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Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3
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The San Pedro Sun
PUP present municipal election candidates for San Pedro town
The People's United Party (PUP) Belize Rural South (BRS) Executive presented the candidates that will represent their party in the 2015 municipal elections in San Pedro Town. The presentation took place during a small gathering on Friday May 30th at the BRS PUP headquarters situated on Pelican Street.
BRS Executive Chairman Nicholas "Nico" Varela presented the PUP 7 team which includes Mayoral Candidate Dr. Giovanni Solorzano, a medical practitioner on the island with over 20 years of experience. He will appear on the election ballot sheet for the PUP along with educators Conchita Flota, Marina Kay and Alex Noralez, businessman man Mundo Nu�ez, contractor Omar "Canasi" Guerrero, and pilot and current councilor, Gualberto "Wally" Nu�ez.
Lobster festival Draws Near!
The San Pedro Lobster Festival Committee is pleased to welcome the public to the San Pedro Lobster Festival 2014 featuring our popular Lobster Crawl Passport Event! This year we will kick off the Festival starting from Saturday, June 14th with the pre-season opening party and there will be daytime and night time events leading up to the Central Park Block Party on Saturday, June 21st featuring the musical talents of Supa G and the Pannerifix Steel Band! Each guest attending the Lobster Crawl is given a Lobster festival "Passport". In the passport there is a page for each Lobster Festival event; for each page that guests get stamped by the participating venue they are entitled to a raffle ticket. Then on June 21st, they bring the "Passport" to Central Park to the Lobster Festival's official sponsor's booth. One lucky participant will win a vacation package for 2 to attend the San Pedro Lobster Festival 2015!!
PAHO/WHO calls for stepped-up efforts to detect and treat people with TB/HIV coinfections
In the Americas, more than 1 in 10 tuberculosis patients have HIV, and TB is a leading cause of death for people with HIV
Washington, D.C., 4 June 2014 (PAHO/WHO) - Despite progress by countries of the Americas in reducing illness and deaths from tuberculosis (TB) and HIV in recent decades, 280,000 new TB cases and 98,000 new HIV cases were reported in the region in 2012.
The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHOWHO) recently brought together the heads of national HIV and TB programs from 27 countries of the Americas to analyze the situation of TB/HIV infections and discuss ways of integrating health services to expand diagnosis and treatment of both diseases.
"Tuberculosis and HIV have been and continue to be major health problems worldwide," said Massimo Ghidinelli, head of PAHO/WHO's HIV, Hepatitis, Tuberculosis and Sexually Transmitted Infections unit. "People with both conditions are treated in different health services, making it hard to provide them with comprehensive care."
Coconuts - the heart of Caribbean cuisine and culture
The coconut is considered a tropical drift seed, designed to survive for months, even years at sea.They are very buoyant and their thick, protective shells are impervious to salt water. During their long voyages they can cross entire oceans, perhaps colonizing the shores of a coral atoll or isolated volcanic island. Sea dispersal is a hit-or-miss method; after a long, perilous journey, other dangers await the vulnerable seedlings. They may perish in the parched sand without adequate moisture or be quickly devoured by ravenous land crabs. But when they are successful in finding a place to plant their roots, the results are beaches lined with custodial coconut trees that help sand from eroding while providing habitat for many shore critters. Found throughout the tropics and sub-tropic areas, the coconut is known for its great versatility, and has been cultivated and harvested for centuries. Coconuts are different from other fruits because they contain a large quantity of "water" which is not only nutritious but delicious, and when immature the tender pudding-like insides are devoured like candy.When mature they still contain some water and can be used as seednuts or processed to give oil from the kernel, charcoal from the hard shell and the fibrous husk can be used for making products such as floor mats, brushes and mattress. The oil and milk derived from it are commonly used in cooking and frying and coconut oil is also widely used in soaps and cosmetics.
