AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Belize Life News Daily news prior to today Today's Belize News: August 2, 2014

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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

Javier Romero and the Matalon Business Center submerged in CYNK Scandal
Former San Pedro resident, Javier Romero has been identified as one of the key figures behind the penny stock scandal regarding Cynk Technology (CYNK). CYNK, a development stage company that focuses on operating a social network called IntroBiz, was started by John Kueber. The stock was dormant since its inception on May 1, 2008 and was valued at 6 cents per share until June 17, 2014 when the company stock price suddenly increased by 25,000%. The dramatic increase caused many questions to arise, and resulted in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to halt all stock trading in the company until Thursday, July 24th. At the height of the increase, CYNK stocks were valued at $15US.

San Pedro's Airstrip taxi drivers sport new uniforms
On Friday July 25th The San Pedro Airstrip Taxi Association received brand new uniform shirts courtesy of the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation Honorable Manuel Heredia Jr. and the Belize Tourism Board (BTB). 21 drivers received three shirts each, for a total donation of 63 shirts. The Airstrip Association was the first group [�]

Ambergris Hopes Medical Clinic to turn into 24 hours private medical center in November
Work has commenced for a much needed 24-hour private medical facility on Ambergris Caye. The confirmation came from one of the project partners Doctor Daniel Gonzalez of Ambergris Hopes Clinic. The project will be done in two phases, and the first is already in progress. The new medical facility is expected to address islanders' long-standing demand for a 24-hour medical facility to service over 28,000 permanent and temporary residents, as well as its tourists. "I have been doing 24-hour medical service for the past 20 plus years. But really, this was a project I have always wanted to do in my medical career. With the growing population and the high influx of tourists, I have seen the need on the island for such an essential service. In that regard I have teamed up with other partners for this project," said Gonzalez.

Smelly, Sticky, "Stinkin' Toe" Bukut
Bukut 101: No we're not talking about a person here; Bukut is actually a pod! These long brown pods are actually a fruit that grow from the beautiful Cassia Grandis is tree, known locally as the Bukut tree. The trees are native to tropical countries and in Belize can be found all over the mainland, from North to South, East to West. In the summer these shady trees brighten up villages and highways with their bright pink blossoms that slowly grow into the bukut pods. The soft pods slowly ripen and change in color and texture from green to rich brown or black woody pods. Once fully matured/ripened, children rush to the trees, collecting the pods that have fallen. But you gotta get to them before the birds and the ants do!

Ambergris Today

A First-of-Its-Kind Summer Camp in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye
It is the first of its kind summer camp on Ambergris Caye that caters to very special children in every sense of the word. Ambergris Caye Camp Starfish is dedicated primarily to the needs and caring of special needs children in the island community. Camp Starfish kicked off its summer camp activities on Tuesday, July 22, 2014. It is the first summer camp dedicated to children with mental and/or physical disorders and founders Dalia Alamilla and Dianela Hancock started the camp as a support group for families with special needs children. "Both of us having special needs children, we created the camp to show families on the island that there is assistance and opportunities available for the development of their children," commented Dalia Alamilla. She went on to explain that the camp is also a way to come up with an estimate of the population of children with special needs on the island.

San Pedro United Democratic Party Announces Slate for Municipal Election
On Thursday, August 1, 2014, the United Democratic Party (UDP) finally presented its list of seven candidates that will be running for Municipal elections on March 4, 2015. Area Representative Manuel Heredia appeared in the Good Morning Show at Reef TV flanked by the seven candidates against a huge banner of the same. Each candidate introduced himself by name and occupation and expressed enthusiasm for running under the flag of the United Democratic Party. The red team is comprised of the following: Gabriel Nu�ez (contractor/builder), Severo Guerrero, (Dentist), Daniel Guerrero (Real Estate), Flora Ancona, (Office Clerk), Ruben Gonzalez (Store Manager/Accountant), Gary Greif (Businessman), Hector Alamilla (Postal Clerk). The mayoral candidate mentioned the work accomplished during his administration and promised to continue on this fast action plan, especially on infrastructure.

Misc Belizean Sources

The San Pedro Town Council was proud to present Co-Founder, Ms. Dalia Alamilla with the shirts for Camp Starfish.
Camp starfish was founded by two special needs mothers, Mrs. Dianella Hancock and Ms. Dalia alamilla. Camp Starfish initiated...

Tuk Tuks arrive in San Pedro
On Friday, July 25, three emergency response vehicles, also knows as tuk-tuks, were handed over to the Dr. Otto Rodriguez Polyclinic II by Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation, Mayor Daniel Guerrero and Councilors Severo Guerrero and Gabriel "Gaby" Nu�ez. On site to receive the donation were Mr. Owen Vellos, Administrator, Dr. Javier Zuniga and EMT Alex Parmelee. The Tuk-Tuks were donated to the Government of Belize by the Government of Dubai, United Emirates in April of 2014. (6 photos)

On Friday, July 18, The Belize Mayor's Association had their monthly meeting in San Pedro
Where they were beautifully hosted by Las Terrrazas Resort & Residences. Mayor Daniel Guerrero opened the meeting by welcoming all the attendees to San Pedro. The meeting included a presention by a Caribbean Local Economic Development Program (CARILED) representative where she spoke about projects to be carried out in Belize by CARILED. We would like to thank Las Terrazas Resort for hosting this gathering and for going the extra mile for us. Thank You! (4 photos)

BUILD at GPC
The George Price Centre is working with the Belize Unity Institute for Leadership and Development, and will be hosting an information session on BUILD's educational opportunities on Saturday, August 9th, starting at 10am. The focus of BUILD is Economics and Sustainable Development, which are always useful in Belize. "All are invited to an orientation session on the education opportunity that is being offered by the GPC and BUILD!!!"

INVITATIONAL REGATTA ON AMBERGRIS CAYE
August 16th and 17th San Pedro Junior Sailing Club on Ambergris Caye in Belize will host the first ever International Sailing Regatta. Kids from all over Belize have been invited and will come to the island to sail against Guatemala, Mexico, the United States and Canada on some of the most beautiful waters in world! If you live here on the island please come out and show your support in the Boca Del Rio Park. This is a beautiful sport that has been revived in Belize.

