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PlusTV
Police reverse, hold charges against BML workers
PLUS News continues its coverage of the BML dispute with a review of Tuesday and Wednesday’s events. On Tuesday afternoon police made ready to present charges against 22 of the 41 arrested workers, all women. They were charged with taking part in a public meeting contrary to Section 6(3) of the Control of Public Meetings
Government intervenes on behalf of BML workers
The Government of Belize will pay the wages of the workers of Belize Maintenance Limited (BML) for the remaining life of the current sanitation contact with the Belize City Council. The announcement was made on Wednesday afternoon by Prime Minister Dean Barrow during a press conference at the Biltmore Hotel. Prime Minister Barrow, in making
Clement Bol and minor charged for murder
Police have laid charges against a 17 year old female student of Doris Brooks Street, Belize City, and 23 year old Clement Bol Jr of Grace Avenue, Belize City, for the murder of 16 year old Chryslin Gladden this past Saturday. The pair appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann-Marie Smith, where they were remanded until September
Human skull found in Independence
A human skull was discovered in the village of Independence, Stann Creek District, on Tuesday August 5th, when a 13 year old student was chopping grass at a yard on Dafodil Street in the new site area. According to Independence Police, the skull was discovered about 30 feet into a lot, and about 12 feet
Couple charged for drugs; woman tried to escape police
A couple from Belama Phase III in Belize City face charges of drug trafficking, and in the woman’s case, escape from lawful custody. On Monday, August 4, police went to the home of 34 year old Richard Smith and 30 year old Sandra Thompson. It is alleged that when the couple saw the police coming
Belizeans protest Israel-Gaza conflict
The ongoing standoff between forces of the Republic of Israel and the Palestinian Hammas has taken nearly 2,000 innocent lives since the start of hostilities a few weeks ago. Hamas, a Palestinian terrorist organization, lobbed almost 4000 rockets directed at Israeli Cities. Israel responded with air raids followed by a ground attack. While there is
Jaguar killing in Sarteneja under investigation
There is an ongoing investigation into the killing of a Jaguar in the village of Sarteneja, Corozal, that is causing a lot of conflict. Plus News understands that the Jaguar showed up months ago and has since been terrorizing villagers. According to information received, two villagers reported to the Forestry Department that a sheep and […]
Footbolito begins in Independence Village
The annual Footbolito in Independence village kicked off this past Sunday, with a march around the community which ended at the Micheal Ashcroft Stadi...
The Guardian
PM Barrow commits to pay BML Employees
The government of Belize has given an assurance letter to the principals of Belize Maintenance Limited that commits it will pay 35 thousand dollars weekly for the company to keep on 170 workers on its payroll. Among those on the pay sheet is Lawrence Ellis, the owner of the company.
Prime Minister, Dean Barrow, made the commitment at a press conference held on Wednesday, August 6. The conference was called shortly after he along with Minister of Human Development, Hon. Anthony ‘Boots’ Martinez met with BML executives in the very room where the press conference was held.
“The government cannot stand by to see workers laid off or about to be laid off,” stated the Prime Minister. He added that “this is not a political issue it is based on a deeply held philosophy,” of looking out for the poor. As part of the government’s taking up the wages, the Prime Minister sought to get a commitment from the Belize City Council to take on the employees after the termination of the BML contract in January of next year. That too was committed to by Mayor Darrell Bradley who explained that it will be a “challenging road ahead”.
Citco prepares for end of BML Contract
On Monday, August 4, workers of Belize Maintenance Limited demonstrated in front of Belize City Hall, throwing garbage on the street. They were frustrated after their employer has not been paying them. The Belize City Council owes the company 18 weeks of salary at 78 thousand dollars per week which now the company says is causing them not to be able to pay.
The situation is one where the council and the company have been before, Belize City Mayor, Darrell Bradley has always maintained that the contract is too burdensome for the municipality. He has since taken steps to notify the company that their contract will not be renewed when it comes to an end in January of 2015.
Teen girl kills teen girl
The family, friends and classmates of 16 year-old Chryslin Gladden continue to mourn her loss after she was violently killed on Friday night, August 1.She was stabbed to death in the Lord Ridge Cemetery, and her body was left for others to find in a manner that her human dignity was taken away.
Police have since charged a 17 year-old former classmate and friend of hers, who is currently at prison along with a man believed to be her boyfriend. That man is 23 year-old Clement Bol Jr., and they were arraigned before the Chief Magistrate on Wednesday, 06 August 2014, for the charge of murder. Due to the nature of the offence, the Chief Magistrate didn’t take any plea from them, and they were remanded to Belize Central Prison until September 5.
Gladden had recently graduated from the Wesley High School, and she was getting ready to Attend UB. On Friday, August 1, she told her family that she would be going out with friends, and she left her house. A little over 11 hours later, police found her body in the Lord Ridge Cemetery. She had multiple stab wounds to the face and neck.
