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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
San Pedranos participate in Caye Caulker's dart competition
Six darts players represented Ambergris Caye at a recent competition hosted by the Caye Caulker Darts Team in Caye Caulker. San Pedro's team included Yolanda Rivero, Ricky Manzano, Melanie Paz, Omar and Dimas Guerrero, and Luis 'Libra' Rivero. During the two- day competition at Roses Grill Bar, the island competitors faced players from the Belize and Cayo District in both male and female divisions. At the end of the tournament, Manzano captured third place in the male category, followed by Ubladimir Alfaro in second place and Theodore McLennan in first place, both from the Cayo District. During the tournament, the male competition was dominated by the visiting players. However, in the female category, all top three prizes stayed on La Isla Cari�osa. Taking third place was Cecilia Jacobs, followed Emerita Marin in second place, and Marie Osmon took home the first place.
Accused of murder, Mason returns to court for the second time
William 'Danny' Mason along with his four accomplices who is serving time at the Belize Central Prison for the murder of Pastor Lewellyn Lucas, appeared in court for the second time on Wednesday November 9th. Under heavy security escort, Mason and his group were taken to the Belize City Magistrate's Court around 9AM. Inside the court room, Chief Magistrate Anne Marie read a single charge of murder and then adjourned their case to January 18, 2017.
Also present in court was Mason's girlfriend, Melissa Ferguson who is a person of interest to the police and has been out on bail. She has not been directly link to the murder, but because she was Mason's partner, police believes that she can assist them in their investigation to solve the case. As a result, Ferguson will be incarcerated and ineligible for bail due to the capital charge she has been associated with.
Belizeans across the country were shocked by the news of the heinous murder, which was revealed in July of this year. It is believed that Pastor Lucas met his death after visiting Mason's residence in Belmopan. According to investigations, Lucas was kidnapped by his henchmen (Ashton Vanegas, Keron Fernandez, Terrence Fernandez, and Ernest Henry Castillo), and taken to Mason's farm at Mile 31 of the George Price Highway, where he was beheaded.
Combating crime through Fatherhood Workshop
In an effort to address the crime situation of both Ambergris Caye and Belize, the Belize Police Department (BPD) and the Community Policing Unit partnered up with the Evangelical Alliance to host their first fatherhood workshop: "Concerned Fathers Against Crime; Helping to Change Headline News". The intent of the workshop was to get fathers to help their children fight against crime and to spread awareness by forming a committee that will make a change within their home and community.
Held at Living Word Church from 2PM to 5PM on Sunday, November 13th, the workshop was attended by concerned parents, police officers, pastors, teachers, and the media. After an invocation from Pastor Ian Zaldivar, Retired Superintendent and National Coordinator of the BPD, Rudolph Orio, gave the official welcome, and explained to the audience that the rise in juvenile crime as both perpetrators and victims is of grave concern for fathers, leaders, educators and the entire community. From 2011 to 2015, Orio has collected observations indicating that youths are: peddling firearms, selling illegal drugs, involved in gang activity, engaging in alcohol and drug abuse, becoming pregnant, dropping out of schools, and disrespecting authority.
Letter to the Editor: Caribbean Developers Ltd. building on Maya Sites
I'm writing you because of reading another article on what this corporation proposes to do to our delicate island. Not only do I see the threat to natural habitat, wildlife, mangrove affected nurseries and its babies who will no longer thrive and grow up to become a tourist attraction somewhere on the reef, I'm also seeing it from a history aspect. The article defines the 3,000 acres as being "partially in the Bacalar Chico World Heritage Site area", taking in the western locations of Laguna de Frances and Santa Clara. Can you say Maya sites? REGISTERED Maya Sites? Then to the center of the development map lies Basil Jones, very close to the proposed reconstructed airport. Another REGISTERED Maya Site.
I'm attaching a map from the Dr. Thomas Guderjan book "Ancient Maya Traders of Ambergris Caye". (An archaeological team came to AC in the early '80's, sought out the Maya presence and Dr. Graham registered them with GOB.) See a pattern of dots? #17 - Santa Cruz; #16 (to the south and perhaps out of the proposed development) Laguna Frances; #18 (again not on the proposed development map) is Punta Limon; #8 - Basil Jones. A route and home sites of the Coastal Maya Traders on Ambergris Caye. I have been on walk abouts' in the area of Basil Jones and there are more sites which have NOT been registered back in the 1980's.
