FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE
Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.
Specials and Events
Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials
The San Pedro Sun
BTB recognize private aviation as a growing market
BTB says that they are also liaising with industry partners to coordinate and financially support a familiarization trip for Mr. Parker. They also took the opportunity to encourage any other private flyers with an interest in Belize to approach them. According to the BTB, they are always looking for ways to expand Belize's tourism capabilities and open their doors to additional travelers. In addition to extending private aviation to Belize, BTB says that they are doing everything in their power to invest time and money into the best mix of tourist-related options for Belize.
BTB did not indicate by when they intend to unveil their plans, or at what level of planning they currently are to encourage and enable private planes to come to Belize en masse.
CONCACAF hosts seminar in San Pedro
Representatives from the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) held a four day training seminar about beach soccer for island coaches and players. The seminar commenced on Thursday, October 30th and ended on Sunday, November 2nd with a beach soccer marathon. The seminar was aimed at preparing Belize to participate for the first time in upcoming Central American Football Union (UNCAF) Beach Soccer Tournament to be held in El Salvador from Wednesday, November 12th to Monday, November 17th.
The seminar entailed both theory and practical training and saw the participation of several football players, coaches and sports coordinators. According to member of the San Pedro Sports Committee (SPSC) Hector "Tito" Alamilla, the seminar is very beneficial to the growth of football in the island.
Ambergris Today
Flashbacks:
Saying Good Bye To Our Childhood Home in San Pedro
In our circle of affairs we normally focus on 'Welcomes' rather than Good-byes. However, this one is very close with personal attachments. We are seeing the demolition of The Perez family home and La Popular tortilla factory in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye.
This was the first Nu�ez Nest Home for 23 years, the property of Angel Nu�ez, former Principal of San Pedro High School. Editor of Ambergris Today, Dorian Nu�ez, moved into this home when he was only one year old. Perlita was born in Belize City and entered the same home when she was two days old.
With the need for expansion the third level attic was built for a dormitory of the bosses. Fifteen years later the ground floor was enclosed to accommodate two apartments for rent. This house survived Hurricane Keith in the year 2000 and just after that The Nunez's negotiated a sale to the Perez Family. By then the Nunez's had relocated to the San Pablo Subdivision where today they sit back and see their first family home being demolished to make way for a new adventure. No tears, but it does hold special memories for Angel and Ligia Nu�ez as well as for their children Dorian and Perlita. We believe that with the rapid rate of development on the island, many residents of Ambergris Caye have experienced the same situation.
Belize Minister Visits Traffic Accident Victim After Hit in Highway
A press release form the Government of Belize Press Office stated that the Attorney General and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Wilfred Elrington, regrets the unfortunate traffic incident which occurred early yesterday, Tuesday, November 4 2014, near Mile 8 on the George Price Highway, resulting in Ms. Elicia Hunter sustaining severe injuries.
Ms. Hunter has been hospitalized at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City where Minister Elrington visited her yesterday. The Minister is being kept updated on her situation and has promised to ensure that all appropriate assistance is given to Ms. Hunter during this difficult time.
Misc Belizean Sources
A house for a well deserving family.
Every year the Rotary Club of Belize builds a house for a needy family.The Rotary will hand over a new house to Katherine Thomas and her 3 sons at 10 a.m. on Wednesday Nov 5th. at the end of Jane Usher Blvd. This is another reason to support the Rotary. It helps to fortify families.
Minister Elrington Visits Traffic Accident Victim
Government of Belize Press Office
Press Release from Office of Deputy Prime Minister
Hon Gaspar Vega, Deputy Prime Minister, learned of a Ramon Cervantes family press conference broadcast today by a certain media house. At that press conference a voice recording was played containing the most outrageously false and defamatory allegation against the DPM. Hon. Vega condemns those that caused the recording and allegations to be played, and those that carried the broadcast. The DPM warns that no other media house should carry or in any way further circulate the reprehensible libel against him. He has already consulted his lawyer who will take action against anyone that ignores this warning.
