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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, and other specials
The San Pedro Sun
New mural features Belize’s rich ecosystem
In their efforts to continue spreading awareness against oil exploration in Belize, the Belize Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage and Oceana in Belize inaugurated their ninth mural on Monday, March 13th. During a ceremony held on Laguna Drive, San Pedro Town saw the unveiling of the artwork depicting Belize’s rich marine ecosystem.
The initiative is part of a nationwide mural campaign, featuring scenes of the marine environment along the coast of Belize. The San Pedro mural depicts some of the marine wildlife and the richness of the barrier reef that lies in front of the island.
During a short ceremony held at Oasis del Caribe Apartments and Condominiums on Laguna Drive, Janelle Chanona, Vice President of Oceana in Belize spoke about the importance of such projects. “These paintings should be a reminder that we need to protect these rich natural resources, which support many livelihoods. San Pedro is the prime tourist destination in this country, and the barrier reef is vital for the local and national economy. We can’t stop the fight. These murals are another way of saying no to offshore oil exploration, and yes to the well-being of our natural resources.”
Fugitive Jordan Bacchus is also wanted in Toronto, Canada
According to the post, 6’1″, thin-built, 27-year-old Jordan Bacchus has been wanted since February 23, 2017 for multiple firearm offences. It is alleged that on February 22nd the Toronto Police Service executed several search warrants at addresses in Toronto in relation to Bacchus. However, he was not located. Toronto police indicate that he was last observed driving a charcoal-colored Infiniti four-door automobile in the Christie Street and Dupont Street area.
During several exchanges, Toronto police revealed to The San Pedro Sun that they were aware that Bacchus was wanted for murder in Belize, and this information helped them to obtain the necessary search warrants they used in an attempt to apprehend him. Bacchus has been at large since the searches.
In San Pedro, Almendarez’s widow Nancy told The San Pedro Sun that this new information has brought some sense of relief. “After my husband was murdered, I did not give up. I go to the police station multiple times a month to find out if they have found my husband’s killer. Police have not assisted me very well, and they always tell me that they don’t know where Bacchus is.
Reef Week Opens in San Pedro with beach clean up
San Pedro Town participated on Sunday, March 12th, with a reef swim cleanup effort. At 7AM, many ocean conservationists dressed in snorkel gear gathered at the Isla Bonita Yacht Club’s dock. The participants swam to Central Park, while cleaning sea beds and picking up debris such as: bottles, engine parts, tires, old anchors, ropes, and other items.
According to Martin John Leslie, Reef Swim organizer, islanders showed their love for the environment by attending the event. “A lot of people came out, and they mainly cleaned the sea grass beds from in front of Belize Yacht Club to the Central Park-parallel to the Barrier Reef. Because many juvenile fish shelter in sea grass beds, cleaning them helps to protect the fish from predators,” said Leslie.
Southwest Airlines inaugurates new route; Denver-Belize
On Saturday, March 11th, American air carrier Southwest Airlines and the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) inaugurated the first non-stop flight between Denver, Colorado, USA and Belize. This new service will be seasonal, operating from Denver International Airport every Saturday from March until April 22, 2017, and then Saturdays and Sundays from June 4th through August 14th.
The inaugural flight was received with much fanfare, including the traditional water baptism by the Belize Fire Department. Also onsite were dancers performing folkloric dances. Southwest Representatives, BTB officials and Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Honourable Manuel Heredia Jr. all gave official remarks.
“It is always a pleasure to welcome a new route to Belize,” said Heredia. “Southwest Airlines continues to show its commitment to Belize, making us more accessible to US travellers.”
Ambergris Today
BTIA Says GOB’s Proposed Revenue Measures Could Heavily Affect Belize Tourism
The Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) has issued a press release in which the organization is calling for the Government of Belize to reconsider two pieces of proposed legislation in the national budget that was presented to the country on Monday, March 13, 2017. BTIA states that these two proposals can pose very serious consequences for Belize’s tourism sector.
The Belize Tourism Industry Association hereby presents a position paper in response to GOB's proposed amendment to increase PACT Fee and Departure Tax.
REEF WEEK: Belizeans Highlight Contributions of Reef to National Economy
More than 190,000 Belizeans living in Belize’s coastal and island communities earn their livelihoods from tourism, making that industry account for almost 25% of the country’s gross domestic product. Another 15,000 Belizeans are directly dependent on Belize’s fisheries for their livelihoods. So it is not surprising that economic reports show that in the areas of tourism, fishing and shoreline protection, the Belize Barrier Reef contributes more than a billion dollars every year to Belize. Therefore, efforts to ensure health and integrity of our marine resources also ensure economic sustainability for the country, and safeguard the interests of almost two thirds of Belize’s population.
