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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

Islanders celebrate Belize's 36th Anniversary of Independence
In commemoration of the 36th anniversary of Belize's Independence, a series of activities were held on Wednesday evening, September 20th at the Honourable Louis Sylvestre Sporting Complex. Under the theme 'Belize: Confronting Challenges! Celebrating Triumphs! Renewing our Resolve!' activities included an official Independence Eve ceremony, followed by the midnight flag raising ceremony and a spectacular fireworks display. It all concluded with a fun after-party featuring Walshy Fire of Major Lazer and the Caribbean Kings, right through the early hours of September 21st. The night's official ceremonies began shortly after 10PM as hundreds of attendees gathered for the patriotic activities. Master of Ceremonies Eiden Salazar Jr., invited Mayor Daniel Guerrero to give his speech, which highlighted the importance of the occasion. Guerrero started his address saying that he hopes this would not be his last Independence Day address, giving the fact that municipal elections are scheduled for March 2018.

PLB's first round concludes: San Pedro Pirates lose 1-0 against Verdes F.C
The first round of the Premier League of Belize (PLB) concluded on Sunday, September 24th, with three matches taking place in different parts of the country. On Sunday, the San Pedro Pirates F.C. travelled to San Ignacio Town in the Cayo District where they faced Verdes F.C. Both teams gave their best in a tight match that saw the strength of the island squad, but when the time was up, it was a victory of 1-0 for Verdes F.C. Pirates' Sean Mas has stated that the team will continue working hard, and hopes to do better in the upcoming home games on the island during the second round of the PLB. The current standings of the PLB has Belmopan Bandits leading with 16 points, followed by Verdes F.C and BDF F.C with 13 points. Police United F.C has 12 points, while San Pedro Pirates have eight points. Placencia Assassins and Wagiya F.C both have seven points, and Freedom Fighters F.C have three points. The second round of games begins on Saturday, September 30th, when the San Pedro Pirates face the Belmopan Bandits at the Ambergris Stadium. The game has been scheduled to start at 3PM sharp.

San Pedro Veterans win semi- finals against Benque Veterans
The San Pedro Veterans hosted the Benque Veterans Football Club at the Ambergis Stadium in San Pedro Town, on Saturday, September 23rd, for the second round of semifinals of the Over-40 league. Both San Pedro Veterans and Benque Veterans sought a win, but at the final whistle, it was a clear 9-1 victory for the home team. The San Pedro Veterans now advance to the finals for the Over-40 League. On Sunday, October 1st the team will travel to Independence Village in the Stann- Creek District to take on the Mango Creek Veterans in the first round of the finals. The Mango- Creek Veterans recently defeated the Belize City Kulture Yabra 4-0. The game is scheduled to start at 4PM at the Michael Ashcroft Stadium.

Ambergris Today

Belize Chocolate Company Boutique Announces "Go Straw-Less" Campaign
On October 1, 2017, Belize Chocolate Company (BCC) will start its "Go straw-less" campaign. In an effort to reduce the amount of plastic straws that end up in our oceans and on our beaches, BCC will be encouraging all their customers to "Go straw-less" when buying a milkshakes or cold drink. In addition, Belize Chocolate Company have launched a "Go Straw-less" poster competition, open to all Primary school and High School Children of Belize. The poster which must use the words "Go Straw-less" will be used in all publicity and posted in Belize Chocolate Company Boutique. Prizes of gift certificates for chocolate for $75Bz, $50BZ and $25 BZ will be given for first, second and third prize. For more information and rules email [email protected]

Misc Belizean Sources

mzz

Caye Caulker Blood Drive
Saturday - Ocean Academy students are volunteering with this worthy event. Please come support the Blood Donor Drive.

Congratulations to Mystic Mas Band on winning this year's Best Group Category for this year's Independence Jump Up Parade 2017!

Perspective's of our Past presentation
Mark the dates! Community members are invited to attend this year's Perspective's of our Past presentation with oral recounts from our elders. We have all had a fascination with the grand old house beside the House of Culture -the Hall's residence. Mrs. Acosta spent thirty years living there and will share her memoirs from that time. Mr. Gegg will tell it like is, or as it was, with classism and Corozal in the mid 1900's. Join us October 3rd and 10th at the Corozal Junior College Conference Room.

Annual State Reception
The U.S. Embassy, Peace Corps and Military Liaison Office are grateful to have been part of Governor General of Belize Sir Colville Young's Annual State Reception on the eve of Belize's 36th Independence Anniversary.

BELIZE FISHING REPORT: Weeks of Sept. 18th - Sept. 24th, 2017
We are happy to welcome and be part of the continued support that Orvis shows the lodge. Cynthia Harkness, the host of a women's group and Jose Delgado who is hosting groups the next two weeks and all participants who have traveled from different parts of the United States, have been reeling in the bonefish. Lots of double digit days.

Goldson House Open House
The Goldson House For Democracy and Patriotism is having an Open House next Tuesday and Wednesday. "Help spread the news, The Goldson House For Democracy and Patriotism is having An Open House Celebration!"

SEE & TASTE BELIZE INC. TO HOST ITS SECOND ANNUAL SEE & TASTE BELIZE FESTIVAL FOR THE CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES OF BELIZE
See & Taste Belize Inc., co-hosted by the Special Envoy for Women and Children and the Spouse of the Prime Minister, Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow, along with its partners, The Belize Tourism Board, BELTRAIDE and National Institute for Culture and History, will be hosting its second See and Taste Belize Festival on Saturday, October 7th at the Florida International University Kovens Center. This year's event will raise funds for the Inspiration Center of Belize, the first of its kind to care for children with disabilities in Belize. The last See & Taste Belize Festival enjoyed immense success thanks to the support of its sponsors and the Belizean Diaspora who came from all over the USA to enjoy and celebrate Belize, and all the wonderful things they love and miss (friends, food, music, art, rum and beer)! This gathering offered an amazing opportunity to raise over US$60,000.00 towards the building of the first Neo-Natal and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Belize.

