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Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials
The San Pedro Sun
2015 Mayoral Debate
The San Pedro Sun and Reef TV would like to thank all participants and invited guests for making the 2015 Mayoral Debate a success!
2 year old killed, mother wounded in shooting
The San Pedro Sun can confirm that a two year old boy was killed and his mother injuried in a shooting. The names of the victims are 2-year old Charlie Espat and 33-year old Alieda Espat. It happened shortly around 2AM in the Sanpedrito Area of San Pedro Town. The mother is recieving treatment while the boy succumed to his head injuries at the Dr Otto Rodriguez San Pedro PolyClinic II.
San Pedro Tiger Sharks slows down the Belize City Hurricanes
Week three of the second annual Belize National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) regular season continued to roll over the weekend. It saw basketball action on the island when the San Pedro Tiger Sharks hosted the Belize City Hurricanes on Saturday February 21st. What started off with a small crowd turned into a packed house at the Angel Nu�ez Auditorium, where spectators got to see the home team played and won their first home game. Belize Hurricanes, now with one win and two losses, started the game with a lead over the home team. By halftime, the Hurricanes had blown past the Tiger Sharks with a 12 point lead. This of course was a huge upset to the islanders, where the Tiger Sharks boast a perfect home record in the two NEBL seasons so far. But like the good old saying goes, the game is not over until the 'fat lady sings."
Cabinet approves expansion of Hol Chan Marine Reserve
The expansion of the reserve went through a series of consultations conducted under the auspices of the Ambergris Caye Wetland Committee (ACWC). In August of 2012, following almost two years of back and forth, it finally got the full approval of local traditional fishermen, guides and other stakeholders on the island. However, in 2014, the fate of the proposal was tested after there were attempts made to subdivide a portion of the wetland for residential house lots. Following condemnation by environmentalists and other island residents, that decision to subdivide a portion of the proposed reserve expansion was reversed.
In total, approximately 135 square miles of shoal, reef and mangrove wetland will be added to the existing Hol Chan Marine Reserve. With the expansion of the reserve, it will form a complete corridor of marine protected areas that will see the connection of Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Corozal Bay Wildlife Sactuary, Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve, all in Belize, and El Arecife de Xcalax Marine Reserve in Mexico.
Ambergris Today
Island Residents Confused with Poly Clinic's 24-Hour Services
It is only the emergency room that remains open to attend to extreme/serious or life-threatening medical situations considered to be emergencies. If someone could not make it in time during regular clinic hours or missed their appointment with a doctor, it does not mean that they can go past 8p.m. for normal medical attention. Management has also explained that the clinic is also not conducting deliveries of babies.
It seems that this situation was not clarified during the official inauguration ceremony that took place at the Poly Clinic on Monday, February 2, 2015, when both Minister of Tourism and Minister of Health were on hand to deliver the news. The medical staff at the clinic would like to make this clarification so that island residents are not confused with the services provided to them and can make proper arrangements when visiting the clinic.
Misc Belizean Sources
Belize Sailing Assn. 2015 Event Calendar
This is the Belize Sailing Association Event Calendar. The difference between the two types of regattas on the calendar is that the 5 regattas with National Ranking implications form the 2015 series of regattas that will determine Belize's 2015 Optimist Dinghy Sailor of the Year, and other honors as well. The invitational regattas are just for the pleasure of participating. They remind all that the First Rule of sailing is to Have Fun.
You will note that one of the invitationals, the Corozal Bay Regatta, has already taken place. Twenty four sailors entered and raced. Belize City Sailing Club's Antonio Ricardez, edged out the reigning National Champion Blanca Velasco of San Pedro Junior Sailing Club to take home the trophy. The winner's sister, Nashira Ricardez, from the same club, took 3rd place, and Belize Sea Scouts' Trent Hardwick came in 4th.
Belize FISHING REPORT: Week of February 15th - February 21st, 2015
Half way through the week the wind kicked up and put a damper on the fishing as boats had to hide in the sheltered areas on the south end of the island. Despite the wind some anglers did well, but others found even the bonefish tough to hookup mid week. Later in the week fish started to get back to normal as the wind switched back to the easy.
