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Specials and Events
Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials
The San Pedro Sun
San Pedro Sports Council holds Volleyball Marathon
24 photos
Parasailing in Paradise
Everyone knows we love adventure, I mean that's no secret, and we're pretty sure you do too! In fact, that might be the very reason you're actually in Belize. When it comes to making the most of your stay, we know that's serious business! So we have got you covered! As usual, we're in a constant effort to cover as much of The Jewel as possible when we seek out activities that you'll enjoy just as much as we do!
Our latest adventure took us about 600 feet above ground (yikes), and man oh man did it get our adrenaline pumping! We're talking parasailing with CastAway Caye Water Sports on Ambergris Caye. Janelle and I were looking for adventure and we sure found that and a whole lot more with these guys!
Tevin got the couple strapped into the parasail seats and before you knew it the colorful parachute goes up, up and away!
2015 Conch Season is open!
The 2015/2016 regular conch season of the Queen Conch (Strombus gigas) officially opened as of Thursday, October 1st in Belize. Conch harvesting generates over millions of dollars annually into the country's Fisheries Industry, which is a significant source of revenue for traditional fishermen. The season will run from October 1st until June 30th of the following year. Last year the total revenue generated for Queen Conch was $8.87 million dollars, with a production of approximately 723,121 pounds. This total includes market clean conch and fillet conch. These figures revealed that revenue and production greatly were reduced when compared to last year, when production surpassed a million pounds and generated over $10 million dollars in revenue. It was estimated that around 10% of the conch harvested was consumed locally, following the mandatory law that 5% must stay in Belize.
Sargassum Seaweed: the golden rainforest of the sea!
So the Sargassum seaweed is upon us, in fact it's been here for quite a while now. And truthfully there's really no indication of just when the influx of seaweed will halt. We know that the smelly mounds are not the neatest beach accessory, and it certainly puts a damper on sunbathing and dips in our lovely Caribbean Sea. But you see the thing is, it's not just our little island town. In fact, much of the Caribbean region is being affected and popular Mexican vacation destinations as well. Several times daily, mounds of the large masses wash ashore and settle on our beaches. While our hoteliers, town councilmen, and volunteer groups work hard to remove as much of the seaweed as possible. It's a natural phenomenon, so that means there really is no way to stop the course of nature.
Although it is easy for both residents and travelers to view Sargassum as a nuisance, until local and regional research provide us ( the Caribbean, not just Belize) with methods to effectively live with the pesky weed, (or the tides change) let us appreciate the many ecological benefits of our floating visitor.
Mahogany Bay celebrates the Great House's top-off
One of the largest developments on Ambergris Caye, Mahogany Bay Village, is taking monumental steps at constructing a unique resort that encompasses the best of the Belizean community. As such, a top-off ceremony was held on Thursday, October 1st to celebrate the construction of Mahogany Bay's Great House. The top-off ceremony saw the last beam being placed on the roof of the building; a construction milestone that is commonly celebrated for important structures. The event was held by the Mahogany Bay Team with the hopes of strengthening and promoting a healthy relationship between the developers and the community. The Great House is to be the largest wooden building on the island, with 16,000 square feet of space. The two story building will also be the focal point of Mahogany Bay Village, with a capacity to hold 500 person per floor. It is expected to house two restaurants and bars and serves as the perfect venue for conferences and every type of banquet and private events. The Great House is being built and designed to emulate the old colonial feel of the old Belize while providing the luxurious amenities of this century.
Halloween Parties to Look Out For
Every year there are several parties that get thrown for Halloween but the most anticipated is definitely The Holiday Hotel Halloween Party. Every year, hundreds of islanders sport their best costumes in hopes of winning over the judges and ultimately scoring cash prizes, cool give aways and best of all BRAGGING RIGHTS! There are several winning categories including: most original, scariest,best group and more. So start thinking of those costumes and get ready to attend the ultimate monster bash!
Senor Marlin's sports bar also knows how to keep spirits high, while not as big as Holiday's showdown, this is also one of those parties you don't want to miss! DJ's keep the music pumpin' all night, and there are prizes for the best costumes as well- so yes, dress to impress J
For our four-legged friends, we can't forget you furry and shelled cuties! The Saga Humane Society hosts an annual Halloween Costume Competition, and let's just say we can't enough of our cute doggy-pumpkins and scuba divers that show up, to the that cake - biscuit!
