Channel 5
Accused David and Anke Doehm released, but back in police custody
There are new developments into the American couple, David and Anke Doehm, who was detained for questioning last week in the wake of the suspicious death of Faye Lin Cannon, [...]
Still no charges, D.P.P. have to final say
Charges relating to the alleged murder of adopted daughter Faye Lin Cannon are yet to be levied.� From what we have learnt, there is not enough evidence as to who [...]
Former Hawaii neighbor of Doehms reveals extent of child abuse
As the coverage of this very tragic death continues, a former neighbor of the Doehms provides details on the life of the couple in Hawaii before they moved to San [...]
Special Envoy calls for more social workers to meet demand
The death of Faye Lin Cannon has sparked response from all corners. On Monday the Human Development issued a lengthy release on the allegations made against the department.� Those allegations [...]
Police, B.D.F. still following uniforms case; was possession a crime?
The supply of used B.D.F. uniforms and outboard engines and its mysterious appearance in the possession of civilians, particularly a Mexican national and two Belizeans, in Orange Walk, continues to [...]
Police interested in communication between high-ranking soldier and one of accused
When asked whether the police department is investigating a string of text messages exchanged between the Mexican national and a high-ranking B.D.F. official while in detention, ComPol Whylie said he [...]
Soldier implicated by text clams up to News Five
News Five has obtained the video purportedly showing multiple communications between a high-level soldier of the Belize Defence Force and one of the persons found on Friday with used battle [...]
Police working with Guat counterparts to stop vehicle theft
The body of thirty-seven-year-old Ervin Rene Huex awaits transfer to Guatemala, following a deadly shootout on Saturday with Belizean law enforcement.� Huex was one of two thieves who robbed a [...]
Chasing murderers, police vow crackdown on criminal element
The biennial crime statistics for the first half of 2017 were released on Monday, and the report indicates that the number of murders have only reduced marginally when compared to [...]
Search intensifies for Mark Pollard, 49
A search for a Belize City man continues along the highway as well as on the waters. Mark Pollard was last alive on Monday, July third, when he set out [...]
52 year old charged for sex with minor, 15
A fifty-two-year-old man is accused of having sex with a fifteen-year old inside his vehicle on Sunday on the Phillip Goldson Highway.� This afternoon, Jose Lino Ardon, a resident of [...]
B.S.I. hails successful season, prepares for coming quota storm
'King Sugar' is especially sweet this year in the Corozal and Orange Walk Districts. The Tower Hill Factory produced a record-breaking one hundred and forty-four thousand tons of sugar, passing [...]
Producers ask Cane Farmers' Association to hold off on changes to agreement
The Corozal Sugar Cane Producers' Union and Progressive Cane Farmers Association based in Orange Walk have agreed with Belize Sugar Industries and American Sugar Refining to continue with the commercial [...]
Manuel Heredia Jr. ready for Senate inquiry
Tourism Minister Manuel Heredia Junior and his colleague Rene Montero appear on Wednesday before the Senate Special Select Committee on Immigration. The Belize Rural South area representative is expected to [...]
UNFPA tackles teen pregnancy and family planning
Across the world July eleventh is observed as World Population Day. It is a day used to draw attention on the urgency and importance of population issues. Since the day [...]
The 'Grandmaster' is honored with new DVD
In chess, the title grandmaster is the highest awarded and once achieved, is held for life. It seems an apt description for Belize's own Leroy Young, though his specialty is [...]
Michael Blease out as FFB General Secretary?
Michael Blease could be on his way out as General Secretary of the Football Federation of Belize as soon as tomorrow, Wednesday. News Five has been informed that the executive [...]
Week three of KTV the Remix coming your way!
Another round of exciting competition begins shortly at the Bliss Institute. Participants are all primed up to take on this week's challenge and face each other in the genre of [...]
