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Channel 7
Kill Or Be Killed For Man Who Shoots Robber Dead
Last night in San Pedro, it was killed or be killed for 24 year old, Kirian Azueta.
3 men tried to rob him at his gate when he got home. But Azueta, dodged a bullet from one of the assailants and then made a split second decision, drew his weapon, and fired back at the men. He ended up killing one of them. Today, 7News went to the island, and Daniel Ortiz found out more:
Daniel Ortiz reporting
This house on Marina Drive on San Pedro Town was the scene of a failed armed robbery which ended when the would be victim pulled his licensed weapon and shot at men who ambushed him in the dark and secluded area.
Homicide Spike Continues In City
And there was another murder in the city - the fourth in eight days. This spike in killing comes after a November and December which saw only two homicides in the city. But something changed since the new year started - and there's been a rash of especially violent murders. That's what the city witnessed again last night - when a man who's no stranger to police was shot up on Banak Street in the City's southside. He died on a dark street with no one around. Monica Bodden tried to find out what happened to Eaton Carr.
Denmark Carr - Brother of Deceased
"I was sleeping last night and around 12:30 - 1:00 I received a call for me to come because they found a body at the morgue. When I reached at the morgue it was my brother."
Monica Bodden reporting
Just after 11 last night, Denmark Carr was awakened by a call from police requesting his presence at the morgue to identify the body of his younger brother - 37 year old Eaton Carr.
Ministry Of Health Says H1n1 Cases Not Increasing
A number of persons - reportedly as many as five - remain hospitalized at the KHMH with acute respiratory distress - and are under observation for h1n1. But the Ministry of Health today sent out a release saying, quote, "As of Monday January 20th 2014, there are three confirmed cases of H1N1 Influenza A in Belize. Five other samples that have tested positive for Influenza A have been sent on to CARPHA in Trinidad for further testing and confirmation."
The release then clearly states, "Neither H1N1 nor any other Influenza A strain have been linked or involved with any of the severe respiratory cases that are presently hospitalized."
GSU Gets Big Gun From PIV
The Gang Suppression Unit has been keeping the pressure on the PIV Gang - and that has resulted in the discovery of a loaded, high powered handgun. At 10:45 on Friday night, the GSU intercepted this Ford F-150 pickup with no license plates. 34 year old Richard Smith was driving and his passengers were 19 year old Jihadul GILL, 29 year old Everal GRAY, and 18 year old's Delbert ALVAREZ, Alrick LAMB and Arthur HILL.
Inside the truck, the GSU found 1 Para brand .45 pistol loaded with an extended magazine containing (7) seven live .45 rounds; one of which was already loaded in the chamber. A 45 is prohibited, meaning you can't even get a license for it and so all 6 were charged for Kept Prohibited Firearm, Kept Prohibited Ammunition and Kept Prohibited Magazine.
Teenagers Charged For Shooting Mentally Challenged Man
Last week, we told you about the shooting of 29 year-old James Elijio, a mentally challenged resident of Flamboyant Street. Well, tonight 19 year-old Joseph Lopez, and a 17 year-old boy are at prison after they were taken to court today.
Lopez and the minor were charged with attempted murder, dangerous harm, and use of deadly means of harm, and they were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith. Due to the nature of the offences, they couldn't be granted bail, and they were remanded to prison until April 22, their next court date.
Tio Machete?
54 year-old Frank Garcia joined those accused men today in jail after he was taken to court for allegedly chopping his nephew in the face 23 year-old Sherwin Garcia Jr. told police that on Sunday, January 12, he was riding his bike home on Oleander Street when he heard Frank Garcia, his uncle, call out to him. He stopped to see what Frank wanted, and when he turned around, Frank chopped him on the left side of the face for no apparent reason.
Fortunately, he was able to get to the hospital on time, where he received treatment for the wound. Police arrested and charged Frank Garcia with attempted murder, dangerous harm, and use of deadly means of harm. He was arraigned before the Chief Magistrate who remanded him to prison until March 20, his next court date.
