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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

Belize's Hyperbaric Chamber: Providing International standards of treatment on Ambergris Caye
Belize tourism industry continues to flourish, with most visitors engaged in recreational diving and snorkeling activities in our tropical waters. In San Pedro Ambergris Caye, the Sub-aquatics of Belize Limited has been offering hyperbaric medical treatment to the country's visiting and diving community for over 25 years. At an appreciation Christmas dinner held at Elvis Kitchen restaurant on Monday, December 14th, the San Pedro Hyperbaric Chamber's CEO Mauricio Moreno spoke to The San Pedro Sun about the origins and services of the 'Recompression Chamber Network' on the island, as well as praised the works of his invaluable staff. The chamber is a member of the 12 Sub-Aquatic Safety Service (SSS) Network which has similar facilities in every continent. Some of these places include Mexico, Africa, Ecuador, USA, Bahamas and even Thailand. This attests to the facility's high standards and experience in hyperbaric medicine. The idea of having a Hyperbaric Chamber Clinic on the island came after Belize became a potential diving destination.

Belize shaken after an earthquake in Chiapas, Mexico
Here in Belize, residents from the Belize and Cayo districts report to have felt the strongest tremor. In an interview with Channel 5 News, Belize National Metrological Service Forecaster, Francisca Wellington explained more on the occurrence. "We have a program here at the met service that as soon as there is an earthquake, it's registered. It pops up on our screen and it's able to tell us the exact location of the epicenter, the magnitude of the earthquake and how far it was from Belize," said Wellington. She also explained why these distant tremors are felt in Belize. ""What we feel are the tremors from the epicenters of earthquakes that happen close to us; for example in regions such as Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras and in the Caribbean as well. So we wouldn't feel the direct impact of an earthquake, but we will feel the tremors. If the epicenter is close enough to Belize, it will feel very strong, intimidating and even frightening."

2015 Holiday Lighted Boat Parade Decorates our Caribbean Coast
Taking the first place prize was Captain Rick Sutherland of 'Miss Zetti', sponsored by Ramon's Village Resort. Taking second place was Captain Wayne McRae of 'Way-Lin-Eh sponsored by Coco Loco's and Caye Coffee, while third place went to Captain Ben Popik of 'Mojo Rising' sponsored by Palapa Tours and Truck Stop. An award was also given to Best Small Boat which went to Captain Erik Henkis of 'Uprising' sponsored by The Phoenix. Honorable mentions also went out to ACES Charity Boat 'Miss Ness' sponsored by 12 Belize and Belize Diving Adventures, Captain Ben Robinson of 'Baby Boy' sponsored by Marbucks and Palapa Tours, Captain Jose Luis Zapata of 'Gaven' sponsored by Jose Luis Zapata Studios and Captain Kevin Smith of 'YOLO' sponsored by Kevin and Heather Smith.

BAHA not allowing Guyanese Rice into Belizean Market
In early December 2015, business man Jack Charles (Jitendra Chawla) announced that he would be importing Guyanese rice into the Belizean market. This imported rice would be relatively cheaper than the local rice grown in Belize and as such cause much controversy with industry partners. While the Government of Belize (GOB) and Belizean rice growers expressed disapproval on the importation of rice, Charles still proceeded with the process. On Thursday, December 17th, 75 tons of Guyanese rice belonging to Charles arrived at the Big Creek Port in Independence Village, Stann Creek District. However, Charles was unable to receive it as the Belize Agriculture Health Authority (BAHA) denied clearance for the release of the three containers of rice. With his product on hold and no confirmation whether GOB will the allow importation of the Guyanese rice, Charles is anything but happy. He claims that he understands GOB's concerns on the importation, but his intentions are not to damage the rice growers. "My objective is to import only 20% of the total rice consumed in the country� [I] certainly don't have any interest in creating an import monopoly� This will give consumers a choice on the shelf and easier access for this basic grain and will also serve as a check and balance on the price of rice in the local market," said Charles in a release. His intentions are to offer consumers Grade A (premium quality rice) rice at around $0.69 per pound.

