PlusTV
Update on Roaring Creek Shooting
Supt. Howell Gillett also updated on the shooting incident that occurred on Sunday March 4th in the Hattiville Area, �Roaring Creek Village that left two persons in the hospital receiving treatment for gunshot injuries...
Murder Update in Roaring Creek
There has been an increase of criminal activity in the village of Roaring Creek that left at least three persons dead and several others injured with the latest murder being that of 30 year old Elroy Ramirez� who was shot dead inside a yard in the Another World Area Roari...
PUP affirms unity in official meeting
The People’s United Party (PUP) was searching for common cause following last Wednesday’s landslide defeat in the municipal elections and the release of a secret recording of a conversation between former leader and Orange Walk Central area representative John Briceno and two trusted party operative...
Fake diplomas circulating?
There have been reports that unscrupulous persons are attempting to take advantage of qualifications from Belizean schools by parading ungenuine diplomas and transcripts of course credits completed in Belize which they never actually completed...
New Belize City Council Sworn In
Yesterday, Belize City’s 23rd municipal council since its incorporation as a city in 1943 formally took office at City Hall on North Front Street. From start to finish the ceremony took about 40 minutes – a briskly efficient pace for a council that has a high mark to live up to...
UNESCO gives grant to RESTORE Belize for Peace in the Parks
The National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today handed over a grant of BZ$51,175...
BNE Charitable trust expands student loan programme
We are only a few months away from the end of the 2014-2015 school year and as one year closes another one opens which means more prospective Belizean students seeking opportunities to further their education in Belize...
Police operations in San Pedro yield unlicensed weapon
The crime in San Pedro Ambergris Caye has spiked over the past few months with reports of shootings and killings becoming more frequent...
Noh Mul destruction case moved to Belize City Court
The case against UDP standard bearer Denny Grijalva over the� destruction of the Noh Mul archaeological site, was setback in court today� in the Corozal Magistrate's Court.�In 2013, Denny Grijalva's employee at DeMar's Stone Company, destroyed the
ancient Mayan monument when excavating for ...
The war on Drugs in Roaring Creek
Belmopan Police continue to remove illicit drugs off the street. At around 10 am on Tuesday March 10th a joint Special Branch; Criminal Investigations Branch, K9 and Belmopan Police team, conducted a search at an abandoned lot in the Hattieville Area, Roaring Creek Village...
“Mechanic" makes off with car
Police in Belize City are investigating a case of attaining property by deception. According to authorities, at around 4 pm on Tuesday March 10th, Luigi Zaldivar reported that sometime in late February, a man of Hispanic decent went to his house in Kings Park Area, Belize City seeking a job...
The Guardian
At this newspaper we have always maintained that the People's United Party while in government stole millions upon millions of dollars from the people of Belize. This is something that is a known fact in this country. And while for years now we have known what the PUP did, and there was always some proof or the other that backed up this statement, never have we heard from the PUP what they did. That was until this week when a conversation which was recorded between a PUP supporter identified as Julian Chell, his son and Johnny Briceno surfaced.
Apparently in his bid to secure a victory for the PUP in Orange Walk, Johnny Briceno approached and had a meeting with PUP stalwart in Orange Walk East, Julian Chell. What he did not know is that the one he considered his friend was actually his worst enemy.
And so it was that after an hour and five minutes of talking, Briceno, laid bare in gory detail what the public already knew, the PUP during their maladministration sacked the coffers of the government without a shred of regard. A transcript of the more poignant things he said can be found on page 5 of this edition.
The political fallout of the secret recording from former PUP Party Leader, John Briceno, in which he confirms most of the scandals during the then Musa Administration, continues to rage out in the public. Unfortunately, current Party Leader Francis Fonseca actually has the gall to insult the intelligence of the Belizean people by suggesting that he does not have to discuss those allegations publicly because it is an "internal party matter". Apparently using government finances for personal gain is an internal party matter!
Briceno, who was the former Deputy Prime Minister of this country for over 9 years, and leader of the PUP for over 3 years, is a senior insider who had first hand knowledge when those corrupt deals were struck. His candid remarks have only served to confirm what the people of this country already knew instinctively, that the Musa Administration was a parasite, feeding at the detriment of the public purse.
We can never say that the detention of Belizean by Guatemalan authorities is not an important issue. What we can say is that they were returned without any harm or any major incident arising out of it and we are most thankful for that. While at the time of the incident it could have been understood that the country went into panic mode, the fact that all ended well is a blessing and now we must move on and more importantly try to prevent a reoccurrence of such an incident that took place 18 days ago.
Can we now move on and focus on more pressing matters? Matters like the Johnny Briceno recording? Apparently not! It would seem that just for the sake of avoiding the topic, on Wednesday morning at least two so called independent talk shows, Plus TV's Rise and Shine and Krem Radio's Wake Up Morning Vibes chose to reanimate the issue of the detention of Belizeans by Guatemalan authorities.
The hosts on Wednesday March 18 went on and on and on about the detention of the Belizeans and completely and totally ignored the pressing matter of the Johnny Briceno recording. For context, this is the first time that any PUP official has been heard speaking about the pillaging that took place under their administration.
UDP and Fern Gutierrez will rescue Punta Gorda
For the last 3 years Punta Gorda went through a degradation and backwardness under the former PUP town council led by Mayor Anthony Fuentes. On March 4 the voters of Punta Gorda went to the polls and sent Mayor Anthony Fuentes and his PUP slate a clear message that enough is enough. Municipal Elections 2015 was a historic day for Punta Gorda Town not only because it was the end of a reckless regime but because Punta Gorda Town has elected its first female mayor in the person of Mayor Fern Gutierrez. The UDP Punta Gorda Team that she led was victorious at the Poll, this was because the UDP Team had put in so many hours of intensive-work, many house-to-house and one-to-one visits. On Election Day the machine was well oiled and running without difficulties, shutting down until the polls were closed. At the end of the day, the UDP team rose on top, they defeated the PUP incumbents by a sizable margin of over 500 votes, it was a 2 to1 Blowout.
