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The San Pedro Sun
Brace yourselves: the Belikin Calendar 2015 is coming!
It's that time again! The hotly anticipated Belikin Calendar for 2015 will soon be released, and Belikin has put out a fun video chronicling the making of the sports-themed visual feast.
With gorgeous ladies, stunning settings and expert sports photographer David Bergman, plus fabulous crew - there is no doubt the 2015 calendar will be a winner.
Bergman is (band) Bon Jovi's official photographer, and boasts clients like Sports Illustrated. As such, he focused on motion photography, capturing movement and energy as the Belizean girls portrayed such sports as basketball, boxing, paddleboarding and jet skiing. One particular beauty impressed everyone with her football skills - and in a bikini no less!
Eric Swan charged for Blackmail
San Pedro Police have officially charged 28-year-old Eric Swan for the crime of "Blackmail". Police detained Swan on Friday, September 19th during a special operation that occurred on Laguna Drive. According to police, they had received information on the matter and proceeded to intercept a pickup being driven by 48-year-old Aurelio Nu�ez, with Swan in the passenger seat. Both men were escorted to the police station where Nu�ez reported that on Friday, September 5th he received a telephone call from Swan demanding $50,000 in return for some drugs that had been previously confiscated by Orange Walk Police. Nu�ez stated that the demand for the money was a result that he had recommended Pascual Terrero Pineda to assist in the selling of the drugs. Nu�ez did not have the money being demanded by Swan. Instead he gave Swan a 28' fiber glass boat valued at $90,000.
Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow hosts the First Ladies Global Call to Action Conference on Women and Girls' Financial Health At the United Nations
Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow, the Special Envoy for Women and Children and Spouse of the Prime Minister of Belize, hosted the "First Ladies' Global Call to Action Conference on Women's and Girls' Financial Health". The conference was a side event at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on September 25th, 2014.
Manuel Heredia blames the PUP for exposing his new submerged subdivision
The Area Representative for Belize Rural South and Minister of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation Manuel Heredia Jr has finally made public comments on the 'submerged' subdivision he has been spearheading. Heredia Jr. was ambushed by the media on Thursday September 18th and all the hard questions were put before him. Under cross examination from the press, Heredia said that he was unaware of the location of the subdivision and promised to visit the area. In a second interview on September 24, Heredia told the press that the subdivision is not as bad as the cameras are showing. When the media caught up with Heredia on Tuesday September 24th, he was again put on the spotlight. Heredia had promised to visit the subdivision since he admitted that he had never been to the area before. After seeing the subdivision, Heredia said, that it is not as bad as is being portrayed by the cameras. "I did go to the site on Saturday as I mentioned and definitely it is not as bad as what you can see. With the cameras and so, it paints a different picture. It might have some negativity into it, but it is not as bad."
Interestingly, Heredia has maintained that if the subdivision is aborted, there is a second plan and as such, those 150 people who have paid in full for their lease certificate will not lose their money. He refused to disclose what plan B is, and if it includes subdividing higher government properties further on northern Ambergris Caye. Also interesting is that throughout the scandal, which originated from the cancellation of a PACT grant aimed at helping to fuse the proposed reserve expansion into Hol Chan, the Ambergris Caye Citizen for Sustainable Development has not issued a statement.
Ambergris Today
Belize Heightens Security at Caracol Archaeological Site after Shooting Incident
It is unfortunate to report that just before midday September 25, 2014, 20-year-old Special Constable (SC) Danny Conorquie, assigned to the Tourism Police Unit was shot and killed in the line of duty at the Caracol Archaeological Site in the Cayo District.
This incident occurred in the general vicinity of the main temple in plain view of several tourists and tour operators. Security forces were deployed to secure the scene and tourists were safely transported out of the area by the Belize Tourism Board. Reports indicate that there were about 15 tourists and 5 tour guides on site at the time of the incident.
The government statement announced that additional security personnel has been deployed to the Caracol Archaeological Site to ensure the safety of the hundreds of visitors who frequent the site and that the matter is still under investigation by the relevant authorities; every effort is being made to bring those responsible to justice.
San Pedro Sailors Help Set New Guinness World Record for Bart's Bash
On Belize Independence Day, 81 San Pedro Sailors Raced For A Guinness Book World Record - Bart's Bash, the global sailing race organized by the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation which took place on September 21, 2014, has set the new Guinness World Record for the Largest Sailing Race (24 hours) and San Pedro sailors were part of the fun and glory.
It was a great way to kick start the Independence Day celebrations for Belize - an early morning sailing race that also had a bigger purpose worldwide. Virtually every sailboat that could in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize - big and small - turned out for Bart's Bash. San Pedro Sailing Club's fleet of eight little 7-footer Optimist dinghies and 12 -18 ft. Hobie catamarans were joined by Cayo Espanto's and No Worries Tours' Hobies, a Laser, and a 14-ft. custom, 2-masted double hulled twin-sailed experiment. They scudded like water bugs among big charter boats the likes of El Gato, TMM's Avanga, Rum Punch II, Seaduced, Searious Escape, and Tuff Enough Tours' Just Anada Tuff Day.