National Agriculture and Trade Show Announces New Dates for the Sale of Booths
The National Agriculture and Trade Show Committee is hereby informing the public that the new date for the sale of booths has been changed to Thursday, 26th February 2015. Contact person for the sale of booths is Ms. Catherine Hob; phone number 828-5099/822-2332/624-9459, email address [email protected].
Concessioners who held booths last years are advised to call immediately to secure their booths, indicating the booth number they held.
Wildtracks Update: We are in the middle of aerial surveys, working with our partners, the Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development
counting manatees throughout Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary and the larger, associated seascape (including Bacalar Chico and Hol Chan). A total count of 62 manatees yesterday, mostly within Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary!!
A huge thanks to the amazing survey team (Marcelo Cruz (SACD), Jaimie Cruz (Wildtracks) and Henry Brown (Fisheries Department) ...and thanks to the amazing support from LightHawk and their pilot, Chuck Schroll...we couldn't do this without you!!
Watch out for more on the aerial survey results!
Vote Wisely!
Ten days before Town Council Elections and ten long days for interested parties. VOTER STATISTICS (as of January 2015) for Corozal Town on upcoming March 4th Corozal Town Council Elections -
The statistical information by P.A. (Polling Area) has been obtained by the Corozal Daily from Elections and Boundaries Department:
COROZAL DIVISION
P.A. 39 Male 1939 Female 1958 Total 3897
P.A. 40 Male 1341 Female 1436 Total 2777
P.A. 41 Male 747 Female 800 Total 1547
TOTAL Registered Town Council Voters for Corozal:-
Male 4027 Female 4194 Total 8221
Corozal Daily Editor's Note: Of the 8221 electors registered to vote for the Corozal Town Council Elections on March 4th, 2015 the number of FEMALE voters is greater than the number of MALE voters by 167 Female Voters.
CARICOM Single Market trailblazers and public sector workers courted as Spokespersons
Belizean public sector workers and Belizean nationals who have actively participated in the CARICOM Single Market (CSM) are to be trained as spokespersons in a special training workshop scheduled for February 24 and 25 at the Best Western Hotel in Belize City. The workshop is spearheaded by the Ministry of Trade, Investment, Promotion, Private Sector Development and Consumer Protection - the National CSME focal point in Belize - in partnership with the CARICOM Secretariat and with funding from the Government of Canada.
Baby Howler born in the wild
WE HAVE OUR FIRST BABY HOWLER BORN IN THE WILD!!!
SECOND UPDATE: Identity of troop not certain at the moment - three females present, no male....and TWO BABIES!!
They say that the first sign of a successful wildlife rehabilitation, release and reintroduction programme is the first baby born in the wild. This morning we received news from our post-release tracking crew that we have not just one, but two baby howler monkeys in one troop at our release site, Fireburn!
These young are estimated at over a month old, so these monkeys have shown that they have the skills for mother-hood, even though they were once kept as illegal pets. Now to see if they can rear these youngsters through to one year...!
This is the first time that these endangered Yucatan black howler monkeys have bred at Fireburn for over 70 years, with the first troops reintroduced to the site four years ago.
COLA highlights problems at airport and sympathies with sick air traffic controllers
The CITIZENS ORGANIZED FOR LIBERTY THROUGH ACTION (COLA) has sent a press release about the sick air traffic controllers who were unable to attend work over the weekend. This is not an official statement from the air traffic controllers. The illness of these employees prompted COL's President, Geovanni Brackett, to issue the following statement about the work conditions at the airport:
Saturday's events at the Philip Goldson International Airport, Ladyville, where two separate shifts of air traffic controllers called in sick, has for us raised awareness of the value and importance of a thankless job.
Air traffic controllers are responsible for the safety of airplanes taking off and landing expeditiously. ATC staff may sometimes work as many as ten hours per day if not more. Despite international standards ensuring that controllers are to rest for 8 hours between shifts, we are told of some workers going above and beyond, working for as many as 18 hours of a 24-hour day. That kind of dedication results in lower vigilance and reaction, and when multiple aircraft are in the air, a split second may see an unfortunate and terrible accident. Rest is necessary to ensure that such accidents can be avoided.
