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The San Pedro Sun
Belize court affirms Maya land rights but strikes out protective orders
In a long-awaited judgement issued yesterday, Belize's Court of Appeal has affirmed Maya people's rights to collective land ownership throughout southern Belize. However, in a concerning development, the Court of Appeal struck out court orders requiring that the Government of Belize take specific action to protect those rights.
The Maya communities of Toledo, Belize's southern-most district, rely on the land and its natural resources to preserve their culture and way of life. In 1994, the Government converted an area of nearly 42,000 acres of Maya ancestral land into Government land, the Sarstoon-Temash National Park - without consulting Maya people.
The Government then opened Sarstoon-Temash to oil exploration by US Capital Energy Belize Ltd, a wholly owned Belizean subsidiary of American company US Capital Energy Inc, and entered into an agreement with the company for oil exploration.
'MRG welcomes this further recognition of Maya land rights over their ancestral land in Toledo,' says Lucy Claridge, Head of Law at Minority Rights Group International (MRG). 'We remain seriously concerned, however, that the Government has failed to protect these rights - most recently by permitting US Capital Energy to begin exploring for oil on Maya land.'
Delegates of the Costa Maya Pageant busy on the island
Activities relating to the International Costa Maya Festival are fully underway. On Saturday July 27th, Ramon's Village Resort, the official resort of the delegates Costa Maya Pageant, hosted the annual Noche Tropical on the beach. All eight delegates of the International La Reina de La Costa Maya Pageant were present and entertained the audience. On Monday July 29th, they were back in the spotlight at the SAGA Humane Society benefit function hosted at Fido's. At the first event, the audience got to see a glimpse of what to expect ahead of the pageant which is schedule for Thursday August 1st. Throughout the course of the night the eight beauty ambassadors took to the stage and gave the audience a taste of their country. The participants got to introduce themselves as well as model in their country's costume and several attires courtesy of Ramon's Village and Moondancer boutiques. During the event, entertainment was provided by Maryposa, who also invited the delegates on stage to learn a few moves.
Belize Zoo comments on ocelot incident
To Whom It May Concern: The Belize Zoo would like to address the incident involving a youngster who was bitten by our ocelot, "Ollie", as this has received much attention. An ocelot is a wild cat, native to Belize, and is considered to be a small-to-medium in size, weighing about 20-25 lbs. To clarify what occurred last Monday at the zoo, please read the points below. Sharon Matola, Founding Director. OCELOT INCIDENT OCCURRING AT THE BELIZE ZOO MONDAY 15 JULY 2013
1. A young boy, approximately ten years old, along with his mother and other family members, visited "Ollie" the ocelot.
2. There were no zookeepers present. The youngster, put his hand inside the ocelot exhibit, seemingly to "pet" the cat.
3. In order to do this, he had to go to the effort of crossing over a wooden barrier, as well as ignoring the small mesh fence, placed there to keep people from putting hands in the exhibit.
4. Having crossed the barrier, and ignoring the other fence precaution, he put his hand in. The ocelot bit his thumb.
5. This was brought to the attention of Animal Management Supervisor, Humberto Wohlers, who applied first aid to the bite immediately.
Ambergris Today
'Bachelorette' Star Jef Holm Celebrates Birthday in Belize
On Tuesday, July 16, 2013, Bachelorette reality star Jef Holm tweeted that he was off to Belize to celebrate his birthday (July 23), by Friday, July 26, he was rubbing elbows with the eight contestants of the Miss Costa Maya Pageant at Elvi's Kitchen, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.
Besides celebrating his birthday in San Pedro, he may have also been looking for a wife. Jef had kept a low profile with the media in the United States after he ended his engagement to Emily Maynard. They were engaged a few weeks after the show finished airing, but quickly ended their relationship.
Ambergris Today's cameras caught Jef Holms while he dined at the world famous Elvi's Kitchen in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye where he took the opportunity to mingle with the eight beauty contestants of the Costa Maya Pageant who were being hosted by the restaurant during their popular Maya Buffet Night.
Rotary Club to Donate Water Filters to San Mateo Residents
Rotary Club representatives will be in the community of San Mateo from August 4-6, to train residents and provide Sawyer water filters to those who need them. A donation of $5 BZ is required for each filter. If you live in San Mateo and your drinking water is contaminated, you will be able to get a filter on Monday or Tuesday of next week, (August 5 or 6). There are only about 40 filters left. If you still need one, please ask Miss Glenda to add your name, and contact info, to the list. (She is the nurse who lives in San Mateo.) People on this list will be the first to receive filters.
