AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Belize Life News Daily news prior to today Today's Belize News: January 12, 2016

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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

SP Community comes together and assists fire victims
The residents of San Pedro have once again shown their unity and generosity, as they came together in support of 34-year-old Ricardo Valladarez and his family, who on Sunday, December 27th lost their home when it was gutted by a fire. Help has been coming in the form of fundraising events such as bar-b-q sales, clothing sale, dollar drives, and even restaurants hosting special events and donating a part of their proceeds to the cause. The Valladarez family resides in the Escalante/DFC Subdivision area and lived in a 24' x 26' plycem and wooden building which had a garage and storage room where Valladarez used to work as a mechanic. Despite the assistance by the Fire Department, the entire house and garage was completely destroyed in the blaze, while three vehicles that were in the shop for repairs were damaged as well. Following the tragic incident, friends and family members began helping with clothes, food and a place to stay. On Sunday, January 3rd, a bar-b-q sale was held at the Lions Den along with the sale of clothes and a dollar drive in an effort to raise much needed funds for the victims. According to organizers, the event was very successful.

SPTC takes responsibility for Sunset Boardwalk
It has been almost two years since the Sunset Boardwalk and Water Taxi Terminal Project was completed. The project was founded through a $6 million dollar loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) which was granted to the Government of Belize. Even though the terminal was intended to become the site for visitors arriving to the island via boat, the facilities are not fully operational as originally planned, and to add to the issue, the facility is already showing signs of deterioration. The question is, who is responsible for the state of the terminal? General Manager Christy Mastry, at Belize Infrastructure Limited, stated that when the project was handed over in 2013, the municipality (San Pedro) which received the project was provided with an operational manual and maintenance plan. The contractor met the requirements to execute the project and if the structures of the project are now showing signs of deterioration, the contractor's responsibility for the construction has long expired. "There is a difference between a guarantee period for poor construction versus operational and maintenance. Well of course if there is a defect in the construction, the contractor will be responsible in addressing such problems. However, every general contractor gives a one year guarantee period, and in this case it is two years since it was handed over. So general maintenance of the project is the responsibility of the receiver, which in this case, will be the local municipality," said Mastry.

Biomedical waste being burned at Ambergris Caye dumpsite
According to Owen Vellos, administrator at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez Polyclinic II, they deal with two types of waste, the green which is regular trash generated from the offices and other areas of the clinic and red waste. The green waste is picked up by the SPTC, but the 'red' which comprises of syringes and other items containing fluids such as blood have to be disposed of by the clinic. Presently the only place where they can make proper disposal of the 'red' waste is at the local dump, which has been approved by the SPTC. The disposal, according to Vellos, is done at least once a week and only one person is allowed to be near the bags that carry the waste. A specific area of the dump is selected where it is burned in a hole in order to get rid of any hazardous substances or pathogens; finally the burned waste is buried. The method is considered to be safe since its incineration helps to kill any bacteria or virus and the designation area warns anyone to stay away from it. Vellos also indicated that every time they visit the dump to do the disposal, the Town Board is notified so they are aware of it.

Ambergris Today

BTB Assists "Together We Can Stop Hunger" Program in Belize City
On Monday, January 11, 2016, members of the BTB's Social Committee presented donations to co-founder of the program "Together We Can Stop Hunger", Mrs. Geraldine Mai. The Belize Tourism Board applauds the BTB's social committee for organizing a clothing and food drive for this organization. Over the holidays, staff members were asked to donate clothing, shoes, and food items to provide to families benefiting from the program. Together We Can Stop Hunger (TWCSH) is an organization that concentrates on feeding persons and families who otherwise cannot feed themselves. Currently it is led by a mother and son, Mrs. Geraldine Mai and Shaheed Mai, and they are currently feeding 13 families and about 50 homeless persons. TWCSH relies heavily on public donations for its pantry. Not only does it feed the homeless Monday to Saturday, it gives a weekly food hamper to 13 families. Their pantry consists mostly of rice, beans, milk, bread, and canned foods.

It's a Girl - Meet San Pedro's First Baby of 2016
She was born on January 3, 2016, at Ambergris Hopes Clinic under the care of Dr. Daniel Gonzalez. Meet Alice Daniela Cardenez born to Yaudi Cardona and Linton Cardenez. She is San Pedro's New Year Baby, the first born on the island of Ambergris Caye, Belize. It did not take us much hunting around this year, as Dr. Daniel was quick to inform us of baby Alice who was born weighing in at 6.5lbs on the third day of the year. After giving some time for Alice to get settled at home, the staff of Ambergris Today visited mom and daughter at their home in the San Pedrito Area. Alice was wide awake and all smiles for our cameras, as we captured the happy moment.

Shocked About Traffic in San Pedro
Dear Editor, Opinions to the newspaper are a clear sign that many vacationers still do care very much about the future of this beautiful island. Local officials do not seem. Our pre-season and repeat vacation during Thanksgiving has clearly shown us the wrong path the island has turned into. While everywhere in the world Polaris vehicles are not permissible for the use on public roads, they are considered golf carts on Ambergris Caye. These are just a few signs that the island has lost any green and environmental responsibility. San Pedro has turned into a dangerous and extremely noisy race track and parking lot. There is no safety, no pedestrian zone, no tranquility. Due to the out of control traffic situation San Pedro has lost all its beauty, character and Central American charm necessary to indulge tourists.

Two Arrested for Matthiew Klinck Death, Memorial Held in Cayo
Information received from authorities is that two youths have been arrested and charged with the murder of Canadian filmmaker Matthiew Klinck who was killed outside his home in a Cayo Village. Brandon Anderson, 19-years-old and a 16-year-old high school student were arrested on Wednesday, January 6 and then charged with murder and conspiracy to murder on Friday, January 8, 2016. Police indicate that Brandon Anderson was an acquaintance of Matthiew and had known him for about two years. Police seized an amount of cash during the search of a house and believe that robbery was the motive for the killing. Both are expected to return to court on April 12, 2016. This past weekend, residents of San Ignacio Town and other neighboring communities in the Cayo District held a memorial service in remembrance of Matthiew at the Foundation of Live Church in Spanish Lookout on Saturday, January 8, 2016. As part of the memorial, a candle light vigil/walk was held at the San Ignacio Town Welcome Center. Friends of Matthiew lit candles to remember his life and to stand up against violence.

Misc Belizean Sources

Habaneros on Caye Caulker closing 2 days this week
Habaneros is closing this Wednesday and Thursday...January 13-14th. The kids and the restaurant need a lee break to rest up. We will be open again on Friday. Sorry for any inconvenience caused and we promise to be all smiles afterwards!!!