Rhett's Wife Says It's Been Tough Holding It Together
Rhett Fuller has been out of jail for 4 days now, after being on remand for 2 years. He has been fighting his extradition to the US for over 15 years where he was wanted for 23 years in connection with the murder of American Larry Miller.
After so many losses in the courts, at all the different levels, Fuller finally successfully appealed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs last week Thursday, who agreed that he should not be extradited.
So after almost quarter of a century, Fuller is completely free; he doesn't have to worry about the threat of extradition hanging over his head. He is not the only one; he has a wife and 3 kids who have been waiting for him to be released from prison.
Today, his wife, who has been instrumental in keeping the family together through those trying times, spoke to us about their struggles in trying to keep on hoping:
Daniel Ortiz
"I am very sure that it was a reaction that's like maybe this court thing is not working out. Did that ever crossed your mind?"
Thanks To Donors With Heart, KHMH Gets Echo-Cardiology Lab
The vision of a full range of cardiac services at the KHMH continues to take shape. Today the hospital opened an echo-cardiology lab to complement its cardiac cauterization lab. The new lab will be dedicated only to cardiac services - whereas previously the cardiologist had to share resources with other specialists.
The dedicated lab is the product of a donation and a continuing partnership with the Carolina's Healthcare system, International Medical Outreach and the Heineman Foundation of Charlotte. 7News was there when they cut the ribbon today:...
Dr. Francis Gary Longsworth, CEO - KHMH
"Today we marked another milestone and we now have a non-invasive cardiac clinic that we are inaugurating. It's a wonderful achievement - everybody is excited."
Hon. Faber Says It's Hard To Know What People Really Want
The Caribbean Leadership Project is an ambitious one; it tries to equip public service leaders with the capacity to lead their ministries or departments towards growth and regional integration. Today the project held a leadership development session in Belize where top public officers from Belize and other territories gathered to share ideas on Citizen Centered Service. Education Minister Patrick Faber gave the lead address on that subject today where he outlined his experience trying to introduce education reform - and how hard it was to find out what education stakeholders really wanted:...
Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education
"The landscape of citizens needs and wants is a complex tangle of different interest. What might appear clear and straight forward from the outside is often tangled and tethered with other interest. Untangling these interests requires careful analysis of these interests, persistence and patience. Most of all it requires continuous engagement of stakeholder groups, continuous listening and dialogue."
Three Years Later, A Mother Still Hopes & Cries For Kadisha
Today makes it exactly three years since 16 year old Kadisha Saragoza mysteriously disappeared. The second form high school student went missing on January 20th 2011 and since then her whereabouts have been a mystery. The circumstances would lead most to lose hope and conclude dismally that she had somehow met her end, but a mother's hope never dies, and Andrea Saragoza still hasn't given up. She today shared her earnest hope that her daughter will return safe one day.
Andrea Saragoza, mother of Kadisha Saragoza
"I came here today because it has been 3 years that she has been missing; January 20, 2011. Since then I haven't heard anything."
Monica Bodden
"How difficult is this for you as a mother?"
Andrea Saragoza, mother of Kadisha Saragoza
"It's really difficult because without any trace or closure it's really hard. Not a day goes by that I am not thinking about my daughter. I eat and sleep and I wake up and think about her."
Monica Bodden
"You have hopes that she may still be alive?"
PSU Says It's Not Getting Into All The Hype For Immigration Officers
Last week, 7News showed you the public outcry in the wake of the revelation that Maria Marin, the Director of Immigration, had recommended the termination of the 3 immigration officers caught up in the Citizen Kim Scandal.
