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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 February 24th, 2013 issue of The STAR (Cayo) is online HERE
This Week's Stories:
- Jerome Tillet Remanded For Attempt Murder:
A Ministry of Works truck driver,
charged with the attempt murder of
his sister's estranged common law
husband, is currently on remand at the
central prison in Hattieville.
The 911 call of a chopping incident
on Maxi Street in Santa Elena, Cayo,
was reportedly received by San
Ignacio police at 8:45 pm on
Saturday, February 16, 2013.
By the time the team of policemen
arrived on the scene, the injured man
had already been rushed, by relatives,
to the Community Hospital in San
Ignacio.
On the scene however the police
encountered and detained the suspect,
Jerome Tillet, 30, Belizean driver
also of a Maxi Street address in Santa Elena.
- Is Cotton Tree Village Dispatching
Criminal To Urban Communities?:
Last week we reported on the
violent attack upon San Ignacio Taxi
driver, Pedro Choc who remains in
critical condition at the Karl Heusner
Memorial Hospital in Belize City.
This week we report on the arrest
of the suspected attacker Alex
Anthony Reid, 24, Belizean laborer
residing in Cotton Tree Village around
mile 44 on the George Price
Highway in the Cayo District.
Police strongly suspects that Reid
is the man who whopped the taxi
driver with a piece of wood behind
the head.
Reid, who is no stranger to
San Ignacio, was picked out in an
identification parade by both the
brother and son of the victim.
Slapped with an attempt murder
charge, the accused Alex Anthony
Reid appeared in front of
San Ignacio's magistrate, Narda
Morgan, where the indictable charge was read to him. Being a
matter for Supreme Court hearing, no
plea was entertained. Reid was
remanded to the central prison in
Hattieville with instructions to
be brought back to court on
Wednesday, April 24, 2013.
- Allegations Of Theft From Pro World:
Two high ranking members from
PRO World Foundation are in
problems with the law as they stand
accused of making off with cash
belonging to the Foundation.
John Mundy, 27, British/American
Global Project manager for PRO
World, visited the police station on
Thursday, February 7, 2013, where
he reported that on Monday, January
28, 2013, he visited the Foundation's
office located at # 28 Benque Veijo
Road in San Ignacio with intention to
meet the local director, Akiesha Anderson to investigate the report of
missing funds. Anderson was absent
from the office and later sent Mundy
a text message allegedly informing
that she was resigning from the
Foundation.
- U.D.P Poised To
Win A Third Term:
Four months of rigorous
campaigning climaxed today at the
Andres Campos Civic Center in
Corozal on the occasion of the United
Democratic Party's National
Convention 2013. While thousands of UDP supporters,
from every corner of the
country, converged on the
convention site, the focus was on the
Party's 566 delegates from all 31
constituencies along with elected
municipal officials, senators and
members of the Party's Central
Executive each with one vote to cast
for the candidate of their choice to fill
the three contested positions of First
Deputy Party Leader, Party Chairman
and Deputy Chairman of the Party.
- Bradley Accused Of Trafficking In Drugs:
A well known Santa Elena man,
accused of drug trafficking, is today
out on a five thousand dollar bail.
Police reports that on Friday,
February 15, 2013, members of the
Mobile Interdiction Team (MIT), on
an anti-drug operation in Santa Elena,
Cayo found over one and a half
pounds of weed inside a house on
George Price Avenue.
The team, accompanied by a
senior Justice of the Peace, conducted
a search at the George Price Avenue
residence of Derick Bradley. The
search reportedly led to the
discovery of 781.1 grams of
marijuana, inside seven separated
black plastic bags, found inside the
cavity of a cement block in an interior
wall.
- International Raid Targets Illegal Timber Trade:
Interpol has announced that it
arrested nearly 200 people in a
wide-ranging international operation
against illegal logging and the trafficking
of timber.
The three-month effort spanned 12
Central and South American
countries, and $8m (�5.2m) worth of
timber was seized.
Interpol says the illegal logging trade
could be worth up to $100bn
world-wide.