Sights of the 9th Annual Boom to Manatee Lookout Canoe Race
Congratulations goes out to Efrain, Rudy and Alex of Team NICH for the great finish at the Boom to Manatee Lookout race on Sunday 10 January 2016.

New York Travel Show 2016
Belize representatives

Peace Corps has a job opening for a Programming and Training Specialist with the Health Education Project
Position Summary: The Programming and Training Specialist (PTS) serves as a qualified professional responsible for providing programming and training support to the Rural Family Health Project (RFHP). The PTS has four main areas of responsibility: work with the RFHP Program Manager to design, execute, evaluate, and document the RFHP's programming and training strategy; provide RFHP programming support to 30-50 Volunteers; serve as the lead technical trainer for the RFHP project; and, assist with the planning, logistics, and implementation of post's 27 month Volunteer training continuum.

The upcoming PUP leadership convention in Belize
By Wellington C. Ramos. I was in my country of Belize for two weeks and I just returned to the United States. During my stay at home, I had conversations with many Belizean citizens about the upcoming PUP leadership convention between John Briceno, Cordel Hyde and Francis Fonseca. After listening to most of them, I came to the conclusion that the average PUP members do not want Francis Fonseca for their leader. However, the problem with the leadership convention is that these average members will not get to vote at the convention because they will be represented by about 3,000 delegates to the convention who will vote for them. There is an aggressive effort that is being made by the party bosses to send representatives all over the country to convince these delegates to vote for Francis Fonseca instead of John Briceno or Cordel Hyde on the election day. If these delegates are allowed to vote their conscience without any bribes or inducements, John Briceno will become the new leader for the People's United Party. Based on the conversations I had, many of the people see the race between John Briceno and Francis Fonseca. They indicated that Cordel Hyde does not have the financial resources, the support nationwide to win the convention and that the PUP will not elect a black man to be their leader.

Marlon 'Chordz' Barrow: Hip Hop's New Whiz Kid!
When Marlon Barrow was coming up alongside his dad Patrick Barrow's musical explorations, no one from among his teenage peers would have known that he was cut out for the hard grind of the Hollywood music business. But he had what it took though, as a hard working kid who grew up in South Central Los Angeles that was hearing every genre of music possible which trained his sharp ear to have become the music producer he is today. 'Chordz,' as he is known in Hip Hop circles among some of America's most popular musical talents that range from rappers to R&B artists, Barrow has found his niche sound that carved out his brand as a well develop musician and present day producer. He has worked closely with musical artists such as YG, Ty Dolla $ign, and now the recent Australian female Hip Hop artist, Iggy Azalea.

Trades 4 Life Spring 2016 Semester
Trades 4 Life is about to start their Spring semester. If you want to learn a trade in a hands on environment, you have a week left to register. "The 2016 Belize School of Training is just about here! Beginning January 18, 2016, you can receive 6 weeks of certified hands-on training in the areas of Auto Mechanics, Welding & Machining, Computer Technology, or Refrigeration & Air Conditioning. To register, or for more information, please visit http://www.trades4life.bz/.

Channel 7

Two Capital Cabbies Killed
Two taxi drivers were found dead in Belmopan over the weekend - and they may be related. Our first story is about 24-year-old Yoni Maas. He went missing on Thursday night and his family had been trying to locate him all weekend. That is until a farmer found Maas' body in a feeder road in Mount Pleasant yesterday. It was shocking discovery because his family couldn't have imagined finding his body thrown in bushes. Courtney Weatherburne found out more today: For these taxi drivers, this is the best part of their day: when they don't have any runs, they blast music and hang out at this spot, near the terminal. But the one usually in charge of playing their favorite Reggae-ton selections isn't here anymore and it's just not the same without him. The life of the party was 24 year old Yoni Maas. He went missing on Thursday night while on the night shift at the terminal. He told his family he was coming home after the last bus but he never showed up. Ingris Maas, Older Sister: "He went missing from Thursday." Courtney Weatherburne: "Around what time?" Ingris Maas, Older Sister: "More or less they see him at 8:30 in the night. He talked to one of the taxi man who was right there and he told him that at 8:30 he will wait for the last bus then he will go home. After that they haven't seen him again."

He Escaped Death Row, But Was "Tush" Killed Because of A Weed-Turf Rivalry?
But first to Hattieville, where Cleon "Tush" Smith was shot and killed sometime after 7 pm last night in Hattieville village. The 41 year old was passing the time inside the yard of one of his relatives when a gunman snuck up form behind the property and shot him multiple times. Now, Tush Smith is a well-known street figure with a history going back decades. As a young man, was known to associate himself with then Ghost Town Crips, and he was convicted of murder in the 90's, and sentenced to death in 1999 for the murder of Ainsworth "Pie" Wagner. But the Privy Council quashed that and since being released from prison a few years ago, Tush, had done some community work. So why would anyone want him dead? Emanuel Pech went looking for answers.

Toledo Teen Was Viciously Slain And Then Dumped In a Well
And now to Toledo, where about an hour and a half before Belmopan Police found Yoni Maas' body in Cayo on Sunday, Punta Gorda Police had to retrieve another body, which was found at the bottom of a well. The body has since been identified as 19 year-old Jarrel Edward Pop - and his death was no accident. In fact, it appears that Pop's killers were especially violent when they took his life. He had been chopped, and stabbed to death. He was in an advanced state of decomposition, and the medical examiner had to perform an on-site post mortem yesterday. Today, the commander of Punta Gorda Police spoke with us today via phone, and he discussed what his investigators know about the case so far: "On the 10th of January 2016, sometime around 8:30am Punta Gorda police received information of a decomposed body in the news city area of Punta Gorda Town inside a well. As a result of that police visited the area where they saw a male person of Spanish decent. The body have been identified to be one Jarrel Edward Pop, 19 yrs. old of a Punta Gorda Town address. The post mortem was conducted yesterday by the pathologist and its findings, stab wounds to the abdomen and to both side of the body and cause of death was due to chop wounds. According to one of the family members, he was last seen sometime around the 25th of December 2015. At this time the investigation is preliminary and we do have the motive behind all that, but I don't want to discuss it at this time."

PG Police Have Suspect For Arson Spree
And, just a few hours before that, PG Police had to respond to 4 separate fires which happened within 2 hours of each other. 2 vehicles, a chair, and the roof of a restaurant and a bar, all belonging to 4 different town residents were set on fire, and they believe that it was all done by one man. It appears that the arsonist went on some sort of spree where he chose random things to set on fire. The PG Commander told us that he will be charged for arson: Supt. Simeon Alvarez - OC, Punta Gorda Police: "That same morning on the 10th of January between the hours of 1:25 am and 3:40 am. We had 4 fire which involved 2 vehicles burnt, a thatch of a restaurant was burnt and a sofa chair on the veranda of the residence was also destroyed by fire and as a result of that we conducted an investigation where we detained one Kareem Chun, 22 yrs. old who admitted in committing 3 of the arsons. At this time he is in police custody and he will be charged and taken before the magistrate sometime tomorrow for 3 counts. He had mentioned to me he was at a night club and apparently he had a misunderstanding out there and as a result of that whilst he was under the influence of alcohol he got frustrated and he just decide to go random and destroying people's property. He was in our custody sometime after the new year's he was in custody for damage of a property where apparently after a party outing on the way home or somewhere he caused damages to about 2 vehicles within town by stoning their windshield and he was arrested and charged for that."