Misc Belizean Sources
THE BELIZE ZOO RUNS SLOGAN COMPETITION FOR TAPIR CONSERVATION
In honor of National Tapir Day and “Fuego” the Tapir’s 4th birthday, The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center is inviting Upper Division Primary School students countrywide to enter a slogan competition to celebrate this wonderful occasion.
The slogan should promote tapir conservation and awareness reflecting pride as our national animal and may highlight their habitat, their role in the environment, or the threats they face. Interested schools will receive an illustrated information package about Belize’s National Animal to assist in creating a great slogan. Entries should not be more than 12 words long.
For more information and requirements for the competition contact [email protected] Students who submit the winning entries and their classmates will be special guests of honour at Fuego’s 4th birthday bash and National Tapir Day celebrations on Thursday April 27th at The Belize Zoo.
For those folks who work with local Primary Schools or have kids attending Upper Division, please spread the word!
Hon. Edmond Castro Delivers Keynote Address at Inauguration of Biscayne Water System
On Wednesday, March 15th, Minister of National Emergency Management and Belize Rural North Area Representative, Honourable Edmond Castro was the main speaker at an inauguration ceremony for a new water system in the village of Biscayne in the Belize District.
This marks the completion of Sub-Project Phase II of the Water Expansion Project covering Biscayne Village and complementing the earlier phase inaugurated last year, which provides water for the adjacent village of Gardenia. This portion runs from mile 24.5 to mile 29.1 of the Phillip Goldson Highway and was executed at a cost of BZ$1.3 million, BZ$465,000 being a grant from the German Government, and BZ $835,000 being BWS’ contribution.
The San Pedro Town Council will be closing its offices
tomorrow, Friday, March 17, 2017 at 12:00 noon
We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause.
Senior Citizen Perishes in Fire
Sometime before 2 a.m. on Thursday, 16th of March a fire occurred on Iguana Street in Belize City. 86 year old Louise Berry did not survive the blaze which burned the modest wooden structure.
The PUP Belize Rural South Marshall's Community Service Corp. demonstrated today in San Pedro
Against the irresponsible lack of medical care and facilities on the islands of San Pedro and Caye Caulker. We have all lost so many loved ones from both sides of the political spectrum due the lack of medical facilities and emergency response. We call directly now on our Area Representative for BRS, Manuel Heredia Jr. and Mayor Daniel Guerrero to please address this very serious issue. A hospital was promised in 2011. 6 years later, our residents continue to suffer and succumb to the lack of emergency care and facilities. The PUP is here to speak out for those who no longer can and those who are afraid to do so. We will work with anyone, including our elected officials, to see an end to these unnecessary tragedies plaguing our island homes.
Hats and Scarves Palm Sunday Luncheon
Sunday, April 9 at 11 AM - 3 PM, Belize Biltmore Plaza
3 Miles Northern Highway Belize City, Belize City.
Come out for an afternoon of musical enchantment and spectacular foods. Support the Belize Cancer Society Hats and Scarves Palm Sunday Luncheon, Sunday, April 9th, 2017. Reserve your tickets early and experience an afternoon unlike any other! Exciting raffles and door prizes. Mouth watering sweet treats will be on sale , Cash Bar. Contact us at 223-0922 or email us at [email protected] to reserve your ticket today.
Benque Women's Day Celebration
The Benque HoC celebrated Women's Day. March is Women's and Children's Month.
"The Joy, the power, the challenges and strengths of a Women are just some of the natural traits of a Woman's virtue and possession,yesterday many Women shared their journey, empowering stories from the professional ground, lifeskills and the Artistry of being a woman in a changing environment.
We are immensely grateful to all our women who participated as presenters, performers and engaging audience. Lastly we thank the efforts of Mrs. Cynthia Williams, Coordinator of the Women's Department for all her efforts in travelling from Belize City to Benque to address our audience! Celebrating Women for all contributions everyday and all day!"
Rabies Vaccinations Saturday in Cayo
The SISE Town Council and the Ministry of Health are promoting rabies vaccinations Saturday, March 18th, by having free shots all around Cayo. There will be 5 stations set up around Cayo, and they'll be there from 10:00am until 3:00pm. If your cat or dog is at least 3 months old, they can get the shot.
Paradise Theater playing this weekend
Why Him?,
Assassin's Creed,
Silence,
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter.
Note: Resident Evil: The Final Chapter starts at 9:30..