Penner has admitted in an email to 7News that these officers only followed his instructions, and social agitators are outraged that these officers are being recommended for the maximum penalty while Penner is still an area representative with all the perks of his high office. The Public Service Union, the organization who has to defend the officers, commented today, and it's executive addressed the allegations that they've been soft in its representations. Here's what they told our colleagues at Plus TV News:
Ray Davis - Industrial Relations Officer, PSU
"The procedure is that at this point the Ministry of the Public Service through the Public Service Commission looks at all the information and then a determination is going to be made at a hearing. At that hearing the member have the opportunity to go explain to the commission their side of the story and having heard the explanations from the members, from the officers, the Public Service Commission then makes a determination."
A Football Feast, BPFL Playoffs Begin
After a 14 week regular season which was dogged by the worst rains in years, the Belize Premier Football League's playoffs commenced this weekend with a pair of two game series. Four teams made the cut: the top seeded Verdes FC, the #2 Seed BDF FC, the #3 seeded Belmopan Bandits and the #4 seeded FC Belize.
The first game was played on Saturday in Belmopan City, between the third seeded Bandits and the second seeded BDF. BDF had the better record but the Bandits were on their home field. In the end it seems that was enough to give the home team a decisive victory; we aired the game live on Channel 7, and here are their three goals - two of them off penalties:..
Deon McAuley, Belmopan Bandits FC
"It was just a hard knock on my ankle but it will be alright. It shocked me when I first got it, I feel like my toes they couldn't move but everything alright now that my body cool down a little bit."
Jules Vasquez
"We know when injuries get cold; often times it feel a lot worse. You think you will be okay for next week in Griga?"
Deon McAuley, Belmopan Bandits FC
"Well of course, if not then I'll work with a therapist this week and see how well I can be for next week."
Superbond Still A Winner
We haven't heard about the superbond in a while, but the re-financing has earned Belize an unusual honour. It was announced last week that the transaction has been awarded the 2013 Sovereign Restructuring Deal of the Year by Latin Finance, a magazine covering Latin America and the Caribbean.
Michael Peyrefitte, the speaker of the house, whose friendship with bondholder representative AJ Mediratta proved pivotal formally received the award at a ceremony held at Gotham Hall in New York City on January 16.
Ramon's Re-Loaded
Ramon's Village, the flagship resort in San Pedro Town which almost burnt down has gone through extensive rebuilding efforts, and today, it stands almost fully repaired.
As you can see, 38 of its 85 cabanas which were completely destroyed in October of last year have been fully repaired. That's a huge difference from how the compound looked 4 months ago after it had been gutted.??This morning, we called Einer Gomez, the General Manager of Ramon's Village. We requested an interview to discuss the recovery effort, but he told us that he was out of the office and wouldn't be available until Friday.
Channel 5
The paper trail on the nationality certificate issued to Won Hong Kim
As we told you Friday, News Five has obtained a copy of an internal report compiled on the Won Hong Kim immigration scandal. Kim, A South Korean national imprisoned in [...]
Penner personally presented and signed the certificate and recommended the passport
The surfacing of the report is a somewhat public resurrection of former Minister of State Elvin Penner, who has gone to ground since the scandal broke in September. As we [...]
PSU says process is being followed in case of suspended immigration officers
Following confirmation by Minister of Immigration Godwin Hulse that Director Maria Marin had indeed recommended the termination of three passport officers suspended since September, the Public Service Union has come [...]
PSU seeking to implement whistle-blowers clause to protect public officers
And to show that they might not be loud, but they are getting the job done, the PSU stated today that it is working to get the public officers reinstated, [...]
Ministry of Health advices public to be cautious for any influenza
At least one person, a twenty-seven year old woman Shahera Bodden, has died of complications of H1N1. But with the flu season in full swing, the Ministry of Health today [...]
Belize City resident, released from jail on Friday, is murdered on Sunday
A Belize City man was detained on Wednesday for a robbery and released from prison on Friday but by Sunday night, Eaton Eamon Carr was a dead man. Carr was [...]
A suspect in the murder of a Canadian Missionary is found dead
There is a second murder to report tonight.� The body of Marlon Balona was found under shrubs off a feeder road in an isolated area by a resident of the [...]
