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Specials and Events
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
SPJC hosts two-day COBEC Conference
COBEC-Conference-2The San Pedro Junior College (SPJC) hosted the annual conference of Consortium for Belize Educational Cooperation (COBEC). The two-day event saw over 100 participants representing all 13 tertiary level institutions in Belize and over 25 universities from the United States of America (USA). Every year the COBEC members meet once each in Belize and in the US at alternating locations. This year's event is considered to be the largest conference so far hosted in Belize.
COBEC has been in existence for over 25 years and seeks ways in which Belizean tertiary level institutions can collaborate with US institutions in improving the education system in Belize and US COBEC members. A number of issues were discussed and a number of presentations were done during the conference, all in the area of COBEC-Conference-1education. "We look at ways that the US institutions are able to collaborate in furthering education for Belizean students to work, while helping faculties look for better opportunities for the students. We look at the ways US students can come to Belize to do study-abroad programs, and also have students from Belize go to the US for brief periods to study- more of a world enriching type experience.
Ministry of Health signs contract for the supply of Computer Equipment
Ministry of Health and Fultec Systems signed a contract this morning at the Ministry's headquarters in Belmopan for the supply of BZ$59,000 worth of Computer Equipment under the Grant for Salud Mesoamerica Project.
The supply includes twelve desktop computers, routers, switches, servers, server racks and Ministry-of-Health-2printers. The equipment will be used in health facilities in the Northern and Western Regions of Belize to improve the access, usage and quality of Maternal and Infant, Child and Reproductive Health in the full utilization and networking of the Belize Health Information System.
Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Peter Allen signed on behalf of the Ministry and Human Resource Manager, Ms. Grace Brown signed on behalf of Fultec Systems.
Noche de Enmascarados - Gangnam Style!
On Saturday, February 9th, the 2013 Carnaval kicked off in grand style with a fabulous line-up of entertainment onstage at the Central Park. Dubbed Noche de Enmascarados (Night of the Masked), the final performance featured scary ghoulish characters who terrified quite a few kiddies as they took their spooky walk down to the stage. After scaring the audience for a bit - what do you know?! They broke out into a dance - and not just any dance - the Gangnam Style dance. Too fun!
Ambergris Today
Mexican Drug Lords and Belizeans Caught in Major Drug Bust
Mexican media is reporting a major drug bust involving a big Mexican drug lord with the involvement of Belizeans. The Mexican Navy raided the house of the Mexican drug lord of The Pelones in Chetumal, Carlos Caba�as Catzin alias "El Monstruo ", where he was arrested along with eight people, including two Belizean nationals in possession of 45 kilograms of the synthetic drug known as crystal meth.
Naval Zone XI confirmed the arrest on Friday, February 8, 2013, with the assistance of other federal agencies which had planned their raid on the afternoon of Thursday, February 7, 2013.
At approximately 5:50 PM on Thursday, February 7, 2013, two vans filled with Navel members belonging to the 25th Battalion Marines arrived at the home of Carlos Cabanas Catzin on Avenida Benito Juarez between Camelias and Justo Sierra, Colonia Jesus Martinez Ross.
San Pedro Carnaval 2013 Celebrations Kick Off
Even with some skepticism about how the new rules for Carnaval would affect the celebrations, everything went underway with a very good start and no major problems as the painting revelers hit the streets on Sunday, February 10, 2013.
The painting started late in the afternoon and the restriction to playing Carnaval only on Barrier Reef Drive (Front Street) and the beach did not seem to dampen the spirits of those who love the age-old tradition of San Pedro Town. The San Pedro Town Council made some new rules to ensure the safety of those who participate in the celebrations and to reduce the amount of vandalism that takes place from the throwing of paint and eggs.
25 Years Ago:
The Fiance Formally Visits His Fiancee
Monday, December 5 has arrived. It is the day that Alberto will start to visit Angelita with the consent of her parents. They are no more "enamorados" (boyfriend/girlfriend) but now official novios (fiance/ fianc�e) or engaged couples
At Angelita's house there are new curtains, a freshly scrubbed wooden floor, and two new chairs. The children have been instructed that they must be in bed/ hammock before 7 p.m. Angelita has made the best of herself, making sure she had her "chorros" (curls) which her novio loves so dearly.
Alberto, on the other hand, has put on his nice black pants, which he normally only used to wear for Easter. He wears a white long-sleeved shirt tucked in, and he places a white handkerchief in his back pocket with a tip of it showing outside as was the custom. I tell you, does he look sharp! He goes to the store or saloon to buy a pack of Spearmints or PK. chewing gum and some pepitos.
At 7 p.m. sharply, he heads towards Angelitas house, only a block away. Mrs. Lucia Rosado, the mother, greets him with a pleasant good evening and invites him to come in. Angelita shyly says, "Good Night" and sits down. Alberto sits beside her on a separate chair and both parents, Lucia and Ramon Rosado, sit down. The father lights up a Colonial cigarette and tries to start a conversation. He is not too successful. After Alberto offers the ladies some chewing gum, the mother is able to' start a fine conversation. Angelita gets a full pack of Spearmint chewing gum. The conversation is about how fishing has been for Alberto and the father laments on his bad luck at fishing. By 8 p.m. the mother and the father leave the couple so they can have their private conversation and interact better between themselves.