Adopt a bear brings Christmas joy to island children
176 children of San Pedro Ambergris Caye will have their wish list come true on this festive Christmas season. This will be possible thanks to the 'Adopt a Bear' project created by a group of individuals on the island set to ensure that the island's less fortunate children receive a gift from Santa! The project gives the opportunity to anyone to give a Christmas present to one child who may otherwise not receive one. The project was a tremendous success, and well over a hundred children represented by the adopted bears received their gifts on the morning of Wednesday, December 23rd from 9AM to 1PM at the Lions Den. Following the distribution of gifts, the children were treated to a hearty lunch.

Ambergris Today

Christmas Lights at Sea Brighten San Pedro Holiday Boat Parade
Ramon's Village brought it's A-Game to the 9th Annual San Pedro Holiday Boat Parade with an brilliant show of lights that had Santa Claus riding his sleigh filled with Christmas Trees, a parrot, shark, dive flag and two giant pineapples being pulled by sea turtles. The top boat of the evening dazzled onlookers with its show of color and cheer. After being picked up by a new committee of volunteers headed by Dee Regis Vasquez of Wayo's Beach Bar & Aqua Vista Beachfront Suites and Britney O'Daniel of Sandbar Beachfront Hostel & Restaurant the Holiday Boat Parade was back in action after it was cancelled for 2015. The new team rushed to find sponsors and made a great effort in gathering participants for the parade. On parade day, Monday, December 21, 2015, fifteen boats lined up for the fun and hundreds of residents and visitors crammed onto piers, beach areas and viewing stations to enjoy the spectacle of lights on the water. There was a crab chasing an angel, Santa riding a train, Christmas trees, a giant truck and plenty hundreds more lights that decorated the evening shoreline. The San Pedro Holiday boat parade was deemed an even bigger success this year.

Ambergris Caye Boasts Unique Holiday Boat Parade
It has become a yearly attraction in Ambergris Caye, Belize, the San Pedro Holiday Boat Parade, now in its ninth year is an impressive show of talent, lights, creativity and holiday cheer! Visitors from abroad are now booking their vacations around the lighted boat parade celebrations that highlight the season's celebrations in Belize. Businesses, private boats and charity/non-profit organizations run wild with their imaginations and strings of lights to create masterpieces that shine bright and cheerful at sea. The Holiday Boat Parade is one of its kind in the region and is promising to attract even more participants from neighboring countries. A panel of judges set up their viewing station at the end of a dock and prepare for the parade of lights that brighten up the town. Spectators gather along the docks, Central Park and various viewing stations at establishments who prepare for the grand event.

Another Successful Fashion Show for Boxes of Joy
It was a full house at the Angel Nu�ez Auditorim on Friday, December 18, 2015 for the annual Boxes of Joy fashion show; themed "The Future is Gold". The show kicked off with a beautiful christmas introduction skit by Vellie Del Valle leading to the commencement of the cutest children strutting down the runway wearing the latest trends for the holidays. Founder of Boxes of Joy Shantel Pascasio and Francisco Mendez mentioned that this was indeed another successful show and are even happier because they have broken their record of 800 gifts and can now provide many more toys to the children this christmas. Mrs. Pascasio also mentioned that she had some extra gifts which she gave to the Cornerstone Foundation in San Ignacio. Huge Thanks to thank Leo's for helping out during the show and Salinas Family for donating $800 worth of toys.

No Foul Play Suspected in Discovery of Dead Body in San Pedro
The San Pedro Police Department does not suspect any foul play in the discovery of a dead body found at the south entrance of the San Pablo Area about 1.5 miles south of San Pedro Town, today Tuesday, December 22, 2015. The body of 72-year-old Elijio Lino, was discovered today after a foul smell was noticed coming from a property just behind Ambergris Lake Villas. Police suspect that Lino died of natural causes and the body will be inspected by medical officers on the island before it will be buried, due to the advanced state of decomposition. Passersby and residents of the area immediately expressed their sympathy for the senior citizen who could be seen sitting by the side of the road daily.

