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Specials and Events
Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials
The San Pedro Sun
Editorial: Belize football scores big with FIFA funding
All eyes have been glued to the tube this week as football fans gather to watch the 2014 World Cup games. Hosted by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), there has been plenty of debate about who all will profit from the copious amounts of money the event will earn. As if on cue, FIFA issued a press release on June 11th stating, “FIFA has allocated $200 million dollars in bonuses to its national federations and confederations, as part of the $4,500 million to be raised from the World Cup. Each of the 209 members of the governing body of world football this month will receive $250,000 and $500,000 additionally early next year.”
As one of the 209 FIFA members, our Belize Football Federation (BFF) will soon be coming into some easy, but well-deserved funding. The FIFA funding is designated to develop the world’s most popular sport, and Belizean players would benefit from training opportunities, team building, improved stadiums, local tournaments and more. With half a million Belize dollars promised this month, and a million dollars committed for next year, the future looks bright for Belizean football.
Conch Season to Close July 1st
The Belize Fisheries Department would like to take this opportunity to inform the general public that the conch season will be closed effective July 1st and it will remain closed until midnight of September 30th. As a reminder, we note that failure to comply with the close season will result in prosecution in court under Regulation 3 (1) (b) of the Fisheries Regulations, Chapter 210 of the Subsidiary Laws of Belize R.E. 2003.
The Department hereby makes a special appeal to fishers and the public, to uphold the Fisheries Regulations in regards to conch and other marine products, and urges all responsible citizens to call the Department at 224-4552 / 203-2623 to report any infractions. The Department can also be reached by e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] The public is assured that all information communicated to the Fisheries Department will be treated with the strictest of confidence!
Costa Maya Festival presents Miss Nicaragua
Katherine Elizabeth Guadamuz Tapia is the fourth beauty joining the bevy of beauties seeking to take home the title of Reina de la Costa Maya 2014-15. Katherine is proudly representing her country of Nicaragua, and she joins Karol Salinas of Panama, Ana Graciela of El Salvador and Maria Jose of Honduras in the lineup to take the stage on August 7, 2014.
The 5’5″ 18-year-old stands is a beautiful dark-eyed brunette who enjoys working out. She is studying Customs Administration and Trade, and also models. Katherine will be onstage alongside representatives of Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Panama in a pageant that you just cannot miss!
San Pedro’s patron saint celebration has begun
Religious activities in connection with the island’s Patron, Saint Peter (San Pedro), commenced on the morning of Friday June 20th with “La Bajada” followed by “El Alba.” The activities are part of the annual catholic celebration that the San Pedro Roman Catholic Church, the San Pedro Town Council and the San Pedro House of Culture put together to honor the fishermen’s saint. At 5AM on June 20th a group of faithful Catholics, including mariachis, gathered at the church to start the nine-day tribute to Saint Peter. “La Bajada” is a special mass in which the Patron Saint Peter is brought down from its permanent elevated altar in the church. It signals to the churchgoers the commencement of nine days of “novenas” (prayers) leading up to the Patron’s day celebrated on June 29th.
Ambergris Today
Miss Nicaragua Contestant Announced for Costa Maya Festival
Katherine Guadamuz joins Miss Panama Karol Salinas, Miss El Salvador Ana Graciela and Miss Honduras Maria Jose Alvarado. The other Mundo Maya countries and Central American region have confirmed their participation at the pageant and the remaining four contestants will be announced in weeks to come, prior to their arrival to San Pedro, La Isla Bonita.
Rugby Belize Tackling Lack Of Youth Opportunities
Rugby Belize recently announced plans to establish community-based rugby union clubs right across the country, to provide opportunities for youth and young people to engage in sport. As a result of that initial announcement, plans are afoot to set up (initially) five such clubs in Belmopan, Belize City, Hattieville, Orange Walk and San Pedro. To advance these plans, Rugby Belize is now moving towards establishing a national governing authority for the sport.
Belize Fashion Week 2014 Schedule of Activites
June 20, 2014 Belize Fashion Week Team confirms this year’s BFW2014 which will be held in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize from October 9th – 12th 2014. International Designers will be announced at a later date. See below schedule of activities:
October 9th 2014 – Opening/Social Event
October 10th 2014 – Runway Shows (Local & International Designers)
October 11th 2014 – Runway Shows (Local & International Designers)
October 12th 2014 – Fashion Fest
Locations and time schedules will be announced later. For more information please contact 629-3078/610-1880.
