CTV3
Medical Teams Arrive In Belize To Offer Free Clinics
Two medical teams hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio are scheduled to hold clinics, surgeries and screenings to ailing residents of Orange Walk Town and neighbouring villages. The first group, Partners for Belize, is expected to arrive in Belize end of January and Coordinator of the mission Teams, Nurse Lupe Ack says an array of professionals in Ear, Nose, throat and dental health will provide the free service.
"The first team consist of about 40 persons they will be doing E.N.T.S's(ears, nose and throats) we will be having dental and hand surgery, also we will be doing village clinics at four villages."
EU Upgrades Archaeological Sites
Visitors to three southern Belize archaeological sites will have better access to newly improved and enhanced commodities at the sites. A release from the European Union states that for the first time craft vendors at three of the nine archaeological sites in Belize, namely Nim Li Punit, Lubaantun and Blue Creek can display their products at these designated areas.
The infrastructural developments are the results of work being done under the Making Tourism Benefit Communities Adjacent to Archaeological Sites (M-T-B-CAAS) project. The project which is funded under the EU supported Belize Rural Development Programme (BRDP) is being implemented by the Belize Tourism Board and the National Institute of Culture and History.
Davd Vega Hits The Campaign Trail
With just 43 days more to go for Municipal Elections, candidates vying for a spot at the various municipalities across the country are out in full swing, campaigning around the clock. In Corozal Town, David "Dido" Vega, from the People's United Party, is aspiring for the Mayoral seat. Today reporter Victor Castillo caught up with Vega on the campaign trail who beamed with confidence as he claimed victory.
"I am confident that on March 4th the people will make a change and they will vote for a new dynamic town council which will be represented by myself as Mayor, and the rest of the councilors, I have no doubt the people are yearning for a change and that will serve the needs of all, I want to say for the record that this government is about UDP's first, Belizean second and PUP last but I want to remind the people that there is a time for politics, there is time for debate there is time to be critical but after elections are finished we must represent all Belizeans more importantly in my case we must represent all people from Corozal town."
Sugar Act Passes Into Law
Even with strong opposition and stern criticism from the opposition People's United Party, the government proceeded to amend the Sugar Industry Act in the House of Representatives on January 19th and in the Senate the day after. Today the government informed the public that, that bill, was assented to by the Governor General, Sir Colville Young. As explained by the Prime Minister, the Act is to secure to all cane farmers the freedom of association guaranteed by the Belize Constitution.
This means that sugar cane farmers will choose freely whether to join an association or not. It also clears the way for the formation of any association and the Sugar Industry Control Board now has full power to register these associations. The manufacturers will also be free to accept cane from any association or from individual cane farmers or groups of cane farmers.
Dido Vega Speaks On Missing Funds At Corozal Town Hall
To date we are yet to find out if the Corozal Town Council's revenue manager has made any payment to the council towards some $13,495.00 that went missing from the council's coffers at the beginning of 2014. While we tried to get an update on the situation last week, the Town Administrator Estela Castillo was unable to take our calls because she was quote unquote "Busy" and would get back to us which she never did.
The last time Mayor Hilberto Campos spoke about the missing funds he stated that the former revenue manager had signed an affidavit confessing that he was practically involved in the outcome of the investigation. According to the Mayor the former manager also committed to pay back the council despite him being abroad. The next move for the council was to meet and decided if the matter would be handed over to the authorities for prosecution or if they would permit the former manager to pay back the council. The last time we checked with authorities the case had not been handed over to them. So, either the former manager has begun paying the council, something which we have been unable to confirm or the fact that $13,495.00 of tax payers' money went missing from the council was simply placed under the rug.
Orange Walk's Very Own Receives Prestigious Scholarship
Congratulations are in order for Orange Walk resident, Khendis Ellis. A release from the National Association for Developmental Education recently awarded Grambling State University's own Rudolph Ellis, a graduate student from Belize, a scholarship to complete his Developmental Education with Concentration in Curriculum and instructional design.
This scholarship is in honour of the late Dr. William G. White Jr. who is remembered for his lifetime of hard work and dedication to prepare students to further their ranks in his or hers' education. White was a former professor at Grambling State University and he had a great influence on the students.
UDP Selects Dr. Carla Barnett For Freetown Pending Convention
The ruling United Democratic Party hosted a press conference this morning in Belize City where Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced that Dr. Carla Barnett is the candidate in waiting for the United Democratic Party (UDP) in the Freetown Division. Pending a convention, which the Prime Minister says he hopes will be an endorsement, Dr. Barnett will face off against the Honourable Leader of the Opposition Francis Fonseca in the next General Elections slated for 2017.
