Today's Belize News: July 4, 2018

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Today's Belize News: July 4, 2018 #531220 07/04/18 06:59 AM 07/04/18 06:59 AM
Joined: Oct 1999 Posts: 84,223 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, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials The San Pedro Sun Ivy Queen to headline the 2018 Costa Maya Festival! The International Costa Maya Festival committee has confirmed that the legendary Ivy Queen will be headlining the 2018 stage on Saturday, August 4th. Martha Ivelisse Pesante Rodríguez – Ivy Queen – is a Puerto Rican singer, songwriter, rapper, actress and record producer. Referred to as the Queen of Reggaeton, Ivy Queen’s music focuses on themes of female empowerment, infidelity, and relationships. Her vibrant stage presence, strong vocals and original sound will make for an incredible concert on Saturday, August 4th. The songstress will be performing some of her best hits, including “Yo Quiero Bailar”, “La Vida Es Asi”, “Pobre Corazon”, “Tuya Yo Soy”, “Dime” and much more! National voter re-registration process begins The re-registration process of voters nationwide officially commenced on Sunday, July 1st with 100 registration centers around the country. On Ambergris Caye, the San Pedro Roman Catholic Primary School is the designated registration station during the re-registration scheduled for July and August. The center will open from Monday to Friday 9AM to 7PM, and on Saturdays from 10AM to 4PM. Documents required are a Belizean birth certificate and a photo ID (Social Security card), or photograph certified, stamped, and signed by a Justice of the Peace (JP), or valid Belizean passport. Commonwealth passports and naturalization certificates are also be accepted, if the document has no picture, bring along a photograph certified, and signed by a JP. Re-registration for Caye Caulker residents will take place at the Caye Caulker Community Centre from the 16th to the 23rd of July only. The registration center will open from 9AM to 4PM. Ambergris Today Ivy Queen To Perform At The 2018 Costa Maya Festival The International Costa Maya Festival has announced its main artist for this year’s Festival; The legendary Ivy Queen will be headlining the 2018 stage on Saturday, August 4, 2018. Martha Ivelisse Pesante Rodríguez - Ivy Queen - is a Puerto Rican singer, songwriter, rapper, actress and record producer. Referred to as the Queen of Reggaeton. The songstress will be performing some of her best hits, including “Yo Quiero Bailar”, “La Vida Es Asi”, “Pobre Corazon”, “Tuya Yo Soy”, “Dime” and much more! More Updates on this Year’s Costa Maya Festival as they become available! Fire At Street Side Gourmet Burger Place The newest and hottest place for the most delicious burgers in town caught on fire this afternoon of Tuesday, July 3, 2018, on Pescador Drive. With the help of the community, bucket brigades, water hoses and fire extinguishers from different establishments the fire was quickly put out before the fire spread to near by businesses and homes. Street Side Gourmet recently opened as is owned by local Sanpedrano Anthony Bedford. More Updates on the fire as they become available. San Pedro Bids Farewell To Mr. Ramon Nunez In a heartbroken mode if mourning, San Pedro bids farewell to an iconic Islander, Ramon Núñez who passed away on Thursday, June 28, 2018. Funeral services were held on Monday, July 2, followed by a memorial services at Ramon’s Village. Ramon was born in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize of humble parents Regina and Cruz Núñez, a fisherman. After primary school, Ramon got a study scholarship but could not go to high school because his parents could not afford the luxury. So at age 14 he became a fisherman and camped out to learn the trade with his older brothers. Hon. Manuel Heredia Pro-Tempore President Of Central American Council Of Tourism Ministers Belize Conferred The Pro-Tempore Presidency Of The Central American Council Of Tourism Ministers (Cct) At Its CVIII Ordinary Meeting BELIZE CITY, June 28th, 2018 – Hon. Jose Manuel Heredia, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, led an official delegation on June 27th and June 28th, 2018 to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic to participate in the CVIII Ordinary Meeting of the Central American Council of Tourism Ministers (C.C.T., for its Spanish equivalent), as well as the XII Ordinary Meeting of the Central American Tourism Promotion Agency (C.A.T.A., for its Spanish equivalent). Voters Re-Registration Has Begun The public is hereby notified that the list of Registration Centers below will be opened to facilitate the registration of electors from Monday 2nd July to 31st August 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays. In San Pedro the venue for re-registration is at the San Pedro RC School. Click Here for information of what you need to re-register. Misc Belizean Sources A Trip to Melville 2 Electronic music festival in Bullet Tree Falls, August 4, 6pm til late. Mind & Me is coming back to Cayo! They'll be having a Pool Party at the new Poolhouse in Bullet Tree Falls. The theme will be Woodstock '69, and NIght Quest, Primal Luxe, and Jeff Gold will be performing. OAS Professional Development Scholarship! Are you a teacher, social worker, or in a profession related to the design , implementation and legislation of programs and policies on disability and education . Scholarship Available for an ONLINE Diploma Course in Human Rights, Disability and Inclusive Education. To apply the candidate must submit the following to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs : BCVI Free eye clinic Wednesday July 4th at the San Pedro Lions Den 8:30am - 2pm Don’t miss this great opportunity for a free eye exam and follow up! Week 2 of BTEC’s Childcare Training underway! This week will cover : Introduction to Babysitting, How to Safely and Happily Care for Babies and Children and much more with Mrs. Dana Smith and Dr. Shirlene Augustine. In 3 more weeks be sure to contact the Belize Training and Employment Centre , a unit of BELTRAIDE if you are looking for certified babysitters! Belize Youth Challenge Program There's still time to get in those applications for intake 2 of the Belize Youth