Massive Voter Turnout in Belize City Convention - UDP READY
On Sunday, August 3, sixteen outstanding candidates offered themselves to represent the United Democratic Party in the 2015 Belize City Council Election. Those individuals are Fredy Cantilliano, Hyacinth Latchman-Cuellar, Jason Edwards, Alifa Elrington, Dr. Alain Gonzalez, Samson Jacobs, Dion Leslie, Percy Lewis, Noreen Martinez, Bernard “B Q” Pitts Jr., Dean Samuels, Kevin Singh, Phillip Singh, Deon Sutherland, Michael Theus and Philip Willoughby. The outstanding 16 included teachers, doctors, attorneys, business owners and community workers. Unfortunately, only ten could be selected to contest the municipal elections.
Considering the fact that there was no intense campaign period leading up to the Convention, the turnout on Sunday was extremely impressive. The energy and excitement of the candidates and supporters at the ITVET compound demonstrate clearly that the United Democratic Party has overwhelming support in Belize City.
Althea Sealy is Trailblazer of the Week
It's Trailblazer Tuesday! Today we celebrate the arts and the first Artistic Director of the Belize National Dance Company, Ms. Althea Sealy.
Althea Sealy, born to Cutbert Sealy and Mitt Smith on December 26, 1960 in Belize City, is renowned for her love of and dedication to arts. Unknowingly, Althea earned her place among outstanding Belizean females first when she became the first Artistic Director of the Belize National Dance Company (BNDC) in October 1990.
Althea Sealy has been dancing since she was eight years old, starting with the late Bob Reneau in the 1960s and 1970s. While her academic training was completed at Holy Redeemer primary school and Wesley College, she travelled regionally and internationally for her professional training in the USA, Cuba and Jamaica. She trained under the late talented Professor Eduardo Rivera of the National Dance Theatre of Santiago de Cuba.
Happy 14th Anniversary UB!
Today the University of Belize celebrates its 14th Anniversary as the national university of Belize. The University is proud to continue molding the minds of students while giving them the training needed to empower the nation.
On August 1, 2000, the University of Belize (UB) was created from a merger of five institutions: the University College of Belize (UCB), the Belize Technical College (BTC), the Belize Teachers’ Training College (BTTC), the Belize School of Nursing (BSN), and the Belize College of Agriculture (BCA). UCB, BTC and BTTC were under the supervision of the Ministry of Education (MOE); BSN was under the supervision of the Ministry of Health (MOH); and BCA was under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA).
In 2004, the main campus was officially moved to Belmopan City. UB now offers programs from its main campus in Belmopan, and from three other locations: Belize City campus, Central Farm campus, and from its southern campus in Punta Gorda. UB also owns and manages two marine field stations at Calabash and Hunting Caye.
The University wishes to thank the people and Government of Belize for their continuing support.
True Representation versus Lack of Representaton
Representation is a fairly straight forward concept. Wikipedia describes representation in the following manner: “In politics, representation describes how some individuals stand in for others or a group of others, for a certain time period. Representation usually refers to representative democracies, where elected officials nominally speak for their constituents in the legislature. Generally, only citizens are granted representation in the government in the form of voting rights; however, some democracies have extended this right further.” In democracies such as ours in Belize that extension refers to the daily running of the constituencies. When a Politician comes to the electorate for their vote he does so based on a manifesto which is a contract with the people that he is obligated to fulfill. When elected he becomes their representative and is expected to represent them and keep his manifesto promises.
Hattiville Chairman Still Missing
A team of law enforcement personnel are still out with relatives and friends of Kevin “Ras” Carcamo searching for the popular Chairman of Hattieville Village. Carcamo was last seen in the Freetown Sibun area on Sunday, July 20, where he was working as part of a seismic operation being carried out by Discoverseis Geophysical Services.
It has been more than two weeks since Carcamo was last seen and his chances of survival shrink every single day. Police have not officially relabeled the mission from a rescue to a recovery operation but that time is getting closer. The company Carcamo was working for, Discoverseis, has already pulled out of the search to continue normal operations. However, they are still offering a $10,000 reward for information that would lead to his safe recovery.
Busted with Nine Millimeter Pistol
The Gang Suppression Unit was successful in removing another gun from the streets of Belize City when they busted 25-year-old Glenford Bain Jr. with a nine millimeter pistol in the Kraal Road area on Monday, August 4.
Bain, a resident of #3834 Rivero Street, appeared in the Belize City Magistrates Court on Tuesday, August 5, where he was charged with one count of keeping a firearm and one count of keeping ammunition without a license. According to police, officers of the Gang Suppression Unit were on mobile patrol near Rivero Street when Officer Sam Gladden spotted Bain and two other men. According to Gladden, when Bain noticed the officers he headed into a yard.
Guatemalan Housewife Convicted of Immigration Offense and Must Leave Behind 2-Year-Old Daughter
Erika Marilou Ortega Jolon, a 20-year-old Guatemalan housewife, was caught living in Belize illegally and on Tuesday, August 5, she was convicted of an immigration offense in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court forcing her to leave behind a two-year-old daughter.
