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Last night's TV news on Channel 7 and Channel 5
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials


The San Pedro Sun

Simulation at SPRC School puts the school's evacuation plan to a test
How prepared is your child's school in handling an emergency evacuation? Are the schools on the island prepared to deal with a worst case scenario? Those are some of the questions that resounded at the School Safety Plan workshop that took place on the 6th and 7th of December with 12 school representatives from both San Pedro Town and Caye Caulker village. Following the workshop, the participants conducted a simulation exercise at the San Pedro Roman Catholic School (SPRCS) with a "worst case scenario" to see if the school's emergency evacuation plan is efficient and whether the school grounds were evacuated in a timely manner. The trainees made an unexpected visit to the SPRCS to conduct the simulation on Friday December 7th. The team's cunningly plotted scenario: an earthquake that has caused a fire staring at the building that houses the cafeteria and the computer room. In addition lamp posts have fallen over two of the three gates and a tsunami warning has also been sent out. Children were out on break, some having a visit by their guardians; others were playing while others were in their respective classrooms when the alarm went off. After a quick briefing by trainees and the teachers were told of the scenario, two short and one long alarm went off, indicating to the students that the school grounds were being evacuated. All 900 students, who have been taught from the opening of the school year, knew how to evacuate the school grounds. The students, parents and teachers all orderly and calmly,but as fast as they could, ran to the main gate on Barrier Reef Drive and evacuated off the school campus.

ACES brings gifts of Christmas Tidings to parents and residents of San Pedro
With the Christmas season in full swing on the island, primary schools worked tirelessly for days, even weeks, to come up with amazing presentations to awed parents and guests and to showcase each school's individual messages of Christmas. Ambergris Caye Elementary School (ACES) was no different. On Friday December 14th, ACES held their annual Christmas show at the San Pedro Lion's Den. Students from all classes prepared colorful skits, songs and poems that brought the message of Christmas alive. Opening the show at the den was a group of students (from various classes/grades) who portrayed the story of Jesus Christ and the meaning of Christmas. The opening show was quite entertaining, with a group of non-believers ("bad boys") taking the stage. These children did not believe in Christmas - but that disbelief was because they did not know exactly where it originated from or what the true meaning was. Through skits, the narrator told the story of a young virgin being visited by an angel who informed her that she will bear a child who should be called Jesus. The Angel told the young mother-to-be that this "Jesus" would be the King of the World. The youngsters showcased the birth of the Christ Child and the many characters that crossed paths, including The Three Wise Men that came bearing gifts.

National AIDS Commission holds first National Assembly
During the weekend of December 14th the National Aids Commission (NAC) held its first ever National Assembly. The Assembly saw approximately 110 participants in the National Response gather for a two day conference at the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City. The National Assembly marked the first time that all the key members of the National Response to HIV in Belize from around the country convened. According to Executive Director of the Secretariat for the National Aids Commission, Dr. Martin Cuellar - this was the first National Assembly with the hope of it becoming an annual event. "We have couple objectives for this national assembly. But perhaps the most important is for us to re-commit our loyalty to working together as one united team and at the same time - strengthen our passion for the work that we do." Other objectives included a review of successes and accomplishments throughout the year both locally and nationally.

Ambergris Today

Posadas at Corozal - The Cradle Of The Mestizo Culture
The latest census, estimates Belize at 330,000 inhabitants. Of this, Latinos and Mestizos make up approximately 60% of the population, an ethnic group derived from Spain, Europe and Americas Maya. Latinos in Belize are engaged in sugar production, banking, tourism and the merchant class, but diversification is evident, especially in the areas of mixed commercial farming, fishing, tourism and the public service. Corozal, Orange Walk, Ambergris Caye, as well as the western region in the Belmopan, San Ignacio and Benque Viejo del Carmen areas are major population centers where Latino and Mestizo culture is strongest. Latinos living in the Corozal, Orange Walk and Cayo districts observe a "nine nights" celebration at Christmas called the "Posada" in which they move house to house asking for a posada (a shelter). It is a Christian adaption of Christmas festivities beginning on December 16 with nine consecutive days of candlelight processions and lively parties.

Misc Belizean Sources

Maya Communities Mark end of 13 B'aqtun
Three messages to the world: 1. The Maya people are not gone - and you don't have to look to the ancient past to learn from us. 2. Maya livelihoods have much to teach the world - but are under threat and should be defended and celebrated. 3. If the apocalypse is coming, its cause isn't Maya prophesy - it's the damage to the planet caused by industrial capitalist societies

VIDEO: Prime Minister's Christmas Message 2012

VIDEO: Santa and Helper Elves Dance Gangnam Style
Santa's little Elves perform PSY Gangnam Style during Isla Bonita Elementary School annual Christmas Show at the Paradise Theater in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

VIDEO: Die Maya in Belize
Vorbereitung auf den Weltuntergang Was passiert am 21. Dezember 2012? Geht die Welt unter? Gibt es eine Revolution? Oder passiert einfach - gar nichts? Das Ende des Maya-Kalenders sorgt seit seiner...

UB vs SHJC Debate
The University of Belize hosted Sacred Heart Junior College for their debate. UB won. Congratulations to UB, and to all the debate participants. "Congratulations to the students of the UB Debate Club in winning the first Inter-mural Debate Competition, hosted by the University on November 21, in Belmopan. Our worthy opponents were Sacred Heart College, who have committed to coming alongside us in this collaborative effort to create avenues for our students to engage in academic exercises which will simultaneously address issues that deeply affect them. These students are a significant demographic of our society, whose voices need to be heard in a healthy, safe environment. The wider UB community is encouraged to continue to support the hosting of these student forums. The Debate Club of the University, under the leadership of Lecturer Tracey Sangster, envisions that the event will be held at the national level with the engagement of other schools throughout the academic year. Members of the winning team were Courtney Weatherburne, Alaysha Gilharry, Esther Gillman, Ashanti Garcia, Elizabeth Andrus-Reimer, and Kadijah Marin."

