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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

Pro Divers and Scorpions FC in the lead to Five-a-Side finals
The Island Citizen Sporting Club (ICSC) and San Pedro High School (SPHS) Five-a-side Football Tournament is coming to a close with the finals taking place on Sunday, July 24th at the Angel Nu�ez Auditorium. The semi- final results determined which teams will be heading for the championship game and this time Scorpions FC and Pro Divers will be up for the challenge in hopes of capturing the coveted first place of the competition. With the semi-finals over, organizers tallied the points announcing the teams that would be competing in finals. Heading to the finals in the little league division are El Pescador, Bayern Munich B, Bayern Munich A, PSG, LIiverpool, FC America, Scorpion, Inter de Milan and Green Hornets. The senior teams will be playing for third place, followed by second and first place. The four senior teams are: Los Catrachos FC, Scorpions FC, Pro Divers and Boca Bombers.

Human Rights Seminar held in San Pedro Town
For the first time ever, a seminar on human rights was held in San Pedro Town on Friday, July 8th and Saturday July 9th at the Lions Den. The event was spearheaded by the Human Rights Commission of Belize (HRCB), and addressed many aspects pertaining to human rights, its functions as an organization, and informing attendees on their rights and where to seek assistance when these are violated. Although there was a low turnout, key members of the community from organizations such as the San Pedro Lions Club, Projects Abroad and the San Pedro Town Council attended the seminar. It is expected that members of these entities will spread the message to their relevant associates.

Intoxicated BWS employee wrecks company vehicle
30-year-old Nolan Garbutt Jr, Belize Water Services (BWS) Assistant Supervisor, has reported to The San Pedro Police that on Wednesday, July 20th at around 10:30PM he suffered a car crash. He stated that he left Pedro's Inn in a work issued white Toyota Hilux 4 door truck (Lp/# 32797, Model KUN25L-HRMDH Frame MROFR220800648564) heading home driving in a southerly direction. Garbutt went on to state that when reaching Sea Grape drive, he heard a loud bursting sound, and as a result, he lost control of the vehicle and flipped over. When he got out of the vehicle, he observed that the front and the back bumpers were broken, both left front and back wheels were punctured, the top was bent and the four doors were bent in.

San Pedro Cancer society holds successful blood drive
During a blood drive organized by the San Pedro Cancer Society (SPCS) in collaboration with the Belize Blood Donor Service, a total of 38 pints of vital blood were collected. The drive took place on Saturday, July 9th at the San Carlos Medical Clinic on Pescador Drive with many community members turning out to donate blood; the drive was a grand success. The healthy turnout by willing donors from 9:30AM to 4PM kept the clinic busy all day. The blood collected will go towards the San Pedro Town blood reserve to be held at the Belize Blood Bank in Belize City. The fact that one pint of blood can save up to three lives is another reason to applaud such a great turn out.

Tertiary Level Education issues addressed during ATLIB retreat
Representatives from 11 of the 13 institutions that are members of the Association of Tertiary Level Institutions in Belize (ATLIB) convened on Ambergris Caye at the Bayan Bay Resort for a two day retreat. The retreat took place on Thursday, July 14 and Friday, July 15th and focused on quality assurance, and issues dealing with accreditation among the tertiary level educational institutions in Belize. Facilitating the presentations at the meeting was Dr. Pamela Dottin from the University of the West Indies, Barbados, who is closely aligned with the tertiary level accreditation program. Dr. Dottin held a series of discussion exercises that pointed out where educational institutions stand today since the 2015 ATLIB Professional Development exercise. According to the discussions there has been improvement, but it is an on-going process and through the different professional development training, there is the hope that a structured education system can be achieved.

Louis Carter officially charged for shooting Dwayne Hyde
23-year-old Louis Manuel Carter was officially arrested and charged on Thursday, July 14th in relation to a shooting incident which 30-year-old Dwayne Hyde was injured. According to San Pedro Police, Carter was positively identified by the victim leading to his swift detention. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, July 13th saw two male persons reportedly entering the yard of 22-year-old Kimberly Humes; one of them was identified as Carter, and getting involved in an altercation with Hyde. The altercation resulted in Hyde being shot in his abdomen.

Miss SPHS continues giving back to the community
While school is closed and many students are enjoying the holidays away from the classroom, one student from San Pedro High School (SPHS) has been busy contributing to her community. Faith Noel, Miss San Pedro High School 2016-2017, has embarked on a series of projects aimed at benefiting her school and the community in general. After her first successful project collecting backpacks for the less fortunate students at her school, Noel tackled an ambitious project to raise funds for the building of five lunch palapas at SPHS. After approaching the community with this brilliant idea, the help was swift as donors were more than happy to assist. On Saturday, July 16th Noel handed over a cheque for the construction of the palapas at her school. Receiving the generous donation was Dean of Discipline Alex Nu�ez, who thanked her and encouraged her to continue her good work. According to him, she is setting the bar high in community service and creating an excellent example for her future successor.

Misc Belizean Sourcesmzz

Step By Step Tutoring Center Would like to extend a heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors for this year's 2nd Summer Musical Camp
Your commitment to our events are surely appreciated and we hope to continue providing you all with well-rounded family events. This year a total of 16 children were sponsored. To these sponsors Caye Caulker Children Fun Drive Sophie's Guest Rooms Step By Step Tutoring Center Carlos Perrote Wendy Auxillou-Othman Maria Price Fiona Coughenour thank you. These children are truly grateful for this experience. To our other sponsors Mr. Wayne Miller and the Caye Caulker Village Council Omolewa Osain Project Melanie Choj and M&N Hotel Fantasy Dining "wine n' dine on island time" Amor Y Cafe, Caye Caulker, Belize Almy Canto and Caye Caulker Condos Bambooze Beach Bar & Grill thank you for always supporting us. It means the world to us. Many more blessings to you all.

Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Presents a Grant of US$5.0 Million to Government of Belize
Today in Belmopan, His Excellency Benjamin Ho, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) presented a cheque in the sum of Five Million US Dollars to the Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development of Belize. The cheque is the grant from the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Belize for the year 2016 under the Bilateral Cooperation Program between the two countries. The purpose of the grant is to help the overall development of Belize, particularly in the development of transportation infrastructure.

Launch of the National Trade Policy Framework
The Directorate General for Foreign Trade is pleased to announce the launch of the National Trade Policy Framework, which was approved by Cabinet in August, 2015. Belize has enacted numerous laws and regulations governing diverse aspects of trade and engaged in regional economic integration processes without having a formal trade policy. As a member of both CARICOM and the World Trade Organization (WTO), Belize is often tasked with implementing policies that are both conducive to national development and compliant with international trade obligations. For Belize to effectively participate in these international systems, a comprehensive National Trade Policy must be developed to complement other domestic policies such as the National Export Strategy, Horizon 2030 and the National Agricultural Policy. The National Trade Policy Framework provides the conduit for the development of the National Trade Policy.

Costa Maya Festival year 2000!

Bahamas National Youth Choir
If you were there, you know what a great show we had! If you missed it, here's a glimpse Bahamas National Youth Choir in Belize. The Bahamas National Youth Choir gave a free performance at Bliss Center for Performing Arts on July 20, as part of its annual tour. The packed house loved the show!

ECLAC team trains Belize public finance managers
Twenty government officials from Belize benefitted from a one week workshop to build capacity in conducting public expenditure reviews (PERs), focusing on applications for education, health, agriculture and social protection. PERs are intended to align expenditures with government's priorities. They are also intended to provide savings, either from expenditure reallocation or by reducing unproductive expenditures. In addition they improve fiscal management and can provide fiscal space especially when a country is experiencing high debt levels. This project complements the recently launched ECLAC proposal for debt for climate adaptation swaps since it is designed to promote fiscal responsibility and build the fiscal resilience of the Caribbean; conditions that are integral to the success of the debt swap proposal.

Miss Hopkins 2016
Friday, July 22. Hopkins Basketball Court

Coconut Recycling Interior Decoration Workshop
After the coconut is well scraped with sand paper and steel brush you do the same with the drift wood. Then, you need to drill the coconut to the drift wood and varnish, wow awesome piece of art! What we do enjoy here at your BHOC is that not only our people come to learn a new skill but also it's that friendly conversation and those stories that takes us back to history and culture, uyyyy "they heard la llorona last night"

Panamanian reggae band Cellula is giving a free concert!
No need to look any further for something to do on Sunday! Your Sunday plan is right here: The Panamanian reggae band Cellula is giving a free concert! Sunday, July 24th at 6 p.m. | Queen Elizabeth Park.

Garifuna Drum Making workshop
Aug 1 - Aug. 4. Summer is winding down nonetheless, we have more summer programs to offer. Coming soon is the Garifuna Drum Making Workshop commencing the first week in August. We are looking for interested and committed individuals because the drums made will be used by the Garifuna Dance group we will form here in Orange Walk Town. Space is limited... sign up NOW!

Dance lessons at Banquitas House of Culture
Were well attended by males n females of all ages. Everyone is enjoying new steps and dances. Thanks to our instructors for having patience.

Staff training at the EducationUSA Advising Center in Mexico City
Our colleagues at the EducationUSA Reference Center in Belize City just returned from a staff training at the EducationUSA Advising Center in Mexico City! During the training, staff got insight into the day-to-day activities of a Reference Center. The Belizean public can now expect greater services such as one-on-one advising, pre-departure orientations, and much more at our EdcuationUSA Reference Center! Appointments can be arranged by calling the center @223-4248/9 or by simply visiting us @ The Leo Bradley Library ,Princess Margaret Drive. Come and let us help you reach your educational goals in the U.S.

