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Specials and Events
Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials
The San Pedro Sun
Aurora Garcia-Saqui: Maya Healer and Entrepreneur
We may move away, stay away, or run away, but our backgrounds remain with us no matter how far we are. This is the story of my aunt Aurora Garcia-Saqui, an entrepreneurial Yucatec Maya woman who married into a Mopan life, and has managed to artfully balance both cultures into one successful, happy life!
Many years ago, five sisters lived in a small village called San Antonio in the Cayo District. Surrounded by mountains, forest and wildlife, but still remote from the bustle of the main town, the Garcia Sisters had discovered something unique and befitting their artistic nature: carving on slate. The soft black rock lent itself to sharp tools, allowing images to be carved into its surface, and soon, there were full images showing up in sharp relief, getting more and more intricate as the girls’ skill manifested. The stones’ edges remained rough, but their smooth façade shone after polishing. Aurora, second-born daughter, soon put her marketing and entrepreneurial skills to use.
“We had no idea how much people would like our art. We went to the market in town on Saturdays and soon enough, people began buying,” said Aurora. The market she speaks of is considered one of the largest and busiest in Cayo, and sees hundreds of locals and travelers passing through making purchases. “I remember one day we were just about to get up; it was about five in the morning, and we could hear a vehicle pull up, beeping loudly.” It was a van full of tourists who wanted a piece of slate carving for themselves; word had spread. “We had no idea how ideally situated we were. Our little village is in the right spot for visitors to pass through on their way to the Mountain Pine Ridge, and Caracol…” Business began booming, and the Garcia Sisters became legendary within tiny Belize.
Verdes FC to represent Belize at CONCACAF Scotiabank Champions League
Belizean football team, Verdes FC will be representing the country at 2015/16 Scotiabank the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Champions League (SCCL). Verdes FC is the national champion with the best aggregate record in the 2014–15 season. Their participation in the SCCL will allow them the privileged opportunity of attempting to qualify as the CONCACAF representative at the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup. The 24 participating teams were sorted into groups on Monday, June 1st during a ceremony at the New World Symphony Center in Miami, Florida, USA. Teams in each group will participate in a round-robin, home-and-away, four-game format. The first round of the tournament will take place between August and October of 2015, after which the eight first place teams will advance to the quarterfinals, scheduled for early 2016. Schedules for the first round of games will be announced in the coming months.
Verdes FC is based in Benque Viejo del Carmen Town in the Cayo District. They captured the Premier League of Belize Championship in May 2015 after defeating the previous champions, Belmopan Bandits FC.
Queen Conch Season closes one month early
The Queen Conch (Strombus Gigas) fishing season has come to a close a month early. As of Monday, June 1st no one will be allowed to legally consume or be in the possession of conch meat until the season reopens in September 30, 2015. The early closure of the season is to safeguard the sustainability of the product as recommended by the Belize Fisheries Department under the Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and Sustainable Development.
The closure of the season is in accordance with the Fisheries (Amendment) Regulations under Statutory Instrument number 54 of 2012 (Regulation 24.A). The public is reminded that no person or establishment shall have in possession any conch during the closed season in accordance with Regulation 6 of Principal Regulations (Chapter 210’s of the Laws of Belize – Revised Edition 2000-2003). Due to the early closure, a grace period of one month will being given to allow cooperatives to consume or dispose of all Queen Conch in their possession. Restaurants and individuals have a grace period of eight days. After the grace period, anyone found in possession will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Environmental partners band to fight illegal Wildlife Trade
The illegal trade of wildlife is a plague for the entire globe, driving several species of flora and fauna to extinction. The poaching of countless species has become a key concern for many governments, including that of Belize. In Belize alone, the killing and harvesting of certain species of trees and animals for the financial gain of a few is destroying our forest and marine ecosystems. From parrots, turtles, jaguars and even Rosewood, Belize faces serious illegal wildlife trade. As such, several partners in conservation hosted an illegal wildlife trade seminar on Monday, June 1st in Belize City. Part of the bi-national collaboration to eradicate wildlife trafficking in both Belize and Guatemala, the seminar discussed initiatives to counter this problem. Local environmentalists, nonprofit organizations, government officials and the media converged at the Coastal Zone a Management Authority and Institute Training Room for the seminar that started at 2PM.
