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Posted By: Marty Today's Belize News: December 25, 2012 - 12/25/12 03:20 PM


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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7 and Channel 5
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials


The San Pedro Sun

Castillo's Hardware donates to San Pedro Cancer Society
Founder of the San Pedro Cancer Society (SPCS) Monica Prevett is happy to report a successful 2012, with two success stories during the group's efforts. Monica extends her gratitude to the San Pedro community for supporting the society during fundraisers and special events. The San Pedro Cancer Society is the youngest and most active cancer group in the country. In the coming year SPCS seeks to educate people on taking treatment in the country at the Dangriga Cancer Center rather than abroad. Not only is it easier to communicate, but treatment available locally is less costly as opposed to abroad. When patients choose to go abroad, they have to take into account the cost of travel, the expense of the hospitals in the countries they get treated in, and the cost to stay as well. As an added bonus, the Dangriga Cancer Center gives free second opinions on a patient's health status. The SPCS encourages people to consider taking the opportunity given by the center. The Dangriga Cancer Center has recently made available a pediatric wing so that children don't have to go abroad for treatment as well. This is definitely an added bonus, for parents who are tasked with seeking help for their children, and cannot afford to travel. With all these opportunities available at home, SPCS asks residents of San Pedro to seek aid and not be silent, and explore their local medical options.

Belize's Prime Minister Dean Barrow speaks on McAfee's erratic behavior
John McAfee, the antivirus mogul, continues to make international news after he was expelled from Guatemala to the United States. The 67-year-old McAfee has been on the run avoiding investigators of the Belize Police Department who want to question him as part of a murder investigation into the death of his neighbor Gregory Faull, a 52-year-old expatriate and businessman. Authorities claim that Faull's death has left several unanswered questions, which McAfee could provide answers to. However, McAfee claims he is running from authorities in Belize because they want him dead. Both local and international media have been trying to find answers as it relates to the murder investigation and if the Belizean Government will be requesting an extradition for McAfee from the US. In so doing, NBC Dateline had attempted to speak with Belize Prime Minister Dean Barrow and with the help of The San Pedro Sun was able to do so on Friday December 14th. PM Barrow told NBC Dateline that while there is an extradition agreement between Belize and the US, the only way McAfee could be extradited to the country is if charges are laid against him - which is not the case since he is just wanted for questioning. "My recollection of the way the treaty works is that we would have to have charges waiting for McAfee before we can seek his extradition. In other words you can't seek to extradite somebody merely because that person is of interest; merely because the person is needed for questioning. I believe extradition can only kick in where there are charges that have been levied against the person you seek to extradite," said Barrow, who is also a well respected attorney in Belize.

Annual Caribbean Christmas Colors Contest celebrates unique Belizean homes
It was a holly jolly night as merry judges Rebecca Coutant, Charlene Woods and Rene Guzman, along with The San Pedro Sun staff and their guests rode around town on Saturday, December 15th taking in the sights of the island's festively decorated houses. Riding on golf carts adorned for the Christmas season, the judges inspected and noted every lit up house and business around town. As the mini parade drove around each neighborhood, children flocked at the sight of the Christmas 'sleighs' and in the spirit of holiday sharing, were treated to handfuls of candies. The houses were truly amazing; displaying creative forms of decorations, each one unique in its own little special way. It was an arduous task for the judges as they searched for houses that best portrayed the ten different categories.

Ambergris Today

Belize Silences Peoples' Voice on Offshore Oil Drilling Referendum
In a move to ensure that the issue of whether or not 8,047 signatures were improperly disallowed by the Chief Elections Officer of the Elections and Boundaries Department, the Government of Belize (GOB) sought to strike out the case (Claim No. 225 for 2012) brought earlier this year by Audrey Marie Bradley, Thomas Greenwood and Oceana in Belize. Permission for the case to proceed was granted June 5, 2012 by Supreme Court Justice Michelle Arana GOB applied to strike out the case based on whether the 14 days to file the full application for judicial review started on the date the oral permission was granted or when the written order was perfected by the court. Justice Arana, in striking out the referendum judicial reviews case, said she agreed with GOB Attorney Denys Barrow that the 14 days started to run June 20th. This ruling brings to an end any legal attempt to hold the Government accountable for denying the Belizean people a choice to voice on whether or not there should be offshore oil drilling in Belizeans waters.

