Today's Belize News: April 10, 2018

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Today's Belize News: April 10, 2018 #529793 04/10/18 06:55 AM 04/10/18 06:55 AM
Joined: Oct 1999 Posts: 83,968 oregon, spr Marty OP .
Marty OP	FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report. 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 Armando Trapp shot in DFC Area 25-year-old Armando Trapp was shot in the DFC Area of San Pedro Town on Sunday, April 8th at around 7:30PM. According to an official report, he received wounds to the lower butt cheek, groin area, right and left leg and right knee. Trapp was immediately transported to the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II where he was stabilized before being airlifted to Belize City for further medical treatment. According to the report, Trapp went downstairs of the building for his bicycle when he was approached by a male person who fired several gunshots in his direction. The suspect made a quick escape before he could be identified. While police have no leads on this latest shooting incident, it is alleged to be linked to the March 26th shooting of Guillermo Salazar. No arrests as yet on Lee Roy Haylock’s murder San Pedro Police continue looking for leads in the murder of 22-year-old Lee Roy Haylock. Haylock, a maintenance worker from the San Mateo Subdivision was killed on Friday, April 6th on an empty lot north of San Pedro Town. He sustained three stab wounds to the lower left abdomen, three stab wounds to the left side of his chest, one stab wound to his back, two stab wounds on his hand and a slashed throat. Since the discovery of the body at around 12:30AM, a motive is yet to be established. According to some of his friends, they believe he was lured to the area by some friends where apparently a brawl took place in which Haylock was killed. Ambergris Today Rise And Shine 5K Run Mark your calendars! 5k run! Saturday, April 21, 2018 Meeting point at Hope Haven! Registration at 5am – Run starts at 5:30am Sign Up Today at 630-2560 or email: [email protected] Get registered now! Run for empowerment! Celebrity Spotting: Bill Gates In San Pedro, Ambergris Caye It is now news that celebrities love coming to enjoy some sea and sun while vacationing in our beautiful Belize. One of the world’s wealthiest people and American business magnate, investor, philanthropist an author – Bill Gates was on Ambergris Caye earlier this week playing tennis. Belize Water Services Update On San Pedro Water Supply Issues Belize Water Services Limited (BWS) is aware of customer complaints from San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, regarding recent water restrictions on the island. In San Pedro, unlike all other service areas, BWS does not produce, but only distributes, potable water. This is due to a long-term binding contract (2004 -2026) with Consolidated Water Belize Limited (CWBL) for the supply of bulk potable water. This contract was negotiated with, and agreed to by, the foreign investor, Cascal BV, who held the majority ownership of BWS from 2001 to 2005. Misc Belizean Sources South Ambergris Caye Neighborhood Watch Wednesday APRIL 11TH @ 7:00pm at LONE STAR GRILL AND CANTINA. Agenda: (subject to change) 7:10 Treasurer’s Report 7:20 Introduction of a Patrol Officer 7:30 Incident Report 7:40 Neighborhood Updates 7:50 New Business 8:00 Open floor PLEASE ATTEND AND BRING A NEIGHBOR! MARK YOUR CALENDAR: APRIL 14TH, SATURDAY IS SACNW TRASH CLEAN UP DAY! Mother's Day Extravaganza 2018 Save the Date! Our annual Mother's Day Extravaganza is scheduled for Saturday, May 12, 2018 at the Hon. Louis Sylvestre Sports Complex! Details coming soon!.....You will not want to miss this show! BWS UPDATE ON SAN PEDRO WATER SUPPLY ISSUES Belize Water Services Limited (BWS) is aware of customer complaints from San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, regarding recent water restrictions on the island. In San Pedro, unlike all other service areas, BWS does not produce, but only distributes, potable water. This is due to a long-term binding contract (2004 -2026) with Consolidated Water Belize Limited (CWBL) for the supply of bulk potable water. This contract was negotiated with, and agreed to by, the foreign investor, Cascal BV, who held the majority ownership of BWS from 2001 to 2005. For the month of April, we are excited to feature Mr. Kentin Flowers as our Exceptional Belizean!! In 2010, Kentin Flowers experienced a major spinal injury that changed his life forever. After the accident, he spent two months in the hospital and endured three major surgeries in an effort to return to his normal life. Kentin spent the next two years in a wheel chair. Kentin’s injury later lead him to visit a rehabilitation institution in El Salvador by the name of Instituto Salvadoreño de Rehabilitación Integral (ISRI). There, doctors and physical therapist examined him and recommended he undergo an aggressive therapy program. Being overly determined to regain his mobility, he completed his therapy after four months and left ISRI walking with the help of a leg brace and elbow crutches. With the ability to move more freely, Kentin focused on bettering himself through education. Festival of Cultures We invite you to celebrate with us to honor Belize`s beautiful cultures and help to raise money for the San Pedro House of Culture! We will be located on the beach (North of Palapa Bar), offering live music, a variety of traditional meals, cold drinks and a fashion show inspired by the traditional clothing of Belize`s cultures! Music Week 2018 Mark your calendars! 