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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 latest Tia Chocolate column is ready for reading!!!
Defiant, Part III:
Somehow, her life started getting back on track. She had hated the feeling of dependence, especially when her son looked at her like she was the only person in the world that mattered. In a few months, she had felt the kind of fierce love and possessiveness she had only heard of. She had thought that once upon a time, she had loved her baby’s father, but looking into the soft brown eyes of her innocent little boy, she knew that was nothing compared to what she felt now. If life was to work out, she would make every effort, if only for the tiny human being that depended on her.
The San Pedro Sun
Captured croc tortured to death in San Pedro
For the last several weeks the American Crocodile Education Sanctuary ACES team has been concentrating on capturing and relocating problematic crocodiles in the San Pedrito/Airstrip area of San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye. Permitted by the Belize Forestry Department to address crocodile problems in Belize, ACES had been asked to remove crocodiles from the area due to safety concerns in regards to their proximity to the tarmac. Neighbors in the area have also asked ACES to remove the crocs as some have lost their dogs to the opportunistic predators. With a netted trap setup in a canal alongside the airstrip, the team routinely checks to see if a croc has been captured. When they are successful, scientific data is collected on the animal and then it is relocated far away from people or detained in a permanent holding facility. Over the weekend, local children pulled one of the captured crocodiles from the ACES trap and brutally tortured it to death.
Zillah Flota is Miss Chiquitita 2013-2014
It is a pageant held as a fundraiser for the San Pedro Pre School, and this year, four little beauties went onstage in the hopes of capturing the tiara and title of Miss Chiquitita. At 8PM on Saturday May 4th, the pageant kicked off with a dance number that introduced each of the girls: Zillah Flota, Seydi Francela, Destiney Gonzalez and Emy Segovia. The crowd that gathered at the Central Park was enthusiastic in their applause and encouragement of each child, and it was apparent that the five judges would have a hard time handing down their decision. Felix Ayuso, Yakarelis Hernandez, LilianaNuñez, Caitlyn Stolley and Marivel Gomez were tasked with judging the girls on their poise, talent and overall charm and performance on stage. Melly Badillo and Dalinda Guerrero were the tabulators for the evening.
PM Barrow returns from SICA meeting in Costa Rica
The Prime Minister of Belize Dean Barrow is back in the country after attending a meeting of Heads of State of the Central American Integrated System (SICA) of which US President Barrack Obama was a guest. The SICA meeting took place in Costa Rica on May 3rd and 4th and the highlight of the meeting was a meeting of the regional SICA Heads of State with President Obama where issues related to the regional economy, drugs and security were discussed. The SICA meeting was planned to coincide with Obama’s visit to Costa Rica on the invitation of President Laura Chinchilla. According to official media releases from Costa Rica all Heads of State of Central America including Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, an open critic of Obama, was present. The Central American leaders, in speaking to President Obama highlighted that if there is not increased cooperation on behalf of the main consumer of the drug (United States), the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime will not be enough. , said Salvadoran President Mauricio Funes.
Ambergris Today
San Pedro Dominates in Mahahual, Mexico Fishing Tournament
The Governor's Fishing Cup XXII Mahahual 2013 was a total success as the crew of the vessel Hook Line & Sinker of San Pedro Belize, took first place with a score of 9,435. Nobody could exceed 314 lbs of the stunning blue marlin caught by the vessel "Hook Line + Sinka", claiming to be the big winner of the fishing competition.
According to reports, the 314-pound blue marlin caught by the fishermen of San Pedro is the largest in an official tournament and is a historic catch. Team "Hook Line + Sinka" consisted of Captain Joshua Reyes and fisher folk - Kevin Kelly, Alby Godoy, Ricky Marin and Kim Kelly.
Flashbacks: Casita over the Sea
Fishermen and tourist guides have always found it fascinating and a convenience to build small ‘bodegas’ or storage space on the pier and very close to their operating stations. Most fishermen would build these ‘bodeguitas’ over the lagoon on the west side of Ambergris Caye. There they would store fishing lines, hooks, sinkers, rod and reels, nets, hook sticks, and even diving masks and fins. The next day it is very convenient to pick up the equipment and put it into the boat for another day at sea.
The tourist guides, on the other hand, would build their ‘bodeguitas’ on the east or front side of Ambergris Caye. There they would store, let me see, masks and fins, snorkels, sun block, and perhaps a dive tank or two.
