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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials


The San Pedro Sun

Industria del Amor and Garifuna Collective to perform Costa Maya Festival
Mexican romantic musical group Industria del Amor has arrived on the island and are excited to perform at the annual International Costa Maya Festival. The band members arrived at midday on Friday, August 8th and were flew over to inland from the Phillip Goldson International Airport. Belize's International group, The Garifuna Collective is also on the island as part of the festivities. Also on the island is the Jewel's pride, The Garifuna Collective. They are scheduled to perform on Friday August 8th at the Party Night event. Known for their traditional Garifuna music, The Garifuna Collective is expected to highlight Garifuna cultural preservation with their diverse sounds. "We are excited to be here and we are ready to perform," said the group members. The Garifuna Collective recently returned to the country following a musical tour in several European countries. Organizers of this year's festival have indicated that with the diverse lineup of entertainment the event promises to have a bit for all age range. Tickets for the festival on Friday are $65.00 and $100 for Saturday night.

Miss Mexico Elisa Espinosa G�mez takes the Reina de la Costa Maya crown!
Mexico's Elisa Espinoza G�mez is the new Riena de La Costa Maya 2014/2015. G�mez captivated the judges and audience and took the crown in the 23rd annual pageant that highlights the rich Maya heritage. Beauty ambassadors from the seven Central American countries and Mexico vied for this prestigious title. The participants were Miss Mexico Elisa Espinoza G�mez, Miss Honduras Maria Jose Alvarado, Miss Guatemala Keyla Bermudez, Miss El Salvador Ana Graciela Hasbun, Miss Costa Rica Raquel Maria Guevara, Miss Nicaragua Katherine Gadamuza, Miss Panama Karol Salinas and Miss Belize Grisel Rosseli Carballo. Events will continue throughout the weekend with the official opening of the festivities at Friday's Island Party Night which will include the dances of Central America and Mexico as well as cultural presentations. The entertainment lineup includes the Belize Dance Company, Grupo Crash - El Salvador, Ballet Folklorico de Chetumal and the Garifuna Collective of Belize. The main performance of the night will be Reggae singer J Boog from the USA. Activities continue on Saturday night with the main performance of Industria del Amor. The events will culminate on Sunday with a family beach day with festivities organized all along the beach.

Move over fast food, The Red Chili's is in Town!
When the opportunity arises to sample some good food, trust me, I never pass it up. So when Kenny invited us over to his new place, The Red Chili's, you can bet your bottom I was dragging Janelle and running over! While The Red Chili's IS an Asian style restaurant, it is NOT the typical "Chinese fast food" we're used to in Belize. You don't order and leave in 5 minutes, oh no! Grab a seat and sit down because the food is made to order and cooked to perfection�you may want to sit and enjoy, but you can carry out too!

PM says a 24-hour medical facility is in the making
The Prime Minister of Belize, Dean Barrow has announced that a 24-hour public medical facility is in the making for residents of Ambergris Caye. Made during a press conference on Wednesday July 30th in Belize City, such a promise comes after growing frustration amongst islanders who have been clamoring for a 24-hour emergency medical facility for years. As it is currently, the only public medical facility is the Dr Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Poly Clinic II, which was constructed through the fundraising efforts of the San Pedro Lions Club. Since opening its doors in March of 2005, there have been no major efforts to expand the service in to a 24-hour public health facility as originally envisioned and planned by the San Pedro Lions Club and promised by the Government of Belize (GOB). Despite the massive growth of the island and growing demands of the population, the only upgrades the health sector has seen is the extension of clinic hours up to 8PM during regular working days.

Ambergris Today

Mexico Reigns Strong at Costa Maya Pageant, Capturing the Title Once Again
Mexico remains the reigning powerhouse when it comes to the most wins at the Miss Costa Maya Pageat (Reina de la Costa Maya) as Elisa Espinosa Gomez (Miss Mexico) topped the Miss Costa Maya Pageant 2014 that took place last night Thursday, August 7, at the opening of the San Pedro International Costa Maya Festival. This brings Mexico to seven titles of Miss Costa Maya, the most wins of any of the eight participating countries in the pageant and festival. Elisa Gomez went on stage with her 'A-Game' and proved that she had what it takes to take the title of Miss Costa Maya, now in its 19th year. The pageant was full of life, color and entertainment, with the bevy of gorgeous contestants from around the Mundo Maya countries keeping the audience on the edge of their seats in anticipation of who would take the crown. It was a tight race for the crown as the contestants presented themselves in their cultural costumes, swimwear and evening gown with much vigor, enthusiasm and grace.