Ramon's Village Hosts Costa Maya Noche Tropical
Ramon's Village, the official resort of the Miss Costa Maya Pageant, was host to the eight contestants of the upcoming Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant for Noche Tropical, on a special night that gave island residents a glimpse of what to expect on pageant night, Thursday, August 1, 2013, the commencement of the Costa Maya Festival.
The evening's entertainment featured the eight beauty delegates modeling island clothing from the Ramon's Village boutique and that of Moondancer, both sponsors of the pageant. The resort went all out this year by constructing a runway coming off their pier and setting up a complete catwalk for the audience to enjoy.
The contestants also showcased cultural clothing from their respective countries, describing their colorful costumes and educating the audience of their significance to their country's culture. In between fashion segments, entertainment was provided by bellydancer Maryposa who also had the opportunity to teach the contestants some belly dancing moves at the end of the fashion show.
Visually Impaired Teen Dives Belize Blue Hole
After a few delays due to unfavorable weather conditions, fifteen-year-old and visually impaired Rowan Garel became the first blind person to dive the world famous Great Blue Hole of Belize this past weekend, Friday, July 26, 2013.
Rowan, who had become a household name in Belize for now climbing the tallest mountain in Belize and walking across the country, this weekend completed his most ambitions and challenging feat yet.
With training and assistance from Sea Sports Belize and PADI certified instructor, John Searle, Rowan and his team, Rowan Garel was able to dive one of the world's most popular sites all in the name of fundraising for the Belize Council of the Visually Impaired (BCVI). All of his challenges have been to support the organization that provides year-round support to children who are blind in Belize.
Misc Belizean Sources
"The Worst Part Was Leaving"
While I never stayed in the guesthouse, I did spend a lot of time there, which was great. I loved having a place where I could hang with Harri and the other guests that wasn't a hotel room or a restaurant. I had a lot of fun spending time there.
I am a pescatarian (a vegetarian but I eat fish and other seafood) and there was never a meal on the island where I thought that I didn't get enough to eat. All of the food was amazing (thank you Adrianne and Brittany)! There was nothing better than eating a fish that was caught earlier that day (delicious!!!).
One of my favorite parts of this trip was that while I was having a blast diving, I was also helping with the reef conservation. Everyone did a great job teaching us about all of the different parts of conservation and explaining why we were doing it. Of course lionfish spearing was one of my favorite parts because not only were we able to help remove them from the reef, but they were delicious to eat. It was the best of both worlds.
New CRFM project to launch electronic policy on Caribbean fisheries
Fisheries stakeholders in Member States of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) will have the opportunity for stronger dialogue, under a newly initiated, regional project which aims to tangibly fortify their capacity to contribute to the development of policy directed at improving fisheries earnings and raising the standards of living of fisher folk.
The CRFM had approached the Technical Centre for Agriculture and Rural Co-operation ACP-EU (CTA) a few months ago, for support to implement the new CRFM Communication Strategy, which seeks to increase the use of information and communication technology to, among other things, boost efficiency and productivity in the fisheries sector.
In line with that request, the CTA has awarded a Euro 84,817 (USD112,480) contract to the CRFM. The one-year agreement provides for policy dialogue on fisheries issues in the Caribbean through the use of online knowledge platform.
CRFM Executive Director Milton Haughton signed for the Caribbean organisation, while CTA Director Michael Hailu signed on behalf of the donor.
In inking the agreement, CRFM and the CTA acknowledged that there is the need for further discussion beyond face-to-face meetings on Blue economic issues - exploring ways to bring abundance to the region out of existing resources.
Benque Marimba Academy and William Harvey
Musical interlude. William Harvey played some with the Benque Marimba Academy at the Benque House of Culture last week,
"Mr William Harvey performing along with the Benque Marimba Academy players."
Channel 7
Taxi Man Murdered In Orange Walk
Orange Walk Town taxi driver Hugo Moreno was found dead today. The 42 year old was last seen on Saturday at 12:40 pm when he left home to pick up his daughter at a local cultural event. She got home, but he never did, and his wife, 41 year old Magda Moreno reported him missing on Monday afternoon.
The search for him ended this afternoon when his car, a white Dodge was found in a sandpit in at the back of Carmelita Village - just outside Orange Walk Town. His body was found stuffed inside the trunk - and the vehicle was then set on fire.
It is a particularly brutal murder, and a rare one for Orange Walk, which had not reported a murder since October of last year.