More concerning borders in need of volunteers
There is no doubt that all Belizeans would love for our borders to be fully secured, manned and respected. Guatemalan incursions continue to frustrate us and the unfounded (dumfounded) Guatemalan Claim to our territory seems like it will never go away. Therefore, symbolic efforts like those made by the Territorial Volunteers receive wide approval. However, such efforts will never receive widescale support. That is because Belizeans tend to look beyond superficial acts of patriotism.
How does it benefit Belizeans when they plant palm trees in the adjacency zone or set a plaque on a monument?
Belizeans tend to support people who are making solid contributions. This is why Raphael Manzanero and the rangers of Friends for Conservation and Development are strongly supported and hailed as patriots. This is why soldiers of the Belize Defense Force are the most esteemed members of our armed forces. These individuals put their lives on the line to protect our natural resources and defend our borders. They do not go to historical points to pose for pictures. They patrol miles of Belizean territory, months away from home, for the love of country.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Issues Statement on the Situation in Venezuela
The Government of Belize has been anxiously following the developments in Venezuela. As a peace-loving and democratic country, Belize wishes only for social and political peace to prevail in Venezuela for the greater good and welfare of all the citizens of that country, as indeed, for our entire hemisphere.
The Government firmly believes that disputes should be resolved at all times peacefully, through dialogue and due process and by strict adherence to the rule of law and good governance. Belize remains committed and calls on all who have an interest to observe fully the Inter-American Democratic Charter of the Organization of American States which is designed to strengthen and preserve representative democracy in the hemisphere, including by the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Rehabilitation of the Hummingbird Highway
The Government of Belize (GOB) has received a Technical Assistance (TA) Grant from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) to assist in financing the services of consultants to prepare a technical and economical feasibility study and detailed designs for rehabilitating the Hummingbird Highway, between Belmopan Roundabout Junction and Dangriga in the Stann Creek District.
The feasibility study and detailed design were completed by the end of 2014 and an application for funding was made by the GOB.
Members of the Funding Agency visited Belize and performed their due diligence and assessment of the design and scope of works. The project for the Rehabilitation of the Hummingbird Highway was favorably appraised in December 2014. In February 2015 the Board of Directors of KFAED approved the loan for the rehabilitation works.
Former PUP Party Leader John Briceno Confesses to Mass Corruption During 1998 - 2008 PUP Administration
For several weeks now, there have been reports coming from within the Opposition People's United Party (PUP) that an audio recording existed of damning comments made by former PUP Leader John Briceno about corruption in the 1998 - 2008 Musa/Fonseca Administration.
Officials of the UDP have listened to the contents of this audio recording where Mr. Briceno is heard to confirm multiple mass corruption schemes during the Musa/Fonseca era including, as he put it, "the robbery of tens of millions of dollars" with such schemes as the St. James Credit Union loans, the Intelco bankruptcy, Social Security loans and guarantees, the sale and re-sale of BTL involving Ashcroft and Prosser, the US dollar/Yen Swap, the accommodation agreement, the giveaway of Belize Bank taxes, among others.
Rotary Park improved in Santa Elena, Cayo
A park that is maintained by the Rotary Club of San Ignacio was dedicated on Tuesday of this week near the Fire Station Building in Santa Elena Town, increasing the chances for the proper upbringing of children in the area. Present for the occasion was the Mayor of San Ignacio and Santa Elena, Earl Trapp and Luis Carballo, the Principal Education Officer; as well as Rotary members from both Belize and Canada. The children from both the Eden Seventh Day Adventist Primary School and the Santa Elena Roman Catholic School were also the first to experience the newly dedicated park.
In his first speech at a major public event since being voted in as Mayor, Earl Trapp stated that the Rotary Club has been instrumental in our community. Mayor Earl Trapp noted that playgrounds allow children to develop social skills and plays a vital role in reducing child obesity.
"One of the things that we neglect to look at is having enough playgrounds for our children�children get a chance to run around, learning psychomotor skills, "explained Luis Carballo, Principal Education Officer for the Cayo District.
The United Democratic Party wins again in Cayo
The United Democratic Party UDP has won again the San Ignacio and Santa Elena Town Council, as part of the Nationwide Municipal Elections held on Wednesday of last week; in a crucial area which has the second to largest number of registered voters (12,676) in Belize. By the time the final counting was made at the Center for Employment Training in San Ignacio on the 25 ballot boxes that had come from polling areas 76 in Cayo Central, polling area 73 in Cayo North and polling area 72 from Cayo North East, it had become crisp clear that the U.D.P had won in all of these areas. By 1:30 am on Wednesday, Earl Trapp had exited the counting room as a victorious winner announcing to the media that Cayo Central had won by a margin of 948, Cayo North by 488 and Cayo Northeast by 480 votes. Earl Trapp had obtained 64% of the votes, a remarkable showing given that his predecessor Mayor John August had received 53% of the votes in 2012. Earl Trapp was clearly very happy at these voting results with huge ramifications for the U. D.P.
"Minister Montero did excellent in Santa Elena, Minister Omar Figueroa in Cayo [North] and of course our outgoing Mayor John August did excellent in Cayo North East as well," Earl Trapp told reporters.
Roger Anthony back before the court
Roger Anthony, the reputed leader of the Ghost Town Crips, is back before the court, this time for threatening Delsia Bermudez, sister of convicted murderer, Glenford "Bucket" Bermudez. Allegations against Anthony are that last week Thursday, February 26, 2015, he used threatening words upon Delcia Berudez telling her, "I nuh give a damn. I wah kill yuh. Me done kill already." Of important note is that Bermudez lives in a yard on Mayflower Street next to where Moses Gonguez was shot and killed on Wednesday, March 4.