For those Lamanai Lovers
Works on the development and upgrade of the trail system at the Lamanai Archaeological Reserve have also recently commenced. Will post more photos as the project continues. Courtesy: Institute of Archaeology (NICH) Belize

INTERNATIONAL COSTA MAYA FESTIVAL
The Miss Costa Maya International Delegates had a splendid first night in La Isla Bonita at their temporary home, Ramon's Village Resort. Today they begin with all activities leading to the Miss Costa Maya International Pageant. Courtesy International Costa Maya

Belmopan Day Fair
The Belmopan Day Fair is this weekend at the Isidoro Beaton stadium. They'll have food, games, live music, Ozzy the Clown, Cloud 9, sports, and much more. "Come out Saturday and Sunday for a Family fun Fair"

Cayo Tour Guides Share Photos Of Their Amazing Summer Camp
The Belize Hub Team just received these four photos of the summer camp that was organized by the Cayo Tour Guides Association. According to the president of the organization, Joe Awe, the summer camp was not only fun but was also one of the greatest experience the kids have ever had in their lives. Read about this year's summer camp here: Cayo Tour Guides Launch First Ever Summer Camp We will post more photos tomorrow.

Channel 7

Police Say Kimmie's Arsonist A Killer
On Monday, we told you about how police managed to make an arrest for the Kimmie's Fire after they foiled an extortion attempt of an Orange Walk businessman. Police said that he would have been charged with manslaughter, but we can confirm tonight that 23 year-old Francisco Rodriguez, is at the Belize Central Prison for murder. That's because as we told you, the fire at Kimmie's Bar claimed the life of 21 year-old mother of 3 Jacqueline Arteaga, who was sleeping on the upper flat of the bar. Today, Rodriguez was arraigned before Magistrate Herbert Panton on 4 counts of arson, and 1 count of murder. Due to the nature of the offences, no plea was taken, and bail was denied. He was remanded until September 29.

Bowen and Bowen Employee Stabbed At Work By Common-Law
Tonight, 40 year-old Suzette Pavon is hospitalized following an attack at her workplace by her common-law husband, 48 year-old Santiago Ricardo Palma. Early this morning, Pavon reported to her work place at the Bowen and Bowen Compound on Slaughterhouse Road. She was doing her usual cleaning duties, when her common-law managed to slip into the guarded compound. There, he allegedly attacked her after luring her into a conversation. Today, the Press Officer for Bowen and Bowen was responded shortly after the incident had taken place, and she explained to us what information they have so far, about the domestic abuse case that spilled over into the workplace:

Young Boy Shot In His Home
Last night at around 3:00 am, a minor was shot in his home on Holy Emmanuel Street in Belize City. The family didn't want to do an interview, but they told us that the 13 year old was sitting on his couch watching T.V. when gunmen rode up beside his house and fired shots through the wooden wall. Luckily, the child was only hit in the foot. He was transported to the KHMH where he is currently receiving treatment. The Police have detained two men, and investigations will continue.

Cops I.D. Crooked Tree Intruder
Last night we told you about a terrifying home invasion which shook the quiet community of Crooked Tree Village. It happened on Wednesday night, and 51 year old Betty Westby bravely fought off her attackers, protecting herself, her 82 year old mother, and her 14 year old son. During the struggle, the attacker's face was revealed and he has since been identified as Tyrone Davis, one of the construction workers who had worked on an addition to the Westby home. When Davis escaped he took Maurice Westby's .22 rifle with six rounds of ammunition. The police investigation continues, and the community is advised that Tyrone Davis is armed and dangerous. He remains at large, and police have an active search for him.

Who Stole Arthur's Ipad?
Tonight, a couple from Orange Walk Town, are out on bail after they were taken to court in connection with the theft of an Apple iPad belonging to attorney Arthur Saldivar. They are 54 year-old Ernesto Cruz, and his wife 52 year-old Anna Cruz, and they were taken to court for handling stolen goods. They were arraigned before Magistrate Herbert Panton, and they pleaded not guilty to the charge. They were represented by attorney Hubert Elrington, and they were granted bail of $1,000 each, which they were able to meet. They will return to court on September 30. The case of this missing iPad has caused Saldivar to speculate publicly about the motive behind its theft, and he also alleged political mischief. What police do know is that Saldivar's sister had it in her purse 2 weeks ago, and she went to E and A Bakery, to buy pastries. When she finished, she realized that it was missing. The Saldivar family reported it missing to police, and afterwards, Arthur Saldivar made his own attempts to locate it.

DPM's Nephew Gets Contract For San Antonio Road (Again?)
As we've showed you all this year, Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega's Nephew, Imer Hernandez, has been getting successive contracts for road works in both Belize City and Orange Walk. Well, tonight we've confirmed that he has been granted a contract for the controversial San Antonio Road in Orange Walk. It's controversial because when the news of this road hit the news last year May, this was the first time that Imer Hernandez's name was called. That's because as we showed you, members of the public alleged that he got paid 179 thousand dollars in 2012 for road works on that very same road, which allegedly weren't done. He maintained that he was only paid $50,000 for work which he did, and that he was never actually given a contract to pave that entire strip of road. He was backed by Prime Minister Dean Barrow who vouched that his company has passed international standards of scrutiny

ASP Noble Transferred "Effective Immediately"
Assistant Superintendent of Police, Chris Noble may be the most media friendly and frequently interviewed formation commander, but as Regional Executive Officer for the crime-ridden Belize District, he's also one of the busiest. But, that won't be the case much longer as ASP Noble has been transferred effective immediately. That's right, sources tell us Noble was called up to Belmopan yesterday and told he wasn't working out, and that he was getting transferred to - get this - the police garage. That's right, Noble has gone from being in charge of 9 substations in the country's most populous district to being in charge of the Queen Street garage with one mechanic and an assistant. Though murders in Ladyville have gone down sharply in 2014, it seems the senior command wasn't impressed with Noble who will handover to Inspector Cedric Gordon next week.