Channel 7

Three Teens Killed In Two Hours: Commish Comments
When we ended the news last night it was with the bad news that there had been a murder an hour earlier in the City. And as the newscast was ending, we heard sirens screaming past our Albert Street studio; another person had been shot and seriously injured. We responded to that crime scene and by the time we were leaving, there had been another shooting. By 9:30 pm - the KHMH morgue was full: three males, all teenagers - two of them minors - ages 15, 16, and 19 had succumbed to gunshot injuries. We've spoken to their families and we have their names and pictures of course, but we start tonight with an overview of the recent spate of crime. Six males have been killed and at least three others seriously injured with gunshots since Saturday night in the Belize District. That's a phenomenal amount of violence in just four days; and it also pushes the country's murder total for 2012 to 139, deep into the red zone, and way past the previous high of 129.

Arraignment for Brit Accused Of Extreme Acts Of Pornographic Exploitation Of Boys
And you'll note in that story that we repeatedly referred to one of the murder victims as being 14 years old. That's what early police information said, but he is Reynaldo Garrido and he was actually 15. Monica Bodden spoke to his family this morning and we'll have that story shortly, along with the stories of last night's other murders. But first�we take you to Dangriga. That's where 40 year old David Taylor appeared in court today for arraignment on charges of two counts of aggravated assault of an indecent nature and committing an unnatural crime for having sexual relations with a 13 year-old boy. As we reported, police scanned Taylor's computer and found hard drives depicting four boys between the ages of 10 and 13 made to engage in revolting acts of pornographic exploitation with adult males. It is one of the most sickening cases we've ever reported on - and this morning Daniel Ortiz made the trip to Dangriga to see who is this David Taylor: Daniel Ortiz reporting 40 year old David Taylor, who's been working as a tutor, was arraigned today in connection with one of his alleged victims. It's a serious allegation where hundreds of explicit photographs involving young boys made to engage in pornographic behavior were discovered when police confiscated his computer and hard drives. And as such, police are treating the case with the seriousness it deserves:

15 Year Old Working Teen Killed For No Reason
And while that story has captured our attention for its vile nature, last night in the city was no joke either. As we told you at the top of the newscast, three teenaged males were killed. They are 16-year-old James Gladden, 19-year-old Raheem Requena and 15-year-old Reynaldo Garrido. We've spoken to all their families, but we begin with the youngest, Reynaldo Garrido who was walking his sister home one block from his home on East Canal when a gunman strode out and shot him in the head. He was rushed to the hospital and 7news arrived at the scene shortly after:... Monica Bodden reporting This is where the shooting happened here on East Canal - near to the South Street Bridge at 8:45 last night. Armed police officers patrolled the embattled neighborhood while bystanders looked on as the scenes of crime team searched for expended shells in the area. Neighbors heard when two gunshots rang off but only one expended shell was retrieved from the scene.

16 Year Old Killed, Just Like His Dad & His Cousins
In our first segment we told you about the 15 year old who was killed last night, Reynaldo Garrido. The next youngest victim in last night's murder spree was 16-year-old Robert Gladden. He was the first to get killed at 6:45 pm at the north end of Partridge Street - which is a far away from his home in the Pickstock area. Monica Bodden spoke to the ITVET student's family today:.. Monica Bodden reporting 16 year old Allan Gladden was gunned down here at the corner of Partridge and Lavender streets - just before 7 last night. When we arrived on the scene - he had already been rushed to the KHMH - and a pool of blood was visible on street - as the residents tried to wash it away. The young man was heading towards Lavender Street when he was approached by a man wearing dreadlocks - who fired the single shot at him - hitting him directly in the head. The man then rode away on Patridge Street. The teenager fought for his life - but he succumbed to his injuries just an hour later.

Fourth Former Took Eight Shots
The oldest person murdered in Belize city last night was 19 year old Raheem Requena. He was shot on Kut Avenue near its junction with Supal Street. Requena who is a 4th form student of Excelsior High was riding his bicycle on Kut Avenue -heading to his grandmother house when he was gun down. The incident happened around 8:15. According to family members, the young man was shot 6 times- one of those shots was to his chest. Today his family was too destroyed by grief to speak to us on camera, but they did tell us that Requena was not affiliated with any gang. Police press officer Rapheal Martinez filled in details of the shooting. Raphael Martinez - Police Press Officer "At 8:15pm, again, Crimes Investigation Branch Personnel visited the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where the body of 19 year old RAHEEM REQUENA, student of #3 Plues Street, Belize City was seen with one apparent gunshot wound to the right side of chest. Initial investigation revealed that on same date at about 8:10p.m., Raheem was riding his bicycle on Kut Avenue, Belize City, when four apparent gunshots were heard and REQUENA was found lying on Kut Avenue, with the fatal injury. He was transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital and later succumbed to his injury whilst receiving treatment. Raheem REQUENA was pronounced dead at 8:20pm. Raheem Requena was rushed to the hospital and pronounced dead at 8:20p.m last night."

