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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
SPTC organizes Easter beach volleyball tournament
During the long Easter weekend, The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) organized a two-day beach volleyball tournament in front of the Central Park. Held on Saturday, April 15th and Sunday, April 16th, the tournament had eight male teams, and two female teams. Cash, gifts and trophies were awarded to the top teams in each category at the end of the tournament.
Games started on Saturday between the male teams only. Each team was composed of two players and each game consisted of three sets. A game was won by the team that first scored 21 points, with a lead of two points. Four male teams were eliminated on the first day, and four advanced to the semi-finals on Sunday.
Erica Bodden crowned San Pedro Lions Queen
The San Pedro Lions hosted an Easter dance on Saturday, April 15th, and took the opportunity to crown 18-year-old Erica Bodden as their new San Pedro Lions Queen 2017-2018. Held at the Lions Den, the coronation ceremony took place first, as San Pedro Lions Queen 2016-2017, Solani Graniel, and Miss Teen Petite Earth 2016-2017, Vivian Noralez, had the honors of sashing and crowning Bodden.
While guests congratulated Bodden on her accomplishment, the rest of the night saw live music from the Caribbean Kings, and a special performance from Ismael Antonio Chacon, known as "El Buki". Guests enjoyed themselves, dancing until the wee hours of the morning.
Fun for everyone, Ambergris Caye's Easter celebration
This year's Easter festivities on Ambergris Caye did not disappoint, as it was a perfect weekend filled with fun and lively beach parties. Several events drew hundreds of visitors and residents to celebrate while enjoying the refreshing waters, and breeze under a hot San Pedro sun. From sporting activities to picnics, barbeques, and even a foam party with international Deejays, there was something for everyone.
The fun-filled weekend started on Friday April 14th, after a 24-hour observation of 'Dry Friday.' Jaguar's Temple Nightclub and Rehab Lounge hosted their third Easter Glow Madness, featuring DJ Fyah Statah and DJ Smallz. Party revellers danced the night away with great music and drinks.
Ambergris Today
Plans Underway For A Morgue On Ambergris Caye
Today, April 19, 2017, the San Pedro Town Council met with the U.S. Embassy, Public Health Inspector and the San Pedro Police Department to discuss a temporary, and eventually permanent construction of a morgue for the island of Ambergris Caye.
The Officer in Charge (OC) of San Pedro, Henry Jemmott, stated that the permanent morgue is scheduled to hold the least eight bodies. The site for the island morgue is already available but certain modifications need to be made before construction begins.
However, since construction is expected to take place within several months, the U.S. Embassy has proposed to donate a 3 x 8 feet long Mortuary Refrigerator to be used at the San Pedro Poly Clinic in the time being. This refrigerator is scheduled to be installed within the next three months.
Misc Belizean Sources
SBDC Workshop: COSTING AND PRICING
April 27th, 2017,
9am to 12noon. Presented by: Ms. Monique Usher, Business Advisor, SBDCBelize, Beltraide. The workshop aims to equip participants with knowledge, skills and capabilities necessary to determine all costs related to the production of their goods or services. As a result, participants will be able to apply an adequate price that encompasses all the costs and allows them to make a profit at a affordable price.
The objectives of the workshop are to enable participants to better understand the importance of costing and pricing, acquire information about techniques used to calculate costs, acquire information on how to adequately price a product or service, participate in exercises that allows them to engage in costing and pricing.
Beyond the Horizon: Free Medical Services
The U.S. Embassy and the Government of Belize, in coordination with U.S. Army South, launched the Beyond the Horizon 2017 (BTH) collaborative humanitarian exercise on April 7, 2017. As part of the BTH partnership exercise, there will be free medical service events to the public offering general medicine, pediatrics, dentistry, OB/GYN, and optometry (including eyeglasses) in the following locations:
� April 17-21, 2017: Ladyville Community Center/Hurricane Shelter, Ladyville, Belize District.
� May 8-17, 2017: Macal River Park, San Ignacio, Cayo District.
� May 22-June 2, 2017: D Company Barracks, Dangriga, Stann Creek District.
Please feel free to take advantage of these great opportunities. Schools have also coordinated with the Beyond the Horizon team and brought in school children as well for screenings.
It is not limited to the geographic communities. Anyone who travels to the sites are eligible to receive care as long as they are there in time before the end of the day (info on times is posted on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BTH2017Belize ). Please bring plenty of water as wait times can be long.