Anxiety, A Manageable Mental Illness
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting more than 4 million people. But what about Belize? In a country where there is a stigma associated with mental illness, how can we address the issue of anxiety when those who may be suffering from this disorder have good reason to be afraid of being labeled "crazy"? Add to that, the fact that most healthcare professionals may not be trained to handle psychiatric emergencies - and you have a subject ripe for anxious concern. Our intern Robin Schaffer, tried to tackle some of those questions. Here's her report: Robin Schaffer reporting Martine King is a counselor who treats anxiety. She discussed how widespread anxiety disorders are in Belize. Martine King "I would say from the experience I've had there are a lot of people suffering with it, not only older people, middle-age people, male and female and a lot of young people even children who are in primary school are suffering with it, so definitely I would say its wide spread just like everywhere else in the world."

Mother Says Son Missing
Tonight a concerned mother is desperately clinging to hope that she will find her missing son. On Monday, 24 year old Dwayne Young a caretaker in Burrell Boom, went missing after a domestic dispute. Now, his mother is pleading with the public for information: Mother of Dwayne Young "Monday morning he left to work. He work the entire day. When he left at twelve to have lunch, he went to his girlfriend house and when he reaches there a car park in front of the house. When the car park in the yard, other persons were in the yard and the young man came out and say something about the car and he start to pick after him and after that he said something and he left for work. The young man told him that he will get back to him and he uses threatening words to him. The young lady as his girlfriend was telling me all kinds of things - different stories. The last thing she told me about one o' clock that the young man got somebody who is their friend and they beat up my son. I want to know what they did with my son. I can't sleep because I want him to come home. I want to know if anything bad had happen to him and who is involve or knows where he is. I don't want to think that something happened to him. I want my son alive and home."

Media Learns About Mediation
Last week's settlement of the Tropic Air/Brett Feinstein dispute was probably one of the first major stories which hit the news about litigation in the Supreme Court case settled outside of court. But actually, Court ordered mediation has been ongoing for the past 6 months. And while those other cases which were settled quietly out of court, and out of the public domain, the participants say that it is much quicker and a lot less expensive to resolve their disputes through mediation, especially, when the court system is overloaded with work, and there are major judgements still on delay. That's just what the Bar, the Bench, and other stakeholders discussed today in an all-day forum. Here's what the Chief Justice Had to say about it: Justice Kenneth Benjamin - Chief Justice of Belize "To have a justice system that's responsive to the community, we have to have one that is reflective of the ideas and aspirations of the man who is walking in the street."

Youth Apprenticeship Programme Gets Star Support
We've featured Dianne Finnegan's second chance education program, known as the Youth Apprenticeship. It's an outreach mechanism where at risk youths who've dropped out of formal education get an opportunity to re-enrol, and they also learn a trade. She's also featured motivational speakers, but today, her students got to meet basketball star Reeves Bruce Nelson, who had a major career in College basketball as a star of University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in the NCAA tournament in the US. He had a brief stint in the NBA as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, and he's now signed a contract with a pro team from the country of Belgium. Also, they were introduced to the up-and-coming music producer, Jonathan Myvette, who's worked with big name celebrities like Chris Brown and others. We got a chance this morning to sit in on their session with Finnegan's students where they discussed the power of positive thinking and how it can help to escape one's environment to achieve success. Here's what they told the students:

Belize HDI Encouraging
The United Nations Development Programme released its annual Human Development Report some weeks ago. The report ranks countries on an index accrued by economic and social indicators, and is based on life expectancy, education and income levels. Well, Belize didn't fare too badly this year as it clocks in at 84th out of 187 countries with an HDI of 0.732. This means Belize has a high level of economic development. This is a 0.001 increase from the previous figure of 0.731. Belize has seen a gradual increase in human development over the years, but while there is a marginal difference between the 2012 and 2013 HDI, there has been significant improvement in the global ranking since Belize moved up from 96th in 2012 to 84th in 2013. It ranks just behind Grenada and a little above St. Vincent and the Grenadines at 8th in the Caribbean region. Cuba scored the highest index for the Caribbean, placing 44th globally, and being labelled as an area with very high human development.

"HuffPo" Praises Caye Caulker
And while the HDI ranking is fair, the prestigious news site, the Huffington Post says Caye Caulker is great! According to "Huff-Po", Caye Caulker ranks as one of the top 10 most luxurious island in the world. It's that affordable snorkel dive and reggae vibe which seems to have elevated our little island getaway into a marquee tourist destination.

How To Celebrate 100 In Style
On Tuesday, seasoned boat captain Christopher "Jack" Guild celebrated his 100th birthday. The seafarer has been active all his life, and while he is not quite able to get around as he once did, this hardy centenarian told us that he feels good: Christopher Guild lives with wife in Belize City, and said that his secret to longevity is clean living and God-fearing.

Dara Doing It Again
On last week Sunday, grassroots philanthropist, Joel Dara Robinson, held his 3rd annual, Ride for Hunger. Though he had robust support, due to a few technical difficulties, the fund raising aspect of the ride wasn't as successful as it could have been. Nevertheless, he was very grateful to those he who should up and participated, and he explained that glitch to us today: Joel Dara Robinson - Philanthropist "I want to thank the people who came out and ride and those who registered. The ride is something that have to come next year with a different way of planning the registration because we had close to or over 300 people, but register we only had 172. Basically people came out to ride and like it, but behind the ride there is a reason and I am trying to raise funds. I have to come up with an idea how to get the registration working." And so, he is hoping that his 7th Annual Tribute Concert to Lucky Dube is going to have more success since it has had the tried and tested element of 6 others before it. He told today why you should show your support:

Channel 5

Search for Kevin Carcamo Turns Up Blood in Freetown Sibun�
There are new developments to report on tonight in a mysterious case involving the disappearance of forty-three-year-old Kevin Carcamo.� The Hattieville chairman, a linesman employed with Discoverseis, went missing on [...]

