LOVE FM
BSI/ASR Speaks on Process of Sugar Production
The new sugar cane crop season began last week Monday, and today, BSI/ASR has release it latest information when it comes to the amount of cane ground to the quantity and quality of sugar produce. (VO STARTS) According to the release, this past week, more than 41 thousand tons of cane was ground producing 4 thousand and 4 hundred tons of sugar. The factory ground close to 6 thousand tons per day. The total tons cane per ton sugar, TC/TS was 9.37. According to BSI/ASR, the cane quality is excellent which has resulted in the very best TC/TS for the first week of all times. The factory is planned to take temporary paused on grinding o Monday February 9, from 7am to 1pm. The reason for this was not specified.
Security Guard Meets Gruesome Death Whilst On Duty
The wee hours of this morning saw the brutal murder of an on-duty security guard attached to Anchor Security Services in Belmopan. Renee Trujillo travelled to Belmopan today to see what answers could be had from this latest homicide.
RENEE TRUJILLO REPORTING
"It was a gruesome scene that the supervisor on duty for Anchor Security, Mr Munnings, encountered at around four o'clock this morning when he returned to the office after making his rounds within Belmopan. His colleague, Richard Noralez, who also goes by the name of Richard McKoy, was lying in a pool of blood in the middle of the office with tresses of his dreadlocks scattered around him, his hand almost severed, the top of his head bearing a chop wound so deep that the crown of his head was evident and his face was disfigured. Munnings, had only been away from the office an estimated forty five minutes and when he left, Noralez was alive and well. Love News went to the crime scene and spoke to the Managing Director for Anchor Security, Gary Gentle."
Police Updates on Dream Valley Murder
It was reported as the first murder for the year 2015 when the manager of the Dream Valley Resort, 30-year-old, Yaima Duany Ledesma was shot to death at the establishment on New Year's Day. There were many speculations at the time surrounding this incident including that it was a hit placed on the Cuban national but according to the Officer in Charge of the Belmopan Police Station, Superintendent Howell Gillett the investigation turned out to be a sophisticated one; albeit brief, he did give our reporter, Renee Trujillo, an update on that investigation.
SUPT. HOWELL GILLETT
"Well I can tell you that we are much closer to bringing this matter to closure. The investigation has proven to be a bit sophisticated but we are dealing with it and we are awaiting forensic results. Following those results I believe we could come closer to having an arrest in that case."
Garbage Truck Knocks Mother and Twin Girls off Bicycle
Prime time traffic and pedestrians were halted and delayed this morning just after eight o'clock at the corner of Western Avenue and Mahogany Street in Belize City when a mother and her two children were knocked off a bicycle by a garbage truck belonging to Belize Waste Control. For those familiar with the area, you would know that the flow of traffic and pedestrians is at its height between the hours of seven and nine in the mornings �.. but all that came to a halt as the girls, three year old twins, Maria and Reyna, fell to the pavement and the bicycle they were on laid some feet away, broken in two. According to police reports, the driver of the truck was 48-year-old, Orlando Antonio Pech of a Belize City and the garbage truck collided into the bicycle, injuring the children and their mother, Reyna Savala of a Holy Emmanuel Street address in Belize City.
Vasquez’ Death Ruled as Case of Self Defense
On January 5, 2015, our Belmopan correspondent reported that Belmopan police officers were investigating what had preliminarily been categorized as a murder when 19-year-old, Kevin Vasquez was killed on January 4 inside a house in Belmopan. But as the investigations evolved, it turned out that the case went from a murder to one of self-defense. According to the officer in charge of Belmopan Police Station, Superintendent Howell Gillett, directives came from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to not levy charges against the accused, 31-year-old, Mark Conorquie, as it had clearly been a case of self-defense. The incident occurred on the Sunday evening when neighbors reported the sounds of gunshots coming from inside the house. Police indicate that Vasquez had gone to the house with the intent to kill Conorquie and was subsequently shot in his leg where a main artery was ruptured, leading to his death. The case was closed and labelled as self-defense. Vasquez was a Honduran national who had taken up the welding trade in Belmopan. He had faced charges prior to his death for kidnapping and attempted murder and was a person of interest in a burglary incident in Belmopan.
