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The San Pedro Sun
Island residents invited to participate in 5K and 10K run
On Saturday, November 1st, the San Pedro Sports Committee (SPSC) will be hosting a five kilometer (K) and a 10K running competition. The competition is scheduled to commence from the Boca del Rio Park at 6AM. Runners of all ages and gender are invited to participate, as there are cash prizes and trophies to be won!
The competition will be divided into three main categories: male, female and group. The group category consists of teams of five members with at least four members completing the race to win. Each team participating in the group category must have of at least one female member and wear similar colored T-shirts to represent individual teams.
Letter to the Editor: Miss San Pedro Michelle Nunez
On October 19, 2014, I was invited to an amazing dinner at Ramon's Village and met such wonderful people. I knew I couldn't miss this opportunity to get to know the nonprofit organization, On Eagles Wings Ministries.
It all started on September 10th, when I was crowned as the official Miss San Pedro 2014-2015. I had a short conversation with Alexis Guerrero, I told her how much it meant to me to reach out to the young ladies who have been victims of sexual abuse or lack self esteem, since that topic hits home to me. Alexis Guerrero is the present counselor at San Pedro High School.
Last week I received a message from Emily Fitchpatrick, founder and president of On Eagles Wings Ministries (OEWM). She messaged back setting up an appointment for us to meet each other and the group. At last I found a nonprofit group that would suit my goals. We talked as we had known each other for years. Emily is such a caring person and full of ideas. It was an honor to meet another key person, Amena Mchea, employee at the OEWM Hope House. I also met Autumn Hanline, who is the prevention coordinator and also enjoys running and we both shared our good work out habits. I got to meet Ashley Frady, a nursing student who wanted to help out. Blake Davis, an intern with the ministry and works with the girls at the safe house. The entire team welcomed me at dinner with big smiles.
Governor General of Belize Welcomes New Costa Rican Ambassador
On Monday morning at the Belize House in Belmopan, His Excellency Edgar Garcia Miranda, the Ambassador of the Republic of Costa Rica to Belize, presented his credentials to His Excellency Sir Colville Young, Governor General of Belize.
The fun, scary and plain 'ol� creepy at Holiday's Halloween Bash
It was a night to let your freak out at the annual Holiday Hotel Halloween Bash held on Saturday, October 25th. The long anticipated event saw a crowd of islanders and visitors alike, dressed in their most ghoulish and terrifying attire. Of course there are always those that prefer to dress up as the sweeter, classier or even down right hilarious side of Halloween.
This year's event saw wicked costumes, as partygoers reveled in the night and strutted the orange carpet. Holiday saw it all, from the scary monsters, vampires, witches and werewolves to the not so scary 80's chicks, hard rockers, fairies and even a couple angels here and there.
Ambergris Today
Pic of the Week:
Spectacular Skies in Belize during October
We always say that October has the most amazing sunrises and sunsets in Belize. Practically every day there is a spectacular show during the morning and evening hours that occur around 5:30 a.m. and p.m. We notice many residents sharing their unique views of both daily events and marveling at the awe-inspiring sight. Here is just one of those sunrise moments in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.
Tropical Storm Hanna Develops Over Nicaragua & Honduras
It may not pose a big threat to Belize but the ninth named storm of the Atlantic Hurricane Season may bring more unwanted rain to Belize this week. The remnants of Tropical Depression 9 which crossed over northern Belize late last week now have developed into Tropical Storm Hanna.
The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) has sent out a press release informing the public that as of 3:00 p.m., the center of Tropical Storm (TS) Hanna was located near 14.6N 83.9W over northeastern Nicaragua. Maximum sustained winds remain at 40 miles per hour and TS Hanna was moving towards the west at 7 miles per hour.
Misc Belizean Sources
Evidence of Journey
Come and make it a Family Affair! An event you don't want to miss! Free Christian Concert in San Pedro, Louis Sylvester Sports Complex, Nov. 1, 8pm
Bert Belize
ready to serve Belize! Access to swift, skilled medical care and evacuation may save your life!. If you have access to a usable airstrip in your area Bert Belize is willing to come to you assistance.
Public and Bank Holidays, 2015
Thursday, January 1st: New Year's Day
Monday, March 9th: National Heroes and Benefactors Day
Friday. April 3rd Good Friday
Saturday, April 4th: Holy Saturday
Monday, April 6th: Easter Monday
Friday, May 1st: Labour Day
Monday, May 25th: Sovereign's Day/Commonwealth Day (in lieu of Sunday, 24th May)
Thursday, September 10th: St. George's Caye Day
Monday, September 21st: Independence Day
Monday, October 12th: Pan American Day
Thursday, November 19th: Garifuna Settlement Day
Friday, December 25th: Christmas Day
Saturday, December 26th: Boxing Day
Reinado Internacional del Tropico 2014
Belize Pageant Updates shares pictures of Adriana Rain Haylock (Belize Delegate) at Reinado Internacional del Tropico 2014 Pageant in Honduras.