Vega Dismisses Lands Beef With "Sis'"
Last week we told you about the ugly situation that had flared up at the Lands Department, culminating in the CEO of the Ministry of Housing being shown out of the building by armed security.
It got to that point because of a few dozen abandoned properties at the Fresh Pond Housing Community near Burrell Boom. They were supposedly set aside to be distributed among party faithful who were both low income and did not yet own a house or land.
But, even though the structures are wrecks, it's good high land, and it seems, some UDP connected folks, had their eyes on the 50 or so lots, and arranged to get possession of ten of the properties using the names of relatives.
One of those is the Deputy PM's driver Chris Hendricks, whose brother Marlon Miranda got one of the properties. That happened to be a property that the Prime Minister's sister, Denise "Sister B "Barrow had been looking at for one of her Queen's Square constituents. That dispute reached the PM's ears and brought the whole thing to a head.
So where does this leave the Deputy PM? After all, his driver crossed the PM's sister, who is his political officer in Queen's Square. We caught him at an event today and while he initially did not to give an interview on that subject, in the end, he downplayed the dispute.
It's Official, Lizarraga Resigns, Next?
Who will lead the BTB now? That's after the Chairman of the Board, Ian Lizarraga resigned last night in a letter to Tourism Minister Manuel "Juniour" Heredia. Heredia now has to find his fourth chairman in just over five years - which indicates instability, even as overnight tourism continues to post 10% annual growth.
CEO in the Ministry of Tourism Tracey Taeger Panton today told us that a new chairman has not been named and the Minister is consulting with the PM to decide on his new chairman. In the interim, Deputy Chair, Einer Gomez is holding over.
And while Herredia is now managing another transition at a tourism Board that has seen three directors, three CEO's and now it's fourth Chairman, industry insiders are wondering what led to Lizarraga's departure. The official reason stated in his letter is that with his new restaurant in Cayo he can't afford the time - but other information suggests discord within the BTB, and even hint at inappropriate behavior by the outgoing chairman.
Government Getting Ready To Sign Norwegian MOU?
And one of the issues behind that discord might be - what we are told is the imminent signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with Norwegian Cruise Line for a cruise facility on Harvest Caye. Multiple sources suggest that it will be signed possibly this week. The MOU that we've seen is an initial copy, and some key provisions have since been revised. One provision that remains is that Norwegian would still get 60% of the 7 US dollar head tax.
As we understand it, there was some push-back on it from the BTB Board because that body has not been consulted - and the possibility of a cruise facility on southern Belize runs afoul of the National Tourism Master Plan.
Government's key man in the negotiation is Godwin Hulse, who heads a cabinet committee on investment. Despite numerous requests for comment, we've been unable to get any word out of him for two weeks. But today we caught him at an event, and here's what he said:�
Hon. Godwin Hulse - Minister of Labor
"We have looked at the project in depth and it was a little unfortunate that there were lots of reports that this is happening and that serves to trump up hysteria. Remember first of all this is called negotiation and when you come into Belize - or being the business man I've been forever - if I can get 50 or 100 years concession I will ask for two then we work down and down until we get it. The whole idea - remember I have said, they had to be some standard by which we analyzed these investments.
Did Drunk Driving Case Near Fatal Accident On Western Hwy?
Well known auctioneer Kevin Castillo is recovering from a broken left arm, a fractured ankle and bruises from an airbag deployment after a pickup truck driven by David Medina Jr ran into him yesterday.
It happened between miles 25 and 26 on the Western Highway at around 2:00 in the afternoon. Castillo was driving to Belmopan while Medina Jr was heading to the City. An eyewitness said that Medina overtook her and then barreled into Castillo's lane. Castillo swerved to avoid a head on collision, but Medina's vehicle still collided with the driver's side.
Medina was flung from the pickup unto the road, which is how he sustained serious head injury. His wife who was following him, rushed him to the Healthcare Partners hospital.
Castillo was knocked unconscious and initially trapped inside his vehicle. He was eventually lifted out, and also taken to Belize Health Care Partners for treatment.
Medina's wife told a first responder that her husband was drunk and that is why she was following him, to try and stop him from going fast on the highway - and somehow prevent an accident, which is just what ended up happening.
And Then There Was One, Two Prisoners Caught
Last night we told you about the three teenaged prisoners who escaped from the Wagner's youth Facility on Sunday night, 17 year old Roque Teul, 17 year old Hector Garcia and 19 year old Wilmer Guzman.