It has also been linked to a rise in
murders and corruption, as criminal
groups move into remote forest
areas.
Interpol said officials had checked
lorries, ships and containers, as well
as retailers and individuals, seizing a
total of 50,000 cubic metres, or about
2,000 lorry-loads, of illicit timber.
More than 100 people remain
under investigation.
- Mexico Security Forces Colluded In Disappearances:
The pressure group Human Rights
Watch says Mexico has failed to
properly investigate human rights
abuses committed by the security
forces.
The group has documented almost
250 disappearances during the term
of former President Felipe Calderon.
It says evidence suggests that in
more than half of the cases the
security forces participated either
directly or indirectly in the disappearances.
HRW has called on the new
government to find the missing.
- Grenada Opposition Wins Clean Sweep
In General Election:
Preliminary results of the general
election on the Caribbean island of
Grenada suggest a landslide win for
the opposition New National Party
(NNP).
Election supervisors said the
preliminary figures showed the NNP
had won all 15 seats.
The governing National Democratic
Congress admitted defeat.
If the results are confirmed,
Keith Mitchell, who served
three terms as prime minister
between 1995 and 2008, will return
to power.
The main theme during the election
was the economic crisis.
- Deepest Undersea Vents Discovered By UK Team:
UK scientists exploring the ocean
floor in the Caribbean have
discovered an "astounding" set of
hydrothermal vents, the deepest
anywhere in the world.
Deploying a remotely-operated
vehicle (ROV) in the Cayman Trough,
they stumbled across a previouslyunknown
site nearly 5000m below
the surface.
Video pictures relayed live back
to the research ship mounting the
operation show spindly chimneys up
to 10m high.
They are belching out dark water -
"a stunning sight", one scientist
said.
In the immense pressure of the sea
three miles down, the ROV, known
as ISIS, was gently steered around
the vents, taking pictures and
gathering samples.
- Investing In The Caribbean:
By Joseph Doway
Someone asked me this week,
where are investors all flocking to
certain islands or regions within the
Caribbean, and neglecting others. My
answer was simple. Kudos to the
government and the people of those
countries that accept change and
development. As advisors to
investors and developers of hotels and
resorts in the 2006 to 2009 period,
we were always asked to do studies
on the destinations where these
developments were to take place.
Consistent and transparent policies
hold the key to economic
development of any country or island,
which then help to boost its efforts to
attract foreign investment.
- Haiti's 'Baby Doc' Duvalier Bids To Avoid Court:
Haiti's former ruler has filed a
last-minute appeal with the Supreme
Court to avoid appearing in court
on allegations of crimes against
humanity.
Jean-Claude "Baby Doc"
Duvalier was due to attend a
hearing in the capital, Port-au Prince,
on Thursday afternoon or face arrest.
The ex-leader, who returned to
Haiti in 2011 after 25 years in French
exile, has already missed two
hearings.
He denies all charges, with his
lawyers saying the case should be
thrown out.
Mr Duvalier's chief counsel,
Reynold Georges, earlier told
journalists that the ex-president would
not attend Thursday's hearing.
- Hugo Chavez Returns To Venezuela After Cuba Cancer Care:
Venezuelan President Hugo
Chavez has returned to the country
after receiving treatment for cancer in
Cuba.
In three messages posted on
Twitter, Mr Chavez, 58, thanked
Cuban President and ex-leader Raul
and Fidel Castro.
He also thanked Venezuelans for
their support and said he would
continue treatment in his home
country.
He has been president for 14 years
and was re-elected for another
six-year term in October 2012, but
his swearing-in was delayed because
of his illness.
- India's Hyderabad Hit By Two Explosions:
Two explosions have killed 12
people in the southern Indian city of
Hyderabad, in what Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh labelled as a
"dastardly attack".
The blasts that hit the city in Andhra
Pradesh were 10 minutes apart,
police said. Television images showed
casualties being rushed to hospital.
India's home minister said bombs
had been planted on bicycles 150m
(500ft) apart near a crowded fruit
market.
Major cities have been put on alert
as police probe the cause for the
blasts.