Police Prepared to Charge The Cop Who Beat Shol
Since Monday, 7News has been reporting on the death of 53 year-old Francisco Shol, a resident of PG, who is also the father of 10 children. His family says that police officers not assigned to the Punta Gorda Police Station beat him badly outside the PG Sports bar - and those injuries led to his death. Well, despite the public pressure which has been brought by residents of PG, specifically the PUP Town Council, police didn't address the media on the issue until today. 7News spoke with Senior Superintendent Robert Mariano, the officer in charge of Dangriga Police, and the investigator specifically assigned by the Commissioner of Police to investigate this incident. He updated us on the status of his case: Daniel Ortiz "The incident of Mr. Francisco shol has gone unreported to the media in the daily press releases from police. Can you give us an update on the information you guys have on that incident?" Sr. Supt. Robert Mariano "I was directed to go to PG to conduct an investigation and I went to Punta Gorda Town and I recorded statements from witnesses and on Tuesday 18th Dr. Sanchez conducted an autopsy on Mr. Francisco Shol and he reported that he died from severe head injuries as a consequence of a blunt trauma to the head. I can say that yesterday Wednesday 19th I completed the investigation and I am seeking advice from the director of public persecution at this time as to where to go on the investigation at this time."

Police Investigating Cops Accused Of Thuggery In San Pedro
And another internal investigation is happening with San Pedro police. Two San Pedro men and one woman say an off duty woman constable and a corporal grossly abused their authority early on Monday morning. Ricky Jurado claims that he saw a man grab his girlfriend from behind the waist. Jurado chased him off but when he went outside the bar, allegedly met Corporal Young who allegedly put his gun in Jurado's mouth and threatened to kill him. The police then assaulted a female friend of Jurado, Vianie Perez who was asking why he was being arrested. They also beat her husband Elder Mauricio. The officers in question were later confirmed to be Corporal Mark Young and WPC Sherifa Young. The narrative as it has been outlined in multiple accounts to the media is a frightening display of thuggery and excess. Today the officer commanding Eastern Division told the media that the officers will be dealt with. ACP Elodio Aragon, Jr, Officer Commainding Eastern Division "We've had people out there from yesterday and our preliminary investigation is being done. I think statements are being recorded from a number of persons and at the conclusion of this investigation which I hope should be concluded by this evening, so by Friday we should have some information in regards to the outcome to this investigation. I want to make it quite clear that where police officers have used excessive force - our police officers have acted outside the law they will be dealt with. Both officers have been placed on interdiction as is the process so that the investigation can be carried through properly and as soon as that is done we will get back to you with that."

Constable Ack's "Wake-Up Call"
And it seems that when roguish police appear, they do so in spades! Constable #6, B. Ack made the news earlier this week when he was captured sleeping on the floor at the KHMH. It turns out he wasn't sick, and he wasn't waiting on a sick friend; he was on duty: caught on camera, out cold! Today his officer commanding said that he too has been dealt with:... ACP Elodio Aragon, Jr, Officer Commainding Eastern Division "In regards to Ack, the police officer whose photo was put on TV especially by Channel 7 which I think sometimes we as a department - we have to deal with these situations and in no way are we afraid to deal with these situations. I must tell you that Mr. Ack has been charge disciplinary and prejudice to both order and discipline; that is one charge and the other charge is that of being inattentive whilst on duty."

Accident Left Her Boyfriend Comatose
Police are also being called upon to investigate an accident that happened on the Valley Of Peace Road. 27 year old Eugene Sedacey was knocked down on Saturday afternoon near Young Bank. He was driving his motorbike to his job at a farm. Today his girlfriend told us he is in a coma and she can't get justice:.. Jeanna Yanes "I grab my bicycle and I pedal all the way from Roaring Creek to Belmopan Hospital. When I reach there I see him look awful; I have pictures in my phone with him. They told me that he needs to reach at Belize City hospital emergency. They told me that his throat is fractured and that he has broken ribs, his hands and feet are broken and he had internal bleeding in his head. They had drained the blood from head about two times because the bleeding couldn't stop. Finally they got control of the bleeding in the head and from they finish from the surgery he still hasn't got up yet. The person that hit him left him right there, it was another person who was passing at the time took him to the hospital."

Things Getting Hard For Easy Glen
At today's police press conference, the Commissioner also discussed the Easy Glen fiasco. As we've told you, as much as a month ago, Goldbourne Easy Glen Adolphus was implicated in a hustle using Michael Finnegan's name to boost money out of Government Departments and business people. Finnegan says he told the Commissioner, but the COMPOL was about to hop on a flight - and delegated the follow up - which meant there was no follow up - which also meant the alleged hustle continued unabated until this week when things came to a head. Henderson told us that while Easy Glen and his alleged partner in crime James Swaso have been detained, so far no one has made a complaint. David Henderson, Commissioner of Police "The Minister did inform me and I have since directed the officer to have the fellow picked up and make the necessary inquiry. Nevertheless he was not picked up at the time and the officer has been reprimanded for it - that situation and the other districts were informed. He has since been picked up and he is being dealt with at this time."

Police Say Palacio Alive, Family Disputes
Ten days ago we told you about Romel Palacio Jr who went missing two weeks ago. His family was concerned because his father Romel Sr was killed in a home invasion last year. There are rumours going around that he has been killed and buried, but today police said they believe he is alive:.. Supt. Alden Dawson "There is nothing to prove that Mr. Palacio is in fact dead or kill or anything. We are working on it and we recently have some information that he might be somewhere alive, we are working on that as well." Palacio's sister says that she have heard no such report, even when she spoke to police. She fears with increasing certainty that he is dead - and says police are not responding sufficiently to the leads the family is providing.