Fun in the sun at weekend Water Olympics
On Saturday June 7th, the San Pedro Strength and Swim Club hosted its first ever Sun and Sand Water Olympics. The fun game-filled day kicked off around 12PM and saw three teams challenging each other. With DJ DZL of BumSquad Sounds delivering the best in music, the competition got underway. Games included the frozen t-shirt relay, egg-and-spoon race, sponge relay, water balloon toss, swim relay, cannonball contest, and the sunken treasure hunt. The teams were Buck Furpees, Shark Bait, and ElectroShocks, and while the games did not include a burpee challenge, team "Buck Furpees" sure didn't forget to remind everyone how they felt about them with their slogan printed on their shirts "I love burpees!- said no one ever."
Ambergris Today
Security Camera Catches Golf Cart Ram into Utility Pole
A security camera of a private business/home captured this video footage of a golf cart slamming into a utility pole on Seagrape Drive just south of San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. The driver of the cart was flung out into the street and the passenger slammed into the front windshield of the vehicle.
The accident took place this past Saturday, June 7 at around four in the morning. After the impact, the driver of the cart lay on the ground for a minute while the passenger just walked away from the scene after he regained composure, not even checking to see if the driver was okay.
Inspiration Dance Performance Delivers Strong Messages at San Pedro High
San Pedro High School has established a good friendship and student exchange program with Los Angeles Harbor College through now retired Professor, Larry Heimgartner and his wife, Debbie Heimgartner (current costume designer for the Theatre Department at LAHC) for over a decade now.
Theatrical drama is presented to students of San Pedro High, a program designed by Larry and former principal Angel Nu�ez, to draw attention to social issues such as drug and alcohol abuse, peer pressure, bullying and rape, among others.
On Thursday, June 5, 2014, students of San Pedro High witnessed and enjoyed two presentations, one that dealt with inspiration and following one's dreams and one on women's rights; they were presented by Jenny Morrison and Sarah MacKenzie of Scotland.
Pic of the Week:
Garifuna Collective of Belize on European Tour
Impressive is the crowd that gathered to witness the Garifuna Collective of Belize as they perform at the Afro Pfingsten World Music Festival 2014 in Winterthur, Switzerland. The cultural musical group is on a European tour at the moment, receiving raving reviews and proudly representing Belize's Garifuna culture abroad.
Sea Turtle Nesting 2014 (4 photos)
LoggerHead turtle nest at Robles Beach.
Ambergris Caye Marine Turtle Program is ready for Turtle Nesting Season 2014. 2014 Nesting season on a good start. A total of 11 nests have been recorded on the Nesting Beaches of Robles and Rocky Point.
Misc Belizean Sources
FISHING REPORT: Week of May 31st - June 7th, 2014
Wade was here with his father and brother last week. They took off after some fun fishing and then his wife, two sons and daughter showed up! It's really fun to see eleven year old Matt talk fly fishing with the other guests. He has the wrap down! So yes, old home week once again as we have had many of our guests return for their El Pescador fix! The Grassedonio family, Mike and Sue and Cutthroat Angler's own, Jim Buckler. We had big wind which made it tough on our anglers and guides! I was really proud of everyone for making each day a new episode. Big smiles came back to the dock at the end of the day with a ton of support for family members and friends. I know that these vacations you take with your family, or long time fishing buddy, or brand new fishing buddy - all made for good fun life memories. Thank you for sharing your passion for fishing. And thank you for coming to see us at El Pescador!
Ambassadors Present Credentials to the Governor General of Belize
Today Ambassador of Switzerland H.E. Louis-Jose
Touron and H.E. Patricia Vaca Narvaja, ambassador of Argentina, both presented
their credentials to the Governor General of Belize H.E. Sir Colville Young at the
Belize House in the City of Belmopan.
Both ambassadors conveyed their best wishes to Her Majesty the Queen and
expressed their mission to sustain and continue to develop strong relations between
their respective countries and Belize.