Roger Anthony was taken before the court on Friday, March 6, where he appeared before Magistrate Hettie Mae Stewart. He was read a single charge of using threatening words upon Delsia Bermudez and pleaded not guilty. Bermudez appeared in court and was visibly upset. She spoke out in court and was sent outside. Anthony then told the Magistrate that the woman she kicked out is the virtual complainant who came to court to say she didn't want any court action. Magistrate Stewart told him that she is not aware of the victim wanting to withdrawn the charge and that she was put out of the courtroom because she was causing a disturbance.
Jervis Valencia kills Moses Gonguez, police respond and shoot Valencia
Moses Ervin Gonguez, a 36-year-old resident of Sibun Street, was murdered on the night of 2015 Municipal Elections in Belize City during the time when the ballots were being counted. The man who is believed to have been his killer, was shot by police and continues to be hospitalized. Police currently suspect an internal feud within the Ghost Town Crips Gang which is based on Mayflower Street.
It happened at around 9:15 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, when Gonguez was socializing with 23 year-old Triston Gordon of Casuarina Street. They were in the company of 4 friends at number 13 Mayflower Street. It is believed that 32 year-old Jervis Valencio, aka Jervis Valencia, ambushed the crowd and fired several shots at the group.
Senseless killing in Orange Walk
Twenty six year-old Orange Walk resident Luis Ricardo Campos was murdered and dumped in a secluded area over the weekend and his body was not discovered until about 5 a.m. on Sunday, March 8.
Police have since investigated his death, and they have criminally charged 2 men. Police were called out to the Waldy Cuello's Stables, just off San Antonio Road, where they found Campos' body under a shed. An examination of the body revealed that he had been stabbed multiple times to the throat, right shoulder, and to the face.
What police have been able to establish is that he was last seen alive a few hours earlier when he was walking on Asuncion Street. Well, after investigating for 3 days, police arrested and charged Dennis Reneau and Alexis Ramirez with the crime of murder.
Murder Conviction in Court of Appeal
The first case heard by the Court of Appeals this year for criminal matters is the murder conviction of Abimael Pott, 21, of Orange Walk District. Pott was convicted of killing Shamir Gonzalez,19, who was slain shortly after 4 p.m. on the grounds of Louisiana Government School on May 4, 2011. According to reports, Pott got into a fight with Gonzalez and hit him in the head multiple times with a metal pipe. Gonzalez died as a result of the injuries to the head. Pott, who was only 17 at the time of the incident, was arrested and charged for murder. In a trial without jury, Justice Herbert Lord found Pott guilty of the charge and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
San Pedro turning into a crime zone
Nearing the end of February, San Pedro Town experienced one of the most senseless killings for 2015 so far when 3 year-old toddler Daniel Espat was killed as he slept on his parents' bed.
On Tuesday, March 3, at around 8 p.m., six days after that incident, San Pedrito Resident Pablo Barboza was murdered in what is believed to be a drug-related incident, only a stone's throw away from where the toddler was killed. The gunman, described as wearing a cap and a rag over his face, was seen arriving by boat. He avoided 2 police patrols which passed by the area only minutes of each other. He then headed straight to Barboza's shop to execute the businessman.
Akeem Trapp remanded for murder of Ian Adolphus
Akeem Kirklin Trapp, also known as Keemo, is now on remand at the Belize Central Prison for the Wednesday, February 25, 2015 murder of Ian "Uno" Adolphus, 21, who was gunned down on Freedom Street.
According to Alden Dawson, Commander of Precinct Two Police, Adolphus was walking on Freedom Street and upon reaching its intersection with Justice Street a gunman on bicycle rode up in front of him and fired several shots. One bullet caught him on the right elbow, one on the right shoulder and one to the left side of his chest. The gunman then rode off from the scene. Adolphus was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where efforts to save his life were fruitless. He succumbed to his injuries a day later. Police investigations led to the arrest and charge of Akeem Trapp, 18, of a Neals Pen Road address.
Scratching the surface of Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) may sound very intimidating but I will talk you through what exactly it encompasses. Let's take it word by word. Veins and arteries. Veins take blood back to the heart and arteries take blood away from the heart. Thrombosis or thrombus is the formation of a clot. So you cut your hand or scrape your knee and it starts to bleed. If there wasn't a way for the body to stop the bleeding, something as small as a cut on the hand could lead to death from an excessive loss of blood. What stops the bleeding is the clot that forms at the region where the vein/artery's lining was disrupted. It's basically like a patch to stop the leak. You might know it better as a 'scab'. You know that rough brown exterior that forms over a cut that you are all too eager to peel off when you know you shouldn't. And sometimes you peel it off and what happens, it bleeds again. That is a clot. Under normal circumstances the clotting would only be initiated when there is a cut and the body is trying to conserve blood loss, often times happening on the superficial vessels.
High school student drowns in Cayo
A young man, Michael Quintanilla lost his life as a result of drowning on Sunday of this past week, in the sometimes turbulent waters of the Mopan River in the Cayo District. The 17 year old student from Third Form at the Eden High School in Santa Elena had just had a meal and had decided to come back, across the Mopan River, when he succumbed to drowning. He had only been socializing with friends at the river for some 40 minutes.