SCPC Meet To Plan Crop 2014/2015 With Multiple Associations
After close to two months of delay, the 2014/2015 crop season is just days away from opening. Testament to that statement is the fact that the Sugar Cane Production Committee met today to commence planning for the upcoming crop. This year, for the first time in the history of the Sugar Industry, the SCPC will be working with more than one association of cane farmers. There were no major decisions taken in today's meeting but all stakeholders present discussed the cane quality program that the SCPC seeks to implement this crop.
LOVE FM
G.R.E.A.T Graduation; Will Gang Recruitment Be Reduced?
A week ago we told you about a group of thirty-six police officers from throughout the country who embarked on two week training course in the Gang Resistance Education and Training Program (G.R.E.A.T). Officials from the International Police Trainers in the United States of America, facilitated the two weeks training program. Today marked the closing of the program and Love News was present at the graduation ceremony. Commissioner of Police, Allen Whylie, spoke of the training the officers received.
"Today the officers have completed 80 hours of intense training which no doubt was filled with intense challenges. This training required classroom participation, included the officers conducting research as well as being involved in preparing written and oral presentations in order to enhance and improve their presentation skills whenever they undertake these training in the various schools.
Ground Breaking Ceremony For BBS in The Capital
Yesterday, the construction of the Belize Bureau of Standards' New Meteorology Laboratory began. A special ground breaking ceremony was held in Belmopan at the Ministry of Works Compound. It is expected that laboratory will expand the BBS Meteorology Services. The laboratory will feature various magnitudes in Meteorology covering grand mass, fine mass, volume, temperature, pressure and dimensional. The installation of the laboratory will allow the BBS to now develop Industrial and Scientific Meteorology across various magnitudes. At the ceremony, Minister of Trade Investment, Private Sector Development and Consumer Protection, Erwin Contreras, gave the keynote address.
Is The Deputy Mayor Striped of His Portfolio?
The social media has become a forum where many news stories emerge. Recently, there was a posting that had raised curiosity about the happenings within City Hall. The posting had indicated some rift between the Mayor Darrell Bradley and former Deputy Mayor, Dion Leslie that had led to Leslie being stripped of his portfolio. Today, after much pleading, we got Leslie to comment on the matter, albeit a brief response. Here is how that went today.
DEPUTY MAYOR, DION LESLIE
"All is perfect. All is well. Me and the mayor campaigned yesterday, today we are having meetings, everything is perfect in city hall."
RENEE TRUJILLO
"So there was no truth to you being stripped of your portfolio."
DEPUTY MAYOR, DION LESLIE
"Nothing. We're good."
UDP Candidacy; Will There Be Change in Freetown Division?
Having four thousand one hundred and sixty one registered voters in the Freetown Division in Belize City, Dr. Carla Barnett has threw in her hat in the political arena to go head to head with the Leader of the Opposition, Francis Fonseca. The area has been a blue territory through ten general elections with a notably slim victory margin in 2008 when Fonseca was almost thrown out by newcomer, Michael Peyrefitte; holding on to the division with a mere 16 votes. Today the United Democratic Party held a press conference to announce Dr Barnett's candidacy for the area and in a presentation done by the Party Leader, himself, Dean Barrow, the delivery of a swing against the opposition party was expected if not inevitable as Barrow praised Barnett's talents and experiences.
PlusTV
Body of Missing Roaring Creek man found with multiple stab wounds
The search for 24 year old Emerson Daly, from the Village of Roaring Creek, came to a tragic end when his lifeless body was found floating on the Belize River, approximately one and half miles in an easterly direction from the Roaring Creek Village.
According to reports, on Sunday January 18th, Emerson left his house in Roaring Creek village in his uncle's blue Nissan pathfinder enroute to Belmopan. Accompanying him was another man, whom the family could not identify. What happened after that is what CIB personnel are still trying to determine.
After failing to arrive home that same night and the following morning, Emerson's mother filed a missing person's report on Tuesday January 20th., which launched the police into investigation.
New Business Senator Sworn In
On Wednesday the Senate members met at the National Assembly ihn Belmopan and passed a bill to amend the Sugar Act, in conformity with a Consent Order issued in 2010.
While the passing of the bill was the main highlight of the day, it is also worth mentioning that at Wednesday's Senate Meeting a new Senator was sworn in.
David Guttierez, the current Market and Communications Manager for Belize Natural Energy (BNE), recited the Senator's Oath as the new Senator for Private Business.
US Fugitive Captured In Dangriga
A US fugitive was captured in Dangriga.