PIC OF THE WEEK: San Pedro Dance Academy Christmas Spectacular
The San Pedro Dance Academy shined on stage for their annual Christmas Show at the R. Angel Nu�ez on Saturday, December 22, 2012. All dancers looked amazing in their costumes during their spectacular performances. Pictured here is the Se�or group just before their performance of Drummer Boy.

Christmas Raffles in San Pedro
It's the season of giving and that is exactly what many businesses have been doing this Holiday Season in San Pedro. There were many fantastic Christmas raffles and give-aways that businesses on the island conducted as a show of appreciation to their customers. Last week and over the weekend Miss San Pedro Naiely Puc had the honor of picking out the lucky winners at three businesses which have already held their raffles. Congratulations to all the winners and to all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Friends of Holy Cross Spread Christmas Joy
Holy Cross Anglican School surely has angels (or elves)! Krista Mohr and Jodie Harnish, for the second year in a row, have played Santa's elves by collecting, purchasing and wrapping gifts for all of our 420 darling students at Holy Cross Anglican School. There would be no Christmas for these kids if not for them! Krista even organized a toy drive for them at Wayo's Beach Bar. The turnout was fabulous! Every child received an individually wrapped present with their name on it from Santa. Kudos to Krista and Jodie for spreading the christmas joy once again at the Holy Cross Anglican School.

Misc Belizean Sources

Belize reaches agreement with bond creditors
Belize has reached an agreement in principle with creditors to restructure about half of its unpaid debt after "long and arduous" talks, allowing the country to avoid default, Prime Minister Dean Barrow said on Friday. Barrow told a press conference that he would release details of the restructuring of the $544 million bond at a later date. "The agreement is comprehensive and it is sustainable," he said. Mark Espat, leader of Belize's negotiating team on the debt restructuring, explained that details of the deal could not be made public until they were explained to all of Belize's creditors. Belize missed an August 20, 2012, US$23 million coupon payment on the country's US dollar Step-Up Bonds due 2029, although in September it made an $11.7 million interest payment, which was only about half of what it owed but enough to avoid full-blown default. The Step-Up Bond represents approximately one-half of Belize's total recorded public indebtedness.

Jingle Bum Rock at Barrio Fino
Barrio Fino had their Jingle Bum Rock, and Danny Chung was there to capture all the festivities. Looks like Mistah Geeh and the gang rocked Belmopan.

SHC's Elocution Contest
Sacred Heart College had their annual Elocution contest. Lots of talent was showcased.

The New Era of Maya Culture at SIRH
The San Ignacio Resort Hotel ushered in the new era with an all day celebration of the Maya culture.

Christmas Toy Drive
Rotaract had their Christmas Toy Drive at Meluchi's. Santa was there, and the event was a huge success.

Channel 5

Rene Vega killed in his Santa Elena house
The one hundred and fortieth murder victim for 2012 is from the Cayo District. And though many of the previous murders are gang related, this particular crime is not. Police have detained a relative of the victim, Rene Vera, for questioning regarding the stabbing. News Five's Duane Moody headed west this morning and tried to [...]

Police know nothing of 2 weekend murders and Colombian drug bust
The postmortem examination on Vera's body was conducted today at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. During this morning's police briefing, there was no mention of Vera's murder. Apparently even though it occurred sometime between Friday night and Saturday morning, it was not reported. Then there is murder number one hundred and forty-one which occurred in [...]

Shooting victim lucky to be alive after shot in the eye.
What the police did have information on is a shooting that occurred in the city on Friday night. The victim received a bullet to the eye but was lucky to survive the attempt on his life. According to Police Press Officer, Raphael Martinez, Keyron Ysaguirre was on Mex Avenue when a lone gunman opened fire [...]

Arrests made in connection with 3 murders in Old Capital
While the cops have two new homicides and a shooting on their hands, progress has been made in three previous murders. Two persons have been charged for the October twenty-fifth double murder of Frank James and Robert Young who were gunned down on North Front Street. Also, one person was charged for the murder of [...]