Carnegie Airborne Observatory maps Lighthouse Reef
CAO aircrew finishes full mapping of Lighthouse Reef Atoll in Belize, for scientific discovery and conservation.
"Calabazo y Chumina" in Corozal
Another Laugh Out Loud weekend at the Princess Casino Free Zone, Corozal. This Friday and Saturday featuring a double whammy comedy show with "Calabazo y Chumina". Friday April 21st and Saturday, April 22nd at 10:00 P.M. Free Admission!
Art in the Park this Saturday in Corozal
It is another edition of Art in the Park this Saturday, April 22nd, 2017 at the Corozal Central Park. Art work provided by Eduardo "Papo" Alamilla.
Clash of the West
The Ballaz face the Bandits tonight at the UB gym. Go Ballaz!
"When you return from your Easter Vaca, Bandits Basketball will be back at the UB Gym for the Clash of the West.... Mark the date!"
Screen on the Green Belmopan
Reminder to come out tonight with the entire family and enjoy the movie Fantastic Mr. Fox!
Southern Ambergris Caye Neighbourhood Watch Potluck
Hi Neighbors!
We hope you are planning on joining us at the Potluck lunch at Caribe Island this Sunday at 1:00pm. If you did not sign up at the General Meeting on April 12th, please let us know if you will be joining us, how many will be coming and what you are planning to bring. Right now we are experiencing some difficulties with the online sign up sheet, and we need to get an idea of how many will be there.
ATTENTION CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURS: IDB OPEN CALL FOR CREATIVE STARTUP
The Inter-American Development Bank and Miami Dade College seek the most innovative startups in the creative and cultural industries in the following categories:
DESIGN WITH SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: Urban, interior and industrial design. Graphic arts, illustration and toys. Wearable technology, Accessibility and cultural identity expression. Co-creation between craftsmen and designers.
SUSTAINABLE FASHION: intelligent clothes, organic clothes, accessories.
Central Bank to liquidate some credit unions
The Central Bank of Belize has issued a notice of the "intent to liquidate Police Credit Union Limited, Mount Carmel Credit Union Limited, Civil Service Credit Union Limited, and Citrus Growers & Workers Credit Union Limited."
Channel 7
Cabbie Cut Up and Carjacked
Last night in Belize City, a 57 year old taxi man was held up at knife-point, injured and robbed of his vehicle.
At 8:20, Ernesto Robinson was driving his taxi on Western Avenue when he was stopped by a man on the corner of Ordonez Avenue. The man cut him several times and drove off.
Police set chase down the western highway where they found the vehicle overturned on the side of the road just before Mile 14. It was heavily damaged with multiple blown out tires. Commander of the Southside Police, ACP Chester Williams has more details...
Gang Truce Update: Lasting Peace Not That Simple
Of course, it is only the second major violent crime in the City since last week's peace march by the gangs.
It's all because of Eastern Division South's push toward a gang truce, and we told you last night there was a follow-up mediation session yesterday. That ended with the police and the gang members sharing a meal last night.
Today, we asked Assistant Police Commissioner Chester Williams, who is leading the effort, to discuss the continuation of this cooling off period, and possibly even a truce between all the city's gangs. He told us that it is a work in progress with some tricky aspects that they need to navigate around:
Cop Caught On Camera With Hands In Cookie Jar
Another police officer has been brought up on charges for an act of dishonesty - but this time the woman constable has been charged criminally, as well. She was allegedly caught on camera with her fingers in the cookie jar, so to speak. It happened on Good Friday in Santa Elena, Cayo. Seems like police had gone to crack down on a store that didn't have a valid liquor license. The female proprietor of "Little Red Shop" says that police arrived to search for liquor - and ended up seizing several assorted bottles. They seized her liquor stock even though she didn't have it on sale.
And while the police may end up having to return her stock - what one officer didn't plan on returning are four 50 dollar notes she allegedly pinched out of the store's cash pan. Constable #1241 Ann Marie Anthony was allegedly caught on security camera lifting four fifty dollar notes. Police received the complaint, and the Cayo District Commander Andrew Ramirez was tasked to investigate. With the video providing compelling evidence, he didn't waste time and she has since been arrested and criminally charged for the crime of "THEFT" and placed on interdiction. Additionally, she will be charged disciplinary for "Prejudice to good order and Discipline."
