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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

What's this tired little Easter bunny doing???
She's hiding eggs in our Easter issue of The San Pedro Sun that's coming out this Thursday!

Belize Jaguars advance in World Cup Qualifiers
The Belize National Football Selection is moving on to the second round of competition in the F�d�ration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup Qualifiers. The Jaguars narrowly defeated the national football selection from the Cayman Islands, which is allowing them to continue their journey on the road to World Cup Russia 2018. While both games between the selections ended in a tie, the Jaguars gained the advantage of the away goals rule and were awarded the win. The away goals rules dictate that the team that has scored more goals "away from home" will win if scores are otherwise equal. The first match was a home game for the Jaguars on Wednesday, March 25th. Eager spectators ready to support their team headed to the Football Federation of Belize (FFB) Project Stadium for Belize's first game in the World Cup Qualifiers. The matched kicked off at 8PM. Both teams were well prepared. In the first minutes Belize had the opportunity of scoring their first goal after Cayman Island fouled them, but the ball lacked momentum and did not make it to the goal. Throughout the game the Jaguars had several scoring opportunities but no goal went through. Thankfully Belize did have a good defense strategy, and did not allow Cayman Island to get anywhere near the goal. While the Jaguars clearly dominated the first game, no goals were scored, so the match ended in a 0-0 final score.

Marisha Thompson crowned Miss San Pedro Lions 2015/2016
Marisha Thompson is the new Miss San Pedro Lions Queen 2015/2016. Thompson was selected by a panel of judges from amongst three other contestants on Saturday, March 28th at a pageant held at the San Pedro High School Auditorium. Four lovely young ladies participated in several rounds of competition throughout the night, ending with the announcement of the winners. The Miss Lions pageant consisted of several rounds of competition, including entrance and introduction, Casual Beach Wear, Talent Segment, Evening Wear, and the Question and Answer segment. Throughout the various stages, the participants displayed beauty, elegance, talent and their knowledge of the Lions Organization. At the end of the Question and Answer segment, a panel of five judges submitted individual score sheets which were tallied immediately. The title of Miss Photogenic went to Jessica Bradley, while Marisha Thompson was named Miss Congeniality. First runner up was Ezra Jacobs. Taking the covented title was Marisha Thompson. As Miss San Pedro Lions 2015/2016, Thompson took home $2000 courtesy of the San Pedro Lions Club as well as an assortment of other prizes. All the contestants received prizes including dining and water activities, gifts certificates as well as cash.

Ambergris Today

Flashbacks - Beach Volleyball Brought to the island by San Pedro High School
Before 1971 San Pedro enjoyed sports like baseball, football and basketball. Volleyball was unknown to San Pedro until Mr. Harry Guinn, a U.S. visitor to San Pedro and friend of San Pedro High brought the first set of volleyball equipment to include balls, net and whistles. And exactly where did San Pedro High set up its volleyball court? In the sandy yard of the community center, which had been transformed into San Pedro High School. It was here that young kids like Omar "Kanasi" Guerrero, Pedro "Sony" Vasquez, Mito Paz, James Azueta and Efrain Guerrero got their first training in volleyball under the guidance of Sponsor Harry Guinn and Teacher Fidel Ancona. Because there was no official court, the game was played on the sand; thus unknowingly it was San Pedro High School back in 1973/74 that introduced Beach Volleyball to San Pedro. After that volleyball exploded in San Pedro with annual tournaments at Friendship Park and Central Park to include great athletes like Billy, Gerald, and Martin Leslie, Nicolas Varela, Omar Guerrero, Gilberto Paz, Martin McCorkle, Jason Nu�ez, Santiago Vasquez, Mito, Cholo Nu�ez among many others. And let us not forget great volleyball athletes from Caye Caulker that joined us in our annual tournaments.

25 Years Ago- The Burden of Ironing Clothes in San Pedro Village
Very few persons even today find ironing clothes a pleasant chore. Now if ironing clothes today with the fancy electric irons that are equipped with thermostats and steam is not a pleasant experience, imagine the burden and awful task it was 25 years ago with the irons used then. Before I even describe them, let me show you a good photo of these antique irons and then describe how they functioned. Take a good look at these irons that were not powered by electricity, kerosene or gasoline which I will talk about next week. These irons were made of iron. I wonder if that is the origin of the name "an iron". Each one weighed about three or four pounds and most homes had four to six of them to make the task of ironing not too long. Let us begin by heating up the irons. You had to light up a good fire with firewood, of course, and set a hot plate (comal) over the fire. Once your "comal" was very hot, you set the six irons on the "comal" and leave them there for some ten to fifteen minutes until they got very hot also.