Misc Belizean Sources
Corozal Sports Council summer camp
Corozal Sports Council will be holding a summer camp for children of the Corozal Community this July 23 - For more information contact the Corozal Sports Council.
Ambassador Carlos Moreno and his wife arrive
The U.S. Embassy is excited to announce that Ambassador Carlos Moreno and his wife arrived in Belize Saturday morning!
Ambassador Moreno will present his credentials to the Government of Belize early next week and is eager to get out and meet the people of Belize.
What places, events, organizations do you recommend he and Mrs. Moreno visit?
See photos from his arrival here: http://bit.ly/UvYG9E
Market Day this morning at Corozal's Fish Wharf
across Mother's Park, in-front of Hotel Mirador.
Residents of Belmopan & Surrounding Communities to Enjoy Safer & Pleasant Road Infrastructure
Residents in the nation’s capital, the City of Belmopan and surrounding communities will soon enjoy a safer and pleasant road infrastructure to serve both residential and commercial activities as a result of the signing of a contract for the rehabilitation/paving of Almond Boulevard and Chiquibul Street.
The street infrastructure project, valued at BZ $417,802.00 is financed by the Government of Belize through a loan from the World Bank under the Belize Municipal Development Project (BMDP).
Signing the Contract on June 19, at SIF’s headquarters, Belmopan were the Executive Director, Social Investment Fund Mr. William Lamb Jr., Deputy Mayor, the Belmopan City Council, Ms. Anna Guy, the contractor, Mr. Jimmy Dueck of Synergy Construction of the Cayo District. Other officials present at the signing included the Project Coordinator, Mr. Ernest N. Raymond, and the Consultant, Mr. Carlton Young of Young’s Engineering Consultancy.
PRESS RELEASE FROM THE BELIZE BUREAU OF STANDARDS ON DRAFT LABELING GOODS
Cayo BTIA Public Meeting
The Cayo branch of the Belize Tourism Industry Association is having a general meeting, and they are inviting the public to attend. It'll start at 2:00pm this Thursday, June 26th, and be held at the Cayo Welcome Center conference room. Come see what the BTIA is all about.
Some 'Explosive' fun at San Pedro Lobster Fest Block Party
Flaming shots by San Pedro AIDS Commission.
COMMUNIQUE - FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING
Government of Belize Press Office
Belize Hotel Association (BHA) held its annual general meeting
Jun 23 - The Belize Hotel Association (BHA) held its annual general meeting on June 20, 2014 at the Belize Biltmore Plaza! BHA thanks all Tourism stakeholders and members who attended this event!
Einer Gomez from Ramon's Village Resort was an excellent MC and Guest Speaker Mrs. Karen Bevans, Director of Tourism for the BTB could not have been more positive about collaborating with the Belize Hotel Association!
Panerrifix Jams at Lobsterfest
Panerrifix is taking their talent on the road, and playing at the Lobsterfests this year. This video was taken in San Pedro. The best steel band.
Western Ballaz Receive NEBL Awards
The Western Ballaz not only took 2nd place in the NEBL, they received numerous statistical awards, and 2 players received performance awards. Kurt Burgess was named Defensive Player of the Year, and Farron Lauriano was named Most Valuable Player. Congratulations on a great season, Western Ballaz!
San Antonio Animal Clinic
The vet students from the Institute for Sustainable International Studies had their animal clinic in San Antonio this weekend, where they saw over 70 animals. Thanks, ISIS! In related news, the ISIS students brought down books, and they were donated to the San Ignacio Public LIbrary.
"Our large animal class went into the Maya Mountains to offer a free Animal Health clinic to the people of San Antonio"
June 15, 2014 - June 21, 2014 Report
It’s kinda like having a family reunion once a week these days. We are so thrilled that Simon Perkins visited us from Orvis. Jeremy – we love ya, and thank you Abby for joining the team from Orvis and landing your first bonefish on the fly. Your shared experience will help many newbies who seek to reach beyond their horizons. Dave Decker aka D2 and his lovely bride Gayle were here. Thanks for leaving me the latest Jackson Hole News and Guide – fishing reports from the rivers to da sea! Duber brought a big group of twenty five! Thank you. Aki, Chris and Mak – I think we will go through withdrawals unless you show up every few months. We are so proud of Mak and his young spirit is so inspiring for other young anglers getting into the game. We are truly blessed at El Pescador. Our “family” of returning guests continues to grow. While we need the experts out there to provide some direction, it is really you that share our sport. You sign up for your trip, get organized, shut out your work and daily responsibilities for a week and get recharged. Re-entry can be tough I know. . Others will ask questions – maybe they will want you to show them how to cast! Maybe they will want you to share which fly was working. Maybe they will be envious of your tan. Whatever it is, your spirit for discovery is infectious. Take credit! And for this, we thank you.
