Today's Belize News: May 13, 2015

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Today's Belize News: May 13, 2015 #504195 05/13/15 06:00 AM
Joined: Oct 1999 Posts: 84,398 oregon, spr Marty OP
OP Marty	FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report. 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 San Pedro Red Cross hosts 2015 fundraising dinner The San Pedro branch of the Red Cross (SPBRC) held a fundraising dinner at El Patio Restaurant on Wednesday May 6th. Dinner tickets were priced at $75BZ, and included a three-course meal accompanied by fine wine courtesy of Wine De Vine. Everyone bearing a ticket for the dinner was automatically entitled to a chance at winning a door prize at the end of the event. According to Shirlee Arnould, the SPBRC branch coordinator, the proceeds of the dinner will be used towards CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) training for the San Pedro police officers. "When we do First Aid and CPR courses, we like to include the community. We have actually determined that the people that need it the most just can't really pay for it themselves. We wanted to sponsor the Police, Fire department and Teachers, since they are the ones who really need the help. To do so we will have to raise funds to ensure that they can take the courses," commented Arnould. She also mentioned that there has been great involvement from island resorts when it comes to training their staff. Little Angels Preschool celebrates Moms Little Angels Preschool celebrated the island's mothers with a special program on the morning of Thursday May 7, at the Lion's Den. Mothers joined their children and enjoyed activities like singing, poetry and more. Principal and owner of the preschool Mrs. Marina Kay highlighted the annual event's program. "The children do small presentations; some poems, some songs, they dance a few songs and even play some games with the other kids and parents. In that way they show their appreciation to their mothers." One of the most daring activities involved separating moms from their children, then testing how well they know their babies. After discussing with the children, the organizers asked mothers a few questions like their child's favorite food, their best friend, or their favorite color and more. Of course, mommies passed with flying colors. This was followed by a dance with mothers and their children boogying to some good beats. According to Kay, the idea to have the parents on stage dancing with their kids is to show them what their children feel when they are up on stage. This partnership (parent and child) actually encourages the children to do well in their presentations, as it puts them at ease. Ambergris Today Fin K Project Soup Kitchen Feeds Over 200 Moms on Mother's Day The Fin K Project Mother's Day Soup Kitchen organized by Findely Halliday was a major success as it was able to accommodate about 200 mothers and even 50 children for brunch on Mother's Day at the San Pedro Lions Den on May 10, 2015. After a successful soup kitchen that Findley organized on Christmas Day 2014, he was back at organizing another one for Mother's Day in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize. With the help of volunteers and business donations Findley was able to organize a wonderful event to who appreciation to less-fortunate mother in the community. Most of the food items were provided by Findley and with the help of local restaurant, it was prepared for the soup kitchen brunch. Moms enjoyed baked ham, pancakes and even homemade tamales among other delicious treats. Wings Department Store donated 200 perfumes that were individually wrapped with candy and other lotions and those were given out as gifts to all the moms on their special day. BzSa Launches New Logo, Puts Belize Sailors Into International Arena There is a dawn of a new day for recreational sailing in Belize and hence the Belize Sailing Association (BzSA) new board of directors decided to adopt a logo to embody this excitement of momentum; hence the sunrise coaxing the craft on its voyage forward. This new logo reflects the fact that BzSA is creating international opportunities for our top school-age sailors. In the history of Belize, that is a first. Selection regattas decided which sailors BzSA will send this summer to international events, one for Optimist dinghies and the other for Olympic class Lasers. Misc Belizean Sources Belize Receives the 2015 IRF Flagship Road Safety Award The Government of Belize through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, in conjunction with the Ministry of Works and Transport, is pleased to announce that the Government and people of Belize were the recipients of the 2015 IRF Flagship Road Safety Award. This is a result of keeping with the long-term vision for improvement in road safety, through an integrated and comprehensive