Misc Belizean Sources
Find out how you can be a part of BTB's 2014 World Tourism Day celebration!
The Belize Tourism Board would like to wish all Tourism Friends and Partners a #Happy #WorldTourismDay2014! Share in the love of tourism with us, see flyer for more details on how you can be featured!
Channel 7
Killed At Caracol, Constable Conorquie's Family Grieves
Yesterday, 20 year-old Special Constable Danny Conorquie was killed by Hispanic men - believed to be Guatemalans - at the Caracol Archaeological Site in Western Belize.
If they were Guatemalan, the young constable Conorquie becomes the first Belizean lawman to be killed on Belizean soil, in the line of duty by civilians from the other side of the border. It is disturbing from a security perspective - but there's also the tourism angle: the shootout which led to his death happened in plain view of several tourists and tour operators who were visiting Caracol.
And then, there's his family: they lost a son and brother in circumstances that would boil the blood of any patriot. Today, they came to the City from their home in Georgeville to deal with the post mortem.
His mother was still overcome with emotion - and angry at statements made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs:
Immigration Minister Firm On Security Forces
Today, Minister of Immigration Godwin Hulse was not as restrained as his Cabinet colleague Wilfred Elrington - who didn't want to label Danny Conorquie's killer a Guatemalan without certain knowledge of that. Hulse said that the security forces must be protected by all means:..
Hon. Godwin Hulse
"As far as our security people are concerned we continue to maintain and will not have our people threatened and we will not have our people hurt and we want to protect our people and I know that in the last incident that had occurred that was their port that the particular person who came across and was shot was aggressive and that our people had to do what they had to do to protect themselves and to ensure that he could be deterred. I think the Guatemalans are fairly at this point satisfied with that report and so it continues."
The Caracol Context
Now, for context we should note that the Caracol Archeological Park - as part of the wider Chiquibul Forest is only a five kilometers, or three miles from the Belize Guatemala border - and that area has been under constant pressure from Guatemalans crossing the border to steal Xate leaves, illegally extract timber and loot the site - much of which remains un excavated. That they have come so close to Caracol is an indication of how brazen the Guatemalan poachers have become.
In January, we spoke to Raphael Manzanero from the Friends for Conservation and Development about Guatemalans cutting logs right along the Caracol Road - which was cause for great alarm just eight months ago.
Rafael Manzanero
"The Guatemalans cutting down the Mahogany and Cedar right along the road which is use as access to the Caracol Archaeological Reserve. The most aspect of the concern is because it is very close. In fact the trees that were cut less than 2 weeks ago they actually were dropped right over the highway; over the road. We are actually talking about no more than 1.5 miles from the Caracol center."
Cop Charged For Manslaughter 16 Months Later
Tonight, Police Constable David Griffith, who was attached to the Punta Gorda Police Station, is out on bail after being taken to court allegedly for killing Rasheed Eligio, a prisoner who escaped from police custody last year.
On May 10, 2013, Eligio was arrested for carnal knowledge. He was handcuffed to another prisoner, Brian Garcia, and they were going to be transported to the Belize Central Prison after being arraigned and remanded. The officers were waiting on a James Bus to escort them, but Eligio and Garcia saw an opportunity to escape, and they took it.
Maurice Felix And His Cousins Remanded
In July we told you about the Felix Brothers, Maurice and Emory who had been released from jail after 8 years on remand for the murder of Mitchum Heredia. They faced three trials and got three hung jury results - so they were finally freed. But Maurice Felix only tasted two months of that freedom - tonight he's back behind bars because police say he's part of a gang called the Gill street Gangsters.
29 year old Felix and his cousins 30 year old Roy Bennett and and 26 year old Ryan Bennett were arraigned in curt #3 this evening for possession of a controlled drug and professing to be a gang member.
They were immediately remanded to prison. They were first picked up yesterday for possession of .2 grammes of weed - which is less than point .01 ounces. Then they told the court the GSU came and charged them for the gang offence.
Drug-Addicted Man Jailed After Stealing From Mother
Tonight, 35 year-old Jason Velasquez a resident of mile 16 on the Northern Highway, is spending the second night of a 1-year sentence after he pleaded guilty to stealing from his own mother's house to finance his drug habit.
His mother, Cordelia McDonald, reported to police that from September 1 to September 18, an assortment of household items to a total value of $292 dollars were stolen from her house. After investigating the report, police arrested and charged Velasquez with theft.
He was arraigned yesterday before Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith, where he wasted no time and pleaded guilty. He also confessed to the Chief Magistrate that he has a drug problem where he smokes both weed and crack.
Labour Minister Says Lingua Franca Fine In Workplace
Earlier on you saw what Immigration Minister Godwin Hulse had to say about the Caracol cop killing. But, he's also Minister of Labour and we asked him for his comments on the recent controversy over the First Caribbean Dangriga Branch - where one employee resigned after she claims she was reprimanded for speaking to a customer in Garifuna. The matter has been taken up by her union and could end up as a labour dispute - so we asked the Labour Minister - and former bank employee what he though of it:..
Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Labour
"My simple unequivocal position is that this is a multi-racial, multi-lingual society. We do business and commerce in the English language, but when we deal with our people we are all free to discourse in the language we are most comfortable with and should be free and nobody should impose any impediment. I will say though that before you were born, back in 1964, when I worked in the Royal Bank of Canada, we were forbidden to speak anything but the English language. Those were the good old colonial days, part of what I fought against to help to bring us to independence, so I am not going to support or countenance any nonsense when it comes to people's race, creed, ethnicity, religion or otherwise."
BTL Positioning For The Future, Diminishing Profits In Short Term
Belize Telemedia Limited held its eighth annual general meeting last night at the Biltmore Best Western. The company used one of the biggest conference room in town to welcome its hundreds of small shareholders. But they were also there for an unusually frank and plain spoken wake up call: BTL's profits are falling, and they will continue to do so for at least the next two years. It's part of a larger plan which we found out about last night:..
Nestor Vasquez, Chairman - BTL
"Our strategy for the past 5 years has been about making BTL a better company which provides a better future for Belize and for its shareholders."
Jules Vasquez reporting
Those shareholders got a smaller dividend this year though - and that is based on a downturn in profits - 1.4 million less from 21 million to 19.6 million - comparable to pre nationalization figures:
AG Says Bar President Not Living In Reality
For the past two days, you've been hearing what the Bar Association has to say about the proposed legal profession amendment bill. Not surprisingly, they don't like it one bit - and both the President and Former president of the bar have rejected various parts of it. One of their criticisms is that the new breakdown of the members lends itself to direct political control by the Attorney General. That's what Bar President Eamon Courtenay said - and yesterday AG Elrington told us he's far from reality:
Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Attorney General
"The truth is that what he said has no relation to reality whatsoever. There is a provision for the appointment of the members of the council and 3 of the members of the council are going to be nominated by the Bar Association and appointed by me. Somebody has to appoint them. The Bar Association doesn't have the locus standi to appoint them, but that is my authority, so I will appoint the 3 members appointed by the Bar. Tell me how it will be political if in fact the Bar Association appoints 3 and nominates 3 and I appoint those who ae nominated, how can that be political? Now tell me how it will be more political if I take myself away from the entire process and leave the chief justice to do it?"
Hon. Elrington Says Extradition For Bahamian Offshore Bankers Underway
We also asked Elrington about the status of extradition proceedings against Kelvin Leach and Rohn Knowles. They are the Bahamian Offshore Bankers who are facing extradition to the US. But their attorneys say that no extradition request has been entered and they are being imprisoned unfairly. Elrington outlined the official position:..
Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Attorney General
"The process of the extradition proceedings are underway and the issue of bail is being raised by their counsels and the SolGen's office is being ask to respond to those arguments requesting bail, so the matter is in fact in the process of going through the motions for extradition."
Daniel Ortiz
"Do we have an extradition request or extradition order or any sort of document from the US Government which says that they are interested in these two men?"
Getting Justice For Juveniles
For the past two days, there have been no regular Supreme Court or Magistrate's Court hearings. That's because all the judges and magistrates were in San Ignacio attending a conference to dialog with the National Committee for Families and Children, and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
The discussion is about how to improve the juvenile Justice System to reduce the impact of child trauma of juveniles whose lives are affected by the justice system.
Today, we went to the Cahal Pech Resort and where we spoke with the main facilitators about the practical outcomes from this session:
Luwani Cayetano - Executive Director, NCFC
"This activity is kind of part of a larger group of activities and partnership that we have and so NCFC, UNICEF and the Supreme Court have kind of come together to do some institutional and legal reform and so a part of that is yes there will be buildings and yes there will be new spaces, but we also then have to provide capacity to the people doing the work and so then providing training about understanding, about how to treat children in court, how to ensure their best interest is really a big part of that - the component of that reform.
Making Cities Child Friendly
There are many issues that threaten the safety and survival of Belizean youths and in order to address these issues the youths themselves need to be involved in that process. The Sustainable and Child Friendly Municipalities Initiative seeks to do just that; to foster an environment where youths can express themselves and develop into productive citizens and leaders. It is quite an ambitious task but Darrell Bradley tells us how this initiative will empower Belizean youths.
Darrell Bradley, Mayor - Belize City
"What the initiative is the Sustainable and Child Friendly Municipalities initiative, it's really a certificate. It's actually a way that we would keep municipalities accountable. we often times done this at the municipality level and several of the speakers spoken about this, we are talking about streets, we are talking about parks, but it's really more than that - its creating a wholesome environment where our young people can, they can be engaged in decision making. They can be made to feel empowered, that they are listened to and they are actually participating meaningfully in the advancement of themselves and their communities. The project challenge us as a municipality to open up our dialogue and our conversation to encourage and incorporate young people in the decision making part of it so that they feel empowered and engaged."
IPhone 6+ Reaches Belize At Record Prices
If you've been keeping with the latest international tech news, you may know that Apple's new flagship phones, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus were launched last week Friday in the US.
Eager iPhone fans waited outside the retail stores all over the country which ended up selling over 10 million devices in the first week.