Caramba Restaurant Keeps Things Fresh and New
Have you noticed that when people are impressed with something they go, "Holly Molly"? Well, in San Pedro people go, "Caramba"! Every year around August, Caramba Restaurant closes for about two weeks during the slow season and takes advantage of the time off. But the time off could hardly be considered "time off" because when the restaurant reopens there is always something new about the place, be it the food, the bar or the dining area; Caramba is always evolving. That 'something new' I am talking about can be as subtle as a new paint color or as big as the addition of a new stylish bar. However, what always remains constant from Caramba is the food. It is fitting that their slogan says, "Where the food always speaks for itself�". This year the restaurant kicked it up a notch by introducing a new menu filled with amazing new dishes and revamped old favorites.

Caribbean Fisheries Forum to Review Regional Spiny Lobster Declaration
Heads of national fisheries authorities from the seventeen (17) Member States of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), as well as observers and partner agencies, are attending the 13th Meeting of the Caribbean Fisheries Forum in Grenada this week. The representatives will review the status of fisheries and aquaculture in the region and chart the roadmap for enhancing their contribution to national and regional development. CRFM Executive Director, Milton Haughton, said, "The fisheries and aquaculture sector is playing an increasing role in food and nutrition security, as well as the provision of income and livelihoods for the people of the Caribbean."

Misc Belizean Sourcesmzz

Premium cheaper at the pump than regular
Only in Belize is premium gas cheaper than regular gas. And we wonder why they call us "third world" twilight zone backwater country?

Garifuna Survival Day Celebration
A day time family friendly event, bring out the kids, hoping to get maximum support. General Admission only $5.00

BEAUTIFUL MISS AMERICA BELIZE, 2015/2016. AND LOVELY , LITTLE MISS AMERICA BELIZE, 2015/2016

LEGALITY OF ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE
The Department of the Environment (DOE), hereby informs the general public of an issue related to Environmental Clearance granted to a project by the DOE. Environmental Clearance is required by law, under the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations as amended, and is granted through a letter by the DOE. Environmental Clearance granted to developers /investors is contingent upon the signing of an Environmental Compliance Plan (ECP). The ECP is an agreement signed between the DOE and the developer for a specific project. Both the Environmental Clearance letter and the ECP are issued ONLY to a particular developer and as such are NOT transferable to any other developer, entity or company.

Riti Sachdeva Theatre Workshops
HAPPENING NOW! Mark your calendars to attend one of the FREE theatre workshops featuring Riti Sachdeva when she is visiting your area.

Did you have the opportunity to attend the 2015 Belize Band Fest?
What was your favorite band? Political/Economic Section Chief attended the 2015 Belize Band Fest and had a great time! Congrats to the Mahogany Heights Drumline and the Stella Maris Futuristic Drumline, and the Corozal Community College Bands! Congrats also to the Gwen Lizarraga High School Marching Band for such a strong showing and for winning "Most Popular Band!"

Happy birthday Lola's Pub!!!! We loves ya!!!!!
It's time for a party!!!! Imagine THAT in San Pedro!!

Pursued
The chase is on, but there's a clear victor. Next time, puma. Natural selection and survival of the fittest as per Charles Darwin

VACANCY: ZOOKEEPING POSITION
The Zoo is looking for a bright, energetic Belizean to join its Animal Management team. Requirements: Belizean citizen; Minimum of a high school diploma; valid driver's license (Class A); strong command of the English language; ability to work as part of a team, and work flexible hours. Being bilingual, and having previous experience in animal husbandry would be assets. Interested parties must submit the following: application letter, CV/resume, recent police record, and 2 references to [email protected]. Or mail to:The Belize Zoo, P.O. Box 178, Belmopan, Cayo, Belize. Or simply deliver to the Zoo's front desk. DEADLINE April 17th

Kudos to Sandbar
For helping out with the clean up of the sargassum sea weed.

San Cas Children's Month Event
Santiago Castillo celebrated Children's Month with a little fair at their Santa Elena location. There were fun activities for all the kids. Thanks, San Cas!