Accident Outside Port of Belize
Today multiple people were injured outside the Port of Belize as a driver lost control of a pickup truck and crashed into several barricades and at least one other vehicle. According to reports, the driver of the vehicle was sickly, and may have blacked out while driving, causing the vehicle to swerve into the side of the road. We spoke to Emmett Richardson, who barely managed to get out of the way before the truck hit his vehicle...
Emmett Richardson - Food Vendor:
"At the time I was selling a woman a food and the lady name Martha right from one of the port security. My back turn to the barriers and fi she back turn, so when I the sell she the food I ask ah if she want juice, so she said alright she want the juice but by the time I say the juice I see the barriers the move but I no the look because I say maybe da somebody just the move the barrier but when I hear the barrier slip then I look."
Police On The Killing of "Princess" Thompson
Last night, our headline story was about the murder of 36 year-old Indira Thompson, better known as "Princess". She was stabbed to death on Good Friday. Police suspect that she was killed by the Hispanic man she was last seen with, after she refused to have sex with him.
So do police have a suspect? Today, the Commander of Eastern Division Southside told us that they are still trying to track down the main suspect:
ACP Chester Williams - OC, Eastern Division South:
"We are still looking for one individual. We have not been able to catch up with him but we are hoping that pretty soon we will and when we do we'll see how that investigation will progress from there."
Killing Emphasizes Dangers of Derelict Buildings
While the investigation into Thompson's murder is central, there is another aspect to this tragic story, one the City Council has been trying to address and it has to do with the location of the brutal killing. It happened inside a shack tucked behind the abandoned Bellevue building. Now as we have reported, the city council along with NEMO and human services want to get rid of all these run-down buildings and structures around the city. Apart from being unsightly, they can serve as hide out spots for criminals and in this case, it was where Princess Thompson was murdered. Councillor Phillip Willoughby discussed the importance of demolishing these dilapidated buildings.
Pair of Fake Cops Spotted At Public's
Tonight, two men are being held pending charges after they were caught today at Public's Supermarket allegedly pretending to be police officers. The real Police from precinct four spotted the pair this afternoon right near the door at Public's looking like they were on some official security detail. They wore khaki shirts with silver buttons and blue pants, similar to police officers. They are detained this evening, and are being questioned about what exactly they were doing at Public's. One of the men, Dorian Blair was charged for impersonating a police officer in April of 2016. We'll have more on this tomorrow.
Guat Congress Says No To Map Including Belize
3 weeks ago, we told you about the leaked document from the Guatemalan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It's a report from a consultant in which 3 recommendations were being made. Those were to include Belize in the Guatemalan official map; to consider a referendum on offshore oil exploration in Belize, and to map out the Sarstoon area.
Well, press reports out of that country are that the Guatemalan congress rejected approval of a resolution to instruct government entities to include Belize in the official Guatemala map. On yesterday's issue, The Prensa Libre Newspaper reported that Congressman Luis Fernando Montenegro, from the political party, "Together for Guatemala", was the one who made by the proposal, and it was voted down by 84 votes against to 26 votes in favour.
Tires For Tides
Before the Easter break we told you about the two southern communities that are trying to break into the tourism industry: Punta Negra and Monkey River. While these villages have pretty much established their unique tourist packages, they have challenges and setbacks. Monkey River certainly has its fair share of problems with coastline erosion. Well the City Council along with the Department of Environment want to help. They plan on collecting as many used tires as they can to build a barrier along Monkey River's coastline. Now this isn't the first time a project like this has been done in Monkey River but city councillor Phillip Willoughby says they plan on doing a better and more effective job this time.
Yabra Canal Coming Along
Now while the city council is helping out Monkey River residents, they certainly haven't forgotten about the residents in the Yabra area. Those in the community especially the fishermen are struggling to get by with all that silt that has clogged up the canal, and the recent rain isn't helping the situation one bit. Phillip Willoubhy says the council is working on the best plan to deal with this problem.
Phillip Willoughby - City Councillor:
"The project is still fluid, it's still ongoing. Unfortunately the rains came, we never before has nature been unkind to us in this manner so early in approaching June. I can't recall whenever we had the rains but we hope that we can clear up that matter and then proceed forward because we still have the silt built up in the canals. Unfortunately the rains came but we have to deal with that and that won't stop the project from going forward. We still have to clean the canals with the silt build up..."
