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Last night's TV news on Channel 7 and Channel 5
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Tia the Tamandua Returns to the Wild
Many readers of The San Pedro Sun will recall a story we printed in volume #22, issue #19 dated May 10, 2012 of a Collard Anteater or Tamandua that was rescued in the San Juan area of San Pedro on May 6th thanks to the quick response of wildlife specialists Vince and Cherie Rose, of ACES, the American Crocodile Education Sanctuary. The suffering tamandua, affectionately dubbed "Tia" (aunt in Spanish) was found in ill health and appeared dehydrated and injured. After contacting the Belize Forest Department and Dr. Isabelle-Paquet from the Belize Wildlife Conservation Network it was decided that the animal would be transported to the new Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Cayo where she was examined by wildlife veterinarian Dr. Isabelle Paquet-Durand. Dr. Paquet-Durand determined that the anteater had a broken middle finger on her left hand, which is the strongest one on the tamandua.

San Pedro celebrates the Baymen with a Tribute
District Education Officer for Belize Rural South Miriam Codd officially gave a tribute to the Baymen recalling the bold stance by the Baymen to stand up and defend the colony of the then British Honduras from the constant provocative attacks by the Spaniards. She gave a detail description of the final encounter between the Spaniards and settlers of British Honduras consisting of a hand full of British Baymen and African slaves. In remember the September 10th, 1798 event, Codd said that the encounter was the last of several attacks in which well armed Spaniards captured the residents of colony's main capital at Saint George's Caye and burnt down all the buildings. The decision to stand and defend the small colony by strategically launched an attack on the Spaniard which forced them out of the unknown waters giving up on the settlement that is now modern day Belize.

The PACT Foundation Awards over $200,000 in grants to protected areas
The PACT FOUNDATION, in conjunction with the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT), proudly announces the award of five (5) small grants today to five (5) Non-governmental Organizations to aid in the management of conservation efforts in Belize. The recipients of these grants are:

Ambergris Today

Hezbollah Suspected Terrorist Arrested in Merida, Mexico with Belizean Passports
A trio of Lebanese men caught in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico with Belizean passports has raised concerns that there may have been a terrorist cell operating in Belize. The American citizen, of Arab origin, Rafic Mohammad Labboun Allaboun, a suspected member of the terrorist network Hezbollah, was arrested Saturday, September 8, 2012, in Merida through an operation conducted by the National Migration Institute (INM) and the State Police. According to the The Yucatan Times, Labboun Allaboun was arrested in a house located in the street 41-B, between 56 and 58 of the colony Francisco de Montejo in the west part of the city. At the moment of the arrest, the suspect identified himself as Wilhelm Dick with a fake Belizean passport.

Unemployment Statistics of Belize Released
Sib Announces Results of the April 2012 - Labor Force Survey - The Statistical Institute of Belize conducted a national labor force survey in April 2012 to estimate employment levels in the country. The survey targeted 2,800 randomly selected households countrywide and obtained responses from about 85 percent of them. This amounted to almost ten thousand respondents (9,980). Approximately two-thirds of the respondents were of working age (14 years and over) and of that amount, 65.6 percent were either working or available to work. The remaining 34.4 percent were housewives, students and retirees who were no longer interested in working, and were therefore regarded as not being in the labor force.

Misc Belizean Sources

Belize to host wastewater management workshop
The Caribbean Regional Fund for Wastewater Management (CReW), a four-year project that began in 2011 and is financed by a special arrangement that involves the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Governments of some Caribbean countries, will host its first regional workshop in Belize City, Belize, 18 - 19 September 2012 to introduce the concept of revolving funds. Revolving funds are among the more flexible, innovative and effective financial management mechanisms that can provide sustainable financing for the development of much needed wastewater treatment facilities, costly propositions for regional governments struggling to maintain those that already exist. A 2009 UNEP report entitled "Assessment of Wastewater Management in the Caribbean" found untreated domestic wastewater had severe consequences for coastal ecosystems in the Wider Caribbean region. This has resulted in: increased fish mortality and negative effects on commercial fisheries; declines in coral reefs estimated to cost the region up to US$870 million by 2050; threats to human health, and threats to the tourism sector.

Miss Continente Americano Voting
You can vote for Chantae, who's representing Belize down in Ecuador, as 'Miss Photogenic' at the Miss Continente Americano website. On the site, which is in Spanish, she is the second contestant from the top. Simply click the circle next to 'Miss Belice - Chantae Guy' and then scroll to the bottom and click on 'votar.' You can vote until September 28th. Good luck, Chantae!

Benque's 10th Day of September Parade
Some pictures from Benque's parade for the Battle of St. George's Caye Day, shared by the Benque House of Culture. The next round of dances, parades, and parties are only a week away. Happy September!

Mary Open Doors' New Page and Newsletter
Mary Open Doors has a new FB page out so you can stay current with all their hard work in the Cayo community. They also have their latest newsletter out. "After a long vacation, the Mary Open Doors newsletter is back! In this issue, you will learn all about our latest fundraising activities, the continued success of our HIV/Domestic Violence presentations, some good work being done for our clients, and more. Please take time to read all about how busy we've been, and what you can do to help as the new school year approaches. As always, we wish you the best and God Bless."

Youth Empowerment Retreat pictures
There was a Youth Empowerment Retreat at Maya Mountain Lodge. Great goals and great fun! "High school youth from San Ignacio, Belmopan, and Belize City spent the holiday weekend together exploring, playing, serving, and learning. The focus was on the power of youth to shape the coming century and envision a more peaceful country and world. They studied the importance of looking within yourself and striving to be prejudice-free, honest, trustworthy, just, reliable, chaste, and a shining light no matter how dark things get around you. The event was part of the Jr Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program sponsored by the Baha'is of Belize. Maya Mountain Lodge generously offered their facilities for the event."

"The George Price In Us"
Here's a great video honoring George Price! It's a montage of pictures from his life, and is just in time for the September Celebrations. Thanks go out to MC Blas and Lucille Mendez for the video. It's a slideshow of his pictures and us as Belizeans Celebrating and an audio clip that is originally placed on the song From His DVD documentary.

Channel 7

Kaylee's Aunt Still Detained, No Charges Yet
Today makes 7 days since little 2 year-old Kaylee Burgess was found dead inside a bucket of water behind her grandmother's house. After a post mortem was conducted on the child's body, police forensic pathologist Mario Estradabran revealed that the child did not drown, instead someone had suffocated her. Since then, police have been treating the child's death as a homicide but no one has been charged for Kaylee's murder as yet. On Friday night police detained the child's two uncles and another man for questioning - but the three were released from police custody on Sunday evening. Yesterday the child's aunt a 19 year old was also detained and is tonight in police custody at the Queen Street Police Station. Reliable information to 7news tonight is that finger marks and bruises were found around 2 year old Kaylee's neck, along with a busted bottom lip and the left portion of her jaw was swollen. Also we were told that the child had been sexually violated prior to her death. Charges are expected imminently...