Channel 7

Did Hostel Girls Burn Down The Dorm?
The Youth Hostel is the home for troubled children - too young to go to jail, but too much trouble to keep at home. But this afternoon, a group of females being housed at the hostel may have been the ones who caused major trouble by burning their dormitory down. The fire started at around 3:30 p.m. and by 4 o'clock, the place was engulfed. 7news was on the scene and Daniel Ortiz spoke to Starla Bradley Acosta, the Director of the Community Rehab Department, under which the Youth Hostel is managed, and she told us what they've been able to confirm so far about the fire: Starla Bradley- Acosta - Director, Community Rehabilitation Department "This has indeed destroyed the female dormitory - all the contents. It allegedly started in one of the dorms to the back. We are still trying to ascertain exactly what happened and we are working along with the police. It is the girl's dormitory. Some of the girls were actually in the building at the time the fire started and so we just managed to quickly get them out and try to contain them. Right now everybody is highly emotional. One of the challenges with working with this population is the fact that a lot of the children do have severe mental illness and so quite often there are challenges that come along with that and so, the fire department has just inform that the fire is not out. Pretty much, everything that was in the building was destroyed."

18 Wheeler Blocks Road, SUV Runs Under It
There was a serious accident last night on the Western Highway. It happened at 8:20 at mile thirteen and a half. A Mazda Tribute was westbound when it ran under an eighteen-wheeler that was blocking the entire highway - from one side to the next. There were no warning flags on the road - and while the trailer had lights, it wasn't enough; the Mazda Tribute ran into it like it wasn't there. 7News was on the scene and I found out more from one of the first to render aid to the two persons inside the Tribute: Courtney Weatherburne reporting These are the survivors of last night's accident: Jefferson Dawson was rolled away from the wreck on the road on a stretcher while his wife Carmela Dawson was at least able to walk to the ambulance. This was the scene that was left behind on Mile 13 on the Western Highway. The couple was on their way to Belmopan when they slammed head on into this 18 wheeler trailer truck. The truck was reversing into the Softy Toilet Paper Factory, trailer first and that's was when Dawson rammed into it. The entire front portion of the SUV was wedged underneath.

Jamie Got Killed By a Gun
When we left you last night, it was with the news flash that Jamie Chavarria had been killed on Berkley Street. Now, this is the same Jamie Chavarria who was shot on February 28th and appeared on the news last week Friday night asking for help to go abroad for surgery on his gunshot-damaged back. That shooting happened on West Canal between Berkley Street and Rocky Road. Well, last night - one month after he had been shot - he was murdered in an alley off Berkeley Street. It was a death foretold - since there are deadly rivals living just a few dozen feet from each other right inside that very tight tangle of streets in the Albert area of Southside Belize City. 7News was on the scene last night and today Monica Bodden spoke to his family:.. A young man was fatally shot last night -through this alley known to area residents as Pandy's Alley - near to Berkeley Street. The shooting happened around 7:30 and police officers were first on the scene. The entire area was cordoned off by law enforcement officers - Crowd of spectators gathered on East Canal-all stunned at what happened.

Charged For Running Over Austin
About a week ago, we told you how 11 year-old Stella Maris Student Austin Olivera Jr. died 5 days after being knocked down at the airport junction. Well, the driver of that vehicle, 60 year-old Errol Belisle, has been charged with manslaughter for his death. He was arraigned today before Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith on the charges of manslaughter by negligence, causing death by careless conduct, and driving a motor vehicle without due care and attention. He was offered bail of $5,000, and his case was adjourned to May 21. The incident occurred around 8:20 a.m. on March 17, at the junction of the Airport Road and Phillip Goldson Highway. Olivera, a student of Stella Maris School, was crossing the road to catch a bus to go to school when he was knocked down by a grey Astro van.

Ashcroft Raises English Eyebrows
Michael Ashcroft raised English eyebrows today when he announced that he had resigned from the British House of Lords, effective immediately. In a statement on his website, Ashcroft says that he can't devote the time to the House of Lords that it requires. His statements add that his work on opinion polling will continue. Recently, with elections set for May in the UK - Lord Ashcroft's polls have emerged as influential in that country. He became a member of the House of Lords in the year 2000 - after a hard fought battle to get in, and two rejections. The membership is for life - which has raised questions about why he has resigned. But one thing we do know is that now that he has resigned, Ashcroft - who retains the title "Lord" - will be able to regain what is known as non-dom status - meaning that for tax purposes, Ashcroft will no longer have to be resident in the UK. He can, for example, list his residence as Belize - which he did up until at least 2004. And, most importantly for the billionaire, as a "non-dom, he would not pay UK taxes on his earnings abroad.