El Salvador And Belize Police Link Up For GREAT
Today officers from the Belize Police Department and the San Salvador Police Department gathered to take part in the GREAT - that is the Gang Resistance Education and Training program. As the name suggests, the training program gives officers the tools to fight gang violence by by involving the community in their policing efforts. We spoke to Inspector Edward Carcamo, the officer in charge of community policing for the Eastern Division about the workshop...
Insp. Edward Carcamo - OIC, Community Policing, Eastern Division:
"What is happening today or for the rest of this week and next week is that we have officers that are participating in the GREAT training, the gang resistance education and training program. In Belize we have the program started out from within 2009 when we started the first set of training and it was done in Central America in San Salvador and over the years up to now we have 180 police officers that have been trained within the program here in Belize."
Calling All Leaders
Last year in the beginning of May, Dr. Dionne Miranda and her team at Chamberlain consulting hosted the first Leadercast forum in Belize. Now, you may not know, but Leadercast is a big deal worldwide. It's event where some of the biggest leaders, and motivational speakers, such as the comedy superstar and filmmaker Tyler Perry, come to give talks on what it takes to be a leader.
They are looking for participation from leaders in all walks of life, from parliament, community activism, the school system, religious leaders, and even the business community. If you are a leader, or you aspiring to be, and you want to elevate your game, Chamberlain Consulting says the Leadercast is for you.
Yesterday, one of the Leadercast spokespersons from Barbados stopped by our office to tell us why you should sign up for an event that's been running for 17 years now outside of Belize:
Family of Drowned US Student Suing
In February of last year, 14-year-old American Tourist, 14 year-old Tomari Jackson drowned in the Belize District.
He was part of a group of 33 US students between the ages of 14 and 15, and they were all in Belize with their chaperons from North Cobb High School in Kennesaw, Georgia. Well, the story is back in the American press after his mother, Adell Forbes has sued the Cobb County School System, the trip's chaperones, and the Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Her case is being bolstered by a video footage of the teenager's last moments. He was wearing a body camera at the time of his drowning, and his family and their lawyer are asserting that the footage shows his death was preventable.
The attorney is quoted in a press conference from last week Friday, saying, "It chronicles his last breath... There's evidence from the video cam [that] there were chaperones�not paying full attention to what was going on."
Ms. Belize Rebecca Rath's Dad Accuses Opal
Ms. Belize Rebecca Rath continues to be celebrated since her return to Belize, and, she's been dutifully playing her role, but her father has radically departed from the "happily ever after" script. Well-known photographer Tony Rath has published a five part series on the internet about his daughter's difficult experiences throughout the pageant experience, and specifically, with the Miss Belize Universe Pageant Organizer, Opal Enriquez. The picture he paints in the series of articles, called, "The Rocky Road to Miss Universe" seems more like Ultimate Fighting in the Octagon, than vying for the Miss Universe crown in the Philippines.
Tanker Does A Roundabout Run Off
Early this morning a tanker truck filled with fuel ran into the drain in front of the Guanacaste park in Belmopan. It could have been a volatile situation but fortunately the truck was table, and another tanker was brought over and the fuel was carefully transferred. There was no report of anyone being injured.
Conch Shell Bay, From War Zone To Community Cradle
Earlier in our newscast, we showed you parts of our interview with Assistant Police Commissioner Chester Williams.
That opportunity presented itself today when he and his officers were out in the Conch Shell Bay area of the city for their weekly meet and greet sessions. Now, viewers will remember that in late December and all the way to the end of January, that part of the city was becoming a hotbed of violence resulting in numerous shootings and murders. But in the weeks that followed, tensions have cooled drastically.
Today, Williams told us that he and his team were conducting a follow up session. He added that Eastern Division South intends to hold a family day in that community:
77
Flurry of Football Fighting
Elections are coming up again for the Football Federation of Belize, and in advance of the tenth Ordinary Congress being held in late June, a flurry of what appears to be infighting has begun with a pair of high profile dismissals.
First, on April fourth, the Toledo Football Association Executive members made a move to overthrow their president Cecil Tillett. They say he uplifted a sanction while drunk, and that he undid an association directive without approval. Tillett yesterday wrote to President Marlon Kuylen making a lengthy appeal.
And, also yesterday, the FFB suspended Frank Sutherland, the Chairman of the Corozal Football Association. They say he misused federation money by forging receipts for rent he never paid. He can appeal the decision.
AmbergrisCaye.com 