Dr. H. Gayle: The Cause Of "Senseless Murders"
So far, tonight most of our newscast has been about violence. It's everywhere and, indeed, on nights like this, seems like it is overtaking us. And most of the violence is what we would call senseless - such as the Garrido killing�why would anyone kill a working 15 year old who had only moved into a neighborhood a few months earlier? It's literally unbelievable�.but violence anthropologist Dr. Herbert Gayle offered an explanation to these apparently senseless murders when he was here in 2010. That's when he was presenting his definitive study on male social violence in Belize. In a presentation at the Bliss Center, he explained the concept of social distance amongst oppressed persons - and why it accounts for much of the gun violence we witness daily:..

GSU Making More Busts
Tonight, 27 Year-old Dario Jason Cruickshank, 35 year-old Elvis Mitchell and 40 year-old Martha Sabio are at prison tonight after the Gang Supression Unit allegedly busted them with a firearm in Ladyville. According to the GSU, they conducted a raid this morning at Cruikshank's residence, located at #30 Mami Street in Ladyville. All 3 persons were present at the time, and according to GSU, in the attic of the house, they found a black 9mm Beretta pistol, which was loaded with 11 rounds of luger brand ammunition. The officers also found cannabis on the property. All 3 persons were charged with keeping unlicensed firearm and keeping unlicensed ammunition. Cruickshank was also additionally charged with 2 counts of drug possession. They were all arraigned before Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer today, where they all pleaded not guilty to the charges. Because it's a firearm offence, they were all remanded to prison until February 7. According to the GSU, Mitchell and Cruickshank are reputed members of the Ghost Town gang.

Faber: Bus, Meet Boots!
So far tonight, all the news has been about police, or crime and violence. We'll take a break from that now�and turn to that other cut-throat endeavor, politics! As we told you last night, Education Minister Patrick Faber is campaigning hard to be his party's Deputy Leader - which would mean unseating current deputy Gaspar Vega. That has alienated Faber from some of his Cabinet colleagues who support Vega - and feel that Faber's candidacy is no less than an assault on party unity. One of those that Faber seems to be at odds with is Minister of Human Development, Anthony Boots Martinez. Martinez's Port Loyola Constituency was one of the few divisions from Belize District not at Faber's weekend Banquet. And it seems that as a Minister, Martinez is also giving Faber the cold shoulder. That's the impression we get after listening to Faber on KREM TV's W-U-B this morning where Faber was pressed to discuss the case of a constituent who tore down her house to wait for a new one from the Southside Poverty Alleviation Project, but it hasn't been forthcoming. Martinez administer that project and Faber doesn't seem to think much of the job he's doing. Here are his comments from this morning's show:..

OCEANA Suffers Serious Setback In Court
Remember those 8,042 OCEANA referendum signatures that were disqualified by the Chief Elections Officer just before this year's elections? For months, Oceana Belize has been in the Supreme Court trying to get those signatures recognized. Well, the Government struck a decisive blow against that case today - and it was on a simple tehcnicality. Government attorney, Denys Barrow, made an application to strike it out based on the ground that the applicants didn't file the document applying for judicial review before the 14-day deadline expired. Today, Justice Michelle Arana finally ruled on Barrow's application. She agreed with Barrow's submissions that they filed it on July 11, 6 days after the deadline. As a result, Justice Arana struck the claim out, ending the matter at the Supreme Court. Indications from the applicants and their attorney, Godfrey Smith, are that they will review Justice Arana's written reasons, and consider if they have a prospect of an appeal of the decision.

Mahogany Heights Goes To Greatest Of Depths, But Still Can't Get Water
Tonight, the entire village of Mahogany Heights is without water - and it has been that way for an entire week now. And the reason that they probably won't get it restored any time soon is because there is a huge discrepancy, which must be cleared up between the village's Water Board and BEL. The position of the residents is that they are being punished for a wrong which was done without their knowledge. Back in 2009, they also inherited a water system which was connected with stolen electricity. Well, the newly installed water board didn't discover that until early December. They moved to fix it, and when they called BEL to install a legitimate meter, the discovered that BEL had disconnected power to the pump room. 7News spoke to the Chairperson of the Village who said that BEL will not restore power to the pump room, which then circulates water to the homes in the village, unless a $72,000 dollar bill for 3 years is cleared up.

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Underway!
It used to seem like a far-off dream, but the plan to build a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit At The KHMH is taking shape now. Spearheaded by Kim Simplis-Barrow, the fundraising effort has reached the one million dollar thresh-hold - and today they marked that milestone by signing of the contract for the first phase of the construction works. We found out more when we stopped in at the signing ceremony:.. Kim Simplis - Barrow - Special Envoy for Women and Children "I was pleasantly surprised last week when Alan Gobi confirmed that he has reached his 1 million for the first phase of the pediatric intensive care unit and the reason why we are here today is we are signing and construction should start the beginning of January." Alan Gobi, Challenge GOBI Foundation "It was a great task but we have managed to raise a million for phase 1 and it's an ongoing project that will be going for a couple of years until we raised more money to keep it running professional."

Profile Of a Paraplegic with Purpose
If you aren't from Punta Gorda, you probably don't know Rodney Borland. He's a 22 year old student, cab driver and paraplegic - left that way after a shooting incident in 2002. He also lost his ability to speak without the aid of a voice box. Now, at first his voice may seem slightly odd, but let's just say it would give T-Pain major envy! But once you get past that little quirk, Rodney Borland has an important message about public access. He shares it with us in tonight's profile.

