Today's Belize News: April 19, 2012

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Today's Belize News: April 19, 2012 #436080 04/19/12 07:23 AM
Joined: Oct 1999 Posts: 84,398 oregon, spr Marty OP
OP Marty	FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE CLICK HERE for the full Belize Weekly Weather Report Last night's TV news on Channel 7 and Channel 7 Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials The San Pedro Sun San Pedro Seadogs' tournament run ends with a 4-0 win On Sunday, April 15th the San Pedro Seadogs played their final match in the preliminary round of the Premiere League of Belize (PLB) football tournament. While the team did not qualify to move on to the semi finals, they performed exceptionally, winning their last game of the season against FC San Felipe Barcelona in a score of 4 - 0, placing them third in Zone A and fifth in the overall competition. In speaking of the overall performance of the Seadogs, team captain, Kent Gabourel stated; "Actually I am a little bit disappointed. But at the end of it, I feel happy about the turn out that my players did; the effort that they came out and gave to us. We could have done better, had we not been slacking off in the earlier part of the season. Everyone realized it at the last three games. We started to push everything into it and this is the outcome. We have played three home games at home. We drew one and won two in scores of 6-0 and 4-0. At the end of the day, we came in third with 15 points. I'd say we did pretty well." Costa 2012 Fly Fishing Film to be featured in San Pedro For the first time in Central America, the Tres Pescados Fly Fishing Shop on Ambergris Caye will be hosting the Costa 2012 Fly Fishing Film Tour. Annually, Costa del Mar selects a collection of short films produced and submitted by fly fisherman relating to their fishing adventures. Fishing enthusiasts will be happy to learn that this year, films will be screening in San Pedro Town for one day, including one related to Belize. According to the host and organizer, Will Flack of the Tres Pescados Fly Fishing Shop, entries for the film were submitted from all over the world. Submissions are reviewed by a committee tasked with choosing the top films to feature in the tour. The top 10 to 12 films are picked and premiered in over 120 cities all over the world. The films focus on fly fishing and the adventures and stories that fly fishermen experience. One Day on Earth Global Film experience in San Pedro Join the world premiere of One Day on Earth, this Sunday April 22nd, 2012 at the Central Park in San Pedro Town. One Day on Earth Motion Picture is a unique film created from over 3000 hours of footage, and shot by our community in every country of the world on October 10th 2010. Together, they have created a picture of interconnected humanity never before possible. On November 11th, 11.11.11, across the planet, documentary filmmakers, students, and other inspired citizens recorded the human experience over a 24-hour period and contribute their voice to the second annual global day of media creation called One Day on Earth. Wanted teenager turns himself in to Police A country wide manhunt for a wanted teenager is finally over after he decided to turn himself into police custody. After two weeks on the run 17 year old Ernesto Bernardez, who was wanted for shooting a police officer and for stealing two guns from two separate policemen in Caye Caulker Village, walked into the Eastern Division Police Station in Belize City on Sunday April 15th and turned himself in while accompanied by his mother. A countrywide bulletin for his arrest was circulated, calling the minor "armed and dangerous." On Tuesday April 18th, the minor was taken to, and arraigned, in the Belize City Family Court where he faced a number of charges. Those charges includes two counts of attempted murder upon police constables John Valerio and Ian Wagner, two counts of use of deadly means of harm upon both officers, as well as a single count of wounding upon Wagner, and two counts of theft of the firearms. Belize's Rebecca Stirm wins AGAIN on Mission Catwalk's 2nd Season After an initial win on episode two and placing runner-up in the following episode, Belizean fashion designer Rebecca Stirm wins episode four of the Caribbean fashion designer reality series Mission Catwalk with a design inspired by a selection from Cinderella Hats. "When I saw the hats I immediately knew which one I wanted to work with. The ladylike peach hat had caught my eye. In my original sketch for the piece, I had planned on doing a soft summer dress. After looking around a bit though, and realizing that everyone else was doing dresses, I chose to do a blouse and pants." Her move won her points from judge Novia McDonald-Whyte Lifestyle editor at Jamaica Observer who commented that the pant's pleating and subtle ankle details were "genius." Rebecca, who found material for her episode 2 design in the curtain section of Pablos's, again went outside the box and sourced fabric for her pants in the upholstery department: "a stronger material with a lot of body and shape." Ambergris Today One Day on Earth Global Film experience in San Pedro oin the world premiere of One Day on Earth, this Sunday, April 22nd, 2012 at the Central Park in San Pedro Town. One Day on Earth Motion Picture is a unique film created from over 3000 hours of footage, and shot by our community in every country of the world on October 10th 2010. Together, they have created a picture of interconnected humanity never before possible. On November 11th, 11.11.11, across the planet, documentary filmmakers, students, and other inspired citizens recorded the human experience over a 24-hour period and contribute their voice to the second annual global day of media creation called One Day on Earth. Founded in 2008, One Day on Earth's first media creation event occurred on 10.10.10. The collaboration was the first ever simultaneous filming event occurring in every country of the world. Mayor Danny and UNICEF Monitoring Children's Rights On Tuesday, April 