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The San Pedro Sun

Guest Editorial: This Neverending Immigration Scandal
I wrote the note below a few days ago because I needed to express what I was feeling as a Belizean about the latest manifestation of corruption in the immigration department. This business of selling our identity for a metaphorical thirty pieces of silver must come to an end once and for all. It has gone on for far too long in multiple ways through multiple governments and has hurt the country immeasurably. Yesterday morning, I listened as the Prime Minister disavowed former Minister Penner (whom he had previously fired after learning about Citizen Kim) and expressed his desire that Penner resign his position as a representative in the House, stating essentially that the UDP was done with Penner. It was a big step for the leader of a country in which political calculations almost always outweigh thoughts of what’s best for the nation in the minds of those who run her affairs. In that context, the PM is to be commended for walking away and risking further narrowing of an already narrow majority of House seats. But it isn’t enough. Penner hasn’t been punished nearly enough to either learn a lesson or to serve as a deterrent to others who would follow his example.

The Belize Police Department reports a decrease in major crime in 2013
The Belize Police Department has released the latest crime statistic, reporting a slight decrease in crime for 2013 as compared to 2012, and an increase in arrests for the year. In the months of January to September of 2012, a total of 2,070 crimes were reports as compared to 1,845 that have been reported from January to September 2013. The numbers show that major crimes have decreased by an estimated 11%, and has fallen is all districts except Stann Creek and Toledo. Those districts experienced a rise in major crime.

Ambergris Today

Erick Santizo Attends International Course for Physical Education Teachers
San Pedro High School’s Biology Teacher/Volleyball Coach, 22 year-old, Erick Santizo attended a four day International Course for Physical Education Teachers in Tortola, British Virgin Islands from Friday, October 4, 2013 to Wednesday, October 9, 2013. The International Course for Physical Education Teachers was held under the auspices of The North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) Confederation through the Regional Development Center in Dominican Republic. There were 21 teachers who finished the course, hailing from Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Belize, Curazao, Montserrat, St Kitts & Nevis, St Vincent & Grenadines and U.S. Virgin Islands.

Saga Halloween Spooktacular
Saga Howl-o-Ween Spooktacular bring out the entire family and pets for a fun filled day at BC's Bar on Sunday, October 27, 2013. There will be lots to eat and drink! Great Raffles and Live Music! Pet Costume Competition at 2:30pm Prizes for Scariest, Funniest, Cutest, Best Couple (Pet and Owner) and Most Original! Don't Miss Out!

Pic of the Week: Monster Lobsters in Belize
They do exist! We have posted pictures of these giant lobsters on our Flashback posts and thought that they were a thing of the past due to overfishing. But Jody Leslie hit the jackpot when he went fishing last week and came back home with these two Monster Lobsters, as he called them. You don't need more than one to fill up your plate or belly!

Foreva Fancy Holds Second Annual Fashion Show
Foreva Fancy High Street Fashion Boutique in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, held its second annual exclusive fashion show on Saturday, October 19, 2013, at Kama Lounge where 18 local models showcased the latest in high street fashion for 2013. Belize City television personality Indira Craig was host to the fashion show at the ultra posh Kama Lounge. Those in attendance were treated with a spectacular runway show that showcased the newly stocked clothes of the island boutique. The final segment of the show highlighted the theme of the rave after party which followed the runway presentations. It was an evening of high fashion, entertainment and beautiful models.

The Hot Ducunu With a Hot Jingle!
"Dorian’s Angels" are always on the lookout for the latest buzz in town! This week we bring to you the ever-popular “Hot Ducunu”! That’s right this delicious Belizean treat is hitting the streets, and the tables, of La Isla Bonita with a bang! Most street vendors have a horn or bell announcing their way down the streets of town so that one can rush to buy their delicious treats, but this particular island character has quite an interesting jingle that gets stuck in your head. Mark Anthony Fitzgibbon, most commonly known as “Soft and Tender”, sings his jingle down the street with much enthusiasm and delight. From the smallest child to the oldest adult, everyone knows the jingle “Hot Du Cu Nu – Hot Tamalitos”! For those of you who don’t know what a Ducunu is, let me explain! This is a tamalito made of corn and is rich in flavor. Ingredients include fresh onion, coconut milk (or evaporated milk), butter or vegetable oil and salt. The corn is husked and the greener leaves are used to wrap the tamal. All the ingredients are blended together and placed on the green leaves and placed upright on a pot and but to boil. The dish is usually eaten as is or accompanied with delicious stew chicken.

5 Lessons I’ve Learned from Blogging about Belize
I started blogging on January 3rd 2010 as part of my New Year’s resolutions. I had decided that I wanted to improve my writing and was searching for a place to share my thoughts. For the first two years I wrote on a blogspot.com account and later graduated to host my own blog at Belizeadventure.ca. Today I’ll share a few lessons I’ve learned since I started blogging with the hope that more people in the Belize tourism industry write about Belize and work together to generate a bigger buzz that will benefit everyone. 1. You don’t need to be an excellent writer to get started Don’t let anyone tell you that your writing isn’t good enough for you to blog. However, I’m not saying that you will write as if you’re sending text messages with pals who can finish your sentences. I remember after a year of blogging i went back to my first posts and had a good laugh at all the mistakes I made; writing constantly improved my writing significantly.

Misc Belizean Sources

10th Annual Saga HS Halloween Party
Are you ready for a barking good time? Join Saga Humane Society this Sunday for the BEST party of the year. Sunday Oct. 27 11am-4pm at BC's on the beach. There will be games, raffles, silent auction, food and laughter.