Challenge Program! Are you up for the Challenge? Ministry of National Security Commissions Citizen Security Summit The Ministry of National Security (MNS) will be hosting a Citizen Security Summit on July 18, 2018, at the Belize City Civic Center. The Summit will provide a forum for stakeholders and other interest groups to examine existing national security policies, strategies, and plans as well as to identify possible solutions to Belize’s unique law enforcement challenges. The participants will be tasked to identify feasible, acceptable, and suitable solutions on the issue of citizen security. These solutions will be used to influence existing and future citizen security policies and plans for Belize. Movie Night at Central Park It's Back! Movie Night at Central Park. Playing this Saturday, July 7, is SHERLOCK GNOMES!! Seating is at 6:30 p.m. and we will have food and drinks on sale. San Pablo Cultural Day San Pablo Cultural Day saw participants Lol'ha from San Pablo & visitors from Yucatan and Quintana Roo, Mexico. "I think that indigenous women's wisdom is crucial. So much of the care of the Earth has come from the mother's. I think it's imperative we turn to their wisdom in how to take care of the planet". - Alice Walker "In kajale' San Pablo, Jatz'uts San Pablo, Mayaen tu San Pablo" Benque Power outage on Thursday, July 5 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m To affect the portion of Benque Viejo Town along George Price Boulevard which includes Hills of Promise, Santa Cruz, Lomas del Rodeo, and all areas along Arenal Road and Arenal Village. BEL to install utility poles to facilitate LED lights project along George Price Boulevard, replace utility poles in Santa Cruz and remove hazardous vegetation in the area. Belize Zoo Vet Clinic Launches Congratulations are in order for the Belize Zoo. The Commissary and Veterinary Clinic have launched. "It's official! After several years of intensive fundraising and dedicated assistance from a dynamic network of supporters, our Commissary and Veterinary Clinic facility is operational! TBZ marked this incredible milestone with a small but special ceremony in the company of colleagues and friends. And what perfect timing! Colleagues from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine were also present for the memorable occasion. Since 2012, the Cornell team has made bi-annual journeys to Belize to collaborate with our staff in providing superb clinical care to our "wild residents." We were thrilled to be able to highlight this wonderful partnership by honouring the driving force behind it: Dr. George Kollias Jr. Low water pressure today on Ambergris Caye Belize Water Services informs customers in San Pedro that they will be experiencing low pressure in the water supply starting at midnight, today, Tuesday, July 3, 2018 until Wednesday, July 4, 2018 at 5:00 pm. The entire San Pedro Water Distribution System will be affected. This low pressure is due to maintenance work at the Pumping Station. Customers may experience discoloration when water is restored. Customers are advised, if they experience water supply problems after 5:00 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2018; they should immediately call BWS' hotline at 0-800-CALL-BWS (0-800-225-5297) to report it. Belize's Wonder Women! Ms. Michele Irving We are proud to announce that for the month of July, Ms. Michele Irving is our Belize Wonder Woman! One Of The Women Who Help Make Belize Great! Ms. Michele Irving is an activist from Stann Creek District. She has been involved in community development work for the past 25 years. Her passion is working in the area of Gender and Development for women and girls. Ms. Michele Irving is currently the Women’s Department Officer for the Stann Creek District. Her work focuses on the prevention and intervention of Domestic Violence Cases and empowerment of women and youth in both urban and rural communities. This work takes her into many communities and villages in Southern Belize, where she discusses with women the changes they want to see in their communities and in their own lives. Channel 7 Robbery Ringleader Arrested? For weeks now we've been reporting on the string of robberies and home invasions targeting businesses on the Northside of the city and Ladyville. The robbers have - on occasion - dressed as students, police or security guards. Well, tonight police have the man in custody who they believe is the ringleader - and they caught him today when he looked to be going on another robbery move. According to reports, the suspect - whose name we cannot yet release - had gone to Fultec Services earlier in the day asking if they do printing. And then this afternoon, Security at that business saw the men returned in a Jeep Cherokee. But what made it suspicious was that they just parked there for half an hour. That raised suspicions and the police were called. They responded and arrested the two men in the vehicle, who are detained tonight - pending investigation into a number of robberies and home invasions. Brhea Fought The Law, And Won Just over 2 years ago, in April of 2016, Belize City resident Allyson Major became the first private citizen to successfully sue the Government and the Police Department over the Firearms Amendment Act of 2010. Well today, 20 year-old Brhea Bowen became the second claimant to win a victory against the government, and this time, the Barrow Administration must pay $10,000 in compensation, and $5,000 in court costs. On July 6, 2012. The Gang Suppression Unit executed a search warrant at her family's home on Lacroix Boulevard in Belize City. When they searched under the flooring of the house, they found three cartridges for a 16-gauge shotgun, which were inside a black plastic bag. PUP Lets Rejected Candidate Into Belmopan Convention The PUP has been forced to push back its Belmopan standard bearer convention to the end of August. This is after the party announced on Friday that it would postpone it by only one week - to this Sunday, July 8th - right after the court hearing is held on Friday. But, the party now concedes that Friday's hearing may give rise to many issues - so it will now reset the date, supposedly to give those matters time to be settled. And while that's the official position, the