17, 2012, Mayor Daniel Guerrero held a meeting with UNICEF representative Christine Norton at the San Pedro Town Council to announce that they are working together to help create opportunities and monitor the rights of children on the island. Mrs. Norton stated, "The Mayor hit the ground running in expressing his plans and ideas in helping the children of San Pedro Town". She provided the Mayor with some books that were just launched about Belize, such as "The Situation Analysis of Children & Women in Belize 2011" and "The National Plan of Action." Misc Belizean Sources University of Belize Earth Day today The University of Belize will be having an Earth Day celebration today, April the 19th. They'll have booths, food, games, competitions, and much more. Digicell will also be there so you can double and triple up. La Ruta Maya River Challenge Cleanup photos UB's Environmental Club teamed up with Galen's, and they did some serious cleaning at the La Ruta Maya camp sites. Thanks for cleaning up after those that don't know how to use a trash can! They just uploaded the pictures. Lamanai New River Canoe Challenge The Lamanai New River Canoe Challenge is coming up on May the 12th. It will go from Lamanai, up the New River, to the Banquitas House of Culture. Registration is only $100, and there are 8 different categories, with prizes for each. Cayo will be represented! For more information, call NICH at 822.2227. Mother's Day contest at Rumors Resort Rumors Resort is having a Mother's Day competition in conjunction with the BTIA's Staycation promotion. All you need to do is send a picture of your mother to [email protected], and get people to like the picture once they post it. Voting will go until the 9th of May. Channel 7 BULLETS BLAST THROUGH BELAMA HOME Violence has flared up in the city over the past two weeks - particularly on the Southside. But last night, gunshots were heard on the Northside in the Belama area. Juanita Lopez's home on Albert Hoy Street was riddled with gunshots - and today - asking to appear off camera - she told Monica Bodden about her harrowing experience: This two story concrete home is situated in this quiet residential neighborhood in Belama Phase 3. But last night at 10:30, the silence was broken when gunmen opened fire on the lower flat of the house. At least 12 shots were fired - 11 of those piercing through the walls and windows of the house. Inside at the time was Juanita Lopez - a single mother who resides at the resident along with her 3 children. The incident happened a little after 10 last night -while Lopez was lying in her couch watching the news. She told us of her ordeal off camera: FAMILY OF SUICIDE VICTIM COMPLAINS ABOUT MEDIA COVERAGE Last night, we told you about some of the fallout which occurred after the Amandala Newspaper ran a headline story about a teenage girl's suicide. The story was complete with a photo of the young lady on the ground with the rope around her neck, and a note which she left behind explaining why she did what she did. That note revealed the identity of a young man who she says rejected her, which supposedly drove her to hang herself. The family of the young man was very vocal about additional distress the article caused them. We'll have more from them, but tonight, we look first at the family of the young lady. An uncle came to speak to us today to voice the family's outrage at the article. According to him, the suicide note that the young lady wrote was handed over to police, and it was released to Amandala without authorization. They also contend that the publication of the photo of the young lady with the rope around her neck salted their wounds. 19 YEAR OLD GETS 13 YRS IN JAIL; MOM & BROTHER ALSO REMANDED A 19 year-old man is spending the first night of a 13 year sentence after he was convicted in Magistrate's Court today - and to add to that, his mother, his bother and three friends are also in jail on remand! Kent Lynch pleaded guilty to 5 firearm-related charges in court, after police found a major stash of guns yesterday. Police searched a Peter Seco Street address and found one .410 gauge double barrel shotgun, one single action 16 gauge shotgun and two 16 gauge cartridges. They arrested everybody inside the house including 23 year old Errol Lynch, 19 year old Kent Lynch, 25 year old Leroy Gomez, 27 year old Woodrow Reyes and 21 year old Virginie Alvarez. Today, they were all brought before Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer and jointly charged with 2 counts of handling stolen goods, 2 counts of keeping an unlicensed firearm, and 1 count of keeping unlicensed ammunition. MAN ARRAIGNED FOR CITY SHOOTING On Monday, we told you about the Saturday night shooting of 18 year-old Christopher Jorgenson. Well today, his alleged shooter was arraigned in Magistrate's Court. 20 year-old Keyron Johnson, a resident of Jane Usher Boulevard, was read charges of attempted murder, dangerous harm, and use of deadly means of harm when he was brought before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith. Due to the nature of the offense, he was not eligible for bail, and as a result, Chief Magistrate Smith remanded him to prison until his next court date which is set for June 6, 2012. According to police, Jorgenson was at the basketball court on Curl Thompson Street at around 8 p.m. on Saturday, when two men arrived on bicycle. One of the men, pulled out a firearm, handed it over to his companion, who then shot Jorgenson in the midsection. Jorgenson lives near the court, off Curl Thompson Street, which runs parallel to Jane Usher Boulevard - which is where the alleged shooter lived. AGE AIN'T NOTHIN': SENIOR STEPPERS SHOW THEIR STUFF World Health Day was observed in Belize today. This year the focus is on ageing - and they don't mean getting old, they mean staying healthy as you get old. It a real ideal - and the event was appropriately opened by the Senior Steppers a dance troupe that has aged like fine wine: Their steps may not be quite as spritely as 17 year-olds, and their transitions may be ginger, but these