Why Was Suar Slain?
At the top of the news tonight, we told you about the murder of Belmopan taxi driver, Yoni Maas. He was found on Sunday, but another cab driver, 28 year old Isidro Suar was found on Friday night in the Piccini area in Belmopan - his body had been flung in some bushes near Chon Saan Restaurant. Today police told us how they found the body and also how they caught up with the culprits shortly after. We also spoke to Suar's brother and he told us his brother deserves justice. Insp. Stephanie Grinage - Deputy Commissioner, Belmopan Division: "On Friday 8th, January about 11:15pm. Belmopan police responded to a distress call of shots being fired in the George Price area Piccini site. On arrival at the area, police discovered a young man, apparently dead, a lifeless body, identified as Isidro Suar, 28 yrs., Belizean taxi driver of a Sanvapan area with 4 apparent gunshots wounds to his body. He was taken to the Western Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Shortly after the incident Belmopan police quick thinking and coordination of Belmopan Police, the Belmopan quick response team and special branch intercepted a taxi in Ontario Village, where 3 occupants were in. One managed to escape and the other 2 were detained. The person that was detained was searched and he was found with 12 live. 38 rounds and along with a female minor. A .22 pistol was also found along with 3 live rounds in the area. At this time we're looking at robbery and the investigators like I said are still doing their job but at this."

Cops Say Cabbie Killings Related
So, two Belmopan cab drivers killed in the same municipality within the same time span. Are they related? Belmopan police say yes:... Reporter "It seems unlikely that these murders would not be related. Both young Hispanic men both live in generally same area. Both taxi men, both work at the same stand. Are police looking at a connection between both of them?" Insp. Stephanie Grinage - Deputy Commissioner, Belmopan Division "We are definitely looking at the connection and like I said, that's the way we are looking to see of any connection with the 2 murders. That's the way investigators are going, but at this time they haven't confirm that as yet. But that's the angle they are looking at."

PUP NPC For NC
On Saturday, close to three-hundred PUP Delegates crowded into party headquarters at Independence Hall. They were there for a national party council meeting, the preparatory session to agree on the ground rules for the National Convention, which will be held at the end of this month. While they were there to talk party business- we were outside to talk politics - and we did with anyone we could grab while they were going in. We asked them what's going to happen in the upcoming convention. Jules Vasquez: "Do you all feel you all will be able to get enough to claim victory for both yourself and for Mr. Briceno?" Hon. Jose Mai, OW South candidate for Deputy: "Jules, from the campaign that we are doing, from the different constituencies the response is very reassuring and satisfactory. I am entirely convinced that we will win the convention on that day." Jules Vasquez: "You don't know half the people who are the delegates. You don't know them and Mr. Briceno doesn't know them. You literally don't. No fault of yours." Hon. Jose Mai, OW South candidate for Deputy: "Nobody knows them. None of us who are running knows them. But that's why we are trying to get to know them. We are meeting, we are going from constituency to constituency and it's difficult to meet on one to one basis. But I am certain that when we are finish spoken, they have a better understanding."

For The PUP It's No Party On Facebook
And that kind of plainspoken putdown would be considered mild in the PUP Facebook circles. A very bitter, very ugly war of words is being waged in the social media sphere where insults are bring hurled left and right in the run-up to the convention. On Saturday we heard calls for restraint:... Micah Goodin, Delegate, supporting Cordel Hyde: "It's just people becoming overly passionate about the candidate that they are supporting." Reporter: "But how do you comment on people calling John Briceno names and telling Cordel Hyde to go find the different mothers of his children and unite them before he come and unite the party. How do you comment to that?" Micah Goodin, Delegate, supporting Cordel Hyde: "That is uncalled for and I think that we should give no attention to that. I believe that that woman who wrote that, I think she needs psychological evaluation. Because come on man, if you want to criticize our leaders, criticize them based on their political successes - their political failures and the challenges that they might have. Anything other than that is pure mischief and I do not support it. I do not condone it and those persons should be reprimanded."

PUP Settles Delegate Dispute In Belmopan
And while the facebook wars was not on the agenda for Saturday's meeting - an issue in Belmopan was. Members of the Belmopan constituency executive complain that the divisional chairman purged them from the list by because they support John Briceno while the Chairman and the standard bearer support Francis Fonseca. We asked Standard bearer Jason Patrick Andrews about it on Saturday:.. Patrick Jason Andrews, Belmopan - supporting Francis "We met as an executive and to the best our knowledge we can't pick and make everybody happy. As I said, there is only 111 that we could have picked out of the 2800 people that voted for us in the last election. This is politics and there's three individuals running and everybody would want to dictate who goes on the list, but this is done by constituency and I am happy that I think we did as best as we could to try and facilitate people from all different aspects or points of view. People who might support Francis, people who support Johnny or Cordel; and I can guarantee there are people on our list that will vote for all three candidates on the thirty-first." Reporter: "Sir, the way you are handling this entire process in Belmopan�you are not telling these 111 people well you know what, vote for Francis because that is the person, you're not....." Patrick Jason Andrews, Belmopan - supporting Francis: "No, no, no. I am supporting Francis Fonseca and I have said it publicly and I am saying it to the media. And so I can't tell people how to vote, but I can encourage and ask them because I believe in honorable Francis Fonseca. I believe he is right to continue leading this party."

Supreme Court, the Ceremony
The second Monday in January is always reserved for the Ceremonial opening of the Supreme Court - and this year the tradition was brightened by a new Attorney General. Daniel Ortiz was in the front row and he has that story: This is the 4th ceremonial opening that Chief Justice Benjamin's has presided over.

GSU Got Stuff
A police radio, and a new gun - that's what police found along with just under a pound of weed in an open lot across from a known gang figure's residence. The GSU searched Tyrone GENTLE's home on Lacroix Boulevard in the Lake Independence area and found nothing. But when they searched an overgrown open lot across from his house they found a black plastic bag with hydro grade cannabis weighing a total of 15 ounces. They looked deeper in a pile of garbage and found the type of hand held radio donated to police in 2015. There was also a discarded microwave oven, and a look inside turned up a black Ruger pistol new in a box along with 3 magazines, 27 live rounds and other accessories. The GSU says, quote, "The firearm which is suspected to have been used by members of the PIV Gang is currently licensed to Curvert ESTAVA who was an ex financier of the gang." It adds, "The weapon was never reported stolen�ESTAVA is being sought by the Police." End quote.