EDUCATION IN BELIZE: STRESSING THE POSITIVE (FROM CHALLENGES TO SOLUTIONS)
In many of my articles I focus on suggesting urgent changes that should/could be made to Belize’s Education system. I also encourage Education policymakers and educators to stop living in the past, and start adapting teaching methods that are more in line with 21st Century ways of working, learning, and living. However, I realize that being human we tend to be very sensitive, and my repeated promptings, i.e. “we should or should not” and “let us or let us not”, may eventually end up annoying the very people who the promptings are meant to inspire and/or stir to action. Therefore, this week’s article focuses on highlighting positive actions that are/can be taken by many parents and educators in Belize who work everyday with young people. Stressing the positive to our Youth, through our actions, is most effective, and provides them with memorable consequences and lessons that can help them grow and mature. Parents and educators who make concerted efforts everyday to provide positive examples, at home and at school, for young people to follow are Belize’s greatest heroes.

Lower cost insurance for low-income Belizeans
On September 30, 2013, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Insurance Corporation of Belize (ICB) signed a technical cooperation agreement to jointly finance a project to develop and implement sustainable micro insurance solutions in Belize. The project is designed to increase formal insurance coverage for lowincome people throughout the country. The aim is to provide affordable property and agricultural micro insurance coverage that is specifically tailored to the needs of beneficiaries in rural and agricultural areas, as a means of maintaining income levels in the event of weather-related losses affecting the crops, houses and properties of insured persons. The agreement was signed by IDB President, Luis Alberto Moreno and Thomas Erdulfo Nuñez, Chief Executive Officer of ICB, at the 16th annual FOROMIC in Guadalajara, Mexico. FOROMIC is the leading conference on micro, small and medium enterprise development in Latin America and the Caribbean.

STOP SIGNS AND NEMO HURRICANE AWARENESS SIGNS GO UP IN SAN PEDRO! (8 photos)
Several STOP signs were placed in the San Pablo Area and the D.F.C. Area and Hurricane Awareness signs were placed downtown.

Metal Haven Bash Tickets
Metal Haven concert tickets go on sale this week. Ascenthium, No Te Creo, Emendo, Lisergia, and As Moonlight Falls will be rocking Benque on November 2nd. "Tickets go on sale this week! they will be sold at Corozal, Orange Walk , Belize city, Belmopan and Cayo! Updates on the locations will come this week! Here's an idea of how the tickets will look! Remember its $25 before $30 at the door"

Wildlife Medicine in Cayo
Medicine and Conservation in the Tropics sounds like a great course, and New Mexico State University is offering it to their students, who'll get 3 hours of credit for the class. Students will learn Wildlife Medicine at the Belize Wildlife Referral Clinic, and have trips to the Green Iguana Conservation Project, the Belize Zoo, and Xunantuich. "There's a Wildlife Medicine in Belize class over spring break! Check out this flyer here and if you're interested contact Dr. Tim Ross at [email protected]"

Cayo Highlighted in Brickell Magazine
Cayo and the San Ignacio Resort Hotel really steal the article that just came out in Brickell magazine. The article, Breathtakingly Belize, starts on page 130. Oddly, they didn't post many pictures of Cayo, instead going for the overused sea shots, but they do have the SIRH and Cahal Pech. "Adventure reigns in this part of the country and I learned a lot on this leg of the trip about The Great Outdoors. The most amusing being that male iguanas have 2 penises; the most useful that bags of water on a table will keep the flies away; and the saddest that the average lifespan of butterflies is less than a month...but at least they’re drunk on nectar the whole time! A brief jaunt to Chaa Creek, an award-winning eco-luxury lodge with its own on-site organic farm and open-air spa, yielded encounters with tree monkeys, tail- thrashing black iguanas and elusive jaguars, among many other critters. Bring water and a spray mister if you visit: There’s no A/C on site. My favorite part of the experience in this part of Belize was by far the people. They are a sweet, peaceful bunch. A walk through the neighborhood features quaint little shops, small businesses operating out of homes and lots of roadside farmer’s markets."

Be her Breath Video Release
Melonie Gillett released the video for 'Be Her Breath' in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month. It's a touching video, shot around Belize, and it features cancer survivors, and their familes. They have some good signs, including, 'Live, Love, Laugh,' and 'Cancer Sucks.' Kim Simplis-Barrow has positive messages throughout the video. In related news, there will be a cancer walk this Saturday starting at Esperanza, and ending at the Cayo Welcome Center.

Cristo Rey Family Fun Day
Cristo Rey had their Family Day Sunday. Looks like they had some good food and fun games.

International Archaeology Day Exhibit
The Institute of Archaeology celebrated International Archaeology Day by having an exhibit at their main office in Belmopan. They got many great pictures of the event and the primary school students that were able to attend it. Dr. Jaime Awe, Antonio Beardall, and the rest were there celebrating the event and imparting their knowledge of archaeology. Daniel Meza, of New Life Presbyterian School in Orange Walk, won the poster competition. Thanks, IA!

SHC Auditorium Gets Basketball Court
The Sacred Heart College auditorium now has a basketball court painted on it. Thanks, BECOL. You can see the auditorium this weekend at the SHC Fair and Business Expo, which will be Friday and Saturday. "More walls have been added to the Sacred Heart College auditorium. And a basketball court has been added."

Snorkeling at Ambergris Caye
In addition to being close to Belize City – an hour and a half boat ride away or ten-minute Tropic Air flight – Ambergris Caye and San Pedro are ideally situated for snorkeling – an activity you can’t miss while in Belize. The island offers quick access to the Barrier Reef and is in close proximity to some of the better known snorkeling spots in . You’ll have two choices: either a snorkel in town — for days when you want to stay close to shore — or sign up for a half- or full day snorkel tour by boat. All of the snorkeling areas worth experiencing require a boat ride and a licensed tour guide – but the marine life and coral you’ll see is well worth it. Here are the best snorkel spots in and near town:

NOVA scienceNOW : 32 - Profile : Arlie Petters
How does a poor kid from Belize become one of the world's premier researchers in the esoteric field of gravitational lensing? Hard work and persistence help, as NOVA scienceNOW reports in this profile of Arlie Petters, Professor of Mathematics and Physics at Duke University.