2018 Chocolate Festival of Belize Punta Gorda, Belize hosts the annual Cacao Festival May 18-20, 2018. The two main “Tourist” events are the Saturday/Sunday Wine and Chocolate and Grande Finale. The Friday street fair is a great day, just less attended. The pre-bash on Friday is anticipated to attract a more local crowd. X-Band will be performing. The event is the a co-creation of BTIA Toledo in partnership with Punta Gorda Town Council. Book Week organized by the Belize Book Industry Association (BBIA) The Belize Book Industry Association is an organization that represents all the professions and industries related to the book sector such as authors, publishers, book traders, distributors, and librarians. Our membership is also open to anyone involved in reading and writing. In commemoration of International Book and Copyright Day, every year, the Association organizes Book Week. The activities include an International Book Fair, a publishing workshop, a Book Exchange coordinated by the National Library Service, storytelling, cultural presentations, copyright workshop, face painting, book repair workshop and a literary evening where writers read aloud to the public. This year the activities will be held in Caye Caulker on the 18. April and at the Cayo Welcome Center in San Ignacio on the 20. and 21. April. Corozal Historical Society General Meeting Open call to Corozal's historians, history buffs and community members. The Corozal Historical Society aims to retrieve, document, preserve and promote the diverse history of Corozal Town and district. . New Mural in Corozal Artist and educator Miss Vianay Bautista Alpuche's beautiful mural adorning Corozal's Gabriel Hoare Market. Amazing artwork from our Corozal Street Art Movement(CSAM) member. Congratulations on creating art for all to enjoy!! Rescheduled to Thursday, April 12, from 6:00am to 2:00pm, power outage to affect entire Placencia Peninsula ndependence, Maya King, Santa Cruz, Georgetown, San Pablo, San Roman, Santa Rosa, Maya Mopan, Red Bank, Cow Pen, San Juan, Monkey River, San Isidro, Bella Vista, Trio and surrounding areas. BEL to conduct maintenance of transmission system, Independence Substation and Savannah Switching Station; including climbing inspections, pole replacements, and equipment testing. A power outage will also affect the entire Toledo District from 1:50pm to 2:00pm to facilitate these works. Eastern Division G.R.E.A.T CUP 2017/2018 Volleyball Competition Congratulations to the Ladyville Cadets males and females who took first place in Eastern Division G.R.E.A.T CUP 2017/2018 Volleyball Competition. Precinct One females and Precicnt Four males took second place and Precicnt Two males and females took third place. Special thanks to, Insp Elroy Carcamo and his team, the U.S. Embassy Belize for the tremendous support , and finally thanks to all those who assisted in making the GREAT Cup a success. Channel 7 Belmopan Robber From Bze. City Gang Remanded On Friday we told you the brazen Belmopan heist turned highway accident. It happened on Friday afternoon around 1:15 when a gunman held up a Travelers Liquors delivery man at gunpoint in the Cohune Walk area of Belmopan. He stole over $24,000 in cash. But as we told you, police set chase after the gunman and the driver, and their SUV flipped at mile 26 on the George Price Highway. During this chase both suspects - who are from Belize City - were apprehended - and one of them, Shane "Mud" Harris was shot to the leg. Police told us more. Wilfredo Ferrufino, Inspector, CIB: "Belmopan police responded to a robbery in the Cohune walk area where they discovered 70 year old Luis Sutherland, a security guard and truck driver who reported that he was approached by a brown skin male person and was ordered to open the door for the vehicle he was in, a van and upon refusal the person drew a firearm and with that he opened the door of the vehicle he was in and that said person then relieved him of a bag containing $24,785 in cash, the person made good their escape..." Wil Maheia Spurned On Sarstoon Again In less than a week, Guatemalans will vote in a referendum on whether or not to go to the ICJ. And while that court seeks a civil solution - military force continues to be the currency used most often by the Guatemalan military on the Sarstoon River. It reared its ugly head again yesterday morning when Wil Maheia and a group from his Belize Progressive Party tried to go down the Sarstoon River. He told us via phone today why the experience was particularly galling: Wil Maheia, Deputy Leader, BPP: "When we were approaching the Sarstoon less than a mile