real winner in this is Arthur Saldivar - who will now be free to apply to run again. And this time his application will be reviewed by the vetting committee. The last time they just set it aside - taking the position that he was under suspension. Well, now, that position has apparently changed. PUP Has Re-Registration Reservations The PUP Chairman also used today's press brief to complain about the re-registration process - which started yesterday. He said that the opposition is glad the process has finally started but feel that it has been going too slow:... Henry Charles Usher, Chairman, P.U.P.: "Well its proceeding as the news reported last night. It's not as fast as or as well attended as we had hope to start with, but this is just the beginning of the exercise. We understand that the major issue yesterday was in the delays. How long it was taking for persons to get re-registered especially in the villages. From our reports we were getting that sometimes 30-45 minutes per registered voter." Opposition Concerns About No Commission Usher and the PUP also complained that the re-registration exercise is proceeding without the members of the Commission being sworn in. They were nominated months ago - but the Senate has to meet on Thursday to approve those names. Usher said the PUP is not happy about it:... Henry Charles Usher, Chairman, P.U.P.: "We are not happy however that his process started without the Elections and Boundaries Commission being sworn in. We heard the news last night that there will be a special meeting of the Senate to approve the member so the commission. But we find it wholly unsatisfactorily that this commission has not been approved, has not been sworn in even though we have named our commissioners all the way back in April. As you all may know the Elections and Boundaries Commission term expired at the end of April and before that expiration we named our commissioner so there is no reason why this commission could not have been sworn in before." Fire Victim Said She Got Threats Tonight, a Belize City resident is asking for help after her home was destroyed by fire. It happened yesterday evening around 5:00 on T Street in Belize City. As we showed you last night, there wasn't much the Fire Department could do because when the fire truck got there, the small structure had been burnt to the ground. Today, Gilda Jones told us she had only been living there - in her mother's yard - for 11 days, and lost everything she owned:.. A Cycling Dispute In Supreme Court Yesterday, we told you how the local cycling community had a major disruption when the Cycling Federation had to cancel Sunday's National Road Championship race with only 1 day's notice. That's because the elite cyclist, Brandon Cattouse, and his attorney got an injunction last week Thursday. Justice Sonya Young barred cycling authorities from rejecting Cattouse's application to ride in the race. He's currently on a provisional indefinite suspension from the National Anti-Doping Organization after he tested positive for a banned substance at the end of April. Enmity With Espat? PUP Cayo South Representative Julius Espat resigned as his party's Western Deputy two days before the start of re-registration - which is a very involved undertaking for any party. Reliable reports say he had long grown weary of his party's leadership - and was widely believed to have been a no show in the municipal elections out west - where the UDP swept all three municipalities. But, today the Party Chairman didn't concede to any friction and said that Espat probably just wanted to focus on Cayo South:... Henry Charles Usher, Chairman, P.U.P.: "I was recently informed of this resignation. I have written the Honorable Julius Espat, thanking him for his service as Deputy Party Leader for the West and requesting from him that we continue to work together to deliver another big victory in the Cayo South constituency. Julius is now a senior member of this party, having won back to back elections so we hope that we will continue to work together and we know that we need to put together a good team there in the west to make sure that we do better going forward in the western caucus." Before The Maya, What? The 16th annual Belize Archaeology Symposium was held last week in San Ignacio. Organized by the Institute of Archaeology it brings together leading researchers and students to discuss the latest findings about mayan pre-history in Belize. This year's event hoped to change that somewhat. Under the theme, "From the Early Formative to the Postclassic in Central Belize: Challenges to the Narratives of Ancient Maya Civilization" - it hoped to up-end some of the conventional wisdom on early civilizations in Belize. And, Dr. Jaime Awe - now a lecturer at Northeastern Arizona University - did just that by asserting that paleo-Indians from north and South America passed through Belize in what is called the archaic period, which is about 3,000 BC:.. 70 Horses Lined Up to tun The UDP Race 70 political hopefuls want to offer themselves as candidates in 17 divisions for the UDP. That's the word coming out of the party after Friday's deadline for the submission of names. Here are some of the more interesting names. As we told you, Mike Peyrefitte, Dean Samuels and Phillip Willoughby plan to contest Port Loyola, along with one other name: Ac. Shane Castillo. And, in Mesopotamia - BQ Pitts has put in his name alongside Shyne Barrow. In Fort George, there are four hopefuls, including Mark King, and in Cayo South, there are also four names, including former area representative Ramon Witz, and the candidate in the last election Ralph Huang. Serial Molester To Stand Trial, Again 40 year-old John Leslie, who has face multiple charges in connection with child molestation, has been ordered by the Magistrate's Court to stand trial in the Supreme Court for 2 counts of sexual assault, and 1 count of unlawful sexual intercourse. That was the decision that Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford made after holding a preliminary inquiry to consider whether or not there is enough evidence against him. Leslie, who is currently serving 5 years for sexual assault against a 5 year-old toddler, is accuse of sexually assaulting an 11 year-old child in Ladyville