Since then it's gotten very scarce - rumours say China is buying them all up. That has driven up prices since the new units are on back order. Locally that means an upgrade to the iPhone 6 is not going to be simple or cheap. You'll have to pay a premium price. It's standard for all new gadget launches where local vendors have to pay persons in the launch countries to wait in line for the device when it drops. The bigger the middle-man's fee is, and the higher cost of getting the device here is, the more you, the end user, have to pay.
New Internet Rates/Speeds Take Effect In October
Last night we told you about the new doubled up internet speeds from BTL. This was outlined in a more official way at last night's annual general meeting. Here's the new schedule:..
Nestor Vasquez, Chairman - BTL
"The 256KB that is now selling for $56.00 will be $25.00. The 128KB will no longer be available. The 512KB is $56.00. The 1MB is now $88.00. We are doubling up the speed."
BTL Will Leverage Bandwidth
And while you'll be getting faster speeds, BTL will also be changing the way they do business with wholesale internet providers. Anwar Barrow explained:..
Anwar Barrow, Chairman - BTL Executive Committee
"So if you are an entrepreneur, you want to come in and access BTL service and you have a solid game plan, business plan, come in, we are open to you. We want you to leverage our network."
Why Does Belize Lag Behind Other Countries In Bandwidth
And while BTL is ready to work with wholesalers, we asked when will Belize's status on bandwidth surveys get a wholesale upgrade? As we've been reporting, every single survey of Caribbean Bandwidth puts Belize very near the bottom. The most recent survey placed this country 174th out of 192 countries worldwide. Here's what Barrow said:..
Anwar Barrow, Chairman - BTL Executive Committee
"I have seen it but I haven't drilled down into it, so really I can't speak concretely to it but what I can say is that we are moving forward. We are moving the internet penetration rate forward, we hope to double it in the next 2 years and so there are a lot of great things to come and an entire transformation of what the internet is in Belize and who has access to the internet."
Hon. Hulse Says He Didn't Call Anyone
And in one more bit of topical news, today the press asked Godwin Hulse about that rumour that he had intervened to get a relative out of custody after he was caught with some sugar near the Guatemalan Border.
The report is that on Monday 8th September at around 8:00 in the night, alert Cayo police came across 2 trucks loaded with 160 sacks of sugar in the area of the Calla Creek road - which is the major smuggling corridor from Belize into Guatemala.
Police detained 7 men and escorted them to the Benque Viejo border where they were handed over to Customs. Now, Customs told us that indeed they received the men and the cargo, but because it is not an offence to have local sugar in Belize, they could not charge them.
With that they were released. But, here's where the story takes a turn. It turns out that one of the men used to co-manage the Commodities Store, a business in Belmopan, which is owned and operated by Minister Godwin Hulse's family. Hulse told the media today that there's no way he made any call to get anyone free:..
Coppershot Taking A Shot
To end off the September celebrations with a bang, the DJ named Coppershot is here from Jamaica to perform as part of the marketing creation called Arthur Guinness Day. Here is their very "spirited" invitation to the public.
The event will be held tomorrow evening from 5 until at the BTL park.
Channel 5
Police Say Special Constable Conorquie Was Executed
Tonight, there is national outrage over the murder of Tourism Police Officer, Danny Conorquie.� In this newscast, we look at his callous slaying from all angles starting with the ongoing [...]
Slain Officer's Family Speaks Out
Twenty-four hours after they received the news of his murder, the family of twenty year old Conorquie are reeling from the grief. The vibrant young man known as 'Bobotch' lived [...]
Foreign Minister Elrington Says Murder is not a Foreign Affairs Matter
The brazen midday execution of Special Constable Conorquie at the Caracol Archaeological Site on Thursday, by persons believed to be Guatemalan nationals, has caused public outrage.� And as you heard [...]
Family Condemns Elrington's Comments
Minister Elrington's comments, considering his decidedly nonchalant demeanour whenever Guatemala is involved, are not surprising, but they are disturbing. And while he refuses to say the killers are Guatemalan for [...]
Elrington Says Compensation Not Considered At This Point
Following the shooting death of a Guatemalan encroacher three point five kilometers within Belizean territory on March twenty-ninth 2014, the government compensated the family of Tomas Ramirez. �When asked about [...]
Is the Foreign Minister being soft with Guatemala over the murder of cop at Caracol?
And our question for tonight is: Do you believe that the Minister of Foreign Affairs is being soft with Guatemala over the murder of the Belizean officer at Caracol? Send [...]
P.U.P. Leader Demands Full Investigation
P.U.P. Leader Francis Fonseca today offered the official position of his party on the murder of Tourism Police Officer Danny Conorquie. According to Fonseca, the party is saddened and troubled…but [...]
Godwin Hulse Speaks About Conorquie Murder
Earlier today, we also got a comment from Minister of Immigration, Godwin Hulse, at an event for Child Friendly Municipalities. Hulse gave his views of the Conorquie murder and was [...]
Murder at Mayan Site is A Security Wake-Up Call
There is unity in outrage over the senseless execution of Danny Conorquie. But there are also questions about the rationale behind having only two Special Constables providing security at such [...]