Support Food Drive for a worthy cause
San Pedro Belize Red Cross (SPBRC) will be hosting a food drive on Saturday, June 6th in order to build stock for the San Pedro Food Bank. The drive is being held in collaboration of the 26-person vacation volunteer group from Toronto, Canada called “Sperro” and the San Pedro Food Bank. Both cash and food items will be collected. All proceeds will benefit the less fortunate residents of Ambergris Caye.
The community’s support is much needed for this worthy cause. Volunteers will be outside of select stores and businesses to accept donations. “Next time you are hungry, think about how it would feel to live life being hungry much of the time. Join together and help us feed those who need it,” said SPBRC member Laurie Norton.
Ambergris Today
Local Mother-Daughter Team Participates in Bahia Fest Fashion Show
Two proud Sanpedranas got the oppotunity to model at an international fashion show at the Bahia Fest, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico in April. Bahia Fest is organized by Jorge Carillo and Rocio Santos - owners of Revista Mujer Total. Thirteen-year-old Gracie Brown, daughter of Barbara and Eduardo Brown, has been attending modeling school in the city of Chetumal where her agency gave her the oppotunity to participate in this year's Bahia Fest Fashion Show alongside her mother. The beauty duo, representing San Pedro, Belize, modeled gorgeous clothing from Mexican designers such as Enrique Polanco, Martin Lopez and Medran and Amaro.
Amazing Crash Survival as Pilot Safely Puts Plane in Caribbean Sea
Full details as to why the Tropic Air flight from Belize’s international airport to Honduras had to make an emergency aqua landing in the middle of Caribbean Sea are still unknown, but after the aircraft experienced engine failure, Pilot Denfield Borland was able to save the lives of his two passengers (and his) as he glided his aircraft into the coral-filled waters of Belize.
After radioing in his situation, Borland was able to glide his aircraft for a few minutes and safely set down his aircraft in the blue waters between the Turneffe and Lighthouse Reef atolls. Tropic Air’s flight route from Belize to Roatan, Honduras is almost entirely over water; the flight takes you over a scenic view of Belize’s Great Barrier Reef.
As luck would have it, the aircraft went down in an area where there is shallow water where there is a joint Belize Coast Guard and Park Rangers station from the Audubon Society. The crash site was about 14 miles east of the coast guard’s base at Calabash Caye and 4 ½ miles northwest of Half Moon Caye. The three men were rescued within 20 minutes of the incident; there were found on top of the aircraft that was still floating in the water, partially submerged.
Misc Belizean Sources
Free wireless in Corozal Central Park
Free wireless internet access is now available in the Corozal Central Park and the rollout will continue across the country!
Western Ballz Host Tiger Sharks in Finals
The Western Ballaz are once again in the NEBL finals, as are the Tiger Sharks. This year, since the Ballaz have a better record, they host first, and the big game is tomorrow night at the SHC auditorium. Come out and support the best team in the league. Go Ballaz!
Here is the complete listing of activities forthe Belize INTL Jazz Festival
Theme for the national Celebrations
A BIG Thank you to everyone who submitted entries in this year's search for the theme for the national Celebrations this year. We are please to announce this year's winner....
Belize Economic Analysis - High Public Sector Wage Bill Will Temper Fiscal Consolidation - JULY 2015
BMI View: Weak oil revenues and elevated public spending will result in only modest fiscal consolidation in Belize in the coming quarters, despite rising non-oil government inflows. As a result, the country's debt dynamics will remain precarious, with a persistent risk that the sovereign could struggle to access capital markets or even face a credit event.