women are between the ages of 55 and 77 years old and when you watch them work the Macarena - you'll know they aren't just going through the motions They are known as the senior steppers and they are a demonstration of the theme for this year's World Health Day, which is, "Good Health Adds Life To Years": Gerardo De Cosio - PAHO Rep, Belize "Regular moderate physical activity has a rejuvinating effect. Working to turn back time, Belizeans love to dance. Dancing can help restore balance in older people such as the senior steppers, who are here." Lindy Jeffery - National Council On Ageing "This is why we invited along the senior steppers dancers are just 1 example of how older persons can stay healthy when demonstrating that exercise is fun." Fun and important for Belize's ageing population: VALIDATING VOLUNTEERISM: UNSUNG HEROES LAUNCHES 2012 CAMPAIGN If you know someone who's been doing good work for their community in selfless silence, without publicity or sponsorship, then you might want to nominate them as an Unsung Hero. First Caribbean Bank has launched its 2012 campaign to find those generous volunteers - who give freely of their time and resources to help others along. The award programme started in 2003 and since then many exceptional Belizeans have been recognized regionally. Now they are looking for the heroes of 2012 - and here's how you can get involved: Rosanna Villanueva - Local Coordinator, Unsung Heroes Programme "The CIBC, First Caribbean Unsung Heroes Programme is a - we consider it to be one of the most unique and useful community support initiatives in the Caribbean today. And the program seeks out those persons who are doing exceptional work within their communities, but who have not been recognized as yet. So, we are looking for those persons in villages and towns who are doing genuine work to contribute towards society, and we are hoping that through the program, we can get them some well-deserved recognition, some funding, and to bring attention to the work that their doing. Each year, we go to the public, and we ask for nominations. THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR WALKING...ON FIRE By now you should have heard all about the Belize City Council's hundred day plan - and while they have a lot to accomplish - donating boots to the fire department was not one of them. So, consider it a bonus that 10 boots valued at about 300 dollars each were handed over today. The Fire Chief told us every little bit helps: Col Francis Thomas - Fire Chief "10 boots are definitely a plus to deficiency that we presently have, and so these boots come just in time. We are presently conducting a multitude of training. Presently, we have an intake - one of 2012 - of about 23 recruits." Jules Vasquez "Are the boots of the highest standard or are they, perhaps, maybe bought in Chetumal." Phillip Willoughby - City Councilor "These are bought and these are should be first-world quality-" PLACENCIA PIER AND SIDEWALK RESTORED TO FORMER GLORY We've already shown you what the Tourism Development Programme is doing in Belize City at the Memorial Park. But the programme also has designs for Placencia, Ambergris Caye and San Ignacio. In Placencia, that means building a multipurpose municipal pier and plaza - which also calls for upgrading the village's famous sidewalk. Now, with all the mega-developments in and around Placencia - the pier and the sidewalk which were once the center of that village's life have been neglected. But the project plans to restore the area's popularity and increase its appeal to visitors and locals. Work is underway, and Chairman of the Village Council Charles Leslie says it will be a major plus for his village: STIRM STELLAR IN "MISSION CATWALK" We recently told you about Rebecca Stirm, a young Belizean fashion designer who was making waves on a Caribbean fashion designer reality series called, "Mission Catwalk". Well, Stirm once again came out on top as this week's challenge winner. She was the first to win a challenge this season by creating a culturally inspired outfit, but this week she won episode 4's challenge where she was instructed to design an outfit inspired by a Cinderella hat. Stirm took a risk by daring to be different with a pants-and-blouse design instead of a summer dress which the other contestants did. Well, it worked, and her design was called, "stylish, creative, on trend" and simply, "amazing" The show is now down to 12 contestants who are all competing for about $35,000 USD in prizes and a chance to show at London Fashion Week. Today we spoke to the Stirm briefly by phone about her achievements and the 19 year old told us that the show was challenging, and she has learned a lot. She adds that her family has been behind her 100%, and that the show, overall, was a great experience. Rebecca, who is a born Belizean is the daughter of Pastor Scott Stirm. Channel 5 After Suicide Report; Distraught Family wants apology There is outright condemnation tonight of the publication of a suicide report in the Tuesday edition of a local newspaper. The public outrage is over the picture of a female minor with a rope around her neck accompanied by the suicide note naming another minor over whom she took her life, which were both plastered [...] Minor receiving threats; family will sue newspaper The incident raises serious ethical questions about how tactful the media should be with cases involving minors and suicides. The family of the youth, whose name was exposed in the newspaper article is taking their case further. The seventeen year old boy has received several threats to his life. His sister says that an apology [...] College Shooting Victim fought attackers so classmate could escape It has not been a good week for students. Five days after his twentieth birthday, another Belize City student was shot while walking home with his female classmate. The Wesley Junior College student is well known not only by his classmates but also by students of other schools. Anthony Leslie has entered numerous athletic activities [...] Is the Gang Truce in Jeopardy? The