Pic of the Week: Artisan's Display at Captain Morgan's Caribbean Night
If ever on the island on a Tuesday make sure to visit Captain Morgan's Retreat for their Caribbean Night. It is a fun filled night with live music, great food and amazing arts and craft from local artist's. As seen on the picture above, you can find the most colorful and memorable souveinir to remind you of your fantastic trip in Belize.
Teen Talk: Carnaval Celebrations Start with New Painting Rules
You probably heard about the new rules to San Pedro Carnival this year; some of you might like it but we have heard how others think differently about them. I personally think it is kind of good as it will stop a lot of vandalism that takes place.
The rules state: "Painting will be ONLY be allowed from the Cemetery (beachside) all the way to Ruby's Hotel and on Barrier Reef Drive only between the hours of 4pm to 10pm." If you think logically it is a good thing. The rules that caught a lot of teens' attention were the rules of no bottle squeezers and no throwing of eggs.
Egg throwing and the tossing of paint through squeeze bottles are the two major things that cause the most damage to property during Carnaval. The paint ruins buildings, vehicles and business signs and the eggs leave a horrible smell once it starts rotting on the streets.
Misc Belizean Sources
Rosewood in Belize: the truth behind the smoke
Commentary by: Ya'axch� Conservation Trust . In Belize, the uncontrolled and often illegal harvesting of rosewood has been, and still is, one of the major environmental issues in the country. In March of last year, the government established a moratorium on the export and extraction of rosewood, however illegal harvesting continued. On Friday 11 January, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Sustainable Development made the bold move of burning confiscated illegally cut rosewood flitches. The purpose of this action was to send a clear message to the world and illegal loggers that Belize will not tolerate illegal logging of its precious forests and that no one will profit from this illegal trade.
How has Belize ended up in a situation where such drastic action was necessary? The Maya communities of Toledo have used rosewood for traditional purposes for many years, but the levels of harvesting seen from 2010 onwards have been way beyond anything that could be classified as "traditional use." Harvesting a few trees each year from the forests surrounding the villages to build houses is one thing; harvesting hundreds of trees each month for export to China is quite another.
San Ignacio United vs. BDF Pictures
They got some great pictures from the first game of the Premier League yesterday. It was a close game, with the BDF winning over the SI United by 3-2. The United play the Verdes in Benque on Saturday.
Cayo Wine House Wine Tasting
All this week, from Tuesday, February 12th through Saturday, February 16th, they are having a Free Wine Tasting from 2:00pm until 6:00pm each day at the Costless Wine House. The Costless Wine House is on the Benque Viejo Road in the old Costless supermarket. Enjoy the wine!
"They have a Wine House inside Costless Mart. Go taste some wine and cheese. They have hundreds of types of wine from all over the world. They also have cheeses too."
8 Weeks of Music at the Soul Project
Danny Velazquez has compiled a video of some of the great artists that have performed at the Soul Project over the last 8 weeks. Great video! The Soul Revolution Art exhibit is now on display.
"A look back on all the great local talent that has walked in the door
the first 8 weeks.
shot and edited by Daniel Velazquez
addition photography by Miriam Antionette"
Ride Against Crime Pictures
The Ride Against Crime went very well, Saturday morning. This is going to be a monthly activity, so the police and the community of Cayo can come together to end crime. Thanks to everyone, civilians, and police officers, that made this happen
"We at the office would like to thank all persons who participated on saturday's ride aganist crime. The police and the community riding for a great cause. We had atotal of 24 riders, including Officer CommandingOfficer Commanding Community Policing Sr, Supt.Willis, Supt. Moody, Deputy OC Insp. Reymundo Reyes, Sgt Victorin, Sgt Neal, Cpl Valencia, Officers of the community policing San Ignacio Cpl Emil Bradley,PC Jason Jones, PC Roland Augustine, PC Cireaco Medina WPC Reynolds , also several neighbourhood watch committies sent riders, Special thanks to Mr Marcel Bedran, Ernie Braun, Michael Cyphers and the Cayo neighbourhood watch assocaition for assisting with bikes and t-shirts. Thanks to Mr Mick Fleming, Bryony Fleming and Chaa Creek. We are planning it as a monthly ride different locations, its not a race just. The police and community comming together."
7th Annual NRM Symposium Call for Abstracts
The Belize Wildlife Conservation Network, UB, and the Mesoamerican Society for Biology and Conservation are having the 7th Annual NRM Symposium will be at the University of Belize on April 17th. They are having the call for abstracts, with the theme being: Meeting National Challenges of Water Security, Climate Change and Social Development. The deadline is the 28th of February.
