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PSE Results Are Out
Standard six students countrywide are mandated to sit the Primary School examination each year which seeks to measure how much of the curriculum content has been grasped on the primary level. While it has been noted that the results were a bit delayed this year, today, hundreds of students were given their scores for the four areas tested; namely, Mathematics, English, Social Studies and Science. With those results in from the Ministry of Education, we can tell you that for 2014, the Crooked Tree Government School has come out on top with its student, Ashton Tillett scoring 371 points out of 400. 13-year-old, Ashton says he only sent out one high school application and that was to EP Yorke High School in Belize City. An overview of the results shows that in the English area, 51% of those who sat the exam performed at a satisfactory level meaning that they got anywhere above a 60% mark. According to the ministry, the scores in this subject show a slight improvement from last year. Meanwhile, in the Mathematics area, there was no marked improvement�..rather, for 2014 only 36% of the students managed to get a grade of 60% or more. In the subject of Social Studies, 58% made it above a 60% grade and in Science 77% scored above the satisfactory grade of 60%. Seven thousand two hundred and forty five students took this year's PSE.

PM Barrow Comments on Oil Drilling in Southern Belize
Another issue Prime Minister Dean Barrow addressed is the perfected order handed down by Justice Michelle Arana in relation to the drilling operations inside the SarstoonTemash National Park. In her April 3rd judgment, Justice Arana ruled that GOB obtain free, prior and informed consent from the Mayan Villagers. But the May 9th perfected judgment, says that Government should "seek" and make good faith attempt to obtain consent from the villagers. Executive Director, SATIIM, has been at the forefront of the issue. However, PM Barrow, told the media yesterday, that SATIIM has no role to play in the negotiations between, the Government of Belize and the Mayan Communities. Barrow explained why that is so.

Oil Production At Stand Still in Northern Belize
While SATIIM has and is putting a challenge for GOB to go ahead and drill oil in the Sarstoon Temash National Park, GOB is also facing problems in extracting oil in the Orange Walk District. Last year it was announced that Maranco Energy Limited had struck black gold in the Orange Walk South area. The oil company found an encouraging oil show in Gallon Jug but Maranco ran into some problems after the acid they injected into the ground to destroy the mud, turned the oil into tar. Two months ago, Barrow told the media that he had sent a request to the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago asking for technical assistance. However, that request has not been answered. RT. HON. DEAN BARROW Prime Minister of Belize "Prime Minister Persaad has not responded and has not sent the mission that we asked for. There is going to be a CARICOM Summit early next month, the 1st to the 4th July and we will renew the request but ultimately it's a matter that we rely on our resources; with a short answer to your question, nothing has happened." The oil show was found at the South Canal Bank #1 exploration well in Maranco's Concession area.

Decline in Oil Production Blamed for Drop in GDP
Last month the Statistical Institute of Belize, released Belize's first quarter Estimates for Gross Domestic Product and the statistics for Consumer Price Index and External Trade. Statistics show that Belize's GDP declined marginally by 0.4%. the decline was attributed to the decrease output in agriculture, mining and manufacturing. A decline was also seen in sugar, citrus, bananas and petroleum. Prime Minister Dean Barrow, spoke of the SIB report. RT. HON. DEAN BARROW Prime Minister of Belize "Very many of the key areas are doing extremely well; tourism, construction, government spending�while agriculture is not in that happy category. The fact is that, ultimately, the responsibility for the position is principally as a consequence of the decline in oil production and that is not anything we can do about." It is expected the Statistic Institute of Belize will release its preliminary results of April 2014 Labour Force Survey this month.

Prime Minister Explains His Non-Response to COLA
The passport scandal which broke last year resulted in Prime Minister Dean Barrow firing former Minister of State, Elvin Penner for signing, the now infamous, Won Hong Kim nationality certificate. The scandal has rocked the current UDP Administration and Elvin Penner has disappeared from the cameras, except on courts dates which is when he presents himself to put up a defense against the private prosecution brought by Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action, COLA. COLA says their private prosecution has been stonewalled and they were unable to obtain needed documentary evidence to successfully prosecute Elvin Penner. Having seen this, COLA, asked the Prime Minister to intervene but did not get any response to the letter sent. However, COLA, got a big break on Tuesday as they announced that had received the Auditor General's preliminary report in the Elvin Penner passport scandal through an anonymous source. At his press conference yesterday Prime Minister Dean Barrow spoke about the issue. RT. HON. DEAN BARROW Prime Minister of Belize "Cola wrote to me to ask for that. They're now upset because they said I didn't even reply. It's as with today, I'm not going to reply to you to tell you no and provoke this exchange of correspondence because you wrote to me as a political stunt or maybe not a political stunt but to try and get mileage.

PlusTV

Orange Walk Complaints About Streets Soon to be Answered
On Wednesday, BTIA Orange Walk Chapter issued an open letter to the Prime Minister in which they stated their utmost displeasure with the deplorable conditions of the roads in Orange Walk. This includes primarily the Phillip Goldson Highway, which consists of Belize-Corozal Road, Queen Victoria Avenue, and Otro Benque...

The Guardian

Another term for Mayor Bradley
Ending months of speculation and rumors, on Wednesday, June 11, Prime Minister and Leader of the United Democratic Party, Hon. Dean Barrow officially announced that Mayor Darrell Bradley will be running as the mayoral candidate for the UDP. PM Barrow explained that an understanding has been reached with councilors Bernard Pitts and Dion Leslie which allows for Mayor Darrell Bradley to go up as the UDP candidate. The two councilors had expressed interest in running as mayoral candidates in the upcoming UDP convention. They have now withdrawn their applications and Mayor Bradley will go uncontested. In addressing the press conference, Prime Minister Barrow described Mayor Bradley's accomplishments as phenomenal and his decision to run for the UDP as a boon for the party and residents of Belize City. Also addressing the gathering was councilor Pitts who stated that he supported the mayor heart and soul. He noted that there is no one that can say that the Belize City Council has not delivered on 90% of its manifesto promises and added that the ship has been sailing sternly.