Gang Suppression Unit has been quiet since a three man Commission determined that they had used excessive and unjustifiable force on Taylor's Alley residents. The Ministry of National Security apologized but Taylor's Alley said no thanks. They asked for compensation and that was met by a swift response� NO. So that's where that is [...] Belmopan resident wins another round of Caribbean Fashion Show On Tuesday night we told you how Belmopan resident, nineteen year old Rebecca Stirm's designs are ripping the runway on Mission Catwalk. She won the first judged piece in episode two with a Belize-inspired dress, was runner up in episode three with a piece that represented the "flapper era" of the 1920's and she has [...] CNN International; Blue Hole among top World Dive Sites There is some other good news to report tonight that places Belize among world class tourism destinations. CNN International is citing the Blue Hole among the top dive sites in the world. The folks at the Belize Tourism Board say that the famous Blue Hole is being recognized as the seventh best dive spot among [...] Mayan King Firings to be heard at CCJ The second appeal from Belize going before the Caribbean Court of Justice is scheduled to be heard on Thursday morning in Barbados. The case dates back as far as June 2001, when Mayan King Limited fired Jose Reyes, Oscar Maradiaga, Julio Hernandez, Cornelio Gutierrez, Emilina Rivera and Rigoberto Maldonado from its banana farms in the [...] Basketball Shooter charged for Attempted Murder In the local courts, twenty year old Keyron Johnson, a resident of Jane Usher Boulevard, appeared unrepresented before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith this morning where he was read three charges stemming from a shooting incident over the weekend. It is believed that on Saturday night around eight o'clock Johnson along with another individual accosted [...] Family of 6 charged for firearm offences Six persons have been arrested and charged for illegal weapons found at a house on Peter Seco Street. Police conducted a search Tuesday and found a point four-ten gauge double barrel shotgun, one single action sixteen gauge shotgun, two sixteen gauge cartridges as well as a stolen lawnmower. Twenty-three year old Errol Lynch, nineteen year [...] Belize Tourism Expo will be big The Belize Tourism Expo (BETEX) is coming up next week. It's a major tourism showcase that brings together local stakeholders with international travel agents to promote Belize as a tourism destination. BETEX is held every two years by the Belize Tourism Industry Association with planning assistance from Idea Lab studios and this year, it's going [...] First Caribbean looking for a few good heroes Since the pilot of the Unsung Heroes Program in 2003, CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank has been seeking out and recognizing persons who selflessly give to their communities. It's that time of year again when the bank invites the public to submit nominations. The programme's local coordinator, Rosanna Villanueva, says that unsung heroes are all over [...] Fire Service gets a Boot Boost The Belize National Fire Service received a donation of ten pairs of fire boots this morning. The boots are the first part of twenty pairs received by the Belize City Council through sister city relations with Michigan. They were donated to the city council by, Vern Bern, who is also a fire-fighter of that state. [...] Awesome moments on KTV Latino If you did not make it to the Bliss on Tuesday night, you missed out on some great fun. The five KTV Latino semifinalists lit up the stage with some favorite songs of years past. Mariachis turned out to be a popular pick for the night, but the renditions of the ballads were as enjoyable. [...] LOVE FM NEW BOOTS FOR FIRE STATION RECRUITS A few weeks ago Belize City Mayor, Darrel Bradley, received a donation of fire resistant rubber boots from Andrews University in Michigan, USA. The 19 pairs will be disseminated among the National Fire Service's recruits who will pass out next month. It comes as a han... FIRST CARIBBEAN BANK LAUNCHES UNSUNG HEROES 2012 First Caribbean Bank's Unsung Heroes program which is carried out in seventeen Caribbean territories in which First Caribbean conducts business and seeks to award outstanding people who are doing exceptional work in their communities was officially launched today. It is the... BELIZE CELEBRATES WORLD HEALTH DAY Belize celebrated World Health Day today. The Pan American Health Organization, Ministry of Health and the National Council on Ageing hosted activities at the Radisson Fort George Hotel in Belize City. This year focuses on the elderly with the theme Good health adds life to years... YOUNG MAN CHARGED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER 20-year-old Keron Johnson, a labourer of Jane Usher Boulevard was charged with the attempted murder of 18-year-old Christopher Jorgenson when he appeared in court today. Johnson was also charged with dangerous harm and use of deadly means of harm. No plea was taken from him... RECOVERY OF STOLEN GOODS LEADS TO SIX PERSONS CHARGED INCLUDING MOTHER AND SONS 19-year-old Kent Lynch, a resident of Peter Seco Street who was one of five persons charged with five offences was sentenced to 13 years and six months today after he pleaded guilty to the charges. The charges were two counts of handling stolen goods, two counts of kept firearm without... CTV3 Troubling is Brewing At The NRH-Two Doctor's To Be Transfered Troubling is brewing at the Northern Regional Hospital after word came out that two doctors working at the hospital will be transferred. Reports are that a few days ago Doctor Celia Cansino, an anesthesiologist at the NRH, and Gynecologist Doctor Jose Salinas received a letter from the Ministry of Health informing them both that in three months time they will be transferred to the Stann Creek and Cayo Districts respectively. No reason was given for the reassignment and that is exactly what has the Orange Walk community and doctors up in arms. Doctor Marco Tulio