FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE
Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.
Last night's TV news on Channel 7 and Channel 5
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials
The San Pedro Sun
Two injured in accident on board a GOB Polaris
The Polaris with yellow license plate SP E-0265 is issued to the Belize Agriculture Health Authority and is the property of the Agriculture Department through GOB. At the time of the accident, the Polaris was driven at the time by 30 year old Matias Cunil, an employee of BAHA attached to the San Pedro Branch and a resident of Succotz Village in the Cayo District. Also in Polaris cart was Mejia, Guerra and another unknown female. As a result of the incident, Mejia was rushed in her unconscious state to the Dr Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Poly Clinic II and was later airlifted to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. She received injuries to her face, mouth, teeth, left leg, and her left ear was severed. "According to the doctor, she is in a stable condition but will need reconstructive facial surgery," said Police. Guerra suffered a broken left hand and complained of chest pain.
"We strongly believe alcohol consumption was a factor and urine samples were taken from the driver and sent to a forensic laboratory," said the Officer Commanding San Pedro Police Department, Superintendent Luis Castella�os.
Late on Friday evening, Cunil was formally arrested and charged for driving a vehicle without due care and attention, driving motor vehicle with alcohol above the prescribed limit and two counts of negligent grievous harm caused on Mejia and Guerra.
Kimberly Kamish to replace Destinee Arnold at Miss United Continents Pageant
As of Tuesday, August 27th, queen of the Jewel Miss Belize, Destinee Arnold has withdrawn from representing Belize in the upcoming Miss United Continents Pageant scheduled for September 14th in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Her reason being that she wishes to further her education abroad.
Destinee Arnold is no stranger to the world of pageantry, having won the title of Queen of the Jewel Miss Belize and represented Belize in the Miss International Pageant in Okinawa, Japan in 2012. She has also participated in the Miss Ethnic World pageant in Long Beach, California, where she won the title of Miss Ethnic World 2013. Her stunning beauty and personality won the hearts of many and when she represented Belize at the 2013 Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant she won over the judges as well. After seven long years of wait the Reina de la Costa Maya crown went to yet another proud Belizean. Her beauty and bubbly personality has ensured Destinee a bright future in whatever she challenges.
Twist me up! Thai Massage in San Pedro
Thai massage - my only recollection of a Thai massage was in 2006. It has certainly been a while since, so I absolutely had to march myself down to the Thai Spa at the Fairdale Plaza. I needed to get some twisting, turning, stretching and adjusting happening.I met the friendly and gentle Chanthra Yaemwaenkaew who instructed me to put on a traditional Thai outfit. It was full white, loose and cool. Hmmm, this was definitely different; I was intrigued. Outfit on, I indicated that I was ready. Already, I had visions of lying face-down and feeling a few stretches and tugs, all designed to make my body pliant and relaxed.
It did start off with some soothing massage in various pressure points, Chanthra kindly asking what level of pressure I felt most comfortable with. Even though my computer shoulders were screaming for deep and intense, I wimped out and asked for medium pressure. After I had decided, it was time to lay back and await snore-inducing bliss.
Ambergris Today
San Pedro Police Department Praised for Keeping Crime Down in San Pedro
This comes as very good news to residents of Ambergris Caye, as reports during the month of June had indicated an increase in crime, in particular burglary. Only five burglaries were reported in July as compared to 14 in June. The most problematic areas on the island where more crime is reports remain in Sector 2 being town core, Coconut Drive, San Pedrito, San Juan and Boca del Rio areas.
The North Ambergris Caye Neighborhood Watch group is very happy with the performance of the San Pedro Police Department, reporting much less crime in the area. ASP Castallano noted that his main challenge at the moment is with drug activity at the northern-most point of the island. He is working on increasing patrols and anti-drug operations in the area.
Belize Jaguars Football Players Honored with Award
Two of Belize's Football Players, Mr. Woodrow West and Mr.Ian Gaynair were awarded by the Belize Olympic Committee for their outstanding honesty and patriotism during their participation in the Gold Cup Tournament in the U.S.A. According to the committee their character exemplifies the aims and objectives of the International Olympic Committee.