Misc Belizean Sourcesmzz

Passing of Mrs. Manuela Guerrero
Mayor Daniel Guerrero, the San Pedro Town Council and Staff would like to extend its deepest condolences to the Guerrero family & friends on the passing of Mrs. Manuela Guerrero. There was a wake, Tuesday, December 22, at her residence in the evening. Funeral services will be today, December 23 - time is yet to be confirmed.

Holiday hours for San Pedro Town Council
The San Pedro Town Council offices will be closing on: -Thursday, December 24, 2015 at 12:00 noon, and resuming to regular working hours on Monday, December 28, 2015. -Thursday, December 31, 2015 at 12:00 noon, and resuming to regular working hours on Monday, January 4, 2016. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause.

New years eve Caye Caulker (West Bay Beach club)

A Politically Correct Christmas Poem..
Twas the night before Christmas and Santa's a wreck... How to live in a world that's politically correct? His workers no longer would answer to "Elves", "Vertically Challenged" they were calling themselves. And labor conditions at the North Pole, were alleged by the union, to stifle the soul. Four reindeer had vanished without much propriety, released to the wilds, by the Humane Society. And equal employment had made it quite clear, that Santa had better not use just reindeer. So Dancer and Donner, Comet and Cupid, were replaced with 4 pigs, and you know that looked stupid!

Safeguarding the Living Heritage of Belize, Jamaica and T&T
This booklet was prepared by the UNESCO Kingston Cluster Office for the Caribbean, and provides the highlights of a three year project for safeguarding living heritage realised in Belize, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago through the support of the UNESCO/JAPAN Funds-in-Trust.

11 year old Aidan Peterson fundraises for FCD
FCD is honoured and grateful to 11 year old Aidan Peterson of Seven Arrows Elementary School of Los Angeles who conducted a fundraising drive to help protect wildlife of Chiquibul. At your young age, Aidan - you are already a Champion of the Chiquibul. We are proud of You!!!

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT: Communications Coordinator, WCS Belize Program
Position Title: Communications Coordinator Status: Full-time Reports To: WCS Belize Program, Assistant Country Director Office: WCS Belize Program, Belize City, Belize The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), a non-profit organization, saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. The WCS Belize Program is seeking to recruit a suitable individual to fill the position of Communications Coordinator. The Communications Coordinator will be responsible for the day-to-day coordination of the communications component of this program. S/he will serve as the primary communications focal point for collaboration with NGO, creative teams, and government agency partners. The communications component aims to raise awareness about key conservation issues and inspire target audiences to engage in conservation action in Belize and the region. In particular, this position will support the implementation of a Belize Replenishment Zones Expansion Communications and Outreach Strategy, which includes the design, production, and distribution of an Entertainment-Education radio drama, and community engagement activities and campaigns.

The Museum of Belize (NICH) donates to the Krem Christmas Toy Drive 2015!
Yesterday the Museum of Belize (NICH) was able to spread some Christmas Cheer with a donation of a box of toys to the KREM FM 96.5, 91.1, 101.1, Krem Television Christmas Toy Drive 2015. We were proud to be a part of this eight (8) year strong initiative in giving back to the kids within the community.

Wanted. Full time cook. Habaneros on Caye Caulker
Some experience is a plus but we train in house. Preference given to applicants from Caye Caulker. Non-Legal Residents will not even be considered. Start date this week. Wage dependent on previous experience but will be a live able wage regardless. Call Darren at 626-4911 between noon and midnight or stop by the restaurant before 6:00pm and after 9:00pm.