Woman Vicious Stabbed By Common-Law Husband�
A victim of domestic violence was stabbed at her workplace this morning. Suzette Pavon is an employee of Bowen and Bowen; she was cut at least once to the neck [...]

Man Charged for Murder in Kimmie's Bar Arson�
  In June, a twenty-three year old mother of three died in the flames which destroyed Kimmie's Bar, located on Newtown Barracks in Belize City. Today, the man police believe [...]

Police Seek Suspect in Crooked Tree Home Invasion�
The harrowing experience of fighting for dear life in a desperate attempt to ward off a knife-wielding intruder is a memory that will forever remain etched in the consciousness of [...]

Was Nunez Unfairly Detained by Police?
Charlys Nunez, who also goes by the name Ninja, is known for his dancing skills having competed in many of Channel Five's entertainment shows such as Duets, Superstar and Masters [...]

Imer Hernandez Gets Another Contract�$2 Million!
On Wednesday at his press conference, Prime Minister Dean Barrow boasted at length about the infrastructure projects being carried out across the country. He spoke about works in all districts, [...]

Couple Charged for Arthur Saldivar's I-pad�
  An Orange Walk couple who owns a bakery in Ladyville were today in the Belize Magistrate's Court where they were read a single charge of handling stolen goods. Fifty-four [...]

Justice Stakeholders Hold Mediation Forum�
The Supreme Court is advancing mediation as an option to reach early settlement in civil case matters.� The court believes that mediation is a win-win situation since it would reduce [...]

Measures in Place to Deal With Cases Backlog�
The Bar Association of Belize has been most critical about the delay in judgments for cases, primarily blamed on an overwhelming backlog. Supreme Court Justice Courtney Abel says mediation will [...]

Mediation Association on the Way�
Like any other organization that's serious about its work, the mediators who are trained in civil matters are seeking to structure themselves as one unit. Like attorneys, these mediators want [...]

G.O.B. Plans To Open Technical Institute�
The Government of Belize has stated that very shortly it will be looking at the training call centre employees to feed a fast-growing business processing outsourcing industry. But G.O.B. is [...]

Barton Creek caretaker charged for unlicensed firearm…
The San Ignacio police formation on Wednesday conducted a search at the home of Rojelio Hernandez who is a caretaker of Upper Barton Creek. In the ceiling of the upper [...]

Belizean Sergio 'Yeyo' Thompson Fights in Chetumal�
Mexican boxing sensation Sergio Thompson, popularly known as Yeyo, is taking on Adones Aguelo in a big ticket bout on Saturday in Chetumal.� Thompson, whose father is Belizean, has an [...]

Lord Rhaburn To Be On Commonwealth Heritage Track�
Belizean cultural music made it today at an incredible sixteen-day pop-up festival celebrated at the River Clyde in Scotland where the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games are coming to an end. [...]

Costa Maya Delegates Touch Down in Belize�
Delegates from Central America and Mexico are now in San Pedro for the annual Reina de la Costa Maya Festival. The pageant is one of the main events of the [...]

CTV3

More News: Scroll up from here

Caye Caulker Chronicles

R.I.P. Orlando Carrasco
We offer our heartfelt condolences to the Carrasco family on the death of their loved one. Mr. Orlando Carrasco is one of the original residents of Caye Caulker and an island legend. Together with his wife, Ellen McRae, they own several rental cabanas. In the olden days, Mr. Carrasco was one the original fuel merchant selling gas to power the very few boats with outboard engines used on the island at that time. R.I.P. Mr. Carrasco!

Belize and Mexico exchange prisoners
Kevin Smith, a native of Caye Caulker, was one of four prisoners transferred to Belize today in an exchange of prisoners between Mexico and Belize. Kevin, along with four other men (3 Belizeans and a Honduran) were intercepted at sea near Xcalak by the Mexican Coast Guard in a joint operation in 2005. The boat the 5 men were in was found with almost 3,000 pounds of cocaine. All five men were arrested by Mexican police and sent to prison for 10 years on firearms charges. Kevin will serve the remainder of his sentence at the Belize Central Prison in Hattieville.

Amandala

Police seek man for raping his stepdaughter, 13
A 13-year-old girl of Orange Walk Town, who became tired of being raped on a frequent basis since last February 2013, by her stepfather, who lives at her home with her mother, went to the police and made a formal [�]

Crooked Tree mother fights off home invaders!
The brave woman fought a knife-wielding robber who had wrenched open her door, while his accomplice waited outside A brave Crooked Tree woman fought off a pair of masked robbers, one of whom went into her home armed with a [�]

Dr. Errol Elrington "wanted" by US!
Belize's Attorney General's brother is on the US "top-10" for "racketeering, Medicaid and health care fraud" Hubert blames [Clemenceau Acquaye] for his brother's plight Dr. Errol Elrington, brother of Foreign Affairs Minister Wilfred "Sedi" Elrington and former minister of government, [�]

US college students in Belize to study emancipation
Emancipation is described as any of the various efforts to procure political rights or equality, often for a specifically disenfranchised group of people, or more generally, the discussion of such matters. In an effort to research and examine this issue [�]

Missing money at Lands; surveillance system to be installed
Last October, Prime Minister Dean Barrow described the Lands Department as "a hotbed of corruption," and at an official press conference which he hosted in Belize City today, Sharon Ramclam, the recently appointed Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of [�]

Another drone takes to Belizean skies
UB launches drone for GIS monitoring In early June, the Belize Fisheries Department began using a Conservation Drone for offshore surveillance, as part of its new law enforcement strategy, and this week, the University of Belize (UB) sent a new [�]

Police high command touts success
The high command of Eastern Division Police have been claiming a number of successes in case-solving - including their reported investigation into the arson of Kimmies Bar and the resulting death of Jacqueline Arteaga, a mother of 3, which resulted [�]

New Haulover Bridge and 4-lane highway in the works
With multi-million-dollar infrastructure projects in full swing in the commercial capital, Belize City, residents across the other municipalities have been asking when the road-building crews will make it to their corner of the country. At a press conference held at [�]