Energy from Waste is a go for Belize
Belizean businesses and industry can achieve large energy cost savings, become more environmentally friendly and sustainable, and less dependent on fossil fuels, by investing in biogas/biomass energy systems and/or solar energy. This was the message communicated by the experts from the Dutch think-tank TNO (Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek), the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research, at an energy seminar and expo held at the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City on Wednesday, November 9th.
The Caribbean Community Climate Change Center (CCCC) commissioned the study with funding from the United Nations Development Programme, to help Belize become more resilient and to adapt to climate change and to reduce the country's carbon footprint. TNO's Johan van Groenestijn, Robert de Kler and Marco Linders presented the findings of their study of Belize's potential for energy from waste. Their study had considered various sources of waste: citrus waste, shrimp shells, fisheries waste, Sargassum, banana stems left over after harvesting, sewer waste, roadside and yard waste, manure from agricultural livestock, cohune palms and nuts, and liquid waste after distillation of rum.
Ambergris Today
Fatherhood Workshop Forms Committee to Assist At Risk Island Teens
The community of San Pedro, especially fathers and single mothers, were invited to attend the first ever fatherhood workshop held at the Living World Church on Sunday, October 13, 2016. The workshop was hosted by the Police Department with assistance from Pastors on Ambergris Caye, Belize.
The main goal of the workshop is to create a group of people who will work together in assisting the island community with ideas, efforts and programs to prevent juvenile crime, decrease the amount of drugs being consumed by teenagers, decrease the amount of school dropouts, prevent teen pregnancy and most importantly prevent young domestic violence. The workshop and group is also interested in providing help to the youth who show signs of social, emotional and behavioral problems.
Speakers from the different schools, Pastors, and OC Police officer gave their view and experience that they have had working along young teenagers and what they believe can be done to help improve the situation they are in. One of the most important messages brought out is that fathers need to re-capture a strong sense of values and beliefs in order to discipline and teach their child the good principles of life in order for them to succeed and become productive citizens in the next generation. After all children tend to learn by example.
Belize Woman Wins Commonwealth Caribbean Youth Worker of the Year
The Commonwealth Youth Worker of the Year for the Caribbean has been announced as Manuela Lue, from Belize. Ms Lue is director of the Energy for Life program, which mentors and tutors under-privileged Belizean youth in handicraft production, connecting them with their culture and enabling them to earn a living.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland, who presented the awards at a ceremony on Thursday, November 10, 2016, at the Commonwealth Secretariat's headquarters, Marlborough House, in London, stated:
"I salute the hugely impressive recipients of these 2016 Commonwealth Youth Worker Awards. They represent thousands of youth workers across the Commonwealth whose work to empower and engage our young people too often goes unsung and unrecognized. It is of immense and enduring value in building resilient communities and overcoming the economic and social divisions that create vulnerability - locally, national and globally."
NGO Process to Select Belize's 13th Senator Commences
Representatives of Belize's non-governmental organizations (NGOs) met on Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at the George Price Center for Peace and Development in Belmopan to define the process to be followed to elect Belize's 13th Senator.
Of the 143 NGOs registered under the NGO Act, twenty-two have thus far been deemed to be in good standing under the law. The NGOs in good standing represented at the meeting have committed to ensuring that the way forward is as inclusive as possible.
Within that context, among the decisions made was the election of a Steering Committee that will facilitate the process for the 13th Senator. That Steering Committee is comprised as follows: Janelle Chanona (Oceana Belize) as Chairman, Osmany Salas (Belize Tourism Industry Association) as Vice Chairman, Amanda Acosta (Belize Audubon Society) as Secretary, Armando Aban (The Scout Association of Belize) as Treasurer, and Froyla Tzalam (Sarstoon Temash Institute of Indigenous Management) as Media Relations Officer.
Misc Belizean Sources
SBDC Workshop: INTRODUCTION TO EXPORT
Presented by:
Ms. Diana Hernandez, Export Development Officer, Beltraide.
Location:
Belize Training & Employment Center (BTEC) Training Room.
ITVET Compound, Freetown Road.
Workshop Date:
November 24th, 2016.
