The Guardian
CWU President Lands Low Blow on Tux Vasquez
Audrey Matura-Shepherd has surpassed Prime Minister Barrow for best zinger of 2015. On Tuesday, January 27, the President of the Christian Workers Union landed a blow on Arturo "Tux" Vasquez, Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Belize Limited, so sharp that it knocked PM Barrow's reference to attorneys of the "low grade, empty vessel variety" out of the top spot. She basically called him a premie.
Matura-Shepherd and Vasquez are holding temporary positions that cause them to be at odds and it has led to a public verbal shootout in the last week. On January 20, Matura-Shepherd responded to accusations by the Port of Belize that she has been dragging her foot on CBA negotiations by saying, "When we go to that negotiating table it will be when we are ready." She says the union will not continue on the path that the previous executive was on.
Hon. Mark King eliminating London Bridges in Lake!
Southside Belize City is one of the most difficult areas to develop properly because it is made up of so much swamp. The Barrow Administration, however, is taking on that challenge and trying to help as much of the residents as possible.
That help comes by way of an annual landfill program where residents can apply and sign up to receive landfill materials to fill their yards. The project comes under the Ministry of Human Development with financing from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Fund for International Development.
Hon. Anthony Boots Martinez has chartered the program for some of the constituencies, which are in desperate need of in the Southside, namely Port Loyola, Collet, Pickstock, and Lake Independence.
Streets and drains in Benque
Work is ongoing in the peaceful Town of Benque Viejo del Carmen to further improve its network of drains and streets. During this week, work continued in the cementing of Guerra Street. Plans are already underway to cement Caracol Lane, Joy Vera, Boston Lane as well as Victoria Street and the Santa Cruz area in this most Western Municipality.
Several of these streets in Benque Viejo have been improved under the Municipal Development Project. (A portion of the Juanito Gongora Street will be of asphalt and could not be of cement, because it was too late into the bidding process.) But six to seven streets in Benque will be cemented with funds obtained from Petro-Caribe.
Hon. Erwin Contreras, Minister of Trade, Investment Promotion, Private Sector Development and Consumer Protection and Representative for the area, told the Guardian that Belize's Prime Minister Dean Barrow has given $250,000.00 towards work on drains $500,000.00 to fix streets and $200,000.00 to cement streets in Benque. As a result of this work in progress, some 97 Benquenos are now being employed in the drainage program.
The Belize Natural Energy Charitable Trust Signs Agreements with the Ministry of Health for two Infrastructure Projects
The BELIZE Natural Energy Charitable Trust (BNECT) signed two Agreements with the Ministry of Health to construct an annex to the Independence Poly Clinic located in the Stann Creek District as well as to renovate the existing structure that houses the San Narciso Health Center located in the Corozal District. In April 2014, grant funding in the amount of $250,000.00 was approved by the Trust for the Independence Poly Clinic to construct a new wing immediately adjacent to the existing structure located on 4 acres of land, which will allow for future expansion. The new annex will house all clinical support services including pharmacy, laboratory, X-rays and ultrasounds. The total cost of this project is $417,828.00, and the Ministry of Health is providing its counterpart funding in the amount of $167,828.00.
Breast cancer diagnosis unit now at KHMH
The Karl Heusner Memorial, the country's flagship hospital, now has breast cancer diagnostic capabilities thanks to a partnership with the Carolinas HealthCare System and Heineman Foundation. On Tuesday, January 27, the hospital opened the doors to its Breast Cancer Diagnostic Unit.
The unit was dedicated to Mrs. Kim Simplis-Barrow ,who has become a national and regional champion for the fight against breast cancer. Barrow says, "I know a cancer diagnosis is a very scary thing to face and it is the last news anyone would want to received, but I also know that the strength needed to fight cancer comes from acceptance of this diagnosis as well as knowing that services are available and accessible." She referred to records from 2007 to 2011 which shows that breast cancer is responsible for 12 percent of all cancer related deaths among women. Therefore, the need for such diagnostic unit at KHMH cannot be overstated. "The introduction of mammography, ultrasound and an ultrasound guided treated biopsy system will support the early detection of breast cancer, which can saves lives", says Barrow.
Efforts for a more formal Food Code for Belize
A National Stakeholders sensitization on the CODEX Alimentarius was held on Wednesday of this week at the George Price Center for Peace and Development. Participants from a range of both Government and Private Sector organization attended the first day of meeting, which continues Thursday, where a more in depth overview of the food codes will be reviewed. These two days of workshops have been organized by the Belize Bureau of Standards BBS and the Belize Agriculture Health Authority BAHA in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation and Agriculture IICA and the Ministerio de Economia, Industria y Comercio MEIC of Costa Rica.
The CODEX Alimentarius Commission was established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1963. Its membership today is 185 member states and 200 inter-governmental and international non-governmental organizations as observers. Its main work is the development of international food standards, guidelines and codes of practices to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in food trade. It promotes the coordination of all food standards work undertaken by international governmental and non-governmental organizations.
H. E. Ambassador Benjamin Ho and Mrs. Ho visit schools and NGOs in Punta Gorda
Hon. Lisel Alamilla, Senator and Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Sustainable Development of Belize has been a resident of Punta Gorda for many years. She mentioned many times to H.E. Benjamin Ho, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan), that Punta Gorda is one of the most beautiful places in Belize, and the town has been desperate for development. She invited Ambassador Ho to visit the town whenever he is available.
