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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials


The San Pedro Sun

Environmentalists weigh in on the Belize Barrier Reef removal from UNESCO'S In-Danger list
After nine years of being 'in-danger' listed, the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (BBRRS) was removed from the UNESCO World Heritage Center list of 'World Heritage' in Danger on Tuesday, June 26th. This decision was made by the World Heritage Committee (WHC) during their 42nd annual meeting in Manama, Bahrain. Belize is being praised locally and worldwide for this monumental achievement in saving its coral reef. However, the real task begins now, as the country needs to put measures in place to avoid the reef system from being re-listed. A few Belizean environmentalists have voiced their recommendations on what they believe can help to keep the BBRRS off the In-Danger list.

Stabbing incident leaves 1 man injured
On Friday, June 29th at around 5:30AM the San Pedro Police responded to a stabbing incident involving 35-year-old Marlon Escobar. The resident of Tarpon Street, San Pedro Town, received two stab wounds to the left side of his back, two to the right side of his back and one to his left chest. According to the police report, Escobar arrived at the San Pedro Dr. Otto Rodriguez Polyclinic II at around 12:43am. He was treated and later air lifted to KHMH about around 2AM. The attending doctor informed the Police that he forgot to alert officers on the matter prior to and after air lift.

Dia de San Pedro 2018 celebrations are officially underway
The traditional 'Dia de San Pedro,' festivities were officially declared by Mayor Daniel Guerrero during an opening ceremony on Thursday, June 28th, at the Honourable Louis Sylvestre sporting complex. The event was attended by both island residents and a delegation from the Mexican State of Quintana Roo, who are joining the festivities this year at the invitation of The San Pedro Town Council. The annual festival is held in honour of St. Peter (San Pedro) the Patron Saint of fishermen on the island. The official ceremonies included speeches, live entertainment and a spectacular display of fireworks. On Friday, June 29th, a traditional fishermen's mass and breakfast took place starting at 4AM at the San Pedro Roman Catholic Church.

Four island students invited to join 15th NABS Youth Summit in Roatan, Honduras
Four island students: Alyssa Martin, Liandra Bowden, Ixchel Mejia, and Joshua Requena are traveling to Roatan, Honduras on Friday, June 29th, representing the Ramon's Village Resort Dive Shop and Ambergris Caye at the 15th annual National Association of Black Divers Youth Education Summit (NABSYES). The students are being accompanied by two chaperones, Senior Dive instructor at Ramon's Adolfo Ayuso and Chairman of the San Pedro Tour Operators Association (SPTOA) Everette Anderson. During the summit, which runs from Saturday, June 30th to Saturday, July 7th, participants will take part in scuba classes, orientation on lionfish, a mangrove project and coral restoration among other activities.

Ambergris Today

Ramon's Village Mourns The Death Of Ramon Nunez
The Ramon's Village Family Celebrates the Homegoing of Belize's Greatest Legend Ramon N��ez. For 40 years, Ramon was the vibrant host of our resort, the highlight for visitors and celebrities from around the world, and the trademark of Belize. He won the hearts of everyone he met with his radiant smile, genuine hugs and contagious laugh. Thanks for all the wonderful memories, Ramon! We will cherish them forever in our hearts. 1940-2018

Belize To Promote National Campaign For Renewable Energy In Tourism Sector
On June 20, 2018, The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MTCA) and the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote the uptake of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RE/EE) technologies in the Tourism Sector.

Closure Of Conch Season 2018
The Fisheries Department hereby reminds fishermen and the public that the Conch Season will be closed from July 01, 2018 to September 30, 2018. This is in accordance with Regulation 6 of the Subsidiary Regulations (Chapter 210's of the Laws of Belize - Revised Edition 2003).

Tropic Air Adds Flight Between Belize City International And Placencia
Tropic Air announced on Thursday, June 28, 2018, a substantial increase in flights for visitors to, and residents of, Placencia. The increase is effective November 15th, 2018 and represents the company's confidence in the growth of tourism to Placencia, Maya Beach, Seine Bight and the surrounding communities.