Fatal traffic accident on George Price Highway
Though two persons were murdered over the weekend, a third individual lost his life on the outskirts of Belize City. It is not known if alcohol was involved in the incident but an SUV crashed into the rear of a bus resulting in one fatality. News Five's Isani Cayetano reports.   Isani Cayetano, Reporting A [...]

Record high murder stats; 141 murders so far in 2012
2012 is winding down and the murder statistics are running up with a record high of one hundred and forty-one homicides so far. The year started slow with only four murders in January, but the numbers quickly started rising. In February ten persons were killed while eight homicides were recorded in March. Then the mayhem [...]

Witness Protection Program to be introduced in 2013
While murder statistics are at an all time high, convictions are extremely low, but a new unit at the Police Department might change that. According to Assistant Commissioner of Police, Elodio Aragon, they are preparing to launch a Witness Support Unit in early 2013, which will provide assistance and protection for persons cooperating in major [...]

Vega on the Campaign trail to remain as Deputy Party Leader of U.D.P.
One person who has witnessed a lot of support in recent days is Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega. Vega is also deputy leader of the United Democratic Party (U.D.P.) and is being challenged by Education Minister Patrick Faber for the second highest post in the party. News Five had previously spoken to Faber who says [...]

Pilot survives plane crash down south
A tragedy was averted today in what some may say was a miracle no one was killed. A plane went down in the Cowpen area in Stann Creek at eight a.m. on Sunday. The pilot, Frank Hiebert was spraying a banana plantation in what should have been a routine flight. However, a yellow indicator light [...]

House gutted by flames in Orange Walk
While that pilot can walk home to his house following the incident, twelve persons in Orange Walk have no home to return to, following their moment with disaster. A fire on Dangriga Street in Orange Walk Town totally destroyed the Arzu family home. According to a neighbor, Indora Armstrong, the community came out to assist [...]

No evidence against Easy Glenn, but James Suazo Guilty of scam
Minister Michael Finnegan spoke to the media last week about a scam in which his name was allegedly being used to solicit funds from various businesses and the Ministry of Works. Police soon arrested the accused men, Goldburn "Easy Glenn" Adolphus and James Suazo, but due to a lack of evidence, Adolphus was released. Suazo, [...]

Special Branch sting operations yield drugs and ammo
A series of sting operations by the Special Branch of the Police Department has led to the seizure of drugs and ammunition. On Saturday around three p.m., a search conducted at the residence of twenty-five year old Michael Hulse led to the discovery of a black plastic bag containing twenty-nine transparent ziplock bags with two [...]

Police anti-crime campaign in full force
Business is brisk during the Christmas season as gifts, decorations and groceries are bought for the big day. Unfortunately, at this time of year, there is also a marked increase in crimes such as robberies and burglaries. To balance it all out, the Police Department has followed suit and boosted the number of officers on [...]

Lord's Bank Christmas Party by Belizean American
Verna Young Clement, a Belizean living in the US started an initiative in 2011, hosting a Christmas party for seventy-five children in Lords Bank and surrounding communities. Clement returned for her second annual Christmas party held over the weekend and this time she catered to over a hundred kids as well as almost eighty parents. [...]

Christmas shout outs from the public to your homes
Downtown Belize City has been alive with last-minute shoppers looking for deals since eight o'clock this morning when stores opened their doors to the public.� The atmosphere on Albert Street is festive, as musicians and food vendors line the sidewalks playing carols and hawking fast food.� News Five hit the streets this morning to get [...]

The Meaning of Christmas
Across the country people have been out in droves, shopping for gifts. While stores are serving an increase in consumers, that also means that there are more than the usual amount of motor vehicles on the streets. In Belize City, bumper to bumper traffic has increased a short drive across the city to about half [...]

James Adderley's and the weekend sports
Good evening, I'm James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.   Game I of the Championship series in this PLB Football Competition got off to a roaring start inside a jammed packed Isidoro Stadium yesterday as the 2 Belmopan teams-Police United and Belmopan Bandits-looked to grab game I of the home and away format. We [...]

LOVE FM

Early Christmas Gift for Belize - Super Bond Successfully Renegotiated
The best Christmas news for the country of Belize came four days before the big day. At a late-evening press conference in Belize City, Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced that the much talked about haircut has been achieved. Meaning that � the country's foreign deb...