B.T.L. Announces Decline in Profits
The annual general meeting of the Belize Telemedia Limited was held in Belize City on Thursday night. Shareholders as well as company executives were on hand for the fifth annual [...]
Elrington Says Courtenay's Comments Were Incomprehensible
On Wednesday, President of the Bar Association, Eamon Courtenay, excoriated Attorney General Wilfred Elrington and panned the government for introducing a bill that seeks to amend the existing composition of [...]
Father Charged With Rape & Incest
There is also a report of a heinous act.� A twelve year old girl is claiming that she was sexually abused by her own father. The alleged rape, according to [...]
Actyl Wins Case Involving Employment of Belizeans
A ruling in the Canadian courts will ensure that four Belizeans retain their jobs with McDonald's Canada. The four Belizeans were recruited to work in the fast food franchise by [...]
Minister of Labour on CIBC FirstCaribbean Issue
There was a firestorm against the CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank weeks ago when a Dangriga employee was prevented from speaking in her native tongue. Minister Godwin Hulse today provided his own [...]
Hulse speaks on the Penner Fiasco
The private prosecution lead by COLA of the former minister of state, Elvin Penner was thrown out earlier this year following the lack of evidence to convict the ousted Cayo [...]
Court Ruling on Bahamians Set For Next Week
Bahamian nationals Rohn Knowles and Kelvin Leach remain in pretrial detention at the Belize Central Prison tonight.� The pair of stockbrokers, both employees of Titan International Securities, was expected in [...]
Belize City Mayor Says Flooding is a Perennial Problem
The downpour across the country, especially in the city, has left several areas in downtown Belize City inundated and impassable for pedestrians. According to Mayor Darrell Bradley, the council has [...]
Child-Friendly Municipalities Launched Today
UNCEF and partners launched today a Child Friendly Municipalities Initiative with a live broadcast in Belize City and simultaneous activities in all other municipalities. The idea is to provide infrastructure, [...]
CTV3
Alex Tillett Wanted For Two Robberies In Orange Walk
Tonight, Orange Walk Police are actively seeking one person they believe perpetrated two robberies in the municipality. Police say 27 year old Alex Tillett; known as "lexus" was one of two men who robbed Darvis Store at gunpoint on September 11th and Hung Yun Store on September 19th.
You may recall that the September 19th armed robbery of Hung Yun Store proved fatal for his accomplice Leslie Logan Jr. who was shot by the proprietor of the store. Police say Tillet is wanted for two counts of robbery and is considered armed. Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Alex Tillett is asked to contact the police. The police also advise the public that harbouring a fugitive is an offence.
SIB Reports On Imports and Exports
Other statistics released today was that of the External Trade for the month of August. The figures dictates that imports for August to Belize were valued at a total of $158.5 million, increasing by over $11 million or 7.6 percent from $147.3 in August of 2013. This increase was due entirely as a result of imports of 'Food and Live Animals' and 'Chemical Products', which rose by $5.9 million and $5.5 million, respectively. Imports of 'Manufactured Goods', in particular building cement, were down by over $3 million from last August. The value of goods going into the commercial free zones also declined by $1.6 million, even as imports destined for the export processing zones increased by $1.7 million during the month. The first eight months of this year, imports totalled $1.3 billion, growing by almost $80 million or 6.5 percent compared to the same period in 2013. 'Machinery and Transport Equipment' increased by almost the same amount, boosted by purchases of vehicles for personal use and for the transportation of goods.
BSCFA To Present Counter Proposal To BSI
The fate of the sugar industry continues to be a topic of much discussion. Among the issues that need urgent resolution is that of the revenue sharing for bagasse. The situation continues without much progress. Last night we presented the position of BSI and today, we spoke with Alfredo Ortega of the BSCFA who says they too have a proposal they are working on to present to BSI at their next meeting.
"Nosotros tambi�n vamos a sacar nuestra propuesta basado a lo que ellos han presentado sin embargo ellos siguen con su propuesta de su f�rmula de ellos nosotros tambi�n tenemos una f�rmula y vamos a ver en que de acuerdos podemos llegar para mejorar este beneficio al canero, no podr�a ir en mucho m�s detalle dentro de ello porque nosotros estamos trabajando en nuestra parte de ellos y vamos a tener una junta con BSI el 9 de Octubre en la cual nos vamos a juntar e ir m�s profundo en esta situaci�n, realmente ellos est�n tratando de vender su material como todos estamos viendo sin embargo la responsabilidad con Asociaci�n es ver c�mo podemos conseguir esa mayor beneficio para el productor de ca�a."
UDP Tries To Sabotage PUP's Anniversary Event In Corozal
On Monday September 29th the People's United Party will celebrate their 64th anniversary. The party was born in 1950 and at the helms have been several leaders including the late Father of the Nation Right Hon. George Cadle Price, Right Hon. Said Musa, Hon. John Brice�o and presently the Hon. Francis Fonseca.
In the Corozal District PUP Standard Bearer for Corozal North David Castillo and his committee are gearing up for the celebration. Castillo told us what they have planned.
