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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, and other specials


The San Pedro Sun

Belize Continues its Record Breaking Trend in Tourism
The Highest Overnight Arrivals in 20 Years The year 2016 culminated with another significant achievement for the tourism industry, boasting the highest overnight arrivals in twenty years. 2016 has proven to be the most successful year for Belize's overnight tourism sector. With an overall increase of 13% in comparison to 2015, this translates to 44,422 additional visitors enjoying the beauty of our Jewel; the largest increase reflected in the past 20 years. As depicted in the graph below, the growth in the industry continues. Cruise Passenger Arrivals exceeded 1 million for the first time Cruise tourism also reflected growth with a 4.9% increase in arrivals in comparison to 2015.

Osmany Salas elected as the 13th Senator of Belize
After Prime Minister Right Honorable Dean Barrow signed the commencement order for the 13th senator in October 2016, the appointment became a reality on Wednesday, January 10th. Making Belizean history, Osmany Salas, the national President of the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA), was officially elected by the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) sector to become the 13th Senator. Prior to the voting process, the six nominees had to meet specific requirements before being formally nominated on January 3rd. Besides Salas, the other five candidates included: Pablo Collado of "Adopt a Child with a Disability", Oceana Vice President Janelle Chanona, Edilberto Romero of Bacongo, Donovan Reneau of the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired, and Executive Director of the Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association Valdemar Andrade.

New Transport Board appointed for Caye Caulker
A new Traffic Control Committee was appointed in Caye Caulker Village on Monday, January 9th. Attending an inauguration ceremony held at the Caye Caulker Village Council office, was Minister of Transports and National Emergency Management, Honourable Edmond Castro, who appointed the five member committee. The new traffic control committee will be responsible for authorizing approvals of all vehicle licenses on the island. As a result they will monitor the importation of vehicles (golf carts) to the island in an attempt to address traffic issues.

Massive protests in Mexico after increase in fuel prices
Belizeans will feel the effects of the recent rise in fuel prices introduced by the Mexican government on Sunday, January 1st. Belizean bus companies who had been relying on the cheaper fuel prices across the border at the Mexican city of Chetumal, will no longer enjoy such commodity. Residents from the Belizean northern districts believe that prices in transportation and cost of basic goods might see an increase due to the Mexican fuel crisis. The massive unrest on the Mexican side saw protesters blocking roads and looting several stores in various cities across that country. Mexican President Enrique Pe�a Nieto's government explained that the price deregulation had long been on the table, and it coincided with the rise in world oil prices. The 20% average increase in fuel caused a chaotic situation in Chetumal, the capital of the Mexican State of Quintana Roo, where popular establishments such as Walmart, Chedraui, Plaza de las Americas, and Aurora Bodega were looted.

Sagebrush Church and Believers World Outreach team up for Celebration Week
During the Christmas holidays, Sagebrush Church partnered up with Believers World Outreach (BWO) from Los Angeles, California USA to host a 'Celebration Week'. With help from Sagebrush and over 60 BWO volunteers across the United States and Canada, the team dedicated themselves to serve the island youth. Many activities took place throughout 'Celebration Week', including free optical clinics, eye glasses, haircuts, and manicures. They also hosted a children's sports outreach, while other children participated in arts and crafts, dancing, games, and even watched the movie "Zootopia". In the spirit of the season, Sagebrush celebrated its first ever Christmas Carnival on December 23rd. The carnival featured plenty of games, life-size cartoon characters and Christmas floats to entertain children and their families. Pastor Todd Cook then delivered an inspiring message of God's love for humanity. He shared the message that God loves all of humanity, regardless of race, creed, age, status, gender or sins. With live bands playing praise, worship and Christmas carols, treats were given out to attendants. The fun carnival lasted until 10PM.