Endurance Runner Joseph Carr Dies Of Epileptic Seizure
Dating back to the mid 90's, Joseph Carr had been one of the most dominant distance runners in Belize. But on Sunday morning at 10:00, the 46 year old was found dead in a drain on Pitter Street, a few hundred yards from his home. No foul play is suspected because Carr was an epileptic, and the only question is whether he died from a seizure, or if he drowned in the drain. It's a terrible end for one of Belize's most decorated runners. His wife told us that they always knew they would lose him, but what hurts them the most, she said, was the way in which they lost him. We visited the family today as they reminisced about him with joy and pain. "When I found out he already fell in the 3rd time but I was at home and he came home muddy. I asked him what happened. And he told me, he fell in the drain again. So I said how you fell in the drain again. I said this is the 3rd time baby. He said but I'm only muddy. He said so I get sick. He said, I put the bike on the side and it looked like I fall. So I told him, he has to be careful. I always try to discourage him from coming this side but side is the shorter way to our house. So, I guess that's the situation." And that is exactly what happened. Carr was riding his bicycle coming home from work sometime after 7 when he got one of his epilepsy attacks. He fell inside the drain again but this time he was not strong enough to fight his way out of it.

The Carrot Controversy Continues
Last week you heard all about the situation with the farmers of San Carlos, Orange Walk, and their carrots. Close to 10 acres of carrots are rotting in the fields because the market is saturated with imported Mexican carrots. The Ministry of Agriculture sent out a statement on Friday saying that they'll try to come up with a solution to a problem - which is affected by both import permits and the contraband trade. But on Saturday the area representative for the farmers told us that it's all double-talk: the solution is starting the ministry in the face; he says it's import permits given to well-connected political friends: Jules Vasquez: "So you are saying the solution is staring them in the face?" Hon. Jose Mai - OW South Representative: "It's right there they can do it with a stroke of a pen. Jules it's only how much thousand pounds of carrots, it's so little only 6 acres. It's only 15 thousand pounds per acre that's little carrots. All they can do is hold up the permits, but the permits in advance. They give it today but it expires in 15 days' time. if they know that the carrots is going to be harvested in 2 weeks times, then just cut down the amount of days that they give on the permit. It's just a matter of them doing it. The will that's all."

Casa Pan Costs!
And one other notable PUP we met at Saturday's National Party Council meeting - also has a big say in a major food industry. That's Andres Perez, the proprietor of Casa Pan Dulce, which operates bakeries in San Pedro, Belmopan and Santa Elena. Last week, he told us that the rising price of sugar well cost him thirty thousand dollars a year in increased costs - and he has to pass that unto consumers. Now, as we've reported, the increase in the price of sugar is to offset losses experienced by cane farmers because of lower international prices for sugar. Perez says he doesn't support it:.. Andres Perez - Casa Pan Dulce "Let me tell you something to increase 50% is ludicrous, ridiculous. I can expect an increase, but not a 50%. It's totally unjustified, uncalled for and it's actually abuse. You basically call it outright abuse and what hurts me is that nobody's saying anything." Perez says his shelf prices have increased, and he claims other pastry makers have done the same.

Gus Gets Himself Free
Belizean businessman, Gus Tabony is a free man. News broke last week that he had been detained in Honduras on suspicion of money laundering. Authorities there said they found him with $16,500 dollars when he flew into the international airport at Roatan, Honduras on Tuesday, January fifth. Apparently, Tabony failed to make the declaration that is required for travelers carrying over ten thousand US dollars. Well, we have been informed that after five days, Tabony has settled whatever difficulties he had with authorities there and is returning to Belize tomorrow morning. We hope to talk with him then.

Concerns For Missing Compre Student
A high school student left her Valley of Peace home on Wednesday the 6th and her mother hasn't heard from her since. 15 year old Belmopan Comprehensive School student Seily Jozeline left home as usual in her uniform on Wednesday morning at 6:20. For Jozeline's mother it was supposed to be just another day at school but when her daughter didn't return that day -she made the police report. Today police told us they have a lead on her whereabouts. Seily is in 3rd form. She is about 5ft in height, slim built, weighs about 110lbs, she has long brown hair and has dimples.

Serial Rapist?
Is there a serial rapist in the south? That's what is suggested by the second - almost identical rape report in a month. On Saturday January 9th. At 12:30 a 48-year-old woman got off the bus at the 6 miles junction. She was standing alone at the junction when a man with a brown T-Shirt tied on his head and carrying a machete approached her. He dragged her into a nearby orange orchard where she was beaten, raped and robbed of $372.00 and her cell phone. Police have one man detained. On December 11th, at the same 6 mile junction, a pregnant woman was raped, also during the daytime. In that case, her assailant had a grey shirt tied over his nose and mouth. He put a knife to her throat and raped her. No one was arrested for this crime.

Sr. Supt Broaster On Weed
Earlier in our newscast we told you about the investigation into the murder of Cleon "Tush" Smith. He was gunned down inside a yard in Hattieville Village yesterday evening. Now as you heard from our interview with the Commander of Eastern Rural Division, investigators are not one hundred percent certain what instigated his murder. However a drug feud between certain groups in Hattieville is one of the main suspected motives for the execution. While interviewing the commander on this matter, we digressed from the topic a bit and ventured into a discussion about the intricacies of the drug trade and the legalization of Marijuana where Broaster gave us his two cents on the marijuana debate. Jules Vasquez: "A lot of what we see ending up as violence originates from drugs, marijuana in particular, because there are a lot of marijuana consumed and obviously sold and trafficked in Belize. The case of orange walk shows that."

Channel 5

Taxi Man Gunned Down in Belmopan
Eleven days into the New Year and the police department is recording its sixth murder. Over the weekend, as many as four persons were brutally killed. We start with the [...]

Decomposed Body of Second Belmopan Taxi Man Found in Mount Pleasant
Today, twenty-five year old Lincoln Bejerano was charged for Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery and Keeping Ammunition Without a License for the point thirty-eight calibre rounds in his pocket. He [...]

Cleon "Tush" Smith Murdered in Hattieville
In the Belize District, an execution style murder took the life of Cleon Smith, aka Tush. It is said that the street figure moved to Hattieville some years ago to [...]

PG Teenager Murdered, Dumped in Well
The fourth murder victim was found inside a well in Punta Gorda. The grisly discovery of the decaying corpse of Jarrel Edward Pop was made by Punta Gorda police on [...]