Channel 7

Penner Returns From Guate, Stull Giving No Indication of Resign, Remain or Face Recall
Cayo Northeast Representative Elvin Penner returned to Belize from Guatemala yesterday morning at 10:00. Accompanied by his parents, he came right through the western border - didn't check in at the Immigration Desk - and proceeded to his home on 10th Street in San Ignacio. Today, Penner went to Spanish Lookout and when he returned home to find waiting media he refused comment and said that he had to meet with the Prime Minister - who's not returning until Friday. That suggests that he is still seeking some cover from his party - and even though the party has abandoned him - apparently, he's not quite ready to blow the whistle on other public officials who may have their own Immigration racket going.

PUP Gets Sufficient Signatures To Trigger Recall
But, the recall is moving forward, or at least we think it is. 14 days after the Leader of the Opposition's Resign or be Recalled ultimatum expired, and 16 days after the party started its signature drive, the Party today announced that it has collected the required number of signatures to trigger a recall. Deputy Leader For The West Julius Espat explained via phone this evening:.. Hon. Julius Espat, Deputy Leader - PUP "We have 1,758 petition signed that are vetted by us. The 30% based on the last list that we have, that would give us the 30%." Jules Vasquez "As we saw with Oceana referendum attempt, they had a super abundance of signatures. However, a fair number of the signatures were not approved." Hon. Julius Espat, Deputy Leader - PUP "We vetted them on the ground. We have an operational office there; we do it with photographs and everything. Then every now and then we sent it up to the Party headquarters. The Party headquarters have another team there made up of mostly attorneys that are going through that portion of the list."

Second City Murder In Two Weeks
And if Penner-Gate wasn't still such hot news, the headline tonight would be another Belize City murder. We say another because after a three month break from killing, October has reported two murders in two weeks. The most recent happened on Friday night, just before midnight at the corner of Hyde's Lane and New Road, a stone's throw away from the Queen Street Police Precinct, where a gunman rode up and shot 28 year old Deon Yorke twice. He was immediately rushed to the KHMH where 45 minutes later, he succumbed to his injuries. This weekend, the media spoke with his family, and they opened up to us about how devastating his loss has been for them. Here's how that conversation went: Lafaye Lewis, Girlfriend of Deceased "There were two gunshots but my mind wasn't on him because I don't know him as somebody that goes over that side of town. I was sitting down with my friends and I ask them if they heard the gunshots and told me yes. A young lady ran and yelled Lafaye, its "Didi" and by the time I ran to see who it was the police was already taking him to the hospital."

Man Died From Smoke Inhalation As He Slept In Burning Home
When we left you on Friday - there was speculation that 33 year old Michael Reynolds had been killed inside his home on Sister Mary Benedict Street in Belize City house and burnt up. But, investigators say that's not what happened. A review of all the evidence suggests that he came home from a night on the town, possibly inebriated, got home, plugged in electricity he was using from his neighbor and fell asleep in his chair. The wires weren't well connected, started to spark and caused the fire. Contrary to reports, there were no signs of violence on the body and A post mortem examination certified the cause of death as Asphyxia due to Third Degree Burns by Dry Heat. Police also say that the door to his house was locked. All of those factors have caused them to conclude that there was no foul play, and it was an accidental death.

Division In CWU: Stevedores Soldiering On With October AGM, NTUCB Backs Them Up
In August, it made headlines when CWU President Antonio Pancho Gonzalez, under extreme pressure from the stevedores, agreed to an annual general meeting on October 26, 2013. He said that audited financials would be presented and that he would not run for office again. Fast forward two months - and we are on the doorstep of October 26th - and, guess, what, moves are afoot to delay the meeting! On Friday a meeting of the representatives of 15 department and firms where CWU has members, 13 voted to put off the AGM until next year February. That's because the financials still aren't ready, the union is nearly broke and it can't afford an AGM. Well, the stevedores aren't having it, and neither is the National Trade Union Congress of Belize. The NTUCB sent out a release this weekend saying, quote, "reliable reports have reached us, that the CWU is abandoning their proposal to convene the Congress...A word of caution to the bargaining units of the CWU - be forewarned, that since the existing "executives" has not lived up to its legal obligations, under Chapter 304 0f the laws of Belize, you run the risk of being decertified should you proceed with endorsing this evolving CWU proposal."

Man Shot In City
26 year-old Steven Lambey, a resident of Reggae Street, continues to receive treatment at the KHMH after he was shot last night. At around 11:25 Lambey and 18 year Elroy Perdomo were riding on Central American Boulevard, and when they arrived in front Kings Store, someone fired gunshots at them. Perdomo was struck in the left ankle and leg, while Lambey suffered injuries to the right side of his abdomen, and his right calf. Both men were taken to the KHMH, where Perdomo was treated and released. Lambey was admitted in a stable condition. Police have since detained 1 man for questioning.

GSU Sting Operation Nets 100lbs of Weed, Disrupts Arenal Connection
We've known the GSU to make effective raids and seizures, but it seems they've deepened their bag of tricks, and are tonight reporting just under a hundred pounds of weed netted in a sting operation. The GSU set up an undercover agent to set up then purchase 100 pounds of weed. It was set up on Saturday October 19th and went into motion between on and Sunday October 20th where 30 year old Anibal Gabino GARCIA, from Arenal, and 28 year old Sergio Isaias VEGA, from Benque Viejo were to supply 100 pounds of cannabis to a purported buyer on Sunday October 20, 2013. On Sunday the GSU took their position on the Spanish Lookout road into the Buena Vista road where the pair, along with another man Gustavo RUIZ jr, were seen in a red taxi. The car pulled into a picado off the Buena Vista road where all three got out the car and picked up two large parcels wrapped in black garbage bags from inside the bushes.