Time:
9:00 am to 12 noon. The Introduction to Exporting training covers the basics of exporting, highlighting key factors that should be considered when venturing into regional or international markets and introducing participants to key export terms. The session also includes the completion of a cost sheet for the export process and an export readiness assessment that allows participants to evaluate key aspects of their operation to determine the level of readiness for the export market. This workshop will provide participants with requirements for export including general procedures and documentations, a brief overview of trade agreements and an overview of key export factors.
Presentation of Credentials by Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Belize
H.E. Mr. Charles Keh-yue Liu, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan), today presented his Letters of Credence to the Governor General of Belize H.E. Sir Colville Young at the Belize House in Belmopan.
Ambassador Liu expressed his pleasure in being a representative of his country in Belize and conveyed his country's pleasure in continuing the strong diplomatic relationship and friendship between the two countries. The Governor General warmly welcomed and received the Ambassador's credentials.
Ambassador Liu was accompanied by members of the ROC Taiwan Embassy in Belize.
Entrepreneurship Symposium 2016
SBDC and UB had the Entrepreneurship Symposium at the GPC. Global Entrepreneurship Week has kicked off. EntreCon is Friday, and the winners of the Business Hackathon will be announced.
"The George Price Center for Peace and Development in Belmopan was filled to maximum capacity on Monday, 14th November as students from the University of Belize and Belizean entreprenuers converged to participate in the 4th annual Entrepreneurship Symposium. The symposium was a joint venture between The Small Business Development Centre, Belize (SBDCBelize), a unit of Beltraide, and the University of Belize, Belmopan campus as part of activities in connection with Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW)."
Protravel Long Island Autumn Event.
Belize Tourism Board
Punta Gorda knows how to throw a party!
On Friday, Punta Gorda hosted a Food Fete showcasing Garifuna food including delicious hudut and tapou and filled with lots of fantastic cultural performances. Deputy Chief of Mission Adrienne Galanek joined in the fun.
Entrepreneurship Convention 2016 (EntreCon)- Unlocking ICT Innovation In Belize
International speakers and experts in the field of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), along with members of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, will meet at the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City on Friday, 18th November to participate in the second annual National Entrepreneurship Convention (ENTRECON).
On November 20th, 2015 the Small Business Development Centre, Belize (SBDCBelize), a unit of the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE), launched its National Entrepreneurship Strategy at its First National Entrepreneurship Convention, branded as ENTRECON.
ENTRECON is now an annual event that is designed to create a platform for bringing together key players in the entrepreneurial ecosystem with the purpose of sharing ideas, creating awareness of existing and new business and investment opportunities, promoting innovation, and building an entrepreneurship culture.
Poets Corner: Deja vu
By Abdulmajeed K Nunez.
People are more familiar
With 'firing' than restructure
The word 'retrenchment' became a political curse
After Esquivel agreed with an IMF scheme
21 years later Barrow has joined the team
In 1995 to trim GOB's wage bill
Nearly 800 public servants gone home from Independence Hill
The R word was the nail in the coffin
Resulting in UDP 1998's thrashing
Trying to save $11 million dollars on its wage bill
This time dah half billion plus still
After squandering PetroCaribe pan Pibil
Cutting contract officers and a wage freeze
Some contract officers had gone on increment cease
Government had turned to open vote workers to retrench
Stagger terminations over a period to soften the blow
Back then it was "cost containment"
Or cost cutting by this UDP government
Government workers were retrenched.
Manuela Lue Wins Commonwealth Caribbean Youth Worker Of The Year
Congratulations, Manuela Lue! Manuela is a Director of the Energy for Life Program, which mentors and tutors under-privileged youths in handicraft production, connecting them with their culture and enabling them to earn a living. Keep up the amazing work!
WOMEX Delegation Network Meeting
MUSICIANS AND PERFORMERS: Have you ever wondered how you can represent Belize at WOMEX and other international festivals? Join Shyne Barrow, Belize's Music Ambassador for this important meeting on Monday!
Maya 2020 Project
FCD signed a Letter of Agreement with Selvana Ltd marking the launching of Maya 2020 Project. The project seeks to strengthen FCD's capability and capacity for park management and conservation. Serving as witness to the signing was High Commissioner of Belize in London, Mrs. Perla Perdomo.
Celebrating the Garifuna culture at the Western Border
Chiqui, the six-month old jaguar, has a new home!