International Costa Maya Festival sets dates for 2016
August 4.5.6 2016

AUCD
By: Abdulmajeed K. Nunez. What is a Belizean artist worth? Who is ensuring that they are getting what they are worth? Imagine NICH does not even have pension fund! What about a Sagicore pay in plan? What is stopping a Quasi Government Organization to set an employee trust found? Imagine the premier arts institution without a pension found Is this is the faith or our artisans? Will they all die like paupers like Mr. Peters and the Boom and Shine Band? In case an artist wants to premier their work? Yes there is the option of the Belisle Gallery How will NICH promote feature stage opportunities for youth to perform? How do they promote new writers without having the platform? Youth have access to the Youth Department to record a song They will still need physical personnel to help turn it into a production Where will they get the jump start capital to do their personal project? To tell artist all the need to have is the drive Is clearly not enough in this business for them to thrive? They are handicapped from the get go, it's just a feel good

Education USA Reference Center
Come visit the Education USA Reference Center at the Leo Bradley Library Princess Margaret Drive, Belize City. With out book collection that can help you prepare for your SAT, ACT, TOEFL, GRE etc. Practice makes perfect and the Education USA Reference Center in Belize City has all the study resources you need to get into the school of your choice in the United States!!!

Channel 7

Port CEO Says Stevedores Not The "Small Man", Not Moneywise At Least
On Friday, government amended the labour law making it so that stevedoring is now an essential service. That means that under the law they can no longer spontaneously strike like they did a few weeks ago - crippling the Port of Belize in the process. Yesterday, the Christian Workers Union lashed out at GOB - saying it had sided with the big money interests against the small stevedores - especially notable since many of those stevedores are UDP supporters from their southside strongholds. President of the CWU Audrey Matura Shepherd said her members had gotten, quote, "a royal Christmas bukkut." Well, not surprisingly, the Port of Belize had a very different take on that today. Port CEO Arturo Tux Vasquez said Matura went too far, and he responded today by going further than he's ever gone before: he told us how much stevedores make annually - and suggested that there's no reason they should be complaining:... "To be honest I actually had to sit and take notes, looking at the news to make sure that I cover everything because I think that perhaps this time the interviews have gone too far. I go to a quotation she said about poor workers with less benefits. On an average a stevedore works around 40-70 days for the year and earns approximately an average of $35,000 per annum.

CWU President Says First Caribbean Showing (More) Bad Faith
Yesterday the CIBC First Caribbean International Bank sent out a release announcing that as of January 29th , 2016, it would be "hasta la vista, Belize!" As of that date, Heritage Bank would take control of all their assets - but there's no such guarantee for staff. And so, the Christian Worker's Union, who represents over 60 of the employees of First Caribbean is not at all pleased. Months of back and forth between both sides could not settle their labour differences, principally for an exit package deal for the 60-odd workers. That matter is still pending but FCIB is already singing sayonara. Today, CWU President Audrey Matura Shepherd told us that this is yet another show of bad faith on the part of the bank. "What happened is that strangely despite the bank not having any dialogue with us, they were insisting to have a meeting and we were unable to attend that meeting before, because we are completing negotiations with other entities. So the Mr. Smith from the bank insisted that if he could only visit the office to talk to Mr. Neal which he did yesterday. The reason that was important for them to have done is because the legislation and the CBA clearly said that whatever decision that will affect the workers, they had to first inform the bank, then they could implement it.

BUS ACCIDENT...
Two Ladyville buses collided head on at the southern foot of the Haulover Bridge this morning. It happened at around 7:30 am - the height of the rush hour - causing a major traffic jam stretching for miles. Sometime after 8:00 this morning a Haylock Bus rammed into the back of a Ramos Bus. The always forthcoming Bert Ramos, the owner of Ramos Bus Company, told us what happened. Bert Ramos, Owner - Ramos Bus Company "Actually what happened I was coming from Belize City and I had 4 passengers in my bus going up and while on the approach of the bridge one of those big trucks that have a long trailer was coming from the opposite side of the bridge, but it give the space. So I already see that it wasn't giving the space. So I just stop to let it pass because I didn't want it to break my mirror because my bus is new. I just got this bus about a month and change ago. I decide to stop to give the truck way to pass and couple seconds I feel bang in back of my bus. That is all what went on."

