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Last night's TV news on Channel 7 and Channel 5
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials
The San Pedro Sun
The reality of life in San Mateo
It's just before ten on a Friday morning, and the island heat is beginning its climax. Miss Daisy turns around from the living room into the kitchen, without taking a step. She stirs the pot of rice, knowing it will last her exactly three days. Daisy has lived in San Mateo for six years. The two room home she and her family of five live in now was built little by little after she obtained the plot of land from the government. Even though she had to walk along planks to get to her land, it did not change the fact that the land was hers.
"This has been our way of living from way back, so it really doesn't worry us," she says of life in San Mateo. "We came over because there were many persons just coming and squatting on the land. We wanted to keep an eye on ours."
Miss Daisy's day began just like any other mother's. She woke at six a.m., cooked breakfast for the family and then sent her oldest child in the house to school. But today, instead of cleaning house, she is searching for electricity. Her home has been without any electricity for the past three months. Because light poles do not reach her area of San Mateo, she has to buy electricity from someone near the front of the community.
"I could not afford the amount I was being charged," she explains. "They [electric companies] won't allow any more electricity to be connected to those poles because they already have too many [lines] on them already."
San Pedro Lions Club receives check donation from Coon Valley Lions Club
Visually impaired kids on the island to benefit from donation... The San Pedro Lions Club on Ambergris Caye, Belize received a donation from the Coon Valley Lions Club from Wisconsin, USA on Friday January 18th. The donation was made on behalf of the club by Loran Nordgren of Westby, Wisconsin and is a result of a donation with the understanding that half the money raised in a raffle was for the Coon Valley Lions Club and the other half for the San Pedro Lions Club.
According to Nordgren, the club in the US raffled a trip for four people to Belize, with accommodation for a week at his Ambergris Caye home. "We raised over $12,000 US and after expenses it came to a little over $7000 US profit half of which came to San Pedro Lion Club," said Nordgren who elaborated that the reason he chose to offer his home for a week in the raffle with the condition to help the island's club is because he fell in love with the island.
Belize aims high at the Copa Centroamericana (UNCAF)
Costa Rica was the host of this year's Copa Centroamericana (UNCAF), an international football championship for national teams within Central America. The participating members of this league are Panama, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and of course Belize, the only English speaking national team in the Copa Centroamericana. The games began on Friday, January 18th when Belize took the field against the home team Costa Rica in the inaugural game. Belizeans across the country made plans to ensure prime viewing; many headed to sportsbars, while some hosted friends at home, and others just had a quiet night of viewing, ready to cheer on their beloved Belize team.
At 8PM, the National Belize football selection was on the field with the players' minds focused on a strong defense throughout the game. Costa Rica's first goal attempt came within the first few minutes, and Belize's defense stepped up, blocking the first of many attempts. Team Costa Rica was determined for a win, but Belize was not backing down. By the time the whistle blew to signal the end of the first half, there was no score on the board; Belize had held its ground to Costa Rica.
Ambergris Today
Caye Caulker's "Underwater Wilderness" Featured in Men's Journal Magazine
The island of Caye Caulker has been featured as one of "The Nearest Faraway Beach Towns" in Men's Journal.
Stephen Rodrick, the writer, begins by saying, "Getting to Caye Caulker isn't easy. Leaving with all your fingers isn't guaranteed." The entire spread highlights seven less crowded beaches that visitors have come to love. The article on Caye Caulker highlights the water adventures that can be found at Caye Caulker, such as fly fishing and swimming with nurse sharks, eagle rays, and dolphins. As a testament to the elements of excitement and surprise, Rodrick stated that, "Leaving with all your fingers isn't a guarantee", referring to dive master, Eugene Bul, who was surprised by a four-foot barracuda.