Supreme Court Opens With Traditional Pomp and Ceremony
The anticipated traditional and ceremonial opening of the Supreme Court took place this morning in a packed courtroom of the judiciary and other guests. Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin presided over [...]

P.U.P. Candidate for Leader Cordel Hyde Says Change is Imminent
The National Party Council of the People's United Party met at Saturday to pave the way to a national convention set for January thirty-first in Belmopan. Various positions are up [...]

Contenders for P.U.P. Chairman Are Both Confident of Victory
As we told you, all eyes will be on the race for leadership which has led to very heated and unpleasant debate on social media. The Chairman position is also [...]

Patrick Andrews Says His Delegates Can Vote for Any Leader Candidate
One constituency which is always volatile even at the best of times is Belmopan. These are not the best of times, and early on in the convention race there was [...]

PG Arsonist Detained After Fiery Rampage
A string of fires in a span of two hours deliberately set by an arsonist kept Punta Gorda police and firefighters busy on Sunday morning. �Around one-thirty a.m., local authorities [...]

Dangriga Commuter Claims She Was Raped After Getting Off Bus
There is one more allegation of rape to add to the growing list. It reportedly occurred in the south over the weekend.� A resident of San Ignacio, Cayo District, claims [...]

Suspected Liquor Thief Arraigned in Court
The judiciary was busy today with the opening of the Supreme Court throughout the morning. When the Magistrate's Court resumed session this afternoon, a businessman alleged he was robbed by [...]

"Boots" Martinez Speaks on Hostel Fire Investigation
It is now six weeks since three minors perished during a fire at the Youth Hostel near mile twenty-one and a half on the George Price Highway and still there [...]

Martinez Says Findings of Investigation Will Be Released Next Week
According to Minister Martinez, contrary to what is being said, the ministry is not dragging its foot with the independent investigation into the matter. But will the ministry wait until [...]

12 Year Old Student Missing in the City
Twelve-year-old Shinique Perez, a student of Saint Martin's Primary School, remains missing tonight after failing to return to her classroom on Friday afternoon.� The family was immediately notified by the [...]

Valley of Peace Teen Still Missing…May Be in Placencia
Another minor is missing. Fifteen year old Seily Jozeline Aguilar has been missing since January sixth. She left her home in Valley of Peace early, as usual, in her Belmopan [...]

Clarification: Jintendra Chawla is Not the Proprietor of RC Imports
Now on a point of clarification�first, attorneys for Jitendra Chawla aka Jack Charles, have written the media to say that Charles is not the proprietor of RC Imports, which has [...]

Weekend Sporting Highlights with James Adderley
Good evening, I'm James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.   We take you to Burrell Boom where the faithful who make the La Ruta Maya have congregated on the [...]

CTV3

Mai Calls On GOB To Stop Playing Games With Farmers Of The South
Farmers of San Carlos Village located in Orange Walk South have lost approximately $50,000 worth in carrot production. The 15 farmers are putting the blame squarely on the Government who they say issued licenses to import carrots just days before they were ready to harvest. By the time farmers were ready to sell their produce on December 15th 2015, the market was still saturated with the imported product making it impossible for them to sell the vegetable. The result, pounds and pounds of carrots rotting in ten carrot fields..translating to thousands of dollars in losses. But while farmers are blaming GOB, the Ministry of Agriculture is not going down so easy. In a release issued on Friday, the Ministry stated that contraband -imports are affecting the local supply and the current problem being experienced by the carrot producers is being thoroughly examined to determine the cause, the impact and corrective measures necessary.

Death Body Found Inside Well In PG
On Sunday morning at about 8:30 a.m., Allen Nunez went out to fetch some water from a well in the New Site area in Punta Gorda for his common-law wife, when he discovered the lifeless body of an unidentified male person lying face down in the well. Nunez stated that the well has approximately thirty years of existence in that area; however, it was not used regularly by him or his family and in order to access the well, he had to cut through bushes and create a trail. While cutting through the bushes, Nunez saw what appeared to be a doll's foot but as he got nearer, he realized that it was in fact human. Nunez immediately alerted one of his neighbours who then informed the police about the incident. Due to the state of decomposition, the body could not be removed from the location an on-site post-mortem examination was conducted at around 4:22 p.m.

Who are PUP Area Representatives Backing For Party Leader?
Currently all three candidates vying for the leadership of the People's United Party John Briceno, Cordel Hyde and Francis Fonseca are pounding the pavement ensuring that they speak to the more than 2,900 delegates scheduled to vote at the National Convention set for January 31st in Belmopan and the Belmopan Comprehensive School. The aim of each candidate is to convince the delegates of all 31 constituencies that they have what it takes to the lead the old party and regain the confidence of Belizeans in order to form Government once more. While each of the 31 representatives of the party might have already selected their candidate, the delegates will have the last word. For the convention the delegates are selected based on the number of votes that the PUP received in each constituency during the General Elections. That is one delegate for every 25 votes received. As in every election every vote counts and bearing that in mind the Briceno camp is out in full swing garnering as much support as possible.

Students Back In Class At San Pablo Government School
Today things at the San Pablo Government School seemed to be back to normal as almost all children were back in class after parents conducted a week long protest to voice discontent in the return of the former principal to the school.Parents were pleading to officials from the Ministry of Education for help to resolve their problem and get a new principal and were determined to keep their children out of school until their terms were met. But after one week of keeping their children home to no avail the parents came to the conclusion that their cries would not be heard by the Ministry so decided that the best interest of their children would be to return to classes.

PUP Says There Is Absolutely No Manipulation Of Delegates List
Another issue currently affecting the PUP's National Convention is the allegation of manipulation of delegates in the Belmopan Constituency. Reports that there were two delegates list, one was changed in favor of one of the candidates and that there were no committed supporters on the list sent in to the Secretariat surfaced a few weeks ago. And that is now a black cloud over the party and in the middle of it all is party's representative in Belmopan Patrick Andrews who spoke to the media about the issue on Friday. "We had an opportunity to select 111 plus six delegates and we met as an executive and to the best of our knowledge we can't pick and make everybody happy so this is politics and there are three individuals running and everybody would want to dictate who goes on the list but that list is done by constituency and I am happy because I think we did as best as we could to try and facilitate people from all different aspect or point of view and I could guarantee that there are people in our list that will vote for all three candidates for the 31st ."

PUP Reps speak On Social Media Attacks
The People's United Party is just 21 days away from holding its National Convention where a Leader of the Party, Deputy Leaders, Chairman, national campaign manager, national communications director and Legal Adviser will be elected. On Saturday the PUP's National Party Council met in Belize City to endorse the decisions of the National Executive made in December. We'll get to that in few but first we'll tell you what members of the party had to say about the mudslinging and personal attacks taking place in Social Media especially when it comes to John Briceno, Cordel Hyde and Francis Fonseca, the three candidates who are vying for the post of Party Leader. The attacks, coming from well know party supporters, have mostly been concentrated on Briceno and Cordel have become pretty personal. But while it does not spell disunity in the party, it must stop, according to members of the PUP.