Attorney General Leads Belizean Delegation on an Official Visit to the Republic of China (Taiwan)
Three members of Cabinet are currently being hosted on a foreign mission to the Republic of China (Taiwan) which commenced on September 24th and ends on September 29th, 2017. The Belizean delegation is led by Attorney General Hon. Michael Peyrefitte and includes Minister of Human Development, Social Transformation, and Poverty Alleviation Hon. Anthony Martinez; Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Immigration, with responsibility for Immigration, Hon. Beverly Williams; and Director of the Government of Belize Press Office Mr. Dorian Pakeman. The official visit is intended to further strengthen the longstanding partnership between Belize and the Republic of China (Taiwan). On the first day of the working visit, the delegation met with the National Immigration Agency where topics such as immigration policy, border protection, and human trafficking were discussed. A courtesy call was made to the Embassy of Belize where the contingent met a group of Belizean students enrolled in universities in Taiwan.

Smart's Unlimited Internet services in San Pedro
It's wireless home internet, competitive in price to the BTL diginet. 4mbs - $55, 8mbs - $80, 16mbs - $136, 25mbs - $175. Perfect for the slow season. Free installation and first month FREE. No rental or maintenance fee! All clients that already have this service will see double in speed and drop in price as per table above.

BELIZE TECHEXPO 2017
Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL), its members, local and international stakeholders will convene in Belize City for the FIRST ever Technology Exposition. Key local, regional and international partners will be presenting their solutions and displaying their latest products and services at the Best Western Biltmore Plaza. Come check out the latest trends and see how you can benefit from these home/business products. Don't miss it!

Corozal October 7th Full Moon Concert
Let the good vibes continue....Dynamics of Belize will be the featured artists at our October 7th Full Moon Concert!

See & Taste Belize 2017
Joining us this year at See & Taste Belize 2017! is Chef Sylvia Eiley from the beautiful "Isla Bonita" from Wataview Vacation Home Belize, Chef Sylvia will be sharing her scrumptious Stewed Chicken Skewers with ripe plantain as well as coconut curry fish chowder with green plantain dumplings!

What to expect on the upcoming Belize Pelagic this Oct. 9th and 10th...

Channel 7

Chinese Grocer Killed in Robbery: First In Four Years
A Chinese Belizean businessman was murdered in an armed robbery attempt last night. He's 58 year-old Bainan Wu, and our archives say that he is the first Chinese business owner to be killed in Belize City in 4 years and 3 months. Police say that he was shot sometime around 7:30 inside his grocery store, Xi He Li, which is located at the corner of Vernon and Santa Barbara Streets where he is well known and liked. Wu took all precautions he could to protect himself and his business, but last night, a robber killed him because he reportedly refused to hand over his hard earned money.

Family of 78 Year Old Found Dead Say It was Murder
So, while police are certainly treating the shooting death of Bainan Wu as a murder, it appears that the police press office isn't so sure about 78 year-old Karl Leslie, a Belizean American retiree living in Hattieville. He was found dead in his home 12 days ago, and since then, police have been doing all they can to make it look like it's not another murder. They are calling it a death investigation. So today, we reached out to his family, and they told us that the post-mortem reveals that the elderly gentleman - who had recently retired to Belize - died from blunt force trauma to the head, meaning that someone clubbed him. They told us that someone also broke his back in 2 separate places.

The Search for Kelvin Is Getting Desperate
Yesterday we told about 17-year-old Kelvin Usher who was reported missing on Sunday evening. He ran off on Sunday when the GSU arrested his father Cameron "Ras Ruben" Usher for marijuana cultivation in Lucky Strike Village. But the case is not exactly straightforward - there are reports that the GSU fired on Kelvin Usher and others who Feld form the plantation. And that is why today there was a sense of urgency and alarm when a homegrown search party went to Lucky Strike on the old Northern Highway to try and find him. 7News was there and Sahar Vasquez reports: Sahar Vasquez reporting: Today, day three of the search for young Kelvin Usher continued. It was an army of people ranging from family members close and distant, to concerned classmates who took the day off from school to help in the search. Even villagers of Lucky Strike came out to assist in navigating the bush. And the police K-9 unit also came in. Usher's mom and uncle were one of the many people who stood strong in organizing the search teams and more importantly keeping the faith that Kelvin is alive.

What if The Dam Breaks? This is What Happens Next
We have been following the aftermath of the two massive earthquakes in Mexico and the wreckage that Hurricane Maria left behind in the Caribbean, especially in the island nation of Dominica. Well, NEMO and its partners want to ensure that if any such disasters hit Belize or nearby, they will be as ready as they can be. Today NEMO along with Belize Electricity Company Limited (BECOL) staged a multi-disaster simulation in Santa Elena and San Ignacio. It was a complete run through of their disaster plan from early morning warning messages to monitoring, and, of course, on the ground response. Courtney Weatherburne and cameraman Codie Norales went out west to be a part of the action. Here is that story.

What's With the Long Lines at the Northern Border?
Interests in the Corozal Free Zone are complaining about the excessive lines that were building up at the Santa Elena border in Corozal last week. As this video shows the line to cross over into Mexico stretch for more than half a mile and this was on Friday at a time which is not considered the rush hour. They complain that only one immigration officer was checking the huge line - and that was causing the delay. We were unable to get comment from the Immigration Department.

