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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
Police Report
33-year-old Gergorio Cobb, manager of Captain Morgan’s Retreat reported to the San Pedro Police Station that a man refused to pay for his stay in the establishment. According to Cobb, Simon Castillo checked into the hotel for a period of seven days commencing from Friday, August 8th and ending on Saturday, August 16th. The cost of the room was $200 per night plus 19%, amounting to a total value of $1,905. Castillo gave a credit card in his name. During his stay, Castillo ordered room service which amounted to $3,847.12. Castillo checked out of the resort without informing the front desk or paying the extra charges. Cobb has requested court action. Castillo has been officially arrested and charged.
Belize Institute of Mixology offers Bartending Courses
Belize Institute of Mixology (BIM) is a locally owned Bartending teaching company. It recently held a Flair & Mixology Crash course at Sapphire Beach Resort on Saturday August 9th. Guest instructor was Mixologist Fermin Cho’c of Turtle Inn. Mr Cho’c is the winner of the annual Taste of Belize Bartending competition as well as the Sugar City Rumfest mixology competition. He learned his trade in Florida by the American Bartending School. BIM plans on offering two fully rounded courses: Introduction to Bartending and Advanced Bartending. These courses will include presentations from guest instructors in the field of wine, beer, rum, and of course flair. Each course will be for five days and will also include a doctor as guest instructor on alcohol awareness. Power point presentations and practical hands on training will ensure student participation.
Island Cup Football Tournament finals drawing near
The Island Cup Football Tournament is nearing the finals, and on Sunday, August 17th the fifth round of games were played. The Ambergris Stadium was the place to be as six football teams faced off in three grueling matches. The crowd in attendance was certainly pleased with the display of football talent.
Legends and Dorados set the tone of the day with the first game. The well-seasoned Legends took the win in a 2-0 point match even though the Dorados gave a decent fight. Game two saw, San Pedrito FC face San Pedro High School (SPHS) Football Team. SPHS managed to win their first-ever game in the tournament in a 2-1 point match! The last game of the day was between the Joker FC and Vince’s Warriors. Both teams wanted the win, but Joker FC snatched the victory with 3-1 score.
Ambergris Today
Belize Police Department : Wanted Person
San Pedro Police Station - Wanted Person
Jason Gillette aka "Skilla"
Age: 29 yrs old DOB: December 24, 1985
Belizean Laborer
Wanted in connection with an Attempt Murder in San Pedro Town. This person is considered armed and dangerous if seen please call 911 or the nearest Police Station in your area or Crime Stoppers at 922.
Rugby Belize Has its First Four Clubs
The southern Districts have seemingly stormed ahead in setting up rugby football clubs in Belize, and the first four clubs have appointed organizers and are busy attracting players and volunteers through their social media campaigns.
The Belize Rugby Board (Rugby Belize) has organized the country into two ‘Districts’ for domestic competition purposes; North includes Corozal, Orange Walk and Belize, and South covers Cayo, Stann Creek and Toledo
Hattieville United Rugby Football Union (part of the Hattieville United Youth Sporting Club), organized by Haddan Garbutt, is the headquarters of Rugby Belize
Rugby Belize plans to have a rugby football union in every major town throughout the country by the end of 2015, with a national team for sevens in place in time to commence training for the first big international sevens competition in 2015 / 16.
Misc Belizean Sources
Belize at Ireland Oil & Gas 2014 Summit in Dublin
2014 is a pivotal year for Ireland’s oil and gas industry, with exploration of key prospects underway and a new licensing round due to commence in just a few weeks’ time. The mood at the 2nd Ireland Oil & Gas Summit was one of enthusiasm and excitement, and a feeling that perhaps Ireland will soon be firmly placed on the global map of oil and gas.With more than 120 delegates in attendance from more than 80 companies and organisations, the meeting brought together an exceptional cross-section of companies and individuals with a vested interest in realising Ireland’s hydrocarbon potential. IRN gathered an exceptional panel of speakers from Woodside, Providence, Nalcor Oil & Gas, Petrel Resources, Belize Natural Energy, Lansdowne Oil and Gas, Infrastrata, Fastnet Oil & Gas, and Europa Oil & Gas amongst others, who provided attendees with detailed analysis of present state of the oil and gas industry across Ireland.
Belize – Fiscal Paradise with High Level of Confidentiality
ICO Services, the international company specialized in the formation of offshore companies and offshore banking, has recently expanded their services to the American business world by launching their service of setting up a company in Belize, the only fiscal paradise in Central and South America where English is the official language. This business extension means providing access to the multiple advantages of establishing an International Business Company (IBC) which includes a high level of confidentiality, exempt for all local taxes, no capital requirements and no foreign exchange control.An IBC is the most popular type of offshore corporation as it is designed for any international business activity, does not pay any taxes in the jurisdiction where is established, provides confidentiality to its owners and is not subject to reporting requirements.“According to different lists of international organizations, there are dozens of countries that can be considered as tax heavens. But these countries are far from providing the same advantages, and each is specialized in hosting one or more types of the simplest to the most complex financial transactions. In this respect, Belize is the no. 1 option for international investors who need the advantages provided only by an IBC established in Belize, where privacy is a state policy”, said an ICO Services executive/official.