Ambassador and Mrs. Ho accepted the invitation and visited PG on January 22, 2015 in the company of Minister Alamilla. Hon. Alamilla led Ambassador and Mrs. Ho to visit St. Benedict RC School, Seventh Day Adventist School and St. Peter Claver School sequentially. Ambassador Ho and Hon. Alamilla were warmly welcomed by students and teachers of the Schools. Ambassador Ho made remarks paying respect to Hon. Alamilla for her efforts in seeking assistance and support for schools of PG. Ambassador Ho also praised the Government of Belize for putting much resource into education, stressing education as being the most worthy investment for a country. Ambassador Ho encouraged students to study hard and become useful assets of the country. H.E. Ho presented foot balls and some sports kerchiefs to the schools.
ICA Belize and Carmelita Government School receive Grant from Japanese Government under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects
On Monday, February 2nd, 2015, Counselor of the Embassy of Japan, Hiromoto Oyama will sign the Grassroots Human Security Grant Agreements with the ICA Belize and Carmelita Government School at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Belize City.
The "Rejuvenation of West Indian Sea Island Cotton Industry in Belize Project" implemented by ICA Belize is to provide farm equipment to produce more crops in Orange Walk District and valued at $102,029 USD. The West Indian Sea Island Cotton is world renowned as the premium cotton. Though there is a high demand internationally, currently there is not enough production to meet the demands because of the lack of equipment. Belizean Sea Island Cotton industry will aim to be a leading producer by acquiring new equipment.
Matura will also splinter the Christian Workers Union
It can be said that the tactics that Audrey Matura tried to employ was the greatest factor that led to the splintering of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association. She was able to persuade them to let the bone go and chase the shadow. In the end, because of her coercion, those who were not with her agenda broke away and formed their own associations almost doing away with a 55-year old organization.
You see, Matura follows a scorched earth policy, where you are either with her or you are against her, there is no middle ground, there is no room for negotiation, and there is no compromise. It is her way or no way and in the end, the earth becomes scorched. She is once again proving this with the manner.
But it is surprising that she, as an attorney is unable to be a negotiator. The basic principle of law dictates that whenever possible compromises be reached in order to resolve problems. Not so for Matura. She always pushes the envelope to create contention. That is what she did with the BSCFA and the rest is now history, forever changing the sugar industry.
Belize's International Profile in Metrology will be lifted
A remarkable event transpired on Tuesday of last week, which is bound to change Belize's trajectory into the future. At that ground breaking ceremony for the Belize Bureau of Standards Laboratory at the Ministry of Works compound in Belmopan, Hon. Erwin Contreras, the Minister of Trade, Investment Promotion, Private Sector Development and Consumer Protection, stated that the new facility will lift the International Profile of Belize.
"This infrastructure will propel Belize to become one of the top National Metrology Institutes within CARICOM," he said.
Thus, in over 23 years of its existence the Belize Bureau of Standards (BBS) is finally turning a new page in its history. Charged with legal responsibility for Quality Infrastructure (QI), which encompasses standards, metrology - the science of measurements accreditation and certification - the department has struggled for many years to deliver this mandate and as a consequence its existence has brought little meaning to the society and economy. Fully embracing of this responsibility, the BBS is now piecing together the essential pillars for a National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) by modernizing the legislative framework under which the Bureau operates and at the same time conceptualizing the physical and human resources needed to carry out its mandate under this framework.
Businessman Accused of having Sex with Minor
Estevan Mossiah, 45, businessman of Barrack Road is in trouble for allegedly having sex with a 15-year-old girl twice in January of this year.
According to a report to police by a minor, 15, Mossiah engaged in sexual intercourse with her on two separate occassions, Janaury 6 and Janaury 9, 2015. Mossiah was arrested and charged with two counts of sexual assault upon a minor under the age of 16. He was unrepresented when he appeared before Magistrate Hettie Mae Stewart on Friday, January 23. Since the charge is a matter that will be dealt with on indictment, no plea was taken and he was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until February 24, 2015.
BDF soldier busted with unlicensed firearm
Police have arrested and charged 39 year-old Eber Navarette, a Belize Defence Force Soldier attached to Price Barracks in Ladyville, for being in possession of an unlicensed firearm.
Police in San Ignacio report that they received information of an individual travelling in a taxi who was in possession of an unlicensed firearm. They intercepted the vehicle at the corner of Awe and Carmelita Streets where Navarette was seen exiting the vehicle. They approached him and attempted to conduct a search on him but before they could do so, Navarette took off running with police setting chase.
String of armed robberies in Cayo are all connected
Police now say that a string of recent armed robberies in the San Ignacio Town Area are all connected. In the most recent incident, on Monday of this week, a gun man stood in front of a man, who was taking out trash in the Kontiki Area, and ordered him to be taken in a vehicle to Belize City. Fearing for his life, the resident complied, and while in Belize City, was released unhurt. Making his way back safely to San Ignacio Town, the man then made a report to his boss as to the manner that the company's vehicle was used.
On January 19, taxi driver Jorge Williams was arriving at his house in the Santiago Juan Layout Area after a full day of work, when he was relieved of cash, cell phone and jewelry by a man wielding a hand gun. Police now believe that the same people involved in the robbery of Williams then proceeded to move within the same Santiago Juan Layout that same night at about 6:30 pm to take away, at gunpoint, a 1999 Honda CRV vehicle from Ruby Obando.
Major ammunition heist at BDF camps
2,680 military grade rounds of ammunition is believed to be in the hands of criminals after it was stolen from a highly guarded compound which the Belize Defence Force keeps a cordoned off from the public. For the fourthtime in the military's history, it is believed that BDF insiders are responsible for military materials ending up on the streets and in the possession of criminals.