Some Stand Together In Sugar Industry
The standoff between the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association and ASR/BSI continues and even with the opening of the cane harvest just a few short months away, neither side looks to be backing down from their position. But, there is some consensus in the sugar industry - and that was evidenced today in a joint release from the Corozal Sugar Cane Producers Association and the Progressive Sugar Cane Producers Association. They congratulate ASR/BSI for the ground-breaking ceremony on Monday of last week where they will invest 22 million dollars to increase the production of direct consumption sugars. They note that this was, quote, "made possible due to the commitment our two associations�to the future of the sugar industry of Belize by agreeing to see out the current cane purchase agreement." end quote.

Belize Delegation Cementing Friendly Ties In Taiwan
Three cabinet ministers are presently on an official visit to Taiwan. They are led by Attorney General Mike Peyrefitte, and he is accompanied by Minister of Human Development, Anthony "Boots" Martinez; and Minister of State with responsibility for Immigration, Beverly Williams. They arrived there on Monday and the trip ends on Friday. They are meeting with Taiwan's National Immigration Agency, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Supreme Prosecutor's Office, and the Workforce Development Agency in the Ministry of Labour. Before returning to Belize, the delegation will meet with representatives from the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Examination, and the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration.

An Overview of the Dominica Situation
The severity of impact that Hurricane Maria has had on Dominica becomes more apparent every day. The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States - of which Dominica is the poorest member - has gotten a firsthand assessment of the devastation in Dominica and has pledged to assist and is calling on others to do the same. In a press conference today, the Commissioner of Grenada to the OECS detailed the horrific reality on the island - from the complete destruction of homes, schools, medical centers even roads have disappeared, not to mention the brutal effects on agriculture. Here is an excerpt from that briefing.

Sustainable Tourism Project - What It's Doing On Caye Caulker
The IDB Funded Sustainable Tourism Project II - launched in 2016 is all about implementing the National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan in new and emerging destinations such as Corozal District, Toledo, the Mountain Pine Ridge, and Caye Caulker. Last week in Caye Caulker, the IDB and the Ministry of Tourism launched a signage project for the village - Country Manager Cassandra Rogers explained how it will work. Cassandra Rogers, IDB Country Rep., Belize: "A program which supports the improvements, restoration and diversification of local destinations such as Caye Caulker. We believe this is the right way to go in order to optimally harness Belize's tourism potential for wealth creation and sustainable growth and also to make sure that whatever is done is done in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. I feel confident that through this program we shall realize the possibilities that flow from strengthening destination planning and management and to ensure as much as possible that tourism is a benefit to the local community. Very important, and the local economy."

Diego and Frida, Love Beyond Politics
About a half an hour ago, the Mexican Embassy opened a double art exhibit, which they are inviting Belizeans to come out and enjoy. The first is called "Frida & Diego: A Smile at the Crossroads", and it is a nod to two of the well-known Mexican artists artists whose work represents a key part of Mexican History. Frida Kahlo was a world-renown painter, who with her husband, Diego Riviera, who is Mexico's most celebrated muralists. they were also communists, using their art to push for social change. But this latest shows doesn't focus on their politics, it instead looks into the lives of two powerful personalities. We stopped by and spoke with the Mexican Embassy's Counsellor for Legal Affairs and Press. Here's what he had to say about this first exhibit:

Hon. Faber Learned Hard Lessons In September
And our last two items tonight - are a sort of farewell to the September Celebration season. First, we look at the remarks made by Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber who chaired the September Celebrations Commission for the first time this year. On Independence day, he conceded he had learned some tough lessons - including not to have the tenth day jump - up and parade on a Sunday:... Hon. Patrick Faber, Deputy Prime Minister: "When I took in this task I had no idea what I was signing up for. I certainly thought it would have been on the easier side of the workload, but as it has turned out it has proven to be one of the more challenging segments of work. Such challenges included the need to amend the route of the carnival, hearing the church's plea for not celebrating the 10th on a Sunday and of course the Queen of the Bay debacle. But less you think that I am complaining on day when we ought to be celebrating, let me say that I am proud to have presided over an extensive lineup of patriotic events under the theme "Confronting challenges, celebrating triumphs - renewing our resolve.""

The Crown Thief
And of course you can't say Sayonara To September without re-visiting that Queen of the Bay craziness. That's when the double crowning happened - with Aaliyah Ysaguirre being crowned Queen at the front of the stage, while Pageant Committee Chair Zenaida Moya was crowning Esmeralda Cal simultaneously at the back of the stage. It was a first, but it wasn't the most audacious crowning comedy we've ever seen. For that we had to go back in our archive to September of 2013 in Succotz Village when the queen of the Ms Independence Day pageant Yancy Bautista, attended the crowning ceremony, and chose not to participate because she got jilted out of her winner's package. She told on the side until she snatched the crown from the runner up just as they placed it on her head, and she ran off, breaking it. The Moya affair has nothing on that one.

Channel 5

Kelvin Usher Remains Missing; Family and Friends Fear Worst
A desperate search continues for missing seventeen-year-old Kelvin Usher.� Family, friends, students as well as the police searched an area in Lucky Strike off the old Northern Highway for hours [...]

Did G.S.U.'s Behaviour Contribute to Situation?
In Belize City, attorney Richard "Dickie" Bradley, who is defending Cameron Usher Senior and considers him a close friend, says the bigger tragedy than the discovery and burning of the [...]

First Chinese Grocer Murdered in Old Capital in 4 Years
Police are not providing details on the deadly shooting of a Chinese grocer in Belize City. Shortly before eight o'clock on Monday night, a robbery attempt turned fatal for Bainan [...]

Illegal Mahogany Loggers Out on Bail
Earlier today, a group of four illegal loggers appeared in the Orange Walk Magistrate's Court where each man was formally charged for unlawfully harvesting as many as thirty-two pieces of [...]