SMART Shares Christmas Spirit With Free Phones and Credit Countrywide
SMART in living up to their motto of "Bringing people together" today felt very generous and headed out to Albert Street to reward lucky passersby. Public Relations officer for SMART, Ian Courtenay, told us more about this initiative. "It's just SMART ...

Rotary Prepares To Raffle New Vehicle
The Rotary Club of Belize will be holding its big raffle of a brand new vehicle on Saturday night. The raffle is part of the organization's fund raising drive to support its many programs which benefits hundreds of Belizeans throughout the year. Cisco Woods, the co-ch...

International Day of Cooperatives Observed
An expo featuring the works of cooperatives from around the country took place today in Belize City. Close to three dozen groups from all over Belize gathered at the Princess Hotel to mark the end of the International Year of Cooperatives. Gareth Murrillo is the registrar of coop...

18 Years for Carnal Knowledge
Fifty-five year old Winston Dennison, a woodcarver who was convicted of three counts of carnal knowledge on Monday, was sentenced to a total of 18 years today by Justice Troadio Gonzalez. Justice Gonzalez sentenced him to five years for the first count, six6 years for the second count ...

PlusTV

36 year old Rene Vera is stabbed to death
Christmas Day is tomorrow but there are some Belizean families who are mourning instead of celebrating. That's beca...

Stabbing murder in Dangriga
There was another weekend murder when a man was stabbed and killed in Dangriga Town on Saturday night. Harry Arzu h...

Bicycle rider shot Friday evening
There was a shooting incident on Friday evening in Belize City. 28 year old Keyron Ysaguirre was riding his bicycle...

Bus involved in fatal traffic accident
There was a fatal traffic accident on Saturday December 22. It happened on the George Price Highway between miles 4...

Witness tells of Road Traffic Collision on Valley of Peace Road
Last week PlusNews reported on a road traffic accident which Police say occurred on the George Price Highway just o...

James Swazo charged for obtaining property by deception
Police say they have officially arrested and charged James Swazo for obtaining property by deception. Suazo, along ...

Construction workers robbed at Marion Jones Stadium
The Marion Jones Stadium is under construction and on Saturday, those in charge of the construction project were ro...

Three charged for drug offences
Police have charged three person for drug offences following a weekend raid in Belize City. On Saturday at about 3:...

Twelve year old girl survives poisonous snake bite
A twelve year old girl is lucky to be alive after she was bitten by a poisonous snake. Natisha Gonzalez, a student ...

Jasmin Alert committee holds a nationwide candle light vigil
The Jasmin Alert committee held a nationwide candle light vigil on Saturday. It was done in the memory of those chi...

The Belize Police Community Department shares hampers and gifts
t's the season for sharing and in keeping with their annual tradition of spreading a little love, the Belize City P...

Belmopan area residents share their thoughts on Christmas.
Tomorrow, Belizeans and a great part of the world will stop to celebrate the Chrisitian holiday, Christmas 2012. Ch...

Police make arrests for several murders
A not so recent murder which occurred on October 25th, has just seen an arrest. Frank James and Robert Young were k...

Man stabbed in Maya Mopan
A Belmopan man was stabbed while standing on the street. Belmopan police say that on Sunday at 12:30am, they visite...

Blogs

Merry Xmas Everybody
Before I forget I just wanted to let you know that the Christmas Charity Concert held on Saturday 15 December raised BZ$7,000 for the five surviving children of Hector 'Chapin' Duran. A tremendous BZ$2,000, or 40%, more than the target the fund organisers set for themselves. A fantastic achievement that should make things that little bit better at Christmas for the children. Whilst on the subject of remembering things I am now able to answer the question posed by a number of readers - "Are they going to remove the plywood after the concrete pour for the roof of the water tank?" I put the question to Anhill this morning and was pleased, but not overly surprised, to be told that it will be removed via the hole left for the manhole cover. All of the plywood boards have been cut to go through this aperture . Simple really isn't it.