Ambergris Today
Red Cross Encourages Business Listing of Defibrillators
Cardiac Arrhythmia - a sudden irregular heartbeat - can kill! When a person's heart suddenly starts beating too fast or with a chaotic rhythm, this can lead to death. The heart's beat must be reset.
In such an emergency, swift action is essential. An Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) -used within the first 3 to 5 minutes after a person collapses can save the person's life by resetting the heartbeat to a normal rhythm. This means an AED must be visible and accessible.
The Belize Red Cross San - Pedro Branch asks your assistance in developing a list of the Automatic External Defibrillators located on the island. If you, your business or work place has an AED, please let the Red Cross know its location. It could save someone's life!
Please contact [email protected] to get your Automatic External Defibrillator on the Red Cross's Ambergris Caye location list.
First See N Taste Belize Event Coming up in Florida
The Consulate of Belize, along with the Special Envoy for Women and Children, spearheaded by Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow, spouse of the Prime Minister of Belize, is hosting the first See N Taste Belize, in partnership with the Belize Tourism Board (BTB), BELTRAIDE, Flavors of Belize and Florida International University School of Hospitality and Tourism.
The upcoming See N Taste Belize is taking place on Saturday, October 10, to raise funds for the first dedicated Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in Belize.
Mrs. Barrow has dedicated her life to helping the children of Belize and through her efforts, the Inspiration Center opened its doors in 2014 to finally address the needs of children with special needs.
The building of the first dedicated PICU in Belize will bridge a significant gap in Belize's health care system and will play an important role in the country's development. Most importantly, by establishing a NICU/PICU, the hope is to help our desperately ill children by reducing the mortality and morbidity rate while offering long-term monitoring and rehabilitation services to children with various deficits through referrals.
Misc Belizean Sources
Another Successful Blood Drive Hosted by Belize Red Cross - San Pedro Branch with Collaboration from The San Pedro Cancer Society
The Belize Red Cross - San Pedro Branch (BRCSP) held another successful blood drive on Saturday, October 3rd, 2015 with many community members turning out to donate blood at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II, Manta Ray St., San Pedro. Community volunteers helped make the process go smoothly as they took their places as greeters at the door, handing out juice and cookies, directing traffic and collecting donations on the street.
A healthy turn out of willing donors from 9:00am - 7:00pm donating blood kept the clinic busy all day. The BRCSP branch was able to collect 34 pints of blood for the San Pedro blood reserve to be held at the Belize Blood Bank, Belize City. The monetary donations given on the street of just over $300 will benefit both BRCSP to further the community programs and The San Pedro Cancer Society. Working with the Belize Blood Transfusion Services Group with their enthusiasm and professionalism is always a positive experience.
San Pedro Tiger Sharks in the COCABA Champions League of the Americas
Mayor Daniel Guerrero, the San Pedro Town Council and Staff would like to congratulate and wish the best of luck to the San Pedro Tiger Sharks whom will be participating in the COCABA Champions League of the Americas 2016.
The Tournament will be held in El Salvador, from October 21-October 25, 2015. The tournament will include the league champions from Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama.
Go Tiger Sharks!
New Peace Corps Volunteers
The swearing in ceremony for the new group of Peace Corps volunteers was held at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel last week. Welcome!
"Last Thursday, 150 Belizeans and Americans gathered in the conference center at the San Ignacio Hotel, to witness the swearing in of 17 new Peace Corps Volunteers. Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education, Youth & Sports representatives, including Dr. Ramon Figueroa, Director of Health Services and Dr. Carol Babb, Deputy Chief Education Officer, as well as District Health Educators, District Education Managers, Community Health Workers, Teachers, and Principals joined the U.S. Ambassador Carlos Moreno, community counterparts, training host families, Peace Corps staff, and members of the US diplomatic corps to witness the event and celebrate the milestone. "
This is not cool watching the kids of Holy Cross walking in the water
There are a lot of priorities that need to be set by our town leaders, this being one of them. School children of Holy Cross balance on fence and use step ladder to make it to school as rains flood swampy areas leading to school complex.