LOVE FM

NCFC Holds Induction of Its Ambassadors
On Saturday evening fourteen young men and women officially became Children Rights Ambassadors for the National Committee for Families and Children, NCFC. The induction ceremony was held at ITVET in Belize City where we spoke to Lindburgh Smith, Communication Coordinator for NCFC. Smith shared that participants like Melissa Hamilton and Darwin Westby, participated in a [�]

PUP Leaders Sign Oath; Convention Details Confirmed and Resolution Passed
Members of the National Party Council of the People's United Party gathered inside the Independence Hall on Saturday, January 9 where logistics pertaining to the upcoming Special National Convention were ironed out among other things. Chairman of the PUP, Henry Usher spoke to Love News on the venue of the convention. During the meeting, [�]

PUP Addresses Social Media Slandering Among Supporters
On Friday we brought you the story of the social media hostility and disrespect taking place among some well-known PUP supporters. As we told you the comments and back and forth arguments are nothing short of obscenities and insolence and can be interpreted as a continued division in the blue and white camp. As the [�]

The Fairness of the Upcoming PUP Convention
With the Special National Convention coming up on January 31 in Belmopan, Cayo District, there is the question of a free and fair convention particularly when you consider the factor that the current Party Leader who is seeking re-election as the head of the PUP had hand-picked the Secretary General Myrtle Palacio who incidentally, is [�]

Man Listened as His Neighbour was Slain
This weekend saw three murders and the discovery of a body in an abandoned well. We start off with the latest murder to be reported, the first recorded in the Belize Rural Eastern Division. The incident occurred sometime around seven o'clock last night, less than a mile away from the Hattieville Police Station. When Police [�]

Police Investigates Death of Man Found in Punta Gorda
Police have detained a number of persons in connection with a murder in Punta Gorda. Correspondent Paul Mahung reports. PAUL MAHUNG: The lifeless body of a male person was found yesterday in Punta Gorda. Love News spoke to Senior Superintendent Simeon Alvarez. Simeon Alvarez: "On Sunday the 10th of January 2016 sometime around 8:30am upon information recieved [�]

Two Cab Drivers Murdered in One Weekend in Capital City
Two taxi drivers from the Belmopan area were killed this past weekend. Earlier today correspondent Fem Cruz spoke with the second officer in command of the Belmopan formation. FEM CRUZ: This past weekend's murder of 28 year old Isidro Swar and 24 year old Yoni Mas of Belmopan are under active investigation by police. Love News [�]

Minister to Discuss Compensation for Family of Fire Victims at Hostel
In November of last year, three teenage girls perished in a fire at the Princess Royal Youth Hostel. While officials explained that one of the girls started the fire in order for the trio to escape, an investigation headed by Margaret Nicholas, Director of the National Committee for Families and Children was launched. It has [�]

Will Sugar Price Increase Translate to Increase Costs at Bakeries?
Of all the locally manufactured products in Belize, sugar has been at the centre stage more than the others. It is a commodity that is used in all households and just eleven days ago the cost of the sweetener was upped by twenty five cents. While there hasn't been much outcry from the public on [�]

Area Rep Mai Says Carrots Issue Turns Political
The Agriculture ministry has had their hands full recently, first with the sugar industry and more recently with the carrot farmers. Carrot farmers in the northern districts have been experiencing losses due to what appears to be a surplus of carrots in the markets. With the local farmers putting theirs out on the market and [�]

PlusTV

Santa Elena teens charged with Klinck's murder
Police have officially arrested and charged two teenagers for the murder of Canadian filmmaker Matthiew Klinck. The partially decomposed body of Klinck was found, Monday January 4th, 2016, about 15 yards from his home which is located in the village of Selena near Spanish Lookout Klinck was stabbed ...

Fire in Belize City wipes out family trailer
A family of 14 - three sisters, their husbands and 8 children who lived off Boots Crescent in Belize City are fortunate to be alive after a fire engulfed and destroyed the contents of a container and board trailer house they occupied. It happened after 9 p.m. on Thursday. The fire started in the rea...

Family robbed on Highway
A family of six were victims of a highway robbery. 38-year-old Melonie Popper Coc of Ladyville, reported that on Saturday the 2nd of January at about 7:15 p.m. she was driving a grey 2007 Isuzu D-Max four door pickup, which was the property of Puma Energy Limited, along with her mother and 4 childre...

Leon Gentle to Supreme Court in Vitalino Reyes Jr's case; five others walk
Tonight 5 of 6 men, all tour guides, accused of being involved with the bad beating of a tour guide's son in May 2014, are free of the charge of harm. Thee sixth person accused, 32 year old Leon Gentle, is out on bail granted to him by Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser after he saw his case committed ...

Ministry of Agriculture responds to carrot Farmers' complaints
Today the Ministry of Agriculture released a press release concerning the famers of Orange Walk and their rotting carrots. Yesterday we told you about the farmers of San Carlos village in the Orange Walk District who find themselves with large quantities of rotting carrots due to the market selling...

Unitedville resident charged with possession of controlled drugs
38 year old Deford Gongora was arrested and charged for Possesion of controlled drugs and intent to supply. On Thursday the 7th of January at 11:30 a.m., Gongora got off a bus in Unitedville village with a knapsack. Police on mobile patrol however saw Gongora acting suspicious and attempted to sto...

Robbery of Stann Creek Business woman
A business woman of Stann Creek was held up and robbed. On Thursday the 7th of January at about 10:00 a.m., 31-year-old Elsi Raquel Canizales, a Salvadoran Businesswoman of Stann Creek reported that she left her home at around 8:30 a.m. on her scooter heading to Santa Cruz Village. On her way there ...