Belize will slowly narrow its fiscal deficit in the coming years, after posting its largest shortfall in a decade in the first three quarters of Fiscal Year (FY) 2014/15. While a surge in tourist arrivals and stronger agricultural sector growth will bolster revenues, revenue growth will be tempered by declining oil prices. Coupled with a rising public sector wage bill, this underpins our forecast that the country will post a 3.3% of GDP shortfall in FY2015/16, after ending this fiscal year (which runs from April 2014 to March 2015) with a deficit of 4.2% of GDP. With the fiscal dynamics poised for slow improvement, and US monetary tightening likely to temper investor enthusiasm for Belize's debt, we expect refinancing the debt will become increasingly challenging in the coming quarters. Moreover, given the country's elevated debt burden, and low level of foreign reserves, we acknowledge the risk that any significant external shocks could precipitate a credit event.
Island Watercolor Group Art Show & Sale
June 7th, 5pm, San Pedro House of Culture
Satellite Clinics in Toledo Receive Solar Energy Capacity to Improve Health Service Delivery
The Santa Theresa and Pueblo Viejo Satellite Clinics in the Toledo District are now being provided with electricity through solar power energy systems. The system for the Pueblo Viejo Clinic was installed today, June 4, while the Santa Theresa Clinic system was completed on May 28, 2015.
The clinics received Solar Photovoltaic Systems, a form of alternative energy supply, since both villages currently do not have electricity. Installation at each site included a two kilowatt solar array with aluminum mounting. The work was done by Southern Solar Solutions at a total cost of BZ$143,000. The systems will be able to provide lighting throughout the buildings and power for up to five desktop computers and two laptops, refrigerators for vaccine storage, medical equipment, and general appliances such as fans, lamps and microwaves.
Funding for the purchase of the systems and installations was provided by the Japanese Social Development Fund Project (JSDF) through the World Bank.
BOLEDO DRAWING for Thursday, June 4, 2015: 97. FANTASY 5: 22 38 10 17 6 W
Sewanee University of the South Professor Jonathan Evans and students on Las Cuevas Road observing macaws in Chiquibul
We are grateful to all the Universities that visited us and stayed at Las Cuevas Research Station.
RIP Mayor Mario Narvaez
Mario Ignacio Narvaez, the former two term mayor of Corozal and the last mayor from the People’s United Party to serve in that district, passed away earlier today, June 2.
Narvaez was mayor in the late 90’s and early 2000’s when he won two consecutive terms under a PUP slate.
Mr. Narvaez was sick for a few years until his passing this afternoon.
Miss Lobster Fest 2015-2016
4 lovely ladies vying for Miss Lobster Fest 2015-2016.
Dates June 26, 27 & 28, 2015
Channel 7
Coast Guard Personnel Honoured For Standing Up To Guat Jingoism
They stood up to the Guatemalan Navy on Sarstoon Island like true Coast Guardians; they didn't flinch, and they didn't run for cover - and today 10 Coast Guard officers were honoured for their courage.
As has been widely reported, one week ago on Thursday, they had a face off with the Guatemalan Navy on Sarstoon Island. That's the southern edge of Belize's territory - but the Guatemalans told them to move. The Coast Guard held their ground - and nicely told the Guatemalans that the island is in Belize and they should move. This, even though the 10 Coast Guard officers were outnumbered - and the Guatemalans were making aggressive boating maneuvers from their naval base nearby.
It was a super tense situation, but it was defused with firmness, clarity and uncommon aplomb by the Coast Guard personnel.
Today, in recognition of their grace under pressure, those officers received high honors of a commendation from their Minister and Commandant today. The press was not invited but the Government Press Office was there:
Judicial and Legal Services Recommends Attorney Cardona's Suspension
He once wore a hardhat in the House of Representatives - but that won't save Marcel Cardona from the pounding his professional reputation will take after the Judicial and Legal Services Commission recommended that he be suspended for a year.
The severe recommendation is based on a complaint from a Czechoslovakian woman, Hana Belickova who filed an affidavit in June of 2013 saying that Cardona took just under thirty two thousand dollars of her money - and claimed that he had to use twenty thousand to bribe authorities to release her son, Martin Muzikant.