Jolon is a resident of Melchor De Mencos, Petén Guatemala. On Tuesday, she appeared unrepresented before Magistrate Hettie-Mae Stewart where she was read a single charge of failure to produce a visitor’s permit. According to reports, she entered Belize on July 10, 2014 through the Western Border and was granted a permit to remain in Belize until July 13, 2014. However, at about 7:00 a.m. on Monday, August 4, Jolon was stopped and removed from a bus at the Mile 5 ½ checkpoint on the George Price Highway. She was asked to produce her visitor’s permit but was unable to do so. Jolon was then taken into custody and handed over to the Belize Immigration Department for further investigation.
Sagitun FC and San Antonio FC co-leaders in the FFB President’s Cup Tournament
The FFB President’s Cup Tournament continued over the weekend with only two of the four games on the schedule played.
On Saturday, August 2, at the Michael Ashcroft Stadium in Independence Village, the host team and co-leaders in this year’s competition defeated the visiting Progresso FC by the score of 3-1. The goals for the Sagitun FC were scored by Rollin Burgess in the 4th minute of play, Ashley Torres in the 40th minute of play and Dellon Torres in the 74th minute of play.
Meanwhile, the only goal of the game for Progresso FC was scored by Marlon Miranda in the 35th minute of play.
A game was scheduled to be played at the Norman Broaster Stadium that same evening between the Benque DC and Estrellas, it was the host team Benque DC that won via the default route over Estrellas.
Vega Cup Tournament continued at San Roman Village
The 2014 Vega Cup Tournament continued on Sunday, August 3, with four games on the schedule out at the San Roman Football Field in Orange Walk North.
The result of the final game of the day was not available as the game did not finish as the goal keeper for the San Roman team had to leave the game because of an injury.
Health Hookup
Back to Basics – Size Matters
During the 1990’s if you bought a plate of rice and beans chances are it was served on a paper plate and covered with a piece of foil paper. Today, you purchase rice and beans and you get it in a Styrofoam container. The portion of food increased between the paper plate to the container, but we still label it as one meal. Today we are going to address “servings” of food. I would highly recommend cutting out the illustrations and placing it in your kitchen or work place so you have a better understanding of what an actual serving is vs. what you believe it to be.
Youth Talks 1
Procrastination:
Are you the typical person who finds him self doing things last minute or hesitating at doing a task. Do you put off doing things that would bring you closer to your desired goals? I know you do, but why are we so foolish? With all the important things we have; we somehow convince ourselves that none of these things need to be done right now. In other words we decide that some peace and relaxation in the short term is what is important. So we take another break, read another post on facebook, watch another TV show and just kick back and relax. And life is blissful for a little while. But then, suddenly the inevitable deadline has arrived. It’s panic time! This is what is known as procrastination. Procrastination is the action of delaying or postponing something. As human beings we have a tendency of doing things last minute. There are many causes to this and also, many methods to counteract these causes.
The first common cause of procrastination is rebellion and laziness. We resent the task in front of us. We feel imposed upon. “I have to do this!!”
Leadership: A Natural Gift
Leadership can be defined as “the process in which an individual influences a group of individuals to attain a common goal”. Assuming Leadership can be one of the most difficult tasks an individual undertakes; nevertheless, it is possible. Whatever the goal is, it can be achieved through mutual understanding and cooperation. A leader instills a sense of optimism and guides others to that specified goal.
Various theories have been created by psychologists to explain the traits of a leader. Some traits of a good leader are intelligence, self-confidence/outgoingness, and adjustment, open-mindedness, humbleness, and diligence. An individual possessing these traits is a sign of a good leader.
Statement Regarding the Murder of Chryslin Gladden
The Special Envoy for Women and Children, Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow, expresses deepest condolences to the family of 16 year old Chryslin Gladden. The news of her brutal murder is deeply saddening and brings into sharp focus the appalling levels of violence present in our society.
Her death has left many in a state of shock and profound confusion as to how or why someone could commit such a horrific crime against a defenseless teenaged girl. It is difficult to imagine the indescribable pain that her family is currently enduring. Chryslin was a recent high school graduate preparing for tertiary education and everything that life had in store for her until it was all prematurely taken from her in a ruthless and violent manner. Mrs. Simplis Barrow condemns in the strongest terms, these acts of violence, especially against our children.
Taiwan donates compactor trucks to CITCO
The Belize City Council received a donation of three compactor garbage trucks courtesy of the Taiwanese government. The donation was presented to Mayor Darrell Bradley by new Taiwanese Ambassador to Belize, H.E. Benjamin Ho on Wednesday, August 6.
The donation comes after almost a year since the Mayor of Belize City and Councilor Eric Chang visited Taiwan and the Taiwanese government asked them in what areas they could be of assistance. Sanitation was one area identified and Taiwan offered to donate three trucks. It has been a year since and it is just now that the trucks were able to be shipped to Belize since the cost of shipping was some 30 thousand Belize dollars per truck and the finances could not be identified by the council. It was then that fundraising was done in Taiwan and the funds were able to be secured and finally the shipment was possible.
