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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials


The San Pedro Sun

A Drive off the Beaten Path- North Ambergris Caye
While San Pedro's town core is loaded with restaurants, stores, boutiques and more! There is certainly much more to explore if you dare to venture off the beaten path. A drive north beyond the resorts and paved roads took us on a ride filled with scenery that made me understand just why so many fall in love with Ambergris Caye. Isn't this a spectacular view, absolutely no filter needed!

Costa Maya Festival® Presents: Miss Belize and Miss Guatemala
The list is complete! With the announcements of Miss Guatemala and Miss Belize, we have a full roster of ladies vying for the title of Reina de la Costa Maya 2015. Miss Guatemala, Lisa Hayet Francis, is a 20-year-old visual merchandiser who enjoys drawing, swimming and playing basketball. Miss Belize is the lovely Samalia Vernon. The 22-year-old is from Belmopan and currently attending St. John's Junior College in Belize City, majoring in Business and Marketing. Vernon enjoys yoga, reading, traveling, painting, cooking, meditating, fashion and modeling, dancing and tennis. Upon arrival on July 29th to La Isla Bonita, the eight ladies will be facing a full itinerary of fun activities. Fido's Courtyard will be hosting the beauties on the first night of their arrival, and the public is invited to come on down and mingle with the lovely girls before they begin their rounds of preparations for the pageant.

Coral Reef Ed Ventures campers graduate
On Wednesday, July 8th, Coral Reef Ed-Venture Summer Program held its annual end of camp open house at the Lion's Den for its participants. The summer program was divided into two parts: the youth camp which is for kids ages 9 through 12 and the advanced camp for students 12 through 17. Hosted in collaboration with Smith College from Massachusetts, USA and the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Coral Ed-Ventures is a children's education program held annually in San Pedro. The main focus of the program is to teach children about reef ecology, conservation and preservation of marine habitats. This year's camp saw more than 60 students participating. The open house event began at 7PM and included a variety of presentations that represented all the knowledge the children gained during the summer camp. Family and friends gathered at the Lion's Den to witness what the children had learned in the two week camp program. Each student received an "Expert" name card as a form of diploma, which stated that they are Coral Reef Experts for the completion of the course. Two time program volunteer, Elena Ayala explained the success of the camp. "We found 2015 to be very successful. Children come back every year, and their knowledge about the coral reef continues to increase. This year we had speakers from different organizations, such as ACES, Mar Alliance and Oceana, among others, come in and made presentations to the children at the camp. We are very happy to be able to come to San Pedro every year and work with the children. The team work that coexists here in San Pedro between the local community and permanent organizations on the island is just phenomenal and encourages that team work spirit," stated Ayala.

Misc Belizean Sourcesmzz

7th Annual International Silver Dorado 2015 Sport Fishing Tournament
The much anticipated 7th Annual International Silver Dorado 2015 Sport Fishing Tournament is here this weekend in Mahahual, Mexico. Just a short drive from Corozal and a short boat ride from San Pedro. Get a chance to win the grand prize of the "Silver Dorado 2015" with the catch of the largest Dorado fish. Several Cash Prizes from $25,000 pesos to $100,000 pesos. Six different tournaments. It is going to be exciting and entertaining. It is all happening this weekend July 17, 18 and 19. Mahahual will be waiting for you Corozal and San Pedro.

PROPOSAL WRITING WORKSHOP
Workshop Date: July 16th, 2015 9am to 12pm. A good proposal doesn't just outline what product or service you would like to create or deliver, It should also leave the reader believing it is the only logical choice. This workshop will take participants through each step of the proposal writing process from understanding why they are writing a proposal, to gathering information, to writing and proofreading, to creating the final, professional product. By the end of this training course, participants will: Learn to define the strategy & best approach for each proposal, Determine the correct proposal style Master the best method for effective proposal writing Perform a need analysis & write a goal statement , Acquire a variety of techniques for improving writing skills Learn to use appropriate resources to build a strong case. COST: $40.00 LOCATION: BELTRAIDE OFFICE, Orchid Garden Street, Belmopan Includes a light snack and refreshment.