Also, Projector for screen 2 has been upgraded and looks better than ever.
PALMAR GOV'T CHAIRMAN REFUSING COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS ACCESS TO COMMUNITY CENTRE
This morning the Community Health workers found themselves with closed doors after the Village Chairman has seemingly closed the space in the Community Centre that was set aside for a Community Clinic, refusing to give the key for access.
Patients had to be treated outside; no regard for their health and hygiene. Another high handed act by Gov't officials in power, and the ones who suffer: the People.
Note: A space within the community centre had been assigned for a "Clinica General Familiar" but health is not a priority for this Chairman and Government, wanting to move this clinic out.
Belize - Hurricane Earl (MDRBZ005): Final Report
REPORT from International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies
Hurricane Earl made landfall on 4 August 2016, with wind gusts of up to 110 km/h, as estimated by the United States’ National Hurricane Centre.
NEMO reported major infrastructural and building damage, forcing 170 people to seek shelter in collective centres in Belize City, Cayo and Orange Walk. In total, 10,355 people (2,071 families) were affected after Hurricane Earl ripped through Belize as a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Wind scale. Belize City and Ladyville were the most affected areas; NEMO assigned these areas (periurban areas) to the National Society, which conducted detailed assessments following the disaster. Meanwhile, the government provided immediate relief to the affected people and communities.
Caribbean Islands Count on Coral to Build Up Coastal Resilience
Twice a week, fisherman Romould Compton puts on scuba gear to dive to the seabed and clean tiny elkhorns growing in the coral nursery off the Caribbean island of Carriacou, tending them until they can be transplanted to a damaged reef nearby.
He hopes his conservation work will help to bring back more of the fish, such as red snapper, king butterfish and hind, that many islanders depend on.
"In my area we depend on the reef for our survival and livelihoods, and a lot of reef is dead," said Compton by phone from Windward, Carriacou, one of the lush, mountainous islands that make up Grenada in the southeast of the Caribbean.
HON. TRACY TAEGAR PAYS TRIBUTE TO WOMEN POLICE OFFICERS ON THE OCCASION OF WOMEN’S MONTH
Hon. Tracy Taegar-Panton, Minister of State for the Ministry responsible for Investment, Trade & Commerce, today paid tribute to women police officers for their personal sacrifices to safeguard Belize’s peaceful democracy and for their commitment and unparalleled dedication to the work of nation building, “a job reserved for women of strength.”
The Minister was delivering a motivational speech to women police officers and civilian staff of The Belize Police Department, Eastern Division, during a two-day seminar as part of activities celebrating Women’s Month during the month of March. As part of Women’s Month activities, the Police Department embarked on an initiative to refresh, motivate and recharge the essence of team spirit and professionalism amongst the female populace within the department. Traditionally during Women's Month the Department seeks creative and innovative ways to highlight and celebrate women. And this year is no different.
St. Patrick's Day Beach BASH at Crazy Canucks!
We shouldn't have to remind you.....but TOMORROW beginning at 1pm is our St. Patrick's Day Beach BASH!
DJ from 1-7pm.
Karaoke beginning at 7pm.
Corned beef and cabbage with potatoes and carrots for $25bz.
Irish Car Bombs $12bz.
Lucky Leprechaun shots $5bz.
Green Beer $5bz.
Belikin Beer giveaways.
Saga Humane Society 50/50 raffle.
Free beads and temporary tattoos.
Wear your green and be ready to party like a Leprechaun. Bring your friends!
Preschoolers come to the Corozal Library
We are in the Middle of Child Stimulation Month! We have had a lot of fun with preschoolers that have been coming to the library! So far we have had the following schools: Ranchito, Fairy Land, Paraiso, St. Francis Xavier, Christiline Gill... Check out the pics!
Channel 7
Octogenarian Perishes In Fire
An 86 year old woman perished in a fire early this morning. Louise Berry was inside her small wooden home when the flames and smoke engulfed her home. Berry was trying to escape but the fire spread quickly and engulfed her. It is a devastating blow to a family who has already lost close loved ones. Courtney Weatherburne has more details.
Everyday Louise Berry would sell newspapers outside Brodies on Albert Street.
Berry would sit right beside her brother, who also tries to make a few bucks himself. But today instead of enjoying his sister's company, he has to settle for a freshly cut rose peering out of a water bottle.
His sister was burnt alive in a house fire early this morning around 1:00.
Gretel Lopez, Stepsister:
"Well I was asleep and my son hollered to me but we taught it was something happening to him out there so we jumped up but when I reached the door, the kids were shouting fire Mom, fire."