Norwegian Cruise Offers Job Training
10 days ago, 7News told you about the announcement which Norwegian Cruise Line made that they have the support of 15 Mayan Villages in the south. And trying to generate some goodwill momentum, the company is announcing that they will begin their employment recruiting next week. A flier sent out from company, and forwarded to us by the Belize Tourism Board, says that the recruiting company called Mampa Employment Agency, will be in charge of the recruiting process. Representatives from Mampa will be in Independence Village on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, and in Punta Gorda Town for the rest of the week. Those 7 straight days of interviewing will be done for the pre-screening process. On November 4, the Mampa team will remain in Punta Gorda to do a follow-up interview with those chosen from Punta Gorda. On November 5 and 6, the team goes back to Independence Village to do follow up interviews with those persons chosen from that village.

Killer Cop Caliz Fined, Not Confined
Tonight, Police Officer Burton Caliz Jr., who was convicted of manslaughter for the February 2004 shooting death of 23 year-old Leroy Pilgrim, is spending his third night a free man after his mitigation hearing, which ended with a fine instead of a prison sentence. As we told you, Caliz was initially charged with murder, but it was reduced to manslaughter, for which he was convicted in January 2007. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, but he appealed and won after serving only 1 year and 2 months. He was convicted of manslaughter but he appealed his conviction and won after serving 1 and a half years of his 10-year sentence. He stood trial a second time before Justice Troadio Gonzalez in September of this year, and he was once again found guilty, but this time of manslaughter by negligence.

B. Pope Gives Bze Cycling Hope
They were in Curacao over the weekend representing Belize at the 2013 Caribbean Cycling Championship Games. And today the 7 Belizean Cyclists returned home after quite successful tour. Belize had to compete in this event in order to qualify in the Central American and Caribbean Games next year. They were 8 slots available for countries to participate in the games next year and one of those slots went to Belize’s very own Byron Pope who finished 10th place in the overall road race -out of a hundred riders. Today 7news was at the airport to welcome home these athletes.

No AC, No Surgeries At Southern Regional
It's said that corruption is a tax on the poor, and nowhere is that more evident than tonight at the Southern Regional Hospital where the operating theater has been closed since Friday. Why? Because the air conditioner stopped working. Checks were made by the Ministry of Health's maintenance unit today and they reported that four new air conditioners are needed. Purchase has been approved and they should be installed by the end of the week. Presently, nearly the entire hospital is without air conditioning. As we have reported, almost four hundred thousand dollars was fleeced from that hospital's Maternal and Child Health Bank Account between January 2010 to September 2013. The hospital administrator Nasley Sommerville has been suspended and is the subject of a criminal investigation.

NTUCB Vex-Vex!
That's one of the many issues generating public outrage right now, and tonight, the National Trade Union congress of Belize has introduced another. It is called the occupational health and safety bill, one designed to protect workers, and the NTUCB says government has been dragging its feet in passing the bill for too lug. In a quite breathless press release, headlined "Vexatious, Vexatious, Absolutely Vexatious" the NTUCB says its patience has grown thin and the bill must be passed post-haste. The release ends saying, quote, "the NTUCB declares that as of today we rally the troops and we prepare to right the wrongs (multiple...mind you...) in our beloved land."

Channel 5

P.M. says there is a hotbed of corruption at the Lands Department
Prime Minister Dean Barrow is in Los Angeles for fund-raising activities and meetings with Belizeans living in that area. While he is out, his deputy, Minister of Natural Resources Gaspar [...]

Elvin Penner is back in Cayo Northeast, but still not talking to the media
Former Minister of State and the man on the immigration hot seat Elvin Penner is back in Belize. He returned from Guatemala on Sunday, after receiving medical attention for hypertension [...]

U.D.P. Cayo Northeast Committee also wants Penner to resign
While Elvin Penner has not made up his mind if he is resigning, the People’s United Party says it now has enough signatures to start the process of a recall [...]

N.T.U.C.B. sends a strong message to government
According to the Prime Minister Dean Barrow, government coffers are overflowing and there are millions upon millions of dollars to hand out. That’s what the U.D.P. leader told constituents of [...]

Father of four is murdered following an altercation at a Belize City bar
Shots rang out in City on Friday night in the area of Hyde’s Lane and New Road. A twenty-eight year old father of four within close proximity of his house [...]

Another American fugitive nabbed in Belize
Last Friday, we reported on American fugitive, forty-seven year old Kenneth Hibbs, who was caught by San Ignacio Police on Burns Avenue. Hibbs was wanted by U.S. Marshalls for parole [...]

GSU sting operation yields 100 pounds of weed
A sting operation over the weekend conducted by the GSU has yielded a whopping one hundred pounds of cannabis. The unit arrested Anibal Garcia of Arenal Village, Cayo District along [...]

Julian Cho Technical High shuts down; there is no science teacher
In the south, a demonstration was held this morning by parents and students of the Julian Cho Technical High School and tonight, the school has closed its doors. It stems [...]

CWU administration has failed to honor legal obligations
The Christian Workers Union was suspended from the National Trade Union Congress of Belize in mid-August and tonight it is facing expulsion from the umbrella organization if it decides to [...]

Stevedores say DFC has not paid dues to CWU for years
The reason for the postponement of the congress is due to the current financial situation of the union.  The forthcoming process, according to Pitter, should exclude the membership of the [...]