Designers - Artisans - Exhibitors
Caribbean Export announces the launch of Design Caribbean formerly (Caribbean Gift & Craft Show), which will be held at the Grand Lucayan Resort, Freeport, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas on June 20 - 23, 2013.
Channel 7
Well-Known Belizeans Implicated In Major Mexican "Meth" Drug Bust
Two Belizeans are in a Mexico City jail after they were allegedly caught smuggling 100 pounds of the drug Crystal Meth in Chetumal. The two men, Milin Vasquez from Orange Walk, in the center of this picture and Hugo Cassanova from Corozal on the right of your screen - are known underworld operatives in northern Belize. But they are also businessmen: Vasquez owns the La Hacienda Steak House in Orange Walk, and Casanova has a car rental company in Carolina village.
But on Thursday evening, they weren't tending their businesses: Mexican law enforcement says they were doing drug business. They were caught in a Chetumal home along with a notorious Mexican dealer, Carlos Cabanas Catzin, known as the Monster - seen here on the left of your screen in the white shirt. The crystal meth - valued at about two million Belize dollars - is on the table in front of them, but was found in plastic bags in an icebox.
The bust was made on Thursday evening at 5:50, when marines from the Mexican Navy received launched a major operation targeting this house on Avenida Benito Juarez. The Diario Quintano Roo reports that the marines closed off two blocks, rappelled from a helicopter and entered the property. They arrested eight men, two women and confiscated three vehicles - all with Mexican plates.
Teenager Survives Being Run Over In Cayo; Points Finger At Hon. Mahmoud
Hon. Mark King was the focus of the news all of last week for the incident in the Corozal Free Zone, and tonight, another first term member of the House of Representatives is trying to defend his reputation after a family in Cayo accused him of negligent behavior. Joseph Mahmud, the PUP Area Representative Cayo North, denies any involvement in an incident that happened on his family's property in the Cayo District - but the family of the victim maintains that he was there. Here's the story:..
Daniel Ortiz reporting
This private property belongs to the Log Cab Inn on the Benque Viejo Road. It was also the scene of an incident in which a young man was run over by a gray Isuzu pickup.
The tire tracks on the well-kept lawn tells the story of a vehicle speeding in several directions, as if in pursuit. 17 year old Michael Valdez is very lucky and fortunate to be in good enough health to be able to speak to us.
PUP Says It's In the Dark On Superbond Motion
And while first term Representative Mahmoud is lashing out at the media, the PUP today issued a statement criticizing the government. The issue is tomorrow's House Meeting, convened to pass a motion for the Superbond 2.0, known as the Government of Belize Restructuring Motion." Well, it's a special sitting and the PUP says that the text of the motion should have been sent to the Opposition today. But up to 3:30 p.m., it had not been sent. So, the opposition says quote, "Representatives will be expected to vote on a matter that will bind our nation's financial future without being afforded any opportunity to examine the proposals thoroughly." We'll see how this dispute plays out tomorrow.
Cayo Taxi Man Critical After Bar Brawl Over Ex
Tonight a Cayo Taxi driver is in a critical condition at the KHMH - after he was badly beaten. It happened in San Ignacio Town at Mariana's Bar on Sunday at around 2:30am. The 33 year old owner Mariana Galvez was attending to a customer around the Bar, when her ex common-law-husband Jose Santos Pineda entered and assaulted the customer. Galvez then ran outside and Pineda followed. According to the woman, he grabbed her by the hair and threw her to the ground. Galvez told police that a man whom she recognized as Victor intervened - and when the fisticuffs were finished, Jose Pineda lay unconscious: suffering from injuries to his face and bleeding from the nose. Mariana Galvez's injuries were classified as harm and the patron at the bar who was cut n the back.
Pineda injury was the most serious; he was transferred from the San Ignacio Community Hospital to the KHMH where he is now on life support in a critical condition.
Galvez had a restraining order against Pineda which he violated when he came into her establishment. Police have detained Mariana Galvez and 38 year old Victor Perez of Santa Elena Town.
Triple Stabbing At Catherine's Fair, Four Charged For Public Terror
On Saturday night the grounds at the St Catherine Academy Valentine's fair, the crowd scattered as the fair turned into a battleground for a group of young men. The fight broke out just after 11 when four males got into a knife brawl. According to police 18 year old Trevor Brown, and two teenaged minors were associating at the fair when a fight started with another mane who allegedly stabbed all 3 young men. Brown was stabbed twice to the left upper back while one of the minors was stabbed once to the left arm and the other youth was stabbed once to the left side of his face. The fair reportedly had 25 police and 25 security guards on hand, so police were quick to seize 21 year old Gilbert Wade with a chrome knife.
All three victims were treated and released from the hospital. Today, al four went to court: the two minors ages 15 and 17 along with 18-year-old Trevor Brown, unemployed of #69 Amara Avenue, and 21-year-old Gilbert Wade, a Mechanic of Ross Pen Road in Belize City. Today they appeared jointly before Magistrate Hettie Mae Stewart in court #5 this afternoon where they were jointly charge with one count each of disorderly conduct and one count each of causing public terror.
