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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
McKenna Rockets to host basketball camp
The newly formed McKenna Rockets Basketball Team in San Pedro has joined up with Gabriel “Gaby” Nuñez, Deputy Mayor and Councilor in charge of sports, to host a two week summer basketball camp. Starting Monday, August 4th to Friday, August 15th, the camp will be held at the San Pedro High School Campus. It is for children between the ages of eight to 16 and is free of charge. There are limited spaces and only the first 60 players to register by August 4th at 8:30AM will be accepted. In addition the summer camp will host two basketball games at the end of the program. The games that will be played are the McKenna Rockets against Caye Caulker Basketball Team and ABS Warriors from Belize City against Caye Caulker Basketball Team. A fee of $5 for adults and $2 for children is being charged to watch the games. The date for the game will be announced later.
For more information contact William Burke at 661-7205.
District Education Office receives donation from visitors
The San Pedro Town District Education Office of the Ministry of Education received donations from two vacationing couples on Ambergris Caye. Two sets of educational materials were delivered on Monday July 22nd, and will be used as part of the teachers’ training being planned for the summer. Terri and Danny McGuire and Jenie and Karen Morgan are frequent visitors to the island, and on this trip, they decided to bring school materials that could assist in the teaching of the island’s children. According to Terri, a special education teacher from Texas USA, the donation is a form of giving back to the San Pedro community, a place that she plans to retire to in the near future.She said that she also encouraged her vacation companion to do likewise by bringing along the much needed educational materials.
Anabel Kumul officially charged for Felix Alamilla’s murder
According to the deputy commanding officer of the San Pedro Police Formation, Inspector of Police Henry Jemmott, Kumul was formally charged for the crime of murder following the instruction of the Director of Public Prosecution. Kumul is the prime suspect in the murder investigation of Alamilla which occurred sometime around 6AM on Wednesday July 23rd inside a building (under construction) on South Ambergris Caye.
According to Jemmott, Kumul, who is Mexican, was apprehended sometime around 7:30 AM on the same day of the incident. He told The San Pedro Sun that police were placed at various exit points on Ambergris Caye and a team of police officers sighted the suspect as she approached a local airline hangar. Jemmott explained that when Kumul saw police, she attempted to flee, but police set chase and quickly apprehended her.
Ambergris Today
Pic of the Week:
That Romantic Spot in Paradise
There are many spectacular spots on La Isla Bonita, but do you remember where you got your first kiss, first date or even where you got engaged? The elderly couple in the picture is proof that true love exists. Every day at exactly 5:30p.m. this lovely couple walks to the beach with their dog and sits at their favorite spot gazing out to sea; they enjoy the spectacular view where, we believe, they shared the best memories of their lives together - and still do every day.
25 Years Ago
Lifestyles of San Pedro Differ Much from Today
While Belize City residents depended on government to give them free water which they got from public pumps on the streets, Sanpedranos of yesteryears enjoyed abundance of free water in their own yards. This was possible due to the shallow wells which were dug in the sand. Of course I am talking about the beach lots, the front street (now Barrier Reef Drive) and the middle street (now Pescador Drive). Land on the back street was too close to the lagoon and the wells produced brackish water.
The well water was used for everything including the laundry, doing the dishes, bathing and drinking. As you can imagine, Sanpedranos at the time used water very generously because it was in abundance and the wells never went dry. So while today we have to pay for bottled purified water, in the past it was absolutely free. Rain water was filtered by the sand as it seeped down form a gigantic water table some ten to fifteen feet below the surface.
Free Skin Cancer Screenings at Zen Arcade
Dr. Lopez will be doing free screenings at ZEN ARCADE
AUGUST 9TH FROM 1:00PM TO 6:00 PM
PLEASE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS GENEROUS OFFER FROM DR. LOPEZ
for more information on the Doctor see his website.
Belize Tourism Board Presents New Uniforms to Airstrip Taxi Association
On Friday, July 25, 2014, Minister of Tourism Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. presented new uniforms to members of the San Pedro Airstrip Taxi Association as part of the Belize Tourism Board’s work in improving all aspects of the tourism industry in the country.
