CTV3
Armed Robbery at Chinese Store in Corozal
Corozal Police are investigating the armed robbery of a Chinese store in the Santa Rita area of Corozal Town on Tuesday night. Two armed robbers targeted Ban Store located on Mile 85 on the Phillip Goldson highway just before the store closed its shutters. The men entered the store, despite an off-duty Police Officer being on guard, and one proceeded to tackle the officer while the other demanded money as he brandished a firearm.
The store attendant, fearing for his life, handed over cash which the men took and ran away.
Reports are that the men got away with $800.
Senate Committee Questions How Visas Were Illegally Sanctioned
There were also other cases of visas illegally sanctioned by the Ministry of Immigration. One such case reviewed during the hearing had the Chairman Senator Aldo Salazar ask, "how did that happen??!!".
Aldo Salazar, Chairman, Senate Select Committee:
"List of applicants whose application were not approved by the Director, how did that happened?"
Carla Faber, Head of Audit Team:
"Her signature was not on the form, so how did it had been issued and we are talking about Belmopan."
Aldo Salazar, Chairman, Senate Select Committee:
"I thought she was the person who could issue VISAS, who had the authority."
Carla Faber, Head of Audit Team:
"She approves the VISAS for issuance but she did not issue the VISA, after she had finish approving a VISA application she sends it to the officer in charge at the VISAS section."
More Visa Irregularities
There were also other cases of visas illegally sanctioned by the Ministry of Immigration. One such case reviewed during the hearing had the Chairman Senator Aldo Salazar ask, "how did that happen??!!".
Aldo Salazar, Chairman, Senate Select Committee:
"List of applicants whose application were not approved by the Director, how did that happened?"
Carla Faber, Head of Audit Team:
"Her signature was not on the form, so how did it had been issued and we are talking about Belmopan."
Aldo Salazar, Chairman, Senate Select Committee:
"I thought she was the person who could issue VISAS, who had the authority."
Human Smugglers Got Belizean Passports And Nationality
There have been numerous reports of Human Smuggling rings in Belize. There have been Police arrests and confiscation of vehicles in the past, but no significant bust of any sort of operation. But perhaps greater efforts will or are going towards cracking down on those activities from outside of Belize, as the Auditor General's report noted that a foreign service assisted her investigation with evidence that human smugglers were given Belizean passports and nationality. Just who that Foreign Service is could not be identified, because as the Auditor General pointed out, it is very classified information.
Senator Mark Lizarraga - Representative for Chamber of Commerce and Industry:
"You said that it was also observed that an alleged human trafficking/people smugglers were able to obtain Belizean Nationality by registration and I guess passport because you are dealing with it in the passport report."
Auditor General Speaks On Mismanagement In VISAS And Nationality Section
In last night's newscast, we showed you snippets of the Senate Special Select Committee hearing on the Auditor General's special audit into immigration department. Tonight we continue to air several aspects that caught our attention.
Firstly, in the second session held on December 7th, Auditor General Dorothy Bradley made a critical concession in the eyes of her detractors when she corrected a statement in her report that Ministers signing recommendation letters for the processing of visas, nationality and passport documents were irregular and not illegal. This concession meant that the controversial actions from Ministers who issued letters directly to Immigration officials was perhaps less controversial than suspected. Yesterday, however, the Auditor General cited illegality when the Committee discussed the approval of visa applications that were backed by unauthorized sponsors.
LOVE FM
Roman Catholic and Association of Secondary School Principals Tell Luke to Put Interest of Children First
The Roman Catholic Management has written to the President of the Belize National Teachers Union, Luke Palacio following a release from the BNTU earlier this week regarding the date for the re-opening of schools. In its release the BNTU took issue with the Ministry of Education stating that classes would resume on Tuesday, January 3, [�]
Minor Detained for Robbery of Big-H Delivery Truck
Dangriga Police have detained a sixteen year old minor and are looking for a second individual following the robbery of a delivery truck on Monday. Police say the Big H delivery truck was making a delivery in the Harlem area in Dangriga when the driver was approached by a male person wearing a black t-shirt [�]
Elderly Man Robbed and Killed on a Ranch in Western Belize
The body of an elderly man was found on his family ranch this afternoon just outside Buena Vista Village, Cayo District. Love News met up with the victim's son, Carlos Medrano minutes after he got the news of his father's demise. CARLOS MEDRANO " A post mortem was conducted on-site. While the family believes that [�]
GoB Hits a Snag in Arbitration Appeal to the US Supreme Court
Earlier this month the Government of Belize had petitioned the US Supreme Court to review a ruling handed down in July by the DC Circuit Court that upheld the monetary award to the Belize Telemedia Limited via the London Court of International Arbitration. That revision, however may not come for Belize as it was reported [�]
Referendum Motions Go to the Senate; Opposition Disapproves
The final Senate Sitting took place today in Belmopan. It got underway just after eleven o'clock as the Senators engaged in a closed door meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister, Wilfred Elrington to get a briefing on the matter as motion was being presented in the Senate regarding the Referendum Act. Senator responsible for Government Business, [�]
PUP Senator Says Treasury Bill Amendment Poses Danger for Belize
At last Friday's Sitting of the House of Representatives, four bills were introduced namely the General Revenue Supplementary Appropriation Bill, the amendment of the Treasury Bill, Income and Business Tax Amendment Bill and the Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters Amendment Bill. The amendment to Treasury Bills Bill was what stood out as the opposition [�]
Police Says Croc May Be The Culprit in Woman's Death
Traumatic Cranial Injuries is what the results of the post mortem conducted yesterday. Revealed on an unidentified woman believed to be in her thirties. The post mortem was conducted on-site and subsequently laid to rest in Lord's Bank Village, Belize District. Initially, police had noted that the woman's feet were tied but with further investigations, [�]
The Guardian
Strength in change - Cabinet and Parliament Shuffle
It is very rare for changes in both the Legislative and Executive Branches of Government to result in a strengthening of the Administration. Belize may be witnessing one of those extremely rare phenomenons as the changes announced by Right Honorable Prime Minister Dean Barrow on Tuesday, December 13, are receiving thumbs up from all sectors of society.