Man shot To Chin Survives
And a short time after that, at 11:30 on Saturday night, a 25 year old delivery man was shot.
According to police 25 year old Trevor Hinds was at the corner of Hibiscus and Flamboyant Streets in the St Martins area- waiting on his girlfriend when a man rode up on a bicycle and fired several shots at him. One of the shots caught Hinds to the left side of his chin. He was rushed to the KHMH. A close call, but apparently only a graze as when we checked today he had already been released. Police retrieved 7 expended shells from the scene.
Teenager Drowns In San Ignacio
The family of 15 year-old Javan Rodney Guerra is preparing to bury him tonight after he drowned in Mopan River in Benque Vejo on Sunday afternoon. The young man, well loved by his family and friends, had just eaten his Sunday dinner, and he asked his family to go with his friends.
He didn't get their permission to go swimming, so they were blind-sided by the news of the tragedy that he barely survived going under. They tried their best to get him to the nearest hospital, but it was too late because he swallowed too much water, and there was no one trained in first aid to try to resuscitate him. He died while being transported to the hospital. 7News caught up with his grieving family today.
Here's how they explained what led to the tragedy:
Gilberto Mendez, Uncle of deceased
"My nephew jumped in the water and started to swim. The little boy from the neighbor cross the river and by the time he reach at the next side my nephew hollered 'come help me, I can't take it anymore, I am catching cramp, come help me.' The little boy turns back and got to him. My nephew held on to his shoulder but he slipped while the little boy was swimming. The little boy got tired because of the weight of my nephew. He slipped and went down into the water."
Ugly Collision In North
There was an accident on the northern highway on Saturday evening. It happened at 5:45 about a mile out of Orange Walk Town on the Yo Creek Road where Max Castro was driving a government vehicle and allegedly swerved into the lane of an oncoming vehicle driven by Dalia Marin Gonzalez, a teacher driving a minivan. Castro was stuck inside the vehicle as his leg were crushed while Dalia Marin Gonzalez was cut to the head and complained of pain to her left shoulder. Those on the scene say emergency responders were late, ill equipped and clueless; and eventually civilians had to remove the injured from the vehicle.
Castro was issued a Notice of Intended Prosecution for the offence of 'Drove Motor Vehicle without Due Care and Attention.'
Canine Customs Officer Makes Major Ammo Bust
We know all about the police canine unit - but recently Customs got their own such unit - starting out with three dogs. They didn't make a big deal - because they wanted to make headlines as well with real news of a meaningful bust. Well, that happened this weekend when a canine customs officer made a spectacular find, in the dark night, at the western border. We found out more today:
Jules Vasquez reporting
She may look like just another Labrador eager to get out and play, but Jesse the dog is a customs officer.
Now she may not have a stripe on her shoulder, and sure she plays around at work all day, but this
Canine Customs Officer has earned her playtime - with a major seizure of high powered ammunition this weekend. She found these 45 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition and 17 rounds of 5.56 Calibre ammunition near the western border on Saturday night.
That's when police and customs went down near the Mopan River after hearing the report of some gunshots:
Getting More Women Into Politics Begins With ...
The drive to get women into politics continues. The UNDP has teamed up with WIN Belize for a 4-day training in Gender and Elections. The training used what's known as the BRIDGE (Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections) program on electoral processes - and we found out today what the aim is:..
Carolyn Reynolds, WIN Belize
"Yes Belize is at the lower end when you look at women in political leadership. However in Belize we also will be having village council elections. This is a stepping stone towards achieving our goals of ensuring that more women put themselves up for office. The purpose of this training is to build the capacity and so we've been looking at the electoral process and how even in Belize we can use some of the temporary special measures that Belize has agreed to do when we look at the convention in relation to all forms of discrimination against women."
Participants include women from Village and City Councils, Tertiary Institutions, the Elections & Boundaries Department and mass parties.
Some In Cycling Community Say, "Move Out, Moreno!"
For months now - we've been reporting on the dispute in the Cycling Community. There's an power struggle in the Belize Cycling Association, where the old president Emil Moreno wants to be re-elected, but is encountering major resistance. Technically, the issue is whether the Cycling Association is a Federation: Moreno says it is and the international governing body for the sport agrees. But the Sports Council says it is not - and Moreno's former executive agrees. So, technically it's a mess, but really, the it's a personality problem. And that was clear on Saturday when some cyclists protested against their own president. 7news was there as they rode through the city:..
Jules Vasquez reporting
It's not a race, it's not a preview for some major cycling event: Saturday's procession through the city was a protest - to make everyone know they want order restored to the cycling community.
And as the chants suggest - that means the president Emil Moreno has to go. They gathered at the BTL Park - where the man who would be president Dion Leslie was there.
They signed a petition - and if you want to know what the petition was about: the answer is blunt.