Channel 7

Police Foul Up: Theissen's Kidnapper Gets Charged, Gets Free
Last night, we told you about the Mennonite Businessman, Lloyd Thiessen, who returned back to Belize to make a formal complaint against the now infamous William Danny Mason. Now that Mason is in jail, the couple felt secure enough to report to police exactly what they endured, allegedly at the hands of Mason and his associates. As we told you the businessman says that Mason swindled him out of 300 thousand dollars, and when he tried to get him money back, Mason and his associates kidnapped him, threatened him and extorted him. Well, police charged Mason's Ranch Manager, Ryan Rhaburn, and after hours of uncertainty of whether or not they would or wouldn't arraign him they took him to before Magistrate Ladonna John in Belmopan. That arraignment failed twice today, and this afternoon during the second attempt, our newsteam was there to watch it fall apart:

Cops Want To Talk To Mason's Wife
And now Belmopan police are saying that William "Danny" Mason's wife Melissa Ferguson is also wanted for questioning. Police have circulated this ID picture of her and say that she is a person of interest for Belmopan police. Now, her story is also interesting. Ferguson is a Canadian who has also been accused of shady business dealings in her home country - though the website with those allegations has been taken down. Ferguson has a Belizean work permit - which was recently renewed - and a social security card. Her ID says she is 56 and lives at Los Lagos. She was not at the Mason home on Intelco Hill in Belmopan when police searched it earlier this week. William "Danny" Mason who has many aliases also identified himself as William Ferguson.

The Income Tax Five Go To Court
Tonight, 19 year-old Devon Brooks Jr. Seen here in white, 23 year-old David Cruz Jr., seen here in Green, and 33 year-old Richard Hyde, who is the other older man in white, are at the Belize Central Prison after the were arraigned in the Belmopan Magistrate's Court the heist at the Income Tax Department on last week Friday evening, They have been charged with 3 counts of robbery for the almost 30 thousand dollars stolen at gunpoint. Cruz his mother, Stephanie Cruz, and Brooks have been charged with keeping unlicensed ammunition, and keeping an unlicensed firearm for a cop's gun found at their home. Brooks and Cruz are also charged with aggravated assault

MIT Makes Major Weed Bust
2 men were busted with weed after they tried to bribe MIT officers. Last night at around 8:30, Belize City resident Matthew Jason Ruiz stopped at a mile 54 checkpoint on the George Price Highway. Ruiz told the officers that he would "hook them up" if they let him pass through with his weed. These officers didn't fall for it and ordered Ruiz and his passenger Juan Lagos to get out of the car. The officers searched the vehicle and found 55 pounds of weed distributed in 2 sacks. Both Ruiz and Lagos were charged with drug trafficking.

San Pedro Police Get Over A Pound Of Weed At Tropic Air
And San Pedro police also made a weed bust - their one was one and a half pounds, or just under a kilo. Yesterday at noon, special branch and CIB personnel retrieved a suspicious parcel from the Tropic Air Cargo section in San Pedro town. No one was observed going to pick it up, and the parcel was labeled as found property.

Nine Year Old Subjected To Cruel act Of Molestation
Last night we told you about the sickening case of a man who penetrated a 2 year old boy with his finger. Tonight there is another disturbing child abuse case to report where a man forced a 9 year old girl to perform oral sex on him. 28 year old Rashad Arnold was charged with rape today when he appeared before Magistrate Deborah Rogers. No plea was taken because the offense is indictable. He was denied bail and remanded to custody until October 3rd. The incident occurred yesterday and the mother reported that she only became suspicious after she saw both Arnold and her daughter coming out of the bathroom.

Xunantunich, The Mystery Unfolds Part Two
From a sacred burial site to a stone panel; what is the connection between these finds at Xunantunich? Well this part 2 story will unravel that link. The panel was found a week ago in two halves. It is only until the archaeologists shifted the halves in a readable position where they able to decipher the message. Courtney Weatherburne has the story: Hidden beneath the earth, at the foot of the burial site, was the second panel. The first panel was found last month. While that one was intact. This recent stone tablet was found in 2 halves. The first half was found last Monday and a date is inscribed on it, which tells us that this panel and the hieroglyphic stairway that it was once a part of, was built in 642 AD. The other 3 glyphs on this half reflect the 3 deities that oversaw the construction of the stairway.

PUP Says Mark Flowers Must Be Arrested
GSU Commander Superintendent Mark Flowers is under scrutiny tonight, and there had been speculation that he might have been charged today - but, as it turns out the case is not that straightforward. First, the 14 year old girl who has accused him of having sexual relations with her twice in the early part of this year, is pregnant. Sources tell us that Flowers is urging police and the human services department to subject him to a paternity test to prove that he is not the father of the child. Second, sources tell us that there was a prior complaint made by the child saying that he stepfather had fondled her, but that was made in Belmopan, while this complaint was made in the city. Now, both cases are being looked at together. Both incidents are alleged to have occurred at a village in the Cayo district. These factors explain why police are proceeding with caution.

Are PUP Ready To Bell The Campaign Finance Cat?
And while superintendent Flowers is under fire for the complaint of unlawful carnal knowledge that's presently against him, he's also being blazed up on Facebook for being one of the many police and politicians who went on top of Intelco Hill to visit Danny Mason. For sure, Mason was a friendly guy - he loved especially friends in high places in the police department and in Cabinet. As afar as the politicians go the issue is money. Mason seemed to have lost of it, and Frank Pawpa Mena accepted that he got a campaign contribution, while John Saldivar said he got one for his football team. The truth is - that the dirty little secret of modern politics is that campaign financing is a cash business, lots of cash for lots of politicians both red and blue. Yesterday we asked the PUP is they were willing to cut off the hands that also feed them:.. Jules Vasquez: "Very rich criminals launder money through financing. It's a great way to launder money and campaign financing is something that works in cash. Is the PUP prepared to take an ardent and hard line stand on campaign financing? Number one and on two integrity in public life through leading by example and saying here are out published financials; the government won't do it because they are X,Y and Z but we will do it because we are not those things. Thanks"

The Very Few and Very Proud Coast Guard Seals
21 men signed up for the Belize Coast Guard Seals training program this year, but only one made it through the grueling four month course. Today that single seals graduate joins a platoon of coast guard seals- an elite squad of military men who operate as the special forces of the Belize Coast Guard. This year's graduate whose name cannot be revealed for security reasons now joins the squad of elites- whose paramilitary training is enough to measure up to the US Navy Seals. The graduation ceremony this afternoon kicked off in the usual military style as the graduate was joined by members of the B-Sag and the US Navy in simulating a military combat scenario. CDR Elton Bennett - Assistant Commandant, Belize Coast Guard: "What you saw here today is culminations of 4 a month's exercise involving the Belize Coast Guard Seal and we started back in April with 21 potential candidates. During that 4 month period majority of the candidate class dropped out and we are down to one coast guard man who's graduating and be pinned with a coast guard seal trident today. The exercise was very difficult going through different phases of leadership and tactics; land, sea and air operations as you witnessed today so we're very proud of that one individual and it's a programme that we consider to be very important for the coast guard in conducting special operations."

Hoop Dreams Cancun Hat Trick
The Under 20 Hoop Dreams Belize captured the basketball dream this year again for the second consecutive time making it a total of three wins at the annual Copa Cancun basketball tournament. The Belize team faced a lot of formidable competition as it faced off against 6 of the finest under 20 basketball teams in Mexico. But the team pulled off another remarkable victory, bringing home the first place trophy. They were recognized and applauded today by the National Sports Council at brief ceremony inside Rogers's stadium in Belize City. Brads Neal - Coach, Hoop Dreams Belize: "The COPA Cancun tournament is a very fierce tournament. In our category we play which is U-20 none of our players are 18 years old so we are playing like 2 years ahead of our age category but the players basketball IQ their willingness to win, their drive and determination to excel and exceed at that level is innate it's something you see inside of them. We started the tournament very slow we lost our first game and we saw every game progressively the players got better the team got better. Everything that we did we got better at."

BTL Gives To Island Schoolchildren Who Got Burnt Out
About 34 families and more than a hundred people were affected in the fire that gutted nearly a dozen houses in San Pedro town last month. Among those affected were several school children. They lost everything in the fire and were going into the school year empty handed if it weren't for a generous donation from BTL. This morning the company handed over a check for $10 thousand dollars to the Belize Red Cross. These monies will directly assist school children of San Pedro whose belongings were destroyed in the fire. Anwar Barrow - Chairman, BTL Executive Committee: "BTL does a lot of support for the community and different initiatives different organisations throughout the year and when we saw what happened in San Pedro we wanted to be a part of it, we wanted to make a meaningful contribution and so we requested from the board a figure of 10 thousand Belize dollars and we are donating that specifically to help the school children of the victims going back to school in August and September."

Calling All Tunesmiths and Songsters
The annual National Song Competition is just around the corner, but those who want to enter have to do so within the next 24 hours. Yesterday NICH made an appeal to all the tunesmiths and songsters, to please send in their submissions� For the senior category this year, the first place prize is $10,000 dollars, and for the juniors, first place prize is $4,500.

Channel 5

An All Points Bulletin is Issued for Melissa Ferguson, Who is She?
Police have tonight put out an all-points bulletin on Melissa Ferguson, said to be the longtime companion of conman turned alleged kidnapper and murderer William Danny Mason. According to various [...]

Mason's Attorney Questioned on Surveillance Video
News Five learned about that surveillance video on Tuesday, but there was no mention of Melissa Ferguson, just the five men who are now arraigned and behind bars until a [...]

William Mason's Farm Manager also Faces Kidnapping Charges
Canadian Lloyd Friesen, the Mennonite businessman who resided in Cayo until he and his wife were allegedly kidnapped by William Mason at gunpoint, is back in the country and has [...]

Charge Against Ryan Rhaburn is Dismissed
Today, Panton's client, Ryan Rhaburn, literally ran to Panton's vehicle when he was told that he was free to go. Panton says he could have foretold the freedom, though he [...]

Income Tax Robbers are Arraigned for Belmopan Heist
On Friday, at around five-thirty, the Income Tax Department in Belmopan was robbed in quite sensational fashion. According to the facts of the case three men entered the building, two [...]

Campaign Financing, Is it Time to Enact Much Needed Legislation?
William Mason wined, dined and made monetary contributions to U.D.P. ministers. The name of the Minister of National Security, John Saldivar, is popping up everywhere in the saga involving Mason; [...]

Minister of National Security on Anonymous Video
An internet video released on Monday went viral before it was removed on Wednesday. It's from a Facebook user called Anonymous Belize, and it blasts ministers of government over the [...]

P.U.P. Calls for an Investigation of Former GSU Commander
Following an allegation of sexual assault against a minor, Superintendent Mark Flowers has been replaced by Inspector Glenn Caliz as head of the GSU. It all happened while Flowers is [...]

Cordel Hyde Criticizes Decision to Deploy GSU into City Streets
It was made known on Monday by the Minister of National Security that the Gang Suppression Unit has been given a new set of directives to tackle criminal elements in [...]