Members of the San Pedro Airstrip Taxi Association just recently completed a Public Relations and Hospitality Training seminar that was provided by the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) and the uniform were part of Hon. Heredia’s promise to the association for completing the seminar. Hon. Heredia says that the other taxi association on the island will also be taking the seminar and will be receiving new uniforms upon completion.
Misc Belizean Sources
Caribbean Trade Watch, July - August 2014
Letter: Celeo Alvarez and the finances of CABO and ODECO
I am not writing this piece for any personal gain, Belize desperately needs to prepare a cadre of youths who will succeed us. I reiterate that all countries need to register CABO, which is the only way to keep it alive and strengthen it and keep it alive with Sidney Francis as the current president. Sidney Francis and Mirta Colon need to stop being nice. It is not about being anti nor pro, I will acknowledge that Celeo has done some good things for CABO going in the international community. However he is power hungry and I am not afraid to say it to his face.
The proof is in the eating. It is in what is going on now. If Celeo was interested in the interest of all black people he would not be doing this, everywhere he goes and undermine the current structure. Everywhere he goes and line people up using his divisiveness of Garifuna versus the other, this is divisiveness. He, Roy Cayetano and the others do it just like politicians, when in the space they are so willing. This is so terrible and it is just since he has no longer been the leader.
I understand that Celeo Alverez, the president of ODECO and general secretary of ONECA/CABO, allegedly resigned when he was being questioned about the misuse of funds that came to ONECA/CABO through ODECO as its fiscal agent. Rather than deal with it he stepped away so he did not have to answer the questions asked and now that he believed that it was forgotten is he making another advance to destroy CABO to advance ODECO or regain political control of the ONECA/CABO organization?
TV Interview with PM Barrow
If you didn't get a chance to view Prime Minister Hon. Dean Barrow's up close and personal interview Sunday night, click on the link
Captive wildlife licensing procedures meeting July 30 in San Pedro
You are cordially invited to join Belize Forest Officer, Ms. Victoria Cawich, and Belize Bird Rescue Manager, Celeshia Tuy, at 7pm on the evening of the 30th of July at the San Pedro Lions Den.
Ms. Cawich will be giving a presentation on the wildlife laws of Belize and how they affect owners of captive wildlife, particularly parrots. During the evening, there will be an opportunity for parrot owners to receive full instructions on how to obtain a licence to possess their bird legally and thereby avoid confiscation once the amnesty period ends on December 31st 2014.
Also, those with an interest in parrots will have a chance to question parrot experts on the appropriate care of a captive parrot so they may conform with licence requirements, and thereby ensure a long and happy life for their captive bird. Ms. Tuy from Belize Bird Rescue will be available to give 1-on-1 advice, and if necessary, to arrange to visit homes and help parrot owners find a way to conform to the minimum standards required for licensing.
This will be a very interesting evening for parrot lovers, parrot owners and those who are interested in wildlife conservation in Belize. We hope you will be able to be there.
Western Ballaz Basketball Summer Camp
The Western Ballaz are having their first Basketball Summer Camp. It starts next Monday, August 4th, at 9am, and will be held at the SHC auditorium. A big thanks to the Western Ballaz for giving back to the community.
"It's this time of the year again!! Basketball Summer Camp will be starting on Monday, August 4 at 9 a.m. at SHC Auditorium. Children ages 5-18, males and females are invited. We watched many of these children go from CAMP to CHAMP!!!"
Mexican Assaults Corozal Police Officer
On Sunday July 27 around 5:00 a.m. Police Constable #1054 Diego Torres was in Police uniform conducting special duties at the Princess Casino at the border, when his attention was drawn to a male person and a female person arguing.
As a result, he approached the said person and identified himself as a police officer and inquired as to what was the argument about. That was when another male person who was standing beside them, pushed PC Torres without uttering a word.