PM addresses Rod of Correction
The grouping of activist groups calling themselves the Rod of Correction were addressed by the Prime Minister, Hon. Dean Barrow, at a press conference held on Wednesday, June 11. Just about every member of the grouping was taken to task by the PM. He noted that what the ROC is trying to create is an impression as if the country is being plagued by large scale crises such as what the PUP administration was being plagued by in 2005. At that time the government was cutting deals, signing illegal contracts and concealing it from the people. With all that, the principal player of the entire debacle the PM singled out as Ralph Fonseca, and even in the midst of all of the shenanigans Said Musa pledged his love for the man. Penner The UDP's tenure is in stark contrast cited the PM. As it relates to the Penner issue, it was he who brought it forward to the people when it could have been covered up. "That is not my style!" he said. "We have accepted responsibility, and we have acted to correct the situation," added PM Barrow. It is now up to the DPP to determine if there is enough evidence to prosecute him. NTUCB Demands He then addressed the issue of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize which he had earlier on described as disrespectful, confrontational and rude in recent press releases that it has issued. Nonetheless the PM explained that, "it takes two to quarrel. I am not going to be responding in kind." What he did do was to go over what is causing the NTUCB's consternation. "The prime motivation of the NTUCB is self interest," he said. They are looking to continue negotiations with government over issues that simply cannot be addressed.

Cayo North East moves forward
While the PUP are fixated on Elvin Penner, the United Democratic Party has driven past that hurdle. On Sunday June 8, the constituents of the Cayo North East constituency successfully selected a new standard bearer to represent the UDP in the next General Elections. Polling started at 10a.m. on Sunday, June 8, and closed at 5p.m., by the time the ballots were counted current mayor of San Ignacio and Santa Elena, John August, had emerged victorious. There were a total of 1,454 ballots cast. August received 975 votes, Eduardo Juan received 398 and Anthony McNab received 72 while 9 ballots were rejected. After the final tally, UDP party chairman, Alberto August made the formal announcement and swore in John August as the Standard Bearer. Shortly thereafter McNab addressed the gathering thanking those who supported him in his bid and pledging to stand alongside August to ensure a UDP victory in the next General Elections. For his part, August also thanked his supporters and pledged to continue to work arduously to improve the division. He also explained that the enemy are not those who contested the convention, rather, the enemy was the People's United Party.

PG Town Council in shambles
Minister of Local government, Hon. Godwin Hulse, has confirmed to the Guardian Newspaper that the PG Town Board is in bad financial shape. The situation at that municipality has gone from bad to worse as the PUP mayor, Anthony Fuentes, has simply been unable to manage the affairs, the financial affairs in particular, of that municipality. "They have reached the point where we don't think they can continue to manage the finances of the town in an appropriate way," stated Hon. Hulse. Because of that inability to continue to manage the financial affairs, a financial controller will be appointed to do so. Hon. Hulse says that appointment will become effective within a week. While Hulse would not disclose how bad it is at the council, we do know that for weeks the council has been unable to meet simple financial commitments such as paying employees. Even the collection of garbage has been absent in that town. The town board is in this shape despite the fact that under the Municipal Development Project officers of the council have been trained to do proper management and that has been unsuccessful. This is the kind of thing that happens under PUP stewardship. While this is just one case that has come to the fore, similar complaints are being levied against the PUP controlled councils in Dangriga and Orange Walk. It would be a good exercise for investigations to also be carried out in these municipalities where like the PG town board have been unable to carry out every day operations.

UDP rehabilitates road leading Punta Gorda dump site
To the rescue once again, UDP councilor Fern Guttierez and UDP Standard Bearer Peter Eden Martinez have lobbied the Prime Minister, Hon. Dean Barrow, to clean the access road leading to the garbage dump site and the dump site proper. The road to the site is filled with mounds of garbage all along the side of the road leading to the dump site. The problem was out of hand with the access road to the dump site being impassable due to the fact that garbage was piled five feet high in front of the access road. The smell was unbearable from any part of the surrounding area. The Punta Gorda Town Council, that owns and operates the dump site, has failed miserably. Mayor Anthony Fuentes has failed to properly dispose of garbage from the town. In Punta Gorda Town, it seems that we do not have a garbage site, just a place where they dump the garbage, which is on the side of the road. The mayor neglects his duties and responsibilities to the voters of PG Town. Thanks to Ms. Fern and Mr. Eden who have come to the rescue. The works started on June 10, 2014. One mile of road, where the garbage has been accumulating, is now being cleared. This is Phase I of the rehabilitation of the access road and Dump Site.

Ambassadors Present Credentials to the Governor General of Belize
Ambassador of Switzerland H.E. Louis-Jose Touron and H.E. Patricia Vaca Narvaja, ambassador of Argentina, both presented their credentials to the Governor General of Belize H.E. Sir Colville Young at the Belize House in the City of Belmopan. Both ambassadors conveyed their best wishes to Her Majesty the Queen and expressed their mission to sustain and continue to develop strong relations between their respective countries and Belize.