NEBL Statistical Award Winners
Kurt Burgess and Ivan Flowers both received top honors in the NEBL, Kurt for leading in rebounds(197), and Ivan leading in steals(2.3 per game). Many of the Ballaz took other places, so check out Sporting Pulse for more. Congratulations!
"Burgess is central force in a dominant front line for the Cayo Western Ballaz. He finished the regular season with 197 rebounds in 14 games for an average of 14.1. His years of experience as a top player in Belize was evident as he proved to be a stabilizing force for Cayo. He was able to best his runner up in the rebounding battle by a total of 40 rebounds to safely secure the title...
Ivan Flowers is the starting point guard for the Cayo Western Ballaz. His quick hands landed him atop the the league with 2.3 steals per games. His pace help fueled a great start for the Cayo that landed them in a great position to take it all."
Mount Carmel Graduation
Congratulations, Our Lady of Mount Carmel graduates! They had their graduation over the weekend.
Caribbean Export: Special Call for Proposals- Food Safety
The Caribbean Export Development Agency officially announces the publication of the Special Call for Proposals - Food Safety for CARIFORUM agro- processing firms to receive financial assistance as part of the Regional Private Sector Development Programme (RPSDP) funded by the European Union under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF).
The Special Call for Proposals - Food Safety is a reimbursable grant funding facility specifically designed to provide financial assistance to legally registered agro processing firms within the CARIFORUM region who are exporting or have the potential to export their products to the European Union. It is a facility for firms looking for funding to support their capacity building to meet the food production standards of the European Union (EU) market.
While the challenge also exists among the large enterprises in the Region, it is very prevalent among small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The allocation of this funding is hoped to ensure that goods of regional origin are produced under standard quality control conditions to meet the sanitary and regulatory requirements of the EU marketplace (such as HACCP, GAPs, GlobalGAP, ISO 14000, Fair Trade Certification, BRC, QF 1000, Primus GFS etc).
Walk for a Green Cayo
Saturday was the Walk for a Green Belize initiative, where groups all around Belize had cleanup campaigns. In Cayo, the Rotaract Club of San Ignacio, and the Benque House of Culture got students involved, and they cleaned up the George Price Highway. The Belize Audubon Society did a cleanup too.
"The Rotatact Club of San Ignacio participating in walk for a green Belize. Working with the Department of Environment for a cleaner Belize."
Secret Passages at Soul Project
The Secret Passages art exhibit at the Soul Project is a living exhibit. If you want to add to it, just stop by, and have some fun making art.
"This art show, is still in progress people from all over the world are now dropping in to ad there creativity to the installation."
Dr. Gbile Akanni at Octavia Waight
Dr. Gbile Akanni will be at the Octavia Waight Centre today for a leadership development seminar. He'll be in Belmopan on Friday, at the Nazarene Church, and Saturday at the George Price Center.
Channel 7
Gunshots At A Graduation Party
Eight people, all under the age of 30 were shot in just 26 hours in Belize City this weekend. It happened between Saturday night at 8:00 and Sunday night at 11:30. Miraculously, no one was killed in these three separate shootings that are believed to be connected.
And the connection is gang warfare - which has reportedly erupted between two powerful rival gangs: George Street and Ghost Town.
To tell the story of it all, we begin last night, with the most frightening shooting: wild gunshots at a graduation party. The Diaz family was having a graduation party at the Brown Sugar Marketplace - which is where San Pedro Belize Express is headquartered on North Front Street. The party was very crowded, and at the height of the celebration, armed gunmen strode in and opened fire on the gathering. Reports are that close to a hundred high school students were there, and they suddenly became possible targets for the indiscriminate shooters.
16 Year Old Girl Survives Shot To Head
Vernon was the second female to get shot this weekend; the first one was 16 year-old Corine Cory White, a third form ACC student of West Street.
