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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
The perfect pairing for rice and beans: Stewed Chicken!
Countries of the Americas hold national consultations to make universal health coverage a regional priority
Washington, D.C., 16 July 2014 (PAHO/WHO) - The countries of the Americas are holding national consultations to discuss the way forward to reach universal health coverage, with the support of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO). National health authorities and other health sector actors are participating in the dialogues, which will help shape […]
Costa Maya Festival® presents Miss Guatemala!
The beautiful Keyla Bermudez is the final contestant for Reina de la Costa Maya. She hails from Livingston, Guatemala, and is Miss Guatemala World.
Senior Ambassador Alfredo “Fred” Martinez laid to rest with full state funeral
The Government of Belize honored deceased Senior Ambassador His Excellency Alfredo “Fred” Martinez with a full state funeral. The 60 year old diplomat died on Wednesday July 9th in Guatemala City after ailing for a few weeks and up until the time of his death, Martinez was Belize’s Ambassador to Guatemala. Martinez was buried on […]
Ambergris Today
Miss Guatemala Contestant Announced for Costa Maya Festival
Keyla Bermudez has been chosen to represent her country as Miss Guatemala Costa Maya at the Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant that will be taking place during the International Costa Maya Festival in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize on Thursday, August 7, 2014.
At 22 years old and standing 5’ 7” tall, Keyla Bermudez has black eyes and dark brown hair. She is a Student of Public Accounting and Audit., loves reading and dancing. Keyla participated in the Miss Guatemala Pageant and won the title of Miss World Guatemala 2014.
Misc Belizean Sources
Las pequeñas batallas
The Embassy of Mexico invites the general public to the presentation of the play in Spanish "Las pequeñas batallas" by the theater company "Elenco".
Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy this magnificent play by Mexican playwright Oscar Palacios, performed by actors Miguel García-Minaburo and Brayan Albor, under the direction of Miguel Carrillo. This play reflects on family issues and leaves a positive message for their solutions.
The theater company "Elenco" was founded in 1989 and has successfully played in several theatres in Mexico. They have also been involved in the regional theater of the Yucatan Peninsula. Elenco has staged in children's plays and has participated in many festivals during their 25 year long career.
Community Policing Initiative for Cayo
With its new management team now consolidated, the San Ignacio Police Formation will be holding a very important public meeting at the Cayo Welcome Center in San Ignacio Town on August 6th to inform the public on crime statistics and other matters relating to community policing. All are welcome to this important interface between the Police and the Community. Members of the Cayo Neighborhood Watch Association CNWA, People’s Coalition of Cayo PCC and Police Special Constables are also being invited to this meeting.
International Costa Maya Update
Starting this Friday, July 18, 2014 - Miss Photogenic competition featuring the 8 delegates of Miss Costa Maya 2014. Voting will be done on Facebook. The top 3 winners will receive a gift basket each, which will feature art from local artist Mirza Perez of Azrim Kreashans, among other gifts. Stay tuned for more information.
Empezando este viernes el 18 de julio, en Belize Pageant Updates: La competencia de Miss Fotogénica con las 8 delegadas de Miss Costa Maya 2014. La votación se realiza en Facebook. Las 3 primeras ganadoras recibirán una cesta de regalo cada una, que tendran arte de artista beliceña Mirza Perez de Azrim Kreashans, y también otros regalos. Estén atentos para más información
Navy Medicine Works in Belize
U.S. Navy medical professionals are traveling to rural areas with local doctors and nurses in Belize, Central America, to help with the patient load and observe how the local medical system operates.
“These clinics get out and see the rural villages that don’t really have access to healthcare,” said Lt. Cmdr. Tim Whiting, a public health nurse assigned to Naval Medical Center Portsmith. “We’ve been able to tag along on these mobile clinics to get out and see what’s actually going on out in these villages, and how they do healthcare out there.”
The mobile clinics are sponsored by the Belize Ministry of Health. The Belize healthcare professionals pack up a truck with medical equipment and travel out to remote locations.
“Today we were very stationary,” said Whiting. “Some of the other mobile clinics will be very mobile – lots more house calls. This is our fifth mobile clinic that we went on today, and they’ve all been very different.”