Streets And Store Aisles On The Price Of Rice
For over a week we've been reporting on the price of rice - and the prospect of importing cheap Guyanese rice. That would drive shelf prices down and amount to major savings for shoppers - but, the government says, it would also likely decimate the local rice industry and put producers out of business. So government has refused to grant importer Jack Charles the permit he needs to bring in Guyanese rice, but that's doing nothing to bring down prices. The supplies control office in the Bureau of Standards which should enforce price controls is about as effective as a hammer without a head - so producers and retailers sell for any price that the market will pay - which is usually one dollar and twenty cents per pound - thirty cents above the control price - and fifty cents cheaper than Charles says he can retail it for. It's a real quandary and when we visited Public's supermarket on West Collet Canal today we found that shoppers had mixed opinions on the price, and the possible price of rice:...

National Debt: Figure Fascination
The national debt is always a figure of interest - and ever since the year 2001 when it broke the billion dollar mark - it's been a figure of fascination. Last week it came up many times in the budget debate - since the Barrow Administration makes no apology for using Petrocaribe debt to drive its economic agenda. But how much is the debt - and who's responsible for the bulk of it? Both sides had conflicting interpretations of what should be pretty straightforward facts. So we checked the Central Bank figures and they show that in February of 2008, total debt, external and domestic stood at 2.301 billion Belize Dollars. In February 2015, the total debt was 2.6 billion dollars. And while the debt has increased, the all important debt to GDP ratio has gone down due to growth of the economy. That is still a ways off form the 70% benchmark set for developing countries.

Rita Mcfield Won't Get Her Money Quick From Attorney Ernest Staine
Last night, we told you how Ernest Staine, Belize's most senior attorney, had to report to the Supreme Court that he intends to sell a few of his properties to come up with his former client's 230 thousand dollars. Well, Justice Courtney Abel has made it into a formal court order that he must sell his personal possessions to recover the money belonging to Rita McField, which he apparently spent. The news tonight is that the ethical wrong committed against McField continues to compound because the court is unable to give her an exact day that Staine can be compelled to return her money. That's because putting a deadline is not exactly practical since it will be hard to predict the market status for the properties that he will put up for sale.

OW Murder Victim Found By Street Sweeper
In our last segment we told you about last night's murder in the city. 7 hours after that execution style slaying happened in Belize City, a man from Orange Walk Town was gunned down and killed in that town. It happened at just after 2 a.m., and today, our colleagues from CTV3 Spoke with investigators about that crime. Here's what they had to say: ASP Selvin Tillett - Deputy OC, Orange Walk Police "Monchi's Snack Shop, where upon arrival we saw what appeared to be a lifeless body of a male person lying face up in the shop. He was later identified as one Ricardo Triminio, of the same address. He had what appeared to be gunshot wounds to his face, his chest, left and right shoulder and left arm. Police found 5 expended shells and 4 slugs at the scene. Police continue their investigation."

Belizean-American Killed In New York
A woman with Belizean roots was killed early this morning in Jamaica, New York - and it has shaken the Belizean community in that US city. 70 year old Leta Webb - whose relatives live in Belize City - was shot in the face when she answered her door this morning at 1:30 am. Webb's Belize relatives are the Gotoy family in Belize City - we were unable to reach them by phone.

Mother Says Son Chanced By Police
A week ago, we told you about the arraignment and remand of 28 year-old Phillip Moss Samuels, the man who was shot by police on March 12. He was arrested and charged with keeping an unlicensed firearm, and keeping unlicensed ammunition. He was also charged with handling stolen goods, since the weapon was reported stolen by Carl Butler. He was arraigned before the Chief Magistrate, Ann Marie Smith, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges. Due to the nature of the offences, he was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until May 29. He's in jail right now, but his mother says that he's being wrongfully accused, and the officer who shot him, used excessive force for no reason. She came to speak with us today about his son's version of the incident:

"Cinco" For Berretta
19 year old Shakir Perrera, a resident of Jane Usher Boulevard, was sentenced to 10 years today by the Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith after he was found guilty of kept firearm and ammunition without a gun license. Perrera was busted with a Beretta pistol containing 8 rounds of ammunition on the morning of January 18, 2014. Perrera was on Collet Canal Street near to Finnegan Market when he was approached by two police officers, Constable Blades and Inspector Jemmott, who were on mobile patrol. Both officers testified that when they searched Perera they found the firearm in his pocket. Perrera testified and claimed that Jemmott planted the firearm on him. But Chief Magistrate Smith did not believe his version of the incident and she found him guilty.