Sometime around 3:00 on Sunday morning, White was leaving the Princess Casino along with 2 older male companions - one of them her 27 year old boyfriend who is connected to George Street. They were in his car in front of the Princess Casino parking lot on Newtown Barracks when a gunman emerged from inside the parking lot, and opened fire on the car. One of the bullets struck White in her right ear - but did not penetrate her brain. Somehow, the bullet travelled down along her jaw, went down her throat, and is lodged inside her chest. So far, Doctors have been unable to get it out.
The Two Shootings That Started It All
And all those 6 shooting victims - may have been tied to the first two. At 10:00 on Saturday night, 28 year-old Sigmond Trapp and 25 year-old Anthony Scott were walking on Kut Avenue, and when they arrived at its intersection with Amara Avenue, a black, dark tinted Ford Escort drove past them. When the vehicle got into range, someone from inside fire several shots at them and sped off.
Trapp was injured in the right hand and right leg, while Scot got suffered gunshots wounds to his right hand and upper back. They were rushed to the KHMH for medical treatment.
Trapp's father Sigmund Senior, known as Sarge told us he's would not comment or make any scenery because the shooting has brought up painful memories of the two sons, Trevor and Andre he's already lost to gun violence.
How Many Supported "Plant Di Corn"?
Last week Thursday, we showed you the formation of the Rod of Correction movement, a coalition of 11 pressure groups including the unions, civil society, and other social partners who have all been agitating on different social issues.
The ROC - as they call it - is a collective designed to concentrate their powers, so that they can lash government on a range of issues.
The first up on the agenda for the Rod of Correction was BGYEA's demonstration against the Government, which happened on Saturday at the Battlefield Park. As has widely been reported, President Nigel Petillo and his members want Government to grant them permission to use the 20 acres of road reserve in the Harmonville Housing project so that they can plant corn. The problem is that the Lands Department has designated this area as a buffer zone, and they've ordered that no form of development take place there.
Petillo and BGYEA pushed ahead with their plans, and Government responded by filing an injunction against them in Court. As a counter, BGYEA planned the "Plant Di Corn" rally, and the Rod of Correction's membership fell in behind him. It was the first time for the rod to be whipped out, and so we stopped by to get a heat check on saturday. Daniel Ortiz found out more:
Does BGYEA Have To Deliver Those Acres?
And at the crux of that argument with the Government of Belize is that the Lands Department approved 1,327 acres of land between miles 41 and 42. The grounds for BGYEA's dispute is that the 29 acres of buffer zone which they want to plan corn on, and which the government wants to leave untouched, is part of that 1327 acres approved.
Now, BGYEA's toughest critics have suggested that Nigel Petillo has simply piggybacked on the issue of availability of land to citizens so that he can justify his attempt to strong-arm the Lands Department into allow them to use the buffer zone for corn farming. The motive being suggested is that he is trying to deliver land for BGYEA's business-partner Sam Patton as he had promised.
On Saturday, we put that question directly to him, and here's how he responded:
Nigel Petillo - President, BGYEA
"The investments that are taking place at Harmonyville is not about an individual, its about the development of that community for its people and for this country. I am prepared to make another arrangement with any other individual or business or corporation or organization who is ready to give back to this country and to its people. I still hold no apology. That individual saw it it fit to come and work with us. We have been crying out to government to come and assist us. We have been crying out to government to come and build our roads, work on the buffer - they choose not to.
Immigration Bogus Documents Queenpin Back To Court
On Friday, the alleged arranger of bogus Immigration Documents, Marleny Castellanos applied for Supreme Court bail, and the grounds that the Crown Counsel asked for denial is that more charges are imminent. Well, he wasn't kidding: Tonight, another case of immigration fraud has emerged which the Immigration Department believes is tied to Castellanos.
On last week Friday, 27 year-old Wendy Perez and 39 year-old Abel Reyes, both Guatemalans living on Caye Caulker, handed themselves into the Immigration Office in Belize City. They brought bogus Belizean birth certificates and Belizean Nationality Certificates with them saying that Marleny Castellanos was their facilitator. They, like 8 others before them, claimed that they Castellanos deceived them into think she was getting them through a legitimate and legal way.