The BDF high command made the discovery on Friday, January 23 when an inventory was taken at the Echelon Compound, located in Lords Bank Village. They were assisting their counterparts from the US Military; a company of soldiers are in Belize currently, and they are performing training. Early on Friday, soldiers from the BDF conducted inventory checks at the ammunition bay in Echelon Compound, and they discovered that one thousand rounds of 7.62 ammunition with batch number A396, and 1,680 rounds of 5.56 ammunition were missing. The last time a check of the bay was done for the ammunition was on December 7, 2014, so it is believed that the ammunition was stolen between that date and Friday, when the discovery was made.
Busted with over 204 Grams of Weed
Elwin Steven Evans, a laborer of Sandhill Village, is out on bail after he pleaded not guilty to trafficking 204.1 grams of cannabis. Evans was busted by police in his home village over the weekend and taken before Magistrate Herbert Panton on Monday, January 26. He was represented by attorney Audrey Matura-Shepherd and was read a single charge of possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply another person or persons for the purpose of drug trafficking.
Belize Athletics Association to hold Annual General Assembly
Belize Athletics Association will hold the 2015 Annual General Assembly at the University of the West Indies Auditorium, Princess Margaret Drive, on 31 January, 2015 at 2:00pm.
There is one vacancy open for the election of a committee member for which nominations are sought.
All members are required to pay their 2015 annual dues by the 27 January, 2015. Payment of dues can be made at any of the National Sports Council offices throughout Belize.
All members are asked to please bring along their identification cards.
Belmopan Bandits is defending national football champions
The Belize Premier Football League Closing Season is scheduled to commence on Saturday 31 January, 2015, with a single game on the schedule and will continue on Sunday 1, February, 2015, with three more games on the schedule.
The Belmopan Bandits is the defending national football champions and will be looking towards a repeat performance of the last championship.
On Saturday 31 January, at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium in Belmopan at 7:30 pm, it will be the Belmopan Bandits against the Police United.
Burrell Boom Methodist School wins Belize Rural Zone 1 Basketball Competition
The Belize Rural Zone 1 Basketball Competition was played on Thursday 22 January, 2015, at the Burrell Boom Basketball Court. Four schools namely Hattieville Government School, Burrell Boom Methodist School, Lucky Strike Government School and Belize Rural Primary School participated in the girls' competition, while Hattieville Government School, Burrell Boom Methodist School, Lucky Strike Government School, Belize Rural Primary School and St. Therese RC School from Burrell Boom participated in the boys' competition.
In the girls' championship game, Burrell Boom Methodist School won over Lucky Strike Government School by the score of 2-1. The top scorer for Burrell Boom Methodist was Lorriane Stephen with 2 points.
8th Charles Solis Memorial Softball Tournament set for February 8
The Belize Softball Federation is pleased to announce that it has rescheduled the 8th Charles Solis Memorial Softball Invitational Tournament to Sunday 8 February, 2015, at Rogers Stadium. The tournament was originally scheduled for 26 October, 2014, and had to be postponed because of the weather.
The 8th Charles Solis Memorial Tournament will feature the Belize Bank Bulldogs the national softball champions of Belize, Beacon from Belize City, Lord's Bank Sunrise, Camalote United, Roaring Creek Grace Kennedy and the champions from the Orange Walk Association. The tournament is scheduled to commence at 9:00 am and will utilise an abbreviated format.
The Doctor's Orders Urinary Tract Infection - It burns when I pee!
A common and often benign condition, Urinary Tract Infection will, at one point or another, affect almost every woman out there.
Urinary Tract Infections, or UTI, as it is commonly referred to as - is a bacterial infection along the urinary tract. The urinary tract consist of the kidneys (this is where the urine is produced), the ureters (the tubes that extend from the kidneys to the bladder), the bladder (the storage unit for the urine), and the urethra (tube from bladder to expelling urine). If a person has a UTI it simply means that there is an infection anywhere along this path. Infections along the urethra and bladder are considered less severe than those higher up, especially at the kidney level. Often times it is an untreated UTI at the lower level that spreads upwards and affects the kidneys.
Craft Markets opened at three archaeological sites
For the first time, craft vendors at three of the nine archaeological sites in Belize can display their products at designated areas. This as three new craft markets were opened on Wednesday at the archaeological sites of Nim Li Punit, Lubaantun and Blue Creek in the Toledo District. The infrastructural developments are the results of work being done under the Making Tourism Benefit Communities Adjacent to Archaeological Sites (MTBCAAS) project. The project which is funded under the EU supported Belize Rural Development Programme (BRDP) is being implemented by the Belize Tourism Board and the National Institute of Culture and History. Today's handover marks the completion of works at three of a total of nine sites which are being enhanced under the project.
Social Security Workers got no pay because of CWU
A.M.S. is the virus that causes E.P.S., Empty Pocket Syndrome, and in Belize recently it is spreading like an epidemic in vulnerable environments. Farmers of the sugar cane industry lost millions of dollars because of the aggressive virus and now employees of the Social Security Board are counting pennies to meet their monthly expenses after its latest attack.
January 26, 2015 was supposed to be a day of enjoyment for employees of Social Security. They were supposed to receive a well deserved salary increase or "transitional increment" for outstanding performance in recent years, 2014 in particular. However, this was not the case on Monday. Not only did they receive no raise, but they didn't even receive their salary. With no money in their account, the workers watched as text messages came in from the utility companies reminding them that payment was overdue and disconnection would take place soon.
Residents in the Northern Region of Corozal will Soon Benefit from Upgraded Market & Sports Complex Facilities
The Contract for the upgrading and rehabilitation of the Corozal Town Market and Sports Complex facilities is valued at $721,789.40 and is being financed by the Government of Belize through a loan from the World Bank under the Belize Municipal Development Project (BMDP) along with a three per cent contributed by the Corozal Town Council.