Superintendent Luis Castellanos accepts Freddy Gonzalez Jr's Nomination for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
and now nominates his son Luis Alberto Castellanos, Karim Maroun, Genaro Samos, Hector Blanco and Henry Jemmot.
Mechanical Rides at the the Andres Campos Civic Center Grounds
Where will your good-self lead you this weekend? - In about two weeks from today, most preschools, primary and secondary schools will be open for classes. Here is your last chance to bring out the entire family this weekend and enjoy Mechanical Rides at the the Andres Campos Civic Center Grounds - Carousel - Roller Coaster - Wheel of Fortune - Games - The rides will begin tomorrow Friday Aug 22....Don't miss out. We invite everyone from Corozal's 26 villages and Orange Walk to enjoy this weekend's events before the opening of school classes. Fun! Fun! Fun! Be safe!
Colors of Belize Art Gallery
Colors of Belize, Cayo's new art gallery, is having their grand opening Friday, August 22nd. They are located in the Busman Arnold building, and are open from 9am to 9pm."Colors of Belize is a new art gallery in Cayo. It's located in the Busman Arnold building, and the artist has some fantastic paintings on display."
Calla Creek Bridge Repair Project
4 The World Belize, which does a lot of volunteer work in Calla Creek, fixed up the bridge so the kids can safely cross. Thanks, 4 The World!"Today we replaced the missing boards on the swinging bridge in Calla Creek Village. Now all the kids can safely cross the bridge. Just in time for school to start next week. Many people use the bridge daily ."
Cayo Classifieds - Issue 30
This week's Buy and Sell Weekly."Belize's original Classified ads publication. Private Party Classified ads (people selling personal items) are now FREE. Business ads start at $15 per week with designs included. Deadline to place ads are every Saturday @ 12pm. Don't pawn it!... sell it fast with our Buy and Sell Weekly Classifieds."
NTHU 2014 Belize Visit
The Belize Educational Service Group from the National Tsing Hua University left Belize yesterday. While here, they spent most of their time in Cayo, and did a lot of volunteering at primary schools. Thanks, NTHU!"Seven days in San Antonio, our groups really got lots of things from the villagers, especially the principle Mr. Mai. They are willing to share things with us, they showed us their farm, their family members, their harvest and their smile. Though we did the wall and hold a one day camp for them,yet when a mother told us that she is really appreciate for what we had done, we thought we can do more and better. we will miss and remember this beautiful village, for its glamorous sunshine, kind people and the warm smile. Adios Familia."
Channel 7
Terror Inside A and R
At the end of last night's news, we told you about an armed robbery at A and R Store. Tonight details of that terror- filled event are known. Around 6:27 pm a man with a stocking over his face walked into A&R holding the security guard at gunpoint while his accomplice guarded the door. The man ordered everyone to lie on the floor. The store had already closed, but the employees and many of their young children were inside with them.
Everyone was in a panic, as the gunman went first to the supervisor's office and stole a plastic bag with over nine thousand dollars in cash. He then turned his attention to the workers, and even their children, snatches cell phones, rings and chains from them. Then, he ordered all of them to stand up and matched them up to the second floor and ordered the supervisor to open the safe - where he stole another three thousand in cash.
Record Crystal Meth bust in Orange Walk Worth Millions
Tonight the Anti Drug Unit is proudly claiming the biggest bust of the drug Crystal Meth ever in Belize. "Meth" as it is called is short for methamphetamine - and it is a highly addictive drug widely used in the United States. In many cases, the drug itself or, more often, the chemical precursors used to make it are trafficked through Belize, Guatemala and Mexico to the US.
And last night, a stash with a value of more than 2 million US dollars was found in Orange Walk - and it happened, almost by chance. An unmarked anti drug unit vehicle was in the Louisiana area of Orange Walk Town when police observed a black Toyota Camry car driving erratically on the road, veering from one side to the other.
Brother Kills Brother In OW Hunting Accident
There was a tragic hunting accident last night, which claimed the life of one man from Orange Walk Town.
Around 11:00 pm, brothers Celso Moreno, who is 63 and Gumercindo Mendoza who is 52 went hunting for deer in the Yo Creek area. They split up, and around midnight, Celso thought he saw something move. Thinking it was a deer, he fired one shot form his 12 gauge shotgun. But it turns out that it was his little brother who was shot to the hands, abdomen and side of the head with a shotgun blast. He died instantly, and Police have detained Celso Moreno pending investigation.