World Blood Donors Day 2014
Belmopan. June 11th, 2014. Every year, on June 14, Belize joins the global community in celebrating World Blood Donor's day by honoring its voluntary blood donors. The event raises awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank voluntary blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood. This year, the theme is "Safe Blood for Saving Mothers". This theme is relevant for Belize since pregnancy and childbirth services have received much priority by the Ministry of Health. Severe bleeding during delivery and after childbirth is a major cause of mortality, morbidity and long-term disability. The goal of the global campaign is to increase awareness about why timely access to safe blood and blood products is essential as part of a comprehensive approach to prevent maternal deaths.

CEMO: "We Are Prepared for a Disaster"
The Belize City Emergency Management Organization (CEMO) held a press briefing on Monday, June 9, to assure residents that the city is "prepared for a disaster". Mayor Darrel Bradley says CEMO is more prepared than ever and "we have a plan in place to ensure the safety of all residents of the city". Shortly after the close of last year's hurricane season the organization looked at some of its weaknesses. Mayor Bradley says the main weakness identified was rescue workers inability to effectively care for people with special needs. That prompted the Council to sign up over a dozen staffers for sign language classes. Mayor Bradley says, "There will now be someone trained to communicate using sign language in every evacuation mission." Another weakness is one that has been identified since the Hurricane Mitch experience in 1998; which is the inexistence of a true evacuation route. Councilor Phillip Willoughby says the Council has been talking about it for years and now there is an established evacuation route and plan. Willoughby says immediately after the Mayor issues an evacuation order traffic personnel will be out to direct the flow of motor vehicles on a particular route. These routes can be seen on huge billboards across the city. In order to prevent traffic congestion by those heavy machine vehicles, companies have been instructed to move those vehicles out of the city two days early.

Central Government takes care of PG
It is quite a pity that the UDP Central Government simply just can't take over the affairs of the Punta Gorda town board, after all they were elected by the people. We say its a pity because that municipal body has been doing a terrible job of administering the affairs of the town. Were it not for the infusion of capital and investment by the central government, nothing would happen in PG. Nonetheless, there are things which the UDP Central Government is doing for the people of Punta Gorda. We can cite that concrete streets are currently under construction thanks to financing by the UDP government. The second phase of the concreting of West Street in the town has commenced and is funded by the UDP central government. The first phase of the project cost $352,000 the second phase will cost $500,000. More than providing better road conditions, the project is seeing the employment of hundreds of workers from the town. Along with the concreting of streets, the ministry of National Security is refurbishing the police station which was in great need of repairs. The ministry will be investing in excess of $100,000 dollars in this project and at the end of it the police station will be brought up to standard with a new roof and redesigned interior.

Corn can't grow on Battlefield
The Belize Grassroots Youth Empowerment Association (BGYEA) managed to bring out less than 200 citizens to support their "Plant Di Corn" Rally. That was a very feeble showing given they had the support of 10 other pressure groups who've decided to form a coalition. With this coalition, which has some of the most powerful unionizing machinery capable of mobilizing tens of thousands, the rally didn't even bring enough people to match the 1040 lease applicants from the Harmonyville community. BGYEA is now a part of the so called Rod of Correction, a new movement in which they are joined by the Belize National Teacher's Union; the National Trade Union Congress of Belize; the Citizens Organized For Liberty through Action; the Belize Pharmacists Association; the Association of Public Service Senior Managers; SATIIM; the Public Service Union; the Belize Energy Workers Union;the Nurses Association, the Belize Evangelical Association of churches; and DJ Keegan Lord from Vibes Radio, who organized a failed protest against Shyne and NICH President Diane Haylock.

Courtenay tries to Muscle the Judiciary
In what can only be described as an effort to muscle his way against the Judiciary, Eamon Courtenay, President of the Bar Association is using his position in that organization in the hopes that Justice Samuel Awich not be reappointed as a Justice of the Court of Appeals. Speaking on the matter on Wednesday, Prime Minister, Dean Barrow indicated that Justice Awich's appointment will be going ahead. He noted that he received objection to the appointment by the Leader of the Opposition, Francis Fonseca; however, Fonseca's only reason was that the Bar association was objecting to the appointment. PM Barrow noted that in following up the Bar Association's objection Fonseca was not living up to his constitutional duty. For context we note that Justice Awich recently ruled against Courtenay, who is the president of the Bar Association, in the nationalization of BTL and BEL. Awich ruled that the nationalization was properly done. Apparently holding a grudge, Courtenay using his position at the Bar is giving off the impression that attorneys are against the appointment. The reality of the matter is that at every meeting of the Bar association, less than 20 percent of the membership shows up and this small grouping makes decisions for the entire association.

Garbage Crisis in PG!
Residents of Punta Gorda Town have had enough of Mayor Anthony Fuentes and PUP Area Representative Mike Espat's incompetence and ineptitude. For months now they have been unable or unwilling to properly carry out the simple taskes that they are mandated to do by the good people of Punta Gorda. Anthony Fuentes' incompetence in managing the finances of the town has now created among other things a serious garbage crisis in the Town. He has demonstrated for all to see his inability to do simple tasks required of the town board such as cleaning drains and fixing streets for some time now, but this time he has gone too far. For weeks now, there has been no garbage collection in the town, so much so that everywhere you turn in that municipality there are heaps upon heaps of garbage. The garbage which has accumulated is not only and eye sore and a blemish to the beautiful town but also a serious and very real health hazzard to its residents. What is worse is that residents actually pay for garbage collection in that town. Calls to the town board about when the collection of garbage will be done go unanswered. Although it is no surprise to anyone that Fuentes' ineptitude to clean up the town is apparent, what really surprises people is the fact that he is even incapable of clearing the garbage that is infront of the Municipality's Town Hall. Imagine�he cannot even clean the garbage that he generates; can we really expect him to pick up the garbage others generate?