BELMOPAN DAY 2014
Progress with the restoration part of the Historical Mural Preservation and Promotion Project
Underway at the Corozal Town Hall this week. (4 photos)
SPORTS CORNER - Let's continue to support Sports and Body Building fitness in Corozal
Rigo Vellos of Corozal has been accumulating many accolades in his Body Building career.
He currently holds the Mr. Belize title. He is hosting the 1st Annual Spartan Fitness Club Bodybuilding Classic on July 19th (Saturday) at the Civic Centre - Corozal. Bring out the entire family.
Channel 7
Lionel Sampson Killed On Early Morning Walk
Last night, we showed you the comments from the Police Minister John Saldivar, who took a swipe at the media. He suggested that the press is responsible for the negative perception surrounding the current crime situation in Belize City.
But that perception became real for the family of 28 year-old Lionel Sampson early this morning, when gunmen attacked him will he was on a morning walk.
Police say that he was Racoon Street extension his assailants shot him multiple times in the upper body. Officers from Precinct 2 have been investigating his murder, and this afternoon, they briefed the media on the information they have so far:
Robbers Went For Security Guards Gun; Left Bowen Employees Along
Police from Precinct 2 had to respond to another crime in their area when 2 men ambushed a security guard who was guarding a Bowen and Bowen truck.
The Bowen employees stopped to make a delivery at one of the shops on Haulze Street, in the Lake Independence area, a short distance away from the Mahogany Street Police Sub-Station.
With the police nearby, and their own dedicated guard with them, the delivery team may have believed that they were secured. But, reports say that in an approximate 10-minute operation, armed masked men singled the security guard out, forced him to the ground and gun-point and relieved him of his service weapon, which belongs to his security firm.
Police arrived shortly after, and set chase after the men. The officer from Precinct 2 shared more details with us today:
Meet The New OCED
That's great police work today, a few hours before the newly promoted Assistant Police Commissioner Desiree Phillips granted a media encounter in her new post as Officer Commanding Eastern Division. Today, she sat down with us in her office and discuss the current situation in Belize City, and recent spike in crime.
Here's what she told us:
Reporter
"What are the proposals under your command that you foresee trying to bring this back down and have people feel comfortable in coming back to Belize City because we are already hearing people saying once again I am afraid to come to Belize City."
ACP - Desiree Phillips - New OCED
"Well you know to be honest with you a lot has to do with all the sensitization by the media spilling things over, but realistically speaking the truth of the matter is that things are not as bad as it may seem. You may or may not want to agree with me but that's the reality and I have been involved in different meetings with the different gang groups over the past few months and some of the things that we have been doing it has been working. We will continue to build on those things. Like I said it's nothing new, it's just a matter of building on what we have been doing and doing more of what makes successful; doing more of what works. With respect to the high visibility presence in the streets, that will definitely continue. We will definitely be imploring on intelligence lead policing of course. We will be re-strategizing our efforts, but of course we remain focus."
Money Fight Inside Non-Profit Foundation
Last night, we showed you the 3rd Annual Award Ceremony for the Ariel Rosado Memorial Education Foundation. That happened yesterday, and this time around the foundation handed out 30 scholarships, twice the number it gave when it started back in 2011.
Viewers may remember that the foundation was created in memory of the late Ariel Rosado, a prominent cyclist, who was killed in a traffic accident. The non-profit organization's business is to give worthy candidates an opportunity to finish their education, but what wasn't revealed until earlier this week is that the founders of the organization are now embroiled in litigation.
Yesterday, we got some brief commentary from the Chairman of the Foundation's Board, Dr. Alvaro Rosado - who is also Ariel's dad. Here's how he explained his grievance with the Sanchez Father and Son, the other half board's management:
PM 3rd Business Forum
Today, the Prime Minister and the Government of Belize hosted it's 3rd Annual Business Forum. As we've featured in our news before, the purpose of this gathering is to bridge the gap between the public and private sector.
Today's agenda was all about how this partnership can help to develop Belize's Economy, and at the Opening Ceremony Prime Minister Dean Barrow took the opportunity to remind the attendees that his Government has been working diligently toward this goal.
Here's an excerpt of his keynote address:
Hon. Dean Barrow - Prime Minister of Belize
"On the productive sector side we did put substantial initial emergency funds into sugar and made sustained and ultimately successful attempts to attract a heavyweight investor to buy over the BSI mill and avert industry collapse. Of course a second major investment in sugar leading to the construction of a new factory in the west is now well underway.
