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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

Another shootingin San Pedro
San Pedro Police are investigating the latest shooting on the island which left one person injured. Witnesses state that more than 12 gunshots where heard in the Bayside area adjacent to the San Pedrito Subdivision . The victim has been airlifted to Belize City for further medical treatment. Police continue investigating.

Boat with tourists capsizes near Caye Caulker
A 23-foot boat with nine passengers and two crew members reportedly capsized in the northern coast of Caye Caulker Village on Tuesday, August, 15th. A search and rescue team was immediately dispatched from E-Z Boy Tours after they received a distress call about the incident. Near 6PM, the occupants of the vessel were found drifting away on the waters of the Caribbean Sea. Everyone was brought to safety and no injuries were reported.

Introducing DigiNet – BTL hosts corporate mixer to discuss fastest internet for Belize
On Friday, August 11th, Belize Telemedia Limited hosted a DigiNet Corporate Mixer at the stunning Rain Restaurant & Rooftop Terrace located at Grand Caribe. The event served as an opportunity to learn about the new fiber-based broadband high-speed internet service being made available on Ambergris Caye, as well as to socialize with members of BTL staff, Huawei representatives and other businesspeople. While guests mingled, several fun raffles were held, with fabulous prizes, including phones and electronics giveaways. CEO of BTL, Rochus Schreiber, spoke of the exciting new service currently being installed on Ambergris Caye. He encouraged BTL internet subscribers to check with their local BTL offices about the new upgrades and to sign up for service.

Community can help bring justice for Faye Lin Cannon
Faye Lin Cannon was only 13 years old when she was found dead in her bedroom at a condominium complex apartment in northern Ambergris Caye on July 3rd. Initial investigation revealed that she had been murdered, and her adoptive mother Anke Doehm and step-father David Doehm were arrested as prime suspects. The Doehms were later charged with ‘Cruelty to a Child,’ and were remanded to the Belize Central Prison until a bail hearing in Belize City on July 21st. They were both granted bail for $10,000 and have since been out of prison and residing in Belize City. As their next court date approaches on August 24th, prosecutors are gathering evidence to lay further charges on the couple. Thus, the public is being asked to assist by making sworn statements that may possibly bring justice to Faye and her remaining siblings.

Ambergris Today

South Ambergris Caye development razes vegetation to the ground
Large amounts of vegetation have been razed in southern Ambergris Caye as developers level their properties with no regard to the impact it is having on the environment. Neighbours are outraged at the sight of destruction, as many mature trees and natural habitat have been bulldozed. According to residents in the area, native wildlife has been displaced, and the site resembles that of ‘a warzone.’ Residents fear that the continued cutting down of trees will lead to erosion and even potential flooding from the lagoon side. They are urging the respective authorities to step in and put a stop to this horrendous destruction. The local and environmental authorities have yet to weigh in on this issue.

Misc Belizean Sources

JOB VACANCY NOTICE - IICA Delegation in Belize

Here's a great opportunity to learn about National Hero Philip Goldson, his life, and contributions to Belize
Hi Everyone! The Goldson House with the collaboration of Belize Council for the Visually Impaired will be having it's first summer camp starting tomorrow. The 3 day Summer Camp (Aug 16th, 17th & 18th) Will have interactive activities for the children. A BCVI rehab officer who works with blind children will be doing a presentation on BCVI, her role as a rehab officer, displaying her equipment used in teaching blind persons and the importance of inclusion of blind persons in main stream society. Also a blind employee at BCVI, will do the same and make a presentation on his experiences as a visually impaired individual. The summer camp is free of cost and will be from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. on all 3 days. For Ages - 6- 15 We would be happy to have your children attend our first ever summer camp! Address: #82 Orange Street, Belmopan

Two 15 minute power interruptions 7:15 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. & 5:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Thursday, August 17: Entire Orange Walk & Corozal Districts
BEL to replace transmission poles carrying high voltage power lines in the area.

The Women's Forum at The Corozal House of Culture
Always fiercely in Action. Toone Masehualoon will be this month's key note speakers at this months meeting of The Women's Forum at The Corozal House of Culture this Thursday August 17th 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Come join us and learn about this very active, vibrant group with a huge goal for the future in Belize.

Artists in the Park
Artists in the Park is happening Saturday at the Cayo Welcome Center. There'll be many kinds of arts from many different artisans, and Ascenthium will be playing. It's a free event. See you there. "Catch us this Saturday at The Welcome center in San Ignacio! Alongside Stig Da Artist and Casanova. Come show your support for Artists in the Park!"

Angel Coral Street closed to vehicle traffic Thursday
The Traffic Dept advises the public that Thursday the 17th August, Angel Coral Street will be closed to vehicle traffic. This is to allow for WASA to carryout some work. Access to Super Buy will be allowed from Caribena St but no vehicles will be able to travel south past Super Buy. Please use alternate routes and allow extra time for your journey. We would also inform you that BTL workers are busy installing the new Fiber Optic cable at numerous locations, Please slow down and take extra care where they are working. Thank for your continued co-operation. Drive Safely

NEMO Flood Mitigation – Jacintoville – Toledo
Flood Mitigation works in the Toledo District are ongoing as equipment from the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) is being used to excavate, and clear drains and culverts in Jacintoville. This area was affected by severe flooding just over a month ago when a portion of the highway was submerged by water for a few hours and was temporarily closed to vehicular traffic. NEMO Toledo District Coordinator Kenton Parham says the works taking place should greatly improve the situation in the area, allowing water to flow off quickly in the event of excessive rainfall. Similar works will be carried out, starting later this week, in the village of Red Bank and other flood-prone communities in the Stann Creek District as NEMO continues its countrywide Flood Mitigation Program.