Additional Police Presence Doesn't Address Root of Crime Situation
In the aftermath of the beheading of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas, Minister Saldivar announced that more police officers are being deployed into the streets of Belize City, in light of the [...]

Taiwanese Ambassador Hands Over $5 Million Check to G.O.B.
Last week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs showed off Villa Fiore, which will serve as the Belize City offices of the Ministry as well as the offices of the Prime [...]

Belize City Men Indicted on Separate Sexual Assault Charges
There are two reports tonight involving the sexual abuse of minors.� The first is a despicable allegation of sexual abuse against a two year old child. The alleged perpetrator is [...]

2 Men are Busted with Fifty-five Pounds of Weed in Roaring Creek
The area of Roaring Creek on the George Price Highway has become a hotbed for crime and illegal activities. On Thursday night, members of M.I.T. were conducting a checkpoint at [...]

Gillnet Fishing Unabated on the Sarstoon River
Despite the presence of Belize Defense Force personnel at the forward operating base near the mouth of the Sarstoon River, enforcement of fisheries regulations does not fall within their purview.� [...]

Coast Guard Graduates One More SEAL Recruit
The training program for the SEALs of the Belize Coast Guard is one of the most intensive and rigorous. Many begin but only the fittest see the program to completion.� [...]

Yadira Argueta to Compete in 2016 Costa Maya Pageant
The 2016 La Reina De La Costa Maya Pageant will be held on August fourth on La Isla Bonita San Pedro. Seven delegates from all Central American countries and Mexico [...]

Miss Belize Pageant to be Held on Tenth of September
Meanwhile Belizeans across the Jewel are anxiously anticipating the Miss Belize pageant which will be held on September tenth.� The pageant takes place at the Bliss Center for the Performing [...]

A House Collapses with an Elderly Couple
An elderly couple in Belize City is facing challenging times. They are both unemployed and one is disabled making their life even more difficult. Adela Tablada and Wilfred Hamilton have [...]

A Mother of Seven Needs Your Help to Cover Cost of Heart Surgery
Thirty-nine year old Deborah Frazer is also asking for assistance. In April of this year, the mother of seven children was diagnosed with a heart condition and is in need [...]

Bahamian Youth Choir Tours Belize with Carnival Cruise Lines
The Bahamian National Youth Choir annually partners with the Carnival Cruise Line for a tour of the region; from the Bahamas the group would board a ship and travel to [...]

CTV3

BSCFA Demands Revision Of Estimated Second Payment To Cane Farmers
The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association is in disagreement with BSI/ASR when it comes to the sharing of loss in revenues as a consequence of the first Maillards Reaction experienced by the Sugar Mill damaging some 3,900 tons of molasses. Three thousand nine hundred tons of damaged molasses translates to a financial loss of $432,666 which BSI has included in its estimated cane price for the second payment resulting in farmers paying 65% of the loss and BSI 35%, according to the BSCFA. This means that instead of receiving $48.30�..the initial estimated second payment�.cane farmers will get $48.08 a difference of 22 cents per ton of cane. And for the BSCFA, this is unacceptable says the CEO of the association Oscar Alonso since cane farmers are the ones who will feel the brunt of the loss and the commercial agreement does not provide for the inclusion of such loss of molasses in the calculation of the cane price to be paid to cane farmers.

Cane Belongs To BSI...They Should Absorb Revenue Loss From Damaged Molasses, Says Mai
While it is left to be seen if BSCFA's demands will be met, primarily the one made for the estimated average price for the second payment to be revised, there are those who are already siding with the association. According to Orange Walk South's Area Representative, Jose Abelardo Mai, who is also a cane farmer, says farmers should not absorb not one cent of the loss revenue since the commercial agreement stipulates that the moment the cane is weighed and ticketed at the factory scales it belongs to BSI. Honorable Jose Abelardo Mai - Area Representative Orange Walk South: "I don't agree with that, first and foremost the molasses had already been processed in tanks it is there responsibility, we signed an agreement with them that once that sugar cane reaches the scale it belongs to BSI, it is their responsibility, they have to pay me for it."

O/W Cops Remove Firearm Off The Streets
Orange Walk police have removed another unlicensed firearm from the streets of our town. The .357 Special Revolver with serial number 09972D with marking GUA was recovered on Wednesday around 1:00 in the afternoon during a search operation on Trinidad Street in Orange Walk. Since no one was in the area at the time of the discovery, the firearm was labelled and deposited as found property.

Intensive Manhunt Launched For Mason's Girlfriend
The Belize Police Department has launched an intensive manhunt for 48 year old, Melissa Ferguson, the female companion of accused murderer and kidnapper William Danny Masson. According to reports, Ferguson was last seen leaving Mason's Outback Ranch at Mile 31 on Tuesday but police believe that she is still in Belize. Reports are that the interest of police in Ferguson arouse after she was seen in surveillance video playing a vital role in the death of Pastor Lucas. An international warrant for Ferguson's arrest is expected to be issued.

PUP Says GOB's Tactics To Combat Crime Has Failed Chat Conversation End
Following the increase of violent crimes in our country for the first half of 2016 with the most recent being the brutal murder and decapitation of Dangriga Pastor Llewellyn Lucas over the weekend, national security minister John Saldivar unveiled a new plan to fight gang related crime in Belize, during a press conference held on Monday in Belize city. The new strategy proposed by Minister Saldivar includes putting even more boots on the ground, and giving the much-criticized GSU the go ahead to crack down on gangs within the city. During yesterday's press conference held by the PUP in Belize City, the party's Deputy Leader Cordel Hyde criticized the Minister's new approach stating that, that is not the way to go.

San Felipe Village Council Sworn In
On Sunday July 10th, 2016, the residents of San Felipe Village here in the Orange Walk District elected a split village council to undertake the responsibilities of the entire community. The newly elected PUP chairman along with four PUP and two UDP councillors were officially sworn in today at the village in the presence of the Rural Development Officer along with a Justice of the Peace. And of course, a new council means that there are definitely new plans on the agenda. Margarito Andrades - Chairman, San Felipe: "El plan es para trabajar unidos con el pueblo para hacer proyectos para que tengamos a los j�venes activos en el deporte y para ver de la limpieza de las esquinas de la comunidad porque estamos viendo que est� muy sucio el aldea y tenemos el plan de qu� y vamos a trabajar y buscar formas para conseguir un dump site apropiado para la aldea y hacer fajinas de vez en cuando para que tengamos una aldea m�s limpio de que lo estamos viendo ahorita y otra cosa es el cementerio porque el domingo pasado nos unimos juntamente con unos j�venes de la iglesia cat�lica, unidos con el concilio aldeano nos fuimos a limpiar e hicimos bastantes y eso son los proyectos que tenemos en plan y quisiera que con la ayuda de la gente."

More Grants From Taiwan
The Government of Belize today received a total of 5 million US dollars from the republic of China, Taiwan under the Bilateral Cooperation Program between both countries. The cheque handed over to PM Barrow by His Excellency Benjamin Ho, Ambassador of the Republic of Taiwan is to be used in the overall development of Belize, particularly in the development of transportation infrastructure. The Government of Belize will use the funds to cover a part of the expenditures on key infrastructure projects, including the Belize City Southside Poverty Alleviation Project Phase II, the extension of the Southern Highway - Golden Stream, Jalacte to the Guatemalan Border in the Toledo District, and for the Santa Elena/San Ignacio Downtown Bypass Road Project.

Calling all Orange Walkenos...District Team Needs Your Help
On Monday we told you about the selection process for the under seventeen football tournament that is being carried out by the Orange Walk football federation in collaboration with the Orange Walk national football team. The Orange Walk selection is being trained to play in a national tournament where football teams from across the country will face off in hope of being drafted by the FFB to represent the country in a football match that will take place in November in Costa Rica. Today we visited the training camp where Alvaro Marin, member of the new Orange Walk football federation spoke to us about the progress of the players since the beginning of their training.

LOVE FM

PM Barrow speaks on allege government corruption
Corruption in the Government is being cited as the reason for William Mason to be in possession of a Belizean birth certificate as was uncovered earlier this week. Prime Minister Dean Barrow spoke on the issue of the vital statistics document and the way forward. "On the basis of a false birth certificate Immigration has [�]

Belize Coast Guard Conducts Passing Out Ceremony
The Navy Seals of the Belize Coast Guard has one new member today after he turned out to be the sole survivor in the seals training. Initially twenty one candidates were recruited but after the four month training period, only one recruit made it. Vice Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard, Elton Bennett spoke about [�]

Cane Farmers should Not Bear Loss For Spoil Molasses Says BSCFA
Yesterday BSI/ASSR held a meeting at the conference room of Belize Sugar Industries Ltd in Orange Walk Town to present to stakeholders the results of the investigation on the loss of molasses due to what is referred to as the Millaird Reaction. BSI/ASSR estimates that as a result of the Millaird reaction and due to [�]

There's No Interference For Belizeans To Navigate The Sarstoon River
With other burning issues at the forefront the Belize Guatemala matter had been placed on the back burner. With the Prime Minister appearing as a guest on The Morning Show, we asked him to update us on the current status of the matter. "Well as far as I know our people are now going up [�]

One Person Arraigned For Kidnapping of Businessman Lloyd Theissen
Ryan Rhaburn was arraigned in the Belmopan Magistrate's court today for reportedly being involved in the kidnapping of Lloyd Thiessen and his wife. The kidnapping occurred about two months ago and is suspected to be spearheaded by William Mason after a business deal between them went south. Herbert Panton who is the attorney for Mason [�]

Four Persons, Including One Woman, Charged For Belmopan Income Tax Robbery
Four persons were arraigned this afternoon in the Belmopan's Magistrates Court in connection with the armed robbery of the Income Tax Department in Belmopan on Friday, July 15. In that robbery just under thirty thousand dollars were taken. Leeroy Banner is the attorney for one of the alleged culprits, Ixchel Tablada. Banner spoke to the [�]

PlusTV

PUP calls for removal of Minister of National security
The People's united party today hosted a press conference in Belize City where they discussed the sensational and gruesome murder of Pastor Llewelyn Lucas, allegedly at the hands of a high rolling friend of several high ranking individuals. The Minister of National Security and Belmopan Area represe...

