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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
ABC Preschool Christmas Show a huge success
It was a night of pure child entertainment on Saturday, December 13th as ABC Preschool hosted its annual extravaganza at the Angel Nu�ez Auditorium. This year's event was Christmas themed and saw artists from Merida, Yucatan, Mexico imitating some of the most beloved animated characters. The children enjoyed performances by the cast of Disney's Mickey Mouse Club House, Frozen, and event Santa Claus, Rudolph and Frosty the Snow Man!
The ABC Preschool would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone that made the ABC Christmas Presentation a huge success. Big thanks to all our grand sponsors: Moncho's Rentals, TMM Bareboat Vacations, Portofino Resort, Xanadu Island Resort, Coco Cabana Pool Bar, Mata Chica Resort, Unbelizable Golfcart Rentals, Captain Morgan's Retreat San Pedro Town Council. Special thanks to the media: The San Pedro Sun, Reef Radio, Ambergris Today, Coral Cable Vision and to the various friends of ABC Preschool: Fido's, Holiday Hotel, El Fogon, Wild Mangoes, Annie's Pastries, Lily's Treasure Chest, Victoria House, Elvis Kitchen, Blue Water Grill, Caramba Restaurant, Neri's Tacos, Pirate's Pizza.
Amigos del Mar Responds to Allegations
Anyone familiar with diving in Belize knows the name Amigos del Mar, fondly known as simply 'Amigos'. For over twenty five years Amigos have operated one of the premiere diving companies in Belize and as such have played an essential role in building the reputation of Ambergris Caye and Belize as a top dive destination. Amigos is well known for having the highest standards for safety and divers return year after year to dive with them. This has been good for resorts and for tourism.
There is a saying 'when the going gets tough, the tough get going' and now it's Amigos' turn to get going. In May of this year there was an allegation of sexual assault made against Gerson Cordon, who was studying to be a Dive Master under the tutelage of independent Diving Instructor Marciano Mendez.
44th SICA Summit comes to a close
Belize has passed on the Pro-Tempore Presidency of the Central American Integration System (SICA) to Guatemala, as the 44th SICA Summit came to its conclusion on Wednesday, December 17th. Held in Placencia, Stann Creek District, the final meeting of the SICA Summit saw heads of state from six of the eight participating countries attending. Presidents/Prime Ministers from Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama and Dominican Republic converged to discuss on the social and economic development of the region. Present at the meeting was President of Guatemala Otto Perez Molina, President of the Dominican Republic Danilo Medina, President of Honduras Juan Orlando Hernandez, President of Panama Juan Carlos Varela and President of El Salvador Salvador Sanchez Ceren.
Ambergris Today
Congratulation to all Christmas Raffle Winners!
Caribe�a Fuels Winners:
1st Rojel Sanchez - 1 40 inch LCD Flat Screen TV.
2nd Killianie Azueta - 1 Home Theater System
3rd Mike Coleman - Cellular Phone
4th Tony Nu�ez - 1 Ham and Turkey
5th Severo Guerrero - 3 Month Gallons of Gas
Coral Cable Vision Winners:
1st Felipe Anocona - 1 40 inch LCD Flat Screen TV.
2nd Michael Hancock - 1 Home Theater System
3rd Lisa Forman - 1 Ham and Turkey
4th Vernica Trejo - 3 Months Free Cable
Liberty Children's Home Hosts Successful Fundraiser in San Pedro
Liberty Children's Home hosted their first annual Holiday Pig Roast and Bake Sale Fundraiser this past Sunday, with a joint-venture between both newly-acquired businesses Kama Lounge and Coco Loco's Beach Bar in the Tres Cocos area.
AMBERGRIS CAYE - December 21, 2014 - With the support and help of organizers Monica Davis, Luis Velasquez (Owner, Kama Lounge), Carmen Arenal (Owner, Coco Loco's Beach Bar), Joe Chung, and Grant Ice, the first annual Holiday Pig Roast and Bake Sale for Liberty Children's Home was a great success. Liberty Children's Home is a sanctuary for children in need, providing in a natural environment, love, nurturing, and a high standard of education. Situated in Ladyville, on the outskirts of Belize City, Liberty Children's Home is unique in its commitment to child-centered care and education.