Channel 7
Appeal Court Upholds GOB Liability For ACES Riot
In August of 2012, the Supreme Court ruled that the Government is liable to pay compensation to Vince and Cherie Rose because the Mayan villagers of San Marcos Village burnt down their crocodile compound outside of PG Town. Well, the Government appealed that decision and lost today, which means that the Court of Appeal has upheld that liability.
Viewers may remember that in August of 2010, 9 year-old Benjamin Rash and his 11 year-old sister, Onelia, went missing. After over 2 weeks of searching for them, a "witch doctor", Delfina Alvarez, allegedly gave the Rash family information that the siblings were being held at the Rose Family's crocodile facility in Forest Home Village, Toledo.
Mckenzie Jr. Charged Again, This Time For Att. Murder
George Mckenzie Jr - his name was in the news in April when a murder charge was withdrawn against him - after it had already gone to court. It was a first, but the DPP made the decision because a senior police officer had videotaped proof that the 19 year old was at another location when the crime occurred.
But, police charged him today for another crime. This evening, Mckenzie Jr was charged for attempted murder, dangerous harm and use of deadly means OF harm for a shooting that happened eight months ago.
That's when Paul Alvarez was shot on Lovely Lane. The report at that time was that a lone gunman was responsible - and a man named Albert Robinson was already charged. But, claiming to have new evidence, police re-opened the case and charged McKenzie today. His mother came to us outraged this evening; she says he's being systematically harassed by police because he is the son and namesake of George Junie Balls McKenzie Sr.:..
City Con Artist Caught
Since April, we've been telling you about a con artist who had been going around pretending to be either a BEL or BWSL collection agent, a cable guy or a repair-man, who's been preying on the elderly - and pinching cash or valuables when they turn their backs. Well, the man police believe to be responsible for at least two offences is 49 year old Curl Gordon, a.k.a. "Doggy", a laborer of a Pelican Street address.
According an elderly woman, Effie Pollard, reported to the police that on February 21, 2014, Gordon stole her purse which contained $70. Another elderly woman, Marlin Rojas, reported to the police that on May 26, 2014, Gordon stole from her $220. She said that the money was in denominations of 2 $50 US currency notes and 1 $20 Belize currency note. Police investigated the reports for several months, and they eventually charged Gordon with 2 counts of theft. He was arraigned today before Magistrate Dale Cayetano, where he pled not guilty to the charges. He was offered a bail of $3,000 and his case was adjourned until August 15. Up until this evening, Gordon had not met bail.
Eugene Reneau Says He's No Rapist
In March, Eugene Reneau was remanded for rape. The BWSL Temp worker and father of 3 was accused of raping a woman at knife-point in a swamp off the side of the road.
He was charged for rape and remanded for three months. But the story is far more complicated than that; in fact it is very complicated. And we can't really get into the details because we can't release or even point to the identity of the alleged victim.
So, all we can say is that Reneau had a familiar relationship with her; they weren't strangers. In fact on that night he want at 2:30 am to pick her up from Los Lagos - and the allegation springs from that encounter.
But, today - his 52nd birthday when he got out on bail after three months on remand - he came to clear his name: he says he didn't rape anyone:...
City Inspector Moves To SP; Participates In Drug Clean-Up
As you've seen on the news, crime has been getting out of hand on San Pedro recently, and a new Deputy Commander has been deployed to the island to lead a crack down. Inspector Henry Jemott - who earned a reputation as a tough street cop in Belize City - is now second in command on San Pedro - and he was part of operation Clear Water this weekend in the island town.
Officers from San Pedro and Belize City participated - and they came up with quite a bit of retail drug packages.