Harry Arzu - Dangriga Correspondent
"54 year old U.S. national, Robert Andrew Ragin, is wanted by the United States Marshalls Service, to answer sexual offences charges. A warrant was issued for his arreston August 12, 2014. Regin is wanted by U.S. authorities to answer charges on twelve counts on promoting sexual performance by a child..
According to reports, while Ragin was living in the state of Florida, he was found with pornographic videos of minors, and before he could have been arrested, he fled the country to Belize.
Regin, who has property in Hopkins Village in the Stann Creek District, has been living in the said community for six months. Moreover, officers from Special Branch (CIB) and other uniformed Police Officers captured Ragin last Friday, at about 2:30 p.m. here in Dangriga.
Regin was also charged for immigration offences, and was taken to the Dangriga Magistrates Court on Monday 19th., where he was issued a removal order for his extradition."
PM and Minister deny involvement in Nuri Muhammad's release from Love FM
On Sunday, on Krem's Sunday Review, Love FM's talk show host, Nuri Muhammad was a guest and mentioned that he was no longer a host of the Love FM talk show, because two Ministers of Government were to be guests on the Love FM show, but Government demanded that Nuri be removed as a talk show host if the Ministers were to make an appearance on the show.
After Monday's House Meeting in Belmopan, the Prime Minister was asked about Nuri's allegation, and whether there was any truth to the matter.
"That's not true. Unless somebody else would have done that sort of thing. I know that's so, because I didn't do any such thing.
[I] certainly did not ask for Mr Muhammad to be pulled from hosting the show. No, the two Ministers in particular, who were the guests that morning, are more than equal to Mr Muhammad, so that would have been pointless. It really would have been counterproductive.
What does he claim, that Government asked that he be removed?
Brothers charged for BDF soldier's murder
Two brothers, 38 year old Orlando Staine and 41 year old Phil Staine, were charged with the murder of 22 year old BDF private Denver Villafranco, when they appeared on Tuesday before the Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith. They were remanded into custody until February 25.
The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 17. According to reports, Denver Villafranco was attacked by 4 men while he was at the corner Sunflower Street and Complex Lane in Belize City, about 150 yards from his home. Private Villafranco was hit on his head with a crowbar, his abdomen was slashed with a knife, he received multiple stab wounds to his chest, and he was punched and left lying in a drain.
Josue Carballo is new PUP standard bearer for Orange Walk East
The PUP held a convention in the Orange Walk East constituency on Sunday, to choose a candidate to replace Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez.
Dr,. Mendez is the current Area Representative of Orange Walk East, but will not be seeking another term due to health reasons.
Vying for the Standard Bearer position for the next general election were newcomer Josue Carballo, and former two term area representative David Burgos.
2,151 persons turned out for voting in the convention, but in the end the newcomer won by a slim margin of 14 votes. In total, Josue Carballo received 1,069 votes, while David Burgos received 1,055 of the votes.
Senate Discusses Sugar Bill
As reported the amendment bill was rammed through the House of Representatives on Monday, while the opposition cried that not enough time was given for proper consultation.
On Tuesday the bill was passed in the Senate in like fashion, where during the debate of the bill, Senators raised some similar points that we have noticed. First, Senator Lisa Shoman spoke about the structure of the Sugar Industry Control Board, which seems to be skewed in favour of Government Ministers.
"I don't know why semantic games are played. I really wish we had just come out and called this thing 'The Sugar Minister Control Board,' because that's what it really will end up being.
This thing already had a balance that was too skewed in favour of Ministers and Ministers' power, and this is, Mr President, in complete contravention of what is the modern reality, which is decentralization of Government power on private industry.
On the one hand this Government trumpets that it's for private industry, private investment, partnership with the private sector, letting people run their own business, and on the second hand it seeks to control it by giving more Ministerial power."
Senator Godwin Hulse - Government Business
"First of all it was two for the millers, two for the association. It's gone up to three for the millers and three for the association. So that is first of all wrong. It still keeps the balance and the equity.
In addition to that, we have to understand that Government has a responsibility to govern. When you get dischord or you can't get agreement, Government steps in, but Government steps in as an equitable partner in the growth process. That is what Governments do.
Patrick Jones
Dr. Carla Barnett announces candidacy for UDP in Freetown division
After a long career in the Public Service of Belize and work in the Caribbean region, reaching the rank of vice-president at the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Dr. Carla Barnett is entering electoral politics.
The native of the fishing village of Sarteneja, Corozal District and resident of Freetown today announced her candidacy in the Freetown division, which is currently held by Leader of the parliamentary Opposition and of the People's United Party (PUP) Francis Fonseca.