SAN PEDRO BIRTH REGISTRATIONS from 9AM to 12 NOON
Channel 7
Cervantes Family Accuses A Politician of Patriarch's Murder
This afternoon a wave of political sensation rippled across the country - when LOVE FM's live broadcast of a press conference aired a sensational claim: that a prominent politician had orchestrated the murder of Orange Walkeno Ramon Cervantez Sr.Now, to be clear up front: we will not disclose the name of the politician who was implicated because we have no compelling proof against him. All that we have is the recording of a phone call made on October 8, 2014 in which the allegation is made. We know what is claimed - and who they say is claiming it; but we don't know for sure who is on the phone call.
And so while we will not delve into the sensational claim, it is a matter of significant public interest because - even without proof - it would seem to notch up the country's political temperature, and, for those who believe it, it also changes the tone of our political discourse.
Still, there are more questions than answers and we put those to Cervantez this afternoon:
Marco Tulio Mendez Stepping Down Too?
And while that entire event is a political riddle - there has also been some riddling over the PUP Area Representative for Orange Walk East, Marco Tulio Mendez. He is a first time representative who won in 2012, but credible reports including those broadcast on PUP friendly media in Orange Walk says he is stepping down as standard bearer, and will not offer himself as in the next general election. Yes, it's similar to what is happening with PUP Cayo North Representative Joseph Mahmud - but in this case, it's for health reasons. Today Party Leader Francis Fonseca told the media that the decision will be made pending medical advice from Mendez's doctors:�Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition
"Dr. Marco Tulio has been getting medical treatment, he just returned from Guatemala a week ago. His doctors has given him some advice. A final decision on whether or not he would be fit or able to continue to server as the standard bearer for the PUP. You know he is the area representative for Orange Walk East and he will serve out his term. But whether or not he will be fit or able to run again is a matter that will be determined by his doctors. He has brought that to my attention, we had a discussion about it but no final decision has been made."
Parents Demonstrate In St. Matthews Village
And turning now from politics, we go to St. Matthews Village, where parents staged a protest this morning. They say their kids at the village's government school are being cheated out of a decent education because government hasn't paid the teachers. Today Monica Bodden joined them on the front line:
Laura Santos - Parent
"My concern is my daughter is in infant I. According to the teacher, she hasn't gotten paid since September. My concern is that my daughter is not learning anything. I took her home 3 days consequently, Thursday, Friday and Monday. On Tuesday I brought her and I left her in the other classroom. They are 60 students in one class room, what will they learn? They're not learning anything. The teacher cannot give them individual attention. Yes she can give them sitting work but she cannot give them individual attention. There is too much children in the class room, we need out teachers here at school."
Santos is a parent whose 5 year old child attends St Matthews's primary school. Her daughter is an infant 1 student.
Accused Murderers Get Off In Bmp Supreme Court
38 year old Salvadoran Carlos Rene Granillo and 28 year old Guatemalan Rene Lopez Morentes were acquitted of murder yesterday when they appeared before Supreme Court Judge Antoinette Moore in Belmopan.In July 2004 they were accused of the murder of 73-year-old American Mary Jane Blondell. The allegation was that the men entered Blondell's home on the Hummingbird Highway on July 25th, 2004, robbed her and then raped and stabbed her in the throat. But after a 7 day trial within a trial to deal with the admissibility of their confession statements, the judge directed the jury to acquit them of the charge. She found that the caution statements they gave were not voluntarily given; evidence shows that they were beaten and forced by police to give these statements so both were ruled as inadmissible.
The Battle Over Channel 5 Continues, This Time At Appeals Court
For the past two days, attorneys for the Ashcroft Alliance and BTL have been battling it out in the Court of Appeal. This time they are fighting over ownership and control of Channel 5. The tv station was owned by BTL up until August 23, 2009, the day before Telemedia was nationalised. That's when the board of directors - in a Sunday meeting - decided to divest BTL of Channel 5 - and then spun its ownership into three international companies: Channel Overseas Investments Limited; Thames Ventures Limited; and Katalyst Developments Limited. That represents a 10 million dollar loss to BTL, and the company - now under national ownership - says the Ashcroft Alliance directors are personally liable for the loss.Michael Young - Attorney for BTL
"What happened is that just before the government took over btl, the board did certain things. What had happened is that when the company was controlled by the Ashcroft group they had been financing great Belize productions which is channel 5 and they had financed it up to 5 million dollars.