On Sunday night at 8:30, officers conducted searches in the San Pedrito Area of and recovered 7 transparent plastic bags of Cannabis weighing 200grams. Another search five minutes later in the same area turned up 2 transparent plastic bags of Cannabis weighing 350grams. In that same same round-up, police found 50 more small transparent plastic bags of Cannabis weighing 87.7grams. And then, at about 10:30pm Officers searched William Valentine's home on Swan Street. They found 5 zip lock plastic bags of Cocaine amounting to 2 grammes. Valentine was arrested and charged for drug trafficking.
Road Rage In Corozal
Corozal Police are investigating an assault that looks a lot like road rage. It happened at around 7 o'clock last night. 24 year-old Andrew Lopez of Xaibe Village told police that he was walking on the main Libertad road with his wife, and they were heading toward the bus stop at the Northern Highway intersection.
He says that when he arrived under a lamp post, a vehicle almost ran him over. IT CAME SO CLOSE THAT he and his wife had to dive into nearby bushes to avoid being hit. Lopez says that he angrily shouted at the driver, who then stopped his vehicle and reversed it toward them. The driver jumped out with a wheel spanner in his hand, and rushed at Lopez. The man then clubbed him several times over the head and body with it, and it wasn't till a few of the neighbors intervened, that his attacker fled. He had to be rushed to the hospital, where his injuries were classified as dangerous harm.
Police continue to look for the man who attacked him.
Cotton Tree Still Pressing Against Gov't.
On last Week Wednesday's newscast, we showed you the comments from Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington who initiated the move by Government to acquire private land in Cotton Tree Village for his constituents. Elrington will get 60 lots for his division, and the other UDP divisions in the city will share up the other 180 parcels for their constituents.
In that interview, he claimed that this land wasn't really inside Cotton Tree itself, it was across the road from the village.
Well, the case that the Cotton Tree Village Council launched to block the Government from going through with their plans went back before the Supreme Court today, and we asked the attorney representing the Village about the private acquisition and the location. He told us that his clients still have an arguable case, and he explained why:
Reporter
"What can you tell us about the comments made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington because he say that the 240 lots in question are not part of the Cotton Tree Village?"
Andrew Marshalleck - Attorney for Cotton Tree Village Council
"He is really between a rock and a hard place because the law says that you must consult with the village council to deal with any lands in the village and there has clearly been absolutely no consultation he can point to then his only other choice is to say is that the land isn't in the village, so it's not surprising."
Only Attorneys from Farmers And Green Tropics Now In Communication
Andrew Marshalleck is also the attorney representing those 30+ farmers from Valley of Peace who are seeking compensation from Green Tropics for the destruction to their crops. As we told you last week, the dispute wasn't making any measurable progress, and last week, the farmers told the representatives from Government and Green Tropics that all future discussion must be held with their attorney.
We asked Marshalleck about the current state of affairs, and he said that there is an offer on the table that his clients might not agree to:
Hon. Julius Espat, Area Representative - Cayo South
"In Green Tropics, we are the negotiation level right now. Attorneys for the farmers and attorneys for the company are sharing information; we are trying to see what is the best deal possible for the farmers in our point of view. That where we are right now."
19 Year-old City Resident Shot
There was a shooting in Belize City on Saturday night. It happened around 7:05 PM on Ben Bow street in the Queen Square area. 19 year old Javan Clare was with two other men transporting some speakers on a bicycle cart when a man came up behind them and opened fire. Clare was hit to the right arm - and the gunman rode off.
New US Ambassador Finally Touches Down In Bze
Carlos Moreno, the new US Ambassador to Belize arrived in the country on Saturday morning at 6:15 AM. He flew in from California via Delta Airlines, and arrived with his wife, Christine. Moreno was greeted on the tarmac by Embassy staff who were waiting for him. Waiting for about a year actually - that's when Moreno was first nominated to the post - but it took 10 months for the US Senate to approve him.
But, he's here now and preparing to present his credentials tomorrow. Moreno told LOVE TV on arrival what he intends to do in his time here:...
Carlos Moreno, US Ambassador - Designate to Belize
"The Government of the United States and the Government of Belize have an outstanding, longstanding relationship. I look forward to improving that relationship in so many ways."
PM To Dominican Republic For SICA
Prime Minister Dean Barrow left the country today. He will attend a Summit of the Central American Integration System, known as SICA. Usually such meetings are attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, but the Prime Minister is going because the rotating presidency of SICA will be handed over to Belize.