from the mouth of the Sarstoon from Belize side we encountered no less than 20 Guatemalan fishing vessels and they were setting nets and by the time we got to the mouth of the river we and the Guatemalan both started to fire up its engine and when we tried to go around the island they intercepted our boat, they say we are not going around the island today..." Guat President: Belizeans Have “neighbor who loves them…” And while the Guatemalan Navy was flexing on the Sarstoon, President Jimmy Morales was in Peten waxing poetic about his love for Belize. According to the Prensa Libre, Morales is touring the country to promote the ICJ referendum. He is quoted as saying, "The message I send to Belize is that they have a neighbor who loves them and respects them." PG Footballer Leray Simon Alleges Brutality This is how Leray Simon looked today after PG police viciously beat him in the cell block last night. According to PLUS TV, he tried to give a statement on PG against the officers who beat him - and they wouldn't take it. They have also allegedly refused to give him a medico legal form to take to his doctor. And then he went to the Belmopan Headquarters and the Professional Standards Branch and claims that they too refused to take his statement. President Mose? The Christian Workers Union held its Annual General Meeting on Saturday, and the highlight of the event was the election of a new president. Dale Trujeque, who won last year's election in February, only served a little over 13 months until he stepped down due to personal reasons. So, the post became vacant, and 3 candidates emerged. They were Wilmore Staine, who ran for the post last year against Trujeque, former COLA President Moses Sulph, and popular radio and tv personality Evan Mose Hyde. You'll know Hyde as the host of the KREM morning television talk show, WUB. He's been a big supporter of the Belize National Teachers Union, and on Saturday, he joined them as a fellow trade unionist when he won the presidency. Will Mose Run in Collett? Hyde's entry into the elections for CWU presidency was unexpected, and immediately after that, rumors began circulating that he had intentions of getting into politics - where his brother Cordel is PUP Deputy leader. The rumour is that he is supposedly eying the Collet Division. We asked him point blank: Does he really have aspirations for elected office? He told us categorically, that he does not. Here's how he explained why: President Mose Sticking With Stevedores But, as Hyde was suggesting, he does have his hands full with the business of the Christian Workers Union, and entire membership, whose labor rights he must attempt to protect. One such group who he will answer to are the stevedores who worker at the Port of Belize. You'll know very well that the stevedores are hard bargainers, who can become inflexible when they agree on a sticking point, and they certainly are not to afraid to take industrial action when they deem it necessary. Will CWU Finally Get CBA With PBL? So, while getting the stevedores to play nice with the employees of Central Bank, City Hall, and, Social Security, will Hyde be able to the finally get the stevedores an agreed-upon collective bargaining agreement with the management of the Port of Belize? A completed CBA between the workers and the owners of the Port has famously been the most stalled set of negotiations - probably in the history of trade unions in Belize. Audrey Matura, who is an attorney, was not able to complete the process. Dale Trujeque, who is a labour specialist, left without that objective completed. So, will Hyde succeed where these two past presidents could not? Mayor Wagner’s First Controversy And while Mose Hyde just getting his feet wet in the trade union thing - his brother in law - Mayor Bernard Wagner is learning about the rigors and scrutiny of public life. On Friday he admitted to us that he writes checks on the council's account to himself to distribute as social assistance. He admitted it was irregular but said he personally accounts for the funds. When we challenged him on that he says the holy Bible is his guide in public life. Wagner Says Transparency Will Be His Council’s Hallmark But Mayor Wagner is most like unfazed. Last week he told us that he is convinced that his council will make its name for transparency and accountability:... Bernard Wagner - Mayor, Belize City: "It has been extremely challenging coming from the private sector and now being in the public-sector administration, things are run different. Obviously, things are run different, but every challenge gives you an opportunity and I feel that with the right people in place, we have the right council, we have the right mind-set, we want to do things the right way..." San Pedro Murder Unsolved Turning now to crime, Police are still trying to crack the San Pedro murder case. As we told you on Friday, 22 year old Lee Roy Haylock was stabbed to death on the island. At this point, police haven't laid any charges as yet. Wilfredo Ferrufino, Inspector, CIB: "Police responded to a body found in the Tress Cocos area of San