San Pedro Carnaval Goes Bigger
The San Pedro Town Council declares Carnival 2013 a Big Time Event this time around. In an effort to discourage vandalism and destruction to property, to promote San Pedro and make Carnival an annual tourist attraction, to discourage aggressive behavior and improper touching of persons, the Mayor and the Cultural Committee have proposed to enhance on this cultural tradition and make it a sensational attraction for both locals and tourists.
A few bold and original incentives have been planned to make this event a thrilling experience. First of all the programmers will step up the celebration from three to five days. Here's a plan of the events to be announced formally by the Mayor.
Sharing Ideas with Media Partners in Central America
I got the opportunity to gather with fellow journalists from across the Central American region this week at an international seminar that dealt with tourism and the role of the media in reporting tourism-centered news/features and also how the media can properly manage reporting during times of crisis to minimize the effects on a country's tourism industry.
Invited to the seminar was a broad spectrum of participants that included international and regional media, travel bloggers and writers. Belize was represented by five person, two from San Pedro and three from the mainland and they all played an integral part in sharing their ideas and even participate in a panel discussion.
Flashbacks: Police Presence in San Pedro
This Flashback photo takes us back in time to the 1950's when a single police officer was stationed in San Pedro to take on the responsibility of law and order, immigration, customs, registrar of births, registrar of deaths, health, and a few other minor duties. The only responsibility that the officer did not have was prosecution, and that was because back in those days there were no crimes committed locally that necessitated prosecuting anybody in a court of law. Ah and don't forget, besides these many obligations, the officer still found time to go fishing.
Back to the flashback. The door on the right led to a tiny office no larger than 6 X 8 feet which housed a table, 2 chairs, a filing cabinet and a communications radio. The door on the left led into a holding cell which was about the same size of the officer's office. Most of the time it was not in use so you could find fishing net, paddles, snorkeling gear and a few other personal items. These items were removed occasionally when some drunk decided to give unwarranted trouble and asked to sleep in the prison for some hours.
25 Years Ago: A Letter to Formally Date a Girl
Very often when I address young boys and girls on my book "25 Years Ago", they ask me questions that remind me of other topics. This week the first form Students at San Pedro High asked about courting and romance. I even had to sing a song that formed part of a serenade years ago in San Pedro. Today I recall how a young lover went about requesting the privilege to date a young lady and become her fiancee. Here is the letter written by a young lover to his future (hopeful) father-in-law.
With this letter Anto�o, who had been courting Rosita at the park, at parties and on the streets, announces to Rosita's parents his good intentions towards their daughter. He wants to make formal his relationship with her. Previously, she had been his "enamorada" (girlfriend) but he now wants her to be his "novia" (fiance). court
Years ago in San Pedro, Anto�o would write in his best handwriting or have a confidential friend of his write it out. He would place the letter in an envelope and send it to his future father-in-law. Any young boy on the street would deliver it for 25 cents. If he wanted to look good and gain favor with the family, he would send it with a young brother of the girl. Some brave young men delivered it themselves.
Pic of the Week: Go Slow in Caye Caulker, Belize
We captured the true definition of Caye Caulker's 'Go Slow' motto this past weekend as there was nothing or anybody that was moving this dog from the middle of the street. He was taking a morning nap as pedestrian and golf carts passed by - the very little traffic that there is on the streets of Caye Caulker.
Misc Belizean Sources
Isla Bonita Elementary School Marching Band
The San Pedro Town Council made a contribution to the Isla Bonita Elementary School Marching Band which will be used for travel costs, uniforms and other needs. They are arduously preparing for Band Fest 2013, which will be held on March 23rd, 2013 in Belmopan. If you would also like to make a contribution you may contact the school at Tel. 226-3754 or you can Email them at [email protected] or [email protected] for more information.
Flavors of Belize on Daytime TV
Flavors of Belize was highlighted on Daytime TV. More great exposure for Belize, its food, and its great culture.