Ambergris Today

The Bucket Lust Party Goers Invade Belize to Celebrate New Year
They are a hedonistic group in search for the next party in exotic locations around the globe. If you were out and about during the New Year's celebrations on Ambergris Caye, you definitely noticed the large group of party animals that invaded the island. They travel to destinations and party on yachts and that is how this wild bunch ended up in Belize. Through the travel company The Bucket Lust, these extreme party goers made it to the country, to experience an eight-day itinerary of intense partying and debauchery. If you were wondering why there were so many yachts and catamarans at Amigos del Mar Dive Shop during the New Year weekend, it was this gang of party people who were enjoying two days of non-stop partying in La Isla Bonita. The group was hard to miss; they were a happy, loud and eccentric bunch. They were standing on bars, dressed up in wild costumes and painted the town red with excitement. The Bucket Lust describe themselves as a global community of explorers and 'party unicorns' looking to crowd-fund the ultimate weeklong experiences in the most epic locations on the plant. Indeed they found 'EPIC' in Belize.

History for Belize as Osmani Salas Elected 13th Senator
President of the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA), Osmani Salas, was elected as Belize's new 13th senator by the NGO community on Tuesday, January 10, 2017. Twenty-three NGO's participated in the voting process, that was held at the Belize Audubon Society office in Belize City. There were two rounds of voting; the first having six candidates that included Osmani Salas, Janelle Chanona, Edilberto Romero, Pablo Collado, Donovan Reneau and Valdemar Andrade as nominees for the seat in the Upper House of Parliament. The second voting carried the top two - Osmani and Edilberto.

Misc Belizean Sourcesmzz

Bucket Lust comes to Belize
The world's 1st crowdfunded yachting event, Belize's largest sailing flotilla ever, 18 luxury sailing yachts, 200 amazing people from all around the world, the greatest team of skippers ever assembled (at least half are solid 7s or higher and 4 are ginger!), backed by Budgy Smuggler and Ultimate Ears, 9 theme parties over 8 days including 2 private islands, and 1 really dumb name!

Government of Belize will not Pay for PUP Corruption
The Office of the Prime Minister is astounded by the statement made by the People's United Party (PUP) on the denial by the United States Supreme Court of the Government of Belize's petition for a review of lower court judgments in three cases. The cases upheld arbitration awards against Belize procured by NEWCO, Belize Social Development Limited (BSDL) and BCB Holdings Limited. BSDL and BCB are Ashcroft companies, and the arbitration awards they received were for the PUP Accommodation Agreement given to BSDL, and the PUP Settlement Deed given to BCB. Those awards are unenforceable in Belize since its highest court, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), has ruled that the PUP agreements on which they are based are scandalous, outrageous and utterly illegal. NEWCO is a company to which the PUP Government gave the contract to manage the Philip Goldson International Airport. The PUP then shafted NEWCO and took away the contract to give it instead to Musas, Courtenays and others of their friends and families.

The Police Department hosts annual meeting with local media
The Police Department is hosting its annual lunch meeting with members of the local media. The purpose of the meeting is to iron out issues on crime and violence as that relates to media coverage. Minister of Police Elodio Aragon Jr is joined by CEO Lovell, Com Pol Allen Whylie and Regional Commanders ACP Edward Broaster, ACP Chester Williams and ACP Dezerie Phillips.

Have You Seen Ideline Romero?
The Orange Walk Police are reporting that 13-year-old Ideline Adelia Romero has been reported missing since Tuesday, January 10th, 2017. She was last seen in the morning at about 7:25 AM when she left her home heading to the School that she attends, namely La Inmaculada School. Ideline is described to be of a dark brown skin complexion, weighs about 105 pounds, is 4� feet tall and has black curly hair. She was last seen wearing her La Inmaculada School Uniform which is a blue skirt and white blouse along with a brown colored sweater, blue socks, grey tennis and a school bag with floral designs on it. If you see Ideline Romero you are asked to call your local authorities.