Team from U.S Embassy visits the San Ignacio Police Formation
A high powered team from the United States Embassy in Belmopan has visited the San Ignacio Police Formation. United States Ambassador to Belize, Carlos Moreno, accompanied by Luis Arreaga, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State at the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement for the Western Hemisphere INL, visited San Ignacio Police on Tuesday of this week to learn about their unique community policing approach to reducing crime.
Present for the meeting was Officer in Charge of San Ignacio Police Dinsdale Thompson, Ernie Braun, Chairman of the Cayo Neighborhood Watch Association (CNWA) and Caesar Sherrard, head of the People’s Coalition of Cayo PCC. Also present in the conference room were members of the Zone Ten Neighborhood Watch Committee, the San Ignacio Rotary Club as well as Police Special Constables.
Katy Sealy sets new National Record in Heptathlon for Belize
The XX commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland has ended with England finishing on top of the medals count with a 150 medals, the most that country has won in 26 years, but for Belize and Katy Sealy, three new Personal Best times and a New National Record for Belize in her performance in the Heptathlon Competition at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland, is the highlight of Belize’s performance at the Games.
The Heptathlon Competition started out on Tuesday, July 29, with four of the seven events in this discipline. In the 100m Hurdles competition, Sealy set a new Personal Best when she finished the course in a time of 15.61. In the High Jump competition she also set a new Personal Best with a height clearance of 1.69m. She also competed in the 200m event and the Shot Put competition.
On Wednesday, July 30, Sealy set yet another Personal Best in the Long Jump competition at 5.36m.
Firms Basketball competition rolls on at Bird’s Isle
The Belize District Basketball Association Firms’ competition continued at Bird’s Isle with a number of games played over the weekend.
On Saturday, August 2, in the first game of the evening, Courts edged out Heritage Bank/Belize Keen O Lal Tours by the score of 54-50. The top scorers for Courts were Keith Pollard with 15 points and 13 rebounds and Jamal Pollard also with 15 points and 7 rebounds.
For Hertiage Bank, the top scorers were Steven Bonnell with 16 points and 3 rebounds, Devon Defour with 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Felix Martinez with 10 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals.
In the second game of the evening, it was Complex winning over Central Health by the score of 66-57. The top scorers for complex were Rhetton Belisle with 17 points, Marshall Nunez with 16 points and Wilfred Richards with 14 points.
Minister Heredia Donates To Tourism Management Program
On Friday, August 1, 2013, Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Civil Aviation, Honourable Manuel Heredia Jr. presented a cheque in the amount of $5,000 to the Dean of San Pedro Jr. College, Mr. Gustavo Ellis Sr.
This cheque is the first of a two-part donation that Minister Heredia will be making to San Pedro Junior College to aid students from the college who wish to further their education through a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism Management at the University of Belize.
Minister Heredia commented, “This is the first half of a donation that is specifically aimed at assisting San Pedro Jr. College Students who want to pursue their Bachelor’s in Tourism Management at the University of Belize. As we know, tourism plays a major role in our economy, therefore, it is very important that we help those who have a passion for the industry to further their education in order for the tourism industry to continue to grow.”
Hurricane Price Survey released to prevent price gouging
It took three persons from the consumer protection section of the Belize Bureau of Standards (BBS) one month of work in different parts of Belize to complete, just last month, the Annual Hurricane Price Survey 2014. It offered a comprehensive snapshot of prices of both food and non food items. These items are considered essential in the eventuality of a Hurricane and the Price Survey was a proactive measure by the BBS to prevent the price gouging of customers during such an emergency. For the food items a total of 75 stores were checked and for the non foods, some 25 stores were also checked in both the mainland and the Cayes.
The price of corned beef, sardine, chicken Vienna sausage and potted meat varies depending on the locations within the Country. The minimum price for a seven ounce Grace Corned Beef in Corozal Town is $3.15 and the maximum price is $3.50; getting an average price of $3.35. However; in Punta Gorda the same Grace Corned Beef has a minimum of $3.50 and a maximum of $3.75 and averagely priced at $3.52.
The First Indian Diaspora Conference In Belize
The Corozal Organization of East Indian Culture and Heritage (COEICH) and the National East Indian Council of Belize – Southern Chapter (NEICBSC), along with the National Institute of Culture and History of Belize (NICH) are having the first Indian diaspora conference in Belize. The theme of the conference is: “The First Indian Diaspora Conference in Belize: Highlighting Indian Culture and Contribution in a Multi-ethnic Society.” The first two days of the conference will be held in Corozal Town (Northern Belize) and the next two days will be held in Punta Gorda Town (Southern Belize).
Academic presentations will be given by presenters from the United States, the Caribbean, and Belize. Other presentations will be given by elders and others from the Indian community in Belize. Some of the areas covered in the conference include race relations, entrepreneurship, dreams of young East Indians, medicine, identity, migration, indentured laborers, East Indian women, reparation, outstanding East Indians in Belize, and agriculture, including sugar cane and rice production and yellow ginger processing.