On their arrival, Benque Police observed that Michael Quintanilla was lying along the Mopan River bank. His friends had taken him out of the river and attempted to resuscitate him. Police then transported him to the San Ignacio Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
BTL Cobb's Arm wins the La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge
The BTL Cobb's Arm Team is the winner of the 18th La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge for the Male Division, which ended on Monday of this week by the BelCan Bridge in Belize City. This team of paddlers had to travel 180 miles along the Belize River, only to be interrupted by night stops, during four days of grueling competition. The three winners of the winning team on the final round of the race were boat captain Roy Cano, his little brother Eric Cano and cousin Clayton Cal, all from Santa Familia Village in the Cayo District, and not coincidentally, the winning team had been practicing during the last three months. Coming in second in the Belikin La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge was the National Institute of Culture and History NICH, made up of team captain Efrain Cruz, Alexander Cruz and Felix Cruz. Coming in third, also in the Male Division was OCV Wavemakers. The accumulated time for the BTL Cobb's Arms was 17 hours, 35 minutes and 27 seconds, followed by NICH with 17 hours, 38 minutes and 44 seconds and by OCV Wavemakers by 17 hours, 39 minutes and 21 seconds.
Transcript of Johnny Briceno's recording - From the horse's mouth Johnny Indicts the 1998-2008 PUP Administration
JB :- Two years when we had the convention in Dangriga, we had about 15 thousand people who went to the convention and we could have brought more but we didn't have money for more buses.
But by 2011 the two sides, Said and Mark on the other side are screwing me, when I go to the people who have money and are willing to help us they say bwai� and they don't give me money. I had already spent 3 million dollars out of pocket. Something that Said nor Ralph nor Georg Price, nobody has done for this party. I spent 3 million dollars that I recorded. I only di tell you what these people do to you. On top of that I made a loan of 1 million dollars for the Town Council elections for 2009. Right now I have to donate $14,800 to the PUP every month for a loan they made. I am paying that, not Francis, Francis no give a f*&k, and I can tell you everything that I spent, but at the end of the day I can only say look here I can continue to lead the party but I cannot continue to spend more money because, I will bankrupt my company and my family. And like you well know your family comes first. So as not to mess up the party anymore I made the sacrifice to say you know what if you want it take it. Said and Ralph and Francis had a ten year plan. Their plan was to screw me, they had a newspaper, the National Perspective, you remember the National Perspective? ...to criticize me. Three weeks after I step down there was no National Convention�the same PUP that is the cancer of the PUP you should be talking about. That's the cancer that we have.
Johnny Can't Shut Up - Noisemakers Can't Speak
The Deputy Prime Minister of Said Musa's administration, Johnny Briceno, ran his mouth for more than an hour in a conversation that was taped by a party "ally" and spoke candidly about some of his party's most filthy laundry and shameful secrets. His most critical remarks were made towards the Musa-Fonseca regime who he considers to be the cancer of the party.
"That cancer that came and stole millions and millions and millions and millions and millions of dollars from the people. I'm not talking about a little bit of money�millions, tens of millions of dollars they stole, that had this been another country they would have been in jail right now�" - Hon. Johnny Briceno.
This is nothing new for Johnny B to be infected with such a violent strain of oral diarrhea. His last bout with the disease was in October of 2011 when he forgot a party meeting was live on their party radio station and he challenged members to "bring money back to the PUP". He asked Musa:
Loans to be made available to tertiary level students
The BELIZE Natural Energy Charitable Trust (BNECT) on Tuesday March 10, today signed an Agreement with the Belize Enterprise for Sustainable Technology (BEST) to expand the Trust's Student Loan Program to the underserved areas of the Cayo and Belize Districts.
The initial investment of $350,000 will be made available to BEST in two tranches of $175,000 each. The overall objective of the partnership is to create a revolving fund to provide loans for Belizean students attending or planning to attend Belizean educational institutions of secondary, tertiary and vocational designation, accredited by the Ministry of Education.
Mayor Calls for Mindset Transformation in Term Two
A lot of people are asking how can Mayor Darrell Bradley follow up on a historic first term as Mayor of Belize City. It was the first question he took on after being sworn in on Tuesday, February 10, at City Hall. Mayor Bradley says the only way for transformation to continue is for residents to transform their mind and start from within. He calls for unity and asked that Belize City residents do their part to transform the city into the type of municipality they want and deserve.
"It would be remised of me to say that the City Council over the last 3 years, has done this by themselves," Mayor Bradley said. "I have been very embarrassed because people have said, 'Mayor, you are doing a good job,' and that good work that we have done over the last 3 years is not my work. It is our work. It is the work of 10 [councilors], a mayor - it is the work of some now 400 staff. It is the work of all the 67,000 people who live in our city."
Pawn Shop Loans In Belize
Meet Janet. Janet is a 34 year old employed, single mother of two toddlers - Tyler, 5, and Alex, 3, earning a modest salary of $1,200 a month. Unfortunately, Tyler is suffering from appendicitis and needs surgery to have his appendix removed right away. Janet's salary isn't enough to cover her current monthly expenses as well as the medical expenses incurred due to Tyler's condition; so she decides to pawn her vehicle to get the extra money she needs for her son.
Janet visits a Belize City pawn shop and pawns out her 2006 Ford Escape, which is valued at $16,000 on her insurance policy. She settled for the $3,000 maximum that the pawn shop offers for vehicle pawns which must be paid back within a month at a 25% interest rate. The pawn shop also made Janet aware that there is a two-month grace period before she is served by the police to repossess the vehicle.
Tyler is now recovering well after surgery. But after paying all his medical bills, Janet didn't have enough to cover her total pawn repayment within the two-month period. Now, the pawn shop is taking her vehicle away. What can she do to get her vehicle back?
Legal Advice by Estevan Perera - Attorney-at-Law
According to the Belize law, Janet should challenge the Pawn Shop at the Magistrate Court based on the following grounds:
1. The loan agreement appears to violate section 26(1) of the Money Lenders Act and, as such, can be challenged in the Magistrate's Court.