Fire Department Says Candles May Be The Cause
Now the fire department has already ruled out any electrical problems as the cause of the fire but they are looking definitely looking at Berry's use of candles as one cause.
Benesford Matura, Operations Officer - BNFS:
"Well I can say its not electrical and we also, the investigators, picked up that the neighbors say that she has that tendency of, although she has electricity, keep a candle lit. We are still out there investigating, but we are leaning towards that. But we just have to certify that that's what caused the fire."
Reporter:
"When fire officials got on the scene, were they able to ascertain whether the woman was still alive at that point in time?"
Benesford Matura, Operations Officer - BNFS:
"No, by the time we arrived there she was already probably overcome by the smoke and passed away."
Berry had electricity.
Two Teakettle Residents Charged
Yesterday we told you that police had detained three people, two men and a woman, for questioning about the murder of 18 year old Kerona Ara. Well, the female was released, and both men have been charged. They are Teakettle residents, 22 year old Jaime Patnett and 20 year old Shaylon Santos and this evening, they were officially charged with Ara's murder.
Shaylon Santos is the older brother of Shemar Santos, who was charged with the murder of Ernesto Wiltshire earlier this month. He is also the man who Ara's mother, Sherlene Mai, told us she suspected of killing her daughter.
Both Santos and Patnett have been further remanded, and will appear in court tomorrow.
Arilee's Fire Not Electrical
The Fire Department has concluded that the fire at Arilee Scott's Prince Street home was not caused by faulty electrical connections. Yesterday Scott's son told us that the house had electrical problems ever since it was rebuilt after the last fire 10 years ago. But today the Fire Department's Operations Officer said that the cause of the fire is a lot simpler than that:...
Benesford Matura, Operations Officer - BNFS:
"At approximately 7am yesterday morning we got a call for a structural fire on Prince Street. Upon arrival the 2 store dwelling was a bit a few yards in on Prince Street. The upper flat bedroom was totally engulfed and flames were mostly concentrated in the upper flat."
"We got into operations and quickly extinguish that fire, because if you can see the remains are not much. The entire downstairs is safe with a little water damage. We extinguish that fire and investigation is showing that it's not electrical. We ruled that out. The origin of the fire is on the top of one of the bedroom in the upper flat, but precisely what started it, what came together to start that fire we are still investigating - still trying to figure out what caused that fire."
Cop Ran Head On Into Car Crossing Intersection
Today a cop suffered minor injury when he ran into a car that was crossing a busy intersection on Albert Street.
The police officer was heading down Albert Street but as he approached the intersection of Albert and King Street - a car tried to dart across. The officer, who had the right-of-way was unable to slow down or avoid the vehicle that tried to "tief chance" and cross the intersection before he could pass. The officer seemed relatively unharmed, and got up and was able to walk almost immediately after the accident. He received medical attention from paramedics on the scene.
Cost Ran Into Motorcycle Driver
Now, an accident that's almost the exact opposite happened two days ago on Fairweather Street in Belize City. That's when a Tourism Police Unit Pickup on Dolphin Street hit a motorbike that was crossing the intersection. The man driving the motorbike was flung to the pavement and appeared to have sustained minor injury.
Mother Of Two Will Be Raised From Coma With Bullet Still Lodged In Brain
Now we have an update on the condition of Camille Munnings. The mother of two was shot in the head in Caye Caulker early last week. Munnings was put into a medically induced coma to reduce the trauma to her brain and has been fighting for her life since. While there is still a bullet lodged in her head, we received some good news today. According to her sister, doctors have decided to bring her out of the coma. They are letting the process happen naturally, and expect her to regain consciousness sometime this weekend.
After she wakes up, more tests will have to be conducted to determine exactly how extensive the damage to her brain was. Doctors are also debating whether or not they should remove the bullet, as extracting it could do more harm than good.
San Ignacio Sensae
Yesterday morning, San Ignacio Police found five and a half pounds of weed at a residence on Macal Street in San Ignacio Town. The weed was broken down into three packages. Police also searched near a creek and found another black plastic bag with half a pound of weed. No. one was around, so the drugs were labelled as "Found Property".
Vegetable Smugglers In North
And Customs in the north have also been making seizures, not of cannabis, but of contraband. On Wednesday morning at 11:00 on the Santa Cruz Road busted this Ford Ranger pickup truck very loaded with an assortment of vegetables including heads of lettuce and large onions, which were being smuggled into the country. And last night.
And then last night at 11:30 on the Blue Creek Road, Customs intercepted this Chevy Colorado full sized pickup. It was again loaded with Mexican vegetable smuggled in illegally.