Power interruption 9:00am to 3:00pm, Thursday, October 8, Belize City
Area on Central American Blvd between Fabers Rd and Caesar Ridge Rd including Trinity St, Unity St, Freedom St, Jabiru St, Mud St, Fonseca St, Rivas St, Toledo St, Curl Thompson St, Jane Usher Blvd, Heron St, Swallow St, Butterfly St, Levi Slusher St, Allan Pitts Crescent, T St, Gill St, Reggae St, Kraal Rd, Guerrero St, Ross Pen Rd, Baracat St, Fabers Rd, Sanker St, Nurse Findley Crescent & Fabers Rd Ext including Baldwin Dr, Custard Apple St, McVille Rd, Rio Grande Crescent, Madam Liz Ave, Singh St, Jimmy Dyer Ave, Neat & Clean St, Milpa Dr, Swanka Ln and Whistling Duck St. BEL to replace utility poles carrying high voltage lines on Central American Boulevard and Caesar Ridge Road.
Benque's 111th Anniversary
Happy birthday Benque! 111 years young. The Benque HoC is celebrating in style with a concert, and Panerrifix, and El Buki, will be there. It'll happen on Saturday the 17th, at 7:30pm.
BAFFU Vol 6
The 6th edition of BAFFU Magazine is out.
Channel 7
11 Year Old Knocked Down And Killed Getting Of School bus
An 11 year old student of St. Matthews Government School was knocked down yesterday after 3:00. Tezzrah Diamond Thompson came off the bus with her schoolmates at the entrance of Mahogany Heights. But when she emerged from in front of the bus to cross the road she was hit by a truck. It's a truly tragic story and today we went to speak with Tezzrah's grandmother and she told us that she was coming from work when she saw her granddaughter thrown on the side of the road.
Courtney Weatherburne reporting
This was Tezzrah's favorite song. She would perform her version of that song almost every day after school for her grandmother.
But yesterday she didn't make it home to serenade her grandmother. Instead her grandmother found her mangled body on the side of the road.
Linda Williams, Grandmother
"I was coming from school yesterday in the evening about 3:30, in our school bus when I saw a crowd at the junction for Mahogany Heights and when I took a look I saw a child, but when I look at the shoulder I realize that it's my granddaughter's shoulder. I said "God," I said mercy, please don't tell me that it's my granddaughter. I said please, please, tell me it's not my granddaughter. But then when the bus slowed down I took another look and I realized that it was my granddaughter and her face was covered with blood."
COLA Goes Political
COLA is always on the news, agitating for one social issue or the other. And, indeed, that's what COLA is: a pressure group. But, recently, the grassroots organization has started to take a more political tone with its "Build the Base Now" campaign. And, today, COLA went all the way: President Geovannie Brackett announced a decision to actively campaign against Wilfred Elrington.
They want to get Elrington voted out of the Pickstock constituency which they say is a pressure tactic on the incumbent UDP on issues such as the ICJ, the Belize-Guatemalan Territorial Dispute, and the planned Sarstoon Forward Operating Base.
This morning, we caught up with President Geovannie Brackett at the Queen Street Police Station, where he had gone to get a permit to hold a public meeting with potential Pickstock voters. He explained his organization's decision to get directly involved with politics:
Criminals Caught On Camera, and Caught In Real Life
Orange Walk police have located and charged two men who were caught on security camera robbing a Chinese store in Orange Walk. They are Jarett Crawford - who was in the store with a knapsack - and Albert Wagner - the reported gunman.
As we reported the men were caught on camera as they robbed Yan Store at the entrance of Trial Farm Village on Saturday night at 9:45. They entered casually without masks, and Crawford - allegedly the man with the knapsack bought pack of gum and a cigarette and lit it up - before he went into position behind the counter. At a few minutes to 10:00, the man who police say is Wagner pulled out a pistol and robbed the store.
Both suspects are from Belize City and Crawford is linked to Taylor's Alley. He was recently charged in connection with the First Caribbean armed robbery. Now, they are in custody of Orange Walk police and will be taken to court tomorrow to be charged for robbery.