Would-be-robber in San Pedro is stopped dead in his tracks by his victim
The third death of the weekend was reported as a burglary/attempted robbery in San Pedro Town. The victim, Michael Wallace, was allegedly one of a trio who tried to rob [...]
Wanted man, Kevin Manzanero, caught by police; another remain at large
On Christmas Eve, a man was gunned down during an attempted robbery in the Kontiki Area in the Cayo District. The death of Fredy Lopez launched an intensive manhunt for [...]
Attorney Antoinette Moore sworn in as temporary Supreme Court judge
Attorney Antoinette Moore was sworn in on Friday as a temporary judge of the Supreme Court. Moore is assigned to the Belmopan criminal session which deals with cases from Belmopan, [...]
Alrick Lamb sentenced to fifteen years for possession of firearm and ammo
An eighteen year old youth, Alrick Lamb, is serving his first night of a fifteen-year jail term after he pleaded guilty to possession of prohibited firearm, ammunition and an extended [...]
Uncle arraigned for attempted murder of his nephew
Also appearing in court was a man who was remanded to prison this morning after he was charged for attacking his own nephew on January twelfth.� He is fifty-four year [...]
The long legal process of Rhett Fuller's extradition request and release from prison
After fighting extradition and exhausting every legal option at his disposal for more than fifteen years, Rhett Fuller is a free man. Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington decided on [...]
A Regional TVET Marketing Strategy
Institutes of Technical and Vocational Education and Training have been set up strategically across the country, but enrollment numbers do not reflect the investment in those centers. There is a [...]
K.H.M.H. now offering full range of cardiology services
The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital will now be offering a full range of cardiology services. The K.H.M.H. partnered with the Carolina Healthcare System's International Medical Outreach to establish its first [...]
Football, softball and cycling updates in Sports with James Adderley
Good Evening, I'm James Adderley and this is Sports Monday. The Belikin Cup Post Season blasted off over the weekend with all 4 playoff teams seeing action over the [...]
PlusTV
PSU Speaks on Recommended Suspension of Immigration Officers
The issuance of a fraudulent Belizean passport and nationality certificate to Kim Won-Hong, has opened Pandora's Box to a slew of accusations of administrative misconduct at the Ministry of Immigration and Nationality. For the past two months, allegations involving Immigration personnel and Government Ministers have dominated the headlines, as well
PSU says Immigration Officers Should be Reinstated on Full Pay
There is one other issue on this matter that the PSU addressed today and that is the suspension of the officers. On 23rd September, 2013, the Ministry placed the Neal, Robinson and Phillips on suspension, noting that it was "Satisfied that there has been a serious breach of the
Ministry of Health Remains on Surveillance for H1N1
Three cases of H1N1 have been confirmed in Belize. The Ministry of Health issued an advisory today saying that the country remains in heightened surveillance for any Influenza (flu) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illnesses. As of today, Monday January 20, there are three confirmed cases of H1N1 Influenza A
The Hummingbird Highway is Also to Receive Major Upgrades
The Ministry of Works and Transports through the Belize Road Safety Demonstration Corridor Project (First launched in May 2013) is being funded by the Government of Belize and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to make major infrastructure development on the George Price Highway. The project will include development of
Wanted Fugitive Busted While Seeking Medical Attention at Hospital
The Police man hunt for one of two fugitives Kevin "Migit" Manzanero has ended. The 27 year old Manzanero was detained yesterday afternoon, when he sought medical attention at the San Ignacio Hospital for chop wounds received in an alleged burglary attempt. According to Police, Manzanero broke into a home
Belize Awarded "2013 Sovereign Restructuring Deal of the Year
The infamous US$547.5M "superbond" was restructured last year in March, providing much needed relief to the Government of Belize in making those hefty payments to its creditors. Last week, Latin Finance, the premier financial publication covering the markets of Latin America and the Caribbean, announced that Belize's restructuring of...