Mr. Charles Bartley Hyde, President of the Belize Olympic Committee's Fair Play Commission, and other members; Mr. Raymond Lashley, Ms. Hadie Gomez, Mrs. Yolanda Fonseca and Mr. Edward Pitts, and with the consent of Mr. Hilly Martinez, President of the Belize Olympic & Commonwealth Games Association, in concurrence with His Excellency, Sir Colville Young, Patron of the Belize Olympic Committee announced that the Gilmore Henkson Fair Play Trophy was to be awarded to Mr. Woodrow West and Mr. Ian Gaynair.
Misc Belizean Sources
MPR Off Road Race
The race through Mountain Pine Ridge is this weekend, Saturday, August 31st, at Hidden Valley Inn. Hope they get a lot of great pictures, of the scenery, and the vehicles. It'll be muddy this time around.
National Bartending Competition
Traveller's Liquor is having its 60th anniversary this year, and they are looking for Belize's best bartender. They'll be choosing the 2 best from Cayo at Midas Resort tomorrow, August 31st. For more info, email [email protected] If you're up to the challenge, enter their National Bartender Competition.
"Bartenders are being given the chance to showcase their skills at the 60th anniversary for Traveller's Liquor Ltd. Competition, with talent from 6 districts competing for the title of Belize Best Bartender."
Back to School Dance
Everyone's heading back to school, and that's a reason to party. Hands for Life is having their Back to School party at JJ's(formerly Cappello's), tonight. There will be great music, give-aways, and free jello shots. Have fun and support a great cause.
Valerie Joyce Penner Exhibit at Soul Project
The Soul Project had a special exhibit Saturday night of the works of Valerie Joyce Penner. Quite a bit of her art was on display, and she even did a few songs. Rick Galvez played some new material also. Another great night at the Soul Project. VIDEO
Channel 7
FECTAB Made Peace With PM
Last week, FECTAB held a memorable press conference, lathering Norwegian Cruise Line and its proposed project for Harvest Caye in Southern Belize. The raised so much hell that, the Prime Minister, who famously does not watch the news or read the papers, did get wind of their fulminations. So, he did the unexpected thing; he called FECTAB President Tom Greenwood and invited them to a meeting. That was held on Wednesday and today we caught up with the trio in Belize City to talk about what came out of the meeting. They were surprisingly upbeat about the undertakings given to them by the Prime Minister:�
Tom Greenwood - President, FECTAB
"It was a brilliant move on the part of the Prime Minister to at last give us a little respect, that is what we asked for - he gave us maximum respect because he asked our opinion, he argued with us, he talked with us - he tried to convince us on some things, we convinced him on a lot of things - it went extremely well."
David Almendarez - FECTAB
"The first thing he promised us is that if the project is done down south, it will go through a full EIA assessment, he also assured us it's not a done deal, it has to meet environmental compliance."
Former FFB Pres Agrees To Pay Income Tax 500/monthly To Settle Arrears
Last night we told about former FFB President, 55 year-old vet, Bertie Chimilio, who allegedly owes the Income Tax Department, $33,255 in arrears for taxes he didn't pay when he was the president of the FFB. Well, as this picture, shows Chimilio left the court today wearing a big grin.
And that might be because the judge ordered that he has to pay his income tax arrears of $33,000 dollars at a rate of $500 dollars per month for five years.
Today, the income tax prosecutor Anne Castillo appeared to show the court cancelled checks and a salary registry. She noted that many of his records had been destroyed and she could only unearth emolument checks for between 2010-2011. She added that Chimilio had not filed tax returns for several years when he was FFB President.
Gov't Golf Cart Caught In Drunk Driving Accident On San Pedro
We report on accidents all the time - usually between fast moving vehicles on the highway - but an accident in San Pedro last night proved that even a golf cart can be deadly.
The San Pedro Sun reports that 2 people were injured in a traffic accident when a Government of Belize owned Polaris golf car slammed into a fence. The victims are 19 year-old Julia Mejia a waitress at an island bar, and Geovanni Guerra, tour guide, both of San Pedro Town. The accident occurred at the corner of Caribe�a Street and Barrier Reef Drive in San Pedro Town early this morning.