Alida Ascencio, 42, dies from gunshot injuries
The condition of another victim of Saturday morning's home invasion on Mopan Street is "critical but stable," while a third is in a "stable" condition A victim of a vicious shooting that took place as part of an armed robbery [�]

Justin Orellana, 25, walks from manslaughter indictment
He did not have an attorney, but nevertheless overcame a Crown Counsel and 8 witnesses A nine-member jury who deliberated the Crown's evidence against Justin Emmanuel Orellana, 25, for two hours and twenty-five minutes, returned into the courtroom of Supreme [�]

The Reporter

Man slits woman’s throat at her job
Marion Ali, Staff Reporter Police are looking for Santiago Ricardo Palma, 43, for an incident that has left Suzette Pavon, 37, his estranged common-law wife with a knife wound to the throat. Police say that Palma, a rssident of Ladyville, Belize District, went to Pavon’s workplace at around 8:30 a.m […]

Stakeholders gather for mediation forum
More than 50 participants gathered at the Belize Biltmore Plaza hotel on Friday for the first of two training sessions on mediation, an alternative dispute resolution method to litigation. The first session was held open-forum style, where the mediators themselves interacted with stakeholders such as […]

Explosions in Taiwan kill 26 persons
Twenty-six persons are dead in Taiwan following a series of explosions on Thursday night in the�city of Kaohsiung. The blasts were triggered by underground gas leaks and broke trenches through main roads, flipped over �cars and trucks, and sent flames soaring into the air. A�car […]

Will the US ask for Dr. Elrington's extradition?
Prime Minister Dean Barrow said that if US authorities requests the extradition of Dr. Errol Elrington, the brother of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Attorney General, Wilfred Elrington, Belize would not and could not do anything to stop it. While it is Elrington, in […]

Foreign Affairs CEO new Ambassador to Guatemala
Prime Minister Hon. Dean Barrow has appointed Belize's new Ambassador to Guatemala. Barrow announced at a press conference on Wednesday that former Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Alexis Rosado, was appointed to the post. Barrow could not give a definitive time […]

PM on Penner/COLA's new direction
The private prosecution against Elvin Penner, former Minister of State in Immigration, is over, after it was thrown out last week for lack of evidence, but the prosecution, headed by COLA, has up to August 14 to appeal the Magistrate's decision. There is also the possibility […]

Two men killed when motor cycle crashes into truck
Two men travelling on a motor cycle on the Phillip Goldson Highway were killed while on their way to Ladyville near mile six after a collision with a pickup truck. According to Assistant Superintendent Chris Noble, Rural Executive Officer 31-year-old Duane Pelayo Jr. and […]

Police sting leads to arrest for Newtown Barrack fire
An MS-13 gang member was arrested and charged for last month's arson at Kimmie's Bar on Newtown Barracks after a sting operation by police led to a confession from the man who was initially detained for an unrelated crime. Hilberto Romero, head of Eastern […]

Trinidad, Haiti sign trade agreement
Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago Monday signed an energy agreement allowing the French Caribbean country to access products from several locally-owned energy companies including the National Petroleum (NP) Company at a cheaper rate than it presently does on the international market. Prime Minister Kamla […]

More than 300 arrested in quality- of- life crackdown
Police have made some 325 arrests as a result of the crackdown on quality-of-life offences, which began three weeks ago, Senior Superintendent Edward Broaster, deputy OC of Eastern Division, said this week. According to Broaster the crackdown on bicycle offences, loitering and public drinking […]

Police confiscate trove of guns
The Belize Police Department has taken nine guns off the street in the last week as a direct result of intelligence-led operations, according to Desiree Phillips, Eastern Division Commanding Officer.. According to Phillips, improved citizen cooperation and support have benefited the department and aided […]

Repairman killed on Victoria Street
A 54-year-old repairman was shot and killed as he rode his bicycle on Victoria Street while heading home just after 11:00 p.m. on Monday. According to Superintendent Suzette Anderson, OC Precinct Three, Winston Whylie was shot once in the stomach as a gunman rode […]

Company scales back search as police intensify investigation of missing chairman

Police have intensified its investigation as Discovery Geophysical Services scaled back its search for Kevin 'Ras' Carcamo, 43, the Hattieville chairman. Assistant Superintendent of Police Christopher Noble confirmed to The Reporter this week that "police have detained several persons and have expanded the search". Even with that and the input […]

Three features distinguish the current Hamas offensive against Israel from previous offensives. 1. Hamas forces are better trained and are more disciplined than before. 2. Hamas forces are better supplied. They have short-range and longer range rockets provided by Iran. 3. They now have underground tunnels in which they can […]

Lands 'clean up' under way! 'Hotbed of corruption' to get overdue reform
The Government of Belize and the Ministry of Natural Resources are investing in a strategy to reform the Lands Department and stomp out the corruption that has been afflicting the country over many years. The measures, according to CEO in the Ministry, Sharon Ramclam, will […]

New Tech Institute to equip work force
The Government, through the Ministry of Energy Science and Technology, will introduce a multi-million-dollar IT training program in October with help from the Korean government. This project is expected to boost the economy because, according to Senator Joy Grant, information coming from the public service […]

Prices of goods up by 1.3%. Volumeof imports up too, SIB reports
The cost of food and other commodities has increased and Belize has spent a record amount of money on imports, new statistics published by the Statistical Institute of Belize revealed Wednesday. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed a 1.3 percent increase in prices of goods […]

Marine Parade fishermen resentful over CitCo's shed destruction
Fishermen and fish cleaners are angry with the Belize City Council for removing a shed from the dock where they sell fish on Marine Parade. According to the fishermen, CitCo workers came to the dock around 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday and weren't expecting to […]

Girlfriend charged with abetment to carnal knowledge Teenage girl lured into car so boyfriend could have intercourse with her
A couple, who colluded to lure a 14-year-old girl into their car so they could sexually assault her, have been charged at the magistrate court this week. Stacey Leslie, a 27-year-old domestic worker of Myrtle Wade Crescent in Ladyville was charged on Tuesday with […]