"Every year for the past, I would say thirty years, the Corozal North Constituency Executive has traditionally celebrated the birthday of the party in the various villages of the Corozal North and we have planned again for this year and we will be celebrating the birthday of the party the 64th anniversary of the PUP in Patchakan Village and so that is what we have planned and the activities will include a parade, then official ceremonies and then cultural presentations, with great attractions because we will be having local and our neighbors from Chetumal Quintana Roo will come to participate and then we will end up with a free dance with the mighty Techno Band for the people that will come and celebrate."
Training Continues For Special Olympics
The media has aired quite a few inspiring stories on children with special needs and their participation in Special Olympics. Their stories are about determination, perseverance and achievement despite physical challenges and limitations. But while these stories make the news sporadically, the work that is invested with and by those special athletes is something that happens year round. It is not always easy and it takes a dedicated team of professionals to help these children reach their dreams. Still, dedication is only part of the work. Trainers need continuous development themselves and this is exactly what Special Olympics Belize is doing through collaboration with representatives of Special Olympics Arizona. The team is in Belize this week to continue the work that began at the start of 2013. Krista Sanchez is the Development Coordinator of Special Olympics Arizona.
Krista Sanchez - Development Coordinator, Special Olympics Arizona
"We committed to a three year partnership agreement with them to assist them in developing both organizational development as well as programmatic development so we are doing a lot on giving them resources in training athletes, training coaches, training volunteers and crate more systems to grow more opportunities for individuals with disabilities in Belize."
Elections Held In Free Zone For Seats On Board Of Directors
Today six Corozal Free Zone Chamber of Commerce Directors contested the four seats available to represent the CFZCC membership on the Corozal Free Zone Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors at the Corozal Free Zone consists of five members of the public sector and four of the private sector who play an important role in the development of the Corozal Commercial Free Zone.
Raul Rosado - Chief Executive Officer CFZ
"For us it has always been important since our inception in 2008 to have the private sector participate in the decision making that benefits the Free Zone and investments and companies themselves, for us is like a check and balance where the private sector and the public sector can work together to move forward, to create policies that will better off the investment atmosphere in the Free Zone and to set up plans and projects for the future."
Paying Tribute To The Elderly
Today as promised, we'll start with our newest feature of celebrating the lives of those golden citizens in our community as we take a glimpse into their lives. Too often, society views the elderly as being at the end of their life and thus having no purpose but to bide their time until the inevitable day where they cease to exist on this earth. Nothing could be further from the truth. Just as your average person is a product of their environment, and their life experiences, the elderly are as productive as we encourage them to be. They are the generations that came before us and set a foundation for us, and as such October they will be honoured during Older Persons Month. Today, we'll take a look at the lives of a couple who have been married for over 40 years and their love has never been any stronger. Through this we hope to start to tackle negative attitudes and out-dated stereotypes. Maria Novelo reports.
78 year old Ernesto Reyes and 82 year old Bernice Rufina Lamb have been inseparable for over 40 years since they got together. They live a modest life and welcomed us into their homes where they shared with us some of their fondest moments.
SIB Reports Fall In Inflation Rate
The Statistical Institute of Belize has released its latest figures in relation to Belize's Consumer Price Index for the month of August. According to the figures, consumer prices showed that the All-Items inflation rate for the month of August 2014 was 0.9 percent, down slightly from 1.3 percent in July 2014. The consumer price index for August 2014 stood at 103.6, compared to 102.7 in the same month in 2013. The average inflation rate for the first eight months of the year was 1.4 percent.
The increases in the August inflation rates stems from higher home rental rates, international airfares, and insurance premiums. Food prices, which are usually one of the main drivers of inflation, saw a marginal decline this month, with average prices falling in all categories except for Fish and Seafood.
Home rental prices rose 2 percent from twelve months ago, as the upward trend which was first noted earlier this year continued across all municipalities in August. International airfares, which had also been trending sharply upward over the last few months, were a mere 3 percent higher in comparison to last August. Health and motor vehicle insurance rates were up 3 and 6 percent, respectively.
14 Year Old Goes Missing In Orange Walk
Fourteen year old Marisol Jessica Patt, a student of Orange Walk Town has been reported missing. According to authorities, Marisol was last seen as she left home for school around 7:30 yesterday morning.
Information received indicates that Marisol was last seen in the company of Feliciano Bartley, locally known as 'Patchy' and has not been seen or heard from since.
Mysterious Animal Killed In San Lazaro Village
People love a good story, and those about mythical, often elusive creatures like the "Chupacabra" tickle the interest of many. Tonight we have one such story and as it turns out it also surrounds the blood sucking creature dubbed the "chupacabra". The first sighting of this elusive creature was made in 1995 in Puerto Rico. Since then, there have been several reported sightings in several parts of the Americas. In Belize, though, there hasn't been any known report until today. Dalila Ical has the report.
The creature that was hit by Cain Cal as he drove past a ranch between Yo Creek and San Lazaro Villages has struck the curiosity of many. Pictures his daughter posted on Facebook have also stirred varied opinions. A few people have accused the family of concocting the story, calling the images fake.
LOVE FM
What’s Next in the Murder of Danny Conorquie?