Pedro. Upon arrival police found the body of Leroy Haylock, 22 year old resident of San Pedro with cut wounds to the neck and to the various parts of body which include his abdomen and lower back. One person has been detained for that murder. No one has been charged." San Pedro Man Shot Up to Lower Body And while that murder is yet to be solved, there was a shooting on San Pedro. It happened last night when Armando Trapp was shot multiple times outside his house as he went to get his bicycle. Police told us more. Wilfredo Ferrufino, Inspector, CIB: "There was a shooting incident on San Pedro on Sunday sometime around 7:00pm. Police visited the polyclinic on Sa Pedro where they discovered one Armando Trapp, 25 year old resident of San Pedro. He lives in the DFC area of San Pedro town. He was seen with 6 gunshot wounds. One to the groin and several to the left thigh and right thigh of his body. Investigation so far revealed that around 7:30 pm he had went downstairs of his residence to retrieve his bicycle and in the process he heard several shots and realized that he was injured as a result of those gunshots. One person has been detained. No one has been arrested in regards to that matter." Coro Cops Shot A Man Police shot a machete-wielding man in Corozal. Yesterday police responded to a domestic abuse case but it escalated pretty quickly where police say they had to subdue the complainant's brother. Here is more. Wilfredo Ferrufino, Inspector, CIB: "Police responded to a domestic report at a residence in Corozal. The report was that a female was being beaten by a male. Police arrived at the residence and dealt with the matter. However the brother of the female was not satisfied with the matter that police dealt with the report." Canadian Woman Raped By Belize City Man A Canadian woman was raped in the city on Thursday. The report is that she was hanging out at her apartment with her boyfriend and friends. She fell asleep and was later awakened by a man having raping her. Police say they are looking for the culprit. Wilfredo Ferrufino, Inspector, CIB: "We received a report from a Canadian national. She reported that on the 5th of April she was at a residence on Fabers Road where she was raped at that location. That matter is under investigation, no one has been arrested. One person is wanted in connection to that incident." Simon’s Story At the top of the news we told you about Leray Simon, the victim of alleged police brutality in Punta Gorda. Here now is his account of what happened courtesy Plus TV. Simon explained that he plays football in PG and had just won a game, when police broke up the victory party, Leray Simon, Alleged Victim of Brutality: "I was playing my game Sunday and afterwards I was socializing with some of my teammates. The police came, crashed us up and took us. I was handcuffed, beaten, gun butted me, chipped my teeth, locked me in a cell, and didn't want to take a statement from me or anything. This morning they let me go, so I came down here to try and get assistance up this side. It's the same thing over this side here too." Woman Sent To Jail For Disrespecting Court A woman was charged for snatching someone's phone in a fast food joint - but she got into trouble when she tried to pull a fast one on the Magistrate. Today 29 year old Tina Herbert appeared before the Chief Magistrate, Sharon Fraser and pled not guilty to the theft charge. Frazer denied Herbert bail and remanded her into custody until Friday, April 13. This is after she tried to blame her son for stealing the phone. Lending Emotional Impact To Community Policing Senior Superintendent Howell Gillett took over in Belize City as the new commander of the Eastern Division South three weeks ago, and since then, he's been deploying his community policing model which he perfected in Belmopan. This morning, he met with civilians from the activist organization, One Struggle, which was founded by Phillip Willoughby. It's a support group for the survivors of violence, who want to turn their unfortunate circumstances into something positive. So, they've partnered with the new top brass of Eastern Division to help youths living the gang neighborhoods of Belize City's Southside to realize that street life is not something they want to pursue. Is Community Policing Turning The Tide In City? Senior Superintendent Gillett is hoping that this type of community policing will keep yielding results, such as the past 2 weekends, in which the gang related violence has calmed down considerably. Gillett told us that the communities in Belize City have been receptive to their efforts so far: Caleb Slams Human Dev Office For Irregularities Activist Caleb Orozco says that the Human Development Department is not doing its job. Orozco along with his team say they have gotten a number of complaints from women about their 'less than optimal' experiences at the department. One woman claims one of the male human development officers was trying to sexually exploit her. Orozco drafted a letter outlining these alleged abuses and negligence within the department. He says he sent it to CEO