"A Mighty Heart Beats No More"
Well known Cayo resident Hart Gillett died in Belize City this afternoon after he was shot in the head last night in San Ignacio. It happened at 9:55 last night at his home on Orange Street in that western town. According to the police report, the 44 year old got home last night - after he had fought with his common law Jacqueline Ibarra on the tenth. He hadn't been home in a day - and she told police that he was contrite. She told him to leave her alone, and she claims he begged her not to leave him - and that if she did it would be, quote "over his dead body." She says that after he said that, he walked towards the door, took out his 9 millimeter pistol and pulled the trigger - shooting himself to the right side of the temple. The bullet went straight through his skull - but Gillett who was a large and powerfully built man - survived. He was rushed ot the KHMH in Belize City where he was put on life support in the intensive care unit. The doctors pronounced him brain dead - and by this afternoon at 3:05, he passed away. Police are ruling it as a suicide. But, his family is not so sure. They say a cat scan showed that the bullet entered the left side of his head - and he was right handed - which tells them it could have been a homicide.

Former Cab Sec Carjacked In 'Pan
The carjacking that Gillett was trying to help with happened to former Cabinet Secretary Jim Murphy. Yesterday morning in the quiet Orchid Garden area of Belmopan around 6:30am Murphy was held up at gunpoint. Plus TV reports that Murphy was about to walk through his gate when he was ambushed by two men, one of Creole descent and the other Hispanic. Murphy was closing the gate when the creole descent male held a gun to his head. Murphy stood back and the men then drove off in his 2012 Toyota Prado. The approximate value of the Prado is $150,000 BZE. In a very significant development, Police recovered the vehicle in Belize City last night. ASP Sinquest Martinez who is investigating the case says he found the vehicle on Newtown Barracks behind the Pickwick club. It was intact and only the phone had been broken. But, the license plate had already been switched to a Belize City plate - and police are following up on that lead. Murphy is currently a member of the Social security Board of Directors.

The Fugitive's Handbook: How To Get A Birth Certificate, Passport & Driver's License in Two Days Flat!
Does this look like anyone named Wilhelm Dick? That's a Mennonite name - and the man in this passport is of Middle Eastern descent. He is Rafic Mohammad Labbon Allabou - who has been named as an alleged Hezzbollah operative, but he has a passport and a driver's license from Belize with the name Wilhelm Dick. So, how do you get a birth certificate, a passport and a driver's license in two days? Rafic Labbon could write the book on that because that's what he did between August 29 and August 31st in Belize City and Belmopan. He - or his agent - started at the vital stats unit on august 29th where - no doubt with inside collusion - they got the birth certificate for Wilhelm Dick, born in Shipyard in February of 1976 - and who died in April of 1976. The real Wilhelm only lived two months - but his birth certificate endured - waiting for someone with an inside knowledge of the system to exploit it. That's where Rafic Labbon or his agent came in. They got the birth certificate and then got the signature of a Justice of the Peace, allegedly be Juliana Arana - whose house coincidentally burned down over the weekend. She today told us that she cannot recall anything about that particular application. Labbon - or his agent - then went with that to the Immigration Office in Belize City on the 29th. August, paid the expedited fee and got this passport the next day.

CCV Steps Up: Says It Wants To Be The Boss Of Cable TV In Belize
Television - it's the drug of a nation�in ways both big and small we're all addicted to TV - and if not addicted - we all need that "hit" from time to time. And whether addict of casual viewer - now one of Belize's largest Cable providers - Central Cable Vision is coming with what might be called the high-grade - a new way of interacting with your cable TV signal. Now, these kinds of things don't usually make the news - but Central Cable's new viewing platform represents a Sea of Change - and they've linked up with so many cable providers nationally - that the change will affected may thousands of cable viewers. We found out more at the launching today: Jules Vasquez Reporting Pete Lizarraga - Managing Director, CCV "We needed a product that would enhance the viewing quality of television. We need a product that would put the viewer more in control of the television set, rather than the other way around, where we manage our lives around the time that shows air on TV. And we needed a product that would lay the foundation for future services and expansion."

Man Jailed For Threatening Common-Law
25 year-old Allison Williams, a Laborer residing Rivero Street, is in jail tonight after he was taken to court this evening for allegedly assaulting his common-law wife this morning. Jacqueline Young reported to police that Williams awoke at around 5 a.m., and left the house. She said that she followed him and discovered that he went on Kraal Road. She said that she saw him speaking to the mother of his child, and as a result, she approached him and they got into an argument about it. He allegedly then pulled her by her hair, grabbed a piece of wood and hit her on her left arm causing bruising and swelling. He allegedly then walked behind a blue plywood house, and when he returned, he had a black .38 pistol in his hand, which he pointed at her and issued a death threat. Police investigated the report and they charged him with using threatening words, harm, and aggravated assault.

Educ. Ministry Pulls Handbook
For weeks PLUS TV has been crusading against the Health and Family Life Education resource book found in Primary schools across the country. PLUS TV and other Christian advocates say the book - which was generated by peace corps volunteers - fosters pro gay and other morally dubious teachings to students in standards 4, 5 and 6. Well now the Ministry of Education has given in. A Statement from he Ministry says quote, "that a decision has been taken by the Ministry to withdraw the teachers' manual." The Ministry will now defer the matter to a committee which was set up earlier this year. The release says the ministry is quote, "open to honest, productive dialogue with stakeholders on any concerns that�will advance the ultimate objective of ensuring that all Belizeans acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes for their full personal development.

OCEANA Claims GOB Gave Princess Energy Special Oil Concession
4 weeks ago, 7News told you about the interim win that Oceana Belize got in the Supreme Court over the Government of Belize in relation to their challenge to several of the offshore oil exploration contracts issued in 2007. Well, today was set as the day where the government crown counsel was to present a new strike out motion in which they were going to challenge the validity of Oceana Belize's expert witness's opinion on the conduct of a responsible government when issuing oil contracts. But, there was a surprising development in which the government crown counsel announced to Justice Oswell Legall that GOB would no longer challenge this expert witness, which means that this case will be argued to completion in open court. But the news tonight is not that Oceana has gotten their day in court, which is scheduled for October 24 and 25. It's their unearthing of a September 2009 contract which amended the agreement between the Princess Group of Companies and GOB. In this contract, which is signed by the Minister of Natural Resources, Hon. Gaspar Vega, and witnessed by Andre Cho, the Director and Inspector of Petroleum, the Princess Group has exclusive rights to maintain their licensed area. You would ask well, what is the problem with that? They are a company after all, and they need to secure their investment. Well, by law, every company must give up a part of their licensed area after every contract term. This is to ensure that the company is only exploring for oil in the most profitable areas.

No One Charged For Knocking Down Shane Dougal
No one has been charged for Shane Dougal's death on the Northern Highway on Saturday - and the DPP says that it is because witnesses are not coming forward to make statements. The DPP just got the file today but those who saw the incident seems reluctant to give sworn statements. Police have been directed to further investigate and the position will be revisited when that has been done.

PACT Offers SATIIM An Olive Branch
For the first term of the Barrow administration - the Ministry of Natural resources seemed to be pursuing a scorched earth campaign against SATIIM and its Executive Director Greg Cho'q. At one point there was even the suggestions that SATIIM's co management agreement for the Sarstoon Temash National Park might be in jeopardy. But there's a new minister with responsibility for the protected areas, that's Lisel Alamilla - and she seems to be offering an olive branch to SATIIM. PACT, The Protected Areas Conservation Trust has awarded a Medium-sized Grant of $93,000 to the SATIIM for a project entitled, "Enhancing Indigenous Communities Role in Protected Areas Management". According to a release, The main purpose of this project is to conserve biodiversity and reduce deforestation within and surrounding the Park.