In April of 2013, Muzikant had been charged for unlawful possession of a passport and escaping from police - and pleaded guilty on April 23rd. Cardona told the family that there would be a fine of one thousand dollars, plus another five thousand for bail on the escape charge, plus legal fees. That's fine enough, but then he took it into another area when he put in writing these words: "Your son asked me to do whatever…to get him out of jail. I have contacted someone who is very close to the magistrate….the person told me he arranged everything in advance to get your son to get bail today…however it is costing about twenty thousand dollars….to get officials to agree to give him bail" end quote.
Did Magistrate Hurl Throw The Case Because of Personal Reasons?
And there is another scandal breaking in the judicial and legal circles, which involves a judge acting improperly and unethically. He's Magistrate Hurl Mervin Hamilton who sits as judge in the lower court in Corozal Town. We've since confirmed that he was found guilty of using his authority as Magistrate to favorably influence the outcome of a case, which had an obvious appearance of bias.
A complaint emerged back in 2013 in which a female he was romantically involved with had a case in the Belize Family Court. This female was in a legal dispute with her husband over maintenance and the access to their child. Our information is that this affair was happening when the case went to court, and it found its way to Magistrate Hamilton's desk. We're told that he was asked by his peers to recuse himself on an appearance of bias, but he went forward anyway as the judge in the case. We're told that he decided favorably for the woman he was involved with, and when her husband found out, he complained formally against the Magistrate to the legal community. That's when the Chief Magistrate got involved, gathered all the necessary evidence and forwarded them to the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, which is chaired by Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin.
Woman Murdered In Front of Family By Pig Thieves In More Tomorrow
There was a murder on the outskirts of More Tomorrow Village, a quiet area off the Western Highway, just before the City of Belmopan. It happened this morning just after midnight when a farming family from Orange Walk was awoken to armed bandits trying to rob their new boss of his pigs.
Our news team was in the area today, and Daniel Ortiz found out that a mother and wife was shot and killed in front of her children and husband inside her new home:
Daniel Ortiz reporting
This farm, with the house in the distance, is located at about 2 miles on the road to More Tomorrow Village in the Cayo District, just outside of Belmopan. This area looks peaceful, but at around 1:00 this morning, that house became the scene of a violent shooting which left one woman dead.
She's 39 year-old Guatemalan Paula Garcia, who came to live here with her husband and children last week Saturday. 5 days later, her life was taken from her.
Tropic Air Plane Still In Sea
The Tropic Air Cessna 182 is still in the sea near Halfmoon Caye. The company and the Civil Aviation Department are making preparations to move it - but not timeline has been set. Once it is moved, Civil Aviation will go ahead with a preliminary report into the emergency landing. That preliminary report should finish sometime next week.
The single engine Cessna 182 had two passengers and a pilot on board when it experienced engine failure on Tuesday at 4:17 pm. It was headed for Raotan and the pilot was able to steer the plane without any engine power to a shallow area in the sea where he landed safely in the water. No one was hurt, and a joint Coast Guard and Audubon team was able to rescue all three by a few minutes after five.
The Full Story Behind The Biggest Find Since The Jade Head
Archaeologists are still buzzing from the very major find that was made 11 days ago at Nim Li Punit in the Toelod District.
As we told you last night archaeologists and researchers found 26 ceramic pots and about 8 pieces of jade at the Nim Li Punit Archaeological site about 25 miles away from Punta Gorda. These artifacts were found in tombs on the site.
But there is one particular artifact that has stunned researchers and that's the jade pendant: it is described as the second largest carved piece of jade ever found in Belize and probably in the entire Maya World. Last night we showed you a very brief snippet of the story so tonight we bring you the full feature. We take you to Nim Li Punit where an ancient story is reveled for the first time.
Anselmo Cholom has been a Site Ranger here at Nim Li Punit for about 2 years. He takes this stone pathway every day to inspect and maintain the grounds.