Moreno Says It's Mischief Making
For the other side of the story, today we caught up with Moreno in Cayo. We asked him about the catalogue of complaints against him. He responded today calling it mischief-making and rumors being spread around:
Daniel Ortiz
"You were aware that there was a rally that is basically a campaign against having you being re-elected as president of the Cycling Association. The members of the cycling team we spoke to on Saturday are saying that they would rather you step aside and have a new president to run the organization. They are saying that you haven't done a good job for the 4 years that were elected. How do you respond to that?"
Emil Moreno
"That's their own opinion. Of course the last time we intended to have the election in Cayo riders came out here and the rumors were out that those riders were paid $50 to come out and protest the affair here. I don't know what the rally was all about in Belize City. I do know that I did get an email that Ms. Leticia Westby sent out with a notice that there will be a rally and what was the rally all about but over the social media you read a lot of stuff as well. In one of the letters sent to Mr. Pat Henry they want to re-elect the incumbent president, so I don't know what or who is behind all this mischief. Everybody knows what the financial position is. A main sponsor like Santino's used to sponsor events with the Belize Cycling Association but he has moved over to another league - the Weekend Warrior league. I have tried to have the Weekend Warrior come under the Belize Cycling Association's umbrella but they don't want."
Making Mahogany Municipal Fixtures
The Belize City Council will be planting a hundred more trees around the City. It's a part of the Council's tree planting project -which not only promotes a healthy environment but also aims at beautifying public spaces. The one hundred and ten mahogany trees were donated this afternoon by community activist Francis Gegg . 7news was invited to the small handing over ceremony.
Francis Gegg, Donated Trees
"It's in support of the City beautification project. City Council is doing a great job on improving the city and we have a supply of Mahogany trees at the little farm up the road and I wanted to contribute in a small way to that beautification process. One of the things I like about the Mahogany tree especially is the fact that it grows and straight and it creates a nice canopy eventually. Of course it's the tree that has made Belize famous over the years and for a long time was the primary source of our export wealth and we need to propagate more of them and give more attention to Mahogany."
Channel 5
2 Belizeans in Mexico drug bust
Two well-known Belizean businessmen from the north are in lockdown in Mexico City after what is considered the biggest drug raid in Chetumal on Thursday evening involving one of Mexico's most notorious drug cartels. Both men were caught in an alleged drug transaction at the house of a reputed Mexican drug lord when a surprise [...]
Youth says Berry drove vehicle over his back
On Sunday night, a seventeen year old was injured when he was hit by a private vehicle in the west.� The seventeen year old was injured and released from the hospital but his family has been making allegations that the incident was politically motivated. News Five's Duane Moody reports. Duane Moody, Reporting Seventeen year [...]
Government vehicle in Saturday evening collision
There is another traffic incident under investigation which occurred on Saturday at around five forty-five in the evening which involves a government vehicle. According to reports, a teacher from Yo Creek Village, Dalia Marin Gonzalez, was driving her Mazda SUV from Orange Walk to Yo Creek when Just about one mile away from Orange Walk [...]
Superbond takes over House
Details of the Superbond restructuring between the Government of Belize and Greylock Capital is now going to be heard in the House of Representatives at a special sitting this Tuesday. The government intends to issue debt securities in the forms of new bonds and the transaction size is five hundred twenty-nine million nine hundred twenty-eight [...]
Will there be fireworks at Orange Walk B.N.T.U. meeting?
Leaders of the Belize National Teachers Union, Public Service Union and Association of Public Service Senior Manager are currently going across the country presenting their wider membership with a salary adjustment proposal. So far the union leaders have been in Belize District, Dangriga and Punta Gorda. The media hasn't been allowed to sit in, but [...]
Foreign Affairs confident in a yes for the referendum
The Referendum is set for October sixth and government has announced that its official position in support of going to the International Court of Justice to resolve the dispute once and for all. At least to the sixty percent of the voting public h is required to validate the referendum and patriotic sentiment is already [...]
British Army coming back for a visit
In November of 2011, the British Army Training Support Unit closed up shop and headed home after citing financial constraints. But now, they might be coming back - or at least that's what Minister of National Security, John Saldivar, stated during his address at a B.D.F. passing out ceremony a week ago. Now that's big [...]
2 minors and 2 adults get in scuffle at school fair
Three males, who were socializing at the St. Catherine Academy Valentine Fair on Saturday night, became embroiled in a fight during the outdoor celebration. Despite twenty-five security guards, twenty police officers and six private citizens attempt to secure the compound, the three teens claim they were injured by an male that was a stranger [...]
Youth drowns in Cayo
An afternoon outing ended tragically for a fifteen year old. On Sunday afternoon, Jevan Guerra joined friends for a swim in the Mopan River in Benque Viejo del Carmen. Guerra, who had ventured out without parental authorization, reportedly experienced cramps and could not make it across the river.� Despite efforts from friends and people in [...]