Dancing On A World Tour
The Belize Dance Company returned to Belize this morning - after a 2 month tour of France and Spain. The Company represented Belize at the prestigious international folkloric -Festival du Sud 2012- along with 13 other countries. This Festival brought together over 1,200 musicians and dancers from each continent to share their cultural music and dances. Belize represented the music and dance of the Maya, Creole and Garifuna cultures of Belize in 31 different villages, towns and municipalities. They told us more today: Denise Enriquez - Member, Dance Company "Well, it was exciting. I was really nice. The members of the contingent, most of the time, we were filled with pride because most of the people that we got perform for - and talk to about Belize, really appreciated our country and wanted to come and visited." Monica Bodden "For those who may not know, where were you guys?"

The Madness And Mud Of Juveey, The Colour of Carnival
And we close tonight with some unfinished business from last night. We never got the air the news about the winner of the Carnival 2012. But to tell that story first we have to start with the juveey. That cranked up at 5:00 am on Saturday morning from the SAVE-U parking lot and to say it was large would be an understatement. IT was MAMMOTH! IT is like the carnival without customs - and the only costume needed is mud and some old rags that can withstand a mud bath. From there it was reveling in the streets and all around the city - as the crowd kept up on the circuit throughout the city. From the rough and real finish of juveey there it was unto the pageantry and colour of the carnival itself. First place went to Mahogany Masqueraders With 439.5 points Second place is Mother Nature's Creation with 431 points and third place is Belize Jewels with 430.5 points.

Channel 5

Who helped Hezbollah terrorist get Belizean passport and IDs?
The case of the US national who has been deemed part of a Hezbollah terrorist cell operating in the Yucatan area and Central America, has sparked a criminal investigation in Belize because he had Belizean documents. Rafik Mohammed Labboun Allaboun was caught during a raid in Merida, Mexico over the weekend and authorities found he [...]

Yasser Safa says he and family members are innocent of allegations
As the details unravel, it has been confirmed that up to six Belizeans were detained during the raid in Merida. In addition to Samer Safa, George Abdalah Elders, Yasser Safa, his wife and two children were also detained. Yasser and his family have been released. He spoke to News Five via phone on Tuesday and [...]

Aunt of Murdered 2 year old still detained; new details revealed
Who killed baby Kaylee? There are more questions than answers in the death of Kaylee Burgess; the young child that was found dead one week ago at the family house in Ladyville. When police visited the family home, the baby was in the arms of her mother, Deidra Pratt, while her father, Kevin Burgess, was [...]

Ministry of Health said there was no twin; offers counseling for mother
A tearful mother from Corozal Town told us on Tuesday night that she was to deliver a pair of twins, but that the Northern Regional maintains she only gave birth to one child. That perplexing case continued to unravel today and the Ministry of Health has now responded. Contrary to the mother's claims, MOH maintains [...]

Online poll says crime is the concern of most Belizeans
Our last e-poll was a question with three options; What are you most concerned about; Crime, the lack of jobs or the high Cost of Living? While all three are pressing issues, the majority of participants in the poll are most worried about the crime situation. Fifty-one percent of the votes were for crime while [...]

Economic Indicators: show high unemployment for households
Let's face it: There is high unemployment and for households across the country, the joblessness is further aggravated by the high cost of living. The cost of a daily basket of goods from chicken and fish to beans, cheese and eggs, is sky high. Now, let's factor in 'Income Tax; Those who make less than [...]

Sweetheart says right handed man shot himself in left side of head
A San Ignacio businessman is dead tonight, but there are unanswered questions as to whether it is a case of murder or suicide. Superintendent Ralph Moody, officer commanding the San Ignacio Police, says their investigations have so far revealed that former police officer, forty-four year old Harth Gillett and his girlfriend, twenty-four year old Jacqueline [...]

Jim Murphy robbed
There’s a high profile robbery to report. Former cabinet secretary James Murphy was held at gunpoint on Tuesday morning in Belmopan, where he resides. Murphy, according to reports was in his 2012 Prado when he was held up by two men who made with his vehicle. The Prado was subsequently recovered in Belize City and [...]

Oceana rides waves to trial with government
On August twenty-fourth, Oceana won a groundbreaking legal victory against the Government of Belize in which the Supreme Court allowed the organization to proceed with a claim challenging the validity of six offshore oil concessions. In the wake of that decision, attorney Herbert Panton, who appears on behalf of government, told Justice Oswell Legall that [...]

Oceana challenge shows agreement with Minister and Petroleum Company
According to Matura-Shepherd, the challenge has also led to the discovery of an undisclosed agreement signed by Minister of Natural Resources Gaspar Vega with the principals of Princess Petroleum in 2009. The condition of that contract allows the company to retain one hundred percent of the block that was granted to them for oil exploration. [...]

Not TiVO, it's DiBO! Central Cable Vision wants you to take a pause
The suspense is finally over for subscribers of Central Cable Vision who have been feverishly anticipating today's big reveal. This morning, during a press conference at the Biltmore, the cable operator unveiled its latest offering to the Belizean public. It's the domestic iteration of TiVo, a digital video recorder that is being introduced to the [...]

No charges as yet in fatal traffic accident
Twenty-five year old Shane Dougal was killed in a traffic accident on Saturday evening as headed to work in Ladyville. The security officer was hit near mile six by a Nissan Altima driven by twenty-one year old Jason Castillo. Dougal died on the spot while Castillo was injured, treated and released. The family of Dougal [...]

News Five Award-winning Andrea Polanco amongst winners at 2012 Youth Awards
Youths, between the ages of fifteen to twenty-nine, from across the country gathered at the Bliss this morning for this year's youth award ceremony. Young people, who were nominated by the public and selected by a panel of judges, were recognized for their achievements and work towards the development of Belize. A record number of [...]

S.J.C.J.C. Biology lecturers launch HIV Awareness Manual
While the youths have been awarded for their efforts, taking care of their education and health is a concern in an era plagued with dangerous diseases such as HIV. That is why two teachers from St. John's College Junior College applied for a US Embassy sponsored grant to compose a manual that would teach them [...]

LOVE FM

Criminal Investigation Underway Following the Arrests of Three Men
Yesterday it was reported that three men, two Belizeans and an American national were caught up in an operation targeting alleged Hezbollah members over the weekend in the Mexican city of M�rida. The high profile case has engaged Mexican and Belizean law enforcement a...

Mother Questions Hospital on Her Missing Baby
The Ministry of Health today issued a press release in connection with the pregnancy case of a Corozal woman who delivered at the Northern Regional Hospital. According to the initial findings by the Ministry of Health the patient, Michel Gonzalez was diagnosed with twenty three w...

Ministry of Education Says Teachers Manual Will Be Revised
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports has decided to withdraw the teachers' manual, "Education Today For A Healthy Tomorrow - Teachers' Guide: Lessons for the HFLE Curriculum." A release from the Ministry says the manual in its present form has be...

Man Remanded to Prison After Pulling Gun on Spouse
Twenty-five year old Allison Williams, a laborer of Rivero Street, who allegedly put a pistol to his common-law wife's back, was charged with aggravated assault when he appeared in court today. Williams was also charged with harm and using threatening words. He pl...

Police News
Twenty-five year old Randy Jones, a construction worker of Mopan Street, who the police reported they saw throw away a firearm, was charged with kept firearm and ammunition without a gun license when he appeared in court today. He pleaded not guilty to the charges. Chief Magistrate Ann...