Misc Belizean Sources

mzz

SOUTH AMBERGRIS CAYE NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH CLEANUP
SATURDAY July 14th, 2018. Please come out and join the South AC Neighborhood Watch on Saturday, July 14th to help clean our community in the south. We will start the day by meeting at the Sub-Station at 7:00am for groups and areas to be assigned. Kids are also welcome to join the beach cleanup! The cleanup should take no more than 2 hours as long as enough people participate.

Tern Nesting In Placencia Inner Lagoon
Look what I found in the Lagoon, A Big Happy Family 150-300 strong Least Terns, over 30 nest

CPBL & CWU sign new 4-years CBA
"Although we would have liked to do this earlier, we are indeed pleased we are doing this today, and that our Members will be collecting their back pay in July for the period December 23rd, 2017 to July 2nd, 2018. Christian Workers Union (CWU) also wants to thank the Citrus Products of Belize Limited's (CPBL's) Negotiating Team comprising Mr. Nikita Usher, Mr. William Popper Jr. and Ms. Shannon Castillo, for what I understand was not a contentious process." These were the comments of CWU President Evan Mose Hyde following this morning's signing of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between CPBL and CWU at CPBL's Pomona Compound. For CPBL, Chief Financial Officer, Kent Herrera, also applauded the negotiations leading up to today's CBA signing, noting that the CWU has engaged with CPBL in a fashion cognizant of the ongoing challenges facing the Citrus Industry over recent years, and into the future. Mr. Herrera also thanked CPBL Board of Directors for granting approval, despite the challenging times the industry is currently facing.

Miss Caye Caulker Lobster Fest 2018-2019 Meloney Arnold!
Congratulations Meloney Arnold, Miss Caye Caulker Lobster Fest 2018-2019!

CITO Successfully Earns ISO 27001 Re-certification
On June 5, 2018, the Central Information Technology Office (CITO) was successfully re-certified as being compliant with ISO 27001:2013 standards. The ISO 27001 standards provisions provide an effective way for CITO to reduce the risk of any information security breach through the implementation of a set of procedures, processes, reports, and documents that define how it manages its information security. Through team effort and the generous support of the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (Taiwan ICDF), CITO was able to earn its re-certification.

CARICOM Youth Ambassador Corp to host annual session with Secretary General of CARICOM
On Monday, July 2, 2018, the CARICOM Youth Ambassador Corp will be hosting its annual session with Secretary General of CARICOM, Mr. Irwin LaRoque, to discuss pertinent issues affecting youth in the region and the role they play. Persons who want to be a part of the forum via Facebook can do so through the Caribbean Community Youth Ambassadors Facebook page. Monday's interaction is scheduled for 3:30 pm Belize time. - with CARICOM YOUTH AMBASSADOR PROGRAM (Belize).

HIV testing at public places today June 29th
Come out and be informed, get tested! Our efforts in HIV prevention are as a collective!

Caye Caulker Liquor Licensing
The Caye Caulker Village Council hereby reminds the General Public that in order to sell liquor they must be in possession of a liquor license issued by the Caye Caulker Liquor License Board. If you are not in possession of one, we regret to inform that you are operating in contravention of the law. All vendors setting up stalls for vending purposes need to have had previous arrangements with the Caye Caulker Lobster Fest Committee. Vendors without prior arrangements will be charged additional vending fees. Absolutely no vendors will be allowed in the assigned no vending areas. Thank you Caye Caulker Village Council

Summer splash 2018

Caye Caulker Lobster Fest 2018

Channel 7

Teenager Shot Down In City
Belize City has been enjoying a break from the gun murders for the last few weeks, but that peace was disturbed last night with the cruel killing of 17 year-old Warren Rudon. It happened at 7:40 last night, when the teenager was walking on Lovely Lane. Reports to 7News are that Rudon was his way back from a shop, and he was going towards the "Jungle" area when a man ambushed him and shot him in the chin. This happened right down the street from a police checkpoint on Pickstock Street, but the cops could only rush him to the KHMH. Today, we found his grieving family at his Oleander Street home, and his cousin spoke with us off-camera. She told us that the family doesn't know much about his killing:

Did Public Park End Up In The Hands of Minister's Side-man?
Our next story is about a man known as Professor Chumba, the Fire Eater. But, it's not about his pyrotechnic prowess, it's actually about a park. Chumba's legal name is Ronald Reneau - and the City Council has learned that he is the leaseholder for what they thought was a public park. It's Louise Bevans Park on Central American Boulevard. Looking at it today - it's no more than a rundown and overgrown lot - but residents say that up until 10 years ago - it was an active park. But it's also parcel 1801, which, according to an internal city Council memo it is no longer public; it's private property leased to Reneau. The discovery has raised eyebrows because Reneau is the side-man for Area Representative Anthony Boots Martinez. Today we went to Chumba's home on Pen Road to ask him if he's the leaseholder - and what we got was no less than an advanced course in bush lawyer argumentation. Sound confusing? You will be too after you hear from the Professor:..

Central Bank Revokes Choice Bank's License
Last night we told you about the press release from Choice Bank - saying it would allow depositors to make an orderly withdrawal of their monies. This, after two months of putting all funds on lockdown. It sounded so good - and was no doubt a relief for depositors - who had been worried since April that their money may have been in serious peril. Well, it turns out that Choice Bank was playing games with that release. All that stuff about orderly and incremental withdrawals? Not going to happen! And here's why: The Central Bank revoked the Offshore Bank's license today: Choice Bank can no longer conduct business in Belize. It's a stunner after last night's release which made it seem that the bank's affairs had normalised. But, apparently, that was just a front. In a statement that will air as an ad later in this newscast, the Governor of the Central Bank Joy Grant explains why:

PUP Set New Date For Belmopan Convention
Last night, we told you how the PUP politician, Arthur Saldivar, managed to stop his party's standard bearer convention for Belmopan with a Supreme Court lawsuit. Well, tonight, the Party released a statement giving an undertaking to the court that the convention will be put off until Sunday, July 8. The injunction hearing is set for next week Friday - so the PUP seems confident that they will succeed - and be able to proceed with the convention. For his part, though, Saldivar is asking the court to reverse the decision of the party's vetting committee which disqualified as a candidate.

Hon. Julius, Deputy No More?
And in other news out of the PUP, tonight there are credible reports that the party's Deputy Leader For The West, Julius Espat has resigned that executive post. When we reached Espat for comment he would not confirm and only said, quote, "No comment at this moment." We won't look too deeply into that curt remark - only to say that if it wasn't so, and if all was well - Espat would have issued a clear denial - his "no comment" is far from that and clearly suggests the opposite of a denial. We do know that Espat has never been an ardent supporter of Leader John Briceno's - and has been keeping himself on the sideline for some time - away from the center of the action.

Second Accident Victim Dies
She was in a terrible accident on the Western Highway 12 days ago - and, yesterday, 32 year old Sandra Maribel Garcia died from her injuries. Her friend, 26 year old Neidy Cifuentes who was driving died shortly after the accident. Now, the only survivor is Sandra Garcia's 9 year old daughter - who was with them in the vehicle as it ran off the road between miles 71 and 72. Alcohol is said to have been a factor in causing the accident.

Sunday Showdown Between Cycling Federation and "B-Cat"
A showdown is brewing in the cycling community over the suspension of elite rider Brandon Cattouse - and it will come to a head in 36 hours. Cattouse has tested positive for a banned substance and been suspended by NADO, the National Anti Doping Organization. He's serving a provisional suspension for that. But, as we told you last night, his attorney Hector Guerra has gotten a Supreme Court injunction against the Cycling Federation and the National Anti Doping Organization of Belize forcing them to allow Cattouse to ride in Sunday's National Road Championship. The ex parte injunction reads, quote, "the defendants are restrained…from preventing… (Cattouse's) registration or participation (in the)…the National Road Championship."

