This news synopsis will be a bit more condensed than usual for the next several days due to time constraints.
FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE
Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.
Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials
The San Pedro Sun
Faith Noel and Jerdon Anderson win the San Pedro Sailing Regatta
Young sailors from across the country took over San Pedro on Saturday, July 5th and Sunday, July 6th for the San Pedro Sailing Regatta. The two-day regatta is the 5th National Ranking Regatta of the 2014 Sailing Season and acts as a qualifier for the National Champions Regatta (BIZ14) scheduled for November 8th and 9th. Held at the Boca del Rio Park, the regatta saw the participation of San Pedro Junior Sailing Club (SPJSC), Sea Scouts, Belize City Sailing Club (BCSC), Corozal Bay Sailing Club (CBSC), Placencia Sailing Club (PSC) and San Pedro Sailing Club (SPR). Each fleet competed in a series of six races, and the winner of the regatta was determined by who scored the least amount of accumulated points. In the white fleet, Faith Noel took 1stand Jerson Anderson took 2nd, both with a score of 11 points. In third place was Antonio Ricardez Jr. of BCSC with 20 points. Other top finishers in the white fleet included: Christian Trejo (SPJSC) in 4th, DavinPuc (SPJSC) in 5th, Blanca Velasquez (SPJSC) in 6th, Kevin Velasquez (SPR) in 7th, Gorge Olivarez (SPR) in 8th, Trent Hardwick (Sea Scouts) in 9th and Christopher Young (CBSC) in 10th. Other SPJCS sailor in the white fleet included Kathryn Salinas who came in 15th place. SPR finishers in the white fleet included: Sarah White in 13th, Mitchell Sersland in 14th, Samantha Velasquez in 17th, Chris Lopez in 22nd and Caroline Sersland in 23rd.
More Entertainment for Costa Maya: J Boog & DJ JAX confirmed!
Jerry Afemata, or as he is known on stage, J Boog, was born in Long Beach but raised in Compton, California USA. He is an American R&B and reggae singer of Samoan descent. J Boog discovered his passion for music when he was four and heard his older sister playing the piano. The day she brought home a Bob Marley song book, he felt something click when Bob's iconic reggae sounds filled the house, and he has never been the same. Later in life, while working in a refinery, he met George "Fiji" Veikoso, another singer who blended R&B and reggae sounds together. J Boog took the opportunity to go to Hawaii and record his first album "Hear Me Roar" (2007). He hooked up with the Wash House record label, along with Gramps Morgan of the revered reggae group Morgan Heritage. He found success in doing what he loved, and has not looked back.
Senior Ambassador Alfredo "Fred" Martinez passes
The Government of Belize confirmed that Belize Senior Ambassador His Excellency Alfredo "Fred" Martinez has died. The diplomat died on Wednesday July 9th in Guatemala City after ailing for a few weeks. Up until the time of his death, Martinez was Belize's Ambassador to Guatemala. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs regrets to announce the passing of Senior Ambassador H.E. Alfredo Martinez, who was serving as Belize's Ambassador to Guatemala from 2003 to the present. During his tenure in the Diplomatic Service of Belize, Ambassador Martinez served as Belize's Chief negotiator in the Belize/Guatemala negotiating process and as member of the negotiating team for many years. His first diplomatic appointment took him to Mexico where he served as Belize's Ambassador to Mexico between 1993 and1997. In recognition of his outstanding work he was honored by the Government of Mexico with the Order of the Aztec Eagle, the highest award offered to Foreign Diplomats," said a Government press release.
Diamond in the Rough: The Island Photographers
The art of photography is one that is truly awe inspiring, and a photographer knows how to captivate an audience with a single shot. From family portraits to landscapes and even cute little animals, a photographer captures a moment that will last a lifetime. From the angling to the lighting available, photographers ensure that everything is in place to immortalize an image. Two island girls with a passion for photography are Marlena Gomez and Haydee Nu�ez. These two girls have that "eye" for the art, and their talent shines through their pictures.
Ambergris Today
Promoting Swimming in Belize
Belize has never been in the running for competitive swimming, but this may just be the start. The competitions are being organized by Denise Diaz who has over 10 years experience in swim instruction and has participated in the Lionman competition for just as long.
On Sunday, July 6, 2014, the first open water free style swim was held in Belize City with a modest distance of 350m. This is the first of three planned exercises that are intended to be a precursor to the Lionman competition's 0.9 mile swim.
