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Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials
The San Pedro Sun
Minute to Win it for Charity raises funds for San Pedro Red Cross
It was another fun night at RoadKill Bar on Monday, November 16th during the second "Minute to Win It for Charity" game night. Island residents and visitors gathered at the iconic bar on Coconut Drive from as early as 7PM to either watch or participate in the fun challenge. The night saw participants playing elimination challenges that lasted one minute, in hopes of advancing to the next round and ultimately winning the championship. The best part of all was that proceeds from the game night went towards a charitable organization in San Pedro, and this week's charity was the Belize Red Cross San Pedro Branch. Those wanting to participate paid a $10 entry fee. The fee allowed one person to participate in the first game and a complimentary Travellers Rum drink. The elimination round games include 'Paddle Jumper', "Face the Cookie', 'Mochachino', 'Stick the Landing', 'Dizzy Mummy', 'How's it Hanging', 'Rapid Fire' and 'Back Flip'. Ten persons started off but after each round, those who didn't complete the task were eliminated. Of course participants that did not complete a challenge could buy back into the next round for $2. But at the end of the night, only two participants remained to face each other in the winning challenge.
SPBA Cancels 2015 Lighted Boat Parade
On behalf of the San Pedro Business Association and the Holiday Lighted Boat Parade Committee we regret to advise that we have been forced to cancel this year's event that had been scheduled for Saturday, December 05, 2015 at the Central Park. Sadly, due to a few challenges we have been faced with, both financially and because of low participation we were not able to come up with a positive outcome. As a result of these we are canceling this year's event; however our Holiday Lighted Boat Parade's date has been set for next year which will be on Saturday, December 03, 2016. We will start planning as early as mid-year 2016 hoping to receive more support.
Canine Behaviorist and Trainer shares skills with island pet owners
International Canine Behaviorist and Trainer Oksana Pachomova is on Ambergris Caye providing training tips and techniques free of cost at the San Pedro Saga Humane Society. The lessons are currently being held Monday to Saturday from 3PM to 4PM and include a series of basic training techniques that pet owners can benefit from and apply to their dogs. Anyone who is interested in participating in the training sessions should be at Fort Dog by 3PM sharp where participants will be provided with a pup from Saga to work with. The lessons take place on the beach and classes are limited to ten persons per session. Pachomova is a well-educated dog behavior consultant, traveling to various countries and training dogs and people in local communities. According to her, she has a mission to help make dogs and humans understand each other better, in order to increase the quality of life of both. In an interview with The San Pedro Sun, Pachomova indicated that at the moment she is only involved with the training technique called "Positive Reinforcement".
SPHS Drama Club works on presenting 'Our World IX: Shadows' play
Larry and Debbie Heimgartner have created yet another skit for the San Pedro High School (SPHS) as part of the 'Our World Project'. The piece called 'Our World IX: Shadows' was written by Larry Heimgartner and touches on issues such as divorce, depression and suicide. The Heimgartners, who have been visiting Ambergris Caye for several years and working with SPHS to promote creative arts, were at SPHS on Tuesday, November 10th where eight students presented the first showing of the play to a small audience of alumni and teachers. The students selected to perform the 'Our World IX: Shadows' piece included Elina Palma, Rashawn Gonzales, Bessy Gongora, Eddie Jackson who did a depression monologue, Marthalicia Vasquez who presented a divorce monologue, and Giselly Rodriguez, Ilynn Camal and Yasir Roberts who presented a monologue on suicide. Divorce Depression Suicide SPHS Monologue Plays-4The play was written specifically for SPHS, because of the prevalence of such issues amongst the student population. "As the school counselor, I believe that education through the creative arts is a very effective way of providing students the opportunity to speak out, and most importantly, to assure students that they are not alone in the issues that they are facing," said SPHS counselor, Alexis Guerrero.