Light Bill Gwen Up
If you've been looking on with concern about the rising cost of living, tonight, you may want to think about ways to cut down on your electricity consumption. That's because the Public Utilities Commission has approved an increase in your electricity rates. Those mean electricity rates will increase from 36.9 cents per kilo-watt hour, to 39.3 cents per kilowatt-hour effective Sunday - and it will remain in effect for two years. That's a 6.24% increase, still less than the 7.1% increase that BEL was requesting. At the initial stage, the PUC was only prepared to increase it by 4.4%, but BEL objected, and an independent expert had to be brought in. After the review by this expert, it was decided that the PUC would lean more towards BEL's initial request. Today, the PUC held a press conference to announce the final decision, and here's how the Chairman described the back and forth to arrive at the final figure:

Re-Registration Starts On Monday
It's 11 years late, but re-registration is finally here. The last time the government cleaned up the voter's list was 1997, over two decades ago. The Elections and Boundaries Office has been preparing for the two month long operation which starts on Monday, July second. They have budgeted about $8 million to get it done and today Chief Elections Officer, Josephine Tamai, told the media how they plan to get it done ... Josephine Tamai - Chief Elections Officer: "From the Elections and Boundaries standpoint we are prepared for the mass re-registration commencing this Monday the 2nd of July, 2018. As persons know this exercise commences on Monday and the mass registration at the various registration centers will close on the 31st of August 2018. After the 31st, which starts on the 1st of September then persons will be required to visit our regular registration offices throughout the country to do their registration."

To Catch a Thief�
Tonight, a Belmopan homeowner is asking your help in finding this man, Claudio Gongora - who he says broke into his home yesterday evening. This security footage captures Gongora peering over the homeowner's back verandah and then hopping over the balccony and slipping through the yard. Best part? He was wearing the homeowner's plaid shirt - which he put on after taking a shower. That's right - this burglar seemed to have been looking for some kind of makeover - because he stole 4 fancy watches, including an Omega and 3 Movado's valued in the thousands. Outrageous! - and that's because this seasoned burglar allegedly did all this after ripping the home alarm off the wall.

Another Alleged Murderer Gets Bail
Today the last of three men charged with the murder of 61 year old George Blanco is out on bail. In 2013, Roque Middleton, along with Alton Bailey and Roger Hernandez, were accused of shooting Blanco while he was behind the wheel of a meat delivery truck, and stealing about $10,000 from his employer, Abraham Penner. Middleton appeared before Justice Adolph Lucas who offered him bail at $25,000. Justice Lucas granted the bail under the conditions that Middleton appeared before Justice Williams on September 26th and any other day she requests. Middleton must also check in at the Queen Street Police Station every Friday starting next week. As we have reported, bail for murder had been unheard of for decades, but it is becoming more common these past few months.

Israel To Belize: "Your Time To Decide"
Last night we shoed you part one of our interview with the Deputy Chief of Mission for the Israeli Embassy in Mexico, Alon Lavi. He discussed the protest over the Israeli sponsored community policing course - dismissing it as misconceived. But, in our quite short interview we also pressed him to speak about the history of Israeli Guatemala relations which have been very cozy for decades - so much so that Israeli supplied arms to Guatemala's military during its genocidal civil war. That's also the period when Guatemala was threatening an invasion of Belize. But this diplomat wanted to leave the past in the past:... Alon Lavi, Israeli Deputy Chief of Mission - Mexico: "And we keep hearing about the past, whether it was or not, whether it was accurate or not, how you describe it, but we would like to move forward."