Winners for the 350m swim were:
1st Kian Ancona (San Pedro) with a time of 6'25"
2nd Kent Gabourel (San Pedro)
3rd Leon Guild
San Pedro Welcomes Fitness Tourism into the Belize Mix
Fitness Tourism arrives to Belize. This past week a group of visitors traveling under the umbrella of Stayfit Travel visited San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, not only for the purpose of enjoying the regular tourist attractions that the country has to offer, but also to engage in activities that promote health and well-being.
Fitness tourism involves health enthusiasts traveling with the purpose of keeping active and engaging in activities beneficial to their health and quality of life. With four different health centers/gyms in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, and more recently the introduction of the first Crossfit Box on the island (in Belize), Stayfit Travel chose Ambergris Caye for their most recent travel destination.
Misc Belizean Sources
H.E. Alfredo "Fred" Martinez passes away
The Government of Belize is saddened by the loss of H.E. Alfredo "Fred" Martinez, Ambassador of Belize to Guatemala. On behalf of the Government Press Office, we wish to convey our deepest condolences to the family of Ambassador Martinez. He was a national treasure who played a significant role in the international affairs of Belize and served his country right up until his untimely passing. He will be sincerely missed. May he rest in peace.
CACHE Cultural Heritage Seminar
CACHE is having another lecture in their lecture series tonight. Dr. Alicia McGill will discuss cultural heritage. It starts at 7:00pm at Centennial Park.
"This week we are having a lecture by Dr. Alicia McGill called: Oal Tingz, Kolcha, and Rooinz: Community Perspectives about Archaeology, Cultural Diversity, and Heritage Management in Crooked Tree Belize. Come out and see what endeavours she does in Crooked Tree similar to what we do here in Benque."
GS/OAS Adjacency Zone Belize-Guatemala on the passing of Ambassador H.E. Alfredo Martinez
Senior Steps Summer Camp
The Senior Steps Summer Camp starts next week at the George Price Centre. Contact the CPC for more information.
National Ranger Training
The first ever National Ranger Training course has started. UB's Environmental Research Institute is currently holding the course at the Ya'axche Conservation Trust field station.
El Cayo Arts Collection Call for Artists
The SISE House of Culture is calling for artists to submit art for the El Cayo Arts Collection exhibition. The deadline for submissions is July 31st, and the exhibit will start on August 15th.
Channel 7
Police Want ID For Body of Man Butchered to Death
There's all kinds of major news stories tonight including the arraignment of those accused of taking part in Ramon Cervantez's execution, and the death of two eminent Belizeans� but we start with another story - and it's urgent because Belize City police say they need your help before they bury an identified body that was found this afternoon. If they don't identify the body, he will be buried as a John Doe within the hour. Police have to bury him because of the state of decomposition.
This afternoon, precinct two police got a call from BWSL workers saying that a body was found in what's known as the "Dyke" - it's that area off Faber's Road where BWSL's sewage ponds are located.
Officer commanding precinct two Alford Grinage told us more at the scene:
Supt. Alford Grinage, Officer Commanding, Precinct 2, Belize City Police
"About half an hour ago, we received a call that there was a body in the Dyke, in the creek back here. Upon arrival, we observed the lifeless body of a male person floating in the Dyke. That's where we are at this time. At this time, we are awaiting for the doctor to come out here so that we can do a postmortem on site."
Finally! Cervantez's Alleged Murder Conspirators Arraigned
And from that unidentified body in Belize City, we go to Orange Walk - where two bodies found on the Honey Camp Lagoon Road have been identified. One of them is of course Ramon Cervantez Sr who was found on Monday, and the other - we now know is Sonia Maribel Abac - a 46 year old who went missing in Orange Walk in April. Well, her remains were dug up yesterday at a site not far from where Cervantez's body was found.
We'll tell you all about that harrowing discover shortly, but first we'll show you the faces of those accused of conspiring to kill Ramon Cervantez Sr. They were arraigned this evening after 5:00 pm.
After 3 days of waiting, viewing public Orange Walk Town finally got a chance to see the 3 of the men who have been the main suspects in the murder of 71 year-old Ramon Cervantes Sr. At about an hour before news time, they were charged, arraigned in Magistrate's Court, and right now, they're on the way to the Belize Central Prison.
Female Body Found on Honey Camp Road
But on the heels of the gruesome killing of Ramon Cervantes Jr., police ended up finding another body. Tonight we can confirm that police have positively identified her as 46 year-old Sonia Maribel Abac, a domestic worker and masseuse from Orange Walk Town who went missing 3 months ago.
Now, her case is as bizarre and unexplained as the killing of Ramon Cervantes Sr., and as we told you tonight, the same men who were the suspects for Cervantes' murder, ended up leading police to Abac's body.