Freedom Avenue at the Corozal Commercial Free Zone is getting resurfaced
Freedom Avenue at the Corozal Commercial Free Zone is getting resurfaced after demitted CEO, Raul Rosado of the CCFZ announced in October of last year that it was investing two million dollars in infrastructure. What is clear when we asked this morning, is that 100 percent of the company, equipment, personnel and even the materials used are from Chetumal, Mexico. We feel that with the current financial crisis and unemployment at the Corozal Free Zone and Belize as a whole for that matter, that it was only right, proper and appropriate that this project should have been given to Belizeans. We are not criticizing the quality of work of the Mexicans either. Mind you, we are also not saying that the streets do not need upgrading. They do, but we are also wondering first, where is the investment plan to stimulate and attract more business to the Corozal Free Zone to prevent it from collapsing. Some serious measures need to be put in place immediately to mitigate its current loss of business and employment. Where is the long term business plan for the future (short and long) of the free zone?

Social Security Board public consultation meetings
Social Security Board is hosting public consultation meetings at differnt locations in Belize. The purpose of the Public Consultation is to seek input from stakeholders in improving the financing and benefit structure. At the meeting, you will be able to: 1) Provide your input on concepts specified during the discussions; 2) Gather first-hand information directly from the expert(s) on the performance of the Social Security Scheme. Note from us at CD: For all those paying social security, we advise you all to attend this public consultation.

JOB FAIR in Orange Walk
Over 100 vacancies available! Visit out job fair in Orange Walk Town on January 20th, 2017 at Queen Elizabeth Park from 8:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. This is an open invitation for everyone interested. Corozal, take advantage of this job fair near you!

Santander Sugar Group's vacancies.
Please assist the job fair for more information.

Power interruption 6:00am to 2:00pm Sunday, January 15: entire Caye Caulker
BEL to conduct equipment maintenance and replace conductor and fuse cutouts at Caye Caulker Substation.

NEBL Kickoff: Western Ballaz vs Tiger Sharks
The 2017 NEBL season kicks off this Friday here in Cayo, when the Western Ballaz host the Tiger Sharks.  The match starts at 9:00pm at the Sacred Heart College auditorium.  Find out all the latest Ballaz news on their page.  The NEBL has the 2017 schedule on their page. It's going to be a showdown in San Ignacio this Friday at SHC's Auditorium!  Your home team will be hosting the first game of the 2017 NEBL season.  Share the flyer and invite all your friends and family to come out and cheer on our boys.  This is the place you want to be on Friday!!! Let's go Ballaz..... let's go!!!!"

The reschedule date of Liquor License general meeting on Caye Caulker, January 17th,2017 at 10:00am.

Emergency Response Agencies Receive Command Vehicles from the Government of Japan
The Government of Belize today received three (3) command vehicles donated by the Government of Japan, through their Non-Project Grant for Industrial Products. These three (3) vehicles will be utilized by the Police Department, Belize National Fire Service and the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), as on-site command centres during emergency situations. The Japanese delegation, headed by Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Shunsuke Takei, arrived on the 9thJanuary, 2017. Vice-Minister Takei met with several ministers of Government including the Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Patrick Faber; Minister for Economic Development, Trade, Investment and Commerce Hon. Erwin Contreras; and acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Godwin Hulse. During these meetings the Japanese delegation received an update on the state of play of the Belize-Guatemala Territorial Dispute, among other bilateral themes of interest. Minister Takei expressed support for the two parties' decision to go to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Japan is a founding member of the Group of Friends of the Belize-Guatemala Peaceful Resolution Process.

Children Advisory Body (CAB) of San Pedro elects a new president
Under the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the Children Advisory Body (CAB) of San Pedro has elected a new president, Karissa Vasquez, Form 1 student from San Pedro High School. The members consisting of students of each school, voted in a closed meeting to elect their new president. Karissa now replaces former president Lester Gamez, Form 4 student from San Pedro High School. Karissa is honored that her colleagues chose her as their new president and is ready to work and execute their proposed projects; such as, clean up campaigns and more. Mayor Daniel Guerrero and the San Pedro Town Council congratulate Karissa on her election and look forward in working along with Karissa and her colleagues in improving San Pedro Town and Ambergris Caye and continue the work in making our Isla Bonita a Child Friendly community.