"Flavors of Belize had the wonderful opportunity of being hosted on Daytime TV on January 16th. Daytime TV, produced by River Bank Studios covers 85% percent of US household viewers, with a reach of 97.1 million homes across the United States and is syndicated in over 100 markets. The show aired today at 11am ET and we will be posting a copy as soon as it's available!"
Computer Classes at the GPC
Starting today, the George Price Centre will start with one and two day IT classes. Contact the GPC for more information.
Microsoft Project: 22nd and 23 of January.
Microsoft Word: 29th of January.
Microsoft Excel: 30th of January.
Quickbooks: 5th and 6th of February.
Winter Solstice Celebration at Caracol
National Geographic got Joshua Berman's firsthand report of staying overnight on Ca'ana at Caracol, for the Winter solstice, to celebrate the end of the long count Maya calendar. Dr. Jaime Awe, director of the Belize Institute of Archaeology, was there to explain the history of Caracol. Here's the video to go with the story that was released a few weeks ago.
"Sleeping under the stars on top of a Maya temple in the middle of one of Central America's largest tropical forests is the stuff of dreams. Especially in this day and age, when most major Maya sites are off limits outside daylight hours. But tonight is different. Another shooting star! The forest canopy rustling in the night breeze below sounds like rain, but, amazingly, the December sky is clear. Sometime around 3:30 a.m., a drum begins to beat. Maya elders are leading a procession through the trees to perform the solstice ceremony. I know I should go (I don't want to miss anything!), but I also don't want to miss the show above me. So I remain in my sleeping bag, glued to the sky. That, after all, is where it all began. The sky."
Best of Cayo's insight:
Channel 7
Creditor Committee Co-Chair Visits To Say Superbond 2.0 is Ready For Launch
Superbond 2.0 is about two weeks away from launching. That's the news coming out of a prime ministerial press conference held this afternoon. But it wasn't just another announcement like the one held before Christmas, today, Prime Minister Dean Barrow was joined by A-J Mediratta, he's the co-chair of the creditors' committee.
That committee represents over 50% of the bondholders - the group that stands to lose the most from the renegotiation. Mediratta arrived in the country on Saturday where Prime Minister Barrow and Speaker of the House, Mike Peyrefitte, greeted him at the airport. He flew out to San Pedro with his family and returned today for the press conference. His presence indicates that the new deal is done in accord with the creditors. And while they stand to lose hundreds of millions of dollars over the life of the bond, Mediratta was agreeable enough. Both he and the PM agreed that the process would soon be finished:
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"The general economic terms of the restructuring have been agreed. While then I can't say to you this afternoon that the deal is done, I can tell you that we are so close to finality that we expect to launch the exchange offer within the next week or two."
AJ Mediratta, Greylock Capitol, Co-Chair, Creditor's Committee
"We are very close. A broad agreement on the general terms was reached in late December and we are right now really just priming through the process."
PM Responds To NTUCB Statement
And so while there are savings to be realized in the coming year, Government says it didn't have the money to make the payments in the first place! And that's why the PM made it clear today that from the Government's perspective there's no way this measure of breathing room can be used to try and pay for, or justify a wage increase for teachers and public servants. Here's his explanation:
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"If of course we were to do anything such as immediately add back on to the deficit that we would just have succeeded in narrowing something like the two hundred and odd million dollars over three years that the salary demands would represent, we would have ended up in a decision where the public and the international community will say to us well you just succeeded in the fool's gold feet of digging a hole to fill a hole and in fact of digging a larger hole to fill a smaller hole."
Today the National Trade Union Congress of Belize - the umbrella group for all major unions issued a statement saying that, quote, "the NTUCB expresss its total and unconditional solidarity the Association of Public Service Senior Managers, the Belize National Teachers' Union and the Public Service Union."
Senior Citizen Murdered In Maskall
But right now we turn from news of the government's finances to murder - the ninth of 2013. This time the victim is an older man - and he was killed in Belize Rural. Monica Bodden went to Maskall village to find out about the violent death Fitzroy Morales:..