Karl Leslie Death Remains Mysterious
Was an elderly resident of Hattieville murdered or did he die of natural causes?� The family of Karl Leslie believes that their loved one may have been killed by someone [...]

Guns for Freedom?
Police making a routine traffic stop in Belize City on Saturday encountered twenty-seven-year-old Shayanne Castro, a Port Authority clerk, and her husband Wasani, found no evidence of firearms or ammunition [...]

Marijuana Law Subject to Misinterpretation
After introducing for a first reading the bill to decriminalize possession of ten grams or less of marijuana in the House of Representatives in August, Prime Minister Dean Barrow indicated [...]

Fine for 'Draw' Possession
That proposed marijuana amendment came up in court today when Errol Garbutt, a heavy equipment operator living on Racoon Street, Belize City who is planning to relocate to the US, [...]

Father Avoids Charge for Beating Daughter & Wife
Francisco Mejia of Santana village, Belize District, is lucky to avoid a criminal charge after his wife elected to withdraw charges of harm and threatening words. The charges arise from [...]

How to Avoid the Contagious 'Pink Eye'
Severe cases of conjunctivitis remain on the rise across the country, as infections among adults and children continue to spread.� Pink eye, as it is commonly known, is a swelling [...]

Hygiene and Prompt Treatment Important
Prevention of pink eye is partly by hand washing and treatment depends on the underlying cause.� In the majority of viral cases, there is no specific treatment; however, most cases [...]

Mexico Says Thanks for Earthquake Help
Two devastating earthquakes struck central and south-western Mexico in succession between September seventh and nineteenth. Between them they have caused more than four hundred deaths and extensive material damage. As [...]

In Cayo, NEMO Prepares for Multi-Disaster Scenario
The National Emergency Management Organization led a simulation exercise for a multi-disaster and emergency response scenario involving a break in a dam along with other scenarios happening at the same [...]

The Ordinary Lives of Extraordinary Artistes Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo
At this hour, the Mexican Embassy in Belize is unveiling two separate photographic exhibits at the Mexican Institute of Cooperation in Belize City as part of their year-long celebration of [...]

A Trip Through Mexico's Exotic Architecture
The other exhibit is photographs of major infrastructure in ten Mexican cities from Zacatecas in the north to the capital, Mexico City, to Campeche in the south. These are the [...]

CTV3

Belize Strengthens Ties With Taiwan
A Belizean delegation comprised of Attorney General, Hon. Michael Peyrefitte, Minister of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Anthony Martinez, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Immigration, Hon. Beverly Williams and Director of the Government of Belize Press Office, Dorian Pakeman travelled to the Republic of China in Taiwan on an official visit to further strengthen the longstanding partnership that exist between both parties. On Sunday September 24th, the delegation met with the National Immigration Agency where issues involving immigration policy, border protection, and human trafficking were discussed. A courtesy call was made to the Embassy of Belize where the contingent met a group of Belizean students enrolled in universities in Taiwan.

CSCPA And PSCA Congratulate BSI/ASR For 22 Million Dollars Investment
Nine days after the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association announced its intention to move forward with its proposed twenty two million dollar investment to expand the tower hill factory to increase the production of Direct consumption sugars and broke ground for the new three hundred thousand ton storage unit, the Corozal Sugar Cane Producers Association and the Progressive Sugar Cane Producers association today issued a joint press release congratulating BSI/ASR for their commitment to Belize's Sugar Industry. Viewers may remember that following the ceremonies held last week both the CSCPA and the PSCPA refused to give comment as the two associations who had openly accepted the proposed investment by agreeing to see out the current cane purchase agreement, and did not do so until today's release.

Belizean Film Selected For An Oscar
"Yochi" a Belizean Film and the winner of the best short film at the 2016 Belize International Film Festival has been selected for an Oscar- Qualifying theatrical run, making it the first film ever made in Belize to be considered for an Academy Award. 'Yochi' is a short film written and directed by award- winning new Mexico film maker Llana Lapid and entirely filmed in Belize featuring an entirely Belizean Cast. The short film is a story with a strong wildlife conservation message in which the growing issue of poaching is highlighted in a small country like Belize.

LOVE FM

Teenager Missing, Family Concerned
The family and friends continue to struggle with how the police have been handling the investigation into the incident that led to the disappearance of seventeen year old Kelvin Usher. Another detail that has them puzzled surrounds a phone call that Usher's sister, Leniqua Usher received on Monday. She says a police officer from the [�]

Armed robbery leaves Chinese businessman dead
Fifty eight year old Bainan Wu was shot to the left temple last night. It happened at around 7:40pm while he was in his store on Santa Barbara Street in Belize City. He was rushed to the KHMH where he died. Investigators believe that the motive was robbery. This is the second armed robbery of [�]

Leslie Family still seeking answers
The family of 78 year old Karl Leslie believes that he was murdered and robbed by someone he knew. Leslie was found dead in his bedroom at his house in the East Windmill Area of Hattieville shortly after nine o'clock in the night on September 14th. As we have reported, the police initially said that [�]

Is BELCOGEN experiencing financial problem?
The preferential rate that Belize has enjoyed over the years from its biggest consumer, the European Union EU, will come to an end when the EU changes its sugar regime at the end of this month. In preparation for that, ASR/BSI held a ground-breaking event last Monday to demonstrate their commitment to meeting the challenges [�]

Cane farmers associations back ASR/BSI to overcome sugar challenge
The Corozal Sugar Cane Producers Association and the Progressive Sugar Cane Producers Association are congratulating ASR/BSI on its strategic step to help address the challenges the Sugar Industry will face in a week's time when its loses its preferential rate with the European Union. The strategic step referred to by both associations is last week's [�]