The delegates of Reinado Internacional del Tropico 2014. Miss Belize Adriana Haylock is on the far left.
Looking for talented kids
CM3 media Group, Inc. is looking for Belizean kids that are talented in the area of Music - Art - Culture Dance, please do post and we will review.
Haunted House at Wayo's Bar
Friday October 31st!!
Haunted House from 7pm - 10pm (Haunted house will also be open the 29th and 30th from 7pm - 9pm)
Kids candy give away at 4pm!
Costume Contest at 9pm!!
Win awesome Raffle prizes from Restaurants, Hotels and Tour Operators in San Pedro!!
Try your luck with the 50/50 Raffle
Come join us for an amazing afternoon and evening all benefiting a great cause!!
All proceeds benefit San Pedro AIDS Commission
Power interruption Placencia Peninsula
Power interruption, 7:00am to 11:00am, Saturday, November 1: entire Placencia Peninsula, Independence Village and surrounding areas. BEL to repair hotspots at Independence and Placencia Substations, install and repair lightning arresters and replace utility poles in area.
BELIZE FISHING REPORT Week of October 18th - October 26th, 2014
It was a special week at the lodge but it was even more special for 2 guests. Daniel and Maria were engaged to be married during their stay at El Pescador! He proposed while they were diving, it made the whole lodge happy!
Belize fights to save a crucial barrier reef
Home to the second longest barrier reef in the world and the largest in the Western Hemisphere, which provides jobs in fishing, tourism and other industries which feed the lifeblood of the economy, Belize has long been acutely aware of the need to protect its marine resources from both human and natural activities.
However, there has been a recent decline in the production and export of marine products including conch, lobster, and fish, even as tourism figures continue to increase.
The decline is not helped by overfishing and the harvest of immature conch and lobster outside of the standard fishing season. But the primary reason for less conch and lobster in Belize's waters, according to local experts, is excess ocean acidity which is making it difficult for popular crustacean species such as conch and lobster, which depend on their hard, spiny shells to survive, to grow and mature.
According to the executive director of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Center (CCCCC), Dr. Kenrick Leslie, acidification is as important and as detrimental to the sustainability of the Barrier Reef and the ocean generally as warming of the atmosphere and other factors generally associated with climate change.
Clown Theatre Performance in Belize City "Triciclo Rojo" (90 photos)
25 Oct 2014
The Embassy of Mexico presented the theater clown company "Triciclo Rojo".
"Triciclo Rojo" is a group of dancers and clowns that integrate dance, juggling, animation and music, in vivid complicity with children's imagination.
This show has been recognized for its stage authenticity. "Triciclo Rojo" has presented its art and work at important venues in Mexico, such as the Palacio de Bellas Artes (Fine Arts Palace), as well as in other countries such as Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Denmark, India, Portugal, Spain, and USA.
In Belize City, they presented the play: "The Basin Poet" which tells the story of Etolo, a wandering knight, who is always looking for small miracles to restore people's faith in their dreams. With the help of Bum and Hum, he will discover where do forgotten dreams go and he will conquer fear and danger before climbing the world.
Cultural tradition of Hanal Pixan
The Corozal House of Culture will be showcasing the cultural tradition of Hanal Pixan - the Maya tradition of honouring the dearly departed. Please visit us this Friday October 31 and view the traditional altar on display. Learn more about this cultural celebration as we offer free lectures at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. with Mr. Roy Rodriguez.
Yours in Art and Culture,
Debra Wilkes
Coordinator Corozal House of Culture
1 Avenue Corozal Town
Thunderbolt Water Taxi resumes operation on Friday, 31 October.
The Thunderbolt Water Taxi Facebook has been out of service from 15 October until Friday, 31 October, for its yearly maintenance.
Channel 7
Toyota Thief Worked For The Dealership
Last week when police recovered a Toyota Hilux that had been stolen minutes earlier from the Institute of Archaeology, it gave them their first real opening in the case of the stolen Hilux pickups - four of them since July. And tonight, the news is that police have made their first arrest - and it's huge. Huge because the man who stands accused is an employee of the Toyota dealer, Belize Diesel and Equipment Company. His name is Hector Monterosa, a 22 year old maintenance man from St. Matthews's village. His job at Belize Diesel was to wash vehicles after servicing and in some cases deliver them back to the clients. Information so far suggests that he would use that time to make the unauthorized duplicate keys, which would later be used to steal the vehicles.
But we're getting ahead of ourselves; so far he's only been linked to one stolen Hilux - and that's the one from the Institute of Archaeology. Today the Officer Commanding Belmopan - who's been working overtime to crack this case told us about the arrest - and the important missing link which they need your help to find:..
Gang Boss "Roger" Appears In Court on Crutches; Arraigned, Remanded
Tonight, 37 year-old Roger Anthony, the reputed boss of the Ghost Town Crips, is at the Belize Central Prison along with 23 year-old Kendis Flowers. That's after being taken to court for shooting up the Meighan residence. Anthony showed up walking on crotches after he injured the arch of his foot.
