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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
Ambergris Today
Southwest Airlines Adding Nonstop Flight from Denver to Belize City for Spring Break Season
More than 13,000 passengers traveled between Denver and Belize City in the last year, and the market for travel between the Mile High City and Belize's largest city has grown an estimated 50% since 2013.With this, on August 4, 2016, Southwest Airlines and Denver International Airport (DEN) announced that the airline will begin offering seasonal nonstop service on Saturdays from Denver to Belize City, Belize beginning March 11.
The new service will operate once per week, on Saturdays, during the peak season for travel to Belize from March 11 through April 22. The flight is scheduled to depart DEN at 10:30 a.m., arriving in Belize City at 2:50 p.m. (local times). It will operate using a 737-700 with 143 seats.
"With the addition of Belize City to our growing network of international destinations, Denver travelers will have an exciting new city to explore during next year's spring break season, and passengers from across the United States will be able to conveniently connect through Denver International Airport to this new Central American destination," airport CEO Kim Day said.
Nothing Beats Summer Camp on the Beach
Big happy smiles, restful gazes, bright eyes and warm hugs - It was really great to share the experience with the youth who partook in the Camp Basil Jones, Ambergris Caye, Belize. Knowing that most of the campers had not visited any of the cayes (islands) in Belize and that the beach, sun, sand and sea was a first for them made it even more special.
For four weeks, Mito Paz of Green Reef, Mr. Lincoln from the Belize Department of Youth Services and don Raul, caretaker of camp, ran the Camp Basil Jones hosting youngsters from all over the country. Through the Department of Youth Services, various inner city youth got the opportunity to camp on the beach at one of the most pristine areas on Ambergris Caye, one which even many island residents have experienced.
First Direct Flight Established Between Canada and Belize
The Belize Tourism Board is excited to announce the latest airline to add Belize to their travel route, WestJet. Earlier today, WestJet Airlines officially announced that starting October 29, 2016, WestJet will be offering flights between Canada and Belize, two days per week.
The Belize Tourism Board reports that Canada is a major source market for overnight visitors to Belize. With the addition of WestJet, this will no doubt result in an increase of Canadian visitors.
Director of Tourism, Karen Bevans, commented, "This is very exciting news. We have been in ongoing discussions with WestJet regarding a direct flight between Canada and Belize, and it's now happening. A direct flight has been highly requested by visitors and Industry stakeholders, and with the news that this flight will become a reality just as we prepare for the start of our upcoming high season, we are indeed very optimistic and pleased. It will make traveling to Belize so much easier and more convenient as this will eliminate connection or layover time. This direct flight is absolutely going to boost our arrival numbers further, especially where the Canadian market is concerned."
Misc Belizean Sources
De-risking and the future of indigenous banks in CARICOM: The effort of finance ministers
by Louis Robinson. The case of Belize Bank, published in the August 4, 2016, edition of Caribbean News Now (Belize bank hit by withdrawals and corresponding banking de-risking) demonstrates the urgency of finding and implementing counter de-risking measures in a robust and unrelenting manner as promised by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) ministers of finance on correspondent banking. At short notice, the Belize Bank was required to close its main correspondent account despite its long account relationship with that foreign bank.
In fact, at the July 4-6, 2016, CARICOM heads of government meeting held in Guyana and chaired by the prime minister and minister of finance of Dominica, the heads agreed to implement a robust and an unrelenting advocacy on the de-risking issues and, by way of a selected committee on correspondent banking, to maintain a high level of engagement with the parties involved.
Since the July 2016 meeting, the selected committee has released no public statement on the progress of their advocacy effort. Parties, interested in evaluating the progress of advocacy and the likely effects of de-risking on the operations of the region's indigenous banks, have been notified that any such information was confidential or otherwise unavailable. Meanwhile, the Belize Bank has been experiencing deposit withdrawals, restrictions on international wire transfers, and other effects (e.g. on liquidity, new credit extension and profitability).
Caye Caulker Lobster Fest nominated for BTB Major Festival Tourism Award
We are happy to say we have been officially nominated for the Major Festival Tourism Award by the Belize Tourism Board!!
Audubon Updates status of parks and monuments
The Belize Audubon Society (BAS) would like to inform the public of the following update on the BAS co-managed protected areas.