approach, together with demonstrated respect between all road users, the frequency and severity of traffic collisions (road trauma) is reduced. This award was given during the closing ceremony of the 4th International Road Federation (IRF) Caribbean Regional Congress in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Mrs. Yvonne Hyde, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, and Mr. Errol Gentle, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Works and Transport, jointly accepted the award. Cristo Rey Village Book Project The Rotaract Club of San Ignacio visited Cristo Reyto start work on the community center and supply it with books. Thanks, Rotaract! "Rotaractors today May 10th, Visited the Village of Cristo Rey in the Cayo District to build, install and stock bookshelves at the Community Center. Many Thanks to the people who donated and helped in the collection of the books. The Community Service Project focuses on promoting literacy in the village of Cristo Rey. Rotaractors will continue to work on the Community Center to meet the needs of the community." Kay Scott "Village Life in San Pedro" photo exhibition Reminding the general public to stop by the San Pedro House of Culture to see the Kay Scott "Village Life in San Pedro" photo exhibition. Only a few more days more before the exhibition is changed so take advantage of these beautiful images captured by Kay Scott. 9th Chocolate Festival of Belize Schedule of Events..... It's ALMOST chocolate time in Toledo! Support Scarlet Macaw Conservation by Scarlet Six Scarlet Six Biomonitoring Team is a small and newly established Belizean NGO which works in very remote protected areas helping conserve critically endangered species in their habitat, including the beautiful Scarlet Macaw. We are excited to deploy our team this week to the depths of the Maya Mountains as we begin a six month journey to save Scarlet Macaw chicks from poachers who are incessantly after them for the illegal pet trade. Arts & Crafts Exhibition "Coconutz" The San Pedro House of Culture invites you to join us as we celebrate International Museum Day Thursday May 21, 2015. The highlight of the day will be the art & crafts exhibition by local artisans. The exhibition will showcase the use of Coconuts as a sustainable resource in creating a variety of art & crafts. Kindly join us for the opening ceremony which will begin at 7 pm. INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AT IACHR! Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) Report Card on the Reef: More Fish are Making the Mesoamerican Reef a Healthier Coral Reef Ecosystem The Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative (HRI) released its 2015 Report Card for the Mesoamerican Reef, recording an improvement in reef health from 'Poor' in 2012 to 'Fair' this year, primarily due to increased fish biomass. The report is based on a new study of 248 coral reef sites along 1000 km of the Caribbean coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras, which were monitored for living coral cover, fleshy macroalgal cover, herbivorous fish biomass (parrots and surgeonfish) and commercially important fish biomass (snappers and groupers). New this year to the Report Card is a collection of detailed indicator maps of coral reef condition on a variety of spatial scales. These new data provide guidance on where to focus conservation actions at the most appropriate management scale. Overall Health: The overall 2015 MAR Reef Health Index score was 'fair' (2.8), on a scale of 'critical' (1) to 'very good' (5), with encouraging improvements at both the regional level and of individual indicators. Corals - the architects of the reef - have improved since 2006, increasing from 10%-16% cover; although fleshy macroalgae, the main competitors with corals for open reef space, have also increased. Key herbivorous fish continue to increase in numbers and are needed to reduce this macroalgae. Commercial fish have also increased in biomass, which is an encouraging sign, although large groupers are rare and mainly found in fully protected zones of marine protected areas (MPA). BOLEDO DRAWING for Tuesday, May 12, 2015: 57, FANTASY 5: 20 12 24 25 10 V CELEBRATING SWEET CYCLING VICTORY WITH JUSTIN & COREY WILLIAMS IN LOS ANGELES ON MAY1, 2015! THE INCREDIBLE BELIZEAN CYCLING ATHLETE, JOHN 'JOHNITO' MIGUEL WITH ONE OF HIS CYCLING ASSOCIATES FROM HIS CYCLING CAMP & TIME! Name the cycling athlete seen here with Johnito Miguel? Channel 7 PUP Moving "Maca" Ramos To Make Way For New Candidate Last night we told you that the PUP was looking to get in election gear BY shaking things up in some dubious divisions. And tonight there's proof of that: PUP Dangriga Representative Ivan "Maca" Ramos will be replaced by career educator Anthony Sabal. Sabal is the former principal of Ecumenical High School and Junior