It is the 43rd Summit of SICA Heads of State and Government and it starts on Thursday morning in Puntacana, in the east of the Dominican Republic.
Belize will hold the SICA Presidency for six months.
The Prime Minister returns next week Monday and Gaspar Vega will be acting Prime Minister.
No Evidence In Murder Trial Against Marlon
27 year-old Marlon Foreman, who was accused of murder for the shooting death of 20 year-old Barney Cunningham Jr., was allowed to go home a free man today after the Prosecution announced that there is no evidence to proceed in the case against him.
Viewers may remember that Cunningham Jr. was one of 4 persons who was shot at around 7 p.m. on March 4, 2010. They were all helping a person to move when a lone gunman rode up on a bicycle and fired 15 shots at the group. They all got hit by the gunfire, but Cunningham suffered the worse injures after he got shot in the head. He clung to life for a few hours, but passed away at the Belize Medical Associates.
When the case went before the Supreme Court, Crown Counsel Sheneiza Smith told the court that the main prosecution witness cannot be located, so they are forced to enter the case into a "nolle-pros" based on lack of evidence.
Byron Shouldn't Have Been Charged
33 year-old San Pedro Resident, Byron Evans, who as accused of irresponsibly shooting at a dog in public, was allowed to go home a free man after the charge was withdrawn today.
As we told you, on June 10, while he was on Tarpon Street in San Pedro, when Evans fired shots after he was attacked by 2 Pit Bulls that belonged to a neighbor of the Minister of Tourism, Hon. Manuel Heredia. He did it in self defense with a licensed firearm, but the gun he was remanded against the objections of his attorney.
When he came back today before Magistrate Dale Cayetano, the charge of discharging a firearm in public was withdrawn on instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions, Cheryl-Lynn Vidal.
Honoring Those Dedicated Public Servants
For the past 9 years, on June 23rd Belize celebrates United Nations Public Service Day. Each year the Ministry of Public Service hosts an awards ceremony and luncheon for hundreds of public servants across the country. It provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the diverse contributions public officers make throughout the year. 66 public servants with 25 or more years of experience were awarded today at the ceremony, and 7news was there in the midst of the celebration.
Senator Charles Gibson, Minister of Public Service
"The 23rd of June each year has been declared as public service day and for the past 9 - 10 years we have been celebrating public service day in Belize. What we try to do first of all is to find out those public officers who have served 25 years and more and the whole idea is to ensure that we recognize and honor and we reward these officers for the hard work, the dedication that they have been doing over that period of time. As you can see this morning, we had what I would consider a very impressive ceremony and now we are having a luncheon and it is really, as I've said before, to honor them and to tell them thank you for the hard work and the dedication that they have done to assist in the development of this country."
Conch Season Closing Next Week
Ceviche and conch soup lovers, you have one more week to part-take in the prized sea-snail. That's because the conch season will be closed on July 1st and it will remain closed until midnight of September 30th. During this time it is illegal to fish conch. The closed season is set to coincide with the period when mature conchs usually mate.
2014 September Celebrations Opening; Ernestine and Destra At Centre Stage
IT'S June, but The 2014 September Celebrations officially will officially open this weekend, June 28, and the National Celebration's Commission intends to make it a grand event.
The Commission, working along with concert promoters, Flavaz Entertainment, will bring Trinidadian Soca Queen Destra in for a grand soca concert. On the ticket of performers will be Local soca royalty, including Ernestine Carballo, who's new soca album will also be launched.
Today, the promoters stopped by to tell us how the event will work:
Tiffarah "Andazi" Panton - PR, Flavaz Entertainment
"We are going to have a huge concert, it's going to feature Trinidadians soca queen Destra Garcia and we also have our very own soca queen Ernestine Carballo launching her album that she is releasing this year, its called "Soca Party 2014." It's going to be a soca party all night long. We are also featuring TR Shine and boss lady which are the Belizean soca artists that we are promoting in Belize. Its going to be a great show."
First NEBL Champs Emerge
The first ever National Elite Basketball League season came to an end this weekend with the culmination of a best of three series between the Cayo Western Ballaz and the San Pedro Tigersharks.
It started on Friday night in Cayo at the Sacred Heart College auditorium in San Ignacio. The Western Ballaz delighted Cayo fans by taking the series to a Game 3, by winning Game 2 with a score 74-67. The party started after the final whistle.