There is some symmetry in the cases: first, police are seeking Manuel Castillo once again for questioning in connection with her murder. Second, one of the men who is now charged for Cervantes' murder told police about her body's location. Police went searching for her yesterday, and today her remains were found, badly decomposed. The final connection between the two is that her body was disposed of in a well on a farm directly adjacent to the one where Cervantes was killed.
Bze Ambassador To Guatemala Passes Unexpectedly
And tonight we note the unexpected passing of another former mayor of Orange Walk Town - Ambassador Fred Martinez. Martinez died last night at around 11:00 in Guatemala City. The death of the highly respected senior diplomat comes as a complete shock because no one even knew he was sick. But the 60 year old had been ailing for some time - and two weeks ago when he attended to SICA Summit in the Dominican Republic, his Minister Wilfred Elrington saw that he was visibly ill. So ill, that Elrington told the media today that he wasn't surprised to hear of his passing:
Hon. Wilfred "Sedi" Elrington - Minister of Foreign Affairs
"My reaction is one of sadness, not surprised, because we were together with Ambassador Martinez just under two weeks ago in the Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, where he attended the heads of government meeting of the governments of the SICA countries. He was part of the Belize delegation to that heads conference and at that time we noted that he really seemed to have been quite ill. As a matter of fact I remember urging him to go back as quickly as possible and I even asked him why he had bothered to come because he wasn't looking to well at all. And then, yesterday, I was informed that he was in the intensive care unit in Guatemala, and of course, I got the very sad news that he had passed away sometime last night. I was informed about that at around 6:30 this morning."
H.E. Martinez Was Bi-Partisan Favourite
All those prerequisites help explain why Fred Martinez became the first ambassador with a strong UDP background to be appointed to a sensitive senior post by the PUP. Today Said Musa told us why he did it.
Rt. Hon. Said Musa - Appointed Fred Martinez As Ambassador to Guatemala
"Fred Martinez was considered a very outstanding diplomat. Even though he was a UDP, that didn't matter to me, certainly, because I knew that he would do a very commendable job, and he has done a great job."
Jules Vasquez
"Explain to me why you felt it so important to face the internal backlash in your own party and still go ahead with the choice of Fred Martinez?"
Rt. Hon. Said Musa
"Well, it did - yes, I must admit that it ruffled a few feathers in the party when he was appointed, but you have to bear in mind that I had also at that time - I made every effort to create a bi-partisan spirit on the Belize-Guatemala issue. And this, in a sense, was a part of that, to bring in the UDP - the Opposition, to make them realize that this is a national issue, and I believe that he was highly respected as a diplomat in Guatemala itself. And I think the Government has recognized that for many years, several Guatemalan governments has recognized the strength, dignity, and the great character of this Ambassador, Fred Martinez."
The Humble Giant Of the Southside, "Sunny P" Passes
Zebedee Pitterson, the owner of Sunny Side Bakery, a Belize City Institution, passed away last night at 7:30pm. He was 83. For those of us who grew up on the Southside, Pitterson is a giant, a successful black businessman who built his brand name since 1959 on the quality and consistency of his product. And even when facing tough competition from newcomers, he never sold out, never flinched. Today his business remains a thriving south side enterprise, but about a decade ago he retired to his other life's work: charity. Quietly and without fanfare, Pitterson ran a feeding program, which he continued until school closed.
Today his wife, Alvia, who asked to appear off camera, told us about his passions and his commitment:
Voice Of: Alvia Pitterson - Wife of Zebedee Pitterson
"Baking on charity, he is very charitable. People need help, and he sees it, he can't turn away. He is always helping them. I could tell you that, that's his life, and his Bible. I am forgetting to tell you that. His Bible is like his wife."
Gang War Could Erupt From City Shooting
As we told you at the top of the news: the body of a murdered man was found today in the dike area off Faber's Road. And now, this evening at 6:30, there was a shooting in that same area except it happened on Faber's Road. We have confirmed that one persons was shot and another murdered.
That most recent shooting may be related to one that happened last night at 9:00 pm, one block away from this locus of criminal activity - at the end of Neal's Pen Road - one block away from Faber's Road.
That's when Edwin "Drive" Flowers was shot in the face as he stood on his verandah. A gunman was lurking in the bushes beside his home and released a spray of bullets at Flowers. He was shot to the forehead, but, remarkably, did not die, and is reported in a stable condition, though there are reports that his vision may be impaired.