The Attorney General and Minister of Natural Resources Senator Hon. Vanessa Retreage has upheld a verbal one year commitment she made to Prime Minister Barrow and is now moving on to focus on her private career and development. Since word surfaced that Retreage was moving on from public service, rumours have been flung wildly. She disappointed the conspiracy theorists at a press conference with PM Barrow on Tuesday in Belmopan. "Sadly it's only because time is up and I can't confirm any of the juicy gossip that has been going around," said Retreage. "I remain committed to this UDP administration and will provide any support I can whenever I can to this UDP administration and I am confident that this administration will see the country through these troubling times that we are having."
School to re-open on January 3rd - BNTU says no way
Once again, the Belize National Teachers Union is encouraging its members to take an adversarial stance against the Ministry of Education. They are rejecting the plan to make up 6 of the 11 school days lost in their October strike.
It appears that their vacation is more important than helping the students catch up after falling behind due to their reckless actions. The Ministry of Education has publicized the intention to short the Christmas break by 4 days, so instead of classes resuming on January 9, the next term should start on January 3, which is a Tuesday. Also the plan is to extend classes an extra two days into the Easter Holiday. So, instead of the Easter break starting at the end of Friday, April 7, students and teachers are expected to show up for 2 more days into the week before Good Friday. That means April 10 and 11 are to be school days. This was the plan of action decided upon by the Ministry and the managing authorities of the different schools countrywide.
Police officer nabbed with 8 illegal immigrants
Eight undocumented persons were intercepted over the weekend in Santa Elena Town, Cayo. On Saturday at about 9:15 pm a police team accompanied by volunteers from the Special Constables were conducting patrols in the Santa Elena Town Area in the Cayo District when their attention was drawn to a heavily tinted vehicle that was speeding towards Belmopan. That vehicle, an SUV without a license plate number, was pursued and brought to a stop. A closer inspection revealed that a police constable attached to the Benque Police Formation Edif Alex Sierra was in the driver seat along with eight Salvadoran Migrants--four adults and four minors under the age of 16.
An investigation launched by the Departments of Human Services, Immigration and the Police has shown that the occupants of the SUV had no form of travel documents with them. As a result those persons will be charged for immigration offences and so will the police officer for facilitating the transportation. Police were also able to find two thousand US dollars in the said vehicle.
Carl Ramos Stadium now officially opened
Dangriga and the surrounding communities in the Stann Creek District can now enjoy a professional football match at the Carl Ramos Stadium. The 1.2 million-dollar upgrade has been completed and the Dangriga stadium is now the envy of the south, and this facility is state of the art.
It is just one of the many sporting facilities which the Government of Belize and the Belize Infrastructure Limited (BIL) have partnered to construct and upgrade for the footballers countrywide. It was opened on Saturday, December 10, with its first official football match. There was also a ceremony hosted by Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture; Dangriga Area Representative, Hon. Frank "Pawpa" Mena; Defence Minister Hon. John Saldivar; who is a long time football fan and team owner; and Dangriga Mayor Francis Humphreys.
Belize signs to UN Anti-corruption Convention
Belize is now the 184th country to sign on to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). The Barrow Administration has done as was promised to the people of Belize. With this step, the government is demonstrating to the world that it is serious about tackling corruption in public life, despite the insistence from critics, that the leaders stubbornly ignore that it exists.
Acting Prime Minister Hon. Patrick Faber signed the treaty on Friday, December 9th in Belmopan. He did so in the presence of the United Nations Resident Coordinator Christian Salazar Volkmann; other Government officials such as Dr. Carla Barnett; and a representative for the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The signing is simply a completion of the Government's expedited plan to get the convention enforced on Belizean soil. That plan started in November when the Cabinet agreed to move straight to accession.
Belizean entrepreneurs receive seed funding to expand their business
Thirty-six young Belizean entrepreneurs were recognized for their hard work during an award ceremony of the EMPRENDE Belize Fund, which was held in the IVET Dining Room, ITVET Campus on Freetown Road, Belize City.
During the award ceremony, His Excellency Charles Liu, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan), and Hon. Tracy Taegar-Panton, Minister of State in the Ministry of Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade & Commerce, presented a cheque for the total sum of US$200,000 to the recipients as part of the EMPRENDE Belize Fund.
The entrepreneurs will receive grant funding of up to US$5,555 each to establish or expand their businesses and will execute their investment plans as approved by the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) and the Regional Centre for the Promotion of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (CENPROMYPE).
CCJ interpretation of 'Channels' eases SMART 5 million dollars in fees
Speednet, the parent company of Smart, the second major telephone company in Belize, has won judgment against the Public Utilities Commission (PUC).
The Caribbean Court of Justice has ruled against the utilities regulator allowing Speednet to save 5 million dollars in licensing fees. The dispute between Speednet and the PUC dates back to 2011 when Speednet was paying for the licensing of 238 channels which they use to provide phone calls, text, and data usage to their customers. They paid $1,400, but the PUC informed them that they owed $800,000.