Roger Anthony back before the court
Roger Anthony, the reputed leader of the Ghost Town Crips, is back before the court, this time for threatening Delsia Bermudez, sister of convicted murderer, Glenford "Bucket" Bermudez. Allegations against Anthony are that last week Thursday, February 26, 2015, he used threatening words upon Delcia Berudez telling her, "I nuh give a damn. I wah kill yuh. Me done kill already." Of important note is that Bermudez lives in a yard on Mayflower Street next to where Moses Gonguez was shot and killed on Wednesday, March 4.
Roger Anthony was taken before the court on Friday, March 6, where he appeared before Magistrate Hettie Mae Stewart. He was read a single charge of using threatening words upon Delsia Bermudez and pleaded not guilty. Bermudez appeared in court and was visibly upset. She spoke out in court and was sent outside. Anthony then told the Magistrate that the woman she kicked out is the virtual complainant who came to court to say she didn't want any court action. Magistrate Stewart told him that she is not aware of the victim wanting to withdrawn the charge and that she was put out of the courtroom because she was causing a disturbance.
Private prosecutor appointed for Carlos Espat's Murder
Senior Counsel Ellis Arnold will be the prosecutor in the case against Silvio Espinosa, 23, who is accused of killing former PUP Secretary General Carlos Espat. It doesn't happen often but in sensational cases private prosecutors are appointed to build a case against an accused person.
On Saturday, September 3, 2010, just around 12:00 noon, police were called out to Carlos Espat's home at the corner of King and Albert Streets where he was found dead. Espat was found lying in the tub inside his home and a post mortem revealed that he was bashed in the chest and head with a blunt object. As a result of his death, police arrested and charged Nicaraguan national Silvio Espinosa, 23, with murder. There were 24 statements tendered into evidence during the paper committal against Espinosa. He has been on remand at the Belize Central Prison since.
Chryslin Gladden's Alleged Killers to Stand Trial
A Preliminary Inquiry (PI) in the case against Chryslin Gladden's, 16, accused killers, Clement Bol, 23, and Ashley Meighan, 17, concluded before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith on Tuesday, March 10, with a commitment to stand trial in the June session of the Supreme Court.
There were a number of statements given in the case against Meighan and Bol Jr., including a statement from a 17-year-old minor who placed both of them at the murder scene. According to that statement, Meighan and Bol Jr. were the two persons who he saw in the company of Chryslin. The witness told police that he saw Bol Jr., holding down Gladden while Meighan herself inflicted several stab wounds to her face and body. The prosecutor, Cpl. Christopher Smith is also relying heavily on a statement that Meighan gave police before she was a suspect in the murder that helped the police to link her to the murder. Meighan is being represented by attorney Ellis Arnold who has not challenged any of the prosecution's evidence in the PI phase. Chief Magistrate Smith ruled that the prosecution has made a prema facie case against the accused and committed them to trial at the Supreme Court in June of this year.
Charged with human trafficking of a minor
Naturalized Belizean Estella Gonzalez, 62, was before the court a week ago for immigration offenses and she is in trouble with the law again; this time for a more serious offense - trafficking of a minor.
A Preliminary Inquiry was concluded in the courtroom of Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith on Tuesday, March 10 to determine if there is sufficient evidence to forward a case of trafficking a 15-year-old minor against Gonzalez. She was initially arraigned on February 10, 2014 for one count of human trafficking. She is alleged to have employed a 15-year-old undocumented female at her establishment on the George Price Highway, Temptation Bar. Allegations against Gonzalez are that between August 19 and September 7 2013, she harboured the minor at her Mile 8 residence on the George Price Highway for the purpose of exploiting her as a prostitute.
Cayo man killed in Belize City possibly by a woman; another killed at his home village
A 40 year-old resident of Ontario Village in the Cayo District was killed in Belize City and left inside a hotel room on Thursday, March 5. It is believed that he may have gone to the hotel with a female, and that he was robbed before he was killed.
49 year-old Oscar Amilcar Grijalva reportedly checked into room number 1 at Isabel's Guest House, located at number 3 Albert Street, at around 11:30 a.m. When the caretakers of the hotel went to check on him about 3 hours later, they found Grijalva dead inside the bathroom. He suffered stab wounds to both arms, and his throat was slashed. What police have been able to establish is that he arrived at the room with a woman who left an hour before he was discovered dead. It is believed that he was in Belize City to pick up some money, and that his killer may have stolen from him. Grijalva is known to be a family man in his village.
Near fatal home invasion in San Pedro
While votes were being counted for the San Pedro Town Council Elections, a family man and his wife were attacked by an armed thief who broke into their home and who was brazen enough to shoot the gentleman in his own house.
It happened at around 6:50 p.m. on Tuesday March 4 in the San Pablo area of San Pedro Town. 31 year-old Jaime Manzano and his wife had only just left their house to buy food. When they returned, they found a man who had broken in, and was in the process of packing up several of their electronic items.
Manzano, who is the holder of a licensed firearm, went for his gun, and realizing what was about to happened, the thief pulled out a weapon and fired several shots at him several of which caught him on the right foot and on both arms.
Belmopan Red Taigaz humbled Orange Walk Running Rebels
The National Elite Basketball League competition continued on Thursday 5 March, 2015, at the UB Gymnasium in Belmopan between the visiting Orange Walk Running Rebels and the host team the Belmopan Red Taigaz. At the end of the game, it was the host team the Belmopan Red Taigaz that came up victorious over the Orange Walk Running Rebels by the score of 85-72.
The top scorers for the Belmopan Red Taigaz were Farron Louriano with 30 points, 10 rebounds and 2 steals; Terrell Eskridge with 12 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals and Jamal Harris scored 11 points and 5 rebounds. Meanwhile, the top scorers for the Orange Walk Running Rebels were Roger Reneau with 24 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals; Jason Grant with 16 points and 5 rebounds and Randy Usher who also scored 16 points, along with 1 rebound and 1 steal.