Krismar Got Off Murder, But Will Go Back Before A Jury
25 year-old Krismar Espinosa, who managed to win his murder trial in which he was accused of stabbing his fellow inmate to death, got some bad news today at opening of the June Session of the Court of Appeal. The court has ordered that he must face a new trial for that same charge.
Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl-Lynn Vidal presented the grounds for her appeal against Espinosa in the case where Keon Swasey was fatally stabbed while behind bars on Christmas Eve 2009. Espinosa was acquitted on December 5, 2012 when the trial judge, Justice Troadio Gonzalez upheld a no-case submission from his attorney Rachel Montejo.
Well after hearing DPP Vidal's case and the response from Espinosa's new attorney, Hubert Elrington, the Panel, which consisted of President Justice Manuel Sosa and Appeal Justices Samuel Awich and Minnet Hafiz-Bertram, ordered that Espinosa must be retried. The reasons for the decision will be handed down at a later date.
Alleged Robber To Jail
Tonight, Trevor Guy, one 3 men police believe tried to rob a store last week, is in jail after he was taken to Magistrate's Court.
At around 1:30 on Wednesday afternoon, 3 men entered Delcid Store at mile 8 on the Western Highway and they tried to rob the owner, Julio Delcid at gunpoint. When he realized what was happening, Delcid pulled his own licensed weapon and fired several shots at them. The men fled the area, but police responded quick enough to set chase. Police say that they spotted the 3 men in the Cemetery a mile 8, and when they approached, one of the fired several shots at him. The officers say that they were forced to return fire, and that's how they apprehended Trevor Guy. The other robbers managed to escape.
Police then charged Guy with attempted robbery and aggravated assault; he was arraigned today before the Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith. Because the crimes were committed with a firearm, he was not eligible for bail, and Guy was remanded to prison until July 30.
Tried To Jack His Ex, Man Goes To Jail
28 year-old Kearney Thompson joined Guy today on remand after he pleaded guilty to assaulting his ex and stealing her purse.
Thompson's ex, Stephanie Reynolds, told police that on Sunday, she was walking on Antelope Street when he approached her. She says that Thompson then attacked and beat her, after which he stole her purse which had her cellular phone and $50 cash.
Police managed to track Thompson down, and they charged him with theft and harm. He was arraigned before the Chief Magistrate, where he pleaded guilty to both charges. The Chief Magistrate ordered that he be remanded to prison so that she can consider his sentence.
March Was Record Breaking For BSI, Set a Regional High
BSI is pushing to meet its cane targets before the heavy rains come - despite a shortened season. And that effort is paying off. A release from the Sugar Association of the Caribbean says that Belize is tops in the Caribbean for sugar production in April. The Sugar Association of the Caribbean sent out a release saying that Belize was the lead producer with 26,302 tonnes followed by Guyana with 25,315 tonnes then Jamaica with 24,881 tonnes.
A bulletin from BSI says that four records were set at the Factory in the week of March 17 - 23rd: greatest number of Tons of cane milled for the week, the highest rate of Tons cane milled per hour for week; Tons of sugar produced for a day and Tons of sugar produced for week.
Speaking generally about sugar crops in the region, Chairman of the Sugar Association of the Caribbean Karl James says that "Rain could be a retarding factor for the rest of the crop in most member countries."
President Jorge No More
Saint John's High School and Junior College graduated 325 students yesterday in two graduation ceremonies. And while the students said goodbye to the prestigious secondary and tertiary school, so did President of SJC Jorge Espat. Espat - who took up the job as President three years ago - had his last day of official duties on Sunday. He told us he's not leaving SJC - and he hopes to return to the classroom as an Economics teacher.
Espat told us no successor has yet been named, but one is expected soon.