Mendez- Area Representative Orange Walk East "Pues yo no he visto la carta solo he escuchado y estoy escuchando un poquito m�s fuerte que si puede suceder, porque no lo entiendo m�s sin embargo si se que hubo un problema dentro del hospital hace unos meses en la sala de operaciones pues de alguna manera esas personas trabajan en salas de operaciones y ellos empezaron a demostrar una reacción alteraciones de sus pruebas ap�ticas que empezó a sugerir que pueda ser por tíficos sala de operaciones, ellos se retiraron unos cuantos meses y estaban un poco preocupados de su salud y su bienestar y tomaron sus vacaciones a largo tiempo pero las pruebas hep�ticas han regresado a integrarse al hospital tal vez su preocupación no le gusto a unas personas." Both doctors have been working at the NRH for more than five years. Their services have been undisputable, according to Doctor Mendez who is also the Area Representative for Orange Walk East. Teaching English As A First Language n one rural school within the Orange Walk District the English language is being practiced with great emphasis so as to prepare students for the future. Presently students of Santa Martha Government School are receiving English lessons on pronunciation, writing and communication skills through the efforts of the Ministry of Education and Peace Corp volunteer, Barbara Levy. Today was designated as a celebration of the English language at the school as students spoke only English during the entire day. Barbara Levy, Peace Corp Volunteer "I've been working in the community, in the school with reading and I noticed that it is difficult for the children in reading because they don't speak very good English some of them, some of them they don't put capital in English so I thought I would be a good idea to jump start the speaking of English in the school by having a especial day where we will try for the whole day speak nothing but English, I want the children to feel more comfortable communicating in English and the teachers to be more confident with the children and understand them when they are teaching English in the classrooms but quite a bit of children speak quite a bit of English but it is more comfortable in Spanish." The importance of being able to speak, read and write English, might not come across as an essential aspect of life for young children. Bearing that in mind, special activities were put in place today to stimulate student learning. Manhunt For 17 Year Old Ernesto Bernardez Comes To An End The manhunt for 17 old Ernesto Bernardez, accused of shooting P.C John Valerio on the head with his own firearm has ended. On Sunday Bernardez's mother handed him over to Belize City Police after he had been on the run for almost two weeks. Bernardez was arraigned at the Belize Family Court on Monday where a number of charges were levied against him including two counts of attempted murder upon police constables John Valerio and Ian Wagner. The teenager was additionally charged with two counts of use of deadly means of harm upon both officers as well as a single count of wounding upon Wagner. No plea was taken from Bernardez and he was transported to the Wagner's Facility located at the Belize Central Prison. On April 2nd, sometime around 5:00pm, P.C John Valerio received information that an individual fitting the description of a suspect who stole a firearm from P.C Ian Wagner was sighted near the Caye Caulker Airstrip. Responding to the call P.C Valerio approached Bernardez as he was about to catch a flight to Belize City and conducted a search on him. During the search Bernardez somehow got a hold of Valerio's gun and shot him on the head before making good his escape. Luckily the bullet on grazed the police constable. Alfredo Cruz Transferred From The Ministry Of Works And Transport Adrian Wade and Cirilio Teul became former employees of the Ministry of Works here in Orange Walk on Friday after they got the ax allegedly under the instructions of the Minister of Works Rene Montero. Wade and Teul worked at the Ministry for a combined 15 years but on Friday the men's years of service were interrupted when they were handed their walking papers. What's raising eyebrows is that Wade, who worked under a UDP Administration for almost four years and Teul who worked at the Ministry for 12 years under the mandate of both political parties, were fired without any given reason. Their termination; however, came as no surprise. Last week the Belize Times Newspaper published a letter that exposed Montero's plan to fire seven employees of the Ministry of Works here in Orange Walk. All indications are that Alfredo Cruz, the Administrative Officer at the Ministry, was not in agreement with the firing of the seven workers namely Cecilo Carballo who has been employed by the Ministry for the past 24 years, Steve Leiva and Caesar Cal who have been with the Ministry for the past 13 years, Shelma Herbert and employee of the Ministry for almost 8 years, Cornelio Leiva employed at the Ministry for 16 years and Adrian Wade and Cirilo Teul who were fired. Santa Martha Village Upgrades Its Means Of Transportation Today the tiny village of Santa Martha on the Old Northern Highway did not only witness the donation of utensils for the village's school. A few months ago Bob Brumhang, President of Belize Birds Limited, contacted the Chairman of the Santa Martha Village Council and offered to donate a bus to the Santa Martha Government School and the community on whole. Bob Brumbaugh, Belize Birds Limited "I bought a piece of land right beside of Santa Martha because I like it, it was jungle and had tapirs and Jaguars and toucans and all sorts of interesting things and then I found out that the people were cutting the mahogany tree of the forest and that is the reason they were doing that is to feed the kids and I went to the school and I want to bring people down to look at the jungle and if you keep people off from cutting the trees I will help you your village and your school and that is how I came to know the school and I like the kids and I decided to help