Women Issues Network trains leaders
The Women's Issues Network is leading the charge to knock down stereotypes about the traditional roles of women. Win-Belize's Executive Director, Carolyn Reynolds, says that getting women involved in electoral politics and roles of leadership are priorities of their recent workshop in which thirty two women and five women are participating. At the conclusion of [...]
Custom's K-9 sniffs out border ammunition
The use of dogs is part of a push by the National Security Ministry to tract illegal drugs and ammunition at the different ports of entry. Over the weekend, the K-9 Unit and the Customs Department were on patrol along the western border. Several rounds of ammunition were found with the efforts of a special [...]
Cyclists protest for sport to move forward
The cycling community participated in a small demonstration over the weekend to show support to the sport and to highlight their displeasure with the current stalemate that has the association in limbo. The elections were postponed in November and January as there are two constitutions that the incumbent president and his competition are citing as [...]
Karate Kids fight across the border
The House of Shotokan on Princess Margaret drive, is only a stone's throw or rather a karate chop across from this station. Our neighbors have been successful in different karate events in Quintana Roo. Shihan Ray Kelly says that on Saturday his ten students participated in the Eagle Park Taekwondo competition. Shihan Ray Kelly, [...]
James Adderley and sporting highlights
Good evening, I'm James Adderley and this is Sports Monday. The turmoil inside the cycling community spilled on to the streets of Belize City as riders rallied against the continuing impasse between President Emil Moreno who is seeking a second term and the majority of the BCA members who are vehemently opposed to [...]
LOVE FM
Renegotiated Superbond Is Expected To Be Taken To The House of Representatives on Tuesday; Opposition Expresses Concerns
The House of Representatives will meet tomorrow in Belmopan. It is expected that government will bring to the meeting a motion dealing with the renegotiated super bond. It is also expected that the motion will be taken through all its stages tomorrow so that it can go to th...
Mesoamerican Reef Leadership Training Ends
Training in connection with the Mesoamerican Reef Leadership Program ended at the weekend in Placentia. ...
Police News
Police in Belize City are looking for twenty one year old Joshua Anderson in connection with an alleged robbery. A twenty year old man reported to police that on Saturday afternoon he was riding his bicycle on Oleander Street, when a man he recognized as Anderson, grabbed his bic...
Cayo Police Investigate Unauthorized Cashed Cheques for ProWorld
Police in San Ignacio town are investigating an incident which has been classified as a burglary at an office on the Benque Viejo road. The global project manager Pro World reported to authorities that on December twenty fourth of last year, someone cashed a cheque in the amount ...
Alleged Jealous Ex-Husband Lands Him On Life Support
Two people from Santa Elena town have been detained after an early Sunday morning incident in San Ignacio which has left a man on life support at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Thirty three year old Mariana Galvez and thirty eight year old Victor Perez are in police detention pend...
Men Charged For Causing Public Terror Following Stabbing Incident At A Fair
A stabbing incident on Saturday has left three people injured. Police say they visited the KHMH on Saturday morning where they observed eighteen year old Trevor Brown suffering two apparent stab wounds to the back, a fifteen year old minor with a stab wound to the left arm and a sevent...
Belize City Recovering From Gunshot
A shooting incident on Saturday night has left one person injured. Police say that around eleven thirty on Saturday night, they visited the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where they say twenty five year old Trevor Hinds suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the left side of...
Aspiring Women Politicians Engage In Forum
Since the 1960's, women have been making their presence known in the House of Representatives. But the scale at which they are elected has not been on the same level as is desired by groups that promote women participation at the National level. So today, 31 of Belize...
Teenager Drowns In The Mopan River
A teenage boy is reported to have drowned in Benque Viejo del Carmen on Sunday afternoon. According to reports, Rodney Javan Guerra was swimming in the Mopan River yesterday afternoon when he went under the water. His friends reportedly took him out of the water and adminis...
Weekend Traffic Mishap Involving Government Vehicle Leaves Two Injured
Two people were injured in a traffic mishap on the Yo Creek road on Saturday evening. According to police reports, thirty six year old Dalia Marin Gonzalez was heading towards Yo Creek village around five forty five on Saturday evening, when a vehicle, traveling in the opposite d...
A Minor and Three Men Charged Following Burglary In Buttonwood Bay
Three men and a 16 year old boy were charged with a burglary in which money and items amounting to over $18,000.00 when they appeared in court today. The adults are Cilo Cherrington, Lloyd Parchue and Kareem Yorke. They and the minor were also charged with handling stolen goods. Cherri...
Judge Gives Inmate Another Year After Being Busted With Marijuana In His Cell
Prison inmate Danny Urbina, who was charged with the possession of 34 grams of cannabis that was found in his cell, was sentenced to one year today by Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser after he pled guilty to the charge. Urbina was busted on Thursday, February 7. Prison officer Sylvano C...
