3 will call at Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua and St. Maarten. Adventure of the Seas will then alternate two Southern Caribbean itineraries from Nov. 2015 through Apr. 2016. One seven-night, roundtrip sailing will call at St. Croix, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, Dominica, and Barbados, while the second include calls at St. Thomas, St. Croix, Antigua, St. Lucia and Grenada.

Machete Attack Only Built Resolve of Nurse-to-Be
Rather than anger over a lost ear and injured neck, shoulder and hand, Peace Corps volunteer and Johns Hopkins student chose forgiveness. A machete attack at his Belize hut nearly ended all prospects of a nursing career before it could begin for Owen Smith, a master's student at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. The wounds the Peace Corps volunteer suffered - a lost ear, damaged shoulder, severed finger, injured neck, and facial deformities - were terrifying, he admits. But the blade never touched his spirit.Smith chose Trio Village as a Peace Corps destination in 2011 because he felt he could make a difference there, and the State College, PA, native had quickly become part of the local community, teaching music to young kids in the Trio school, helping to build structures and working to address issues including sanitation and malaria control. "I never really felt any danger the entire time I was there, until I was injured," Smith recalls. "I had already been in the village for 19 months and I felt ... at home."

Renewable energy in the Caribbean
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) says it has signed an amendment with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to a 2011 Memorandum of Understanding and a 2012 Framework Agreement to support renewable energy and energy efficiency for the mitigation of climate change in Central America and the Caribbean. Under this amendment, the target amount of JICA's co-financing for this program, known as "Co-financing for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency" (CORE), will be increased to US$1 billion from a previous amount of US$300 million, "as well as the eligible beneficiaries will be expanded in Central America and the Caribbean," said the IDB on March 29. It said the amendment was signed between IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno and JICA's Senior Special Advisor Kunio Okamura during the IDB's 2014 annual meeting in Costa do Sau�pe, Brazil. The IDB also said the signing took place in the presence of Yasuhiro Hanashi, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Finance of Japan.

TOP PICKS: Life's a beach
There's more to do at seaside locations than laze around, writes Khairul Ashraf Kammed IF you are a beach bum who just want to soak in the sun and do nothing, then you're missing out on all the fun. Here is a list of top 10 beach activities at various locations by Virtualtourist.com: 9. Catch-and-release fishing at Glover's Reef Atoll, Belize Glover's Reef Atoll is considered to be the prototypic atoll in the Caribbean and is also the best developed biologically. It contains the greatest range of reef type and is home to a variety of sea life including three species of sea turtles, eight species of sharks and rays, more than 20 species of reef fish and numerous species of coral. Fishing can be enjoyed year round, but because the area is now a marine reserve, it is catch-and-release only. Fishes you may encounter are bonefish, jack, mutton snapper, yellowtail, bonito, cubera snapper, barracuda, king mackerel, wahoo and groupers.

Royal Caribbean Unveils 2015-2016 Bahamas, and Southern and Short Caribbean Vacations
It's always an exciting time of year when we find out what new ports cruise ships will be hitting in the coming cruise season. Royal Caribbean International just released their cruise schedules for its Bahamas, and Southern, and short Caribbean program for 2015-2016. Cruise ships Independence of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, and Majesty of the Seas will be sailing on an exciting variety of itineraries our of Port Canaveral, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Adventure of the Seas will travel to the Southern Caribbean on 7 night itineraries from May to October 2015 out of San Juan. The itineraries on this summer program will shift from Sunday to Saturday departure dates. Cruisers will be able to choose any one of 7 night itineraries. One will have ports of call in St Maarten, St. Kitts, Antigua, St. Lucia, and Barbados. Another itinerary will visit all the same ports except it will replace St. Kitts with St. Croix. And the third will call on St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Aruba, and Curacao.

Alamo Rent A Car and National Car Rental to Offer Discount in Latin America and Caribbean
Brands to Offer 25 Percent Savings Through June 30th. Alamo Rent A Car and National Car Rental will launch a 25 percent discount off daily rates for all car rentals at participating locations in Latin America and the Caribbean. The National and Alamo brands recently expanded into Belize, Peru and Turks & Caicos, and today operate in more than 25 countries and territories throughout these regions. "We want more people to experience the unparalleled customer service, quality and convenience these brands are known for, no matter where our customers travel," said Lee Broughton, assistant vice president of global marketing and communications for Enterprise Holdings, which owns and operates the National and Alamo brands. "We want to encourage North American customers to plan more international travel during their summer months, as it's an excellent time to vacation in these countries." This promotion will be valid on rentals picked up after April 21st and returned by June 30 and is available for all rental vehicle types, excluding those through Brazil and Jamaica locations.

From reef to plate - Belize combats the lionfish
With its venomous sting and voracious appetite, the lionfish is one of the biggest threats to the world's second-largest coral barrier reef in Belize. Now, human intervention seems the only way to fight the danger. Project goal: Combating the invasive lionfish in the Caribbean in a bid to protect the biodiversity in coral reefs Size: The Belize Barrier Reef off the coast of Belize. Stretching over an area of 960 square kilometers, it's the largest barrier reef in the Northern Hemisphere Biological significance: The Belize Barrier Reef is one of the most diverse ecosystems of the world and is a UNESCO world heritage site, but one that's considered to be in danger The red lionfish is an eye-catching species. But it's also dangerous and predatory. Its long spikes are venomous and can cause painful stings. As a result, it's no longer hunted by fishermen in the Caribbean. The invasive species has a huge appetite, eating its way through the marine reef life. It now poses one of the greatest threats to the Belize Barrier Reef, the world's second-largest coral reef system after the Australian Great Barrier Reef.



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