Well, this afternoon at around 2:30 someone called police and reported that they had seen the men walking on the road between miles 27 and 28.
According to reports, a motorist on the highway spotted the three prisoners moving together and alerted the authorities.
The other two prisoners Roqael Tiul and Wilmer Guzman managed to escape in the nearby bushes.
Hattieville police and prison authorities responded immediately and managed to capture one of them, Hector Garcia, while the other two ran off and eluded authorities.
Garcia was scheduled to be deported to Guatemala yesterday.
Labour Department Criticizes Kolbe
And while prison authorities expect to find the other two prisoners, we'd also expect there to be some disciplinary measures against the guards who were changing shifts when the trio escaped.
But, the prison bosses would be well advised to thread carefully before they fire anyone since the Labour Department just finished a report on firings at Kolbe. It all springs from the Belize Central Prison Coalition which alleged that there were arbitrary mass firings from the prison, and that there were other labour irregularities.
So, Labour Minister Godwin Hulse ordered Labour Commissioner Ivan Williams to conduct a thorough investigation. That was handed a week ago and found that during the 6 months ending June 19 2013, staff was reduced by 33 people, 12.3 %.
Commissioner Williams found that three staffers were terminated on the instructions of the Director of the Prison, Mrs. Taheera Ahmad based on hearsay, and without due process and fairness.
He also found that in some cases there was quote "an abuse of the termination process", end quote and workers were never told of the real reason for their termination nor were they given an opportunity to respond.
In other instances, text messages were used to communicate important work-related matters.
The commissioner found that KOLBE quote "failed to live up to its obligation to do all that is necessary for the proper management of the employees" end quote. He was speaking specifically to the lack of clear job description and terms and conditions of employment.
That 12 page report is pretty tough on KOLBE, and though he's had it for a week, today the minister told us, he is still studying it:
The Future Of Your Garbage
For over 3 years, Belize City residents have been plagued by the conditions at the Garbage Dump Site at mile 3 on the Western Highway.
It is a topic which made the news very regularly when the situation got out of control, but tonight, the news is that the dump site is now a model of proper waste disposal.
Today, it was reopened by the Solid Waste Management Authority after being complete remodeled and 7News was there.
Daniel Ortiz has that report.
Daniel Ortiz reporting
The Belize City Dump site has been a huge problem for years. You may remember that consistently since 2009, the site has been a health hazard because of recurring fires.
Gilroy Lewis - Project Director, Solid Waste Management Authority
"If you will recall, here where we stand is the great Belize City dump site. A place where fires became an annual event; an event that we seemed unable to control and perceived as inevitable every time the Easter comes around. Every time when it's dry season, we have some tremendous fires out here, the media is here, even in helicopters and so on and so on; that's changed now with the Belize transfer station."
Belize Waste Management Plan, A Regional Leader
And so, while all the garbage from the City only makes a temporary stop at the Transfer Station, its final destination is at the Mile 24 Regional Landfill.
It is a new facility, at which work has been ongoing for some time now, and today, it was officially opened.
We attended the ceremony, where there were several speakers who explained how the country's garbage will be handled.
One of them, the representative from IDB, told the gathering that this landfill puts Belize ahead of all the other countries in the region when dealing with waste management.
Javier Grau Benaiges - Representative, IDB
"Prior to this project there were no sustainable landfills in Belize, however, with today's inauguration - approximately 50% of Belize's population will benefit from proper disposal in a modern sustainable landfill. This puts Belize at the head of other countries such as Nicaragua, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and the Dominican Republic and Belize. This is consistent with the master plan of Belize for 2013 - Belize is now solving one of its main constraints in tourism growth and until now the solid waste management has made an impact in Belize's perception as a country, however, this perception is now going to change."
KHMH: No More Bugging Buckley?
Twice now, Belize City resident, Steven Buckley has come to 7News to complain that the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital has been on his back about medical bills which haven't been paid.
He claims that the former Commissioner of Police had pledged to him that the Police Department would take care of the bill due to the circumstances of his injury.
Viewers may remember that he was shot by an on-duty police officer, who was later criminally charged for the wrongful shooting.