Belizean Delegation in Toronto for 2015 Pan Am Games!
Our news reporter, Hipolito Novelo, is in Toronto, Canada, for the 2015 Pan/Am and Parapan games. The official ceremony will take place tonight and Hipolito caught up with the Belizean team. Belize's athletes are ready to represent in Athletics and Triathlon. The delegation is headed by Chief of Mission, Allan Sharp. The contingent consists of triathlete Amed Figueroa, athletics delegate Deon Sutherland, and athletes Kaina Martinez and Mark Anderson who will both be doing the 100m. The Vice President of the Belize Olympic Committee is accompanying the team.

"Mariachi Tierra Maya"
The Institute of Mexico in collaboration with the Embassy of Mexico in Belize invites you to join the "Mariachi Tierra Maya" for a night of wonderful music and entertainment. FREE ENTRANCE!

Benque Clean Up Campaign 2015
The Benque Clean Up Campaign was very successful, with scores of people coming out to make Benque much cleaner. They did the sign too. Thanks to everyone that pooled together for the great community event. "Belize and Guatemala joined hands to work on a project headed by the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Matanza Project committee. On Friday, July 10, 2015 various community organizations and individuals came out to clean the riverside and main streets of Benque Viejo Town. A group was also working on cleaning the signage at the entrance of Benque. It is this kind of events that brings together a community and strengthens the relationship between two countries. We feel proud of all participants and hope that this event takes place more often."

Mysterious Maya Citadel Begins to Reveal its Secrets
They've started examining the Citadel at El Pilar more closely. There's extensive looting damage, but it allowed them to get a better picture of the structure of the ramparts. If you haven't visited the Citadel, it's really worth seeing. "El Pilar is considered the largest site in the Belize River region, boasting over 25 known plazas and hundreds of other structures, covering an area of about 120 acres. Monumental construction at El Pilar began in the Middle Preclassic period, around 800 BCE, and at its height centuries later it supported more than 20,000 people. Ford, who is the Director of the BRASS/El Pilar Program at the MesoAmerican Research Center of the University of California, Santa Barbara, has taken a 'hands-off,' highly selective conservation approach to investigating the site. With the exception of a fully exposed Maya house structure, most of the structures at El Pilar have remained completely conserved by design, still covered in their tropical shroud. The Citadel excavations have opened a new chapter in the research at El Pilar."

Mr. Greedy's Relocating
Mr. Greedy's is finishing up the refurbishment of their new location...the old Torres Bakery building. The building is massive, and they'll use the front part of it for their new location. Their grand re-opening is this Saturday, July 18th. Many of the pictures are of the historical and antiquated equipment left over from the bakery. Mr. Greedy's is bringing in their equipment for their pizzas. Pictures on fb here.

BOLEDO DRAWING for Tuesday, July 14, 2015: 95. FANTASY 5: 16 34 26 24 13 W

Power interruption 8:00am to 10:00am, Thursday, July 16, Cayo District
Portion from junction of George Price & Hummingbird Highways to Camalote, including Valley of Peace, Roaring Creek, Young Bank Road and portion from junction of George Price & Hummingbird Highways to Armenia, including Las Flores. BEL to replace recloser on power distribution system in area.

Western Ballaz Summer Basketball Camp
The Western Ballaz Summer Basketball Camp starts next Monday, June 20th, at Falcon Field. It's sponsored by the SSBA, SISE Town Council, and the Ministry of Sports. It's open to kids ages 5 to 18, and will run 2 weeks. "San Ignacio Santa Elena Basketball Association and The Government of Belize presents Ballaz for Life 2015 Summer Camp!!!!"

WHERE BELIZEAN CYCLING CHAMPS ONCE RULE!
When Rudy Miguel, Anthony Hutchinson, Noel Gordon and Alfred Parks ruled Belize's cycling in the 1960's, 1970's and 1980's, there were no foreign rider, not even the Mexicans and the Americans, that can attest of coming anyway near to capture the Garland then. These were perfectly designed and Belizean-made cyclists who won the grueling 144 Mile Classic, the Belize Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Race in record time, considering the rugged roads that would have obliterate many a foreign riders with their polished performances.