Can There Be a Dual Rice Price Regime?
Right now is day number 6 for Belize City importer Jack Charles. He continues to wait for the Government authorities to give him written reasons as to why it has seized 3 containers of Guyanese rice at the Port of Big Creek. The Government has stated clearly that it will not allow him to sell his Guyanese Rice in Belize because it will threaten the local rice producing industry. But, Charles is undeterred. He says this is just a setback and continues to advertise his 69 cent rice as "coming soon". He's asking for a dual price regime: one for his Guaynese Rice which will only take up 20% of the local market - and keep the producers honets, and another regime for locally produced rice. Here's what Jack Charles and the CEO in the Ministry of Agriculture both had to say on that issue: Jose Alpuche, CEO - Ministry of Agriculture "What will happen right now is that we have an importer who is saying that he will voluntarily restrict his imports to 20% and I have yet to see one operating that way - that fashion in Belize. And secondly that he can only guarantee the price for two years. Now that says to me that what we may very well have here in addition to the subsidies issue is a question of dumping."

Bill Collector Claims Robbery, Cops Say Scam
A woman claiming she was the victim of an aggravated robbery is today facing charges for theft and allegedly deceiving authorities. According to Police, 45 year old Sharon Burgess of Neal's Pen Road Belize City, a collector for Channel Broadcasting Cable, reported that she was robbed of almost four thousand dollars by two dark skinned young men. She claimed that one of the men showed her an ice pick and demanded money, which she claims she handed over. But, there were inconsistencies in her story, and police didn't buy it. CIB personnel concluded that the report was false. As a result Sharon Burgess was today arrested and charged for theft and mischievous act. Burgess has reported being robbed before.

A Soldier and A Lawyer
This morning, the court room of Justice Courtney Abel was crowded with Belize Defence Force Soldiers. They were there with their commander, General David Jones, to see one of their own, Lt. Lionel Olivera, take the oath of a practicing attorney in Belize. Olivera is the first soldier in the BDF's history to become a trained attorney at law, and after the ceremony, we spoke to him about this important milestone in his carrier: Lt. Lionel Olivera, Esq. First Soldier Called to the Bar "In the practice of law as an attorney at law and according to the best of my knowledge, skill and ability in accordance with the laws of Belize so help me God." "Today for me is an overwhelming experience. A very prideful day of course. I am humbled by it. It's a 5 year journey that has finally ended. I've seen the light at the end of the tunnel. Initially the reason why I actually decide to go and study law was because we had an incident in the Belize Defence Force where one of our soldiers had shot someone and he ended up was charged by the court by manslaughter. And I believe that the BDF could have done more in terms of assisting him. So that struck a chord in me and I said why we didn't do much more. So I decided I will send in my application and I was successful at that and here I am now."

Can BDF Keep Up With Cops?
So, while the BDF gets its first trained attorney, does it have enough frontline soldiers? The police recently passed the two thousand mark - so what about the BDF. The commander told us that a strategic defense review is being conducted which will determine how many more personnel and assets will be needed for the next 10 years: Brig. Gen. David Jones, Commander - BDF "We are currently working on a strategic defense review for the force. Which means that we are looking at the BDF in the next 10 years ahead. We are discussing all the issues that the force is required to conduct which includes the retention and security and control of what is happening along the border, which means we going to have to look at the man power, the strength, the resources, the equipment and the size that the force needs to grow. So all that is being taken into consideration and it is being done now, should conclude before the middle of next year and that document will entailed all the necessary resources, equipment and the size that the BDF will grow. It is intended for the BDF to grow and that final number will be decided after the review is done."