Misc Belizean Sources
BLACK FRUIT CAKE
Stew all fruit with 1 lb brown sugar and rum; cook until liquid becomes a thick syrup. Let fruits cool overnight.
In large mixing bowl, cream butter with 2 lbs brown sugar, and add eggs one at a time. Add flour, baking powder and spice alternately with stout and coloring. Finally, fold the stewed fruit into the mixture. Line cake pans with brown paper.Fill about 3/4 baking pan. Bake in very slow oven(270° F) for about 3 hours. ENJOY!!
CLASSIC HERB STUFFING
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Melt butter in large skillet on medium heat. Add celery and onion; cook and stir 5 minutes. Stir in thyme, poultry seasoning, salt and pepper.
2. Place bread cubes in large bowl. Add celery mixture and broth; toss gently until well mixed. Spoon into lightly greased 13x9-inch baking dish.
3. Bake 35 minutes or until heated through and lightly browned.
Government of Belize Press Office
From Our Press Office Family to Yours ... MERRY CHRISTMAS! Wishing you a safe and blessed one!
Channel 7
Farmers Inch Toward A Sugar Crop
Tonight, both sides in the sugar industry standoff have inched closer to a compromise - but they have not agreed. The eighteen directors of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association met this morning in Orange Walk to consider the updated proposal from BSI. The proposal was crafted with the words of the farmers - after BSI caved in and omitted all references to the Harvest and Delivery Control Unit. So, did the Directors accept it? Well, the short version of that story is that they didn't - but it seems that they are inclined to pending a small change. They have sent back the document to their attorney for one small amendment on that same clause 2.3. It seems the most recent draft still seems to suggest that the Sugar Cane Production Committee, known as the SCPC would not have the final say on what cane gets accepted by the factory. The farmers want that to be unequivocally fair in the final agreement and so have sent it back again.
Nat'l Security Ministry Want To Keep Murder Rate Under Control For Holidays
Last night we told you that, so far for 2014, the number of murders has increased by 22% - going up from 99 total last year, to 121 as of Monday of this week. That's a sharp increase, but also 24 less than the all time high, which was realised in 2012.
That puts Belize's murder rate at 33.6 - which is expected to place us in the global top ten, again.
But it's still not final - the long holiday could increase the number of homicides - we surely hope not, but with so much alcohol being consumed it's a distinct possibility.
Today in Belmopan, CEO in the ministry of national security Lovell discussed the murder rate so far, and their best hopes for it:�
Rt. Col George Lovell - CEO, Ministry of National Security
"The figures that we currently see, while it's at a 121 or 122 is one of the lower figures in the last 5 years. It is the 2nd lowest to last year's figure and when we did our analysis, my analysis showed me that when you do projections because we were looking at this how it will be up to 2020. Our plans at the ministry of national security is to bring the homicide rate per capita to about 8 per 100 thousand."
Man Found Dead In The South; Is It Murder?
And that number of 121 murders may already be increasing. That's after a man was found dead on the Southern Highway this morning. On Tuesday morning, 20-year-old Juan Daniel Young Menjivar from Independence village was found between miles 42 and 43 on the Southern Highway near the Monkey River Junction in a pool of blood. Police say he had a head injury - but they can't say that it's foul play because around 1:00a.m. he was seen walking on the Southern Highway in Bella vista Village with another man and both appeared to be drunk. A postmortem examination certified the cause of death to be "Severe Head Injury due to Massive Skull Fracture". Today CEO Lovell said it could be murder number 122:�
Rt. Col George Lovell - CEO, Ministry of National Security
"With that recent body that was found on the southern highway between Bella Vista and Independence. Because, while from the looks of it appeared to be a hit and run or a vehicular road accident. According to the doctors, they have been signs that are consistent with chop wombs, so we need to look at that to see precisely where that is."
Arabian Millionaire In Belizean Waters
For most of today, Belize Coast Guard vessels were escorting a VIP from the Kingdom of Qatar in the Middle East. The sheikh arrived in his multimillion dollar luxury yacht, noted on the internet as being one of the largest in the world.
His name is Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber bin Muhammad Al Thani, and he is the former Prime Minister and Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar. Internet reports say that he's one of the richest men in his country. His 436 foot mega yacht, Al Mirqab was built in 2008, and is valued between 200 and 300 million US dollars. It has a crew of 60 and can accommodate up to 60 guests.