25 Years Ago: Strange Home Remedies to Remove Head Lice!
A lot of parents used the extermination method, more or less as we would use an insecticide to get rid of all kinds of insects, mosquitoes, flies, roaches etc. Therefore they would rub the head with kerosene, yes kerosene, until it was fully moist. Not oblivious of the fact that kerosene was sort of a harmful chemical, some parents opted to use Dettol, a brand name of a disinfectant. Dettol was used to disinfect hospitals and homes, the floors and walls of bathrooms as well as the basins and toilet bowls. Imagine walking about with smell of Dettol coming from your head.
Misc Belizean Sources
Crime Reports in Belize
interesting new website. see how long they stay at it.... belizecrime.crowdmap.com
National Bank of Belize
A National Bank of Belize is on its way. The Belize Social Security Board (SSB) funds will form part of bank’s pool.
Minister Joy Grant: “We intend to accept deposits and turn this into a full-scale bank…”
Minister of Energy, Science and Technology, and Public Utilities Joy Grant will head the new National Bank of Belize, which Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced will be established to force commercial banks to revisit their interest rates, but which will also serve as a vehicle through which the Government will supply an initial $20 million for residential mortgages at a rate of 6.5%.
“This is a wonderful idea whose time has come…” said Barrow, adding that, “We mean to take it to the limit where this thing is concerned… We expect to be giving people a better return on their deposits than the commercial banks are doing.”
US oil company to restart drilling operations in Belize
Treaty Energy Corporation, a US-based energy company, has announced a new operational structure for its subsidiary company, Treaty Belize Energy Ltd, along with the recommencement of drilling operations in Belize.
Treaty Energy Corporation's CEO, Andrew Reid, announced that Max Mohamed has been appointed to be the president and CEO of Treaty Belize Energy Ltd.
Mohamed is a geologist and has been overseeing Treaty Energy's exploration for oil in Belize, pertaining to the two hundred thousand acres of Princess Petroleum's onshore concession. Treaty Belize Energy has drilled three wells so far on the concession, the San Juan #1, San Juan #2 and San Juan #3.
While in the process of drilling on San Juan #3, a Supreme Court ruling was issued against the government of Belize, concerning several offshore concessions, including the Princess Petroleum Concession. Two of these offshore concessions included a small acreage onshore, one of which is the Princess Petroleum Concession.
VIDEO: Total chaos at the vital statistics / registration office in Belize
You would think with the new office for the vital statistics that things would have improved but, exactly the contrary is true. People stand and wait for hours at a time only to get the news that they will have to come back tomorrow or they lost the application. Some folks had been coming back for days to get the same results. The air is thick with anger and frustration as the sole guy searching trough the chaos of mixed up papers exchanges curse words with one of the guy that just got told to come back making you wonder how long it will take for a riot to break out. Something has to be done A.S.A.P. because whatever they are doing IS NOT working.
VIDEO: Silk Cayes Marine Reserve
Join us on a day tour, two tank dive-snorkel combo as we depart from Placencia Village. Silk Cayes aka Queen Cayes is a protected area and managed by S.E.A. Belize "Southern Environmental Association"
The Gladden Split & Silk Cayes Marine Reserve lies within the central region of the Barrier Reef off the coast of Placencia Village.
Thanks for sharing and choosing Belize as your vacation destination.
Bleach My Bones Demo Video
Rick Galvez, aka the Nudist, has the demo video for his song Bleach My Bones out. It's interesting, to say the least. Cayo has some great talent. Give it a watch. If you like it, Rick plays at the Soul Project all the time.
Ariel Rosado Memorial Education Foundation
The Ariel Rosado Memorial Education Foundation has scholarships available.
"The Ariel Rosado Memorial Education Foundation is pleased to invite applications for the following scholarships for academic year 2013 – 2014. The Foundation emphasizes that once applicants are accepted into a program the main criteria for consideration is financial need.
High School Scholarships tenable at any recognized High School in the country of Belize covering the cost of all Fees, Tuition and Books for a maximum of 4 years"
Education Week at the SIPL
The San Ignacio Public Library is celebrating Education Week by inviting the local schools over for some storytelling and fun. Today, they had Sacred Heart Primary students from infant 1 and 2. Happy Education Week!
Belize Coalition at AGRIC
The Belize Coalition to Save Our National Heritage had a booth at Agric, and they got a lot of pictures of people enjoying their exhibit. They had games, prizes, and educational activities for their guests.
"The Belize Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage would like to send a heartfelt THANK YOU to all the volunteers who came out to assist us at the National Agriculture and Trade Show! Thank you as well to all who visited our booth and took the time to interact with us and learn about our organization, the petroleum industry, and Belize's offshore and onshore protected areas! Together, you all made our booth a success and we look forward to your support at future events!"