Third parties revive Belize Unity Alliance
The political third parties in Belize have decided to join forces and have their respective candidates participate in elections under the banner of the Belize Unity Alliance. Representatives for three of the four political third parties met in Dangriga on Saturday to discuss the movement's […]

The Belize Times

Elrington wanted by Uncle Sam
Another Elrington is wanted by the United States for criminal wrongdoing. Information released by the United States Inspector General has sent the "sabelo todo" Attorney General Sedi Elrington into deep hiding. His younger brother, Errol Glenn Elrington, according to official information posted online, is wanted by the United States Government for alleged major criminal felonies including racketeering, Medicaid fraud and health care fraud. The allegation against Elrington is that he falsely billed the Obama Administration health agencies, known as Medicare and Medicaid, over $400,000 for services that he never performed. This is known as fraud. Unlike Belize's health system under Pablo Marin and Peter Allen, the Obama's health care agencies have strict policies and checks and balances. Elrington is also accused of hiring an unlicensed physician at his medical center known in Michigan as the Elrington Medical Center PLLC (EMC).

"Dem treat we like dogs" - CitCo evicts Commercial Center vendors!
This chancey UDP City Council, which has already fired hundreds of workers previously working at City Hall under eleven years of tyranny with Zenaida Moya and now Darrel Bradley, has turned its wicked ways against the hardworking vendors at the Commercial Center. Under a cloud of allegations that the Commercial Center has been sold off to private interests, vendors have received threatening letters demanding that they MUST VACATE the premises by Monday August 4th 2014. According to the vendors, the decision was arbitrary and without consideration of their concerns. The BELIZE TIMES spoke to two long-time vendors, Mrs. Irene Suaso and Mrs. Dyer.

Murders keep piling up - Clueless UDP has no real answer
The UDP's response to the deadly surge in violent shooting and murders has been weak and poorly-thought out. Their answer is to arrest bicycle riders for not using light and bells, and to remove Belize Defense Force soldiers from the western border and have them march with heavy artillery in hand through the streets of the old capital. Prime Minister Dean Barrow confirmed on Wednesday that his Government is clueless and has no new ideas to tackle crime. Barrow appeared nonplussed over the recent spate of murder. He spoke without urgency and simply said that the Police held a press conference to address that. That conference he alluded to was totally void of new strategies. Minister of National Security John Saldivar has been hiding in a hole, as bodies keep falling on the newly concreted streets.

Barrow's Fireside Chat Misfires
In 1932, Franklin D. Roosevelt (popularly known by his initials "FDR") mounted a successful presidential campaign on the backs of a bouncy and positive tune called "Happy Days are here again". Running on the Democratic ticket, FDR was elected a record four times and served from March 1933 to his death in April 1945. Beginning the first year after his first term and continuing until the year before his death, Roosevelt conducted a series of evening radio addresses that he labeled his "Fireside Chats". Through these well thought out and put together propaganda pieces, Roosevelt was able to facilitate intimate and direct communications between himself and the citizens of his United States and instill confidence in the nation's leadership. Using these popular chats, the 32nd President of the United States was able to quell rumors and explain the reasons why his government had to make many of the tough decisions of the day. After all, it was wartime and the people needed assurances. Roosevelt's cheery voice and sincere demeanor played him into the favor of citizens and resulted in him becoming very popular. FDR is consistently rated by scholars as one of the top three U.S. Presidents, along with Abraham Lincoln and George Washington.

Barrow's Gangsta Government
Pound for pound, person to person, the Dean Barrow government is the most corrupt government in the country of Belize. Mr. Barrow would like the majority of Belizeans to believe otherwise. And the last straw that he keeps grabbing onto is that he personally has not been caught stealing or doing any secret dealings. UDP propaganda is that the previous PUP government was corrupt because of financial abuses at the Social Security Board, the Development Finance Corporation; the purchase of nationwide bus routes, and dealings with B.T.L. But check this out. Unlike Dean Barrow's government the previous PUP established two legal commissions of inquiry and investigations. Both conducted their sessions in public forum carried live on radio and television.

BEL Powersockets shocks BWS 14-6 in interoffice softball
The Powersockets schooled BWS/Ministry of Education 14-6 by mercy rule in the 4th inning, as BWS/MOE's pitcher pitcher Mario Villanueva gave up 7 hits, and walked 6 batters, while the BWS diamond made 14 errors on Saturday. BEL's Godsden Ferguson scored 3 runs, while Reynaldo Duran, Joseph "Sonny" Enriquez, and Denise Gillett scored 2 runs apiece, and pitcher Sylvano Sutherland, Tanya Gomez Mark Cassasola, Melissa Foreman and Glenford "Mac-10" Flowers scored 1 run apiece.

Lemonal's Easy Does It wins Cricket Champs in grand fashion
Game 2 of the 2014 Harrison Parks cricket championship finals was high drama in Lemonal on Sunday, July 27, as the young upstarts of Lemonal's Easy Does It Cricket Club took on the "old guard", the 4x national champs, Crooked Tree's Brilliant Cricket Club, for a 153-85 shellacking to clinch the championship. Man of the Match Aaron Muslar scored 38 runs. Malcolm Reynolds hit 31 runs, team captain Warren Anthony scored 24 runs, while Chris Banner added 12 runs. Herbert Banner only scored 8 runs but also took 3 wickets when the Crooked Tree men came to bat.

Musa & Pott win Brodies table tennis tournament
Billy Musa Jr. and his nephew Samron Pott won the 2014 Brodies "Strong & Weak" table tennis tournament organized by the Belize Table Tennis Association at the Belize Elementary auditorium on Sunday, July 27. Musa and Pott won the championship match 3-0 against Petie Usher-Matus and Marion Usher. They had reached the finals undefeated by winning 3-1 against Johnny Del Cid and Terry Su in the 1st round, 3-2 against Harim Ochaeta and Matthew Usher in the 2nd round, and 3-1 against Leon and Fabio Carballo in the 3rd round, to hand Matus and Usher their first loss: 3-1 in the 4th round.