Honduran Robber Gets 3 Years
24 year old Honduran national Darwin Martinez, one of three men who committed a robbery, was sentenced to 3 years today by the Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith after he pled guilty to the crime. The incident occurred yesterday around 8:30 p.m. in front of a residence on Jane Usher Boulevard. 46 year old shopkeeper Olga Ayala reported to the police that she and her son, 17 year old Byron Reyes, had just arrived their residence and her son was opening the gate when they were approached by three men. She said one man had a shotgun while the other two were armed with knives. She told police that the men, who had shirts over their heads, demanded money and she gave them $280, and the men also took her son's cell phone. She said before they left the gunman hit her on her ear with the gun and them he struck her son on his head with it.

Lions Makes An Easter Gift
Easter is the most important holiday on the Christian calendar because it celebrates the resurrection of Christ as a symbol of re-birth and hope. So this Easter the Belize City Lions Club is introducing the Easter Gift Project as part of its International Lions Services for Children Program. The Project will support the efforts of three organizations with already established feeding programs for undernourished children. Those organizations are Dara's Feeding Program, Liberty Children's Home and the YMCA. Today 7news was invited to the handing over ceremony. Today's handing over of food items, basic necessities and construction supplies was valued at over five thousand dollars.

CWU Calls On Unions To Reject Petrocaribe Loans Act
Last week the Petrocaribe Loans Act made all the headlines when it went to the House of Representatives for passage and approval. The UDP says it is necessary to deal with Petrocaribe inflows, while the opposition says it undermines and ignores parliament - and in so doing seeks to give the Prime Minister Superpowers. Well, the Bill was passed by the House and the Senate - but now the Christian Workers Union is weighing in with strong words for the Barrow administration. A release sent out an hour ago says the bill lacks in transparency and accountability and seeks to legalize the illegal. The CWU also calls on other unions to, quote, "denounce this act and to unite to demand the repeal of this law."

A Citadel In El Pilar?
There has been a new and unusual discovery at the El Pilar Maya site located at the Belize- Guatemala border. According to an article from "Popular Archaeology" a structure never observed before was found at the site last year. Archaeologist Anabel Ford from the University of California says that "We discovered a completely new component of the greater site that does not meet with any traditional expectations. It shares nothing in common with Classic Maya centers: no clear open plaza, no cardinal structure orientation, and curiously no evident relationship to the major Classic site of El Pilar." Belizean Archaeologist Melissa Badillo told us via email that the structure is referred to as a "Citadel" or fortress as we would describe it. It sits on a hill just about 600 meters away from the center of El Pilar. Badillo adds quote "This building formation is not at all typical with the usual Maya structures that we see. Atop the Citadel are four buildings which appear to be about 3-4 meters tall." Now when was this structure built and how are we just "discovering" it? Well Badillo says that the date of construction can only be known after excavations are done and it will require extensive examination of the site. As to how it has just been found, researchers and archaeologists are using more modern equipment known as LiDAR - it is a remote sensing technology used to examine the surface of the earth. You can see an example of this method in this picture. They used this method to locate the structure.

Channel 5

Jamie Chavarria, Marked for Death, Shot and Killed on Berkeley Street
There had been several previous attempts on the life of twenty-six year old Jamie Chavarria, including one as recent as three weeks ago. But on Monday night, the Belize City [...]

Another Murder in Sugar City, Shop Owner Found Dead
There was another murder which occurred on Monday night. The timeline leading to the murder of fifty-seven year old businessman Ricardo Triminio of Orange Walk Town remains unknown and police [...]

Couple Seriously Injured During RTA Near Hattieville
A couple is tonight admitted at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in a stable condition following a traffic accident on Monday night on the George Price Highway. A Ford Escape [...]

Should Government Allow for the Importation of Cheaper Rice from Guyana?
And our question tonight is: Should government open the door for the importation of cheaper rice from Guyana? Send your comments and responses using your SMART phones to 8686 or [...]

Fire Destroys Girls Dorm at Youth Hostel. Was It a Case of Arson?
Around three-thirty this afternoon, fire was seen coming from the girls' dormitory at the Youth Hostel at mile twenty-one on the George Price Highway. The building and its contents were [...]