PUP dependency Syndrome at the Jungle
7 News aired a clip on the dreadful life experience of residents of the Pickstock Jungle apartments which ironically resides in the Fort George electoral division. While the situation is sad, and they are looking for handouts, it is unfortunate that they did not line up and bring political heat on their area representative Said Musa. Mr. Musa is responsible for that eye sore. While the apartments are free, he did not even consider running water lines to the units. Instead he gave them a community stand pipe. While he and his colleagues were busy lavishing on proceeds from Taiwan and Venezuela, this architect of the Super Bond gave his constituents a stand pipe.
Said has been the representative for that area for almost forty years. Some of those apartments have been through three generations. Under Said's leadership we have seen five year olds receiving scholarship to UB, thirty million to Novelo's, Yen swap causing a ten million dollar loss, eighty eight million give away to an Ashcroft company, over twenty million given to Universal Health Service. To his constituents, he gave a stand pipe.
Belize Social Investment Fund continues to provide Entrepreneur Skills Training to Belizeans in Rural Communities
Residents from San Jose and Guinea Grass, Orange Walk District, who have successfully completed a vocational training in sewing, will receive ‘Certificate of Completion’ during Graduation Exercise at the Orange Walk Technical High School campus, at 10 a.m. on Saturday 9 August, 2014.
The Government of Belize financed the 10-month sewing project for the 30 residents in the northern communities at a total cost of $51,440.00 through a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
The training of the residents in sewing was a component of the San Jose Multipurpose Center and Guinea Grass Multipurpose Center sub-projects implemented by the Social Investment Fund as part of its mandate to work in line with the Government’s poverty alleviation strategy.
Unpaid BML workers vent frustration at the wrong place - No Charges for BML employees
“Every time a situation comes up and this matter comes up, its poor people that suffers. Why does it have to be us that suffers?” – Helen Samuels, Employee of the Belize Maintenance Limited.
On Monday, August 4, over 40 employees of the Belize Maintenance Limited were led by Delroy Herrera to protest in front of the Belize City Hall without a permit or even prior notice to the Belize Police Department. They were taken from BML’s office to City Hall in the company’s bus. The protestors assembled in front of City Hall with no placards. Instead, a BML truck parked in front of City Hall on North Front Street from which employees emptied bags of garbage in the middle of the street.
The filthy street was a dispicable eyesore. The City Hall is next to the Fort Street Tourism Village and Zone. It is one of the busiest areas of the city but the commotion locked down the entire area. Traffic was diverted and police were called in to disassemble the angry mob. Senior Superintendent Edward Broaster informed the crowd that they were conducting an illegal protest because they did not apply for a permit.
Belmopan Day Celebrated
Belmopan Day was celebrated on Saturday of this past weekend. Community members were out in good weather at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium to mark the founding of Belmopan City. In a formal opening ceremony, Mayor Simeon Lopez reminded the residents of the history of Belmopan. Also present at the opening were the Senior Steps and the Maya Harp Dance Group, who provided local entertainment.
Tents were set up at the periphery of the football field for various groups to showcase their works. Members of the National Emergency Management Organization were present to educate members of the public about disasters. So were the Mopan Maya and Ketchi performing their traditional dance steps and in full costume.
Entrepreneur Kahlil Salazar, owner of Caribbean Premiere Products was out in full force with his staff for Belmopan Day to exhibit a new line of healthy fruit drinks made from orange juice and sour sop. Caribbean Premiere products is a spinoff of Toucan Matches and their plan is now to expand in other areas of natural fruit drinks such as guava and watermelon.
Corruption as defined by the PUP
Corruption, corruption, corruption…this is the chorus of a song that the PUP’s are now singing. Well the rhetoric continues with these presumptuous and pompous ‘donkeys’ (not allowed to use the colloquial term for donkey). Every good thing that this government does is hailed as corruption; Government fixes the streets-corruption, Government creates jobs-corruption, Government assists the less fortunate-corruption, Government gives educational assistance-corruption…you get the picture. Now obviously the word corruption must have changed meaning. Corruption is now defined in THE MODERN PUP DICTIONARY of Idiocy Revised Edition, as:
(1) Verb, an act by a government which seeks to empower its people using the taxes it collects in a financially prudent manner.
(2) Verb, another act by government which ensures that there is accountability in every aspect of governance.
Drone Flies over University of Belize Central Campus
Students from the Natural Resources Management Program (NRMP) at the University of Belize Central Campus in Belmopan were witnesses of the inaugural flight of a Parrot 2.0 Drone at about 10:00 am on Wednesday of last week. The Quadricopter is product of an initial collaboration between the University of Belize and Georgia State University and will now be useful in the remote sensing of geophysical, biological and other data.
Interim Dean for the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) Dr. Pio Saqui says that the new equipment will present a new dimension of learning for students and amplify faculty members’ capabilities to do research for stakeholders in conservation, environmental management and other social services. Chair for the Science Department Cecy Castillo has also reacted positively to the drone by expressing that the use of the drone technology will enhance Geographic Information System course offered and will enable the University of Belize to expand on its research capabilities.