The huge disparity existed because the PUC was attempting to charge them for usage of voice channels, whereas Speednet was paying for radio frequency channels. The regulators were of the view that the telecoms company was being undercharged. Speednet disagreed, believing that they were being overcharged. They paid the $800,000 for that year under protest, and then, they filed a lawsuit against the PUC disputing the amount. After that, they did not pay for the 5 years outstanding, while the litigation was ongoing.
International Diana Award given to Belizean Youth
On Friday December 9, 2016 Ernest Anderson, a fourth form Industrial Studies student from Orange Walk Technical High School, was awarded the International Diana Award. Ernest won this award for the reading and writing program he instituted at Louisiana Government School. For the past three and a half years, Ernest has volunteered as a tutor and mentor to the Standard Three primary school students and significant progress has been made in the behavior and academic achievements of his students.
Deputy British High Commissioner, Mrs. Grace Chun, presented Ernest with the Award. Ms. Chun spoke of the late Princess Diana's charitable works and she encouraged youth to volunteer and build up their communities.
Ernest is a scholar of BNE's Energy for Life Program. This program is a BNE employee initiative where scholarship recipients are sponsored, mentored and tutored by employees of BNE. The three directors of the Program are: Albert Roches, Manuela Lue and Leila Leslie.
A step closer to having full local electricity production in country
On Tuesday December 13 the Belize Electricity Limited and SS Energy a subsidiary of the sugar producing company, Santander in western Belize signed on to a 15 year agreement (with an automatic extension of10 years) for the supply of electricity to the national grid.
Public Utilities Commission (PUC) chairman, John Avery explained that the signing is in keeping with request for proposal for generation of power which was launched in October of 2013. At that time it was promised that the process would be fair transparent and open. He added that Santander was selected as one of the bidders to negotiate with BEL for power purchase as Belize has the least capacity for local power production in the first 6 months of the year. The company he said, is also well established with proven technology.
General managers say school should open on January 3
On Wednesday November 2nd , 2016, General Managers of Pre and Primary Schools met with senior officials of the Ministry of Education to explore ways to compensate for the loss of instructional time due to strike action taken by the Belize National Teachers Union. Managers believed that it is in students' best interest to seek ways to help students to catch up while at the same time meeting the minimum 180 school days in a school year as required in the Education Rules 131 (3) of 2000.
Managers unanimously agreed that 6 school days will be added, January 3rd to 6th and April 10th and 11th, 2017. The managers' decision to add the six days will assist schools to comply with the minimum 180 school days requirement. Additionally, managers accept that given the structure of the school year, any compensatory school days would involve a change in the vacation periods as described in Rule 132 subsections (3, 4 and 5) of ER 2000. General Managers believe that the 180 school days minimum requirement is also underscored in Rule 132(2).
IICA reports to stakeholders in Belmopan
The Inter American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture IICA held its annual meeting at the George Price Center for Peace and Development in Belmopan last Thursday to report to stakeholders on achievements and its plans. In attendance were experts from the Department of Agriculture, Belize's Agricultural Industries and Mexico.
According to IICA's Representative in Belize Dr. Dowlat Budhram such reporting mechanism occurs similarly in the 34 member states where the organization operates. In reviewing with the Guardian the achievements of IICA during last year, Dr. Budhram mentioned that SIRDI in the North was assisted with a building with European Union funding and so are more effectively able to do some research on sugar cane. The second significant piece of work by IICA during the same time frame was to work with the Department of Agriculture's Extension Service in the implementation of the farmer field school methodology. Under this program, extension officers from other areas such as citrus, bananas and the Pesticide Control Board PCB were provided critical training.
Julius says he will not apologize to the Speaker of the House
After Said Musa's failed attempt to try and get the House to vindicate Julius Espat for his UNCOUTH BEHAVIOUR, that he displayed in the house on the 26th August, 2016 .The same behaviour that caused him to be named and suspended from the House of Representatives , he has now taken to Facebook to throw another tantrum and be a further EMBARRASSMENT and DISAPPOINTMENT to the People of Cayo South and the entire nation. For clarity we will reproduce the entire post he placed on Facebook so that you, our readers will get the full effect of how uncouth this man is. Below is the post as taken from his Facebook account.
Education CEO moves on
Mr. David Leacock, Chief Executive Officer with responsibility for Education, in the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture will be leaving this post effective December 31, 2016. In a letter dated September 7, 2016, Mr. Leacock gave notice to the Prime Minister of his intention to resign after he had verbally informed the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture.
Mrs. Debbie Domingo, current General Manager of Anglican Primary Schools, will succeed Mr. Leacock as Chief Executive Officer. Mrs. Domingo holds a Masters in Education in Educational Leadership from the University of North Florida and Bachelor of Science in Biology Education. She has served as a teacher at Wesley College (1987-1994), Vice Principal of the Anglican Cathedral College (1994-2000), Principal of Sadie Vernon High School (2000-2005), Dean for St. John's College Junior College School of Professional Studies (2006-2011) and General Manager of Anglican Schools (2011-2016).
Unacceptable: Violence against Children Must Stop Now
The National Committee for Families and Children (NCFC) joins the nation in mourning the tragic loss of another innocent Belizean child. It is truly a tragic outcome. Media reports about the questionable circumstances surrounding the tragic death of baby Janeeka Campbell leaves the NCFC with grave concerns and a number of questions.
The death of any child is regrettable. Sadly, the recent results of the Belize Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2015 indicate that children below the age of five experience the most severe forms of violence against them.
It is our collective responsibility to ensure that parents have all the support they need to raise happy and healthy children. Together, with its partners the NCFC continues to work on strengthening the support that Government and NGOs give to families. However, as citizens we need to remember that "it takes a village to raise a child".