It's a small site celebrated in history as the residence of a group of elite Maya families who first settled there between 100 - 250 AD.
There are about 3 main plazas a Ball court used for the scared Maya Ball Game. And what is known as a Counsel House. But Anselmo isn't taking us on a private tour of the site.
Was Mayor "The Decider" On Petrocaribe Funds in Cari Shores?
On Sunday, Belize City mayor Darrell Bradley will be endorsed as the UDP candidate for Caribbean Shores. But, as the old saying goes, he didn't get there alone. Sure, he can thank his family and friends, but he also has to thank Petrocaribe. Like a few other select UDP Standard Bearers he's gotten access to funds for his divisional constituents through the Mother's day Cheer programs. Now when we say access, we don't mean he got any funds; he absolutely did not. But he did have a say in how those cheer funds were directed, to whom - he admitted as much today - which led to a whole big argument - it's fun, enjoy:..
Reporter
"Sir did you personally asked for the Mother's Day cheer money?"
Darrell Bradley, Belize City Mayor
"No, you think that I go to the Ministry of Finance?"
Jules Vasquez
"It's done through Minister Martinez. That's what the Prime Minister said."
Reporter
"And that you received it."
Darrell Bradley, Belize City Mayor
"No. in relation to this. This is what I will say. Funds..."
Reporter
"That you received."
Darrell Bradley, Belize City Mayor
"Yes. In relation to saying that we have an input in that, people will have a certain argument, a significant argument because I have listen to a lot of it in terms of the bail and the legislation. Lots of things about Petrocaribe. A lot of it is political fluff. The ultimate beneficiary is residents in our community, that I have an input in relation to that. I don't think that there's a difficulty with that."
Mayor Bradley Dismisses Hon. Espat As "Political Fluff"
And while he doesn't agree with us - he also doesn't agree with PUP Deputy Leader Julius Espat. Espat told us on Monday that he doesn't feel the city has been accountable with the paving of streets - you'll here his criticism and the mayor's response:.
Hon. Julius Espat
"They say they are completing, they say 100 streets, but with the money and no accountability we could probably be paving 500 to 1000 streets. We need to know."
Darrell Bradley, Belize City Mayor
"Every single thing has been done in a way that accords with good administrative practice and that has been transparent, so that any kind of general suggestion with lack of accountability, no disrespect to him but I just put that as political fluff. Point to me in relation to one thing. Say that we don't have an audit. Say that we don't have this. Say that we don't have that. Say in relation to the tender. Just don't go out there because everybody likes to bash a politician."
For Bradley, Even PUDP Politics Is An Airy Affair
But forget all that high tech governance talk - Bradley has got an election to win! And that is won on the ground, right? "mano a mano," head to head, PUP versus UDP, in the world series of politics….right? WRONG! Bradley says even his political contests are airy affairs of governance and getting the work done - here's how he explained it:..
Bradley's endorsement convention is on Sunday at 4:00 pm at Lopez Mateos Park.
Beach Ball Over Belize?
This morning there was a major visual anomaly on Belize City's Coastline - it's a huge balloon hovering above the Marine Parade Roadway. We stopped by to see what it's about - and ended up going for a ride.
Jules Vasquez reporting
It looks like a giant beach ball hovering above the coastline of Belize City - but it's actually a massive helium balloon - the initiative of a new company on the Marine Parade called Belize Balloon Rides:
Max Galas, Belize Balloon Rides
"Behind you is this beautiful balloon in the sky is a helium tethered balloon. What it means? is it is a balloon very much like the balloon you get at the children's parties that are tied to the hand of a child and are just elevated because of the gas being lighter than air and its helium. Helium is a non-flammable gas that occurs naturally. So what we do is that we full up the balloon with helium with gives it a suitable amount of drag. It's able to pull up. Underneath it is a gondola. It has a basket that people can enter into the basket and in total silence with mechanized parts in the moving up process, the balloon slowly elevates itself. This is a very simple apparatus, which means that actually it's safe in its simplicity and balloons has been around for a very very long time. The helium that's in the balloon is not flammable. It's not a hot air balloon there's no flames pulling it up, there's nothing burning so it's a very very simple thing."