Police came upon this accident during a patrol at 2:30 am, when they saw the golf cart crash into parked golf cart. The driver then reversed, hit the fence surrounding Heritage Bank and fled the scene.
US Capital Says Choc Needs to Stop Misinforming
Right now, just about every major media house in Belize is in Punta Gorda on a tour of the Sarstoon Temash National Park and adjoining communities. Now, this is a kind of rogue move because SATIIM no longer co-manages the Park, and today's tour included a trip to the US Capital Energy Drill Site called Temash Number 2. SATIIM took community leaders there last week where it led to a showdown with police who were protecting the site. And this morning before the media departed, King who we mat at the Belize city Municiapl Airport warned that there was a right way and a wrong way to do things - and at a meeting yesterday, he urged Choc to do things the right way:..
Alistair King - Country Representative, US Capital Energy
"Well the meeting we had yesterday wasn't really about that but it came up. Anybody has to get permission from the Forest Department first to go into the park because they are the management of the park."
Reporter
"Has that permission been given as far as you know?"
Alistair King
"No, not to my knowledge"
Transnational Trafficking Of 12 Year Old Girl
There is a troubling case of human trafficking and transnational crime to report tonight - and it involves a 12 year old Mexican girl.
Tonight, reports say the 12 year old minor is being deported from Belize back to Mexico after she was found by Belizean authorities in Belizean territory. Reports say that she was found near the border with Guatemala in the company of 2 undocumented Honduran nationals who have both recently been deported from the United Stated and one of them is a known member of the MS-13 gang. Belizean authorities, with the support of the Embassy of Mexico in Belize, are investigating a possible case of human trafficking, because the child is 12 years old, while the two Hondurans are older than 30 years and convinced her to leave her house and come with them from the state of Tabasco, Mexico, through Guatemala to Belize.
Hold Up! On Hawkesworth
Tonight, Cayo residents are advised that The Hawkesworth Bridge is under repair. The Ministry of Works issued a release today saying that the bridge will be closed for maintenance and repairs for the next week.
But, it won't be closed all day - the bridge will shut down from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm daily.
Still No Bail For Bucknor
In July of this year, accused molester Charles Bucknor was charged with one count of indecent assault upon a 12 year old girl and was denied bail. And today, bail was again denied when he appeared in the Magistrate's Court. Bucknor has been unrepresented from his first arraignment, and today after 43 days on remand, he asked the lower court to please grant him bail. Bucknor told Magistrate Leslie Hamilton that he's innocent, and has no prior charges or convictions. But Magistrate Hamilton refused him bail and further remanded him to the Belize Central Prison until September 17, 2013, when bail will be considered on his behalf.
In July, the prosecutor had objected to bail when he submitted that, there is a possibility that Bucknor could be slapped with additional charges. So far, no additional charges have materialized.
The minor told police that on Tuesday, July 16, 2013, Bucknor performed oral sex on her. At the time the minor was a Standard 6 student.
Finnegan Calls House Committees Dysfunctional
Over the last few weeks, we've heard plenty about the public accounts committee. The social partners agree that they have to get it working, and while all that is good and well, is the House Committee System working any at all. Well, Senior member for the UDP Michael Finnegan has publicly confirmed what any regular visitor to the house can clearly see: The House Committee System is completely dysfunctional. Yesterday evening, he told us that often times the meetings last for just five minutes, because members show up un-prepared, and unable to analyse the hefty pieces of legislation. According to Finnegan, typically at committee meetings, quote, "nobody has studied the bill - no one has anything to say about the bill."
He says members, on both sides of the house don't have the capacity to properly analyse the legislation put before them. He noted also that meetings often start late, or are postponed after committee members fail to show up. In that case however, members still collect their allowance to travel to and from Belmopan.
Finnegan said, quote, "NONE OF THE COMMITEES ARE FUNCTIONAL."