Not Alfonso Ayala, But Carlos Ayala
Last week we told you all about that meeting Danini Contreras attended as the Director of the Drug Inspectorate. We said that it was set up by Dr. Alfonso Ayala; that was an error, it was Dr. Carlos Ayala, the International Advisor on Health Systems and Services at PAHO. Dr. Alfonso Ayala has no connection to PAHO and had nothing to do with the meeting, so we apologize for the mix-up.
Evan Mariano Gets Called Up To the Big Time
3 months ago, Belize's premier striker, Deon McCauley got recruited to play professionally for the American Football Club, the Atlanta Silverbacks. Well, the news tonight is that his teammate from the Belize National Team, Evan Mariano has also been given his break to go pro in America.
Rumours started circulating as early as last week Thursday morning, but the Houston Hurricanes Football Club made the official this weekend when they announced that Mariano had been officially signed. Hurricanes Head Coach, Brendan Keyes says that recruiting Mariano was part of a plan for 4 new players which will allow the Hurricanes to "challenge for the title this year".
Mariano most recently played for the BDF Football CLUB AND IS Currently playing in the FFB President's Cup.
UDP Trying To Get Past Penner's Long Shadow Of Scandal
Elvin Penner is probably the most scandalized and publicly put down politician in memory. And since his public life exploded into scandal in September of last year - the UDP has steadily been trying to distance itself from the politically toxic two-term area representative. One large step in the right direction was to have been taken on Sunday when the UDP held its convention to elect a new candidate for Cayo Northeast. We visited and found Penner's long shadow of scandal still hovering over the proceedings - Jules Vasquez reports:..
Jules Vasquez reporting
UDP supporters of Cayo Northeast converged on Sacred Heart High School on Sunday.
Alberto August, UDP Party Chairman
"The supporters of this party are eager to come out and select a new standard bearer to represent them in the constituency"
The party was hoping to get out at least a third of the 6,200 voters from 7 villages and a part of San Ignacio Town. They had 3 candidates to choose from:
Half Moon Beach Filthy
In commemoration of World Oceans Day, on Saturday, OCEANA Belize took a group to Halfmoon Caye on the Lightouse Reef Atoll 53 miles east of Belize City. They visited the Great Blue Hole, and then returned to Half Moon Caye where they conducted a beach clean up - and though it should be a protected area, it was a mess! The volunteers collected more than 25 pounds of trash is just an hour. This included plastic, foam, glass, and even medical waste including hypodermic needles. This garbage is believed to wash up on Belize's islands form other countries as giant islands of waste move along with the currents.
Channel 5
5 persons injured in shooting at a graduation party in Belize City
There was a spate of shootings in Belize City between Saturday and this morning. A total of eight persons were wounded to varying degrees. At a graduation party held at [...]
2 men come under gunfire near a police station
The spate of shooting started on Saturday. Around nine-forty-five p.m., twenty-eight year old Sigmond Trapp and twenty-five year old Anthony Scott were injured at the corner of Amara and Kut [...]
16 year old in critical condition after shooting on Calle al Mar
Five hours later, sixteen-year-old Corine White was targeted near Newtown Barracks on Sunday morning.� The teenager was reportedly in the company of her boyfriend and another person inside a green [...]
An exclusive interview with Christian Ebanks
Christian Ebanks, who also goes by the name Floyd Ebanks Jurado, obtained Supreme Court bail last Friday. He was arrested and charged in May after the Gang Suppression Unit raided [...]
Ebanks on murder allegations in Ecuador
Following his arrest in May, it became known that he was listed as Ecuador’s most wanted in 2011 for a murder in the Guayas province. Ebanks confirms that there are [...]
BGYEA's "Plant Di Corn" Rally at Battlefield Park
On Saturday, representatives of the Belize Grassroots Youth Empowerment Association, BGYEA organized a 'Plant Di Corn' rally at Battlefield Park in Belize City. The grassroots organization is protesting an injunction [...]