Hon. Santino Sympathizes With Succotz Rage
Today, the Ministries of Economic Development and Works held an annual review of their ongoing road safety project. But, in the current climate, it's hard to discuss road safety without talking about the road tragedy that one of the highest ranking law enforcement officials in the country caused last week Saturday. That, of course, is the fatal accident caused by the drunk driving Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mike Segura. Today we asked Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance Santino Castillo about how Segura's alleged misdeeds are viewed by the executive. Here's what he had to say about Segura and the wider topic of drinking and driving:..
Hon. Santino Castillo
"Quite honestly in Belize you are innocent until you are proven guilty. However if indeed ten gentleman as it shown so far by the blood test was drinking. It's a very tragic accident. It shows that alcohol and drinking do not mix. It shows that we should not drink and drive, we should have a designated driver if that's what we are going to do and I commend the government and I commend the police for acting decisively and swiftly on the matter. The example should always start at the top quite honestly, bit I was also made to understand, I did my own research on the case, that with the pressures that the police department faces Mr. Segura might not be the only one that drinks. I understand the pressures of the job in the police department has driven a few officers to drink. That doesn't mean however they have to drive."
Dale Tillett's Family Bruise By Not Guilty Verdict
Dale Tillett Was only 19 when he was fatally wounded by a gunshot at the Palm Island nightclub on New Year's Eve 2011. Three and a half years later, the man accused of firing the gun that killed the fourth former, walked out of court a free man. The outcome of the trial without jury has left Tillett's family deeply bruised by what they feel is justice denied. But, in the aftermath of the July verdict, they didn't have any public eruption of outrage - they grieved privately that their son and brother would not get the justice they believe he deserved. Yesterday, though, after weeks of quiet agony, Dale's mother spoke for the first time. Monica Bodden has her story:
Pamela Ferguson - Mother of Dale Tillett
"When I got that call that my son got shot I was at work and I felt frustrated, I didn't know what to do and I just start to pray and cry."Monica Bodden reporting
Pamela Ferguson remembers the early morning phone call that she received on New Year's Eve 2011.She was at work, when they had informed her that her oldest child - 19 year old Dale Tillett- was shot to the head inside the compound of the then popular Palm Island nightclub.
Hon. Elrington says General Legal Council To Be Revived
In the past few weeks on the news, we've been hearing a lot about the General Legal Council, mostly in reference to the attorney Arthur Saldivar, who we are told has more than a few complaints filed against him with that body.
If you don't know what the General Legal Council is, that's not surprising because that body, which should review complaints against attorney's and hand out discipline for it, has a conviction rate very close to zero% and is mostly nonfunctional.Try to find out who's to blame for the woeful state of affairs, and you'd probably end up in court - because both the attorney general and the bar association blame each other. But when those big elephants fight, it's only the grass that gets trampled and, in this case, the grass is represented by those regular folks who pay lawyers money and don't get anything in return - not even a court appearance.
Hopkins Residents March For Slain Teacher
Since Monday evening, the community of Hopkins has been mourning the loss of one of its own after 47 year-old Josephine Augustine was killed, and her husband, 71 year-old Dudley Augustine was badly beaten by 2 men who broke into their home.
Both are career educators, and so the tragedy has upset the quiet community of Hopkins Village. The residents held a demonstration this afternoon to alert the nation to their outrage, and 7News was there.Daniel Ortiz reports:Daniel Ortiz reporting
Families, friends and supporters of the Augustine Couple joined the rest of the Hopkins Community for a small demonstration in their honor. All 230 persons gathered in one location, and then, they moved to the couple's home, where they had been attacked on Monday evening. There, they said a prayer for Dudley, and held vigil for Josephine.
Cayo Holdup
Last night's robbery at A&R in Belize City happened 5 hours after a couple was held up and robbed by armed thieves in San Ignacio.
57 year-old Ruben Diaz and were at their business place at around 1 p.m. when 5 Hispanic men, all armed, barged in and robbed them at gunpoint of $1,000 cash, two power saws, a converter and an assortment of food. For good measure, the men stole 3 of the surveillance cameras a 2 solar panels.Police are investigating, and they believe that the men are Guatemalans.
GSU Gets At SSG
Last night, we showed you the seizures made by the Gang Suppression Unit during operations designed to target known drug peddlers in the City. Well, the GSU reported today, they found drugs near a known associate of the South Side Gangsters, known as SSG.
At around 6 yesterday evening, officers from the GSU searched members from the SSG gang on Fabers Road. The officers then searched the immediate area where these gang members were congregated, and they found a transparent plastic bag which had several smaller parcels of marijuana. It was hidden inside an empty coconut husk.