Today, we spoke to the Chairlady of the KHMH Board, who told us how the hospital is now handling that situation:
Chandra Nisbet-Cansino - Chairlady, KHMH Board
"We are aware of the situation - we have a credit system that is collecting on our behalf, one of our problems at KHMH is that less than 50% of the hospital bills are paid and as hard as it is to say that we need money to run the hospital - it is part of the reason we are in the situation that we are in today. I believe that the credit masters system, issued a letter to Stephen Buckley as a person on the list of persons that owe and since then, I believe that the Karl Heusner has asked that they hold back on that request until after his situation goes to court - because it's a pending court issue and we understand that. I think there was also an allegation made that Karl Heusner is withholding medical information because he has not paid his bill - that is no so, that is not true. The court has a process that it goes through to request information, I believe that has been done and the information has been given. If there is anything else that they need I am sure that the Karl Heusner will be more than willing to provide the necessary information."
KHMH Looking At PAHO Report
And while we had the opportunity, we asked the Chairlady about the PAHO report which was released last month.
It's been quite a while since the Hospital gave an update on how they will deal with findings of that report, which gave a pretty clear idea on how the neonates died while inside the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
We asked what the Board is doing about it, and the Chairlady told us that, unfortunately, they've not reached a final position yet:
Chandra Nisbet-Cansino - Chairlady, KHMH Board
"We are not working at the pace that probably the public would want us to work, a lot of people that are engaged in the process - I think first and foremost we want the public to know that the hospital is as safe as a hospital can be. We don't want you to fear anything - the board is engaged, we're having some conversations and making some decisions. Unfortunately, we haven't discussed our decision with all the relevant persons so we can't give you more information than that. I can tell you that we will be issuing a release very shortly of what has been done, what will be done and possibly to answer more of the public's questions."
Daniel Ortiz "Tell us about how seriously the board is taking the PAHO report?"
The Other Side Of The Snake Story
On Thursday, 7News showed you the 27 boa constrictors which were found in our Channel 7 office, and we also shared the comments by our snake catching neighbor. Well, the experts at the Belize Zoo contacted us to say that he made come erroneous comments, and in fairness to wildlife they would like to set the record straight.
The first is that boas are not venomous, and that they are non-aggressive for the most part.
And how did they give us this education? Of course, It was only by allowing us to meet resident snake ambassador, Bal Boa, who's dealt with thousands of humans in her time at the Zoo.
Here's what the Zoo's environmental educator told us about Bal Boa, and about her species in general-
Jamal Andrewin - Environmental Educator, Belize Zoo
"Bal Boa would probably have me out of a job if she would be able to speak. She's our resident Boa educator/ambassador for her species - she meets about 13,000 school kids we get here a year at the zoo and her job is to be their meet and greet as they come into the zoo. We give them an introduction to the park then they head there and meet Bal Boa and her job is to educate them - the most misconception for Belizeans is that all snakes are venomous and all of them bite and that they are all dangerous.
Finnegan On Football, Part 2
He may be minister of housing, but Michael Finnegan is also a football authority. Last night he discussed the strengths and weaknesses of Belize's Gold Cup team - and tonight, he offers some historical perspective on their accomplishment. As you might guess, he thinks the players of his generation would have fared better at the world cup, but, first, we'll let him explain why he doesn't buy the argument that playing at altitude and travelling seven thousand miles affected the team.
Jules Vasquez
"These players were playing in unfamiliar grounds, at altitude, unfamiliar food, they had to fly great distances - like you have to take a five hour flight from Utah and you're playing within 36 hours."
Hon. Michael Finnegan - Football Historian
"I don't buy that - what we are trying to do, we are trying to excuse our way out of what happened in North America. I don't want to excuse our way of what happened out there. When I was involved in football, when we leave from Belize City - we leave in the back of a truck and from here to Cayo it's 'bang, bang, bang' until you reach because the road was so bad. How long does it take you from here to Cayo now?"
Jules Vasquez
"One and a half hours, 90 minutes."
Sandhill's Serious Upgrade
Sandhill has a new community center. The largest village in Belize Rural North got a 300 hundred thousand dollar facility. At the opening yesterday, we found out how it will benefit the community:
Nellie Trench - Financial Coordinator, Social Investment Fund
"The facility will benefit over four hundred students who prior to the project had to travel all the way to Belize City to do their school research due to the lack of computer and internet resources in the village. The project was implemented by the Social Investment Fund and financed by the Government of Belize at a total cost of $300,246."
Hon. Edmund Castro - Area Representative, Belize Rural North
"For the first time we have a nice beautiful library for the children, we have an internet spot for them - we are planning to do an internet area whereby even when they are playing football and play basketball, they will have access to wifi."
Channel 5
KHMH Board to make decision about entobacter outbreak
That's good news for Buckley…. But there is also some news for the grieving parents of newborns who died at the K.H.M.H. as a result of a bacteria outbreak in [...]