LOVE FM
American couple face minor charge
American couple Anke Cannon and David Doehm were arraigned before a San Pedro magistrate this evening. However, it was not for the homicide of Cannon's adopted daughter, 13 year old Faye Lynn Cannon but for a drug matter. When San Pedro police searched the couple's condo at Grand Caribe, they found valium, a controlled drug [�]
Still no charges for American couple in death of adopted daughter
After paying the fine of one hundred and eighty five dollars for the charge of possession of control drugs, Anke Cannon and Doehm were released. As they stepped out of the San Pedro police stationed they were re-arrested and will remain in detention for another forty eight hours. Cannon and Doehm are considered as prime [�]
Department of Human Services responds to allegations of inaction in Cannon case
The death of 13-year-old, Faye Lin Cannon last week in San Pedro has dominated the headlines as well as on social media. Today the Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation issued a release saying it joins the nation in grieving the teenager's death. The Department says it is collaborating with the San [�]
San Pedro Mayor and area representative speak on teenager's death
Many island residents say they would see what Faye Lynn Cannon and her three adopted sisters would go through with their adoptive mother Anke Cannon and her boyfriend David Doehm. San Pedro Town Mayor Daniel Guerrero says he knew the family but saw no signs of any abuse. Daniel Guerrero - Mayor, San Pedro Town [�]
Belize River Valley Water project assessed
The Belize River Valley Water project was launched in 2010 by the Government in conjunction with the Caribbean Development Bank, CDB, and has seen nine communities in the Belize River Valley gain access to potable water. By 2012, the Belize Water Services was involved and the actual ground work started in 2013. Today, the major [�]
2016/2017 sugar crop deemed a success
The 2016/2017 sugar crop has closed with a record performance. As we have reported before, this crop which only extended five more days than last year to 208 days, saw the industry produce more sugar than has ever been produced before, using far less sugar cane. Vice President for International Relations for the ASR Group, [�]
BSI/ASR proposes new strategy for industry sustainability
And as the factory performs its best yet, it comes at a trying time for the industry. This year in October, Belize loses its preferential prices on the EU market and sugar prices continue to plummet on the world market. The changes on the EU market however are not a surprise; it is something that [�]
Guatemalan national fatally shot by Police
A Guatemalan national was shot and killed by Police on Saturday morning. Assistant Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, Officer Commanding Professional Standards Branch, today updated the media on the weekend incident. ACP Chester Williams - OC, Professional Standards Branch "On Saturday afternoon one Edwin Jimenez was the driver of a black Toyota Hilux on the [�]
BDF helicopter used to rescue trio from flood waters
Three children from the Toledo District had to be rescued by the Belize Defence Force last Saturday. According to the BDF, the UH1H was pressed into use for its first rescue mission when the three children, ages ten, fourteen and sixteen went on a fishing expedition and got stranded on the far bank of the [�]
Man knocked down and killed
Rene Guiterrez was knocked down and killed early yesterday morning on the Phillip Goldson Highway. It happened about four thirty when 37 year old Anthony Humes was driving a Wingle pickup truck near Caribbean Tires. Police say Guiterrez was on a motorcycle when he was knocked down. He died on the scene. Humes was leaving [�]
Amandala
San Pedro hit endangers City gang truce
Julian Tun, 16, was gunned down on Saturday night in San Pedro Town and from all accounts, it appeared that he was lured to his death in his search for a sexual encounter.
Tun was last seen alive by his family on Saturday morning when he left his home in Hope Creek, Stann Creek District, indicating that he was going to San Pedro to fish for lobster.
A review of his social media accounts revealed otherwise. He had travelled to San Pedro to meet a young, attractive Hispanic woman whom he added as a friend on Facebook less than a month ago.
That woman, believed to be romantically linked to a prominent George Street associate, told Tun via Facebook messenger that she had secured a room at the Banana Beach Resort so that they could have a night together.
Guilty!
A jury of 7 men and 2 women deliberated for a little over two hours before returning to the courtroom of Supreme Court Justice Adolph Lucas to announce a unanimous guilty verdict in the trial of Bert Vasquez, who was indicted for forcible abduction and aggravated assault of a sexual nature.
Initially, Vasquez was charged with harm, but Justice Lucas removed that charge from the jury and instructed them to only deliberate on two counts of the indictment.
Justice Lucas has set July 21 as sentencing date, after the court hears mitigation pleas for Vasquez.
The abduction occurred on Friday, May 13, 2011. The victim, a 16-year-old girl at the time, was at the Pound Yard Bridge waiting for a bus to take her home to Ladyville, when along came Vasquez.
Guatemalan Hilux thieves shot by police; 1 died, 1 survived
A Guatemalan man is dead and another Guatemalan man remains hospitalized after a shootout with police on Saturday afternoon.
Information to Amandala is that just before 2:00 p.m., Edwin Jimenez (no age provided) was driving his Toyota Hilux on the Calla Creek Road when he came to a stop because several large rocks were scattered across the road. Jimenez exited his vehicle in an attempt to clear the road, but two armed men pounced on him and stole his vehicle, valued at $30,000.