Immigration Director to appear for the third time before the Senate Hearing
The Senate Hearing resumes tomorrow after taking a week off. Two persons are scheduled to make an appearance. The current Immigration Officer Diana Locke is set to make her third appearance and she is expected to be followed by the current Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Immigration, Edmund Zuniga. It is expected that [�]

Belize Delegation in Taiwan
Belizean delegation led by Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte is in the Republic of China, Taiwan. Peyrefitte is joined by Minister of Human Development, Social Transformation, and Poverty Alleviation Anthony Martinez, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Immigration, with responsibility for Immigration, Beverly Williams and Director of the Government of Belize Press Office, [�]

Ministry of Education puts schools on alert
In yesterday's newscast, we told you that conjunctivitis better known as pink eye is increasing at an alarming rate. To date, the Ministry of Health has recorded a total of 1,108 cases. In light of the high amount of cases, the Ministry of Education today issued a memorandum to all teachers, reminding them that they [�]

Search for Kelvin Usher continues
Seventeen-year-old Kelvin Keyon Jahiem Usher remains missing and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance have raised numerous suspicions of foul play on the part of the police. For starters, Usher was along with his father 41-year-old Cameron Kelvin Usher who was arrested and charged with cultivation of marijuana on Sunday. Now while the police issued a [�]

Honoring our Elders
The elderly's toil and sweat afford us the comforts we enjoy today. Yet on some occasions they receive little appreciation for all they have done. Many are abandoned and forgotten while others become the target of crimes. Helpage of Belize is urging all Belizeans to be kind to our senior citizens, especially during this week [�]


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Marty Offline OP
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Amandala

Father, 41, arrested for weed field; son, 17, missing
Police report that members of the Gang Suppression Unit (GSU), acting on information about a marijuana plantation at Lucky Strike in the Belize District, travelled to the area shortly before midday on Sunday. On arriving there they allegedly found Cameron Kelvin Usher, 41, a chef who resides on Sibun Street in Belize City, standing in the middle of a marijuana plantation, which contained an estimated 150 plants measuring an average of 4 feet. The GSU destroyed all the plants and the equipment on the farm, and they arrested Usher, who was taken to the Queen Street Police Station and charged for "cultivation of cannabis plant."

Contagious pink-eye plaguing Belize
The Ministry of Health has issued an alert about a rise in cases of conjunctivitis, better known as "pink eye," which it says has especially been cropping up in northern and central Belize. The concern with "pink eye" is that it is a communicable disease, easily spread from person to person. Symptoms include redness in the white of the eye or inner eyelid; watery eyes; thick yellow discharge that crusts over the eyelashes, especially after sleep; itchy eyes and blurred vision; and increased sensitivity to light. There are ways to reduce the spread of conjunctivitis. According to the Ministry of Health, precautions against the spread of pink eye include frequent hand washing with soap and warm water, especially before and after cleaning infected eyes, or applying eyedrops or ointment to the eyes; and minimizing the touching or rubbing of infected eyes, which can worsen the condition or spread the infection.

Shayanne Castro, 27, arraigned for drug trafficking
The family of NEMO and Transport Minister, Edmond Castro, is back in the news again. This time it is his daughter-in-law, Shayanne Castro, 27, the wife of his son, Wasani Castro, who has run afoul of the law. She was today arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate Court, where she appeared before Chief Magistrate Sharon Fraser and pleaded not guilty to the charge of "possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply." She was offered and met bail of $9,000 plus one surety of the same amount. Additionally, she was ordered to surrender her travel documents. She is to return to court on December 22.

3 years for punching fellow detainee in the mouth
Jamal Ifield, 19, a fisherman of 138 North Front Street, was sentenced to 3 years' imprisonment today by the Chief Magistrate, Sharon Fraser, after he pleaded guilty to wounding. Before she sentenced Ifield, Chief Magistrate Fraser asked him why he punched the complainant, Jose Salvador, 22. Ifield's reply was that it was done for no reason. That was when Chief Magistrate Fraser decided to send him to prison. She had already told him that the maximum sentence for wounding is 7 years. Ifield and three other persons were detained at the Queen Street Police Station on Sunday, September 24, when the incident occurred. Police had intended to charge them with disorderly conduct.

Premium gas now up by 93 cents on the gallon
Three days after pump prices spiked for regular gasoline and diesel, there was another price change at the pumps, with the price of premium gasoline increasing by 93 cents on the gallon. The announcement was made by the Belize Bureau of Standards that the price of premium gas, which was actually 14 cents less per gallon than regular gas since the price adjustment of September 20, would increase from $10.99 a gallon to $11.92 a gallon in Belize City. Last Wednesday, the price of regular gasoline, which had been tagged at $10.21 since August 16, increased by 92 cents on the gallon, to $11.13. The price of diesel increased from $9.26 to $9.63, an increase of 37 cents on the gallon. However, the price of kerosene remains at $5.68 a gallon in Belize City.

Corruption and crime, hot topics at Independence Day ceremony
Corruption and crime-two of the hottest topics in Belize's national discourse-were featured prominently in remarks delivered at this year's Independence Day ceremonies held in Belmopan to mark the 36th anniversary of Belize's independence from Britain. Held under the theme, "Belize: Confronting Challenges! Celebrating Triumphs! Renewing our Resolve!" - coined by Janine Sosa, the event customarily affords a platform for both members of the ruling party, in this case the United Democratic Party, and the Opposition, the People's United Party, to address the nation on matters ripe for national reflection. Belmopan mayor Khalid Belisle said in his welcome remarks that the rise in crime is no coincidence.