Goldson House Summer Camp
This morning our team visited The Goldson House for Democracy and Patriotism-NICH, on the first day of its summer camp, to see what the children were up to. Thanks to Coordinator Ms. Kendra Griffith for inviting us to be a part of a fun and educational morning. Here are a few photos from our visit!

Belize Represented at Human Trafficking Seminar in Washington D.C.
Today, August 16, 2017, the Minister of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation Hon. Anthony Martinez, accompanied by the Attorney General Hon. Michael Peyrefitte, met with Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General for the United States Department of Justice. Hon. Martinez and Hon. Peyrefitte are in Washington D.C. attending a Roundtable of Human Trafficking Seminar. During the meeting, Attorney General Rosenstein conveyed the United States’ commitment to strengthen ties with Belize to further address human trafficking, while Hon. Peyrefitte reported on the measures Belize has implemented to thwart human trafficking and prosecute offenders.

It's with great pleasure that we introduce to the public Eastern Police Division Rural; Strike Team and Traffic Branch
These officers are making your community a safer place for all.

2nd Annual MISS CARNIVAL QUEEN PAGEANT - senior and junior Queens Competition. COROZAL TOWN
Saturday, September 2nd. Corozal Civic Center.

Corozal Heritage Plaza Public Consultation
Residents and stakeholders shared ideas, concerns and interests on the project. Developing Corozal as a tourism destination!

Now Recruiting - Bowen & Bowen Ltd
Vacancy for Presalesman in Corozal. Email resume at recruitment@bowen.bz

What Can You Do to Use Less Plastic?
By 2050, our oceans will have more plastic in them than fish. UN Environment has ideas how YOU can take action to Save Our Ocean.

Channel 7

Man Shot Four Times By BDF/Customs Team in Contraband Hotspot Area
Last night, we told you about the confrontation between BDF and Customs officers and the passengers of an Orange Walk bus that ended in the Dwayne Almendarez getting shot. According to reports, Customs and the BDF jointly stopped a bus on the Santa Cruz Road and began searching for uncustomed goods. Santa Cruz is the village right across the border from Botes, Mexico which is a contraband hotspot. Sometime after getting unto the bus, some passengers on the bus began to attack the officers, who responded by firing several shots. Four of those shots hit Almendarez, and he was rushed to the hospital where he underwent surgery and is listed in critical but stable condition. Today we spoke to his sister about the incident...

Benny's Towhead Driver Dies From Blowout on 18-Wheeler
There was a terrible accident this morning at 6:00 on the Hummingbird Highway. An 18 wheeler loaded with construction supplies for Benny's Hardware had a front end blowout and overturned at mile 38, which is not far from Armenia village. Police say the driver Winston Dawson from Belama Phase 3 veered to the right when the wheel blew out, and overturned on the shoulder. Dawson was crushed and died on impact. His three sidemen, 21 year old Albert Che of Lord's Bank, 21 year old Dorian Buckley of Hattieville and 29 year old Keaton Pollard of a Belize City address are all employees of Benny's and they suffered various injuries. They were rushed to the western regional Hospital in Belmopan for treatment.

Finally, Arraignment Of The Kevin Brown Beatdown Three
Last night, we told you how 21 year-old Jafari Castro, and 18 year-old Gilbert Franklin Jr. were in police custody. Today they were joined by 21 year old James Young Jr who turned himself in this morning. On Monday, police named them as the main suspects in the beatdown of Kevin Brown. Well today, 10 days after Brown's savage beating on San Pedro, Police escorted all 3 alleged perpetrators to the Magistrate's Court for their arraignment. They were taken before Acting Chief Magistrate Sharon Frazer, who read them a single charge of harm. Police had said that they intended to charged Gilbert Franklin with the additional offense of aggravated assault, but that didn't happen before their arraignment today.

Caribbean Tyres Employee Charged For Safe-breaking
Caribbean Tyres employee, 22 year old Omar Gomez has been charged for breaking open his company's safe at their Spanish Lookout store. The resident of Billy White village was formally arrested and charged with Burglary, Handling Stolen Goods and Damage to Property today. He was arraigned this evening at the San Ignacio Magistrate court and was granted bail of $20,000 with an adjournment date set for 17th November 2017.

Depenalization Legislation Going To House
As we told you last night, the government is tabling an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act at Friday's House meeting. This has to do with the decriminalization of small amounts of weed – and depending on the outcome of Friday's meeting it can mean that those who are caught with a joint won't have to worry about any criminal charges. Today Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington put it into perspective. Hon. Wilfred Elrington - Foreign Minister: "My own understanding of it that what they are seeking to do really is to enable people who smoke small quantity of marijuana to be able to do so without running the risk of going to prison."

PM Writes OCEANA, Commits To Offshore Moratorium Long-Term
And while the legislation to decriminalize small quantities of marijuana will be tabled in the House this Friday, we have received reports that another highly contested policy will be heading the there in a few months. According to our sources, Cabinet has decided to send legislation that would uphold the moratorium on offshore oil exploration in Belize's territorial waters for an indefinite duration. A letter form the Prime Minister to the Vice President of OCEANA says government plans to take it to Parliament in October.

Willoughby Says Mayor Has It Wrong
Last night, Mayor Darrell Bradley made it clear that contrary to what councillor Phillip Willoughby told us last week - the Council has no property tax forgiveness program in place for the indigent. This is after the council members - who are all supporting Dion Leslie for Mayor - felt that Willoughby had made a unilateral declaration that wasn't backed up by any council resolution. So they mayor said in no uncertain terms that there is no policy of property tax forgiveness - but today Willoughby asked for an opportunity to respond. He said it's not a matter of policy; it's the law. Here's how he put it:

Dion Leslie Goes The Diplomatic Route
Councillor Phillip Willoughby isn't wrong in saying that property tax forgiveness for the poor is in the law but he should have taken it to the council first before making a public statement on it – that's his opponent Councillor Dion Leslie's position on that matter. In yesterday's interview with Mayor Bradley, Bradley out rightly rejected any policy for tax write off's and went on to call it "irresponsible". Well today, Councillor Leslie took a more diplomatic approach by saying that the council will have to thoroughly consider all factors, especially financial, before any tax exemptions can made.