Young Woman Hides Cannabis In Baby's Pocket
Twenty year old Maria Reyes, a resident of St. Margaret Village, located on the Hummingbird Highway, was charged with possession of a controlled drug for five grams of cannabis seeds were found in the back pocket of the pants of her one year old baby boy when she went to Belize Central...
CTV3
Two Belizeans Involve In Million Dollar Drug Bust In Mexico
Two Belizean Nationals and 6 Mexicans including two females are tonight enjoying the confines of Mexican Prison after they were arrested by the Mexican Navy during a major drug bust which yielded 45 kilograms of the synthetic drug known as crystal meth valued at one million U.S dollars. On Thursday February 8th well known Orange Walk businessman Ermelindo Vasquez aka Melin and Hugo Cassanova from Calcutta, Corozal were detained along with six other individuals including the Mexican drug lord of The Pelones in Chetumal, Carlos Caba�as Catzin AKA "El Monstruo." Mexican Newspapers suggest that a few days before the raid the Mexican Navy received reports that a shipment of crystal meth and precursors to manufacture methamphetamine would be shipped into Mexico from Belize. Here is that story.
On the afternoon of February 7th the Mexican Navy along with other federal agencies carried out their planned raid which led them to a major drug bust and to the arrest of 8 persons including Belizean Nationals Ermelindo Vasquez better known as Melin from Orange Walk and Hugo Cassanova from Calcutta, Corozal.
Just minutes before 6:00pm, two vans filled with Navel members belonging to the 25th Battalion Marines descended on Avenida Benito Juarez between Camelias and Justo Sierra, Colonia Jesus Martinez Ross with one aim, to raid the house of Carlos Cabanas Catzin Alias "El Monstrou", the Mexican Drug Lord of the Pelones in Chetumal Quintana Roo.
The marines, all dressed in civilian clothing, approached the house which was signal for their companions to begin deploying throughout the next two blocks and stopping traffic from entering Avenida Benito Juarez. Tenants renting apartments in a building adjacent to Catzin's residence were evicted in order to prevent any civilian casualties.
Ministry Of Agriculture Vehicle Involve In Traffic Accident
A serious traffic accident involving a government vehicle occurred at around 5:45 on February 9th just a mile into the road leading to Yo Creek Village. Thirty six year old Dalia Marin, a Belizean teacher from Yo Creek Village was driving a Grey Mazda Tribute heading to Orange Walk Town when a 2000 Blue Isuzu Pickup Truck with licence plate CY-B-949 belonging to the Ministry of Agriculture in Belmopan travelling in the opposite direction, swerved into Marin's lane and collided into the left front side of her vehicle. Driving the Isuzu pickup at the time was 31 year old Max Castro from Santa Rita Layout Corozal Town. As a result of the collision Marin sustained a cut wound to her head and complained of pain on her left shoulder while Castro sustained a fractured left foot and a cut wound to the right foot. As you can observe in the footage, both vehicles received extensive damage to the entire left front portion. After police investigations Castro was issued a Notice of Intended Prosecution for the offence of "Drove Motor Vehicle without Due Care and Attention.
Home Invasion Leaves 22 Year Old Terrified
A home invasion over the weekend has left a minor and a 22 year old mother and student from Orange Walk Town terrified. On Saturday afternoon around 1:30 Reina Reyes was inside her residence located on Cypress Street when two armed male individuals barged into the house. Once inside the house one of the individuals covered the mouth of the minor while the second proceeded to rob Reyes of her belongings including a laptop which she was using at the time of the home invasion. CTV3 News understands that the men made good their escape with $40.00 and more than $3,000 worth in items including a cell phone and laptop. According to the family police were called to the scene but by the time they arrived, which was in a timely manner, the assailants had already disappeared into the night. Police investigations continue.
Corozal Police Charges Two For Drug Related Crimes
Corozal Police have arrested 21 year old Israel Rancharan and charged him for the crime of Drug Trafficking after 100 grams of marijuana was found inside his home. On February 10th cops were set to search Rancharan's residence located on Venezuelan Site in Corozal Town. But even before the search began, Rancharan, who was hiding in some bushes bolted away managing to escape from police. A search of Rancharan's hiding area led police to the discovery of a yellow plastic bag containing 100 grams of suspected marijuana, a silver and black gram scale, a black scissors and a pack of plastic bags. Apparently, before the end of the day, Rancharan became tired of running from the law and handed himself over to the cops who charged him for drug trafficking.
Also on February 10th Corozal Police made a second arrest for drug trafficking. This time police were on mobile patrol on 5th Street South Corozal Town when they stopped and searched 37 year old Rafael Garrido of San Antonio Village who was on bicycle. Inside Garrido's mouth police found two transparent bags containing two grams of suspected marijuana. Garrido has been charged for Possession of Controlled Drugs.