Monica Bodden reporting
61 year old Ervin Morales was found dead inside his home in the village of Maskal just after midday on Saturday afternoon.
The elderly man was discovered by a neighbor - lying face down on his bedroom floor -wrapped in a blanket.
He had a chop wound to the back of his head, left shoulder, hand and both elbows.
A villager identified as Emilia Gotoy who normally cooks for Morales - became concerned when he did not show up for lunch on Saturday afternoon.
Knowing that Morales suffers from epilepsy, Gotoy asked someone to go check up on him.
NTUCB Explains: Inflation Cutting Into Salaries
In our first segment, you heard the Prime Minister outline Government's financial position and why it can't afford to give teachers and public officers the 30% pay increase they are asking for.
Well, the unions don't want to hear it, and today the NTUCB issued a statement saying that it will, quote "support activities aimed at raising the consciousness of the Belizean populace to this issue." Do those activities include a possible strike? That's what our colleagues at PLUS TV asked President of the NTUCB Dylan Reneau today:..
Reporter
"So then this means that the NTUCB will support the BNTU if its goes on sustain this strike?"
Dylan Reneau, President - NTUCB
"The NTUBC will support the Belize National Teachers' Union, the Public Service Union, and the Association of Public Service Senior Managers in whatever action they intend to carry out."
Reporter
"Is the NTUCB satisfied in the legitimacy of GOB's position that the country simply cannot afford to pay?"
Police: He Robbed Hamze
On Friday's Newscast, we told you about the robbery which occurred on Coney Drive at around 5 p.m. Well, the man who allegedly committed it, and was caught by police in the area is in prison tonight after he was arraigned this morning.
As we reported, two men entered Hamze Grocery Store, located at the corner of Blue Marlin Boulevard and Coney Drive, and to rob the owner, Ahmad Hamze, and his relative, Belham Hamze, at gunpoint.
When they tried to flee, 2 of the store's regular patrons set chase after the men, and one of those men fired shots at the robbers with his licensed firearm. No one was hurt, but it allowed enough time for members of the Gang Suppression Unit to respond, and detain one of the men in a swampy area off Coney Drive.
Young Men In Accident, Robbed While Unconscious
Tonight, 5 young men are fortunate to have escaped major injuries in an accident which happened on Sunday morning in Belize City. According to police, 21 year-old Darren Wright, the driver of the Grey Toyota 4 Runner, seen in the footage, reported to police that he was in the vehicle along with 20 year-old Avery Gordon, 21 year-old Kevian Godfrey, a 17 year-old male minor, and the 16 year-old son of the Minister of Housing, Michael Finnegan.
They were travelling at high speed on New Road, and when they arrived near the Puma Gas Station, he lost control of the vehicle. They collided into a lamp post - which snapped, and overturned. The 17 year-old was flung through the broken windshield unto the street. Everyone received injuries from the accident, and 2 of them ended up being hospitalized.
And to make a bad situation worse, the young men were reportedly robbed of their cellular phones, tennis shoes, and trousers while they were in an unconscious state.
Octogenarian Killed In Northern Accident
An 81 year old was killed in a traffic accident on Friday evening at 6:00 in the Corozal District. Eduardo Acosta, was crossing the highway in Calcutta village when he was hit by 56 year old Hector Manuel Torres, a Corozal resident who was northbound. A Post mortem certified the cause of death to be "TRAUMATIC SPINAL SHOCK SYNDROME" due to multiple spinal fractures. Torres has been served with a Notice of intended Prosecution.
Accused of Stealing From Hon. Castro
46-year-old Oscar Hernandez, a Nicaraguan from Caledonia village, is at prison tonight after he was taken to court for allegedly stealing almost $50,000 in equipment from Belize Rural North Area Representative, Edmund Castro.