CARICOM Single Market trailblazers and public sector workers courted as Spokespersons
Belizean public sector workers and Belizean nationals who have actively participated in the CARICOM Single Market (CSM) are to be trained as spokespersons in a special training workshop scheduled for February 24 and 25 at the Best Western Hotel in Belize City. The workshop is spearheaded by the Ministry of Trade, Investment, Promotion, Private Sector Development and Consumer Protection - the National CSME focal point in Belize, in partnership with the CARICOM Secretariat and with funding from the Government of Canada.
Participants being mobilized include local CARICOM traders, exporters, professionals and CARICOM Youth Ambassadors, as well as public sector workers who facilitate applications under the four regimes of the CARICOM Single Market - Skills, Goods, Services and Rights of establishment of businesses.
International Trade Center - Delivering Results Globally
The International Trade Center began working with Belize in 2012 to help with the adoption of the Small Business Development Center model. Belize has made great strides in adopting the SBDC model. Since their initial consultation, they developed legislation to support small business development, and created SBDC operations manuals to formalize the processes and effectiveness of their SBDC programs.
Poets Corner: Impressions
By Abdulmajeed K Nunez. Going into municipal elections
There is lots of speculation about taxation
In the PUP there are clear divisions
Three distinct factions
The Fonseca faction and the Brecenio faction
Then how will the party deal with the Tulio situation
People in the UDP are looking forward to by-elections
The opposition is at a disposition
There is clearly no unison
The Blue Machine is not firing on all pistons
There is clearly no vision
The leader is unable to answer straight forward question
A clear indication that there is no vision
Then amidst his party his leadership is in question
Having gotten his ass handed to him in Cayo's by-election
There is yet another dimension, one derived from out West
The party chairman keeps beating his chest
Western Ballaz Defeat Diplomats
Congratulations, Richard Troyer, for setting the NEBL scoring record with 43 Points!!!! The Western Ballaz defeated the Diplomats down in PG over the weekend, and they are now the only undefeated team in the NEBL!
BIG CONGRATS TO TONY GAREL!
Everyone at The Belize Zoo is so proud of Tony. The Belize Audubon Society awarded our superb Animal Management Supervisor with the extremely prestigious James A. Waight Award in honour of his contributions to conservation in Belize for over 25 years. Some of Tony's accomplishments include: His pioneering of the captive breeding program for the endangered green iguana.
Crocodiles? There's Tony, assisting the Forest Department in the safe capture of any crocodile believed to be injured or a possible threat .
Problem Jaguars? Again, Tony, along with his colleague, Humberto Wohlers, is on the front lines with the Forest Department to address these difficult human-wildlife conflict issue.
Tony was at the forefront in efforts to save the Sibun River from a hideous and badly- planned landfill project over a decade ago. As the head of the Sibun Watershed Association during that difficult time, he showed possible funding agencies the true science behind the project. Landfill goes in? Then the Sibun river would be toxified forever. Thanks to Tony's hard work, the development plan was subsequently dropped. And today, people living along the Sibun River can safely bathe and fish in these waters.
Baron Bliss Harbor Regatta
The Baron Bliss Harbour Regatta Committee proudly invites the general public to the BTL Park, New Town Barracks to witness the 87th Regatta. The series of boat races will run from 11am to 3pm on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th March 2015. Over 50 boats are expected in the Optimist, Laser, other "one design" classes as well as the Traditional Lighters, Sailing Dory and Seagull. Sea Scouts "Bosuns" will open the course with the first race on Sunday.
Last year in the Lighter class "United" defeated the long standing champion "Radio". In the Optimist Class the youngest ever to sail single handed on the traditional course was two 8 year old, "CJ" from Placencia Sailing Club and Malik Jones from Caye Caulker.