Channel 7

Maria Marin Testimony Continues With Damning Clues
Last week, the Senate Hearings on the Immigration Department resumed when the Committee called up the Former Acting Director of Immigration Maria Marin. Marin was careful but critical of the culture at the Department in which UDP Minister's of government took great interest in seeing their favoured applicants approved for visas, nationality certificates, and passports. In some instances, persons who they recommended did not qualify, but the persistent politicians in concert with all too willing public officers were able to get those documents approved by the Immigration Department anyway. Well, today, Committee Chairman, Aldo Salazar, asked Marin to go into further detail about this culture of political meddling at the Department, and this time around, she gave some very revealing answers.

How Will the UDP Solve A Problem Like Maria?
So, after another 4 hours in the hot seat, Maria Marin is finally done with the Senate inquiry. The Committee reserves the right to call her back for additional testimony. When we approached her for an interview, her attorney, Darrell Bradley said that she is unable to speak at this time. But he did give us his view of her 2 days of testimony: Darrell Bradley - Attorney for Maria Marin: "I want to first of all make the point that Ms. Marin was very adamant that she instituted certain reforms at the department, she recommended certain upgrades and changes including putting together proposals for greater screening, for information technology upgrades. She monitored these things and I think that her testimony both previously and today was very accurate and truthful and she indicated quite adamantly where these was any suggestion that any process be shortcut she was never involved in that and she would have always as a professional and as a person of integrity insisted on all the processed being followed. I think that her testimony both on the last occasion and on this occasion was very forth coming truthful and very substantive and I think that some cases where she had to testify about things which existed she was a bit uncomfortable but honest and I think that is what the senators expect, I think that is the spirit of the investigation inquiry being conducted here."

GOB Says It Won't Pay BCB, BDSL Awards
For the past two nights we've been telling you about the massive judgments secured by the Ashcroft Alliance after the United States Supreme Court refused to hear Government's appeal of lower court judgments for BCB Holdings Limited, and Belize Social Development. Combined, the two of them amount to a staggering 50 million US dollars. Last night we publicly questioned whether the Barrow Administration was too shell shocked to respond; well it seems a scathing press release from the PUP rang the alarm in the Prime Minister's office. A smoking hot release issued today from the Prime Minister's Office goes on the political offensive; it is headlined "Government of Belize will not pay for PUP Corruption." Most strikingly, the release states, quote, "while the US courts have upheld the awards, those courts have no authority to overrule the CCJ and certainly the Ashcroft companies can never collect on those awards in Belize. �the Government of Belize under the current administration, refuses to subject the Belizean people to this monstrosity of the PUP's making, and has no intention of paying a penny of these Ashcroft awards." End quote.

How Will Police Contain Soaring Murder Rate In 2017?
For the past two weeks we've been reporting the unofficial murder total for 2016 as 137. Well, today, the official numbers were released and police say there were 138 murders. That's a 16% increase and the second highest murder total ever recorded in Belize. The Commissioner broke it down today:.. Allen Whylie - Commissioner of Police: "Murders constituted a total of 138 incidents for the year 2016 country wide in comparison to 119 incidents which recorded in the year 2015. This shows an increase of 19 incidents or 15.9%. Analysis for period under review 2016 by region indicates the Belize district recorded the highest with 70 incidents compared to 66 in 2015, an increase of 4 incidents. The second highest district was Cayo with a total of 34 incidents in 2016 compared to incidents in 2015 reflecting an increase of 7 incidents. Of the 138 murders of 2016, 51 cases have been solved to date, 87 cases are currently under investigation; as a result of those cases solve police have arrested and charged 65 person; namely 60 Belizeans, 2 Salvadorans, 1 Honduran, 1 Guyanese and 1 Guatemalan. 81 were by the use of firearms, 40 were by the use of machete or knives, 2 were utilising stones, 2 were utilising a blunt object, 1 was with the use of galvanised pipe and 12 were caused by unknown weapons."