Man Knocked Down By Vehicle With Guatemalan Diplomatic Plates
Around 12 this afternoon, a 26 year old man was knocked down on Princess Margaret Drive. Messenger David Gonzalez was traveling on his motorcycle on Princess Margret Drive when a Toyota Hilux with diplomatic license plates belonging to the Guatemala Embassy- came out of A Street unto Princess Margret drive and knocked Gonzalez off his bike. He received abrasions to multiple parts of his body and also a broken leg. Tonight he is hospitalized at the KHMH and will need a surgery for his leg. This afternoon 7 news caught up with his wife at the hospital.
Blanca Jimenez - Common-law-wife of David Gonzalez
"Well I received a call round 12 o'clock this afternoon. His boss called me and she said she has bad news for me. Then I asked her what is it, she told me that David got knocked down, she said the nearly died and I so frightened. He said he was coming from work towards his boss' house then he said when he bend the lane, he just see a car coming in speed and knocked him down and they took him in the ambulance. He was in a lot of pain because his knee broke and right now its swollen, his belly is scratched, foot and everything. His boss said he was under the vehicle."
US Embassy Increases Donation To GOB
Earlier we told you about Belize's murder rate of 33.6. IT will likely be in the top ten of the world, closer to ten than one. But, likely to be at the very top of the list is Honduras, close to that we should see El Salvador, and right in the middle we're likely to see Guatemala. It's called the central American Triangle, the most murderous zone on earth - and many of those murders are a consequence of the drug trade - where cocaine heads from south America to North America.
And to try and compensate for that, the US set up the Central American Regional Security Initiative, CARSI. It was introduced in Belize in 2008. Since then the Americans have allotted about 16 million dollars for various security programs in Belize. That ahs been used to train 305 persons, acquire 38 vehicles, retain specialized security advisors and establish of the Mobile Interdiction Team.
Well, today the American delivered four million more. CEO Lovell read from the Diplomatic note what is included:�
US Funds Can't Be Used For Hunting Caye FOB
And while the US money will go to making some less imperious decals, the money can't be used to complete the Caost Guard's forward operating base on Hunting Caye. As we told you, the American dropped that multi million dollar project when the Government of Belize objected to the Guatemalan contractor. At that point the Americans basically said, "fine, but you'll have to build it yourself." It's still two million Belize dollars away from completion but this 8.2 million Belize dollars in CARSAI funding can't be used to fill that shortfall.
Rt. Col George Lovell - CEO, Ministry of National Security
"Go have that discussion with our friends in the US embassy."
Bruce Matthews - U.S. Charg� d'affaires
"We use the words, non commingling of funds. Each fund is air marked for a reason or each programme and there's very strict rules about avoiding commingling of funds. We have to make sure they go to CARSI programme to opposed military assisting programmes."
Lovell On Pisshouse...�
And Lovell says the funds can but won't be used to fix up the police department's substandard, often sub-human detention cells. The issue has been the center of grassroots activist Yaya Marin Coleman's ongoing protest and while she has focused on the city, Lovell said he went to the Belmopan cell, and it was nothing nice:�
Rt. Col George Lovell - CEO, Ministry of National Security
"I had an opportunity to visit the one in Belmopan and when I went there the stench, the odour you have in there. Then you have our police officers working in there and I had to go and ask if there is anything we can do in the interim because we have to try and fix what we have right now before we can the purposely designed cells that are well ventilated and away from where we have our constant day to day movements of people and those who administrate the police station. So certainly we need to look at those areas and we will be looking at them but I cannot make any promises it will happen any time soon even though yes the monies can be used for that. I think it's the government of Belize and my ministry's responsibility to ensure that we provide using our own resources if we can. I don't mind having them contributing to it but if if we can, we need to address these things."
