AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Belize Life News Daily news prior to today Today's Belize News: March 19, 2018

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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

Pepsi's NEBL All-Star Teams Announced
The Pepsi National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) will be hosting its fourth annual All-Star Night on Saturday, March 24th at the Orange Walk Multi-Purpose Complex in Orange Walk Town. The teams have been divided into the Imports Team versus the Locals Team. All-Star night will witness three activities, starting with the Three Point Shootout (2 players per team), sponsored by Old Master Fine Rums at 7:30PM. The always hyped Slam Dunk Contest will follow at 8:30PM, and is sponsored by ASR Group-Belize Sugar. The big All-Star Game, sponsored by Smart Belize Limited, will then take over at 9:30PM.

Wolfe's Woofer: Delayed Reaction
Vernon's wife, Yolanda, greeted Mario and I when we knocked on the door at Vernon's house. She showed us to the bedroom where Vernon was propped up on pillows with his leg in a cast. "What happened to you?" Mario asked. "Did you get in a fight?" "No. Nothing like that. I fell off the roof." "How did that happen?" "It all started twelve years ago." Mario said, "It didn't take you twelve years to fall off a roof." "It still started back then. I was doing some work on Newton's Supermarket in San Ignacio. You remember that place?" "Yeah," Mario said. "I had a serious crush on the owner's daughter, Julie."

Letter to the Editor: Developments in Ambergris Caye
Dear Editor: Fourteen years ago, when I first visited San Pedro, I fell in love with this beautiful island and the people, so as a real estate developer, my dream was always to come to San Pedro and build a fantastic resort and purchase a condo for my guests and clients to stay at and enjoy, while visiting San Pedro. Little did I know how developments are done here. Little did I know, you that have to threaten the developer with legal action to get a Strata Title to a condo that you paid in full. Little did I know that it takes up to 8 years to finish a small development. I trusted the developer at The Residences at Barrier Reef about 4 years ago and purchased a condo there.

Doctor Love: Cash Poor
Dear Doctor Love, I am at an age where the invitations to bridal showers, wedding and baby showers come fast and furious and they are becoming a danger to my budget and my sanity. I was asked and reluctantly accepted the request to be one of a group of bridesmaids to a girl I am not particularly close to but have socialized with for a few years. Last week she informed me that her hen party would be a five day get-away in San Pedro. After a quick calculation, I knew I would not be able to attend. I just finished my degree, thanks to financial help from my mom, my wardrobe comes straight out of last decade's sales rack and any "disposable" income is usually consumed by my thirteen-year-old Honda. I told her I simply cannot afford the luxury of a vacation and the bride-to-be is now furious with me.

Misc Belizean Sources

Emergency areas of City to be declared, new Deputy Compols and Minister of National Security
During his Sunday, March 18th, 2018 press conference, Prime Minister Dean Barrow has combined the Police/Human Affairs Ministry and Ministry of Defense. Minister Saldivar will now command the Police Department, the Belize Defense Force and the Belize Coastguard. There will be two deputy commissioners of police. Chester Williams will be Deputy Commissioner of Operations and Crime Fighting and Edward Broaster will be Deputy Commissioner for Administration. PM will ask the Governor General to declare "emergency" in specific parts of Belize City where security forces will be deployed. Special areas will be determined by the minister. The strategy includes the legal "emergency declaration," detention of suspects for longer periods, more boots on the ground and surgical operations.

Second aircraft report was fake
There have been several media reports of a second aircraft landing in the north this past week and numerous articles blaming politicians, cover ups and departmental transfers, mostly based on a second alleged aircraft landing in the north. While it is true that the one unnamed suspect police had in custody regarding the first aircraft has been released, and no mention of the owners of the licensed vehicles found on site, which does raise questions as to the quality of the investigation, the second alleged aircraft story is simply false. When using photo editing tools such as Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop, applying effects result in a uniformed look on the entire picture. Zooming in on pictures show uniform aberrations and pixelation.

Another taken by these streets
On Saturday 17th March, 2018 at 8:40 p.m., Denroy Llewellyn Alvarez was on a parked motorcycle at the corner of Nargusta and Hondo Street in Belize City when he was approach by a male who fired several shots at him causing his fatal injuries. Alvarez's body was taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Morgue for a post-mortem examination. Alvarez was 31.