BELIZEAN SOFTBALL ICON, LINDA LEWIS, ON BELIZEAN LEGENDS!
The long awaited and exclusive feature on the legendary Belizean softball pitcher, Linda Lewis, whose pitching ace led the Belize national softball selection to win the first ever Gold Medal for Belize in the 1974 Central American & Caribbean Games in Puerto Rico, will be aired here on Belizean Legends.

MADE BY BELIZEANS: A BELLA CARIB & MARVJATE TROPHY!
The colorful and intricate Belizean design is a collaborative effort between two talented Belizean artists, Bella Carib (Dr. Glenda Arnold-Heon), and MarvJate Fashions (Marva Morris) who collaborated in designing one of the most unique attempts in carnival designing for last Sundays, July 12, 2015 Carnival Parade in Long Beach, California, where Belize was represented in grand style, and in living color. The piece seen here worn by a Belizean-American young lady who was sponsored by the Belizean dance phenom and performer herself, Bella Carib, attracted many a viewers and turned many heads at the carnival. It was designed by Bella Carib and crafted by MarvJate. Surely there are good things that come from out of the Los Angeles Belizean community, and this collaborative effort has made the Belizean Legends masterpiece of the month.

Channel 7

PUP's National Campaign Manager Rolls Out, What Next For Opposition
When the PUP lost the Dangriga bye-election last week, PUP Leader Francis Fonseca became the first mass party leader in memory to lose three major elections in six months. And because of the successive losses, everyone knew something had to give - someone had to take a fall for the party's consistently poor turnout at the polls. And it seems National Campaign Manager Godfrey Smith is the man. The news broke just before 11:00 this morning and Smith told us via text message, quote: "party leader and I reached mutual agreement that I would no longer be campaign manager." He would not comment further than that. Though not completely unexpected, it's surprising because it is Fonseca who brought in Smith - as campaign manager in April of 2014. In fact, just last week - in his post defeat press conference, Fonseca endorsed Smith - even in the face of a third successive defeat. Jules Vasquez In the PUP, the national campaign manager is the one who "roosts" out funds but by multiple indications just girl talk on the ground, we understand that the national campaign manager has failed to do that. In any substantial ways certainly not in a ralphian proportions. Should the PUP re-examined the post of national campaign manager and should Mr. Smith remain as national campaign manager?"

Political Commentator Okeke Says Cordel Should Lead
One political observer who has been keenly tracking the developments in the PUP is Steven Okeke. He's written two books on politics in Belize - and two weeks ago - he put up an interesting Facebook post in which he offered 10 options for the PUP Leadership in a time of crisis. He wrote it before the Dangriga election and today he discussed the options that are still there after another loss:.. Steven Okeke, Political Commentator/Author "Its unconventional situation for them right now and I don't think they have been in this kind of disorganization, not just that the party is losing, but the leadership doesn't seem to know what to do and their public face, their public presentation - what they present to the public discourages even their own people from coming out to vote. So, what they have to do is to so what they have never done before. Do something drastic. Do something that makes the people see you want to win, you want to show them you are interested in running the country - you are interested the country - you are interested in being a vibrant opposition, not necessarily who is in charge or who is at the helm or who make up the leadership. But you want to win. You want to do something drastic and that is where you have to choose somebody among you who have some charisma, who have some flare, you have some youthfulness and some level of experience."