CWU executive report on successful first year
In December of 2013 president of the Christian Workers' Union (CWU) Antonio Gonzalez and general secretary James McFoy stood down after calls by workers to answer to charges of poor performance and mismanagement in their time on the job.
The Union's membership elected a new executive headed by Audrey Matura-Shepherd, a newly-minted attorney who came to the post with no labour experience.
But what a difference a year makes, as the Union has turned around its performance and collected several victories on behalf of its membership, which has swelled to over 1,000 in various establishments around the country from Orange Walk to Stann Creek.
Body of Roaring Creek man found
The search Emerson Daly, 24, the Roaring Creek man who has been missing since Sunday has ended.
Daly's body was found this morning in the river about a mile away from the Banana Bank Resort.
Reports are that the family has identified the body and arrangements are now being made to retrieve it from the water.
Belize Tourism 2014: A Very Good Year!
The data is in and, as expected, 2014 was as record breaking year for Belize, with 1,207,386 tourist arrivals recorded by the Belize Tourism Board (BTB).
Last year also saw Belize break the long sought after but heretofore elusive figure of 300,000 overnight visitors, a tourism goal akin to a runner breaking the four minute mile, with the BTB figures showing a record 321,220 overnight visitors. This represents a very impressive 9.2 percent increase from the year before.
And, with new flights from a growing number of destinations continually being added to the travel roster, the future continues to look bright for "the little country that could".
Cane
By Abdulmajeed K. Nunez. If you study the trend
You will understand that it is our patrimony we fi defend
PUDP di protect fi deh ends
They are extraordinary Belizeans, selling out their citizens and friends
Unu still think unu and the US Southern Command are your friends?
The power elite specialized in divide and conquer
The easiest trick is to use the political divider
Restricting individual property rights and hiding under the law
Their interpretation of their parliamentary rights is truly flawed
Ensuring that GOB is the common denominator
To date we have a PUP and a UDP Bench and Bar
To date we have a PUP and a UDP Police Association
To date we have a PUP and a UDP Alcalde Association
To date we have a PUP and a UDP Citrus Growers Association
To date we have a PUP and a UDP Cane Farmer Association
Before them it was BML workers
Before them it was the Teacher union
The cheapest way to get to Belize
Flights to Belize aren't cheap but if you're traveling from the US or Canada there is an option that will save you some money. What you must do is fly into Cancun, Mexico and catch the overnight ADO Bus to Belize City. It is also possible to rent a car at the airport (don't forget to get vehicle documents to cross the border) or hire a private transfer but at $616 pesos/ $48 USD, the bus is so much more economical.
When I went in December 2014, with $200 I flew from Toronto to Cancun on Air Canada and when it was time to come back, I had to pay $605 from Belize City to Toronto with a 5 hour delay in Atlanta. As you can see there's a huge difference.
I've flown into Cancun a few times and usually take a bus to Playa del Carmen and spend a couple days there before heading to Belize but this time I decided not to take the regular detour because I wanted to be in San Ignacio for Christmas.
21 Jaw Dropping Hotels Around Belize
Belize has many incredible jaw dropping hotels that you should make plans to visit. Listed below are 21 of these hotels:
Some tropical pictures to lighten the winter!
Look, I don't want to be smug, but it has been GORGEOUS here recently. The weather has cleared up, it has been really warm and comfortable, and the beach and water have been pretty sea grass free!! So why not a positive post with a few pictures? OK!
Let's start with a real stunner, I stole this from Lee Nyhus :)...this was taken from Tipsy Tuna today, they built a new second story eating area overlooking the beach...if this doesn't cause you to make your plane reservations I don't know what will!!
Although I have spent 90% of my days in the last two weeks painting/urethaning/cleaning/etc the casita, to get it ready for its first guests....Sue and Sharon showed up this past sunny Friday and convinced me to go to the Mariposa pool with them....look how upset I look!
International Sources
'Unseen Cuba': Aerial island portrait book was hard to get off ground
Even with restrictions lifting on U.S. travel to Cuba, few of us will ever see the island from the vantage point of Lithuanian photographer Marius Jovaisa.
But we can look at his pictures - and marvel.
Jovaisa is the first and only artist to receive permission from the Cuban government to fly over the country and photograph it. His work is collected in Unseen Cuba, published in the fall.
"I put a lot of my heart into this project," said the photographer of four other large-format books, Unseen Lithuania, Magic Cancun & Riviera Maya, Heavenly Yucatan and Heavenly Belize. "I hope to evoke the feeling I did in my home country. People just don't have an opportunity to see things from this angle."