UDP AT IT AGAIN
Ladyville, Belize District, July 30, 2014 Not being able to keep up with the constant jamming and hard work of Hon. Dolores and her team in Belize Rural Central in terms of the transfer period for voters this July and August, ...

AMAZING GRACE – Hard Lessons
Technology is probably the defining platform of this century. But destroying individual pieces of that technology has become a fine art and almost every day a new and creative technique for damaging phones, laptops, tablets, etc. arises. I recently heard a funny anecdote about my uncle's broken tablet. He accidentally ...

A Lifetime of Lessons
Belize City, July 30, 2014 Annual General Meetings (AGM) are a formality, one that most organizations must follow through with to remain in good standing. At the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired (BCVI), however, it has become a family reunion ...

HOME ECONOMICS – The Enemies of Industrial Growth Part II
By Richard Harrison 3. GOVERNMENT VS PRIVATE SECTOR The official government accounts for around 29% of GDP�..however, if the very large "government outside the government" is counted�.the plethora of statutory bodies and "quasi-government" institutions and organizations�.then government actually accounts for over 50% of GDP. This is a fall out from the same tree ...

WOMAN IN THE HOUSE – The little NGO that can
By Dolores Balderamos Garcia Last Thursday, July 24th the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired held its Annual General Meeting at the Lion's Center in Belize City. The Belize Council for the Visually Impaired had its inception in 1981, interestingly in the same year as our Independence. So the fact that ...

REFLECTIONS ON THE PUBLIC SQUARE – PENNER: UDP JUSTICE
By Francis W. Fonseca Belizeans across the nation were disgusted and angered by the decision made in the Belmopan Magistrate's Court last week Thursday to dismiss the case brought by COLA via private prosecution against former Minister of State Elvin Penner for his role and involvement in the now infamous Won ...

The dangerous mind of Mayor Bradley – $1.4m debt to B.M.L. is "deliberate"
Belize City, June 29, 2014 Mayor Darrel Bradley has broken the Belize City Council. The old Belize City phrase "weh di money gone" is facing Bradley as he defaults once again on payment to Belize Maintenance Limited. Bradley, who spends more ...

Belize, Poorer under the UDP
23rd July, 2014 The Editor Belize Times Queen Street Belize City Belize Dear Sir, I don't know who Hilaire Bennett is but your guest editorial of the 13th July, 2014 (Populorum Progressio) was right on the mark. It is a fact that Latin America and the Caribbean regions have the highest level of inequality in the world. It is ...

Patrick Jones

Dara Robinson reports on succesful fundraising
Belize City philanthropist Joel "Dara" Robinson has rallied the community to address, even if in a small way, the issue of hunger of our schoolchildren. To benefit his feeding program on Dunn Street he has tapped into the power of reggae music and twice a year hosts tribute [�]

Toledo youth taught to make arts and craft from recyclables
The knowledge of how to turn what most people consider junk into works of art was passed on to a group of Toledo young people this week. Thirty boys and girls from different communities completed a week-long workshop on recycling today. Organizer of the event Placida Requena says [�]

Road safety session held at UB-Toledo campus
The Belize Youth Road Safety project team today stopped off at the at the campus of the University of Belize in Punta Gorda town. During the visit, the team gave a 40-minutes session on road safety issues that affect youth. President of Belize Youth for Road Safety organization [�]

Supreme Court hosts mediation forum
Over the last six months, Belize's Supreme Court has begun making moves toward finding alternative methods of settling disputes beyond litigation. It has established a cadre of trained mediators to put the mechanism of alternative dispute resolution into motion, and recently two major cases - BGYEA vs. the Attorney [�]

Bowen and Bowen employee attacked at workplace
An apparent domestic dispute spilled onto the compound of Belize's leading employer this morning. Between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. office cleaner Suzette Pavon was visited by her common-law husband, one Ricardo Palma, at the Bowen and Bowen Limited distribution center on Slaughterhouse Road. It is alleged that Palma [�]

Tropical Storm Bertha forms
The area of disturbed weather that has been moving towards the Eastern Caribbean this past week has evolved into Tropical Storm Bertha overnight. The early morning report from the National Hurricane Centre puts the location of TS Bertha at about 110 miles east-southeast of Barbados. The maximum sustained winds are near 45 miles per hour and the storm is moving towards the west north-west at near 20 miles per hour. Tropical Storm Bertha poses no threat to Belize and forecast models show that it will eventually turn out to Sea after possibly crossing the Dominican Republic.

Blogs

A HOT Summer Day, New Buildings, New Banners and Wow�The Movie Theater
Man it's hot. For those who don't think there are seasons in Belize, you can now experience summer. The temperature hasn't risen all that much over the past few months. It's gone from maybe low to mid 80s to high 80s�but whether it's the humidity? Or the wind? I'm not sure the exact dynamics of it. But these past few days have been HOT. Nap in the afternoon. Change you shirt a few times a day. Get in the water if you can - HOT. I waited until late afternoon yesterday to take a walk to town. If you are lucky enough to live by the sea, the breeze yesterday was lovely. But just on the beach. Here are pictures I took along the way and when I got to town. I spotted a few of these guys.

Trade Finance Research
As of July 1st, 2014, the EXPORTBelize Unit has undertaken a new initiative that is investigating the current financial infrastructure of Belize, and more specifically, how it caters to exporters. The primary objective of the initiative is to amplify the amount of Trade Finance services being utilized in the country. Simply put, Trade Finance refers to a specific type of lending or credit issued to commercial enterprises that allows for secure and efficient international transactions. The initiative will work closely with the financial sector of the economy to better understand the services that are available, how they are being used, and what needs to be adapted. Additionally, the initiative is working closely with the exporters of Belize to explore how Belizeans have thus far engaged in trade finance and also, how their needs are, or are not, being met. From this research a pilot program for Trade Finance facilitation in Belize will be constructed. The program will recommend the best-suited trade finance services for the Belize financial sector and outline the necessary steps for their implementation. It will also provide a guide to accessing the correct Trade Finance services for your business. With the completion of this initiative, sharing your product with the rest of the word will be easier than ever!