- China Cultural Revolution Murder Trial Sparks Debate:
The trial in China of an elderly man
accused of murder during the Cultural
Revolution has sparked online
debate.
The man, reportedly in his 80s and
surnamed Qiu, is accused of killing a
doctor he believed was a spy.
The Cultural Revolution, launched
by Mao Zedong in 1966, was an
era of violence against intellectuals
and other alleged bourgeois
elements.
Some have questioned why one
man is on trial so belatedly when so
few officials have been brought to
account.
- China's 'Leftover Women', Unmarried At 27:
Over 27? Unmarried? Female? In
China, you could be labelled a "leftover
woman" by the state - but some
professional Chinese women these
days are happy being single.
Huang Yuanyuan is working late
at her job in a Beijing radio newsroom.
She's also stressing out about the fact
that the next day, she'll turn 29.
"Scary. I'm one year older," she
says. "I'm nervous."
Why?
"Because I'm still single. I have
no boyfriend. I'm under big
pressure to get married."
Huang is a confident, personable
young woman with a good salary, her
own apartment, an MA from one of
China's top universities, and a wealth
of friends.
- Facts Related To Death Of 17
Year Old Of Toledo District:
The Ministry of Health would
like to state the medical findings in
relation to the death of a seventeen
year old female of Golden Stream
Village, Toledo District.
The patient first visited the Big Falls
Health Center on March 19th, 2012
where she was treated for a chronic
abdominal condition and released.
She later returned to the clinic on
March 22nd, 2012 where she was
diagnosed with a chronic disorder.
She received a blood transfusion at
that time and was hospitalized for a
week at the Punta Gorda Hospital for
observation before release by her doctor.
- STAR Humor
- Your Weekly Horoscope and Lucky Numbers
- Letters to the Editor
- Public Notices
The San Pedro Sun
Wolfe's Woofers: Modern Art
Modern Art isn't for everyone, as we learn when Dennis mistakes a particular installation as a sale piece.
Wildtracks receives James A. Waight Award
The Belize Audubon Society (BAS) annually presents a person or organization with the prestigious James A. Waight Award. The award is in honor of one of BAS's founding members, James A. Waight. Recipients of this award have to have contributed either nationally or locally to the conservation and enhancement of Belize's environment. Wildtracks is a nonprofit organization located in the Corozal District dedicated to the conservation of Manatees, Howler Monkeys and Spider Monkeys. Co-founders, Paul and Zoe Walker, originally from the United Kingdom, moved to Belize in 1987 and have since been working on the preservation of Belize's endangered species. In 1990 they created Wildtracks for the conservation of natural life. Both Paul and Zoe saw the need to conserve the dwindling numbers of the Wildtracks-James-A-Waight-Award-3Antillean Manatee and in 1999, they established the Manatee Rehabilitation Program. Later on in 2010 the Primate Rehabilitation Centre was added to Wildtracks' compound. So far, Paul and Zoe have successfully seen the release of three Manatees and nine Howler Monkeys back into the wild. Wildtracks together with the assistance of Belize Forest Department, has enabled the Wildlife Program to implement a zero tolerance policy on illegal trafficking of monkeys as pets in Belize.
Doctor Love: Should I change to win her?
Dr. Love is tasked with many questions, and this one is hard: the object of affection likes bad boys, then dumps them when they change. Does one posture or keep it real?
Misc Belizean Sources
February 10, 2013 - February 16, 2013 Fishing Report
Leyland M. brought a nice group from his Orvis Bellevue Store. Reggie showed up fired up casting to the bonefish in front of the lodge before he had time to unpack. We had big wind and changing wind, but each day the boats came back with incredible stories. We had a lot of beginners to the salt this week - and now these anglers have just upped their game. It's fun to talk about steelhead that are scattered about in the rivers of the Pacific Northwest, and the difference between casting to water you believe a fish lives vs. a permit or tarpon coming mock speed to you and you need to get the cast there, and now! This fishing brings about personality changes. I'm proud of our adult learners. Keeping it fresh is about learning and challenging ourselves. Once again casting out a line brings in more than we ever expected. Thanks for a fabulous week of fun.