Roger Espejo present in the Jungle
“The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep” - Robert Frost
Fort George Standard Bearer Roger Espejo continued to do the job of the Area Rep. this week in ‘the jungle’. “Slowly but surely, we’ll cure the ‘cancer’ in Fort George assured Mr. Espejo to Ms. Melva Williams upon delivery of her much needed door and in response to her criticism of the current area rep on the media recently.
Charged for Double Murder in Tacos Vendors Home invasion
Details of a home invasion that occurred on Mopan Street on June 26 was disturbing even for residents of Belize City, who have become accustomed to news of violent crimes.
Francisco Rodriguez Charged for Killing Jacqueline Arteaga in Kimmie’s Fire
Jacqueline Arteaga, 23, perished in a fire that destroyed four structures on Newtown Barracks early Wednesday morning, June 25. Arteaga was three months pregnant and was unable to flee from her apartment building which was located on the floor above Kimmie’s Bar. The fire was ruled an arson by investigators from the Belize Fire Service.
Police investigation led to the arrest of Francisco Rodriguez, 23, who is believed to be Arteaga’s cousin. Rodriguez was arrested when police foiled an extortion attempt upon an Orange Walk businessman by Edwin Flores on July 25. The men are believed to be members of the notorious MS-13 gang and during police interrogations Rodriguez allegedly implicated himself in the Kimmie’s arson. He also implicated himself in an armed robbery that took place in the Cayo District. Rodriguez was taken to court last week where he pleaded guilty to robbery and was sentenced to five years imprisonment.
Andrew Talbert Gets Five Years for Gun and Ammo Conviction
Andrew Talbert, 22, was busted with a 9mm Glock pistol on Sunday, January 6, 2013. According to reports, police were conducting patrols near Dean and Plues Street when an officer saw Talbert ran behind a yard on Plues Street. The officer says he saw Talbert throw an object over a fence. Talbert was tracked down, taken back to the location where the object was thrown and a 9 mm glock pistol with one live round was found.
In court on Monday, August 4, Talbert was found guilty of kept firearm and ammunition without being granted a gun license.
Patrick Jones
Belize Under-15 female football team defeated by Jamaica
The Jamaica Under 15 female football team humiliated their Belizean counterpart yesterday in Group C of the CONCACAF Championship which is being played in Grand Cayman. Jamaica defeated Belize by the score of 5 goals to nil in what one regional sports report called a “mauling.” of […]
Good weather heading into the weekend
Warm and relatively dry conditions are prevailing factors in our weather heading into the weekend. The general forecast for Belize and her coastal waters is for partly cloudy skies tonight. Friday will be sunny with only isolated showers or thunderstorms expected. Winds over the open sea and […]
Majority of BML workers will be hired
The Belize Maintenance Limited (BML) dispute is on its way to settlement and among the centerpieces of the agreement is a commitment by the City Council to hire BML’s former workers to their employ. But how is that defined from a staff of 170 employees including owner/manager Lawrence […]
Mayor sticks by bond and government support
The BML issue is at its core a financial issue, not only for the company, but for the City Council. To support its grand infrastructure redevelopment plan it entered into a $20 million municipal bond that ties up revenue streams for the Council including the annual subvention from […]
Police: Workers threatened to escalate garbage dumping
Commander of Operations for Eastern Division, Senior Superintendent Edward Broaster, has said that police acted on intelligence that suggested that Monday’s protest by the BML sanitation workers in front of City Hall was threatening to escalate to other parts of the City. This was the reason he gave […]
Orange Walk farmer found dead by his brother
The decomposed body of a farmer from Santa Martha village was found this morning in a field in the village. He has been identified as 57 year old Orlando Efrian Cortez. Preliminary reports received say that the discovery was made by the Cortez’ brother this morning in […]
Clement Bol and minor charged for murder
Police have laid charges against a 17 year old female student of Doris Brooks Street and 23 year old Clement Bol Jr of Grace Avenue for the murder of 16 year old Chryslin Gladden this past Saturday. The pair appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann-Marie Smith where they were […]
Belize Has An Unjust, Unbalanced And Broken Tax System
By Richard S. Harrison, BSc Pharm, MBA A fair and balanced tax system is important for any economy seeking to grow investments…whether domestic or foreign…because it should earn government the amount it needs to provide essential services and infrastructure, while allowing private investments to make honest profit and workers to earn fair wages that can […]
Getting a new Belize ID card and closing accounts
When we got to the office on Middle street, it was very fast. They confirmed that both of us had been in Belize the required amount of time then we filled out paperwork, they took our pictures and wanted passport copies. Since Shirlee forgot hers she has to go back, they took the photo copy I brought and opted to do one of their own as well. My ID card should be ready within a month and the they said they will call me when it’s done.
More about what it takes to get a voter ID:
You are from a commonwealth country and have lived in Belize for a year without leaving and been at least 2 months in the area where you are registering in our case San Pedro. Bring a photo copy and hard copy of passport.
Anyone who is Nationalized or is a Belizean needs bring their passport or birth certificate and Social Security card.