UDP AG Fills PUP Bookshelves
Many times on this newscast we've shown you press conferences from the PUP Party Leader's Office out at the Charter House building on the northern highway. And everytime we go into their conference room, we can't help but notice those big empty bookshelves - which seem to suggest that reading is not a favorite pastime of those who gather there. But they will be empty no more. Today, in a rare show of bi-partisanship, Attorney General Mike Peyreffite went to the Party Leader's Office to hand over a full set of the Laws of Belize. He explained why:…

Downtown Rejuvenation Project Starts In Yabra
Today, the Belize City House of Culture and Downtown Rejuvenation Project inaugurated Phase One of the Yaborough Green Restoration Project with the opening of the new basketball court. Albert Division Area Rep. Tracey Taegar-Panton and her team were there to celebrate the first step in restoring not only the Yabra area, but the constituency's historical sites as well. Here's what Panton told us about the project and it's future... Hon. Tracey Taegar Panton - Area Rep., Albert: "Well this project was envisioned quite some time again, maybe as far back as 2009 in which we wanted to preserve the green spaces in our community and also the colonial buildings in our community, which serves to tell. Allows us to congregate and also helps to share our history."

The Santander Situation, Part IV
We also got a chance to speak with Minister of State Taegar-Panton about the fine assessed on the Santander Sugar Group. They've been in hot water with the Ministry of Trade for selling sugar on the local market without proper permissions. The EPZ Committee has suggested the maximum fine - which isn't all that much, really. Here's what Taegar-Panton had to say about the fines... Hon. Tracey Taegar-Panton - Minister of Trade: "There were 5 infractions that the EPZ Committee found and they applied the 5 to the fullest extent of the law. They are required to settle an amount of US $9000 with the government of Belize for the infractions. And of course they have been properly advised and warned even that if such infractions should occur in the future they run the risk of losing their EPZ certification."

Fisherfolk Heroes
The Wildlife Conservation Society held it's 4th annual Outstanding Fisher of the Year Award today. The WCS recognized the fisherfolk who have gone above and beyond to positively represent the often under-appreciated fishing community. We spoke to the WCS's Country Director, Ralna Lewis, as well as one of the awardees. Here's what they had to say... Ralna Lewis - Asst. Country Director, WCS: "So this is the fourth year that we're having the FIsher of the Year Award ceremony. It's a means for us to recognize our outstanding fishers in the Belize fishing community. Some of the criteria we use for selecting these individuals are: Those that contribute actively to the fishing industry. That means they're active fishers and as a result of that they're contributing to the production as well as contributing to the economy of our country. In addition to that we also look at fishers who are involved in organizing fisher associations actively involved in the fishing cooperative as well. SO that they can provide a united voice on behalf of the fishing community."

Titan Case to CCJ
4 months ago, we told you that Bahamians Rohn Knowles and Kelvin Leach, the owners of Titan International Securities, were going all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice. They've been out of business now for almost 4 years, and they still insist that the Government was at fault for shutting them down. That's because, back in September 2014, the Anti-Drug Unit cleaned out their offices at the Matalon Building. The ADU was acting for the Financial Intelligence Unit, which was working with the US Government based a Federal indictment against the Bahamians. They sued the Government for that excessive search and seizure, and Justice Courtney Abel ruled in their favor, awarding them 8.8 million dollars in compensatory damages. The Government disagreed with the ruling and appealed it.

KHMH Has a New Boss
And, finally tonight, the KHMH has a new CEO. She is Michelle Cox Hoare, a career registered Nurse Administrator with 33 years of experience in the Belizean Healthcare System. She holds a Master's Degree in Public Health, a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing Administration and was previously the Director of Nursing Services at the KHMH. She was not considered among the frontrunners to take the job at the KHMH after Dr. Adrian Coye left in May but, she had been holding over since then, and is as a choice which will ensure continuity.

Channel 5

Teenager Warren Rudon Murdered in Belize City
The last murder in Belize City took place on June fourteenth, but that spell was broken on Thursday night when seventeen-year old Warren Rudon was executed on Lovely Lane. The [...]

PUC Talks Mean Electricity Rate Increase
Brace up because beginning on Sunday, your light bill is going up for the next two years. This follows a decision taken on Tuesday by the Public Utilities Commission as [...]