Strings of Love Concert Pictures
It was an amazing night of music at the Benque House of Culture Friday night. Not only did Trina Basu and Arun Ramamurthy wow the audience by playing some of their favorites, but the Cayo Music School was also there, and played some great music from Belize, and Benque. The Benque House of Culture deserves a big commendation for making this concert happen.
Thirteen German Shepard Puppies - 1 Day Old
Our dog Chaya had 13 puppies the other night, bringing our grand total to 18 guard dogs! It was quite an experience. There were 12 there when we went to bed, but surprisingly, lucky number 13 popped out sometime during the night. This is a movie of their first day in Belize at Lower Dover Field Station & Jungle Lodge in Unitedville.
Photo of the Day: Belizean Outhouse
As many times as we've ridden by this surprising sight on our bikes, we've never stopped to take a photo until today. It used to have a sheet metal structure partially enclosing it, but awhile ago, that structure disappeared. Here's a closer look.
This is the only public toilet north of the bridge that we are aware of -- maybe on the whole island! Belize is not big on public restrooms.
Don't Judge a book by it's cover
When we were walking home from town yesterday I told Dennis I wanted to go to the last roadside fruit stand across from Banyan Bay to get some mini plums on our way home. They have become one of my favorite healthy treats while cleansing - a cheap snack at $2 a bad. When we stopped there I saw some corn on the cob that was still in the husk and looked really good since I had been I had been craving corn recently so I decided to get some. Usually I buy the package kind here that is partially husked an it has never let me down on taste. In this case looks were deceiving, after we cooked it we found out it was cow corn and not so tasty. Instead of throwing it away, we decided to blenderize when we make our squash soup.
Believe It or Not: My First Trip to Lazy Croc's BBQ, the Island Is As Busy as It Gets!
Lazy Croc's Barbecue on Ambergris Caye has been famous for a few years now. Residents and visitors to the island RAVE about the food. A mention of Lazy Croc's pulled pork sends them into a trance. And when they closed temporarily in 2012 (with no indication that they would ever re-open), more than one threatened to leave the island.
It's not just Southern U.S. BBQ that is so loved in San Pedro, it's this place in particular...it's almost a cult.
Believe it or not...I had never ever dined here. But with a friend visiting (which always means an eating-fest) and a lift on a golf cart, it was time to get up there. And I found out that many had the exact same idea.
International Sources
PHOTOS: At the Beach
Sand grains magnified 110-250 times reveal each grain is unique. Every grain of sand is a jewel waiting to be discovered. That's what Dr. Gary Greenberg found when he first turned his microscope on beach sand. Gemlike minerals, colorful coral fragments, and delicate microscopic shells reveal that sand comprises much more than tiny beige rocks.
Author and photographer Dr. Gary Greenberg is a visual artist who creatively combines art with science. He has a Ph.D. in biomedical research from University College London and holds 17 patents for high-definition 3-D light microscopes. Dr. Greenberg lives in Haiku, Hawaii.
Deepest Undersea Vents Discovered By UK Team
UK scientists exploring the ocean floor in the Caribbean have discovered an "astounding" set of hydrothermal vents, the deepest anywhere in the world.
Deploying a remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) in the Cayman Trough, they stumbled across a previously-unknown site nearly 5000m below the surface.
Video pictures relayed live back to the research ship mounting the operation show spindly chimneys up to 10m high.
They are belching out dark water - "a stunning sight", one scientist said.
In the immense pressure of the sea three miles down, the ROV, known as ISIS, was gently steered around the vents, taking pictures and gathering samples.
One of the people "piloting" the ROV said seabed smokestacks remind him of "the industrial Midlands".
Hydrothermal vents are among the strangest features of the deep ocean and their existence was not known until the 1970s. Since then they have been discovered at about 200 sites around the world including the Southern Ocean and the Atlantic.