Two escapees caught, one Guatemalan still at large
Two of the three escaped prisoners are back behind bars at the Belize Central Prison. Around two-thirty this afternoon near mile twenty-eight on the George Price Highway, all three men [...]
Minister receives report on irregular firings at Kolbe
Following reports of labour infractions including unfair terminations at the privately managed Belize Central Prison, a report was commissioned by Minister of Labour Godwin Hulse. The man chosen to investigate [...]
Solid waste transfer stations open up across country
The ghastly dump site at the eastern entrance of the City has been transformed into a transfer station for waste that is produced in homes, businesses, factories and just about [...]
'Like a lee breeze' absolutely no corruption in visa scandal
In early June, Belizean, Carlos Murga, was detained by Cuban authorities after he flew into Jose Marti Airport carrying Chinese passports with Belizean visas. It was suspected at the time [...]
Indian national busted with fake visa
An Indian national who arrived in the country on Monday via Taca at the Philip Goldson International Airport was detained soon after he set foot in the Jewel.� Instead of [...]
Burglar busted in the act in Maxboro
A burglar who was caught in the act of breaking into a home may find his next residence to be the Central Prison if he is found guilty. The owner [...]
Canadian job placement agency opens up shop in Belize
A Canadian company is currently recruiting Belizean students to study in Canada. Actyl first gained attention last November when its representatives came to Belize looking for persons to work in [...]
Goalkeeper, Woodrow West considers options
The Jaguars, Woodrow West and Ian Gaynair, are still in the United States of America spending time with their families. West and Gaynair were honored at the final game of [...]
A camp to keep you healthy if living with Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the deadliest diseases. The prevalence rate among Belizeans is roughly at thirteen percent, which means that at least forty thousand persons are living with the condition.� [...]
Amazing! Exciting! Interesting! Because they are Superstars!
Tickets are all sold out for tonight's episode of Be the Next Superstar. The show starts with eight hopeful Superstars and will narrow down to six performers after two are [...]
LOVE FM
Two of Three Escaped Prisoners Captured
Authorities have recaptured two of the three prison inmates who escaped on Sunday night from the prison facility on the Burrell Boom/Hattieville Road in the Belize District. 17-year-old, Hector Garcia was captured between miles 27 and 28 on the George Price Highway at around two thirty ...
Transfer Station for Waste Opens In Belize City
For years the mile three dumpsite off the George Price has been an eye sore, an inconvenience with combustions resulting in uncontrolled fires, and an overall health hazard for people on the periphery of the site. But that is now a thing of the past because the new Belize City Garbage Trans...
Police Constable Missing in Northern Belize
A police officer stationed in Corozal has been reported missing. Reporter Dalila Ical has more in this report. DALILA ICAL "Corozal Police is asking the public's assistance in locating Police Constable Martin Bustillos, a 27-year-old officer attached to the Corozal Polic...
Motorcycle Driver Falls Asleep and Crashes on Highway
Two persons were hospitalized following a motorcycle accident on Monday night in Belmopan. Correspondent Fem Cruz has the details. FEM CRUZ "According to 17-year-old, Kevin Alvarado, a student of Cotton Tree Village in the Cayo District on Monday, July 29 around 8:45, he was t...
NGO In Northern Belize Appeals To Locals to Read and Understand Gender Policy
For the past few weeks we have seen hundreds of Belizeans come out in support of the pro-constitution march led by Belize Action and Belize Can. The two organizations led marches in all districts in a show of protest against the gender policy in its present form. Now an organization i...
Invalid Cheque Used to Pay for Six Thousand Dollars of Poultry
Police are investigating a case in which someone made off with over six thousand dollars worth of products from Caribbean Chicken. The cashier at Caribbean Chicken on New Captain Eiley Street in Belize City told Police in early April she received a telephone call from a male person who iden...
Well Known Auctioneer Involved in Traffic Incident
A traffic accident on the George Price Highway on Monday afternoon has left two men hospitalized. Police say they responded to the scene of a traffic accident between miles 25 and 26 on the George Price Highway where they saw a red four door pickup truck with its front portion and windshiel...
Mason Fails to Meet Bail for Burglary Charge
Forty-seven year old Valentine Sanchez, a mason from Sandhill, was charged with burglary and a mischievous act when he appeared in court today. Sanchez pled not guilty to the charges. He was offered a bail of three thousand dollars and his case was adjourned until September 27. Sanchez was unable...