Vessel Lodged in the Reef Causes Major Concerns
On January 19 of this year, we told you about the concerns raised by residents of Caye Caulker about a boat that had crashed in the reef. Approximately a month has passed since this incident has occurred on December 31, 2014 and the vessel can still be seen lodged in the reef. Belize having the second Barrier Reef in the World, it may be one of the last countries in the world to have extensive areas of pristine reed, however, having such fragile ecosystems, the reef is constantly at risk of being damaged from both mother nature and mankind. Due to the delicacy of the reef, there have been repeated request from residents of Caye Caulker to Oceana Belize regarding the stranded vessel near Caye Caulker, which lead to an expedition on January 29 2015 by Marine Scientist Dr. Isani Chan with Oceana's Videographer Alexander Ellis and Project Assistant Alain Alexis to the site of the incident to conduct an assessment on the damage of the reef. According to Dr. Chan, the Steel hull for the sailboat measures approximately 35' in length, the vessel sits in approximately 5' of water in low tide, while the sailboat is currently lodged on coral "rubble", increased wave action enables the vessel to move inward into living coral, and Subsequent efforts for an independent contractor to safely remove the vessel without causing further damage to the reef, from the site have so far proved unsuccessful.
PUP Swiftly Strips Tulio Mendez of Chairmanship
We contacted PUP Leader Francis Fonseca and asked for a comment about the entire situation involving Marco Tulio Mendez. Fonseca told Love News that the party had sent out a release and he had nothing to add because now the matter is before the court. The release that the PUP sent makes two major declarations against Mendez. The first one was that with immediate effect, Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez, has been removed from his position as Chairman of the Northern Caucus. The second was that he has been suspended indefinitely from all other Party related duties, responsibilities, and activities. The release makes no mention of who will take up Mendez post as the Chairman of the Northern Caucus. Before the scandal, Mendez had already made the decision not to contest the next general election. His replacement is Josue Carballo.
PlusTV
Independence girl says father sexually molested her
In Independence Village, on Monday 2nd February, a minor along with her mother visited the Bella Vista Village Police Station accompanied by a Social Worker.
The child reported that during the Month of October 2014, while at home along with her father, he grabbed her and touched her private part.
Police investigations continue.
Belmopan police investigate possible sexual abuse of 7 year old
In another report of alleged sexual misconduct against a minor, there is another disturbing report coming out of Belmopan.
According to police sources, a 7 year old had to undergo surgery on Monday night in the capital city, after her hymen was ruptured.
Police have not released any other detail at this time as to how that occurred, but say they are investigating the circumstances.
16 year old sexually abused by stepfather
There is a disturbing report of rape coming from the southern District of Stann Creek, where a 37 year old stepfather is alleged to have had sexual intercourse with his 16 year old stepdaughter against her will.
Often when disparaging reports of rape reach our desk we do well to expose these perpetrators. However, in this case, for the sake of the victim, we cannot reveal the perpetrator's particulars.
Security Guard chopped to death in Belmopan
60 year old Feliciano Richard Noralez/McKoy, a security guard for Anchor's security, was hacked to death in the wee hours of Tuesday morning.
According to reports, Mr Noralez was alone on the second floor of the office of Anchor's security, situated on Entrepreneur Street, just off Forest Drive, Belmopan, when at around 3:00 a.m. a man armed with a machete went up the steps to the second floor where Feliciano Noralez was brutally chopped to death. The perpetrator escaped, but not before taking several items from the office.
An eyewitness claims to have seen a man in a hooded shirt running away from the building in a northerly direction with a long sharp object in his hand resembling a machete.
Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez formally charged for sexual offences
In a high profile allegation of sexual misconduct at one of the highest levels in the country, the House of Representatives, Orange Walk East Area Representative Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez was officially charged on Tuesday.
Dr. Mendez has been accused of inappropriate relations with two minors, and calls have been coming hard and fast for his resignation from the House of Representatives. But Dr. Mendez has been on record insisting that he will fight the charges and clear his name, and has no intention of resigning.
Even before the charges were officially made on Tuesday, we spoke to Mr Mendez' attorney, Richard 'Dickie' Bradley, who addressed the nature of the charges, which he says concerned incidents that reportedly took place several years ago, and are now only possibly being resurrected to tarnish his client's name, character and reputation.
New land leases for Caribbean Shores residents
On Saturday, 30 residents of Caribbean Shores became proud owners of leases for land in the Cotton Tree area. It is part of the same parcel of land that was subject to contention from the village's council, because they claim they were not consulted.
The matter is still in litigation, but that did not stop Area Representative Hon. Santiago Castillo Jr. from handing out the leases, the first four of which went to loyal precinct captains, who also happened not to be landowners.
"Many months ago, the Prime Minister in Cabinet issued to all Ministers 30 parcels of land in Cotton Tree, to give out.
It was very hard to share so many fish among so many residents, but we did the best we could.
I'm going to start by calling out on my four captains. Without them I would not be where I am. They worked very hard with me.
Mediation proceeds in Harmonyville dispute
Last July, Nigel Petillo and executive members of the Belize Grassroots Youth Empowerment Association (BGYEA) were hauled to court by the Government, over alleged violation of the road reserve, in a plan to plant and harvest corn in the Harmonyville Agricultural Subdivision at Mile 41, George Price Highway.