Protection for Chiquibul receives financial aid from PACT
In August of this year the Ministry of the Environment unveiled the Chiquibul Forests Investment Initiative (CFII) which will see an investment of an unprecedented 15.8 million dollars over the next two years for the protection of the Chiquibul forests. At the time the ministry promised that it would begin to outlay the finances as soon as possible and that has now started.
On Tuesday December 13, through the Protected Areas Conservation Trust's (PACT) Environmental Management Fund, the fist trache of funding was issued to the BDF, the Forestry Department, Friends for Conservation (FCD)and Development and the Ya'axche Conservation Trust. During the ceremonies the BDF received $434, 101; FCD received $770,000; Ya'axche received $400,000 and the Forest department received $572,749.
Denicia Francisco, Executive Director of PACT says that the organizations have received the finances as they are directly involved in the protection of the Chiquibul forests. She says that over the next two years $2.5 million dollars will be made available to these organizations from the PACT's Environmental Management fund.
No leadership void in UDP as Hon. Patrick Faber leads UDP in National Assembly
On Friday 9th December, 2016 , the eyes of the nation were focused on the Capital , Belmopan. This was a day when a few historical moments were about to occur in Belize. The first being that the government was about to sign to bring into effect, the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. The UNCOUTH Julius Espat via a Privilege Motion, to be moved by Said Musa, was going to attempt to get Julius' suspension from the National Assembly lifted. However the biggest moment of the day, was when the young, educated and dynamic UDP Deputy Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Patrick Faber was to be the Leader of the National Assembly for the first time. It was not the first time that a Deputy Prime Minister would lead the House. As Hon. Curl Thompson had done it before when he once lead the House in the 1980's when he was Deputy Prime Minister. The difference was that Hon. Thompson had already been Deputy Leader of the UDP about 5 years and Deputy Prime Minister for about 3 years. Hon. Faber on the other hand has only been Deputy Party Leader and Deputy Prime Minister a little over 6 months.
Rosewood found in Benque will not be burnt
The forestry Department is currently investigating the case of at least 30 thousand board feet of Rosewood flitches which were found at a wood works shop in Benque Viejo del Carmen.
Chief Forestry Officer, Marcello Windsor told the Guardian newspaper that some officers conducting patrol and inspection in the area of Benque came up on the Rosewood which could not be accounted for. The Forestry is at this time preparing a case and Windsor said he could not give much information as he does not want it to affect case.
As of Tuesday December 13, the rosewood was being transported and measuring is still taking place. The department is also going through the process of determining where the wood originated from and are asking the persons at the wood shop to cooperate.
Town Council in San Ignacio distributes gifts to children
Some 400 Christmas gifts were distributed by the San Ignacio and Santa Elena Town Council at the Cayo Welcome Center on Friday night of last week in keeping with the fast approach of Christmas Day. As part of the program by the Town Council it was also to officially present a 19 feet high, fully decorated Christmas Tree to the community. On hand to put on the lights of the Christmas tree was Mayor Earl Trapp and his Councilors.
The frame for the Christmas Tree had been donated by the Cayo Steel Works and the staff of the San Ignacio and Santa Elena Town Council had also managed to raise funds for 75 gifts.
In presenting the Christmas Tree to the Cayo community, Mayor Earl Trapp was able to highlight some of the achievements of his Council. He said that as Mayor of the municipality his priority was to seek new opportunities for residents "�that can create jobs and bring about betterment in the community."
Special Envoy and Counsellor for Belize at Inter-American Development Bank present Hurricane relief to four institutions in Belize
The Special Envoy for Women and Children, and Counsellor for Belize on the Board of Executive Directors at the Inter-American Development Bank presented donations in the amount of US$18,425 to four institutions in Belize to provide relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Earl.
The donations were presented by Mrs. Kim Simplis-Barrow, Special Envoy for Women and Children and Ms. Elvira Mendez, Counsellor for Belize at the IDB Board of Executive Directors. Also present was Cassandra Rogers, IDB Country Representative in Belize and the representatives of the four institutions that received the donations.
The funds were raised through contributions made by employees at the IDB headquarters in Washington DC in four events organized by Mrs. Elvira Mendez during the months of September and October 2016. The IDB corporate office then matched the funds that had been raised bringing the total to US$18, 425.00.
Superbond meeting not yet focused on details
Prime Minister Dean Barrow gave a briefing on his recent meeting with holders of Belize's bonds at a press conference on Tuesday, December 13, and there is not really much to report. Basically, all that has happened thus far is Belize has placed its cards on the table.
"So far we've set out the broad contours," said PM Barrow, "We know basically what we are talking about but the devil is always in the details and those details won't be discussed until the next meeting which we are hoping to have before the end of year." Prime Minister Barrow said he did not meet with the bondholders. In an interview with News 5 he said, "I went to meet with our team prior to their meeting with the bondholders because this is the point now where the rubber is beginning to meet the road." Belize's team comprises of Ambassador Mark Espat, Financial Secretary Joseph Waight, attorney Lee Buchheit and advisors from CitiGroup. Prime Minister Barrow gives the final nod on the position put forth to the bondholders by this team. So far the team has simply opened the books that contain information on the country's financial position and projections.
Remembering UDP's first victory at the polls
On Wednesday 14th December we in Belize and more so in the UDP marked the THIRTYSECOND ANNIVERSARY of the United Democratic Party being elected to government for the first time. The election was the first in Belize since it achieved full independence from the United Kingdom in 1981. At that time in its more than 30 years of existence the then ruling People United Party, had never lost an election at the national level, whilst the opposition had never won more than six seats out of a possible eighteen (1974).However, by 1984 the PUP were presiding over an economy in recession and one that had just recently been bailed out by the DREADED IMF. The party was internally fractured and faced a United Democratic Party that had made significant gains since losing the previous election in 1979. Senator Manuel Esquivel , whom George Price had defeated in the then Freetown Constituency in 1979 had become UDP leader in December 1983.