PC Torres immediately informed him of the offence committed and told him that he will be detained. He then started a struggle and he told PC Torres "HUEPUTAS POLICIAS"
Corozal Crime news over the weekend
DRUG TRAFFICKING - On Friday July 25, about 11:15 a.m. Corozal Police were on special operations mobile patrol due to a prisoner exchange that was to take place, and were within the Commercial Free Zone Compound when PC J. Jimenez’s attention was drawn to a grey in color car with Orange Walk license plate C- 00086 which was parked on the left side of the road on an un named street within the Free Zone Compound.
Power Interruption Entire Cayo District
Power Interruptions, 6:00am to 6:30am and 5:30pm to 6:00pm, Tuesday July 29 and 6:00am to 6:30am and 5:30pm to 6:00pm, Wednesday, July 30: Entire Cayo District. BEL to replace equipment on the transmission system in the Cayo District.
12 AF medics depart Belize after training
Three International Health Specialists and three non-governmental organization personnel departed Belize after conducting the Global Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics Instructor and Provider Courses from July 22-24.
“The most rewarding part of this project was working with dedicated healthcare professionals from throughout Belize. Additionally, the U.S. military members and volunteers of this event put a great deal of effort into making this event successful.” Dr. Gerry Prince, LDS Charities.
The goals for the course were to prepare the Belizean providers to train others within their country, as well as improve the overall obstetrics care throughout the country.
Belize City roadworks put out to tender
Belize's works and transport ministry is seeking a contractor to carry out roadworks in Belize City.
Panel warns of Central America’s increasing dependence on Petrocaribe
As Costa Rica debates the pros and cons of joining the Venezuelan oil financing program Petrocaribe, energy experts meeting in Washington warned that countries already addicted to Petrocaribe’s cheap oil could face catastrophe if the Venezuelan economy under President Nicolás Maduro implodes.
Most of Petrocaribe’s 17 members are Caribbean island nations, but the roster also includes three Central American countries: Belize, El Salvador and Nicaragua. A fourth, Guatemala, joined in July 2008 but pulled out last November after complaining that Venezuela had changed the terms of the deal, making its oil exports less attractive.
In addition, Honduras was invited this February to rejoin Petrocaribe after having been suspended by Venezuela in 2009. Prior to that suspension – which followed the overthrow of then-President Manuel Zelaya – Honduras was receiving 20,000 barrels of oil daily to fuel its electricity power generation plants. Thanks to Petrocaribe, the Zelaya government bought that oil on a deferred basis, paying 60 percent within 90 days and the remaining 40 percent over a 25-year period, at an interest rate of only 1 percent.
Belize Bureau of Standards Hurricane Price Survey
Consumers are encouraged to view the results of the prices collected for the survey on the Belize Bureau Standards official portal www.bbs.gov.bz.
TOSTONES
1. Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Trim ends from plantains, then cut a slit down one side. Peel plantains, beginning at the slit. Slice crosswise into 12 pieces, each about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Place in a large bowl.
2. Toss plantain slices with oil and 1/8 teaspoon of the salt. Transfer to a large nonstick baking sheet or two smaller sheets (these can be lined with nonstick foil if they're not nonstick), laying slices flat.
3. Bake plantain slices at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes. Remove pan from oven. Place a few slices on a cutting board, and press gently with the bottom of a glass or measuring cup. Turn over (bottoms will be lightly browned) and return to baking sheet. Repeat with all slices. Coat plantain slices lightly with nonstick cooking spray and sprinkle with remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt. Return baking sheet(s) to oven and bake an additional 5 minutes, until crisp. Serve tostones warm with Cilantro Cream on the side for dipping.
No Churn Sour Sop Ice Cream/No tub needed
Sour Sop as it's know in Belize or Guanabana as it's known in other Latin countries is a wonderfully healthy fruit. It can be eaten as is or you can make desserts from it. This ice cream doesn't use any ice cream tub and no churning. All you need is a hand mixer and some patience as you wait 8 hours for the dessert to set.