Today, the Embassy representatives participated in an exciting event at the Belize Zoo, including a ribbon cutting ceremony for Chiqui's new home and unveiling of the donor plaque (thanks to the individual members of the Embassy community for your generous support)!
Local preschool students' performance made the festivities memorable!
Free Oral History Workshop
Free Oral History Workshop to be held on Nov 17 and Nov 29 in Belmopan
Channel 7
Third Child Dies From Burns Received In October 4th Fire
Six weeks ago, three children were severely burnt in a house fire on Aloe Vera street in the Lake Independence area. One of them, 11 year old Aaron Gabourel died in the house, while his two cousins, 8-year-old Empress Hamilton and 4 year old Ian Carr received third degree burns to 90% of their bodies. Through the efforts of the Burn Victims Mercy Fund they were flown out to Shriners Hospital in Galveston Texas but even at a premier burn center, their injuries were too severe for their small bodies to survive: Ian Carr died on November ninth while receiving treatment, and early this morning, one week later, his big sister passed away, also from complications due to her massive burn injuries.
Their mother who returned from Texas on Monday to deal with funeral arrangements for Ian, now has to prepare to bury her two children. She passed out when she got the news early this morning, and told us this afternoon that the Doctors tried their best but Empress's heart just stopped:
Farewell, Tyler
And 7 year-old Tyler Savery's murder is, of course, the most resonant loss right now. His funeral was held this afternoon at the BTL park. That's where the family was joined by friends, well-wishers and community members who joined to celebrate the life of a promising child whose life was cut short by gun violence.
It's most likely the first funeral in memory to be held at a park, but Tyler's mother, Shakera Young, wanted to give everyone a chance to say good-bye to her son before she cremated his body. His murder has shocked the nation, and today, we spoke to a few persons who attended the funeral. They told us that his grieving mother's message of peace is something that everyone can identify with:
Killers Lay In Wait In Libertad
And, tonight there's one more violent execution style murder to report. It happened last night in Libertad Village in the Corozal District. That's not often the scene of murders, but last night, four men lay in wait for 22 year old Sherman McFarlane. Corozal cops told our colleagues at CTV-3 more:
Sr. Supt. Dennis Arnold - OC, Corozal:
"Upon arrival we saw a male person slouched beside a vehicle, Hispanic with what appears to be one single bullet wound to the right side of his cheek apparently dead. Initial police investigation reveals that four men came from the nearby bushes. 3 of them stood back, whilst a dark skinned male person step forward. He was wearing a camouflage jacket, a black hat, with a red rag covering his face. He stepped up to the deceased, Mr. Sherman McFarlane, 22 years of a Corozal Town address. He fired one single shot which caught Mr. McFarlane subsequently causing his demise."
BNTU Attorney Eamon Courtenay Files Suit
On Friday, we told you about the letter that attorney Eamon Courtenay sent to Education Minister Patrick Faber, on behalf of the Belize National Teachers Union. The BNTU is demanding that the Deputy Prime Minister rescind the decision to dock the teacher's pay at the end of November, and they gave him until Monday to give a favourable response, or else they were going to sue him. As we told you, Faber told us that neither he nor the Attorney General intended to respond, and so, Courtenay filed the lawsuit in court today.
The first part of the claim is an application for injunction against the Government of Belize to stop them from withholding any contributions to the managing authorities of the different schools. This is the money used for teachers' salaries. This month's payday for teachers is November 25, which is next week Friday.
Boots Takes On Briceno In Family Attack
Politics is a dirty business, but we live in a small society - and usually politicians try not to mash each other's personal corns when they're outside of the House of Representatives. But the UDP's Port Loyola Representative Boos Martinez says the PUP Leader crossed that line last night when he said this:
Hon. John Briceno, PUP Party Leader:
"A daughter I don't know that she has been working for a year. So, if it's the name of a daughter, where did she get the money? Has the FIU done an investigation? Maybe the FIU needs to investigate where his daughter got the money to build that mansion if that is the case."
So today, Anthony Boots Martinez called his own press conference to defend his daughter, who he says Briceno has baselessly maligned. But Boots didn't just defend; he went on the offensive to blast Briceno's family - extending even to the PUP leader's deceased father - Eligio Joe Briceno, who Martinez eulogized just a few months ago. Today, all the niceties were put aside and it was about getting out the hurt, and putting a hurting on Briceno:..