Cancer Society Open Day
The San Ignacio branch of the Belize Cancer Society is having its first event in Cayo. This Saturday, May 11th, at 9am, at the Cayo Welcome Center, they'll be having their Open Day. There will be information booths, medical professionals, and BFLA reps there to answer questions.
Smart River Challenge Results
Smart had their River Challenge at Agric Saturday morning. Here are the results from the race. Great job guys!
"Smart and the Belize Canoe Association would like to Congratulate the winners of the Smart River Challenge held on May 4th and would also like to thank all the teams that participated."
Vegetable Rice
In this video I used my new rice cooker to make an easy rice menu with with shrimp, chicken and vegetables. This meal was simple to make and very tasty and filling.
Channel 7
Finally, It Begins: Caleb Vs. GOB
The case of Caleb Orozco against the Government of Belize started today before Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin. Unless you’ve been under a rock somewhere, you’ll know that Orozco is challenging the constitutionality of Section 53 of Belize’s Criminal Code which says that quote, “every person who has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any person or animal shall be liable to imprisonment for ten years.” Orozco says that violates his right to privacy, dignity and equality as a gay man. In a case that has become an international cause célèbre, he is joined by the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, the Human Dignity Trust, and the International Commission of Jurists. On the other side is the Government of Belize which is joined by Roman Catholic Church, the Belize Church of England Corporate Body, and the Belize Evangelical Association of Churches.
That’s Gay rights, and human rights on one side, and Church and state on the other – bigger than any heavyweight legal fight we’ve ever seen. After months of agitation and buildup, it finally started today, the first round in this culture war between public morality and individual freedom of choice.
Daniel Ortiz was in court all day, and here’s his report.
Coro Police Caught With Contraband Gas?
A cell phone video posted on YouTube shows Corozal police filling up their patrol pickup with fuel in Santa Clara village. The video claims that the gas is contraband. If true, that would seem to be a super-embarrassment for police, but the police press office, coolly put out a release today explaining the circumstance.
The release says, quote, “On May 6th at…2pm, Corozal police mobile unit while in the execution of a Supreme Court Order in the village of Santa Clara, Corozal in the recovery of a tractor that was in dispute between members of (a) family, ran out of fuel. The police were offered assistance and were refueled by a member of the family with just enough to make it to an official Service Station. A video is now being shown on the internet initiated by an aggrieved family member from whom the tractor was recovered… showing the police mobile being refueled by…a member of the family who is now in the possession of the tractor….”
Woman’s home Burned Down, After Same Fate Befell Sister
In early March we told you about the murder of 23 year old Abel Arana in Hattieville. That was followed by the torching of Tifarrah Usher’s Hattieville home. Why? Because she is the sister in law of the man who is believed to have shot Arana. No one was arrested, and now another the home of another Usher sister has burned down. Just after midnight, Messelina Usher got the call that her house in Hattieville was burning. Messelina is the girlfriend of the man believed to have killed Arana. Today she told us how all this retaliation has turned her life upside down. She says she’s certain they broke into her house and burned it down.
Messelina Usher - Hattieville Home Burned
"You will see where they pulled out the horse and staple to open the door to get inside - I guess it's from inside the fire started."
Jules Vasquez
"Now you don't think that the fire started spontaneously. You believe that someone did it - that this is arson?"
Messelina Usher
"I believe this is arson and I believe it's the same person that burnt down my sister's house.
Hunger Hurts Students Chances At Success
As the old creole saying goes, “empty crocus bag cyaahn stan’ up” – it means that if you haven’t eaten, you won’t be good for much. Well, multiply that by ten, for a young student who hasn’t eaten and is expected to sit in a hot classroom and listen to mostly boring teachers wax on while their belly is growling like a caged jaguar.
Indeed, hunger is a reality in many schools across Belize – and now the Ministry of Education is trying to address it with the launch of a school meals programme. It’s already up and running and feeding kids in the Belize and Stann Creek districts – but it was officially launched today. 7news was there when lunch was served.
Dr. Candy Armstrong - Director of Education Support Services
"The Ministry of Education is currently providing 100% funding for the three School Meal Programmes in two districts, Belize and Stann Creek. A mid-day meal is provided for all students who are beneficiaries to this programme. In addition, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, students receive De-worming tablets, vitamin A supplement, access to dental care and they engage in regular activity while they are at school."