� Half Moon Caye/ Blue Hole Natural Monument: OPEN to visitation
� Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary: OPEN to visitation BUT be advised some trails within the village as still inaccessible
� St. Herman's Blue Hole Natural Monument: CLOSED until Tuesday, August 9th. Only the Blue Hole and lowland trail to St. Herman's Cave will be open to visitation. All water activities are on standby until water has receded to a safe level. No tours will be allowed to visit Crystal Cave as the trail has yet to be cleared of debris.
� Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary: CLOSED we anticipate opening before the end of week. Not all trails will be open.
� Guanacaste National Park: CLOSED until further notice
Baffu Vol 9
The 9th Issue of BAFFU Magazine is out! artists + poets + writers: Baffu defined, Rasheed Palacio, Benjamin Askevold, Danny Velasquez, Ellen Joseph, Kyo D'Assassin, Thalia Silva, Adriana Smith, Greg palacio, Dwayne Murillo, Karen Munnings, Immanuel Williams, William Mahler, Quilz Tamay, Yaoling Lee, Jose Sanchez, Samantha Ke, Kelvin Baizar, Yasser Musa, Santiago Cal, Jemuel Robateau, Wilford Felix, Katie Usher, Sean Taegar, Ilona Smiling, Briheda Haylock, Patrick Peyrefitte, Lesley Codd, Leroy "The Grandmaster" Young, Chris Cansino, Kyana Brindle, Michael Gordon, Maryam Abdul Qawiyy, Jamaul Roots, Abner Recinos, Keisha Peyrefitte, Rachel Farr, Chelsea Johnston, Nadia Satya, Alton Humes, Robin Haylock, Andre Marsden, Rasheed Williams, Janelle Arceli Logan.
Hard at work in San Pedro...
We were encouraged to see the island residents working very diligently when we visited them this past Saturday.
This very motivated and hardworking San Pedro community began the cleaning process left by the aftermath of Hurricane Earl that made landfall on the island Wednesday 3rd and Thursday August 4th.
The cleaning and rebuilding process began on the rise of Thursday August 4th with no time to spare.
Despite reports in different sectors of the media, the island is OK and OPEN for business.
While most of the damage occurred to the piers and structures on them, the accommodations and restaurants remain intact and we are encouraging that if you have reservations to please NOT cancel them. We are OK!
Lamanai open now...
More good news! Again, we salute the staff and volunteers who made this happen.
JAZZ WORKSHOPS!
As part of the Belize International Jazz Festival, we are offering free workshops starting Monday, August 15.
To register, call: 227-2110
Museum of Belize and Houses of Culture Open
Please be informed that the Museum of Belize and Houses of Culture in the districts are open for normal activity. Only the Government House on Regent Street is still closed for clean up and restoration from hurricane Earl.
Belize National Song Competition
Remember the finals performances take place THIS Saturday. FREE EVENT!
The wait is over! Now you can listen to the finalists in the 2016 National Song Competition... CLICK: www.mynationalsong.bz.
AND, we'll see you at Memorial Park this coming Saturday at 7:30 p.m.!
Flooding Advisory: Cayo District & Belize River Valley
The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) has issued a Flooding Advisory in Cayo District and the Belize River Valley. Residents living in these flood prone areas are strongly encouraged to seek safety and move to higher ground. U.S. citizens should avoid flood-prone areas. Areas of concern are:
Cayo District - Arenal; Succothz; Calla Creek; La Clarissa; Siete Millas; Barton Creek; San Marcos; Billy White; Central Farm; Buena Vista; Providencia; Ramonal; Paslow Falls, Bullet Tree Falls; Santa Familia, Branch Mouth, villages along the George Price Highway, Roaring Creek.
Belize River Valley - Crooked Tree, St. Paul's Bank; Willows Bank; Rancho Doleres; Double Head Cabbage; Bermudian Landing; Isabela Bank; Flowers Bank; May Pen; Scotland half-moon; Burrel Boom; Lord's Bank; Ladyville; Bomba, Maskall, St. Anns; Santana; Lucky Strike; Rockstone Pond and Boston.
EARL RELIEF OPERATIONS: SITUATION REPORT #3
SITUATION. Immediate relief to the affected people and restoration of critical lifeline facilities continue as the country returns to normalcy less those severely impacted. NEMO and the Government providing assistance with help from the community. The Utility Companies operations are progressing at a steady pace enabling the country's recovery.