them." According to Alejandro Hernandez, School Principal, the vehicular donation will facilitate better transportation for students as well as community members. Louisville Resident In Serious Condition At The KHMH After He Is Attacked With A Machete On Monday April 16th 23 year old Kenny Matus, a cane cutter from the Village of Louisville in the Corozal District was having dinner at a friend's house when an unexpected neighbor only known as Nigel entered the kitchen. Nigel proceeded to attack Matus with a machete. The incident unfolded shortly after 9:00 on Friday night and today when we visited the village we found out that the motive behind Matus' attack is still unknown. Hipolito Novelo reports. Hipolito Novelo- Reporting Shortly after 9 o'clock on Monday night, 23 year old Kenny Matus was having dinner at his friend's house when an individual only known as "Nigel" suddenly appeared in the kitchen with a machete and proceeded to viciously attack Matus for no apparent reason. Filipa Yam was in the kitchen at the time and was horrified at what she witnessed. Filipa Yam, Witness "Pues yo estaba aquí en mi cocina, el muchacho estaba bebiendo ac� y mi otro hijo estaba ac� y yo ni me di cuenta que el hombre ya vino ac� es cuando tenía el machete el ac� y es cuando �l le dijo que ahorita te voy a matar le dijo y le zamparon ac� y el corrió." After a struggle, Matus managed to escape from Nigel by running outside. By the look of the bloodstains Matus had already been gravely injured and shortly after collapsed to the ground. Five Month Old Baby Boy In Need Of Your Assistance In this segment we bring you the story of five month old Nicholas Rowland from the Village of Xiabe who is in dire need of assistance. Baby Rowland was born with a rare congenital malformation of the Nervous System named Dandy Walk Syndrome with Obstructive Hydrocephalus. Due to the sickness baby Rowland's brain has not been able to develop properly causing an increase of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain due to a blockage in the ventricular veins. Beatris Noh, Grandmother "Ella lo supo que cuando ella estaba embarazada fue a sacar el ultrasonido entonces allí le dijeron que el nene estaba enfermo pero nunca pensó que el nene iba a estar en esa situación que tiene ahorita. No dijeron que es lo que tiene solo dijeron que �l un tenía un liquido pero no le dijeron exactamente qu� es lo que tiene." When Rowland was just one month old he underwent surgery and a Ventricular Peritoneal shunt was attached to his brain in order for the cerebrospinal fluid to flow out. But on March 28th 2012 Rowland was hospitalized urgently at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital due to dysfunction of the shunt system. LOVE TV Youth charged for attempted murder 20-year-old Keron Johnson, a labourer of Jane Usher Boulevard was charged with the attempted murder of 18-year-old Christopher Jorgenson when he appeared in court today. Johnson was also charged with dangerous harm and use of deadly means of harm. No plea was taken from him because the offences are indictable; neither could the court offer [...] Residents of Maya Center hold protest Residents of Maya Centre village in the Stann Creek district are growing impatient about the situation regarding allegations of financial misconduct by members of the community's water board. On Tuesday evening, a group of residents staged at three-hour long protest in front of the Water Board office. Correspondent Harry Arzy reports. The residents of Maya [...] Belize joins in celebrating World Health Day Belize today joined the rest of the international community in celebrating World Health Day. As part of the observance today, activities were organized by the Pan American Health Organization, the Ministry of Health and the National Council on Ageing. This year the focus of World Health Day is the elderly with the theme: "Good health [...] Doctor complains about announced transfer Tonight there are reports of discontent coming out of the Northern Regional Hospital. Correspondent Arturo Cantun has the details. Unfamiliar pills sold over the counter There are concerns about untested pharmaceutical drugs in circulation. Love TV's Marion Ali and video journalist Myles Gillett has our report tonight. Doctor complains about announced transfer Tonight there are reports of discontent coming out of the Northern Regional Hospital. Correspondent Arturo Cantun has the details. Fire department gets high-power boots A few weeks ago Belize City Mayor, Darrel Bradley, received a donation of fire resistant rubber boots from Andrews University in Michigan, USA. The 19 pairs will be disseminated among the National Fire Service's recruits who will pass out next month. It comes as a handy gift, says Fire Chief, Francis Thomas, who was on [...] Thieves rob church collection The church is a place where the God-fearing attend to pray and worship. But on Monday the collection money at Saint Ignatius Church on Basra Street became the target preyed upon - by thieves. Love News has learned that the incident occurred just after ten o'clock on Monday morning while a parish employee was across the street at another building belonging to the parish. Two men entered and held him up with a gun and took away the container with the money inside. Our understanding is that over two thousand dollars was in the package, which was intended to be deposited the same morning. Our source indicates that one of the thieves attempted to shoot the employee, who is an elderly citizen, but the gun snapped and the robbers fled. Wanted youth turns himself in A seventeen year old youth from the Gungulung area of Lake Independence finds himself in hot water tonight after he was remanded to the Hattieville Prison on some major charges. The youth, whose name we are withholding because he is a minor was in the news earlier this month when on April second in Caye Caulker, he allegedly wrestled away a policeman's service weapon and shot him twice in the head with it, and assaulted another cop on the same island the day before. Tonight