Customs confiscated all the goods and the vehicles.
The In's And Out's Of The Highly Permeable Passport System
Last night, we showed you coverage of yesterday's session of the Senate Hearings on Immigration. The witness in the hot seat was was Rodolfo Bol, currently the IT Manager at the Immigration Department.
He rejected allegations from the Auditor General that he attempted to conceal information on the passport machine from their audit. He also explained how dishonest persons managed to get a bogus picture onto the system for the Won Hong Kim passport. He said that from the Department's investigation, the Immigration Officer who took the picture was Immigration Officer Erwin Robinson.
That's the officer who the Auditor General's report also points to, but there is a bit of a doubt. That's because Robinson had access to the passport system through a username and password, which could be compromised. Bol revealed yesterday that that just because Robinson's account information was used to access the passport system, it doesn't conclusively mean that he took it. He told the Senators that Robinson's password could be changed, allowing someone else to use his access profile.
CITO Manager Says He Was Unduly Blamed
In the last hour of the Senate hearing yesterday, the committee called Francisco Gonzalez, who is currently the Acting Director of the Central Information Technology Office, CITO. Back in November 2013 to February 2014, he was assigned to the Audit Team which went in to investigate the Immigration Department for irregularities.
The team utilized his skills to extract information from the passport system. They cross referenced that with hard-copy records of application, to identify any inconsistencies, which could point to irregularities.
So, his input was very valuable, but a few months into the audit, he went away to Taiwan on training. The Auditor General and her team did not take too kindly to that decision. They interpreted his sudden exit as frustrating to their audit, which they assert was negatively impacted due to his absence and his contribution. Yesterday, Gonzalez testified before the Senate that his exit was not so sudden, and whenever he was called upon, he performed to the best of his abilities:
Riding The Waves
Today Belize City just got a leg up in the fight against flooding. New devices called limnimeters have been installed above key waterways in the city and in Burrell Boom. These new machines are able to record the height of the water in real time, allowing officials to respond to flood related disaster much faster and greater precision. We spoke to Belize City Councilor Phillip Willoughby, who is responsible for the City's flood mitigation about the importance of this new technology...
The new meters will allow City officials to predict and respond to incoming floods.
Botched Case: Cholom Is Free After Nine Months
He allegedly admitted to having sex with a 13 year old but 46 year old Santiago Cholom has been set free after nine months behind bars. His attorney, Oswald Twist successfully argued before the judges of the court of appeal that a number of serious technical errors had been made in the case. The DPP's office conceded to these errors and the judges of the court of appeal set Cholom free. Ususally, they would just order a retrial.
Notably, Cholom's confession was not accepted in court because it was written in English which Cholom who is a Maya, says he does not understand.
SSB To Buy BEL Shares
In all the big business of Budget Monday at the House of Representatives, one major piece of news that got blushed over is Government's decision to sell 15 million dollars' worth of its shares in BEL to the Social Security Board. That's 3 million shares at five dollars each. Government needs the cash and says it won't change the government holdings in the utility. But the PUP says GOB is using Social security as a piggy bank:
Hon. John Briceño - Leader of the Opposition:
"Pretty much the government is using Social Security as their piggy bank, transferring these shares so that they can try to prop up their budget, because it's a budget that's in serious trouble."
Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow - Prime Minister:
"SSB which already owns as I indicated a substantial amount of shares in BEL since this government nationalize, has realize a significant return well above what it can get for any fixed deposits in the banks every single year. This is an investment in which SSB can't miss. You can't get anything by leaving the money in the bank. This is a sure fire investment that will help SSB."
Hola Almagro!
OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro arrived in the country today. He came in at around noon, and zipped to a meeting with the Prime Minister at his Belize City Office. Almagro was accompanied by Special Representative for Belize-Guatemala Affairs Magdalene Talamas, They were joined by Foreign Minister Hon. Wilfred Elrington and Belize's Permanent Representative to the OAS Ambassador Patrick Andrews. Almagro will hold a press briefing tomorrow.
Placencia Tourist Died By Drowning
53 year old American Tourist Steven Gail Wine died from drowning. That's what a post mortem concluded today. On Tuesday, the tourist from Colorado was socializing with his wife and other family members in Placencia village. He left the group, and went for a dip but never resurfaced. A few minutes later, his wife found him motionless in the sea.
BTIA Worried About Sagging Occupancy Rates
The Belize Tourism Board has been constantly reporting record breaking numbers. But, while we haven't seen any numbers for 2017 yet, there are anecdotal reports from some hotels that occupancy is down. This was underscored when we spoke to the Executive Director of the BTIA yesterday.