The final game was played 36 hours later, on Sunday morning in San Pedro. The Cayo team were down most of the game, but kept on trying. Still, though they were unable to out hustle the playoff MVP Ashton Edwards who put up 2 of his 22 points. The Tigersharks remained dominant and cruised to an easy victory, 60 - 52.
The Belize Basketball Federation President Paul Thompson presented the first prize, a $20,000 cheque to the Tigersharks.
Bze Did In Central American Championships
In other sports news, a delegation of 10 Belizean athletes won 1 Gold 6 Silver and 3 Bronze at the 25th Central American Championship.
In the females, Katy Sealy was best with a gold in the Heptathlon while Alexia Neal won silver in the 100 and 400 Hurdles. For the males, Brandon Jones got silver in the 200m, long jump and Triple jump and Kenneth Medwood got silver in the 400 meter Hurdles.
Channel 5
Mother of David White speaks out – says her son was Antichrist’s victim
Lavern “Anti-Christ” Longsworth remains in prison tonight; whether or not she will spend more time in prison or be freed will be decided by the Court of Appeal on Friday. [...]
U.S. State Department blasts G.O.B. for failing to convict trafficking offenders
The U.S. State Department’s Human Trafficking Report 2014 is out, and Belize has been downgraded on the Tier Two watch list. The annual report evaluates countries on their efforts to [...]
Human Trafficking Council says effort has been constant
The report observes other inadequacies in government’s efforts to combat human trafficking, claiming that authorities failed to protect victims of human trafficking while in Belize, and also failed to safely [...]
Cotton Tree Village Council takes G.O.B. to court
This morning, attorneys for the Cotton Tree Village Council and the government of Belize met in Supreme Court for case management. The dispute is over two hundred and fifty-four lots [...]
The Valley of Peace Farmers’ Association versus Green Tropics
Marshalleck is also the attorney on record for the Valley of Peace Farmers’ Association, currently in dispute with agricultural giant Green Tropics. So-called peaceful negotiations broke down more than a [...]
G.O.B. will have to pay ACES for destruction of its property during riots in PG
At around three this afternoon, the Court of Appeal struck out an application by attorneys for the government of Belize. In 2010, young Benjamin and Onelia Rash went missing in [...]
Love triangle turns ugly in the west – 2 cops beat up a taxi operator
Allegations of excessive use of force by police officers are commonplace in the media and reports of brutality are no longer as sensational. But for one San Ignacio resident who [...]
Criminal and internal investigation launched by San Ignacio Police
This afternoon, we spoke with Inspector Reymundo Reyes who told us that the matter is being investigated both criminally and internally since there are conflicting accounts of what transpired. [...]
Public Service Minister comments on fired teachers
A total of twelve teachers have been fired as a result of the merger of three high schools in Belize City. It means that if the Ministry of Education has [...]
66 public officers recognized for Public Service Day
Public Service Day is celebrated every year on June twenty-third. This morning, a number of public officers with a quarter of a century of service were honored at an all [...]
Murder trial of Marlon Foreman falls apart due to lack of evidence
Twenty-seven-year-old Marlon Foreman, who was initially accused of murder and three counts of attempted murder, gained his freedom today. Foreman was behind bars since January 2009 for the shooting death [...]
Changes in the senior command in San Pedro Police
There has been a recent spike in violent crimes and drug trafficking in San Pedro, the most recent resulting in the arrest of a couple on Friday for possession of [...]
Gathering of the Children of the Earth – thousands converge on Indian Creek
A mass congregation of approximately two thousand men, women and children, primarily of Maya descent, converged on the primary school compound in the village of Indian Creek on Sunday for [...]
Barrow assumes presidency of SICA
Belize is assuming the presidency of the Central American Integration System, SICA, for a period of six months, beginning July first. Prime Minister Dean Barrow left the country for the [...]
The kickoff of the Carnival Season 2014
Early indications are that carnival 2014 will be the biggest ever; so far seventeen bands have registered for the hugely popular event which attracts thousands of spectators along the carnival [...]
San Pedro Tigersharks win NEBL Championship
In the National Elite Basketball League, 2 games were played over the weekend. In game 2 o the finals, Western Ballaz tied the series 1-1 beating Tigersharks 74-67 forcing a [...]