Assistant Commissioner of Police and the Officer Commanding the Police Professional and Standards Branch, Chester Williams, today told the media that Jimenez then contacted his relatives in Bullet Tree Falls, who alerted police, who immediately set up a checkpoint.
Belize alerted that gonorrhea is becoming increasingly untreatable
Gonorrhea is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) afflicting almost 80 million people globally, according to data published recently by the World Health Organization (WHO). Whereas there is no official information available to us to indicate how many infections occurred last year in Belize (the last public report of 2013 said there were 13 cases, 12 of them reported in males), it is known that it is also one of the leading STIs in Belize, along with, trichomoniasis, syphilis and chlamydia. So a pattern of increasing drug-resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacteria which causes the infection, is of concern to Belize.
Director of Health Services (DHS), Dr. Marvin Manzanero, told our newspaper today that increased levels of drug-resistance have been noted, particularly in the Americas, to medications usually administered to treat the infection, and this, he said, also has to do with the misuse of antibiotics for treating ailments. However, in Belize, it is often treated with the traditional drug - penicillin.
San Pedranos demand justice for death of girl, 13, who died from physical and sexual abuse
David and Anke Dohme, the adoptive parents of Faye Lin Cannon, 13, who was found dead on her bed in her room last Monday in San Pedro, were charged with drug possession of valium, a prescription drug for which he had no prescription, in the San Pedro Magistrate's Court this afternoon.
David pleaded guilty and was fined $185 plus $5 cost of court. Charges were withdrawn from Anke because her husband pleaded guilty.
Police said that as the couple were released by the court, they were detained for further investigation into Cannon's death, which police have ruled as murder.
71 murders as of July 5, 2017: BCO
Based on data accessed from the Belize Crime Observatory (BCO), an official source of information, major crimes are down for the first half of 2017, with murders down by an approximate 4% and property crimes-robberies, burglaries and thefts-down by almost 18%.
At the time of this report, the Police Department had not yet issued the mid-year crime statistics, but we have been told that our request made last week is being addressed.
A quick summary published by the BCO indicates that as of July 5, 2017, there were 43 reports of sexual violence, 71 murders, 93 robberies, 335 burglaries, and 343 incidences of theft. The total is 885 incidences of major crimes for the period January 1, 2017 to July 5, 2017.
U20 Female Central American Volleyball Championship in Belize, July 19-22
Preparations are being finalized, as Belize gets ready to host the U20 Female Central American Volleyball Championship, which will be held July 19 to 22 at the SCA Multipurpose Center. All seven Central American countries (Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama) will be attending.
With only just over a week remaining to the start of the competition, Team Belize is ready and looking forward to a great competition.
The members of the final 12 players and coaching staff members for Team Belize are:
Allyana Musa (captain), Kori Diego, Alia Alvarez, Alexis Burn, Ayah Safa, Amberly Marin, Ayana Godfrey, Mya Musa, Julianna Ramos, Zazie McKenzie, Fatoumata Camara, Gareth Bruce. Head Coach, Prof. Delio Arruebarrena of Cuba; coaches Lupita Quan and Nelissa Ramirez; and manager, Kelsey Balderamos.
Benque Vets take lead at Week 6 of National Over-40 Tournament
The single round-robin regular season is fast winding down in the Belize National Over-40 Football Tournament 2017, and after Week 6 games this past weekend, Benque Vets FC have taken the standings lead and a sure spot in the Top-4 semifinal playoffs. Two Belize City based teams, Kulture Yabra and Pickstock Lake have a backmatch in hand, but Pickstock Lake is definitely out of playoff contention. (See standings below.) There are many possibilities in the final week of Group Stage, as 6 teams are still in the scramble for 3 remaining playoff spots. Pickstock Lake can only be a spoiler, as they are still in the hunt for their first win of the season.
Belize U-13 ballers, Warriors FC (Rush Belize) fly the "iron bird" to Colorado, USA
Taking to the "friendly skies" shortly after 1:00 p.m. yesterday afternoon on board Southwest Airlines was a group of young Belize footballers, most on their first ever airplane ride; and their destination was Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S.A., where they are scheduled to participate in "Rush Fest", an under 13 football tournament from July 9 to 14.
The 20-member delegation was headed by Daniel Fabro, Country Director for Warriors FC (Rush Belize), who established the connection to become the Belize affiliate of Rush Soccer (www.rushsoccer.com) which is headquartered in the USA. According to his letter seeking support for the venture from the local business community, Fabro said, "Rush International will cover lodging, some food and game uniforms. We now need to raise funds to cover the cost of air travel, food, passports, visas and other miscellaneous expenses� The players selected are diverse and come from different parts of the country."