John Burgos - Executive Director, BTIA:
"We cannot take it for granted that because we saw increasing arrivals in 2016, that that's going to be the case for 2017. We have heard many concerns from our members stating that their occupancy rates was better in 2015 than in 2016. But the overnight arrivals have increased. How do you explain that?"
Jules Vasquez, 7News:
"Air B&B?"
Vega Not Coming Back To House?
The UDP's Gaspar Vega has missed four straight house meetings. Ever since the Orange Walk North Representative resigned in scandal in October, 2016, he has not attended a house meeting. And when you see his seat at the very far end of the back bench, you can kind of understand why the man who used to hold the number 2 seat, may be reluctant to attend. After all, that's the seat that was previously reserved for Elvin Penner. The Leader of the Opposition discussed his absences.
Hon. John Briceño - Leader of the Opposition:
"Look at what he has done to Gaspar Vega? He has put him all the way to the last seat. Not even next to Dr. Campos. I think that's an insult to Gaspar Vega and even to the people in Orange Walk North that voted for Gaspar Vega in the last general elections."
PG Progress
Residents of Punta Gorda Town are finally enjoying the completed works of a rehabilitated road and drainage infrastructure project. It's a 1.7 million dollar investment which the Government of Belize, and the Punta Gorda Town Council collaborated on to work on roads such the Hopeville Loop, and the Robert Pennell and Lucille Melendrez Streets.
The project, implemented by the Social Investment Fund, came with chip seal roads surfaces, a drainage system, street markings, and road signs. It was officially inaugurated with a ceremony yesterday on those brand new streets in PG, and here's what the Minister responsible for SIF, and the Mayor had to say:
Residents of PG told us that this project was first started under the previous PUP Town Council, and it was expected that about 6 months later, it would have been finished. Unfortunately, the completed works took almost 3 years.
Jail For Firearm
20 year-old Stephen Mejia is at the Prison tonight after being found guilty of possessing a loaded 9 millimeter pistol.
He stood trial before Magistrate Carlon Mendoza where to 2 police officers testified that on the morning of September 1, 2016, they were on mobile patrol on Dunn Street, when they saw 2 men on bicycles. The cops say that the men made a dash to escape, and according to the officer, he saw Stephen Mejia, throw a gun over a zinc fence.
They later recovered a Glock pistol, loaded with 9 live rounds.
In his defense, Mejia told the court he was innocent. He disputed that the officers saw him throw anything away.
Luz Longsworth's Ascent
Today the UWI Open Campus gets a new Chancellor. Dr. Luz Longsworth will officially be inducted as the Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal of the Open Campus of the University of the West Indies in Belize. Longsworth is the third woman to hold a position of such high standing since the Campus' inception in 2008.
Longsworth has over 25 years of experience in academia and business, and served as a director of the open campus since 2008.
We'll have more on her impressive ascension tomorrow.
Channel 5
2 from Teakettle Charged in Keonia Ara Murder
Two young men from the village of Teakettle are facing charges of murder in connection with the brutal slaying of eighteen-year-old Keonia Ara over the weekend. As we’ve reported, the [...]
Fatal Flash Fire Traps 86-Year-Old Louise Berry
There have been two fires in the past two days in Belize City, one of which was fatal for an elderly woman. The most recent fire occurred just after one [...]
Fire Department Chasing Suspected Cause of Prince Street Fire
The other fire occurred on Wednesday morning on Price Street in downtown Belize City. Sometime after seven o’clock, Arilee Scott and her four-year-old grandson were inside the two storey wooden [...]
APAMO Attempts to Persuade G.O.B. Not to Tax PACT
The first serious objection to the bundle of tax measures introduced by Prime Minister Dean Barrow and the government at Monday’s budget presentation was raised by the Belize Tourism Industry [...]
Your Bottle of Rum May Cost a Lot More in April
News Five has uncovered information of an unreported, unexpected increase in the excise tax on rum, reported to us at as much as a hundred-percent increase. It has been proposed [...]
At Senate, Rodolfo Bol Questioned over Alleged System Tampering by Audit
Rodolfo Bol is the Immigration Department’s former System Manager, and current I.T. Manager. He has been with the Department since 2004. He manages the passport machine system and border management [...]
How BPIS Failed in Won Hong Kim Case
Bol was also questioned on the most infamous example of how the Belize Passport and Information System was breached during the tenure covered by the Auditor General’s Report from 2011 [...]