MENA GOT CAMPAIGN FINANCING FROM MASON
The allegations of area representatives and ministers being wined and dined by Mason makes for some very bad optics , according the Prime Minister, and he says they will have to deal with that. The Prime Minister almost bristled at the allegation made by the PUP at a press conference today that it w...

Income Tax robbers caught and to be charged
Belmopan Police are in the process of putting together charge sheets for several persons involved in the Income Tax robbery that happened in the capital city last Friday evening. As we reported, three male persons entered the building, two of whom were dressed in camouflage clothing. The security g...

Prime Minister says cabinet ministers had no suspicious involvement with William Mason
Prime Minister Dean Barrow, in a rare media visit, was guest on Love FM's morning show on Wednesday morning and spoke about several issues, pressing among them is the murder of Llewelyn Lucas at the hands of William Mason who seemed to have developed relationships with several members of cabinet. Pr...

Police recover video evidence in Llewleyn Lucas' decapitation murder case
The investigation into the murder of Llewelyn Lucas continues and police today revealed that they have gathered video evidence. As the country knows by now, Lucas' head was found in the back of a pickup truck belonging to Mason Williams, a Guyanese born Canadian national who mysteriously owns a Be...

Luis Kerr charged for attempted murder of Clifford Anderson
12 days after his being shot and still clinging to life, police have charged the man they believe shot Clifford Anderson, 26, on July 8. 24 year old Luis Kerr a labourer of Fabers Road, Belize City, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann-Marie Smith on charges of attempted murder, dangerous harm and u...

BSCFA held a meeting due to the loss of Molasses
The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association , at a meeting held on Wednesday, was presented with BSI's results of its investigations on the loss of molasses due to Maillard Reactionand the cane price estimate for the second payment to cane farmers. In its press release, BSI had said that "the Maillard...

National Garifuna Council demands justice for Llewelyn Lucas
The National Garifuna Council has also spoken on the issue saying that it extends condolences to the family and friends of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas in this time of bereavement. NGC says it is saddened by "..this gruesome act, not just to one of our very own, but to one of God's creation. This i...

H. E. Benjamin Ho, the Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Presents a Grant of US$ 5.0 million to Government of Belize
On Wednesday July 20, His Excellency Benjamin Ho, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) presented a cheque in the sum of Five Million US Dollars to the Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development of Belize . The cheque is the grant from the Republic of Ch...


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The Guardian

William Mason and 4 others in prison for the murder of Llewellyn Lucas
After 2 arraignments, done on 2 separate days, accused murderers/kidnappers William Mason, Ashton Vanegas, Keron Fernandez, Terrence Fernandez, and Ernest Castillo are all at the Belize Central Prison. These men are charged with the kidnapping of 3 persons, including, Pastor Llewelyn Lucas, and they've also been charged with Lucas' beheading murder. Police say that they have quite an arsenal of evidence against all 5 men to prove that they are the ones who committed this heinous crime. Those evidence include the head of the victim, found in William Mason's vehicle on Friday night, July 15; the burnt remains believed to be Lucas' body on Mason's farm property near La Democracia, found a few hours later; the knife the cops believe to be the murder weapon found on the farm, found in less than 2 days; video evidence showing the moment when the three men were taken and duck-taped and blind folded and a written statement from an alleged kidnap victim who explained in detail that he, Pastor Lucas, and another man went to Mason's home in Belmopan on Friday, and that's where they were kidnapped.

Who is collecting on behalf of Ashcroft in Belize?
When we saw Eamon Courtenay on July 6 complaining bitterly that the Prime Minister took too long to settle the BTL matter, we noticed that he was so irate that it appeared to us that he was about to cry... and we almost felt his pain. And we say almost because his pain was one that was fake. You see, Courtenay was one of Ashcroft's attorneys and one who has been handsomely compensated. For him the settlement arrived at was not a good thing. The longer the case dragged on, the longer he would have been collecting legal fees. The Prime Minister, settling meant the end of his legal run. Or so we thought. The gravy train apparently continues for him. The Guardian has received copies of two transfers made by the Central Bank to the Belize Bank. The first dated July 13, 2016 transferred of BZD $33,039,412.03 to account number 311204 in the Belize Bank "For further credit to Courtenay Coye LLP A/C No. 69512" held with the Belize Bank for "50% Compensation and Interest due to BTL Employees Trust."

Llewellyn Lucas' final moments caught on tape
Acting commissioner of Police, Russell Blackett has confirmed to the media that the police have in their possession surveillance video footage which shows the pastor Llewellyn Lucas' final hours alive. He would not go into detail as to what exactly the video shows but the Guardian Newspaper understands that the video actually shows the exact moment when Lucas was taken by his killers. The video which was taken from William Mason, AKA Ted Ouellette's home on Intelco Hill in Belmopan reportedly shows Lucas and two other men, presumably Mennonites arriving at the house at around 1p.m on Friday July 15. Thereafter the two Mennonites were taken into a room outside of surveillance range in the lower portion of the house. There is no video of what took place inside but the men were kept there for about half an hour.

Olive branch withdrawn: Gang Suppression Unit Unleashed in Belize City
The Gang Suppression Unit is now like that infamous bat vigilante from Gotham. They are not the heroes we want right now, but after all the good intention initiatives of ACP Chester Williams have failed to soften the hearts of the Belize City criminal minds, the GSU may be the heroes this city deserves. There have been 17 murders in Belize City since April and 17 non-fatal shooting incidents over that same span. The city is hot! The Ministry of National Security has been left with no choice. On Monday, July 18, the underground holding facility was opened and Belize's most highly trained, highly paid and highly feared crime fighting unit was unleashed on the blood thirsty gangsters of Belize City. "The mandate of the Gang Suppression Unit has been renewed," says Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of National Security, "to deal firmly and swiftly with gang leaders and members to bring them to justice, remove them from our neighbourhoods and communities and place them in jail and from being able to influence an entice our youth into a life of crime."

Upgrade to Hattieville barracks
After almost 2 years of planning and budgeting, Hattieville Police have a brand new police barracks to house the officers attached to that station. The building was officially inaugurated on Wednesday, July 20, by Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of National Security; Acting Police Commissioner Russell Blackett; and Assistant Police Commissioner Edward Broaster, and the officers from the station who will make use of it. The new barracks is part of a strategy by the National Security Ministry to improve the housing that officers use while being stationed far away from their homes and families. Readers may remember that since last year, the Government had been working to secure a loan from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI). The National Security Ministry intends to use a portion of that loan to make much needed upgrades to police barracks all over the country.

Economic advice from an economic dunce!
On Sunday last we had the unfortunate experience of reading an article that had been posted on the Breaking Belize News Facebook blog . What caught our attention was that the author of the article appearing on the blog was not written by a regular journalist. It was written by one Richard Harrison. We know of only one person with that name in Belize. That person is a failed businessman/politician who was beaten so badly that his party perhaps dumped him the day after the election. He was not even given a chance to go back and say thanks to those persons. Had he gone to do so he would have met up on the streets with the new candidate who had replaced him.

Main points of the BTL Accommodation Agreement Signed between Belize Telecommunications Limited and Said Musa on September 19th 2005
� The Musa administration sold properties to the tune of 19.2 million dollars to BTL. These properties formed part of the Intelco Company and included properties at the Burrell Boom Junction with the Northern Highway and properties in San Ignacio. � Under that agreement no persons other than BTL and Speednet Communications Limited would have or be granted any authority, permit or license in Belize to legally participate in the telecommunications business. � No one other than BTL had the right to operate any kind of telecommunication services in Belize. � BTL was given right to charge customers rates which would enable BTL to make its minimum rate of return of 15% per year � BTL was given the right to make payments for management services in a foreign currency without restrictions, and taxes. � BTL was given right to make foreign currency payments on dividends and interest on debt without incurring taxes. � GOB was to have the Belize Social Security Board withdraw Case No. 557/2002 against BTL (it is not yet clear which case this is).

Clean your house before you worry about others'
Why is it that the zinc fence feels that they have a monopoly on intelligence so much so that they are the only ones capable of addressing the country's short comings? They can see all the problems but have no solutions. They are the constant noise makers in the market. This is why Sagis took them to court, cause they were busy making noise in the market instead of checking their change. Now they can't run a newspaper and want to be the voice of the country. Instead of 89 paying attention to who the eat what, maybe he needs to be reminded of the trail of mismanagement he left before being fired as Chairman of UB. The loans from Atlantic Bank squandered on computers that never saw the inside of UB. He should be reminded of an article in the PULSE news paper of the past to which he responded on the mismanagement and misspending of UB funds.

PRESS RELEASE
Yesterday I informed my cabinet colleagues that over one year ago, in the last bye election season, I received a campaign contribution from a businessman I knew as Danny Mason. In the interest of full disclosure, I would like to inform the public at large that about a year and a half ago I met Mr. Danny Mason through Dr. Henry Canton when he visited Dangriga expressing interest in the Commerce Bight Port. I was later taken to his residence prior to the bye-election by Minister John Saldivar. Mr. Danny Mason, who was presented to me as a businessman, contributed $10,000 to my campaign. At no time did I promise to offer any special services or access by virtue of my position to Mr. Mason.

Sick and Cold blooded for posting Lucas' head on Facebook
On Saturday last week most of us got up to the news that the head of a man was found in the possession of a Canadian man . We later found out that the murdered person was Pastor Llewellyn Lucas. Now it is not the first time that a head or any other body part of a murdered persons has been found in Belize, so for many of us the original shock soon wore off. We may have reacted in the manner in which we reacted to two murders out west where dismembered bodies were found in Roaring Creek village. Persons perhaps said, hopefully the police will solve this one so that justice is served and the family has closure, so let me leave that and get on with my Saturday chores.

Nothing sweet about molasses this year
The stakeholders in the Sugar Cane Industry lost a total of 3,900 tonnes of molasses last week which went bad, and that's a total value of almost 433 thousand dollars. The farmers which make up the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) say that the millers, Belize Sugar Industries Limited (BSI), and its majority shareholder, American Sugar Refineries (ASR), should bear the costs of the losses, not the farmers. A press release from the BSCFA says that on Wednesday, their representatives, along with members of the Corozal Sugar Cane Producers Association, and the Progressive Sugar Cane Producers Association sat down for a meeting with BSI officials, the Sugar Cane Production Committee, the Sugar Industry Control Board, and the Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute.