Breaking Belize News

Punta Gorda police identify body, murder confirmed
Around 8:00 yesterday morning, a Punta Gorda (PG) resident made the discovery of a decomposed male body in a shallow water well, located in the New Site area of town, as he chopped a path through bush to get water from the well for [�]

At Supreme Court opening, Judiciary discusses progress and problems
In his main address at today's ceremonial opening of the Supreme Court in Belize City, Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin spoke of many advances for the Judiciary in 2015, in everything from technology to court environment, despite the judiciary's portion of the budget only going [�]

Suspected rapist in police custody
Police have one suspect in custody for a rape and robbery in the Stann Creek District over the weekend. The detained man is pending investigation after a 48-year-old woman of San Ignacio, Cayo District, reported that she was raped and robbed of $372 in cash, [�]

Cayo police looking for owner of illegal weapon
Officers of the Police's Quick Response Team retrieved a firearm that was dropped by a fleeing suspect, after the vehicle he was in refused to stop at a check point in Ontario village, Cayo District, and when it did stop, he got out the back passenger door [�]

Punta Gorda police detained 22-year-old for crazed arson rampage
Punta Gorda (PG) police have confirmed that 22-year-old Kaleem Chun, a resident of that municipality, has been detained pending investigation in connection to the string of fires around town that caused mass damage in the wee hours of Sunday morning. Chun is suspected of starting the fire [�]

Missing Belmopan resident found dead, shot multiple times
The lifeless body of 28-year-old Yoni Mass was discovered in an advanced state of decomposition sometime on Sunday morning, January 10th, on a feeder road in the Mount Pleasant area in the Cayo District. According to police reports, the body of a male person [�]

Supreme Court opens new legal year
As it traditionally does on the second Monday in January each year, Belize's Judiciary is meeting to review the work of the past legal year and look ahead to the coming one. This morning judges, attorneys and officials participated in a church service at Holy Redeemer Cathedral. [�]

Police investigating Hattieville murder
Hattieville police are currently trying to put the pieces together and solve the latest murder in that community. Late Sunday evening, officers visited an enclosed yard on Sylvester Boulevard where they saw the lifeless body of a dark skin person lying motionless in a pool of [�]

Blogs

Snorkeling The Reef & Beautiful Southwater Caye From Hopkins, Belize
I've been living on Ambergris Caye for the past 8 years and a bit. And I see the reef every day. Depending on where you live on our 26 mile long island, the reef is either within walking distance (in the more remote north part of the island) or a few minute boat ride. But as you travel farther south in Belize, the barrier reef pushes out, swirling around the over 200 cayes that dot the shores of Belize. Just last week, I headed down to the village of Hopkins, Belize, just 10 miles south of Dangriga, stayed in a fabulous resort/penthouse and went on my first snorkel trip from the area. The reef is 14 miles out - about a 45 minute boat ride. And it is absolutely worth it. I woke up early to see the sunrise and it was POURING rain. As I put my clothes on to walk over to the Adventure Desk, things were already breaking. And the guys were raking the beach. A good sign� Confirmed. I returned to my suite, got ready and met everyone at the snorkel shed at 7:45am. It was already a beautiful day.

The Beauty of San Ignacio Town
The San Ignacio Resort Hotel has a nice article about some of the beauty of Cayo. The Hawkesworth is definitely on there, as is the artwork in front of the police station, AJAW chocolate, and the Saturday market. Great pictures, and worth a read. "When it comes to places to go for an adventure getaway, it's easy to think of big cities in Central America. But our Jewel Belize is filled with places that are less heralded but no less magnificent-like our San Ignacio Town! Known for its beautiful natural surroundings, our hometown also offers travelers a homey, laid-back, and friendly environment. On the other side, San Ignacio is filled with loads of historical landmarks and fun places to visit during your Belize vacation such as�"

Ticketing System
By: Abdulmajeed K Nunez. Our traffic system has inherent problems Here are some suggestion to remedy them Belize needs and ticketing system The traffic lights needs investment to fix them Regular accidents at the Corner Vernon Street and CA Boulevard The traffic lights aren't working it is so awkward Let's prevent a day when bodies will have to be picked up off the boulevard We need to double our efforts on taxi drivers City bus racing to pick passengers Bicycle riders traveling on the bars Four people on motor bike with no head gears Restaurant delivery men move round town like harriers No helmet due to limited traffic enforcers An electronic ticketing system would be much better Not to mention the court system needs be more efficient This is the time of e- government What about system to pay ticket online won't that be convenient? More speed bumps need to be put in place to avoid accidents

Creamy Chipotle Tomato Soup
Heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the celery, carrots, and onion. Cook for 8-10 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and chipotle peppers and cook for 2 more minutes. You could skip this step but I prefer the flavor when the vegetables are sauteed first. Add to the slow cooker. Add the canned tomatoes, vegetable broth, bay leaf, oregano, coriander, and cumin. Cook on low for 4 hours. Then carefully blend using an immersion blender or by blending in batches. Return to slow cooker and add the cream cheese and milk. Cook for 30 more minutes and season with salt and pepper.

International Sources

Two teenagers charged with murder of Canadian filmmaker in Belize
Two Belizean teenagers have been charged with the murder of a Canadian filmmaker who was found dead outside his home last Monday (January 4). Nineteen-year-old Brandon Anderson and a 16-year-old boy, whose name was not released, are charged with killing 37-year-old Matthiew Klinck. Klinck, who moved to the small Central American country five years ago, was found stabbed 14 times in an apparent robbery according to local news reports. The two teenagers, who were charged on Friday (January 8), were arrested last Wednesday (January 6), two days after the filmmaker's body was discovered outside his home. Inspector Reymundo Reyes, of Cayo District Police in Belize, told Channel 5 Belize last Tuesday (January 5) that "a team of police officers including myself visited the said location. On arrival we saw the motionless body of a Caucasian male person lying in a face-up position about fifteen feet away from the residence."

Top 7 Travel Adventures for 2016
A new year brings new possibilities, and with it, a world of opportunities. Or as we prefer at Culture+Travel - more opportunities to see the world. So if you've got that itch to really spend some time on the road� or in the sky� or on the water� then let us guide you to some of the more extensive travel options available this year for adventurers, all available as tours in some of the world's most exotic locations. Here are our top 7 travel adventures choices for 2016. 2. Guatemala & Belize: Hidden Places of Francis Ford Coppola Seeking to connect with nature, director Francis Ford Coppola opened three retreats in Central America, located in Belize and Guatemala. Finding the Mayan Ruins inspiring, he created an exclusive accommodation collection of opulent exoticism, rated by Forbes as the most stylish in the region, and ranging from a remote lake retreat to mountain villas, and a designer beach resort. Kensington Tours "Hidden Places of Francis Ford Coppola" traces a route around them, promising cocktails atop a temple, horse riding, zip-lining, a visit to a jaguar sanctuary and 5-star cuisine. Priced at US$6,950 for ten days, the tour takes in Lake Peten Itza, Yaxha archaeological site, the Tikal ruins, Ixpanpajul Nature Park, ancient cities at Xuanantunich and Caracol, the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, diving at the largest barrier reef in the Caribbean at Placencia, and Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. But it's the 4th century B.C. ruins that are sure to mesmerize, including the 140-foot high Caana pyramid capped by three temples.