According to police, Castro reported that between October 2012, and December 2012, his D-6 Bulldozer was parked in an area off Bomba Road, and during that time someone tampered with it and stole several major parts of the engine, to total value of just a shade under fifty thousand dollars.
Police investigated, and they were able to recover all the stolen items at a residence in Ladyville this weekend. The owner of the house pointed police in Hernandez's direction, and after investigating further, they charged him with theft.
Haley Cattouse Convicted
In October of last year, 7News told you about 24 year-old Haley Cattouse, who was busted by police with crack cocaine in her home. Well, she now has to pay $10,000 dollars in fines after she was convicted in the Magistrate's Court today.
As we reported, police searched her home at #77 Banak Street, and found a black plastic bag under the flooring of her house, with 13 pieces of foil paper parcels containing 3.4 grams of crack cocaine. She was charged with drug trafficking, and she was arraigned before Magistrate Cayetano.
She stood trial in subsequent adjournments, and police officers came and testified exactly to what they reported. The prosecutor's case against Cattouse was finished today when the forensic analyst testified to the court that the substance in those pieces of foil paper tested positive for crack cocaine.
Okeke Gives Up On Goldson Project
17 days ago, we told you about Steven Okeke's plan to try to erect a monument to the National Hero, Phillip Goldson, in the Battlefield Park.
He estimated that he needed $5,000 and 1 week to get the bust properly mounted and set in place, and he asked the public to assist him to raise the money for the effort.
Well, he thought that he could stir the public to action by appealing to their sense of patriotism, but - as with all things Okeke - it ended in disappointment.
He decided that there was no point in trying to get this thing done the right way, so on Sunday, he rented a crane and just lowered the bust into the park and left it there.
We asked him why he gave up on the right way and did it any old way. Here's how he explained it:
Steven Okeke
"I left the sculpture at the Battlefield Park yesterday. It was becoming too frustrating; it's kind of you are doing something people have no value for but first I must have to thank those who actually helped me to come this far in that kind of fundraising Ms. Collet Maheia had on behalf of her two children. Mr. Habet and Habet, Mr. Brackett and Mr. Will Mahia. In the process I was spending more money trying to raise the money, so I had to stop immediately because it was taking too long and this thing has been problem for me too. As you try to campaign over this kind of things you spend a lot of money and it's like you are trying to do something people don't want. I was able to raise about $1,800.00 but in the process of raising money I was spending more than I had raise. It was almost going back to zero, so I had to use whatever I had to pay the process of bringing it here and arrangement to just leave it there. There was a time I was angry and then I became disappointed but right now I am embarrass because I thought things would have improve better than this."
Belize Football Has A Chance!
And so while Okeke can't stir the public to move for nationalist pride, the New Belize National Team is doing quite well to rebuild nationalist support for Football in Belize.
On Friday night, they played the host country in their first game of the Copa Centroamericana. It was a game before five thousand, five-hundred Costa Ricans cheering for their "Ticos" - and to the credit of the Belize side - Costa Rica only managed to score one goal against Belize.
The hero of that match and Sunday's game against Guatemala was BDF Goalkeeper Woodrow West.?
Belize held Guatemala to a nil-nil draw, earning Belize its first point of the tournament. We spoke to him via telephone in Costa Rica this evening, and he told us that he is proud of their performance so far:
Woodrow West
"To step up to that level and play a different level of football for Belize.
No Water, No School for Santa Martha Villagers
There were no classes at Santa Martha Government School today - after the small community decided to keep their children at home to protest against their Water Board. The village has been without running water for the last 6 months and today villagers held a demonstration in front of the school compound hoping that someone would listen to their appeal. Monica Bodden did, and here's her story:..
Monica Bodden reporting
It has been six months now since the village of Santa Martha has been without running water. We understand the population of the village is roughly about 700 villagers -162 of that 700 are children who attend the village primary school.
But today the classrooms of Santa Martha Government School were empty - to be precise, only 2 students attended school today. That is because the parents of the community decided to keep their children at home as a sign of protest - until someone addresses their water issues.