Both Anthony and Flowers were charged with attempted murder, damage to property, and aggravated assault. Anthony was additionally charged with keeping an unlicensed firearm, and keeping unlicensed ammunition.
As we told you, Anthony appeared beside GSU Commander Mark Flowers and announced on national television that he was leaving the gang life behind. 2 weeks later, he now stands accused of opening fire on the house of his rivals, Tyron and Ellis Meighan Jr.
September 17th Shooting Victim Dies
Violence erupted in Belize City on of September 17th.; within six hours, 3 persons were dead, while 5 others had been shot. Well, of those five who were shot, one died last night. He is 28 year old Leon Savery, a resident of Belama. On the night of September 17th, at 8:00 pm, he was hanging out with John Aviliez, Nigel Ferguson and Mark Alamilla at the corner of angel Lane when a gunman pulled up and opened fire. Avilez was killed and Savery was shot in the buttocks - which, most times, doesn't end up in a fatality. But, in his case, the family tells us, the bullet travelled up inside his midsection. Despite numerous surgeries doctors could not remove it - and he died from pneumonia at a few minutes to eight last night.
So he joins John Avilez as the second person to be killed in that shooting - and becomes the fourth casualty from the 6 hours of gun violence on September 17th - which is the highest single day murder count in Belize so far for 2014.
Alleged Immigration Queenpin Beats 10 Charges
In May, it made major news when 46 year-old Marleny Elizabeth Castellanos, and her common-law husband, 42 year-old Alfredo Orlando Gonzalez Marcos, were charged for fraudulent immigration documents built around stolen identities of dead Belizean citizens from Benque Viejo. That led to them being scrutinized as part of a wider immigration ring. All the circumstances pointed to Castellanos being an immigration fraudster who facilitated documents for other illegal immigrants in the country.
Well, the news tonight is that Castellanos and her common-law, Gonzalez Marcos, have been acquitted of the first 10 charges they faced for those illegal documents, and they may also get a full acquittal of the other charges they currently face.
When they were first arraigned in May, from the details of the investigation, it appeared as if though the Immigration Department had an airtight case against them both.
Man Who Rode "Up-Stop" Got Beat Up By Cops
We know police have been cracking down on quality of life crimes, but on Friday, 28 year old Sherwin Baizar felt the brunt of it. Police reportedly caught him riding contrary to traffic, or "up stop" on Collet Canal near the Michael Finnegan market. They arrested him for causing a bicycle to proceed on a one way street. But, they say he also resisted arrest assaulted a police officer and used insulting words on the police. And that, it seems earned him some raw street justice - when police put a beating on him. He said during his ride to the station the officers began beating him for no reason. Today he gave 7news his account of what happened.
Sherwin Baizer - Allege Police Brutality
"On Friday the 24th, I went to the market to buy vegetables on my bike and like the men (police) were coming on the lane the same time I am going to a stall to buy.
45 Year Old Man Convicted of Molesting 6 Year Old Girl
Tonight, 45 year-old Brian Charlesworth is on remand awaiting his sentencing hear after he was found guilty of having sexual relations with a girl who was 6 years at the time.
He stood trial before Justice Troadio John Gonzalez where the girl testified against him as the main witness. She told the court - in a closed session - that between January 20111 and October 21, 2011, Charlesworth had intercourse with her. The child's mother also testified for the jury and explained what her daughter had told her about the sexual violation. A medico-legal form was tendered into evidence in which the doctor who inspected the child says that what he found was "suspicious, but not confirmatory."
In his defence, Charlesworth testified under oath and denied that he had committed the offense, explaining his version that he was elsewhere when this violation of the child happened. After deliberating for 4 hours, a jury of 9 found him guilty in a Majority verdict of 7-2.
Stole A Visa Card, Went On A Spending Spree, Now Going To Jail
Yesterday 28 year old Ron Haylock was sentenced to two years in jail for stealing a BDF's visa debit card and spending over $2000 dollars.
According to BDF Jose Hun he lost his visa debit card on Wednesday and reported that about $2,115.32 was missing from his account. Police found 4 invoices and slips with what appeared to be Hun's signature, but when the signatures were shown to him, he said he had not signed for any of the transactions. Apparently Haylock found the card in Green Jades Restaurant on Poinsettia Street and used it to buy items for his son and himself then to throw a party for his friend. Haylock pleaded guilty and said that he told Hun that he would pay him back all the money he spent but that the authorities wanted him to pay more.
82 Year Old Man Emerges From Rubble of Collapsed Home
Tonight an 82 year old man is lucky to be alive after his wooden house collapsed with him inside. It happened around 1am this morning on Mangrove Street near the Bel China Bridge. Neighbors say Randy Cabral was inside his home sleeping when they heard a loud sound. When they ran outside, they saw the elderly man crawling out from under the rubble. Cabral lived in the house alone and his neighbors say something like this was bound to happen..