"Crazy’s" Sentence Concurrent, Not Consecutive
Last night, we told you about 29 year-old Michael “Crazy” Arnold who was convicted of a second rape charge in the Supreme Court. He pleaded guilty the offence and Justice Adolph Lucas sentenced him to 15 years. We said it would run consecutively with the remaining 10 years of his current sentence for a previous rape conviction. That was an error. In fact, Justice Lucas' actual ruling was that the new sentence is to run concurrently with the previous one, not consecutively.
So, he will only serve a total of 15 years in prison, not 25 as we had reported.
Belize Fisheries Blacklisted By EU
The European Commission has blacklisted Belize and 7 other countries for illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and it could have far-reaching consequences for our fisheries exports.
The blacklist was announced two weeks ago when the European Parliament's fisheries committee voted to list Belize, Cambodia, Fiji, Guinea, Panama, Sri Lanka, the Togolese Republic and the Republic of Vanuatu.
This decision is described as the first of its kind, but at this time, does not include any trade sanctions. That could change though, and if the situation does not improve, the European Union could impose a ban on selling fisheries products from Belize to that trading bloc.
Woman, Daughter Terrorized in Belmopan
Last night 7:00 a business woman of the Maya Mopan area near Belmopan was terrorized in a coordinated, armed attack.
39 year old Miriam Navarette – a Guatemalan Business woman was closing her Grocery Store when three armed, masked men wearing gloves and forced their way inside.
One of the men was armed with grabbed her by the neck and put the gun to her head while another man grabbed her 12yr old daughter.
The two females were pushed inside their adjoining house and the men closed the door while another kept watch outside with a rifle. After assaulting a 42 year old man in the home, and snatching up three hundred dollars from the cash register and assorted electronics and jewelry, the men left, firing shots into the air.
Cycling Election Overturned
A month ago, we told you about the challenge from Daniel Cano in relation to the Western Elections for the Cycling Association.
On April 7, the National Olympic Committee held elections in the western region and former Cycling Association president Emil Moreno was re-elected as president along with vice president Gilroy Requena.
Cano challenged the results on the grounds that members of the cycling community were allowed to register on the date of the elections, and allowed to vote. That was contrary to an agreed upon deadline, and the Olympic Committee should not have allowed those late members to vote.
Well, after several weeks of deliberation, the Protest Committee of the Olympic Committee decided last night that he’s right, they should not have voted. As a result, the elections from April 7 are voided and new elections will be called. They have not set a date as yet when those new elections will take place.
African American Actor Wole Parks Got “It” From His Belizean Mom
Last year we told you about Wole Parks, the African American Actor with Belizean roots. For Wole, his Belizean roots aren’t just happenstance, he says they are an integral part of his identity and shape the way he navigates the entertainment world. That’s because he was raised by a strong Belizean Woman, Lillette Parks a former teacher at St. Hilda’s. He says apart from rice and beans and chilmole, Lillette Parks also gave him the confidence and the attitude to thrive in a competitive environment. He’s been in Belize since Saturday – and before he left today, he gave us an interview.
Monica Bodden Reporting
Wole Parks plays "Manny" in Premium Rush, a 2012 major Hollywood action movie in which he is the pumped-up rival of the star, Joseph Gordon Levitt. Parks is a first generation American son of a Belizean mother Lilette Parks and a Tanzanian father whom he never met.
He credits his mother for his success.
New High Commissioner Cometh
Last night we told you all about the embarrassing legal flap that the British Foreign Office was put through after former British High Commissioner to Belize John Yapp was abruptly sent packing in 2008. A British Court found that it was improperly done, and with no good reason – after he was insubstantially alleged to have inappropriately touched a woman’s backside.
That was five years ago and now there will be a new British High Commissioner to Belize – the second since the Yapp incident. The commission sent out a release today informing us that Peter Hughes has been appointed British High Commissioner to Belize to take the place of to Pat Ashworth, who will be retiring from the Diplomatic Service after three years in Belize.
Hughes will arrive in August.
Channel 5
UNIBAM: Gay all the way to the Supreme Court
The church is threatening fire and brimstone, calling homosexuality an abomination and is praying for the protection of section fifty-three of the Criminal Code. But notwithstanding all that, Caleb Orozco is having his day in court, or in this case, a week in which Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin will hear arguments from attorneys representing Orozco, [...]