Ronlee Petillo back to prison on murder charge
Ronlee Petillo, 28, hit the streets on June 17, 2016, after being on remand for murder at the Belize Central Prison since 2011. Now he is back in jail after police charged him for yet another murder. According to police, Petillo was only able to be out of prison for 22 days this time before he killed again. Roger Banner, a 29-year-old resident of Roaring Creek, was murdered on Saturday, July 9, at around 9:15 p.m. as he was socializing with his girlfriend on West Canal. Three men walked up to Banner; one of them pulled out a gun and fired multiple shots at him. Banner was hit several times with one of the bullets entering his head. He died on the spot. It is believed that he was executed as a result of him owing for drugs.

Presidente beer heist in Cayo
Bunty Mulchandani, a 25 year old Indian Sales Manager for RC Imports of Belize City reported that on May 6, 2016 he had sent an order of 50 cases of Presidente Beers to Wing Sing Chinese Store situated on Buena Vista Street, San Ignacio Town, Cayo District with the company delivery truck. On July 4, 2016 he visited Wing Sing Chinese store to collect for the 50 cases of Presidente Beers, but was only paid for 30 and was informed by the proprietor that the company (RC Imports) merchandiser Mr. Elton Clifton Martinez of Esperanza Village, Cayo district, had arrived and taken 20 cases of Presidente Beers when it arrived at the store; leaving the 30 cases which he was being paid for. Complainant has stated that he had not given Martinez any permission to remove the 20 cases of beer from the Wing Sing store. The value of the missing beers is $1,080.00 Belize currency. San Ignacio Police are seeking Elton Martinez for the crime of theft.

When you learn the true identity of a con-man
William Mason has never committed a crime before, neither has Danny Mason. The records of these men are spotless. They are polite, engaging and very welcoming. Danny is always ready to support a worthy cause and William is always ready to volunteer his time for community service. Once you get to meet William or Danny, you can't wait to introduce your friends to them because they make you feel like family and their home becomes your home. Better friends do not exist. They are brilliant and successful businessmen who are quick to share their secrets so you too can profit from an emerging market. They can link you with opportunities in the medical field. They can make real estate arrangements. They have farm lands available for sale. They are even experts at international trading. You begin to think "I am glad I met this man".

Dirty then... Dirty now...
In 1985 the late Elijio Brice�o was arrested and charged for drug trafficking in Florida. He was later found guilty and served time in a US Prison. The late Brice�o at the time of carrying on his drug enterprise was a Minister of Government in Belize. He utilized his ministerial powers to commandeer air strips in Belize to conduct his illegal business. The late Brice�o went on to amass serious wealth in Belize. How much of it can be attributed to drug activity versus legal activity is difficult to differentiate. In the United States, once a person mixes dirty money with clean money, everything becomes dirty. That individual's banking privileges would be revoked and all funds seized. If the funds are dirty at the source, no amount of washing can make it legitimate. If it's dirty at the beginning, it remains dirty at the end. The late Brice�o on release from US prison came home to a hero's welcome. Should not this man have been arrested and charged for abuse of his office and drug trafficking locally also? Instead he was allowed to keep the benefits of his ill gotten financial gains and material wealth. Today, whatever moneys he may have left in our banking system is still dirty.

GST and the IMF Pressure
Some quarters of the media have been touting the IMF's recommendation that GST be increased from 12.5% to 15%. This may have been done with the intention to create alarm within the public. It is general knowledge that this recommendation is not one that sits well with the political directorate. The Prime Minister has always bucked the IMF when it comes to the suggestion of any increase, or introduction of new taxes. He has remained true to his promise to, in whatever way possible, lessen the cost of living for the Belizean public. To demonstrate his commitment, he has increased the quantity of zero rated items. That is, he has removed the 12.5% GST from those basic items that impacts the quality of life. Such items as washing machines and refrigerators that were taxable under the PUP administration are now zero rated. He has taken heat from the IMF for this. The IMF would like for there to be no zero rated items.

Mexican expert for independent report on events in the Belize - Guatemala Adjacency Zone
The Embassy of M�xico to Belize informs that at the request of the governments of Belize and Guatemala, Luis Almagro, Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), undertook to deploy a team of experts with the purpose of integrating an independent report on the incident of April 20th, 2016, in which a Guatemalan minor Julio Ren� Alvarado Ruano died, and his father and brother were injured. The independent commission will consist of specialists in the fields of criminal investigation, legal (criminal law) and forensic affairs, with knowledge of the mandates of the OAS and fluency in English and Spanish, will have duration of approximately two weeks. However, depending on the circumstances, it might be considered to have a complementary mission of two additional weeks.

From leading newspaper to tabloid
A tabloid is a newspaper, typically popular in style and dominated by headlines, photographs, and sensational stories. It now seems like the Amandala has joined the ranks of publications such as the Enquirer, Sun, Daily Mirror, News of the World, Globe and Daily Star. The Amandala surely is the most widely circulated Newspaper in the country and claims to be an INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER' so as such they owe it to their readers/customers/BOSSES to be fair, truthful and precise in it's reporting of all stories. There should be no room for gossip, innuendos, lies, one-sided stories and POLITICAL MISCHIEF, in it's reporting. People spend their hard earned money to buy the Amandala newspaper and expect that the information contained in the newspaper is credible. Before it is said that we should not be criticizing, because we are a POLITICAL ORGAN let us say that we don't spread lies and half truths. Last weekend's issue of the Amandala carried a story entitled "Village Council results - UDP on top. The story was written by a POLITICAL REJECT one Micah Gooding. The fact that Micah had written the article was already an indication that the article could lack veracity. That was exactly what it turned out to be in the end. One huge pack of outright lies mixed with some half truth and a few dashes of the truth.

Bulgarians say they don't understand why they are being taken to court after being convicted
In May of this year, two Bulgarian nationals who were caught stealing from the Belize Bank ATM through a fraudulent scheme continue to be brought before the court after an application was made to confiscate their personal belongings. These include cash, a car and other items which were taken from them by police during their investigation. The two appeared again on Tuesday before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser where they questioned the purpose of their having to constantly visit the court even after being convicted on May 20 when they were sentence to 12 months for 18 counts of theft from the bank. 28 year old Jeorji Petrov, and 25 year old Halid Yuksel Aptula were brought down from prison on Tuesday, the second time since last week for an application of forfeiting of their personal belongings that remain in police custody since the conclusion of their criminal case for theft.

Luis Carter arraigned for San Pedro shooting
San Padro resident Luis Carter, 23, is at the Belize Central Prison on remand after he was arraigned before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser for one count of attempted murder, one count of use of deadly means of harm and one count of dangerous harm with a deadly weapon upon Dwayne Hyde, 30. He was additionally charged with one count of aggravated assault with a firearm upon Hyde's common-law wife, Kimberly Humes. According to reports, just after midnight on Wednesday morning, July 13, Hyde was followed by three men to his house in the Escalante Division of the D.F.C. area on the island. He made it home and his common-law-wife, Humes, opened the door for him. At this time, one of the men he identified as "Wizz", or Luis Carter, entered the yard and the two got into a tussle. During the exchange, Wizz was stabbed three times: once to the neck, mouth and abdomen. During the struggle he shot Hyde once to the abdomen and threatened Humes with the gun.

Ladyville's "Celina's" family arrested for crack cocaine
Four members of the Celina's family of the Ladyville area were dragged to court along with five friends on Monday, July 18, after the Gang Suppression Unit found 6 grams of crack cocaine in their yard during a search on Sunday, July 17. Elcelena Tulcey, 39, her brother, Amilcar Tulcey, 36, and two minor daughters, 14 and 17, were charged along with Messalina Garcia, 39, Danielle Gabourel, 26, Tanisha Gabourel, 30, James Lozano, 18, and Ceylon Foreman. According to GSU officers, at around 8:45 p.m. on Sunday, July 17, a team visited the home of Elcelena Tulcey based on intelligence that they were in possession of guns and ammunitions. When the officers entered the house, the owner of the house ran towards a room. It was the bathroom and she told the police officers that her minor daughter was inside using the facility. After the child exited the bathroom with her mother, the GSU officers began to search inside the bathroom.

Elroy Hemmans Jr accused of robbing bus conductor
Elroy Goldburn Hemmans Jr, 35, is in trouble after he was arraigned for allegedly robbing a bus conductor, Samir Martinez, of $300 inside the Belize City bus terminal on Tuesday, July 12. Hemmans appeared before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser on Thursday, July 14, and pleaded not guilty to a single charge of robbery. He told the Senior Magistrate that he is innocent of the allegations and that he can explain what happened. According to Hemmans, while riding the bus with his girlfriend they met a young man who began to insult them when he was short by one dollar for the trip. He said the man called the driver and they came at him with a broom stick so he started to run. That was when officers of the Strike Team detained him outside the terminal, said Hemmans.

Three robbers storm into Tax Building in Belmopan
Belize's police are now seeking one main suspect in the robbery of the Income Tax Department in Belmopan, which occurred at about 5:50 pm last Friday. Police are also now analyzing video from surveillance cameras taken while the crime was committed. About three gun men, dressed in what appeared to be imported tactical uniforms as those used by the MIT and GSU, stormed into the tax building. The criminals then proceeded to steal $29,000.00 from the tax office. Police responded to the call for help on Friday and found a police officer tied up along with other members of the office. Police are exploring all angles to find out the identity of the robbers.

Luis Kerr arraigned for Pen Road shooting
Police have finally made an arrest for a shooting that occurred on the night of Friday, July 8, near the Pen Road basketball court. In a report to police, Clifford Anderson, 26, said that at around 10:30 p.m. he was walking through an alley near the basketball court when he was approached by a lone gunman who fired several shots at him. He was hit in the lower back and the bullet caused damages to his internal organs. Anderson had to undergo life saving surgery and was in a critical condition at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital for days. He has still not recovered but is doing better. The man police say was the trigger man that night is 24-year-old Luis Kerr. He was detained by police and arraigned before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith on Wednesday, July 20. Kerr was unrepresented when he appeared in court and was read three indictable offenses of attempted murder, dangerous harm and use of deadly means of harm with a firearm upon Clifford Anderson. Due to the nature of the offenses, no plea was taken and bail could not be granted to Kerr.