College and is widely respected in his community. But, he's also a political novice, and information suggests that he's being backed up by some well-resourced PUP's in the south - most notably Henry Canton. Ramos on the other hand was reported to be having some financial difficulties and was viewed by his party as ineffective against the UDP's Frank Pawpa Mena. That was proven in the municipal elections when the PUP in Dangriga got 40% of the vote. The announcement of the changeover will be made at a press conference tomorrow - and we'll have full coverage. Squatters Not Down With the King And while there is that major shake-up in the PUP, the UDP Representative for Lake Independence, Mark King, is coming under fire from the Chetumal Street squatters once again. The last time we reported on this issue was a month ago when King announced that he was assisting 11 families to be relocated from the private lands they were squatting on to lots in Cotton Tree. A few hours later, another group of squatters approached the media saying that they wanted King to get involved, acquire the land they were on and distribute it to them legally. But, King has maintained that the lands are all privately owned, and that there was no land available in the area, so the squatters need to get used to the idea that they would have to move. For Immigrants, A Belizean Dream Is A Squatting Nightmare While that story continues to develop, the reality that these squatters face every day was revealed when a few of them opened up to us about the daily struggles they go through, apart from being pressured to leave, of course. Those living in this community have had to make a life for themselves by learning to endure harsh conditions. Daniel Ortiz reports: Daniel Ortiz reporting The squatters on occupying land on Holy Emmanuel Extension, also known as Lake I Boulevard or Chetumal Street South, all live a trying lifestyle. First of all, they are treated by opponents of their illegal land occupation as "aliens" or illegal Hispanics with no nationality. They produced documents to show that they are either nationalized Belizeans, or are in the process of getting their nationality. They claim to have children born and raised as Belizeans, and more importantly, raised in the piece of swamp they now occupy. Bze-Brit Soldier Lee Busano Accused of Multiple Rapes 28 year-old Lee Busano, a Belizean serving in the British Army at the rank of Lance Corporal, is currently on trial for rape charges in the Crown Court at Preston, Lancashire. 2 women have accused him of raping them, while a third has accused him of sexually assaulting her. Our sources tell us that Busano is a native of Dangriga Town, but he is currently based at the Weeton Army Barracks in Lancashire, where he serves as the British Army's physical training inspector. The jury heard video testimony from the first victim, a 29 year-old who said that Busano raped her at her house in March 2014. She said she tried to strangle him and headbutted him but he just laughed. After he committed the crime, he went to the gym. Witness To Wild Shooting Yesterday we reported on the broad daylight shooting that happened on Gill Street - just a stone's throw away from 3 schools. Three gunmen stood at the corner of Sanker Street and opened fire on a group of men who were standing on Gill Street. Residents say they heard as many as 30 gunshots - and 3 persons, not just the two we reported on yesterday, were injured. 30 year old Maurice Felix was shot to the left foot - while 32 year old Mykelt Anthony was shot to the back and right leg. Anthony is listed in a critical but stable condition at the KHMH. So far police have no suspects detained and say they are investigating. Today we visited the crime scene on Gill Street where we spoke to an eyewitness who asked to remain off camera. He told us what he saw. Voice of Eyewitness "Yesterday I was washing a vehicle and the guys were having a conversation. Right after that, the guys looked up and they saw about 3 men around the lane and then we started hearing shots fired. We ran in the yard. When I looked back, I saw some of the guys on the ground. I saw the put the guy in the vehicle and they went to the hospital." MIT Makes Major Marijuana Seizure It didn't make the news last night - but on Saturday, the Mobile Interdiction Team made a prize marijuana bust. They found 12.1 pounds of high-grade weed in neatly wrapped bricks in a duffel bag. The MIT came upon the drugs at a mile 17 Western Highway checkpoint when they searched a D & E bus at 10:30 on Saturday night. No one took responsibility for it, and the package was labeled as found property. From Begging To Robbing To Stabbing 28 year old Roger Hilton and 32 year old Steve Arnold are on remand tonight after being taken to Magistrate's Court for begging a man, then trying to rob him, and then stabbing him