the youth finds himself behind bars on charges of Attempted Murder, Use of Deadly Means of Harm, and Theft of the firearm from that officer, Police Constable John Valerio. Bernardez reportedly absconded to Belize City and has been on the run ever since the two incidents. But on Saturday night, he handed himself into Belize City police in the company of a Justice of the Peace. The incident in which he is charged occurred at around 5:05 on the evening of Monday April second when the youth, wanted for the assault of the first officer and theft of his gun, was intercepted by PC Valerio while trying to board a flight at the Caye Caulker Airstrip. The encounter ended up near fatal shooting of the policeman, after which the youth fled with the weapon. Home invasion in Dangriga leaves women traumatized Two women in Dangriga town were assaulted over the weekend during an armed home invasion. Shari Joseph, who owns and operates an Internet Caf� on Sharp Street in Dangriga town, is one of the victims of the terrifying incident. And she told her story to Love TV's Patrick Jones via telephone this morning. Joseph says that none of the stolen items have been recovered. And while she appeals to people not to purchase the stolen items, she is concerned that a close relative of the main suspect is trying to counteract the story by claiming that the suspect was at home at the time of the alleged incident. PlusTV Suspect Circumstances; Mayor John August speaks on transfer of OIC Alvan Gentle PART 3 Over the last two days PlusNews has highlighted the controversy brewing in San Ignacio regarding the imminent trans... Belize City home sprayed with bullets A resident of Belama phase 3 says that she is lucky to be alive - after her home was shot up about 12 times. Juanit... Belmopan CITCO addresses setback in plans for proposed farmers market While the upcoming works on the George Price Boulevard is a welcomed one, we had to ask the City Administrator abou... Heavy duty boots donated to the Belize City Fire Dep. Belize City Council donated some heavy duty boots to Belize City fire department. Councillor Phillip Willoughby tod... Reconstruction project in the works for George Price Blvd The Belmopan City Council was officially sworn in on March 19th at the Independence Park. In his address at that sw... Council for Ageing celebrates World Health Day The Ministry of Health in collaboration with PAHO and the Council for Aging celebrated World Health Day originally ... Rebecca Stirm continues to wow judges in Caribbean design series After a first win on episode two and placing as runner-up in the following episode, Belizean fashion designer Rebec... Manhunt for suspected teen shooter comes to an end Just before the Easter Break a manhunt had been launched on Caye Caulker for teenage fugitive, 17 year old Ernesto ... Father of eight dies in road accident Forty seven year old Bacilio Novelo, a resident of Yo Creek Village in the Orange Walk District was the victim of a... Caye Caulker Chronicles Barrier Reef Sports Bar presents Guitar Jam on Fridays Go SLOW Jam Session 2:30 to 5:30 Blogs Flora around Chico Caribe Just some of the pretty flowers I saw blooming around our building and our side of Grand Caribe yesterday morning... Actor Morgan Freeman speaks for San Mateo Empowerment Project Heather and I wee chatting on the coconut phone today and she popped me a link to Ole Miss News and said to go check out Kim Shakelford's new video produced by University of Mississippi's Division of Outreach. For those of you who do not know who Kim is she is a social worker who has spent a lot of time here in Belize. Kim has done fabulous work counseling kids at Holy Cross School and spearheaded the proper building of a much needed road in San Mateo. I had loaded the video and started watching it when Paul came out of his office for a break. The video stopped him in his tracks, he asked what I was watching and instantly recognized the voice of well know actor Morgan Freeman. Even though we were 99% sure I wrote Kim to fact check and make sure before posting and asked her if there was anything else she wanted everyone to know about the project. Here is what she wrote back: Laurie, it is Morgan! He is from Mississippi. I wrote the script. I guess you could say we have built over 1,000 feet now and 100 students have participated in the service-learning classes and helped on the San Mateo Empowerment Project. We are looking forward to further work! Thanks!! Kim San Pedro Scoop is Being Read in Angola...How Cool is That? I absolutely love that someone that I've never met is referencing my blog on his website. In Angola. Yes, Africa! A continent I've never visited. But am DYING to. This gentleman is a fantastic writer...I mean seriously good stuff. And he seems like the kind of guy we'd all want to have a few beers with. He was a British soldier that worked in Belize in the 80s... take a look at these pictures. He's got more. Does anyone recognize these guys? International Sources $55 million to improve health conditions for Women and Children in Mesoamerica Salud Mesoamerica 2015, a regional health initiative, will begin operations in Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, Panama, and shortly in Costa Rica and the Mexican state of Chiapas, with investments totaling $55 million to improve health conditions for some 1.8 million women and children living in extreme poverty in 121 municipalities. Inter-American Development Bank President, Luis Alberto Moreno, Instituto Carlos Slim de la Salud President, Marco Antonio Slim and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Senior Program Officer, Wolfgang Munar announced the start of the initiative's operations at a press conference held during the World Economic Forum on Latin America. Honduran Health Minister Arturo Bendana, acting president of the Mesoamerican Public Health System, represented the region's governments at the event. WE'VE LET CORPORATIONS AND MEDIA ROB OUR SOULS - IT'S TIME TO DO SOMETHING MEANINGFUL I just returned from several months in Central America. And the