Traffic Accident Claims A Life in Corozal
An early Saturday morning crash on the Northern Highway has left one man dead. The victim has been identified as seventy one year old Cecil Anthony Garbutt. According to police reports Garbutt, a resident of Ranchito village was south bound in his taxi car around one thirty...

LOVE TV

A Corozal family is looking for answers
A Corozal family is looking for answers following what they term as an unbelievable sequence of events. Michelle Gonzalez, the mother of three had been told she was pregnant with twins. Arturo Cantun has the story.

Fire in Belize City, having the family questioning
An investigation into a blaze that gutted the home of an elderly woman over the weekend reveals that it was deliberately set ablaze. Juliana Arana left her house late last week to attend the funeral of a relative in Barranco Village on Friday, only to discover upon her return to Belize City the following day that her house was destroyed by fire. In an interview earlier today with Love News, Arana said that she had turned off and plugged out everything inside her house at 6436 corner Mahogany and Jasmine Streets before she left. Neighbours were awakened by cracking sounds shortly after four on Saturday morning, however, and when fire fighters arrived, the concrete structure was already engulfed. While neighbour's managed to salvage a few pieces of household appliances, the majority of Arana's belongings were destroyed. From the onset, Arana did not rule out the possibility of arson. This afternoon, Love News confirmed with the Fire Chief, Colonel Francis Thomas, that someone entered Arana's house and poured a flammable liquid on items in one of the bedrooms and then lit the fire. Juliana Arana is the mother of Love FM Announcer, Armin Arana, who also lived at the house with her. None of their belongings or the house was insured. They have remained at the house, and hope to rebuild the severely cracked cement house. If you would like to help the Arana's you may call Ms. Juliana at: 653 3040. That number again is: 653 3040.

The traditional September tenth celebration
Belizeans at home and abroad celebrated the two hundred and fourteen anniversary of the Battle of St. George's Caye on Monday. The traditional September tenth celebration was marked by the official ceremonies, complete with all the pomp and pageantry, including the inspection of the guard of honor by Governor General, Sir Colville Young. During the official speeches, Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley and Tourism Minister Manuel Heredia both noted that the Tenth day of September is a glorious celebration of freedom for all Belizeans. Following the official ceremonies there was the traditional citizens parade, which made its way from the Memorial Park through the principal streets of Belize City, ending at the Yabra Green. Here are highlights of the citizen's parade.

This September celebration drowning victims
The jouvert which normally precedes the Carnival parade each year, ended in tragedy for the family of one teen who lost his life shortly after the event finished on Saturday. Seventeen year old Jermaine Madrill and two friends were a part of a larger crowd that assembled on the Belcan Bridge to clean up in the Haulover Creek below. The tradition each year for people is to simply jump into the water from atop the rail of the bridge, which is about seventeen feet above. And that was just what Jermaine and his friends did, but something went wrong for him, something that ended his life. Today Love News spoke with Madrill's father, Keith Madrill, who told us that he had advised his son against jumping off the bridge. ermaine Madrill would have celebrated his eighteenth birthday on September sixteenth. He will be laid to rest on Wednesday. Meanwhile, there was another person who the police have ruled as a drowning victim. Forty-eight year old Albert Coleman, a resident of Independence Village, reportedly left his house last week Monday to go fishing in the lagoon that borders Placencia and Independence. However, he did not return and his body was not recovered until the following day with bruises and wounds. Because the corpse was already decomposed, the post mortem was conducted on a dirt road off the Boom/Hattieville Road late Friday evening. Love News was there and spoke with Coleman's brother-in-law, Mario Requena. The body was cremated on the spot due to the advance state of decomposition. Albert Coleman lived alone in Independence Village.

Two Belizean were arrested when they were in Merida
International and Mexican press reports say two Belizeans and an American national were caught up in an operation targeting alleged Hezbollah members over the weekend in the Mexican city of M�rida. The arrest happened on Saturday night, according to Mexican press reports, which said that the US citizen was carrying a false Belizean passport and was identified as Rafic Moha-mmad Labboun Allaboun. Mexico's Reforma newspaper reported in its online edition that authorities arrested him following a series of investigations by US intelligence agencies that found that he forms part of a terror cell operating in Central America. The high profile case has engaged Mexican and Belizean law enforcement authorities at the local and diplomatic levels. Reporter Patrick Jones spoke via telephone earlier today with the Public Relations Officer for the Ministry of National Security Delroy Cuthkelvin about the incident.

Updates on the murder of Kaylee Burgess
Baby Kaylee Burgess, the toddler who would have turned two years old last Friday if she had lived, was laid to rest this past Sunday. The post mortem completed late last Friday evening certified that she died of suffocation, which means that the police are now looking at the baby's death with a view that someone is culpable. Today Love News traveled back to Ladyville where the incident happened last Wednesday night. As we reported, last Tuesday night the home of Kevin Burgess, who is baby Kaylee's father, was destroyed by fire. He accused his estranged common-law wife, the baby's mother, Deidra Pratt. The following night, the child reportedly went missing, after which her body was discovered in a bucket which reportedly had just a little bit of water. Soon after her death, her mother's family had accused the baby's father, Kevin, of kidnapping the child just prior to her death. Today, he told us that he is glad that the investigation is now pointing away from him and closer to someone right within the same home where the child lived with her mother's family. Meanwhile, Kevin Burgess' mother, Carolyn Quilter, told us that they are hoping that the police investigation brings them justice for a little girl who never lived to see her second birthday. Police are still in the process of gathering their evidence. Last week, they had questioned the child's mother, Deidra Pratt, and an aunt in whose custody she was in just prior to allegedly going missing.

26th annniversary for the Octavia Waight Centre in San Ignacio town
The Octavia Waight Centre in San Ignacio town celebrated its twenty sixth anniversary over the weekend. On Sunday, the celebration was marked by the opening of a convention centre, which will serve the dual functions of a hurricane shelter and an avenue for a sustainable source of income for the Octavia Waight Center, which benefits senior citizens from all over the country. One of the key pillars of the establishment of the Octavia Waight Centre is former career public officer Elias Awe, who was presented with a plaque by the Board of Directors for his dedicated service. Courtesy Kent Pandy, here are highlights of Sunday's celebration. The Octavia Waight Center was inaugurated on September fifth, 1986 by then Minister of Phillip Goldson. It occupies a two and a half acres plot of land in San Ignacio town and is currently home to twenty seven residents.

Placencia villager brings up an issue on the sewage project
A proposed water and sewerage project on the Placencia Peninsula will be the focus of a big public meeting tonight. According to the chairman of Placencia Village Charles Leslie Junior, at issue is what will become of the Placencia and the Seine Bight water boards once the project moves to full implementation. Tonight's public meeting is taking place at the Placencia village basketball court.

PlusTV

Controversial HFLE manual withdrawn by MOE
There is very good news to report this evening which is as a result of a press release sent out today by the Minist...