Mass In Blues, Re-loaded, Re-visited
In 1971 pianist Frankie Reneau wrote, composed and arranged a heartfelt elegy to his piano instructor Laura Staine who had died in a tragic accident. Reneau was only 16 at the time, and the highly precocious, complex and vivid reflection on life and death was very well received. Reneau was rightly hailed as a prodigy - and he along with band and choir performed to eager audiences in Belize city and the Districts.
That was 1971, and since then, Reneau has migrated to the UK, where he trained extensively as a concert pianist in Moscow, and London. And now, 42 years after Mass in Blues, he is returning to his boyhood masterpiece. Reneau is performing Mass In Blues for two nights on September 6th and 8th at the Bliss Center. The event is seen as one of the highlights of the September Celebrations for music lovers, especially those who fell in love with Mass in Blues. The good news for them is that Mass In Blues has been digitally re-mastered by Ludwig Studios and is being re-launched on Compact Disc with new packaging and liner notes.
And the good news for Reneau is that he has re-visited his work and found it fit for a modest re=working:�.
Lova Boy Gets Ready To Launch New Album, Reflects On Tough Year
And while Frankie Reneau is going back into the past to re-work a classic, punta rocker Lova Boy is zooming into the future with his new album "Victorious."
Yesterday, we sat down with Lova Boy to discuss the new album, his new outlook on life and the bogus sexual battery allegations that hounded him last year:�
Lova Boy - Release New Album, "Victorious"
"The album is a very triumphant and celebratory album, so I felt like there was no better time release an album like that. Victorious in itself right, the meaning of the album and the concept behind the name and what the album represents is basically saying that Lova Boy is in a place in his life whereby I am ready to acknowledge and own the fact that I won't make it to be gazillionair yet but however I have been victorious and successful in life. Once I am able to own that place, in term I will be in a better position and bestow blessing from within and help other people be victorious in their own life. I want to be very clear that why Lova Boy does make party music - I invite anybody and to listen to the content of the music - I don't make music that really degrades women. The rhythm is a party rhythm, that doesn't mean it's not spiritual - it moves people."
Little Miss�.
The 5th annual - Independence Day Junior Miss- Pageant will be held this weekend at the Bliss. The pageant is organized by a group of ladies - who call themselves "Concerned Belizean Women" and through this event they have been able to fundraise and donate to numerous organizations and charities in Belize. 7news caught up with the 7 contestants today - while during practice.
Witney Swift - Pageant Organizer
"This is the fifth annual Miss Independence day Junior - this idea came about because of the concern of Belizean women. A group of ladies who came together to join forces to help fund raise and donate to various females and child centers, organizations and charities. People can expect a night full of entertainment - these young ladies have worked hard during the past six weeks and we have 4 different section - the introduction, dance, costume, the statement and along with the evening gown section."
The pageant is on Saturday night at the Bliss. Tickets are 10 dollars and the show starts at 7pm sharp.
Confirmed: Greg Is Gone!
And in our last story tonight - news from Midway Village in the Toledo District is that AT A 6:00 PM PRESS CONFERENCE, Greg Choc has confirmed what had become all but evident: he has been accepted to attend law school and is leaving his post. He added that when he decides to go it will be in consultation with his people and someone else will lead the movement.
Channel 5
Black Widow Thrillers: San Ignacio woman puts hit on her husband, but gets caught
On the first of August we broke the story of a woman in San Ignacio who had allegedly put a hit on her husband, a wealthy British national, Glen Wilson. [...]
Mother charged for abandoning her kids who were rescued from a burning apartment
A fire at an apartment complex on Canondale Street in Lake Independence on Thursday nearly claimed the lives of two children, three year old Shanika Reneau and four year old [...]
U.S. Capital Energy says SATIIM needs permission from forestry to access Temash
Media teams from across the country are currently in the deep-south on a SATIIM-hosted tour of the Sarstoon Temash National Park. That's the intention, anyway. In recent days things have [...]
Yumi Limited looks to buy Caye Chapel Resort
A press release on the BCB Holdings website says that Yumi Limited, a British Virgin Islands Company, has entered into an agreement to purchase the exclusive Caye Chapel Resort. The [...]
