Today's Belize News: July 14, 2018

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Today's Belize News: July 14, 2018 #531309 07/14/18 06:37 AM 07/14/18 06:37 AM
Joined: Oct 1999 Posts: 83,953 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 Paul DuVille is the new president of the Rotary Club of Ambergris Caye The Rotary Club of Ambergris Caye swore in its new president Paul DuVille, on Wednesday, July 4th during a lunch and fellowship meeting held at Pier 366 Restaurant at Banyan Bay Beach Resort. Past president Andrew Ashcroft hosted the meeting which also saw the appointment of the Club’s secretary, and its treasurer, for the 2018-2019 period. Ashcroft, wearing his late grandfather Eric Ashcroft’s Rotary pin, opened the event at 12PM with his final speech as president before a handful of Rotarians and invited guests. He stated that Rotary has been a big part of his life and his family’s. One of his goals during his presidency was to increase membership, noting the Club’s successful membership drive in March of this year. Online campaign against Cayo Rosario development project reaches millions An online campaign to raise awareness against a tourism development approved on Cayo Rosario went viral on Wednesday, July 11th, coinciding with the launching of the website www.defendcayorosario.com. According to ACCSD, the response was overwhelming and beyond expectations. “This clearly indicates that many people love the local environment around Ambergris Caye and have come to the conclusion that it is a unique environment that must be preserved at all costs. In 24 hours countless individuals, tour guides, businesses, and hotels in San Pedro and around the country joined the campaign,” stated the ACCSD. Some of them, including Go Fish Belize, shared the post in their newsletter, while El Pescador Lodge shared it with all of their guides, guests, and affiliated shops. Belize Fly/Tres Pescados shared with their followers from the floor of ICAST, the largest fishing/industry trade show in North America, currently taking place in Florida, USA. Other places on the island that have been very influential in the campaign are the Truck Stop, Las Terrazas and Oceana in Belize, who counts with 17,000 Instagram followers, and 21,000 on Facebook. Ambergris Today Re-Opening Of Belize Passport Station In Chicago The Government of Belize has announced that the passport station and consulate in the city of Chicago at Evanston is scheduled for re-opening in August/September of 2018. According to the release, the Government of Belize is grateful to the Belizean community in Chicago for their response to location and accessibility. The Governement underscores its gratitude for the community’s patience that they have shown during the period in which the services were interrupted. Its sole purpose of the closure was to improve the services provided to the community. Impersonation Of Staff - Elections And Boundaries Department It has come to the attention of the Elections and Boundaries Department that there are individuals impersonating Staff of Elections and Boundaries Department who are visiting residents to obtain information. The public is advised that all staff of the Elections and Boundaries Department is issued with valid Staff Identification Cards. The public does have a right to request such an identification card prior to providing any information. Misc Belizean Sources Poster Presentation on the Small Ruminants Breeding Certification System at 54th Annual Meeting of the Caribbean Food Crops Society The Livestock Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture, through the Genetic Improvement in Sheep and Goat Project, participated in the 54th Caribbean Food Crops Society Poster Presentation along with international presenters on July 10th, 2018 at the Princess Ramada Hotel in Belize City. The unit’s poster showcased the Breeding Certification System on Small Ruminants and highlighted the main steps of the certification program, which includes the protocol for registration and certification of the breeding stocks, the breed types, the partners comprising the Certification Committee as well as defined the blood registration for up to three generation pedigree. Corozal Town Council - FLEA MARKET Saturday, July 14th, 2018, 6am-3:30pm. Belize Tourism Board - "2018 TASTE OF BELIZE - Our Signature Culinary Event" Indulge in succulent Belizean cuisines at the “2018 Taste of Belize” on Saturday, July 21, 2018, at the Princess Hotel & Casino, Belize City! As a diverse country, Belize offers a wealth of foodie-appeal, from delectable ancient Maya flavours to the cultural spices of the Garifuna and Mestizos! This signature Belize Tourism Board (BTB) event is the ultimate venue, featuring different culinary competitions, such as the Belize Master Chef and junior Cook. Other competitions include Bartender of the Year, Pastry Chef of the year. The BTB is excited to celebrate the creativeness of Belize’s food industry and we invite you to savor the flavors of Belize during this event! Low water pressure on Caye Caulker Saturday Belize Water Services informs customers in Caye Caulker that they will experience low water pressure in the water supply today, Saturday, July 14, 2018, starting at 10:00pm. The entire Caye Caulker Distribution System will be affected. This low water pressure is the result of routine maintenance at the Caye Caulker Water Treatment Plant. Customers may experience discoloration when water is restored. Residents of these or nearby areas are advised that water supply should return to normal on Sunday, July 15, 2018 at 7:00pm. If they experience water supply problems after that time, they should immediately call BWS’ hotline at 0-800-CALL-BWS to report it. BTB Digital Summit 2018 Attendees are all ears for this year's top-notch presenters, asking many questions and taking down notes. It's a full house here at the Best Western Biltmore Plaza in Belize City! U.S. Embassy Looking for Special Consular Services Assistant The U.S. Embassy is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the