The competition then continued on Friday 7 March with two more games on the schedule. In the game played at the Belize Elementary School Gymnasium between the Toledo Diplomats and the Belize Hurricanes, it was the Belize Hurricanes that prevailed over the Toledo Diplomats by the score of 79-62.
Williams FC, Mahogany Heights and Hattieville wins in the Beverly Castillo Cup Tournament
The Beverly Castillo Cup Tournament for Belize Rural Central continued on Sunday 8 March, 2015, at the Ladyville Village Football Field.
In the first game played Williams FC defeated Largos FC by the score of 5-3. The goals for Williams FC were scored by Roberto Santor (2), Misael Canul, Jaslyn Lopez and Leon Sedacy. Meanwhile, the goals for Largos FC were scored by Harold Nava, Denroy McCord and Shawn Young.
In game two, Mahogany Heights defeated Rockville FC by the score of 5-2. The goals for Mahogany Heights were scored by Oren Gill (3), Kaylon Young and Sean Roches. For Rockville FC, the goals were scored by Emerson Gonzalez and Shemar Maskall.
Stann Creek District Football Association continues in Dangriga
The 2nd week of the Stann Creek District Football Association for the Wamule Cup continued on Friday 6 March, 2015, at the Carl Ramos Stadium in Dangriga Town with two games on the schedule.
In the first game played, New Site FC defeated Hope Creek Always Hungry FC by the score of 2-0. The goals for New Site FC were scored by Albourne Marshall in the 27th minute of play and Almor Lemott in the 82nd minute of play.
In game two, Hope Creek United and Umadagu FC played to a 1-1 draw. The goal for Hope Creek United was scored by Rollin Burgess in the 5th minute of play, while the goal for Umadagu was scored by Azizi Suaso in the 39th minute of play.
The competition then continued on Monday 9 March, 2015, with two more games. In the first game played, Wagierale FC blanked Valley Stars FC by the score of 4-0. The goals for Wagierale FC were scored by Jesse Lopez in the 20th and 23rd minutes of play, Sherwin Lambey in the 55th minute of play and Robert Hernandez in the 64th minute of play.
Athletes to be tested for performance enhancing drugs before the Pan Am Games
Dr. David Julien, Development Programme Manager for WADA, informed the Board Members of the Central American RADO at its Annual Board Meeting that is currently taking place at Hotel El Panama in Panama City, Republic of Panama on Tuesday 10 March, 2015, that WADA will be funding 10 tests for each of the seven Central American countries for athletes that will be participating in the XVII Pan American Games scheduled for July in Toronto, Canada.
The tests will be carried out between the months of May and June of 2015 with the samples being sent to the WADA Lab in Montreal, Canada.
Athletes selected to represent their respective country will be required to file their Where-Abouts, with the National Anti-Doping Organisation in their respective country.
Central Region high schools softball competition winding down
The 2014-2015 Central Region Secondary Schools Softball competition is fast coming to an end at the Rogers Stadium in Belize City.
On Friday 6 March, 2015, in the female game played, St. Catherine Academy defeated Anglican Cathedral College by the score of 14-11. The winning pitcher was Jacqueline Alas and the losing pitcher was Ashley Alarcon.
In the male game played, St. John's College defeated Ladyville Technical High School by the score of 22-5. The winning pitcher was Dillan Snaggs and the losing pitcher was Isaac Dominguez.
On Thursday 5 March, in the female game, Wesley College defeated St. Catherine Academy by the score of 15-5. The winning pitcher was Shania Pook and the losing pitcher was Jacqueline Alas.
Patrick Jones
Principals in the Belmopan Area Met to Plan Festival of Arts 2015
Principals in the Belmopan Area Schools met today, March 12th, at Garden City Primary School to prepare for the Annual Festival of Arts, which is slated for April 13th - 17th. The schools are divided into 4 clusters for the administration of the performing arts portion of [�]
Belmopan has New Leadership
Belmopan City Council is now officially under new leadership as Swearing In Ceremonies were held today, March 12th, at 3 p.m. at the City Hall Grounds for new Council members. Mayor Khalid Belisle was sworn in by Dr. Geraldo Flowers, City Administrator assisted by Mrs. Barrette Belisle, [�]
Court of Appeal restores murder indictment
The Belize Court of Appeal has overruled a decision by Supreme Court Justice Denis Hanomansingh to quash an indictment for murder against Jorge Vidal in the Central District of the Court and ordered that he stand trial. On Wednesday it allowed the appeal by the Director of Public [�]
Court of Appeal acquits policeman of manslaughter
The Court of Appeal has officially acquitted former police officer Burton Caliz of a charge of manslaughter. His appeal was allowed, conviction quashed, sentence set aside and charges formally dropped after hearing today. Initially, Caliz was charged with the murder of 23 year old Leroy Pilgrim, who was [�]
New neonatal and pediatric intensive care unit nearing completion
Ever since the tragedy of the 13 babies who died at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) between February and May of 2013 the hospital has been focused on improving its services to ensure nothing of the kind ever happens again. The Office of the Special Envoy for [�]
Placencia man pleads guilty to drug possession charge
The police in Placencia village, Stann Creek district, continues to crack down on drug peddlers on the Peninsula. Their latest operation on Wednesday morning, conducted jointly by Special Branch, K9 Unit, the BDF and Placencia police, resulted in the discovery of 377 grams of marijuana and the arrest of two [�]
PUP affirms unity in official meeting
The People's United Party (PUP) was searching for common cause following last Wednesday's landslide defeat in the municipal elections and the release of a secret recording of a private conversation involving former leader and Orange Walk Central area representative John Briceno.
But on Wednesday at a joint National Executive and Parliamentary Caucus meeting held by the party at its headquarters at Independence Hall, the party built on the tentative expressions of support given by members in the wake of the elections defeat.
Party Leader Francis Fonseca had a message both for party faithful and the public at large which looks to the PUP as an alternative to the current administration.