Supreme Court Justice Courtney Abel ordered mediation between the sides thereafter, but actual sessions did not get underway because of an objection by the Government to the chosen mediator.
On Monday both sides were back before Justice Abel in chambers for a pre-trial review, which was intended to update the court on the mediation process.
The two sides have finally met in mediation, and while exact details are not available, attorney for BGYEA and Nigel Petillo, Audrey Matura-Shepherd, expressed relief that it has finally begun.
New president promises NTUCB will be "powerhouse"
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) held its Annual General Meeting on the island of Caye Caulker this past weekend, highlighted by the election of a new executive. Former vice-president Marvin Mora stepped up to the post of president, replacing Dylan Reneau, after running unopposed. The representative of the Belize Energy Workers' Union (BEWU) is eager to begin the process of turning the NTUCB into a "powerhouse" in Belizean politics and society.
In an interview on Monday afternoon he expounded on his plans.
Prisoners pepper-sprayed by police?
The bus coming from the Central Prison at Hattieville to Belize City's Magistrate and Supreme Courts is a well-known sight, and so too are the family members who come to court to encourage their imprisoned loved ones and offer them some of the comforts of home, whether money, clothes or even food.
There are strict rules instituted by the courts and Police Department to regulate such deliveries. But on Monday morning, one family alleges, their loved ones were targeted with pepper spray, after a police officer refused to allow them access to give the prisoners money.
Accused thief free after complainants drop out of trial
On Monday, Magistrate Dale Cayetano dismissed charges of theft and attempted suppression of evidence against 49 year old Carl Gordon, a laborer of Partridge Street in Belize City, at the start of trial.
On February 21, 2014, Carl Gordon was accused of stealing a small black purse containing $70 from a table in the living room in the home of 81 year old Effie Pollard of Corner Tigris and Basra Streets in Belize City.
Effie Pollard told police that a dark-skinned man visited her home claiming to represent Belize Water Services, asking to check her premises for leaks. She agreed to allow the man to inspect the water meter and then inside her home, but her purse went missing after the man left.
Chinese shop vendor pleads guilty to illegal lottery selling
The phenomenon of illegal selling of lottery continues under the radar in some areas, but a rare victory was scored on Monday when a Chinese shop vendor pleaded guilty to the charge, after changing her original plea.
47 year old Jia Bi Wang, owner of Kim's Shop on Iguana Street Extension in Belize City, was fined $5,000 for the offense by Magistrate Herbert Panton.
On July 13, 2014, a police constable reported personally seeing Jai Wang at her establishment sell a dark-skinned man lottery numbers on a white paper that did not match the official tickets printed by official lottery proprietors Brads Gaming Company. The officer intervened and retrieved the paper as well as the money the man had paid over, then informed Ms Wang of the offence committed and escorted her to Racoon Street Police Station.
Amandala
6 men attack elders, 57 and 75, in their home
Police have reportedly detained three of six young men who allegedly attempted to rob an elderly homeowner at his two-storey home on the Old Northern Highway in the early hours of yesterday, Sunday.
Just after midnight on February 1, the attention of Marilene Rufenucht, 57, a caretaker and resident of Mile 20 on the Old Northern Highway, was drawn to six dark-complexioned men, armed with sticks, entering the property.
She told police that one of the men walked upstairs and stated that he was a police officer; however, she became skeptical, and refused to open the door when he told her to do so.
At that time, the assailants then decided to forcibly enter the home by breaking down one of the doors of the lower flat using a cement block.
Ashcroft Alliance and Fortis ask CCJ for BTL and BEL
Belizean attorneys Eamon Courtenay, SC, Denys Barrow, SC, and his daughter Naima Barrow traveled to Trinidad recently for the conclusion of the hearing by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) into the nationalization of two utility companies - Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) and Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) - in a landmark case for the region emanating from 6 consolidated claims filed by the Ashcroft Alliance, Fortis International and the Government of Belize.
Initial hearings were held last year, and the parties had to return in late January to make final submissions before the court.
The former owners of the utility companies contend that the nationalization of the companies was illegal and they have argued before the CCJ for the return of the shares, which had been compulsorily acquired by the Barrow administration through constitutional amendments.
S/Pedro Town Council vs Honduran Ambassador
The San Pedro Town Council, on Friday, January 30, issued a release condemning allegations made by the Honduran Ambassador, Her Excellency Sandra Rosales-Abella, that a Honduran national, Sylvia Benitez, a single mother of three whose body was discovered about 15 feet off the Mata Grande Road, 3� miles north of San Pedro Town, had not been "decently" buried.