following position:Special Consular Services Assistant To view this vacancy announcement:https://bit.ly/2Ldfn4z Please review the requirements for each of the vacancies before applying for this position. Based on qualifications, applicants need only apply for one of the two vacancy announcements. NOTE: The U.S. Embassy Belmopan no longer accepts applications by email. All interested applicants applying for vacant positions at the Embassy must now submit their applications via the Electronic Recruitment Application (ERA) software. For instructions on how to apply via the ERA software, please visit the U.S. Embassy’s website at: https://bz.usembassy.gov/embassy/jobs/ Ms Diane Haylock appointed Ambassador of Belize to Japan In addition to the Belize's Ambassador to the Republic of China, Taiwan, Her Excellency, Ms Diane Haylock (former President of NICH), has now also been appointed Ambassador of Belize to Japan. She presented Letters of Credence on Wednesday July 11 to Emperor Akihito at the Imperial Palace. The museum extends warm congratulations to H.E. Ms Diane Ya’axché Open House Celebrate with us at Ya’axché Open House on Saturday, 28th of July 2018 at the PG Central Park! We will be sharing our work, recognizing exceptional farmers, highlighting partnerships and having lots of fun activities. On sale will be organic farm produce from farmers and traditional Maya food prepared by women's groups. Bring out your family as we celebrate 20 years working in the Maya Golden Landscape. Activities begin at 8am and end at 2pm. Help Coconut Leo bounce back from the fire and get a new home The San Pedro police and fire dept are investigating the cause of a fire that destroyed one building and left another one partially destroyed in the San Pedrito area. Reports are that a wooden building caught fire sometime around 11pm on Sunday, July 8th. The building was home to islander Coconut Leo who says he was not home at the time of the fire. He suspects that the fire was deliberately set. Coconut Leo is grateful for the kind neighbors and fire department who quickly put out the blaze and prevented it from spreading. Information courtesy of San Pedro Sun newspaper. The property is not owned by Leo, he has resided there for many years rent free. The owner plans to rebuild so Coconut Leo can come back. There are two houses on the property and the owner has housed many islanders in need throughout the years, and wishes to continue to help others. Channel 7 Messenger Injured to Head In Robbery A man was shot to the head in Belize City this evening - and, tonight he is clinging to life at the KHMH. It happened at a few minutes before 5:00 - right around the corner from the KHMH on St. Joseph Street. Reports are that there was some kind of dispute between two men, and one of them suddenly pulled out a gun, and shot the victim to the side of the head. When we left the scene an hour ago - police had not confirmed his name. We note that this is a high traffic area between the Social Security Building and BAHA and that the shooting happened at the height of the Friday evening rush hour. Hon. Jose Mai, The Case Continues As we've been reporting, the family of the late Julia Arana is suing the PUP's Jose Mai, the Area Rep. for Orange Walk South. One of her sons, elite cyclist Nissan Arana, is asking the court to award the family damages against Mai. He was driving the Toyota Hilux that knocked her down on the Belize-Corozal Road two years ago. She passed away 2 months later. Mai's defence is that he bears no fault, and that the accident happened so quickly that he could not have avoided hitting her. All the evidence was presented last week, and both sides were supposed to return before Justice Courtney Abel today to make oral submissions. Grayson Cadle, Update From the Burn Center Tonight, burn victim Grayson Cadle is in stable condition at the JMS Burn Center at Doctors Hospital in Augusta, Georgia. He has undergone a CT scan to confirm that he had no broken bones, and doctors then started to perform surgery to remove scars and stop the bleeding. But when he went into the operating theater, Doctors had to postpone the procedure because his body temperature fell. That does happen and the surgery is now re-scheduled for tomorrow. He remains stable despite the fact that he has burns to 70% of his body. His trip is made possible by the Burn Victim Mercy Fund. Those wanting to contribute, can do so at Account #: 1386 6801 0120001. Tesecum, The Survivor Conscious and Talking One other man who's recovering at the hospital is shooting victim Michael Tesecum. He's the 41 year-old Tibruce Street resident who was gunned down on Wednesday night, a stone's throw away from his home. He was walking on the street when someone ambushed him and shot him to the back, the stomach and the left foot. He was rushed to the KHMH, and doctors were able to stabilize him and save his life yet again. After spending 2 days in intensive care, he is conscious and talking coherently. In fact, we got a chance to speak with him on the telephone, and he told us that he would prefer not to give any interviews discussing his shooting at this time. Canadian For Sosa Murder Last night, you heard how Corozal cops were able to solve the three month old murder of 38 year-old Emmanuel Evan Sosa. That man who they believe fatally shot the Ranchito Village resident is 21 year-old George Bednarik, a Canadian who has been living in the village for some time. He will be arraigned and remanded for murder. Police say that Bednarik is the masked gunman who, in April, attempted to rob the female bar owner at Pasadita in Ranchito. Sosa came to her aid, as she pulled the front door shut. City Resident Arraigned For Murder in OW Yesterday we told you that police captured Alberto Vargas Jr's killer. Today the accused- 24 year old Belize City resident Nisani Daniel Garcia- was taken to the magistrates court in Orange Walk town and arraigned for murder. According to police, Vargas and Jose Medina had picked up Garcia somewhere along the Belize-Corozal