OW South Rep. Says Sugar Roads Need To Be Upgraded
In last year's general election, PUP Representative Jose Abelardo Mai won over the Orange Walk South Constituency. Since then, Mai has been lobbying to get the road leading to San Felipe, Indian Church and San Carlos upgraded. It the past, Mai joined efforts with the Mennonite Community to upgrade a portion of the road leading to San Carlos. That proved to be good news for residents of the area especially those involved in the agricultural sector. Today when we spoke to Mai he demanded that the remainder of the road be fixed since, according to him, over half a million dollars has been paid out to Demar's Stone Company for the upgrading of the road from San Felipe to Indian Church to San Carlos. According Mai the half a million dollar contract was awarded to Denny Grijalva last year December and nearly two months after works are yet to commence.
Family Store Robbed At Gun Point
Five hours after the home invasion on Cypress Street there was a robbery on Saint Peters Street here in Orange Walk Town. According to the proprietor of the Family Store, Taiwanese National, Ken Fu Weh, at about 6:50pm two masked men rode up in front of the store on bicycles, entered the establishment and robbed Weh at gun point. Weh recalls that while one of the men pointed a gun to his head, the other jumped over the counter and began taking out the money from the cash register. The men who are of dark complexion were dressed in black long sleeves shirt, black jeans pants and wore black rag over their faces. In total, the thieves escaped with over $900 in cash and one cell phone. The Family Store has been opened for five years and this is the first robbery the proprietor has experience. Luckily no one was hurt and police investigations continue.
Our Lady Of Guadalupe Arrives In Orange Walk
And while Pope Benedict announced his sudden resignation, the presence of Our Lady of Fatima was more than visible here in Orange Walk Town as hundreds of Catholics marched through out the principle streets of town in the name of peace. Our Lady of Fatima has been crowned as the Queen of the World and every year the statue travels all around the world. The legend of Our Lady of Fatima dates back to 1917 when L�cia Santos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto saw what they described as a woman who is brighter than the sun. Through her apparition, Our Lady of Guadalupe exhorted the children to do penance and Acts of Reparation as well as making personal sacrifices to save sinners. According to L�cia's account, in the course of her appearances, the woman confided to the children three secrets, now known as the Three Secrets of F�tima. And today for the second year in a row, the statue of the Queen of the World appeared in Orange Walk Town this morning as hundreds of students and catholic based community members marched to La Inmaculada Parish for the crowning ceremony. CTV3 News was there and we asked Father Francisco Javier about the purpose of the Virgin's visit to Belize.
Pope Benedict To Step Down On February 28th
The Roman Catholic World has been plunged into intense speculation and is stunned after Pope Benedict the XVI announced today that he would resign on February 28th after less than 8 years in office becoming the first pope to resign in almost 600 years. In a statement that reverberated around the world on the social media, the 85 year old Pope announced his resignation at the end of a meeting of Cardinals at the Vatican this morning stating that his health is the reason for the surprise announcement. While the pope made his announcement in Latin the statement was translated in seven languages Italian, French, English, German, Polish, Portuguese and Spanish.
The last pontiff to quit in office was Pope Gregory XII, who stepped down in 1415 to end a civil war within the church in which more than one man claimed to be pope.
Unemployment Rate Is Sky High
The Statistic Institute of Belize has released its summary findings on Belize's Labour Force Survey. According to the findings, the unemployment rate has increased from 14.4% in April 2012 to 16.1% in September 2012. That means that over 24,000 capable persons in the country don't have a job. Cayo remains as the district with the highest unemployment rate at 18.6%. Not far behind is Corozal with 18.3%. On the other hand, the Orange Walk District has the lowest unemployment rate which is at 13.6%. The survey says that the hike is mostly attributable to downturns in the tourism, citrus and sugar industries as well as to an influx of recent graduates into the labour market.
When it comes to Ethnicity, the findings show that the Mayas have the highest unemployment rate of 19.3%. If we take a look at the situation by gender base the unemployment rate for men is at 11.9% while females have a jaw dropping unemployment rate of 22.4%. The survey also found that youths between the ages of 14 and 24 years are the ones most critically affected by unemployment, they stand at 30%. The survey targeted 2,550 randomly chosen households throughout Belize and completed responses were obtained from 2,225 households, giving a household response rate of 87 percent.
Super Bond Reaches House Of Representative
Tomorrow there will be a Special Sitting of the House of Representatives in Belmopan where the main order of the day will be the new terms and conditions of Belize's five hundred and fifty-four million US dollar super bond which the Prime Minister has been so tight lipped about. What we know tonight is that the Maximum Transaction Size is of five hundred and twenty nine million nine hundred and twenty eight thousand eight hundred dollars. The new bonds ill attract interest, payable semi-annually in arrears at the interest rates of five percent per annum from March 2013 to August 2017 and 6.767% from 20th August 2017 to 20 February 2038. The new bonds are expected to be issued by 31st march 2013. He new bonds shall be repaid in equal semi-annual installments commencing 20 August 2019 and the final maturity date is expected to be February 2038. More details on the new terms will be reveled tomorrow. But the PUP is up in arms tonight since it was not until late this evening that PUP Members of the House of Representatives and Senate received the text of the motion.