15 attorneys fighting the UNIBAM case
In the case of Caleb Orozco versus the Attorney General of Belize, the Attorney General is being represented by Crown Counsels Nigel Hawke, Gillian Smith, Herbert Panton and Magali Perdomo, while the Church, as an interested party, is being represented by distinguished attorneys Eamon Courtenay, Rodwell Williams, Michel Chebat, Jacqueline Marshalleck and Christopher Coye. Today [...]
Treaty Belize Energy Limited to proceed with oil drilling despite court ruling
Two weeks ago, Justice Oswell Legall ruled that six oil contracts were null and void. Today, there is news that Treaty Energy Corporation, the parent company of Treaty Belize Energy Limited, is proceeding with plans to continue drilling operations. In the ruling, Justice Oswell Legall invalidated the offshore oil concessions granted between May 2004 and [...]
Do you support decriminalizing sodomy?
And tonight’s question is: Do you support decriminalizing sodomy? Yes or no. Send your comments and responses using your SMART phones to 8686 or post your vote on our e-poll at channel5belize.com. You can also send an email with your comments to [email protected]
Cops and contraband fuel caught on camera
A citizen journalist’s cell phone video capturing police in the act has gone viral. The video of uniformed cops at a house allegedly known for dealing in contraband fuel was taken by a man who had a run in with the law over his tractor. The cops removed the tractor and then a man is [...]
Europe blacklists Belize for illegal unreported unregulated fishing
Belize has been blacklisted by the European Union among eight countries that are considered non-cooperative in the fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. The list also includes Cambodia, Fiji, Guinea, Panama, Sri Lanka, the Togolese Republic and the Republic of Vanuatu. On April twenty-fourth the European Parliament’s Fisheries Committee adopted a measure that [...]
A house where murder was committed goes up in flames; family believes their lives are at risk
A house went up in flames in the dead of the night on Wednesday in Hattieville. The house was vacant because the owner, Messalena Medina had moved to Belize City. She had been receiving threats ever since the March fourth murder of Abel Arana which occurred at the same house. Medina believes she at risk [...]
Vigil to pray away gay on the cusp of UNIBAM case
On the eve of the landmark trial of Caleb Orozco against the Attorney General, hundreds gathered at the steps of the Supreme Court. Emotions were running high among the faithful; they all had different views but they mostly want to leave section fifty-three of the Criminal Code as it stands. Mike Rudon has a report. [...]
New British High Commissioner appointed to Belize
The appointment of a new High Commissioner has been announced by the Foreign Commonwealth Office. Pat Ashworth, who has been serving in Belize for a number of years, is retiring from the British Foreign Service. His successor is Peter Hughes, who has tremendous diplomatic experience having served in Australia, the Caribbean, South Asia, Afghanistan and [...]
Couple survives robbery in Belmopan
Thirty-nine year old Miriam Janet Navarette, a Guatemalan businesswoman of Maya Mopan, reported to Belmopan police that her store was robbed by a team of three armed bandits on Monday night. Shortly after seven o’clock, the trio entered Shalon Grocery on Bethel Street where they proceeded to relieve her of three hundred dollars from the [...]
5 family members robbed a cab driver
A group of five family members including a fourteen year old minor was today arraigned on a single charge of robbery. Allegations are that last Saturday, the group robbed taxi-driver, Nestor Galindo of his personal items including a cell phone and radio. On arraignment, they appeared before Magistrate Dale Cayetano. Charged were siblings: Cathelee Reyes, [...]
Father argues with granddaughter and daughter chops him
A misunderstanding among members of a Belize City family, in the wee hours of Monday morning, has resulted in charges being brought against fifty-three year old Medardo Cocom and his stepdaughter. Cocom reported to police that sometime around one o’clock he had an argument with thirty-four-year-old Chriselda Cabanas at their Custard Apple Street address, when [...]
Shift of funding from tertiary to primary level?
Following today’s launch of the Southside Feeding Program at the Skills Training Center on Magazine Road in Belize City, the media had a chance to discuss the future of the Ministry of Education’s plans during Education Showcase 2013. Minister Patrick Faber has often referred to a focus on primary school rather than tertiary level to [...]
Ministry gives free food to needy students on south side
A healthy diet helps to keep school children attentive in the classrooms but many families are having a tough time in providing proper and regular meals to their children. This morning, the Ministry of Education launched the Southside School Meals Program which will provide free meals to needy students. Thirteen schools from the south side [...]
Young basketball players return from King James Classic
A contingent of young Belizean athletes has returned to the jewel after playing friendly games against US high school basketball teams. While the host teams were more experienced in techniques, the local athletes also proved their mettle on the basketball courts. On hand were recruiters looking for potential talent. News Five’s Isani Cayetano reports. [...]