Foreign Minister Speaks On Guat-Taiwan Relations
For the past week, we've been reporting on the $650 million US dollar aid package that Taiwan has supposedly given to Guatemala. According to Guatemalan media reports, the money is to build the Jacobo Arbenz 4-lane freeway to Puerto Barrios. It's that road that the British were supposed to construct out of the 1859 treaty. They never did so and now, President Jimmy Morales says, the Taiwanese are chipping in. But according to Foreign Affairs Minister Wilfred Elrington, the Guatemalans shouldn't get too happy because they are the ones who asked Taiwan for the assistance and it is not clear if the Taiwanese will actually grant them aid. Now, one major concern has been if this road will have any impact on Belize. Elrington told us today that it will but certainly not as it relates to the broader Belize- Guatemala dispue.

Education Minister Not Happy With Audit
On Friday at the House of Representative, a new report from he Auditor General will be tabled. It deals with irregularities found at the Ministry of Works from 2012 to 2013, and other ministries including the Ministry of Education. And the Minister of Education says he isn't happy with what he saw in there: Hon. Patrick Faber - Minister of Education: "Just preliminarily I know that their might be other questions down the road but just preliminarily I am disappointed in the fact that the Auditor General and her team who ever the team was went into the ministry to do an audit on the tertiary unit of the ministry that deals with the scholarships and when they found certain things they said Mr. CEO could you answer to these things."

Hon. Faber Supports Gwen Liz Chairman Against Principal
We also asked Minister Faber about the situation at Gwen Liz High School. That's the only high school in his Collet constituency and it's been going through upheaval recently. The Principal Dr. Lorna McKay was placed on suspension earlier this month - and she did not leave quietly. Instead she said that Chairman, Roosevelt Blades - who is Faber's political officer in Collett - has been bullying and intimidating her for years. Today, Faber said that the Ministry had to go in to do an investigation based on complaints: Hon. Patrick Faber - Minister of Education: "We have longed heard complaints about the management of Gwen Liz high school and so what we did as the ministry we sent in an investigation team, that team was made up of very veteran secondary educators and they went in and they wrote a report giving their findings, they interviewed all who was concerned, parents, the teachers, the administration..."

Marion Jones Indoor Facility Delayed
Faber also told us about the latest plans for the indoor facility at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex. Last night, the Mexicans flipped the switch on a new lighting grid for the football field. But that's only a few hundred thousand dollars spent out of 5 million US which the Mexicans donated for an indoor sports facility. It's a multipurpose volleyball and basketball facility being administered by UNOPS - which means no local deal cutting and kickbacks with favored contractors. But, still, something has gone awry because the UNOPS consultant last told us that the complex would be ready in February 2018, but construction hasn't even started yet! The Minister of Sports today told us that the date of completion has been pushed back:

Juan Sis Allegedly Beat Up a Cop
Today 20-year-old Juan Sis appeared in the Magistrate's Court today after being accused of beating a police officer. According to reports, on Sunday PC Sacario Cuz, who is on interdiction, was operating a taxi on Central American Boulevard when he and Sis got into an argument. Things escalated and Sis allegedly beat Cuz, severly injuring him and sending him to the hospital.

Chan Chen Compressed Ganja
Chan Chen is is the northernmost village in Belize - and with increasing volumes of marijuana coming in through the north - it's not unexpected to find whole sale quantities of weed passing through. Today in Chan Chen police conducted a joint operation that turned up 19.5 pounds of cannabis in an open lot. No one was around, so it was labelled as found property.

Shyne Versus Heather Cunningham, The Miniseries
Last night, we gave you both sides of the very public departure of Shyne Barrow out of the Belize Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (BSCAP). The former CEO says that he cannot continue to support management of BSCAP because their spending practices have saddled the organization with hundreds of thousands of dollars in unsustainable debt, much to the detriment of the struggling artists who need every penny they could get in the fight to get the country copyright compliant. Barrow is accusing the Board, and specifically, former CEO Heather Cunningham of financial mismanagement. A leaked internal Financial report say that over the course of her 4-year tenure, BSCAP spent just over $389,000. That same report says that Cunningham is claiming $260,000 in salaries as compensation for her years of service.

AG and Human Dev. Minister In DC To Improve Belize's Human Trafficking Rating
In the US State Department's Trafficking Persons Report, Belize was classified as a tier 3 country, one of the two worst trafficking offenders in the entire western Hemisphere - according to the USA. So, it's making news tonight that representatives of the Belize Government are in Washington DC for the US State Department's Roundtable of Human Trafficking Seminar. Human Development Minister Anthony "Boots" Martinez" and Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte met with Rod Rosenstein, the Deputy US Attorney General from the Department of Justice. A press release from the Government of Belize says that Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein, quote, "conveyed the United States' commitment to strengthen ties with Belize to further address human trafficking," end quote, while Hon. Peyrefitte reported on the measures Belize has implemented to thwart human trafficking and prosecute offenders.