road and proceeded to a street vendor to order some food. It was there that a misunderstanding between Garcia and Vargas allegedly occurred which led to Garcia shooting 21 year old Vargas. After his arraignment Garcia was remanded to prison until his next court hearing. In May of this year Garcia was arrested and charged for kept unlicensed firearm and ammunition. Weed And Weapons in OW And while that murder is believed to have been caused by the illicit trade in narcotics - tonight, there is a bust which demonstrates the linkage between drugs and guns in that northern town. Orange Walk police found two guns and 6 pounds of weed this afternoon. They searched an abandoned lot on Royal Palm Street and found two 9mm pistols: a Berreta and a Glock with three magazines and ten live rounds of ammunition. There they also found the 6 pounds of weed in several clear plastic bags. No one was around, so the high value street items were labeled as found property. Police Say Robbery Victim May Have Only Bumped His Head A few minutes ago, police provided details on the shooting we told you about at the top of the news. They say that messenger for a law firm, Nyrere Parchue was riding on St. Thomas Street when a man pulled up, pointed a firearm at him and demanded that he hand over a folder containing documents. Parchue handed it over, but set chase after his assailant and caught up with him on St. Joseph Street where, again, the robber pointed the firearm at him. This time, Parchue fell to the pavement, knocked his head and lost consciousness. He woke up in the hospital with injuries to the right side of his head and both hands. So, was he shot - as police told us at the scene? Bank Worker Fined For Fatal Accident Back in August of 2012, Shoshana Moody knocked down and killed Liang Shen Chen, and the Supreme Court says that she has to pay $15,000 for it. She went before Justice Marilyn Williams today where she pleaded guilty to the charge of manslaughter by negligence. For her guilty plea, the judge sentenced her to pay a fine of $5,000 to the court, and an additional $10,000 to the estate of the deceased. She has until January 1, 2019 to pay the fine and compensation, and if she defaults, she will serve 6 months in jail. The accident happened early on the morning of August 11, 2012, on the Philip Goldson Highway near the Haulover bridge. What Re-Registration Is Like At The Far Edge of Belize The re-registration exercise is wrapping up its second week - and - the projection is that close to 30 thousand voters have already gone through the process. The main complaint is that the process has been moving too slowly - but that's for folks who don't have to go too far to reach the re-registration center. But, for those who live in rural communities down south - it can be a whole other story! They live in remote and disconnected communities and while the Elections and Boundaries staff goes into some villages - they can't go to all, after all there are about 200 of them in Belize! Welcome Finally Gets Bail If at first you don't succeed, try again, that is what 18 year old Roaring Creek resident Rudolph Welcome did today in court. He applied for bail a second time for an attempted murder charge and he got it: $8,000 with 2 sureties. Welcome was charged with the June attempted murder of Burrell Boom resident Eugene Henderson Jr. He was asleep in his aunt's house in Roaring creek when Welcome allegedly crept up from the back of the house and shot him in the head. Now, this bail comes with conditions: he is to attend the Belmopan Magistrate's court on August 29th and on every other day the magistrate orders him to reappear. The Future of Tourism Is The Internet Marketing experts gathered at the Biltmore for the Belize Tourism Board's 4th annual Digital Marketing Summit today. The summit is a unique space where tourism sector businesses can learn and deepen their knowledge about the latest developments in online content and of course social media, among many other topics. We were there to find out more. Maynor Larrieu, Digital Marketing Manager, BTB: "This is the 4th annual Digital Marketing Summit and for the first time we have a full roster. There are 4 segments, key segments that we feel that the industry needs to be in the loop of. They are social media, digital strategy, online content and travel trade in digital. This is the only summit of its kind in terms of digital marketing summit that caters to tourism stakeholders primarily. The audience is basically hoteliers countrywide. We actually have people who flew in from Miami and a person from Houston so I think the word is going around." Telling Tourism Stories On Social Media Now there were a number of local and international presenters at the summit speaking on a wide range of topics. One presenter from Maine, USA presented on the impact of social media storytelling. Now we know people share everything on social media - especially on Facebook from what food they eat for lunch, to their new clothes and shoes, to all their relationship business - the list goes on. But Kristin Fuhrmann-Simmons says the concept of social media storytelling is so much deeper than that and it is very useful in connecting with customers on a more personal level. Kristin Fuhrmann-Simmons, Owner, Kristin Simmons Digital Media: "My involvement here with the BTB is that I am here to share social media storytelling. We have a lot of evidence after a decade of active social media use that people connect with stories. And so I am here to share with the people that are part of the BTB with the tourism and hospitality industry how they can use their natural story telling skills to get found online." Digging For Diamonds in Digital Ditches Another presenter who is originally from Brazil, Lia Cammarano, spoke on the importance of sifting through all the noise on the internet to find and gather useful and relevant information for companies. She told us more about the company she works for and more about her presentation topic. Lia Cammarano, Managing Director, South Eastern US Region - Meltwater: "Meltwater is a media intelligence platform and basically what we do is that we gather insights from the outsides so that businesses can make more informed and better decisions on their day to day." New CCJ President, It’s a Matter Of Trust Last week Wednesday, we showed you how Justice Adrian Saunders, took over leadership of the highest court in Belize, the Caribbean Court of Justice. President Saunders took over from Sir Dennis Byron, and he is now the 3rd president of this high court. He was formally installed last week before all the Caribbean leaders, and today, at the seat of the CCJ in Trinidad and Tobago, representatives from the bench and bar from all over the Caribbean held a special sitting of the court to honor his elevation. Why Newcomer Wants Cycling Presidency Two night ago, we showed you our interview with Orson Butler, the current vice president of the Belize cycling Federation, who's now running for president. The man who is currently President, Dion Leslie will run as Vice President. It's a flip flop of the status quo, which has an appeal for continuity, but not for Alexi Ordonez and his slate. He is a newcomer, and his slate, who call themselves "Team Upward Bound" say this much loved sport needs a new direction. Today, we asked him whether he's up to the task:.. Alexi Ordonez, Seeking Presidency - BCF: "These guys have been given a chance and we see the results of that now. We are mandated by our constitution which right now we don't have a constitution that governs the body. Secondly, we don't have any annual general meetings for the past 4 years. So lack of communication on a whole. No kind of financial statements are being presented to the people to let us know what's going on and it's only fair to give us a fair shot." The Brandon Polarity And one issue that sharply divides the two camps is Brandon Cattouse. The celebrated cyclist is currently on a provisional ban for using a prohibited substance, while awaiting a hearing before the Regional Anti Doping Organization. But Cattouse sidestepped RADO and got a Supreme Court injunction forcing the Federation to allow him to ride in the National Road Championship. Rather than risk that, the Federation, under Butler's de facto leadership, postponed the race. Tonight, we have what both sides think of the Cattouse situation and postponing the important race:.. Belize’s Female Volleyballers Ready The Central American Women's Volleyball Championship is coming to Belize for the first time in August, and Belize's national team is ready. They've been training since last August and yesterday the Volleyball Association announced that the tournament will be held at the Civic Center from the 4th to the 10th of August. The Belize team looks good, but is considered an underdog. The championship will determine which national teams will be contesting the Continental Championship. Bystanders Catch A Thief A man who was busted attempting to steal a car radio in Ladyville - got roughed up by residents who caught him. 26 year old Elmer Martinez, a construction worker of Hattieville appeared yesterday at the Magistrate's Court where he was arraigned on the charge of theft. On the 9th July. 50 year old businessman Hugh Hulse, was at a home in Ladyville when he saw the lights on his Suzuki Tracker flashing. He went to check and found Martinez inside his vehicle. Martinez bolted off with the car radio in hand. However, the robbery attempt was foiled by a group of people on the other side of the street. They set chase and caught him. Emancipation is For Everyone Slavery is deeply embedded in the history of Belize - but it is not widely discussed or taught. In 1833 the British passed the Slavery Abolition Act which abolished slavery through out the British Empire, including Belize, although full emancipation was not achieved until 1838. While many Caribbean nations celebrate Emancipation day on August first, Belize does note. But, the United Black Association for Development in Belize, UBAD, is hosting its 5th annual black emancipation remembrance day. Chairperson of the UBAD Educational Foundation, Ya Ya Marin Coleman told us more. Making Migration Matter Belize and Mexico are longtime neighbors, and there is free interaction between both populations along and across the border on a daily basis, although not always legal. The issues arising from these border interactions create human rights issues, safety concerns and a host of other problems. It is with that in mind that representatives of both governments, in conjunction with the United Nations Migration Agency hosted the second cross-border meeting on migration. It involved stakeholders from Belize and Mexico at the Mexican Institute in Belize City. This meeting is part of an ongoing Mesoamerica Program that seeks to contribute to strategies for regular, orderly and safe migration of people from both countries. The Cross-Border Meeting is also in line with ongoing efforts of the Government of Belize to design a National Migration and Development Policy. The meeting began yesterday and concluded today. Channel 5 Messenger Injured During Robbery on Saint Thomas Street Reports were received of a shooting incident this evening in Belize City for which one man, believed to be a messenger, was injured. Sometime around five o’clock rush hour, the [...] An Underground Oil Spill at Belize Natural Energy Personnel from Belize Natural Energy worked around the clock to avert any damage to the environment in Spanish Lookout where an oil spill occurred. The spill was caused by a [...] Civil Suit Against P.U.P. Area Rep Traversed to September Session of Supreme Court The civil suit against P.U.P. Orange Walk South Area Representative, Jose Abelardo Mai, was back before Supreme Court Justice Courtenay Abel today. Oral submissions were to be heard, however, there [...] CCJ Welcomes New President with Special Sitting The Caribbean Court of Justice held a special sitting today at its headquarters in Trinidad and Tobago. The solemn occasion, the first of two, was held to honour the court’s [...] Ministry of National Security Says Major Crimes on Downward Trend The month of June saw the lowest number of murders; a fact that the Ministry of Police is recognizing in a release. But overall for the first six months of [...] SolGen Says Government is Fully Compliant with CCJ Consent Order Another round of litigation between the indigenous Maya community and Government of Belize is before the high court, despite a consent order from the Caribbean Court of Justice in 2015. [...] A Long Way to Go Before the Maya Land Rights Issue is Fully Resolved According to the Solicitor General, the process of working through the terms of the consent order is fairly lengthy. He says that while the Maya Leaders Alliance is entitled to [...] U.S. Fugitive Caught with Belizean Passport It went under the radar, but two weeks ago, American fugitive Kenneth Collins Dunn was caught in the Philippines with a Belizean passport under the name of Kelsey Brian Dunn. [...] Second Cross-Border Meeting on Migration Between Belize and Mexico Held Measures on how to improve and increase the number of Mexicans who enter Belize were discussed today during the second Cross-Border Meeting on Migration between Belize and Mexico. The meeting [...] After Walking Six Hours, Couple is Told They Are Too Late to Re-register A total of sixteen thousand, six hundred and seventy applications were accepted by the Elections and Boundaries Department as part of the first week of the mass re-registration exercise. That figure [...] P.U.P. Says Naturalized Guatemalans Who Have Been in Belize for Decades are Belizeans With re-registration of electors taking place, debate is raging about the registering of naturalized Guatemalans because it breaches the Belize Constitution. Section twenty-nine of the Constitution states that no person [...] P.U.P. Leaders Says Diasporans’ Concerns Must be Discussed Further Persons wanting to re-register must prove that they have been living at their address for at least two months. This is one of the requirements that some Belizeans living overseas [...] Opposition Leader: Cost of Living Burdening Belizeans Electricity rates increased on July first after an application by Belize Electricity Limited to the Public Utilities Commission was successful. The new rates will be in effect for the next [...] Digital Marketing Brings Tourism Stakeholders Together to Promote the Jewel Representatives from local tourism stakeholders joined international digital marketing experts for the B.T.B.’s fourth Digital Marketing Summit. The one-day event was held at the Biltmore Plaza. Sessions covered four critical [...] Marie Sharp’s Steak Sauce is of Superior Taste You know her for her fiery hot habanero pepper sauce, but tonight you’ll know her as an international businesswoman who received a prestigious distinction in Brussels, Belgium. Marie Sharp, owner [...] Female Tapir Knocked Down and Killed on Boom/Hattieville Road Reports spread like wildfire today that a tapir had been killed on the Boom/Hattieville Road. An investigation carried out by the Belize Tapir Project has since revealed that the young [...] LOVE FM Minor used as drug trafficking mule Drug traffickers are very creative with the methods they use to ship illegal substances. But now it seems they are using a successful and old method but instead of adults, they are using minors as mules. Officers from San Ignacio had set up a checkpoint on the George Price Highway on July 12. At 8:30 on Thursday morning they searched a bus that was traveling from the direction of San Ignacio heading towards Belmopan. Amandala At KHMH, specialist tells hernia sufferer “we don’t do that surgery anymore” The majority of Belizeans have no health insurance, so when sudden health conditions arise that require a visit to a doctor, most persons turn to the various public hospitals to seek assistance. In the past that was alright because they would be attended to at the public hospitals and clinics. If they had to undergo elective surgery that was never a problem, as long as they had the patience to wait until the hospital was able to arrange such a surgery. Grayson Cadle, 21, in coma; flown out to Georgia for treatment Grayson Cadle, the 21-year-old who was severely burnt in his home at the corner of Mahogany and Mopan Streets, opposite Brown’s Butane Depot, as a result of the explosion of a butane tank which had been leaking in the adjacent apartment, is currently in an induced coma and they are flying him out of the country to receive treatment. According to his mother, Marianne Cadle, she, Grayson, and her other son had been living in the apartment for only three months. Cadle also informed the media that Grayson had been admitted into the hospital in a critical condition, and that in a brief moment upon his arrival at the hospital, she spoke to her son, and he said, “Mommy, I did not do anything.” Alberto Vargas, Jr., 21, shot and killed in car At around 8:15 p.m. Tuesday night, police visited the Northern Regional Hospital, where they saw the body of Alberto Vargas, Jr., 21, with two gunshot wounds in the neck. According to initial reports, Vargas, who was a shop assistant, was in a green Ford Escape on the Belize Corozal Road with his friend, Jose Medina, the driver of the vehicle. They then picked up another man, who sat in the back seat, behind Vargas. It is not known if the passenger was known to Medina or Vargas. BNE oil spill in Spanish Lookout Most Belizeans would not have known that there was an oil spill at the Belize Natural Energy (BNE) Spanish Lookout facility last Sunday if it had not been reported by the Belmopan-based Plus TV, which shared the information with Kremandala. On Tuesday, Amandala attempted to get information from BNE about this latest oil spill. We were told that the person who is allowed to speak to the media was not available, and the person we spoke with said he was not authorized to comment. Jalacte Mayas take GoB to court for taking lands without consultation Mayas from the village of Jalacte have taken out a Supreme Court claim against