A post mortem examination on the body of 20 year old Danny Conorquie was conducted today at the KHMH morgue. Conorquie, a Special Constable posted at the Caracol Maya Site in Cayo was part of the Tourism Police Unit. He was shot and killed while on patrol at the Mayan Site yesterday afternoon by two men described to be of Hispanic descent. The relevant authorities are investigating the murder while many believe that the culprits are Guatemalans. Yesterday, CEO in the Ministry of National Security, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) George Lovell, told Love News that they have not confirm this allegation and are not sure that Guatemalans are the culprits. However, Lovell shared that Guatemalans Authorities have been notified of the incident out of courtesy. Conorquie's family is struggling to overcome the grief because; Conorquie was very much loved in Georgeville, which is where he is originally from. His mother, Jean Conorquie, told us about the last time she spoke to her son.
Police News: Robbery and Drugs
A woman was robbed at gun point yesterday in Belize City. Police say that around 9am a 29-year-old fruit vendor at a supermarket corner West Collet Canal and Hicattee Street, Belize City reported that she was at her fruit stall when she was approached by a man who pointed a hand gun in her face and robbed her of her apron containing 230 dollars in cash and a black and yellow Go brand cell phone valued at 100 dollars. The culprit then jumped on a bicycle and fled from the scene. The victim reportedly knows who the robber was and police are looking for that person as investigation continues.
12-Year-Old Says Father Raped Her
Belize City police are investigating a case of incest. Police say that on Independence Day at around 7 o'clock in the night, a 12 year old Belizean female student accompanied by her mother, reported that the night before, her 33 year old father, a Salvadoran laborer of Jane Usher Boulevard address, took her to his house on Holy Emmanuel Street and had sexual intercourse with her against her will. A medical examination was conducted where a doctor certified that the female child was carnally known. As a result police have arrested and charged 33-year-old father for the crime of rape and incest.
Can Penner Still Face Charges on Passport Scandal?
With the fraudulent passport issued in the name of Kim Wong Hong back in the country, we asked Immigration Minster, Godwin Hulse what happens next. Here is Renee Trujillo with that story.
RENEE TRUJILLO REPORTING
"Last year around this very same time Belizeans were up in arms and the current administration was under heat as they were being attacked from several corners following the wafts of corruption that had begun seeping out of the immigration department regarding a passport issued to a South Korean national Kim Wong Hong. It all started on September 19th 2013 when a release coming out of the Prime Minister's office revealed that the then minister of state in the Ministry of Immigration Elvin Penner had resigned from cabinet upon the request of the Prime Minister Dean Barrow. To refresh your memory the release from the Prime Minister's office stated that the resignation came with respect to a situation brought to the Prime Ministers attention on Tuesday where Penner as a cabinet minister did not discharge his responsibilities with either due judgment and balance. That was the first blow rendered to Penner as he was stripped from all benefits and privileges as a minister. Minister of Immigration Godwin Hulse reminded us of that today."
Galen Announces New Provost
Galen University announced today that Dr. Cynthia Eve Aird has been appointed to the position of Provost of the University. Dr. Aird earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum, Instruction and Administration with a minor in Higher Education from Boston College, Boston, MA. and is currently President of Sacred Heart College, Cayo. With over twenty years experience in the education sector, Dr. Aird developed a professional network amongst her colleagues in the Association of Tertiary Level Institutions of Belize (ATLIB), and the Consortium for Belize Educational Cooperation (COBEC). She has served in the capacity of President of ATLIB from 2008 to 2012. Dr. Aird was a founding member of the Belize Board of Teacher Education (BBTE), serving for three terms with two as the Vice Chair of the Board. The appointment of Dr. Aird will become effective on December 1, 2014.
Municipalities Commit to Being Child Friendly
In 1990 a human rights treaty dubbed the Convention on the Rights of the Child was brought out by the United Nations. It is a document that sets out the civil, political, economic, health and cultural rights of children that has now been ratified by just under two hundred countries worldwide. While countries around the world have worked at meeting indicators to comply with the convention, there is another document that has come out of that convention that promotes the idea of a friendly city for children. Today, Belize signed onto that document for a child friendly city via an official launch that took place at the auditorium of the Belize Elementary School in Belize City. It is an undertaking that has the Belize Mayors' Association, the United Nations Development Program, the Government of Belize and the United Nations Children's' Fund coming together in identifying ways in which their municipalities can subscribe to the idea of ensuring that their municipality are safe and secure for children. We spoke with Mayor Darrell Bradley, who told us more on the joint venture.
Barrow Says Changes are Coming to BTL
The Belize Telemedia Limited hosted its 8th Annual General Meeting last night at the Biltmore Hotel. A special presentation entitled, "A focus on the Future of BTL" was given by the Chairman of BTL's Executive Committee, Anwar Barrow. Barrow says that one of the company's goal is to add ten thousands subscribers to its customer's base in two years.