Voice of: Neighbor
"Well I was watching TV and about minutes to one I heard a crack and when I heard that I told my girlfriend Mr. Ranny house drop. We ran outside and we saw the house on the ground and I yelled out for him and he climb out from under the house and I ask if he was alright and he said yes. I send my husband for him and I bring him here to spend the night. Every time you have a hard breeze or the weather comes, the house shake like a hammock - like crazy.
Teenager Charged For Street Robbery
Yesterday, we told you about the 64 year-old woman and her daughter who were robbed at knife point. Well, police say that they have made a quick arrest, and tonight, 19 year-old Khalil Heusner is out on bail.
As we told you, it happened on Saturday afternoon at around 3:15. The elderly woman and her daughter were walking on Albert Street west when 2 men approached them in front of Anglican Cathedral College. One of them pulled a knife on them, and placed it on her daughter's throat. When he had her subdued, the culprit then grabbed her purse, which contained an iPhone 5 and other personal documents, and ran off.
Dr. Lisa, New DMS At KHMH
3 week ago, we told you how the Board of Governors chose Dr. Adrian Coye to become the new CEO of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Lisa Johnson had also applied for the job as CEO, and she got avid support from board members. In the end though, after a close vote, they chose Coye, and offered Johnson his old job as the Director of Medical Services.
Well, Dr. Johnson has since accepted the post, taking over as the second most senior staffer at the hospital.
Today, she introduced herself to the media and discussed what her vision for the hospital will be while she is in charge as Director. She told us that the focus will be improving relations with the public that medical staff serve:
Dr. Lisa Johnson
"Sometimes you get caught up in the moment as you are dealing with patients and you try your very best and I will tell you that most if not every doctor and nurse as they are dealing with a patient, or not necessarily a trauma patient but every patient, have a stake in how that patient does and they are very much engaged and not only engaged but are extremely empathetic to the situation that we find our patients in and It's something that I said a lot in the emergency room and I think that we all feel that way that a lot of times when we see our patients we need to understand that it is possible that patient's worse day and relatives worse day and sometimes unfortunately it may be that patient last day and we strive to give excellent patient care and to also treat patients with dignity.
19 Year Old Gun-toting High Schooler Looking At 8 Years In Jail; Tells Court Tired of Being Chanced
19 year-old Jonathan Gideon, a high school student, is spending the first night of an 8-year sentence after he pleaded guilty to being in possession of a sawed-off shot gun in Magistrate's Court today.
The incident happened yesterday at around 10 a.m. at the Novelos Bus Terminal. Police officers were on mobile patrol, and one of them spotted Gideon and 3 other males exiting the terminal area. The officer decided to search the group, and as soon as they made for the 4 men, Gideon tried to avoid them. Because he acted suspiciously, the officers detained him and searched his Old Navy school bag, where they found a 20-gauge sawed-off shotgun with 4 cartridges.
Police subsequently charged Gideon with keeping a prohibited firearm, and keeping unlicensed ammunition. He was arraigned today before Magistrate Herbert Panton, and he pleaded guilty to both offences.
A Chance For a Climate Change Discussion
Last night we told you about UWI's poster competition that reflects the effects of Climate Change. Well, today the more formal discussions began at the UWI open campus. It's called the Belize Country Conference and the focus of this year's conference is to examine the factors that threaten the region's economic stability and the well being of its people. We spoke to two of the invited guests and they explained the dynamics of the discussion and the way forward.
Dr. Mark Bynoe, Senior Resource Economist, Climate Change Center
"The idea is to begin to sensitize and get the information more out that climate change is a real phenomenon and what are some of the things we need to be looking at, some of the actions we need to be taking so that we can build our resilience to climate change. In terms of what has actually been accomplished, we have pass the stage of just educating. Within Belize I can speak for my own organization; we have been working with government; we've been working with other organizations; we've been working with the University of Belize. So for example, we have put in place hydrometeorology stations, coral reef early warning systems. We've been doing vulnerability assessments and training. We are also working with community such as the Ya'axch� NGO which is a group down in the Toledo District as well as the Flowers Bank community where we are looking at the cohune palm and how that can be used as a source as renewable energy."
If We Took a Holiday...
The holiday list for 2015 was released today and you can start to mark your calendars for those vacation days. First off New Year's Day falls on Thursday January 1st while National Heroes and Benefactors Day falls on a Monday March 9th ; so that's one long weekend for you. Then for the Easter holiday, it begins from Friday April 3rd with Good Friday to April 6th which is Easter Monday. And there's another long weekend for Labor Day which is on Friday May 1st. There is another long weekend with Sovereign's Day on Monday May 25th. Looking at September now, the 10th falls on a Thursday and Independence falls on a Monday while Pan American Day, October 12th will also be on a Monday. Garifuna Settlement Day is on a Thursday and we end off another year with Christmas on Friday December 25th and Boxing Day observed the Saturday.
9M In Works Contracts Signed
Contracts were signed yesterday in Belmopan for major road works in Belize City and Punta Gorda. 5 miles of the Old Northern highway will be paved with hot mix by RODLA Construction for 3.4 million dollars.