LOVE FM
Day One Of Orozco vs Attorney General of Belize Concludes In Supreme Court
The most awaited court challenge of Caleb Orozco Vs. the Attorney General of Belize gave way in the Supreme Court this morning. The case which was scheduled to begin at 9:00 am got off to a late start at about 10:30 a.m. The court was packed to capacity as representatives from both sid...
Belizeans Assemble For Prayer and Vigil Against Homosexual Issue
Hundreds of Belizeans assembled in the vicinity of the Supreme Court last night on the eve of the much publicized case of Caleb Orozco and the United Belize Advocacy Movement, UNIBAM challenging the constitutionality of Section 53 of the laws of Belize. The Churches had called on all B...
Belize Action Fears Introduction of Homosexuality Teachings In Classrooms
In September 2010, the United Belize Advocacy Movement (UNIBAM) along with its Executive Director, Caleb Orozco filed a case in the Supreme Court of Belize challenging Section 53 of the Criminal Codes of Belize. Currently, section 53 of the Criminal Code of Belize states: "E...
Ministry of Education Sees Decrease In Students Sitting PSE
Yesterday an estimated seven thousand three hundred and ninety one Standard 6 students throughout Belize sat the second and final part of the Primary School Examinations- a decrease of about one hundred and forty two students according to Principal Education Officer for National Exams,...
Man Assaulted by Step-Daughter
MEDARDO COCOM 53yrs D.O.B 05.11.59 Belizean Carpenter of # 4350 Custard Apple Street, Fabers Road Belize City reported that on 06.05.13 at about 1:00am while at home he had a dispute with his step daughter CHRISELDA CABANAS 34yrs D.O.B 23.09.78 Belizean Domestic of same address. As a r...
Search At Fish Market Yields Suspected Cannabis
On Wednesday 1st May, 2013 at 7:50pm, police were on mobile patrol in the Conch Shell Bay area and conducted a search at a fish market located on West Collet Canal, Belize City. The search led to the discovery of a transparent plastic bag containing green leafy vegetable substance susp...
Four Men Face Charges For Firearms, Ammunition and Marijuana
Police have charged four men for possession of possession of controlled drugs and kept firearm and ammunition without a gun licence. Police say on April 22 police conducted searches on 34-year-old Jeffery Murrillo, 22-year-old Windel Gibson, 34-year-old Ignatius Garcia and 49-yea...
City Council Causes Delay In Burial
There was another glitch involving a grave spot, this time at the Eternal Garden Cemetery at mile thirteen on the Western Highway. An anonymous relative of the deceased who was laid to rest today called Love News to the cemetery where they arrived at four this evening to cond...
Forest Fire Sets Two Storey Structure Ablaze
A two storey-building at miles 29 on the Southern Highway caught ablaze due a forest fire as many residents of Miles 29 on the Southern Highway believe. Our News Room received information that a two storey building just in front of the Georgetown Technical High School in the...
Feeding Program Rolls Out With Funding From Ministry of Education
The Ministry of Education Youth and Sport officially introduced its School Meal Program- a feeding program that is being funded fully by the Ministry. Three schools in the Stann Creek and Belize Districts will benefit from the program in its initial stage. According to Dr. Candy Armstr...
Four Adults and A Minor Arraigned on Charge of Robbery
Five persons, one of them a 14 year old girl, were charged with robbery when they appeared today in court today. The adults are 27 year old Kareem Williams, 19 year old Kevin Alvarez,19 year old Keisha Westby and 23 year old Cathelee Reyes. They and the minor pled not guilty to the cha...
Belize and Australia Team Up To Protect Barrier Reefs
The fragile Belize Barrier Reef eco-system has come under constant threats due to global warming and the effects of climate change. But while we have very little control over Mother Nature’s effects, we can control how we care for these natural wonders by the way we develop...
Belize Gets New British High Commissioner
A new British High Commissioner to Belize will take up his post later this year. Peter Hughes OBE will succeed Pat Ashworth, who will be retiring from the Diplomatic Service. Hughes will take up his appointment during August. Hughes began his diplomatic career in 1985 as ...