SSB Workers Use Lunch Hour To Protest Again
Today was another day of protest for SSB workers: in Belize City, a group of 19 stood with their placards in front of the branch office again during their lunch break. According to CWU President Audrey Matura Shepherd, they will continue to protest until they get their compensation. When we spoke to Chairman of the Board Doug Singh, he said that management stated its position already that it does not agree with the workers on the compensation. Both sides will hold a meeting tomorrow concerning the CBA.
Shepherd told us that sometime after that they will organize a press briefing.
Man Gets Off Murder After 5 Years
Tonight another city youth has walked from a murder at the end of a trial by judge without jury - this one before Supreme Court judge, Justice Troadio John Gonzalez. 24 year old Ronald Bradley, a resident of Mahogany Heights was accused of the October 15, 2010 shooting murder of female Prison Officer, Miriam Gillett. This morning Justice Gonzalez, he upheld a no case submission made by Bradley's attorney, Oscar Selgado.
With that, JUSTICE Gonzalez acquitted Bradley of murder and he was free to leave the court after almost five years on remand.
The sole witness in the prosecution case was the driver Ernest Savery, and even though he was killed before the case was called up for trial - his statement was admitted into evidence. Still Selgado made a no case submission that there was insufficient evidence.
An Expensive Legal Expedition
Viewers may remember Dr. Abigail McKay, she was a Dean at the University of Belize who's 3 year employment ended when the then President refused to grant her a 2 year extension. She believed that she was entitled to a 5-year extension and in 2014, she sued the University. Justice Courtney Abel granted her permission to bring her case for judicial review against UB.
She never got her chance to bring her full case, because shortly after that, the University, represented by Denys Barrow, applied to the Court of Appeal to challenge the decision of the Supreme Court. That case came up before the Court of Appeal where Barrow, and McKay's attorney, Audrey Matura-Shepherd, tried to convince the panel of judges why the case should or should not be struck out.
After about 2 hours of presentation, the Court of Appeal agreed with Barrow and ruled that McKay's lawsuit should end. It's a victory for UB, and possibly the end of McKay's legal fight. We spoke with the attorneys for both sides, and here's what they had to say:
Brother Barrow Says He Got Paid, Not Overpaid
Another issue we took the opportunity to ask Barrow about was the accusation from the Opposition that the Barrow Government has supposedly overpaid Denys Barrow for his services. As you will have noticed, he is the Government's lead attorney on many of the cases that go to the high courts.
Recently, an opposition ad started circulating on Social Media which discloses the sum of money that they Government paid Denys Barrow for handling the case of the Palencia and Paranga cargo ships. Viewers may remember that the Paranga ran aground on the reef, 2 miles south east of English Caye in 2012. Last year, The Government detained the Palencia Cargo Ship, and held it in Belizean waters until the owners, who also are in charge of the Paranga, paid the environmental fine, which amounted to 2.7 million dollars.
For his legal work in getting the payment, Denys Barrow was paid just over a half a million dollars, which represented 20%. The PUP used that internal memo from the Ministry of Finance, to suggest that brother Barrow cashed in at the public's expense.
Bar Assoc. Will Apply To CCJ, Barrow Says It Shouldn't
Last week Thursday, we told you how the Bar Association of Belize, by majority vote of its members, passed a resolution to make a most unusual application to the Caribbean Court of Justice.
They want the court to give a decision on the eighth amendment to the constitution - even though both parties that brought the case challenging the amendment have settled and told the court - basically - that they want no further action.
Denys Barrow doesn't agree with his bar colleagues. He attended that Wednesday night meeting and tried to convince the membership that this is an unwise course of action. But, despite his best efforts, he was outvoted, and the resolution passed.
So, today, when he had the opportunity, we asked Barrow why the bar was wrong. Here's what he had to say:
Denys Barrow, Attorney for GOB
"The parties, the former shareholders of BTL, the former shareholders of BEL and the Government of Belize have agreed that the case is finished. Money has been paid, the property which has been taken away has been paid for and the parties have agreed that the case should finish. The Bar Association passed a resolution last week deciding that the Bar Association will make an application to the CCJ in this case which the parties have settled concerning all the nationalizations. The Bar wants the CCJ to still give a decision notwithstanding that the case has been settled."