Imagine... Corozal Youth Art Exhibit
The Corozal House of Culture is dedicated in developing and promoting cultural artists of all ages. We are delighted to open our first youth art exhibit. Two talented Corozaleños' Carlos Carrillo and Maggie Gray will showcase a wide scope of visual art.
Please join us this Saturday, August 2nd at 7:00 p.m. in support and appreciation of their artistic endeavours, as we open this inaugural exhibit. Courtesy Corozal House of Culture.
Part V of a series of six - The Sugar Cane Industry is everyone's business
An alternative approach - Accepting the BSI gross revenue figures is but only the first step. There exists, at this point, a fork in the road in terms of what valuation method to employ.
On one end, we could calculate 29 percent of the aforementioned gross revenue of 11,752,577 (based on the fact that on average bagasse makes up 29 percent of cane).
This would equal 3.4 million = (11,752,577 x 29%). Since we’re talking about per ton of cane, then we could divide by the total number of cane delivered in 2013 to arrive at a price of $3.17 per ton of cane = ( 3,408,247/1.078 million tons of cane).
However, BSI officials would be the first to remind that not all of that 29 percent of bagasse is fibre; on average, 48 percent of it is moisture.
Even 50 percent of the average amount of bagasse is less than what Carballo quoted in a interview with the media. Therefore, let us use BSI’s figures that say the company extracted 15.41 percent of fiber out of last year’s cane deliveries.
This percentage would yield just over $1.8 million, and would give farmers $1.68 per ton of cane.
Corozal Community College (CCC) Marching Band
Performing at the FIESTARAMA in Orange Walk this weekend.
Benque Rotaract Service Day
The new Rotaract Club of Benque had a community service day. Thanks, Rotaract, and keep up the great work!
"Today the club visited Dona Rosa Maradiaga to fix her chicken coop 'gallinero.' She had expressed that her fan wasn't working and asked if anyone knew how to fix it. The club decided to purchase a new fan for her & members donated money towards this. Members also donated wood, nails, staples to fix her coop. This is our first community service project. It's an effort to connect with the elderly in our town and assist them in anyway we can, or just keep them company. Next week we'll visit another elderly woman as our project continues."
Channel 7
Gunmen Kill Kneeling Tacos Vendor and Shoot Three Females
This morning patrons of the tacos lady near Atlantic Bank on Freetown Road - didn't see "Ms. Alida" there - and that's because she is in the KHMH intensive care unit fighting for her life.
Alida Ascencio was one of four victims in a brazen home invasion and shooting which left one man dead and three females with gunshot wounds. It happened at dawn on Saturday morning, when two men walked into a home on Mopan Street with the intent to rob the tacos vendor who was up early preparing chicken. But, instead of just robbery, they turned the gun on all four persons in the house. It's an act of gratuitous and excessive cruelty and Police told the media more today.
BTB Driver Says Motorcyclist Veered Into His Lane In Double Fatality
When we left you on Friday night, it was with the tragic news that there had been a double fatality on the Northern Highway near mile 7. Two men on a motorbike were flung across the road when they collided into a Nissan Navarra. One of the men was found 13 feet away from the point of contact, the other was found 41 feet away.
Monica Bodden was out there on Friday night, and she has the full details in tonight's story:..
Monica Bodden reporting
The fatal traffic accident happened between miles 6 and 7 on the northern highway - at around 5:45 on Friday evening.
Traffic was backed up for miles and for hours as police processed the scene.
Police Say MS-13 Members Set Up Foiled Extortion
Last week Friday, we told you how police foiled an extortion attempt of a businessman in Orange Walk and charged a man who they say was caught in the act during a sting operation.
That man is 23 year-old Edwin Flores, and tonight, he and his girlfriend remain at Belize Central Prison. Still police continued to investigate the crime, and at this time they now believe that he is a member of the MS-13 gang.
Today, the high command of the Police Eastern Division held a press briefing, and they explained how Flores was caught in the act.