Hol Chan Marine Reserve Extension Presentation
The presentation of the expansion of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve on Wednesday, February 25th at 10 AM at the Hol Chan office. In 2010, a community initiative spearheaded by the San Pedro Tour Guides Association, The Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Development and The Hol Chan Marine Reserve (HCMR) commenced work in establishing Mexico Rocks, the fly fishing shoals on the leeward side of Ambergris Caye and its associated wetlands as a protected area. After several public consultations it was agreed that the proposed area be added as an extension of the HCMR.
Through an integrated approach and with full participation of government and stakeholders, a final draft was agreed on early February, 2015. On Tuesday, February 17th, The Government of Belize, through cabinet, approved the expansion of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. On Wednesday February 25 an official signing ceremony will take place on San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
UPGRADING AND REHABILITATION OF ISIDORO BEATON FOOTBALL STADIUM AND FACILITIES
BOLEDO DRAWING for Monday, February 23, 2015: 12
UNDERWATER SEISMOLOGY
For those who do not know Seismology is the science that studies earthquakes and related phenomena and is used in oil exploration. In the old days, on land, holes were drilled at intervals and pots (geophones) were placed at specific intervals and then you would shoot the holes. That meant blasting the holes with small explosives in a precise sequence and recording the seismic wave that is reflected through and by the substrata. These waves were recorded on LONG rolls of paper (logs) and studied in detail by geologists to predict the presence of formations likely to produce oil. Most likely the source of the seismic wave has been upgraded and there are certainly no longer long rolls of paper. Instead there are computers and programs to aid the geologist is his search for oil.
Made for Belize Concert
Seth Montfort will be performing his 'Made for Belize' concert again this Wednesday at the GPC. Definitely worth a watch if you haven't seen it yet.
Independence Park Restoration
The Belmopan Active Youths teamed up with the Red Taigaz to refurbish Independence Park. Thanks, BAY, and Red Taigaz!
"This weekend we made some more progress on our Community Park Rehab Project at the Independence Park. We were happy to have some players from the Belmopan Red Taigaz Elite Basketball Team assist us with completing the painting of our playhouse and constructing one more sandbox.
It was a successful and fun-filled day! We look forward to continuing building strong partnerships with organizations in Belmopan and by extension our community. Together we can make our City a better place for everyone!
Educate! Engage! Empower!"
Street Arts Festival in downtown Belize City
Where will you be on Saturday Feb 28th? I will be at the Street Arts Festival in downtown Belize City starting at 2:00 pm....bring out the kids and make it a family affair...
Belize's Heroes, Patriots, and Benefactors Exhibit
You are invited for the opening of an exhibit today 9:00 am at the House of Culture in Corozal! Three new persons will be added to the exhibit entitled, " Belize's Heroes, Patriots & Benefactor"...Free of cost!
Channel 7
Shutdown Saturday At PGIA: "Sickout" or ""Unhappy Convergence of Coincidence"?
On Saturday morning Air Traffic Controllers at Belize's only international airport, the Phillip Goldson stayed home - effectively shutting down all airport operations: no planes could fly in or out.
The workers staged what's called a sick out - where all of them simultaneously call in sick. It's a kind of industrial action that's not a strike - but it has the same effect. Without the air traffic controllers - and on a busy Saturday with 13 scheduled international flights that spelt disaster, and massive losses, plus great inconvenience for travellers, particularly those who had to make connecting flights. Now, Saturday is the busiest travel day of the week - so it was staged to maximize the effect - and more than that, Saturday was also the day that the Prime Minister was returning from personal leave.
Indeed, it could have been chaos and 7News was at the airport to see how things got out of hand - and how the Civil Aviation Department got it back in control. Jules Vasquez reports:..
Stevedores Strike Say "Bag Water" Is Bad Water
And while the Civil Aviation was working all the way up to this evening to normalize operations at the PGIA's Air Traffic Control Tower, the management of the Port of Belize had to bargain with the water front workers, over, water. The stevedores say Port Management is giving them pouches of water - and they want five gallon bottles. Now, if you are familiar with the pouches, they are the 25 cent bags.