Tennis News - Youth Tournament
This past Saturday (September 16), the Belize Pickwick Club Tennis Courts were filled with kids from ages 7-13 vying in the first competition for the new school year in Orange level and Green level categories. Both levels played round-robin style to increase play time. Fourteen children competed. In the Green Category, Daniel Musa took first by defeating Errol Ferguson in a tight match, 15-12. Ferguson was awarded the 2nd place medal. In the Orange Category, first place went to Corbin Avila; second place to Zachary Musa; third place to Sakir Pott; and fourth place to Victoria Quan.

Primary school basketball tips off at Gateway Center
The Belize City Primary Schools Basketball Tournament 2017 got underway today at the Gateway Youth Centre in Belize City. There are twelve (12) teams participating in the male division and four (4) in the female division, these are: MALE (M) - Division A - St. Ignatius, Belize Elementary, Queen's Square Anglican, Muslim Community, Central Christian, and Wesley Upper; Division B - St. Martin De Porres, All Saints Anglican, St. Joseph RC, St. John Vianney, Bethel Primary, and Ephesus SDA. FEMALE (F) - Central Christian, St. Martin De Porres, St. Joseph RC, and Muslim Community.

No surprises in Over-40 semifinals game 2; San Pedro vs Mango Creek in finals
There were no surprises this past weekend in game 2 of the semifinals home-and-away series of the National Over-40 Tournament 2017, where the same game 1 winners prevailed. On Saturday at the San Pedro Stadium, it was 9-1, San Pedro Veterans over Benque Veterans. Sharing the scoring for San Pedro were Jacinto Pinelo (55' & 63'), Alex Garcia (65', 69' & 81') and Orlando Pinelo (74', 78', 86' & 89'); while the sole tally for Benque was by Julio Ayala (80'). (San Pedro had taken game 1 by a 3-1.) And on Sunday at the MCC Grounds in Belize City, Mango Creek Veterans came away with a 1-nil victory, courtesy of a 9th minute blast from close range by right wing Wayne Castellanos. It was a game of many missed opportunities, most by Mango Creek, who had won by a 4-0 score in game 1 last week in Independence.

CYDP Peace Cup 2017 regular season under way at MCC
The Conscious Youth Development Programme (CYDP) kicked off its Football Peace Cup 2017 regular season over the weekend with games on Saturday and Sunday at the MCC Grounds. According to the tournament schedule, the 13 teams are divided into two groups of 7 and 6 teams, respectively, with each group playing a single round-robin regular season, followed by the playoffs. Group One teams are: Police United FC, Kelly Street FC, Face of Belize, BDF Warriors, Tut Bay FC, FC Elite, and Kingspark Strikers; while Group Two consists of: Third World FC, Police Street FC, Survivors United, RG City Boys United, Stars Academy, and Ebony Lake FC.

Editorial: The wasteland
Many Belizeans do not realize that the nation's population center, Belize City, does not presently have a franchise in the semi-professional football league. In Belmopan, by contrast, the four-time area representative, Hon. John Saldivar, was controlling three semi-pro football franchises - Belmopan Bandits, Belize Defence Force (BDF), and Police (in his capacity as Minister of National Security where BDF and Police were concerned), until he lost the Police section of his Ministry after the William Danny Mason/Pastor Lue scandal last year. Today, Mr. Saldivar controls the Bandits and BDF franchises. In a situation such as the one that has existed for more than a quarter century in the old capital, a situation akin to civil war among the youth from different neighborhoods in Belize City, one would have thought the politicians of the ruling United Democratic Party (UDP) would have ensured Belize City's representation in the semi-pro football league. Remember now, the Southside of Belize City, where the UDP controls six of the seven political constituencies, is the ruling party's stronghold.

Romel "bigs up" Officer Chi
Dear Editor, I would like to big up Officer in Charge of Orange Walk Police, Mr. David Chi, for the wonderful work being done to control the public intoxication in our town and villages. We no longer see people walking around visibly "under the influence" and urinating all over the place. The shop/bars no longer have crowds consuming alcohol in public view. Our lovely town looks lovelier and the villages are much more peaceful. Thank you very much.

Marijuana smokers need to know �
Dear Editor, I need some help here. Does decriminalization of 10 grams of marijuana mean that you can legally possess this amount? Or only that you will not be criminally charged in court, but have a fine to pay if caught with it? Am asking because on some talk shows some people are insinuating that you are legally allowed to have it but not smoke it in public. Although I am not one, consumers need to know.

Our classroom shall be the streets �
This weekend, postings in social media in Guatemala went viral denouncing the decision of Congress in favor of legal reform which would shield politicians from future investigations for illicit campaign financing. Hashtags have been posted from Sa�l Bistro, one of the most exclusive restaurant chains in Guatemala City which have declared non-grata the 107 congressmen who voted in favour of the reform, stating "�we don't accept people that nurture impunity". A popular barber shop company has joined in the protest, stating that it will not give services to the parliamentarians. A nationwide shutdown has been called for by social activists on Wednesday of this week. The social unrest in Guatemala makes me look at happenings in Belize and how we as a people react to situations in our own backyard. We are not an aggressive people. Nonetheless, our history is replete with stories of resistance whereby our people stood up to fight in defense of their dignity and pride.

Belize on its 36th Birthday
On September 21, 2017, Belize marked its 36th year of independence. To listen to the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. John Brice�o, and the Prime Minister of Belize, Rt. Hon Dean Barrow, it is a tale of 2 countries. This should not come as a surprise to anyone who is prepared to remove their party- political lenses and analyze the speeches for their content. A review of the past speeches on Independence Day under the 10 years of the Musa administration and the past 9 years under the Barrow administration will validate that it is always an essay in two distinct perspectives of the country. The Leader of Opposition presents the weaknesses and realities of the nation state and the Prime Minister celebrates his government's achievements. Barrow as Opposition Leader did no differently. It is what is done to provide a balanced view of the state of the nation.