Drones For Agriculture
In the last few years, drones have become popular, even in the media - when we want those magnificent aerial shots for our stories. But these drones can do a lot more than just take footage. They are used for monitoring, surveillance and delivering mapping information. And that's how the Ministry of Agriculture will use the 3 drones they got from the Inter American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture. There was a short handing over ceremony yesterday in Belmopan and both the IICA Representative and the CEO in the Ministry of Agriculture discussed how these drones will enhance the Ministry's work.
Dr. Dowlath Budram - IICA Representative:
"At a request from the ministry we agree to collaborate in the ministry in the post hurricane event by providing this kind of technology here that will help in data gathering and verification of information in the field. So we went ahead and got some resources from headquarters, we were able to purchase 3 drones and so we have these here today and we will be handing over these to the ministry."
New Taiwan Ambassador Presents And Represents
As we told you, the Taiwanese Ambassador to Belize, Benjamin Ho has retired after 35 years of service. Now, the partnership between both countries will definitely continue, but just with another friendly face leading the Taiwanese mission. The new ambassador ,Charles Liu presented his credentials to the Governor General today at the Belize House. In a release it states "Ambassador Liu expressed his pleasure in being a representative of his country in Belize and conveyed his country's pleasure in continuing the strong diplomatic relationship and friendship between the two countries. The Governor General warmly welcomed and received the Ambassador's credentials. " Liu is a career diplomat.
A Jaguar Named Like A Bird
The Belize Zoo has a new addition to its family. Her name is Chiqui the Jaguar. She was found abandoned in the Chiquibul forest but FCD rangers came to her rescue in May. Now as we told you, the Zoo recently lost its beautiful black Jaguar named Lucky Boy and they are still heartbroken about his death. While no other Jaguar can replace him, the zoo managers can preserve Lucky Boy's memory by keeping Chiqui happy and healthy. Well, the founding Director Sharon Matola and her team plan to do that and more. Today, the zoo crew officially welcomed Chiqui to her new home with a short ceremony and viewing. Matola told us more about how Chiqui overcame all odds and what her story represents.
Sharon Matola:
"She was drowning, literally drowning and crying and the FCD forest rangers heard this strange sound and went to this sound and saw a baby cub trying to crawl out of the stream bed and literally dying
The Many Uses Of GIS Revealed
Today, students from all over the country gathered in Belize City for World GIS Day. GIS, or Geographic Information Systems, is a way to record, interpret and analyze data using satellite imagery. GIS uses maps to present information and show patterns in a way that text cannot. In order to introduce students to this technology, Total Business Solutions Ltd. along with several members of the business and technology sectors held its annual expo to showcase the ways GIS can be used to enhance their education and how they can turn it into a career. We spoke to Loretta Palacio, the Managing Director of Total Business Solutions Ltd., and she told how GIS can be used for development purposes�
Ping-Pong Perfection With Central American Senior Table Tennis Championship
Today was the first day of the 2016 Central American Senior Table Tennis Championship which is being held in Belize for the first time. Athletes from Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras, El Salvador and Belize converged on the multi-purpose centre at SCA to match speed and skills. President of the Belize Table Tennis Association, Arturo Vasquez told us more about the tournament�
As Vasquez mentioned, there isn't an age limit for competitors, but among the all the teams, Belize stands out. That's because the home team has the youngest players in the tournament, with the oldest being 15, and the youngest being 11 - competing against men in a senior tournament. Now, Belize has many talented adult players, but Vasquez told us that the BTTA deliberately chose their youngest to compete�
Spanish Lookout Looking Out , Not In
Yesterday afternoon, the Spanish Lookout business community handed over a new pickup truck to Cayo Police. Now, one pickup isn't all that big a story, but it is in this case, because it marks a Sea Change for the usually insular and self-sufficient Spanish Lookout community. They accept that in a changing criminal landscape, where their open way of life makes them vulnerable, they do need the police:..
Norman Dueck - Spanish Lookout Chamber:
"And I am proud to say that when the idea was presented at our meeting, 100% of the people supported the idea of partnering with the police department. I think that shows that we believe that this is a partnership. I think we know that policing only works when police and the community works together."