Streets: Apocalypse (Not!)
And after all that news tonight we all need some comic relief. And that's why our last story is about the so-called Mayan Apocalypse. December 21st., 2012 marks the end of the end of the 13th b'ak'tun of the Mayan Long Count Calendar. To the ancient Maya, 13 b'ak'tuns represented a full cycle of creation - which has led to all the doomsday predictions. It sort of hocus pocus - but it's great for tourism all through southern Mexico, Guatemala and Belize. But while the tourists eat it up, what are the streets of Belize saying about it? We asked our colleague Geovanni Brackett to change hats today and use his street smarts to get a sampling of public opinion. Here's what he found out:.. Interviewee "The world cannot end. We will end, the world will not end. The calendar will not end." Geovanni Brackett, reporter "According to the Maya calendar the world will end. Are you aware?" Interviewee "No way, the world would never end because the good Lord runs this world." Geovanni Brackett, reporter "Tomorrow is December 21st, according to the Maya calendar the world will end. Are you concern, how do you feel?" Interviewee "Actually I don't feel any way because to my understanding it's just the Mayan calendar year will end, it's not really the end of the world itself."

Channel 5

Murder Capital: 16 year old killed in Belize City
Terror reigned on the south side on Wednesday night as more blood spilled into the streets. In less than two hours, two minors and a nineteen year old were cold bloodedly killed in a string of murders. The mayhem started early in the evening when a sixteen year old IT-VET student was gunned down in [...]

15 year old murdered for absolutely no reason
The terror continued on Wednesday night and shots rang out once again in the south side. When the gunfire subsided, the youngest of three murder victims was ambushed and killed.� Fifteen year old Reynaldo Garrido, who had just moved to the City from his village, was heading to meet his sister. He was minutes away [...]

3 teens murdered in 1 night; Commissioner says keep steady
But before the murder of Garrido, nineteen year old Raheem Reque�a was shot four times on Kut Avenue. He died within minutes and his body was transported to the morgue at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in the pan of a police pickup. According to one witness, as the vehicle sped off the body fell [...]

British National pleads guilty to abusing Belizean child
Accused pedophile, David Taylor, was transported from Placencia to the Dangriga court this morning to face charges of a sexual nature. Taylor was busted this week just as he was preparing to leave the peninsula. In his house, police found computers and hard drives containing pornographic material involving young boys from Belize as well as [...]

Headi Chable talks about the loss of her newborn
For months, we have been reporting on an unusually high number of women who allege that they left the Northern Regional Hospital in worse condition than when they were admitted. Among the allegations are the deaths of at least three babies due to medical negligence. The Medical Council has called for the removal of the [...]

Oceana's case struck out on a technicality
There was a disappointing decision for Oceana, Audrey Marie Bradley and Thomas Greenwood in the referendum case against the government today. The case was taken to the court because eight thousand signatures were disallowed in the petition to trigger a referendum on offshore drilling in February. After a number of adjournments, attorneys for the government, [...]

Is cop on interdiction responsible for man's death?
A police officer is on interdiction following the death of a Punta Gorda man. Fifty-three year old Francisco Shol, a driver for the Punta Gorda Hospital, died on Friday at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital after it was reported that he was beaten on Thursday night, allegedly by a police officer attached to the Special [...]

"No wata noh deh!" Illegal electricity connection powered village water
The Christmas holidays are just days away but for the community of Mahogany Heights, there is no reason to celebrate. The community has been without water for two long weeks. Their lives have been severely disrupted since routine activities such as bathing and washing have become a major problem. The village chairperson says the disruption [...]

He slapped her, but denies hitting her with a rake
A Jane Usher Boulevard resident was convicted this for harming a teenager. He is thirty year old Glenford Brown, who was accused of hitting nineteen year old Tanisha Bodden with a rake on August second. After being found guilty, the Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith remanded Brown to prison until December twenty-fourth, when he will [...]

GSU finds guns, drugs and disposable rocket launcher for Christmas
The Gang Suppression Unit descended on Ladyville earlier today.� The first search was at the house of Dario Cruickshank on Mami Street. Cruickshank is described as a member of the Ghost Town Crips.� Also present during the search were Elvis Mitchell and Martha Sabio of Belize City. In the attic the Unit found a nine [...]

New pediatric intensive care unit to be constructed at K.H.M.H.
A new pediatric intensive care unit, to provide services to critically ill children, is soon to be constructed at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.� The PICU project is being led by Special Envoy for Women and Children and Lifeline Director Kim Simpliss-Barrow.� She is joined by the Ministry of Health, K.H.M.H. Authority, the Challenge Gobie [...]

B.E.L. employees donates Christmas hampers to customers
The Public Utilities Commission has not yet made a decision as to whether or not electricity rates will increase in the New Year. But for some citizens, Belize Electricity Limited intends to provide free electricity. B.E.L. latched onto a Golden Citizen program in 2012 and gave free electricity to fifty senior citizens. For 2013, the [...]

Healthy Living's digests the facts about indigestion
For many of us, Christmas is a time of indulgence, an occasion to catch up with family, build new memories, enjoy experiences of laughter and joy and - most definitely - enjoy some great food and drinks. If you've been counting down to the ham and turkey and all the other Christmas treats, this week's [...]

LOVE FM

KHMH Construction Announced at Ceremony Today
About a year ago, a groundbreaking ceremony announced the construction of a new wing for the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital which is the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. However construction didn't immediately start because the budget which increased from a couple thousands ...

Triple Homicide In Belize City Reported Last Night
Three teenagers, all students of Belize City and Ladyville were murdered within a two hour period last night due to gun violence in the old capital. The first to die was sixteen year old Robert Allan Galdden of Ladyville. Police say they found Gladden lying face down at the corne...