Indian Student Fined and Deported For False Visa
Twenty-two year old Indian student Lovepreet Singh Dhaliwal, who entered Belize with visa permit that was not genuine, was fined two thousand dollars today by Magistrate Leslie Hamilton after he pled guilty to attempting to use a permit not issued by lawful authority. Magistrate Hamilton ordered ...
BREAKING NEWS - Taxi Driver Found Dead
Reports reaching Love News are that 42-year-old, Ernesto Moreno of Orange Walk Town has been found dead earlier today in Carmelita Village. Moreno was reported missing by his wife, 41-year-old, Magda Moreno. The wife told Police that her Ernesto had left home on Saturday to do his taxi ...
CTV3
Charred Body Of Missing Taxi Driver Found Inside The Trunk Of His Car
He was reported missing by his wife over the weekend and by three this afternoon the charred body of 42 year old Hugo Moreno was found inside the trunk of his white taxi car which was also badly scorched. Details into the death of the taxi driver from Orange Walk Town are sketchy since police are still investigating. But what we can tell you is that Moreno's car was found less than a mile out of the Village of Carmelita, off the Sand Pit Road in some bushes. The last time his wife spoke to him was on Saturday shortly before midnight. Tonight we can safely say that Orange Walk has recorded its first suspected murder case since October 2012. Irvin Aragon Reports.
Irvin Aragon - Reporting
Magda Moreno, Wife of Deceased
"Llego la polic�a all� en el negocio del pastel y me dijeron que llegaron a saber que �l llevaba unos pescadores e hizo un viaje y eso es la noticia que tengo hasta ahorita y los pescadores iban para rumbo a Corozal solo eso yo s�."
This interview was conducted with Magda Moreno, wife of the now deceased Hugo Moreno, just a few moments before she received the tragic news that the charred body of her husband was found inside the trunk of his taxi car. The burnt vehicle was discovered a little less than a mile from the village of Carmelita near the sand pit road in some bushes.
Missing Police Constable Gets In Contact With Police Department
While there are more questions than answers surrounding the death of 42 year old Hugo Moreno, the family of Police Constable Martin Bustillos is worried sick because he has been missing for eight days. Few were the details we could reveal last night since the police report merely mentioned that Bustillos, who is attached to the Corozal Police Formation, has been missing since July 23rd. Tonight; though, we have more information on his disappearance. Victor Castillo reports.
Victor Castillo - Reporting
Today marks eight days that 27 year old Police Constable #227 Martin Bustillos has been missing. CTV3 News understands that Bustillos was scheduled to report to work on Tuesday July 23rd, 2013 at the Corozal Police Station, but he was a no show.
Superintendent Andrews Ramirez- O.C , Corozal Police Department
"The last time he reported on duty was on July 19th however, he went into day off the 20th , 21st , 22nd and he has not reported to work since because last week schedule was from 7am to 4pm so whole of last week he did not appear for duty and there is no communication because he is not in possession of any cell phone, we made contact with mother and father because he is originally from San Estevan and no information was copied from that side and we made checks because he resides with his common-law wife in Santa Clara, likewise we have not receive any information from them."
BSCFA Falls Into Non-compliance , Corrective Measures Are Taken
If you are a person that follows the Sugar Industry closely, then you already know that Fair Trade and non-compliances don't mix. Fair Trade is a certification which allows our Belizean sugar to command premium prices in foreign markets. But it's not a certification handed out at random; in fact, there are a number of rules and regulations that need to be followed. In 2008 the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association joined the Fair Trade movement and just over a year after they were suspended for a litany of non- compliances with the Fairtrade standard including mismanagement and lack of accountability.
On January 8th 2010, the suspension was lifted and the BSCFA was re-certified after they managed to rectify the non-conformities. Since then it has been smooth sailing for the BSCFA, that is, until now. The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association was recently audited by members of FLOCERT and the results of the audit were not good as the organization received 11 non-compliances.
Alfredo Ortega- Chairman BSCFA, COM
"Los non-compliances que nos encontró el auditor es que a nivel de branch no se buscó información o las minutas de que se han estado llevando acabo juntas y no es de que no se est�n llevando a cabo juntas se han estado llevando acabo juntas pero ahora como ya no tenemos un branch office como est�bamos al inicio del programa entonces pues eso ha puesto limitante pues tu sabes los branch chairman no tenemos mucho conocimiento en bookeeping y filing y esas cosas entonces pues ya cuando vino la auditoria el audito a nivel de branch diferente a como se hab�a estado haciendo anterior el vino a ver qu� es lo que est� haciendo la comitiva y en eso conseguimos un failing grade que nos vino como un non-compliance.