Then, a four-leg roundabout will be constructed at the intersection of the George Price Highway, Faber's Road and Lake Independence Boulevard. That's to make way for traffic coming off the southern end of the New Chetumal Street Bridge. A similar 150 foot reinforced concrete roundabout will be placed on the Phillips Goldson highway to regulate traffic on the northern side of the bridge, at the intersection with Chetumal Street. This will be done by CISCO construction for 3.6 million dollars.
Channel 5
Roger Anthony & Kendis Flowers Arraigned for Shooting at Meighan's Residence
Thirty-seven-year-old Roger Anthony and twenty-three-year-old Kendis Flowers were arraigned this morning in the courtroom of Magistrate Herbert Panton on a battery of firearms-related offences. The charges stem from a shooting [...]
Leon Savery Succumbs to Gunshot Injuries Five Weeks After Deadly Shooting
A victim of a shooting spree back in September died on Monday night at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Leon Savery was among a group of men who were targeted [...]
Hector Armando Monterosa, What's His Role in Toyota Hilux Thefts?
Last week Belmopan Police narrowly missed capturing a man who was stealing a Toyola Hilux assigned to the Department of Archaeology. He abandoned the vehicle and escaped in the bushes [...]
82 Year-Old Man Escapes Injury During Overnight House Collapse
An elderly Belize City resident is tonight lucky to have escaped grave injuries when his home on Mangrove Street suddenly collapsed in the wee hours of this morning.� The elevated [...]
UN Says Belize is Third Deadliest Country In the World
Belize and four other countries in the region continue to take the lead with the highest murder rates in the world. The other hotspots for murders are Honduras, El Salvador [...]
Marleny Castellanos and Alfredo Marcos Walk Off Immigration Charges
For several months, we have reported on an alleged immigration scam which was suspected to be masterminded by Marleny Castellanos, aided by her husband Alfredo Marcos, both Guatemalan nationals residing [...]
Gwen Liz Student Busted with Sawed-Off Shotgun
On Monday, a team of police officers on mobile patrol in the area of the Novelo's Bus Terminal in Belize City set chase behind a group of men who had [...]
Cabinet Agrees on Financial Compensation for Danny Conorquie
Danny Cononquie was executed at the Caracol Archaeological Site on September twenty-fourth. His murder sparked national outrage because it is believed that he was killed by Guatemalan encroachers; and then [...]
Caracol Park Manager Recalls Last Conversation with Danny Conorquie
The Caracol Archeological Site reopened on Monday, and for the tour guides and tourists who visited, it was business as usual. The tour guides have not told their guests about [...]
Khalil Heusner Arrested for Belize City Robbery
Over the weekend, a sixty-four year old mother and daughter were accosted in broad daylight by two men on Albert Street West, near the Anglican Cathedral College. One held up [...]
Will Compensation Be Extended to Yanie Cu?
Twenty-eight year old Yanie Cu was badly injured when a vehicle being driven by Deputy Commissioner of Police Miguel Segura slammed into his taxi on August sixteenth. Today, he cannot [...]
Sugar Crop Season Approaching, Where Are B.S.C.F.A. and A.S.R. on Bagasse Agreement?
For months, we've been reporting on the impasse in the sugar industry between the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association and the American Sugar Refinery. Both sides have been unable to [...]
2014 Climate Change Conference Opens in Belize
Four days ago, the European Union agreed on targets to protect the changing climate. The principal target was a pledge to reduce emissions by at least forty percent by 2030. [...]
Paul Nabor In Concert Revisited
The National Institute of Culture and History, NICH, has released information on the upcoming events which will culminate on Saturday with the funeral of Paranda legend Paul Nabor in Punta [...]
CTV3
No One Arrested Or Charged For Stabbing Incident At CJC
Last week Friday we reported on an unfortunate incident that landed one student of Corozal Junior College at the Northern Regional Hospital. The student, who is said to be a minor, was stabbed by one of his fellow classmates allegedly over a seat on the bus. The incident is said to have transpired on the afternoon of Thursday October 23rd on the school campus. To date, CJC's administration has refused to speak on the matter simply stating that they are investigating the incident.While the names of both the victim and his attacker are yet to be released, we do know that Corozal Police is aware of the incident and are carrying out their investigations. But it hasn't been easy since authorities have been unable to interrogate the minor who remains hospitalized at the NRH.According to Officer Commanding the Corozal Police Formation, Andrew Ramirez, as soon as they have all details in hand they will proceed with necessary measures.
One Year After Canadian's Murder Arrests Are Yet To Be Made
Today makes exactly one year that 57 year old Canadian National Patricia Lynn Nichiporowich was brutally murdered at her home located in the Consejo Shores Area in Corozal Town. Since the incident, no one has been charged for her murder and all indications are that the case has gone cold as police have no leads. Today, Officer Commanding the Corozal Police Formation, Superintendent Andrew Ramirez, updated us on the case.Andrew Ramirez - OC Corozal"Unfortunately I must apologies to the Corozal community that the Corozal formation has no other lead in relation to what we have already had in constantly being informed to the community, we still look forward in getting the opportunity to interview that male person who had left the day prior to Mrs. Patricias' unfortunate demised and in the absence of that we could basically say that the investigation has been stalled somewhat but we must be mindful as well that these cases that were committed basically in a planned manner tend to take a little bit more longer than the normal haphazard type of killings and we would hope at least during my tenure here as the Commanding Officer that we get some sort of break truth to satisfy the family especially the family, whilst we have not had any other serious matter there in Consejo, remember a live lost is far too much for us."