Trio Charged for Firearm Offences
Two men and a woman were charged with firearm and ammunition offences when they appeared in court today. They are Dario Cruickshank, Elvis Mitchell and Martha Sabio. Cruickshank alone was charged with possession of an undetermined amount of cannabis. They pled not guilty to the charges...

Police Investigate Armed Robbery on Hummingbird Highway
Police in the Stann Creek district are investigating a report that two employees of Belize Food Processors Limited were the victims of an armed robbery on the Hummingbird Highway. The incident reportedly happened in Middlesex village on Tuesday evening of last week. Thirty seven ...

CTV3

No Report Submitted On Case Of Alleged Police Brutality In San Pedro
It has been four days that the Belize Police Department have been investigating two of their very own at San Pedro Town for "brutality" against two residents of the island. While the group was out socializing at the Tackle Box Bar in the early hours of Monday morning, sometime around 12:40am, Ricky Jurado noticed a dark skinned man dancing provocatively behind his girlfriend. When Jurado approached the individual to question him, the individual became irate and left the establishment. Shortly after that, the group decided to leave the establishment and head home to avoid any sort of confrontation. As the group was making its way down the pier to land, they noticed the dark skinned man with two females, one a noticeable female officer, waiting for them on the dock. When approached by one Mr. Young, Jurado alleges that Young pulled out a pistol and placed it to his mouth while grabbing him by the neck. Jurado and his friends noticed that the perpetrators appeared to be highly under the influence. At this point is when Jurado noticed that all three were police officers. He alleges that he immediately put his hands in the air in a surrendering gesture but was still grabbed and dragged to the sand and up Barrier Reef Drive by Corporal Young with his gun to Jurado's head.

Vehicle Consumed By Flames, Two Are Lucky To Be Alive
Two men are today lucky to be alive after their vehicle was engulfed into flames right in front of Diamonds Restaurant in the village of Trial Farm. Twenty-four year old Isair Alcoser was driving home through the village of Trial Farm just minutes before four o'clock this evening when he noticed smoke coming out from the front of his white Pick Up truck bearing license plate CZl C-17520. Traveling along with Isair was his fifty-eight year old father Evaristo Alcoser, when the vehicle was consumed by the flames. Orange Walk Firemen responded almost immediately but the vehicles machine was totaled. The duo were on their way back home after making some stops in town and were just two houses away from their residence when the unfortunate incident happened. Eyewitnesses say that the situation could have been deadly should Isair and Evaristo not notice the smoke at the time they did. As a result of their quick evacuation from the vehicle, no one was injured.

The Race For UDP Deputy Leader Is On
In what is gearing up to be one of the biggest Political Conventions in the history of the United Democratic Party, it is also gearing up to be a pivotal one in the Party's future. The topic making headlines across the country is the race for Deputy Party Leader. Vying for the post are incumbent Orange Walk North Representative Gaspar Vega and challenger Collet Area Representative, Patrick Faber. For a couple of weeks now, both Ministers of Government and high ranking members of the United Democratic Party have been seen canvasing the country attempting to garner support for their campaign. Incumbent Gaspar Vega has held on to the Deputy Party Leader's seat for over about eight years now, and Fabre has publicly stated that he believes he could do a much better job at that post that what Vega has been doing. But that hit to Vega's campaign is mild compared to the one recently sustained at a Gala Banquet held by Minister of Education Patrick Faber for those supporting his candidacy for DPL. The banquet was well attended by delegates, party stalwarts, executive members, past party leaders, and elected representatives with expected absence of Queen Square which is the Party Leader's constituency, and Port Loyola, who is firmly behind Gaspar Vega's candidacy.

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Charges laid against man accused of sex with teenage boys
Police have arrested and charged a man from Placencia village following allegations of child sex abuse and child pornography. According to reports, David Toylor was today charged with two counts of the crime of aggravated assault of an indecent nature and the possession of pornographic material. Love News understands that Taylor, seen here in a picture obtained from his Facebook page is scheduled to appear in the Dangriga Magistrate's court on Thursday. As the investigation continues, it is possible that more charges may yet be brought against the school teacher who was known to offer private tutoring on the Placencia Peninsula. As we reported on Tuesday, Taylor was taken into custody after allegations surfaced that he had had inappropriate contact with teenage boys in the village and when police searched his computer, reportedly found pornographic videos and photographs of himself engaging in inappropriate behavior with children.

Man charged in crash of government vehicle
Four days after a government vehicle was destroyed in a crash on the George Price Highway, police today identified the driver of the vehicle. Thirty six year old Paul Faber was behind the steering wheel of the pickup truck which overturned and was extensively damaged at the corner of Fabers Road and the George Price Highway around four o'clock on Saturday morning. Police say that Faber was charged for the crimes of driving a motor vehicle without a valid driver's license, failure to provide a specimen and driving a motor vehicle without due care and attention.

Allegations of wrong doing levied at police officers
The police department is in the news again � and again it is not positive press. A police officer in Caye Caulker village is being accused of extortion. Police Press Officer Raphael Martinez provided little details on the alleged incident in the daily press release, saying only that a resident of the island village claims to have been extorted by the officer while he was conducting a checkpoint. The Officer Commanding Easter Division, under whose portfolio Caye Caulker police falls, has dispatched a team of investigators from the Professional Standards Branch to investigate the incident. The same team of investigators will also go to San Pedro town to investigate an allegation of police brutality in which a woman claims that the police used excessive force against her. According to police reports, on Monday of this week, a police officer in San Pedro town was in the process of detaining a resident of the town who was reportedly behaving disorderly, when she was videotaped by San Pedro resident, twenty nine year old Viana Perez. It is alleged that an altercation ensured between the police officer and Perez during which both the officer and Perez sustained injuries. Viana Perez was later charged for the offence of assaulting a police officer and wounding. A counter claim has been made by Perez that the police officer used excessive force. The investigative team is expected to interview both parties as well as witnessed before coming up with a final report on the incident.