The contract for the two (2) facilities was signed by Liborio Vega of LV and SONS Construction, and William Lamb Jr. the Executive Director, Belize Social Investment Fund, at the Belize Social Investment Fund (BSIF) headquarters, Belmopan, January 26, 2015.
The market project is designed to upgrade a section of the existing market of 220 square meters particularly 15 market stalls which were in a dilapidated condition that poses serious health and security risks and natural disasters to both vendors and patrons. The objective is to provide a safer and more pleasant environment for vendors and shoppers resulting in significant improvement in the quality of life for residents in Corozal Town and surrounding communities.
The UDP government's major street transformation project in Dangriga
A major street rehabilitation and upgrade project has commenced at 2nd New Site in Dangriga. Thanks to the Prime Minister, Hon. Dean O. Barrow, almost $700,000 was allocated to fund the uplift of unpaved streets, neglected for three years by the PUP Town Council, to pre-paving standard. For this purpose, a supply of "all-in" or crushed white marl, totalling in excess of 600 truckloads, has been stockpiled at Canada Hill and is now being trucked into town.
With the dry weather conditions now prevailing, the contractor for the project, DEC and Sons, commenced work on Monday after preliminary grading of some of the streets. All-in material is being trucked to the streets, spread by grader, and compacted to a smooth finish by roller. The pictures provided show this being done.
Ecumenical Drive in Dangriga nears completion
The Infrastructure works in Dangriga approached a new milestone this past week as the cementing of Ecumenical Drive approached completion. Following this phase, the shoulders of the street will be filled, slanted and buffed. Ecumenical Drive is an important artery which connects the entrance of the Town with the northern-side leading all the way to the Pelican Airstrip. This will make life easier for drivers as preparations are being made to commence similar works on other main streets in the central area of Dangriga. Make no mistake about it: the Transformation of Dangirga is well underway!
H. E. Ambassador Benjamin Ho and Mrs. Ho visit schools and NGOs in Punta Gorda
Hon. Lisel Alamilla, Senator and Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Sustainable Development of Belize has been a resident of Punta Gorda for many years. She mentioned many times to H.E. Benjamin Ho, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan), that Punta Gorda is one of the most beautiful places in Belize, and the town has been desperate for development. She invited Ambassador Ho to visit the town whenever he is available.
Ambassador and Mrs. Ho accepted the invitation and visited PG on January 22, 2015 in the company of Minister Alamilla. Hon. Alamilla led Ambassador and Mrs. Ho to visit St. Benedict RC School, Seventh Day Adventist School and St. Peter Claver School sequentially.
ICA Belize and Carmelita Government School receive Grant from Japanese Government under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects
On Monday, February 2nd, 2015, Counselor of the Embassy of Japan, Hiromoto Oyama will sign the Grassroots Human Security Grant Agreements with the ICA Belize and Carmelita Government School at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Belize City.
The "Rejuvenation of West Indian Sea Island Cotton Industry in Belize Project" implemented by ICA Belize is to provide farm equipment to produce more crops in Orange Walk District and valued at $102,029 USD. The West Indian Sea Island Cotton is world renowned as the premium cotton. Though there is a high demand internationally, currently there is not enough production to meet the demands because of the lack of equipment. Belizean Sea Island Cotton industry will aim to be a leading producer by acquiring new equipment.
Shooting at birthday party leaves one man fighting for his life
There was a shooting at a birthday party which sent the guests, including children and infants, fleeing for safety, and 27 year-old Eugene Pitts hospitalized with shotgun pellets piercing his midsection.
It happened at midnight on Sunday, January 25, 2015, when the Bowen family was celebrating the birthday of a family member with a party. The victim, Eugene Pitts, who is a student of the University of Belize, and who is a resident of Hattieville, was on the dance floor with other guests when everyone heard the sound of a gunshot. At the time, they believed that one of the speakers of the sound system had blown, but shortly after the shot went off, they found Pitts on the ground suffering from pellet wounds all over his midsection. He was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, and that's where he remains while trying to recover from the injuries with the help of his doctors. He is listed as being in a stable condition.
"Soup" Survives Attempt on His Life
News spread like wild fire late Tuesday night that Jason "Soup" Williams, 36, Boss of the Supal Street Gang, had been killed; however, the rumours proved to be false as an attempt on his life resulted in nothing more than a flesh wound.
Williams is home recovering from a gunshot wound to the upper part of the right thigh. At about 9 p.m., he was standing with two friends in front of a relative's residence near the canal on Fairweather Street when at least one gunman ambushed him and opened fire with deadly intentions. Residents say they heard about eight to ten shots. Williams tried to run from his attackers but a bullet struck him in the right thigh. The shooter(s) then ran from the area in the direction of Dolphin Street, the opposite side of the bridge. Williams got into a friend's vehicle who took him to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Police responded to the area less than three minutes after the shooting.
Police detain escapee but not before he is shot
Police have apprehended, prison escapee, 25-year-old Emmanuel Willoughby. Police were in the area of Arlington Drive in Belize City when they came across Willoughby who is reported to have had an object which resembled a firearm in his hand. Police say they ordered him to surrender but he refused, as a result police fired shots at Willoughby, two of which caught him: one to the right arm and another to the leg.
He was transported to the KHMH where he is undergoing treatment. Willoughby escaped from the Belize Central Prison on Saturday, December, 13, 2014. He has been on the run since and police want him in connection to a number of armed hold ups in the Cayo District.