Reviewing Road Safety
It seems that this year we've reported on an extraordinarily high number of terrible traffic fatalities - but that may be just what would be called the proximity effect: the numbers seem greater because they are happening in the here and now. Actually, the Ministry of Works says the number of traffic fatalities is down. Still, we'd like to see the police figures, but, since those don't come around any more, we'll take the Ministry at its word.
Today they held the annual review of the Road Safety project and Courtney Weatherburne has the story of a measured success:..
The Road Safety Project has a budget of US$8 million.
Soup Gets Off
Jason "Soup" Williams, the boss of the Supal Street Blood, was the main suspect in the gang-related shooting of 27 year old Andrew Tate and 23 year old Kariq Tzul, which happened on February of this year. 23 year-old Tariq Cadle passed away from a separate shooting, and it is believed that both men were targeted in retaliation for his murder. Police investigation was supposed to link Williams to it. He was detained shortly after, and he was accused of shooting at officers who tried to detain him near the scene of the triple shooting. Well, tonight, he's free and clear of all charges related to that incident.
He stood trial before Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith on 2 counts of aggravated assault, and 1 count of discharging a firearm in public. The officers he supposedly shot at on that night were Constables Jason Augustine and Elvin Nah. They testified in court that the man who shot at them near the crime scene looked like Williams. Because they couldn't give a clear and positive identification of Soup Williams as the gunman who fired at them, the charges couldn't stand up to the scrutiny of the trial. Chief Magistrate Smith dismissed them and set Williams free.
Mexican Capture More Than Form, Go For Feeling
There's a new art show up on the walls at the Institute of Mexico in Belize City. The exhibition features the works of 6 Mexican artists who are using their talents to capture human emotion on canvas:..The exhibition was inaugurated on Thursday August 12th and will remain open until September 19th.
Belize Leads Regional Body In Meetings
Belize has the presidency of SICA until December and a part of that means holding the presidency of C-CAD, the Central American Commission on the Environment, and Opresca - the Central American commission on fisheries.
But, rather than just place holding the Ministry of Fisheries Forestry and Sustainable Development is setting a bold agenda of reform for the institution. We found out more at the ministerial meeting for the C-Cad Secretariat today:..Hon. Lisel Alamilla, Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries, Sust. Dev.
"Specifically look at reforming CCAD, revisiting the governance structure and the decision making framework because CCAD has had many ups and downs and after participating for two and a half years, it is my opinion that it's the government structure that really needs to revisited and strengthened."
Courts Gives 10
Last week we told you about BTL's Annual Scholarship Ceremony. Well, Courts held theirs this morning at the Radisson. Over 50 students applied but only 10 were fortunate to be rewarded the 4 year scholarship. Covenca Rodriguez Jones, senior marketing officer discussed the scholarship program while the recipients expressed how grateful they are for the scholarship.
Covenca Rodriguez James, COURTS Senior Marketing Officer
"Courts has been doing this from the inception, probably two years after 1997, so it's over 200 persons that have been awarded scholarships. However we been doing the ceremony on a larger scale for the past 5-6 years and from then could recall 25 recently is on the scholarship."Chandiana Samuels, scholarship recipient
"I am from Belize and the scholarship will help me make my dreams come true because I want to be lawyer."
Channel 5
Major Drug Bust in Sugar City yields U.S. $2 Million in Crystal Meth
There was a major drug bust in Orange Walk on Wednesday night. Police are reporting that while on an anti-drug operation in the town, the unit intercepted a black Toyota [...]
Armed Robbery at A&R, Thieves Lock Up Employees Inside Office
A duo of armed thieves has made off with a little over thirteen thousand dollars in cash and personal items, following a late-evening heist at A&R Enterprise Limited on Wednesday. [...]
Guatemalan Bandidos Hit Couple at El Pilar
Meanwhile, in the El Pilar area of San Ignacio Town a few hours earlier, a group of five bandits, believed to be Guatemalan nationals, robbed a couple of cash and [...]
Hunting Expedition In Orange Walk District Ends in Fatality
Orange Walk police are also reporting the death of a sixty-five-year-old man. Tagged as an accidental shooting, Inspector Selvyn Tillett says that police visited an area two miles southwest on [...]
Still No Arrests in the Murder of Josephine Augustine
While the community cries out for justice, the Police are doing their best to deliver it. On Wednesday morning, Belmopan Police captured four men whom they believed were definite persons [...]
Dozens of Hopkins Residents Take to the Streets to Protest Augustine’s Murder
On Monday, teacher Josephine Augustine was brutally murdered in her home in the quiet community of Hopkins. She was beaten and stabbed to death. Her husband Dudley Augustine, a retired [...]
Charges on the Way for Former Health Administrator Nasley Somerville
The Southern Regional Hospital and Dangriga Polyclinic are being run by middle managers after two administrators have been accused of misappropriation of funds under their control. Today, News Five was [...]