Each of 9 entities under CWU to present candidates for union executive
The congress, says Pitter, is predicated on an understanding that each of the nine entities would present individual candidates to participate in the election.   Dion Pitter, Member, Christian Workers [...]

N.T.U.C.B. threatens to expel CWU from the Congress
The stevedores want the executive removed, and so does the N.T.U.C.B.  That entity has sent a stern and final warning to the C.W.U. That warning is clear – if the [...]

Belizean Cyclist Byron Pope qualifies for upcoming Central America and Caribbean Games
Byron Pope, a seasoned rider on the local cycling front, has qualified to participate in the upcoming 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games, following a recent competition in Curacao where [...]

Carlos Beltran sentenced to 8 months for handling stolen goods
A Belize City youth, who has been on remand since August for burglary, was sentenced to eight months imprisonment today. Carlos Beltran appeared in court this morning and changed his [...]

Female bar own charged for the common assault of a businesswoman
A female bar owner who allegedly attacked a businesswoman was today before the court to answer to two criminal charges.  Twenty-four year old Delgy Vasquez from Ladyville was read charges [...]

Weekend sports with James Adderley
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.   The Belmopan Bandits needed a win Saturday night when they hosted a struggling, but always dangerous Police United inside [...]

More News: Scroll up from here

LOVE FM

RTA Leaves Cyclist Injured
A traffic mishap has left a man injured. On Saturday evening police responded to the scene between miles seven and eight on the Phillip Goldson Highway. Police saw a motorcycle on the right hand side of the road and a man suffering from several injuries. 25-year-old Diego Roland Requena of Mitchelle Estate Ladyville told police he was driving his car from Belize City to Ladyville when upon reaching a curve between miles seven and eight when he saw a single headlight resembling a motorcycle coming from the opposite direction. There was a collision which left 32-year-old Daniel Lanza with several injuries. Requena was served with a notice of intended prosecution while Lanza was transported to the KHMH where he was admitted in a stable condition.

Association of Village Councils Elects New President; Outgoing President Not Thrilled
The National Association for Village Councils, NAVCO, held its 13th Annual General meeting on Saturday. The purpose of the meeting was to elect a new president, and to strategize on the direction that the new board will be taking during its term of office which runs from 2013-2016. Ruth Staine Dawson from the Belize District was elected as the new president. Outgoing president Orlando Dawson was unable to participate in the AGM as he is out of the country. He did, however, express concern about the fact that his report as outgoing President was not shared at the meeting: ORLANDO DAWSON “I am presently out of the country and usually the AGM happens every year but it hasn’t happened for two years because of some misunderstanding in NAVCO with some of these same board members. It actually happened Saturday the 19 and I was emailed by Mr. Eugene Palacio about wanting the President’s reports, so, I emailed that report to Mr. Eugene but it didn’t get through but I emailed it to Mr. Banner which it did get through but then on the Saturday morning I sent seven letters across with a person to the meeting and that person handed those letters to Mrs. Corono Villafranco to be given to each one of the District Presidents and one to Mr. Eugene Palacio; so, that report could have been read but I understand that she withheld those letters and did not give them until after the time was passed for those meetings. So, I certainly want to get across 10 points to these new board members, to this country and to the Government of Belize.

Villager Found With Illegal Drugs, Unlicensed Firearm and Ammunition
24-year-old Antonio Martinez of Santa Clara Village has been hit with a number of charges. Police say on Friday they conducted a search at Martinez’ residence where they found a transparent bag containing two point 22 live rounds, one point 380 round, one seven point six two live round and five point five six live round. A search of the rooms resulted in a bag containing green leafy substance suspected to be cannabis, a homemade firearm adapted to shoot point 22 rounds. The drugs were weighed which amounted to 42 grams of cannabis. Martinez has been charged with one count of kept prohibited firearm, two counts of kept prohibited ammunition without a gun licence and one count of possession of controlled drugs.

Grocer Robbed In Western Village
A businessman from the Corozal District was held up and robbed and Police have charged three persons in connection with the incident. Businessman 39 year old Yan Fei Zhen who is a resident of Cristo Rey Village told Police last Thursday he was inside his store when a clear complexion man entered. The man reportedly went to the refrigerator and took out a stout, Zhen said the man looked as if he was getting ready to pay when he suddenly pulled out a handgun and pointed it at him demanding money. He said the man hit him in the face twice. At that time two other men who had their mouth covered with rags entered the store. The men reportedly made off with two cell phones, one thousand eight hundred dollars in cash from the cash register, a black monitor for the video surveillance camera system, a monitor for the video surveillance camera system and a Boledo machine. The men then escaped on bicycles. Police investigation led to the retrival of a nine millimeter Luger brand live round of ammunition and the detention of 18-year-old Yasmir Monima and 23-year-old Keith Bennett. Bennett was reportedly in possession of one of the cellular phones. Police visited

Investigation Into Missing Money in Southern Belize Leads to Suspension of Administrator
The Administrator of the Southern Regional Hospital, Nasley Sommerville, has been suspended after an ongoing audit revealed that fraudulent cheques were cashed from the Southern Regional Hospital Belize Bank Account. Chief Executive Officer at the Ministry of Health, Doctor Peter Allen told Love News today that so far, the auditing team has found three cheques totaling more than seven thousand dollars that were cashed. Allen says Sommerville was questioned and has since sought the services of an attorney. Dr. Allen shared that the office of the Auditor General will also be checking the bank accounts of the Dangriga Polyclinic.