Man Dodges Heavy Sentence for Throw-Away Gun
Twenty-year-old Stephen Mejia of Antelope Street in Belize City is behind bars after he was sentenced to one year in prison for keeping an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. In September [...]
Court of Appeal Dismisses Carnal Knowledge Conviction for Santiago Cholom
After nine months behind bars, forty-six-year-old Santiago Cholom is home free, following a decision by the Court of Appeal to have him released due to a number of errors during [...]
B.T.I.A. Calls for More Spending on Tourism Destinations
On Wednesday night, we told you about the B.T.I.A.’s strong position on G.O.B.’s proposed revenue measures which include increasing the PACT fee, as well as taking ten percent of the2017-2018 [...]
25 years of Healthy Teeth with Project Smile
A dental initiative for Anglican primary schools in Belize City has students motivated to smile and show off their clean, pearly whites. Project Smile is a dental program of the [...]
The “Y” Marks 61 Years
The YWCA is celebrating sixty-one years of being in Belize. To mark this milestone, on Sunday they started a week of activities under the theme “Empowering Women in a Changing [...]
All-Male Baker to Vegas “Protectors” Try for Repeat Performance
A team of athletes from the Belize National Coast Guard, the Belize Police Department and the Belize Defense Force is headed to the United States next week to participate in [...]
Seasons of Sickness: Healthy Living Tells What to Watch For
Doctors are accustomed to seeing cases of certain illnesses rise at specific times of the year. This time of year – although the weather is quite “UN-Marchlike” – pediatricians tend [...]
CTV3
PUP Leader Dialogues With Students Of Belize Adventist College
There were listening ears and curious minds at the Belize Adventist Junior College in Calcutta Village, Corozal District this morning, as the Leader of the Opposition Hon. John Briceno paid a special visit to address the students of the institution.
The People’s United Party leader spoke on a variety of key issues affecting the country at the moment including the economy, education, unemployment and the lack of opportunities for young people, and the budget and how it impacts young people.
Opposition Leader Speaks On Upcoming Debate
The Barrow Administration’s 2017-2018 draft Budget presented on Monday of this week will go under heavy scrutiny by the Opposition People’s United Party on Thursday March 23rd and Friday March 24th when the House meets once more for its annual budget debate.
Opposition leader Hon. John Briceno has done a review of the Prime Minister’s budget speech, questioning his sincerity about the numbers presented for the next fiscal year. Briceno has called the budget a bogus budget and today he repeated that the PM’s numbers just don’t make sense.
Mayor Bernard Weigh In On Budget Presentation
The Prime Minister’s 2017/2018 $1.18 billion National Budget presented on Monday is giving much to talk about. The plan for the Barrow administration is to raise close to $80 million dollars in revenue from increased taxes which will then be used to plug the budget’s flaring deficit. Today we took the opportunity to ask the Mayor of Orange Walk Town, Kevin Bernard, for his input on the budget itself. He responded by saying that it is merely a sham as it puts additional burden on all Belizeans. Kevin Bernard – Mayor, Orange Walk Town: “This budget is a Bogus Budget, this budget will see increase in taxes to the hard working Belizean middle class, I mean our electricity will go up we will pay more we are already suffering when environmental tax is added on 1% the consumer will pay; fuel we’ve been suffering from fuel cost for quite some time now the Prime Minister come and say they are going...”
Twenty Five Workers Sacked From Princess Casino Near Free Zone
Reliable information to CTV-3 news is that about twenty five employees of Princess Casino located at the Santa Elena border have been suddenly let go from their jobs. According to a reliable source, the notice of termination came via abrupt phone calls to them indicating that they should not come to work the next day. We understand that some of the workers affected include supervisors, cleaners, dealers and casino attendants. We have been unable to get any of the affected workers on the record and will follow-up on this report. We hope to get some verification from the Casino management.