in the chest. It happened around 7:15 p.m. on May 10. The complainant, Ian Holland, was standing in front of Brothers Store in Ladyville when he was approached by Arnold and Hilton who asked him for money. He said that when he refused to give them, both men attacked him and punched him in the face. Hilton then allegedly pulled out a scissors and stabbed him in the chest. That's around the time when a police mobile drove past. The men tried to run, but the officers detained them and found the scissors in Hilton's pants pocket. Report Card For Reef Is In The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef got a C on its report card this year - meaning the overall health and state of the reef is fair. That's not good, but it's better than 2012, which was poor. This report card is done every two years and includes the evaluation of the living coral, commercial fish and other marine life found near the reef. The report was launched today at the Biltmore and the coordinators told us that there have been slight improvements in the health of the reef BUT there is still a lot to do to increase that C to a B or an A. Roberto Pott, Belize Coordinator, Health Reefs for Health People "One of the highlight is that Belize is still the country to watch. I mean we protected Parrot Fish in 2009, so that has been working for us. Hol Chan recently multiplied their protected areas and that has been working for us. So those are some of the things that has really worked. Turneffe came on stream in 2012, and so there are a lot of positive aspect and the outlook is very good for Belize. But there are the tougher areas to deal with, sewage and infrastructure needed for sanitation in our developing tourism destinations, San Pedro and Placencia. That's a big concern for Belize." CDB Gives DFC Line Of Credit Often, the thought of taking on loans can be distressing but the Development Finance Corporation say that with this year's line of credit, it doesn't have to be. The Caribbean Development Bank loan the DFC $21 million Belize dollars for education and private sector loans. It was announced today at the launch of the 7th consolidated line of credit at the Radisson. The general manager of DFC told us how this line of credit will benefit you. Diedra Clarendon, CDB Representative "This 7th consolidated line of credit will provide about 2.5 million US dollars for student loans and those pursuing tertiary and technical education. This includes an allocation of about half a million dollars to fund students from financially disadvantaged households who have the academic capability and qualifications, but are constrained by low and irregular income and the inability to meet security requirements for the loan." Natalie Ewing-Goff, General Manager, DFC "CDB has provided 6 previous consolidated line. That's separate from the other lines. But this is the first time we are actually publicizing, getting out there, telling the public what we have, what DFC is doing. You've heard all the stories in there. Lotion thief To Court 45 year-old Collet Rowland, who has multiple convictions for theft, is at prison tonight after admitting that he tried to steal from a gas station. It happened on Sunday, May 11, the cashier at Puma Gas Station on New Road saw Rowland stuff eight bottles of lotion in his pocket. Rowland ran, but he was pursued and caught at Cinderella Plaza where the lotion was recovered. He was charged with theft, and he pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith today. He was remanded until tomorrow because he told the Chief Magistrate that he has a substance abuse problem, and that he wants to go to a rehabilitation center. Third World Camp Stuck In First Gear You may know Deon Flowers. He's the football star who walked away from the sport 16 years ago to become a community activist in Lake Independence. His passion has been reaching out to children and youths who are at risk of becoming involved in the Belize City gang life. He does that through his "Third World" summer camp. He's presently preparing for this year's camp, but it seems to get harder every year. Today, he told us about the lack of sponsorship and he's asking for assistance to make sure that he doesn't disappoint the hundreds of children who depend on the summer camp: Deon Flowers, Community Activist: "The program is one whereby every year, for 16 years, still going through hell and frustration. Jordan, Yellow and I, we sat down to talk and said we have done some mad work on the ground. And it's sick that to business people, we are people who are calm and cool. From the time we arrived there they had already known that its good things going on because we deal with kids for over 16 years. We aren't getting the real support. The Importance of First Aid For Teachers Mouth to mouth CPR - used to be the prevailing intervention for those in respiratory