in July of 2016. He is also accused of forcing himself on the child in August 2016. Another Serial Child Rapist At the start of the news, A jury of 7 women and 2 men retired to their private quarters to deliberate on a verdict in the trial of 43 year-old Rudolph Smith Jr., aka "Tubba". He stood trial for rape and aggravated burglary. The victim, who was 16 years-old at the time, testified in the trial that in the early morning hours of November 23, 2011, she was awakened from sleep when she felt someone on her back. She opened her eyes and saw that it was the accused, and that he had a knife in her hand. She said that the man told her to shut up, or else, he would hurt her sister who was in the same room. She then told the court that the accused then raped her at knife point. She said that about 10 minutes into this horrific ordeal, he then got up and left through the backdoor. Her sister and her mother also testified in the trial and corroborated her testimony. Problems In Patchakan The north of Belize has been going through some crime scares after the landing of so many drug planes earlier this year - and the current kidnapping of a San Narciso businessman. That's why there was concern in Patchakan when more than one man pounced on Ines Medina when he got home on Friday night. He told CTV-3 his story: Ines Medina, Victim: "Around 10:30-11:00 on Friday night, I reached home and came out of my vehicle when someone came and attacked me from behind and started punching me in my face. So i tried to cover my face with my hand, but the person continued punching me on my chin and both eyes. I managed to get out of the vehicle and came around here and then I felt weak." Small Sunday Fire In San Pedro There were also two fires in San Pedro. The first happened on Sunday night at a small structure. The Station Officer told us more:... A Deep Fryer Fire in Downtown San Pedro And there was also a fire in downtown San Pedro today. According to the San Pedro Sun, a newly opened Deli run by Anthony Bedford caught fire. The Fire Department says the cook left on the deep fryer:… The Sun reports that the swift work of neighbors in the area quickly brought the fire under control. New President For Belize’s Highest Court The highest court in Belize has a new President. Effective tomorrow, Mr. Justice Adrian Saunders will take over leader of the CCJ from Sir Dennis Byron. Saunders becomes the CCJ's 3rd President of the court, and Belize's Prime Minister, Dean Barrow will be there for the transition, which will take place as a part of the activities before the 39th Regular Meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government at the Montego Bay Convention Centre. Saunders has been a Judge at the CCJ since 2005. Channel 5 Bhrea Bowen Gets 10K from GSU Lawsuit A constitutional case has finally brought relief to a minor whose liberty was breached by the Gang Suppression Unit. Six years ago, on July six, 2012, then fourteen-year-old Brhea Bowen [...] Bowen Happy to Leave GSU Incident in the past An emotional Brhea Bowen exited the court room of Supreme Court Justice Shona Griffith along with her mother, Romie Anthony, saying she hopes that she can put the nightmare behind [...] Brandon Cattouse 0 – NADO & BCF 1 – in Court It did not go well today in court for Brandon Cattouse. Since April twenty-sixth, 2018, the elite cyclist has been on a provisional suspension from riding after he tested positive [...] NADO Followed Protocol in Cattouse’s Testing and Suspension According to Attorney Darrell Bradley, an arbitrator from Spain has been selected by the Regional Anti-Doping Organization to oversee the proceedings; that person has since been in contact with the [...] Rudolph Smith Jr. Charged with Rape & Aggravated Burglary A jury was still deliberating this evening in the court of Justice Colin Williams for a verdict in the case of Rudolph Smith Junior, charged with rape and aggravated burglary. [...] Did Cop Shoot Teen in Dangriga? A minor in Dangriga says that he was unjustly shot by a police officer. According to the family of seventeen-year-old Cameron Smith, on Sunday morning sometime before seven o’clock, an [...] Arthur Saldivar Allowed to Reapply for PUP Belmopan Convention The People’s United Party has further postponed its Belmopan convention to the end of August amidst a legal challenge mounted by one of its very own, attorney Arthur Saldivar. Saldivar, [...] PUP Says Saldivar’s Claim has No Merit At this afternoon’s brief, the party chairman said that the postponement of the Belmopan convention should not be interpreted as any acceptance or recognition that Saldivar’s claim has any sort [...] Community Policing Training Wraps up in Belmopan A training programme by the Israeli government that started with controversy, ended quietly today in Belmopan. For a week, the police department and civilians received training from the Israeli instructors [...] Israelis Weigh in on Controversy The controversial training in community policing has come and gone successfully. Fifteen men and women, some of them police officers and the others civilians employed in various areas of the [...] DCP Says Israelis’ Training is Useful Deputy Commissioner Chester Williams, an advocate of strong community relations, credits the Israelis for their success in that area of outreach, despite what has been said by detractors of the [...] Leader of the Opposition’s Letter on OAS Observers Unanswered A request for O.A.S. observers during the re-registration process has been ignored. That request was made by Opposition Leader John Briceño to Prime Minister Dean Barrow in a letter dated [...] PUP Speaks on Elections and Boundaries Commission A resolution to appoint four members to the Election and Boundaries Commission will be tabled before the Senate on Thursday, almost a week after the re-registration exercise commenced. The four [...] Julius Espat to deliver victory for the P.U.P. On Monday, P.U.P. Leader John Briceño accepted the resignation of Julius Espat as deputy party leader for the west. Espat who has criticized Briceño’s leadership told News Five that the [...] 