3 shot, 2 women killed in home
Moments after 19 year old Daniel Hughes was shot to the left arm on Aloe Vera Street, three women were shot inside their home, and two of them died. On Saturday 18th March, 2018, about 7:10 p.m., Police responded to a shooting incident on Tibruce Street in Belize City. Upon arrival officers observed the motionless body of 64 year old Theresita Flowers lying on the floor of her home with gunshot wounds to the left side of her back and left buttock. Officers also observed 17 year old Delcia Blanco with a gunshot wound to the center of her forehead. Police then visited Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where they saw 16 year old Shaniqua Ramclam with a gunshot wound to her right bicep. Police say that at 7:00 p.m., Theresita Flowers, Delcia Blanco and Shaniqua Ramclam were having supper when a male entered the house and fired several shots causing the fatal death of Teresita Flowers and Delcia Blanco.

CENTRO ESCOLAR MEXICO JUNIOR COLLEGE (CEMJC) OPEN DAY
Here is an invitation for everyone to attend the CENTRO ESCOLAR MEXICO JUNIOR COLLEGE (CEMJC) OPEN DAY in San Roman/San Narciso Villages on Friday, March 23rd, 2018 beginning at 8:00 a.m. A decade of fostering dreams and stimulating innovation.

Spring Equinox at the Marco Gonzalez Maya Site
The spring equinox was celebrated yesterday at the Marco Gonzalez Maya Site on Ambergris Caye. The event featured Maya dancers from Orange Walk and a shaman all the way from Toledo.

2nd Chiquibul Challenge Marathon
FCD thanks all the 2nd Chiquibul Challenge Marathon Runners for joining in the protection of scarlet macaws. To the sponsors and volunteers, we are extremely grateful.

LOVE FM

'Open Government' project underway in Belize
A project aim at establishing an open government climate is Belize is currently being rolled out. The project is being spearheaded by the Organization of American States in collaboration with the US Embassy in Belize and The Trust for the Americas. This approach encourages direct and constant communication between governments and citizens as to the needs of the latter. According to Specialist for the Department of Effective Public Management for the OAS, Mike Mora, the ultimate goal is to have a democracy by the citizens and for the citizens, one that defines public policies and management practices based on openness, accountability, and easy access to public information.

The Reporter

Night of violence for Belize City
The Belize Police Department are investigating two murders and a non-fatal shooting that took place only hours apart last night. Just before 6:30 p.m. police found 30-year-old Victor Mason Gibbs, dead behind the wheel of his SUV, which was parked in the middle of the Street at the corner of King Street and West Canal. Police say the engine was still running when they found him and that he had gunshot wounds to the back of his left ear, to his left cheek, to the left shoulder, to the right cheek. By 3 a.m. on Saturday police responded to another report, to find 26-year-old Kendis Flowers dead on Mahogany Street. Officers say he was found about 100 feet from Sittee Street with a gunshot wound to the eye. The also found a pistol with one live round on him.

Prime Minister explains short-term crime strategies
The Government of Belize is taking several steps in the short term to address the upsurge of violent crime that plagued Belize City over the weekend. At a press conference today, Prime Minister Dean Barrow outlined the immediate strategies being employed to counter the current state of affairs in the city, which has seen five people dead and one more injured. Barrow said that he will be rejoining the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Home Affairs back into the singular Ministry of National Security. That ministry will again be headed by John Saldivar. The strategy also includes bringing in Belize Defence Force soldiers to assist in Patrols in Belize City. Barrow also said that government will be approaching the Governor General, Sir Colville Young, for him to sign a declaration demarcating specific areas within Belize City as "Emergency Areas" as prescribed under Section 18 of the Constitution of Belize.

Officers investigated after avocado incident
The Professional Standards Branch of the Belize Police Department are investigating a group of officers after a video of them brutalizing a man at the Michael Finnegan Market yesterday went viral on social media. Head of the PSB, Chester Williams, said this morning that the investigation is to ascertain what actions will be taken against the officers, who allegedly harassed a man for selling avocados. "I want to assure the public that, as a department, we are disturbed by the images depicted in the video. such behaviour is surely not what we expect from our officers�" Williams said. He added that the officers' actions hinder the department's continued push for greater community collaboration in making Belize a safer place. He also called on citizens to continue to support the department by reporting officers who abuse their power.

Cabinet meets to address crime
Prime Minister Dean Barrow, along with the commanders of the Belize Police Department, Belize Defense Force, and the Defense ministers, is hosting a press conference at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza to discuss the recent spike in violent crime in Belize City.

Cabinet holds emergency meeting as violence in Belize City skyrockets
Cabinet is holding an emergency meeting today, while Belize Defense Force soldiers have been deployed to Belize City, after a night of violence left four people dead and two more injured from gunshots. There were shootings on Gibnut Street, Tibruce Street and Naragusta Street. Two women died as a result of the shootings, one of them as 62 years old. In one of the incidents, the shooter opened fire on police officers. Sources tell The Reporter that the incidents are a part of an escalating gang war in the city, triggered by the Saturday morning shooting of 25-year-old Kendis Flowers. The Belize Police Department said that it is employing strategies to neutralize the situation.