the Government of Belize for using their lands without consulting them, instead of abiding by the 2015 Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruling which asserts that the Mayas of southern Belize must be afforded their customary land rights, which the government has been slow in implementing. This latest round of litigation on the part of the Mayas in Jalacte has to do with the widening of the Jalacte road, which they claim is being built on lands that were used for farming. Elderly couple gets court justice, after land where they live was sold 3 times An elderly man, who sold his property with the agreement that the buyer would subdivide the land, leaving him with the back portion, on which his house stands, went through an ordeal when the person who bought the property from him transferred the entire package to his wife, who then transferred it to a building society, who then sold it. The matter came to a near disastrous end when the most recent owner, after newly acquiring the property, ordered the elderly man (and his wife) off the land, but he triumphed in a cross claim in the Supreme Court—winning on the technicalities of the law, which allowed him to retain his property. BVA announces National Team Selection for Central American Women’s Volleyball Championship in Belize The Belize Volleyball Association (BVA) is pleased to announce the National Team Selection to represent Belize at the upcoming XX Central American Women’s Volleyball Championship to be held in Belize City from August 4 – 10 at the Civic Center. The national team is comprised of our top female athletes: Shantell Arnold, Sherika Burton, Allyana Musa, Mya Musa, Melanie Palacio, Karen Quan, Fatima Ramirez, Nelissa Ramirez, Ayah Safa, Jahshema Saunders, Kevanna Sebastian, Tichele Solis, Tisha Solis, Maurissa Williams. Cricket Update Greetings from the Belize National Cricket Association (BNCA)! Guess old age catching up on me; I completely forgot to send in the update from the matches played on June 30 & July 1! So, here are the results: On June 30 – Summer Fever won over BDF in the second game of the three-game series; therefore, Summer Fever advances to the semifinals. On July 1 – Easy Does It won over Sunrise in the second game of the three-game series; therefore, Easy Does It advances to the semifinals. Basketball community mourns loss of long-standing referee, Leroy Clother The Belize Basketball Federation (BBF), National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) and the Belize Association of Basketball Officials (BABO) join the entire basketball community in extending our sincere condolences to the family of Leroy Clother for their tragic loss. Leroy has been serving as a referee in Belize for many years, and his service to the development of basketball was invaluable. Our sympathies go out to his family, friends and loved ones, as our basketball community continues to mourn his loss. FFB National Over-40 update Catching up on some scores from the Football Federation of Belize (FFB) National Over-40 tournament, we note that some late information after we went to press on Tuesday indicated that the game in Dangriga at the Carl Ramos Stadium on Sunday was indeed played after all. We had reported that no-show referees had led to cancellation of games at the MCC (San Pedro Veterans vs Kulture Yabra Veterans) and also at the Carl Ramos Stadium (Dangriga New Site Erei vs Benque Veterans); but the game at Carl Ramos was played, with the result a 3-3 draw between New Site Erei and Benque Veterans. Editorial: Living a lie Saturday, July 14, 2018 marks the 229th anniversary of the storming of the Bastille prison by the French masses in Paris. Thus began the historic, cataclysmic French Revolution, which in turn spawned the Haitian Revolution in 1791, which constituted the only successful slave rebellion in history and gave birth to the first Black republic in the so-called New World in 1804. What the French masses were violently overthrowing in the French Revolution was a monarchical system of government with all its attendant evils, primarily a privileged, parasitic, and brutal aristocratic class. Whereas the French guillotined their King, Louis XVI, in 1793, the English, led by Oliver Cromwell, had beheaded their King, Charles I, in 1649, 140 years before the storming of the Bastille. A threat to Amandala from Barrow & Williams Dear Sirs: We are instructed by Mr. Alberto August who, as you are aware, is the chairman of the United Democratic Party and a political figure in Belize. In the Tuesday, July 3rd, 2018 No. 3191 of the Amandala, Tuesday Issue, you caused to be published on page 23 under the headline article “Say no to the ICJ” words purportedly spoken by Derek Aikman, the following defamatory words: “The founder and leader of BUFERAD, former UDP politician and former Cabinet Minister, Derek Aikman opened the press conference explaining that “there is potential poison in the re-registration process.” The mystery of the “bend-fork” Dear Editor, It was 1959 and the Ramirez family had recently relocated to #150 Newtown Barracks from Racecourse Street. We were right in front of the majestic Caribbean Sea, one house away from Wilson Street. It was two years before the great Hattie Hurricane and I, Alfonso, was nine years old. My brother Ricardo was eight and our youngest brother, Gustavo, was seven. We had two older sisters and two older brothers from Mama’s first marriage. They were the Petersens. We were all enrolled at St. Joseph’s Primary School. The Cathedral that exists now had not been built yet and there was a small wooden Chapel next to the school. The inspirational journey of Kaedhyn Williams Her eyes twinkled with confidence and her smile enveloped the room as she exclaimed her future goals and intentions. Kaedhyn Williams is an 11-year-old Belizean American who is the oldest child of Belizean parents Marvin Williams and Tamarah Major Williams, who recently became the recipient of the prestigious scholarship of the Carson Scholars Fund. Kaedhyn, a 7th grade student at Fulton & Alsbury Academy of Arts and Engineering in Lancaster, California, has all the reasons to be ecstatic. The remarkable journey of Kaedhyn began with the challenge of being born with Spinal Bifida, which affected her ability to walk. She had to endure several major and delicate surgeries over her childhood to correct the condition. Collateral for lawyers When you look at the tragedy of 265 men on remand for murder, and you do the math, you realize that this reality works out to the benefit of only one group in the country. This group can take that number to the bank. That number will work out for them, either as savings at the bank of their choice, or as collateral for loans for their big house or fast car or luxury boat. It is not for us to complain about all people who capitalize on pain. But we should complain if the people who capitalize on pain, are contributors to it. We men know of the violence in our natures. We also know that it can be tempered, or stoked. Now, from the little classroom knowledge I have, yes, straight from that, there are three kinds of big animals on terra firma, these being the carnivores, the omnivores, and the herbivores. MEMOIRS OF MUSIC & WAR IN BELIZE! Seeing “Woodstock” the film at the “Palace” movie theater in Belize City, Belize, in the 1970s at matinee on Sunday evenings as a boy had made me wonder what a powerful and enlightening musical explosion the “hippie era” in the United States had on the world as a popular culture. Some Belizeans were influenced by the cult of personality of the 1960s through the musical giants like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, as well as the dress, the spirit, the mood, the style and the “psychedelic” craze of drugs and the sense of wild unaltered freedom of expression. The growth of Black Consciousness in Belize 1914-1919 That anger, perhaps somewhat ameliorated by the expectations of demobilization and their return to Belize, was reactivated on the long journey home by the so-called “Incident at Taranto.” That incident which was brought to light by C.L. Joseph and W.F. Elkins and is in need of further investigation – involved the revolt of some 50-60 members of the 9th Battalion of the British West Indies Regiment at the British Army transit camp at Cimino near Taranto in Italy in December 1918. Apparently, on December 6th members of the 9th Battalion, exasperated by weeks of discrimination in the camps, canteens and cinemas, humiliating fatigue duties and the overbearing arrogance of the South African camp commandant, attacked their officers and severely assaulted their unit commander. Ambassadors of Norway, Thailand, Bolivia and Turkey present credentials to Governor General Four ambassadors presented their Letters of Credence today, July 9, to the Governor General of Belize, H.E. Sir Colville Young, at Belize House in Belmopan. H.E. Mrs. Rut Krüger Giverin, Ambassador of Norway; H.E. Ms. Rommanee Kananurak, Ambassador of Thailand; H.E. Mr. José Vladimir Crespo Fernández, Ambassador of Bolivia; and H.E. Mr. Suleyman Gokce, Ambassador of Turkey all presented their credentials to the Governor General. American businessman, Cliff Kirk, 60, dies 5 days after being shot On Thursday at around 11:50 a.m., Cliff Kirk, 60, an American retiree, was in his home, which is located ten miles away from San Pedro Town and is only accessible by water, when four men wearing masks entered his yard and shot him in the head. They then entered his home and stole a briefcase full of money, a 9mm pistol, and a 12-gauge shotgun. In yesterday’s Amandala, we reported that three persons — Christian Espat, 22; Nigel Williams, 25; and a 16-year-old — had been charged with aggravated burglary, attempted murder, dangerous harm and use of deadly means of harm. “I want my baby”, said Peter Bell, 54, charged with aggravated burglary Peter Bell, 54, an employee of the Moslem Masjid, who resides at 8 Landivar Street, kept saying today in the court of the Chief Magistrate Sharon Fraser that he wants his baby after he was arraigned on charges of aggravated burglary, wounding and harm, to all of which he pleaded not guilty. Bell admitted that on July 7, he went uninvited to the house of Charles Lamb, located at 30 Fabers Road, but he said he did so because he wanted to see his two-and-a-half-month-old baby whose mother is Rachel Lamb, Charles Lamb’s daughter. In the midst of gloom, tourism shines In the Wed. June 27, 2018 Amandala, Courtney Menzies reported on a release by the Belize Institute of Statistics which showed the dismal state of Belize’s agriculture sector. Statistics showed that the sector declined by 11.9% in the first quarter of 2018, when compared with the same period in 2017, with citrus production down 19.3%, banana showing a loss of 5,000 tons, marine production down 44%, largely because of struggles in the shrimp industry, and sugar revenue diminished by lowered prices on the world market. But in the midst of these lowered exports, the tourism industry continues to flourish. The Belize Tourism Board (BTB), in a press release dated Wednesday, July 11, 2018, reported that the latest statistics for the middle of 2018 showed that “tourism arrivals to Belize continue to register groundbreaking levels and moving on a steady upward trend.” Elderly couple gets court justice, after land where they live was sold 3 times An elderly man, who sold his property with the agreement that the buyer would subdivide the land, leaving him with the back portion, on which his house stands, went through an ordeal when the person who bought the property from him transferred the entire package to his wife, who then transferred it to a building society, who then sold it. The matter came to a near disastrous end when the most recent owner, after newly acquiring the property, ordered the elderly man (and his wife) off the land, but he triumphed in a cross claim in the Supreme Court—winning on the technicalities of the law, which allowed him to retain his property. The Reporter Shooting on Saint Joseph Street A shooting reportedly occurred a