59-Year-Old Woman Loses Home to Fire; Was it Arson? A fire completely destroyed a plywood home in Belize City on Monday evening. The occupant was not at home at the time of the incident and by the time she [...] Two Fires in San Pedro There were also two house fires in San Pedro. The first one happened in the early hours of Sunday in the San Pablo area. The wooden home was wiped out [...] KTV The Remix is Back! It’s finally here, this summer’s hottest show begins at eight-thirty tonight live from the Bliss so head out and get your seat. Season two of KTV, the Remix, promises to [...] LOVE FM PUP is pleased with re-registration commencing but not with an absent electoral commission The People’s United Party says they are content that the re-registration process has finally begun, but, there are concerns. The PUP is particularly concerned that the Elections and Boundaries Commission has not yet been sworn in. The Government has said that it will happen, right after a special sitting of the Senate which has been … PUP resists court action brought by Arthur Saldivar; re-opens application process for Belmopan Division The People’s United Party addressed the matter of the Arthur Saldivar who has resorted to legal action against the party for not accepting his application to contest the general elections for the Belmopan constituency. The matter was first taken to court on June 28. Saldivar sought to have an injunction to postpone the convention that … Belize City teen is missing for over seven days Mangor Canek, a seventeen-year-old has been reported missing for at least seven days now. Police report that the teenager’s father, Carlos Canek told police that on the afternoon of June 25th he took his son to Curassow Street in Belize City to meet some friends. He made the report on July 1 and up until … Say no to the ICJ!!! A multi-organization group hosted a press conference this morning at the Belize Institute of Management (BIM) to discuss the re-registration exercise which began today across the country, and to launch their “NO ICJ MOVEMENT.” The group is planning to take out a constitutional claim against the Elections and Boundaries Commission and Chief Elections Officer, Josephine Tamai, who had pledged that Guatemalans holding Belize nationality papers would be allowed to be re-registered. The group is also planning to petition government to lift the two-month residency requirement for Belizeans living in the diaspora in order for them to re-registered. UDP names its candidates for constituency conventions The governing United Democratic Party released a list of names of candidates who are aspiring to run in the next general elections. Before some of them can run in the general elections, however, they must first face the challenge of contested conventions in several of the 31 constituencies. So apart from some of the incumbents who have lost ground in the municipal elections in Belize City, a whole slew of new faces are aspiring to become UDP area representatives. One charged for shooting 4 persons at Trial Farm In last Friday’s Amandala, we reported on a shooting incident at Trial Farm that resulted in injuries to four persons, one of whom was a pregnant woman. Today, at a police press brief, ACP Joseph Myvette said that one person, Bruce Harvey, 35, has been arrested for the crime. He was charged with 4 counts of attempted murder, and will be arraigned today at the Orange Walk Magistrate’s Court. Myvette mentioned that Harvey has two addresses, including one in Trial Farm, and that he has had issues with one of the victims, although police did not specify which victim and what the issues were. Florasol’s owners robbed in their home On Saturday morning between the hours of 1:00 and 2:00, Solangel Arguelles, 72, was sleeping when she was awakened by the blinking of the kitchen light, which was being turned on, then turned off, a number of times. Thinking that it was her husband, Mario, 76, who was fumbling with the light switch, she got up and sat on the edge of the bed. However, two armed, masked men entered the bedroom and demanded money from her. The men proceeded to ask her about a safe and she pointed them in the direction of the safe, which contained about $150 worth of jewelry. Three Guatemalan prisoners escape from prison Police are investigating the breakout of three Guatemalan prisoners from the Belize Central Prison in Hattieville that occurred sometime between 1:00 and 3:00 yesterday morning. The three escapees — Roni Lopez, 31; Abraham Depaz, 23; and Encarnacion Depaz, 41 — were all charged with illegal entry and firearm possession offences by Cayo police. Police said that at about 1:00 this morning, all prisoners were accounted for during the routine check at the prison. Electricity rates have gone up Back in May, Amandala reported that the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) had reviewed Belize Electricity Limited’s (BEL) request for a 7.1% increase in mean electricity rates, but had only approved an increase of 4.4%. BEL had wanted the current rate to be raised from 36.99 cents per kilowatt hour to 39.54 cents, but the PUC only allowed a mean electricity rate of 38.62 cents per kilowatt hour. However, BEL objected to the 4.4% increase, and, according to PUC chairman John Avery, an independent expert had to be brought in on May 23. Avery told 7News that the expert met with BEL and reviewed their objections, as well as looked over other matters that would have an impact on the initial decision. FC Elite defeats Progresso FC in overtime for FFB Inter-District Club Championship 2018 Carrying a 3-1 game 1 win on their journey to Louisiana Football Field in Orange Walk for game 2 of the FFB Inter-District Club Championship, Belize City’s FC Elite had to battle back from a 3-0 deficit in game 2 against home standing Progresso FC, to eventually tie the aggregate score with a late second half goal that resulted in a 3-1 victory for Progresso. With both teams then deadlocked at 4 goals and 1 away goal each at the end of game 2, overtime was necessary; and FC Elite got the series winner from the penalty spot, after their star striker, Tyriq “Hamma” Ciego was taken down on a drive into the eighteen yard box, and veteran defender Leon “Lem” Jones made no mistake from the penalty spot in the second half of the overtime period. “Chu Chu” Allen improving, but still needs help Former semipro footballer Andrew “Chu Chu” Allen is battling