Students in Cayo receive certificates from GREAT Program
Some 64 students from the Saint Vincent Palloti Roman Catholic Primary School in Unitedville Village in Cayo received certificates on Wednesday, June 4, marking the completion of instructions under the Gang Resistance Education and Training Program GREAT. Instructions under GREAT began at the Unitedville School in September of last year and ended in March of this year. Instructor Ciriaco Medina, who is Police Constable 1121 and member of the Community Policing Unit at the San Ignacio Police Formation, gave out the certificates this evening, telling students, "I expect good things from you guys, don't let me down." Jason Jones, along with Roland Augustine from the Community Policing Program at the San Ignacio Police Formation also joined in the evening to encourage students to continue being good citizens.

New Health and Safety Standards for Archaeological Reserves and Parks
It was just thirteen months after the Belize Bureau of Standards was contacted, but when the Health and Safety Standards were completed it has ended up as a well rounded plan to safeguard both Belizeans and tourists, who regularly visit Belize's archaeological sites. Jose Trejo, the Director of the Belize Bureau of Standards, signed the Health and Safety Standards Statutory Instrument on Thursday of last week at the Xunantunich Archaeological Site, thus activating a set of compulsory guidelines that satisfy both National and International life saving standards. Putting these standards together by getting expert inputs from both Belize and abroad was Armeid Thompson, Chairperson of the Tourism Technical Committee, and who is also Director of the Quality Assurance Department at the Belize Tourism Board. "No progress is made in isolation, but requires the collective wisdom and collaboration of dedicated teams whose sole purpose is to be catalysts for change", said Armeid Thompson last at a brief ceremony at Xunantunich and added, "�but however time is exactly what this Project did not have�"

Ignore the Laws and Plant Corn on the Buffer
Since Nigel Petillo is so adamant about planting corn in the buffer of Harmonyville between miles 41 and 42 on the Western Highway, I have suddenly come up with the idea of doing the same on the buffer between miles 6 and 8 on the George Price highway at Western Paradise Village. I will go about this by simply looking for an investor, of whom I will require a cash deposit for them to use the stretch of land that is the buffer in front of the village. Since Petillo got an investor to come in to the Harmonyville buffer without first seeking permission from the Government of Belize, that will be my modus as well. If after the work commences on the buffer to plant corn there, the Government reacts by placing an injunction against the investor and myself, I will simply call on the Rod of Correction to come to my aid. Hopefully they will be able to gather the same 150 people to come to my rescue and to rally for my cause. If I have failed to mention it, when the investor comes to plant corn at the Western Paradise Village buffer, monetary compensation will be asked of that individual. That money, lets say, will be used to, hmmm.... ohhhh, dig drains in the village. :-)

Mexican Trade Mission To Belize
ProM�xico (the Trade and Investment Mexican Agency) and the Embassy of Mexico are organizing a trade mission on June 18th at the Embassy in Belmopan and on June 19th at the Institute of Mexico in Belize City. The objective of the mission is to strengthen trade relations between Mexico and Belize, identifying potential buyers and suppliers of a variety of products and/or services, as well as to find investment opportunities. Products include: chilli pepper sauces, achiote marinade, ketchup, vinegars, vanilla, jam concentrates, sausages, wines, liquors, chemical products for water treatment, water pumps and environmental sanitizers, paints, waterproofing pastes, protective coatings (paint, lumber and metals), industrial solvents, demoisturizing compounds, cleaning & drain openers, stainless steel polish & cleaner, non-chlorinated degreasers, CRM Software and GPS. Services include software development technology focused on e-government and companies, development of CRM software, as well as consulting services on water treatment.

Ministry of Agriculture assists Farmers adapt to Climate Change
The Ministry of Agriculture through the United Nations Development Programme and the European Union handed over Forage Chopping Machines to 25 farmers in the Belize River Valley Area. The event took place on Tuesday June 10 at the Sandhill Community Center. The Machines will be used by farmers to prepare during climate change events. In the past cattle farmers in the River Valley Area have been affected by severe weather events including droughts and flooding. With the machines, which will form a part of a pilot project, the cattle farmers can prepare feed for their animals before they are affected by either drought or floods. According to Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Hon. Hugo Patt, "What in essence we are doing is providing food materials so that the farmers can be ready in times of drought and rains."

Belize attends 44th regular session of the general assembly of the OAS
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Attorney General of Belize, the Hon. Wilfred Elrington, headed Belize's delegation to the 44th Regular Session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States held in Asuncion, Paraguay on June 3rd - 5th under the theme "Development with Social Inclusion". In the Declaration of Asuncion hemispheric leaders undertook, "To commit their efforts to eradicating hunger and poverty, in particular extreme poverty, combating inequity, inequality, discrimination, and social exclusion, and increasing equitable access to health services, as well as to quality and inclusive education; priority objectives which should inform actions of the inter-American system." Minister Elrington, in the same vein, spoke of Belize's efforts towards social inclusion and stated that "Development with social justice is a concept that has, for the most part, been alien to our hemisphere for upwards of five hundred years." He said "that in Belize we appreciate that creating economic opportunities for the most vulnerable, reducing poverty, and increasing social inclusion are outcomes that will not spontaneously result from economic growth alone nor from the normal interaction of societal and interest groups." He continued therefore that in Belize "our government has been assiduous in initiating measures to provide social safety nets with programs including conditional cash transfers, a food pantry, and a program to provide monetary support to elder citizens over the age of sixty-five."

Toledo DAVCO Pledges Support to Government of Belize
On Friday June 6, Prime Minister Hon. Dean Barrow met with the Executive of the Toledo District Association of Village Councils (DAVCO) to discuss oil exploration in the south. The association expressed their full support for the endeavor, citing its benefits to education, health and infrastructure in the Toledo District. Furthermore, all parties agreed that moving forward, communities will be engaged in a series of consultations to inform community residents and garner support. Also, present for the meeting were Minister and Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology and Public Utilities Senator Hon. Joy Grant and Dr. Colin Young; and Minister in the Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and Sustainable Development, Senator Hon. Lisel Alamilla.