Ana Banner, The Price of Loyalty?
UDP Belmopan City Councillor Ana Banner Guy tried valiantly to fight the UDP establishment when she ran her candidacy outside the chosen slate - but she came 200 votes short in the convention. So, her candidacy - while valiant - was ultimately failed - and observers say she ended up on the outside because she supported Patrick Faber when he and John Saldivar went head to head for the UDP's Deputy Leadership. Saldivar has rejected that narrative, but Faber still has Banner - Guy's back. He told us he hope she will see this as a learning experience:

Faber Says COLA Mercenary
Faber also spoke on COLA's recent protest against the American Global University School of Medicine, or as it is now called the Columbus Central University School of Medicine. Daniel Ortiz has that story. COLA President Geovannie Brackett called out Faber saying his Ministry of Education was not doing the required oversight. Faber said that it was a mercenary move by COLA: Hon. Patrick Faber - Minister of Education: "Clearly this is a kind of mercenary venture on the part of COLA and PPOHRS. I believe if I'm to be kind that COLA has a bit more credibility but PPOHRS man. The school that is in question had a name change because of difficulty, they asked us to keep the charter because of course their needed to amend the continuity when they are marketing they need to be able to say we have been operating for all of these years before..."

No final Plan Yet For Carnival
Faber also donned his hat as Minister of Culture and spoke about the Carnival route. He is chair of the September Celebration Committee, and we asked him about the proposed change of route for Carnival 2017. As we've reported, authorities want to change the route because it blocks access to both major highways and to the KHMH, which is the national referral hospital. Faber says he sees the logic of that argument, but he would not support taking the Carnival from the Southside - mainly his Collet division: Hon. Patrick Faber - Deputy Prime Minister: "The problem is that the suggestions that came up boxes out the Southside, most of the suggestion and I will tell you while I've not heard a final recommendation coming if it is that I have the final say, my position is the Southside must be included in the carnival and so while I'm not absolutely sure it is my decision only to make and it will be my final decision."

Wilfred Not Worried About CCJ
And finally tonight, we have a comment from Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington on the Progresso Heights case where he was being sued by his former business partners in a real estate development - a case that went all the way to the CCJ. It's a private transaction but he's a public figure and on July 21st. the CCJ ordered that Elrington and his law firm, Pitts & Elrington, return all the conveyancing documents Progresso Heights Ltd sent from Florida to the law firm between September 2009 and June 2010, together with title certificates that had been issued in respect of eight of those documents. The Court gave Elrington and his firm 30 days from the date of the July 21st. hearing to deliver to Progresso the relevant documents. Today, Elrington said he didn't want to discuss the case as a private matter, but seemed in no hurry to produce any land documents:

Props For Plumbers
Two weeks ago we aired a segment about a workshop for Belize's plumbing lecturers held by the Public Utilities Commission along with the Ministry of Education and ITVET. Today 16 participants graduated from the course. Each received a certificate and a vast amount of new knowledge to help master their craft. The Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission John Avery spoke about the future of plumbing:

Taiwan Helps Albert
It is about that time of year when the sweet days of summer vacation say goodbye and the glorious days of the school year say hello to young students. But there's not much about this time that's sweet or glorious for area representatives who are under pressure to help provide important school necessities like books and supplies. Today the area representative for the Albert division Tracy Taeger Panton got a boost to do just that. She worked with the Taiwanese Embassy and received a donation of $3,000 US dollars for school necessities in the Albert division. the Ambassador told us why his office helped:

Dion Doing It For Wilfred
The landscaping and beautification program at the Samuel Haynes Institute of Excellence can now be expanded after Councillor Dion Leslie and his team donated over $1000 dollars in tools. Today at a short handing over ceremony, Institute Director Barbara Elrington gave us more details on the program. Councillor Leslie discussed his plans for expansion. The program has been on-going for 3 to 4 years now. 55 persons have been trained since then. 15 are currently enrolled.

Channel 5

3 Arraigned for Beating of Kevin Brown; Court Simmers with Tension
There was high drama in the Magistrate Court today when twenty-one-year-old Jafari Castro of Maskall , the son of Minister Edmond “Clear the Land” Castro, eighteen-year-old construction worker Gilbert Franklin [...]

Experienced Trucker Loses Life in Mishap on Hummingbird Highway
There was loss of life on the Hummingbird Highway this morning. Around six a.m., a terrible accident left one person dead and three others injured. Winston Dawson along with his [...]

Police Say Shot O.W. Man Challenged Customs Officers at Yo Creek
Thirty-year-old Dwayne Almendarez, an Orange Walk resident of the Union Town area tonight remains in a critical but stable condition at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital after he was shot [...]

More on the Special G.O.B. Relationship with ‘Special Effects’
An audit conducted for the period 2012-2013 by the Auditor General is exposing blatant disregard for the appropriation law and other government regulations. On Tuesday night, we reported on sweetheart [...]

Education Ministry Spent Thousands on Tertiary Assistance; Minister Says He Can Explain
From Works to Education…The Ministry of Education also came under significant scrutiny for its handling of tertiary financial assistance grants during the period April 2004 to March 2012.  Examining various [...]

Minister Elrington Says Decriminalization of Marijuana No Big Deal
An amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act is to be tabled this Friday at a special meeting of the House of Representatives in Belmopan.  For years, a committee headed [...]

Can New Guatemala Road Help Belize? Foreign Minister Looks at the Bright Side
The Guatemalan press reported that Taiwan is to grant that country six hundred fifty million U.S. dollars in assistance to construct the CA-Nine Highway to Puerto Barrios, Guatemala. But the [...]

Sedi Deals with Progresso Heights Case Privately
Minister Elrington was also asked about an embarrassing case that has gone as far as the Caribbean Court of Justice, brought against him by Progresso Heights Limited.  The court had [...]

Education Minister Stands by Gwen Liz Investigation
Doctor Lorna McKay, principal of Gwen Lizarraga High School, was sent on administrative leave on August seventh during the Tropical Storm Franklin scare, when she was visited with a letter [...]

Charge for Employee Accused of Robbing Caribbean Tire
In an update to a burglary at Caribbean Tires in Spanish Lookout, Cayo, over the weekend, police have arrested a company employee. He is twenty-two-year-old Omar Gomez, a truck driver [...]