Tour Operator Charged for Knocking Down and Killing Stella Maris Student
On March seventeenth, eleven year old Stella Maris student, Austin Olivera Junior, was hit by a vehicle; he succumbed to his injuries the following week after receiving treatment at the [...]

Lord Ashcroft Resigns from House of Lords, Remains A Peer
There is interesting news coming out of the United Kingdom tonight and it is that Lord Michael Ashcroft has resigned from the House of Lords but he will keep his [...]

C.W.U. Disassociates Itself from Union Abstention on Petrocaribe Bill
On Monday, Senator Ray Davis surprisingly abstained from voting when the controversial Petrocaribe Bill, went before the Senate.� That abstention has surprised many and stirred up the ire of many [...]

President Audrey Matura-Shepherd Says Passage of Bill Circumvents Existing Law
According to the CWU President, Matura-Shepherd, what has transpired in the House and Senate was deliberately accomplished to circumvent existing legislation.� That body of law, the Finance and Audit Act [...]

Fool Di Talk But Da Noh Fool Di Listen – Audrey on Barrow's Petrocaribe Rationale
Furthermore, Matura-Shepherd said that government should do the right thing as it relates to public funds and she openly questions government's borrowing as it concerns Petrocaribe funds, asking whether or [...]

Belize City Lions Introduces Easter Gift Project
Easter is one of the most important holidays on the Christian calendar as it symbolizes hope for the two billion plus Christians around the world. In Belize, the Lions Club [...]

What's Ahead for Belize Jaguars? Los Quisqueyanos of Dominican Republic
As you know by now, a World Cup qualifier game between the Belize Jaguars and the Cayman National Team ended one to one on Sunday in the Caymans. It means [...]

CTV3

Parents Of Missing Teen Pray For Her Return
A few weeks ago we told you about another missing teen, according to police Marisol Patt has had a reputation in the past for running away from home. And while her parents and authorities have not learned of her whereabouts, police say their search continues�. "Yes she is still missing but we had brought in Marisol and Mr. Bartley about three months ago and she went again but we are still looking for her."

BSI/ASR Says No Dividend To Be Paid For 2014
Belize Workers Union members are not to receive a bonus or any dividends for the fiscal year 2014 from the Belize Sugar Industries. BSI issued a release in which they stated that based on the financial results and in line with the bonus policy they will not be paying any bonus to employees for the fiscal year 2014. In addition to that, no dividends were declared for the same year. Today we spoke with Chair of the BWU Ramiro Gongora who said that part of the information should have been issued since December last year but has only been announced this week. "Why it took so long for them to disclose something like this that should have been paid in December in regards to the additional bonus and we noticed that the dividends were not declared either in respect to fiscal 2014, I would say that the workers were really dissatisfied and didn't expecting this since ASR took over that the benefits were just taken from the workers and employees from the factory and it is being unprecedented on how they are conducting their business at BSI."

NTV Not Backing Down, Another Expedition Being Planned
So the Northern Territorial Volunteers says it is not backing down and the group is once again putting their commitment into action. The group has decided that on the third Saturday in May they will go on another expedition, this time to Garbutt Falls in Benque Viejo Del Carmen. De la Fuente says they are taking measures to ensure the expedition is well organized. "This next expedition is easy, you don't have to get on no tractor, no trailer no boat and as a matter of fact yesterday we approach the ministry of national security and we requested from them an orientation of the area by the BDF and we also requested an escort from the BDF on the day of the expedition and so we have to give them time and see what their response will be and hopefully they will response positively and provide us with what we have requested but this areas is not a dangerous walk and should be fairly easy."

Uncovered Manholes Proving To Be A Problem In O/W
Drivers, motorists and pedestrians that commute on the Queen Victoria Avenue may have seen or heard the dangers that the uncovered manholes are posing. It's been several weeks that this stretch has been rehabilitated but these remain uncovered and according to Mayor Kevin Bernard, the issue needs to be addressed with urgency since many have fallen victim to the holes. "Our operations manager has made contact with the people that are working, the supervisor on the ground and we keep hearing that they are working on them, they are working on them and at one point we heard that the grills are being worked in Belize city and that they are waiting to be delivered to them in fact this morning before I receive your call regarding this matter I spoke to my operations manager to go back and check and their response that they gave him is that they are simply checking with their supervisor but while people are waiting it is creating a problem and it is dangerous and I had several complains where a child actually fell their and so I call upon the contractor and the ministry to look at that as urgency and we have a holiday coming up and we see work being done at San Antonio road and they have left this area so I think that they need to see some attention being placed on the sidewalks that were built here on Queen Victoria Avenue and Bethias Lane."