On January 17, after San Pedro police reported that they found Benitez's partially nude and decomposing body, police coroner Dr. Mario Estradabran and his team from the police's forensic unit conducted a post-mortem exam at the scene of the discovery of the corpse, and found that the body had bruises to the face, neck and back, and that there were multiple blunt force injuries to the right side of Benitez's face, as well as to her neck and back, and injuries to her shoulders and inner thigh that seemed to have been caused by restraint by force.
Return $230,000, or go to jail!
An attorney who has failed to hand over to his client $230,000 - proceeds of a land transaction which were being held in an escrow account - is at risk of being cited for contempt of court and could be sent to prison if he fails again to meet the court-ordered deadline of February 13, 2015, to hand over the money.
Attorney Ernest Staine, 77, who has been practicing law as a member of the Bar since the early 1970s, has found himself in contempt of court for failure to obey a court order to pay the remaining $230,000 from a $250,000 land transaction. He had promised on two separate occasions that he would pay his client, but has failed to do so.
The matter came up today before Justice Courtenay Abel, but Staine was a no-show. Staine cited ill health as the reason for not attending the hearing this afternoon.
Arthur and Melonie "kiss and make up"
After battling the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)'s money laundering charge against his clients from January 2009 up to March 2014, in a legal saga that turned out to be downright acrimonious at times, attorney Arthur Saldivar and one of his clients ended right back where it all started-in court.
Melonie Coye, after regaining her freedom and being cleared at the Court of Appeal of the money laundering charge brought against her and her family, not long after accused her attorney, Arthur Saldivar, the former People's United Party (PUP) Belize Rural North standard bearer, of making off with almost one million dollars of her money. Coye's allegation set in motion events that would later prove to be Saldivar's political unraveling, as the PUP removed him from his post as Belize Rural North standard bearer, following an internal party "investigation."
Belize receives last shipment of premium from Venezuela
Venezuela has formally suspended shipments of premium fuel to Belize, with the last shipment of premium fuel having arrived last week via Cura�ao, on Monday, January 26, 2015.
John Mencias, deputy chairman of Alba PetroCaribe Belize, the joint venture company which Belize and Venezuela had established to manage the PetroCaribe program, told Amandala that the shipment left port on January 22 and arrived in Belize 4 days later, on January 26.
Belize had ordered 9,000 barrels of premium gasoline, as well as gasoil (diesel), regular fuel and kerosene from the refinery Isla, a subsidiary of the state-owned Pedevesa (Petr�leos de Venezuela S.A.).
Fonseca installs Michel Chebat as the PUP's man for Cayo North
Michel Chebat, the attorney who had stepped down last November to make way for businessman Richard Harrison to run against the UDP's Dr. Omar Figueroa in Cayo North on January 5, has now been installed by the Opposition People's United Party as their man in that division for the next general elections, due in 2017.
Harrison took a two-to-one beating in the recent by-election, and Opposition Leader Francis Fonseca had indicated that they would open the candidacy to other persons.
Amandala was informed today that Chebat was endorsed as the PUP's Cayo North candidate after a decision by the party's executive to authorize Fonseca to execute the installation.
Rocky start, 1 victory only in Week 1 of PLB Closing Season 2014-2015
The Closing Season of the Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2014-2015 tournament picked up right where the Opening Season had left off, with unbelievable parity amongst the competing teams, and only one of the four Week-1 games produced a winner, and that in injury time.
Week 1 of the Closing Season opened on Saturday night, January 31, at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium in Belmopan, where the finals had been played a couple weeks earlier; and the same two teams, defending 3-peat champion Belmopan Bandits and sub-champion Police United squared off for ninety minutes, with neither team able to score in this one, which ended in a 0-0 draw.
The other 3 games were played on Sunday, all scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m.
At the Carl Ramos Stadium in Dangriga, it was another nil-nil affair, as neither home-standing Wagiya or visiting King Energy/Freedom Fighters from Punta Gorda could find the back of the net.
Weekend Warriors race results
Here are the results from Race #2 of the current Weekend Warriors (WW) series of races held yesterday. The "A" & "B" rode from Cotton Tree Village to finish in front of Cisco Construction on the George Price (Western) Highway, for 38 miles; while the "C" class rode from La Democracia junction to finish in front of Cisco Construction on the George Price Highway, for 28 miles.
"A" - 1st place Kent Gabourel (Megabytes, 1:50:20); 2nd Colin Maheia (FT Williams/Refretech, st); 3rd Mike Lewis (Smart, st); 4th Robert Mariano (Digicell-4G, 1:51:39); 5th Mark Gentle (FT Williams/Refretech, st); 6th Ray Cattouse (C-Ray, st); and 7th Warren Coye (Santino's).
Rurals completed, Belize District Primary Schools Basketball Finals tomorrow, Tuesday, at Bird's Isle
The Belize Rural Zone 5 Primary Schools Basketball Tournament was played on Friday, January 30, at the San Pedro Basketball Court.