More Queen of the Bay fallout
Sometimes you just have to fold your arms and shake your head. Now who was the responsible person who decided that Miss Estereo Amor should make a grand entrance at the crowning of the Queen of the Bay? Sure, the young lady is beautiful-and she must have charm and style and class too, to win that prize. But this show was for the beautiful young ladies who vied for the title, Queen of the Bay. The story here is PRECEDENT. Belize will grow. What happens if the organizers of other beauty contests decide to parade their queen too? Now, to this gentleman who reportedly said that no Mestizo girl can be his queen-Hn! And it wasn't this man's show ataal. He was there as a judge. He was supposed to follow the company's rules and he, it is reported, did his own thing.

RIGHT TO THE POINT: Turning 36! - Belizeans need to mature for Belize to mature
Uncertainty: Then there is now an uncertainty as to who are all the judges, because when Dr. Candice Pitts read her version of the proclamation she read names of ten, not seven judges, and I have gone over the recording several times to ensure I heard well, so who are the three additional judges now? The seven judges on the night of the pageant were: Sharon Frazer, Luanne Daniels, Ed Williams, Alma Gomez, Frank Tench, Clayton Grinage, and Rashida Hoy, but the additional names are: Marie Louise Murray, Sherlett Perriott and Orenko Akabuleh (not sure of spelling). How come they are judges? When were they appointed and by whom and under what rule? Thus, I keep demanding to see a copy of the new sign-off form signed by the judges making this new score valid and forming the basis of the new results? Why can't we see the evidence? Why?

BTL reports $20.6 mil in profits
Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL), which the Barrow administration nationalized back in 2009, is scheduled to hold its annual general meeting this Wednesday evening when it plans to declare dividends to shareholders, which include the Government of Belize and several minority shareholders. Documents released in advance of the meeting indicate that the company, which reported revenue of $147.9 million for the financial year ending March 2017, made a profit of $20.6 million during the period. That's a decline of roughly 7% from the $22.1 million earned for the year ending March 2016. BTL said that the fall in profit was due to expenses incurred for system upgrades. The company's asset base is worth $334 million, and shareholder equity is $272 million.

78-year-old man found dead; police now believe he was murdered
A 78-year-old man is dead, and police now believe he was murdered. According to police reports, at around 9:10 p.m. on Thursday, September 14, they visited the East Windmill area of Hattieville, where they saw the lifeless body of Karl Leslie, 78, lying on the floor of his bedroom. Twenty one minutes later, his body was checked for a pulse by a nurse at the Hattieville Health Center, and none was found. Leslie was then taken to the morgue at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH).

4 persons reported missing-from Belize City, Trial Farm, Dangriga, and Santa Cruz
Four persons in Belize have been reported missing since Wednesday, September 6. Shaun Bennett, 35, of Dangriga, was reported missing by his wife, Valerie Williams, a babysitter of the Wagierale area in Dangriga Town. Ms. Williams told police that at about 2:30 on Wednesday afternoon, September 6, Bennett left home to go to an unknown destination, and he has not been seen or heard from since. Bennett is described as being of dark complexion, and about 5 feet 9 inches tall. He has a low haircut and has a tattoo of the name "Helen" on his right arm. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and a pair of blue, knee-length Dickies pants. Martha Leal, a teacher of Belama Phase One, told police that her son, 24-year-old Daniel Leal, left home to go for a walk in the Belama area at about 7:00 Tuesday morning, September 19, and that was the last time she saw him. The devastated mother told police that her son had been acting strangely for the past two weeks, as if he was experiencing some type of mental instability.

Girl, 12, dies in road traffic accident at Mile 26, Philip Goldson Highway
A young Belizean female, 12-year-old Daphnie Polanco of Dangriga, lost her life in a road traffic collision that occurred at Mile 26 on the Philip Goldson Highway, Belize District, at about 8:30 Friday night. Police said that Polanco was traveling with her family from Orange Walk Town to Belize City in a 4-door Mazda pickup when a car rear-ended them. The impact caused the pickup's driver to lose control of the vehicle, and it overturned. Polanco suffered massive head injuries and reportedly died immediately. Traveling at the time in the double cab pickup when the collision occurred were five other persons-David Polanco, Darcie Lopez, Tyrone Parham, Davisha Polanco, and Davina Polanco.

Breaking Belize NewsPJ

Chinese businessman shot and killed in attempted robbery
Last night around 7:40, Bainan Wu,58, a businessman of corner Vernon and Santa Barbara Street was seen with a gunshot wound to the left side of the temple.

Police issue missing person report for Kelvin Usher
Today, BBN reported that Kelvin Usher,17, was reported missing by family members. Family members and residents organized search parties to comb the area where Usher was last seen.

Chamber writes PM Barrow: Let the Senate hearing continue
Prime Minister Dean Barrow has indicated that after November, the government will no longer be able to fund the Senate Select Committee carrying out an investigation into allegations of corruption at the Immigration Department.

Taiwan's allies show support at UN
Belize was among the 15 diplomatic allies, which spoke in support of the Republic of China (Taiwan) at the General Debate of the 72nd Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.

Pinkeye outbreak reported
Last week, the Ministry of Health issued a release on a reported outbreak of pink eye in Belize. Ministry of Health officials believe that this is one of the more severe outbreak cases since 2005. This is because in only three weeks, there has been 1,108 reported cases countrywide.