Shooting incident leaves one man injured
A shooting incident early this morning has left one persons injured. The victim has been identified as Robert Tracey. Police say when the visited the emergency room around two o'clock this morning, they say Tracey with a gunshot wound to the left wrist. Initial investigations by police revealed that around one twenty five this morning, Tracey was riding his bicycle on Holy Emmanuel Street when he saw two men on separate bicycles following him. Tracey told police that one of the men stopped following him but the other continued behind him and that as he reached Holy Emmanuel Street he heard four apparent gunshots and realized that he had been shot. Police investigations continue.

Man detained after allegedly impersonating government minister
The area representative for the Mesopotamia Division Michael Finnegan is known for his colorful and sometimes humorous presentations on the floor of the House of Representatives. But yesterday, the outspoken Minister made some explosive allegations that could land two men behind bars on some serious charges. According to Finnegan, Goldburn Adolphus, also known as Easy Glenn, has been impersonating him and along with another man, collecting money from various businesses in Belize City and Belmopan. The allegations were contained in a candid interview that the Housing Minister gave to our colleagues at 7 News. Today the police press officer Raphael Martinez noted in the daily press release that Goldburn Adolphus and James Swazo were detained in Orange Walk and would be transported to Belize City. They are now detained pending charges.

Gay rights activist to challenge Belize's Immigration laws
As if the legal challenges from the former owners of BTL and the impending challenge to section 53 of the criminal code are not enough, tonight there is word of another legal challenge that the Barrow administration may have to deal with. And this time it comes from Jamaica. Homosexual activist Maurice Tomlinson, who is the legal advisor for Marginalized Groups at AIDS-Free World wants the government of Belize to remove a section of the country's immigration laws which Tomlinson claims violates freedom of movement for Caribbean Community nationals. According to an official release posted on the internet Tomlinson, was invited to Belize to conduct training and sensitization sessions in the middle of January; but because section Five of the Belize Immigration Act lists various categories of persons barred from entering the country, he claims that he is automatically denied entry, because he is gay. Tomlinson has written to the government of Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller asking the Jamaica government to insist that the government of Belize removes what he describes as an unreasonable travel restriction. Furthermore, Tomlinson wants the Jamaica government to bring the matter before the Caribbean Court of Justice on the grounds that Belize's immigration act breaches the provisions of free movement of persons under the Caribbean Single Market and Economy. And he says that if the Jamaica government fails or refuses to bring the matter before the CCJ, he intends to try and do so himself. Tomlinson's release ends by saying that, quote:" the offensive and overboard prohibitions of Section 5 of the Belize Immigration Act must be repealed in order to combat the crushing stigma and discrimination against vulnerable populations that still pervades most of the Caribbean, restricts the fight against HIV and contributes to the fact that the region has the second highest HIV prevalence rate in the world after sub-Sahara Africa," end of quote.

Minister says public transportation system will run smoothly for Christmas
This Christmas season commuters who must use the public transportation system to get around will no doubt have some anxious moments getting from point A to point B, including back and forth from home and work. While the transportation system is far from perfect, Edmund Castro, who is also the Minister responsible for Transportation, told Love News that traffic officers will be out over the holiday to enforce the laws as best as they could. With reference to two private bus owners having different issues with the Transport Department, one regarding Jenine Hamilton who was accusing the Department of boxing her out and the other regarding the Haylock's bus from which the little boy fell a few weeks ago, we asked the Minister to give us updates.

New police station in Maya Beach, Placencia
A new police station has been inaugurated in the Maya Beach area of the Placencia Penninsula. This past Saturday, Commissioner of Police David Henderson was in the village to oversee the opening of the facility, which is the result of the community coming together to assist the law enforcement agency in keeping the village safe. Inspector Mark Flowers is the officer commanding the Placencia police. The commissioning of the new Maya Beach police precinct coincided with the installation of a group of new police constables. Inspector Flowers explains. That was the officer commanding Placencia police, Inspector Mark Flowers.

Two people reported missing, including a schoolboy
Two people have been reported missing. The first we'll tell you about is a ten year old Belize City boy. According to police reports, Ashton Samuels Junior left home on Monday and has not been heard from or seen by his parents since. According to the boy's father, his mother allowed him to go outside of the house to play; but he did not return home Ashton Samuels Junior is described as being of brown complexion, slim built, stands about four feet, five inches tall and has a scar on the left side of his face. Samuels was last seen wearing a pair of blue jeans pants, blue striped shirt and a pair of slippers. His parents tell police that this is the third time that the boy has gone missing. Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Ashton Samuels Junior is asked to call the nearest police station. The second missing person's report comes from the Cayo district. Twenty three year old Guadalupe Percy Himes is reported to have left his family home in Santa Familia village around nine o'clock on Sunday night and has not been seen or heard from since. Guadalupe Percy Humes is described as being of creole descent, stands five feet, five inches tall, has a low hair cut, with tattoos on most parts of his body. Humes has a teardrop tattoo below his eyes and was last seen wearing a yellow shirt, long jeans pans and brown shoes. Police investigations continue.