PEOPLE IN SHELTER: There are a total of 170 persons in Shelter as follows: 91 in Belize City: Unity Presbyterian has 16 persons, St. John's Vianney has 31 persons, and St. Luke has 44 persons. In Cayo: Teakettle has 16 persons in shelter and St. Matthews has 31 persons. There 28 persons in the Hattievile Community Centre recently built by US Southern Command. Orange Walk has 4 persons in one shelter in San Carlos.
MARKETING FOR SMALL HOTELS WORKSHOP
This workshop will provide attendee with knowledge in Marketing definition.
Poets Corner: Power Belize
By Abdulmajeed K Nunez. Centralized Power Belize is gruesome
Episode one was with Mason
Being caught with the decapitated head and one hundred thousand
The whole police department run helter skelter
All finger pointing to yet another minister
Like the character Llobos in power
Episode two starts the GSU commander
Being charged for allegedly raping a minor
But the plot gets thicker
He's saying he's being thrown under
The bus for hanging with deputy prime minister
Flowers is the cousin of the wife of the prime minister
He alleges Mason paid fifty thousand to Bandits owner
With intent to be part of the franchise owner
But was being chanced buy the owner
Father Leo Weber
The truly remarkable Fr. Leo Weber celebrates 60 years as a Jesuit priest: , also known for Weber Hall. Anyone who met him knows of his humour.
Twin Towns bridge
Billy White Villagers say Thank you Mr. NEMO.
Billy White Village in the Cayo District had been without water since the Hurricane. An online appeal was launched by villagers and the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) heard the calls for help and water is being delivered now to the village.
Jazzfest Opening Ceremony in Cayo
The 2016 Belize International Jazz Festival will have the opening concert at the Cayo Welcome Center. The line up is impressive: The World Culture Band, Ascenthium, Benque Marimba Youth Academy, Panerrifx, and the Benque Marching Band, along with many others. The opening will be on Sunday, August 14th, starting at 4:00pm.
Creole Drumming Workshop at SISE HoC
Emmeth Young was at the SISE House of Culture to lead the Drumming and Rhythm workshop, which had a small interruption due to hurricane Earl. Thanks, Emmeth!
"Creole Drumming & Rhythm Workshop has resumed at SISE House of Culture."
Jaguar caught on camera in the Chiquibul Forest
Photo is from PhD student, Lauren N. Watine, and the Program for Tropical Ecology and Conservation Science (PTECS). PTECS is a joint venture between the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and the University of Florida. Lauren is using cameras to understand the carnivores and other wildlife species found in the Chiquibul, and how we can continue to promote their existence in this unique system.
Volunteers needed for Ambergris Caye Marine Turtle Program
It's the middle of the sea turtles nesting season and we are hoping the hurricane Earl has not destroyed 100% of the nest that have not hatched as yet. Tomorrow we are heading out to do an assessment of the nesting beach and hopefully locate all nest and remark them. It's a lot of work and we are looking for volunteers. We need at least 4 volunteers. Anyone interested please let us know by responding to this note.
Channel 7
Valley, Get Ready!
Tonight, life in Belize has mostly returned to normal, but the country is still recovering from Hurricane Earl - which affected the Belize, Cayo, Orange Walk and Stann Creek Districts as well as San Pedro and Caye Caulker.
And the effects of the storm are still with us. All those waters that caused the Macal River to run over its banks last week Thursday, are now settling into the Belize River valley. The Crooked Tree Lagoon is a major part of the catchment for these floodwaters; when that runs over, it floods the Belize River Valley. Today, we asked area representative and NEMO minister Edmond Castro if the valley will see severe flooding:...
Hon. Edmond Castro, NEMO Minister:
"It will be extremely difficult to tell people that's not a possibility. Everything is a possibility. But at the rate that the river is rising, I believe the extreme flooding condition in our communities along the river bank from the Cayo District unto through the Belize River Valley area reduced significantly. Reason I am saying this is that Friday, the speed of the water coming through Bermudian Landing area and the villages on the western portion, Cayo District I should say, it was coming down rather fast, but because the basin in our area, the Crooked Tree Lagoon - that basin and also the other caption area which is the Mexico lagoon was below the water table."
Life After Earl, In The Shadow Of His Wreckage
And while the river valley remains on high alert, Belize City started the new week by putting on the best face it's could. Five days after a category one hurricane mashed up the city, things seemed to be returning to normal - and the pace of life picked up where it had been disrupted last week - even with very glaring remnants of the storm damage all over the city. But, no one stopped to stare; this morning city residents were getting on with their business after days spent cleaning up and clearing out. It is expected that repairs to structures, bus stops and signs will take some time.