Police and Media Reach Compromise
Last week we told you about the unwelcome change in the police -media relations. The media has been doing just fine with the existing arrangement - where the commanders for various formations freely gave us interviews on crimes in their area. But under the new arrangement - they won't be able to speak with us at all anymore, the media will have to forward all questions to public relations officer Raphael Martinez. That unilateral decision unleashed a storm of protest from the media and a letter of protest. And that led to a meeting and luncheon today between the police and the ministry top brass and the media at Old Belize. The idea was to hammer out a workable arrangement which will not fetter the free flow of information. Minister of State Elodio Aragon discussed it:� Hon. Elodio Aragon - Minister of State, Home Affairs: "Today we call this meeting, I think we have a reunion with the members of the media, this is just to streamline the way police information is passed on to the media in regards to information that is needed by them for their newscast. Today I think we had a good sit-down with the media and their personalities along with the police commanders from Belize City and of course personnel who work in the media office of the police department."

Alleged Robbers Charged, 16 Year Old Cops Plea to Get Adults Free
On Monday we told you about a foiled robbery on North Front Street in Belize City. Well those would be robbers appeared in the Magistrate's Court today. Gilroy Thompson, Harry Montero, Dorian Blair, Aaron Flowers, Kenroy Vanzie and a 16 year old minor were all read charges of keeping an unlicensed firearm, and possession of live ammo without a license. All 5 adults involved pled not guilty to the charges while, the 16 year old minor pled guilty. Magistrate Mendoza then asked to speak to the minor and his father to ensure he knew what he was pleading guilty to. After making sure the minor understood the charges, the Magistrate asked if he was being forced to take the blame for his accomplices, which he denied. After several minutes, the Magistrate was still not convinced and denied his guilty plea. If his plea had been accepted the 5 adults likely would have gone free.

Hon. Espat's Dance Around The House
There's a House Meeting on Friday but will PUP Cayo South Representative Julius Espat be there? Our best information says he won't, but that his a truce has been brokered to end his suspension. 7News has confirmed that Espat along with his party leader John Briceno, and UDP Party Whip Michael Finnegan met with the new Speaker of the House Laura Longsworth last week Tuesday to iron out matters. We have confirmed that Espat also wrote a letter of apology - in which he doesn't apologize, but he does vow to respect the Speaker going forward. The letter refers to the August 26th. incident as "unfortunate" and states that he had no intention of disrespecting the chair. It adds that Espat, accepts the authority of the chair and has no intention to undermine that authority. With that, it was agreed that Honourable Finnegan would move a motion at the next sitting to bring him back. But, the timing is the issue. Espat wanted to come back on Friday, but it seems the UDP Majority will only agree to have him come back at the next sitting in late January or early February.

Japan Donates Trucks For Different Kind of Firefight
The Government of Japan handed over 3 trucks to the Fire Department today. Now, they aren't fire trucks, they are called command vehicles. They will be deployed for major fires and other disasters like flooding. But don't expect to see any water coming out of them. They are pretty much like offices on wheels. Fire department personnel will be able to better coordinate for quicker response to emergencies. We were there at the ceremony to see just how special these vehicles are. The dancing flames and the thick, blinding smoke - it is a scene all too familiar for many city families as their homes crumbled beneath the blaze. And it's not only houses that were destroyed - lives were lost. Four children were killed in house fires in the last three months of 2016. It is a major struggle for the fire department to respond to all these calls. But with today's donation of 3 fancy trucks, it will improve their operations and respond time.