The office is located in the same building as the Post Office on Middle Street – 226-2220.
Spotlight on Another Belizean Eco-Hero
In his home village of Gales Point Manatee, he has always been, in his words, “just that kid trying to save manatees.” As a child playing in his grandparents’ front yard Galves could watch researchers study and tag manatees, and a lifelong fascination was born. By the time he was a teen Galves was volunteering on the research boats, cleaning up and helping with various tasks.
International Sources
Hollywood celebrities help to protect Belize reefs
A trio of Hollywood celebrities recently took their star power to Belize to help protect the largest reef in the Western hemisphere. Cobie Smulders, Rashida Jones and Angela Kinsey traveled to coastal Belize, where they raised awareness for this delicate ocean ecosystem and promoted Oceana's ongoing work in the country.
Cobie Smulders, of "How I Met Your Mother" fame, filmed a new Oceana PSA in the stunning South Water Caye Marine Reserve, where she visited a unique island made of mangrove trees. She swam through this critical habitat that is home to juvenile reef fish and provides shelter for them to grow before they settle on the nearby barrier reef. Once back on dry land, Smulders remarked on how amazing it was to see such a diverse and important habitat just beyond the surface of the water.
"Maybe because it's underwater people don't really think about it as much, but this reef is Belize and you just want it to always be there," said Smulders. "It was really interesting to see how necessary these habitats are for the good of the reef. Oceana works really well with local governments and communities to empower them and educate them in how to preserve their local marine habitats," she added.
Jamaica maul Belize 5-0 in under-15 CONCACAF Championship
Jamaica’s Under-15 female footballers mauled Belize 5-0 at the TE McField Sports Complex and joined Costa Rica who defeated Anguilla 5-0 atop of Group C of the CONCACAF Championship underway in Grand Cayman.
Both Jamaica and Costa Rica are on three points but the young Reggae Girls are on top with a superior goal difference.
Jamaica missed at least eight chances in the first 10 minutes before Striker Chavelle Henry opened the floodgates in the 15th minute nodding home a Shanhaine Nelson left sided cross.
Monique Perrier doubled the advantage with a shot from just outside the box as Jamaica went to the break two goals up.
The outstanding Nelson then make it three nil from the penalty spot in the 40th minute before Sherice Clarke made it four nil with a fine solo effort, gliding past three players in the 45th. The towering Tarania Clarke scored a 35 metre effort for Jamaica’s fifth and final goal two minute later in the 47th minute.
Jamaica will next play Anguilla on Saturday while Costa Rica tackle Belize at the same venue.
Rashida Jones, Cobie Smulders, and Angela Kinsey Dive In To Help Protect Belizean Reefs
A trio of Hollywood celebrities recently took their star power to Belize to help Oceana protect the largest reef in the Western hemisphere.
Cobie Smulders, Rashida Jones and Angela Kinsey traveled to coastal Belize, where they raised awareness for this delicate ocean ecosystem and promoted Oceana’s ongoing work in the country.
Cobie Smulders of “How I Met Your Mother” fame filmed a new Oceana PSA in the stunning South Water Caye Marine Reserve where she visited a unique island made of mangrove trees. She swam through this critical habitat that is home to juvenile reef fish and provides shelter for them to grow before they settle on the nearby barrier reef. Once back on dry land at the Pelican Bay Resort, Smulders remarked on how amazing it was to see such a diverse and important habitat just beyond the surface of the water.
Destinations Mine Underground Caves for Tourism Dollars
Most tourists don’t go looking for damp dark destinations; however, some who have fallen in love with the sport of caving are traveling worldwide to find the best spots. Others happen into the activity through circumstance or hotel brochure.
Caving is a potentially dangerous activity that can be deadly without proper equipment or assistance. For this reason, it is one activity that is almost always done in coordination with a tour operator that requires tourists to wear a helmet, harness and cave suit.
Caving is available in a surprisingly broad range of locations from Kentucky to Belize. Even more developed European destinations including Belgium and Spain promote caving as part of their outdoor activity options.
Francis Ford Coppola Talks Travel
The filmmaker on the best luggage, life's greatest luxury and how 'Apocalypse Now' made him a hotelier. THE STORY OF what got Francis Ford Coppola into the hotel business is one of a simple plan that became complicated.
It started with the making of his Vietnam War epic, "Apocalypse Now," released 35 years ago next week. Though shooting in the jungles of the Philippines pushed Mr. Coppola to his limits psychologically and financially, he nonetheless grew attached to the setting. "When you work or stay in a location for a long time, as I did, you fall in love with it," said Mr. Coppola, now 75. "David Lean, when he made 'Lawrence of Arabia,' couldn't bear to leave the desert. Well, I felt the same way about the jungle."
He later considered buying a nearby island, but at the urging of his wife, Eleanor, found something closer to the U.S.—a remote, rundown lodge in Belize. "I just wanted to have a place to go off in the jungle and write," he said.