PUC Outlines Expert Findings
When B.E.L. objected to an initial decision by the commission, an independent expert was appointed to review that conclusion and make recommendations to determine regulated values, tariffs, fees and charges [...]

Choice Bank's Licensed Revoked
There are new developments tonight in respect of Choice Bank following an announcement on Thursday that the institution would be allowing its customers to withdraw funds in three tranches leading [...]

Central Bank appoints a liquidator for Choice Bank
The problems of the bank started months ago when it started experiencing a liquidity crisis and was forced to suspend all withdrawals from deposit accounts.� By May, the central bank [...]

Titans International Seeks Redress at the CCJ
The Caribbean Court of Justice presided over a matter earlier today in which the principals of Titan International Securities are suing the Government of Belize.� The lawsuit arises from the [...]

Sol Gen explains why Titans International Securities Folded
Solicitor General Nigel Hawke appears on behalf of the Attorney General.� During his turn before the bench, the Sol Gen argued that Titan International Securities folded as a result of [...]

Man Accused of Murder Granted Bail
From the CCJ in Trinidad to the Supreme Court in Belize, a third and last person accused with the 2013 murder of sixty-one year old truck driver George Blanco was [...]

Elections and Boundaries Department is Ready for Re-registration
Chief Elections Officer Josephine Tamai says that her department is fully prepared to carry out a successful re-registration exercise. Beginning on Monday, dozens of centers spread across all thirty-one constituencies [...]

Senate to confirm electoral commission next week
A special sitting of the Senate has been scheduled for Thursday, July fifth. News Five has learnt that four resolutions will be tabled, one relating to the appointment of members [...]

Elections and Boundaries: No political interference in the Re-registration
Three weeks ago the Office of the Prime Minister announced major cabinet changes. Among the adjustments was the transfer of the Elections and Boundaries Department from Minister Hugo Patt to [...]

Local TV & Radio Stations to comply with copyright regulations
Copyright compliance remains an issue for the local broadcast media to bring television and radio stations into conformity with existing regulations.� Today, licensees from across the country met with the [...]

Local Media must comply by end of the year
Broadcasters have six months to get in line with local content. Burns says she considers that timeline is adequate. � Francine Burns, Chair, Belize Broadcasting Authority "Really, this is not [...]

Employer Stabs Employee in San Pedro
A San Pedro man was stabbed multiple times this morning. Police say that thirty-five-year-old bartender Marlon Escobar had a misunderstanding with his employer Ahmad Mousa, owner of Marlins Bar in [...]

Teens Report on how Crime and Violence is affecting their generation
The first six months of this year, has been bloody especially in the City where on Thursday night the murder of another teenager was recorded. There are more patrols on [...]

Will Belizeans Abroad be allowed in the re-registration?
The organization, Belizeans United for Equal Rights at Home and Abroad, says that it is being disenfranchised from re-registering. Any eligible Belizean living oversees who wants to re-register, must first [...]

OAS Observers are not need for re-registration
In a letter dated May thirtieth, Leader of the Opposition, John Brice�o wrote to the Prime Minister Dean Barrow, calling on the Government to invite O.A.S. observers to oversee the [...]

David Flores of Copper Bank is Belize's Fisher of the Year
The celebration of fisherfolk month culminated today in Belize City with the Fisher of the Year Award. As a part of the celebrating and recognizing the contributions of fisherfolk to [...]

Opposition Leader receives Law Books from Attorney General
The Attorney General's Ministry donated five thousand dollars worth of law books to the Opposition today. Michael Peyrefitte dropped off the law books at the Leader of the Opposition's Office, [...]

National Testing Day held across the country of Belize
National H.I.V. Testing Day was observed today in Belize. The National AIDS Commission conducted testing around the country aiming to test about twelve hundred persons. The day was first observed [...]

Yabra Basketball Court Gets a makeover
Today the renovated Yabra basketball court in Belize City was officially opened. The refurbished facility now features a covered structure and additional upgrades. The project is a part of the [...]