People Are Still In Shelters
In Friday's newscast you saw Vista Del Mar and Ladyville residents washing out and scrubbing their floors, air drying their clothes, appliances and even vehicles. Well, there are many residents who don't even have a home to clean out. Those people remain at shelters pleading for help. Today we found out just how they were managing and what is being done to help these storm victims.
It has been 5 days after Hurricane Earl and several residents are far from getting their lives back together. About 85 people are stranded in the 3 city shelters, with nowhere to go.
These families are doing their best to have some clean clothes. And a place to sleep, but there is so much more that they need.
Bird's Isle: Paradise Lost, Belize's Only Wooden Court Ruined By Earl
And while some can wait for help from Human Services and NEMO, business owners in the city have to come up with the money to rebuild their establishments. One owner who has a mammoth task ahead is Henry Young Jr. He's one of the owners of Birds Isle. That recreation facility has been around for almost 50 years and has become a sports institution - in fact, it's still the only place in Belize where you can find a wooden playing court - one that was still very much in use up until last week Tuesday. But Hurricane Earl tore up the court and trashed a section of the restaurant. Young told us today what this loss means for him and the community and what he is doing to restore his place.
Henry Young Jr., Owner - Birds Isle:
"It's devastating. The whole court came crashing down. I guess due to the fact that the hurricane stayed with us 7 hours continuous blowing and it couldn't handle it. It went through Richard and many other hurricanes before, but this one it couldn't handle, so this one came crashing down. During the day especially during the summer, they use to play basketball to keep their minds off trouble and back in the days the 70s, you use to have jump up - very popular Sundays. So it's iconic."
Foreshore's Fallen Fences
And while Earl thrashed the venerable Island basketball court - it did the same to fences along southern foreshore. We couldn't fit this into our coverage last week - but the state of these fences show the power of the storm surge, which smashed concrete like it was cardboard. The fences of the Castillo, Usher and Anglican homes have stood for decades, but could not withstand the storm surge on foreshore, which appears to have been especially strong, since many concrete structures in that area were compromised.
Senior Cop Being Investigated For Molesting Minor-Aged Girl
Tonight, a senior police officer is being investigated for molestation of a 15-year-old girl in the Belmopan area. We cannot release the name at this time because no formal complaint has been made naming the officer - but, our reports say, his name has come up in counseling sessions with the minor.
We can tell you that the case is presently in the hands of the Department of Human Services which is interviewing the child.
It's an especially disturbing case because last week, three other men were charged for molesting the underage minor in the Belmopan area. One of them, Addisson Gillett - who is a special constable - was remanded for rape and aggravated assault of the girl. He allegedly forced himself on her while holding a gun to her head.
Mason's Wife Turns Herself Into Police
Melissa Ferguson, she's William Danny Mason's wife - and for two weeks now, police have been seeking her for questioning. Well, today she turned herself into Belmopan police in the company of her attorney Dickie Bradley.
This evening, we spoke with Bradley by phone, and he says that she has given them a statement. And now, the officers are in the process of combing through the evidence they have to test whether there are any inconsistencies between what she claims, and what other persons have told them in written statements:
Dickie Bradley - Attorney for Melissa Ferguson:
"She has made contact with the police last week through myself saying that she wanted to come in and cooperate with authorities in relation to the investigation. Because of the hurricane, the officers had said that today would be a better day than that day last week. They knew that she was safely back in the country and they could get their hands on her whenever they wanted."
Market Murder In City
And while Belmopan Police were questioning Melissa Ferguson to determine if she was in any way involved in the murder of Pastor Llewelyn Lucas, cops from Belize City's Eastern Division South were continuing their investigation into a weekend murder. The victim is 51 year-old Carl Trapp. He was stabbed to death near the Michael Finnegan Market, right inside the compound of Hyde's Supermarket. That business is owned by his cousin, Alvin Hyde Jr., who he lived with.
Today, we went looking for answers in Trapp's very strange and violent killing. Daniel Ortiz has that story:
Daniel Ortiz reporting:
The body of 51 year-old Carl Trap, originally from Camalote Village, was found here inside Hyde's Supermarket, the building owned by his cousin, Alvin Hyde Jr. Someone attacked him, stabbed him several times to the face, and left him on the ground to die. It was not until some hours later that he was discovered, and be then, he was dead.
Man Who Was Beaten Up Also Had His Home Burnt Down
32 year-old John Burke and 34 year-old Kareem Eagan are at prison tonight after they were accused of beating up a man on the compound of the KHMH.