Another Expensive New Toy For City Hall
And also in the fancy new truck business is the Belize City Council. Today, that municipal body received the last of five pieces of heavy equipment under the flood mitigation project. This time it's a new asphalt truck and Councillor Phillip Willoughby showed us how it works. He says it will be helpful in paving the City's streets... Phillip Willoughby - Belize City Councillor: "Well this is one of 5 new equipment that came through the flood mitigation infrastructure project; again gentrac was the contract bidder for procuring the equipment and this is the last one that came into the country and this the city's new asphalt truck, this is the game changer and this will be the equipment that will be impacting the lives or changing, transforming people's lives whereby their streets will be paved by this said equipment right here. So like I said this is the game changer and you could see a positive impact on people's lives once their street has been paved and the city now has that capacity to deal with its own street paving." Alex Courtenay: "Sir you said this will be paving the streets but it will also be paving them in a much faster pace than we've ever seen before correct?"

Customs Caught Cannabis In Orange Walk Air Cargo
Orange Walk Customs Personnel today intercepted 2.8 pounds of weed. It had been delivered in a Heineken box as air cargo bound for San Pedro on Tropic Air. Customs got intelligence and picked it up at the tower Hill airstrip before it could take flight for San Pedro. The weed was bundled up in nine saran wrap bundles. The names and numbers on it were fictitious, but Customs is following up leads.

Jaguars Leave For Panama With Dreams of Gold Cup
The Belize Jaguars are on their way to Panama tonight to participate in the Copa Centroamericano tournament. The last time Belize's national team went to this tournament in 2014, they finished in last place. Since then, the Football Federation of Belize has elected a new executive, the team has retained a new, veteran European head coach, and a handful of new players have been selected to represent the country. The FFB held a press conference this morning just before the team left for Panama and told us why they are so confident in this new lineup... Belize has been selected as a part of Group A, and will face off against Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. They play their first game against the home team on Friday. The top four teams in the tournament will move on to the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup, while the fifth place team will enter the Caribbean Cup for a second chance at qualifying.

Jaws, The Trouble Croc Relocated
Jaws is an American crocodile whose jaw was broken by a machete while he was still a juvenile. Because his jaw healed at an awkward slant he is unable to properly hunt for prey on his own. Because of this, a few San Pedro residents took pity on the croc and have been feeding him for the last few years. Jaws is now an adult, has completely lost his fear of humans, and he's a big old boy, making him a great threat to the humans who live near him. So, the American Crocodile Education Sanctuary stepped in a relocated the Jaws to a new home made especially for him in Sandhill. ACES' founder, Vince Rose, about how Jaws' story can serve as a lesson of what not to do when a crocodile lives near you...

Tourism Soared To Record High in 2016
The BTB says that 2016 was the best year ever for tourism; it recorded the highest number of tourist arrivals in 20 years. The numbers show a total of 385,583 overnight arrivals, a 13% increase from 2015 translating into 45 thousand more visitors. As we reported, there was one month that showed a decline, which was 1.3% in November, and December showed a slowdown in the overall growth trend with an only 1.5% increase in arrivals. So while the year ended on an iffy note, overnight arrivals were up sharply in the first 10 months of the year, going up as much as 27% in September. Cruise tourism also showed growth with a 4.9% increase in arrivals in 2016. And another record was broken because for the first time cruise passenger arrivals exceeded one million visitors. Of course, tour operators on the ground say the industry is faring worse than ever for locals, but the BTB boasts that the month of October showed a 38% increase in cruise arrivals.

Bought A Car From A Facebook Friend
22 year-old Jordan Morey is out on bail tonight for another charge of obtaining property by deception. The victim who he allegedly conned is Ashton Jones, who reported to police that on November 29, 2016, he was having a Facebook conversation with someone who didn't know personally, but who introduced himself as "Jay Jay". Jones says that this man told him that he has a 2005 Ford Escape SUV for sale for $3,500. Jones reported that on January 4, he met with this "Jay Jay" and paid the man $2,700 up front, and they agreed that he would pay the $800 balance in instalments. The problem is that he never delivered this vehicle, and when Jones started investigating, this man later identified as Jordan Morey, was using an assumed identity, and he didn't have this vehicle to sell. He told police that he has heard of other complaints of Morey that are of a similar nature, so he wanted court action.