Happy Holidays!
Taking a little time out from blogging to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! From our home to yours, Emily, Barry, and Paisley

Christmas Vacation? I wish.
I wish I could explain my absence in blogging and say I have been away on a wonderful Christmas vacation but unfortunately not, been so busy with other work that I have not had time to blog. Was glad to get a bit of Sunday funday downtime yesterday after 6 solid hours chained to my desk. We ended up doing bbq ribs for lunch with Leisa at Catamaran beach bar at Caribbean Villas Hotel. Both Lesia and I were in carnivore mode and agreed we could have had double order of ribs and no sides Afterward then headed to Rico's restaurant at Banyan Bay to see baby Tinker, Cindy Andy and Cheri. She is much tinier in person than she is on facebook pictures. Getting ready for the annual Sad Bastards Christmas party at Pedro's bar tomorrow, which means walking to town and scouting out some presents for the gift game. The limit is 70 BZD and there are always lots of things worth stealing.

Chaa Creek Unveils "Historic" 2012 Maya Stela
The carved stone Maya stela unveiled in Belize at The Lodge at Chaa Creek's 2012 Winter Solstice ceremonies on December 22 2012 is a continuation of thousands of years of Maya history, according to the Chaa Creek Natural History Centre. As anthropologist Joe Awe explained to the guests who attended the unveiling ceremony held at Chaa Creek, the ancient Maya used the carved stone monuments to record important dates and events in their various city-states spread across the vast Maya empire, which covered all of Belize and parts of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. "It is very fortunate for us that the Maya used the stelae to carve important information into stone for future generations to see. Otherwise, since the Spanish Conquistadors destroyed the Maya's huge libraries, artwork and books, we'd have hardly any information at all to piece together their rich history," he said. "Now, with this new stela, we've recorded our own presence during the Winter Solstice of 2012, and it will be interesting to see who reads this thousands of years down the track," he added.

International Sources

Farm to Table in Belize
Yes. In Belize people are concerned about eating locally. Part of that may be the price of food and how much imported food costs. While bicycling a couple of days ago, we came upon a lovely garden. A huge, lovely garden. Too curious, we hopped off our bikes and trespassed, asking a gardener when we saw him if we could look. Turns out this is a chef's garden, nestled up right next to the Turtle Inn. Haven't heard of it? You've undoubtedly heard of the owner. Francis Ford Coppola. The garden that supplies this resort and restauarant includes herbs, greens, vegetables, and yes, even the chaya plant that we had been wanting to see in real life. And, from talking to local chefs, part of being a locavore is just pragmatic. The chef next door to us, who is opening a new restaurant in Belize called the Sea Glass, is planning an opening on New Year's Day. One of his menu items in pepper garlic seared tuna canap�s. "I'm not sure I'm going to be able to get any from local fishermen. I may have to go out fishing myself." Another chef, Sol from Hidden Falls Caf�, has a farm about an hour and a half away from Placencia. He grows food for his restaurant and supplies others around. "Do you grow chaya?" we asked him. Yep. In fact, he supplies Martha's Restaurant in San Ignacio, where we first were introduced to chaya. And today, he went out with a spear gun and nabbed a few red snapper. Guess we know what's on the menu tonight at his restaurant. And how fresh it will be!

CARICOM to speed up tax evasion talks with United States next year
Saying there is no question that regional financial institutions will comply, Caribbean trade bloc governments this week welcomed the postponement of the January 2013 deadline for compliance with new American overseas tax laws, pointing out that they now have more time to negotiate a proper agreement with the U.S. Governments, commercial banks and other agencies had been racing against time to comply with the original Jan. 1, 2013, Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FACTA), but the new 2014 deadline will allow the region to follow the United Kingdom, Japan, Switzerland and other Western nations in negotiating a complete intergovernmental agreement with the U.S. on the issue. The bloc's Guyana-based secretariat said efforts to have formal talks with U.S. Treasury officials failed this year in part because of the distractions associated with the November presidential elections, but the extension will give the CARICOM countries more leeway for negotiations in the new year-even though most commercial banks, trust companies and offshore destinations were ready to meet the original deadline anyway. The regulations will force Caribbean and other international banks to report to the United States Internal Revenue Service about the assets of U.S. citizens, legal residents and even some categories of visitors if they have funds exceeding $50,000 at any point during a fiscal year. This will also apply to foreign sportsmen and entertainers who spend significant amounts of time earning money in American cities even though they are non-citizens or are not green card holders.