Man Accused of Inappropriate Relations With Underage Female
Tonight, 23 year-old Caye Caulker Resident Luis Alberto Barrera continues to face a sexual assault charge after he allegedly took advantage of a 15 year-old girl.
Police say that the young lady and her mother visited the station on Monday afternoon and reported that this man has been having intercourse with her for the past six month on 5 different occasions at different locations in the village. A medical examination was conducted on her which certified that she was carnally known.
Police have since investigated the girls report, and they've charged Barrera with 5 counts of unlawful sexual intercourse. He has since been arraigned at the San Pedro Magistrate's Court.
The New Taiwanese Ambassador, H.E. Ho
On Tuesday, we told you about the new Taiwanese Ambassador, Benjamin Ho. He's replacing Ambassador David Wu, who's served in Belize for 4 years.
Well, Ambassador Ho and his wife arrived at the PGIA this morning to a group of Taiwanese Belizeans who made sure to stop in and greet the new diplomat. We met him at the airport and spoke about coming back to Belize in an official capacity, after so many years:
Benjamin Ho, new Taiwanese Ambassador
"Like a boy away from home so many years and come back you can imagine how excited I am to be back."
Heredia Jr. Helps Fire Victims
Last week, we told you about the blaze on San Pedro Town which left 16 families comprising 66 people and 32 children homeless.
They've since been getting assistance from the Belize Red Cross and other persons of goodwill in the form of relief, but today, the Tourism Minister Manuel Heredia Jr., who is also their area rep, chipped in. That assistance came by way of a $5,000 cheque to the San Pedro Branch of the Belize Red Cross
The BTB staff also donated boxes of clothing, food items and toiletries
Kaina's Ready For Glasgow
For the past 6 months sprinter Kaina Martine has been abroad getting pro-level coaching to become a world-class athlete. She became the first Belizean to earn a full athletic Scholarship, studying at Texas A and M Kingsville.
She's back in Belize, making final preparations for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, which is only a week or so away.
On Tuesday, we got a chance to speak with her, and we asked if that coaching in the US will help her on the goal to a medal in the Glasgow games. Here's what she told us:
British Born Belizean Flag-bearer
Kaina Martinez is one of 12 athletes who will Represent Belize. But the representative who will take the Belizean flag and fly it at the games for the rest of the world to see will be British Born Katy Sealy.
A release from the National Olympic Committee says, "At an Executive Meeting held by the National Olympic Committee on Saturday, July 12th, heptathlete Katy Sealy was selected as the flag bearer for Belize at the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremonies."
As we've told you Sealy is a 23 year-old British Citizen, who has Belizean parentage. She lives in Eastern England, and she has been training for years as a heptathlete.
Novellas In Real Life?
Right now, there is a group of theatre actors from Mexico who are in Belize, and they're making final preparations to put on a show in Belize.
Their production is called "Las Pequenas Batallas", and if you haven't guessed it by now, the dialog is all in Spanish.
So, if you're fluent in the language, the Mexican Institute wants you come out and enjoy the production, should be a treat. After all, it's theatre in Spanish.
We went to the Mexican Institute for a preview and spoke with the actors about what you should expect:
Channel 5
Another Brazen Early Morning City Execution in the City
The area of the Raccoon Street Extension is quickly becoming a hotspot in the south side of Belize City. Four shootings, three of which ended in murder, have occurred in [...]
Robbers Steal Security Guard’s Gun on Oleander Street
A daring mid-morning robbery during which a Bowen & Bowen delivery truck was held up in the Lake Independence Area, but instead of money, the robbers went after the service [...]
Prison Stabbing Leaves Inmate with Superficial Wounds
Twenty-three-year-old Jamal Ariola, an inmate of the Belize Central Prison, was the victim of a stabbing incident on Wednesday morning when a fellow prisoner stabbed him multiple times with a [...]
Internal Battles at the Ariel Rosado Memorial Foundation Boil Over
The Ariel Rosado Memorial Education Foundation prided itself on Wednesday when it granted thirty scholarships to deserving students. But an internal problem at the Foundation has gone public and the [...]