UNESCO gives grant to Restore Belize for Peace in the Parks
The National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) yesterday handed over a grant of BZ$51,175.53 to Restore Belize.
Restore Belize is the arm of the Government of Belize which coordinates social response, for its "Peace in the Park" Initiative, a means of reaching out to troubled youths to address the crime situation in Belize.
Started in 2011, it develops and supports initiatives in education and culture by community organizations with the backdrop of local parks and playgrounds.
Reverend Dr. Rudolph Anthony is the Secretary General to the UNESCO National Commission and he told us that this is a means of fulfilling UNESCO's mission to promote the artistic and cultural side of humanity.
Beverly Visits San Pedro AND “The Man Upstairs”
We had some friends visit us from Minnesota for a couple of weeks. This one woke up last Sunday and decided she needed to go to church. Here's her "take" on her visit to the Roman Catholic Church.
I will admit, while at home I don't attend church every Sunday. There are days when I just can't muster up the energy or the motivation to attend mass. Vacations seem to energize me in regard to my relationship with God, so I try to make it a practice to attend Sunday mass. It is not always possible, but if I can attend mass in a foreign church, I do. I'm a firm believer that attending services in a community not your own is a wonderful way to experience the culture of the local region and its people.
This month I happen to find myself in the town of San Pedro, Belize on Ambergris Caye. As luck would have it, on the main road, Barrier Reef Drive, there is a beautiful little Roman Catholic Church. If you are looking for a Sunday morning mass in English, attend the 8:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. mass. For those wanting to attend a mass in Spanish, 7:oo p.m. is the time for you.
I regret that I did not attend mass when I was on the island last March, so I was determined to attend this time around. I showed up to mass an hour early (because of the time change) and took in all the church has to offer. There is a breathtaking view of the ocean from the side doors.
Spring Time In Belize Part 1
Some of the most awesome times you will have in Belize, certainly after your amazing day tours, are in the restaurants and bars combinations. Certainly, the cornerstones are the Belizean beers, dark rum and the impossible to resist, Rice, beans, stew meat (of your choice), salad, and fried ripe plantain. Yes! Yum!
Now, back to the bar section.
Here are 5 things to know about a Belizean bar:
1. Yes, we are this friendly! Smile. Engage your waiter/waitress in conversation. They will offer you interesting information on what happened while you were on tour or whats the best thing happening in the bar tonight. Most importantly however, they have the scoop on whats happening after dinner or the following day. Work up a chat!!
2. Your US dollars are twice ours! So, when your waiter says to you that your beer is $3.50, he is suggesting you can buy two beers with your US 3.50. This economic decision to link our Belizean dollar 2 to 1 to your US dollars happened in 1973 when we internationalized and made the US dollar the anchor of our currency. Yes, when you have inflation there, we do too. None-the-less, smile, you can buy twice the beer with your money here!
International Sources
Great Australian Bight oil search 'opens door to disaster', US marine biologist Dr Sylvia Earle says
SEISMIC testing and drilling for oil and gas in the Great Australian Bight threatens whales, dolphins, sea lions, and other sea creatures, warns visiting US marine biologist Dr Sylvia Earle. Ever since she started diving in the 1950s, world-famous marine explorer Dr Sylvia Earle has been "a witness to change in the ocean" including the recent disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.
"I have been a witness, in recent years, to some of the most devastating oil spills, a consequence of carelessness associated with the extraction of oil and gas from the sea," Dr Earle said.
"Most recently the biggest spill in history, with the loss of millions of barrels of oil as a consequence of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill ... where I first learned to dive 50 years ago ...
"It's likely to happen wherever drilling occurs. There's a great safety record going back for many years but occasionally, a disaster.
"Not being prepared is one of the concerns about this development. Places that have been leased in the Great Australian Bight are right over areas that are designated for protection. It's baffling."
IN MEMORY OF ARTURO 'BEN' RAMOS
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Arturo Ramos; also known as Ben among his family and friends. He died on Monday at his home in Democracia. We miss him greatly but remember him with fondness.
Arturo has been our friend and man in the field since 2009. When we first met him, we knew he was someone with a special talent. Here was someone for whom the jungle presented no obstacle, just delight. Any point on a map we asked him to investigate he would reach, often soaked through, waist deep in mud, and covered in scratches, but always with a smile on his face and a story to tell about his latest adventure. He never complained and only spoke excitedly about all the natural wonders he had seen along the way. One hundred percent dedicated to his work; for Arturo, no challenge was too big.
Our field research could not have happened without Arturo: making networks of trails in otherwise impassable jungle, building camps out of bush materials, deploying camera traps to monitor wildlife, maintaining the boundary lines of the Labouring Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, helping with the safe live capture of a range of different mammals, maintaining and repairing field equipment, training and supervising countless students in the field, and making sure that they all returned safely and with a newly-found appreciation of the jungle and what it takes to be a true bush-man.
Symposium on avoiding genetically modified organisms (GMO) in our foods
This Saturday 1 pm. The best way to see many new people is for each of us to bring people with us. Please give some thought to who you can bring. Come early and socialize over a lunch.
. Belize Wildlife Conservation Network
American Pi: Why the Day Belongs to the U.S. (and Belize)
Pi may be a universal constant, but only two countries can natively celebrate Pi Day: the U.S. and Belize. That's because they are the only ones (if Wikipedia is correct) to shorthand their date format so that it can match the first few digits of pi (3.1415), or March 14, 2015.
Most of the rest of the world relies on the day-month-year format, which makes more sense logically because the date elements go from small to big. But this dd-mm-yy format would have pi day fall on the third day of the 14th month of the year. Too bad our Gregorian calendar has only 12 months.
You could regroup the digits and say that Pi Day falls on the 31st day of the fourth month of the year. But nope, that doesn't work, either: April has only 30 days.