Video Pick: Behind the Scenes Costa Maya Pageant Swimsuit Photo Shoot
The official photo shoot for the Costa Maya Pageant delegates took place last weekend prior to all the fun activities the ladies partook in. They had to wake up at the crack of dawn to take advantage of the beautiful Belizean sunrise. Photographer Jose Luis Zapata was in charge of capturing the beauty of each delegate on location at Ramon's Village Resort, the official hotel sponsor of the Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant. Ambergris Today tagged along this year to capture some great behind the scenes footage as the eight delegates delighted both the video and picture cameras. Enjoy the behind the scenes footage we captured for your enjoyment.

Misc Belizean Sourcesmzz

Letter: A message to Celeo Alvarez
On behalf of the African descendants of Belize and the CABO organization, of which I am secretary for education and research, I write you this letter in peace and hope these words find you in the best of health and spirits. Brother, we have worked together as members of CABO and I have shown you the utmost respect and love just as I do for all who choose to take our African culture and heritage to new heights, I want to thank you for your part in creating media that preserves our culture in this region. It is with great sadness that we bring to your attention the obvious ills of some of your actions, ODECO has been the fiscal sponsor for CABO for more than a decade without giving a financial report to the executive body or the general assembly even though we have repeatedly requested a report on many occasion.

Channel 5

Arthur Saldivar's Political Career in Limbo Over Missing Money
Arthur Saldivar is known as a very vocal, very dramatic and flamboyant attorney as well as a political aspirant, but tonight both his careers may be in serious risk. He [...]

Francis Fonseca Goes In on Sedi Elrington Following Anti-U.S. Remarks
And while Fonseca plans to take decisive action where Saldivar is concerned, he is also demanding that Prime Minister Dean Barrow do the same for Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred [...]

Why Was Chris Noble Abruptly Transferred From Ladyville Police Station?
Remember Rural Executive Officer Assistant Superintendent Chris Noble. He was the officer in charge of the entire rural Belize District. Well, he's now Fleet Manager Chris Noble, in charge of [...]

P.U.P. Activist Albert Vaughan Back In Court for Loitering and Illegal Gathering
P.U.P. activist Albert Vaughan, who was arrested on Monday along with dozens of disgruntled B.M.L. employees for loitering and participating in an illegal gathering, was back in court this morning [...]

P.U.P. Party Leader Won't Kick Darrell While He Is Down
The plight of the BML employees who, up until the prime minister's intervention on Wednesday, were in jeopardy of losing their jobs with the sanitation company is not lost on [...]

�but Supports P.M.'s Timely Intervention in BML Fiasco
And just what are Fonseca's thoughts on P.M. Barrow interceding in the BML fallout?� Well, according to the opposition leader, he supports the idea of coming to the aid of [...]

Corrupt Cop's Fate to be Determined by Chief Magistrate
Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith will hand down her ruling in two weeks in the case of police corporal Darius Martinez who is accused of attempting to corrupt a public [...]

Wesley Emmanuel Freed of Murder
Thirty-eight year old Wesley Emmanuel was today freed of murder charges in the death of thirty-six year old Emigdio Gomez which occurred in July of 2008. In a voir dire, [...]

B.D.F. Graduates Seventy-Six New Officers
Today, seventy-two proud recruits of intake number fifty-eight passed out at Price Barracks, ready to stand as soldiers in the Belize Defence Force. The graduation is the culmination of weeks [...]

C.E.O. of National Security on B.D.F. Presence in the Streets
Belize Defence Force soldiers are back on city streets, thanks to a surge in violent crime. They were taken off in May when things calmed down somewhat…and deployed to the [...]

Proposed Head Tax for San Pedro Tourists
The San Pedro Water Taxi Platform is a recent construction spearheaded by the Ministry of Tourism.� The terminal which was completed not long ago, will be used by stakeholders in [...]

Belize Film Commission Announces International Partnership with U.S.-based Media Group
The Belize Film Commission is celebrating a milestone today. At a press conference held this afternoon, Commissioner Nigel Miguel announced that the commission is partnering with ArDoMi Media Group from [...]

Belizean Videographers and Audio Technicians to be Employed on Film Projects
According to ArDoMi representative, Jeff Pogue, Belizean cameramen, audio technicians and other skilled individuals will be trained and employed in the new ventures.   Jeff Pogue, Rep., ArDoMi Media Group [...]

Father of Missing Teen Makes Desperate Plea for Her Safe Return
A Belize City father is desperately looking for his missing fourteen year old daughter. Raymond Avilez says that Jada left home on Wednesday morning and has not been seen or [...]

The Juvenile Act
Both the Magistrate Court and the National Committee for Families and Children have raised concerns on the airing of information on the identity of a suspect in the murder of [...]

B.D.F. Commander Gives Update on Norman Rodriguez
In February we told you about B.D.F. Corporal Norman Rodriguez, a thirteen year veteran of the B.D.F. who was diagnosed with an arterio-venous malformation on the brain. It's a condition [...]