Jason ‘Soup’ Williams Acquitted of Aggravated Assault
The aggravated assault case of notorious street figure, Jason Williams aka “Soup” began on Monday in the courtroom of Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith. And today, the charge was dismissed. [...]
Tyrone Smith Sentenced to Seven Years for Chain Snatching
Thirty-year-old Tyrone Smith was today sentenced to seven years in prison after he was found guilty of beating up a pregnant woman before snatching her purse. Smith, an unemployed of [...]
Road Safety Program Revisited One Year Later
This morning, stakeholders across the transportation industry, as well as the public service, converged on the Biltmore to evaluate the National Road Safety Program one year later. While the focus [...]
Government Officials Comment on Segura’s Traffic Mishap
The Road Safety Annual Review, ironically, comes on the heels of one of the most high profile cases involving drunk driving in recent memory. The fatal road traffic accident on [...]
Courts Awards Ten High School Awards
This morning at the Radisson, ten high school students from across the country were awarded four-year scholarships by Courts Belize Limited. The financial assistance comes in time for the start [...]
Mexican Exhibition Showcases Six Painters
The Embassy of Mexico is tonight officially opening a collective art exhibition entitled “AEQUITAS” at the Institute of Mexico in Belize City. The artwork of six Mexican artists: Marisol D’ [...]
Debunking seatbelt myth with Healthy Living
Frequent reports on traffic accidents in our nightly newscasts; and that’s because we don’t even get a chance to report on all traffic mishaps that take place. Road Traffic Accidents [...]
CTV3
Sugar Barge Sinks At Cerros Point In Corozal
Locally referred to as the ‘sugar boat’, and quite a spectacle when it passes the New River Banks, on Sunday night around 11:30, a Belize Sugar Industry barge transporting sugar to Belize City experienced some difficulty and sunk. It’s not a frequent occurrence and so we got curious of the situation when pictures started popping up on social media. We contacted Damian Gough, Manager of Marketing and Export Operations who says that it’s a risk associated with methods of transport to move sugar from factory to ship.Damian Gough – Export Operations Manager“We were made aware sometime seven o’clock that the barge was leaking unfortunately this is one of the risks associated with the method of transportation that we have to move sugar from the factory to Belize City for loading into the ship and in the risks is that it is exposed to this same of sort of incident happening, we still haven’t yet determined the cause of the barge sinking but it is likely that it is as a result due to a puncture or a hole or something but we won’t be able to determine that until get the barge floating and back to the repair dock for it to be dry dock and then we do an inspection of it but it is but you can track it down to the risk of the business associated by moving the sugar by this means but this is for now the only means that we have to move the sugar but I can confirm that yes indeed the barge sank and.”
Weather Continues To Affect Bee Keeping Industry
When we last reported on the bee keeping industry, the news was not very positive. Honey production had fallen dramatically due to unfavorable weather conditions. In a follow up of the situation, today we learned that the weather continues to plague the small industry, but those most affected are bee keepers from the north. Extension Officer with specialty in Bee Keeping, Margarito Leiva, says the department is taking measures in rescuing the situation.Margarito Leiva – Extension Officer“I however mentioned that we were waiting for the month of July and August when it is the actual honey season wet flu so that we can probably yields the increase of honey but that did not happened it started raining in May and then it stopped and then it was totally dry you know I think it is part of the climate change in fact there is a drought watch for the northern part of Belize according to CAMI which is the Caribbean Agro-meteorologist Institute so now what really happened is that the scenario has change most of the bee colonies have stopped laying eggs, the queen ceased to lay eggs because there is no inflow of pollen which is the normal ingredient for the colony to develop brume so what the agriculture department is doing presently is that we are acquiring pollen substitute which is basically the brume, the yeast flower with soya beans milk as well, we mixed it with a little bit of honey and we try to introduce it into all the colonies so that we can increase the egg laying ability of the queen, that is basically what we are doing right now.”
Another Corozaleno Detained For Drug Trafficking
A police raid and search at a residence in Xaibe yielded a drug find says authorities from the Corozal formation. Around 1:45 on yesterday’s date, police conducted a search at the residence of 57-year-old Hilberto Triminius Belizean farmer of Xaibe Village, Corozal District. Upon arrival at the house Triminius was seen fleeing through the back yard leaving behind 27-year-old Hilcia Aydee Lorenzo, Guatemalan domestic of Xaibe Village, Corozal District. A search of the residence revealed nothing incriminating, however, while searching in the back yard police discovered a black plastic bag containing 412 grams of suspected cannabis. As a result, police have detained Hilcia Aydee Lorenzo and Hilberto Triminius pending charges of Drug Trafficking.
PUP Set For Convention In Corozal
Municipal Elections are set for the month of March 2015 and what we can tell you is that voters of the People’s United Party in Corozal Town are soon to select their candidates to run for office.August 5th 2014 marked the opening of applications for candidates interested in entering the race with the closing date for applications set for August 18th.And the news today is that two persons applied to run for Mayoral candidate and 12 applied for councilor candidate.