It happened last Wednesday, August 3, and according to the victim, Mario Zelaya, he was at the hospital to visit his wife with whom he'd been having domestic difficulties. Zelaya got into a misunderstanding with Burke and Eagan, who allegedly beat him unconscious. Last week police said he was in intensive care. And then on Thursday night, his home was burned down - in what police say is a directly related act of arson.
Police charged both men with attempted murder and dangerous harm for beating up Zelaya. They were arraigned today before Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer who did not take a plea. They were remanded to the Belize Central Prison until their next court date, which is scheduled for September 19.
When Will "Mr. NEMO" Appear?
Earlier we told you about the people who are still stuck in shelters, but when will NEMO start rolling out the relief which these and other victims all across the country need after being devastated by Hurricane Earl? That's what we asked NEMO Minister Edmond Castro today, and while he couldn't give us an exact date, he said that assessment teams are on the ground, and the distribution of disaster supplies have already started.
Daniel Ortiz:
"A lot of people are hurting after this hurricane, they need these relief delivered as quickly as possible. What's the latest from your ministry in relation to that?"
Hon. Edmond Castro, NEMO Minister:
"Well I must say and I must big up the entire relief effort, the entire NEMO volunteers and public officers and so on, because they are doing a remarkable job. Some of those people were there from the Sunday prior to Thursday and as soon as the hurricane passed and we had the ALL CLEAR issue, those public officers and volunteers were out there assessing and providing food packs and different things through people affected by this hurricane and that's continue from then Thursday until today and continue until we try to reach each and every person affected by this hurricane."
BEL: 99% Of Belize District Restored
BEL's assessment is that - as of this evening - power has been restored to 99% of the country.
A late evening release says that the stretch from Sandhill to Crooked Tree, as well as a portion of those along the Old Northern Highway and a portion of Belize River Valley were all restored today.
Now there are still some individual properties within restored areas who do not have power. BEL says that is due to transformers, spurs and poles requiring replacement. Those works are underway but may still be a day more.
The only remaining communities in Belize District without power are those along the Old Northern Highway from Altun Ha to Maskall and five villages in the Belize River Valley. They are now entering a punishing 120 hours and counting without electricity.
City Council Struggling To Keep Up With Post-Earl City Cleanup
But the heaviest lifting has been left to the Belize City Council. All this weekend, their cleanup teams worked virtually around the clock in probably the most voluminous cleanup effort since Hurricane Hattie almost 60 years ago.
The City hauled endless trucks of broken trees and throwaway items from flooded homes, so much that even the landfill got full - and efforts had to be made to create more space. Now the city is considering taking a week's break to make sure everyone gets out all their mess - because, often, as soon as they clear an area, another person on that block starts putting out garbage. We'll keep you posted.
Earl, How Hard Did He Really Blow?
So, in view of all the wreckage that Hurricane Earl generated, really just how strong was Hurricane Earl when it made landfall in Belize? The local experts from the Belize Meteorological Service are still reviewing the data recorded at their different measuring stations. According to the National Hurricane Center, when Earl finally passed over the country, it's maximum sustained winds at midnight on Wednesday were measured at 80 miles per hour.
Now, if you ask anyone in the affected areas on the Cayes, Belize City, Ladyville, and those communities along the Phillip Goldson Highway, they'll tell you that certainly, the winds which hit them were certainly more than 80 miles per hour. So, today, we went to talk with Dennis Gonguez, the Chief Met Officer, and he told us that people may well have experienced winds over 80 miles, but those were gusts, which is different from the maximum sustained winds.
Earl Kills 39 In Mexico
And you don't need to convince Mexican's of how powerful the storm was. Earl caused mudslides which were responsible for 39 deaths in the Mexican states of Veracruz and Puebla. The mountainous area of Puebla was hardest hit with multiple landslides which killed 28 people.
Earl passed over Guatemala and southern Mexico before regaining strength over the Gulf of Mexico and making a second landfall southeast of Veracruz late Friday. Mexican authorities said the area had received a month's worth of rain in 24 hours.
GSU Gets Father and Son With Glocks
Tonight, Maroquin Drury, and his son, Keithburn Drury, are both at the Belize Central Prison after police say that they were busted the men with an unlicensed weapon.