Police Say MS Members Also Set Fatal Kimmie's Fire
And good police work hasn't stopped at that foiled extortion attempt. According to police, 21 year-old Francisco Rodriguez, was with Edwin Flores at the time of their sting operation, and he was picked up by police.
Under questioning, he has reportedly confessed to setting the fire on Newtown Barracks which destroyed Kimmies Bar, Business Computer Systems, and Pandora's Café. Viewers may also remember that 21 year-old mother of 3 Jacqueline Arteaga perished in that fire.
The Officer Commanding Eastern Division's Criminal Investigations Branch explained how the details emerged about the Kimmie's Fire, and how Rodriguez is also linked to an armed robbery in Benque Viejo.
Foreign Minister's Brother A Wanted US Fugitive
Dr. Errol Elrington, he's well known in Belize as the US-based younger brother of Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington and attorney Hubert Elrington. But tonight, news has emerged that he's a wanted fugitive in the United States. The website of the office of the US Inspector General in the Department of Health and Human Services has him listed on its "fugitive profiles" page.
It details that in October of 2013, an arrest warrant was issued for Elrington for racketeering, Medicaid fraud and health care fraud. The website says Elrington falsely billed Medicare and Medicaid more than four hundred thousand dollars for services that he never performed, and he employed an unlicensed physician who engaged in criminal sexual misconduct.
9 Days Missing, Police Not Giving Up On Hattieville Chairman
Tomorrow morning will make it 9 days since Hattieville Chairman Kevin Carcamo left his village home; he hasn't been seen since. Hope is fading fast that he will be found alive - but this morning, the officer commanding Ladyville police told us that law enforcement remains committed to the search.
Robin Schaffer reporting
This swatch of red is the last known area where Kevin Carcamo was seen. Since then, two helicopter flyovers of the area have crisscrossed it north and south, east and west.
The blue and yellow lines show the route that the helicopter took in two flights last week. Both of them showed no sign whatsoever of Carcamo.
Caye Caulker Water Taxi Blamed For Manatee Death
On Saturday evening at around 5:30, passengers returning to Belize City via Caye Caulker Water Taxi heard a loud bang as they were entering the Harbor near the Fort Street Tourism Village. According to eyewitness reports, after the bang, the vessel stopped briefly, then moved at a significantly slower pace into the harbor.
One of the passengers contacted the Belize Port Authority, and when a search was conducted, a mature manatee was found dead in the no wake zone. Well Port State Control Officer Martin Garcia along with Manatee Expert Jamal Galves held a press conference today where they spoke about the incident and the implications it has for the Antillean Manatee population in Belize.
325 Arrests, Police Say Quality of Life Arrests Paying Peace Dividend
For the past 2 weeks, we've been telling you about the police crackdown on the quality of life crimes in Belize City. It's caused major inconveniences to residents of the city, who claim police harassment and uneven application of the law. But, the high command of the Eastern Division told the media today that they make no apologies for the crackdown.
They says that they've made 325 arrests for these petty offenses, and 225 have been completed in the court with convictions and fines. More importantly, police say that the targeting of persons committing these crimes has helped to get gang violence under control. Here's how they explained why:
Tropic Air, Feinstein Reach Secret Settlement On San Pedro
The land dispute involving Tropic Air in San Pedro has been settled. Both parties informed the court today that they had reached an out of court agreement and that the details are confidential.
We have learned that Tropic Air will get to continue to construction on its new building and Feinstein's Construction Depot Limited will move to another parcel of land along the airstrip.
Tropic Air had lease to an area within which Construction Depot had a title.
Shrimp Farm Watchman Shot
A watchman was shot on Saturday night in the Milpa Area of Ladyville at the end of Marage Road. It happened at Caribbean Shrimp Farm around 10:30 pm. Police told us more.
Supt. Chris Noble, OC - Ladyville
"A gentleman who's a watchman in a farm in the area did receive an injury that we are suspecting is a shotgun blast. The gentleman has been taken to the hospital and treated and we are looking at who may have been the persons targeting him."