Dr. Cynthia Eve Aird is Special Envoy's Trailblazer of the Week
Trailblazer Tuesdays brings you another great Belizean woman who has contributed significantly to the country's education system. Dr. Cynthia Eve Aird is an accomplished and dedicated educator. She worked for 18 years in tertiary education as a Teacher Educator at the University of Belize and at Galen University and is now President and Principal of Sacred Heart College in San Ignacio. Dr. Aird has served as Chair of the Association of Tertiary Level Institutions in Belize (ATLIB) for 3 terms, and Co-Chair of the Consortium on Belize Education Cooperation (COBEC), a group of Belizean and US universities and community colleges working for the improvement of education in Belize.

Dr. Cynthia Eve Aird is Special Envoy's Trailblazer of the Week
Trailblazer Tuesdays brings you another great Belizean woman who has contributed significantly to the country's education system. Dr. Cynthia Eve Aird is an accomplished and dedicated educator. She worked for 18 years in tertiary education as a Teacher Educator at the University of Belize and at Galen University and is now President and Principal of Sacred Heart College in San Ignacio. Dr. Aird has served as Chair of the Association of Tertiary Level Institutions in Belize (ATLIB) for 3 terms, and Co-Chair of the Consortium on Belize Education Cooperation (COBEC), a group of Belizean and US universities and community colleges working for the improvement of education in Belize.

Gang violence erupts in Belize City again
kirk smith.jpg - 18.65 KbEight people ended up in the hospital over the weekend of June 7 and 8, in 3 separate shootings all believed to be gang related, and connected to a rivalry between the Ghost Town Crips and the George Street Bloods, which escalated. The first shooting took place on Saturday, June 7, at around 10 p.m. 28 year-old Sigmond Trapp and 25 year-old Anthony Scott were walking on Kut Avenue, and when they arrived at the Amara Avenue Intersection, a black Ford Escort with dark tinted windows drove past. When the vehicle got close enough, someone from inside, lowered a window and fired shots at them before driving off. Trapp was injured in the right hand and right leg, while Scott took bullets to his right hand and upper back. They were both rushed to the KHMH for treatment. The next shooting incident happened 5 hours later, in which 16 year-old Corine Cory White, a third form student at the Anglican Cathedral College was shot. White was leaving the Princess Casino with 2 other men, one of whom is her boyfriend, and is believed to have a George Street connection. They were in his car in front of the parking lot, and that's when a gunman ran out and opened fire on the vehicle. White was struck by a bullet in her right ear which travelled down her jaw and ended up lodged in her chest. It was fortunate that the bullet didn't penetrate her brain, and she remains at the KHMH for treatment.

Cashier is accused of stealing $5.00
A cashier who is employed at a store inside the Tourism Village is being accused of stealing $5.00 from her boss. 21-year-old, Erica Valerio, appeared before the Belize City Magistrate's Court to answer to a single charge of theft. She appeared before Magistrate Dale Cayetano where she initially pleaded guilty to the charge of theft. Allegations are that on May 28, 2014, she stole $5.00, 2-$1.00 US currency and one $1.00 coin Belize currency from her employer, Jason Almendolia, the proprietor of Belize Yogurt located at 8th Street at the Tourism Village in Belize City. In court Valerio pleaded guilty to theft.

Confrontation in Cayo
Several persons have been injured in the Cayo District as a result of altercations. A 27 years old male from Billywhite Village, Gubercindo Pop, received several chop and stab wounds on Saturday of this past weekend and had to be taken to the San Ignacio Town Hospital for medical treatment. An investigation into the incident reveals that Gubercindo Pop was involved in a confrontation with Santos Chacon, Roberto Chacon Senior and Roberto Chacon Junior, where he attempted to defend himself and in doing so caused injuries to both Santos Chacon and Roberto Chacon. Police are yet to locate Roberto Chacon Senior and have him be escorted to the Magistrate Court.

DPP appeals acquittal of lawmen accused of landing drug plane
On Wednesday, June 11, police officers who were accused of assisting to land a drug plane in the Bladen reserved area on November 13, 2010 in the South of Belize remain without reinstatement to their jobs even after they were acquitted of criminal charges. The men linked to the million dollar drug plane were cops, Renel Grant, Lawrence Humes, Jacinto Roches, Mark Middleton, former Customs Officer, Harold Usher and Mango Creek resident, Victor Logan. They were all accused of drug trafficking of one of the largest cocaine busts in Belize. Their criminal case for the importation of drugs into Belize was called up in the Court of appeal, after their acquittal on December 4, 2012 by the Director of Public Prosecutions. The matter could not get started as attorney Simeon Sampson who represents Victor Logan asked the court for an adjournment on two reasons. Attorney for Jacinto Roches, Renal grant and Mark Middleton is Dickie Bradley who was not present due to other matters he had before another court.

Father Accused of Sexually Assaulting 8-year-old Daughter
A 41-year-old father is being accused of sexually assaulting his 8-year-old daughter. Allegations are that on May 25 while the child was in bed with one of her brothers the father came into the bed and laid between the two of them. While her brother slept on the other side, he placed his hands into her underwear and fondled her inappropriately. The child later complained of pain and was taken to be examined by a doctor. The father appeared before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith On Tuesday, June 10, where he pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexual assault. There was no objection to bail but the Chief Magistrate set conditions. He is to report to the Queen Street Police Station every Thursdays of the week until his case is concluded. He must also stay away from his daughter until the case is disposed of. Chief Magistrate Smith offered bail in the sum of $1,000 plus one surety of the same amount and his next court date is set for July 31, 2014.