20 Caribbean Countries to Benefit from Olympics Broadcast Deal
The Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees and the Caribbean Broadcasting Union have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the broadcast of the 2016 Olympics in Brazil to 20 countries and territories in the region, the St. Lucia government said.
The Olympic committees "will provide access to 12 television signals and CBU (Caribbean Broadcasting Union) members can select the specific content to distribute to their markets," according to a statement.
CBU outlets will receive customized content produced by U.S.-based ESPN.
"In addition to their preferred feeds, CBU members will also transmit all semifinals and finals featuring Caribbean sportsmen and women at the Rio Olympics," the St. Lucia government said.
The countries covered by the agreement are: Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and the Turks and Caicos.
Exploring the Riviera Maya
If you were to look at a map of Mexico, which looks like the lower portion of a mermaid, you would find the Riviera Maya, where her delicate fin curls northward at the tip. The region itself is sandwiched between Cancun and Cozumel, stretching along the Caribbean coast of what is called the Yucatan Peninsula.
Getting there is easy, as it is only an approximately three and a half hour flight from New York City, one and a half hours from Miami, a little over three hours from Chicago, two hours from Houston and just under five hours from Los Angeles. After arriving at the Cancun International Airport, which is also the arrival point for those visiting Cozumel and Playa Del Carmen, the Riviera Maya region is approximately a 20-minute drive.
This coastline covers 81 miles from Cancun south to the Belize border. Like many coastal areas in Mexico, the Riviera Maya is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, meandering arm in arm with the clear turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Together, they draw visitors from all over the world to enjoy a wide array of aquatic activities and recreational sports, including boating, fishing, swimming, parasailing, kayaking and, yes, just plain laying out and enjoying the magnificent sand and ambience.
The Riviera Maya area is also a big draw for snorkeling and scuba diving, as it possesses an extensive coral reef system that is home to an abundance of marine plants, animals and other biodiversity. This falls right in line with its founding as a series of small fishing villages.
The geopolitics of Caribbean security
The advent of global jihad is about to change the security architecture of our hemisphere. So far we have been largely immune to these problems. Islam is beautiful and I lived among them with joy, but Islamists caricature the Prophet (PBUH).
Location is our asset but it is also a curse. Proximity to the USA is no fun as jihadists seek to kill the great Satan, as they say. We are at risk as many of our people are venal, do unspeakable acts, and are easily bought. We sacrifice to prosper, but many are wankers who, for dollars, a gun, gold teeth, or bling, create mayhem. We live in peace and poverty, yet not like Gaza or Nigeria; we never lost life, limb to an IED, explosive vest, or had 2,000 people in a refugee camp -- we were lucky poor. But life is about to change here and across the Caribbean owing to Carcom Single Market and Economy's (CSME) vulnerability.
Fighting sex trade trafficking through fly fishing
A charitable non-profit fishing group from the United States is looking to expand it's reach into Canada, and northwestern Ontario.
The Fly Fishing Collaborative raises funds by auctioning off donated fishing trips and using that money to build fish farms for orphanages in order to provide them with food, income, water, and fresh produce.
The focus of the group is helping children caught in sex trade trafficking.
David Fineran, a spokesperson for the Fly Fishing Collaborative, said the idea was born from one simple question by founder Bucky Buchstaber who asked himself "What can I do from my passion of fly fishing and what it's given me, how can I now take that and give something back and what can I create"
The collaborative is sending a team to construct a fish farm in Belize and in the Philippines later this spring and a fourth one in Nicaragua in 2016.
SPIN THE GLOBE: THE INCREDIBLE ADVENTURES OF FREDERICK VON WIGGLEBOTTOM by Edward Moldenhauer is Now Available
In the new installment of Edward Moldenhauer's Spin the Globe children's series, "Spin the Globe: The Incredible Adventures of Frederick von Wigglebottom: Turtles of the Reef" (published by Trafford Publishing), Frederick von Wigglebottom travels, by the spin of the globe, to Belize.
In Belize, Frederick explores the sandy island paradise of St. George's Caye. He meets a native Mayan named K'ayab, who introduces Frederick to his culture and its history and teaches him about the animals of the coral reef and the Belizean jungle. Frederick also befriends a girl named Hay�, who teaches him about her unique Garinagu culture.
A magical exploration of the mystical jungle and island paradise of Belize, "Spin the Globe: The Incredible Adventures of Frederick von Wigglebottom: Turtles of the Reef" serves not only to entertain young readers, but also to become a jumping-off point for learning and celebrating the world's unique diversity.
Rainforests of the sea
There is an amazing world under water. Take a peek into the charm and beauty in the deep blue.
Take a trip to the seaside and you're sure to bring back fascinating little coral souvenirs. However, the real deal is to dive into the ocean and track down reefs from the deep.
Reefs - fringing, coral or barrier - are simply beautiful. Right from the brain-structures to those that have fish swimming in and out of them, the colourful reefs are a treat for the eyes. What's more, they are also the most diverse of all marine ecosystems and support a variety of marine life including small fish, prawns, and other sea creatures. They are also referred to as "Rainforests of the sea".
Fringing reefs are those that grow directly on a shore. One instance of this is the coral reef at Kaloko-Honok�hau National Historical Park in Hawaii. Barrier reefs are separated from a mainland or island shore by a channel or lagoon while atolls are continuous barrier reefs which extend around a lagoon without a central island. Apart from the three principal types of reefs, other types include Patch, Apron, Bank, Ribbon, Table, and Habili.
Described as "the most remarkable reef in the West Indies" by Charles Darwin, the Belize Barrier Reef supports over 500 species of fish, hundreds of invertebrate species and several hard and soft coral species. It is a 300-kilometre long section of Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. It is continuous from Cancun on the north-eastern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, up to Honduras. It is the second largest coral reef.