Brandon Cattouse won 2nd Saturday Test Race
The C-Ray Cycling Club is once again inviting all cyclists to participate in its Saturday Test Races that commences at 6:00 am from in front of Leslie's Imports on the George Price Highway. It makes a right at the Hattieville Round-about, travels onto the Boom Road and turns at the half-way point at the Burrell Boom Bridge and then back to Leslie's Imports for the finish. The entire journey is 45 miles.
Meanwhile, on Saturday 24 January, 2015, some 47 riders participated in four categories. In the Female category, first place went to Alicia Thompson while second place went to Kaya Cattouse.
In the Junior category, first place went to Darien Anderson, who won his 3rd consecutive test race, 2nd place went to Shane Jones and third place went to Yan Cattouse.
Amandala
Cop and accomplices busted with BZ$448,000 worth of cocaine
Corporal Martin Mas, of Belmopan police, was busted with 2,800 grams of cocaine, valued at approximately $448,000. Mas, 37, of Belmopan, was along with three other men - Pedro Sho, 27, of Corozal Town; Tom Martinez, 41, of Bullet Tree, Cayo District; and Bernard Che, 38, a taxi driver of Belmopan.
They were all charged with drug trafficking.
The incident occurred at about 8:00 Tuesday night at a roadblock at Mile 18 on the Hummingbird Highway in the village of Steadfast.
GOB can't wiretap yet: Col. Lovell
The Interception of Communication Act was introduced on Belize's law books in 2010 and while it sets out a legal framework within which the Government of Belize can engage in wiretapping-and only via a court order requested by the Director of Public Prosecution in the process of police investigations-there is suspicion that the Government has been deploying wiretapping technologies to keep tabs on "persons of interest."
Ret'd Colonel George Lovell , CEO in the Ministry of National Security, told Amandala, though, that the Government did not proceed with setting up the technology because the best bid, which they got from the Israeli company known as NICE Systems Ltd., was too costly for them.
School children abducted - police seek Caucasian man
A report to the media late this evening that four students of Queen's Square Anglican Primary School, three girls and a boy, had been abducted from in front of the school could not be officially verified at press time tonight, but what has been confirmed is that the parents of two children had made a missing person report to police, and also that, according to a report made by a child, the children had been taken by a man in a white van. This information was verified around 9:45 p.m. tonight, Thursday.
Police sources confirmed to Amandala that the abductor may have been a person of Caucasian descent who is operating out of a white van that had been spotted in the Corozal and Orange Walk Districts. He reportedly had been trying to lure children into his van, but none took the money that was offered as bait.
White American pedophile on the loose in the north
Residents in northern Belize are currently on high alert since last week when word spread that recently, the occupant of a white Toyota Prado, described as a white man speaking with an American accent, has been making attempts to lure schoolchildren into the vehicle, particularly females, through the use of money and/or candy in that vicinity.
We understand that the matter has gotten so disturbing that yesterday, Tuesday, the administration of La Immaculada RC Primary School in Orange Walk issued a note to parents warning them about the overtures being made by the man to children, which, according to the school management, had recently happened twice during lunch time, with the children being photographed and offered candy by the stranger in both cases.
Woman abducted and sodomized in Dangriga
A woman's worst nightmare became a reality when she was abducted, tied up, raped and sodomized by two men on Sunday night, January 25.
The police took the woman, 25, to the Dangriga Hospital, where she was examined by a doctor, who certified that she had been sodomized.
Police carried out a quick investigation which led them to identify the culprits as two men, who are known to police. They are Robert Taylor, 22, of Monument Site, Dangriga, who has been arrested and charged with rape, aggravated assault, theft of a motor vehicle, abduction and robbery, and a second man, Shane Bennett of Dangriga, whom police have not yet arrested. A warrant has been issued for his arrest. Rodwell Arzu was also arrested, after he fired at police when police tried to arrest the two men.
Man who burned his bedding in ex's living room acquitted of arson
A man who discovered that his common-law wife was having an affair with her ex-boyfriend and allegedly decided to burn his bedding in her living room, because he "did not want others sleeping on the bed" he had bought with his money, was cleared of the two indictments for arson after a jury deliberated for over four hours today, in the Supreme Court of Justice Adolph Lucas.
As he stood in the prisoner's dock, Ryan King, 36, looked relieved after Justice Lucas addressed him: "The jury has found you not guilty. They have arrived at a proper verdict. You are free to go. Go and sin no more."
Police seek assistance to find mother's brutal killer
San Pedro police are conducting an intense investigation to capture the killer or killers of Sylvia Carmen Benitez, 22, a resident of San Pedrito in San Pedro Town and the mother of three children. Benitez's nude and decomposing body was found at about 11:00 Saturday morning, January 17, in an isolated and uninhabited area of Mata Grande, about 3 � miles north of San Pedro, 48 hours after she was reported missing by her concerned friends.
Benitez was found by two men who were in the area who became aggravated by a terrible stench of rotting flesh and went to investigate what was causing the odor and that was when they found the decomposing body of a woman about 15 feet off the dirt road behind some bushes. She was found lying face-down in a shallow mud pond.
She apparently had been killed elsewhere and her body disposed of in the area, said police.
Dangriga Warriors basketball friendly on Friday night
School Football / The final games of the secondary school football tournament in the Dangriga Zone took place on Friday, January 23, at the Carl Ramos Stadium.
For the males, it was the final game of the second round to see who will advance to the Regional Tournament. Delille Academy won over ANRI by 4 goals to 2. Ervin Ramirez, Eaton Franciso, Dylan "Chris" Flores and Carlos Bent got one apiece for Delille Academy; while ANRI got a goal each from Sheldon Bernardez and Jerome Peters.