Are Independent Operators Being Crowded Out At FSTV?
Last night we told you about the concerns of the independent tour operators at Fort Street Tourism Village. Now, this is certainly not the first time we've heard discontent around and about the Fort Street Tourism Village. Earlier this year the freelance tour operators outside the gates were complaining that they are not getting a fair share of the business and that the system is set up to deliberately cut them out of the picture. Well, the independent tour operators on the inside - are the ones now saying that management is trying to run them out of business through various strategies, including increasing their passenger insurance requirement. Our reports say that now the FSTV Management is requiring a major increase in insurance coverage for passengers; from two hundred thousand per guest, to 2 million! That would send insurance premiums through the roof - and that kind of insurance police would have to be purchased from international vendors in US dollars - it's not available locally. Today, the BTB's Director of Cruise and Regional Initiatives Valdemar Andrade told us he is not aware of any insurance increase and that the BTB wouldn't implement of approve any regulation that would alienate these operators.

Harvest Caye: Not Gonn' Be Ready
February 16th 2016: That was when the 100 million dollar Harvest Caye Project was to be completed, but today Andrade told us that they are off schedule and he isn't sure when it will be completed. Still, Andrade gave us an update as to where the project is right now and how the operations will be set up when it is finished. Valdemar Andrade - Director, Destination Planning & Cruise, BTB "The southern cruise port at Harvest Caye basically at this time from my knowledge is that it will be delayed. I don't know the exact timing of it. What I do know is that they have informed me that they will have a press release soon to know the exact timing of what that will be. It was scheduled to officially be opened on February 2016. But it will be delayed." Reporter "Did they give you reasons as to why the delay?" Valdemar Andrade - Director, Destination Planning & Cruise, BTB "Not as yet. I don't have any reasons as to why the delay. Basically as soon as we know that, we will inform you. The tour that we had was to look at where it was in terms of timing, in terms of what's on there, especially and from what we see they are following the guidelines to what we know. In terms of the environmental guidelines, you would have to ask the department of the environment to speak with respect to those. But from our perspective it is coming along well and we are now expecting what that date will be so that when the southern cruise port will be open."

Stake That To The Bank
The Stake Bank Project: as we reported in October, the legal battle between the Feinstein Group, the Government, and the Fort Street Tourism Village is over - and Feinstein won - which should put Stake Bank on the fast track. Except we haven't heard much new about the project and so we asked Andrade about it today and he told us they are in dire need of this docking facility - which is somewhere on the event horizon: Valdemar Andrade - Director, Destination Planning & Cruise, BTB "As far as I know there is no closure and I don't know the exact state of play of Stake Bank until all the relevant documents and everything are in place then I will be able to say where Stake Bank is going. That docking facility is needed as I've always say and I continue to say. There is definitely a need for a docking facility, because of the size of the ships that are coming in the future. The way the cruise industry is moving, we do have a need for Belize to have a docking facility to be able to go to oasis class ships or beyond oasis class ships and so I would say that there is a need and even an urgency at this time to ensure that we have a port in place."

City Teenager Caught Coming From Benque With Gun
Last night we told you about the prohibited firearm that was confiscated at the Belize-Guatemala border. It's a .45 handgun, banned in several countries including Belize, because it is so deadly. Police in Benque Viejo have since arrested and charged 19 year old Kyle Carter for the possession of this illegal weapon. We spoke to Superintendent Daniel Arzu via telephone today who gave us the full story. "Sometime around 3pm on Sunday 20th December, officers who were assigned at the Belize Western Border observed 3 male persons entering the entry point for the customs area from Guatemala. Those were 3 dark male persons. They seemed to be acting quite suspiciously and one of them took out an object and threw it out a window. Police went to the immediate area where the item was thrown and while going around the building, a male person also from the 3 was also going to the exact area and upon seeing the police the person remained at where he was and the officer retrieved the items thrown which revealed to be a .45 pistol."