BAGA 2017 World Cup
Team captain Tony Zabaneh made the Belize/Americans great again during the Belize Amateur Golf Association (BAGA) 2017 World Cup Tournament held June 24th at Roaring River Golf Course. The format consisted of three nine-hole rounds of competition: 1. Two-person scramble; 2. Two-person alternate shot; and 3. Singles.
The Belize/Americans won 17 matches, while the UK/Rest of the World won 8. The final results do not reflect the ferocity of the competition through the first two rounds, at which point the Belize/Americans were up by only one match. The Belize/American team designated Pam Guthoff the Team Hero!�
Congratulations to all the competitors that persevered through the weather to make this another fun tournament!
Editorial: Church and state - God and man
If Henry VIII of England had been an African king, European historians, commentators, and writers would no doubt have had themselves a fine time over the centuries making a mockery of this incredibly depraved monarch who declared himself the head of the English church in 1534. As things unfolded, however, the British built an international colonial empire which poured fabulous wealth into their island kingdom, and no one in the "developed world" would expose Henry VIII and the British system for what it was: the use of the God concept to bless the most vile of crimes against humanity.
When the so-called Pilgrims sailed from Plymouth, England, to the northeastern shores of what we now call the United States of America in 1620, it was to escape religious persecution in the island kingdom. And so it was that when the Founding Fathers of the United States fought for their independence from Great Britain and wrote the American Constitution a century and a half after the ship Mayflower landed in America, they specifically and explicitly separated the church from the state.
BELIZEAN LEGENDS SHINING STARS!
When you are persistent and patient there are many credible things that come your way. This awesome story about a renaissance man named Lennox Samuels who hails from Belizean shores was intended to be written some thirty years ago. And through the kind patronage of some very good friends, it has finally come to view and to you, the Belizean Legends audience.
Early in my migration from Belize to the Windy City of Chicago, Illinois in the United States in 1981, one of my brothers had introduced me to a Belizean brother, Calvin Flowers, studying medicine at the University of Chicago. It was an opportunity of a lifetime that was given to me in concern for my educational pursuits since yours truly's journey had begun as a medical student and later ended up as one in the field of journalism.
More questions than answers
On Thursday, police conducted a search on a Mexican man who was found in possession of a BDF uniform.
Police detained him and asked him where he had gotten the uniform. He directed them to a home in Baeza Alley, Orange Walk Town.
On Friday, Orange Walk police visited that home and conducted a search which led to the discovery of almost one hundred uniforms and several pieces of boating equipment.
Two men who lived at the house were later detained.
Breaking Belize News
Elderly woman robbed in Benque; community and police capture culprit
This morning around 9:30, an elderly woman was robbed near her home in Benque Viejo Town.
Neighbors and community members came to the rescue of the woman and chased the culprit. He ran and jumped over some fences but the Benque residents continued chasing him with stones, sticks and machetes.
American couple suspected of killing adopted daughter released and re-detained
The American couple currently being investigated for the death of their 13-year-old adopted daughter, Faye Lin Cannon, were charged and arraigned in San Pedro Magistrate's court for an unrelated, minor offense as investigators scramble to find evidence to levy charges in connection with Cannon's death.
David and Anke Doehm were arraigned in court yesterday on a single charge of possession of a controlled drug for having Valium in their house without a prescription.
Search for Mark Pollard intensifies
Mark Pollard has been missing since Tuesday, July 4. It has now been seven days since he disappeared and the family is extremely worried.
Pollard was last seen before he went jogging. He was suppose to go jogging around the Haulover bridge but hasn't been seen or heard from since.
Guatemalan drowns in Mopan river
Last night, police found the body of a man near the riverside in the area of the bus terminal on George Street in Benque Viejo Town.
CDB, GOB and BWS hold public meeting in Double Head Cabbage
A public meeting was held in the village of Double Head Cabbage yesterday afternoon, organized by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) in conjunction with the Government of Belize (GOB) and Belize Water Services (BWS). It was well attended by residents from villages throughout the area.
The purpose of the meeting was to conduct a review and assessment on the completion of the Belize River Valley Water Project, its impact on the communities and issues relating to maintenance and expansion.
Belmopan police and business community partner to offer summer jobs
The Belmopan Police Department, in collaboration with the business community of that municipality, is offering summer jobs to children between the ages of 9-15.