PLB 2014-2015 Closing Season kicks off this weekend
The Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2014-2015 Closing Season kicks off this weekend with 4 games scheduled. All 9 teams from last Opening Season are participating again in the Closing Season.
According to the established format, the berth for Belize's club representative in the CONCACAF Champions League 2015 will be determined between the two winners of the Opening and Closing Seasons, depending on which of the two champions has the most combined regular season points over both Opening and Closing Seasons. Of course, if the Bandits should win again, that would settle it; but if another team is victorious in the Closing Season, the Champions League berth would be decided between that team and the Bandits, based on total regular seasons' points.
Athletics past and present - Bob Lightburn Holy Saturday Half Marathon
This year marks the revival of a prestigious and traditional race that was a big part of the Easter holidays. This race, spanning over 54 years, was known as the Annual Holy Saturday Half Marathon Classic. This race was won by many great and legendary runners over the years, runners like Joseph Carr, Eugene Mushlar, William Mahler, Aubrey Solomon, just to name a few; but the man that stands out, and is one of the earliest and a pioneer in this race, and who holds the record for the best time, and for long distance running on a whole, and whom this race was recently named after in his honor, is Mr. Bob Lightburn, who won this race 3 times.
In 2011 the name of the race was changed to the "Bob Lightburn Annual Holy Saturday Half Marathon Classic."
Tennis News - Youth Tournament, January 24, 2015
Nineteen youths from Hummingbird Elementary School, St. Mary's Primary School, Horizon Academy, Belize Elementary School, and the City of Belmopan took part in the Red Category and Green U15 Category tennis tournament this past Saturday. With the Belize Tennis Association getting tennis into more primary schools, the participation is slowly but surely increasing, and more children are being exposed to this great sport.
In the Red Category, which is played on a smaller scale court with the bigger and lower pressure balls, 14 participants played round-robin style. The top four who proceeded to the semifinals were James Courtenay, John Paul Jaramillo, Daniel Musa and Anthony Rudon. Daniel overcame Anthony Rudon, and James defeated John Paul to reach the finals. In the finals, little Daniel Musa took the victory over James Courtenay in a great match with long rallies, 15-9.
Editorial: PUDP and NTUCB
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) will be holding elections for officer positions this weekend. These are important elections, because the NTUCB is a very important organization. The NTUCB has the power to challenge elected governments of Belize, even in a political system wherein the Prime Minister enjoys almost unlimited power.
In order to become Prime Minister in Belize's present political system, a system which is dominated by the major campaign financiers, which are individual, family, and corporate in nature, the Prime Ministerial aspirant must satisfy these major campaign financiers that his loyalty is to them, not to the masses of the Belizean people.
From the Publisher
One of my aunts on my father's side, Chrystel Hyde Straughan, has been working on a book for some years. I've reached the point where I am eagerly awaiting publication of her work, for the reason that I believe a great deal of the book will feature conversations with her father, James Bartlett Hyde. His discourse should throw valuable light on the Robert Sydney Turton business empire, and RST's personal thinking. At least, I hope so. My grandfather worked for Mr. Turton for many years, often traveling to the Gulf Coasts of Mexico and the United States on business for him.
My grandfather's father, Absalom Bartlett Hyde, born in 1853, was a blacksmith and machinist, and these skills became a family trademark. So that, Absalom Bartlett's sons - Oliver Cromwell, Hughie, and their half-brother, James Bartlett, followed by Oliver Cromwell's sons - Roland, Denham and Wallace, were all part of a Hyde machine and mechanic business on both sides of North Front Street, between Mapp and Douglas Jones Streets. The accountant and former PUP Cabinet Minister, Joe Coye, is the grandson of Oliver Cromwell Hyde, through Joe's mother, while Joe Coye's father, who owned the house and lot at the western corner of North Front Street and Douglas Jones, was yet another Bob Turton employee.
Wayne "Redboy" Uter's beef
Dear Editor,
Belizeans at home and abroad need to be aware of this practice by the Belize Department of Immigration, and the Permanent Mission to Belize here in New York. Please help us spread the news. On August 4 of 2008, we wrote you a letter to file a complaint about the lack of representation/service that we had received from the Permanent Mission to Belize here in New York. At that time the appointed Ambassador to the UN, in New York, was Mrs. Janine Coye-Felson, and Attach� Ms. Sharlene Henderson (current). Today, the new Ambassador is Ms. Lois Young.
Please allow me to state the obvious and the facts. The Permanent Mission in New York was formed/created to represent the Belizean community here in the State of New York. The Mission and the people that are employed there were assigned there not just to represent the country, the Government and the interest of Belize, but to also serve the interest of the Belizean community in New York. In short, they work for us. We don't work for them.
Unauthorized wiretapping is illegal and unconstitutional
Dear Editor,
In most democratic countries in the world it is spelled out in the constitutions that their citizens have the right to privacy. This right to privacy is normally backed up by laws that have to do with citizens communicating with each other through letters, internet, radios, telephone or other means.
The company that is facilitating the communication is being paid a service fee for the citizens to communicate, but they do not have the right to release what is being communicated without the written consent and approval of the person or persons involved.
If that was to be done, the person or persons affected have the right to sue that company for damages. After 911 in the United States of America, this issue became a major issue and is still not fully resolved. The United States Government was trying to force the telephone companies to grant them access to people's conversations so that they could monitor them to crack down on terrorism.
Taiwan announces 2015 scholarship opportunities
Taiwan has been a diplomatic ally of Belize since October 13, 1989, and for the past 12 years, that country has provided degree scholarships to hundreds of Belizeans while also providing them with a rich cultural experience on the picturesque Asian island of 23 million people which spans 14,400 square miles.