HECOPAD Conducts Training Workshop
An estimated 70 community health workers and voluntary integrators wrapped up two-days of training at the Gala Lounge today where they were engaged in learning the integrated approach to vector management and prevention. Coordinators say it's a country-wide initiative in equipping these individuals with the right tools and knowledge in vector diseases for their communities. Arlette Shepperd is the Health Education Officer of HECOPAB in the Ministry of Health. "It's not just the job of the community health workers or the ministry of health technical people to address vector borne diseases, it is the job of everybody and so we have the participation of the community in terms of their leaders who are the community health workers and the collaborators and we are teaching this new integrated approach to managing preventing really vector borne diseases like malaria and others so that is what we are doing over these two days. It is an opportunity for us because we have some funding through the EU vector control project and the funds are being managed by PAHO but we are grateful for these resources and because we wanted to do these kinds of training for some time."

51 Year Old, Reynaldo Chuck Still Missing
In the month of March, two persons have been reported missing and up to present, there whereabouts remain unknown. Viewers may recall we reported on 51 year old Reynaldo Chuck who went missing in the Honey Camp area after a day's work in the company of his relatives on March 5th. Police say too that this incident has no other leads�. "Sadly he just apparently disappears and he had no rival."

Who Rmove the Plaque Off The Marker At Gracias A Dios?
We told you last night about the allegations that the plaque that was placed at the Gracias a Dios monument in Southern Belize has been removed. Who has done this is unknown and today we spoke with the President of the Northern Territorial Volunteers Giovanni De la Fuente on what the group's reaction is. Here is what he responded. "I saw it on Facebook and then I saw it on a couple photographs and indeed the photograph at Gracias a Dios has been removed." Dalila Ical - Reporter "What are your sentiments towards this, you guys went through an entire ordeal just to find that the mission was in the end somewhat of a failure it been removed?" Giovanni De la Fuente "No, I think the plaque has performed its purpose that it was placed and the Belizean people saw it and they know now of that monument but so sad that it has been removed, it is sad it indeed, we did fundraising and I feel for everybody that gave fifty cents and some people gave five dollars and all these people contributed for this plaque, it was very expensive and it was a beautiful plaque and all these people from Orange Walk I would like to tell them thank you very much for contributing for this plaque and it is a pity that we couldn't do anything to prevent this removal."

Investigations Of Double Homicide In O/W Reach Dead End
And while police investigate the most recent murder recorded in Orange Walk Town, Officer Commanding the formation, Superintendent Dennis Arnold says they have struck a dead-end in the double Homicide investigation of Danny Valdez and Michael Usher who were gunned down on the Palmar/Boundary Road a few weeks ago. "Yes we had gotten some leads and we had followed those but dead end and we are working feverishly on it."

LOVE FM

Unlicensed Firearm and Ammunition Gets Teen 10 Years at Kolbe
Nineteen year old Shakir Perrera, a resident of Jane Usher Boulevard, was sentenced to 10 years today by the Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith after he was found guilty of kept firearm and ammunition without a gun license. Perrera was sentenced to 5 years for each offence with the stipulation that the sentences are to run concurrently, so he will only serve 5 years. Perrera was busted with a Beretta pistol containing 8 rounds of ammunition in its magazine on the morning of January 18, 2014. Perrera was on Collet Canal Street near to Finnegan Market when he was approached by two police officers, constable Blades and Inspector Jemmott, who were on mobile patrol. Both officers testified that when they searched Perera they found the firearm in the pocket of his pants. Perrera testified and claimed that Jemmott planted the firearm on him. But Chief Magistrate Smith did not believe his version of the incident and she found him guilty.

Three Years for Robbery of Shopkeeper
Twenty-four year old Honduran national, Darwin Martinez, one of three men who committed a robbery, was sentenced to 3 years today by the Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith after he pled guilty to robbery. The incident occurred yesterday around 8:30 p.m. in front of a residence on Jane Usher Boulevard. Forty-six year old shopkeeper Olga Ayala reported to the police that she and her son, 17 year old Byron Reyes, had just reached their residence and her son was opening the gate when they were approached by three men. She said one man had a shotgun while the other two were armed with knives. She told police that the men, who had shirts over their heads, demanded money and she gave them $280. She said the men also took her son's cell phone. She said before they left the gunman hit her on her ear with the gun and then he struck her son on his head with it. Reyes found a bag with an identification card in the area and that was what led to the arrest of Martinez. The other robbers have not been apprehended yet.