Their issue is that whenever the bag water is stored in heat or direct sunlight, it makes them sick. Hanging in the balance is a sugar ship - fourteen thousand tonnes which takes weeks to load. Loading was supposed to start this morning, but the stevedores refused to do it without the five gallon water.
7News was there when the stevedores gathered outside the gate, and we spoke with Raymond Rivers, the leader of one of the work gangs,. Here's how he explained the issues:
Another Accident At Jaguar Paw Junction
There was another accident at mile 37 near the Jaguar Paw road this morning. Exactly one week ago on the 17th - in this same area- we reported on the fatal accident that claimed the life of one American while leaving another hospitalized. That accident involved an 18 wheeler and an SUV. Well, today another 18 wheeler was in the ditch after it hit a pedestrian. We were at the scene this morning and an eyewitness told us what happened.
Courtney Weatherburne Reporting
These squashed carrots belonged to 58 year old Pablo Martinez. He was carrying them this morning before he was run over by this 18 wheeler truck near the Jaguar Paw road.
While the rotten oranges from last week's fatal accident were still scattered on the side of the road. This fresh stain of blood in the dirt signaled another tragedy in this area.
No More Mandamus
A month ago, we told you how the grinding season for 2014-2015 sugar crop, or "zafra" started almost 2 months late. That's after the protracted dispute within the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, where the farmers initially accepted the so-called "cane compromise" hammered out by the Prime Minister, then refused it two weeks later, only to then accept it once again, but only after the 55 year old Association splintered.
The pivotal event came when the veteran cane farmer Lucilo Teck sued the Sugar Industries Control Board - asking the court to compel them to declare the season open. But events overtook that hearing, and the season opened anyway on January 27. So his mandamus lawsuit became practically irrelevant. But, Teck wanted the court to make a pronouncement on the extent of the Sugar Board's powers in the case of future industrial disputes between the cane farmers and the factory owners. So, his attorney, Audrey Matura-Shepherd, pressed on with the law suit, even though the season has been opened for 4 weeks.
Policing With "A Light Touch"
You probably remember that in June of last year, the Police Department's Eastern Division launched its Not In My City Campaign to reduce crime.
That included a crackdown on quality of life crimes, such as public drinking, and the bike offences: riding up-stop, double riding, and riding bikes without bells and lights. The mass arrests for the bells and lights offences hit the news when residents were complaining that 100 dollar fines were harsh, given that, in their opinion, the police had more important crimes to investigate.
It received almost universal condemnation from the poor residents of the city, who also claimed uneven treatment under the law. Police, for the most part, bore the tough critics, and kept up with the crackdown.
The Art of Conserving Antiquity
In late 2013, we told you all about the definitive international Mayan Exhibit called "Hidden Worlds Revealed" designed by the Science Museum of Minnesota. Featuring 160 artifacts - the majority of them from Belize, it has been traveling all over America.
It's the most exposure many rare Belizean artefacts have ever gotten. That's because many of them are stored in an area known as the dungeon, a dank and dark basement at NICH Headquarters.
Well, today a representative from the Science Museum of Minnesota traveled to Belize to hold a collections preservation workshop at the House of Culture. The main objective of the workshop was to train museum directors and staff on the methods of preserving artifacts and antiquities. Belize's precious artifacts need to be properly maintained and the coordinator of the workshop Rebecca Newberry told us about the training in techniques.
Mother Cries Out For Son's Burial
Last week Thursday, we told you about an 18 year-old Ladyville resident who died in police custody at the Ladyville Police Station. Police say he committed suicide by hanging himself with his own shirt, but his family refuses to accept that version of events.
It's a particularly difficult time for the family, who are suspicious of police, but they're also trying to give Palma a proper burial. His mother begged police on the news to help her cover the cost of the funeral, and since then, she's been trying to ask for help from different persons to put together the money owed to the undertaker.