San Pedro woman is disfigured in a horrific accident
There was a traffic accident in San Pedro Town early this morning. Two persons were injured when the Polaris they were travelling in slammed into a fence. The injured victims [...]
Former F.F.B. president will have to pay income tax fines for the next five years
The case of former Belize Football Federation President, Bertie Chimilio, for unpaid income taxes amounting to thirty-three thousand dollars continued today in the court of Magistrate Leslie Hamilton. Testifying was [...]
Belize Jaguars will play despite not being paid
There are serious rumblings in the Football Federation of Belize right now. The players who represented Belize at the Gold Cup have not received the payment they were promised. The [...]
Athletes to represent Belize at 2013 FIBA Americas U-18 Championship
Belizean athletes continue to compete on the international stage. The most recent contingent to leave is the National Under-eighteen three-by-three basketball team. The team departed en route to Washington DC [...]
Hands of Mercy Charity Foundation gives school supplies to needy children
Some four hundred and fifty less fortunate primary school students from across the Belize District received some much needed school supplies courtesy of the Hands of Mercy Charity Foundation. Designed [...]
President Obama weighing possible responses to military action against Syria
Going into the weekend, military action appears imminent against Syria by the United States. On Tuesday, the U.S. president Obama said that he was weighing possible responses to what the [...]
Concerned Belizean Women present fifth annual Independence Day Junior Miss
The September celebrations kick off this weekend. It's a calendar filled with activities leading up to national day. This Saturday, the pageant called Independence Day Junior Miss will be staged [...]
Second Annual Village Arts and Craft Expo
Another activity being held this Saturday takes place at the newly renovated Memorial Park. It is the second annual Village Arts and Crafts Expo which will showcase the talents of [...]
Memorable moments of the summer's hottest family entertainment show, Superstar!
At the Bliss auditorium, the crowd went wild on Tuesday night on the announcement that the duo of Shannelly and Chad had emerged as this season's Superstars. The competition among [...]
LOVE FM
San Ignacio/Santa Elena Towns Countdown to September Celebrations
This weekend marks the beginning of September, the time of the year when our patriotic ego is at its largest since we celebrate the two hundred and fifteenth anniversary of the Battle of St. Georges Caye on the tenth and thirty two years of Independence on the twenty first of September. As you've been aware, Raise your flag and Win with love, an initiative that started in 2006 to give a kick to the patriotic spirit by offering prizes for decorating homes, businesses, or individual items, will start its tour next week all over the nation. Over the past couple of weeks, we have been travelling to several towns to hoist banners, which indicate that it's time to get patriotic and win with love. Today, we travelled to San Ignacio Town in the Cayo District where, according to Mayor John August, they're one step closer to full fledge patriotic display
JOHN AUGUST, Mayor, San Ignacio/Santa Elena
"We are preparing and getting the town decorated and getting prepared for the upcoming celebrations; we have a lot activities planned."
And he says that raise your flag definitely adds spice to the patriotic spirits, and that sentiment was also echoed by the Counselor in charge of Special Events, Shari Medina
Traffic Accident Proves Fatal for a Belize Defense Force Soldier
A fatal traffic accident yesterday evening in the Toledo District has claimed the life of a BDF Soldier. Correspondent Paul Mahung has the details.
PAUL MAHUNG
"The accident happened on the Southern Highway at a location between the Tambran and Medina Bank Village. Officer in charge of Toledo Police Formation Superintendent Simeon Alvarez went to the scene of the accident."
SUPERINTENDENT SIMEON ALVAREZ
"At around 5:15pm, the police responded to a traffic accident which occurred between miles 63 and 64 on the Southern Highway. The accident was between a motorcycle, which at the time was being driven by one, Mike Cho, 22 years old, originally from San Jose Village; he was heading from Punta Gorda from Santa Rosa when he got into a mishap with a red vehicle being driven by Natasha Gomez, 20 years old, a secretary of Punta Gorda Town, who at the time was heading from Bella Vista to Punta Gorda Town when the head on collision occurred. The cyclist, who was later recognized to be a BDF solider, lost his life as a result of the accident."