Errol Haynes Is Back in Belize, Back In Jail, Wants Freedom
Errol "Butchie" Haynes - the last time his name made news was in 2011 - when he was caught in Mexico with an arsenal of prohibited firearms and ammunition. Well, unknown to us, the 31 year old was returned to Belize in May of 2015 - and now he says he is being unlawfullly held at the Belize Central Prison on a conviction for drug trafficking and possession. Haynes says there is no evidence for the conviction, and so his attorney Hubert Elrington today launched a habeas corpus application before Chief Justice, Kenneth Benjamin.
Haynes says when he was released from a Mexican prison and arrived in Belize, he was handcuffed and locked up at the Kolbe Foundation to serve out a 3 year conviction.
According to court records, on October 4, 2013, he was convicted in the Belize City Magistrate's Court before Senior Magistrate, Sharon Fraser on one count of drug trafficking and one count of possession of controlled drugs.
On The Campaign Trail In Caribbean Shores
The General Election is only 29 days, and, right now, all across the country, politicians are scrambling to connect with voters. We'll be previewing a few battleground divisions over the next four weeks and we start in Caribbean Shores where there are two new candidates with distinguished political and professional pedigree. Kareem Musa and Darrell Bradley are both young attorneys and both first time general election candidates.
We caught up with Musa yesterday while he and his team were campaigning on Baymen Avenue:
Kareem Musa, PUP Standard Bearer - Caribbean Shores
"Today Daniel was our last fail preparations for the campaign leading up to the general elections on November 4th which is only one month away. But I can tell you that since June of last year, over a year and a half, this team has been on the ground campaigning in Caribbean Shores. We have hit the streets running from since then and we haven't turned back. So this is now just the final preparations and we are fully confident. All our members are excited. The energy level is extremely high right now and we will deliver Caribbean Shores to the People's United Party."
Calling Fleet Footed Kids
The second annual national track and field championship will be happening on the 14th and 15th of November and the Belize athletics association is inviting track athletes from across the country 16 years and older to be a part of the event. According to the president Deon Sutherland - it is a way for these athletes to showcase their talent while competing against their peers.
Registration forms can be obtained from and returned to the BAA via email at [email protected] or from the association Facebook page. Forms must be submitted by November 11 and cost of registration is 10$ per athlete.
A Fair Share of Green Climate Fund
A regional workshop for the Green Climate Fund started today at the Radisson in Belize City. The Fund is to sponsor adaptive measures for climate change - but small island developing states - known as SIDS - which are most vulnerable to climate change have hardly been getting anything form this fund. That's what the meeting is about the Minister Joy Grant outlined it in her opening:...
The workshop finishes on Thursday.
St. Mary's Says Not So to "Ma Banks"
In last night's newscast we reported on Darren Banks 8 year old son who is currently out of school and is living with his grandmother. In an interview the elderly woman explained that child is out of school because she is in the process of moving him to another primary school but cannot afford his transfer document from St Mary's Anglican school - the last school he was attending. Today the school sent out a press release denying withholding the transfer forms. The release stated that its administration released the transfer documents for the student on September 18th 2015 to the child's guardian.
Taiwanese Doctors Visit
A team of medical volunteers from Taiwan are in Belize at the KHMH. They include Dr. Chen a nephrologist - who said that diabetes is a concern:...
The team includes three doctors and also includes an ear, nose and throat specialist. They will be here - at the KHMH - until Thursday.
Channel 5
Deny Barrow Says GOB MUST Pay Arbitration Award…Regardless of Amount
In 2009, the Government of Belize seized control of B.T.L. and when a court ruling found the nationalization to be null and void, Government renationalized the company in 2011.� Now…weeks [...]
He Says Legal Fees Aren't Exorbitant
Denys Barrow, who is the brother of Prime Minister Dean Barrow, has also been a target in the Opposition People's United Party's campaign. The P.U.P. says that he has been [...]
Barrow Says the PM Got Scared So His Fees for Settlements Were Reduced
T he negative campaign has focused on one particular instance in which Denys Barrow's law firm was paid over five hundred and twenty-four thousand dollars for its role in a [...]