Rod of Correction - member organizations say BGYEA rally only the beginning
The rally on Saturday was held just two days after the formation of a group called the Rod of Correction, or ROC. BGYEA is a part of that group, along [...]
Move over Elvin Penner, John August Jr. is the new U.D.P. standard bearer for Cayo Northeast
Turning to politics�The convention for the Cayo Northeast constituency was hotly contested over the weekend. Four candidates placed their names on the ballot to replace former minister of state, Elvin [...]
Mayor Darrell Bradley still undecided on political future
Will Mayor of Belize City Darrell Bradley run for a second term of municipal office? That's the question that he's been asked much more than a few times in recent [...]
Court of Appeal orders a retrial for accused murderer, Krismar Espinosa
The second sitting of the Court of Appeal for this year was held today and the bench, which included President Manuel Sosa, Justice Minnett Afiz-Beltran and Justice Samuel Awich, handed [...]
The Maya Leaders Alliance wants back its stolen rosewood
In May, an undisclosed amount of rosewood went missing from the Savannah Forest Station. It was later discovered that the rosewood, confiscated during April operations in the south by the [...]
BGYEA President refutes claims that he has private stake in planting corn
As we told you, BGYEA took centre stage at the rally on Saturday. The group is fighting for the right to plant corn in about sixty acres designated as a [...]
Valley of Peace farmer says Green Tropics not willing to compromise
The discussion between Valley of Peace farmers and Green Tropics is ongoing, but from all accounts there has been little progress. Ministry of Agriculture testing has indicated that damage to [...]
CEMO says it's prepared and ready for hurricane season
The hurricane season kicked off on June first, and today the City Emergency Management Organization, CEMO, held a press conference at City Hall. While one purpose of the conference is [...]
A comprehensive evacuation plan revealed
While shelters are ready, they should be a last resort. CEMO has also worked on an elaborate and comprehensive evacuation plan. According to Mayor Bradley, that evacuation in the event [...]
Kaya Cattouse with stats from the basketball court, football field, and cycling on highways
Good evening! I'm Kaya Cattouse, welcome to this week's edition of Sports Monday. In the National Elite Basketball League we see game 3 kick off at the Sacred Heart [...]
CTV3
Broad Day Light Robbery At Money Gram, Orange Walk
This morning, the attendant at money gram located on Otro Benque Road got the scare of her life, when two masked men rushed in brandishing weapons and demanding money. And while the ordeal lasted a few minutes, the incident was caught on camera. Today, police are seeking two suspects in this latest brazen daylight robbery. Selvin Tillett is the deputy commanding the Orange Walk Police Department.
Selvin Tillette - Deputy Commanding, OW Police
"Police visited the area and there was one Adrelia Marin 22 years of said area reported that about 8:20 two dark complexion male persons with masks entered and robbed her of approximately $6000.00 and her cellphone and made good their escape, police responded and we understand that there were cameras but it makes a little bit difficult because they were using masks but even with that we have two suspects that we are looking for."
Pharmacy Week Observed In Orange Walk
June 6th to 13th was observed countrywide as pharmacy week in Belize with the theme "Guardians of Health". The pharmacist's role has evolved greatly over the last few centuries. Towards the end of the 1900s to the present, pharmacists have focused on responding to managed care and new concerns about the quality of patient care. In recent times, the pharmacist's role in public health has evolved.
According to an international study, pharmacists were viewed as the second most trusted profession after nurses. Addressing public health concerns has been an issue for many years and the nation is beginning to realize the importance of utilizing pharmacists to improve efforts in this arena. And in lieu of the observance week, we take a look at the daily lives of these trusted professionals.
Lousianna Government School Takes Second Place In Spelling Bee Contest
The Lousiana Government School district finalist, Isabelle Swasey is the country's second best speller. Twelve district finalists convened at the Countryside Park in Spanish Lookout Friday, June 6th, 2014, to compete for the 20th annual "speller of the year title". It was a tightly contested competition since all the representatives remained intact for rounds one and two with full points.