Is Bze Still Fighting An Imaginary War Against Marijuana
And while the CARSI funding is one thing, outside of that funding regime, the US also assists Belize with marijuana eradication efforts. At least four times since 2013, the US has lent helicopter support to the BDF and police to go on major drug destruction campaigns in the remote areas of Belize. The exercises produced record numbers of fields destroyed, but, many ask, to what end? That's because three states in the US and the seat of the federal government, Washington DC have voted to legalize recreational marijuana. So where does that put Belize, which is still fighting a sort of make believe drug war against weed? We asked the senior US official that question pointedly today and he said it is an evolving issue:�
Bruce Matthews - U.S. Charg� d'affaires
"It's an issue that's evolving for us. You have to keep in mind that those states might have legalised use of marijuana, it's still a federal crime. So from a federal stand point, it's still an illegal drug, so it's different for us in that regard, it brings up issue sand problems were going to have to work through and how to make it all work. In terms of our foreign policy, from a federal standpoint it's still an illegal drug. Going to the front of your question and asking if it's the right thing to do, is it productive? It's not something we're going to exclude at this point but I think we do recognise that's not the sole thing we should be doing, it's not the sole avenue for solving this problem, it's a long term problem and there is going to be a long term solution."
Is Lovell Being Replaced As Nat'l Security Ministry CEO
And in one more security issue tonight - we asked CEO Lovell if it is true that Commissioner Allen WHYLIE is on the move - possibly to his office. Lovell was cagey on that one:�
Rt. Col George Lovell - CEO, Ministry of National Security
"I've been hearing all sot of rumours and I wouldn't even want to repeat them because I don't want people to go off with ideas."
Reporter
"So it's not to your knowledge?"
Rt. Col George Lovell
"Not to my knowledge."
Whylie was formerly the CEO of Immigration and National about 5 years ago.
Bradley to Schakron: Tell Me How You'll Improve Bze City
Mayor Darrell Bradley - last Friday you heard him speak about his decision to seek another term as Mayor. Well, we also asked him about his opponent Yolanda Schakron - and he said he hopes that she challenges him:�
Darrell Bradley, Mayor - Belize City
"What I want from Ms. Shakron is that she brings to the table a critical debate and discussion in relation to a vision and direction and an action plan as to how it related to how she will move Belize city forward. I have that and one of the things I don't appreciate from our political campaigns is the level of it and the depth of it is, vote for me because that one theif. That's all we talk about, so what I want for this municipal election and the general elections we talk really about issues. I have no problem is people don't like me, I have no problem is people don't vote for me. But I will tell you squarely what Darrell Bradley is about, what values we stand for in terms of our council, our emphasis on areas of moving Belize City forward and I am very confident we are about principle and we have a clear vision."
Smuggling Wah Lee Christmas Weed?
Prison Officers say that 24 year-old Rufus Castillo tried to smuggle Christmas weed into the Belize Central Prison for his inmate cousin, and tonight, he's facing a fine which he must pay or else, he will be jailed.
The incident happened yesterday when Castillo took a plastic bag to the entrance of the prison. An officer searched the bag and realized that 21 grams - or 0.74 ounces - of marijuana was craftily hidden under the bottom of a deodorant cover. He called police who arrested and charged Castillo with possession of controlled drugs.
He was arraigned today before the Senior Magistrate, where he pleaded guilty and explained that his cousin's girlfriend did not explain that drugs were inside the deodorant. Senior Magistrate Frazer sentenced him to pay a fine of $500, by February 28, 2015.
Convicted of Sexual Assault, Man Tells The Court He Was Drunk
41 year-old Honduran Carlos Perez Sanchez is spending the first night of a 3 year sentence because touched a mother and daughter inappropriately.
The incident happened on Monday, and according to a 39 year-old Mother, she and her 11 year-old daughter were walking on Cemetery Road. They were heading toward Albert Street, when they encountered Sanchez. The mother told police that Sanchez came up close and slapped them both on the buttocks.
Sanchez was immediately picked up and charged with two counts of sexual assault. He was arraigned today before Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer, and he pleaded guilty to both charges. He explained that he was just released from police custody and that he was drunk.
Those Diligent Christmas Workers
Our first story is about all those who are working tomorrow. Think of the police, the security guards, the doctors and nurses, the media workers and, of course, those in the tourism sector.
That's right, Christmas is prime time for tourism, and today about 14,000 cruise visitors arrived in the city on cruise ships. That might not mean much to you all but for the tour operators at terminal 1, that means more work and more money. And it continues tomorrow. So while you all will be enjoying the family gatherings and the Christmas dinner, these tour operators will be busy at work. Seems quite depressing right? Well it surely isn't for these tour operators. They say the sacrifice is all worth it in the end.
How Is The X-Mas Sales?