short while ago on St Joseph Street in Belize City. Police have cordoned off the area and have not yet released any details. We will POLICE FIND STASH OF WEED & GUN Two police searches, one in the north and the other in the west, have resulted in the discovery of a stash of weed and a gun; EDITORIAL – JULY 13th In 1978, three years before Independence, the Government of Belize commissioned a legal opinion from two distinguished international lawyers: E. Lauterpacht Q.C. and Dr. D.W. Bowette, Q.C. Their terms of Butane Explosion Injures Three, One Critical An otherwise quiet Monday afternoon on Mopan Street turned almost deadly in an instant when a butane gas leak inside an apartment complex triggered an explosion SATIIM Dissatisfied With US Capital Consultations US Capital Energy has begun preliminary consultations with villages in southern Belize as part of the procedure for applying for a new oil concession; however, the Sarstoon Temash Institute for Thai Miracle: All 12 boys and football coach safe after heroic rescue The plight of the boys and their coach has captivated not only Thailand, but much of the world — from the heart-sinking news that they were missing, Was Sudden Death Caused By Medical Malpractice ? A family is blaming the public health system, and particularly the Western Regional Hospital, for the death of their loved one on Saturday; and they are Minister Bashes KHMH and Loma Luz over Dialysis Charges On Monday, July 9 in Belmopan, Minister of Health, Pablo Marin expressed his outrage at the nation’s largest referral hospital, the KHMH and Loma Luz, considered the best health facility Cops Seize $100K in Illegal Painkillers A significant shipment of Oxicodone pills, an opioid-based medication that can be converted into heroine, was intercepted by authorities in Spanish Lookout on Tuesday of this MAJOR CRIMES and MURDERS DIP IN SECOND QUARTER Belize has in recent years recorded one of the highest homicide rates in the world, per capita, but this week law enforcement authorities here reported a LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor: This week the United States State Department’s travel advisory for Mexico listed the following states as areas not to travel in Mexico for Police Charge Nisani Garcia for Vargas Murder This afternoon Belize City construction worker, Nisani Daniel Garcia, 24, was formally charged for the murder of Alberto Vargas Jr., 21, shot twice to his neck Willoughby Resigns from NEMO to Run in Port No sooner had the UDP hopefuls for standard bearer in Port Loyola made the list in last week’s news, than Philip Willoughby, who was one Breaking Belize News Minor arrested and charged for drug trafficking Yesterday morning around 8:30, while conducting a police checkpoint on the George Price Highway, authorities arrested […] Belize Territorial Volunteers meet Guatemalan authorities inside Belizean Waters (again) Yesterday, the Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) embarked on an expedition to Graham Creek in Southern […] Corozal House of Culture to host Ancient World Week The National Institute of Culture and History (NICH), through the Corozal House of Culture, the […] Belize participates at 54th Annual Meeting of the Caribbean Food Crops Society The Livestock Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture, through the Genetic Improvement in Sheep and […] Family claims young man died due to hospital’s negligence The family of 27-year-old Justin Neal of Santa Elena town, Cayo are frustrated after losing […] Belizeans participate in filming of La Reina del Sur Famous Mexican actress Kate del Castillo, otherwise known as ‘La Reina del Sur’, arrived in […] Blogs Things To Do In Corozal Corozal District is the northernmost district of the nation of Belize. The population was 33,335 in 2000. The capital district is Corozal Town. Pre-Columbian Maya Temples are found in Corozal at Santa Rita near Corozal Town, and at Cerros. Just 9 miles south of Mexico and 29 miles north of Orange Walk Town, Corozal has a vibe different from any other town in Belize. The Mexican influence is palpable on the streets of this provincial town, where you are likely to hear Spanish and eat tacos. Though it feels prosperous (especially by Belizean standards), most of the town's wealth comes from its position as a commercial and farming center – not from tourism. In fact, the town's fledgling tourism sector has been hit hard by the direct boat service between San Pedro and Chetumal, which has seen many travelers bypass Corozal altogether and several tourist-orientated businesses close. A 22-Year-Old Takes A $845.50 Girls' Trip To Belize Could you survive for 5 days in Belize on - $845.50 including your accommodations and transportation? See how this 22-year-old traveler managed to do so. This week's travel diary: A 22-year-old takes a chocolate-making class and drives a golf cart around San Pedro, Belize with her two girlfriends. Videos ELECTRI Cross Borders 2017 - Ambergris Caye, Belize, 2min. ELECTRI Council contractors, manufacturers and distributors traveled to Ambergris Caye, Belize, for ELECTRI International’s 2017 Cross-Border meeting. Each Cross-Border gathering provides educational and hands-on experiences while fostering long-standing relationships and partnerships. Fundraiser for Vincent Dawson, 3.5hr. Belize Sharks & Rays, 6.5min. Sharks & Rays off the coast of Belize near Caye Caulker and the Belize Barrier Reef. A Day at Secret Beach Belize, 1min. The People’s United Party is joining the Belize Territorial Volunteers, 3.5min. Women's Business Cooperative of Belize, 10min. LaiSi and Betty discuss plans to support women's entrepreneurship and industries in Belize. Cynthia did not attend as she is in Belize. The plans are altruistic but they also allow for us to actualize our own dreams of owning businesses, owning our own land, having access to a smaller and more local government, being financially sustainable, building a sense of community and helping others. Belize 2018, 7min. First Reformed Church summer mission trip to Belize!!