distress - but, nowadays, it's not recommended. But there is another version of CPR that doesn't entail any lip or mouth contact: that is the hands on CPR and the educational coordinator from the Belize Emergency Response Team has been visiting primary schools across the city since Thursday showing the teachers this version of CPR. Today we met with Javier Canul at St. Martin De Porres School and he told us how this skill will be useful in dealing with kids. Javier Canul, Educational Coordinator, BERT "This last year they decided 'you know what let's do CPR in schools'. It's something that has never been done before and we decided we wanted to talk to the children but then we said 'let's deal with the teachers first'. Why teachers? Because we at BERT do CPR training, advanced first aid training and other training that we do for doctors and nurses but we've never seen a teacher in any of these classes. And we realize that teachers have a core under them. They maintain the students and if the teachers were to teach the students we will have the whole country of Belize being aware of what's going on in terms of first aid and CPR and so we decided this. And Trident Tech came with the students and everybody else so we do at least four schools per day. Which we reach out to, some schools, approximately 45 teachers. So imagine, 45 teachers and each of these teachers go back to their class and give these students the information that they've learnt, I think we'd accomplish our goal. Belize In Boston Belize's Mayan antiquities are on the move again - this time from Boston on the east coast of the United States all the way to San Diego, on the west coast. As we've been reporting, 250 of Belize's most prized Mayan artifacts form the centerpiece of the largest ever exhibit of Mayan antiquities. IT's put together by the Science Museum of Minnesota, and the show is called "Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed." It's now moving unto its fourth US City and right now in Boston the artifacts are being packed up for the 3 day haul across the US in nine - eighteen wheeler trucks. But they're not being packed into condensed milk boxes - these artifacts are riding first class, under strict packing and environmental controls. 7News travelled to Boston Massachusetts over the weekend to see how it's all taken down. We'll have the full feature in tomorrow night's news, but here's just a preview of the weeks of work spent de-installing the show in Boston and getting it ready for San Diego. NICH's collection manager Yusleidi Chan told us why it is pressure:.. Jules Vasquez "Do you feel a pressure when you're saying 'I am in charge of, I am managing a large percentage of Belize's history of antiquity." Channel 5 Compromise to be Amended�Is Belize Acquiescing to Guatemala? Is Belize caving in to Guatemala? At the request of Guatemala, the Government of Belize has agreed to amend the Special Agreement signed between both countries in 2008.� The compromis, [...] Leader of the Opposition Unaware that G.O.B.'s Decision was Final So what's the Opposition's take on the impending amendment to the special agreement between Belize and Guatemala? P.U.P. Leader Francis Fonseca told us that a few weeks ago PM Dean [...] No Public Consultation Necessary to Amend Special Agreement with Guatemala But according to the Foreign Minister, government's mandate, in this case, does not include public consultation prior to making a decision.� Isani Cayetano "Minister, as you mentioned earlier, you [...] Will Separate Referendum Affect Belizean Psyche on Territorial Dispute? While Elrington reiterated that government will not act without consensus, he says that the decision to separate the dates for the referendum should not, in any way, affect the process [...] Francis Fonseca Says Government is Flip-flopping on Referendum Preparedness In the first referendum go-round, Belize was set to go while Guatemala couldn't get out the starting date. For the past couple years, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has maintained [...] Belizean Ambassador Protests Search of His Residence Amid Guatemalan Vice President's Resignation Guatemalan Vice President Roxana Baldetti resigned last Friday amid a tidal wave of corruption charges.