Another Blow For Faith Nazarene
It's been a tough year for Faith Nazarene Primary School in San Ignacio. The school year started late because teachers and parents were in open rebellion against the Principals - and now, someone made it even worse by raiding the school and stealing all their high tech gadgets. On Monday night, someone burglarized Faith Nazarene by breaking in through the door of the principal's office. That's where they scooped up 27 Galaxy tablets and 2 speakers. It's a terrible loss to the school according to General Manager Raymond Shepherd. The tablets, which were donated by the rotary club from Tabasco Canada a few years ago, were used by the students daily during computer classes. No one has been arrested for the burglary but we understand that one suspect is being sought. And it's not the first time; earlier this year, around the summer break, the school was burglarized and that's when the first set of tablets were stolen. Then, not more than two months ago they broke into the principal's office again and stole her laptop. These successive cases of theft, have led the school management to conclude that the perpetrators know the school very well.

Unexpected Christmas Come-Up For Commuters
If you had a hundred dollars extra this Christmas week - what would you do with it? That's what 20 bus commuters heading past Airport Junction have the luxury of thinking about tonight - after Ladyville police gave them a blue note. But they had to earn it! Not by doing hard labour - but by getting "punked" by the Commander of Eastern Division Rural, Edward Broaster. In the media, we know well enough that Senior Superintendent Broaster has a flair for the dramatic, but today he gave it a comical twist . We'll let Daniel Ortiz describe what happened: In total, Ladyville police gave away $2,000 dollars cash.

Diverse Christmas Party
The young, the old, and the differently abled, were hosted at a two hour Christmas party held today at the Mental Health Welcome Center in Belize City. The event was hosted by the Belize Assembly for Persons with Diverse Abilities and it catered to 150 people. This event is one of the many initiatives being headed by the new board of BAPDA since being elected into office in November earlier this year. Eva Middleton one of the volunteer managers spoke to us about the importance of hosting such an event. One of the primary projects on their agenda for next year according to Marin is to increase their lobbying efforts to get the government to pass more stringent laws to protect the rights of people with disabilities.

Capital Cops Caught Sensaemilla Santa
Today Belmopan Police took 55 pounds of weed off the street. This morning at around 8;30 police stopped Santa Elena resident Walter Hans Rodriguez in Belmopan near the new roundabout. He was in a white Toyota Corolla car and as soon as he saw the police approaching his car he tried to make a run for it but, police quickly caught him. Police suspect Rodriguez got the drugs from Arenal and was heading to Belize City. Rodriguez was charged with drug trafficking and his case was adjourned until January 29th.

Belize's First 4g LTE
4g LTE is here - that's what SMART announced today. The phone company says it has rolled out the Service in Belize City today. Over the next few days it will be activated in the other districts, then San Pedro and Caye Caulker. According to a SMART Press Release, the Company has invested over $9 million Belize dollars in the service.

Woodrow West Is Home
Last night we told you about Woodrow West - whose Honduran team El Progreso won the top league championship in that country on Saturday. The team was established in 1965 and it's the first time they've won it - and Woodrow was their only international player - so, it's not far fetched to say that as the main man in the goal - West was a big part of the success. He came home today - fresh off a victory party last night in Progreso, Honduras. He told us he's happy to be home for Christmas: Woodrow West: "Thank God that I am back home for the Christmas and I am safe, healthy and strong. It has been a hard challenge for me. The good part about it is that I was crown champion and that's a lot of pressure off me. The fans in Progresso expected that and they are so happy and that made me contended that I know I did a good over there and my team, my coach, everybody is contented and my fans here in Belize as well. That makes me feel good with all the sacrifices that I've made and with all the years that I have been playing here, I have achieved something internationality now." Reporter: "From the ideas that you had, at that moment that you were leaving. How did they compare to what you saw on the real grounds?" Woodrow West: "Like I said it's a challenge, because the training especially is different. For couple of months I took a lot of licks physically. I actually almost gave up and come back home, but I stood it out and as the days went by I eventually got stronger and stronger and I enjoyed the training and stuff and I got to know my teammates more, I get to talk to them more and after that I got settled with the team and from there I took off."