Bruce Sanchez Accuses Alvaro Rosado of Financial Hanky Panky
Sanchez Senior also provided copies of two cheques that were deposited into Alvaro Rosado’s personal account and showed some receipts to substantiate payments made without his knowledge. While the Sanchez’s [...]
Public and Private Sectors Meet on Economic Development
Today, the Belize Biltmore Plaza was the site of a very high-profile, high-powered economic forum, under the theme – Strengthening Partnership for Growth. It’s the third of its kind, an [...]
Trade and Investment C.E.O. says GOB is Growing Jobs
The latest statistics on unemployment in Belize, released a few weeks ago by the Statistical Institute, shows an increase in joblessness in the districts. The only increase in employment was [...]
OSH Bill Under Discussion by Economic Development Committee
In January 2014 the Occupational Safety and Health Bill was tabled in the House of Representatives. For the unions who pushed the bill, the road was a long one, and [...]
B.S.I. Says Farmers’ Demands Unreasonable
The Belize Sugar Industries Ltd. and the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association remain at odds over the proceeds of bagasse which is being used by BELCOGEN to generate the energy [...]
B.S.I. Ready to Make Bagasse Payment…but on its Terms
A meeting of the B.S.C.F.A. will be convened on Sunday, when the membership will decide on the proposal offered by B.S.I. Meanwhile, Carballo told News Five today that once B.S.C.F.A. [...]
Overnight and Cruise Arrivals Up in First Half of 2014
There’s good news coming out of the tourism industry tonight. According to the latest figures from the B.T.B., overnight and cruise arrivals have gone up in every month this year [...]
New Eastern Division Commanders Speak on Crime
Assistant Commissioner of Police Dezerie Phillips is the second woman to take the helm of the Eastern Division. Her new posting was announced last week, and she joined fellow officers [...]
Andres Bol Acquitted of 2011 Murder
Wednesday’s acquittal of Renan Briceño Junior for the murder of Dale Tillett was followed today by the acquittal of forty year old Andres Bol. Bol was set free by Justice [...]
Local Author Releases New Book
The Adventures of Herbert, the Hickatee is the newest publication to be released by a local author. Gianni Martinez is a teacher in Belize City. Her story centers on the [...]
Solid Waste Management Revisited
The Belize Solid Waste Management Project is in full swing at the moment. It addresses various processes, including the creation of waste, collection, transfer and disposal, as well as the [...]
Popular Songstress Releases New Video
Roxana Alcoser is well-known for her melodious voice; she sings with the popular family band Super Furia from Orange Walk Town. The band has released hit songs on patriotism during [...]
Healthy Living Looks at Gestational Diabetes
There aren’t statistics available in Belize about how often women develop gestational diabetes. In the US, though, it is estimated that as many as one in ten women will develop [...]
CTV3
BSCFA Responds To BSI's Letter
Approximately two weeks, that is the amount of time the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association has to respond to the proposal made by the Belize Sugar Industries Limited for 51 cents payment per ton of bagasse. Via a letter sent yesterday to the BSCFA, addressed to the Chairman of the Committee of Management, Leonardo Cano, BSI makes it known that the offer for payment for bagasse made during the negotiations will remain open through 5:00 p.m. on
Friday 1st August 2014. This is after the agreement signed on January 13th 2014, became null and void after both parties were unable to reach an agreement on the negotiations of bagasse before the end of the crop season.
While the BSCFA did not respond to the letter yesterday, they certainly did not keep quiet today.
Castillo Also Sought By Mexican Police
Mexican Authorities are also the heels of Castillo. Castillo’s picture is circulating in ten municipalities of Quintana Roo where it is believed he might have absconded along with his common-law-wife Avicelie Duran. The 37 year old is being sought by the Federal and State Police and the Mexican Army and Navy.
Court To Decide If Novelo Gets Back His Land
Earlier in April of this year, we reported on Jose Novelo’s leased land that he claims he had been developing for over 30 years which was given to someone else, in this case, his relative Everisto Novelo. The mix-up prompted an immediate investigation on the hands of the Lands Department. And while the investigation proved that Jose was indeed the true developer of land, he had already taken the matter to court. In an interview with Channel 5, Lands Commissioner Wilbert Vallejos said they were planning on returning the land to Jose Novelo, but with the matter before the court, they will just have to wait and see the outcome of that case. We spoke to Jose Novelo this afternoon who too says that they will wait after July 28th, which is the date set for their 3rd hearing in court. We’ll keep you updated as this story develops.