Ex-employee of Feinstein Group Charged with 85 counts of theft
Marcia Marie Gillett, ex-employee of the Feinstein Group of Companies, is facing 85 counts of theft after she was accused of dishonestly appropriating thousands of dollars from her ex-boss. Gillet appeared in the Magistrate Court to face the charges on Friday, June 5, where it took Magistrate Hettie Mae Stewart one hour and a half to read the 85 charges. No plea was taken since the matter will be dealt with on indictment. There was no objection to bail but prosecutor Hector Rodriguez asked that the court set conditions to bail. Magistrate Stewart granted Gillett bail in the sum of $9,000 plus one surety of the same amount. She was ordered to surrender all her travelling documents to the clerk of court; she must not interfere with any of the witnesses in the case and she was also ordered to report to the Queen Street Police Station every Friday between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. until the case is disposed of. Marcia Marie Gillett's next court date is set for August 1, 2014.

Trevor Guy Charged for Attempted Robbery of Mile 8 Store
One of three men who attempted a broad daylight robbery at Mile 8 Store on the George Price Highway on June 4 has been captured by police and charged. Trevor Guy appeared before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith on Monday, June 9, and pleaded not guilty to attempted robbery and aggravated assault with a firearm. Allegations are that Guy and two others attempted to rob Delcid Store, located at Mile 8 on the George Price Highway. According to police, on June 4, three men, one armed with a firearm, visited Delcid Store at around 1:30 p.m. and held up Julio Delcid at gun point. According to the owner, when the men arrived at his store they pointed a gun at him and tried to rob him. That was when he pulled out his license firearm and fired shots at the men who fled the scene. Police quick response led to the three men who were seen hiding in the cemetery area, but police only managed to capture one as the other two managed to make good their escape. Guy appeared unrepresented in court and due to the fact that the offense was committed using a firearm bail was denied. He is remanded to the Belize Central Prison until his next court appearance on July 30. The other two men remain at large as police investigation continues.

Five Employees of Yhony Rosado Charged with Dangerous Harm
Five more men who are believed to have been involved in the beating of Vitalino Reyes Jr. on Thursday, May 29, at Long Island Bar have been charged with dangerous means of harm. Reyes Jr., who is the son of the owner of cavetubing.bz, was socializing with his friend Yhony Vega at Long Island Bar. Yhony Rosado, owner of cavetubing.com, was socializing with some of his workers in the same bar at the same time. It is alleged that as Reyes and his friend were leaving, some of Rosado's employees blocked the door and attacked Reyes and his friend. The beating on Reyes was so severe that he ended up in a coma. Yhony Rosado says that neither he nor his employees touched Reyes and his friend. He says there were other people in the bar and they may have been the ones to get into the fight. On Tuesday, June 3, Leon Gentle was charged with Dangerous harm and use of deadly means of harm upon Reyes Jr. Rosado says that Gentle was not even at the bar with him at the time of the incident. Three days after Gentle was charged, five other employees of Rosado were charged. Jimmy Cortez, John Frazer, Christopher Williams, Evan Williams and Keith Vairez were arraigned before Magistrate Hettie Mae Stewart on Friday, June 6, and jointly charged with dangerous harm upon Vitalino Reyes Jr. and one count of harm upon Yhony Vega. No plea was taken and there was no objection to bail which was offered at $7,000 each plus two sureties of $3,500. Their case was adjourned for July 24, 2014.

Murderer's conviction affirmed by Court of Appeals
On Wednesday June 11, Kenrick Williams who killed a 16 year old high school girl, Elia Gonzalez, had his murder conviction affirmed by the Justices of the Court of Appeals. Williams was accused of the March 23, 2004 murder of Elia Gonzalez who was strangled to death by Williams in a bushy area in a road in Concepcion village in the Corozal district. Williams who is serving a life sentence took his case to the Appeals Court through his attorney Phillip Palacio. He argued that the trial judge failed to give adequate directions to the jury on arriving at their verdict. His arguments were not accepted and the conviction was affirmed. In the 2012 trial, a caution statement given by Williams was admitted as evidence. In the statement he told Corozal police that he waited for his secret girlfriend whose name he said was Liz, referring to the deceased, Elia Gonzalez, at the Concepcion/Libertad road, near the water tank. When he saw her coming, after exiting a bus, he threw his bicycle into a nearby bush.

Belize Elementary girls and Chan Pine Ridge boys are National Primary Schools Volleyball champions
The National Primary Schools Volleyball championship came to an end on Friday, June 6, 2014, at Bird's Isle. In the girls' championship game, Belize Elementary School representing the Belize District defeated Holy Angles Roman Catholic from the Stann Creek Valley by the score of 25-12 and 28-26 to capture its first National Primary Schools Volleyball Title. In the third place game, Louisiana Government School representing the Orange Walk District eliminated Blue Creek representing the Toledo District by the score of 20-25, 25-23 and 15-10 to take the Bronze medal. In the first game in the semi-final round, Belize Elementary School defeated Louisiana Government School in two sets by the score of 25-10 and 25-5. In the second game, Holy Angels defeated Blue Creek in two sets by the score of 25-18 and 25-11. In the first game of the girls' championship played earlier in the day, Belize Elementary School defeated Our Lady of Guadalupe Roman Catholic School representing the Corozal District by the score of 25-2and25-4. In the second game, Louisiana Government School defeated Garden City Primary from Belmopan representing the Cayo District by the score of 25-15 and 25-23. all the student-athletes that participated in the championship.