Costa Maya Kicks Off on La Isla Bonita in Grand Fashion
Miss Mexico is the new La Reina De La Costa Maya 2014. Elisa Espinosa Gomez was one of the eight delegates from the seven Central American countries and Mexico to [...]

LOVE FM

Party Leader Says Saldivar Will Be Disqualified Should Allegations Prove True
On Wednesday news broke that Attorney Arthur Saldivar is being accused of taking nearly a million dollars from the Coye Family. The allegation is that on June 12, Melanie Coye along with Saldivar went to the Central Bank to get 1.6 million dollars from the FIU. After counting the money, Coye alleges that Saldivar walked out with nine hundred and four thousand dollars in a suitcase. She says she has been trying to get the monies back but Saldivar has refused to give it up. It's a very strong allegation against Saldivar who is also the PUP's Standard Bearer for Belize Rural North. His leader, Francis Fonseca says that if the allegation is true, Saldivar will be removed as standard Bearer. FRANCIS FONSECA "The allegations made by the Coye family I consider to be serious allegations, damning allegations which if proven to be true would certainly in my view disqualify Arthur Saldivar from being a candidate for the PUP in Belize Rural North in the next general elections.

Noble’s Previous Post to be Shared Among Officers
As we mentioned, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Christopher Noble was not only in-charge of the Ladyville Police Department but he also served as the Rural Executive Officer�meaning that all of the Belize River Valley was under his command. According to CEO Lovell, the responsibilities of the Rural Executive officer will now be shared between two officers. COLONEL GEORGE LOVELL "I do know there is plans to have an inspector of police that will be responsible for the Hattieville area and an inspector of police that replaces Mr. Noble. There are plans and I hope I don't get ahead of myself on this one where they will divide that are that Noble once had where those two inspectors then report to the Deputy head of Eastern Division or directly to OCE Eastern division. What that does as you know we had a sergeant at Hattieville who had worked with Noble. There are now two people of very senior ranks and who has that sort of responsibility and expertise to carry out the functions in a more efficient and effective manner. "

Soldiers to be Removed from City’s Streets
July was a bloody month for Belize City as the old capital recorded a high number of murders of which more than 90% of murders occurred in the south side of Belize City. It got so intense that soldiers of the Belize Defense Force were called in to assist police in patrolling the hot spots like the Jane Usher Boulevard Area, among others. The BDF were called to deal with the spike in crime and since the spike in decreasing, they will be retreating from the streets shortly. Today the media spoke to Commandant of the BDF Brigadier General David Jones and CEO in the Ministry of National Security Retired Lieutenant Colonel George Lovell about the matter. COLONEL GEORGE LOVELL "We've been trying to get off the streets due to our operational commitments however because of the issues in Belize City we are asked to go back. We are not back there in strength that we used to, we are only doing two of the three shifts that we used to do.

Emmanuel Relieved of Attempted Murder Charge
Thirty-eight year old Wesley Emmanuel, charged with the murder of 36 year old Emigidio "Emi" Gomez, was acquitted of the charge today in the court of Justice John Gonzalez. The case for the prosecution had depended mainly on a caution statement that Emmanuel gave to the police in which he admitted his involvement in the crime. The case for the prosecution fell apart when after a voire dire, Justice Gonzalez ruled that the statement was inadmissible as evidence because it was taken under oppression. Emmanuel's attorney, Ernest Staine, had submitted that Emmanuel had not eaten for 2 days while he was in police custody. Crown Counsel Javier Chan told the court that he did not have any more evidence to offer. As a result, Justice Gonzalez directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty. Gomez was found hanging from a tree by his own belt in the Banana Bank area on July 16, 2008. He was the driver of a lowboy with trailer that was "jacked" on the Coastal Road. Gomez sideman, Mennonite farmer Cornelio Schmitt, was shot but he survived. It was the second trial for Emmanuel. In 2010 a jury was unable to reach a verdict. Another man, Jesse James Ochoa, was charged jointly with Emmanuel but he was acquitted at the first trial.

Murray Fails to Pay Fine and Sent to Prison
Nigel Murray, a resident of 7056 Raccoon Street Extension, became an inmate of Belize Central Prison today when he was found guilty of drug trafficking. Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith fined him $10,000 and ordered him to pay $5,000 forthwith and the balance by December 31. Murray was unable to pay so he was taken to prison. The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. on December 28, 2012. The police executed a search warrant at Murray's residence and found 650 grams of cannabis in the ceiling. The cannabis was in three black plastic bags that were in a transparent zip bag. Police corporal Selvin Flowers testified that Murray told him that he could take the cannabis although he invested the last money he had in it. Murray testified and denied that the cannabis was his. He said he was not the only person at the house when the police arrived and the house don't belong to him it is owned by his mother.