And, like the tour operators, storeowners also don't mind the extra flow of people passing through. Now they won't be open tomorrow, but tonight, most stores will be keep the lights on until the shelves are bare! And why not? After all who wants to buy a gift next week?
According to downtown businesses like Mikado's and Hofius, that flow of Christmas shoppers starts to pour in from early and mid October right up to Christmas eve. So has this been a successful year on the business end? The managers of these long established stores were very upbeat when we asked them today.
Neena told us that over 400 people shopped at Mikado's daily during this season.
How Di Christmas Di Cohn?
And our Christmas Eve newscast would not be complete without the word from the street. It's a tradition here at 7News to go out unto Albert street and sample public opinion on that deathless question: "how di Christmas di cohn?"
As usual, it's a mixed bag, but most folks we spoke to seemed to be doing ok with their shopping, while also keeping it real about what Christmas is really about. Courtney Weatherburne did the questioning:�
Channel 5
B.S.C.F.A. Directors Call Emergency Meeting, Agreement Remains Unsigned
The final proposal for a purchasing agreement between the B.S.C.F.A. and B.S.I. remains to be endorsed, despite an amendment to a controversial term in a previous draft.� Earlier this week, [...]
B.S.I. Addresses N.T.U.C.B.'s Involvement in Negotiations
As we mentioned earlier, the N.T.U.C.B.'s role in the current process has been met with questions from B.S.I. concerning its agenda.� While he did not speak openly, Carballo alluded to [...]
G.O.B. to Receive an Additional Four Million in CARSI Funding
CARSI, the Central American Regional Security Initiative, is a program particularly designed to help create a more responsive police force, enhance public police cooperation, improve the judicial sector, modernize correctional [...]
Crime Stats 2014, Are the Numbers Up This Year?
The crime statistics for 2014 are out - well, not exactly because 2014 isn't done yet and all those figures are subject to change. But at the request of the [...]
Homicides On the Rise in Cayo District
At least by our unofficial stats, murders in Belize City have gone way down, which is good news. But murders in the districts have gone up, which is bad news. [...]
Traffic Accident Leaves Home Protector Employee Badly Injured
There was a traffic accident just before eleven this morning on Princess Margaret Drive near its intersection with A Street in the King's Park Area. Twenty-five year old David Gonzalez, [...]
Was Juan Menjivar a Victim of Foul Play?
On Tuesday morning, shortly before three o'clock, the body of twenty-year-old Juan Menjivar was discovered by police in an area between miles forty-two and forty-three on the Southern Highway, in [...]
Belize City Fisherman Loses Boat and Fishing Equipment to Thieves
Belize City fisherman Giovanni Murrillo is tonight without a boat, following a theft on Tuesday during which his fishing vessel and equipment were stolen.� Sometime during the evening, Twista, which [...]
Will Conditions at Queen Street Precinct '[#%!]' House Ever Improve?
We've all heard the derogatory but very accurate description of the holding cells at the Queen Street Police Station, and truth be told, the others across the country aren't in [...]
Housing Situation for Cops on Caye Caulker Ignored
And while the Ministry is looking at the holding cells, it has also looked at the living conditions of Police Officers stationed in Caye Caulker. A few months ago News [...]
American Researcher Booted from Belize for Immigration Offense
A removal ordered requested by the Belize Immigration Department was granted for the expulsion of thirty-two-year-old Timothy Joseph Eales from Belize.� On Friday, December nineteenth, Eales was picked up by [...]
Carlos Sanchez Gets Eighteen Months in Jail For Sexual Assault
A Honduran national is convicted of two counts of sexual assault upon a mother and her eleven year old daughter. Carlos Perez Sanchez, who is originally from Dangriga but was [...]
U.S. Embassy Comments on American Flag on Belize Police Cars
Earlier in the newscast, we showed you the presentation of a diplomatic note through the CARSI initiative, to the tune of four point one million dollars U.S. This program has [...]
What Belizeans Want This Christmas
Downtown Belize City is bustling with residents doing last-minute shopping for one of the most exciting seasons of the year. Although Christmas is all about the traditional trimmings of turkey, [...]
Greetings From Belizeans Near and Far
In the spirit of sharing the love for Christmas, residents also sent heartfelt greetings to friends and family here in Belize and the Diaspora. {Christmas Greeting from residents�}