� For weeks, Guatemalans have been demanding that Baldetti step down after being exposed for her [...] Should compromis be amended so that Guatemala does not have to hold a referendum at the same time as Belize? And our question for tonight is: Do you think that the compromis should be amended so that Guatemala does not have to hold a referendum at the same time as [...] More Land Dispute Backa Gungulung! Tensions are running high in the Holy Emmanuel Extension. The real threat of losing their land is looming over the heads of the settlers who call the area home, many [...] Belizean-born British Soldier Accused of Sexual Offenses in the UK Belizean born soldier Lee Busano is making headlines in the UK. The twenty-eight year old British Lance Corporal has been accused of two rapes and one sexual assault. Two of [...] Magistrate Cayetano Dismisses Marijuana Possession Charge Against Inmate At three this afternoon, former Belize City Magistrate, Dale Cayetano, who is now the Director at Family court, freed prison inmate, Godwin Santos, of a charge of drug trafficking. Cayetano [...] Does Belize Really Have Oil Deposits Offshore? A Yahoo article published earlier today, saying that the government is close to opening the entire country for oil exploration, sent people across social media in a frenzy. The article [...] Belize's Reef Report Card Revealed Belize, Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras make up the Mesoamerican Reef and it's been eight years since they last got their report card. Well, over those years in-depth and extensive studies [...] DFC Launches Consolidated Credit Line In financial news�the Development Finance Corporation in collaboration with the Caribbean Development Bank today launched the corporation's seventh consolidated line of credit. Under the new agreement, the CDB will be [...] DFC on the Right Track with Good Governance In 2007, the Government of Belize liquidated the DFC as a result of a policy based loan made by the Inter-American Development Bank. As a result, the Caribbean Development Bank [...] Former Court of Appeal Justice Boyd Carey Passes Away Retired high court judge, Boyd Carey, who served on the Belize Court of Appeal, has passed away. Carey passed away at his home in Florida from one of his daughters [...] Mexican Artist Debuts Paintings at Mexican Institute The official launch of an exhibit is currently underway at the Mexican Institute in Belize City. The exhibit features nineteen pieces from Mexican artist, Hipolito Uicab Garcia who is from [...] CTV3 PlusTV Another Roaring Creek Youth killed Another youth has lost his life to the gun violence that has been plaguing the village of Roaring Creek in recent months... Burglar drops down dead in police pursuit Did a burglar just drop down dead trying to escape from police? That is what a police report released today says. According to the report, Police responded to a burglary in progress at the La Immaculada Credit Union compound on Forest Drive in Belmopan sometime around 2 am on Sunday May10th... 19 year old Kjiel Young shot and killed Another teenager was murdered this weekend. 19 year old Kjiel Nicholas Young Belize City was coming home on Saturday night when he stopped in a yard on Vernon Street, [where it is alleged he was approached from behind and fired on multiple times... 60 year old Ladyville man shot dead over mangoes It is something of a tradition for Belizeans to think nothing of helping themselves to blooming fruit such as mangoes. But a 60-year-old man lost his life in the village of Ladyville over the weekend when he made off with valuable produce from a family friend’s yard... Guatemalan politicians and Belize Guatemala’s vice president, Roxanna Baldetti, has resigned amidst a corruption scandal that may be linked to Belize. The Vice President's �private secretary has been implicated in a corruption scandal as a leader in a customs bribery ring... Overflowing septic at Belmopan market pose health risk Vendors at the Belmopan Market are complaining about an unsanitary condition that they say is not being addressed by the relevant authorities.� A leaking septic is situated right near the public bathrooms and is oozing human waste, leaving puddles of leakage which people have to dodge to avoid... Another American Sex Predator caught in Belize An American national has been apprehended by Placencia Police �and handed over to US authorities last Thursday May 7^th. He is 43 yrs old William Elmer Pettijohn who was apprehended on the strength of an International Arrest Warrant issued by the United States �Government... Unidentified man found floating in Mopan River Police are trying to identify the body of a man found floating in the Mopan River. The body was discovered on the afternoon of Sunday May 10 �in the Mopan River in Succotz Village near miles 72 and 73 of the George Price Highway... Fatal traffic accident in Orange Walk district There was a fatal traffic accident on Saturday night in Orange Walk.� 29 year old Marcus Mai of San Pablo village in Orange Walk was walking on the highway between between miles 63 and 64 on Phillip Goldson Highway sometime around 9:30 on Friday night... Corozal man stabbed during attack A man in Corozal was stabbed during an attack by three persons. The incident happened on the night of Friday May 8 in the village of �San Roman . 32-year-old Guadalupe Marion Pech of Santa Clara Village, Corozal District received a stab wound to the left side of the chest...