Ambergris Today
Sheila Montero is New Miss Garifuna San Pedro
Four young Garifuna ladies contested the title of Miss Garifuna San Pedro on the eve of Garifuna Settlement Day, Wednesday, November 18, 2015, Ambergris Caye. The Garifuna community of the island got together with the San Pedro Town Council and San Pedro House of Culture to put on a very beautiful pageant that was more educational event than a beauty pageant.
Contestants included Zennia Nunez, Michelle Martinez, Ashanti Martinez and Sheila Montero; Ashanti was selected as first runner up. Garifuna Settlement Day and the Miss Garifuna Pageant were observed under the theme: "God is the strength of all things, Garifuna Progress lies in Education and Hard Work."
Misc Belizean Sources
Miss Earth Belize 2015 - Christine Syme
Evening gown competition today
First Friday of December Trash Pick Up Tres Cocos
Our new trash barrels are helping, but there's still lots of work to do! Join us at the Paradise Theatre (just north of the bridge) for our monthly two hour roadside and beach clean up! Locals, expats and tourists are all invited to help out and show some Isla Love! Please be there by 9:00 am :-)
19th of November Garifuna Settlement Day 2015 in Dangriga Town
The Garinagus celebrating their culture in Dangriga Town 2015.
BWRC Silent Auction Gala
Don't forget about the BWRC's Silent Auction Gala fundraiser. Tonight at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel. Cloud 9 will be there.
"Register now and join us for Nov. 21st at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel for the Belize Wildlife & Referral Clinic's Silent Auction Gala Dinner with Cloud 9. Register at the SI Hotel front dest or at BWRC in Central Farm. Tickets are $85. If you can't make it, but do still want to support you could comp a ticket or promote your business by donating a service or other auction item. Thanks so much to our friends and supporters. We could not do our job without your help!"
ATLIB Basketball Finals
ATLIB had their basketball finals at Sacred Heart Junior College last weekend. Congratulations Galen, for taking 1st place! SHJC took 2nd place. In the women's tournament, UB won.
Happy Children's Day from the Museum of Belize (NICH) and Houses Culture!
Miss Garifuna Cultural Beauty Pageant
Photos from ReefTV
San Pedro High School Culture & Central American Day
The San Pedro High School showcased their annual Culture and Central American Day displays where they were judged on their outstanding presentations.
Children's Day Parade in San Pedro
The San Pedro Roman Catholic School pay tribute to Belizean Culture, Business People, Religious Aspects and much more in their annual Children's Day Parade
Help rebuild our Community Christmas Tree on Caye Caulker
If you are or know of any fishermen willing to loan/rent some lobster traps for the entire month of December, so we can create out community Christmas tree,
majority of people I spoke to thinks we stick with this idea so let's do it, but of course it can only be possible with help from the community so spread the word.
They can donate as many or as little as they please...
Call 6021772 to arrange date pickups.
eMAGISzine
The Art and History Departments of SJC launched a new electronic magazine called eMAGISzine.
Please help us to share by downloading at: http://www.belizehistorysjc.com/
Kareem Clarke Memorial 2015
clock
Saturday, November 21at 4:00pm - 7:00pm at pin
Show Map
BTL Park. Poets wil include: From Youth Voices: Stephen Gabb; Shamira Gill-Card; Dwayne Murrillo; and, Denise Marin.
A prize, courtesy Radisson will be raffled during the event.
The MC will be William Neal.
It's a family event. No alcoholic beverages allowed. It's all about clean fun and the pure talent of our youth!
"Scarlet" with children!
"Scarlet", the macaw spreading the Beauty of Chiquibul at the Benque Community Pre-school in Benque Viejo del Carmen.
Channel 7
Nanes Gets Bail, Two Days After B'zean Passport Revoked
On Tuesday, we told you about the international fugitive David Nanes Schnitzer, who's been living in Belize under the alias, David Banes. Well, tonight, he's out on bail after the judge determined that he isn't a flight risk.