Dental Health Sector Shows Increase in Patients
This week is being celebrated as Dental Health week under the theme, “Brush and Floss Every Day and Keep Cavities Away”. There are many activities planned which include the distribution of toothbrushes, a poetry competition and television quizzes. One of the highlights will be a Dental Health Fair on Wednesday, October 23rd at the Central Health Region compound in Belize City. The dental department has reported an increase of patients accessing the dental clinics from 29,337 in 2009 to 30,433 in 2012. The statistics also show that up to September of this year, a total of 22,482 patients have visited dental clinics countrywide.

US Seeks McAfee for Expert Advice
John Mcafee is in the news again. This time, however, it has nothing to do with murder or mayhem. According to CNBC, the House Committee responsible for Obamacare oversight had approached John Mcafee about sharing his expertise in an inquiry into what has gone wrong with the obamacare website “HealthCare.gov”. The US media reports that the committee was looking to Mcafee for advice on what problems could lead to the compromise of personal identifying information and what could be done to prevent data or identify theft. However, due to the fact that Congress was in the midst of intense negotiations to resolve the government shutdown the meeting with Mcafee never materialized.

Accident Victim Dies Seven Days Later
Last week Tuesday Love News told you about the accident that left 31 year-old Fabian Martinez gravely injured. Martinez fell into a coma following a traffic accident on Saturday October 12th on the Boom\Hattieville Road. Today, Martinez’s wife, Chandra Ake informed us that Martinez succumbed to his injuries on Saturday night while receiving treatment at the Karl Heusnor Memorial Hospital. Martinez was riding a red motor-cycle traveling from the direction of Ladyville towards Hattieville when he was hit from behind by a grey ford escape vehicle driven at the time by 39 year-old Edison Dawson. Martinez was rushed to the KHMH where he immediately underwent a nine hour surgery before succumbing to his injuries two days ago.

Bar Altercation May Have Led to Murder
A Friday night outing for a father of four ended up lethal for him when a fight at a bar grew out of control and spilled into the streets leading to his house. Police say that shortly before midnight on Saturday they received information that 28 year old Dion Yorke of 13 Pickstock Street, Belize City was shot to the left chest and arm. Yorke had just left the bar on the south side of the Belize City Swing Bridge where the fight had occurred. That fight resulted in murder on the north side. SUPT. GAULBERTO GARCIA, OC, PRECINCT III “This incident started at the Bucket Bar across the Swing Bridge. Information is that the deceased was hanging out with one of his friends and they had an altercation with a man where this man allegedly threw beer on one of them. And then the deceased and his friends started an altercation with this person, they moved across the river, over the bridge into our area and that is what we believe led to the shooting. We have seen some footage from surrounding cameras and we believe that the person who was the shooter was on a bicycle.”

Farmers Continues Efforts to Benefit From Use of Bagasse
Late last week Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association representatives held a meeting with representatives of the American Sugar Refining Inc, ASR and the Belize Sugar Industries Limited. The meeting is part of the continuing negotiations that the BSCFA is trying to conclude with BSI and what they are asking is that sugar cane farmers receive financial benefits from the sale of electricity generated from bagasse. Already, BSI had sent the BSCFA a letter indicating that they will not be negotiating any payments from the sale of electricity to BEL. Alfredo Ortega, Chairman of the committee of management says their next move is what led to last week’s meeting.

PlusTV

Man believed burned to death in house fire
Police and the National Fire Service are investigating the circumstances surrounding a house fire reported this morning around 2:26 a.m. According to police they visited #139 Antelope Street Extension and found a plywood structure measuring 20 by 14 feet and elevated two feet above ground on...

Investigators suspect break-in at Tourism Police Unit was inside job
PLUS News has confirmed that several special constables of the Tourism Police Unit (TPU) were questioned by their own Friday morning in relation to a robbery last week. Between 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 8, and 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 9, there was a break-in at the Tourism Police Unit...

Philip Henry’s one-man immigration protest
On Friday morning the press were called to the Battlefield Park in downtown Belize City by activist Philip “Fawda” Henry. Public sentiment in the matter of the latest immigration scandal is none too kind to the Government and especially to Prime Minister Dean Barrow and Minister...

Policeman charged for attacking wife
Reports have it that on September 26, 2013, a police officer28-year-old Ronald Sutherland, was at home in Police Street, when he assaulted his common-law wife with a machete, wounding her. It is also reported that he cursed her and threatened her in the following manner: “I wah move from...

Prime Minister receives global criticism for comment made to website
The Prime Minister is getting some flak from US media and citizens, following a comment he made to popular celebrity news website TMZ. On Thursday night, the PM Barrow and his wife were exiting LA’s Madeo restaurant, when reporters asked him if he had any advice for the US...

Belize City road improvements continue
As part of its Master Plan, the Belize City Council is the process of carrying out an overhaul of the old Capital. Our colleagues at Krem Radio caught up with the Mayor, Darrell Bradley on Thursday, where he provided an update on first the renovation...

Southern Foreshore Crime Watch establishes Dangriga’s First Police Precinct
Southern Foreshore Crime Watch, Dangriga’s first organized neighborhood watch group, in cooperation with the Dangriga Police Formation, acquired and renovated a four-room suite of offices in the Dangriga Post Office to establish the town’s first Police Precinct. The inception of the precinct is one of...

Primary School Children celebrate International Archaeology Day
The grounds of the NICH Museum Building was animated Friday morning with primary school kids perusing the stalls set up for their eager eyes. This was done in celebration of the International Archaeology Day. We spoke with Archaeology Technician for the Institute of Archaeology and the...

Sugar Cane Farmers Association seek to finalize negotiations before next crop season
Proving the old saying that “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”, the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) on Friday wrote the press to announce the results of a meeting on Thursday in Orange Walk Town between its representatives and officials from American Sugar Refining (ASR) and Belize...