That's not what happened. As the Coppolas improved the property, they needed caretakers. Guests were inevitable. "If you say yes enough," he said, "you'll find yourself in the hotel business." In 1993, his Blancaneaux Lodge opened to the public. Over the next 21 years came the Turtle Inn in Belize; La Lancha on Lake Petén Itzá in Guatemala; Jardín Escondido in Buenos Aires; and, in 2012, Palazzo Margherita in his ancestral village of Bernalda, in southern Italy.
Big cats and wild places conjured at Holderness science center
Alan Rabinowitz, a pioneer in wildlife conservation, will visit the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center on Route 113 in Holderness on Saturday to shares some tales about protecting the world’s big cat specials and last wild places.
Rabinowitz, the chief executive officer of Panthera, will give his presentation at the center’s annual Summer Celebration at 6 p.m.
Dubbed “The Indiana Jones of Wildlife Conservation” by Time Magazine, Rabinowitz has traveled the globe to study jaguars, clouded leopards, Asiatic leopards, tigers, Sumatran rhinos, bears, leopard cats, raccoons and civets.
His work in Belize resulted in the world’s first jaguar sanctuary, while his efforts in Taiwan led to the establishment of this country’s largest protected area and last piece of intact lowland forest.
US, 16 nations conducting PANAMAX 2014 Exercise
PANAMAX 2014, an annual U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM)-sponsored multinational exercise focused on ensuring the defense of the Panama Canal, will take place Aug. 8-14 at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas.
USSOUTHCOM and Marine Corps Forces South personnel, headquartered in Miami, as well as personnel at Navy Forces South in Mayport Naval Station, Jacksonville, Fla., and Air Forces Southern at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona, are among the U.S. participants taking part in the exercise.
Sixteen additional nations will join the U.S. during the seven-day exercise and use simulations to command and control multinational sea, air, land, cyber and land forces defending the vital waterway and surrounding areas against threats from violent extremism, natural disasters and pandemic outbreaks.
Participating nations this year include Brazil, Belize, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and the United States.
How to kill a lobster and not feel guilty
Barrister invents 'Crustastun' machine which electrocutes it to death with 110-volt shock. Robert Elwood, professor of animal behaviour at Queen’s University, Belfast, has made a study of whether crustaceans suffer pain. For instance, he’s found that hermit crabs, when given electric shocks, abandon their shells and seek an empty shell as refuge. Anyone who has seen a lobster plunged into boiling water will see how it reacts by violently flipping its tail as if in distress. Most chefs privately dislike cooking lobster — often passing the job to a low-ranking kitchen worker.
Lobsters, unlike many fish and shellfish, have to be cooked very soon after coming out of sea-water. Once caught, they rapidly lose weight as they dry out. This is why they are put straight into the pot. Another reason is that lobsters harbour microbes that cause them to rot quickly when dead — a serious food-poisoning risk.
Leave it too long, and there will be little or no meat in the shells, they will taste terrible, and you risk illness. Better to cook and kill them at one go, most chefs reason.
But is there a way of killing a lobster humanely before cooking it?
One method involves piercing its central nervous system using a sharp instrument. This kills it instantly. But skill and experience are needed to know exactly where to jab. It is rarely done, except by expert chefs in specialist seafood restaurants.
One chef, however, may have found a pain-free solution.
The Italian Giorgio Locatelli, who runs his restaurant Locanda Locatelli near London’s Oxford Street, has revealed how much he hates killing lobsters. He says he has heard them scream when dunked in the pan.
Haunted by these sounds, he has introduced a machine to his restaurant that is said to kill lobsters, crabs and other crustaceans without pain.
The ‘Crustastun’ is the size of a small suitcase. Once a lobster has been plucked from its tank, it is placed in the machine, which has been filled with saltwater. The equipment is then locked, triggering a 110-volt shock. The lobster is stunned and unconscious within a second — and dead after ten.
Videos
Video: gopro Vacation in Belize, 19min.
Video: GoPro Video Reveals (Maine) Lobster's Journey From Ocean To Plate, 4min.
Zagat just released an awesome video (embedded above) that follows the path of one lobster all the way from off the coast of Maine to the dinner plate of their editor James Mulcahy at Oceana restaurant in Manhattan. The Zagat team even strapped a GoPro camera in waterproof casing to the lobster's head to give you a lobster-eye view on the whole affair. The whole effect is a little macabre -- but also very enlightening.
Video: Stunning costumes for #ReinaDeLaCostaMaya 2014, 14sec.
Video: Belize Dive Teaser, 2min.
A teaser to show you the scuba diving life in Belize with a few sexy Canadians.
Video: Bull Shark in Belize bites camera, 1min.
Bull Shark and I playing chicken. We collided.
Video: Belize Diving 2014, 4min.
SCUBA Diving from Hamanasi Resort Hopkins Belize, Glovers reef.
Video: Kayaking the Caves Branch River Belize, 9min.
Kayaking the Caves Branch River in Belize with Maya Guide Adventures. 2014 Music by Andy Palacio.
Video: Belize GoPro Video, 8min.
AmbergrisCaye.com 