Thea Garcia – Chairlady“I would like to report to the general public that we have two Mayoral Candidates and we have twelve councilor candidates and the convention will be held on the 5th of October at a venue that we will later announce. We have one slate that is comprised of Mr. Ruben Cruz, Mrs. Canaima Dominguez, Mr. Rigo Vellos, Mr. Edit Palma, Mr. Josue Perez, Mr. Elizardo Vasquez and Mr. Shanon Duncan and there is another slate comprised of Mr. David Vega, Miss Zeny Perdomo, Mr. Esteban Pasos, Mr. Enrique Vargas, Mrs. Miriam Rancharan, Mr Orlando Iglesias and Ms. Yvette Riverol so those are the two slates we have and those will be the people who will run for the convention for October 5th.”
Micro-entrepreneurs Learn How To Handle Their Money
Everybody learns to manage money but not everybody manages it well. Some live hand to mouth focused only on making ends meet on a day-to-day basis. Others look ahead trying to prepare for unforeseen events or irregular demands such as school fees by setting some income aside as savings. Entrepreneurs have to ensure they can purchase inputs and meet other business expenses from their incomes in addition to meeting family demands. So learning to manage money well is an important skill and that was the ultimate goal of a workshop which was held today at the LICU conference room. The topic was finance Management and according to Micro-Finance Field Officer for the LICU, Giovanni Argalles, they are not re-inventing the wheel rather they are giving support to those micro-entrepreneurs, small business owners and workers that participated.
The End Of Another Summer Program
Summer is coming to a close and for most children that means getting out of the holiday mode and back into the grind of studying their books and concentrating on school work. But for a trio of kids all under the age of 11, their summer holidays were stimulating and learning to make beading items and handcrafts using recycled materials. This year, MAMAS founder, Ophelia Novelo hosted its 9th annual summer camp for kids for a total of 6 weeks. Our news team stopped by for a brief closing ceremony at her residence and spoke to the participants and its founder on the event.
CXC Results Area Out, There Is An Improvement In Grades
Results are in and according to the analysis, students performed better in this year’s Caribbean Examination Council, CXC exams. Over three thousand students sat the May-June exams. The report shows that in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate, CSEC there was 100% passes in Home Economics, Physical Education and Sports, Clothing and Textile and Music. In the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE), sat by tertiary level students, there was 100% passes in 23 subjects. Grades I to III in CSEC and Grades I to V in CAPE constitute satisfactory grades, which are considered passes.The report continues indicating that 473 more high school candidates passed Math this year than last year, but the number of students who passed English was down by 99.
LOVE FM
Proposed Legislation to Affect Belize Bar Association
As we mentioned earlier, Attorney General, Wilfred Elrington spoke of legislative changes coming about regarding the way the General Legal Council carries out their role but that is not the only organisation that will undergo some changes. The way the Belize Bar Association operates is being looked at as well. According to Elrington, an attorney should not be mandated to be a member.
WILFRED ELRINGTON
“We are also going to make provisions for attorneys not having to be members of the Bar Association. That is a position that is obtained in Jamaica. In Jamaica attorneys don’t have to be members of the bar. In Belize you had to under the present law and in Barbados. The reason for that is depending on the nature of the objective of the bar association, the bar association can play a very vital role in a society apart from the discipline of attorneys and making sure that they behave properly. The bar association can take over clients business when an attorney for example dies in the job. Many times here attorneys die and there is nobody left to take over the office and so the clients are left very stranded and the bar association can deal with that kind of thing.
General Legal Council to Be Resuscitated
Due to recent allegations being made against Attorney Arthur Saldivar by some of his former clients, Love News began looking into possible investigations or hearings that can be had as they pertain to the behavior of the Saldivar as an attorney. While the president of the Belize Bar Association was very brief in his statement to our news room, he did indicate that it is the role of the General Legal Council to look into such matters but that the cases are backlogged since the council has not had a meeting since March this year. Today, we sat down with the Attorney General, Wilfred Elrington to find out why there has been a delay in the meetings.
Prisoner Found Hanging in Holding Cell
A man reportedly killed himself while in police custody. Corozal Police say early this morning officers were making checks on the cell when they saw prisoner, 47-year-old Jesus Tamai handing from his shirt which he had tied to the cell window. Tamai had been detained for Police on Wednesday night for disorderly conduct. Tamai’s body was transported to the Corozal Hospital where it awaits a post mortem.