Blogs

Shipping to Belize – what it costs and how long it takes
After reading my #Travel Tuesday How I go magazine shopping in Belize post, Peter wrote and sent me a couple of pics of stacks of magazines and if I didn’t mind a few dog eared pages he would be more than happy to mail some. He was going check at the post office about shipping to Belize and see if their box priority mail deal would apply to international shipping. I wrote him back that I would appreciate it but it was totally his call, I was pretty sure magazines would be on the costly side to ship due to their weight. I told him maybe he could convince the post office that they going to a good home on a tropical island that has a severe magazine shortage This was Peter’s very funny rely. Hello, I was doing fine at the Post Office. I did like you said, I told her about those magazine challenged inhabitants of a far away land. Deprived and neglected, literary endeavors denied. She gave me a free mailer box and her best shipping price. Then as I casually mentioned about the warm tropical waters, the swaying palms, the friendly people, the lobster pupusas at Wariguma’s, the drinks at Wild Mango’s and anything from Elvi’s. I’m pretty sure I saw her thumb press down on the scale. Ooops. The magazines are on their way, you can also add that the post mistress had a tear in her eye before I mentioned the good stuff!

Opened in December 2012 for the end of the world as allegedly predicted by the Mayans (obviously the backers of this project weren’t believers), this modern gorgeous museum stands right in the midst of the Cancun’s jam packed hotel zone. And is jam packed with awesome Mayan art work, jewelry and sculpture. I mean seriously amazing stuff. Look at this jade mask made of conch, coral and jade. When I went to the special exhibit in Feb 2012 at the Museum of Belize to see the Jade Head of Altun Ha, I saw some similarly impressive items. Fantastic! But let me back up. I’m still a bit obsessed with these lacy pillars out front. It’s on a strip of surprisingly lush, jungly land that also holds one of two of Cancun’s Mayan sites. Sandwiched right between the road and a few hotels. This site is called San Miguelito after the owners of the coconut plantation/fishing village that Cancun was before the government moved in in the late 60s and helped turn Cancun into what it is today.

CARIBBEAN EXPORT LAUNCHES THE NATIONAL TRADE INFORMATION NETWORK
The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) officially launched the Belize National Trade Information Network (N-TIN) at the Radisson Hotel, Belize on Friday, October 11, 2013. Belize is one of six countries identified in a region wide scan of the trade support institution landscape as being in the position to move ahead with the establishment of a National Trade Information Network (N-TIN). The other countries include Trinidad and Tobago, the Dominican Republic, Barbados, Suriname, and Jamaica. Over the past year the Agency has conducted a series of workshops and consultative meetings with the selected countries to introduce the approach and methodology that will be undertaken in the formation of the N-TINs. According to David Gomez, Manager for Trade and Export Development at Caribbean Export, “the N-TINs are central to the delivery of enhanced trade information services and will contribute to the establishment of mechanisms at the regional level for similar services delivery.

“Goodbye” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
At long last the BIG day eventually arrived, we moved in to our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize. Fifty weeks after breaking ground Rose and I have eventually moved in to our new home. OK, so we have had to move in to the Ground Floor self-contained apartment and not in to our ‘living’ areas on the First and Second Floors (still waiting for the toilets for our bathrooms to be installed, cabinetry in the First Floor bedroom (Rose’s handicraft room) to be finished, snagging (levelling light switches and power sockets, painting over scuff marks, cleaning up our lot, etc) to be done. But we are IN. We know that there is still stuff to be completed in the apartment we are living in too – for example the toilet for the en-suite for the smaller of the two bedrooms has to be installed- but it doesn’t matter too much because. Well, just because. Yesterday I was up around 04.30 hours and, although I knew we had quite a lot to do I just had to spend some time on the veranda. The veranda that I have grown so attached to over the last seventeen months. So it was me, my iPad and a mug of black coffee.

Belize PM Makes international Headlines by advising Americans to Change Their Form Of Government
First, let’s set the stage: The US just came through another bruising battle between the executive and legislative branches – i.e., President Obama and the jolly Republicans in Congress playing rough. Now, most Republicans hate the idea of universal health care (disclaimer – this writer is Australian. We have free universal health.) and, as we know, the president and Democrats are quite proud that he got what is called Obama Care passed. But at a cost. (We promise to stay away from politics here, it’s not our “thing”, but, as we said, we’re just setting the stage for Prime Minister Barrow’s recent promenade on the world stage) Anyway, the Democrats and Republicans just went through another bruiser that almost shut the entire government down and is understandably the talk of the world. The Statue of Liberty and some national parks were closed and there was all sorts if drama. So, amid this scene, the Belize Prime Minister and wife Kim are leaving the ultra-chic Madeo restaurant at Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, where paparazzi buzz around like so many flies. One of those members of that noble profession recognised Mr and Mrs Barrow as foreign dignitaries (the US secret Service dudes hovering around are usually a good tip) and approached Belize’s leader with THE QUESTION. Did he have any advice for the US Government on how to avoid another shutdown? Fair enough, especially coming from the leader of a country that 3,000 respondents to a questionnaire said was number seven of the top ten most relaxed nations in the world. Mr Barrow’s response was “You have to switch to the parliamentary system.”

International Sources

Books from the Border City to make their way to Belize
The Border City Rotary Club is inviting anyone with extra books to donate them to the less fortunate as part of the Books for Belize program. Originally an initiative of the Vermilion Rotary Club, Lloydminster was invited to become a partner in the project this August. The project began after Robin Sherwood, a member of the Vermilion Club was vacationing in Belize a few years ago and was shocked to see how very few books the libraries and schools had. Realizing how many used books there are in Canada he bought a seed container to fill with books and ship to Belize. The container will hold about 500 cubic feet of books of all types, including children’s books, novels, and dictionaries. “We’re really excited,” said Border City Rotary Club president Doreen McCaw. “When I spoke with him (Sherwood) he said that when he visited the schools they were functioning without any power. The desks that the teachers had in the classrooms were old tables from the 1950s and he said it was quite heart-warming because he said the children were so happy to be going to school, but he’s really very excited about the potential of filling the libraries in the school and having lots of books for the kids to read.” The approximate deadline for dropping off books is Dec. 13 as the container is going to be filled and shipped by the end of that month.