Caye Caulker Roman Catholic wins in primary schools basketball competition
The Belize City Primary Schools Basketball Competition continued on Tuesday, June 10, with three games at the Bird's Isle. In the girls' competition played, St. John Vianney defeated Buttonwood Bay Nazarene by the score of 7-4. The top scorer for St. John Vianney was Jasmine Sanchez with 7 points. In the first of three games in the boys' competition, Caye Caulker Roman Catholic School defeated Queen Street Baptist School by the score of 22-14. The top scorers for Caye Caulker Roman Catholic were Jaden Williams with 8 points and Harrison Cadle with 5 points. For Queen Street Baptist School, the top scorers were Glenford Gillett with 5 points and Dennis Aranda with 4 points. In game two, St. John Vianney School defeated Buttonwood Bay Nazarene by the score of 30-28. The top scorers for St. John Vianney were Faheem Elijio with 10 points and Jerric Jones with 8 points. Meanwhile, the top scorers for Buttonwood Bay Nazarene were Lawrence Sanchez and Edmond Flowers with 10 points each and Mark Estell with 6 points.

Cayo Western Ballaz vs San Pedro Tigersharks for Basketball Supremacy
The National Elite Basketball League 2014 season is fast coming to an end. The League will commence its championship round on , June 15, out at the R. Angel Nunez Auditorium in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. In the first game scheduled for 1:30 pm the host team San Pedro Tigersharks will entertain the Cayo Western Ballaz. The semi-final round came to an end on Friday, June 6, at the Sacred Heart College Auditorium in San Ignacio Town, when the home team the Cayo Western Ballaz in the third and final game of the series eliminated the Belize City based Smart No Limit Team by the score of 75-57 to advance to the championship round. The top scorer for the Cayo Western Ballaz was Farron Louriano with 34 points, 18 rebounds, and an assist. He was assisted by Richard Troyer who contributed 17 points, 16 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals, and Travis Lennan who scored 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists in helping his team to the victory. For the Smart No Limit Team, the top scorers were Elsworth Itza with 8 points, 12 rebounds, and a steal, Gregory Rudon also with 8 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal, and Matthew Young with 8 points and 5 rebounds.

FFB President's Cup tournament continues
The FFB President's Cup Tournament for 2014 continued over the last weekend with a number of games on the schedule. On Sunday June 8 out at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium in Belmopan, the visiting Belize District Stars and the Roaring Creek United played to a 2-2 draw. The goal scorers for the Belize District Stars were Brian Martinez who scored in the 49th minutes of play and Dalton Cayetano who scored in the 70th minute of play. For Roaring Creek United, the goals were scored by Alden Coleman in the 72nd minute of play and Limbert Coleman in the 87th minute of play. At the Ricalde Stadium in Corozal Town, the host team San Antonio defeated Pomona United by the score of 4-1. The goals for San Antonio were scored by Christian Perez in the 23rd minutes of play, Ian Daniels in the 55th and 87th minutes of play, and Darnell Mossiah in the 75th minute of play. The only goal of the game was scored by Jevon Arana in the 32nd minutes of play.

Football Federation calls U-20 footballers to camp
The Football Federation of Belize held tryout for U-20 males this past Saturday. One Hundred Twenty (120) players attended the tryout, and the following players have been selected to camp. They are to be at the FFB Headquarters on Thursday, June 12, 2014 at 3:30 pm. Training will be from Thursday to Sunday June 15th. Norman Anderson Edmond Pandy Darren Myers Randy Duke Dorrell Lambey Collin Westby Eduardo Gongora Sanjay Casey Kambrel Blease Dillon Lopez Ajani Banner Naim Wilson Trevaun Rhaburn Dmitri Fabro Dorwin Logan Roji Solorzano Eredito Guillen Ardel Avila Rui West Marcus Lewis Shaheed Mai Brian Barrera Orelle Castillo Kendis Hernandez Clinton Dawson Devaun Zuniga Geon Makin Gemmi Reyes Jerry Trejo Glenford King Javier Martinez Tremaine Harris Elston Flowers Eugene Martinez Jamil Cano Jordi Polanco Jose Chimal

World Softball Day 2014
World Softball Day is being celebrated on Friday, June 13, 2014. To help boost awareness, the Belize Softball Federation encourages supporters and friends of softball to come out and show your support at the Senior Female Competition and Interoffice Game scheduled for June 13 at Rogers Stadium, the Home of Softball in Belize.

Evan Mariano goes pro�
Belize's Evan Mariano, one of the high-level football players who represented the nation in the Copa Centroamericana and the first ever appearance in the Gold Cup, has been invited to play professional football in America. He was officially signed to the Houston Hurricanes Football Club on Thursday June 5. He joins his colleague, Deon McCauley, who was recruited to the Atlanta Silverbacks. Head coach for the Hurricanes, Brendan Keyes told the press in Houston that the Hurricanes is excited that Mariano will be able to play with them in the Texas Premier Soccer League, which began last year. Keyes said that Mariano's recruitments was made in consideration of improvement for the Hurricanes, which will be assisted with the acquisition of 3 or 4 other "quality players".

Belizean Rudolph Bent vs Jimmy Ellis, Sugar Ray Robinson, George Benton, and Lee George Myvett
Having read about the passing of one time Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the world Jimmy Ellis, I recalled reading of Belizean Middleweight boxer Rudolph Bent, fighting Ellis. In my research I discovered that Bent not only fought Jimmy Ellis on June 7th 1962 at Freedom Hall State Fairground in Louisville, Kentucky, he also went on to fight several world ranked contenders in various divisions. For example, after fighting high ranking George Benton in April 1962, he fought Curtis Cokes a month later in Dallas, Texas. Cokes went on to hold the Welterweight Belt for many years. It was less than a month after losing to Cokes that he fought Ellis. We can all recall his fight against Gomeo Brennan in Belize in April of 1965. From Brennan to Robinson in October of 1965; you are correct in assuming world renowned Sugar Ray Robinson. It took place at Community Arena in Steubenville Ohio.