Mentally challenge man gets 8 years for manslaughter
A mentally challenged resident of Punta Gorda Town, David Ortiz, 25, is spending the first nights of an 8 year sentence behind bars after he accepted a plea deal for killing his stepfather in March of 2014. Ortiz was initially charged with the murder of his stepfather, David Benguche, 69. Allegations are that on March 27, 2014, without being provoked, Ortiz grabbed a knife and stabbed his stepfather twice to the upper part of the left shoulder which led to his death. Ortiz has been on remand since the incident occurred. On Tuesday, July 19, Ortiz appeared before Justice Denis S. Hanomansingh in the Dangriga Supreme Court to be tried by Judge without jury. Ortiz was represented by attorney Leeroy Banner and the prosecutor in the case, Crown Counsel Cecil Ramirez, offered a plea deal for the lesser charge to murder, being manslaughter. This was accepted by the defense and Ortiz pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter.

Pregnant woman remanded for stabbing boyfriend
An expecting mother is at the Belize Central Prison on remand after she was arraigned for stabbing her common-law-husband in the chest. Double Head Cabbage Village resident Jordan Jones, 26, reported to Ladyville Police that on May 29 of this year, his girlfriend, Ernestine Noralez, 21, stabbed him once to the left side of the chest. The blade went near the heart and almost killed him. He was admitted to ward for a whole week of medical treatment. As a result of the report, Noralez was arrested and charged with three indictable offenses: attempted murder, use of deadly means of harm and dangerous harm.

Police officer charged for shooting Nigel Castillo
Police Constable Wallace Meighan, 19, has been charged along with Travaun Chee, 21, for attempted murder, dangerous harm and use of deadly means of harm with a firearm upon Nigel Castillo, 29, for an incident that occurred on Thursday, July 14. Castillo reported to police that he was at the basketball court located behind the Charles Barlett Hyde Building at around 9 p.m. on Thursday when he was targeted by gunmen. Castillo was shot once to the lower abdomen. When police responded to the scene of the shooting, they found Castillo bleeding from his injury and immediately rushed him to the KHMH for treatment. Police investigations later led to the recovery of a pair of firearms and the arrest of PC Meighan and Chee. The shooting is believed to have been triggered by an altercation that took place on the basketball court earlier that night.

Roland Rivers walks from drug charges
Roland Raheem Rivers, 34, is free from drug charges after the prosecution failed to present him with disclosure in time for trial on Thursday, July 14. Rivers was arrested and charged with drug trafficking after he escaped a potentially fatal traffic accident on February 5. He crashed a Ford Escape into a tree near mile 16 on the Phillip Goldson Highway just after noon on Friday, February 5. The vehicle was extensively damaged and Rivers suffered from minor injuries. He has since been treated and released from the Karl Heusner Memorial but that was only the start of the trouble for Rivers.

Belize Coast Guard to play Belmopan Lightning Strikers for WestLine Female Football title
The WestLine Female Football competition will come to an end on Sunday 24th July, 2016, out at the Norman Broaster Stadium in San Ignacio Town with the third place and championship games. In the third place game scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Real West Strikers will be going up against the Belmopan Lucky Strikers and this will be followed at 3:00 p.m. with the championship game that will feature the Belize Coast Guard against the Belmopan Lightning Strikers. On Sunday 17th July in the semi-final round, in game one, Belize Coast Guard defeated Real West Strikers by the score of 3-1 to advance to the championship round. The goals for the Belize Coast Guard were scored by Nataki Alvarez in the 9th and 35th minutes of play and Ingrid Campos in the 29th minute of play. Meanwhile, the only goal of the game for Real West Strikers was scored by Tiffany Gonzalez in the 63rd minute of play.

Belize City Council Dragons stop Infotel in Firms Basketball Competition
The Belize District Basketball Association Firms' Competition continued over the last week with a number of games on the schedule. On Friday 15th July, in the first of two games played, the Belize City Council stopped the high flying Infotel by the score of 80-74 to improve to a 4-2 record. The top scorers for the Belize City Council Dragons were Andrew Vasquez who scored 21 points, he also grabbed 5 rebounds, dished out 2 assists and had 3 steals; Sydney Bradley who contributed 15 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals and Gabriel Taylor who scored 12 points, 6 rebounds and a steal towards the win. For the Infotel squad, the top scorers were Elvis Olivera with 38 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals and Earl Johnson who contributed 14 points, while grabbing 9 rebounds, along with 4 assists and a steal in a losing effort.

Belize Athletics Association to hold National Championship
The Belize Athletics Association invites all athletes and track enthusiasts once again to be a part of a National Track and Field Championship event. The event will be held at the Marion Jones Sports Complex on the 30th -31st July, 2016. All athletes 16 years and older can participate in the events. Registration forms can be obtained from and returned to the BAA via email ( [email protected]) or from our Facebook page (Belize Athletics Association). Cost of registration is $10.00 per athlete. Events will include: 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 4x100m, 4x400m, Long Jump, Triple Jump, High Jump, Javelin, Shot put, Discus.

Sittee River Lucky Stars and Silk Grass Royale Girls wins in Stann Creek Softball
The Stann Creek Softball Association 2016 Senior Female competition continued over the weekend with games in Independence. In the first game played, Sittee River Lucky Stars defeated Hopkins Beach Girls by the score of 21-10. The winning pitcher was Pinky Andrews and the losing pitcher was Delane Aranda. And in the second game of the day, Silk Grass Royale Girls defeated Seine Bight Flames by the score of 19-4. The winning pitcher was Sandy Depaz and the losing pitcher was Shannon Augustine. The competition will continue this Sunday 24th July at 3:30 pm in Seine Bight village between Independence United and Seine Bight Flames.

Belize Softball Federation to hold Umpires Training
The Belize Softball Federation has announced that it will be holding an Umpires Training for intermediate and advance umpires from August 4-8, 2016. The Training will be conducted by the Chief Umpire of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Softball Division Robert Stanton and will include both theoretical and practical work. The federation envision that this will be the spring board for umpires who have been involved in the game at the advance level for the past five years to move towards the International Certification for Umpires. The Federation is making an appeal to holders of a high school diploma, Associate Degree, or any higher degrees or teachers to make use of this opportunity to becoming a certified umpire.

Leandra Guy spun shut out over Esperanza Wolverines
The Cayo Softball Association 2016 Senior Female Competition continued on Sunday 17th July with three games on the schedule out at the Raymond Garbutt Sr. Softball pitch in Roaring Creek Village. In the first game played, the defending Cayo champions the Roaring Creek Grace Kennedy team behind the steady pitching of its ace pitcher Leandra Guy who spun a shut out win over the Esperanza Wolverines by the score of 7-0. The losing pitcher was Olivia Miralda. In the second game of the day, Camalote won over the Belmopan Capital City Emeralds by the score of 6-4. The winning pitcher was Tiara Bradley and the losing pitcher was Dominga Tut.

Murder in San Ignacio
A 33 year old construction worker in San Ignacio has died after an argument. On Monday July 18th 2016 about 6:50 pm upon information received, San Ignacio Police visited Floyd Moro Street, on the Santiago Juan Layout, San Ignacio Town, Cayo District, where they saw the lifeless body of a male Hispanic dressed in a blue shirt and blue dickies 3/4 short pants lying face up in a pool of blood on the dirt road. Initial investigation reveals that the deceased Edilberto Morales, a Belizean construction worker of Kontiki Extension, San Ignacio Town, was in the company of one of his friends walking along the street when they were involved in an argument with another male person from the same area. This male person then inflicted stab wounds to the deceased. During the confrontation between the suspect and the deceased, the deceased's friend was also injured to the head and forehead as he tried to assist his friend.

Young girl in Cayo missing over Facebook
Rosa Mendez, a 43 year old Belizean domestic of Branch Mouth Road San Ignacio Town reported that on July 18, 2016 about 5:00 pm she was home along with her three daughters when an argument started between her and her daughter, Tishany Bradley. The 14 year old Belizean is a student at Mopan Technical High and the argument was over the social media phenomenon, known as facebook. Tishany Bradley got upset and walked out of the house and has not returned. She was wearing a short jeans pants, pink sleeveless blouse and blue sandals at the time. She is of fair complexion, has curly hair is about 5 feet 5 inches in height and weighs about 120 pounds. Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Tishany Bradley is asked to contact the nearest Police Station.

WORDS OF LIFE with Barry Fraser
As the media draws our attention to the confrontations at our southern border, let us reflect on what God's Word has to offer us. In Proverbs 22:28 we are warned, "Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors." God the Creator was here when the boundaries of Belize were set out. He is still here today, protecting our boundaries. In Acts 17:26 the Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, declares, "From one man He (God) made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth, and He marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands." God our Heavenly Father was involved in the establishment of Belize. We acknowledge our creator in our Constitution, and we have a National Prayer. As long as we keep Belize under the authority of God, He will protect our land.

The Belize Times

BELMOPAN BANDITS
Everything that can go wrong continues to go wrong under the worst Prime Minister this country has had. Of the previous three Prime Ministers, Dean Barrow is in a class by himself. Corruption has become endemic in the sheer inability to manage the nation manifests itself in an ongoing series of the most disturbing events ever witnessed in Belize. The news over the weekend has shocked Belizeans at home and abroad to their bones. Persons driving around with the head of a public known Pastor Llewelyn Lucas. Never in the history of Belize has such an atrocity been committed before. Pastor Lu as he is popularly known had his head chopped off and placed in a sack in a five-gallon bucket. His body is suspected of being burnt on a farm. The alleged perpetrators are sitting at a bar casually relaxing, while the decapitated head is inside their vehicle, outside the bar.

Who is Accused Murder Mastermind William Mason?
The man accused, along with four others, of the grisly murder of Pastor Llewelyn Lucas, is allegedly a con artist and extortionist who has perpetrated schemes and milked persons out of money in the US, Canada, Africa, Guyana and now Belize. While he was known as William Mason in Belize, he has also been known by names such as William Ferguson, Danny Ouellett, Ted Ouellett, Raj Ouellett and Ramesh Ouellett. The BELIZE TIMES has been able to confirm that Mason was also a very close affiliate of Minister of National Security John Saldivar, who admitted in a press conference on Monday that he has been to Mason's hilltop home on various occasions. According to Saldivar, "In terms of my direct involvement with him at some point last year he had made some contributions to my football club the Bandits, but that is the extent of it. I have not heard from or seen Mr. Mason since September last year. We do not at this time have any friendship".