Participating in the double-elimination Rural Zone 5 Finals were the female (F) and male (M) teams of San Pedro RC School and Holy Cross Anglican School (San Pedro).
In the female category, San Pedro RC won two straight games, 4-2 and 6-2, over Holy Cross Anglican School.
In the male category, San Pedro RC won, 13-8, over Holy Cross Anglican in game 1; but Holy Cross Anglican bounced back to take game 2 by an 8-6 score, thus forcing the deciding game 3.
The male game 3 for the championship saw Holy Cross Anglican again prevailing, this time by a 20-10 score. Christian Orellana led Holy Cross scoring with 10 points.
Launching soon in Belize - BelCare Football Youth Academy
Making its mark on the local sporting landscape in a few weeks' time will be a new Belizean football organization, BelCare Football Youth Academy (BelCare), which has Grassroots Football Festivals scheduled in two districts - Cayo and Stann Creek, on the weekend of February 21-22.
On Saturday, February 21, BelCare will host its 2015 Festival in San Ignacio, Cayo, with Adventures Football Club; and on Sunday, February 22, it will host the 2015 Festival in Dangriga, Stann Creek, with Umadagu Football Club. At the festivals, footballs and other football equipment, secured through BelCare's various international donors, will be distributed to youth clubs and teams in the two districts; and there are plans to expand the program to all other districts in the future.
Editorial: Some pre-UDP history
The political parties of Belize, of which the only two national such are the ruling United Democratic Party (UDP) and the Opposition People's United Party (PUP), are professional organizations which are in the business of competing in the various nationwide elections held in the country of Belize. These include village council elections, municipal elections, and general elections.
The most important of these elections are general elections, scheduled to be held every five years. Municipal elections are held every three years. The general elections are the most important, because the most money is at stake: the national tax base is the prize. The political party which wins the majority of the 31 seats in the House of Representatives, forms a government which is sworn in by the Governor-General, who is the local representative of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, the head of the Belizean state. Governments have the power to levy and collect taxes from the citizens of Belize. If the citizens for any reason(s) refuse to pay, the governments have permanent, organized bodies, such as the various courts of Belize, supported by the police and the army, to force citizens to do the will of the government, in other words, pay.
Public transportation: a backward industry
Dear Editor,
It's a frustrating scenario on repeat with nothing being done to alleviate it. The current bus schedule and the amount of buses running are clearly not meeting the public's demand. A herd of people waiting at the bus terminal for ONE bus that cannot accommodate all of them is the daily struggle.
It becomes a situation of "survival of the fittest" where people run, push and curse each other just so they can get in the bus. All respect for grandma, grandpa and children is thrown out the window as they are pushed and shoved around in all the commotion. The number of standees and people that get left behind can easily fill another bus or two but no extra buses are sent. How difficult can it be for the Ministry and bus companies to solve this issue?
Ombudsman's vehicle stolen in broad daylight
At about 9:30 a.m. today, a brazen crook made a failed attempt to make off with a government-issued grey Nissan X-Terra SUV belonging to Ombudsman Lionel Arzu.
The incident occurred in front of Fair Brothers Pawn Shop at the corner of Mahogany Street and Central American Boulevard. An employee of the Ombudsman's Office had reportedly been using the vehicle at the time.
According to police, the employee left the engine running with the keys in the ignition and asked the security guard at the pawn shop to keep an eye on it, but an opportunistic thief who was apparently lurking in the area jumped into the SUV and took off.
Government agrees to a $200,000 settlement for Crooked Tree boat accident
Exactly one year after a terrible collision between two Belize Coast Guard boats in the Crooked Tree Lagoon claimed the life of a promising young man, the government has agreed to a $200,000 settlement in a wrongful death suit, attorney Kareem Musa confirmed to Amandala yesterday, Thursday.
Government has agreed to settle the claim brought by the father of Benjamin Jerome Gentle, 20, the student who lost his life when the two Coast Guard vessels collided on January 31, while ferrying villagers, due to the flooding of the Crooked Tree Causeway.
The government has agreed to pay to the estate of Gentle $200,000 in two installments of $100,000, with the first payment being made on January 30, 2015 and the balance being disbursed in a second payment on April 2, 2015, Musa disclosed.
Passenger bus slams tour bus at airport junction
Major tragedy was averted this morning when a sky-blue passenger bus traveling from Sarteneja, Corozal, collided with a white, empty 30-seater tour bus which was about to make its way from the Philip Goldson International Airport junction onto the Philip Goldson Highway.
The incident occurred shortly after 10:00 a.m., and while the front ends of both buses were badly damaged, luckily, no one was seriously injured as a result of the collision.