Police are paying special attention to the shooting because Drive Flowers is considered a boss of the PIV gang. Today Precinct Two's second in command briefed the media on the event and its possible consequences:
BDF Being Put Back On Streets
And all the violence is probably why the BDF is returning to the streets. Today the CEO in the Ministry of National Security told the media what went ingot he decision:
Ret. Col. George Lovell, C.E.O., Ministry of National Security
"There have been some shootings over the last couple of weeks and we also have had some incidents in San Pedro. The police currently have some intake that is at the Police Academy that will come out late September, October. The commissioner of police did ask if he can get some assistance to beef up numbers for a very short time - not to have the B.D.F. back in the streets in numbers and in a permanent basis as they once were. And so we have been dialoguing with the Belize Defense Force and yes there will be a few B.D.F. soldiers going back on the streets to assist the police to try and bring back the situation to a normal standards."
Duane Moody - Channel 5 News
"Is there a timeline?"
Ret. Col. George Lovell
"We are looking - I was told today that there will be going back to help the police in those areas where there is obviously, hotspots yes. In terms of the timeline, I don't have a timeline because what was said to them is that we need to bring it to a point where the police can handle without having to have the B.D.F. being out there with them. I think though that we are looking at a two week period in the first instance to see how it works."
Relatives of Grieving Family Under Remand Claim Victimization
Tonight the entire Smith family from Giles Street in the Lake Independence Area remains on prison remand after police found a firearm in their house on Monday evening. As we reported, police found the gun during the repass after the funeral for 17 year old murder victim Myron Smith. The entire grieving family was arrested: Myron's mother, sister, father, and brother. Yesterday they were all taken to court and remanded for possession of an unlicensed firearm and 13 rounds of ammunition.
And like what we told you yesterday, there are two sides to every story. While police claim that the gun and ammunition inside the Smith's home, the Smith family says differently. In an interview with 7news today, relatives told us that the gun and bullets were brought into their family home by the man police was chasing and now tonight their relatives are locked up innocently.
Lavern Olivera - Family Member
"The first part I want to clear up is that the police that they first give that night that my cousin had this gun under his mattress which he was going to use to retaliate. My cousin is not that kind of person. My cousin even went on TV and let the whole of Belize and the whole world know who he is. He doesn't encourage his children.
How These Kids Did The Right Thing
And tonight on the news - there have been so many stories about violence involving young persons. And that's why 9 years ago, the police department created the "do the right thing" programme. It's a way to inspire and acknowledge youths who've made tough life choices to do things the right way, rather than being lured down the path of criminality.
Today 39 of them from all over the country were honoured at a ceremony at Old Belize and we found out about their personal struggles, and why police want the media to focus on them:
This year four scholarships were award to the top finishers.
What Is fueling Fires?
Tonight there are two fires to report on. The first happened in Hattieville just before 9 yesterday morning at the home of 54 year old Eloise Hyde. Here's how it started: her 8-year-old grandson was playing with a lighter and lit a curtain which then caught fire and set the entire house ablaze. At the time of the fire, there were about 15 persons occupying the building and its contents is valued at approximately fifty thousand dollars.
And then there was another fire that happened in the Solana area of Corozal town. Corozal fire fighters responded to the fire at approximately 9:30 last night. There they saw 2 structures in the same yard engulfed in flames. The cause of that fire is still unknown but today we caught up with Station Officer, Orin Smith for more details on both incidents.
Ted Smith - Fire Chief, National Fire Service
"At approximately nine p.m., the National Fire Service had received and responded to a call of a structural fire in the Finca Solana area of Corozal Town. On arrival on scene, one structure was seen, a ply-board structure, was seen destroyed by fire and another structure on the same property was seen fully engulfed by flames. The NFS got into operation and put out those fires. Investigation is still presently ongoing on the cause of the fire.
His Excellency Martinez Honoured
Tonight, it is as if public life in Belize has lost some pith, some of our Belizean-ness has been whittled away with the passing of two fine, upstanding gentlemen - who operated in very different realms but their excellence, composure and commitment made us all better. Legendary baker, the 83 year old Zebedee Pitterson died in Belize City at 7:30 last night, and stellar diplomat, 60 year old Fred Martinez died in Guatemala around 11:00 pm.
They will both be missed in ways large and small: all the children that Pitterson fed for so many years won't send press releases or wreaths to his funeral, but they will surely miss him.
By contrast, Fred Martinez operated at the highest official level of our state; and the laurels for him are accumulating as they should:
Today former PUP Foreign Minister Eamon Courtenay - who is out of the country told us via email, quote: "Fred answered the call of service to Belize and Belizeans, he distinguished himself as one of our very best diplomats. Belize and his family has lost a great diplomat and a gentleman."