The Guardian

Telemedia lives to fight Another Game
The defending Belize City Softball Champions, Belize Telemedia won the pivotal game three in the best-of-five series against Mirage Lady Rebels on Friday, September 7th, 2012, at Rogers Stadium to force a game four in the championship series. Mirage Lady Rebels riding on a two-games-to-nothing high batted first and was able to score 3 quick runs for a 3-0 lead. Telemedia came roaring back in the bottom of the 1st inning when it scored 4 runs on 5 hits in its turn at bat. In the bottom of the 2nd inning, Telemedia added 3 more runs on 4 hits including a run-producing double by right fielder, Barbara Cadle. It then added another 3 more runs in the 3rd inning and then 4 more runs in the 4th inning. Meanwhile, Telemedia's starter and winner Mary Flowers was able to control the bats of the Mirage Lady Rebels hitters where she tossed zeroes to them in the 2nd, 3rd and 5th innings. In the top of the 4th inning, she gave up 2 more runs to Mirage Lady Rebels. When the dust settled around home plate, it was a 14-5 victory for the defending champions Telemedia. Telemedia scored 14 runs on 16 hits including 3 run-producing doubles by centre fielder Lydia Cacho; right fielder Barbara Cadle and third baseman Norecia Frazer. For Mirage Lady Rebels, it scored 5 runs on 4 hits. The losing pitcher was Lanisha Jones.

Fatal Trafffic Mishap on Northern Highway
Dougal's body on the road where he was knocked down On Saturday, September 8th, police visited an area between miles 5 and 6 on the Northern Highway where they found the body of 25- year-old Shane Dougal. He had been hit by a Grey Nissan Altima car which was driven at the time by Jason Roney Castillo. Police investigations have determined that Castillo was driving his vehicle towards Ladyville when he lost control and collided with Dougal, who was riding his mountain bike in the area. The mangled remains of the bike proved that it was a severe impact, which caused Dougal to die on the spot. Police have served a notice of intended prosecution on Jason Castillo.

Tenth March in Belize City
There are a few Belizeans that march through the streets of Belize City every tenth day of September. For them it is the proudest day of the year. On September 10th in Belize, we commemorate the 1798 Battle of St George's Caye.

Speech by Hon. Manuel Heredia on the occasion of the 214th Anniversary of the Battle of Saint George's Caye
It is with great joy that I address you this morning as the Chairperson of the National Celebrations Commission and as Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture. On this day 214 years ago, the settlers of this land were faced with the great difficulty of defending the settlement, their home, against an enemy, who had sought to expel them from this land. On the morning of Monday, the 10th September, 1798, fourteen of the largest vessels of the Spanish fleet weighed anchor about a mile and a half from the defending fleet made up of the Flagship Merlin and a number of smaller manoeuvrable schooners and gunflats. At about half-past two Captain Moss of the defending fleet gave the signal to engage. After two hours, the Spaniard fleet, unable to penetrate the shoals, retreated. This was the culmination of one hundred years of harassment and more importantly, the end of years of difficult circumstances for the settlers in the Bay of Honduras, which included whites, free men of color, slaves and troops from Jamaica, who debated, planned, prepared well and used knowledge of our coastal seas and reef to organize a successful defence of the settlement. This successful defence of the settlement set in motion events that would lead to the settlers in the Bay of Honduras having a more permanent home. But what is the additional significance of this past event? Today, when Belize faces many adverse circumstances (very much like men at the June 1st, 1797 Public Meeting, who decided on the question of whether to evacuate the settlement or to stay and defend it in the face of an impending Spanish invasion), that - it is then - that we too must decide on what is best for our children; our families, our communities and above all what is best for our country.

Oceans of Lies by Oceana
The Government of Belize this morning informed Justice Oswell Legall that it does not intend to proceed with its application to strike out two affidavits in the Oceana Claim against the Government and instead asked the court to set a date for the substantive hearing. Oceana is presently in court seeking to have six production sharing agreements signed between the Government of Belize and private oil companies back in 2007, covering both on shore and off shore areas, set aside. Late this afternoon in what can be considered an attempt to try the matter in the public domain, Oceana put out a press release fraught with lies and misinformation.

More mobility for cops in Rural North
Through the assistance of the Ministry of National Security, Area Representative for Belize Rural North, Hon. Edmund secured three new motorcycles to improve mobility of police officers in the constituency. The cycles will be used in Sandhill, Crooked Tree and Bermudian Landing. Hon. Castro explained that over the past few years there have been young people in his division that have gone wayward and with the addition of the motorcycles the police will better be able to patrol and deter crime in his constituency.

HFLE Teachers' Manual withdrawn
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MoEYS) hereby informs all stakeholders and the general public that a decision has been taken by the Ministry to withdraw the teachers' manual, Education Today for a Healthy Tomorrow: Teacher's Guide: Lessons for the HFLE Curriculum in its current form as a resource for teachers in support of teaching aspects of the Health and Family Education Curriculum (HFLE). In response to concerns raised in certain segments of the media and community in December 2011, the MoEYS requested those who were at the forefront of these concerns (a committee spearheaded by Pastor Wade) to submit these concerns and feedback on the teachers' manual in writing. These were received in February of this year. Subsequently, and in response to the written feedback, the Ministry of Education decided to convene a committee consisting of representatives from the MoEYS, the committee spearheaded by Pastor Wade, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Human Development and the stakeholder bodies of the National Council for Education and the National Council for Technical and Vocational Education. The main task of this committee was to review the manual to assess its fit with the objectives/learning outcomes of the HFLE curriculum, the accuracy of its content and the age approp-riateness and cultural sensitiveness of specific content and on the basis of such assessment to make recom-mendations for possible revision of the guide and strategies to more effectively engage parents in schools as it relates to HFLE and in particular to educating pupils about Sex, Sexuality and Sexual and Reproductive Health (S&RH).

Speech by Mayor Darrell Bradley on the Occasion of the 214th Anniversary of the Battle of Saint George's Caye
Belize City Mayor, Darrell Bradley: His Excellency, the Governor General of Belize, Sir Dr. Colville Young and Lady Young; Prime Minister of Belize, Honorable Dean Barrow and Mrs. Kim Barrow; Chief Justice of Belize, Kenneth Benjamin; Leader of the Opposition, the Honorable Francis Fonseca; Members of the House of Representatives and the Senate; Members of the Diplomatic Corp; Mrs. Julie-Ann Ellis Bradley; Deputy Mayor Dion Leslie and other Councilors of the Belize City Council; Members of the Clergy; Her Graciousness, the Reigning Queen of the Bay Ms. Amanda Elizabeth Taylor; Her Graciousness the Queen Designate, Ms. Yadira Arguetta; Queen of the Bay New York; Queen of the Bay California; other Queens; other invited guests; residents and visitors of Belize City, friends and fellow Belizeans, a very pleasant good morning to all of you.

The Pact Foundation awards over $200,000 in Grants to Protected Areas
The PACT FOUNDATION, in conjunction with the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT), proudly announces the award of five (5) small grants today to five (5) Non-governmental Organizations to aid in the management of conservation efforts in Belize. The recipients of these grants are: � Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) - $40,000 for the management of the Chiquibul National Park to assess the effects of poaching on game species communities in order to develop management and conservation interventions; � Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM) - $35,351 for park management, community ranger patrols on the seismic trails, documentation of changes in biodiversity, and signage along trails and borders; � Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM) - emergency grant of $6,000 for a fire assessment in the Sarstoon Temash National Park;

Coincidental Oil Soaked Turtle
With the ongoing legal and public relation battles that Oceana has brought against the government of Belize over offshore drilling, it seemed a bit too coincidental that a green turtle was found completely covered in crude oil on July 24th. The San Pedro Sun had reported that the turtle was found in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve completely covered in oil. At the time the newspaper reported that marine biologists pointed out that the turtle could not have been out at sea for a long period of time since it could not have survived under the conditions it was found. Speculation was that the turtle came in contact with the crude oil a short time before it was found and that it must have been through a natural oil seepage nearby.