Lavern Longsworth out after less than 2 Years
After getting her life sentence for murder quashed and agreeing to a plea deal of 8 years imprisonment for manslaughter, Lavern Longsworth is out of jail after serving just over 2 years.
Longsworth was convicted of murder but the Court of Appeals reduced it to Manslaughter and instead of serving life in prison she was sentenced to serve 4 and a half more years in prison on June 27, 2014. Her attorneys, Godfrey Smith and Leslie Mendez, appealed her murder conviction in the June 2014 Session of the Supreme Court on the grounds that in July 2010 she wasn't totally to blame for her actions when she doused her common-law husband, David White, in Kerosene and lit him on fire. Her attorneys successfully convinced the Court of Appeals to accept reports done on Longsworth by British Forensic Psychiatrist, Dr. Gillian Mezey. In those reports, the Doctor found that Longsworth was suffering from battered woman's syndrome because she suffered years of physical abuse at the hands of the deceased. She therefore concluded that Longsworth should not be held fully liable of the crime she was convicted of.
Bobby Mansaray charged for home invasion
Holy Emmanuel Street resident Bobby Mansaray, 22, is on remand at the Belize Central Prison because he was accused of forcing himself into Claudio Arzu's home with a firearm and causing physical harm.
Mansaray was unrepresented when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith on Monday, December 12. He said, "The man fabricated the story. I was somewhere else. I could not be in two places at the same time as I am not God." He pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated burglary and wounding. However, since it is alleged that the crime was committed with a firearm Mansaray was denied bail and remanded to the Belize Central Prison until his next court appearance on February 26, 2017 or when he is able to secure Supreme Court bail. Disclosure is to be provided by February 12, 2017.
Denzel Flowers chops his stepmother
There is still no explanation as to why Denzel Flowers, 19, got so angry and chopped up his own step-mother on Thursday, December 8, but police believe they have enough evidence to convict him of attempted murder for that vicious attack.
Based on information received about a chopping incident in progress, police visited #4305 Louise Bevans Street at about 10:55 a.m. on Thursday and saw 52-year-old Consuelo Lopez being chopped by her stepson Denzel Flowers. Lopez received multiple chop wounds to her hand and head. She was bleeding profusely and police rushed her to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where doctors performed emergency surgery to save her life. She was then sedated to ease the pain and prevent further damage to her body. Lopez is still in a critical condition but her prognosis is much improved.
Leroy Richards busted with 700 grams of weed
Police say they caught Leroy Richards, 30, on a bicycle carrying a sack of weed but he claims the police is fabricating a story against him. According to police, on Wednesday, December 7, they saw Richards riding a bicycle on Antelope Street Extension with a sack on the handle. The officers stopped him, conducted a search and found cannabis inside. Richards was immediately arrested and escorted to the police station where the cannibis was weighed. It amounted to 700 grams; therefore, he was charged with drug trafficking.
3 months for stealing shrimp from Public's
Mark Middleton, 42, also known as Rugu, is now serving a three month sentence after he pled guilty to stealing shrimps from Public's Supermarket.
Around 8:30 on Wednesday morning, December 14, the security guard at Public's Supermarket was on patrol when his attention was drawn to Middleton who was carrying a knapsack on his back. The security guard noticed when Middleton went to the freezer section and took out a bag of shrimp out of the freezer and placed it in his knapsack. The security guard approached him and took away the bag of shrimp. Police were called to the establishment and Middleton was arrested and charged for theft. The bag amounted to four pounds, valued at $64.
Martin Matura charged for Port Loyola Center burglary
The Port Loyola Health Center was burglarized around 3 a.m. on Friday, December 9, but police say they caught the culprit inside the facility so nothing was reported stolen. The man police say they caught red handed is Martin Matura, 40, a resident of #15 Central American Boulevard. He was arrested and charged with a single count of burglary.
Matura was unrepresented when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith and pleaded not guilty to the charge. Prosecutor in the case, Inspector Egbert Castillo, strongly objected to bail. Castillo's objection was based on the prevalence of the crime, the strength of the prosecution's case, and the fear that Matura may try to interfere with witnesses since he lives in the area and it was the security guard who alerted the police about the burglary in progress and gave police a statement in the matter. With that, Chief Magistrate Smith denied bail and remanded Matura into custody at the Belize Central Prison until February 24, 2016.
Mysterious murder of Armando Pelayo in Corozal
Corozal Police continue in their investigation of the murder of 36 year-old Armando Pelayo, who was fatally shot and chopped inside his home.
The incident is believed to have happened shortly before 3 a.m. on Thursday, December 8, at his house on G Street in Corozal Town. The cops came upon him bleeding out after being shot in the back of the neck, and the lower back. His assailants also chopped him in the face and the forearms.
Police came up on the scene completely by chance because they were following a suspicious car which led them to his home. This burglary patrol team spotted a white Toyota Camry car with dark tinted windows and international license plates. They followed it, making sure that the occupants were not going on any criminal operations.
Robert Emmanuel Popper pleads guilty to theft
Robert Emmanuel Popper, 43, a seasoned thief, is now serving a three year jail sentence for snatching Dwayne Crawford's bag with his cash and other personal items. Crawford reported to police that just after 3 p.m. on October 15 he was walking on Princess Margaret Drive heading towards Nazarene High School when a short brown skinned man passed and snatched his bag from his right arm. Inside the bag was a blood sugar testing machine, a black Samsung flip phone valued at $175, a black and yellow Wahl brand trimming machine valued at $150, a black leather wallet valued $50 containing $185 cash, identification and banking cards.