BTB Says IT's OK Steve
He made one of the biggest mistakes in�the universe, but, today, the Belize Tourism Board sent out a tweet inviting him to come and host Costa Maya 2015. The BTB' tweet says "Dear @IAMSteveHarvey, we all make mistakes. You handled yours with class. Would you host our next pageant? @costamayafest?" The cleaver tweet has picked up traction in the real media and has been picked up by many news outlets in the US and England. As host of the Miss Universe on Sunday night, Harvey now famously flubbed the winner's name - and gave the crown instead to the first runner up.

Channel 5

Owner of Mystery Plane at Municipal Airstrip Comes Forward
An American has come forward to claim the mystery plane which landed at the Municipal Airstrip on October twenty-seventh and was abandoned there. The plane is a US registered Piper [...]

�But Where is the Pilot, Mr. Clapman?
Police had reported, based on the findings of a very preliminary investigation right after the aircraft landed, a flight plan had been filed. That plan had the Piper Seneca routed [...]

Belize's First Military Attorney Joins the Bar
The courtroom of Justice Courtenay Abel was overflowing this morning for a special ceremony. The occasion marked the admission to the bar of the first B.D.F. soldier. The proud moment [...]

Strategic Review of B.D.F. Recruitment Underway
Is there a growing disparity in the recent number of police and B.D.F. intakes?� It would seem as though there are presently more recruits enlisting in the police department than [...]

Are You Better Off This Christmas Than Last Year?
And tonight's question is: Are you better off this Christmas than you were last year? Send your comments and responses using your SMART phones to 8686 or post your vote [...]

Tux Fires Back at Audrey about Stevedores Benefits
On Monday, CWU President Audrey Matura-Shepherd came out swinging in the wake of an amendment to the Essential Services Act.� The revised legislation now includes stevedoring as part of services [...]

CIBC to Close Doors in January, No Word of Exit Package for Staffers
Negotiations between the Christian Workers Union and the country management of CIBC FirstCaribbean are once again at a standstill.� On Monday, CIBC issued a release stating that it is officially [...]

Importer Jack Charles Responds to Government Officials on Guyanese Rice
While a consignment of imported rice from Guyana languishes at the port in Big Creek, the back and forth between businessman Jack Charles and the Government of Belize continues.� On [...]

Buses Collide in Separate Road Traffic Accidents
Today seemed to have been a day for accidents involving buses and the resulting traffic jam which made already congested roads unbearable. Early this morning it was a collision just [...]

Is Missing Canadian Toddler in Belize?
News Five has received correspondence from an organization called the Missing Children Society of Canada seeking the help of the public in locating a child. According to investigator Lori Mantle, [...]

Harvest Caye Tourism Project Meets Bumps in the Road
The last we heard about the Norwegian Cruise Line's cruise ship port at Harvest Caye in southern Belize was earlier this year when environmentalists expressed concerns that boulders were being [...]

Tour Operators Prepare for Influx of Visitors to Harvest Caye
Supporters of the project cited job opportunities and economic benefits to residents and villages in the immediate area as sound reasons to support the mega tourism project.� Director Andrade says [...]

What's the Future of Stake Bank?
There is another proposed docking facility which has gone under the radar. It is at Stake Bank located just seven miles off the coast of Belize City.�� For over a [...]

Ladyville Police Kick Off Operation REDSS
Call it Community Policing, Christmas spirit or a combination of both - but whatever it is, it brought smiles to the faces of commuters pulled at random off rural buses [...]

Comedian Steve Harvey, He's Hosting 2016 Costa Maya Pageant
If you thought that after Sunday's blunder at the Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas, Steve Harvey won't get to emcee another beauty pageant, well think again. Millions watched as [...]

A Christmas Party for Kids in Placencia
For the first time, the children in the peninsula have been hosted to a grand Christmas party. As you know, Norwegian Cruise Lines is investing heavily in a tourism port [...]