As we told you, Nanes Schnitzer was picked up by US Marshalls and San Pedro police 2 weeks ago. He was charged for having a fake driver's license - that was just one of many Belizean ID's under the assumed identity of David Banes. He has managed to get hold of a permanent residency card, a Belizean passport, a driver's license for Belize City, a driver's license for San Pedro, a social security card, a boat master's license, and a voter's ID. Because his real identity is now known, the Belizean authorities strongly suspect that fraud was employed to get these official documents.
Bigger legal difficulties await him abroad, specifically in Mexico, where he is wanted in connection with the Allen Stanford Ponzi Scheme. Stanford, who has been sentenced to 110 years in the US, is convicted of defrauding investors of 7 billion dollars. Mexican authorities allege that Nanes Schnitzer headed the Mexican arm of Stanford's Ponzi scheme which allegedly defrauded investors in that country of 42 million dollars. Mexico has a 2011 arrest warrant for him for unauthorized securities transactions.
Daring Downtown Attempted Robbery Leads To struggle, Shot Fired
There was a brazen robbery attempt just before midday today on Albert Street, the heart of Belize City's Downtown area, near to our Channel 7 studio.
It happened just before 11:30 a.m., at ML Collection Clothes Store, inside the Little India building, seen here. We're told by eyewitnesses the Indian shop owner was inside when an unknown gunman parked his bike a distance away and ran into the store. He allegedly placed the gun at the shop owner's head and demanded money. This businessman informed him that he did not keep money in the store, and that's when the assailant punched him in the face
The businessman fought back, and that led to struggle, in which the gun went off. The bullet struck the ground and landed somewhere at the back of the shop. Apparently, that scared off the assailant, and he ran away without getting any money.
The police arrived shortly after that, and they've been investigating the incident. Business persons nearby believe that there is a small possibility that the robber's face may have been caught on surveillance camera.
Cruise Visitor Drowns On Caye Caulker Tour, Where Was The Guide?
From time to time, we have reports of tourists drowning while on water tours - and usually, it's from some cardiac event related to snorkeling or diving. But, tonight there's a disturbing report about a 61 year old American tourist who drowned while trying to save his wife's life. Disturbing, because Karl Edwin Simmons was a cruise tourist, who was on a guided tour - and, regulations state that both he and his wife should have been under the close watch of tour guides.
It happened on Tuesday afternoon - when the Texas resident and his wife, Esther were part of a tour by the H2o Tierra company in Shark Ray Alley which is in the Caye Caulker Village Marine Reserve.
According to police, the sea current caused Esther Simmons to start drifting away. Simmons went to save her as a result he disappeared into the water and was later seen floating face down. He had drowned. Dr. Mario Estradabran certified cause of death to be "Asphyxiation by Drowning, Incidental".
Family Homeless, Dwelling Destroyed
A family is homeless tonight after their dwelling was destroyed by fire. This morning, the fire department was called to Allenby Street in Queen Square were the upper flat of a 2 story cement house had gone up in flames. No one was in the house and the owners had no idea until they came back to a charred home. The owners declined an interview, but the Fire Station Manager explained that this was an electrical fire.
Orin Smith, Station Mgr. Belize National Fire Service
"The National Fire Service received a call of a structural fire at #79 Allenby Street, Belize City. On arrival on scene, the upper flat of the two story concrete structure was seen on fire. Following a brief size-up, the Fire Department got into operation to extinguish the fire. The fire was later brought under control and extinguished. As a result of the fire, the eastern half of the structure was severely damaged by the fire. Preliminary investigation revealed that the fire originated in the room on the northeast section of the structure. It originated on a bed. The structure was not insured and was owned by one Mr. Reyes."