International Sources

Deployed doctor helps in humanitarian project
Three International Health Specialists and three non-governmental organization personnel are participating in a humanitarian assistance project in Belize from July 21-25, which encompasses the Global Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics Instructor and Provider Courses. By participating in humanitarian assistance projects such as Global ALSO, U.S. military medical forces have an opportunity to broaden their experiences and support improvements for our partner nation medical professionals. "Humanitarian assistance projects, such as Global ALSO, help to provide a clear understanding of the medical capabilities of our partner nations, and a chance to identify areas of improvement and ways to advance skills," said Capt. Ricardo Sequeria, Family Medicine Resident assigned to the 96th Medical Operations Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. "You get a chance to know them, to really build relationships, and to leave with a sense of collegiality."

The Xunantunich ruins: Echoes of Mayan glory days
It's not as famous as Mexico's Chichen Itza. It's not as tall as Guatemala's Tikal. But here in western Belize, the Xunantunich Mayan ruins will make your jaw drop. And maybe your palms sweat, too. Pronounced shoe-nan-to-nitch (or as some tourists mangle it, Tuna Sandwich), its name means "stone maiden". The dominant structure, El Castillo, is notable not only for its elegant friezes of hieroglyphs depicting rulers and gods, but for the fact that visitors can still climb to the top of the 39.6m temple, if they dare. Unlike at Mexico's Chichen Itza, which was closed to climbers in 2006 after a woman fell to her death, Xunantunich's climb is done in bits and pieces, with plenty of flat places to stop - and even a handrail staircase for the final descent. Still, it's not for everyone. "I'm afraid of heights," one tour guide confessed as he stood in the shade on a plaza halfway up, watching the rest of his group ascend to the very top. "The view is still good from here."

Mystery CYNK Rallies Again With No Revenue, Assets Or Employees
CYNK Technology (OTC: CYNK) once again confounded market mavens Friday when the company with no revenue, assets or employees worth mentioning gained 22 percent in pink-sheet trading Friday. Belize-based CYNK operates a website called Introbiz.com, which claims to offer the average Joe introductions to celebrities like Johnny Depp and Emma Watson for $50 each. The Securities and Exchange Commission lifted a two-week suspension of trading in CYNK last week because of "concerns regarding the accuracy and adequacy of information in the marketplace and potentially manipulative transactions in Cynk's common stock." Up to the trading halt, shares had gained 20,000 percent in a matter of weeks, hitting a high of more than $14 per share and briefly reaching a market capitalization of $6 billion. The earlier rally eventually drew widespread condemnation from market commentators.

Fortis Inc. Earns $47 Million in the Second Quarter
Fortis Inc. ("Fortis" or the "Corporation") (TSX: FTS) achieved second quarter net earnings attributable to common equity shareholders of $47 million, or $0.22 per common share, compared to $54 million, or $0.28 per common share, for the second quarter of 2013. For the first half of 2014, net earnings attributable to common equity shareholders were $190 million, or $0.89 per common share, compared to $205 million, or $1.06 per common share, for the first half of 2013. Earnings for the second quarter were impacted by a number of significant items. Interest expense of $13 million after tax, or $0.06 per common share, associated with convertible debentures issued to finance a portion of the pending acquisition of UNS Energy Corporation ("UNS Energy") was recognized in the second quarter of 2014. Earnings for the second quarter of 2013 were reduced by $32 million, or $0.17 per common share, due to acquisition-related expenses and customer and community benefits offered to obtain regulatory approval of the acquisition of Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation ("Central Hudson"), compared to $1 million in acquisition-related expenses associated with UNS Energy in the second quarter of 2014. Earnings for the second quarter of 2013 were favourably impacted by an income tax recovery of $25 million, or $0.13 per common share, due to the enactment of higher deductions associated with Part VI.1 tax on the Corporation's preference share dividends. This income tax recovery impacted earnings at Newfoundland Power, Maritime Electric and the Corporate and Other segment in the second quarter of 2013.

Videos

Video: Belize Dives Jan 2014, 58min.

Video: Blue Creek Bike Camp 2014, 71min.
Marzo 21.22.23 de 2014... Nuestro amigazo Marco Antonio Calderon filmo y edito el presente video, realmente la pasamos genial con toda la banda y nada mas esperamos la fecha del siguiente campamento en la Union Quintana Roo con los clubes MTB Cancun & Riviera Maya, Guerreros de Chetumal y Dirt Riders MTB Merida. El primer dia cruzamos a Blue Creek. Belize donde subimos y bajamos de un gran cerro y de regreso fuimos al "Cocodrilo Dorado" unos rios, lagunitas y manantiales realmente hermosos, al siguiente dia domingo algunos fueron a rodar por unas brechas de la union para luego trasladarnos hacia la poblacion de Cacao, donde hay unas laderas de pocamadre y rematando en un manatial donde comimos y bebimos de los lindo... Hasta la proxima! Agradecemos a Ricardo Gamboa por ser el guia de tan interesante rodada, asi como a Madaleno y los cuates que nos atendieron en el campamento, esperamos que sea mucho mejor este 2015 (Prometo no guadarearme en el Ba�o).

Video: Interview with Eduardo Rivero in Belize, 7min.

Video: Caye Caulker Belize 2014, 5min.

Video: Mission Trip: Caye Caulker, Belize, 7min.
Benton High School graduates embark on a mission to spread the gospel on the island of Caye Caulker, Belize. Objective: 3 days of VBS for the children, picking up trash and loving the people as Christ loves. All glory to God!

Video: My Trip to Belize - Part 1 Caye Caulker, 5min.

Video: Belize Diving, 7min.
My son and I doing a little diving before heading out on our mission trip.

Video: BRUV Action Belize - Hammerhead!, 2min.
Very excited to see a great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran) visit one of our baited remote underwater video stations recently.