Hanna Weakens, Rain Still Expected
Storm watchers continue to monitor what was Tropical Storm Hanna which had moved into Central America and weakened midweek. According to forecasters, the system could redevelop and another system bears watching. The system has headed towards Belize and forecasters give it a 20% chance of returning to a Tropical Storm. The high pressure system to the north will prevent Hanna from moving northward into the Gulf of Mexico and approaching coastal areas of the United States. Part of the lingering zone of showers and thunderstorms from Hanna could redevelop nearby along the coast of Belize, Honduras and Guatemala this week, according to reports. As a result, this part of Central America could continue to deal with locally drenching rain and gusty storms through the end of the week. Reports indicate that the system is currently carrying maximum sustained winds of 25 miles per hour and moving west-northwest at 10 miles per hour. By midday on Wednesday, Invest 96L should be inland over Belize and northern Guatemala. Hanna formed in warm waters of the western Caribbean, right along the coast of Nicaragua, on Monday morning. The system originally formed in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico as Tropical Depression 9, but then weakened while crossing the Yucatan Peninsula late last week. Hanna was the eighth named system in the 2014 Atlantic hurricane season. The next name on the list of the 2014 Atlantic Hurricane season is Isaias.
Murder Rate For Corozal Remains Same As Last Year
The first three quarters of this year has surely proven to be similar to that of last year when it comes to the murder statistic for the Corozal District. But while the murder rate for 2014 is similar to that of 2013 in Corozal, statistics also reveal that all murders committed so far for 2014, are registered in the rural areas and 60% of the murder cases have been solved.
Andrew Ramirez - OC Corozal"For 2013 we had five murders within the Corozal District including the death of Patricia but we had an incident in Sarteneja where a woman was charge in relation to that one, we also had an incident in Libertad where a male individual was charged, we had an incident in the Patchakan village outskirt of ChanChen where a gentleman had lost his life and two person were charged in relation to that, then we had Darwin Salazar whose body was found just in the outskirt of Chan Chen heading toward the Phillip Goldson Highway so as a recap those were the five murders so basically we solved 60% 3 out of 5 we solve, and we hope to get assistance from one family in relation to that two and the other two as I mentioned those were well planned as a result we do not have any suspects so to speak.
Confication Of Drugs In San Pedro Leads To Several Arrests
Over the weekend, San Pedro police with help from GSU members of Belize City, conducted several raids and searches to get rid of drugs, firearms, ammunition and any illicit articles off the streets. And while these reports may seem petty to the average Belizean, authorities on the island are not taking anything lightly and are treating these cases with the same severity. In the first instance 8 persons were arrested for being in possession of a pipe. According to police, a search was conducted at the residence of 40-year-old Claudia Cabanas, 19-year-old Diannie Cabanas, 21-year-old Laura Valencia, 21-year-old Nayelie Cabanas, 31-year-old Jaime Campos and 21-year-old Alexis Alvarenga in the San Juan Area. The search led police to the discovery of a silver and green metal pipe measuring 3.25 inches suspected to be used for smoking cannabis. All persons were formally arrested and charged for the crime of "Possession of pipe".
Former Lands Committee Of Palmar Village Refuses To Hand Over Reports To New Committee
Earlier this month the residents, particularly those who have descended from the founders of San Jose Palmar Village, concluded a several months long wait for a new lands committee. With the input of the Lands Department, representative of the Government as trustee to the village's land, a legal and binding election was held on October fifth for three of the new committee members.
That should have concluded the conflict between the former committee members and descendants who claimed irregularities in how the former committee handled the village's land affairs. Well, it is not and today there is continued contention and the latest being, that the former committee members are reportedly refusing to hand over all documents to the newly elected committee. Chairman of the village and member of the new committee, Orlando Balam told us more about the situation.
PUP Seven Endorsed In Orange Walk Town
In five month's Belizeans across the country will once again head out to the polls to elect the team they believe will best run the affairs of their respective town or City for the next three years. With Municipal Elections right around the corner both political parties in Belize have cranked up their machinery and from all indications it will be a highly contested election. Here in Orange Walk the incumbent P.U.P Seven Team, with the exception of Councilor Neri Ramirez, was endorsed during a special convention held by the party on Saturday night at the Crystal Palace Auditorium. Taking Ramirez's seat is Councilor Candidate Gian Vazquez who is no stranger to Orange Walk and to the P.U.P. Here are the highlights of the endorsement.