CTV3
Corozal Resident Charged For Drug Trafficking
This morning 31 year old Adrian Williams was arraigned in the Corozal Magistrates Court for the crime of drug trafficking. Williams pleaded not guilty to the charge and was offered bail of $3000.00 which he met.
Williams was detained on Thursday evening by Corozal Police who became suspicious as they saw him riding a female beach cruiser on the Santa Rita Road. Williams was riding contrary to traffic and as a result police set chase after him. When he saw the cops he jumped off the bicycle and ran into Williams Schofield Street. With nowhere to go Williams jumped a fence and threw a white object into some nearby bushes.
Quick police respond led to Williams’ apprehension but nothing incriminating was found on him. He however, was taken to the spot where police saw him throw the white object. It was discovered to be a transparent plastic containing white substance suspected to be cocaine.
Corozal Police On The Lookout For Wanted Man
Corozal Police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a man from the Village of Libertad who is wanted for the crime of dangerous harm. He is no other than Wilbert Carcamo who is accused of attacking 24 year old Andrew Lopez and his wife as they headed to the bus stop located near the Libertad Junction.
Lopez, who is from the Village of Xaibe in Corozal, told authorities that on June 22nd at around 7:00pm, he and his wife were walking along the main road in Libertad Village heading towards the bus stop when he was almost hit by a vehicle traveling into the village.
In order to avoid being hit, Lopez and his wife ran into some nearby bushes. Lopez shouted at the driver who stopped, reversed and came out of the vehicle with a wheel spanner in hand. Lopez recognized the driver as Wilbert Carcamo of Libertad Village who was accompanied by his sister Reina Carcamo. According to Lopez he told Carcamo to be careful when driving.
Arson Committed In The Village Of August Pine Ridge
Two brothers from the Village of August Pine Ridge in the District of Orange Walk are tonight without a homeless after their dwelling was purposely set on fire.
Elder Oliva and Jairo Chi left their home on Friday around 7:00pm. At around 10:30pm they were returning home when they saw a man whom they recognized, riding his bicycle. The individual was coming from the direction of Oliva and Chi’s residence.
Both brothers continued on their path and when they arrived home they saw their house roof engulfed in flames and the structure quickly being consumed by the fire. With the assistance from a few villagers, Oliva and Chi managed to extinguish the fire but by that time it dozed off, they had lost everything inside and the structure weakened.
Police Conducted "Clear Water" Operation and Ceased A Good Number Of Drugs
San Pedro Police in close collaboration with Belize City Police conducted an operation called “Clear water’ on Ambergris Caye over the weekend which netted them a good number of drugs and one person was arrested.
The first raid was done about 8:30 on Saturday night in the San Pedrito where police found (7) transparent plastic bags of Cannabis weighing 200grams. It was taken to the station and labeled as found property.
Minutes later, about 8:35pm, searches were conducted in the same area where police found (2) transparent plastic bags of cannabis weighing 350grams and (50) small transparent plastic bags of cannabis weighing 87.7grams. Both packages were taken to the station and labeled as found property.
Belize Ranks In Highest Rates Of Human Trafficking In The Region
It’s no secret; Belize is among the countries with the highest rates of Human Trafficking in the region. While this paints a negative image for a small country like Belize, the U.S. Government's Department of State has taken aim at the Belize Government for not doing enough to combat human trafficking in its official 2014 Report on Human Trafficking released on Saturday 21 June 2014.
The document says Belize has been punished by being elevated to "Tier 2" level, citing continuing irregularities in the Belize government's justice and prosecution system including a failure to prosecute corrupt politicians and high ranking government officials involved in the illegal human trafficking trade: "Trafficking-related complicity by government officials, including allegations of involvement of high-level officials, continued.", says the report summary.
MOW Dump Truck Ran Off The Road On The Yo Creek Road
They say that a picture speaks a thousand words and boy do we have pictures for the following story. The problem is though, we don’t have concrete information because everyone is being tight lipped about what exactly happened on Friday night on the road leading to the Village of Yo Creek in the Orange Walk District.
What we have been able to conform though, is that this dump truck, belonging to the Ministry of Works in Orange Walk, was loaded with gravel when its driver ran off the road. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the driver of the truck and his sideman were intoxicated.
They were allegedly returning from the small Mexican community of Botes located across the village of Santa Cruz. While the name of the alleged driver and his sideman has been revealed to us, we will withhold them until they have been confirmed.