Hon. Hugo Patt prepares Xaibe Village for Elections
Area Representative for Corozal North, Hon. Hugo Patt was in Xaibe Village on Sunda, September 9th preparing supporters for the upcoming Village Council Elections next year. During his visit, Hon. Patt took time out to listen to villagers about concerns they have over land-related issues as well as the recovery the village is undergoing after the recent floods. He also took time to discuss other matters relating to government in the division. During his visit, Hon. Patt also oversaw the selection of candidates for the upcoming villager council elections.

Honoring our Youth: Tricia Gideon wins Belize Youth Leadership Award
Hon. Herman Longsworth with Youth Award Winners The Youth for the Future now holds an annual award ceremony in which it highlights the achievements of distinguished Belizean youths. This year's Belize Youth Awards was held at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday, September 12th.

Belize performed Above Expectation in CODICADER Games
Brandon White captured the Most Points and Most Rebounds Individual Awards. The National Secondary Schools Sports Association was the official representative of the country to the Central American Scholar Games that were held in Guatemala City over the last two weeks. This year's CODICADER Games were originally scheduled to be hosted by Panama, but because of financial constraints they were not able to do so. As a result, the games were then redistributed between Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Panama. For the first time since Belize started to participate in the scholar games, the student-athletes were able to hold their own against student-athletes of their own age in Central America. The 2012 Edition of the Games started off with Ladyville Technical High School winning the Gold Medal in girls' softball. This was followed by Sadie Vernon boys winning the Gold Medal in Basketball. This was followed by St. Catherine Academy girls winning the Bronze Medal in Volleyball. St. Catherine Academy was also the representative in girls' basketball at these games while Toledo Community College was the representatives for the boys' volleyball. Belize will participate in Football and Athletics in El Salvador during the second half of the CODICADER Games.

FFB holds Administration Course in Belmopan
The Football Federation of Belize is currently hosting a FIFA Administration and Club Management course which is being conducted by FIFA instructor Dale Spencer of Jamaica. The course, which started on Monday, September 10th will conclude on Thursday, September 14th, 2012. The course participants are namely: Frank Sutherland, Peter Alvarez, Aaron Swift, Kevin Flores, Dennis Serano, and Francis Wagner from the District Football Associations. Meanwhile, the participants from the Premier League are as follows: Phillip Leslie, Victor Briceno, Hercel Hyde, Julio Santos, Darlene Padron, Wilmore Staine, and Carlos Slusher. The other participants includes the following: Josue Rivera (Futsal), Anthony Phillips (Female Football Committee), Anthony Adderly (Competitions Committee), Renan Couch (FFB Technical Director) and Kent Gabourel (Women's National Team Coach). The participants from the Federation are Ruperto Vicente, Sergio Chuc, Rawell Pelayo, Cruz Games, Michael Blease and Melanie Matute.

Placencia Assassins and the Belize Defence Force maintains Lead in PLB Competition
Lennox Castillo scored Police United 1st goal against R.G. City Boys United The Premier League of Belize 2012 Competition continued over the last week ending with six games across the country. On Saturday, September 8th, there were two games played. At the Michael Ashcroft Stadium in Independence Village, the home team, Paradise/Freedom Fighters and the visiting San Ignacio United FC played to a 1-1 draw. The Paradise/Freedom Fighters got on the scoreboard first when Victor Franco scored the 1st goal of the game in the 22nd minute of play to give his team a temporary lead. The game was then tied, a 1-1 when Joel Guzman scored the equalizing goal in the 40th minute of play. Meanwhile, out at the Isidorio Beaton Stadium in Belmopan, the host team, Belmopan Bandits blanked FC San Felipe Barcelona by the score of 1-0. The only goal of the game was scored by Jeromy James in the 41st minute of play. The competition then continued on Sunday, September 9th, with four more games. At the FFB Stadium in Belmopan, Police United edged R.G. City Boys United by the score of 3-2. The visiting R.G. City Boys United were the first to get on the scoreboard when Delroy Andrews scored the 1st goal of the game in the 15th minute of play to give his team a temporary lead. Meanwhile, Police United was able to get on the board when Lennox Castillo scored the equalizing goal in the 22nd minute of play. The first half of the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Telemedia to defend Charles Solis Memorial Trophy
The 5th Annual Charles Solis Memorial Tournament is scheduled for Sunday, September 30th, 2012, commencing at 9:00 am sharp at the Rogers Stadium. This year's Charles Solis Tournment will utilise a new format and will feature the champions and sub-champions from the affiliated associations of the federation. The Telemedia Softball Team is the defending Charles Solis Memorial Champions.

Black Pearl and Mahogany Masqueraders win Carnival Road March
Black Pearl won in the Junior category Road March Belize City streets were unusually busy a little after 2:30 on Saturday morning, September 8th, as scores of residents were making their way towards the Bel-Can Bridge for the start of Jouvert 2012. Though the jouvert was not scheduled to start until 5 a.m., at 4 o' clock in front of the Save-U parking lot was already filled with excited people. The early turnout may have been directly related to the city's new 2 o' clock club policy. Less designer clothes were damaged in this year's jouvert since club goers used the extra two hours to change their clothes. By 4:30 a.m., mud was being tossed at people. Some came out already pasted with mud and some came out covered in chocolate. As 5 o' clock approached, people started to decide which truck to follow as there were at least three trucks to choose from. At 5, the horns blew and the jouvert was off. Belizeans and visitors of various races, age and background danced with each other through the streets of Belize City. As the jouvert passed Central American Boulevard, more people started to enter. By the time the turn at Cemetery Road was made, the sun had already peeked out. Nevertheless, people continued to join as the celebration continued unto West Canal, across the Vernon Street Bridge and right into Youth for the Future Drive. By the time the crowd had reached the Bel-China Bridge, it was the truck featuring Alfrain Supaul that had drawn the biggest crowd. That crowd grew more and more as it made its way up Cleghorn Street then left into Freetown Road. The jouvert ended at the flag monument roundabout. There were at least a couple thousand people in jouvert 2012. After jouvert ended, some washed themselves off in the river near Bel-Can Bridge. Some people got into their vehicles and headed home while others continued dancing through the streets as the trucks continued to their final destinations. One truck led a group all the way to the Port of Belize area. Most people rested after jouvert to get ready for the Carnival Road March.


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From La Ceiba to Belize: A Tribute to Andy Palacio
On Saturday, September 15th, Events Planners and the Battle of the Drums Committee will be hosting a concert in tribute to the late great Andy Palacio at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts. The show starts at 7 p.m. and features Paul Nabor, Aurelio Martinez and his Garifuna Soul Band, the Garifuna Collectives and much more. Proceeds from the concert "From La Ceiba to Belize: A Tribute to Andy Palacio" will be donated to assist in the building of the proposed gravesite monument for Andy Palacio. Tickets are $35 each and can be bought at the Bliss or by calling 600-1839, 631-5360 or 627-5902. Sponsors of the event are NICH, James Brodie and Company Limited, Belikin, Wave Radio and Wave TV, Channel 7, Channel 5, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, Battle of the Drums Secretariat, Radisson Fort George Hotel and Marina and The Bakadeer Inn. Also in honour of Andy Palacio, the Ministry of Education has commissioned the writing of a book on the life of Andy Palacio. The book entitled "The Andy Palacio Moment" was written by Lawrence Vernon and will be published soon. Here is a foreword of the book by Dr. Joseph O. Palacio. This small but powerful book fills a vacuum in the literature about Andy Palacio. Surprisingly, there has been only one book dedicated to him, a collection of essays and memorabilia - photographs, newspaper clippings, etc. - that Yasser Musa so gracefully compiled a few months after Andy's passing in 2008 and entitled Andy Palacio. Lawrence Vernon has added a great deal to the story of the life of our beloved Andy but not altogether filling the vacuum that gets deeper with each passing year after his untimely death.