a kidney condition which seemed life threatening a few months ago after a doctor visit in Orange Walk. An operation was said to be urgent, but finance was a problem, and so Andrew had turned to herbal treatments in desperation. He said he had initially tried to get an appointment to see a specialist at KHMH, but, for whatever reasons, he was unsuccessful. Today we spoke to Andrew by phone, and he sounded strong. “I am making good progress,” he said, “but I need to take another series of treatments, from a herbalist in Little Belize who said it is huge kidney stones that I have, which will take a long time to get rid of.” Rural Female Softball reg. season ends; 4-team playoffs for championship this Sunday in Lords Bank The Belize Rural Female Softball Tournament 2018 completed its regular season yesterday, Sunday, with games played in Burrell Boom; and the 4 top teams in the standings (See standings below.) will take the field this coming Sunday in Lords Bank to play for the championship. In the scheduled game 1 in Burrell Boom yesterday, Arrows Reloaded of Bermudian Landing won by default over Sandhill Shooting Stars. Game 2 saw Unity of Double Head Cabbage edging Lords Bank Sunrise, 7-6. World Cup 2018 Russia Round of 16 Knockout ends; Quarterfinals begin Friday After the last two Round of 16 Knockout games tomorrow, Tuesday, the tournament takes a couple days’ break, before the Quarterfinals kick off on Friday. Below is the remaining schedule in Belize time: Last day of Round of 16 Knockout: Tues. July 3 – 08:00 (Match #55) Sweden vs Switzerland; 12:00 (Match #56) Colombia vs England. Editorial: Careless, immature, disorganized … It is almost weird that re-registration of voters begins on Monday morning, July 2, all over the nation-state of Belize, and, as it stands, those Guatemalans with documents of naturalization, Guatemalans whom the Constitution of Belize explicitly banned from becoming Belizean citizens because they come from a republic which says half of Belize belongs to them, will be re-registered as Belizean voters. They will therefore be eligible to vote in the April 2019 referendum to decide whether Belize should go to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for a binding judgment on the Guatemalan claim. That is only half of the issue. The other half of the issue has to do with the stipulation that Belizeans living abroad would have to come home and live home for two months before being allowed to register as voters, and become eligible to vote in the referendum. From the Publisher THE BATTLE OF ST. GEORGE’S CAY, 1969 IN 1898 (NOTE: I want to use my column today to reproduce a letter written by Rolando Cocom to this newspaper and first published in the Wednesday, September 26, 2012 issue of AMANDALA. As we prepare for our ICJ referendum battle, Belizeans need to begin considering why it was that British Honduras did not celebrate Emancipation Day (August 1, 1838), but instead focused on the Battle of St. George’s Caye, beginning with the Centenary celebrations of 1898. Mr. Cocom’s letter will assist us in such a process. I do not consider myself an enemy of the Baymen’s Clan: I consider myself a severe critic. And the reason for my critical posture, going all the way back to 1969, is that today’s is a different fight and a different enemy from Yucatan’s Arturo O’Neil in September of 1798. Guatemalan lebensraum … Dear Editor, Any Belizean who would wager his country in a crap shoot is a fool. To risk the rent is bad, to risk one’s patrimony is unforgivable. There is no need to go to the ICJ. Belize has a demarcated border with Guatemala. Belize’s benighted Foreign Minister mistakenly referred to the border as “artificial,” but it is real. If Belize “wins” at the ICJ, Guatemala will simply refute the ruling, and return to “business as usual.” Savaging Sapna … Dear Editor, Sapna Budhrani would appear to be another in the long line of incompetent employees who surely must owe their job to nepotistic connections and not any personal ability or fitness for the task. Her responses to the questions asked by the Amandala over the condition of the Baron Bliss Center would make a grown man’s head spin: “The funding required for the fixing that needs to happen is different from the funding that can happen.” Heritage Bank’s correction Dear Editor, There was an article in your last week Friday’s edition of the Amandala which reports that the Bank’s email address is [email protected] but the correct address is [email protected] Could you kindly correct in this week’s issue of the Amandala. PUP leader says we need to walk more All Belizeans who aren’t averse to a little sweat were in step with the Leader of the Opposition last week, when he wrote in his party’s newspaper: “I believe we need to walk more and if we’re going to walk then we need proper sidewalks.” I can’t go to Belmopan without noticing all the beautiful sidewalks in that city. Belmopan is the land of my second childhood. I was there when it opened for business in 1970, and I’m a proud “Compre boy” forever. Bully for Belmopan and those beautiful sidewalks. It is good for the government to invest the love in Belmopan, make her look good and be safe. When foreign dignitaries come to Belize, there’s where they hang out. We don’t want them going home with stories that they had no safe place to walk or jog; no safe place to apply a little stress to their bodies, to keep healthy when they are in our country. 