The Story Behind Barrow's Worthless Deal With Ashcroft
In 2009, Dean Barrow and the UDP took BTL under the illusion of "nationalisation". Barrow and the UDP refused to pay the owners knowing well that it would lead to many years of expensive legal battles. Still, Barrow chose to create a legal mess that lasted for almost 7 years, like an ugly sore. Now the Belizean People, not Barrow, not the UDP, have to pay $550M for BTL. BTL is only worth a little over $100M but Barrow agreed to pay Lord Ashcroft $550m for it. Sounds like "Puss Inna Bag", right?

GSU Boss Mark Flowers Accused of Carnal Knowledge
Head of the Gang Suppression Unit, Mark Flowers, is currently under investigation after the Domestic Violence Unit of the Police Department received a report that he sexually assaulted an underage girl, said to be 14. The report was made by the child's mother who told Police that it happened earlier this year. Acting Commissioner of Police Russell Blackett today confirmed those reports, claiming that they are dealing with the matter expeditiously but comprehensively.

Killing Fields
Belizeans are still reeling from the news of a man's head being neatly cut off and found in a plastic bucket. What made the news more shocking is the fact that the decapitated person was a well known individual. Llewellyn Lucas was originally from Dangriga but grew up in Belmopan. He returned to his roots in the south long enough to present himself for political office in a constituency in that area. He contested the 2015 General Elections on a ticket for the newly formed Belize Progressive Party (BPP) but unfortunately, he did not meet with much success. On November 6th, after all the votes had been tallied, he posted these comments on his facebook page: "I want to take this opportunity to thank the five people in Toledo East who voted for me. I know the rest of the constituent don't want me but that's OK. They have the right to want whoever they want. As a man of GOD I have learnt to LOVE even my enemies muchless folks who don't want me. My Dad didn't want me, my ex-wife don't want me, a lot of people don't like or want me but JESUS CHRIST do and that's all that matters to me!!!"

Big Trouble!
Prime Minister Dean Barrow was singing off a familiar song sheet today when he went on the airwaves to answer questions about possible relations between members of his Cabinet and conman/ international criminal "William Mason/Raj Oulett/Danny Mason", whose extent of shady and criminal behaviour in Belize we are only learning about as the days go by. This is the same song sheet from which Barrow crowed when the Penner scandal broke in September 2014, followed by the visa scandal involving Cabinet members getting rich facilitating unethical "Government services". "For God sake's stop it", Barrow said then and today, in a sorrowful tone, he hoped his Ministers were not too involved with the frightening character. Barrow admitted that the debacle is yet another political embarrassment for his administration. We believe his was a calculated understatement. The Prime Minister might best brace himself for much more that will be coming out in the William Mason/UDP affairs saga. John Saldivar was the first to confess that a healthy business relationship existed with "Mason", followed by Patrick Faber who said he had drinks and a victory party at the man's house.

Eiley FC & Lake I Bombers clash in finals
The Lake I Bombers and Eiley FC will clash in the Belize District Football Association's First Division championship finals. Eiley FC eliminated FC Elite 3-2 in what has become a controversial playoff match-up over the weekend. Marlon Gutierrez had given FC Elite a 2-0 lead with goals in the 22nd and 50th minutes. Orlando Velasquez scored one for Eiley FC when he scored a penalty in the 55th minute and Kareem Flowers' execution of a corner kick found Dalton Caytano, who headed in a 2nd goal in the 60th minute. Orlando Velasquez delivered the coup de grace with a world class goal to the far post that Elite FC's keeper Carlos Castro could not get a glove on.

BTL & Belize Bank Bulldogs win softball games
Telemedia and Belize Bank Bulldogs both posted 2 wins in the 2016 Belize City female women's softball competition at the Roger's Stadium last Tuesday to Friday evening, July 12-15. On Tuesday, July 12, the Bulldogs outlasted the Beacon girls 9-8 in a tie-breaker 9th inning last Tuesday, July 12. On Wednesday, BTL shut down the Bulldogs 2-0 as Mary Flowers struck out 5 batters and the Bulldogs left 5 runners on base. BTL got 6 hits off Ashley Lucas' pitching and Earline Belisle and Mary Flowers scored for BTL's 2-0 win. On Thursday July 14, the Bulldogs outlasted BTL 10-9.

Eduardo Jos� Mayo Poot repeats as Mr. Spartan 2016
The 3rd Annual Spartan Fitness Club (SFC) Bodybuilding Classic held at the Andres Campos Civic Center in Corozal Town on Sunday, August 16, 2015 was another successful presentation of bodybuilding and fitness in Belize.

The Wonderer and Belizean Garbage
I had the opportunity to wander around the sanitary landfill around mile 23, George Price Highway some months ago. So I decided to investigate the history of landfills in Belize. In 1999 an EIA was submitted for a landfill to be developed around Mile 27 but because the head of the Zoo was not comfortable with the closeness to her pets, she lobbied hard and tough with the government and finally the GOB decided to relocate the site. The Canadian company found another site west of Mile 22 on the same Highway. Another EIA was submitted in 2001 and it took some 14 years to finally complete a sanitary landfill (see photographs) plus transfer stations at San Ignacio, Belize City, Ambergris Caye and Burrel Boom. The waste is first separated at the transfer stations and what is not usable is transported to the landfill. I must say that I was impressed with what I saw. A clean operation!

TIME WARP SEDI
By Dolores Balderamos Garcia. I had told myself that I have written quite a lot about Hon. Wilfred 'Sedi' Elrington and that I will try to avoid expending more ink on him. But, you know, I just cannot help it. I feel impelled once more to comment on our esteemed Foreign Minister, and clearly it once again cannot be in a good light. He makes himself a lightening rod for further and further criticism. And with each new set of utterances from him we are left shaking our heads in disbelief and disappointment, incredulous as we must be. His boss, the Prime Minister, has obviously thumbed his nose at all Belizeans in forcing us to accept that Minister Elrington will remain as Minister for Guatemalan affairs (as well as all affairs foreign).

Education & Nationhood, let's get back on track
By Hilair� A. Bennett. Voice of the common man. Amidst the recent Guatemalan fiasco there has been much criticism regarding the lack therefor within the education curriculum the teaching that would foster national cohesion and nation-hood. Political rhetoric continues regarding the need to form the educational system so that education for national development could be fully realized. A Belizeanization of education in respect of the Jewel. However, the conversation and criticism concerning the deficiencies in the educational system is nothing new within the process of decolonization the focus has always been in the structuring of the education in Belize towards national development.

Ronlee Petillo, who has beaten two murder raps, remanded on new murder charge
A Belize City man who has already beaten two murder cases, the last one as recently as one month ago, is back behind bars and accused of yet another murder. Ronleee Petillo, appeared in the Magistrate's Court this afternoon, where Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser read a charge of murder to him in connection with the shooting death of Roger William Banner, which occurred in Belize City on the night of July 9. When Magistrate Fraser told him that as soon as he comes out, he is right back in prison, Petillo replied, "da so the Police dem work mommy." He added, "I guess I just saal."

Cop and Construction Worker charged for attempted murder of neighbor
Around 9:00 p.m., on Thursday, July 14, gunshots rang out in the area of the Lake Independence basketball court, located just behind the complex building (the Charles Bartlett Hyde building) from where a resident was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital suffering from a gunshot injury to the stomach. The shooting victim, Nigel Castillo, 29, told police that he was shot by one of his neighbors who happened to be a police officer. Following their investigation, Police charged one of their own for the shooting, and recovered two guns, one of which is a police-issued weapon that was issued to the mother of the policeman, who is also employed at the Belize Police Department.

San Pedro resident facing attempted murder charge
A construction worker and resident of San Pedro was remanded to prison this morning, after charges of attempted murder, use of deadly means of harm and dangerous harm were read to him when he appeared in the Belize City Magistrate's Court. Luis Carter was arraigned before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser. No plea was required from him because the charges that San Pedro Police brought against him are indictable and will be sent to the Supreme Court after a preliminary inquiry is held. The charges that the Police brought against Carter are in relation to a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, July 13, when Dwayne Hyde, 30, was shot.

High Court Drama for Beheading/Murder Suspects
The murder of Dangriga pastor Llewellyn Lucas, 47, has sent shockwaves throughout Belize, and has sent a number of UDP politicians scrambling to disassociate themselves from the primary suspect, who is their own flimflam man, Williams Mason, a Guyanese native, whose Belmopan mansion and farm on the George Price Highway were frequently visited by senior UDP leaders. Yesterday, Monday, the police attempted to have Manson and four others who were along with him when police found the decapitated head of Lucas in his pickup truck on Friday, charged in the Belmopan Magistrate's Court. Those charges were not read, however. In fact, the Magistrate ordered the accused men to be released after their attorney Herbert Panton submitted that the prosecutor had failed to give the men their disclosure, which is in keeping with the new guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court that recently came into effect.

The BCCI's Perspective on the BTL Arbitration Award
The Belize Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI), having reviewed the details of the BTL arbitration award, maintains the position it has held since 2009 that any nationalization should be an act of last resort since it undermines investor confidence. Further we reiterate our view that the BTL accommodation agreement was an egregious document and that no government should make such a commitment ever again. While the decision to negotiate the settlement of the acquisition of Belize Telemedia Ltd. is applauded, the BCCI cannot support the manner in which the negotiations were conducted.

GOB's Costly Mispriorities
By Kevin Bernard, Mayor of Orange Walk Town. ����� My heart felt good when I looked at the proud faces of all these young Belizean athletes ready to go represent our country against athletes from all across the region. But my heart felt bad when I realized that our government and our Ministry of Sports could not finance one of the most important regional sporting events to be hosted in Belize. My heart felt good for my country when I realized that we would be hosting this prestigious event in which hundreds of people would be coming here, to our little jewel. But my heart felt bad when I think that we had to shuffle them all over the country because we have no proper sporting facilities anywhere in this country. I felt ashamed that we had to host the opening at the Marion Jones, which should have been a premier sporting facility but after years and years and millions and millions is still nowhere near adequate.

Questions to Ministers!
Who are the UDP Ministers who have visited the home of William Mason, aka Danny Mason, aka Rajesh Oullet? What was the GSU boss Mark Flowers doing at William Mason's house when the Police informed the media that it was difficult to reach Mason's property to carry out an arrest? Will the Ministry of Immigration carry out a thorough investigation to find out who was behind processing a false birth certificate for William Mason? Does former Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega know William Mason and did he have anything to do with Mason's corn importation scams?