"El Espanol" Was In A Zone Of His Own
The laws of Belize say no one is supposed to live in the Free Zone - but according to the Por Esto newspaper from Quintana Roo, the slain King of Contraband Ernesto Alonso de Miguel, known as "El Espanol" - did just that - and he did it in this building - which, local law enforcement has confirmed even had a bunker, or a basement. Por Esto reports that he had a wine cellar and a ball court on the compound as well. 7News has confirmed that De Miguel was a persistent security concern on the Belize side, where he had worked out this unusual and illegal living arrangement from the mid - 2000's, but the king of contraband seemed to be too connected for anyone to put a stop to it. Recently, it became a non issue because Miguel had moved back to Chetumal - where he always moved around with a police escort. Last Saturday both he and a ranking police officer were executed in Chetumal while they had dinner at a restaurant named "El Emporio." Narcos had tried to take Miguel's life in Chetumal before but were unsuccessful.
Cane Farmer Associations Beg For Better Price: BSI Says No Go
Last week, we reported on the difficult times that the local sugar industry is going to have to fight through because prices for sugar are low in Europe right now. The factory owner, ASR/BSI, has released the preliminary price estimates for this year' crop at $41.56 per tonne of cane, which is a 21% decrease from last year.
At this price, the farmers are very concerned that they will not be able to get a return on their investment, much less pay their loans to the bank. They're not convinced that BSI's estimate accurately reflects the market status in Europe. So all 3 Associations, the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers, the Corozal Sugar Cane Producers, and the Progressive Sugar Cane Producers, wrote to the Deputy Prime Minister and BSI earlier this week. They asked that BSI adjust the figure, so that the farmers could get another 5 dollars per tonne of cane delivered.
On Wednesday, the CEO of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association told our colleague from CTV3 News about this joint letter:
Oscar Alonzo - CEO, BSCFA:
"The 3 associations met to discuss this situation about the cane price estimate, which in deed has been one of the lowest for the past several years. Collectively we are not happy and a letter was signed jointly by tem directly to the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Agriculture to try to see if BSI can: 1) revised some of the assumption it has use in determination of the price estimate.
Who's The Best Warrior?
You may remember the Coast Guard Best Warrior Competition. That's an event where the elite Coast Guard Officers compete against each other in squads of 8 taking on some of the most taxing physical tasks, to see is the toughest, most battle hardened warrior.
Last year, we were embedded with the Coast Guard to give you an in-depth look at what these soldiers put themselves through over the course of 3 days.
Well, the competition is happening again, for the third time, and these gluttons for punishment are back at it to find out who is the best of the best.
Today, we visited the Coast Guard Headquarters to see Day 1 of the competition in progress. Here's what their commandant had to say about it:
Admiral John Borland, Commandant - Belize Coast Guard:
"The event is going to be hosted over 3 days. Today is day 1 and we finish on Sunday day 3. So its 3 days and 6 evolutions and today we just concluded the first event which was Coast Guard Physical Fitness test, where we tested the men on their upper body strength and a bit of their endurance. The test included maximum push-ups, sit-ups and dips done over 2 minutes and then two mile run in the best individual effort.
Small Business, The Way Forward
Today Beltraide held its 1st Entrepreneurship Convention and Expo at the ITVET. Fifteen entrepreneurs were invited to showcase their products and services at the expo and participate in the conference. But this event was more than just displaying products and services and listening to guest speakers. It was about highlighting the progress these entrepreneurs have made and about planning a way forward for their business.
Beltraide's SBDC program has helped over 700 entrepreneurs start up their business. This is the 1st event of its kind and it will be annual.
Panty Pilferers To Prison
Two women from northern Belize are in jail tonight after they were caught stealing 200 pairs of women's underwear at a Belize City store.
35 year old Donela Smith from Palmar and 26 year old Johny Netty Lopez, from Ranchito were allegedly caught on surveillance camera stealing the panties from Siloe store on Orange Street.
They were taken to Belize City Magistrate's Court this morning and arraigned on a single charge of theft.
The allegation is that on Tuesday, November 17, they stole 150 assorted adults underwear, value $1,050.00 along with 75 assorted children underwear, value $187.50, property of Ingrid Perez, the owner of Siloe Store. Police found the pair at the bus station.
And even though they were caught on camera, the pair pleaded not guilty. Senior Magistrate, Sharon Fraser explained to them that the evidence before the court is very strong and that they should consider their plea before entering one.