Student Killed As She Got Off Bus at Mahogany Heights
A family grieves tonight the tragic loss of one of their own. Eleven-year-old school girl, Tezzrah Thompson, was hit by a delivery truck when she exited a school bus at [...]
Robbers Escape With Bounty from Southern Choice Butane
A gas station was robbed in broad daylight, on Monday morning for which three men have been detained. The brazen robbery occurred at Southern Choice Butane Limited located at Mile [...]
Bar Association applies to C.C.J. to release its decisions on the nationalizations of B.E.L. and B.T.L.
In an unprecedented move last week, the Bar Association has applied to the Caribbean Court of Justice to release its decisions on the nationalizations of B.E.L. and B.T.L. �Both matters [...]
Denys Barrow Calls Bar Resolution "Outrageous" and "Political"
The Bar has determined that the decision, whatever it is, speaks to the legality of the much debated Eighth Amendment, and they say it is a matter of public interest [...]
Errol Haynes Sues for Unlawful Imprisonment
Thirty-one year old Errol Haynes appeared briefly in court today before the Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin. He is suing the Commissioner of Police, Superintendent of Prison and the Attorney General [...]
Court Upholds Appeal by UB Board of Trustees
Today, the Court of Appeal wasted no time in upholding an appeal by the University of Belize's Board of Trustees. The matter before the panel was the Supreme Court's decision [...]
Another Youth Walks on Murder Charge
Tonight, another Belize City youth is free of murder. At the conclusion of a trial by judge without jury before Justice Troadio Gonzalez, twenty-two year old Ronald Bradley, a resident [...]
COLA Calls Public Meeting in Pickstock - Says Sedi Must Go
A public meeting organized by COLA is set for Thursday night in Belize City.� The venue, a parking lot adjacent to the Pickstock Hutment on New Road, was once part [...]
COLA Refutes Speculation on Political Affiliation
As we've mentioned, COLA insists that it is not politically aligned with any of the mass parties; it is nonetheless, a question that continues to rear its head in the [...]
Belize Progressive Party Wants FM Elrington Removed
Patrick Rogers may have been a little slow in publicly responding to Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington's address to the UN General Assembly.� The B.P.P.'s tardiness, however, does not take away [...]
Rogers Running Against Sedi in Pickstock
So, Rogers is offering himself as the third party candidate in Pickstock.� He says his campaign budget is in the area of fifty thousand dollars, but is it enough to [...]
Gang Member from El Salvador Nabbed in Belize
An ex-eighteen street gang member from El Salvador was nabbed in Belize two Sundays ago by Orange Walk Police. Twenty-three year old Carlos Enrique Alvarado Lopez is wanted by Interpol [...]
Two Men Caught on Surveillance Tape Nabbed by Police
On Monday's newscast we showed you the telling surveillance video of two brazen robbers, who entered a grocery store in Trial Farm, Orange Walk barefaced and robbed the proprietors of [...]
PUP Says It Will Hold Massive Consultation on ICJ
The referendum for Belizeans to decide on whether the issue of the unfounded Guatemalan claim should go before the International Court of Justice, in The Hague, for resolution continues at [...]
Former Foreign Minister Lisa Shoman Says Her Successor Has Messed Up
Is the political quagmire that Belize presently finds itself in with Guatemala made worse by the foreign minister's apparent lack of personality?� It's a question that was posed to his [...]
CTV3
JICA Volunteer Promotes Civic Pride In Corozal
JICA or The Japan International Cooperation Agency is a governmental agency that coordinates official development assistance for the government of Japan. It is chartered with assisting economic and social growth in developing countries. In Belize there are 20 JICA volunteers shared equally in every district. These volunteers provide Health and Environmental Awareness, technical medical support, sports and education assistance just to name a few.
Yasuke Masuda, a JICA volunteer in Corozal, is keeping his end of the bargain when it comes to environmental awareness. Masuda saw the need to educate the public about the damage littering can cause and immediately liaised with his colleagues and together they started a country wide campaign against littering. The campaign is in its early stages but it has been fruitful.
Belize City Men Charged For Robbery At Yan's Store
Yesterday we showed you surveillance footage of a brazen armed robbery at Yan's Store in Trial Farm Village on Saturday night. As mentioned authorities sought the assistance of the general public to identify the armed men and today we are happy to report that both criminals have been identified and are in police custody.