Conch Survey to determine Stock for Upcoming Season
The conch season was closed early this year on April 24th and will re-open on September 30th. Usually, the season closed on June 30th but the season was closed early and the closed season was extended because the Queen Conch (strombus gigas) is listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). It was also determined that the Cooperatives had filled their quota and in an effort to protect the endangered specie, the season was shortened and the closed season made longer. Now as the season comes closer to opening, the Fisheries Department is conducting their bi-annual national conch survey within various marine reserves across the country. The survey is a means by which the Government takes stock of the Queen Conch's numbers in Belizean waters. At the end of the survey, the information is submitted to CITES to prove whether or not there is a healthy population of the sea creature to justify its further exploitation. During the survey, conchs are counted with 200 meter transect lines which are two meters wide inside and outside the barrier reef. In the exercise, the length of each conch encountered is taken. Also recorded is the thickest part of the conch's flair lip. The survey is done every two years from the northernmost coastal tip to the southernmost end of the country.

Jermaine Madrill
A promising young athlete lost his life on Saturday, September 8th. Jermaine Madrill, 17, drown in the Haulover Creek after he jumped into the water from the Bel-Can Bridge. Reports indicate that Madrill had participated in the Carnival Jouvert earlier on and sometime around 6 he had arrived at the bridge. Like many other participants of the Jouvert, he decided to jump into the river to remove mud and chocolate, which they use to cover themselves with as they participate in the Jourvet. After Madrill jumped into the water, he did not resurface and despite efforts by at least one other person, who was his family member to save him, he drowned. His body was retrieved from the waters at around 6:46 on Sunday morning; it was found under the Bel-Can Bridge by family members and Coast Guard personnel. By all accounts, Jermaine was a promising young athlete having represented Belize last year in the CODICADER Games last year in athletics. He was also an avid softball player and formed part of the Belize National Volleyball team.

Hope in Belize City
As evening sets in Belize City, there are children who gather daily at the corner of Plues Street and Dean Street. It is perhaps one of the least likely places where anyone would have or even want to have an after school program. Less than a block away is George Street, one of the most notorious streets in Belize City as it is the home base to one of the most ruthless and feared gangs in the Old Capital. But despite the environs, well-known Belize City personality, Timmy Stamp takes out armchairs across the street from his small grocery store for a daily evening program. The chairs are neatly arranged in rows, on a slab of concrete that was once the floor of a building. There is a small blackboard leaning against a concrete wall and a chair is placed in front of it. It is set to resemble a classroom and promptly at 4:30 in the evening, classes commence. It starts off with a prayer and the sessions go well past evening time and into the night. There is no light here, other than the street lamps so the best of the daylight that remains is taken advantage of. Stamp says that every day, there is a trickle of anywhere between 15 and 20 children from the neighborhood who sit in for after school classes. With the assistance of a young man and a young woman the children are taught the basics: mathematics, English and reading. They are also assisted with their homework as well. While most of the time he has help, there are times when Stamp himself has to do the teaching. When we caught up with him, he was giving them the basics of the September Celebrations- the 10th and the 21st. While it may seem rudimentary, the reality of it is that of the 9 boys who were present, there was only one of them who could answer basic questions about the September Celebration. The answers to the questions would incite inquisitiveness from those present; most exclaiming when they learnt that it has been 214 years since the battle of St. George's Caye.

Ministry of Health continues to investigate Pregnancy Case of Woman at Northern Regional
The Ministry of Health would like to state the findings so far in relation to the pregnancy of a 33- year-old mother of Corozal Town. The patient first visited the Corozal Community Hospital (CCH) on July 2nd, 2012 where she was diagnosed with 23 weeks gestational age by a medical officer and requested to do an ultrasound. At that time, one fetus was noted. On her subsequent visit on August 15th, 2012, the patient presented an ultrasound which she performed at a medical facility in Chetumal. This suggested twin pregnancy and the expected date of delivery of September 3rd, 2012. During this visit to the CCH, she was again re-evaluated and diagnosed with a twin pregnancy and also at high risk due to blood pressure complications. She was referred to the Northern Regional Hospital (NRH) in Orange Walk Town. Her next visit was on August 20th, 2012 at NRH. Upon assessment, she was again informed that she was with twin pregnancy at 38 weeks gestational age by a second ultrasound which was done privately. The patient was advised and scheduled to do a C-section on September 3rd, 2012. She attended prenatal clinic twice thereafter, on the 23rd and the 30th of August. She was again assessed at the CCH with no change to her diagnosis.

Government of Belize transfers Land Title to the University of Belize
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Agriculture, Hon. Gaspar Vega on September 5th, presented the land title for the Central Farm Campus (CFC) to the University of Belize. The presentation was made by the Deputy Prime Minister at CFC during the inauguration of a newly constructed building that will house classrooms and a Soil and Biology laboratory. In his Keynote Address entitled: "Agriculture: The foundation of our Diversified Economy," the Deputy Prime Minister said that UB has played an important role in the development of agriculture in Belize; and in this regard, the collaboration between the ministry and UB offers a good template to positively impact development across all districts in Belize. "We are certain that the training at UB will deliver many new entrepreneurs in agriculture that will become excellent employers," he said. "These new facilities for UB will also increase your capacity and we look forward to your new students and graduates actively participating in the job of revitalizing the agriculture and food sector." The Deputy Prime Minister concluded that his ministry will also make available farm land to the two top graduates from UB's agriculture programme as a way to stimulate the growth of the agricultural sector. Speaking to the gathering, Campus Administrator, Dr. Gordon Holder remarked that CFC graduates have distinguish themselves as farmers, agribusiness entrepreneurs, technicians and professionals for the agro-industry due to relevant skills training and competencies acquired at CFC.

Prince Meets Prime Minister
PM Dean Barrow meets "Lova Boy"PM Dean Barrow meets "Lova Boy"Daniel "Lova Boy" Cacho started the year by taking home the Belize Music Award for Best Song, "Tornado". That is after he had been blowing up the radio waves for months. Since taking home that award, Lova Boy has continued to burn hot. He is now THE must see Belizean entertainer - surpassing the General, who also is scheduled to release a hot new album soon. Lova Boy has been the headliner of every national celebratory event in Belize and did all that while transforming the name Lova Boy from an entertainer into a viable brand. Not even Daniel Cacho himself could have imagined the amount of success he would experience in such a short time but with all the accomplishments, Lova Boy was most proud when the Prime Minister of Belize invited him to his Belize City office on Friday, September 7th. Lova Boy was appearing on various morning talk sho-ws on Friday with Deputy Mayor Dion Leslie as they were promoting the scheduled festivities for the weekend in Belize City when he got word that Prime Minister Barrow had requested to see him. Lova Boy said he was very excited and anxious from the time he got the message, around 10 a.m., to the time he walked into the elevator of the Whitfield Tower. His excitement was so off the charts that while he was just waiting in a couch for the Prime Minister to come greet him, he pulled out a pocket camera and said, "Tek mi picha, tek mi picha!" Prime Minister Barrow came out seconds later and invited him into a room in which he had sit down and dialogued with countless Heads of State and foreign diplomats on issues ranging from that of national security to foreign trade.