Upon arriving at the scene, Amandala spoke to Mario Chan, the driver of the tour bus, who said that he was already turning onto the highway when he noticed the bus traveling at a high speed, and that by the time he tried to avoid the collision, the bus had already hit him.
Opposition Leader speaks about the troubling allegations against Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez
Members of the Opposition, the People's United Party (PUP), held a meeting yesterday afternoon, Wednesday, to discuss the very troubling reports coming out of the Orange Walk District that Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez, the area representative for the Orange Walk East constituency, is being accused of child molestation.
It has been reported in the media that two teenaged girls have made a report to the Department of Human Services that Dr. Mendez has had inappropriate contact with them.
Earlier this year, Dr. Mendez cited health reasons for his decision not to seek re-election to his Orange Walk East seat in the next General Elections, scheduled for 2017.
If criminal charges are brought against Dr. Mendez, there is a possibility he could prematurely resign from his seat in the House of Representatives, which would trigger a by-election right on the heels of the by-election that was held in the Cayo North constituency that resulted in a massive win for the governing United Democratic Party.
Bar owner defends himself with a baseball bat
Antonio Segura, 53, a resident of Frank's Eddy, is in a critical condition at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital after a bar owner hit him in the head with a baseball bat in the yard of a bar in Frank's Eddy at about 1:00 Sunday morning.
Bar owner Julio Reyes told police that Segura began aggressively demanding rum from him, and when he refused to give him any, Segura took out a knife and came at him, and that was when he took out his bat and hit Segura in the head, causing him to become unconscious.
Segura was rushed to the Belmopan Hospital, where he was admitted in an unconscious state. He has since been declared to be in a critical condition.
Patrick Jones
Political parties meet with Elections Department ahead of elections
The countdown to municipal elections slated for March 4, 2015 is on and the Elections and Boundaries Department which is in charge of overseeing the process to a smooth, free and fair election met with representatives of political parties large and small in Belize City today.
grey Political parties meet with Elections Department ahead of elections
Josephine Tamai
Chief Elections Officer Josephine Tamai said that it was important for the Department to get the input and cooperation of the political parties and public officers who will oversee and participate in the election on important issues ranging from care of ballots to the all-important ban on campaigning in the 100-yard line surrounding all polling stations.
Garbage bins for Santa Cruz village, Orange Walk
Some 73 families in the Village of Santa Cruz in the Orange Walk District are recipients of garbage bins on their properties.
According to a press release issued today, the garbage bins were made possible through the Resilience in the Americas Project a collaborative initiative between the Belize Red Cross and the American Red Cross. The garbage bin project was carried out at the request of villagers in what the Red Cross calls an Integrated Participatory Assessment.
These garbage bins were installed by women, men and youth of the village.
Belmopan Methodist School Inaugurates Second Floor
elmopan Methodist High School held inauguration ceremonies today for the second floor of its first school building.
The school started August 2013 with its first cohort of 1st form students with one floor and those students got promoted to second form and had to work in a semi-complete 2nd floor for their classes. Many groups of Methodist Missions from abroad, including the United Methodist Circuit Kentucky Conference, came to assist with the construction plus donated financially to the cause.
Marco Tulio Mendez arraigned on criminal charges
The People's United Party (PUP) has suspended Orange Walk East area representative Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez from all "party related duties, responsibilities and activities."
This follows formal charges of aggravated assault of an indecent nature being brought against the retiring politician today in the Orange Walk Magistrate's Court. Dr. Mendez was arraigned on six counts, four of the offence allegedly committed against one of the underage girls and two counts allegedly committed against the other.
Marco Tulio Mendez arrives at Orange Walk police station
Orange Walk East area representative Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez has arrived at the Orange Walk police station.
It is expected that formal criminal charges will be brought against him.
We wait to see what those charges will be.
Mother and daughters knocked down in Belize City
Police say that a mother and twin 3-year old girls were knocked down this morning as they rode on a bicycle at the corner of Western Avenue and Mahogany Street in Belize City.
Police say that around 8:16 am, Reyna Savala was transporting the girls on a bicycle when a sanitation truck collided into them.
Charges imminent against Orange Walk East area representative
It is quiet this morning at the Orange Walk Magistrate's Court.
Indications are that charges may be brought against Orange Walk East are representative Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez during the course of the coming hours.
What's New In Placencia, Belize and Fantastic Meals at Maya Beach Bistro: Part One
It feels like AGES since I've been in Placencia, Belize - the peninsula that I must have visited 6�maybe 8 times during 2014? I love it down there.
But like San Pedro, Placencia is constantly changing. So here are a few updates and�some pictures of the fabulous food I ate at Maya Beach Bistro. Sigh�I love this spot.
And for those who aren't familiar with Placencia - it really is a long, very narrow peninsula with Placencia Village at the very tip.