Hurricane Maria headed for North Carolina
This morning, the center of Hurricane Maria was located near latitude 33.6 North, longitude 73.1 West. Tropical storm force winds are nearing North Carolina outer banks. Maria is moving toward the north near 7 miles per hour and this general motion with some decrease in forward speed expected through tonight.

Illegal loggers busted up north
Four men have been detained by police after they were busted with 32 illegally harvested mahogany logs on the Philip Goldson highway.

Search for Kelvin Usher continues
Yesterday, BBN reported that Cameron Usher was charged for cultivating a weed plantation in Lucky Strike village off the Maskall road.

Businessman shot in attempted robbery
An attempted robbery has left one person hospitalized in Belize City. BBN has confirmed that at around 8:00 last night, a dark complexioned man entered a Chinese shop on Vernon street and demanded cash but when the shop owner refused [�]

Blogs

Divine El Divino
After years of looking around for the most happening, loudest party spot, I've come to the realization that I prefer to take it a lot slower these days. I know�shocking isn't it?! Nowadays, there's nothing more inviting than to leave the comfort of my couch and head to El Divino's Lounge area. We've even stretched our experience into an all-day event: start with breakfast, followed by a crazy delicious late lunch, dip in their pool afterwards (during the slower months of the year), and grab some take-out and head back home, feeling thoroughly spoiled. The morning we decided to splurge on breakfast, we were so surprised at the amount of food we ended up with. Oops! Not that it stopped us from eating every last bite, but yes, you can start your day with a breakfast fit for a king! Fryjacks, bacon (lots and lots of bacon!), eggs, beans, fluffy waffles�all the delicious things you want to start your day with.

Mahogany Bay to open this December in san Pedro Ambergris Caye
The highly anticipated Mahogany Bay Resort & Beach Club, Curio - A Collection By Hilton, will begin welcoming guests in December. The first luxury resort from a global brand to open in the country, Mahogany Bay Resort & Beach Club is being built from the ground up on Ambergris Caye, Belize. Set on 60 acres and nestled in a grove of tropical foliage, the resort is designed for those seeking relaxed adventure, offering 205 charming cottages and villa-style accommodations. At the helm of this new Belizean experience is industry icon, general manager Niklaus Leuenberger and Edward Donaldson as director of sales and marketing. With nearly 50 years of combined hospitality expertise, they will spearhead the December opening.

GAIA Riverlodge: Belize Balance in a Rainforest Getaway
Set next to a river and waterfalls in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, this secluded woodsy-chic lodge is 22 km from Rio Frio Cave. Rustic rooms and cabanas with wood floors and furniture offer views of the waterfalls, the gardens or the mountains. Cabanas are screened and have thatched roofs, and some are set beside the river. There's also a riverside villa with a kitchenette, a living room and a screened porch with hammocks. There are no TVs, phones or Internet-access. Amenities include a restaurant/bar with outdoor seating on a veranda overlooking the waterfalls. There's also access to tranquil pools in the river for swimming.

International Sourcesizz

Potential threats within the Caribbean is discussed at IMO conference to highlight risks to port security operations
The Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ) took part in a three-day conference in Belize City looking at identifying and dealing with potential threats to port security operations at the Belizean ports. The event was organised by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in conjunction with the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE) based on the framework of the Agreement of Co-operation between the IMO and the Organization of the American States (0AS). Port State Control Officer at the MAJ Lieutenant Commander Leighton Miller spoke at the event where he highlighted that Caribbean nations are ideally geographically located as an important transhipment centre.

Scientists Believe St Helena Is Where Whale Sharks Go To Mate
One of the missing pieces in the global jigsaw in understanding whale sharks has been discovered around the isolated island of St Helena in the South Atlantic. Marine biologists from Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, USA, had been studying whale sharks since 2005, mostly around the Yucat�n Peninsula in Mexico, where up to 400 individuals gather together in the largest whale shark aggregation known to science. These coastal aggregations, however, tend to be comprised almost entirely of juvenile males, Dr Alistair Dove, Georgia Aquarium's vice president of research and conservation, told DIVE. The team wanted to look further afield for 'the missing parts of the demographic pie,' said Dr Dove. 'Where are the really big ones? Where do they mate? Where do they pup? The kind of basic questions that we didn't have answers for.'

Videos

  • Prime Minister's comments on offshore oil, Independence Day 2017, 1min. The Prime Minister's commitment to legislate an indefinite moratorium on all offshore oil activities takes us one step closer to getting #Belize OFF the #UNESCO in danger list. Factors which would ensure Belize's safe status include:

  • Justice of the Peace Association of Belize, 40min.

  • Belize Humane Society Pawty in the Park Dog Show 2017, 34min.

  • Youth Prespective on Guatemala Dispute and the ICJ, 28min.

  • Kelvin Usher Missing, 9min.

  • Belize's First Line of Defence | Episode Two, 19min. If you thought Episode one was interesting, then you definitely don't want to miss this Episode because things get a little exciting!

  • "WHEN THE SEA SPEAKS THROUGH AFRICAN CENTERED ART IN SOUTHERN BELIZE!", 11min. If we step aside for a moment and ask why has there been such deep sense of consciousness that has gone into the building of this model boat here called the, "Black Star Line"; the only answer that would be warranted is that the artist, Leonides Sanchez of Belize's southern town of Punta Gorda in the Toledo District, is a Belizean artist with an African centered approach to life. Being Emancipation Day, August 1, 2017 when Sanchez completed this masterpiece in wood in commemoration of the crime against humanity that brought his African ancestors to the shores of Belize, it would not have been possible to do if we consider the patience, skill and perfection that went into this work.

  • Belize Tech Expo, 1min. Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL), its members, local and international stakeholders will convene in Belize City for the FIRST ever Technology Exposition.

  • Police Check Point Talk Show Sept 26, 60min.


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