Caribbean Insights: Looking Ahead at 2016's Hot Spots
The Caribbean is rightfully regarded as a pretty low-key place. The region's sun-filled skies, beautiful blue waters and lush plant life create a relaxed atmosphere for visitors and residents alike, offering an ideal stress antidote. However tourism stakeholders in several top Caribbean travel destinations will face some tense moments in 2016 as they await the outcome of impasses that threaten to derail projects that - one way or another - will profoundly impact each nation's tourism business. Issues surrounding these three regional destinations will bear watching throughout 2016: Norwegian Cruise Line's $100 million Harvest Caye cruise port project was one of the most-watched in years among tourism stakeholders as it promised to accelerate the once-sleepy nation's emergence as a mainstream Caribbean travel destination. Located on two adjoining islands off the small but increasingly popular coastal town of Placencia, plans for the 75-acre development include a floating pier, an island village with open-air structures, a marina, a water sports lagoon and a beach area. Norwegian will also offer passengers several Belize excursions from Harvest Caye. However a local tourism official has warned the port may not meet a planned Feb. 16 opening. Harvest Caye's opening "will be delayed," said Valdemar Andrade, director, destination planning and cruise at the Belize Tourism Board (BTB), in an interview on the 7NewsBelize.com website.

FirstCaribbean recovers from loss in 2014
Chairman of FirstCaribbean International Bank Limited David Ritch says 2015 was a year of recovery for the bank which achieved net income of US$98 million. He said this was "a significant improvement" over fiscal 2014 when the bank suffered net loss of US$148 million. In the bank's annual report which has been posted to the T&T Stock Exchange, Ritch said FirstCaribbean's restructuring programme, which was announced in October 2013 will end in the current fiscal year. He said the bank is starting to see the result of corrective measures put in place over the past two years, with continued emphasis on corporate governance, customer engagement, cost containment and sales and service excellence. He said: "The bank conducted a strategic assessment of our operations region-wide and concluded that some levels of adjustments were required in the way we currently conduct our business to ensure that FirstCaribbean maintains and builds on its strengths and opportunities in key markets.

'Mad Dogs' and Amazon go into the Belize sun
Amazon is going Mad. An adaptation of a British miniseries, Mad Dogs stars Billy Zane, Steve Zahn, Ben Chaplin, Michael Imperioli and Romany Malco as a group of friends vacationing in Belize who get caught up in a life-threatening situation. Debuting January 22, the series was adapted by The Shield's Shawn Ryan and Chris Cole from Cole's original. The adaptation included a lot of expansion. The original was four hours; the American one is 10. "We were able to go a lot deeper into the characters than we were able to do in the original four hours," Cole told critics at the Television Critics Association Monday. "Once we get to episode five of the series, we're in whole new virgin territory. It's completely different than the British series," Ryan says. And part of that difference stems from what Ryan says was a need to reshape the characters to reflect what he believes are the differences between American men and British men.

Barbados reports suspected cases of Zika and H1N1 viruses
Health authorities in Barbados have reported eight suspected cases of the H1N1 and Zika viruses. Minister of Health John Boyce said samples have been sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency for confirmatory testing. And he has cautioned the population not to panic. The minister said that although he is aware that members of the public would be concerned whenever a new disease emerged, Barbadians should use simple measures to prevent mosquito breeding around their homes, business places and communities. "The fact that the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits the Zika virus, is the same mosquito that spreads dengue fever and chikungunya, we are all very familiar with the prevention and control measures which we need to undertake�Inspect your surroundings to search out and remove mosquito breeding places on your properties. The Ministry of Health recommends that this should be done once per week," Boyce said.

US army general concerned about potential ISIS attacks in Caribbean
A top army general in the United States is worried that a few Islamic extremists in the Caribbean could carry out terrorist acts in the region. Commander of US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) General John Kelly said about 100 Islamic extremists left the Caribbean region to join Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) fighters in the Middle East last year - some of whom were killed - and the number had risen to about 150 this year. However, his worry is less about the impact those Caribbean nationals have on the ISIS fight overseas and more about what they can do in their homelands. "I am more concerned particularly now it seems like the Islamic extremists and terrorists have shifted a lot of their message, and that is, 'hey, rather than come to Syria, why don't you stay at home and do San Bernardino, or do Boston, or do Fort Hood'," he said, referring to incidents of terrorist attacks in the US.

Videos

VOICES OF THE MAYA: An Anthropological discovery of the past, 21min. Voices of the Maya: an anthropological discovery' is a short film set in Belize, Central America. It focuses on the small community of Aguacate , their opinions about their Maya heritage and the archaeological sites the ancient Maya left behind. The film opens in a dark mysterious cave before moving into the tranquil rain-forests of Belize. Louis, the Alicante of Aguacate introduces the main concept of the film, which then goes on to look at daily life in the community. Four people with differing opinions are interviewed throughout and discuss their attitudes towards archaeology and the role of archaeologists. A story is told about an ancient Jade Bell and the Alicante suggests that a 'missing chain' needs to be fixed in order to rekindle the relationship with their ancestors. The film concludes with a young girl showing her enthusiasm about her heritage, symbolising the answer to the 'missing chain'.

The Palapa Bar, Belize 2016, 12min.

Belize - Ambergris Bay Secret Beach, 1.5min. This drone video shows where the main east / west connection road dead ends at Secret Beach, Ambergris Bay.

Micah and Evannah V perform scream BTL park Belize, 5min. Micah and Evannah V perform Scream at BTL park Belize to help stop the violence. S.A.V.E Belize foundation.

Morning Matters with Julia, 67min.

Kansas State student's personal account of her time of service at Hillside, 6min. Tracie Thibault shared: "In developing countries like Belize, one never knows what one will see." Watch this 2 part video she created to learn more about her experiences in Belize and during her time of service at Hillside.

Trevor Wall and Steev Inglish play the blues at Windschief Bar in Hopkins, Belize 12-30-2015, 6min. On the evening of 30 December 2015 there was a special blues performance by Trevor Wall and Steev Inglish at Windschief Bar in Hopkins, Belize. Here is a sample of them playing "The Hoochie Coochie Man", a classic blues song written by Willie Dixon.

Belize, 4min. Our Christmas 2015 vacation to Belize -- slide show and video.

Black Howlers of Burrell Boom, Belize, 2min. A large male calls while his family eats fig leaves and fruit. His two sons, one and two years old, feel secure while he howls, knowing that their father is ready to protect them. The monkeys live in the Community Baboon Sanctuary, a grassroots collective of over 200 landowners on over 20 square miles who have voluntarily pledged to protect the Howlers and their habitat. (The misnomer 'baboon' is left over from British days.) Miss Geraldine, a local guide from the Sanctuary, keeps an eye on both the monkeys and the humans.

AFAR Belize Field School 2015, 7.5min. Highlights from the American Foreign Academic Research (AFAR) program's annual field school on Maya archaeology in Belize in 2015.