Alejandro Calderon received multiple, mostly superficial pellet wounds.
BGYEA and GOB Can't Meet In Mediation
Since BGYEA started challenging the Government over the land in the buffer zone for Harmonyville, the two sides can't seem to agree on anything else.
The ongoing court litigation has reached the point where Justice Courtney Abel believes that court-ordered mediation can yield a resolution.
We were outside of court today, when BGYEA and it's attorney emerged from the hearing, and their attorney told us that they certainly hope that the mediation will help:
Audrey Matura-Shepherd, Attorney for BGYEA
"Two orders were given by the court: the first one is a mediation order. Both parties, the attorney for the government and I, on the instruction of my clients, believe that it is a matter in the interest of all that can be settled. So we consented to mediation which will be worked out through the courts. That means we'll get an independent mediator to put the issue on the table and I think that's good, it's always good to try and settle your problems with talking because if you don't then the court will make a decision. The second order that was given is that in case the talk doesn't work out then there'll be full trial."
Police Move Checkpoint To Keep Up With Criminals
Motorists passing by mile 4 on the Western Highway may have noticed that police have moved their checkpoint from that booth where the entrance of the Coast Guard Base is. If you're wondering why that decision was made, the commanding officers from Eastern Division say that criminals found a way to circumvent it, which defeated its purpose:
ACP Dezerie Phillips, O.C., Eastern Division
"The decision was made to remove the checkpoint where we believe that it would be more efficiently or effectively managed by the right officers out there. Because just having a building and having officers in and around there is a different result than what we are projecting. We believe it would be more effective and beneficial to everybody at the location where it's at."
QR Newspaper: Bze Mex Northwester Border A Smuggling Hotspot
Chemical precursors - the kind that used to be smuggled through customs into Belize by the container-ful - haven't been in the news much recently. But, you can be sure that this important ingredient in the manufacture of crystal meth continues to be smuggled through Belize. The Quintana Roo based Mexican newspaper Por Esto reports that 400 litres - or about 100 gallons were intercepted in a Mexican village named Pioneros Del Rio on Thursday. The articles explains that the pre-cursors came from Belize in a Dodge van and were accompanied by four men, all Mexicans. The paper quotes Mexican Authorities as saying that there may be a narco-lab or a narco-warehouse in Belize which produced the precursors.
Police Shoot Machete Wielding Pablo Escobar in San Vicente
There was a vicious chopping followed by a police shooting in the remote San Vicente Village, Toledo District on Saturday night. The first victim was a Mayan descent male 46-year-old Petrolino Lorenzo Ramirez of the border village of Santa Cruz, Guatemala. He had multiple chop wounds and was taken to the Hospital. Police went looking for the suspect - who they found holding a machete.
Police say they told him to drop it, but instead he raised the blade in the air and attempted to throw the machete towards the Police Officer. The police officer shot him with rubber bullets but he was undeterred. The Police Officer then pulled his gun and fired one shot hitting him in the right upper leg. He was then disarmed and transported to the Punta Gorda Hospital where his name was learned to be Pablo Escobar, an 18year old Belizean of San Vicente Village.
Police Bust Weed Move In Free Zone
Around 11:00 last Friday morning 3 people were arrested for drug trafficking in the Corozal Free Zone. While police were on mobile patrol, they approached a grey car parked in the Commercial Free Zone Compound when it sped off leading to a brief police chase. The driver threw a parcel out the window before coming to a complete stop. When the police recovered the discarded package, they found what appeared to be one kilo of cannabis. Police subsequently arrested 39 year old electrician Jose Manuel Matus, 32 year old Noeli Maeli Manzanilla, both of whom are from Paraiso Village in Corozal as well as 18 year old Brian Steve Martinez, a laborer of the Rainbow Town Area in Corozal Town for drug trafficking.
"JJ" Guilty of Murder
35 year old Jamie Dawson, also known as "JJ", is at prison tonight, awaiting a sentencing hearing after pleading guilty to manslaughter.