Weed Recovered in Chan Chen
Corozal police made a significant bust in a joint operation in the village of Chan Chen earlier today. In an open lot, they found nineteen point five pounds of compress [...]

The Lights are On at Marion Jones; Athletes Will Make it their Home
Wednesday night saw the launch of lighting fixtures for what is expected to be the crown jewel of Belize’s sporting facilities, the Marion Jones Sporting Complex. The Mexican Agency for [...]

Faber Says ‘Chin Up’ to Anna Banner-Guy
Incumbent Belmopan area representative John Saldivar’s slate came in together in the August thirteenth U.D.P. convention for the City Council, freezing out Anna Banner-Guy, who is left to serve out [...]

No General Elections till 2020
With municipal elections coming up in March 2018, the speculation has been that the U.D.P. will be pulling a fast one and calling general elections at the same time so [...]

Belize Rural Kids Get School Bags for New Year
The new school year starts in a couple of weeks for primary school children across the country. Today, the Rural Eastern Division of the Police Department had a back to [...]

Taiwan Helps Out with Back to School for Albert Division
Today, we also found politicians tying down loose ends in assisting residents with expenses for the new school year.  This morning, Albert Area Representative Tracy Panton received a donation from [...]

CitCo Donates for Samuel Haynes Institute’s Beautification Program
For the past three to four years, the Samuel Haynes Institute of Excellence has been facilitating a landscaping and beautification program for single mothers and youths from the Pickstock constituency. [...]

CTV3

Minister Faber Expresses Disappointment In Auditor General's Report
Today Hon Patrick Faber also spoke on the Auditor General’s findings in particular those that dealt with the Ministry of Education. The Minister also expressed disappointment, but on the content which the Auditor General reports. Honourable Patrick Faber - Minister of Education, Youth and Sports: “I am disappointed in the fact that the Auditor General and her team or whoever the team was, went in to the ministry to do an audit I think it is the tertiary unit of the ministry that deals with the scholarships and when they found certain things they said well, Mr. CEO could you answer to these things, now the way I understand it but I may be completely wrong but I don’t think so that once you get in there and you are doing an audit and you find certain things you give the entity an opportunity to respond”

John Briceno Speaks On Auditor General's Report Of Government Expenditures
On the agenda also for Friday’s House Sitting, will be the presentation of the 2012-2013 Auditor General’s report of Government expenditures. If you’re wondering why the 2012-2013 report is just being published, it is because the audit process is very tedious and painstaking. For the auditor general’s office, the work is even made more difficult because of insufficient human resource and support provided by the Ministry of Finance. In her reports, the Auditor General Dorothy Bradley makes continuous mention of the need for more resources for her Department to be able to carry out its work timely. Looking closer at the contents of the report, there are serious questions raised about financial decisions taken by Government Ministries. On such is the Ministry of Works and its relationship with a vehicle parts business known in Belmopan as “Special Effects”.

Will The Opposition Support Decriminalization Of Marijuana?
On Friday, the House of Representatives will meet to consider a number of bills, one reportedly being a proposed legislation to decriminalise the use of Marijuana in Belize. In 2012, a Committee known as the Decriminalization of Marijuana Committee (DOMC) was established to carry out extensive research on the issue and provide recommendations. One of those recommendations is for the de-penalization of marijuana possession for quantities of 10 grams and less. For several years, the recommendation has remained on paper but it appears the Government is now prepared to propose the necessary legislation required for changes to the law to take effect.

Briceno Warns Taiwan About Dollar Diplomacy
Opposition Leader Hon. John Briceno also discussed the heavy dollar diplomacy being played by the Taiwan Government with the Barrow Administration. As we had reported last week, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Belize H.E. Charles Liu handed over financial support of $60m to Prime Minister Dean Barrow, part of which will go towards budget support. The concern is that Taiwan is helping to prop a Government that has failed economically and financially, and has provided an easy way of keeping the Government’s pocket full which the country remains broke. Briceno had stern words for this kind of dollar diplomacy, warning the Taiwan Ambassador that he cannot trust the Barrow Administration.

Belize Participates In Human Trafficking Workshop
Back in the month of June, the US State Department issued its 2017 Trafficking in Persons Report which demonstrated that Belize remains as a tier 3 country and is classified as the worst trafficking offender in the Central American region. The report indicated that Belize does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and that the Government is not making significant efforts to do so. The US State Department also claimed that there is an alleged high level of trafficking-related complicity by government officials.

LOVE FM

Bill to decriminalized small portion of marijuana to go to the House on Friday
Love News has confirmed with Solicitor General Nigel Hawke that a bill to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act will be tabled on Friday during a special sitting of the House of Representatives. The piece of legislation seeks to decriminalize up to ten grams of marijuana. The Decriminalization of Marijuana Committee chaired by Douglas Singh […]

Former CEO questions BSCAP’s figures
Last Thursday Love News obtained a letter in which Shyne Barrow resigned as CEO of the Belizean Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (BSCAP). His resignation followed internal financial conflict within the organization. According to Barrow, former CEO Heather Cunningham, and current Chair of the BSCAP board is claiming six hundred thousand dollars in expenses […]

Belizean musicians throw support behind former BSCAP CEO
Tanya Carter, one of Belize’s top artists is currently a member of BSCAP but today she told the press that she will remove herself from the organization after what has come to light. Tanya Carter – Musician: “To be honest with you about maybe five or six years ago we received a cheque for $20 […]

BSCAP’s Chair responds to allegations
Last Friday the BSCAP Board sent a release in response to Barrow’s allegations. In it, BSCAP accepted Barrow’s resignation from the post of CEO. The board also expressed regret on how Barrow had chosen to address the situation saying it was best to deal with it outside the media. It also stated that the allegations […]