Say It Ain't So, Stephanie
A week ago, we told you how 40 year-old Stephanie Moreira, a mother of 7, was sentenced to serve 15 days in jail for fighting with another woman. She pleaded guilty to throwing a rock at Georgia Curry, another Belize City resident, and using insulting words against her.
It was an unusual sentence that Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith handed her saying, "You must learn a lesson that you cannot take the law into your own hands." The two women ended up in court because their children had been quarrelling, and it allegedly carried over to the adults when Moreira allegedly started to harass Curry, the woman who reported her to police..
Well now Curry says that Moreira's friends and family have been harassing her. Today, she came to us to explain to all who have been holding grudges that she never wanted any of this to happen to Moreira. She said that the defendant forced her hand:
Children's Day For Special Kids
It's Children's Day and fun activities were planned for the kids at various schools. We stopped in at Stella Maris School today and the kids were overjoyed with the games and bouncy house. But it's not only about child's play. Lindburgh Smith, the Information Coordinator at the National Committee for families and Children told us it's about including children with diverse abilities and making them feel more appreciated.
There are 110 students at the Stella Maris School.
Tacos Worthy Of Celebrating
It may have become sort of an unwritten rule, that whenever you pass through Orange Walk Town, stopping to buy tacos is a must. And on Sunday, the organizers of the Tacos Festival are hoping that visitors from all across the country will head there to partake in the different flavors and styles of tacos that will be on sale.
Dillon Jones, of Universal Radio, stopped by to tell us what you can expect this year:
The Festival takes place near Banquitas House of Culture near the River Side on Sunday, November 22. The first vendors should be ready to sell from 6 a.m. It will come to a close at around 6 or 7 in the evening. This is the 5th Tacos Festival.
Celebrating Garifuna In The City
Yesterday was Garifuna Settlement Day and the observance was rich in communities across the south. But, not everybody can go to Griga and Hopkins and PG, so that's why the Garinagu population of Belize City has its own observance, which of course starts with a re-enactment of the arrival, or Yurumein. That played out yesterday near Save-U and 7News was there for the drums and dancing:...
Garifuna At Home In Griga
And while the Belize City celebration was spirited and celebratory - it can't compete with the culture capital, Dangriga. For the first time in some years, the Prime Minister travelled down for the official ceremony - which makes political sense since, Dangriga has a UDP Mayor and Representative. There, he got to see a rich display of culture:...
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"Let me celebrate all Garinagu - all of the Garifuna nation. Our keynote speaker truly said 'It is Garinagu that in a real sense have educated this entire country of Belize. It truly has been said that the contribution of Garinagu to our Belize cannot be overstated. We cannot ever emphasized too much the tremendous value of the Garifuna contribution to what is this Belize, the jewel that belongs to all of us. While the country now known as Haiti was the first black republic in this hemisphere. And while a great deal is rightly made of that. Always remember that before there was Dessalines, Cristoforo, there was Joseph Satuye. One particularly vital part of Garifuna culture, Garifuna music lives on in the presence of so many brilliant current day Garifuna performers. Pen Cayetano is still very much with us. I know that last night there was a huge concert here I believe at Why Not Island where Chico Ramos and Supa G and Reckless I believe and Mime and all those who continue to ensure that with respect to this phenomenon known as world music, our Belize, Dangriga and our Belize occupies a special place on that map."
And more than just praise for Garifuna artists, the Prime Minister also announced that an African-Belizean artists Steven Okeke would finally be getting paid for his TV Ramos sculpture.
Road Slick - Accident Caused
This morning, a Toyota Prado flipped in an accident at mile 6 on the Northern Highway - after the Haulover Bridge. The driver of the vehicle reportedly slipped off the road due to an oil spill left behind by a cargo truck. The SUV flipped and landed in the bushes as seen here. But that was not all, 5 vehicles that were trailing quickly braked, and had a domino effect multiple car collision. Luckily no one was hurt and only this vehicle was damaged.