Rotaract Promotes Basic Education With Primary School Children
Members of the Rotaract Club of Orange Walk hosted a total of 58 children ages 5 to 9 from the San Francisco RC School on Saturday for a morning of reading and fun. Azalia Torres - President of Rotaract told us more about the initiative.
Azalia Torres – President, Rotaract OW
“We had a little story telling with them, we had a little bit of acting also some arts and craft and we played games with the kids and the kids range from infant one, infant two and standard one of San Francisco school so one of the basic outline that Rotary International that the Rotaract club all around the world is to promote basic education and that is one way we get the students get into reading and writing and to help themselves in school as well, so that is the reason we did this program and we chose the smaller kids should they are just starting out in school as well so for them to get into the habit of reading and so they can continue the different levels as we go on as reading becomes a little bit more advance and it will help them into their education.”
More Drugs removed off the Streets Of O/W
That was not the only drug bust for the week as authorities also managed to confiscate some seven pounds of weed which was discovered in a bus travelling towards Belize City.
The discovery was made yesterday at around 2:00pm when North Composite Patrol searched a Tillett Bus which was on Belize Corozal Road (near Atlantic Bank) heading to Belize City. Police entered the bus and informed all passengers to open their bags as random searches would be conducted.
During the search, police observed a green Everest nap sack on the front of the bus which no one claimed. Upon opening the bag Police observed seven parcels wrapped in transparent plastic which contained vegetable substance consistent to that of Marijuana. The bus was allowed to continue on its journey and the bag and its content were confiscated. Each of the seven parcels weighed one pound. The drug was labelled as found property.
Man Detained For Drug Trafficking
Authorities in Orange Walk made a significant bust early this morning on a feeder road about 2 miles south of August Pine ridge Village. According to police, based on information received, an operation was launched which netted drugs, firearm and ammunition. Deputy Commanding the Orange Walk formation, Inspector Selvin Tillett, says their intelligence units have been increasing their patrols in these crime prone areas which have resulted in convictions and arrests.
Inspector Selvin Tillett – Deputy commanding OW Police
“They searched a house, find a male person, when they entered the house they found a 16 gauge shotgun which the person had no license for, 6 16 gauge cartridges, 1 20 gauge cartridge, further search within the lead to a discovery of 386.3 grams of suspected cannabis, the male person, Matilde Ku, was informed of the offense thereafter the police continue searching and in the yard they found a clearing which had about a hundred seedlings of marijuana so he will be charged for cultivation of marijuana and also they found two bags containing suspected marijuana; one weighting four pounds the other weight nine pounds a total of thirteen pounds of marijuana plants and so at this moment this persons has been charged of two counts of drug trafficking and he was charged for kept unlicensed firearm, two counts of kept unlicensed ammunition and one count for cultivation.”
G.R.E.A.T Program Records Another Great Achievement
The main task and responsibility of The Belize Police Department is to fight crime thus keeping Belizeans safe. But despite of the immense efforts by the department, statistics prove that it will take the entire nation to fight crime. And that is where the “G.R.E.A.T” program comes in. The Gang Resistance Education and Training project was launched in 2010 with the aim of teaching youths the importance of being good citizens and how to resist the pressure of entering gangs. The initiative is being incorporated countrywide and today students from three primary schools in the Corozal District found themselves taking part in the last day of the 13 weeks program as they received their certificates. Reporter Victor Castillo has the story.
Today certificates were handed over to 25 students from the Church of Christ School in the Corozal District. But they were not graduating from Standard Six, they were being awarded for successfully completing the 13 weeks Gang Resistance Education and Training program introduced by the Police department along with the Ministry of Education and funded in part by the United States Embassy.
While “G.R.E.A.T” has been implemented in other parts of the country, it was recently introduced in the Corozal District.
Sea Cucumber Season Is Closed
Fisher folk are reminded by the Fisheries Department that after June 30th, no persons shall take, buy, sell or have in possession, export or attempt to export any sea cucumber.
This move is in accordance with Statutory Instrument No. 67 of 2009.
Any person found in possession of sea cucumber after this date will be charged and prosecuted in a Court of Law in accordance to the Fisheries Regulations. The cooperation of the Fishing Community and the Public is greatly appreciated to ensure the sustainable use and conservation of this important fishery resource.
AmbergrisCaye.com 