Pickwoad Vs Maud Williams/Marvin Castillo
One year ago - we started reporting on the controversey surrounding the case of the Pickwoad family on one side, and Maud Williams and Marvin Castillo on the other. They are the relatives of former Ministry of Natural Resources CEO Beverly Castillo - and the allegation was that they ended up with the Pickwoad's land in Belama phase one through the use of insider influence at the Ministry.The Supreme Court granted an injunction stopping development on the property pending the trial pitting the Pickwoad's against the ministry. That trial has started but today it seemed that both sides were talking compromise.
Bernard Pickwoad - who represents the family - hinted at it:..
Bernard Pickwoad, Family Representative
"It was adjourned until tomorrow, so we will reserve comment until after that."
Reporter
"You want to see a settlement reached?"
Bernard Pickwoad
"We want what is properly and rightfully ours."
Rotary Gifts A Needy Family With A New House
Today in Belize City, a family of 5 was granted a gift that will change their lives forever: a new home. An official ceremony was held today at Katherine Thomas' brand new 2 bedroom house near Jane Usher Boulevard. For this family, it was a blessing to be able to hold the keys to their new home. 7news captured this special moment today.36 year old Katherine Thomas and her 4 children have been living in this small wooden shack on Victoria Street for over a year now. Although she doesn't have much, she still calls it home.
Katherine Thomas, Recipient
"Well this is my home, where I am located right now."
But today marks the beginning of a new life. This will be their new home. It is quite an emotional and overwhelming experience for this family as they are taken on a tour through their house. Equipped with new beds for the boys; And kitchen appliances and utensils.
Hon. Elrington Visited Accident Victim
Last night we told you all about the terrible accident involving Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington's driver and Elisa Hunter, the 31 year old who was crossing the Western Highway at mile eight to get to her work place at Belize Recycling Company.She was flung to the pavement and suffered multiple serious injuries.
Today, a government press release announced that Elrington is being kept updated on her situation and has promised to ensure that, quote, "all appropriate assistance is given to Ms. Hunter during this difficult time." We take that to mean, her medical bills will be covered. His driver ahs been served with a notice of intended prosecution.
PUC: It's Too Early To Discuss RFP Proposals
Last week, we showed you how the discussion on the initial review of the request for power, made by the Public Utilities Commission heated up between the Prime Minister and COLA President Geovannie Brackett, who also wears the hat of journalist.
He specifically addressed the concerns of SUBSIDIARY OF the Guatemalan Company Green Tropics submitting a proposal. Brackett also questioned the PM on his son, Anwar Barrow, his reported connection to Southern Renewable Energy, and the negative inferences that might be drawn about the transparency of the evaluation process.
PUC Chairman John Avery has been following how that discussion has been going, and yesterday after making an appearance on the WUB Morning Show, we asked him for a reaction. He said that any discussion about these proposals is pre-emptive and counterproductive at this stage:
Chetumal Chamber Of Commerce Visits
Belizeans know all about buying from Chetumal, from the subsidized prices of ISSTE to the high end at Liverpool. Estimates are that Belizeans spend over 300 million dollars across the border annually. Well today, the Chetumal Chamber of Commerce came looking for even more opportunities. A Trade Mission came to look for import export opportunities. President of the Chamber of Commerce in Chetumal, Victoria Siera explained:�Javier Aguilar - Head of Investment, Institute of Mexico
"What we have here is around 20 different companies from Chetumal. Either searching for products and services or to offer products and services they have in Chetumal. These companies are within the Chetumal Chambers and Commerce. They are very interested to get to know their counterparts her in Belize as well as business opportunities in this amazing country."