ANWAR BARROW
"The net profit has been up and it has been down. If you look at 2010 we made upwards of $30 million, I think $31 million, and so there have been different reasons for that. So, we are a profitable company, it is still one of the best investments in Belize and it will continue to be. Now if you look at where we are now and where we were in 2009 a number of things have happened that have benefitted the consumers and shareholders. You've gotten per second billing; you've gotten VoIP which has opened an entire world to the Belizean consumers. You've gotten broadband rates being slashed in half again, again and now again in October and that will continue to happen so we have been evolving and consumers have benefitted tremendously.
Beach Erodes At Alarming Pace in Hopkins Village
A resident of Hopkins Village in Southern Belize is calling on the Government of Belize and relevant authorities to help save the beach. According to Patricia Jacobs, a portion of the Hopkins Beach at the North End of the village has eroded over 200 feet in a short period of time. Jacobs explained her concerns.
PATRICIA JACOBS
"The concern is that it is gone and we must do something. I've talked to the Village Council and they say that they are trying but trying doesn't work when it's missing. We need an emergency response right about now or pretty soon our number one destination of Hopkins is no longer going to be because there is not a beach. I do believe it has a lot to do with not only Mother Nature but man.
Help Needed for Cleyon Marage
He recently celebrated his 10th birthday some six months ago and just one week following his birthday celebration, he began showing symptoms of a disease that has now forced hm to stay home, away from school. Cleyon Marage Jr., has been diagnosed with leukemia. Clovis Matura is the child's mother.
CLOVIS MATURA
"Back in April just, before school reopened he had pains in his neck and when I took him to the hospital they said it was an infection and they gave him antibiotics but the neck got bigger and bigger. We were back and forth to the hospital until they eventually sent us to Karl Heusner. They did the ultrasound and the swelling had burst open and began to leak out; everything that was in there; then he was admitted to the Karl Heusner. They did the blood test, his white cells were really high like 98,000 and then they did a bone marrow and then they found out it was leukemia. They can't treat it in Belize."
CEO Lovell Speaks on Murdered Police Officer
Twenty year old Special Constable, Danny Conorquie, was shot and killed just before midday today while he was on patrol at the Caracol Archaeological Site in the Cayo District. Conorquie was killed after he approached two Hispanic men who were on horseback. A release from the Ministry of National Security states that the two men fled the scene retreating into the dense cover of the jungle. Conorquie was rushed to the San Ignacio Town hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. This incident occurred in the general vicinity of the main temple in plain view of several tourists and tour operators. Security forces were deployed to secure the scene and tourists were safely transported out of the area by the Belize Tourism Board. The matter is still under investigation by the relevant authorities. Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of National Security, Retired Lieutenant Colonel, George Lovell, told Love News that even though they cannot confirm that the two culprits are of Guatemala Nationality, Guatemalan Officials have been notified.
PlusTV
Police Officer charged for murder of detained prisoner
PC Constable David Griffith was charged on Friday for the shooting death of Rasheed Elijio, an incident that occurred on May 10th last year.
On Tuesday May 7th� earlier that same week, 18 year old Rasheed Elijio was picked up by Police in Punta Gorda, and arraigned at the Punta Gorda Magistrate's co...
Child was not sexually assaulted according to medical report
Police had received reports last week from a mother of a five year old child that the child had complained of being sodomized in a bathroom at a Belmopan primary school.
The matter was being investigated by police and teachers, but police had told the media that while investigations were ongoing, th...
Father rapes his 12 year old daughter
There is a disturbing case of incestuous rape being reported in Belize City. A 12-year-old Belizean female Student told police that sometime after 6:00p...
Fruit Vendor robbed of proceeds on street corner
A 29-year-old fruit vendor at a supermarket on the corner West Collet Canal and Hicattee Street, Belize City, reported that she was at her fruit stall selling when� she was approached by a man. The man pointed a hand gun in her face and robbed her of her apron containing $230...
Drug busting in Roaring Creek yields results
Police conducted a search at the residence of Ealsine Gentle situated in Roaring Creek Village Cayo District. Present at the time of the search were Ealsine Gentle and Stephanie Cruz. The search led to the discovery of a transparent bag containing 60.5 grams of suspected cannabis.
As a result, polic...
Tourism police officer shot and killed near Guatemalan border
A Tourism Police Officer, Danny Conorguie, was shot and killed Thursday morning in the Cayo District, at the Caracol Archeological Site.
Reports are that just before midday , 20 year-old Special Constable (SC) Danny Conorquie, assigned to the Tourism Police Unit was shot and killed in the line of du...
Police looking for suspect in Orange Walk robberies
Orange Walk Police are looking for 27 year old Alexander Tillett in connection with two robberies that occurred on Thursday September 11th at Darvis Store, and Friday September 19th� at Hung Yun Store.
Reports were that on Friday afternoon, two men identified as Alexander Tillett and Leslie Kenrick...
Galen University's new provost is Dr. Eve Aird
Galen University announced on Thursday that� Dr. Eve Aird is to be the new Provost of the University...
Two Belmopan men charged with Drug Trafficking
29 year old Andre Avila and 30 year old Aldo Zetina of Sibun Street, Belmopan, have been arrested and charged for the offence of Drug Trafficking.
On Wednesday September 24th, Police conducted a house search at #10 Macaw Street, Belmopan, at the residence of Andre Avila...