Popper appeared before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith on Monday, December 12, where he was read a single charge of theft. Popper has a long rap sheet for several offenses of dishonesty and he wasted no time in pleading guilty to theft. He told the court, "I am Sorry for what I did. I am an addict of alcohol." Chief Magistrate Smith told him that she cannot ignore his prior convictions so she sentenced him to three years imprisonment.
San Pedro Tiger Sharks win in preseason basketball game
The National Elite Basketball League sponsored its first pre-season basketball game on Saturday 11th December, 2016, at the Orange Walk Multi-Purpose Complex in Orange Walk Town between the Orange Walk Running Rebels and the former two times champions the San Pedro Tiger-Sharks.
The former champions, San Pedro Tiger-Sharks defeated the Orange Walk Running Rebels by the score of 61-53.
The top scorers for the San Pedro Tiger-Sharks were Ashton Edwards who had a game high of 15 points, while Kurt Burgess contributed 13 points, Dar Harris contributed 10 points along with Jamal Kelly and Douglas Valley who scored 8 and 7 points respectively.
Coast Guard, Tut Bay and Kelly Street win in CYDP Cup Tourney
The Conscious Youth Development Programme Football Competition continued on Saturday 11th December, 2016, at the MCC Grounds with three games on the schedule.
In the first game played, The Belize Coast Guard defeated Hattieville United by the score of 4-0.
The goals for the Belize Coast Guard were scored by Allen Armstrong, Orvin Wade, Steven Coleman and Durran Addier.
In the second game of the day, Tut Bay FC won over Yabra FC by the score of 3-0.
The goals for Tut Bay FC were scored by Carlos Lino, Kevin Rowland and an own goal.
And in the final game of the day, Kelly Street FC edged out Ladyville FC by the score of 2-1. The goals for Kelly Street were scored by Kadeem Myers and Deshawn White, while the goal for Ladyville FC was scored by Tyrone Parchue.
2017 National Elite Basketball League season to commence on January 13
The Commissioner of the National Elite Basketball League Karim Juan informed the general public that the NEBL will commence its fourth season on Friday 13th January, 2017. The fourth season will see eight teams competing for the top prize. The teams that will be competing in the 2017 campaign will be the Orange Walk Running Rebels, Belize Hurricanes, Belize City No Limit, San Pedro Tiger Sharks, Belmopan Bandits, Dangriga Warriors, Cayo Western Ballaz and a new franchise from Chetumal, Mexico.
It is noted that games will be played in Chetumal, and the Chetumal team will also play games in Belize, using the same home and away format.
For the up-coming season, each team will have a shot clock, which will greatly enhance the competitive nature of the game.
Police United has one leg into the finals of the Premier League of Belize Football competition
The Premier League of Belize Football competition semi-final round commenced on Sunday 11th December, 2016, with two games on the schedule.
At the MCC Grounds, the top team into the playoffs, the Belmopan Bandits and the number four seed in the playoffs, FC Belize played to a 1-1 draw.
The host team FC Belize was the first team that was able to make it onto the scoreboard when Hector Martinez scored his team's only goal of the game in the 34th minute of play to give his team a 1-0 lead. The FC Belize defence was able to protect the slim lead and took it well into the second half of the game.
It was not until the 75th minute of play that the Belmopan Bandits' Jerome James was able to penetrate the FC Belize defence and scored the equalising goal for the unbeaten Belmopan Bandits.
The second and final game in this series will be played on Saturday 17th December, 2016, at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium in Belmopan commencing at 8:00 pm.
Meanwhile, at the Norman Broaster Stadium in San Ignacio Town, the host team Police United edged out the visiting Belize Defence Force (BDF) by the score of 3-1.
Cycling Federation to hold pre-Christmas Race
The Cycling Federation of Belize in partnership with the Belize City Council and Leslie's Imports present the Annual Pre-Christmas Cycling Classic on Sunday 18th December, 2016, commencing at 9:00 am.
The Circuit Race will take place on the new Lake I/Chetumal Street Blvd in Belize City. The route will be between the Round-about at the George Price Highway and the intersection of Albert Hoy Avenue and Chetumal Street Blvd.
The Elite/Master riders will do 40 laps, junior and youth riders will do 15 laps while the female riders will do 20 laps.
The registration fee is $15.00.
CRIQ
I am writing this article from the waiting room of a Mexican Federal building in the state of Quintana Roo called the CRIQ, which is an acronym for the rehabilitation center for physical therapy services. I am however starting from the end of my story so let me back up a bit.
My mother in law passed away on December 3, 2016. Please do not think that I am soliciting condolences for my wife's relatives, in fact this sad occurrence ties in with my effort to reach out to people who may be afflicted with a stroke or cardiac arrest.
My mother in law suffered a stroke about 10 days after I did. Her condition kept deteriorating with time while mine continues to see marked improvement.
Maybe it's the age issue, or maybe I had a very determined attitude to get back up and I paid heed to all council on the matter.
So here I am at CRIQ in Chetumal, waiting for my appointment with the physiotherapist in an hour's time.
My Degree
I am a very recent graduate of Saint John's College Junior College, just having gotten my degree this week. By graduate I mean that I have my Associate Degree in hand, not that I participated in a graduation ceremony. While completing my degree took seven months longer than necessary, I am still elated that I can make my parents and those around me proud.
Having said all that, I am not the proudest graduate. I am presently nineteen years old. Growing up, I had calculated my life: done primary school being twelve years old, four more years to graduate high school, and two years of 6th form, doing the math, graduating at eighteen years. I saw myself participating in a ceremony, wearing a hat and gown in a very humid gym, sweating out my hair and make-up, seeing my family near tears, and doing regular graduation stuff before jumping into the next chapter of my life. That chapter, I hoped, would have been to leave the country in pursuit of a Bachelor's Degree. But none of that happened. I graduated less than a month after my 19th birthday and yet I feel so behind and quite unaccomplished.