KHMH Staffers Cry Out For Raise; Will GOB Balk At 2 Mil Request?
As we've reported, public officers and teachers received an eight percent salary increase this month - and that follows up on 6% they got last year. It has increased government's wage bill by over 70 million dollars - but GOB may have to dig a little deeper. That's because nobody remembered the folks at the KHMH. Now, they aren't public officers; they work for the KHMH Authority which is an autonomous statutory body. But, it's not fully independent, because in reality, the KHMH's operations are funded substantially by government - to the tune of more than ten million dollars annually. So, the almost 579 KHMH workers say they want a slice of the pie too. Of course, coming up with that kind of money for 600 hospital workers would another at least another two million annually to the wage bill - which is no small feat for government. Today, our reports say senior representatives of KHMH Management appeared before Cabinet to make their case directly. Still, no definitive answer is forthcoming - and Cabinet is now deliberating on the costly request. But, while they deliberate we have heard that the staff is reserving its options and has met with the Public Service union to discuss possibilities.

Chief Magistrate Throws Out Case Because Of Bad-Acting Police
28 year old Sherwin Baezar went to court yesterday to stand trial for assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest, insulting words to a police officer and riding a bicycle contrary to the flow of traffic. But, all the charges were thrown out after Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith learned what police had done with him. The mile 8 resident was arrested for riding "up-stop" in October of 2014. At the time, he told us what police did with him:.. FILE: October 28, 2014 Sherwin Baizer - Allege Police Brutality "On Friday the 24th, I went to the market to buy vegetables on my bike and like the men (police) were coming on the lane the same time I am going to a stall to buy. They came out and search me and they didn't find anything, so the sergeant said "go through" but this next police officer named "AldalBerto Baton," he said no, he will take me in better and he grab me on my shirt and started to drag me and so I told him that I didn't like his son to drag about this place.

Ladyville Cops Make Bust Out Of Sandhill
33 year old Anthony Zelaya, a resident of Gardenia Village, is spending his first night of a 12 year sentence after he was arraigned today for prohibited firearms and illegal drugs. Early this morning, around 4:45 a.m. Ladyville police raided Anthony Zelaya's residence in Gardenia village. Zelaya was present at the time along with were Nelson Zelaya, Arlene Zelaya and Nicole Moody. During that operation, they found a sawed-off 16 gauge shot gun, four 16-gauge cartridges and 105 grams - or 3.7 ounces - of marijuana. All 4 persons were charged with keeping a prohibited firearm, keeping unlicensed ammunition, and drug trafficking. The officers quickly prepared their criminal charges and marched them to court today, where they were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith.

Belize Bank On What CFATF Green Light Means
2 weeks ago, we showed you the press conference hosted by the Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Belize. At that event, they announced that the country's banking practices are more resistant to money laundering and terrorist financing than ever before. As the lead agencies in the financial and banking sector, they were trying to get all the bankers compliant with the regulations set out by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force. After months of hard work it was finally accomplished, but with this new level of accountability and transparency, it does affect the off-shore banking sector, which used to offer banking without full disclosure. That confidentiality could have been used by criminal organizations to make illicit transactions. So, Belize like all the other territories in the Caribbean took steps to insulate against that type of illegal behavior, and now, we've been given the nod as one of the countries that is compliant. Because of the pressures coming down from the finance regulating organizations from abroad, the Belize Bank was one of the local banks which was negatively affected when it lost its corresponding banking relationship with Bank of America. So, today when we got the opportunity, we asked the Executive Chairman of Belize Bank, who also the CEO of BCB Holdings, about how the compliance has allowed the bank to move past this setback. Here's what he said:

Using Art To Make Statement About Murder
Right now, Belize City artist Katie Usher is closing off her latest exhibit at the Image Factory Art Foundation. It is called "Wall" and on it, Usher has placed the names of those who have been murdered in 2015. After examining a collection newspapers, and news articles from the different media houses, Usher's tally is that 78 persons have been murdered since the beginning of the year, up to yesterday. Her wall of names is meant to put into perspective just how many lives have been cut short in the last 6 and a half months. She explained to us this afternoon that the idea for this exhibit was forged when she found out that Amandala journalist Kareem Clarke had been killed 8 days ago. She said that his tragic end was the catalyst to the "Wall": Katie Usher - Artist "We lost, what I think in my mind was a very good Belizean, not just a very good journalist. Because when he wrote his stories he actually cared about the person. He gave these people personalities and families, not just a statistic.