Hezbollah in Belize - Is JP Involved?
Rafic Mohammad Labboun Allaboun, Yasser Safa and Abdalah EldersRafic Mohammad Labboun Allaboun, Yasser Safa and Abdalah EldersYasser Safa is one of two naturalized Belizean men who were captured in Mexico along with United States fugitive, Rafic Mohammad Labboun Allaboun on Saturday, September 8th, after a successful operation by the National Migration Institute (INM) and the State Police. According to reports, almost a dozen law enforcement vehicles were seen parked in front of Mohammed Labboun's Mexican home in the Francisco Montejo area of Merida. The officers breached the premises with extremely high powered rifles. Arrested along with Mohammed Labboun, and naturalized Belizeans, Safa was George Abdalah Elders. Rafic Mohammad Labboun Allaboun is an American citizen, who has lived in the States for over 30 years. He was convicted of credit card fraud and after serving time in prison, he was released on parole. However, he violated the terms of that parole when he left the United States. Mohammed Labboun was deported to the U.S. a few hours after his arrest, Sunday very early in the morning, because there was a warrant out for his arrest in Houston, Texas. On Monday, he appeared before a judge in Texas for violating his parole and was returned to California for imprisonment. According to officials, Mohammed Labboun identified himself at the time of the arrest using a Belizean passport with the name William Dyck. The Belize Police Department is currently engaged in an investigation to determine exactly how it is that he got the passport. The Guardian spoke to the Senior Public Relations Officer in the ministry of National Security, Delroy Cuthkelvin, on Wednesday, September 13th. He explained that the matter has been turned over to the Criminal Investigation Branch. So far, they have determined that William Dyck was born in Shipyard in Orange Walk on February 8th, 1976. The birth registration was confirmed by the Vital Statistics Unit. Police visited the listed address for Dyck and, according to Cuthkelvin, they spoke to a woman, who said that she does remember William Dyck. The woman identified herself as Dyck's sister and informed the officers that William Dyck died two months after birth in 1976. Both of their parents have since died as well. Police then visited the Vital Statistics Unit but could not find documentation of the baby's death. They then focused the investigation on the application and issuance of the identification documents. Mohammed Labboun was also found with a Belizean driver's license.

Murder Charges for Baby's Aunt
Baby Kaylee Burgess, deceasedBaby Kaylee Burgess, deceasedMurder charges are expected to be lain on the aunt of 2-year-old baby Kaylee Burgess. The charges come after the toddler was found dead inside a bucket at around 11:30 on Wednesday night. But the child's death is prefaced by a string of allegations and counter allegations between the child's mother, Deidre Pratt and her father, Kevin Burgess. Sometime after 10 on Tuesday night, it is alleged that Deidre Pratt made her way to her ex-common law husband's house and set it on fire. An hour later, he is said to have gone to Pratt mother's house and punched three louvers causing damages to them. After the allegations Pratt was detained by police and was released by 10 on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, Martha Mejia, who is Pratt's mother, had already made a report against Burgess for damage to property. By 9p.m. also on Wednesday, he was picked up by police as they investigated the report made by Mejia as well as another, which was made against him for kidnapping his two-year-old daughter Kaylee. Even as the parents went through their troubles, Kaylee had gone missing and it was not until after 11:30, that she was found dead inside a bucket at the home of Pratt's mother. A post mortem conducted on the baby girl has determined that she died as a result of suffocation. Police pathologist Dr. Mario Estradabran put the time of the child's death at sometime around 6 on Wednesday evening. Adding even more speculation to the incident is that family members had gathered at Dr. Estradabran's house following the outcome of the post mortem on Friday. Police had to be called in and the family members left the area. While charges were expected to be lain on Wednesday, up to press time no such charges had been filed.

Blogs

Medellin, Colombia, Part 2: Put this City on Your List
I've only been in Colombia for about 4 or 5 days now but I've heard the same thing from each traveler we've run in to...they all LOVE Medellin. Originally they allotted two days and stayed one week...or one month...most never want to leave. I get it. It is an absolutely enchanting city (and it is hard for me to use a syrupy-sweet word like "enchanting"). But there is really no other way to describe it. Colombia so far has surprised me in every way. The weather? Perfect...at least here at 5000 feet (I will experience the heat in much lower Cali soon). Medellin, my new love, is not called the "city of eternal spring" for nothing. 80s during the day, 60s at night, sunny with maybe some late afternoon clouds.

September so far �
Firstly we have to remark that September's weather has been unusually glorious. Yes, we have been experiencing hot weather but the traditional September cloud and overcast skies are not present - sunshine has been continuous and with that we have happy tourists and islanders - the law of averages would suggest that a little rainfall should be on its way before September closes?? Tourism is definitely down on previous years Septembers. The streets are unusually slow, some would say that they never really picked up after Hurricane Ernesto and we would tend to agree. The Split is populated with a more local vibe than tourist - not a bad thing a local energy is always a good one but the balance is necessary for everyone to sustain an income. It must be noted that tourism perhaps is just taking a different pattern than previous years as the high season this year saw an increase - it is just this slow period that appears to have taken a drop - could this be accounted for the numbers of hurricane scares in this period over the last few years?? Along with the drop in tourism we have noticed a closing of businesses slightly earlier than usual - Habaneros, Don Coroleone, Rainbow, Barefoot Caribe and Sandbox have all been closed the past week - not to mention that the cake lady has dropped a number of her daily outings!!! September 10th on the island went past without a drum, a whistle or a swinging of engine - this is not unusual. We are hoping that the September Celebrations Committee have got it all in store for us for September 21st as we are all saving ourselves for this big bang!! Roll on September!!

International Sources

Arctic Ice Melt Could Mean More Extreme Winters For U.S. And Europe
The record loss of Arctic sea ice this summer will echo throughout the weather patterns affecting the U.S. and Europe this winter, climate scientists said on Wednesday, since added heat in the Arctic influences the jet stream and may make extreme weather and climate events more likely. The "astounding" loss of sea ice this year is adding a huge amount of heat to the Arctic Ocean and the atmosphere, said Jennifer Francis, an atmospheric scientist at Rutgers University in New Jersey. "It's like having a new energy source for the atmosphere." Francis was one of three scientists on a conference call Wednesday to discuss the ramifications of sea ice loss for areas outside the Arctic. The call was hosted by Climate Nexus.

CARICOM countries to unite in renewable energy push
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member countries have resolved to work together to ensure adequate support for the region's thrust towards renewable energy. This commitment resulted from a meeting held at the September 7 conclusion of the two-day renewable energy summit in Malta, organised by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Jamaica's Minister for Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (STEM) Julian Robinson, who was his country's representative at the summit, called the meeting of member states in attendance to examine how CARICOM, as a regional bloc, could interact with entities like IRENA to source assistance, grants, and other financial instruments "to facilitate joined-up projects rather than compete head on for instruments from the same global financial pie". Robinson pointed out that invariably many of the smaller countries lose out to the larger and better resourced ones when trying to source financial assistance. The minister said that, arising from the meeting, the eight CARICOM countries represented have agreed in principle to work together to complete a renewable energy assessment within the region so that "we know where we are and what support we can lend to each other as well as areas where we can seek collective support."



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