Belize Network of NGOs decries postponement of re-registration exercise
The voices that object to the postponement of the re-registration continue to be heard. Yesterday the Belize Network of NGOs registered its discontent that the exercise has been put off another year. In its release the BNN says given that the last re-registration exercise was conducted two decades ago, the electors list is very likely […]

Taiwan makes donation for the fight against chronic renal failure
Yesterday the Republic of China, Taiwan, officially handed over more than two hundred and twenty thousand US dollars to the Ministry of Health for its Capacity Building Project for the Prevention and Control of Chronic Renal Failure in Belize. The handing over was held in Corozal Community Hospital where the Minister of Health, Pablo Marin […]

Dialysis patients must pay for treatment according to Minister of Health
The Minister of Health also spoke about dialysis offered to patients. A patient would need dialysis when they develop end stage kidney failure –usually by that time they have lost about 85 to 90 percent of their kidney functions. The purpose of dialysis is to balance the body by removing waste, salt and extra water […]

Minister of Health calls for ban of soft drinks in schools
Last month the Ministry of Health released statistics which named cardiovascular diseases as the number one cause of death in Belize so far for this year. Cardiovascular diseases have also placed in the top non communicable diseases list along with hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and chronic renal disease. Minister of Health, Pablo Marin says that it […]

Belize backs Taiwan for observer status at World Health Assembly
Belize and the Republic of China, Taiwan, have been close allies for decades. So it was no surprise that Cabinet Minister in charge of Health, Pablo Marin had been lobbying members of the World Health Organization to allow Taiwan to be an observer at the World Health Assembly. The World Health Assembly was held back […]

Minor missing from Burrell Boom Village
12-year-old Catherine Esmeralda Claros of Burrell Boom Village was reported missing by her mother, Silvia Janeth Simon, a Honduran national. Simon told police that she last saw her daughter at approximately 6:30 a.m., on Saturday, August 12, when she left home. Claros is five feet three inches, of brown complexion, has shoulder length curly hair […]

Teenager charged with rape
Nineteen year old Andy Pop has been charged with rape and is scheduled to appear in court tomorrow in Punta Gorda. Pop was shot on the leg when he attempted to escape on a motorcycle after allegedly raping a nineteen year old female. The girl had accepted a ride with Pop who took her to […]

ACP Chester Williams says all reports of Police corruption will be investigated
It has been less than a stellar month for the Belize Police Department. As of late, at least five police officers including a superintendent have been accused of illegal activities. While some have been criminally others are being investigated by the Professional Standards Branch headed by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams. Williams says that […]

Woman deported from Belize makes Court appearance in Canada
Last week we told you about the deportation of thirty three year old Canadian National Robin Leanne (Greenway) Trockstad. She was arrested by Belizean authorities after a warrant for her arrest was issued in Canada. She is accused of abducting her four year old son TreysonTrockstad-Greenway. Reports from Canada are that Trockstad appeared today in […]

Breaking Belize News

GOB to decriminalize marijuana?
Belizeans at home and abroad are eagerly awaiting Friday’s upcoming Special Sitting of the House of Representatives following several media reports that the Government of Belize will decriminalize small amounts of marijuana. Several local media houses have reportedly confirmed that Government will pass a Bill, which follows the recommendations given by the Decriminalization of Marijuana Committee, commissioned by Prime Minister Dean Barrow in 2012. Several church related groups have already begun to voice their discontent with the decision over social media, pointing out that the decriminalization may actually make marijuana more accessible to Belizean youths.

City Hall not backing Willoughby’s promises
Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley has debunked claims made by Mayoral candidate Phillip Willoughby that the council will be writing off property taxes for needy Belizeans. In an interview with Channel 7, Bradley explained that he did not know Willoughby made any such promise but clarified that the council has no such policy in place.

Body found in Belmopan
According to reports, the lifeless body of a man was found behind his house this evening in Salvapan, Belmopan.

Six Corozal students get scholarships
Six students from the Corozal District have received scholarships courtesy five-time Mr. Belize, Rigo Vellos and his gym, Spartan Fitness, located in Corozal town. Yesterday morning Vellos presented the official letters to two primary school and four high school students, which commits to covering their cost of tuition once they keep their grades up and provide community service hours monthly.

Jafari Castro arraigned in Belize City
Today, 21-year-old Jafari Castro, son of Transport Minister Edmond Castro, was arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on a single count of harm, with respect to the August 6th assault of Kevin Brown. Castro was jointly charged with James Young and Gilbert Franklin. They all pleaded not guilty, and Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraizer granted them bail in the sum of $1,500 plus one surety, on the condition that they surrender all travel documents and refrain from having any contact with Brown or his family.

Retired NBA Star is in Belize
Retired American basketball player, Charles Smith, is in Belize City for the next four days. He was spotted at the Philip Goldson International Airport sometime this morning. According to reports, Smith is in Belize to collaborate with the Sport Council.

Caribbean Association of Pharmacists holds AGM in Belize
The Pharmacists Association of Belize (PAB) hosted the 37th Annual Convention and Annual General Meeting of Caribbean Association of Pharmacists in Belize last week. The AGM was hosted under the theme “Caribbean Pharmacists Contributing to Improved Health and Wellness of our Communities”.

Man charged for robbery at Caribbean Tire
Today in San Ignacio town, Oscar Gomez,22, a truck driver of Billy White Village, Cayo District was formally arrested and charged with burglary, handling stolen goods and damage to property.

NEMO excavating and clearing drains in Jacintoville
Flood mitigation works in the Toledo district are ongoing as the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) is currently excavating and clearing drains and culverts in Jacintoville. This area was affected by severe flooding just over a month ago when a portion of the highway was submerged by water for a few hours and had to be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic.