Carmelita Perez - Reporting
The endorsement of Mayor Kevin Bernard and his team was attended by young and old and had the support of Party Leader Francis Fonseca, Former Party Leader John Briceno and other members of the party including Standard Bearers and Area Representatives from across the country.
James Bus Line Now Offers Free WiFi Services On Buses
Passengers, especially students and businesspersons from Punta Gorda to Belize and vice versa will be benefitting greatly, thanks to the added convenience of wireless internet in the express James bus Line. The project is in its testing stage and according to Manager James Williams, they wish to expand on this service since the reception from their passengers and commuters have been positive.
James Williams- MANAGER, JAMES BUS LINE
"We decide ways to give back to our customers and we decided that WIFI was going to be one of the best things to give back and it took a long while to figure out how to implement it on the bus but now I guess we are successful because today was the first test run."
Maria Novelo - Reporter
"Now, is this implemented on all the fleet or only on the buses that take students to UB?"
Tropical Storm Hanna Brings Rain For Belize
Tropical Storm Hannah is expected to make landfall in Honduras tonight and for Belize it means heavy rainfall and squally conditions. The National Emergency Management Organization, (NEMO) reported that at 3:00pm today the centre of Tropical Storm Hanna was located over north eastern Nicaragua. Maximum sustained winds remain at 40 miles per hour and Hanna was moving towards the west at 7 miles per hour.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida, has Tropical Storm Hanna heading deeper into Nicaragua and Honduras. On the present track the center of circulation is expected to remain inland along the border of Honduras and Nicaragua. This track over land will weaken the system.
Tropical Storm Hanna currently poses no significant threat to Belize; however, its proximity will support some showers and thunderstorms around the country during the next 24 to 36 hours. The Rio Hondo and Mopan Rivers are slowly rising. The Low-lying Bridge and the Iguana Creek Bridge on the Macal River are at flood state. Both the Baking Pot and Succotz ferries remain closed.
Two Of Four Blood Samples Sent For Testing Prove Positive For Dengue
On Friday we reported on an active investigation by the Ministry of Health on suspected Chikungunya cases in the Belmopan area. And while the Ministry is yet to receive official confirmation, public relations officer Claudette Dakers told us today that two of the four suspected cases of Chikungunya in the Belmopan area have come back positive for Dengue. These two cases are related since the two female individuals are sisters from Las Flores. In the first case, the Ministry is still awaiting results from CARPHA, which they project to come in on Wednesday.
In the fourth case, the Ministry is still working on getting samples from family since they are not fully cooperating but authorities say they are actively investigating that case. Still, as of late his evening, there is no confirmed case of Chik-V in Belize, just two confirmed cases of Dengue and they are being treated accordingly. More on this story as it develops.
Ambassador Of Costa Rica Presented Credentials To GG
In a short ceremony this morning, His Excellency Edgar Garcia Miranda, the Ambassador of the Republic of Costa Rica to Belize, presented his credentials to His Excellency Sir Colville Young, Governor General of Belize in Belmopan. The Governor General welcomed the new Ambassador who expressed his desire to quote, "further strengthen the cordial relations of friendship which happily exist between Costa Rica and Belize".
PUP Standard Bearers And Area Reps. Endorses PUP Seven
Also coming out in numbers to witness the endorsement of Mayor Kevin Bernard and his team were P.U.P Area Representatives and Standard Bearers from across the jewel, including down south.
Those who addressed the crowd brought along with them a message of hope for Orange Walkenos and the nation.
Oscar Requena- PUP Area Representative Toledo West"I have every confidence that this is the winning team, this is the team that is going to deliver for Orange Walk and it is the team that is going to send a clear message to Dean Barrow that this is strike one, strike two, strike three, when we take over Belmopan under the leadership of Honorable Francis Fonseca and team 31 whenever he calls the elections. I will tell and I am certain that when we go to Belmopan under the leadership of the honorable Francis Fonseca and team 31 we will have a hell of a bloody job to fix back this country because everything is in shambles; whether it is in the lands department, whether it is in education, whether it is health worst in infrastructure we are going to have a hell of a job but I will tell you nation building is for giants and the RT. Honorable George Price said it, nation building is about giants and we are the giants, the PUP is going to respond to bring back this country, to save back this country my friends and that is why tonight I proudly endorse our Mayor Kevin Bernard and his team."
Woman Get Stab Over Cellular Phone
A brawl over a cellular phone almost turned tragic for one Orange Walk resident over the weekend. Authorities say on Sunday, 21 year old Embrece Franklin, domestic of Asuncion Street, was socializing at Xunan Bar located on Lovers Lane, when she had an altercation with 39 year old Sherlaine Smith of Smithsonia Street. The altercation allegedly stemmed from a cellular phone and resulted in Franklin being stabbed on the left hip by Smith. After the report was made, police detained Sherlain Smith who was arrested and charged for aggravated assault. Smith was arraigned in court this afternoon.