Breaking Belize News

On political posters, banners and lawfulness�Between these lines
By Glenn Tillett: (I wrote this essay earlier today and was contemplating releasing it. I do not wish in any way to promote the continuation of the political polarization that continues to plague our society. While walking back from the PM press conference today a shouted threat from a passing partisan reminded me that I may not be here that long �)

PM Barrow names two new deputy commissioners of Police
Today, Prime Minister Dean Barrow informed the nation that his government will add two new deputy commissioners of police to the Police Department. The two new deputies are Chester Williams and Edward Broaster.

More boots will be added on the ground, says PM Barrow
Prime Minister, Dean Barrow held a press conference this afternoon to inform the public on the strategies that his government will take to fight the escalation of crime in Belize City.

COMPOL refutes allegations that Kendis Flowers was killed by police
At today's press conference, Commissioner of Police (COMPOL), Allen Whylie briefed the media and the public on the horrific murders that occurred in the last 24 hours in the old capital.

BDF and more police officers to be deployed into Southside, Belize City
Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced today that the major security forces of Belize (BDF and Police) will work in joint collaboration in an effort to neutralize the crime situation in Belize City.

PM hosts press conference to address escalating crime in Belize City
Following the surge in violent crime over the weekend, Prime Minister Dean Barrow is hosting an emergency press conference at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza.

Innocent man shot dead in Belize City last night
Last night around 8:45, police visited the KHMH where they observed Denroy Alvarez, 31, with multiple gunshot wounds to the body. Initial investigation revealed that about 8:40 PM, Alvarez was on a parked motorcycle at the corner of Nargusta and Honda Street when he was approached by a male person who fired several shots at him causing his fatal death.

Belize City Police issue official report on brutal killing of 2 women
Last night around 7:10, police responded to a shooting incident on Tibruce Street in Belize City and upon arrival, officers observed the motionless body of Theresita Flowers, 64, lying on the floor of her home with apparent gunshot wounds to the left side of her back and left forehead.

45-year-old man drowns in Dangriga
esterday around 2:45 PM, police visited South River Street in Dangriga Town to investigate a drowning incident. According to reports, Brian Valerio, 45, of Dangriga Town attempted to swim across the river and upon reaching the mid-point of the river he went under and never re-surfaced.

Cabinet to meet this morning to address crime and security in Belize City
Over the last 24 hours, there has been an unprecedented escalation of gun violence in Belize City. Separate shootings were reported almost every hour in the old capital. Belizeans began to plea for the Government to declare a state of emergency and lock down the city streets.

International Sources

Belize Is Not Just for Backpackers Any More
The hiker's haven is getting a serious injection of luxury-and yes, there will be overwater bungalows. For all of Belize's cultural diversity-the country's melting pot heritage is equal parts Mayan, Creole, Mestizo, Spanish, Lebanese, Chinese, British, Indian, and Mennonite-its tourism scene is surprisingly one-note. Nearly three-quarters of its 1.4 million annual visitors arrive by cruise ship, docking for just enough time to see the Altun Ha Mayan ruins, ride some zip lines, or go tubing through its famed Crystal Cave. And while a small clutch of luxury hotels exists-led by the pioneering, culinary-focused Copal Tree Lodge and the Coppola family's private island retreat, Turtle Inn-Belize has suffered from a backpacker reputation that undermines its true Caribbean charms. That's changing. "When I started coming here 15 years ago, it was Birkenstocks and REI bags on the TropicAir flights," says Beth Clifford, founder of the three-month-old Mahogany Bay Resort & Beach Club, referring to the 14-seat Cessna flights that are ubiquitous in Belize. "I just got off a TropicAir plane today and counted no fewer than three Louis Vuitton bags," she adds. "The profile has changed entirely."

New research finds reefs help protect vulnerable Caribbean fish from climate change
New Research by the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries (IOF) at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada finds that larger reef areas may help protect the Caribbean's coral reef fish communities from the impacts of ocean warming. "We are seeing alterations to local reef fish populations due to warming ocean temperatures, particularly in those Caribbean countries that are closer to the equator, like Trinidad and Tobago, where commercially important fishes such as Cero and Northern red snapper are on the decline already," said Ravi Maharaj, first author and IOF's PhD candidate, in a statement. IOF said the study looked at the size of reefs in the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) - estimated from satellite imagery - of nine Caribbean countries and assessed the impact of rising ocean temperatures on the fish that are most important to the local fisheries.

Yes or No to the ICJ?
Guatemala teaches its citizens what they hope to gain after the dust settles.

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