From what we have been able to gather, one of the men, who carried the knapsack, was found in Belize City and is a known run man, according to police. He has since been identified as Jarreth Crawford. The male brandishing the handgun has been identified as Albert Wagner.
Man's Past Lead Him To Drug Trafficking Charge
A man from the Corozal District has been arrested and charged for drug trafficking after police conducted a search at his residence. He is no other than 49 year old Wilbert Pedro Hernandez, Belizean businessman of #10 Narcist Street, Altamira area, Corozal Town. Hernandez's home was searched yesterday at around 7:10p.m and there police found a black plastic bag containing 118 grams of Cannabis. CTV3 News understand that Hernandez appeared before the Corozal Magistrates Court this morning to answer to the charge of drug trafficking but instead of pleading guilty to that charge he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of possession of controlled drugs. But because Hernandez has had prior convictions of the same nature his plea was not accepted and was charged for drug trafficking. He was offered bail of $1,000 which he met. His next court date will be on the 22nd of December 2015.
Fonseca Tells Belizeans To Vote For Sovereignty On Election Day
As we told you at the top of the newscast yesterday the PUP held a press conference where they lashed out at the Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington for his comments made in reference to the Belize/Guatemala Territorial dispute at the UN.
In sight that we are in the election season the media asked PUP Leader Francis Fonseca if they were taking advantage of the situation since the party is well aware how passionate Belizeans are about the long standing dispute. But according to Fonseca, their addressing the matter is no part of politicking but rather an issue of concern for Belize's future. He did however, ask that the Belizean public take this matter into deep consideration when at the polls on November fourth.
"But for us this is a matter of national concern, national security, but, as you know, I have said it consistently, the first duty and obligation of any government is the preservation of the nation state, the protection and defense of our territorial integrity, our national sovereignty. So we have an absolute obligation to raise this matter and of course we were provoked to do so by the absolutely outrageous statements of the foreign minister on our behalf as a country and people on Friday at the United Nations on the world stage, making these absolute blunders before the world on behalf of the Belizean people. So that is the first important point but I certainly will make no apologies for saying to the Belizean people that on November fourth this is an absolutely important consideration for each and every citizen of this country going into the voting booth to mark your x. You must understand, you must understand and appreciate fully the consequences of that vote as it relates to this very, very important issue."
COLA Launches Anti-Sedi Campaign
Since his twenty minute climate change presentation at the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, Foreign Affairs Minister and Pickstock Standard Bearer, Wilfred Elrington, has once again come under serious criticism for his role in the unresolved Belize-Guatemala territorial dispute.
And today, that "Anti-Sedi" campaign was stepped up a notch as the Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA) wants the Pickstock electorate to take away the Attorney General and lately Minister of Foreign Affairs' seat in the House of Representatives in the November 4 general elections from Elringhton. But how do they plan on executing such a feat? COLA's President, Giovanni Brackett, says a public meeting will be organized to educate the electorate�
"If you notice we have never sat in any political party when they have their press conference not even the BPP to endorse anybody because we are not here to endorse a political party and the leader of the BPP is a very close friend of mine and a founding member of COLA that is where we stand but when you have somebody that is playing around with the 8867 square miles of our country it leaves us with no other choice but to defend and what do you expect us to do sit back and allow the foreign minister to become another minister again to and he is hell been going to the ICJ, if he gets reelected it is a stamp of approval that they will take that we already want to go to the ICJ this is our last resort and so it is not for us to endorse a political party but it is a form of our protest to state our position in the strongest way that we can right now."
Son-In-Law Of Senior Citizen Charged By Police For Sexual Assault
On Friday night we told you about the disturbing incident that occurred in San Joaquin Village Corozal District where a 77 year old senior citizen accused her son-in-law of sexual assault.
According to the 77 year old woman, on the 1st of October while she was in front of her house in her wheelchair she was approached by her son-in-law who took her inside her house and sexually assaulted her. Since the report was filed Police arrested and charged a 54 year old Guatemalan national for the crime of harm and sexual assault.
AmbergrisCaye.com 