Hard Knocks
The Perfect Storm.... We told you it was coming. We warned you. The UDP is a ticking time bomb about to implode in a million tiny pieces. I swear�just too many egos, too few brains, very little competence and a freaking heaping helping of corruption. It's a recipe for disaster. So said so done. Check what's going on with this head-case William Mason. You watch what's going to happen with that. It ain't going to be nothing nice. You see whose names are going to be called when that canary starts singing its evil heart out. But it's more than that. This is some scary stuff. Stuff we're not used to. You just watch.

PUP Leader calls for removal of John Saldivar's as Minister of National Security
The People's United Party is appalled and seriously concerned regarding the information surrounding alleged criminal, conman and heavily politically-connected William Mason. The gruesome discovery of the head of Pastor Llewelyn Lucas in the possession of the said William Mason and three others has exposed major weaknesses in several critical government departments and an incestuous relationship between Mr. Mason, Minister of National Security John Saldivar, other Ministers of Government, UDP politicians, and several members of the Belize Police Department. The PUP is calling for the removal of Minister of National Security John Saldivar who admitted to having a business relationship with Mason, and also for a thorough investigation as to how this foreign-born individual with a shady past could have obtained a Belizean birth certificate, and multiple gun licenses, and why an investigation was never initiated when two Mennonite persons were allegedly kidnapped and extorted hundreds of thousand dollars by Mason two months ago. If the Police had investigated and arrested Mr. Mason then, Pastor Lucas would probably have been alive today.

Kent Brooks Jr. Dies 11 Days after Shooting
Kent Brooks Jr., 18, was shot on June 29th as he hung out with his friend Kieran Morrison in front of Morrison's home on LaCroix Boulevard, behind the Charles Bartlett Hyde Complex Building. Morrison was hit multiple times and died shortly after before he could be rushed to the hospital. Brooks was hit to the lower back and rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Eleven days after, he passed away at the KHMH Sunday. Brooks' family had been optimistic that he would pull through even though doctors only gave him a 20% chance of survival. The bullet which penetrated his lower back damaged several of his organs and he underwent several surgeries in an attempt to save his life.

Murder Capital
Belize continues to be one of the murder capitals in the world with high murder and violent crime rates. The number of murders in the country has increased in the first half of the year when compared to last year. This is according to the Police Department who released their statistics on crime last week. Tragically, the total number of murders from January to June 2016 is already at a whopping 74. Last year, for the same period, the total was 73. This total is one too many lives lost in our small, developing country. With a population of just 330,000 our society seems spiralling down into murderous chaos, with high crime and contagious social decay.

Crisis en Corozal Norte!
Saludos a la linda gente de Corozal Norte Mi Nombre es David Jes�s Castillo, represento la Constituencia de Corozal Norte bajo el Partido Unido del Pueblo. Este mensaje es para hacer saber mi coraje sobre la situaci�n actual de la empacadora y compa��a de papaya. Este coraje no se extiende a su administraci�n empresaria sino a nuestros l�deres gubernamentales que fueron incapaces de buscar soluci�n a este gran mal. En la temporada anterior previo a las elecciones generales del 4 de noviembre 2015 el Hon. Hugo Patt fue Ministro de Estado en el Ministerio de Recursos Naturales y Agricultura. Ahora presente Ministro de Gobierno Local, Empleo y Desarrollo Rural. A este honorable se�or, l�der y representante del �rea de Corozal Norte bajo este presente Gobierno UDP.

Breaking Belize NewsPJ

Belmopan Will Become The Next Murder Capital Of Belize: Here Is Why and What Needs to be Done
Belmopan has now experienced two beheadings and body dismemberment in just over a year. Last year leading up to November 4th, 2015 general elections I warned that Belmopan will be the next murder capital of Belize if something is not done. Here's Why [�]

VIP: GOB "has full responsibility for Pastor Lucas' death"
Vision Inspired by the People (VIP) in a press release demands that Government take "full responsibility" for the murder of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas, and further demands that it makes proper compensation to his family. According to the minor party, even after the Government, specifically [�]

GSU boss accused of sex crime
Head of the Gang Suppression Unit Superintendent Mark Flowers is currently on vacation; but his fellow officers are busy investigating allegations of child molestation and possible carnal knowledge against him, by a 13 year old minor. Acting Commissioner of Police Russell Blackett and Minister of [�]

Correction: DJ Busch did not have firearm during confrontation
In the story ' "DJ Busch" in trouble over fight' published on July 1st, in the third paragraph it states, quote, "Busch was allegedly carrying a firearm and the two men began to fight." We have been informed by attorneys for Mr. Busch that [�]

Employee of William Mason arraigned for kidnapping Mennonite businessman
Ryan Rhaburn, an employee of William Mason is currently being arraigned at the Belmopan Magistrate's Court for two counts of Kidnapping of Mennonite businessman Lloyd Friesen and his wife. Friesen and his wife were kidnapped two months ago by William Mason and his employees [�]

"Pawpa" Mena to offer Mason money "for charitable purposes"
Dangriga area representative and Minister of State for the Public Service, Energy and Public Utilities Honorable Frank Papa Mena has announced that he will place the 10 thousand dollars he received as a political campaign contribution from now-accused murderer William "Danny" Mason into an [�]

Panamanian band to perform in Belize
The Embassy of Panama and the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture are bringing another cultural experience to Belizeans. Both offices have arranged to bring the band Cellula, a pop and roots reggae band from Panama. The band is scheduled to play on [�]

Police launch hunt for Melissa Ferguson, companion of William Mason
The Belize Police Department has launched an aggressive hunt for Melissa Ferguson, 48, the female companion of accused murderer William Masson. According to reports, Ferguson was seen leaving the Outback Ranch at Mile 31 on Tuesday and police believe that she is still residing [�]

Stann Creek burglars make off with shotgun
Burglars made off with $1,235 worth of valuables from 56-year-old Ewart Murillo's two-story wooden home located in Mullins River Village, Stann Creek District. Murillo reported to police that his residence was broken into between June 30 and July 15. Items that were stolen include: a [�]

Man escapes death after being ambushed
A 34-year-old resident of Hope Creek in the Stann Creek district is lucky to be alive after he was ambushed30 p.m. According to the victim, he was driving alone in his car on the Stann Creek [�]

Dangriga police look for stolen motorcycle
Dangriga police are currently investigating a stolen motorcycle report. According to 43-year-old Teodocio Vega, a Guatemalan nationalist from Hope Creek Village in the Stann Creek District, he had parked his red Honlei 200 GY5 motorcycle with license plate number DGA-M0659 valued at $4,000 in [�]

Orange Walk Cops nab revolver off the streets
A .38 special revolver has been labeled as found property by the Orange Walk Police Department. Yesterday around 1 P.M., police conducted a search on Trinidad Street in Orange Walk Town and discovered the fire arm with serial number 09972D with marking GUA. No one [�]


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Posts: 84,397
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Blogs

Belize Eco-Kids Summer Camp - Maya Hike Day 3
The campers awoke early, eager for a new day at Chaa Creek's Belize Eco Kids Summer Camp. At six-thirty everyone was up and about, and by seven we were gathered around the campfire, where all the councilors tried to start a sing-along. Unfortunately, our voices were terrible and we ended up doing about thirty jumping jacks before they were satisfied and we were allowed to have breakfast, which was a delicious blend of eggs, tomatoes, beans and Johnnie cakes. After the food we played a game - John Wayne, Chaa Creek's version of dodgeball. We weaved and dodged and got soaked in sweat as we powered up for the day, and by the end, everybody's blood was pumping and they were raring to go.

The Belize Zoo: THE Best Little Zoo in the World. Really.
Yesterday we did a day trip for San Pedro to the Belize Zoo. It's a long day - for sure�and can be facilitated by a wide array of tour groups but we were a group of 7 and only two of us would be returning. Five were headed back to California after a great week on the island�BYE GUYS! Let me interrupt for one moment - I LOVE THE BELIZE ZOO! After a night a rain, we were up early�so early I actually saw the sun rise. A minor miracle since the current sunrise time is 5:25am. We hopped on the water taxi to Belize City and had pre-arranged a van to pick us up, wait at the zoo, drop off family at the International airport and return us to the water taxi. Pick up at 9am and we were dropped off at about 2pm for the taxi to San Pedro. The Belize Zoo is located 29 miles outside of Belize City right on the Western Highway. A little bug spray, some comfortable shoes and you are ready to go. The zoo is solely populated with the animals of Belize - and all are either rescues or zoo births. The natural, jungle-like surroundings and how close you can get to the animals makes it absolutely amazing.

International Sourcesizz

Mexico bans night fishing and gillnets to save Vaquita Porpoise
Mexican authorities are banning night fishing and gill nets in an area inhabited by the endangered vaquita marina porpoise in the upper Gulf of California. The national fisheries commission said fishermen in the protected area of the gulf, which is also known as the Sea of Cortez, will also have to leave and return from specially designated docks, to help enforce the measures. It said that gillnets, the use of which was already suspended in the area, are now prohibited permanently. The vaquita is the world's smallest porpoise, and only around 60 remain in the Gulf, the only place in the world they live. The vaquitas are threatened primarily by gillnet fishing for the totoaba fish, another endangered species in the area that is hunted for its swim bladder, which is considered a delicacy in China. Environmentalists praised the new measures Wednesday.

Videos

  • Trip to Caye Caulker, Belize, 3.5min.

  • Gopro 3+ Scuba in Belize Sep 2014, 11min. Wonderful & Awesome scuba diving in Ambergris Caye reef Belize.

  • Belize 2016, 3min. Highlights of my week serving in Belize. This was a life changing experience and I am so blessed I was able to come this year.

  • Better Belize 2016, 8.5min.

  • Belize 2016, 7min. Pictures from dive vacation at Turneffe Island Resort June 2016.

  • William the Great opening a coconut in Belize, 4min.

  • "Ambulance" on Caye Caulker, 1/2min. TRUE STORY: My mom had to be medically evacuated off the island (Caye Caulker) yesterday. This is how she had to be **ambulanced** to the waiting air ambulance -- at the back of a garbage trailer being towed.


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