WORDS OF LIFE with Barry Fraser
This week, we look at two important prophesies about the long expected Messiah. Malachi 3:1 reads: "I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the Lord Almighty.
Isaiah 40:3 declares: A voice of one calling: "In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God."
Both these prophesies refer to John the Baptist. The Gospel of Matthew 3:1 & 2 reports: In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judah, and saying, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven has come near."
Young Artists woo their peers and policy makers
A group of young Belizean artists are poised to take the local art industry into a stratosphere that a couple years ago most people wouldn't have thought possible. Students of the Primary School Arts Skills Training (PSAST) program have been dominating art competitions in the country over the last two years and its all due to a dedicated teacher with a well developed curriculum that the Ministry of Education now hopes to integrate into the national education agenda.
The Primary School Arts Skills Training program started in 2014 after His Exellency David Wu, Ambassador of the Republic of China-Taiwan, was so impressed with Saint Joseph Primary School's art club that he committed funds to extend the program to primary school students from across the city. St. Joseph Primary's students benefitted for years from the volunteer services of Taiwanese art instructor, Fiona Huang, and the success of that art club encouraged Ambassador Wu to support it on a wider scale so that more students and schools can have the same opportunity to excel in arts. "Belize is a very unique country," said Ambassador Wu, "when I walk through the streets many, many people who I don't even know greet me in a friendly way and this is something I will always remember about Belize."
Breaking Belize News
Another Ministry of Education vehicle abused
Reports reaching our newsroom is that around 8:45 tonight, a Ministry of Education vehicle was driven into a drain in front of Carillo Puerto gas station in Santa Elena town, Cayo. The vehicle, bearing license plate CZL B-170, was assigned to the Cayo district. [�]
Decomposed body of man found in Cayo
The decomposed body of a man was found today in an area off the Young Gial Road (about 1 mile away from Buena Vista village) in Cayo District. A source told BBN that the body was found wrapped in a sheet at the victim's [�]
Police find over 32 lbs. of weed in Black Man Eddie village, Cayo District
Police in Cayo found 32.1 lbs of marijuana on December 13, 2016 in Blackman Eddie village, Cayo District. According to reports, police were patrolling on George Price Highway in the vicinity of Blackman Eddie village when they found a plastic bag on the side [�]
Police issue statement on body found floating in Belize River
Police have issued an official statement on the body that was found floating in the Belize River yesterday. According to Ladyville police, information was received of a body floating in the Belize River and when they visited an area behind the Los Lagos Community [�]
Miss Belize Universe continues to gain popularity
Miss Belize universe, Rebecca Rath continues to win the hearts of Belizeans at home and abroad. Rath has gained more popularity after winning the Miss Belize Universe pageant in September. "I am Rebecca Rath and I am representing the culture capital of Dangriga. I [�]
COMPOL and OC Belmopan appointed Supreme Court commissioners
Yesterday at the Supreme Court before Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin, Commisioner of Police Allen Whylie and Officer Commanding Belmopan police, Sr. Supt. Howell Gillett were appointed as commissioners of the Supreme Court of Belize. The Oath of Allegiance was administered by the Chief Justice. [�]
Fair weather to continue
The 24-hour forecast is for mostly cloudy skies with a few isolated showers today and tomorrow. The National Meteorological Service informs that a drier air mass is setting in. The wind will blow from the north to northeast at 5 to 15 knots. The [�]
Journey to Pirate's Not-So-Secret Beach Bar & Grill
Up until a year or so ago, there was an area 6.5 miles north of San Pedro Town that was referred to as the Secret Beach. Getting there involved traveling on a not-so-great dirt road that, at times, depending on the weather, could be nearly unpassable. For those adventurous souls with sturdy carts and stamina, the drive could take well over an hour from town, but after a bumpy and sometimes harrowing journey, the rewards were great. As if this gorgeous beach wasn't enough to make the area a key destination, the new Pirate's Not-So-Secret Beach Bar & Grill just upped the ante! Owner Maresha Reid has quite the track record for creating not only fantastic food but memorable experiences. This pint-sized, award-winning chef just wowed the judges at the annual Taste of Belize chef's competition, taking second place against some very stiff competition. Known for her signature lionfish dishes, her Pirate's Treasure Restaurant and Bar in the Tres Cocos Area of Ambergris Caye is renowned for authentic Belizean dishes and her very popular Chef's Table experience.
My Day on Ambergris Caye: Great Gifts, Clearing Weather and Wildflowers
Tuesday was one of those few days we have each fall when it just RAINS. All day grey to black, POURING rain. Yesterday we started at grey. But by about noon, it was gorgeous.
Sandy Toes Beach Bar has the cutest chairs along the beach.
No natural segue so onto my gifts. One incredibly cool manatea that made her way down from Texas - thanks Patty. Perfect for trying my new loose teas from Belize Chocolate Company
And my last topic: wildflowers. It took moving up north to find out that we have them here. Tons of them�and this seems to be the season.
My friend Ken has the book - a labor of love for the authors i am sure - The Plants of Caye Caulker. I bet he can identify most if not all of these. But the book is with Ken in Connecticut so here are only photos. If you know any, please let me know.
This is the flowering bush that produces cocoplum fruit. It's actually on the cover of the book about Caye Caulker.