Judith Alpuche. We caught up with Orozco today and he says the department needs to do more to protect women and children. Two Sides of The Cotton Controversy Three weeks ago, you saw American businessman Chad Eckert appear on the news explaining his side of a dispute with his former employee, Gustavo Cardenas. They were involved in a venture to grow Sea Island Cotton in the Orange Walk District. But things went south, and Cardenas sued Eckert, claiming the US businessman jilted him and stole his precious cotton seeds. It's come to light because Eckert is now the lead figure in the outfit that's privately managing the City Center. Tonight, we have both sides of the dispute:.. Chad Eckert, Belize Sea Island Cotton: "You will terminate them just like you would terminate any employee if they aren't working out well. We did that." Gustavo Cardenas, Cotton Farmer: "I can tell you that at no point in our relationship did he come to be and said 'you know what Mr. Cardenas, you are failing here and there and because of this you need to take certain actions'. At no time did he come to me in that regard. I was under the impression that we were going to conclude this matter." US Says Belize Is Major Illicit Drug Producing and Major Drug-Transit Country The US State Department has released its 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report - and Belize is designated as one of 22 major Illicit Drug Producing and Major Drug-Transit Countries, along with all other Central American Nations - and three Caribbean nations. Belize is also designated as a Major Money Laundering Country - in a very long list of those. The report finds, quote, "Belize is a transit country for illicit drugs destined for the United States from source countries in South America. Channel 5 U.S. Raps Belize’s Drug-Fighting Efforts Again The United States Government has dealt another blow to Belize on the heels of a previous decision to rank Belize on tier three of the Human Trafficking Report, which also [...] April 15th Referendum Will Go On The P.U.P. has reacted to a statement made by Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington to this station on April fourth. Elrington said that he had been advised that according [...] Jimmy Morales Wants More than Half of the Jewel… Guatemalan president Jimmy Morales has hit the road in the last lap of his country’s campaign for the I.C.J. before the April fifteenth referendum. On Sunday, he was in Petén, [...] Guat Army Turns Back B.T.V./B.P.P. As President Morales was touring the Peten area, the Belize Territorial Volunteers attempted to travel to the Sarstoon, where Belizeans now require permission from Guatemala to traverse. This weekend, the [...] Ladyville Man in Coma after Stabbing There were no murders recorded this weekend. But in Ladyville, there was an almost fatal stabbing. Douglas Bowen is tonight hospitalized at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in an induced [...] Elderly Driver Robbed in Belmopan Just after one on Friday afternoon, police responded to a robbery in progress on Zennia Street in the Cohune Walk area of Belmopan. A cargo truck parked in front of [...] Police Catch At Least 1 Culprit in Belmopan Robbery Police quickly got into action and set up a checkpoint between miles thirty and thirty-one on the George Price Highway to intercept the getaway car, identified as a Dodge nitro [...] “Mose” Tops C.W.U. after Election Three candidates vied for the presidency of the Christian Workers’ Union during Saturday’s annual general meeting at the Bishop Sylvestre Memorial Center in Belize City: activist Moses Sulph, media executive [...] Finally, a C.B.A. for “Essential” Stevedores? A top priority for the new president, as it has been for his predecessors, is settling the long-standing dispute between the Port of Belize Limited and the stevedores represented by [...] Anke Doehm Headed to Supreme Court Anke Doehm was committed last month to stand trial in the Supreme Court on a charge of child neglect in the death of her thirteen-year-old adopted daughter Faye Lin Cannon. [...] Mom Held Without Bail after Cell Phone Theft A Belize City mom is behind bars tonight over a stolen cell phone. According to Robert Powell Junior, he visited Alicia’s Shop on Pitter Street to buy on Friday and [...] Police in P.G. Accused of Beating Young Man Leray Simon of Punta Gorda Town is tonight hoping someone, anyone, in the Belize Police Department will listen to his complaint of alleged brutality. Information reaching News Five is that [...] Gov’t Appeals to Maturity and Good Sense of Belizeans in Awareness Campaign Eight million dollars is to be budgeted supplementary for the upcoming I.C.J. awareness campaign, nearly all from international sources. But on the ground, Foreign Minister Elrington says it has been [...] Borders Will Mitigate Chiquibul, Sarstoon Issues Elrington concedes that even if the dispute is settled in the I.C.J., Belize and Guatemala will continue to have issues with border incursions. The difference, he said, will be the [...] I.C.J. Vs U.H.S. The Government and the Belize Bank Limited continue to await the highly anticipated Caribbean Court of Justice decision on whether the former must be forced to pay the latter thirty-six [...] 