Two Men Placed Behind Bars For Having Sex With A Minor
Two men accused of committing the crime of Carnal Knowledge are tonight behind bars pending charges.
The duo was detained after a 15 year old minor from the Village of Concepcion in the Corozal District, visited the police station in the company of her mother and reported that sometime in the month of October 2012, she had sexual intercourse with a 19 year old laborer of San Narciso Village, Corozal.
The minor further stated that she also had sexual intercourse with an 18 year old student of Libertad Village, Corozal, on at least 5 different occasions dating back to May 19th of this year. As mentioned, both men have been detained pending charges of unlawful carnal knowledge.
Case Against Matthew Williams Is Adjourned
Today the case against well-known Orange Walk businessman Matthew Williams was once again brought up at the Orange Walk Magistrates Court. But the case was adjourned yet again, this time to October 9th 2013.
Back in June of 2012, Williams was charged for two counts of unlawful possession of passports after the Gang Suppression Unit searched his house located on #236 Smithsonian Street and found four Belizean Passports, 1 Panamanian and 1 Spanish passport in his bedroom.
One of the Belizean passports, belonging to Audrey Matura Shepherd, had been tampered with as her picture was removed and replaced with that of another woman. Shepherd, will stand as a witness for the Crown Council. Her passport was stolen from her vehicle in 2008 and on June 11th 2012 it turned up at the home of Williams.
PlusTV
Manhunt for three escaped prisoners
Sometime Sunday night, three prisoners escaped from the Belize Central Prison. CEO of the Kolbe Foundation Earl Jones told us more. Earl Jones - CEO Kolbe Foundation: On Sunday the 28th of July, 2013, we had an escape from the prison about 7:10 pm. ...
Taiwan helps establish Disaster Management Information System
Belize and the Republic of China (Taiwan) have long shared close ties of friendship and cooperation, resulting in financial support a wide range of national interests. On Monday, that partnership extended, as Belize became the recipient of a grant funding to establish a Disaster Management Information System. The system...
APAMO says Senator Lisel Alamilla is a threat to protective areas.
Representatives of the Association of Protected Areas Management Organizations (APAMO) today spoke to the press about the controversy surrounding the signing of co-management agreements with the Government of Belize. Four of its members, it charges, have been made to sign the agreements under duress of losing important funding and...
14 year old accidentally shot his 10 year old cousin
Lately, police have been cracking down on gun related violence, by taking weapons off the street. But last week, one landed in the hands of a 14 year old, who accidentally shot his 10 year old cousin Deon Samuels Jr. It happened in Ladyville, right behind the Ladyville Police...
Couple threatened in San Pedro
A couple in San Pedro may be able to breathe had a bit lighter tonight after their alleged aggressors were placed behind bars. The couple was asleep on Saturday night, when around 9:30 they were awakened by three men, standing outside their home. The husband then went outside, and...
Near-fatal collision on Philip Goldson Highway
A Belizean man is tonight in Chetumal Mexico undergoing treatment following a road accident over the weekend. The near fatal collision took place a little after 3 on Saturday afternoon on the Philip Goldson Highway. Heading toward the northern border, were driver Tessa Owdker, Judge...
CAPSS holds its 24th biennial conference
The Caribbean Associations of Principals of Secondary Schools (CAPSS) held its 24th biennial conference at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel last week which concluding with a closing ceremony on Friday night and an award banquet in commemoration of exceptional teachers in the Caribbean. Among those awarded was Belizean National...
Family of six remanded to prison
After 3 nights in lock down at the Belize City Queen Street Police Department, a family of 6 including a mother, her common-law husband, and their 4 sons, were all remanded to prison after they were arraign on three criminal offenses....
PlusNews tours the Placencia Penninsula
Last week, we showed you day 1 of PlusNews' coverage of a media familiarization tour hosted by the Belize Tourism Board. The purpose of the trip says the BTB, was to have the local media experience what the foreign press and travel agents do when they...
Rowan Garel conquered the Blue Hole
Rowan Garel, the visually impaired, but adventurous teenager, conquered the world's famous Blue Hole. It was months in the making and on Friday, Rowan cheered on by a crowd of supporters, completed his dive for charity at the Blue Hole....
Caye Caulker Chronicles
Summer Splash Bash This Weekend
Palapa Gardens, Aug 3 & 4
NOTICE From the Village Council
No Driving of Golf Carts on beach between EZ-Boy Tours and Palapa Gardens