41 years later … When you read this on Tuesday morning, February 9, 2010, it will be exactly 41 years since UBAD, the parent movement for the Kremandala experience, was founded in Belize, at a farm 26 miles on the Northern Highway actually. UBAD lasted for four full years, then a year and a half more in a divided form, until it was dissolved in November of 1974. The Ex-Servicemen’s Riot of July 1919, for its part, lasted for only two days, but it was a massive benchmark in the socio-political history of British Honduras. It is difficult for us to analyze the impact and repercussions of the 1919 Riot, because we know so little about it. 41 years after the 1919 Riot, by comparison and contrast to UBAD after 41 years, nobody in British Honduras knew anything about it. It was never discussed. By 1960, the 1919 Riot had been completely swept under the historical rug by the colonial authorities, in collusion with the educational system and the elite native class. Who is afraid of Belize’s Diaspora? Two commentaries in recent issues of AMANDALA triggered my memory of Plato’s maxim of when men fear the light. These are namely: “Turning Your Back On Your Own People” by Bilal Morris (23rd June, 2018) and the prescient editorial of 28th June, 2018 entitled: “The swamp that became The Jewel.” Indeed, it is obvious that the Belizean Diaspora, which is numerically more than half of Belize’s population, which is approximately one third of a million people, has been consistently trivialised and ignored by every Belizean government since Independence in 1981. In fact, one of the few Belizean politicians who possessed a truly sincere, unselfish, pragmatic and non-racist vision for Belize was Philip S. W. Goldson. He had no illusions about the Guatemalan issue, and understood the need to position the Belizean Diaspora in the general scheme of things, and the role it must play as an integral part of the Belizean nation. Today, Goldson’s contributions have been at times minimised and even repudiated by envious and racist revisionists with hidden agendas. Titan case argued at the CCJ The owners of Titan International Securities, Bahamians Kelvin Leach and Rohn Knowles, have been in a protracted legal battle with the Government of Belize that finally made its way to the highest court, when the Caribbean Court of Justice heard their appeal today at the seat of its headquarters in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Titan International Securities, which was located in the Matalon Building on Coney Drive in Belize City, was shut down by Belizean law enforcement agencies, acting in coordination with US law enforcement agencies, almost four years ago. Teakettle chairman in critical condition after road accident Howell Hutchinson, 45, chairman of Teakettle Village, is presently in a critical condition at the Western Regional Hospital. Hutchinson suffered head and bodily injuries in a road collision that occurred in Teakettle yesterday, between Miles 49 and 50 on the George Price Highway, while he was driving from Roaring Creek to Teakettle. Two men stabbed in separate incidents, in San Pedro and Roaring Creek Two men are recovering at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital after they were stabbed in two separate incidents. Marlon Escobar, 36, a laborer of San Pedro, was stabbed at Marlin’s Restaurant in San Pedro at about 12:30 Friday morning, and Nelson Twist, 25, a laborer of Roaring Creek, was stabbed in his house on Saturday night. Police have arrested Ahmad Musa for stabbing Escobar, but they are looking for two men who are known to them in connection with Twist’s stabbing. During the weekly police press brief held this morning at the Raccoon Street Police Station, ACP Joseph Myvette told us that Escobar and his employer, Ahmad Musa, became involved in an argument which led to Musa stabbing him in his back and chest. Southside youth, 17, executed on the Northside On Thursday night, a 17-year-old minor, Warren Rudon, was walking on Lovely Lane, heading towards the “Jungle,” when a gunman approached him and shot him execution-style. Rudon was picked up by police (there are at least 3 checkpoints in the general area) and rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Emergency Room, where a doctor pronounced him dead on arrival. Breaking Belize News Arthur Saldivar is back in Belmopan convention BBN has just learned that the People’s United Party (PUP) has backpedaled on a position it […] Ministry of National Security invites public to Citizen Security Summit The Ministry of National Security (MNS) will be hosting a Citizen Security Summit on July […] Belize Zoo’s new Commissary and Vet Clinic inaugurated The Belize Zoo recently inaugurated its new Commissary and Vet Clinic on Friday, June 29. […] John Saldivar announces intention to seek UDP leadership, expresses support for Carla Barnett Minister of National Security, John Saldivar, at the inauguration of the Cebada Conservation Post in […] Teenager reported missing in Belize city A teen boy was reported missing in Belize city by his father, Carlos Canek on […] Melvin Locke killed in Dangriga Dangriga police are investigating the murder of a construction worker. Around 12:44 am yesterday, police went to […] Heritage Bank makes history in Santa Elena town Heritage Bank is making history in Santa Elena town by being the first bank to […] Blogs Exciting Conservation Tidbits around Belize! The cool people at Fragments of Hope (FoH) were part of a reciprocal exchange with Oracabessa Bay Fish Sanctuary in Jamaica in early May, 2018. The exchange was made possible with a GEF SGP grant, inspired by a request for assistance with a faster coral out-planting technique. Annually, people across the world join in holding hands to observe “Hands across the Sand”. The event is also hosted in other countries, rallying citizens to take part in raising awareness about the fragile environment and the need to protect it for future generations to come. On May 19th, thousands of Belizeans joined hands to rally. These cuties were just a few of the island residents who joined in the flotilla rally to send a message to developers who have proposed a tourism project that will include 40 over-the-water structures at the southern tip of Cayo Rosario, just west of Ambergris Caye. Tourism in Northern Belize (Orange Walk and Corozal) Many tourists come to Belize to explore as many towns and hotspots tourists destination in Belize. Did you know Northern Belize has many places to visit and several Mayan temples to visit? Orange Walk and Corozal has many things to do in Belize for tourists to come visit. International Sources 2018 Atlantic hurricane season: Developing El Niño predicted to limit hurricane formation After a devastating Atlantic hurricane season in 2017, there is good news ahead for the 2018 season. AccuWeather meteorologists predict an El Niño to form during August and September, reducing the likelihood of tropical development. El Niño is a weather pattern which occurs when warmer-than-normal sea surface waters develop in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. “As