He was supposed to stand trial for the murder of Maurice Neal, but instead, he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter when he was taken before Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin.
Viewers may remember that Neal was shot and killed on December 7, 2002, at Bismark Club, located on Queen Charlotte Street. Dawson stood 2 previous trials. He was found guilty of manslaughter at the first trial which took place in 2004. He then appealed that conviction, which was allowed by Court of Appeal. He was allowed a retrial, but the jury was unable to reach a verdict in 2006. Nicholee Lewis, the person who identified Dawson as the gunman, was killed before he could testify.
Community Health Workers Certified
47 community health workers were certified by the Ministry of Health on Saturday in Belize City. The certification ceremony was held after a 16 month long training program which involved new recruits as well as veteran workers. They were introduced to a new curriculum which strengthened leadership and communication skills. At the ceremony on Saturday, Arlette Sheppard spoke more about the updated curriculum.
Trainees included workers from the rural, urban and coastal areas of the Belize District, and the purpose of the training program was to strengthen primary care services in Belize.
Matura Takes Gun Plea, Family Gets Free
32 year-old Martin Matura, a resident of 3188 Unity Street, is spending his first night of a 5-year prison sentence, after admitting in court that he was carrying an unlicensed weapon.
Police reported that on Saturday, they went to his house, and they were accompanied by the K9 Unit. The dog detected that something was buried in the yard, and when it was dug up, they realized that it was a bag containing a .380 revolver with 3 rounds of ammunition. 49 year-old Margaret Vasquez and her daughter, 21 year-old Kimbery Beltan were present at the time, and so they were charged with keeping an unlicensed firearm, and keeping unlicensed ammunition. Matura went to the station on the following day handed himself in, and told police that the gun was his.
PM: "Up Close And Personal"
In February, the Prime Minister gave a remarkably candid interview to the press outside the National Assembly. It was during the cheque scandal at the Belize Airports Authority and he spoke plainly about corrupt acts by his ministers threatening to cause his government to come undone. After that he said he would address it at length during a long form interview. We were told the PM was having some difficulty selecting a media personality with whom he felt he could do the interview, and so, after five months, his office settled on Steve Duncan, a banker who hosts a UDP talk show. He's not a media personality by any working definition, but he was Johnny-on-the-spot for the PM in what is called an "Up close and personal interview." The 77 minute interview aired last night simultaneously on all channels, and the PM discussed a wide range of issues, including his misbehaving ministers and all the credibility they have caused his administration to lose:..
Major Car Rental Companies In Belize
Tonight the Belize Estate and Company Limited car dealership is having its official launch of the company's rental division with two internationally recognized brands, ALAMO Rent a Car and National Rental in Belize.
Those are marquee international franchises and to make this venture a success, Belize Estate Company Limited say they have partnered with a company from Trinidad.
Both Alamo and National are owned by Enterprise Holdings - which is the largest car rental service provider in the world with 1.4 million cars and trucks.
No Luck In Commonwealth Track
On Sunday, Belize participated in another round of Commonwealth Games events, with unremarkable results. Kaina Martinez placed 6th out of 8 in 100 meter race, finishing with a time of 12.12 seconds, 20 seconds slower than her personal best.
Mark Anderson did not do much better in his 100m heat, placing last at 8 out of 8. The Athletics portion of the Commonwealth Games will continue tomorrow where Martinez and Anderson will compete the 200 meter races while Brandon Jones competes in the Men's Long Jump.
As for the Shooting Competition, adopted Belizean Andy Wigmore shot 33 shots out of a possible 50 for the day. He will compete again tomorrow against Canada, Scotland, Norfolk Island and the Falkland Islands.
Channel 5
Bizarre Home Invasion – Four Shot One Killed…
There was deadly invasion in the early hours of Saturday morning. It was over in a matter of minutes, but by then one man was dead and three women injured. [...]
Two Dead in Friday Evening Accident
But at the start of the weekend, a terrible road traffic accident on the Phillip Goldson Highway on Friday evening resulted in the death of two men and blocked the [...]