Garifuna groups express outrage over Eldred Neal reinstatement
Three Garifuna groups within the diaspora have issued a joint statement condemning Eldred Neal’s reinstatement as President of the Public Service Union (PSU). The United Garifuna Association, Garivision and All Peoples Foundation, issued the statement this morning, contending that Neal’s reinstatement sends the wrong message to the PSU’s Garifuna members, as well as the membership on a whole.

Custom officer guns down alleged contrabandista
A contrabandista refusing to peacefully surrender his goods to Custom officials was gunned down yesterday. According to police reports, shortly after 5 p.m. cops visited Yo Creek Village in Orange Walk District where they saw Orange Walk resident, Dwayne Almendarez, 30,suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Police investigation revealed that Custom officers and BDF soldiers conducted a search on a passenger bus near La Union.

Motorcycle thieves in Belize City continue string of theft
Motorcycle thieves in Belize City continue to steal around the clock. Police have issued a report on the two latest victims of motorcycle theft. Dwayne Reneau, 31, told police that between Monday night and early morning morning his red Meilun brand cycle with license plate number BZ M- 085 valued at $2,187.00 was stolen.

Fatal traffic accident on the Hummingbird Highway leaves one dead, several injured
According to reports, early this morning a Benny’s towhead delivery truck heading to PG overturned on the Hummingbird Highway. Confirmed reports are that the driver Winston Dawson, 45, passed away. Three other persons were also severely injured in the traffic accident -Dorian Buckley 21, Albert […]

Three men detained for Caribbean Tires robbery
Caribbean Tires in Spanish Lookout was robbed of US $20,000 and BZ $5,000 sometime between 6:15 Friday night and Saturday morning. The thieves broke down the door of the iron safe and stole the money. According to reports, the main suspect is an employee […]

Man reportedly shot by Customs officials in Orange Walk
According to a report from 7News, a man was shot by customs officials in the Santa Cruz area of Orange Walk last night. This area is known as a hot spot for illegal border crossings over to Botes, Mexico. The man was reportedly shot […]

Castro and Franklin Jr. to be charged for Kevin Brown assault
Yesterday, police informed the media that cops had detained Jafari Castro and Gilbert Franklin Jr. for the assault of Kevin Brown in San Pedro last week. Brown was badly beaten, air lifted from San Pedro and taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where […]

Blogs

Pirate’s Pizza – Where a Slice is always Nice!
On September 1, 2016, Serge Lalonde and Susan Young of Montreal Canada made the big leap and became business owners on Ambergris Caye. Now owners of Pirate’s Pizza, Serge and Susan take pride in selling delicious pizzas to the local community and visitors who stop by as well. “We have been very busy since we started…we have repeat customers and even know their order before they ask!” they said. They have a fabulous local staff, and thus refer to their pizza as Belize-style. “It’s made here in Belize, by Belizeans, containing the freshest ingredients. Of course it’s as Belizean as it can get!” The pizza looks a little bit different, as hot, melty, bubbly cheese is on top, and those delicious ingredients like sausage, pepperoni, veggies, are under that layer of gooey cheese!

The Eclipse in Belize & Approaching Weather Potential
First – a look at the weather map. It’s mid-August and the time when weather disturbances tend to spin off the west coast of Africa. Picking up steam over the WARM Atlantic and threaten our coast lines. Right now, things are getting heated. They are still quite a ways off. But the one closest to us is forecasted to reach our general area early next week. These are only forecasts! But DO keep an eye on them. The main celestial event next week, especially in the United States, is the total solar eclipse. The moon will be passing over the sun, mid-day, and in the path of totality – will completely block it out.

ak's Single-Origin Brownie Flights Will Make You a Better Chocolate Eater
I approached the flight like I would a wine tasting (minus the swirl and spit), smelling them, inspecting the texture, and then taking a bite. (I wish Zak's would throw in some raw coco beans, too, for a visual examination of the differences that begin at harvest.) The brownies were arranged from Belizean to Madagascar to Guatemalan, and I assumed this was an intentional order based on intensity. I was right. The brownie made with beans from Belize smelled like a typical chocolate brownie, the comforting, homey smell unadulterated with any other aromatic notes beyond the coco and sugar. The cake-like interior crumb was sweet and mellow. It was an easy to eat and easy to love rendition of the childhood classic.

Without a Scholarship I wouldn’t be here today. Support UB Endowment Fund
“Like other recipients of the UB athletic scholarship, it came at a time of heavy financial constraints for my family. I was good in shotput and the discus, so a track and field scholarship combined with God's grace, paved a path. It was of great relief to my parents. We were struggling to pay for my education up to that point. This scholarship gave me and many others an opportunity that is awarded to very few people. That opportunity was to be able to finish our degree programs. The responsibility was great but the reward was even greater. Had I not receive this scholarship, life could have been very different and I may not be where I am today.

Good Cops donate to kids in the Community
The Police Department's Rural Eastern Division embarked on its Back to School Drive. 195 bags with school supplies (exercise books, erasers, folders, crayons, pens, pencils, sharpeners, rulers and glue) were distributed to students of the entire region. Its a community effort during which members of society donated cash and supplies.

International Sources

Triple tropical threat looms in the Atlantic, Caribbean
Two of three budding tropical systems in the Atlantic will approach the Caribbean, Central America and the United States in the coming days. Three batches of thunderstorms are moving westward across the tropical Atlantic within a swath of moisture at midweek. From west to east, the systems have been dubbed 91L and 92L. The third system is likely to be 93L. "Nintey-one L may become a tropical depression or storm as it moves through the Lesser Antilles on Friday and the Caribbean Sea on Saturday," according to AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski. This feature is likely to bring an uptick in showers and thunderstorms in the Windward and southern Leeward Islands from Thursday night to Friday.