Ocean on one side�
and lagoon to Maya Mountains on the other.
Though they do have the only regulation bowling alley in Belize. Jaguar Lanes.
6 Books To Collect About The Ancient Maya
There are volumes of books and informational material that will enlighten anyone wishes to learn and who intends to visit the ancient Maya area . Here at Nine we have a rich library. Going through our library today, we came up with a nice "6 pack" reading options for February on the ancient Maya. This is especially important if you are deciding to come visit an ancient Maya Site in Belize or somewhere in the Maya World.
Belize Tourism and Hospitality Management Leadership conference
Management and Leadership for the Tourism and Hospitality Industry
Inspiring peak performance through exceptional leadership and management skills.
Dates: March, 24nd, 25th and 26th 2015.
Location: Roberts Grove Beach Resort, Placencia Peninsula
Cost: $300 BZD $150 USD.
Getting Work Done Through Others Hosted By Roberts Grove Beach Resort Belize
This Management and Leadership Conference is a program for the tour and hospitality industry that will provide the enhancement of leadership excellence and services capacity sharing for Belize and Caribbean regions.
Wolverine Slept at My House
I'm not sure where to go with this blog post - it was a pretty busy week and weekend; plenty of blog worthy bits and at different times thought about going so many different ways with it. So I think I'll just start on the adventures of life on Ambergris Caye side of things and see where it takes me.
First I would like the humbly apologize to the lady in the back row of that picture on the left there - see she's picky something out of her teeth...or maybe getting ready to eat a booger...not sure (she's not eating a booger!! That was a joke people!!). Either way - I had to roll with this picture as it's the only one I took. David and Linda were kind enough to invite us on their catamaran (the Cas Cat) for a Sunset Sail. It was a nice little trip. I really enjoy being on the water and the great thing about their boat is being much closer to the water, you can hear and feel it (though once the sun goes away you really don't want to feel it). Fantastic Rum Punch as well!! It was a great time with great friends. Very happy to have them as friends, neighbors and business colleagues.
There's no Apocalypse here, people, just move along . . .
It was just one of those days, you know? When the sun melted the searing white sand into fine crystal glass beads that the natives picked up and made into bracelets to sell to the tourists.
Yeah, it was that kind of hot.
So hot you saw your breath, only it was steam.
So hot, the iguanas were complaining.
So hot, the sorgassum dried up into dust as soon as it hit the shore and blew away.
Just kidding. Ha! Ha!
It never gets that hot on Ambergris Caye. At least as far as I know.
Happy Belizean Groundhog Day - six more months of fun and sun!
Happy Belizean Groundhog Day!
Yes, this is the Belizean groundhog! After a long night of partying at local island bars, people by the thousands politely waited at sunrise along the shore's rip-rap walls. As the sun peeked over the horizon, spreading warmth and good cheer, scores of iguanas began to climb tentatively out of their burrows and face the sunlight.
Not coincidentally, Sunday marked the end of iguana hunting season in Belize - true story. The newly emboldened iguanas, breathing a little easier on MOnday, but still irritated at being called "Bamboo Chicken" by hunters, are none-the-less ready to make a statement.
International Sources
TRAVEL trends of 2015 include Panama, Belize, Poland and Havana
It's already shaping up to be a busy year for travel. So many are looking for new travel experiences, not just a typical visit to an all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean.
Although there are still traditionalists, who will visit the same spot every year, this year's travellers want to experience something different and awe-inspiring.
A fantastic destination that saw a spike in travellers last year was the beautiful country of Belize. With English as Belize's official language and breathtaking landscapes, it's no wonder travellers feel comfortable and at home. Belize also offers a variety of attractions - San Pedro for the travelling shopper, Caracol for the historian and the Great Blue Hole for the adventure-seeker, there's so much to see and so much to do in Belize.
Belize Cruise Port of Call for Ships
The Belize cruise port of call is small compared to others, but it is absolutely beautiful. It's a newer destination for ships.
Be aware ahead of time that just because your cruise is scheduled to stop at this port doesn't mean it will. The cruise lines use tenders to take their passengers aboard at this port, as it is not equipped for cruise ships to dock, which means if the seas are too choppy they will not allow you to board the tenders for your safety.
It only takes the Belize City Tenders 15 minutes to get a passenger from the ship to the port. We recommend you don't sit on the sides of the tender downstairs, or you will get wet, and that you take motion sickness medication prior to getting on the tender, if you are prone to getting motion sickness.
Spiny Lobster Abundance Shows Fishery in Good Shape
A recent study conducted in the waters of Glover's Reef Marine Reserve in Belize by the Wildlife Conservation Society and its partners has revealed good news for spiny lobsters: the abundance of these commercially valuable crustaceans should support local fisheries into the future, an indication that no-take areas and other regulations are protecting the nation's marine resources.