All Terrain Vehicle Handed Over to Institute of Archaeology
Earlier this year, the making Tourism Benefit Communities Adjacent to Archaeological Sites was launched. The project is being executed under the Belize Rural Development Program Two, with counterpart funding from the European Union with co-financing from the Government of Belize through the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, represented by the Belize Tourism Board and the National Institute for Culture and History. As part of this initiative an all-terrain vehicle was handed over to the Institute of Archaeology today. According to the project coordinator, Ian Morrison, the ATV will assist with monitoring upcoming infrastructure improvements at indicated sites.
IAN MORRISON, Project Coordinator, MTBCAAS
"We are here today to hand over an ATV that will be a major contribution to the health and safety especially at the cave sites we have at the moment. It will be based at the Caves Branch where we have the highest visitations and it will be used for the monitoring of the infrastructure works throughout the cave sites and wherever we think is necessary but mainly at Caves Branch but also it will assist in the rescue efforts at these sites should the need arise. This ATV is a 2013 500CC vehicle; it's very big and we must warn that the riders and drivers of this vehicle must exercise caution.
Mexican Minor Found on Belizean Soil Near Guatemala With Two Men; Possible Human Trafficking
Belizean authorities have handed over a twelve year old Mexican girl to their Mexican counterparts. The girl was found in Belizean territory near the Guatemalan border. She was in the company of two Honduran nationals, both with criminal records. Love News understands that the repatriation was a joint effort between the Mexican Embassy in Belize and the Government of Belize. Reports are that Belizean authorities, with the support of the Embassy of Mexico in Belize, believe to be a case of human trafficking. The girl who lives in Tabasco, Mexico was convinced to leave her home and travel with the two men to Belize. The men have been identified as Raul Villanueva Cardenas, (aka) "Hugo Ramirez Pardons " also known as " Rolando Hern�ndez Jim�nez " or " Justin Daniel Jordano Palace " , who is an alleged member of the gang MS-13, and Jose Antonio Paredes. Both men were recently deported from the U.S. and have criminal records. They were remanded to the Belize Central Prison. Love News understands that the minor was transported in the company of members of the Department of Human Services today to the border with Mexico and delivered to Mexican authorities, including the Mexican Child Protection Agency, along with her mother. Love News also understands that the Embassy of Mexico in Belize made contact with the relatives of the child in Mexico in order to report that the child was in the custody of Belizean authorities.
Three Belize City Secondary Schools Awarded for Doing The Right Thing
Since 2010 Philip "Fawda" Henry has been conducting a personal initiative to try to keep Belize's children safe on the street. The Do the Right Thing Pedestrian campaign has taken flight and today, Henry issued awards and medals to students from the top three qualifying schools. He told Love News that his sessions with the students proved helpful.
PHILIP 'FAWDA' HENRY
"Today was a blast giving out the medals and the awards to the three schools that qualified. Edward P. Yorke today was the champion for the entire country, 'Do The Right Thing' pedestrian safety school program; second place went to Pallotti High School and Maud Williams High School placed third. The children were overwhelmed to know that they have achieved medals and gifts from BTB and other business places across the country; knowing that people are out there caring about them doing the right thing. This program is for the children to know what safety is; utilizing the sidewalks and the pedestrian crossing. Over the past years we had a lot of children missing in the remote villages and districts and in Belize City we had the same thing, cars driving over the pedestrian bump and not wanting to stop and now we want everyone to know that all schools have united and try to bring down predators who are trying to knock down these children and kidnap them in cars. The children are aware to look out for vehicles, their license plates, vehicles with stolen license plates and with different colors. I want everyone to know that Pallotti, the second place champion and they are going to work together in order to have this program in their Social Studies class and I am proud of the principal who told me they will forward this program in their Social Studies class."