DPP Is Back In Belize
The Director of Public Prosecution, Cheryl Lyn Vidal is back on the job after taking what was reported by the Government as a study leave of three months. Information provided to CTV3 News by our colleagues at KREM News in Belize City, state that reporters ran into the DPP today while at court. She was asked if the Kim Wong Hong passport was already at her office and about her studies. Her response was: why would her vacation be of interest to anyone. She then proceeded to dispel that she had gone on study leave.At the time of her leaving the country, the COLA private prosecution of former minister Elvin Penner was at court and the NGO was hoping that the Kim Wong Hong case file, that the police had sent to the DPP for further directives, would be sent to them but this never happened. When questioned about this today, the DPP is quoted as saying, "today is literally my first day on the job," end quote.
LOVE FM
Garifuna Celebrations Declared Opened
November 19 has been observed as a national holiday since 1977. Through the efforts of civil rights activist Thomas Vincent Ramos, the day was set aside to celebrate the settlement of the Garifuna people in Belize. A number of activities will take place leading up to the day and today the President of the National Garifuna Council, Senior Superintendent Robert Mariano, declared this year's celebrations open.
ROBERT MARIANO
"The Garifuna race continues to struggle for survival and therefore needs the contribution of all. If this great race of people is to meet its fullest potential. This year we celebrate under the theme 'Let's not just talk, let the work progress. God before us and we behind'. This is a theme that is very important because as a struggling nation we cannot do it standing on the peripheries bickering, hating or by separation. The bible speaks of the impact of separation when it is said that a house divided will fall. We need to have cohesion and unity with everyone to stand on the side and bicker about the work of the organization can no longer do.
Structure Collapses on Elderly Man While In Bed
An 82 year old man is lucky to be alive after his house collapsed with him inside. Ronald Cabral Senior was asleep when around one o'clock this morning, his house which is located on Mangrove Street in Belize City, came crashing down, trapping Cabral Senior among the rubble. His neighbors heard the noise and ran to Cabral's aid. Cabral Sr. did not receive any serious injuries. Rosa Cadle spoke to Love News.
"When we were sleeping we heard the thing crash down and when it crashed down my son yelled for me and we ran out and that is how we got over there to see what was wrong and my son hold his hand and brought him out on the piece of bridge and asked him if he got hurt and he said cabral house 2no only a bump in the head. So we took him over and he went to sleep in my warehouse. The house is already old, he has no finance to repair it, nothing because he is an old man. He has no way of income."
Hipolito Novelo
"He is luck to be alive."
Rosa Cadle
"Yes, He's very lucky because all the neighbors who would see it always wish that he would not be in the house when it falls down."
A Synergy of Maya Mountain Cacao and French Chocolate
A long term business agreement was signed between Maya Mountain Cacao of Toledo and a French chocolate manufacturer.
Paul Mahung
"The signing of the agreement on Friday October 24th marked an exciting partnership with Chocolate Colleagues in France as explained by CEO of Maya Mountain Cacao of Toledo Emily Stone."
EMILY STONE
"Maya Mountain Cacao has signed a really exciting partnership with the chocolate maker Valrhona out of France. This partnership is specifically related to one single large farm in Belize and we will set a new standard for quality and consistency of production coming out of country that is now so valuable in the global cocoa industry."
Trapp Brothers Freed of Attempted Murder Charge
Two men were acquitted of attempted murder in the Southern Session of the Supreme Court. Correspondent Harry Arzu reports.
HARRY ARZU
"24-year-old, Norman Trapp and 29-year-old, Dennis Trapp, both of Punta Gorda Town, were today acquitted of two counts of attempted murder in the Supreme Court of Justice Denis Hanomansingh. Both men were charged for attempted murder as a result of a shooting incident, where they were accused of shooting in a crowd on the Main Street of Punta Gorda Town sometime between 11:30pm and 12:00am on the 28th of February 2011. The victims in the incident were John Sanchez and William Sanchez. As a result, the duo were arrested and charged for the said crime but were granted bail. After the decision was handed down by Justice Hanomansingh, Love News Spoke with the attorney for the Trapps, Arthur Saldivar."
A Look at Health Issues Within East Indian Community
The East Indian community in Belize is one of the smallest ethnic groups in the country. Despite this, the small community is making all efforts to retain as much of its culture and traditions for the sake of present and future generations. Arturo Cantun reports.
Arturo Cantun
"The first Indian Diaspora Conference in Belize was held in August. During the four day event, several topics were discussed which included history, social economic issues and health. Dr. Raju is East Indian and has been a doctor for the past 39 years. She was one of the presenters at the conference who spoke on health matters affecting East Indians in Belize. Dr.Raju explained that a study was conducted among East Indian families that exposed the common illnesses within that community."
Dr. Raju
"The majority of diseases they are experiencing is diabetes, and then high blood pressure or hypertension, heart complications and obesity. So I gave them a few tips on how to prevent these diseases because prevention is better than cure and health is wealth and the family nuclear unit is very important, the belief systems and how they live as a family and community. So I talked about team work and to work as a team together so that they can have a better, healthier society, happier and then I gave some illustrations on how to take care of their bodies as a temple of the living God."