Taiwan's Ambassador to Belize, H.E. Benjamin Ho, said at the launch of the 2015 scholarship program at the Chateau Caribbean in Belize City today, that the bilateral cooperation program between the governments of Belize and Taiwan spans four fronts: infrastructure development (such as support for highways and sporting facilities, including the Marion Jones Sporting Complex); technical transfer (in areas such as ICT and agriculture); medicine; and human resource development. It is under the last category of cooperation that the scholarship program falls.
Wildlife ambassador seeks help for endangered scarlet macaw
The scarlet macaw (Ara macao cyanoptera) is endangered in Belize due to poaching, mostly by Guatemalans. According to the 2014 nesting report produced by Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD), the Chiquibul Forest is the key foraging and breeding habitat for the scarlet macaw, and the organization's executive director, Rafael Manzanero, who says there are only about 100 pairs of the special birds left in Belize, is traveling to Taiwan for a week on a mission to get funding for projects to protect them.
Taiwan's Ambassador to Belize, H.E. Benjamin Ho, said that when he met Manzanero, he was very impressed by his conservation work.
"I was so touched by what he shared that I arranged a visit for him to meet counterparts in Taiwan," the Ambassador said.
Dominica becomes 4th country to join CCJ next month
Dominica's Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit announced this week that his country plans to make the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) its final appellate court next month, February.
The CCJ was established in 2001, and on February 15, 2003, Dominica signed the agreement establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice. The court was formally inaugurated in April 2005.
Belize, Guyana and Barbados are the only three countries of CARICOM which have abolished the Privy Council and made the CCJ their final appellate court.
KHMH opens new Breast Cancer Diagnostic Unit
A brand new Breast Cancer Diagnostic Unit, which was made possible through a donation by international partners of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH), was officially opened to the general public today.
The new unit - which is inclusive of mammography and integral imaging equipment - is expected to boost the services provided by the country's premier public health institution, and today, in the presence of KHMH executives, as well as representatives from the Belize Cancer Society, the Carolinas Healthcare System, and the Heineman Medical Outreach Foundation in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, the unit was dedicated in honor of Special Envoy for Women and Children, Mrs. Kim Simplis-Barrow, who, in her address, underscored the importance of having a Breast Cancer Diagnostic Unit.
Belize's exports decline for 4th consecutive year
Information released by the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) indicates that Belize's exports have declined in value for the 4th consecutive year, but 2014 registered the sharpest decline over the period spanning 2011-2014.
"Total exported goods for the year in 2014 amounted to $602.9 million, down $57.2 million or 8.7 percent from last year's earnings of $660 million," said the SIB, attributing much of the decline to a fall in crude oil sales, by $37.9 million, from $140.1 million to $102.2 million (or 27%).
It said that the decline in oil sales reflects both the fall in the number of barrels exported as well as the continuing decline in the price per barrel on the world market.
However, the fall-off in world oil prices meant good news for consumers, particularly in December, when inflation actually registered at -0.4%, with an ease in food prices also contributing to negative inflation.
At age 15, girls cannot say "yes"
A 21-year-old man of the San Pedrito area of San Pedro, who is the boyfriend of a 15-year-old girl, is presently in police custody pending arraignment at the San Pedro Magistrate's Court on charges of unlawful sexual intercourse with a female minor less than 16 years old.
At about 11:30 Saturday morning, the girl and her mother went to police and reported that at about 11:30 Christmas Eve night, her boyfriend, 21 years old, took her to his house in San Pedrito and had sex with her.
She told police that she went of her own free will and admitted that the man was her boyfriend.
On Thursday, January 22, her mother took her to the San Pedro Polyclinic after the girl began feeling ill. There, she was examined by a doctor who confirmed that she was 4 weeks 3 days pregnant.
Woman abducted and sodomized in Dangriga
A woman's worst nightmare became a reality when she was abducted, tied up, raped and sodomized by two men on Sunday night, January 25.
The police took the woman, 25, to the Dangriga Hospital, where she was examined by a doctor, who certified that she had been sodomized.
Police carried out a quick investigation which led them to identify the culprits as two men, who are known to police. They are Robert Taylor, 22, of Monument Site, Dangriga, who has been arrested and charged with rape, aggravated assault, theft of a motor vehicle, abduction and robbery, and a second man, Shane Bennett of Dangriga, whom police have not yet arrested. A warrant has been issued for his arrest. Rodwell Arzu was also arrested, after he fired at police when police tried to arrest the two men.