CTV3
Video Captures Police Refuelling Police Vehicle With Contraband Fuel
A video showing a police officer attached to the Corozal Police formation refueling the police vehicle with what is believed to be contraband fuel has gone viral and is causing quite a stir in the social mediums. We could describe to you what exactly was captured in the video but instead we’ll let you see and judge for yourself. To view the video click on the following link.
http://youtu.be/p-S5zOa8qZ4
If you were left in wonder, the hierarchy of the Belize Police Department wasn’t. Here is what they say happened. According to a police report, on May 6th, 2013, at approximately 2:00pm, Corozal police’s mobile unit ran out of fuel while one of the officers was executing a Supreme Court Order in the village of Santa Clara. The uniformed police officer was in the midst of recovering a tractor that is presently in dispute between members of the Correa family when he noticed that the vehicle was running low on fuel and would not make it to the gas station. The officer was offered assistance by a member of the Correa family, who is allegedly a well known contrabandist. The man, according to police, gave the officer just enough fuel to reach the nearest service station. Police say that the video was taken by an aggrieved family member from whom the tractor was recovered and given to the member of the Correa family who refueled the police vehicle. What ever the case, we’ll see where the investigations will lead or if anyone will be charged for that matter.
Miss Diosa Maya Is Named Miss Rotaract 2013
As we told you earlier on in the newscast Miss Diosa Maya Internacional Grisel Carballo was one of the 8 Rotaractors who represented Belize in this year’s Rotaract 18th Bi District Conference held in Tegucigalpa Honduras from the 1st to the 5th of May.
During her participation in the Bi District Conference, Carballo completed another milestone as she was named Miss Rotaract 2013 and won an award for the best Arabian Costume.
Grisel Carballo Miss Rotaract 2013
“The Friday night was the Arabian night it is just a night that they called and everybody had to go with an Arabian custom of their own and there was competition for best custom and I got that award for best costume, the costume was designed by me, I made it on my own and I am proud to say I won that award and after the dinner we had the presentation for Mr Rey Feo our Rotaractor, Mr Rotaract and Miss Rotaract and I went up for Miss Rotaract and I also got that title. I won Miss Rataract for 2013 and my presentation was based upon, I went up there and I described my country and I talked about the Mayan culture and I talked about the diverse culture of our country, population and the geographic location of our country and it was more of an informative and persuading them to come and visit our country.”
Minor Charged For Drug Trafficking
A fifteen year old minor from Orange Walk has been arrested and charged by Orange Walk Police for the crime of drug trafficking. Since the individual is a minor, we are unable to reveal his name but what we can tell you is that yesterday at around 11:00am police searched a residence located on Royal Palm Street where the 15 year old minor in the presence of his father handed over a black plastic bag containing 286.8 grams of cannabis.
This morning the minor appeared before the Orange Walk Magistrates Court where he was charged for drug trafficking and offered bail which he met.
Belize Receives Four Awards At 18th Bi District Conference
From May 1st to the 5th 2013, more than 100 youth from Central America including 8 from Belize converged in Tegucigalpa Honduras for Rotaract’s 18th Bi District Conference. Among those representing the country was former president of Rotaract Orange Walk, Stephanie Acosta and member Grisell Carballo. On a yearly basis, Rotaract hosts a Bi-district conference for all Rotaractors from the countries of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panamá to commemorate the past year and plan for the coming year.
Stephanie Acosta – 18th Rotaract Bi District Conference.
“The purpose of this conference is to select the new leaders for the upcoming Rotaract year and also to select and present awards for the various club and individual outstanding Rotaractors. The countries that participated are those that belong to the two Rotaract districts 4240 and 4250. Now Rotaract clubs from 4240 consist those from Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Nicaragua, and Belize is part of the 4250 district and so 4250 consist of Belize, Guatemala and Honduras, so Rotaractor from all those clubs were present at this by-district conference.”
Guinea Grass Resident Remanded For Firearm and Ammunition Offences
On Sunday afternoon 24 year old Vildo Westby, a Belizean laborer of Guinea Grass Village in the Orange Walk District, was detained by police after one air pistol containing one .22 live round was found in the ATV he was driving and 15 .22 live rounds of ammunition was found on him.
As mentioned last night Westby was detained pending investigations and yesterday afternoon he appeared before the Orange Walk Magistrates Court where he was charged for prohibited firearm and ammunition. Since the Magistrate Court does not offer bail for a firearm offence, Westby has a period of ten days to apply for bail at the Supreme Court level.
Belize Represented In International Body Building Competition
This year Belize will participate for the first time in the Mr. Hercules Olympia Body Building Competition that will take place this weekend in Colchester, London where the world’s top-form bodybuilders will participate in the power event of the year.