Belizean man face extradition hearing
Thirty-five year old Khalid El Turk, a naturalized Belizean originally from Lebanon, was taken to the # 1 Magistrate's Court today for an extradition hearing. Turk, who was detained by police on October 16, is wanted by the U.S. Government for the alleged importation of pseudo-ephedrine into the U.S. Senior Crown Counsel Magali Perdomo appeared for the office of the Solicitor General and presented a bundle of documents that corresponded to Article 7 of Belize's extradition treaty with the U.S. Tasha Young, an officer from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, identified the document as the evidence by the U.S. Turk was represented by attorney Edwin Flowers. The hearing was adjourned until February 7, 2013.

Man jailed on committal warrants; face theft charges
Forty-four year old Keith Harris, a truck driver of 124 Freetown Road, was charged with 3 counts of theft and 2 counts of handling stolen goods when he appeared today in the #2 and #1 Magistrate's Courts respectively. Harris was charged with the theft of a laptop computer when he went to the #2 court. He pled not guilty to the charge and he was offered a bail of $1,500. And his case was adjourned until February 6, 2013. The theft occurred on December 3. The complainant, 33 year old school warden Maria Belizaire, reported to the police that she loaned Harris her computer and went she went to get it he did not have it. Harris was charged with the theft of twelve 40 feet containers, valued at $120,000. when he was taken to the #1 court. No plea was taken from him because the offence is indictable. The theft occurred between October 5 and October 8, 2012 and the containers were the property of Marine Services Company Limited. He was also charged with handling stolen goods for the containers. Harris was charged with the theft of $25,000. from Arturo Matus. He was also charged with handling stolen goods for 100 sheets of plywood, the property of Caribbean Tires. The plywood is valued at nine thousand, four hundred and sixty six dollars. The theft from Matus occurred between October 5 and October 8, of this year. The handling stolen goods occurred on October 27. Apart from the criminal charges, Harris is faced with several civil suit judgements for which committal warrants have been made out. One judgement is for five thousand and thirty one dollars owed to Monica's Pawnshop. Another is for one thousand and ninety two dollars owed to Caribbean Tires. Harris was taken to prison on the strength of the warrants.

COLA states its official position on Belize-Guatemala referrendum
On Sunday Citizens Organized for Liberty Through Action COLA, launched a Position Statement on the Referendum on Belize-Guatemala Territorial Adjudication at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). This document outlines their arguments on not supporting the move of going to the ICJ to resolve the territorial claim. President of the organization, Geovannie Brackett stopped by Love News today to tell us about some of those motives. Brackett also cited other recent cases like that of Colombia and Nicaragua in which Colombia withdrew from the treaty that recognizes the Court, their president commenting that Boundary issues should not be put in the hands of a court. COLA's document according to Brackett is not just saying no, but it also comes with recommendations. COLA is currently also campaigning on their opposition in this matter to make people aware of the implications the action might have. Advertisements on the radio are also part of COLA's No to the ICJ campaign. Brackett says they will use the little that they have to educate the population on the subject.

Roaring Creek man injured in road traffic accident
A villager of Roaring Creek Village remains hospitalized at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital following a traffic accident yesterday. Correspondent Fem Cruz reports.

KHMH celebrates achievements
The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital celebrated quite a few achievements in 2012 in terms of advanced and new kinds of equipment and services if now offers. Another major accomplishment in the next few weeks will be the construction in the next few weeks of what can be considered a mini children's hospital on the compound. Coupled with that is the implementation recently of better salaries for its nurses. KHMH CEO, Dr. Gary Longsworth, discussed the two achievements with us. The children's hospital will be built at a cost of a million Belize dollars.

Belizean doctor gets international citation
While the KHMH is boasting new and improved services for 2012, it also has among its highest ranks in the medical field, an accomplished physician. Doctor Jorge Hidalgo has been at the centre of many major life-saving surgeries over the past several years and he is now internationally recognized for that. Today Dr. Hidalgo told Love News about his prestigious award. Dr Hidalgo graduated from medical college in 1994.

Christmas luncheon for KHMH staff
Every year around this time, the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital holds a special Christmas luncheon to honour its hard-working staff and to recognize the ones that have perfect attendance, have long service, or are retiring. Today that event was held and as we discovered, there were quite a few of the staffers who were recognized. Love News spoke with a few of those who were recognized. The KHM was built in 1995 and replaced the old Belize City Hospital that was located on Eve Street.

Christmas goodies for Lake Independence residents
Hundreds of people lined the streets this morning in the Lake Independence area of Belize City, but they weren't out there because of some tragedy, they were out to receive toys coming from a small parade coordinated by area representative Mark King. Two residents of the area Sarita Peters and Ann Tench, expressed their joy and appreciation of the initiative to Love News. The parade included a band with majorettes and a big truck which included toys and cartoon characters.

Belize Rural North residents get Christmas hampers
Today the villages in the Belize Rural North were bustling as villagers were busy transporting hundreds of bags loaded with basic grocery items and farm produce. They were Christmas hampers destined for 15 hundred families in the constituency from their Area Rep, Edmond Castro. Love News was present for the collection of the hampers and spoke with Castro about the gesture. The gifts came in handy for not only the recipients, but also the farmers who made quite a handsome sum from the sales in time for the Christmas season. But while the farmers and the villagers were happy, supplying 15 hundred families with food hampers is not a cheap task. So we asked Castro where the money came from to carry out such a costly deed. Castro says that 500 families along the old Northern Highway, as well as 500 families in the Belize River Valley and another 500 from Sand Hill to Rhaburn's Ridge will receive food hampers this year.