Chavarria Meets Death After Several Attempts on His Life
Police are investigating the shooting death of a young man, well known to the authorities. 26-year-old, Jamie Chavarria was killed last night just after seven o'clock on Berkley Street in Belize City. Police were alerted of gunshots and upon their arrival, they found Chavarria lying face-up in an open yard located through an alleyway. Superintendent Hilberto Romero briefed the media on this latest homicide. "On Monday the 30th day of March 2015 around 7:10pm police visited an alley off Berkley Street where they found the lifeless body of Jamie Chavarria, 26 years, with apparent gunshot wounds to the head and back. The scene was processed and he was transported to the KHMH where he was pronounced dead on arrival. We have our investigators on the ground and they are canvasing the area thoroughly. This is a dark alley in that area and the information is that he was travelling through that alley to purchase an item and thereafter three gunshots were heard in that immediate area and thereafter his body was found. He had been shot previously, he had made a statement and no one was charged for that case and again he was targeted last night. We have no conclusive motive at this time we are working on it."

Monday Night Accident Leaves Couple Injured
Just after eight o'clock last night police from Hattieville were called out to mile thirteen on the George Price Highway where a traffic incident between a trailer truck and an SUV occurred. Love News understands that the incident happened in front of the Softy Toilet Paper Factory when the trailer truck, driven by 32-year-old, Angel Lopez was reversing the truck into the factory's parking lot when the grey Ford Escape SUV, heading west, was traveling on the highway at a high speed and ended up colliding into the truck. Love News spoke with the Deputy OC at the Hattieville Police Station, Sergeant Orlando Cruz for further information.

Rehabiliation of Streets and Canals Underway
In the latter part of August 2014, the Government of Belize signed onto four contracts that would have infrastructural works conducted on the streets and canals on the north side of Belize City as part of the Flood Mitigation Infrastructure Project. With an estimated seven months already passed, Love News followed up on the progress of the drainage project on the northside, particularly in the Fort George Division. Accompanying us were the UDP Standard Bearer for Fort George, Roger Espejo. He spoke to Love News about the works and the way the residents will benefit from it. "It has several components of which canal building is one as you can see behind me the canal, the north side canal has been upgrading and is going through an upgrade, it also involves the upgrading of the Douglas Jones Canal, whenever it rains heavily or sometimes not so heavily or whenever there is steady rains this area floods rather easily.

PUP Holds Retreat to Strategize for General Elections
With much speculation for an early 2016 general election, the main opposition, People's United Party are making efforts to see how they can muster up new campaign strategies and funding for the thirty one divisions around the country. Over one hundred members of the PUP gathered at Leslie's Farm in Camalote Village, Cayo District over the weekend to brainstorm and put together a plan of action for their upcoming campaign. According to a release issued by the party, the session had the participation of the PUP Parliamentarians, members from the National Executive, divisional committee members as well as businesspersons and party supporters. The release reads, in part, quote, " The Party Leader, Francis Fonseca, stated that the objective of this full-day event was to hear frank views as to the challenges facing the party, as well as to receive recommendations, arising after vigorous debate, as to the strategies required in taking the party to victory. The party will, in the course of the next two weeks, craft its plan of action for the upcoming general elections and move quickly towards implementation of this plan." End of quote.

Police Suspect Arson at Girls’ Dorm At Youth Hostel
One of the female dorms at the Belize Youth Hostel at mile twenty one on the George Price Highway caught fire this afternoon just after three o'clock. Personnel at the hostel contacted the Hattieville Police Station who in turn alerted the National Fire Service. Upon arrival of the authorities, smoke was seen coming from the windows and doors of the female dorm. While the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, Love News understands that the incident is being treated as a case of arson. Reliable sources indicate that police have in their custody, three female minors who were engaged in a fight immediately after the fire started. The young girls had to be restrained and were taken to the police station. Interestingly, the female dorm was burnt to the ground on February 26, 2011; just a month and a half short of four years since its construction in 2007 � and now, four years later, the dorm has been destroyed by fire once more. Love News contacted Glenda Mae Martinez from the Belize Youth Hostel but she was unable to give us a comment on the incident. We understand that investigators may be suspecting one of the female residents of starting the blaze. Unlike the last fire in 2011, none of the girls have confessed to causing the fire.