Officer Commanding Belmopan Police, Sr. Supt. Howell Gillett said that they are targeting the less fortunate kids who must be living in Belmopan City or any of the 12 surrounding villages (Frank's Eddy, St Matthews, Cotton Tree, More Tomorrow, St Margaret's, Armenia, Valley of Peace, Roaring Creek, Camalote, Teakettle, Ontario and Blackman Eddy village).
BDF conducts first rescue mission using UH1H Helicopter
The Ministry of Defense reported that the Belize Defense Force Air Wing (BDF AW) carried out its first rescue mission using its new UH1H helicopter on July 8th, 2017.
The mission was carried out in the village of San Benito Poite in the Toledo district where three children, ages 10, 14 and 16 were rescued.
Belize Bank upgrades frustrating customers
Many Belizean account holders of Belize Bank Ltd. have been complaining on social media about the new changes to their account numbers, not being able to access their online accounts and being unable to withdraw money from the ATM.
The bank had issued a notice informing customers of the changes.
Atlantic Bank Ltd. donates $5,000 to Verge of Umbra
In April, Verge of Umbra, a Belizean metal Group won the Central American metal competition in Guatemala City.Verge of Umbra competed with bands from Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Panama.
The band will now represent Central America at Wacken Open Air 2017, a summer open-air heavy metal music festival. It takes place annually in the small village of Wacken in Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany.
International Sources
Benque Fiesta - 51st Year of Celebration
The new Caribbean Culture and Lifestyle magazine has a great article about the Benque Fiesta, which goes from this Thursday, July 13th, through Sunday, July 16th. The Flor de la Feria pageant is Thursday, during the opening celebrations. The Super Feria Band will play on Thursday too.
"Benque Fiesta is a celebration held annually at Benque Viejo, in honor of the patron saint 'Our Lady of Mount Carmel' (Nuestra Se�ora de Monte Carmelo). It is the largest and longest religious festival held in the Cayo District which started on July 7th and leads to July 16th, the Patrons day.
As traditions stand, religious ceremonies, gatherings and nuptials commence- known as 'Las Alboradas'. Church bells chime in light of morning service for the patron saint with morning praise and worship followed by small social gatherings around the community. Leading up to July 16, local residents take turns hosting small get-togethers, serving up traditional favorites. 'Bollos' ( small tamales), and sweet and savory pastries - 'maja blanca' being some of the popular delights."
CCJ seeks to trigger digital revolution in Caribbean courts
The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is hoping that a set of technological upgrades it recently adopted will trigger a digital revolution in courts across the region, and transform how justice is delivered.
CCJ president, Sir Dennis Byron, who spearheaded the court's adoption of the new digital platform for document-filing, case management and performance measurement, described the switchover as "a major development for lawyers and courts in the region", with significant potential to make the delivery of justice more efficient and timely.
Byron explained that the electronic filing of case documents, in particular, would save both time and money for all parties.
"The new system will allow judges direct access to case information from any location, including via their mobile phones. It eliminates the risk of misplaced files and enables lawyers to commence proceedings by filing actions over the Internet," he said in an interview at the CCJ headquarters in Port of Spain.
Bikini-clad Simone Biles slams troll who accused her of partying non-stop
American gymnast Simone Biles, currently holidaying in Hawaii and Belize with her family and friends, knows how to defend herself against online trolls. The Olympic gymnast Biles (20), who won four gold medals at the Rio Olympics last summer, couldn't escape a troll who slammed her constant partying in the last year and called her a 'sucky a** role model'.
Videos
David & Anke Doehm are in detention in Belize City, 1min. They were transported from San Pedro to Belize City this morning and will reportedly be spending the remainder of their 48 hours detention there. It is unclear why they were removed from the San Pedro Police Station holding cell.
Sunk in Blue, 5.5min. This is my experience on the blue hole!!!
Orange Walk, Belize Festival of Hope, 1.5min.
Kiteboarding Belize - San Pedro, Ambergris Caye - PassionKite, 3.5min. My wife and I visited San Pedro for the third time in July 2017. We've taken a handful of kiting vacations, and the three excursions we took with PassionKite were the best kiting experiences we've ever had. The sandbar where they take you out is a quick boat ride away. It is ~1.5 miles long of gorgeous blue, waist deep water and every time we were there we had it all to ourselves! It is by-far the best location we've seen thus far!
Diving in Belize 2017, 4.5min. Video compilation of our dives with Belize Pro Dive Center in 2017.
Belize swim with turtle, 1.5min.
Belize Flyfishing, 2min.
STAARTS - BELIZE, 10min.
AmbergrisCaye.com 