It happened on Saturday, August 6th when the cops were on patrol on Marine Parade. That's when they intercepted an SUV, belonging to these men. The police searched the vehicle and found a Glock 9mm pistol with 8 live rounds of ammunition; it was under the front passenger seat. They couldn't produce any licenses for the weapon, and so they were charged with keeping an unlicensed firearm, and keeping unlicensed ammunition.
Gringo With Ganja Claims It Was Medicinal
45 year-old American Firefighter Thomas Jamal Busby, a resident of San Francisco, got into trouble in Belize when he was caught in possession of two packs of candy containing marijuana.
He arrived at the Philip Goldson International Airport on last week Thursday, but his luggage was left behind in Atlanta. He went back to the airport to get it after it had arrived, which is when Customs searched his bag. They found the packs of candy which were labelled "medical marijuana". That's legal where he lives, but in Belize it's still against the law, and so the authorities charged him with the importation of a controlled drug.
Man Remanded For Sex With Child
28 year-old Edair Dominguez, an electrician from San Juan, San Pedro, is at the Belize Central Prison tonight. He's being accused of child molestation.
The complainant is a 14 year-old girl who says that he had intercourse with her at her home on July 31. He was arraigned before Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer, and he was remanded to prison until September 23.
Kendis and The Cops
Police busted a well-known gang figure with weed. On Friday night around 8, the GSU spotted a heavily tinted vehicle that was parked on Kelly Street. They went over to search the vehicle and they saw 24 year old Kendis Flowers inside with 2 other men. Nothing was found in the vehicle but less than one tenth of an ounce of weed was found on Flowers. Flowers, who is described by the GSU as a key figure in the Ghost Town Crips Gang, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled drug.
And on Saturday morning after 12, the GSU conducted another search at an abandoned house at West Street. Police found 18 rounds of ammunition, (14) hollow point 9 millimeter rounds and (4) .45 rounds. The ammunition was found in a black plastic bag between the Zinc ceiling and the beam. No one was in the immediate area at the time and so it was labeled and deposited as found property. The GSU believes the ammunition was stashed for a member of the George Street Gang.
Earl Sends Animals Scampering For High Ground, While Hunters Reload
One of the unforeseen effects of Hurricane Earl is the effect the storm had on wildlife in the Central Corridor of the Belize District.
And that's why the Forest Department says it has received multiple reports and complaints of illegal hunting and killing of wildlife in the Belize River Valley Area. Basically, the animals like pecarries, have been forced out of their traditional areas by floodwaters, and hunters are making a killing off it, with illegal and excessive hunting.
Today we spoke to the Forestry Department's wildlife officer about it:�
Local wildlife that is threatened includes deer, white lipped peccaries, gibnut and other game species. The Forestry Department kindly asks that residents, the general public and restaurateurs to desist from purchasing game meat during this time and to continue to assist them in reporting of any wildlife violation to the Forest Department at 822-2079.
Did Hon. Castro Know Mason?
Earlier in the news, you saw our interview with NEMO Minister Edmond Castro. He was discussing possible flooding in the Belize River Valley, and the relief efforts for all the victims of Hurricane Earl. But, while we had the opportunity, we just had to ask whether or not he had come in contact with accused murder and conman William "Danny" Mason.
We've put this question to every one of his colleagues who have granted a press encounter, and when we asked him about it today, he politely ended the interview. Here's how that brief exchange went:
Daniel Ortiz:
"Every minister we've encountered we've asked the question, so we have to ask you as well, did you know William Danny Mason?"
A Belize Fest Shooting In The Chi
The Belize Fest in Chicago is a much anticipated annual event where the thousands of Belizeans living in the windy city come together to celebrate their Belizean-ness. But this year's event at the Hawthorne Race course ended abruptly last night when there was a shooting at the event. Here's the report from a local Chicago station.
The name of the shooting victim has not been released. Chicago has one of the highest crime rates among US cities.
More Canucks and Coloradoans Coming!
Key tourist destinations such as San Pedro and Caye Caulker may have been damaged by hurricane Earl, but they'd better be ready for the high season because increased airlift means more visitors than ever.
The first announcement came this morning from a Canadian airline, called Westjet - which will bring the first flight out of Canada to Belize.
Starting October 29, 2016, WestJet will be offering flights between Toronto, Canada and Belize, on Wednesday;s and Saturday's. Canada is considered a major, largely unexploited market for overnight visitors to Belize.
The price of a round trip is quoted at 270 Canadian dollars, compared to the seven or 800 dollars that a round trip costs right now on other carriers.