Top 5 Destinations in Belize to Ring in the New Year
With plenty of warm sunshine and balmy temperatures, it's no surprise that more and more people are choosing to ring in the new year with an exciting vacation in Belize. Visitors can partake in fun parties, sip on cocktails, dance to over a dozen genres of music spun by the country's popular DJs, feast on delicious foods, and watch the skies explode with color as 2017 kicks off.
Fireworks ranging from expensive municipal productions to locals firing off bottle rockets, cherry bombs, and sparklers, Belize has a strong tradition of welcoming in the new year with an explosion of pyrotechnic fun.
Here are five exciting places to enjoy New Year's in Belize:
San Ignacio Town,
Placencia,
Ambergris Caye,
Belize City, Belmopan.
Dooley Bear drops in on Holy Cross Anglican School students and a pizza party breaks out
Dooley Bear, a gregarious chocolate Labrador with a penchant for travel and the subject of more than a few books, dropped into Holy Cross Anglican School in the San Mateo neighborhood on Wednesday for some petting and pizza.
Dooley brought along his literary partners, Ronnie and Lisa Cyrier, so that they could read some of the books about his adventures to a special gathering of students.
The occasion was the first Christmas Party of the newly resurrected volunteer literacy program which is designed to help students of all grade levels to enhance their reading, pronunciation and comprehension skills. The program is operated by a dedicated group of volunteers from the San Pedro community under the leadership of Susan Barkhouse and Brittney O'Daniel.
Dooley Bear and the kids of Holy Cross were a great match. Lisa Cyrier is a speech pathologist who conceived of the books as a way to encourage and improve language skills and that's what these kids are all about, too. Ronnie Cyrier illustrates the books and Dooley is in charge of canine antics that can be turned into amusing stories and illustrations.
Pier 366: A New Family Style Seafood House In A Beautiful Location
The resort, the Villas at Banyan Bay, has been on Ambergris Caye for well over 15 years. Located on one of the prettiest beaches on the island - Maratumbo Beach - it is now under new management. And there are some changes to come to the 2 and 3 bedroom condo hotel in the year to come. But the first major change was an overhaul and updating of the old Rico's Restaurant.
Here are some pics of the resort. I love all the flowers and trees that give keep the pool from the beach. I very much dislike feeling like you are on display while lounging in the sun.
International Sources
LEGISLATION TO STRENGTHEN US-CARIBBEAN ENGAGEMENT HEADS TO PRESIDENT OBAMA'S DESK
(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Representative Eliot L. Engel (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), a former Chair of the Committee, today announced that their legislation to enhance U.S. engagement with the Caribbean has passed the House and Senate and is headed to the President for signature into law. The United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act (H.R. 4939) calls for a new, long-term strategy to strengthen ties between the United States and its Caribbean neighbors.
Baldwin grad gets help from teachers for Belize books project
A teacher at J.E. Harrison Middle School who worked as the gifted coordinator at Baldwin High School stays in touch with a number of former students.
So when Baldwin High School graduate Adria Zern sent a Facebook message asking if teacher Debbie Reynolds could organize a book drive to benefit the primary school Zern works at in Belize there was no hesitation.
Reynolds thought the book drive fit perfectly into the district's theme "BW Connects" by having middle school students and members of the high school's Literary Guild collect books for a Baldwin graduate working in a Central American country.
As of late last week, Reynolds said around 200 books have been donated. Zern said the books will help children in kindergarten through the seventh grade. The school library has limited materials for the 120 students.
Keith Harrison, high school teacher and sponsor of the Literary Guild, said the group's service project for the past four years has been a book drive to benefit Pittsburgh Carmalt School in Brookline. Reynolds asked Harrison if the guild would want to help Zern's efforts. Harrison taught Zern as a freshman in honors English. He said the project shows students that they can make a difference.
CDB approves US$10 million to support Belize poverty reduction agency
The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) will assist the government of Belize in strengthening an institution that is a key partner and important vehicle for providing services to poor and vulnerable communities in that country. CDB's board of directors last Thursday approved a loan of US$10 million to Belize. It will be used to expand the services of the Belize Social Investment Fund (BSIF). BSIF, which was established in 1996, is responsible for promoting, appraising, financing and supervising the implementation of small and medium-sized sub-projects designed to benefit underserved communities.
"CDB is pleased to support BSIF in scaling up its very important work, which increases access to basic social infrastructure and services to underserved women, men, boys and girls in Belize," said Daniel Best, director, projects, CDB.
Garinagu organization and political growth in Belize - Part 3
The 1980s is a significant period in Belize and for the Garinagu, as the country in 1981 obtained its independence from Britain. Although discrimination continues in employment promotion and granting certain positions, prejudice against Garinagu decreased in the post-independence period.
It is commented that negative stereotypes of the group decreased through the arts recognizing Garifuna Punta Rock music in the 1980s and also their participation in the nationalist movement and many contributions to the country recognized.40 Since this period, the Creole continued to exercise social and political power in Belize.41
Nonetheless, it is estimated that this may change with the growth of the mestizo population and increase in their socioeconomic status. Furthermore, other Spanish-speaking populations from neighbouring countries (Guatemala, El Salvador, Mexico) continue to migrate to Belize in large numbers.42
Caribbean Nations See Mixed Growth In Exports This Year
Latin American and Caribbean exports are expected to fall approximately $50 billion, or 6 percent, in 2016, but three Caribbean nations saw declines in the double digits, the Inter-American Development Bank said this week.
They are:
Belize:
The Central American nation of Belize saw a 24 percent decline in its exports compared to 13 percent last year. Belize's exports include sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood and crude oil. Exports in Belize decreased to BZ $21.42 Million in September from BZ $59.35Million in August of 2016. Exports in Belize averaged BZ $ 48.62 Million from 2005 unt
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