A Theme to Think About
The theme for this year's September celebrations has been selected: it is: "Belize Renewed, Confident, Competitive, and Committed."
Inspector of Police Ricardo Chi is the one who came up with it. It will be the backdrop for all the activities during the month including the 217the Anniversary of the Battle of St. George's Caye and the 34th Anniversary of Belize's Independence. The National Celebrations Commission sent a release today stating that "The commission encourages and invites all Belizeans, individuals, organizations and school to incorporate the theme and its significance into their preparations for the National celebrations. There were 147 entries in total for this year.
Channel 5
Mother of 6 Murdered in More Tomorrow
There has not been a murder since the gruesome killings in Roaring Creek at the end of May. But in the early hours of this morning, a woman was killed [...]
Coast Guard Officers Honored for Standing Ground Against Guatemalan Navy
A special ceremony was held earlier today to honor ten brave officers of the Belize National Coast Guard who were involved in a standoff with the Guatemalan navy. That confrontation [...]
Minister of National Security Commends Bravery Displayed by Coast Guard Unit
Present for the occasion was Minister of National Security, John Saldivar, who commended the officers for their bravery in the face of adversity. John Saldivar, Minister of National Security [...]
Magistrate Suspended from Bench in Corozal Court
There is no doubt a shortage of magistrates and just on the brink of that situation, a magistrate was suspended from duty for one month effective this past Tuesday. While [...]
Did Mayor Bradley Act Illegally by Using Petrocaribe Funds for Mother’s Day Cheer?
Transparency and accountability on how the Petrocaribe monies are spent have become the rallying cry in many sectors. Just recently, residents of the Caribbean Shores were among those who enjoyed [...]
Mayor Bradley Responds to P.U.P. Deputy Leader’s Comments on Transparency at City Hall
Another issue addressed by the Mayor had to do with claims that there is a lack of transparency and accountability at the City Council. Earlier this week, Deputy Party Leader [...]
Archaeologists Unearth Tombs at Nim Li Punit
A major discovery has been made at the Mayan site of Nim Li Punit in Toledo where an archaeological dig is in progress. Professor Geoffrey Braswell, an anthropologist with the [...]
…Ancient Pottery and Jade Ornament Discovered
Director of the Institute of Archaeology, Dr. John Morris, acknowledges the breakthrough as significant to the Maya civilization, particularly within the context of the story being told. That account has [...]
Darrell Bradley’s Campaign Trail in Caribbean Shores
This coming Sunday, the United Democratic Party will be having a convention in Caribbean Shores where Belize City Mayor, Darrell Bradley will be officially endorsed as the standard bearer for [...]
Will Santi Support His Cause?
According to Bradley, several former and current Caribbean Shores soldiers and other officials from the U.D.P. hierarchy will be at the convention this weekend. But is the mayor getting the [...]
Mayor Bradley on His Political Opponent in Caribbean Shores
As standard bearer for the U.D.P. in the upcoming general elections, Darrell Bradley will be facing the P.U.P.’s Kareem Musa. Both by profession, are attorneys, live rather successful lives, and [...]
Jack Warner Vows to Expose Sepp Blatter’s Involvement in FIFA Corruption
The controversial FIFA executive Jack Warner has made Interpol’s most wanted list after being named in an indictment, along with thirteen other senior officials from the international sports organization, a [...]
CARILED Introduces Ease of Business in Belize City
The Belize City Council today held a press conference at City Hall today to basically give a report card on where the country currently stands in respect of CARILED funded [...]
Breaking Down Barriers of Doing Business in Belize. Is it Cultural or Institutional?
Belize, according to a recent CDB survey, is nationally ranked at one hundred and nineteen when it comes to the ease of doing business. The barriers of doing business easily [...]