Mother of Toddlers Rescued from House Fire Arraigned For Child Abandonment
The mother of two young children who almost perished in a fire but were rescued by a neighbor is tonight on remand at the Belize Central prison when she was unable to meet bail that was granted to her late this evening when she appeared in Court today. 25-year-old Shanel Robinson was unrepresented when she appeared before Magistrate Leslie Hamilton. Two charges of child abandonment were read to her. No plea was taken from Robinson. As was reported yesterday, Robinson reportedly left her two children both under seven years old age alone in an apartment on Canon Dale Drive in the Lake Independence area of Belize City. A fire started in the apartment and the children had to be rescued by neighbours. Magistrate Hamilton offered Robinson bail in the sum of one thousand dollars since the court prosecutor had no objection but Robinson was unable to meet mail. Robinson is due back in court on October 8. The children remain in the care of child services.
Past Football Federation President Guilty of Owing Government Taxes
In a judgment given today, Dr. Bertie Chimilio was ordered by Magistrate Leslie Hamilton to pay five hundred dollars per month for income tax amounting to thirty three thousand three hundred and ten dollars until the total amount is paid. The payment takes effect from September 15. If Dr. Chimilio defaults on payment, Magistrate Hamilton may sign a warrant for him to be committed to Belize Central Prison for a period of six weeks until payment is made. Dr. Chimilio said that he is not currently employed and he had suggested that he could pay two hundred dollars per month but that was not acceptable. The non- payment of income tax is for a period of two years, 2010 and 2011. Dr. Chimilio was not represented by any attorney.
International Press Says Caye Chapel In Belize Sold For Millions
Caye Chapel Island Resort is now, reportedly, off the market. That's according to an online article posted on StockMarketWire.com. According to the article, BCB Holdings has agreed to sell Caye Chapel for thirty million dollars. The multi-million dollar sale was done with Yumi Limited, a British Virgin Islands company funded by private equity, according to the article. In the conditional agreement to sell Caye Chapel, the terms of the transaction provide for an initial non-refundable payment prior a due diligence period from September 1, 2013 to November 14, 2013 and a final closing on December 20, 2013. Reports, however, are that several other offers exceeding the selling price was offered by other interested parties. Of note is when we did an online search for further information on Yumi Limited there was no results.
CTV3
OWTC To Bestow Awards To Exemplary Orange Walkenos
The countdown for the September celebrations has begun and by now, many patriotic Belizeans are already displaying their love and honor for our country. The good news is that their patriotism will not go un-noticed as the Orange Walk Town Council has organized an award for ten outstanding Orange Walkenos who are vivid examples of true patriots. A plaque will be awarded to these individuals who have given of their time and efforts to assist others and those who have held the Belizean banner with pride.
Kevin Bernard, Mayor, OWTC
"Individuals that they believe have serviced the community and serviced this country well for whatever amount of years they have been here whether it is a teacher, it is a policeman, whether it is a fireman, public servant or it is an educator for whatever capacity they believe that person have given up to themselves to the community being patriotic to this country and for being Belizeans we want to encourage them to send in those names, want to honor ten of these people on the 20th night celebrations and we don't want it come from a decision come from us we want to pool at the names that would come up and then we do the best ten then the committee would then select the best ten that they feel really deserves that recognition this time around."
NTUCB Strikes Back At GOB
Tonight it seems that the issue of the restructuring of the Public's Account Committee won't go away until the Prime Minister of Belize receives the idea with open arms and actually looks into the improvement of the committee. Knowing the P.M though, that's easier said than done.
A few days ago the Office of the Prime Minister issued a release taking a no stance on the issue. The release clearly stated that the proposed restructuring of the committee would be too expensive, since the costs to hold committee meetings would increase. The statement went on to say that the Government side of the Committee will insist that the Chairman calls an urgent meeting of the PAC to agree to a schedule for consideration of all the outstanding Auditor General reports. The schedule would be divided into two: examination of pre-2008 reports; and examination of post-2008 reports.
And if Hon. Espat, as Chairman of PAC, refuses to get things moving the way Government plans, then the provision of the Standing Orders to have its members convene and conduct the meetings so that the work of the Committee can get done will be used. The meetings will be held with or without Espat's support. The People's United Party did not take Government's statement lightly and signed a declaration demanding and confirming their commitment to the restructuring of PAC. The Belize Chamber of Commerce and the National Trade Union Congress of Belize are also backing up Espat's proposal. And yesterday the NTUCB reiterated their strong support for the restructuring of the PAC.