Caye Caulker Chronicles

Chelsea Rodriguez is PSE High Scorer for Caye Caulker
Chelsea Rodriguez is the PSE high scorer for Caye Caulker with an average of 82.8. She is also placed first in her primary school graduating class. If you will recall, Chelsea was also a school finalist in the Coca Cola spelling bee in 2012. She was also a winner in this year's Reef Week trivia competition held in San Pedro earlier this year. We wish Chelsea Rodriguez every success in her future endeavours. You are so you, and yet your accomplishments are so many. Congratulations!

Patrick JonesPJ

More immigration charges for Marleny Castellanos and customer
The woman accused of masterminding a ring of illegally obtained Belizean documents on Caye Caulker was back in court today, charged with 20 counts of aiding a person to use a document to which they are not entitled. 46 year old Marleny Castellanos already faces multiple counts of [�]

COLA demands evidence from Government for private prosecution
Prime Minister Dean Barrow yesterday tried his best to downplay the significance and importance of Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA) receiving a leaked copy of the Preliminary Report of the Auditor General into the Immigration and Nationality Department. But irrepressibly, COLA stepped forward and proceeded to [�]

PSE results are released
The results for the Primary School Examination 2014 are out and the top performer was Crooked Tree Government School's Ashton Tillett with 371 points out of 400. Tied for second was Belize City's Kenyah Hyde of Bernice Yorke Academy and Belmopan's Andres Hung of Our Lady of Guadalupe [�]

Kenrick Williams murder appeal dismissed
On Wednesday the Belize Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal of Kenrick Williams, who is serving a life term for the murder of 16 year old Elia Gonzalez in 2004 and affirmed his conviction and sentence. Gonzalez was strangled to death shortly after 3 p.m. on March 23, [�]

Teenager charged in shooting incident
There was a shooting incident on Monday in Belize City and a teenager was brought to court for it today. 18 year old Shaquille Meighan of Banak Street is accused of shooting at 24 year old Maurice Middleton on Victoria Street around 3:00 Monday afternoon. Middleton was walking [�]

BTIA complains about bad streets in Orange Walk
On Tuesday, the Orange Walk chapter of the Belize Tourism Industry Association sent out a press release expressing 'discontentment' and 'frustration' over street conditions in that minicipality. The Association says the it is a disgrace to see what our streets have become particularly the Government responsible road networks such as Philip SW Goldson Highway, Belize Corozal Road and Otro Benque and Queen Victoria Avenue. The local BTIA chapter says that as a result, commuters passing through Orange Walk town now take the bypass/roundabout on their way to Corozal/Chetumal having a negative financial impact on several businesses including supermarkets, local vegetable stalls, fruit vendors and local restaurants.

Customer service training underway in Punta Gorda town
A two-day training course in customer service started today in Punta Gorda town. Representatives of various sectors including the women's department, the media, education department and the PG hospital are attending. Topics being covered during the training course include customer satisfaction in health care services; 10 ways to find true love with customers , acquiring knowledge and skills in customer/public relations. Chairperson of the Toledo AIDS Committee Joan Palma says that the training will "improve the knowledge and skills of committee members and service providers in dealing with people living with HIV."

Blogs

Life in a Gay!
Unfortunately, it seems that Belize or rather, some of my fellow Belizeans do not see me as apart of the economic machinery of this country and of course sees me less than human. I got on the Ladyville bus from the PUMA gas station with my two apprentices, found our seats and sat down. And the jeers and mockery begins, "who you think da d lady?" "Da one have bigga titty!" "3 UNIBAM de pahn D BUS!" one of them belted and alerted! Of course, I am one who simply does not care what comes out of my my mouth and I responded with the same tone, "and so [#%!] what?!" The bus grew quiet and serious, no one said a word. We continued our journey from where we picked up to the Belize City Pound Yard area, with the continuous taunts, and announcements of "Orozcos" on the bus. All I did was grew more and more angry and hoped to the divine that I did not react in a violent way. We got off and while the back seat hate mongers, who I might add were 4th form Ladyville Tech students, passed remarks to have us continue off the bus, so as to avoid any conflict at that point, while all the while, all I did was remained quiet after my burst of profanity on the initial start of the journey.

Making My Way Back Home from the US to Cancun to Belize: Let's Add in a Good Night's Sleep
Just about 2 weeks ago I made the trip up to Cancun for a flight from Cancun International Airport to Rhode Island. I flew from Cancun rather than Belize City to save $400US - tickets are generally SO much cheaper. I endured 29 hours of generally sleepless travel (so sleepless that I left my Kindle on the Cancun bus) and serious McDonald's gorging to save a buck. Or four hundred. You can read all about it here. Really. It's not as bad as it seems. But on the way back, I wanted a good night's rest. It would cost me less than a new Kindle for sure and would make me a much happier camper. I found a place online and�well�here is my trip. Providence Airport to San Pedro, Belize in a few steps. Trip hours: First Day - 15 hours Second Day - 3 hours McDonald's Calories consumed: 0 (Burger King: 1,430) Large Coffees drunk: 2 Hours of Sleep: Lots Approximate US$ saved on total trip: $400US minus (I subtracted the $99US for the Kindle ordered) Perceived pounds gained due to sharp increase in humidity from Rhode Island to Cancun: Ten, 4 in my hot dog fingers