Healthy Living Visits a Karate Summer Camp
Within the next few weeks, students countrywide will be out for summer break. Of course, the children are looking forward to the break, the parents, though…not so much. If you’re [...]
CTV3
Marcel Cardona On The Hot Seat
And from a magistrate we go to an attorney who is also in the hot seat tonight. He is not other than the very vocal Marcel Cardona former U.D.P Area Representative for Orange Walk East. Cardona is being accused of using conduct unbecoming to his profession and a complaint has been filed against him to the Judicial and Legal Services Commission. The complaint was filed by one Hana Belickova from the Czech Republic. In the affidavit Belickova states that back in 2012 Cardona was defending one Martin Muzikant before the Corozal Magistrate Court in a criminal case for misdemeanor charges one escape from custody and two possession of passport not entitled to have.
In a letter presented as evidence by Belickova it shows that Cardona emailed Belickova informing her that on Tuesday April 23rd 2012 they would be going to court to try to get her son Martin Muzikant out on bail. In the email Cardona states that he has contacted someone close to the magistrate in order to carry out her son’s instructions which at that time were to do anything to get him out of jail. In the email Cardona indicates that it will take $20,000 to get Muzikant out on bail. That’s bribery of the judiciary system.
More Witnesses Testify For Noh Mul Case
Day three of the Noh Mul case was heard at the Corozal Magistrates Court before Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith today. But still there is no verdict. The process has been a long one as witnesses, most of them from the media take the stand one by one to be questioned by the prosecution and then cross examined by attorney for the defendants Bryan Neal.
At the end of today’s hearing three witnesses had taken the stand and the case was adjourned for June 9th. Since the beginning of the case, the defendant’s Denny Grijalva and his wife, owners of Demar’s Stone Company Javier Nunez foreman of Demar’s Stone Company and excavator Operator Emir Cruz have been in court. They are yet to take stand.
People's Stadium In Dilapidated Conditions
And while we were covering the district final games at the People’s Stadium football field today, we could not help but notice the dilapidated state of the changing rooms. Upon further checks, the facility which was constructed by the Belize Natural Energy Trust several years ago, is not serving its purpose. The ceilings are falling apart, the facility is flooded, the stalls broken, and the stench of urine and feces were overwhelming. Our calls placed to find out more led us to Chairman of the National Sports Council in Orange Walk Town, Derick Gillett. Gillett told us that the facility was never handed over to the council by the Charitable Trust and since its construction, has been targeted over the years by vandals. And with public scrutiny mounting, Gillett says the council plans on renovating the entire area in the coming months. We’ll keep monitoring this story….
Corozal City Magistrate Suspended
Tonight, Magistrate Hurl Hamilton who sits as judge in the Corozal Magistrate’s Court is the center of public scrutiny as he was found guilty of using his influence to manipulate a family court case. From what we have been able to gather, a complaint which arose back in 2013 claims that a female Hamilton was having a romantic affair with had a case in the Belize Family Court. This female was in a legal dispute with her husband over maintenance and the access to their child.
Our information is that Hamilton and the female were romantically involved during the time of the case, which landed on his desk. Best information reveals that he was asked by his peers to disqualify himself on an appearance of favouritism, but he went forward and listened to the case and gave a ruling.
Krismar Espinosa A Free Man
Today, at the Northern session of the Supreme Court, a jury of 12 found 26 year old Krismar Espinosa not guilty for murder but guilty of a lesser charge for manslaughter. Viewers may recall that in September of 2007, Espinosa was accused for the murder of 24 year old Rachel Cicely Chun. Chun’s badly decomposed body was removed from an unfinished concrete house on Santa Familia Street in Orange Walk Town. At the crime scene, a bloody cement block, which was believed to be the murder weapon, was also found. That same day, Krismar Espinosa, an Orange Walk resident, who was only seventeen years old at the time, was arrested since he was the last person Chun was seen with and due to the conversations he had following the murder. Espinosa was remanded to the Belize Central Prison. Sentencing was set for June 18th, 2015.
AmbergrisCaye.com 