Violence Against Violence Highlited
And included in those saddening statistics are two women who were killed in the past two weeks by their husbands. They are Juana Cowo-Cardinez in Punta Gorda and Keisha Buller in Benque Viejo Del Carmen. Today, the Women's Issues Network of Belize sent out a statement pointing this out as Gender based violence which they say is a serious violation of basic human rights. The statement says gender Based Violence is still underreported in Belize: and complaints are not properly handled by authorities, which , quote, "sustains this vicious cycle." They call on citizens to condemn it, and report it, and call on the Prime Minister's Wife, Women Parliamentarians, the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, Members of Parliament, Senators...and other leaders to quote, "be united in saying an absolute NO to violence against women."

Indian Found Dead In OW - Police Suspect Sudden Death
Police can't say for certain what caused the death of an Indian man who was found dead at his apartment in Orange Walk this morning. 35 year old Vicky Gyanchandani was found dead inside his room on Guadalupe Street. Foul play has not been ruled out because of a ligature mark around his neck, but police have reason to believe it could be a sudden death:.. Inspector Selvin Tillet, Deputy Commander - Orange Walk Police Formation "The body was found lying on the flour with the head facing the door of the room. There was no sign of struggle. However, there's was an apparent mark on his neck down. Investigations revealed that the decease has been in the country for quite a while now. According to the regional hospital personnel, the deceased has a stray of chronic alcoholism. He has been visiting the said hospital and was also suffering from stomach ulcer. The body is currently awaiting a post mortem."

Landing Man Accused Of Molestation
40 year-old Orlando Dawson, a construction worker of Bermudian Landing, is spending his second night on remand after being taken to court for having sexual relations with an underage girl. The girl, who is only 14 year-old, went to the police station and reported that Dawson took advantage of her with her on 3 separate occasions: December 7, 2014, December 20, 2014, and December 31, 2014. Police investigated her complaint, and they eventually charged Dawson with 3 counts of unlawful sexual intercourse. He was arraigned yesterday before the Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith, and due to the nature of the offences, Dawson was remanded into custody until October 30.

Buena Vista Water Woes Worsen
2 weeks ago, we told you about the situation at the Buena Vista Water Board where cheques surfaced at with the Chairman's name, Julio Castillo, on them. We stress that the Ministry of Rural Development has not determined that anything illegal has happened, but the residents strongly suspect that something funny happened with the money. Well, because this situation has not been resolved, the villagers don't want to pay any more money, and so, a number of them are without water tonight because they were disconnected today for non-payment of arrears. As we've told you, cheques for as much as $19,000 have surfaced due to the persistence of Eddy De La Rosa, the Chairman of the Buena Vista Village. He and others continue to suspect that Castillo acted improperly as the Chairman of the Water Board. Castillo has declared his innocence to us saying that he cashed the money in his name so that he could get access to the funds quicker, which made it easier to do the job of the Cayo Village's Water Board. He and his secretary have shown us written records which they assert should prove their innocence.

Belize Bank Gives Scholarships
The Belize Bank today announced the 12 deserving students countrywide whose education they plan to fund for the next school year. It's the 4th year that the bank is offering this type of opportunity to students who make the grade. This time around, they are giving away 8 high school scholarships, and 4 to junior college scholars. Today, 7News got a chance to meet the scholarship recipients: The scholarships will last up to the graduation of each students, provided that they maintain a 3.0 grade point average, which is a B average. The bank started this initiative in 2012, and they now have 56 students being funded by this program.

Doing It Right
And while those hard working students got rewarded with a scholarships, others who made the right moral choices got bigged up by police today. 39 high school students from 14 schools around the country were acknowledged at the "Do The Right Thing" award ceremony. It was held at Old Belize and we met the winners who all received scholarships to continue their studies. This is the 10th year for the Police Department's "Do The Right Thing" Program.