Michaels’ Death Still a Mystery…
The death of Ephesus Seventh Day Adventist teacher, Stephen Michael Junior, shocked the community. Michael Junior was found dead on a bed inside his home at the corner of Jaguar [...]
Man Dies in Boom while Socializing…
Police have not released the name of a man who died at the health centre in Burrell Boom on Saturday. According to reports, the man was drinking in front of [...]
Hunt for Missing Chairman Intensifies…
Hattieville Chairman Kevin Carcamo has been missing since July twentieth and the search for him has continued unabated. The Discover-seis employee went to work that day and never came home. [...]
Discoverseis Says Reports of Missing Explosives are False
In the wake of the unexplained disappearance of Hattieville chairman Kevin Carcamo, reports have been spreading like wildfire across the community that the company, for which he worked, had lost [...]
Elrington Sought by Police for Medical Fraud…
A Belizean fugitive wanted by the US has been spotted in Belize. Physician, Errol Elrington, a sibling of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, is wanted in the United States on [...]
Over 300 Detained for Quality of Life Crimes…
Quality of Life Crimes…they are on the books and are now being enforced as a way to target criminal elements. Over three hundred persons were detained in the past three [...]
9 Firearms Removed from City Streets…
The Belize City Police Department, under its new head of command, Assistant Commissioner of Police Dezerie Phillips, at its press conference today spoke of the success of several ongoing initiatives [...]
Caribbean Shrimp Watchman Shot…
A security guard is recovering at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital after he was shot on Saturday night. Alejandro Calderon told Police that he was inside his home at Caribbean [...]
Two Persons Charged After Blackmail Sting…
A twenty-three-year-old man, Edwin Flores and his sixteen year old Honduran girlfriend have been charged with the alleged extortion of an Orange Walk businessman. The couple is accused of attempting [...]
One Man Charged in Kimmie’s Bar Arson…
The arrest of Edwin Flores resulted in the arrest of another Honduran national, Francisco Rodriguez. On June twenty-five, a massive early morning fire on Newtown Barracks gutted two massive wooden [...]
MS-13 Gang Members Rounded Up by Police…
Both the arson and the sting operation that resulted in the arrest of a couple involved in the extortion of eight thousand dollars from an Orange Walk businessman also led [...]
Mother and Daughter Freed of Firearm Charges…
Margaret Vasquez, her daughter, Kimberly Betran and son-in-law, Martin Matura were before the court late this afternoon to answer to the charges of Kept Unlicensed Firearm and Ammunition without a [...]
Parties in San Pedro Land Dispute Reach Private Settlement…
Another land dispute which was put to rest today involves a parcel near the municipal airstrip in San Pedro which is under construction by Tropic Air. The airline company was [...]
Mediation Ordered in BGYEA Land Dispute…
The ongoing dispute between the Belize Grassroots Youth Empowerment Association, BGYEA, and the Government of Belize, over the use of the road reserve adjacent to Harmonyville, will see both parties [...]
Discussions Between BGYEA and G.O.B. Will Be Private…
While BGYEA and government have been given a forty-five day window during which the matter should be discussed and resolved, the proceedings will be kept off the record. According to [...]
PM Speaks About Corruption in his Administration…
If you were glued to the TV over the weekend, you probably caught at least a bit of the Prime Minister’s extended sit down with banker Steven Duncan. It clocked [...]
…And about his Legacy
And while the PM can speak openly about the corruption of some members of Cabinet, he maintains that he personally has held firmly to his integrity, and that, more than [...]
Female Manatee Killed in Water-taxi Mishap…
It has not been a good year for manatees; a growing number of the endangered mammals has been killed in boating accidents. Over the weekend, a mature female manatee perished [...]
The highlights of weekend activities with Sportscaster James Adderley
Good evening I’m James Adderly and this is Sports Monday. We jump immediately into yesterday’s big match at Lords Bank Field where Survivors played host to Willows Bank United. [...]