The Reporter
Police say public needs to be ready in the event Jasmine Alert is neccessary
The Jasmine Alert has not been triggered as there have been no credible reports of abductions but police are urging parents to teach their children basic information and have certain information available in any such real instance, Corporal Hortence Hernandez said. Hernandez said parents […]
Police says reports of abduction are unconfirmed
Reports that four students from the Queen Square Primary School were abducted on Thursday evening are unconfirmed as of Friday morning, as no parent has reported their children missing, Senior Superintendent Edward Broaster, deputy OC Easter Division said. Broaster said since the report was […]
US rejects Cuba demand to hand back Guantanamo Bay base
The US says it will not hand back the Guantanamo Bay naval base as part of efforts to improve relations with Cuba. Cuban President Raul Castro included a demand in a speech on Wednesday, calling for the US trade embargo to be lifted. US President Barack Obama “does believe that […]
Strength measured in steps
The record for the longest walk around the world is held by former neon sign salesman, Jean Beliveau. He walked 46,600 miles around 64 countries. It took him 11 years to do it all. Walking is viewed by some as a chore or a bother, […]
Chiquibul getting needed attention
The Chiquibul Forest Reserve will receive much needed protection from people who infiltrate its perimeters to illegally harvest, hunt, log or poach the vast natural resources that flourish therein. Through the efforts of an initiative established three years ago between Friends for Conservation (FCD) […]
BNE Trust Fund gives $250,000 for Health Improvement in Stann Creek andCorozal
The Belize Natural Energy Charitable Trust (BNECT) this week signed two agreements with the Ministry of Health to construct an annex to the Independence Poly Clinic in Stann Creek and to renovate the existing structure that houses the San Narciso Health Center in the […]
CWU says SSB at fault for workers not being paid
Christian Workers Union (CWU) President, Audrey Matura-Shepherd this week blamed Social Security Board (SSB) management for what she termed as acting in bad faith, resulting in over 300 SSB employees not receiving their salaries on the 26th as they are accustomed to. According to […]
GOB teams up with UNESCO and IUCN to save barrier reef
The Government of Belize has partnered with the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture to get the Belize Barrier Reef system off the endangered list. This week Government announced that it has prepared a draft […]
Food Industry in Belize brushes up on food standards
This week, stakeholders from the food industry gathered in Belmopan for a sensitization workshop on the CODEX Alimentarius Commission, the international body established to establish standards and best practices on food trade. The two-day workshop took place at the George Price Center on Wednesday and […]
BAHA seizes $600,000 worth of breeder hens to contain bird flu outbreak at Spanish Lookout
An outbreak of bird (Avian) flu detected in the Cayo District last weekend has sent BAHA, the Belize Agricultural Health Authorities into overdrive. Over the weekend BAHA confiscated 12,000 infected breeder hens, said to be worth $600,000. BAHA called an impromptu press conference to explain […]
Corozal market and Sports Complex to get facelift
A contract for the amount of $721,789, was signed this week, to be used for the upgrade of the Corozal Market and the Corozal Sports Complex. The funds were accessed through a loan from the World Bank under the Belize Municipal Development Project (BMDP). Help also came from the Corozal […]
Editorial
An outbreak of bird flu in Spanish Lookout this week may not represent a serious health threat to Belizeans, but it is a serious economic problem. The outbreak is serious for two reasons. More than 95 percent of all Belizeans eat chicken on a regular basis. It is the main […]
OW patrols increase following predator report – Kids lured with candy
Orange Walk police have increased their number of mobile and foot patrols in school zones since reports this week of two separate kidnapping attempts of students attending La Inmaculada RC Primary School. Orange Walk police say they are treating the matter very seriously and […]
Lab technician charged with sexual assault
Albert Genity, a Laboratory Techni-cian working at the Matron Robert's Clinic in Belize City, was charged with sexual assault upon a woman. He appeared in court this Thursday to enter a not guilty plea and was represented by Attorney, Douglas Carr. According to the […]
Ladyville residents outraged! Used medical vials, syringes and needles discarded on street
On Tuesday residents of Ladyville were shocked and outraged to discover mounds of medical waste dumped on Janice Road in Ladyville. The discarded waste included vials of liquid, used syringes, needles, IV equipment and tubes with dried blood still inside. Ladyville Chairman, Albert Magdaleno was one of the first on […]
Allegations swirl around Dr. MarcoTulio Mendez
Rumours of sexual impropriety swirling against Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez reached a new level of importance on Thursday this week, after Orange Walk Police confirmed that they have received a formal complaint against him. Dr. Mendez is the elected PUP representative in the National Assembly for Orange Walk East. During […]
Patrick Jones
Ombudsman's vehicle stolen and crashed
The office of Ombudsman Lionel Arzu is without a vehicle tonight after someone took the Nissan Xterra Trail SUV, Cayo license plates B-1719, for a joy ride. The incident happened this morning and the vehicle was crashed on Glynn Street behind Salvation Army Primary School and the Raymond Parks Night Shelter.
Police ask assistance of community over alleged abductions
As of this afternoon, Belize City police say they have received no reports from parents of students at Queen's Square Anglican School or elsewhere reporting that any children of theirs are missing.
Police received a statement, now in fact confirmed to be two joint statements, from students of the school reporting that four of their classmates - three girls and a boy - were put into a white van on Warrie Street, just around the corner from the school's compound on Armadillo Street, and taken away.
American nurse failed to renew visitor's permit
An American nurse must serve time in jail after admitting to a charge of failure to comply with the conditions of her visitor's permit to Belize, namely failing to renew it on expiration.
38 year old Teassa Kenny arrived in Belize in October 2013 and her permit allowed her to stay in Belize for one year, until October of 2014.
But upon expiration she did not renew the permit even while she continued to stay in Belize.
Man accused of stealing and selling friend's knapsack
22 year old Joshua Conorquie is accused of stealing from a friend of his who accidentally forgot a knapsack at his Belize City residence on West Collet Canal.
The male secretary pleaded not guilty to a charge of theft before Magistrate Herbert Panton and met bail of $500.
According to Ramir Villanueva, around New Year's Day he went alone to Chetumal, Mexico and on his return visited Conorquie, but he could not stay for long as he had to catch a boat to Caye Caulker.
However, he was in a hurry and forgot the knapsack which contained one pair of Jordan brand slippers, one pair of Jordan brand tennis shoes, one Sean John t-shirt and one snap back hat.
Demonstrators call for resignation of Orange Walk East representative
A small demonstration was held this morning in Orange Walk town. According to reports, a handful of parents and concerned citizens gathered in front of the Orange Walkk town Hall calling for the resignation of the Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez, the area representative for Orange Walk East. More on this story later. [�]