An Armed and Dangerous ‘Skilla’ Wanted by Police
Twenty nine year old Jason, “Skilla” Gillette, is a wanted man tonight. He is wanted by San Pedro Police for an attempted murder charge. According to Police on Monday night, Gillette got into an argument with one German Zuniga in the San Mateo Area of San Pedro Town. Zuniga reported to police that Gillett took out his black and chrome nine millimeter pistol and fired four shots in his direction. Luckily for Zuniga, all the bullets missed. Police say that Gillett is considered armed and dangerous if you see him to call 911, your closest police station or crime Stoppers at 0-800-922-8477.
Soup Freed After Being Accused of Shooting at Policemen
Jason “Soup” Williams, who was charged with aggravated with a firearm on two police constables and discharging a firearm in public, was freed of those charges when they were dismissed today by the Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith. Police constable Elvin Nah and police constable Jason Augustine were the officers who reported that on the night of February 8, 2014, they heard shots being fired in the vicinity of King Street and when they responded they saw the shooter fleeing from the scene. They said that when they pursued the shooter he opened fire on them but they were able to dodge the bullets and they returned fire but they missed. Augustine testified that the shooter was someone that looked like Williams. Nah did not testify.
Armed Robbers Net Over Ten Thousand Dollars
Several employees of A&R Enterprise Limited located at Mile 1 ½ on the Phillip Goldson Highway were left in shock yesterday when two armed mask men entered the store by holding up the security guard. The men then proceed with their plan to rob the store. It happened at about 6 o’clock when employees were closing up. The robbers managed to steal more than ten thousand dollars in both cash and items. We were at the scene minutes after the robbery occurred and reporter Hipolito Novelo spoke to the investigating officer.a and r robbery2
HIPOLITO NOVELO
“A 911 call led Belize City Police to A&R Store yesterday evening at about 6:30 during closing time. Officers were responding to a report of an armed robbery. Inside the store were several shaken up employees who witnessed the robbery. According to Head of the Criminal Investigation Branch for Precinct 4, Sergeant, Edwina Armstrong, the men pounced on the security guard, held a gun to his head and entered the store.”
Man Shoots Brother While Hunting
A hunting incident proved deadly as one brother was killed on Wednesday night by his own brother. However, Orange Walk police have ruled that it was accidental. That’s because 63-year-old Celso Moreno of Belize Corozal Road in Orange Walk Town reported to Police that on Wednesday night he had gone hunting with his brother, 65-year-old Gumercindo Ernesto Mendoza. Celso said they went in separate directions. He said he sighted what he thought was a deer and fired a single shot from his licensed 12 gauge single action shotgun. When he checked he saw his brother lying on the ground apparently dead. Officer Commanding Northern Division, Senior Superintendent Joseph Myvette, held a press briefing this afternoon.
Meth Bust in Northern Belize
The two men, 49 year old Ruperto Reyes, a Belizean national and 52 year old Terrero Pineda, a Cuban National, were caught with the drugs by an Anti-Drug Unit on Wednesday night in Orange Walk Town. The men were in a black Toyota car when it caught the attention of officers on patrol. The patrol unit attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver of the vehicle sped off ensuing into a high speed chase ending on Liberty Avenue. Both men attempted to flee on foot but police manage to apprehend both occupants a short distance away. Officer Commanding Northern Division, Senior Superintendent Joseph Myvette, spoke to Love News.
Canadian Family Prepares to Sue Belize Police Department
According to a story appearing in Metro News in Canada, family members of a Calgary man who died while in the Belize police custody in early 2013 say they have rejected an offered cash settlement from the Government of Belize and plan to proceed to trial over claims of negligence. Thirty five year old Jeffrey Furgala, was on vacation in Belize with his girlfriend when he was detained by San Ignacio police over claims he was heavily intoxicated. But family members, including his mother Fern Tiberio, have insisted that Furgala was injured earlier in the night and was suffering from the after effects when he was apprehended. She said her son was ignored after being put behind bars. Furgala was found unconscious with a bloody nose in his cell the following morning and rushed to hospital. He was pronounced dead a few days later.
Eleven Branches Under Helpage Meet To Look at Care of the Elderly and Its Challenges
With eleven branches countrywide under the umbrella of Helpage Belize, several volunteers and administrators from the various districts gathered today at the headquarters on Wilson Street in Belize City for a Board of Management Workshop. The workshop was a one-day session that looked at several aspects of the institution, its action plan and its current situation as it pertains to dealing with the elderly. Evan Dakers is the Chairman of the Helpage Belize and he gave us an overview of today’s session.
EVAN DAKERS
“What we tried to do was to first of all give our member a sort of situational analysis of older persons in Belize and we draw on the study that was done by the National Council on Aging about four or five years ago which is called A Situational Analysis on Older Persons. We had a short session by a medical professional looking at the aging process and basically it tries to give our members an idea of what are some of the signs and symptoms of aging as one gets older what you are to expect. I presented an overview of Help Age Belize’s policy and procedure manual. This is a manual that was recently updated, actually last year and this is the manual that sets out how Help Age as an organization operates. Following the overview of the Policy and Procedures manual we then looked briefly at Help Age Belize’s strategic plan of action which covers a five year period, 2013-2018 and basically we try to pull out those key programmatic areas that we want all our branches to be focusing on over the next five years.”