1 Held for Leeroy Haylock Murder On Friday, we reported on the murder of the Leeroy Haylock which happened in San Pedro. The twenty-two-year-old was out socializing with friends when he was slashed to the throat [...] Shooting Reported on Isla Bonita The violence spilled over into Sunday night in San Pedro where a man was targeted for an unknown reason. Armando Trapp reported that he was outside his house around seven-thirty [...] Domestic Dispute Gets Violent in Corozal; 1 Shot An internal investigation is ongoing up north in Corozal where a San Andres villager was shot by police over the weekend. Twenty-five-year-old Alejandro Dominguez was reportedly under the influence of [...] Canadian Woman Reports Being Raped at Home after Party Police are currently looking for a Belize City resident as investigations continue into reports of an alleged rape on the south side of the Old Capital. A thirty-year-old Canadian woman [...] A Closer Look at Farming Operations in Maskall On Friday, we took you to Maskall in the Belize District to see a group of city youths interacting with farmers. They learned much about what it takes to manage [...] The Best of the Sporting Weekend Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday. [Highlights of the weekend sporting activities….] LOVE FM Police arrest one person for Belmopan heist On Friday afternoon shortly after one o’clock, police were called to the scene of a robbery in the Cohune Walk Area if Belmopan where they found 70-year-old Luis Sutherland, a security guard and truck driver who told police that he had been robbed of thousands of dollars by a brown complexion male person. He was … San Pedro resident shot multiple times in his yard One man remains hospitalized after being shot multiple times while at his house on San Pedro Ambergris Caye. Inspector Wilfred Ferrufino of the Crimes Investigation Branch in Belize City said the incident happened on Sunday night. Insp. Wilfred Ferrufino, Crimes Investigations Branch: “Sometime around 7PM Police visited the poly clinic in San Pedro where they discovered … GAF stops Belizeans from going to Sarstoon Island, again! While the Guatemalan President was convincing the Peten population over the weekend to vote in favor of taking the country’s claim to the ICJ, his armed forces were preventing Belizeans from visiting Sarstoon Island. The Sarstoon River has become a place where tensions rise between Belizean civilians and Guatemalan Armed Forces. On Sunday morning, tensions … Guatemala ramps up referendum campaign The Guatemalan Governments has intensified its campaign to take its territorial, maritime and insular claim on Belize to the International Court of Justice, ICJ. Six days from today, on Sunday, April 15, more than seven million eligible Guatemalan voters will decide whether they want the dispute to be resolved at the ICJ. The Guatemalan Government’s … Can new CWU President successfully negotiate a new CBA for stevedores? The Christian Workers Union represents fourteen entities, one of which is the stevedores. For more than a decade the CWU has been unable to successfully negotiate a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Port of Belize Limited. Negotiations have been held over the past years but both parties have been unable to agree on certain … Domestic dispute ends in police shooting On Sunday a domestic dispute in San Andres Village, Corozal ended with police shooting 25-year-old Alejandro Dominguez. While he has been treated and released, police are yet to press charges. Inspector Wilfred Ferrufino of the Crimes Investigation Branch in Belize City provided more details of the incident at this morning’s press briefing. Insp. Wilfred … CWU elects new President On Saturday, talk show host, Evan Mose Hyde Junior was successful in his bid to become the President of the Christian Workers Union. He bested his opponents Wilmore Staine and Moses Sulph by a large margin. Most of the votes were cast by proxy at the CWU’s Annual General Meeting which took place in Belize … US based Company seeks investors to boost soursop export in Belize TKO Farms Inc., a company based in Tustin, California, has announced through a press release that it is in the process of acquiring over five hundred acres with a proposed expansion of four hundred acres in Belize. The company plans to plant over two thousand soursop trees which are expected to yield nine thousand soursop … Breaking Belize News Mayor Wagner’s controversial first month Since Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner was sworn into office on March 10, he has […] Book Industry Association to host week of activities The Belize Book Industry Association (BBIA) is calling on authors, publishers, and book lovers to […] Belize on list of top beach spots to retire San Pedro Ambergris Caye continues to capture the eyes of many visitors for its pristine […] PUP calls out Elrington The People’s United Party (PUP) is demanding that Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington, withdraw statements he […] Man shot by Corozal police after he attacks them with machete Yesterday afternoon, Corozal police responded to reports of a domestic dispute in San Andres Village. There, […] San Pedro man shot at his home Last night around 7:50, police visited the San Pedro Poly Clinic where they saw Armando Trapp, 25, suffering […] USA names Belize as a major drug trafficking and money laundering country The 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) prepared by the US Department of State […] Bill Gates vacations in San Pedro Founder of the world’s largest software business, Microsoft, billionaire investor Bill Gates […] Guatemalan armed forces intercept group heading to Sarstoon Yesterday, some members of the Belize Progressive Party (BPP), led by Wil Maheia of the […] Galen University signs agreement with UN Immigration Agency Galen University has signed an agreement with the United Nations Migration Agency (IOM) to offer a […] International Sources Ancient Maya Sacrificial Cave Revealed in Rare Footage Deep in the jungles of Belize, a sacred site has begun attracting tourists that are willing to hike, swim, and climb their way to reach it. The Actun Tunichil Muknal cave, a place of great significance for ancient Maya, was discovered in 1989. After years of research by Belizean archeologist Jaime Awe and his team, the site was opened to the public in 1998. The site is home to dozens of skeletons, including the famous Crystal Maiden. Although the cave now draws much interest from adventurous tourists, it is still not widely seen: a few years ago, photography and video were banned. In 2017, Awe visited the cave again with National Geographic during filming for the new series One Strange Rock. “They're portals to the underworld, to where important gods resided," Awe says, highlighting the cave's importance to the Maya civilization and the world. "We also see human sacrifice. Things must have been really difficult for the Maya to be doing this. The Maya certainly contributed to their own demise.” US names Jamaica, Belize among 4 major C'bean drug producers At least four Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries have been named by the United States as major illicit drug producing countries. In its 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, the State Department noted that the Bahamas, Belize, Haiti and Jamaica were also described as major drug-transit countries. According to Washington, a major illicit drug producing country is one in which 1,000 hectares or more of illicit opium poppy is cultivated or harvested during a year; 1,000 hectares or more of illicit coca is cultivated or harvested during a year; or 5,000 hectares or more of illicit cannabis is cultivated or harvested during a year. The report notes that Jamaica remains the largest Caribbean supplier of marijuana to the United States and the Caribbean islands. John "Jay" Perry McDowell, 71 passes away John “Jay” Perry McDowell, 71, died immediately and unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 28, just hours before getting ready to leave for Disney World with his wife and two grandsons. Born April 11, 1946, in Pittsburgh, Pa., he was the son of the late Dr. John E. Dubnansky of Charleroi, Pa., and the late Phyllis J. McDowell of Martinsburg, W.Va. Jay’s number-one pastime was music. He picked up the guitar later in life after a layoff of some 40 years. He loved playing in local open-mics with his music friends. He loved traveling to San Pedro, Belize, on an almost yearly basis since 2002 to sit in a picking circle to play guitar, sing, and swap stories with beloved FFLs (Friends-for-Life). He loved attending OKOM (Our Kind of Music) festivals in Texas, Tennessee, and New Mexico. Videos Caleb Orozco - Belize (TCEN), 4.5min. Diving Glovers Reef, Belize, 2min. Belize has the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world! I spent 3 months here and decided to go for a 2 week dive trip to Glovers Reef Atoll. It is one of many cays off of the coast of Belize and the diving was incredible. I stayed in one of their over-the-water bungalows, took outdoor showers from the well, and enjoyed fresh fish and coconuts everyday. It was very rustic and close to nature, which is my faV. Grace Flava with a Beat returned with a Mackerel and Sardine Breadfruit Taco recipe, 23min. Dogs Grooming Service, 20min. on Open Your Eyes Travellers Cocktails, 11min. on Open Your Eyes The Guatemalan National Referendum on the I.C.J. takes place on Sunday, April 15th, 2018., 56min. on Open Your Eyes The Social Security Board - 52 students who will receive scholarships for the upcoming academic year, 20min. on Open Your Eyes Belize!, 4min. Spring vacation video from 2018. We went diving, got certified, saw AMAZING stuff, and had a blast in Long Caye, Lighthouse Reef Belize Diving trip, 12min. San Pedro, Great Blue Hole, Belize April 2018. Belize Dive Trip 2014, 11min. Free Diving Ambergris Caye, Belize, 4min. Snorkeling through the wonderful reefs and life at Ambergris Caye, Belize.