Remembering Reemo
Amandala Journalist Kareem Clarke was killed by gun violence in July, but a group of his colleagues are working to keep his memory alive. The Kareem Clarke Memorial Fund executive members have organized the First ever Kareem Clarke Memorial, an event to be held tomorrow, on his birthday.
The Memorial is set to highlight all the aspects of Clarke's personality to celebrate the way he chose to live, rather than to dwell on the terrible way in which he died.
The Chairman of Memorial Fund explained why these journalists want you to come out tomorrow even and celebrate with them:
The event takes place tomorrow at the BTL Park from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Entrance is free.
Channel 5
Popular Ducunu Vendor Loses Everything in Morning Blaze
A father and son left their home on Allenby Street, Belize City, for work this morning; two hours later they got a distress call that their house was ablaze as [...]
Alleged Fraudster with Forged Belizean IDs Granted $10,000 Bail
Forty-seven year old Mexican- American national David Miguel Nanes Schnitzer is out on bail tonight. Nanes is wanted in Mexico in connection with what is known as a Ponzi scheme [...]
Baby Nina Placed in Foster Home…Mother Allowed Visitation
At news time tonight, we can confirm that arrangements are in play to deliver two year old Nina Charlotte Barrera-Perez into the care of foster parents in Orange Walk. It's [...]
Tourist Drowns at Shark Ray Alley
There are many questions surrounding the death of an elderly American visitor who lost his life on Tuesday afternoon when he drowned off the coast of Caye Caulker.� Sixty-one-year-old Karl [...]
Spilled Diesel Causes Major Pileup on the PG Highway
There was a deadly traffic accident on the George Price Highway on Thursday. A forty-seven year old resident of Las Flores community in Belmopan was hit and killed. The vendor [...]
Still No Arrest in Election Night shooting
Sixteen days after he allegedly discharged his firearm in public on election night, a close affiliate and supporter of Minister of Police John Saldivar has yet to be charged, or [...]
Eastern Division South Commander Says Police Attitude Has Changed
Before the Garifuna Settlement Day holiday we caught up with Eastern Division South Commander Chester Williams as he and his officers walked on Oleander Street in the City, meeting and [...]
Williams Claims Police Have Regained Community's Respect
Williams told News Five that before any community is willing to respond to Police intervention, that department must have legitimacy. The Commander of Eastern Division South claims that slowly, but [...]
Two Women Arrested For Stealing Underwear
Two women one who resides on Palmar Road, Orange Walk, the other from Ranchito Village, Corozal Town, are on remand tonight for stealing over two hundred pieces of underwear from [...]
Murdered Contrabandista home well secured
According to a newspaper in Chetumal, Ernesto Alfonso de Miguel who is also known as "En Espa�ol" lived for various years at the Corozal Free zone in a bunker. The [...]
PM Barrow Pays Tribute on Garifuna Settlement Day
Garifuna Settlement Day was celebrated on November nineteenth with festivities in various communities across the country.� In Belize City, Yurumein, or the traditional re-enactment of the arrival of the Garinagu [...]
Barrow Says GOB Will Show Appreciation With Finance
While the bust of Garifuna hero Thomas Vincent Ramos has been ready for quite some time, all efforts to compensate sculptor Stephen Okeke have fallen short.� That is until Thursday [...]
NCFC Embraces Diverse Abilities on Children's Day
International Children's day is marked in calendars around to the globe. It doesn't matter on which day the celebration is held; the mission is to ensure that children around the [...]
Orange Walk To Hold 5th Annual Tacos Festival
The original, authentic, annual Orange Walk Tacos Festival is back, and organizers say it will be bigger and better than ever. Going on its fifth year, the festival showcases every [...]
Sights and Sounds of festivities from Garifuna Settlement Day
Dangriga is the koltcha capital of Belize and on Thursday it lived up to its name for Garifuna Settlement Day. The activities started early morning with the re-enactment of the [...]