day I returned I had iguana eggs for breakfast, airline pretzels for lunch and a $7 shot of Jack Daniels for dinner at the Houston Airport, where I spent two hours listening to a Christian religious fanatic tell about Obama running a worldwide child porn ring out of the White House. Entering the country shoeless through airport homeland security, holding up my pants because they don't let old men wear suspenders through security, well, I knew I was back home in the land of the free. Anyway, here I am with you good people asking myself the first logical question: What the hell is a redneck writer supposed to say to a prestigious school of psychology? Why of all places am I here? It is intimidating as hell. But as Janna Henning and Sharrod Taylor here have reassured me that all I need to do is talk about is what I write about. And what I write about is Americans, and why we think and behave the way we so. To do that here today I am forced to talk about three things - corporations, television and human spirituality. Canada Helps Belize and Costa Rica Combat Crime with Ballistics Law enforcement agencies in both Belize and Costa Rica are to receive the latest in IBIS forensic ballistics identification equipment; IBIS TRAX-3D. Developed by Forensic Technology WAI Inc. of Montreal, Canada, IBIS is used by police and forensic investigators to link firearm-related crimes, suspects and firearms. "IBIS technology is an excellent tool for helping investigators solve more firearm crime. Many countries in both Central and South America have embraced our ballistics identification technology for many years and have had great success in taking violent offenders off the streets," said Robert Walsh, President of Forensic Technology, "we are extremely proud that the Canadian government has chosen to help these countries in a way that will truly make a difference with regard to violent transnational crime." Cowles dance-a-thon helps children in Belize Drake University students and the school mascot, Spike, will dance with students at Cowles Montessori School on Friday in a dance-a-thon to help schoolchildren in Belize. The event will be in the Cowles gym, 6401 College Ave. in Windsor Heights, to benefit the James Arthur Albert Foundation, which assists with educational needs of impoverished children in Belize. The gym will be decorated with a Caribbean theme. Kindergarten through third-grade students will participate from 6 to 7 p.m. and must be accompanied an adult. Fourth- through eighth-grade students will participate from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. Jim Albert, a Drake Law School professor and founder of the James Arthur Albert Foundation, will present a short program during the event to explain the group's work in Belize. Belize wins AGAIN on Mission Catwalk's 2nd Season After an initial win on episode two and placing runner-up in the following episode, Belizean fashion designer Rebecca Stirm wins episode four of the Caribbean fashion designer reality series Mission Catwalk with a design inspired by a selection from Cinderella Hats. "When I saw the hats I immediately knew which one I wanted to work with. The ladylike peach hat had caught my eye. In my original sketch for the piece, I had planned on doing a soft summer dress. After looking around a bit though, and realizing that everyone else was doing dresses, I chose to do a blouse and pants." Her move won her points from judge Novia McDonald-Whyte Lifestyle editor at Jamaica Observer who commented that the pant's pleating and subtle ankle details were "genius." Rebecca, who found material for her episode 2 design in the curtain section of Pablos's, again went outside the box and sourced fabric for her pants in the upholstery department: "a stronger material with a lot of body and shape." UCB Studies Language of a Wrecked African Slave Ship Spoken by Very Few UC Berkeley linguistics professor Lev Michael and nine graduate students studied the complex indigenous language of Garifuna, according to a UC Berkeley press release. There are approximately 200,000 Garinagu living in Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua and Guatemala. There are also some transplants to Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago and New York City. The group worked with native Garifuna (pronounced Ga-RIF-foo-nah) speaker Philip Tim Palacio of Rocklin, California. The Garifuna people trace their origins to a wrecked African slave ship that washed ashore in the Caribbean in 1675. On the ship were Calinago, Carib and Arawaks who inhabited the Eastern Caribbean Islands including St. Vincent. Major events and new conference facilities to boost Central America as MICE destination Meanwhile, several major international events will be taking place in the region during 2012: � Belize will host the "Belize Tourism Expo (BETEX)" from 25 to 27 April. The event, organised by the Belize Tourism Industry Association, is aimed at tourism professionals from around the world and will showcase Belize's main tourist destinations, hotels, operators and other tourism suppliers. It is an ideal opportunity to make new contacts with local providers and get to know the destination better. � Costa Rica will host 200 companies from 13 countries at the "Medical Travel International Business Summit 2012" from 23 to 25 April. The event will facilitate business meetings between buyers of medical and dental services from the US, Canada and other countries and local suppliers, and will help consolidate Costa Rica, and Central America, as a health tourism destination. The programme includes seminars and visits to clinics, amongst other activities. � Guatemala, which recently hosted the "XXI Latin America Port Congress" in Antigua, has been named as the host of the "II Central American Conference of the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association", which will take place in May 2013. This event will gather the world's most important cruise companies and is expected to help increase cruise tourism in Guatemala." Last edited by Marty; 11/17/12 10:13 AM.