From Belmopan to Michigan
3 weeks ago, we told you about how the youth advocacy organization, 4H Development Center, sent a delegation of youths to Michigan, as part of a cultural exchange program. Well, they returned this afternoon, and they were eager to share with us how it went. They told us what they were doing for the last 21 days: As mentioned in the interview, the 4H Youth Development Center advocates for youths under the Department of Youth Services.

Mike Menjivar Takes GSU To Court
Viewers may know the story of Miguel Menjivar very well, he's the business owner from Belmopan whose family put through a terrifying pre-dawn raid by the Gang Suppression Unit. That happened in May of 2011, and after that incident, where over 100 bullets fired by the GSU officers, Menjivar had to stand trial, and get an acquittal for 9 counts of attempted murder because he opened fire on the officers. He told us that he will sue the Government and the Police Department for this incident, and his case finally started yesterday after nearly 2 years. They reported to the Supreme Court with their attorney, Phillip Palacio for the first case management conference. Menjivar and the Police Department have been given case management orders by the court for documents that they must deliver. A date has been set for pre-trial. It will then follow that Menjivar should be given his full day before the Supreme Court where his attorney will try to convince the judge that the GSU acted excessively in that bullet-filled raid, and that he deserves an award of damages. We'll keep following the case.

Getting High With Weed On Roof
Yesterday we told you about the GSU's weekend of gun and weed seizures in the city - but they were also working out on san Pedro. On Friday morning, the unit searched the residence of Angela PITTS on Glitter Street in San Pedro Town. On the roof, they found a plastic bag containing a total of 100.4 grammes or 3.5 ounces of weed. It's a small amount, but it resulted in a big arrest where everyone in the home was taken in, including: 53 year old Angela PITTS, 40 year old Kerdel MEIGHAN, 31 year old Indira RIVERO, 34 year old Resendo RUBIO, Silvia TEUL and 19 year old Josie CASTELLANOS. They were all charged for of "Possession of Controlled Drugs with intent to supply".

Channel 5

Breaking News: Man Shot In Gonzalo Quinto Warehouse Compound
In breaking news tonight, there has been a shooting in the compound of the Gonzalo Quinto warehouse near the Napa roundabout in Belize City. From what we have just learnt, [...]

Another Resignation in The P.U.P.; Campaign Mgr. Godfrey Smith Steps Down
Tonight, there is major news coming out of the People's United Party camp in the wake of last Wednesday's Dangriga bye-election. News Five was able to confirm today that Godfrey [...]

Man Found Dead In Orange Walk; Was It Murder?
Police have a number of murders to solve, but there is a new case that is baffling authorities in the north. The body of thirty-five year old Vicky Hareshlal Gyanchandani [...]

Man Critical After Chopping In Orange Walk
On Monday, the bloody footage of a man who had been viciously chopped to the face and body made its short-lived rounds on the social media. It was taken off [...]

Hilberto Sotz Killers Before The Courts; His Family Seeks UNCHR Assistance
The island of Caye Caulker has resumed a sense of normalcy in the wake of last month's public uproar caused by the murder of eighteen-year-old Hilberto Sotz while in police [...]

Did Police Use Excessive Force in Shooting Death of Leopold Myvette?
And our question for tonight: Do you think the police used excessive force in the recent shooting death of Hope Creek resident, Leopold Myvette? Send your comments and responses using [...]

Fire in Biscayne Leaves Twelve Homeless
Two Biscayne families are without their house after it was burnt to the ground shortly after two on Saturday morning. Emmerson Michael, his common-law-wife and their seven children lived upstairs, [...]

Gun Recovered, But Smith's Killer Still on the Loose
Tonight, another cold-blooded killer remains on the loose despite the recovery of this nine millimeter Glock pistol, believed to have been used in the murder of eighteen-year-old Anthony Smith.� The [...]

Gardenia Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Gun, Ammunition & Drugs
A man from Gardenia is spending the first night of twelve years behind bars after he took the rap for a prohibited weapon, ammunition and drugs found in his home. [...]

Apprentice Remanded For Alleged Robbery
Tonight, a member of the Apprenticeship Program who is scheduled to graduate on July twenty-second has been remanded to the Belize Central Prison.� Allan Allen Phillips was arraigned on Monday [...]