Victoria Siera - President, Chamber of Commerce, Chetumal
"I believe there is an imbalance in the situation but we have been working in Chetumal as well as working in the field of tourism to foster that exchange that we should have, we are one region. On that note, we have spoken to the representatives from Tropic about Chetumal and the tourism operations and there has always been special tourist packages offered to Belize but Belize has never done it, so that it one part of it. And as you mentioned with the Belizean businesses, this event can help with that process of balancing the market. We are open to Belizean businesses, they have many products and services to offers and import to Quintana Roo."
Surviving Life-Threatening Gunshot Injuries
In March of this year, 19 year old De'Zhaun Humes was shot five times on Jane Usher Boulevard. Since then, he has been in an epic fight for his life, but the teenager found the will to live - surely due in no small part to the fact that his little sister, eight year old E'yannie Nunez was murdered as she slept in her house in September of 2011. Today, Monica Bodden found him still in the fight, and getting closer to recovery, 7 months after he was shot:..The family of De'Zhaun Humes is currently in the process of raising funds for his surgery in Belize and travel expenses abroad. On November 27 they will be having a turkey dinner sale at the family residence. If you would like to assist Humes in any way, he can be contacted at telephone numbers 6-3-6-0-8-7-1 or 6-0-0-8-8-7-2. You can also make donations to Atlantic Bank account number 2-1-1-5-1-7-5-9-9.
Channel 5
Cervantes Family Releases Shocking Recording
Tonight's headline is one of the most incredible, disturbing and frightening we've carried. It contains an allegation that very senior persons put out a hit on an Orange Walk resident. [...]
Ramon Cervantes Jr. Was Allegedly the Target
Today, it was a very sombre gathering which listened to that explosive recording released by the Cervantes family. The call came in on the night of October eighth. Vilma Cervantes [...]
P.U.P. Leader Shocked At Allegations
P.U.P. Party Leader Francis Fonseca was present at the memorial today to give support to the family. The release of the recording came as a surprise to him as well, [...]
Elisa Hunter Remains Critical At the K.H.M.H.
Traffic accident victim, Elisia Hunter remains in critical condition at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. This morning, she underwent surgery and is recuperating. Hunter was flung into the air on [...]
Parents Protest in St. Matthews
Things came to a head this morning in the village of Saint Matthews located on the George Price Highway. For days, the government school has been without some of its [...]
P.U.P. May Lose Another Area Representative
There are two stories coming out of Orange Walk tonight. The first is a serious allegation about who put a hit on Ramon Cervantes Senior. A recording has been broadcast [...]
Court of Appeal Reserves Judgment in Telemedia Case
The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment in the case against Great Belize Productions, formerly a subsidiary of Belize Telemedia Limited.� On August twenty-third, 2009, the day before B.T.L. was [...]
Pickwoad family land dispute under mediation
The case against the Ministry of Natural Resources, filed by Bernadette Pickwoad, resumed this morning in the chamber of Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin.� The suit follows a claim of wrongful [...]
2 foreign nationals acquitted of 2005 murder
A Salvadoran national and a Guatemalan teenager, who were both accused of the murder of U.S. national, Mary Jane Blondell in Indian Creek, Cayo in July 2005, are home free [...]
Rotary Club of Belize donates house to Belize City family
A Belize City family today received keys to a new home on Jane Usher Boulevard thanks to a donation from the Rotary Club of Belize.� The Thompson family has for [...]
Mexican Embassy holds trade mission to Belize
The Chetumal Chamber of Commerce, Service and Tourism in partnership with the Embassy of Mexico held a trade mission to Belize today where they aimed to identify potential buyers and [...]
Shooting victim, De'Zhaun Humes, recovers
Back on March fourteenth 2014, nineteen year old Jane Usher Boulevard resident, De'Zhaun Humes was gravely injured after he was shot five times to the body by an unknown gunman [...]
De'Zhaun Humes needs traveling expenses for surgery
A bullet lodged on Humes' cervical spine has paralyzed him, but doctors from the U.S. are offering to remove the bullet for free. The estimated cost of the surgery is [...]
AmbergrisCaye.com 