Trip Advisor Loves Belize
Trip Advisor has released its 2013 Awards and once again, Belize shines.
Belize's resorts dominated the categories of "Top 25 Small Hotels in Central America" and "Top 25 Hotels for Service in Central America." A total of 12 Belize properties were awarded, giving Belize 48% of the total including #1 Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Shop - San Pedro, Belize and #2, Pelican Reef Villas Resort - San Pedro, Belize plus #3, The Phoenix Resort - San Pedro, # 4 Coco Plum Island Resort - Dangriga, Belize - and the list goes on. Belzie also shined in the Top 25 Hotels for Service in Central America, the Top 25 Hotels in Central America: the Top 20 Luxury Hotels in Central America: and earned the two spots in Top 25 Luxury Hotels in the World:
Channel 5
Renegotiated bond to save U.S. $247 Million
The government said today that a deal will soon be struck in re-negotiating the five hundred and fifty million dollars U.S. bond. In 2012, it appeared that a default was imminent, and then the government offered only a partial payment in September. There was a sixty day extension period which expired in November, and then [...]
Bondholders sympathetic to Belize?
The P.M. said the debt flow relief will not eliminate the country's fiscal or financial gap. While Barrow believes this pending agreement mends the relationship with the external financial community he was also hopeful that debt servicing will be sustainable. AJ Mediratta, a senior partner of Greylock Capital Management told the media that they represent [...]
"Impossible!" P.M. comments on salary adjustment
The hundreds of millions in dollars of relief brought by a restructured bond may have given teachers hope that the government will be able to grant pending salary adjustments. But the Prime Minister has crushed all hopes of those salary increases occurring in the near future. Following today's press conference with the chairman of the [...]
London Court awards $36 Million to Belize Bank
It is not known how it will factor in the superbond savings but the London Court of International Arbitration recently issued an award in favour of the Belize Bank Limited in arbitration proceedings commenced by the Bank against the Government.� Word to News is that the arbitration concerned the breach by the Government of a [...]
Senior citizen murdered in Maskall
There has not been a murder since the massacre of four gang affiliates in Belize City two weeks ago, but over the weekend, a senior citizen, who is an epileptic, was found dead in his house in Maskall off the Philip Goldson Highway.� Ervin Morales lived alone in a two bedroom house; his body was [...]
Strike on horizon; N.T.U.C.B. supports teachers
Dialogue between the Barrow Administration and the Belize National Teachers Union, the Public Service Union, as well as the Association of Public Service Senior Managers concerning the long overdue salary adjustment resumed in mid 2012, following a four year suspension.� Since then the parties have been in negotiations; but have failed to arrive at an [...]
School fees could increase with salaries
With the impending national demonstration and possible strike action at government's front door, Patrick Faber, who leads a ministerial committee on collective bargaining agreement with the unions, said last Friday that government does not have the finances to support the adjustment. This morning, Faber likened the adjustment to an increase and further warned that it [...]
Paying gangs but why not educators?
Minister Faber was also asked about payment made to gangs, either for the truce or to keep the peace in the aftermath of the slaughter of four George Street Gang affiliates two weeks ago. Specifically, how is it that there are resources for gangs but not for public officers?� Here is his response. Patrick [...]
Accused of stealing minister's tractor
A man accused of stealing from Minister Edmund “Clear the Land" Castro is behind bars tonight. Nicaraguan national, forty-six year old Oscar Hernandez, a mechanic in the Caledonia Village appeared unrepresented and was arraigned before Magistrate Dale Cayetano on a single charge of theft. It is alleged that between October 2012 and December 2012 in [...]
Not Cool! AC technician jailed for robbery
A shooting took place just adjacent to our headquarters on Coney Drive after a nearby store was robbed last Friday evening. Quick police action led to the arrest of twenty-five year old Nuri Dario Polanco, an air condition technician of Belize City. Polanco was today arraigned in the court of Magistrate Hettie Mae-Stuart and [...]