Bar Owner Fined for Employing Without Permits
Twenty year old Martha Rodriguez, the manager of Daisy's Cool Spot, located in Ladyville, was ordered to pay fines amounting to $2,000 today by Magistrate Herbert Panton after she pled guilty to 2 counts of employing a person not in possession of a temporary valid employment permit. She was given until September 5 to pay the fine. If she defaults on payment she will serve 6 months. Yesterday around 4 p.m. immigration officers on a routine patrol in Ladyville, went to Daisy's Cool Spot and saw two women, a mother and her daughter, working as waitresses. When the officers interviewed the women, who are Honduran nationals, they found that the women did not have any work permit. As a result, Rodriguez was taken into custody and charged.

Cayo Police Seeks Sebastian for Theft
Police in San Ignacio Town are investigating a case of theft where an American farmer, 52-year-old, Karina Tyler-Churani has told police that in her absence from Belize, she would send money and items to Belize in care of Sebastian Dorsten, for him to deliver to her worker at her farm in upper Barton Creek in the Cayo District�..But instead of delivering the money and items, he visited the farm frequently and took thirty bottles of NONI Extract valued at thirty thousand dollars, broad head arrows, hunting knives, boot knives. The items, which were taken between the period April 10, 2014 and July 19, 2014, have an estimated value of thirty thousand five hundred dollars.

Taxi Driver, Fisherman and Laborer Caught with Cocaine
Police in northern Belize had set up a checkpoint on the Philip Goldson Highway yesterday between miles sixty eight and sixty nine. Just before two o'clock they conducted a search of a gold Toyota Corolla taxi sedan being driven by 20-year-old, Jorghino Chan of a Cristock Street address in Orange Walk Town. During the search, officers found twelve hundred grams of cocaine, equivalent to just over two point six pounds. As a result, the driver along with 38-year-old fisherman, Luis Chavez of the San Martin area in the City of Belmopan along with 26-year-old, Luis Valladarez, a Belizean Laborer of Armenia Village, Cayo District. The drugs were taken into the station and labeled as exhibit while Chavez, Valladarez and Chan were arrested and charged for the offence of Drug Trafficking.

PlusTV

Dead body near Santa Martha indentified as Orland Cortez
On Thursday we told you of a dead body which was discovered on the�outskirts of Santa Martha Village in the Orange Walk District...

Three Men in Taxi Charged for Drug Trafficking
Three men were travelling in a taxi�in Orange Walk yesterday and were heading to a nearby village when they were busted with over a thousand grams of ...

Albert Vaughan charged for loitering
The mercy extended to the workers of Belize Maintenance Limited (BML) earlier this week was not in evidence for Freetown constituency chairman and�PUP...

Murder accused acquitted in court
A jury of twelve was directed today to acquit 38 year old Wesley Emmanuel of murder charges in the death of 36 year old Emigdio (Emi) Gomez in July of...

Man sent to jail over weed fine
Nigel Murray�will spend the next three years in jail after being found guilty of drug trafficking today by Chief Magistrate Ann-Marie Smith...

Woman charged over undocumented workers
A bar owner from Ladyville must pay $2,000 in fines, after being found to employ persons who were not in possession of a valid temporary employment pe...

BDF soldiers getting ready to leave Belize City
They were called back earlier this year to patrol Belize City streets after an increase in criminal activity, to support their brothers in the Police ...

University of Belize awards grants
With the new academic school year being just around the corner,�the University of Belize awarded school grants to over 80 students who qualified for t...

Arthur Saldivar faces action over Coye monies
It was a triumphant moment for all concerned in March of this year when the Court of Appeal cleared all remaining members of the Coye family of Belize...

Hollywood celebrities raise awareness of the ecosystem of the Barrier Reef
Information is that a trio of Hollywood celebrities recently arrived in Belize with the intent of using their "star power" to raise awar...

Another Body Found in Orange Walk
Orange Walk Police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a John Doe. Reports from Orange Walk are that sometime this morning in the Village of Santa Martha in the Orange Walk district the body of an unidentified person was discovered in a state of decomposition. Up to the time of this report, the Orange Walk police were still awaiting the arrival of forensics to conduct an onsite post mortem on the body.

Fisherman Shot in Belize City
There was a shooting incident in Belize City on Wednesday. 57-year-old Brian Clare, Belizean fisherman, was shot to his right arm. Initial investigation reveals that at 1:45p.m., Clare was driving his pickup truck on Partridge Street Extension heading towards a mechanic shop, when two men of dark complexion, riding on separate bicycles, fired several shots at his direction causing the injury. As a result, Brian Clare took out his license handgun and fired two shots in their direction. One of the culprits then rode his bicycle up Partridge Street Extension while the other ran through a yard on Partridge Street Extension, both making good their escape. Brian Clare is admitted at the K.H.M.H where he is in a stable condition. Police investigations continue.