Belize to Soon Reach Final Pact With Creditors on Debt Restructuring -Official
Belize and its creditors will soon have a final agreement to restructure the country's debt, a government official said Monday. The small Central American country and its creditors on Friday reached a tentative pact to restructure the country's debt. The two sides have been negotiating a debt restructuring ever since the country defaulted in September, a month after it failed to make a payment on its $548.3 million debt. Financial terms of the agreement weren't disclosed on Friday, though a term sheet is expected to be released in the near future, according to Mark Espat, leader of Belize's negotiating team on the debt restructuring. "There is an in-principle agreement with the Creditor Steering Committee but details will be ironed out in the coming days," said Mr. Espat. Negotiating with Belize is a creditors' committee comprised of Greylock Capital Management, Steadfast Insurance Co., Capital Markets Financial Services and the Trinidad and Tobago Unit Trust Corp., as well as an ad hoc group consisting of 20 institutional members. Together, the committee and ad hoc group represent over $338 million of the more than $540 million of bonds outstanding.

McAfee Headed To England If U.S. Won't Grant Visas For His Two Girlfriends
Silicon Valley software guru-turned-fugitive John McAfee may have left Miami for England, where he was born. McAfee, 67, who has acknowledged lying to the media and frequently playing hoaxes for kicks, told Britain's The Sun newspaper that he wants to start his life over in England with his Belizean girlfriends, Sam Vanegas, 20 and a 17 year old that The Sun identified as Amy Emshwiller. On his blog, www.whoismcafee.com, McAfee posted a cryptic Christmas Eve message on Monday in which he wrote, "I am safe now, in the country in which I grew up, went to school, got married and had children. It is a country of laws and due process." McAfee has dual citizenship with the United States and England. He founded the anti-piracy software company that bears his name in Santa Clara. He ended up in Belize, where police identified him as a "person of interest" in the death of his neighbor, Gregory Viant Faull, which led McAfee to flee to neighboring Guatemala with Vanegas in tow. But McAfee was then sent to Miami without his two girlfriends. The Sun said that it had a "bizarre interview" with McAfee in which he said he wants to start a new life with both women in Southampton. "McAfee, who was born in Sling, Gloucestershire, hatched the plan after becoming frustrated with the US authorities, who are refusing to give the women visas so they can join him in the States," The Sun reported. The Sun quoted McAfee as saying, "I feel just as much British as I do American. My mother, Joan Williams, was British and met my father Donald McAfee while he was stationed in England during the Second World War.

The December 23rd, 2012 issue of The STAR (Cayo) is online HERE

This Week's Stories:

  • Police Commissioner's Son Busted With Western Weed:
    The eldest son of an Assistant Commissioner of the Belize Police Department is currently on remand behind bars on a drug trafficking charge. The report coming out of Beque police informs that it was shortly after 1 o'clock on the evening of Thursday, December 13, 2012, at about 1:15 pm when the attention of a team of policemen on mobile patrol in the Calla Creek Road area of the jurisdiction, was drawn to a suspicious grey Ford F 150 pickup, with a camper, traveling out of the village towards the George Price Highway. In complying with police instructions the driver halted and exited the vehicle. Nothing incriminating was found inside the cab of the vehicle. The search then proceeded to the back of the vehicle where the police came upon two rimless tires which when searched were found to contain a dozen black plastic bags tightly wrapped with transparent plastic tape which when opened in the presence of the driver was found to contain suspected marijuana.
  • The New Rene Montero, Hon. Rene Montero Inspecting One Of The Many Works Currently Underway In Cayo Central:
    The first term in office was a learning experience for Cayo Central's Area Representative/ Minister of Works and Transport, Hon. Rene Montero. When he was put to the test in the March 7, 2012 general elections; he received a narrow passing mark and was almost defeated by a new comer on the political scene. Subsequent to that narrow victory, a new Rene Montero has emerged. He has shed himself of the political baggage and negative vibes from political hangers-on who did him major political damage throughout his first five-year term in office. The new Rene Montero has hit the ground running after the experience of March 7. The new Rene Montero is now focused on putting his shoulders to the wheel in immediately addressing the needs of his constituents. He has publicly committed that he will not wait until an election year or in the months leading up to the next test at the polls to do what has to be done for residents of Cayo Central.
  • Brady Busted By Benque Police:
    The ever vigilant police team in Benque Viejo town has scored yet another drug bust as the importation of Guatemalan weed seeks to make the eastward transit into Belize. It was shortly before 5:30 pm on Monday, December 17, when a team of alert policemen from Benque Viejo Town, on motorcycle patrol, spotted a pair of suspicious male persons walking on Churchill Street, in the center of the town. One of them had a small, red, white and blue plastic sack slung over the shoulder. They were stopped and searched. The search resulted in the discovery of two parcels tightly wrapped in black plastic and bound with transparent tape. When the parcels were opened, they were found to contain suspected marijuana.
  • Let There Be Light In Bradley's Bank:
    A rural electrification project, which will benefit more than 200 residents in the Bradley's Bank Area of Santa Elena Cayo District, was launched this Sunday afternoon. The project, to be financed by the Government of Belize through the Social Investment Fund and will be implemented by the Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) at a cost of $211,567 with funds coming by way of the Commonwealth Debt Initiative (CDI). The project includes the extension of overhead electrical lines to approximately 157 lots with the installation of seven transformers, almost 80 polls and almost 15 thousand feet of power lines. In his keynote address, Hon. Rene Montero, Minister of Works and Transportation and Area Representative for Cayo Central, spoke about the significance of the project and the great conveniences it would bring to the residents of Bradley's Bank. He told the gathering that he remains committed imporving the lives of the people of his constituency.
  • Child of Faith:
    Mrs. Diana Azueta was the 2nd of five (5) children born to Mr. & Mrs. John Swift. Diana grew up in St. Mary's literally where by the time she was born her mother Sylvia Swift was already a teacher at the school and an active member of the church. Mrs. Sylvia Swift later became an outstanding principal in the chain of exemplary teachers and principals of St. Mary's school, like Basil Coleman, Mrs. Hinkson and Mrs. Marcella Weatherburne. In 1968 Diana entered Wesley College and graduated and then advanced to 6th form. She married Alfonso Azueta, an Auditor in the Government Service. The union produced one child, a beautiful daughter Nyani. Alfonso is now deceased.
  • Welcome Home Dr. Tisha L. Spence:
    As a tribute to the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Spence from Santa Elena, Cayo District, the family is proud to announce that the Spence granddaughter, Dr. Tisha L. Spence is visting Belize. Dr. Spence, the daughter of Mrs. Selma Spence-Jackson, is celebrating the memories of her late grandparents, during her stay in Belize. She is a Pediatrician and graduate of Southern Illinois School of Medicine, Springfield, USA.. She is currently in her second year of residency, at the Morehouse University in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Spence is now pursuing her Pediatric Fellowship in Neonatal Medicine (Neonatology).
  • Inmates And Guards Killed In Mexico Jailbreak Attempt:
    At least 17 people have been killed during an attempted jailbreak in Mexico, officials say. Eleven inmates and six guards died in a shootout in the city of Gomez Palacio as the prisoners tried to escape through tunnels. Gang violence is an endemic problem in the Mexican penal system. The incident happened a day after President Enrique Pena Nieto announced the creation of a national police force to help tackle crime and violence. The latest deadly clashes, which occurred in the state of Durango, appear to have happened when wardens tried to prevent prisoners from fleeing, the BBC's Mexico correspondent Will Grant reports.
  • Crime - A Social Problems Of A Developing Country:
    Crime is defined as the breaking of laws set by the governing body of a country. It may come in many forms from as little as lying to even killing. This is one of the social problems most affecting the developing world. There are obviously many troubles that come along with having this problem in a society, and we see it everyday. And we always try to cure this problem by attacking it from that angle, but why not look at it from another? Why not try to find out what are causing these problems, and furthermore, find out what we need to do to fix them? What Causes people to murder? This question gives rise to an array of answers, and they are all are correct, even if in the pettiest of ways. One of the most influential though, is the pessimistic relationship between poverty and education. Globally, poverty is at a high, and because of that, there are many people who do not have the opportunity to afford secondary schooling, much less tertiary.
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