2 accidents; one is fatal
Two traffic mishaps over the weekend have left one person dead and five others injured. The first occurred in the northern part of the country late Friday evening, where eighty-one year old Eduardo Acosta of Calcutta Village lost his life. Fifty-six year old Hector Manuel Torres of Altamira, Corozal reported that while he was driving [...]
2012's bloody crime statistics
2012 has been recorded as the most murderous year with an unsurpassed number of homicides occurring between January first and December thirty-first.� While the annual statistics for crime and violence have been progressive, there has been an overall increase of fourteen and a half percent as it relates to murders in comparison to 2011.� There [...]
No water in Santa Martha Village; villagers up in arms
The village of Santa Martha is located off the Philip Goldson Highway; it is home to about six hundred residents of which about one hundred and sixty are of school age. This morning while the school doors were open, only two students showed up for classes. As in other communities, a problem over the lack [...]
Football highlights on Sports Monday
Good evening, I'm James Adderley and this is Sports Monday. The national football team of Belize has created much excitement and has increased expectations after 2 outings so far in the 2013 Copa Centroamericana. There is indeed a real chance that team Belize can advance to the 2nd round and that objective demands that [...]
LOVE FM
Unions Want Salary Increase; Minister Says It Currently Cannot Be Done
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize today issued a statement saying it stands in complete solidarity with the three of its affiliates in the stand they have taken relating to the current status of the negotiation of the Collective Bargaining agreement. On the issue ...
Police Arrests and Seeks Another Man In Connection With Armed Robbery
One man was arrested and charged and police are looking for another suspect following an armed robbery on Friday. 41-year-old Ahmad Hazme owner of Hazme Grocery Store located on Blue Marlin Boulevard on Coral Grove reported to police that just after five o'clock on Friday e...
UB Student Government Gives Minister Deadline To Reconsider the Halt of School Fees Subsidy
The Association of Student Government of the University of Belize has written to Minister of Education Patrick Faber. The Association is requesting that Minister Faber reconsiders the position in discontinuing the subsidizing of school fees for incoming students of the University...
Traffic Incident In Corozal Proves Fatal for Senior Citizen
An elderly man was knocked down and killed last Friday evening. In the official release Police say they responded to the scene of a traffic accident in Calcutta Village where they saw a 1997 Geo metro car parked on the right hand side of the road with shattered windshield w...
Superbond Renegotiation Almost Finalised
Prime Minister Dean Barrow today hosted a press conference to update the nation on the progress of the renegotiation of Belize's external debt, commonly referred to as the super bond. Last December, the Prime Minister announced that agreement has been reached in principle a...
Young Woman Fined For Crack Cocaine
Twenty-four year old Haley Cattouse, of a Banak Street address, who was charged with drug trafficking for three point four grams of crack cocaine, was fined $10,000.00 after she was found guilty of the charge. Magistrate Dale Cayetano gave her until April 30 to pay the fine. If she def...
Mechanic Steals From Government Minister
Forty-six tear old Nicaraguan national Oscar Hernandez, an auto mechanic who resides in Caledonia Village, was charged with the theft of $49,884.00 worth of bulldozer parts from the Minister of Transport, Edmund Castro, when he appeared in court today. No plea was taken because the...
CTV3
Another Life Claimed On The Philip Goldson Highway
Last week Friday, the Phillip Goldson Highway claimed the first life for 2013 in a tragic traffic accident. According to eye witness reports, a burgundy colored 1997 Geo Metro Car with license plate Czl-C-12218, traveling north towards Corozal Town which was being driven by 56 year old Hector Manuel Torres, swerved off the road and knocked down an elderly man. Torres reported to police that another vehicle was travelling in the opposite direction as he was and when he noticed, the vehicle was coming straight at him in his lane. In order to avoid a head on collision, Torres swerved off the right hand side of the road but did not notice eight-one year old Luciano Eduardo Acosta. Acosta was crossing the highway and was just feet away from his home when the burgundy colored Geo Metro hit him. Acosta sustained severe head trauma, several fractures to his vertebrae, and both his feet broken as well.