Modern genetic sequencing tools give clearer picture of how corals are related
The documentary “Chasing Coral,” released on Netflix in July, is a cinematic warning about how the bleaching of coral reefs may foreshadow how these marine animals will respond to climate change. Corals are key to ocean health because they support the densest, most diverse ecosystems — harboring species from turtles to algae to reef fish. University of Washington scientists are looking at the burgeoning field of coral genetics to better predict, and maybe even prepare for, coral’s future threats. Their new study uses modern genetic-sequencing tools to reveal the relatedness of three similar-looking corals. “This coral appears to be three different species, but it’s been debated whether it’s really three separate species or whether it’s one that’s really variable in its appearance,” said first author James Dimond, a UW doctoral student in aquatic and fishery sciences.

Fly Fishing for Permit: Stalking tailers in Belize’s Permit Alley
Saltwater Sportsman Magazine on chasing for Permits in Belize! An ever increasing angler's choice in Belize. Of note is that the permit is a catch and release fish in Belize. Great article.
Overcast skies and gusting winds over 20 miles an hour are hardly ideal for finding permit, but with legendary Belizean guide Lincoln Westby poling the boat, I still liked our chances. Not 25 yards down the slim coral shoal we were tracing, two shadows moved in from the adjacent depths and crossed our path. They were a pair of 20-pounders, and Westby turned the boat, affording me a better casting angle. I sent a permit crab fly sailing toward the fish, but before it touched down, the permit exploded and dropped back off the edge. Shaking our heads in disbelief, we resumed our search. After 44 years of guiding, Westby returns to the sites of some 2,000 permit hookups, aided only by memory and a compass atop his panga's -console, to offer anyone willing to risk sanity and self esteem plenty of shots at fish regularly surpassing 20 pounds, within earshot of waves breaking against the barrier reef.

Videos

Amazing macro-footage of nursery-grown, outplanted elkhorn corals spawning, 1min. At Laughing Bird Caye National Park, Belize, 13 Aug 17

BELIZE SOFTBALL LEGENDS REUNION "WHEN WE WERE QUEENS: CELEBRATION!, 3min. This specular reunion of the legendary Belizean women of softball "Hall of Fame" comes to you the "Belizean Legends" audience as a special tribute to the these outstanding Belizean athletes of Belize. Let's honor them through this celebration of being the best ever of their time and throughout the years, and remember this as a monument of greatness achieved for Belizean generations of athletes of the past, present and the future.

THE BELIZEAN SOFTBALL ROUNDTABLE---RHAMDAS, SMITH & ELLIS (PART ONE)!, 15min. We seldom at "Belizean Legends" hear a variety of voices by the legendary Belizean softball players serenading the moment of victory of the "1974 Golden Medal" victory that Belizean athletes won for Belize at the Central American & Caribbean Games, and the win against the United States "Orlando Rebels" by the "1979 Bronze Medal Team" of Belizean softball hall of fame.

BELIZEAN SOFTBALL COOL OPERATOR---SHE IS BERNADINE MCDOUGALL! , 25min. The outstanding Belizean softball player from the 1974-1979 Belize national softball championship team, Bernadine McDoudall's discussion with yours truly two years ago was very enlightening. Just revisiting these sports classics on Belizean women athletic greatness of an unprecedented and historical time unmatched today, speaks volumes of this bred of athletes like McDougall.

BTIA Tourism Expo in Orange Walk... on August 26th. Don't miss out!, 1.5min. On Saturday, August 26, 2017, join us as we bring to you our 3rd Annual BTIA Orange Walk Tourism Expo. The fun starts at 10am until 10pm! Don't miss out and see you there!

SWIMMING WITH SHARKS, 5min. We head out to Secret Beach on the West Coast of Ambergris Caye to check out whats going on and capture some footage.

George Price on Guatemala border dispute, 26min. The father of Belize. He said not an inch of land or a blade of grass for Guatemala. He said it in his own words. Listen and share. The message need to get to the last Belizean.

British High Commission, 32min.

BELTRAIDE Talent Fair from August 17th-19th, 2017, 22min.

Belize Network of NGOs discusses re-registration deferral, 30min.

The Power Of The Mind, 34min.

Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship, 21min.

David and Anke Doehm spotted all the way in Cayo District, min. Friends over at San Ignacio wanted us to share these videos. Court date is set for August 24 in San Pedro.

Passion Kite Belize WOW!!!, 1min. Martin John Leslie of Passion kite Belize takes flight on a breezy day in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Aerial View of the National University in Belmopan, 1min. If you don't know the Belmopan Campus,this short tour will show you the layout of our main campus in the Capital, Belmopan.

A Ghost of Andrea, 7min. This is a short film created out of my Intensive 5-Day Audio/Video Production Workshop sponsored by NICH - Belize. June 19-23, 2017. The story and characters were conceived and developed as part of the workshop activities: From concept-to Script-to Screen. Participants were asked to write out character descriptions – Name, occupation, brief history and three characters were voted on and selected. After a story connection was made, the 4th character of Andrea was added. Cast is made up of workshop participants.

Montoge Belize trip, 6min.

Belize, 10min.

Project Belize pt 3, 11min. This was our first two mission days. Day one is Temash and day 2 is Corazon.

SPIEGEL TV Maya Belize, 47min. Dokumentarfilm ueber die Maya in Belize.

LOOK WHAT WE CAUGHT! BELIZE DAY 2, 9min. This is Day 2 of the Vlogs while Spencer is in Belize! CHECK IT OUT! We caught Lobsters and Lion Fish! -

¡NADÉ CON TIBURONES! Caye Caulker,Belize/Jarro Alvarez, 11min. Esta vez nos fuimos a dar una vuelta a una isla de belice, "CAYE CAULKER". Hicimos muchas cosas, snorkeling, nadamos con tiburones gata, windsurf, padre y mas.