Fugitive murder suspect found in Belize, to be arraigned Tuesday in Hidalgo County
A man charged with murder who authorities say had been on the run since September was arrested in Belize last week and arrived in Hidalgo County on Monday. Everett James Morris is accused of beating to death 51-year-old Jorge Olivarez, who had been staying at his residence in Pharr. Morris was expected to be arraigned Tuesday. Olivarez’s body was found Sept. 10 near the intersection of Military Highway and Cesar Chavez Road.

Caribbean Export Launches the National Trade Information Network
The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) officially launched the Belize National Trade Information Network (N-TIN) at the Radisson Hotel, Belize on Friday, October 11, 2013. Belize is one of six countries identified in a region wide scan of the trade support institution landscape as being in the position to move ahead with the establishment of a National Trade Information Network (N-TIN). The other countries include Trinidad and Tobago, the Dominican Republic, Barbados, Suriname, and Jamaica. Over the past year the Agency has conducted a series of workshops and consultative meetings with the selected countries to introduce the approach and methodology that will be undertaken in the formation of the N-TINs. According to David Gomez, Manager for Trade and Export Development at Caribbean Export, “the N-TINs are central to the delivery of enhanced trade information services and will contribute to the establishment of mechanisms at the regional level for similar services delivery…the process involves both data collection and compilation and identification of services that respond to the trade information needs of CARIFORUM exporters and the wider private sector.”

Smart fishery management will help fisherman earn a living
Our oceans are in crisis. As a result of overfishing, pollution and the warming waters associated with climate change, about 85% of the world's fish stocks are now fully exploited, overexploited or have collapsed. Especially alarming, one billion people depend on them for their primary source of protein. This distressing reality should be tempered with a degree of optimism, however. We're learning how to better manage fisheries, a bedrock component of what makes oceans and marine systems healthy and sustainable. Commercial harvests that provide jobs and nutrition across the globe depend upon it. Common ingredients in these productive fisheries include science-based decision making, secure access for fishing communities and technologies that enable timely catch reporting. An integral part of this strategy is the allocation of a secure area, or a privilege, to harvest a share of a fishery's total catch to individual, or groups of, fishermen. Dedicating an allotment can take many forms, ranging from individual or community quota to access rights to a particular part of the coastline or a bay. Giving fishermen a direct stake in the long term health and abundance of fish populations is a recipe for success. That they are willing to be held more accountable for catch limits is a new, but unsurprising reality.

GOP asked tech founder, ex-fugitive McAfee to diagnose Obamacare
The House committee responsible for Obamacare oversight asked for expert guidance last week about the troubled launch of the federal Healthcare.gov site from John McAfee, the tech legend once suspected in the murder of his neighbor in Central America, CNBC has learned. That Republican-controlled committee wanted the McAfee Associates founder to "guide our oversight and review of" the implementation of the federal marketplace selling Obamacare insurance, according to an email obtained by CNBC.com. The committee suggested that McAfee might discuss the technologically botched rollout with members of Congress. Last week, he was approached by a key congressional staffer, Sean Hayes, counsel with the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, about sharing his expertise in an inquiry into what has gone wrong with HealthCare.gov.

Flat Tourist Arrivals For Caribbean
Visitor arrivals to the Caribbean remain flat, despite 15.6 million tourists visiting the region between January and July this year, says chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), Beverly Nicholson-Doty. "There was no incremental difference when compared to the same period last year, but actual levels still remain above pre-crisis levels," the CTO chairman told the media during a briefing on the final day of the State of the Industry Conference at the Madiana Palais des Congrès Convention Centre in Martinique last Friday. The findings, which were compiled by the CTO, show results from 18 destinations within the Caribbean. Seventeen of them recorded increases in tourist arrivals, with 10 growing faster than the world average of 5.2 per cent.

Ranking Caribbean Countries By Population Density
The World Bank’s recently-released World Development Report contains mounds of fascinating data about the world and, more importantly, the Caribbean. We’ll be doing a series of posts putting together the data, on everything from GDP per capita to life expectancy. This one focuses on population density, or, to put it another way, what are the Caribbean’s most crowded and least crowded countries? According to the data, it’s Suriname that is the most sparsely populated country in the Caribbean, with only 3 inhabitants per square kilometre, followed by its neighbour, Guyana, at just four per square kilometre. Belize is fourth, with just 14 per square kilometre, followed by the Turks and Caicos Islands and then the Bahamas.

House GOP asked murder suspect John McAfee for advice on Obamacare website
Republicans on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce have asked ex-fugitive and murder suspect John McAfee to review the HealthCare.gov website, a report said on Monday. According to emails obtained by CNBC, House Republicans asked the founder of McAfee Associates to “guide our oversight and review” of the Affordable Care Act website. “This is the Committee of jurisdiction for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (or Obamacare),” House Committee on Energy and Commerce counsel Sean Hayes wrote to McAfee’s lawyer on Oct. 14. “For three years we have been monitoring the implementation of the law and have been trying to dig into what has happened with the Exchange rollout.” “Given the failures of Healthcare.gov, and Mr. McAfee’s expertise, I was hoping he might be able to discuss his views with staff on the hill,” the email continued. “It would be an informal discussion: we would take notes but these would not be for attribution, it would mainly guide our oversight and review of the program.”