Corozaleno Arrested For Possession Of Controlled Drugs
Tonight, the never ending fight on drugs has another man from the Corozal District behind bars. Last Friday evening, Corozal Police acted on information received, and conducted a search on sixty-five year old Daniel Moreno, businessman of Baeza's Layout of Corozal Town. Officers along with the K-9 unit conducted a search on Moreno which yielded a rolled up thin piece of paper with suspected cannabis in it.
The homemade cigarette had all the characteristics of a weed joint. A further search by the Officers lead to the discovery of a black plastic bag containing a leafy substance which was classified as suspected to be cannabis. As a result of the find, the officers took the confiscated items back to the station for further testing and Daniel Moreno was arrested and charged for possession of a controlled drug.
Orange Walk Residents Assist Distraught Family
Four days before Christmas last year the Arzu family house situated at #11 Dangriga Street in Orange Walk Town, was destroyed by a fire. The house belonged to retired citizen, Thomas Arzu and was valued over $140,000, while the belongings were estimated at a little over $10, 000. The extended family of twelve moved in to a temporary dwelling at the New Journey Ministries Church of God in Christ. Today the family still does not have a house to return to and sought the assistance of the community at large.
In what was an unprecedented event, four out of the five radio stations in Orange Walk Town, came together to lend airwaves to the cause. Estereo Amor, Sugar City Radio Station, Universal Radio, and Fiesta FM all teamed up to simulcast the radiothon which took place at Central Park in Orange Walk Town. All four stations carried the same live feed with participation by radio personalities from all four stations.
4,300 Marijuana Plants Go Up In Flames
It has been a while now since we've heard a joint task force pushing forward into the jungles and wilderness of Belize in search of marijuana fields. In the past, we have done several ride alongs with several joint task forces put together to seek out and destroy these illegal fields. Officers waddle through water, endure frigid weather, and dangerous scenarios all in efforts of continuing the fight against the drug world.
This past Friday, the Corozal Police Department put together significant intelligence of the whereabouts of a marijuana field within that district. The anti-drug team conducted an operation about a quarter mile northwest from the village of San Antonio where they discovered a marijuana plantation. When officers measured the field, the plantation measured 125 feet in length and 50 feet in width. A total of 4,300 marijuana plants were uprooted and destroyed measure four and a half inches to six inches in height. Along with the sprouting plants, officers also confiscated over 1,300 seedlings which were being prepared for transplant. All of the plants and seedlings were destroyed by fire and as is the usual in these situations, no one was found in the area.
National Team Makes Belizeans Proud
On Wednesday, January 16th, Belize's National Selection travelled to Costa Rica to participate in the 2013 UNCAF Copa Centroamericana. The A-Selection is headed by head coach Leroy Lewis who has been training the team for about six months. Belize first took to the field on Friday, the 18th of January against the host team, Costa Rica. The last time Belize and Costa Rica played, Costa Rica walked away with a home and away cumulative average of 13 to 1. At the end of regulation time for Belize's first game of this tournament, Costa Rica walked off the field with a mere 1 zip victory sending local media houses in a frenzy. While those criticized their home team, we here in Belize were proud of the effort and high level of play our boys showed on the field.
Belize took to the field for their second match on Sunday, January 20th this time, to face what many here at home have dubbed, their arch nemesis. In what proved to be a hardly fought match, both teams walked off the field in a stale mate, zero zero score. With that draw, Belize got onto the points board with one point. Headlines across Guatemala highlighted the disappointment football enthusiasts expressed towards their team. With this stalemate, Guatemala has remained winless in seven of its last eight UNCAF games.