The Wonderful Hope of Facing Hardships of Many Kinds
Our verse for this week is taken from�.. James 1:2-3 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
New Archaeology Finds in Belize
We mention this to explain our excitement about a recent find in northwestern Belize called Tulix Mu. At first it was considered just another overgrown ancient Early Classic Maya site that contained at least two standing vaulted rooms and was interesting, but not particularly exciting.
But then came the "Wow Moment". Researchers found, beneath the plaster in one of the rooms, fragments of a polychrome, fine-line mural similar to one found years earlier by other archaeologists at San Bartolo in Guatemala. It's an exciting find because there have only been a few other such Maya murals found in all of Mexico and Central America.
The magazine "Popular Archaeology" has reported on the find, and we're following it closely here in Belize because the more such unique sites are discovered, the more we learn about Belize's rich Maya heritage and get a better picture of this enigmatic ancient civilisation.
Belizean Cutubrute
Cutubrute (cut-u-brute) is a Belizean coconut candy much like the Tableta. It's very simple to make.
Caribbean Export and the EU Offers Grants to the Region's Private Sector
The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) officially announces the publication of the Call for Proposals for both the Accelerated and Regular Procedures grant facilities under the well known Direct Assistance Grant Scheme as part of the Regional Private Sector Development Programme (RPSDP) funded by the European Union under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) on January 17, 2014.
The Direct Assistance Grant Scheme is a reimbursement grant funding facility specifically designed to provide financial assistance to legally registered firms, individuals and Business Support Organisations (BSOs) who have the potential to export their products and services.
Government Pays for Nothing
Belize today a self-mutilating, cannibalizing system of governance and jurisprudence led by career minded, corrupt, unprincipled, lawyer politicians.
The people have been trained from the inception of the nation that the clientele patronage system of currying favor for votes is the right and only way to sustainable development.
Many say they are sick and tired of it, yet the only solutions they offer are shrouded within the narrow trajectory of bitter partisan divide.
As a people we are captured by our own imagination. We have been bred to believe that the way forward lies within the benevolence of a small ruling political elite that continue to determine our worth.
The world ought to say f� you stupid Belizeans stay at the bottom.
Education in Belize: Who's the Enemy
As we start a new year in this rapidly-advancing Age of Technology, the Belize National Teachers' Union is once more trying to "raise awareness on key national issues", and is "seeking justice for the work that teachers do". Thinking along those same lines, to raise awareness and seek justice, I wonder what classrooms in Belize today would look like if the powerful school policymakers from the Ministry of Education and Education Department were brave enough to switch places with teachers and school administrators for a day. Likewise, some teachers could also switch places with students for just one day. Switching places in the classrooms between Education policymakers and teachers, if only for one day, would provide an eye-opening opportunity for policymakers to understand what really happens in classrooms everyday vs. what they think or expect happens in classrooms everyday. Likewise, it might be quite eye-opening for our very hard-working teachers to also experience first-hand what many students deal with everyday in the classrooms in 2014. After all, students throughout Belize today also need to know who "gat yu back" ("has you covered").
International Sources
Belize Snorkel by Explore Magazine
An underwater exploration of Southwater Caye Marine Reserve, on Belize's southern barrier reef.
Belize Zoo
I organised something very special for my last night in Belize, an overnight stay at the Belize City Zoo!
I love animals and I love adventure. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I could not turn down.
When my tiny little plane touched down in Belize City I was taken aback. All I had seen of Belize was beautiful San Pedro and in comparison Belize City seemed very undeveloped. I took a taxi to the chaotic bus station. I was already apprehensive about taking the bus as it was a Sunday and I knew the service wouldn't be regular. After a lot of negotiating, from $150 to $30, I took a taxi from the bus station to the zoo. The highway was pretty much a dirt road and my taxi wheezed the whole way down it. After 5 minutes the taxi driver pointed out the local prison. A few minutes later, he showed me a strip club. That was my guided tour of Belize City.
AmbergrisCaye.com 