we enter an El Niño pattern, we are expecting an increase in the frequency of higher vertical wind shear across much of the basin,” AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Forecaster Dan Kottlowski said. Insider tip: The three "C"s of Belize The Caribbean, caves and Creole (well, technically it's Kriol) pretty much sum up my trip to Belize. This tiny country, a former English colony that's part of mainland Central America but seems much more like the Caribbean, may not be rich in dollars, but it's a billionaire when it comes to natural beauty. I chartered a flight from San Pedro Airport and flew over the world-famous sinkhole known as the "Blue Hole". After 45 minutes, we reached Lighthouse Reef where the Blue Hole is. Although I didn't, it's possible to snorkel and dive in the hole that drops to a depth of 125 metres and a width of just over 300 metres. Kriol is usually described as broken English. Sitting at the Barrier Reef Bar on the island of Caye Caulker with sand between my toes, local Belikin Beer in hand, I had my first Kriol lesson. My teacher Austin explained that in Kriol you don't pronounce the suffixes "er", "ar", "or", so water becomes "wata". UNG leaders aid Belize counterparts with quality assurance Four University of North Georgia (UNG) leaders recently helped a junior college in Belize with its quality assurance process. Two of the four also helped the University of Belize (UB) begin its process of working toward Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation. Making the trip to Belize to aid Sacred Heart Junior College were UNG Vice Provost Dr. Chaudron Gille; Dr. Carly Womack-Wynne, professor of education; Dr. Andy Novobilski, associate provost for research and engagement and chief research officer; and Dr. Teresa Conner-Kerr, dean and professor in the College of Health Sciences & Professions. Belize's BTL secures broadband rollout loan Belize's state-owned telecoms company BTL has secured a US$17.5mn loan from Taiwan's International Cooperation and Development Fund for the accelerated deployment ... Caribbean Peering Forum Brings Dream Of Better Internet Closer The dream of a faster, safer, more affordable Internet in the Caribbean sometimes seems elusive. One group of Internet pioneers is taking steps to make it a reality. The Caribbean Peering and Interconnection Forum, or simply CarPIF, is an annual event that brings together the folk responsible for delivering Internet services to the region, including internet service providers, internet exchange point operators, content delivery networks, data centre managers and other computer network professionals. Caricom heads to discuss marijuana decriminalisation When the Caricom Heads of Government meet in Jamaica from Wednesday, marijuana decriminalisation will be one of the hot topics up for discussion. Speaking to the media on Monday from the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica, Caricom Secretary General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque said the heads will consider the recommendations made by the Regional Commission on Marijuana. He revealed that the report recommended the decriminalisation of marijuana. “They are recommending that it be deemed to be a substance that is controlled and managed as alcohol, they are recommending that we make available the legislation be put in place to allow for research for medical marijuana. There is some concern about controlling it for youth and adolescent youth, driving under the influence, all the concerns that obtain for other controlled substances like alcohol. These are the major ones,” he said. Videos KTV The Remix, 3hr. BPP PRESS CONF., 13min. The Belize Hotel Association is holding its Annual General Meeting, 38min. Ride Across Belize 2018 - Belize Kidney Association, 28min. Fire in San Pedro, 1/2min. A newly opened Deli run by islander Anthony Bedford on Pescador Drive caught fire this afternoon! Thanks to the swift move by neighbors in the area the fire was quickly extinguished. The San Pedro Fire Department along with the Police Department has since launched an investigation. No one was injured in the fire. Here is a snippet of Sarteneja's Fish Fair held on Saturday, June 30th, 5min. This was the second annual event held to pay tribute to our Fisher Folks and to sensitize our fishers of sustainable fishing practices for the future. Many NGO's participated, including Oceana Belize, Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development, Blue Ventures, Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association, Wildlife Conservation Society, etc. Other organizations and institution that participated were the Sarteneja Corozal Water Taxi Express, St. Francis Xavier Credit Union, Martineja Restaurant and others. Events included a fishing tournament, kayak race, cast net competition, dance competition, etc. Live music was provided by the Dynamics of Belize Band. Tricia Fishing with Hilian in Belize, 4min. Fishing for Bonefish in Belize, 7min. Snorkeling Belize, 4min. Our full-time move to Belize won't happen until later this year. Until then, I spend every single visit under water. This is my snorkel footage from Mexico Rocks and Hol Chan Marine Preserve. Reef sharks, moray eels, eagle rays, sea turtles - OH MY! Xunantunich and Caracol Mayan Ruins - Belize, 3.5min. Xunantunich and Caracol are two Mayan Ruins sites in Belize. We stayed over night in the Macaw Bank Jungle Lodge, near San Ignacio. This was the best place we ever had been in our trips. Wonderful views and amazing staff. Tuffy Rocks & Coral Garden Snorkeling, Belize 6/2018, 4min. Snorkeling off Ambergris Caye Belize-Ziplining, 8min. Belize 2018 - Shark Ray Alley - Snorkel, 7min. Belize life - Mango story, 13min. 2018 Belize Reef at Night - Eco Dive Center, 3.5min. Ambergris Caye Belize \| Secret Beach, 4min. I Travel to Ambergris Caye located off of the coast of Belize. Join me as I explore the island and find the location of Secret Beach. San Pedro Belize Tour, 4min. San Pedro Belize Tour. We spent two day on San Pedro Town Island also known as Ambergris Caye. San Pedro is beautiful and I can easily recommend going there, especially if you're into diving or snorkeling. Accion Deportiva, 60min. Police Check Point, 60min.