She says that the undertaker is asking for $1,500 to handle the funeral arrangements, money that she doesn't have, and she told us this evening that she has only been able to raise $500 toward the funeral costs:
On The Road Again For Digicell "Mini-Tour"
For 3 days, starting on last Week Friday morning, Cycling Federation of Belize hosted the 20th Digicell Valentine's Classic. But, this one was different, it was a mini tour in which the cyclists had to do a time trial on day one, a 30+ mile criterium, and, then, a 90 mile ride from Western Belize to Belize City.
It's first time that the race was done in this format, and so, 7News out on the road yesterday as the cyclist pedaled every one of those 90 miles. Daniel Ortiz reports:
Mexican Ignacio Prado also won the U-23 category. He defeated Oscar Quiroz Jr. who came in second, and Joel Borland, who came in third.
Channel 5
P.G.I.A. on Semi-Lockdown
Travelers were piled up at the Philip Goldson International airport on Saturday morning; no flights were coming in or going out. The early flights of Delta and Avianca couldn't land [...]
Civil Aviation Caught Sleeping
The unprecedented move by air traffic controllers, who reportedly called in sick, is being called an industrial action. Service was restored around midday, but by then the damage had been [...]
Air Traffic Controllers Summoned to Meeting
In the wake of that unprecedented situation at the Phillip Goldson International Airport, reports circulated that the air traffic controllers who called in sick on Saturday were refused entry to [...]
P.S.U. Rep. Says There Was No Sickout
At around five-thirty this evening, air traffic controllers and Public Service Union reps finally emerged from their meeting with Civil Aviation officials. As we've showed you, those officials have claimed [...]
Civil Aviation Admits Issues Affecting Department
According to Davis, there will be a move by management to try to address critical issues including human resource shortage and salary concerns. This evening, Director of Civil Aviation, Lindsay [...]
Father of 5 Critical after RTA
Fifty-five year old Baptist Pastor, Pablo Martinez is tonight fighting for his life at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. He was critically injured in a road traffic accident this morning [...]
Deadly Weekend on George Price Highway
Over the weekend, there were other traffic mishaps. A near-fatal collision involving multiple vehicles, also along the George Price Highway, left several people injured.� The road traffic accident happened on [...]
San Pedro House of Culture Jacked
The San Pedro House of Culture, which was inaugurated last November, is reporting a break-in at the building located on Angel Coral Drive. Thieves made away with an assortment of [...]
Alarm Foils La Popular Robbery
In Orange Walk Town, a robbery was averted at La Popular Bakery and indications are it was an inside job and the watchman was reportedly held at gunpoint. Thirty year [...]
Sugar Barge Workers Protest Over "Shilling" Water
Today, thirty-four stevedores working with the Port of Belize refused to board the boat which would take them out to offload the sugar barge, anchored seven miles out. They have [...]
P.B.L. Calls C.W.U. to the Negotiating Table
Vasquez says that if its fresh water that's the problem, he's willing to provide it every day. But is there another agenda at play? Currently a collective bargaining agreement with [...]
Mandamus Case Struck Out on Technicality
This morning, before Justice Shona Griffith, a battery of lawyers representing various parties, including the Government of Belize, the Belize Sugar Industry, the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, the Sugar [...]
Mistakes Maim Mandamus Hearing
According to Senior Counsel Michael Young, the claimants got off on a wrong foot when they filed the application erroneously.� Despite being granted permission to proceed with the claim, another [...]
Lucilo Teck Disappointed in Outcome
Lucilo Teck, a canero himself, initiated the legal process by seeking from Matura-Shepherd and proceeding with the suit.� He expressed disappointment with the outcome of the case. Lucilo Teck, [...]
Two Persons to Stand Trial for Murder
This morning, preliminary inquiries determined that a minor along with Clive Geban will stand trial for the January nineteenth, 2013 murder of Ervin Moralez, a Maskall villager, who was hacked [...]
Cops Play Nice in the City
In its fresh approach to tackle crime, the top brass of eastern division was out in the city last Friday night. But instead of hauling in persons who were breaching [...]
Sports Monday with James Adderley
Good Evening, I'm James Adderley and this is Sports Monday. 24 watercrafts lined up for Saturday's start to the pre-season La Ruta Maya race at Henderson Bank inside Burrell [...]