Another Operation for Yanie Cu, RTA Victim
Yesterday Deputy Commissioner of Police, Miguel Segura, was slapped with six charges after he was involved in a fatal traffic accident on Saturday morning on the George Price Highway. Fifty four year old Yolanda Valencia lost her life as result of the accident and Yanie Cu sustained body and head injuries. Cu is currently at the KHMH receiving treatment. His mother, Asucena Cu, gave Love News an update on his condition.
ASUCENA CU
“Well right now he is in a lot of pain as today was the day of his surgery but while exiting the operating theater the bone from his hip fell out of place so he is still in pain. At the moment they are putting a heavy bag on his foot so that it can sustain his foot in place to do the operation again. My son told me he came out to go look for my cousin Yolanda Valencia at 5:30AM the morning to take her for work at San Ignacio along with her stuff and she is a hard working single parent mother. He also said that when driving on the highway three vehicles passed him with speed and all of a sudden when he noticed the vehicle of Segura was coming on top of him.
Collective Bargaining Agreement: Unions Get 18/23 Points Approved by Government; Membership Wants More
The Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Government of Belize and the three unions, namely, the Public Service Union, the Belizean National Teachers Union and the Association of Professional Senior Services Management – it is a document that still has not been renewed as there are outstanding points for negotiation and the two parties remain deadlock on those five outstanding points. It has been over five years since this agreement is being negotiated and it remains to be concluded since of the twenty three proposals that the unions tabled, only eighteen were mutually agreed upon. Considering that the majority of points were met by the Government, one would think, ‘why is it that the unions aren’t compromising’. We spoke to the President of the BNTU, Luke Palacio, who says that the membership of the three unions is not prepared to give up on those five points.
Palacio Says Public Workers Trust Must Be Sustainable
With the Public Sector Workers Trust now active, the trustees are in the process of coordinating consultations to be held in October where all union members will be sensitized on the goals of the trust, how it will be used and what the plans are in making it sustainable. Luke Palacio, President of the Belize National Teachers Union, made it clear that sustainability of the trust is key and that it is critical that the funds are used just for what it is set out for.
LUKE PALACIO
“And so we are saying to our members we have not given up hope, we are going to continue to work for them but they must understand; there is the need for understanding that this trust must be sustainable. They need to also understand that there is nothing called free money that would be given to any individual; we need to stress those points. We believe if properly managed and that’s our intention as long as we are the protectors of the trust because the trust deed speaks to the presidents of the unions and the police association for the time being to be protectors.
Teachers Union President Says Government’s Press Release Was a Smokescreen
While the President of the Public Service Union, Marvin Blades made clarifications on the use and purpose of the trust, the president of the Belize National Teachers Union, Luke Palacio expressed his opinion regarding the Government’s release, saying that he believes the statements were penned intentionally as a smokescreen.
LUKE PALACIO
“Well definitely, we stand by that because of two things; one the correspondences that union had sent to the government at the time and letters from the government was that once the trust deed was registered and handed over to the government there would be no further questions asked.
Union President Says Funds in Public Workers Trust Are For Projects Not For Distribution
On Wednesday, July 23, Love News reported that the Accountant General had given the green light to the Government to transfer just over three million dollars to the Public Sector Workers Trust. It was an announcement from the Ministry of Finance, saying that the monies were taken out of a Government Savings Account and put into the trust, which was set up for public officers and teachers. A release sent out at the time, stated that the monies being transferred represents seven hundred and ninety four thousand, seven hundred and thirty two shares in the Belize Telemedia Limited and serves as compensation to the workers for the period April 1, 1995 to March 31, 1997 when their annual wage increments were frozen by the then administration.
Belmopan Police Gets Minor Suspected of Robbery
Belmopan Police are also boasting the capture of a wanted minor believed to be responsible for a robbery. Officers attached to the Belmopan Police Department, also detained the main suspect for the murder of 37-year-old Victor Vargas. According to reliable sources, the man appeared at the Belmopan Court house to answer separate charges. Belmopan Police had already been notified that the man is wanted in connection with Vargas’s killing.
Police Nab Four Suspects in Hopkins Home Invasion But Were Forced to Release Them
Following the home invasion in Hopkins, police stations countrywide have been put on alert as the surviving victim, Dudley Augustine had described the attackers to be of Hispanic descent bearing certain injuries. Tonight, we can tell you that earlier today, Belmopan police had detained four men in connection with this incident. Love News has been reliably informed that the four men were captured in the Rivera Area in the City of Belmopan as officers were on an operation to seek wanted persons early this morning, when information led them to the four men of Hispanic descent hiding out in a house in the area.
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