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Villagers Forced to Receive Healthcare Outdoors Following Eviction
For the past five years, Community Health Worker, Everita Luciano Copo and her team, has been offering free clinic services to infants and women of San Jose Nuevo Palmar Village in the Orange Walk District. Copo decided to do the same this year at the community center where she would usually hold the clinics. But […]
Belize and Canadian Authorities Seek Jordan Bacchus
Police in Toronto, Canada, are searching for a man wanted for multiple firearms related offences. That man is also wanted in Belize in relations to a murder investigation. He is 27 year old Jordan Bacchus. In Belize, he is the prime suspect for the murder of Melvin Almendarez who was found south of San Pedro […]
Dr Luz Longsworth to Be Inducted as 3rd Pro-Vice Chancellor for UWI Open Campus
The University of the West Indies Open Campus is the umbrella organization of seventeen campuses in the Caribbean and effective this evening, Belizean national, Dr Luz Longsworth will be at the helm of all these institutions. Her induction is slated to start at six o’clock this evening at the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize […]
Efficiency at Sugar Mill Registers at 89%
The Sugar Cane Crop season is in its 15th week and last week more than forty eight thousand tons of cane was milled. That amount produced close to six thousand tons of sugar. So far so the season a little under sixty thousands tons of sugar has been produced. The BSI factory is milling a […]
AIR CANADA Approved to Fly to Belize
Five months ago WestJet had its inaugural flight from Toronto, Canada to Belize with a plan to operate seasonally. Recently, Air Canada had requested the approval from Canadian regulators to have a new route added to their roster which would see flights from Canada to Belize. Love News understands that the Canadian Transportation Agency has […]
Belize Partakes in CARICOM-Japan Consultations
The 18th CARICOM-Japan Consultation concluded on Tuesday, March 14 of which Belize was a participant via video conferencing. This consultation was built with three main foundations namely, the cooperation towards sustainable development including overcoming vulnerabilities particular to small island developing States; the deepening and expansion of bonds founded on exchanges and friendships and cooperation in […]
Senate Questions Entry of Wong Hong Kim Photo Into the Passport System
Information Technology Manager for the Immigration Department, Rodolfo Bol, appeared before the Senate Select Committee to answer allegations made against him in the Auditor General’s Special Reports. Bol has been at the Immigration Department since 2004 as he began his IT career as the System Administrator. Bol is in charge of the over sight all […]
IT Immigration Manager Refutes AG’s Allegations
In her report, the Auditor General says IT Manager Rodolfo Bol hid evidence. The Auditor General says quote, “Evidence suggested that IT Personnel or BPIS users had the ability to remove the history of users. This was substantiated by the action of Mr. Rodolfo Bol, the system manager, when he removes the user roles of […]
BTIA Fears New Tax Measures will Harm Tourism Industry
Two days ago the presentation of the National Budget for the fiscal year 2017/2018 noted an increase in departure tax for non-Belizeans and a ten percent contribution from Statutory Boards as part of the Government’s efforts in raising eighty million dollars. According to Prime Minister, Dean Barrow consultations were done with the Belize Tourism Board […]
Three Detained for Ara’s Brutal Murder
Investigators attached to the Belmopan Police Station have made significant progress into the murder of 18-year-old, Keona Ara whose charred remains were found at a dumpsite on Sunday, March 12 in that municipality. Reports reaching our news desk are that a residence in Belmopan was searched yesterday and the weapon suspected to have been used […]
2016 Sees 207 Complaints Taken to Ombudsman
The 45-page report for 2016 from the Office of the Ombudsman was released earlier this week. The report cites a total of two hundred and seven complaints made throughout the year with the highest percentage being against the Belize Police Department followed by the Belize Central Prison and the Immigration and Nationality Departments. According to […]
VIP Demands Reregistration 2017
Prime Minister Dean Barrow has written to the unions and other agencies expressing his desire to postpone the reregistration exercise to 2018 on the grounds that the economy would not be able to sustain the millions of dollars required for the undertaking and that with intentions to revoke illegally obtained nationalities more time would be […]
Police Finds Thelma’s Body Near Market Wharf
The lifeless body of an adult female was taken out the sea from the coastline of Punta Gorda earlier today. We hear more in this report from correspondent Paul Mahung. PAUL MAHUNG “Based on reports Punta Gorda police went to the area in the vicinity of the Punta Gorda Market Wharf where police took the lifeless body […]
American National Dies on the Peninsula
An American national lost his life on the Placencia peninsula last night just after six o’clock. It is a case that the police has categorized as sudden death. The incident happened directly in front of the Tipsy Tuna Sports Bar when 53-year-old, Steven Wine went into the sea. After much time had passed Wine’s wife […]
Ambassador Mendez Awarded Medal of Honor as OAS’ Assistant SG
Ambassador Nestor Mendez who now holds the seat of the Assistant Secretary General at the Organization of the American States (OAS) was awarded for his commitment to the values of the OAS. He received the Medal of Honor for merit today presented by the Sociedad de Estudios Internacionales (SEI) of Panama, in recognition of his […]
Immigration System Flawed in Tracking Users
IT Manager in the Immigration Department, Rodolfo Bol, was not able to tell the Senate Select Committee how a photo of Wong Hong Kim got into the system. The system, however, records the date, time and username when it is used. In this case, according to the Auditor General report, the system shows that the […]
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