Chester Williams on Ghost Town Intervention
On Monday, we reported that an intervention had been staged over the weekend by the Belize Police Department, involving feuding members of the Ghost Town Gang.� The mediation saw the [...]

Belize Bank Awards 12 Scholarships
Twelve students will start the new academic year with scholarships through the Belize Bank Scholarship Programme. Among the guests at the Biltmore Plaza this morning were family members of the [...]

Police Recognize Youths Doing The Rait Ting
The tenth annual national "Du Di Rait Ting" Award Ceremony of the Police Department was held today at the Old Belize Pavilion in Belize City. It's an initiative that started [...]

Artist Share Murder Count
The official murder stats for the first half of the year is yet to be released by the Police Department, but we can surely say that 2015 is one of [...]

CTV3

Palmar Resident Detained For Altercation In Palmar Village
Yesterday we told you about an almost fatal chopping incident in Palmar Village in Orange Walk involving two men. As we reported, 27 year old Irvin Cantun was seen with chop wounds on the head, left elbow, mouth and side. Investigators say that Cantun was socializing with some friends and about 1:00am he saw Alberto Canche. It is alleged that Cantun provoked Canche and that is when an argument ensued between both men landing Cantun at the KHMH where he remains in critical condition. Selvin Tillette - Inspector: "We have arrested and charged a young man by the name of Canche of San Jose Palmar and has been charged for dangerous harm and use of deadly means of harm as well has been detained and he will be taken to court sometime tomorrow." Reporter: "Have you been able to come up with any motive?"

Allegation Of Personal Benefits Launched Against Hugo Patt
Petro Caribe those are two words that apparently won't be forgotten anytime soon as it is the talk of the entire country. Be it positive or negative there is no doubt that when it comes to the rampant spending of the Petro Caribe funds spending it is a subject that has been widely discussed. And tonight it is making news again, but not because the monies were used to finance another fun day in Corozal with tacos and music. This time the complaint is coming from the P.U.P Standard Bearer for Corozal North David Castillo. In the Village of Patchakan located in the Corozal North Constituency represented by Minister of State Hugo Patt, about quarter mile of road has been paved with Petro Caribe funding. Surprisingly though, the paving leads from the main street directly into Patt's premises. And that is what is raising eyebrows and building up questions, questions that are not about to be answered.

Orange Walk Has A New Sheriff In Town
Orange Walk's hard-core criminals and lethargic cops better watch out as the town's new police chief is determined to prove that he means business. Inspector Selvin Tillett wants to rid the Northern municipality of target killers, extortionists, robbers, and other criminals. He has also told police officers to get their act together and put criminals behind bars no matter who they are. "First of all we need to go along with the Commissioner Standing Orders, first of all community policing is the way to go now, zero tolerance on corruption and police brutality the reports on police brutality we are investigating it at this moment and if they are found guilty make them face the music." In a correction to Tillett's statement, what he meant to say was "following the commissioner's policing plan and not commissioner's standing orders. Tillett replaces Superintendent Dennis Arnold who was transferred to the Corozal Police Formation.

BSCFA Membership Dissatisfied For The Fact That Cane Remained In The Fields
At the top of the newscast you heard the chairman of the BSCFA Committee of Management Ezekiel Cansino talk about the nine non-compliances the association currently faces. And while the Association has their fair share of corrective measures to put in place to reverse the action of non-compliances, how did the splintered BSCFA do in the delivery of cane over the 2014-2015 Sugar Cane Crop Season? Cansino says overall the Association did well but individually there are farmers unsatisfied since there is a large volume of cane still left in the fields. "We are not happy because we did not finish our cane we still have cane on the fields but everything was good because we have a good TC/TS and that is the most important thing that we did the hard work and we end up with a good quality cane."