Rigo Vellos, who recently won 1st place in the Corozal Bodybuilding Competition in the Senior Category held this past weekend, also won 1st place in the Habet and Habet Mr. Physique Competition which was held in Placencia over the Easter weekend. Vellos is also the current 2012 Mr. Belize title holder and plans to defend the title in this year's Mr. Belize. But the road to the competition proved to be no easy task for Vellos who had to raise funds to cover for his flight, food and hotel accommodation. We will keep following this story and bring the results of the competition as soon as they are made available.
Belize's Foreign Minister Heads To The OAS
By now you may be acquainted with the fact that the Belize/Guatemala Referendum has been called off by both countries. In Belize the announcement was made by Prime Minister Dean Barrow during his first quarterly press conference held on April 29th. The move was first made by Guatemala who wanted Belize to amend its referendum laws from a sixty percent voter turnout to a simple majority so as to level the playing field. While Guatemala has practically announced to the world that they are backing out of the referendum, Belize is yet to be officially informed about the country’s position. All indications are that the official information will be divulged during a meeting scheduled to take place between Belize’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington, Guatemala’s Foreign Minister Fernando Carrera and the Secretary General of the OAS Miguel Insulza. The meeting is scheduled for tomorrow at the OAS headquarters in Washington. We understand that the opposition will also have representation in the meeting as former P.U.P Leader John Briceno will be present. Included among the topics that will be discussed are the Adjacency Zone and the future of the December 2008 special agreement between both countries.
A Story Of Resistance Opens At The Corozal House Of Culture
The Corozal House of Culture is presently hosting an exhibition entitled “A Story of Resistance” in Belize and is expected to continue through the month of May and the first week of June. The exhibition is being carried out by the National Institute of Culture and History, NICH, with the aim of educating, primarily the students.
Debra Wilkes Gray, Corozal House of Culture
“This is an exhibit that we are very excited about and it is called a story of resistance in Belize and it was produced by the Institute of Cultural and Social Research under the National Institute of Culture and History.”
Irvin Aragon – Reporter
“What is the purpose of the exhibition?”
Debra Wilkes Gray, Corozal House of Culture
“It is educating people in the development of Belizeans as a country and there are crucial moments in time that has helped shape this country so with this exhibit, it is a visual documentation of recorded moments such as the labour movement, such as the Mayan resistance slavery, women even a timely piece right now which is the Guatemalan claim to territorial here in Belize.”
A Visit To The Optometrist Free Of Cost
Visiting the Optometrist is very costly here in the country of Belize, but today a group consisting of 24 undergraduates and 2 practicing Optometrist from Memphis Tennessee were in the Village of Caledonia in the Corozal district rendering their services in eye examinations and providing eye glasses and temporary relief eye drops to those who needed it most free of cost. The team works under the umbrella of the Praying Pelican Mission, a group of missionaries who travel across the globe assisting countries in need in several areas including in the health sector. Today reporter Irvin Aragon along with Cameraman Kenric Simpson travelled to Caledonia where they paid to the optometrist.
Irvin Aragon – Reporting
The cost of adequate health care in Belize is very high, including a visit to the Optometrist. Many Belizeans refuse to visit an “eye specialist” because of the high cost that one needs to pay especially if the optometrist recommends the use of eyeglasses. Often at times, the problem is not as serious as the patient might believe but the lack of regular checkups, in the longer run, does result more expensive.
Annual Festival Of Arts Brings Talent Alive
Today, primary schools from across the Orange Walk District participated in this year’s annual Festival of arts which forms part of the long list of activities scheduled for Education Week celebrated from May 5th to the 17th. In the morning the audience was elated by students of the rural communities and in the afternoon students from the various primary schools within town took to the stage bringing to light their hidden talent. Victor Castillo reports.
Victor Castillo - Reporting
Today the Banquitas House of Culture was the venue for this year’s Festival of Arts forming part of the week of activities scheduled for Education Week. Over 15 primary schools, eight of them from rural communities, participated in this year’s event. As students took to the stage, talent came alive as they presented under the categories of drama, dance and music.
Leroy Green – National Coordinator For Expressive Arts
“Well it is the second half of the Orange Walk Primary School festival of arts and so the children are showcasing their talents in drama, dance and music. They are not being judged because it is not a competition, they are being adjudicated in the sense that the adjudicators’ reports will go back to the schools and these define the standards that they are at and how they need to go and improve in teaching and producing items of arts. My role at the ministry is that I travel from district to district holding workshops with a team in drama, dance, music and creative writing, motivating teachers to teach it as a regular subject in school. The festival of arts is one of the ways in which we assess what the teachers are actually doing at school where arts are concern.”