Topping the competition as the best speller for 2014 was ten year old Shanalene Guyap of Solid Rock Academy in Dangriga. Not only did Gayap capture the 1st place title but she also made history by being the youngest winner in all the 20 years of the competition! We'll have reactions from Swasey in tommorws newscast.
Police Discovers 31 Pieces Suspected Crack Cocaine
A routine mobile patrol in Corozal Town led authorities to the detention of two men in that municipality. On Friday June 6th at around 9:45 pm, the attention of Corozal Police was drawn to a white in color four doors Toyota Camry bearing license plate CZL C 01701. Police immediately pulled over the vehicle which was being driven at the time by 24 year old Paul Massam. At the time Massam was accompanied by 22 year old Jeovanni Young.
Both men were informed that a search would be conducted inside the vehicle for drugs and firearms at the Corozal Police Station. And so said so done. At the station the vehicle was searched and police managed to confiscate a white chopstick shell filled with 31 pieces of suspected crack cocaine hidden between the driver seat and the hand rest. The drugs weighed in at 6.58 grams.
Belize Is Ranked As The Leading Producer Of Sugar
A release from the Sugar Association of the Caribbean ranks Belize as the leading producer of Sugar for the month of April, with Guyana and Jamaica closely behind. In a release, these Caribbean Sugar producers had reasonable production of 80,392 tonnes of sugar. Chairman of the Sugar Association of the Caribbean (SAC), Karl James says for the current crop, a total of 218,404 tonnes of sugar has been exported to the EU, followed by 8,863 tonnes to CARICOM, and 5,066 tonnes to other destinations. He continues that up to April, no exports were made to the United States Market. Whilst optimistic about the prospects for the remainder of the crop, James says the weather could be a major factor in the months ahead. Belize was the lead producer with 26,302 tonnes followed by Guyana with 25,315 tonnes then Jamaica with 24,881 tonnes.
14 Year Old Hangs Herself At Home
What could possibly lead a 14 year old to take her life away and putting their family members through an immense grief? That is the question being asked by residents of Ranchito in the Corozal District.
Over the weekend 14 year old Vianney Vasquez and her younger brother were left home alone while their father, 47 year old Donaldo Vasquez, went to work in Corozal Town. Vasquez told police that when he arrived home around 3:45pm, he asked his son where Vianney was. The response he received was not good as he was told that Vianney had not been seen since 1:00pm and was nowhere to be found.
Another Chopping Incident In The Village Of San Roman
On June 3rd, 24 year old Joseph West was charged for the crime of murder after 34 year old Giovanni Borland succumbed to his injuries at the Karl Huesner Memorial Hospital. West is accused of hacking Borland on the head with a machete after they became involved in an argument while in the Village of Libertad in the Corozal District.
Tonight there is another chopping incident to report this time in the village of San Roman in the Corozal District that has left two men hospitalized at the Corozal Community Hospital.
Information reaching our news room is sketchy but based on what we were told by our sources at the Corozal Police Formation an official report is yet to be filed and police are still carrying out their investigation.
A Closer Look At ER's Icy Treats
Last Friday three young entrepreneurs returned from a trip to Jamaica where they were awarded for their outstanding work as young entrepreneurs. They were nominated by the La Inmaculada Credit Union for the third Annual Citi-CMFA Caribbean Microfinance Awards since they have for some time now been part of the programs implemented by the institution.
The Citi-CMFA Microfinance Caribbean Awards recognizes the work of institutions like the LICU and of individuals who ensure maximum financial and social returns within the microfinance sector in the Caribbean. The awards are held to recognize such efforts and to highlight the outstanding achievements of these institutions and individuals who succeed under these institutions. We presented the three winners last Friday and today we take a closer look at their success and how they came about to be young entrepreneurs. Tonight we highlight Eider Romero founder of ER's Icy Treats who won Best young entrepreneur in the Caribbean.