Last Year America Sent Special Ops Forces Into Almost 70% of the Countries in the World
In the dead of night, they swept in aboard V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft. Landing in a remote region of one of the most volatile countries on the planet, they raided a village and soon found themselves in a life-or-death firefight. It was the second time in two weeks that elite US Navy SEALs had attempted to rescue American photojournalist Luke Somers. And it was the second time they failed.
In March, members of Marine Special Operations Command and Naval Special Warfare Unit 1 took part in maneuvers aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens as part of Multi-Sail 2014, an annual exercise designed to support "security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region." That same month, elite soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines took part in a training exercise code-named Fused Response with members of the Belizean military. "Exercises like this build rapport and bonds between US forces and Belize," said Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Heber Toro of Special Operations Command South afterward.
Photographer's 'Unseen Cuba' gives a rare view of the island
Even with restrictions lifting on U.S. travel to Cuba, few of us will ever see the island from the vantage point of Lithuanian photographer Marius Jovaisa.
But we can look at his pictures - and marvel.
Jovaisa is the first and only artist to receive permission from the Cuban government to fly over the country and photograph it. His work is collected in "Unseen Cuba" (Unseen Pictures, $99.95).
"I put a lot of my heart into this project," says the photographer of four other large-format books, "Unseen Lithuania," "Magic Cancun & Riviera Maya," "Heavenly Yucatan" and "Heavenly Belize." "I hope to evoke the feeling I did in my home country. People just don't have an opportunity to see things from this angle."
Shot from an ultralight craft, with stunning aerial views of the island from Cabo de San Antonio on the western tip to Baracoa in the east, "Unseen Cuba" is the culmination of almost five grueling years of Jovaisa's life. He came up with the idea after the success of "Unseen Lithuania," which sold 70,000 copies in a country of less than three million people.
UWI vice-chancellor admits being pressured into firing Bain
THE University of the West Indies (UWI) Vice-Chancellor Nigel Harris yesterday testified that his termination of Professor Brendan Bain as director of the Caribbean HIV/AIDS Regional Training Network (CHART) was the first time he had fired anyone and that he never meant to cause the professor any embarrassment.
Harris said he never meant to make Bain's termination public, but that it was already in the news that he would be firing Bain, even before he completed the letter of termination which he issued Bain on May 20, 2014.
MOOCs and meetups together make for better learning
Local meet-ups organized by Arjan and other partners around the world had a significant impact on the learning experience of Beyond Silicon Valley MOOC students in these communities. These grass-roots gatherings gave students the same opportunity to learn from one another as in a traditional classroom, as Jeff Wofford, the Facility Manager at the United States Embassy in Belmopan, Belize who facilitated MOOC-inspired meet-ups in Belize, experienced.
"Students here gained a lot of insight by taking the time to sit and discuss the lessons in person," Wofford noted. "We had a nice cross-section of attendees, from University of Belize students to Belizeans who had owned and operated businesses for decades. In several instances, a comment made by one of the students lead to one of those great 'a-ha!' moments with another student, and the exchanges went both ways."
Church honors Lindsay for service
Elder Emeritus Joseph Lindsay was recently recognized with a special gathering of family and friends at First Christian church (Disciples of Christ) in Slidell.
"Dr. Joe," as he is known, was honored in his faith journey as a leader in the congregation for 50 years.
Lindsay is a co-founder and leader of the Dos Amigos Medical and Dental Mission that has traveled to Belize for more than 26 years.
Videos
Study Abroad: Belize 2015, 3min. Shout out to everyone who helped make this trip happen. It was a great two weeks in paradise filled with spectacular memories!
Take-Off Placencia, Belize, Cessna Caravan, 3min.
Antillean Manatee face extinction, 5min. Protecting the environment and wildlife has never been as important as it is today across the world. The balance of nature may literally be hanging by the thread as human continue mass developments on land and sea. Here in Belize, the struggle is ever present and one fight involves saving manatees. Belize is home to one of four existing species of manatees, the Antillean Manatee, a sub species of the West Indian Manatee. More than that, Belize is home to the largest number of Antillean Manatee but even so, these animals face extinction.
Patti & Eddie Wedding in Belize 2014, 8min.
Belize Summer 2014, 10min. VMI cadets traveled to Belize to study tropical marine biology during the Summer of 2014.
Belize rough draft, 3min. Swimming with sharks...
Lina Point: San Pedro, Belize Underwater Aquarium, 3min. Overwater cabanas with glass bottom floors for your personal underwater aquarium.