While the authors maintain that the current level of fishing is at a reasonable target level, they also note that many of the lobsters caught are on the small side. They recommend that increasing the size limit would make the fishery more sustainable.
The study titled "Bayesian depletion model estimates of spiny lobster abundance at two marine protected areas in Belize with or without in-season recruitment" appears in the ICES Journal of Marine Science. "Overall, the fishery seems to be in good shape and the no-take areas seem to be protecting the species from overfishing," said Janet Gibson, Director of WCS's Belize Programme.
Lord Ashcroft basks in limelight as his polls look set to transform election
Billionaire Tory peer's unique constituency-by-constituency polls could see unprecedented tactical voting in marginal seats in May. Lord Ashcroft is having fun. The billionaire Tory peer, who is ploughing a small fortune into the finest-grained polling ever seen at a UK general election, is revelling in his new nickname as Britain's "Pollfather". Since resigning from Conservative central office in 2010 where he had run polling and funded a target seats campaign for David Cameron, he doesn't have to toe any party line. So, as well as publishing a stream of unique constituency-by-constituency polls which many believe will enable unprecedented tactical voting in May, he is enjoying publicly teasing the prime minister.
Vaginal Steaming Can Revitalise Your Body
There is an ancient herbal treatment for the uterus that is called vaginal steaming, that can help to heal "almost any aspect of uterine pathology", according to mindbodygreen.com. Also known as yoni steaming, the treatment is used to cleanse and revitalize the uterus, bringing down any discomfort associated with the seasonal cycle.
Dr. Rosita Arvigo, "a naprapathic physician, herbalist, international lecturer, author and teacher of Maya medicine", who has lived and studied with ancient Mayan healers in Belize for nearly 25 years, became familiar with this amazing medicine. Dr Arvigo agrees that vaginal steaming is popular in Mayan societies, and is called a bajo in Central America. It is usually used among women.
Videos
Underwater world on Caye Caulker, Belize, 1.5min. The Month of Love is Here - Escape to Belize this Valentine!
Corozal (Belize), 13min. Jump across the border from Chetumal, Mexico to Corazol, Belize.
Two Months Travelling Belize, 3.5min. I spent two months in Belize, most of my time spent in the jungle up the Columbia River at the Maya Mountain Research Farm where I researched for my dissertation. I also spent a night with a Mayan Family in a village, visited the local towns and villages often, and saw Placencia.
Dolphin in Belize, 1/2min. Dolphin having a little fun ..:)
Diving Clip, Ray Alley, North Turneffe, Belize, 6.5min.
Dolphins Playing with Belize Diving Services Boat, 3min. On the way back from Turneffe Atoll to Caye Caulker, Belize, the captain spotted dolphins and slowed the boat to play with them on request.
ENTRANCE OF UNIVERSITY OF BELIZE IN HORRIBLE CONDITIONS, 4min.
The Corozal Community College Marching Band !! @Placencia, Belize, 3min.
Prime Minister of Belize 2015 Vision, 10min. Prime Minister of Belize, Hon. Dean O. Barrow 2015 vision focused on infrastructure and technology.
Dolphins, Belize, Caye Caulker, 40sec. this was Sara's first real open water dive, was a pleasure to share the experience with her, and, as if it couldnt be sweeter after seeing over 7 individual nurse sharks, a few rays & a nice little hawksbill turtle, this happened on our safety stop.
DOCTOR MARCO TULIO MENDEZ FACES THE LONG ARMS OF THE LAW, 6min. Orange Walk East Area Representative and Chairman of the Northern Caucus, Dr Marco Tulio Mendez had his judgement day when he appeared at the Orange Walk Police station to face criminal charges on damning allegations of assault of an indecent nature. We will tell you about those charges momentarily but we will show you a timeline of the happenings at the police station today, including the bold move of a fanatical supporter who shielded Mendez from addressing the Media.
Underwater in Belize, 4min. Off the coast of Belize, near the Portofino Beach Resort, with Action Diver's amazing guides Roberto and Blinky, my wife learns to scuba dive. An amazing trip!
Snorkeling Caye Caulker, Belize, 8.5min. This was a snorkeling trip with The Spear Fishing Shaq of of Caye Cauker island, Belize. Spectacular!
Part 2 2015 Pageau Cruise Belize Scuba Diving Navigator of the Seas, 9min. Diving in Belize Mexico. More of the ship as well as Scuba Diving. The dive boat picks you up directly from the ship and takes you to the dive shop on a small island. After gearing up the boat takes you out into the Gulf. I got some shots of and Spotted Eagle Ray, Shark, Sand Rays.
Mayan ruins in Belize, 5min. Just practicing some glidecam.