Nourishing Minds With The Game Of Chess
Do you know that according to research, test scores improved by 17.3% for students regularly engaged in chess classes, compared with only 4.6% for children participating in other forms of enriched activities? Interesting right? Well bearing that in mind the Sandy Hunter Library is currently offering summer chess programs for kids giving them an opportunity to learn and play or to improve their game. Currently 15 children are engaged in the program. Far from the preserve of the academically gifted, chess also helps troubled kids to find a better focus for their energies, and allows shy or non-athletic kids an opportunity to exercise their competitive spirit. The program is being facilitated by Chess Tutor, Jose Zavala who also represents Belize in tournaments.

BSCFA Expands On Nine None Compliances
Last Friday the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, BSCFA announced that were found with nine non-compliances after being audited by FLOCERT, the global certification body for Fairtrade. Non compliances usually spell trouble for organizations under the umbrella of Fairtrade. But according to the Chair of the BSCFA Committee of Management, Ezekiel Cansino, this time around, the non-compliances filed against the BSCFA are not major and will not affect the association's certification with Fairtrade. EZEKIEL CANSINO - Chair, BSCFA: "We receive the result and we were informed that we have 9 non-compliance but none of them were major and we are very happy for that because it will not affect the certificate of fair Trade and the Organization but we will be working on that as soon as we get the corrective measures we will be sending them today." Maria Novelo - Reporter: "Corrective measures, like what and then do you have a time frame?" EZEKIEL CANSINO - Chair, BSCFA: "On how we will be working on and reduce that noncompliance, we have to sit and plan and then send it to them on how we will be working on that issues."

LOVE FM

What International Assessments Are Saying About Belize
With the world wide web so accessible to everyone and traveling becoming so easy for many, Belize has indeed become a well know destination, albeit, its size and status as a third world country. So much so, that in various aspects, this small Central American nation has and continues to be graded by organizations around [�]

An Appeal to Help Family Rebuild Following House Fire in Rural Belize
On Saturday, July 11, we told you of a 13-member family that lost their home to a house fire in the wee hours of that morning. The two-storey wooden structure located in Biscayne Village, Belize District, occurred between two thirty and three o'clock that morning, leaving four adults and nine children homeless. 37-year-old, Emmerson Michael [�]

Police Says Chopping Incident Is Not Gang Related
27-year-old Irvin Cantun is recuperating at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital from chop wounds he received in the early hours of Monday morning while on his way home in San Jose Palmar Village hospitalized. According to reports from villagers, Cantun was heading home when he was suddenly attacked with a machete by a fellow villager. [�]

Foreign National Found Dead Inside His Apartment
The body of 36-year-old, Vicky Hareshlal Gyachandani was found inside a room he was renting on Guadalupe Street in Orange Walk Town. So far police is treating the matter as a case of sudden death but investigation continues as there is reason to believe that a mark found on his neck could be as a result of [�]

Mena's Role as Minister of State Explained
Last week when the political campaign died down and the red and blue waves subsided, the Prime Minister had announced that the recently elected Area Representative for Dangriga, Frank Pawpa Mena would be given a portfolio in Cabinet. The media was then notified on the following day that Mena had been given the title of [�]

Belize Bank Makes Life Easier for Some Struggling Parents
The Belize Bank Limited today handed out scholarships to twelve students to continue their education. General Manager of Marketing at the Belize Bank, Shakira Tsai said the bank is proud to have a part in shaping the academic future of young Belizeans. SHAKIRA TSAI "We found families dealing with tragedies, some with unfortunate circumstances and [�]

Sugar Season Closes with Record Numbers
The 2015 Sugar Cane Crop Season has come to an end with record figures. When the BSI gates closed at 6 pm on Sunday July 12, cane farmers had delivered a total of one million one hundred and eighty six thousand one hundred and fifty three point nine tons of cane. Because this year cane [�]

PUP's National Campaign Manager Resigns
When you compare the outpour of support that came out of the People's United Party in the Cayo North bi-election in January 2015 to the Dangriga bi-election held just last week, the blue and white camp showed far more energy and unity in the southern municipality on July 8. According to the Opposition Leader, Francis [�]