VIDEO: UK scientists discover world's deepest sea vents
UK scientists exploring the ocean floor in the Caribbean have discovered an "astounding" set of hydrothermal vents, the deepest anywhere in the world.
Deploying a remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) in the Cayman Trough, they stumbled across a previously-unknown site nearly 5000m below the surface.
The vents blast out some of the hottest water on the planet - it is 400 degrees centigrade.
And they have found some unusual wildlife living alongside.
Tagged seals help find missing piece in global climate puzzle
Researchers pinpoint fourth known source of bottom water, a crucial oceanic heat-sink.
By tracking the voyages of elephant seals off Antarctica, and with the help of satellite imaging and undersea sensors, researchers have discovered a long-elusive source for the deep-ocean streams of cold water that help to regulate the Earth's climate.
Antarctic bottom water (AABW) is cold, highly saline water that forms near the shores of Antarctica. Being denser than typical seawater, it sinks to the depths and then moves north in sluggish currents that spread across the globe.
Three sources of AABW were known until now. The first, in the Weddell Sea, was found in 1940; two others were found in the Ross Sea and along the Ad�lie Coast of East Antarctica in the 1960s and '70s. But for years, researchers have suggested that these were not the only ones. In particular, water samples from an area called the Weddell Gyre contain atmospheric pollutants known as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), indicating that the deep water came into contact with the air far too recently to have been carried there from one of the known AABW sinks.
Now, Kay Ohshima, a physical oceanographer at Hokkaido University in Sapporo, Japan, and his colleagues have traced that water to a fourth AABW source, in the Cape Darnley polynya. Their results are published today in Nature Geoscience.
A deep sea mission of genuine exploration
From being a totally unimaginable feature of the deep ocean throughout most of human history to being shown live on global television earlier this week, hydrothermal vents have never been so well understood.
Now back on dry land after broadcasting on the latest work on the research ship James Cook in the Cayman Trough, I'm still picking up messages from people amazed at getting such an extraordinary vision of the reality of the deep sea.
Technology is transforming the way in which we can view our planet. The star of the show is ISIS, the remotely-operated vehicle equipped with HD cameras despatched as an emissary into the unlit depths.
5 Ways Belize is Beautiful
Belize is a beautiful country well worth exploring. It's simple, natural, and full of many kinds of friendly people who all seem to get along, despite their differences. And, beyond all of the theoretical reasons Belize is a great country, it's just simply fun with new adventures around every corner. We wanted to give our kids a break from the consumer-based culture in the States. We wanted to teach them that stuff is not as important as experience and that material objects only weigh on your soul. We could think of no other way to do this, as Americans, than to move to a country like Belize for a short time.
Our desire to pare back our belongings as well as teach our children about the trap of stuff led us on this journey. We are in Belize for six months to take a break from America and the 'more is more' mentality.
In Belize, progress is coming at a slower pace than we're used to in the United States. People live a simpler life, for a variety of reasons, but the end result is the same: less stuff and more soul.
PHOTOS: The Dogs Of Caye Caulker
We have spent a week in Caye Caulker, Belize and we wanted to share some photos of our adventures on the island. We have been giving some of our collars out to the local dogs and spending time hanging with the beach dogs. Here is our photo recap of week one�.
Our Home Away From Home
The people who own the vacation rental property I'm staying at have 2 dogs. Coincidentally, one of them is a young Doberman Pinshcer, named Bosco! He absolutely reminds me of Logan at this age. Lanky and kinda crazy. They have their calm moments, but will quickly jump up on a whim. His older sister is Reef, and she is equally as adorable. She looks like a red lab-cross. I've had so much fun playing and spending time with these 2, as they greet me on my porch almost every time they hear me come outside.
I've also been able to watch Bosco do what the Doberman is bred to do - guard and watch. There are nights, he'll join me on the porch, and he sits and leans on my legs. Ears up, listening and watching through the fences. It's absolutely amazing. Watching him dart through the dark night, when he thinks he hears something suspicious and quickly returning back to me on the porch. All I can think about is how much Logan would LOVE to meet Bosco and actually get a chance to 'guard'.