BSI/ASR Meets One On One With Cane Farmers
As you heard at the top of the newscast, the relationship between the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association and Belize Sugar Industries Limited is currently navigating in turbulent waters. The main cause of contention is the payment per ton of bagasse.
On one hand we have BSCFA asking for $10.00 per ton of bagasse and on the other we have BSI offering 51 cents per ton. With none of the parties backing down, the sugar industry finds itself under a dark cloud. Both entities have given their side of the story to the media. But here is a first for BSI.
The company has been having one on one session’s with cane farmers, bringing to the table their case when it comes to the bagasse issue.
Ministry Of Health Receives Eleven New Vehicles
Presently the Ministry of Health, particularly the Vector Control Unit is doing everything in its power to keep Belize free from the Chikungunya disease that has spread throughout the Caribbean and claimed the lives of hundreds. The unit has also been reinforcing the awareness of the Dengue virus since the same species of mosquito that carries the Dengue virus is carrier of the Chikungunya Disease.
Today their job has been made a bit easier as they now have access to more transportation to move around. As part of a Contribution Agreement from the European Union to improve and upgrade the Vector Control Unit of the Ministry of Health, today 11 Toyota Hilux 4 X 4 Pick-up trucks were handed over to the Vector Control Unit.
Rotaract To Hold Fourth Annual Bag Drive
For many families, the beginning of a new school year proves to be a financial burden especially in these hard economic times. In that light, the Orange Walk Rotaract Club is lessening the burden of those obligations for the upcoming school year with its 4th annual school bag drive. Rotaract’s Secretary, Azalia Torres, says this year the drive is being carried out under the name “Kind Hearts Bag Drive”. She encourages the public to take part in the drive which primarily assists needy children.
Azalia Torres – Secretary, Rotaract, OW
“This year we named it “The heart’s kind bag drive” and what we are doing is collecting school bags used and new and as well as school supplies like pens, pencils, exercise blanks, erasers anything that a child would need at the beginning of the school year; we ask the community, usually A&R would donate to us school supplies and last year we donated 100 bags total to the area of San Francisco School and now this year we want to double that we want to give out 200 bags.”
New Ambassador To Belize To Arrive On Thursday
Tomorrow the new Ambassador of (China) Taiwan to Belize is expected to arrive in the country. His Excellency Ambassador Benjamin Ho, will succeed His Excellency David Wu, who left the country on Saturday.
It’s not the first time that Ho will set foot in Belize. From 1994 to 19 98 he served as Belize’s First Secretary and Senior Specialist.
Mathew "Mateo Bull" Recaptured By Police
Yesterday we told you about a prisoner who escaped from his holding cell at the Orange Walk Police Station. But that prisoner’s freedom did not last long as tonight, he is back in police custody.
We understand that Matthew ‘Mateo’ Bull was recaptured when police got information that he was staying in a house in Trial Farm Village in the Orange Walk District. Police have also detained a female person who we understand will be charged for aiding and abetting a criminal.
Manuel Castillo Makes INTERPOL List Of Most Wanted
And while we are on the topic of Manuel Castillo, the United States Interpol has received word that Castillo is wanted in Belize to serve his sentence so his profile has made the international wanted list. INTERPOL is the world’s largest international police organization, with 190 member countries. Their role is to enable police around the world to work together to make the world a safer place. Interpol’s high-tech infrastructure of technical and operational support helps meet the growing challenges of fighting crime in the 21st century.
BSCFA Representatives Discuss Cane Quality
While representatives of BSI/ASR have been making their rounds with cane farmers discussing the bagasse issue, so have the BSCFA only because they are touching a different topic. Field officers, the Cane Quality team and members of the Sugar Cane Production Committee under the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association met yesterday morning at the San Estevan Lion’s Club to discuss the strengths and weaknesses that were noted over the crop season. Primarily the group is trying to work out the kinks as it pertains to cane quality for the upcoming cane season.
Alfredo Ortega– Vice Chair, BSCFA
“To see how best we can have a better relation with the different test groups at the branch level so that we can reduce the incidents in regards to the quality of cane that is being brought to the mill.”
AmbergrisCaye.com 
