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Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials
The San Pedro Sun
Holiday Hotel celebrates 50 Years of Tourism Service to Belize
June 15th marked the 50th anniversary of The Holiday Hotel. Established in 1965, the hotel has since contributed its fair share in service to Ambergris Caye, Belize's Tourism Industry and travelers visiting from across the globe.
The story starts off in 1965, with Celi Nunez McCorkle. Before the installation of electricity, running water, streets, airstrips, or motorized boats; back when La Isla Bonita boasted only sandy roads and sailboat transportations to and from the island, Celi had a dream.
She envisioned taking her hometown a step further, in creating an industry for the island by providing a resting place for these travelers that visited by boat. She believed in the beauty of Ambergris Caye and wanted to share it with the world. It was with that vision that the Holiday Hotel was born. What started off as a humble five room establishment with modest amenities, is now a 16 room hotel providing a tranquil, intimate beachside getaway to wanderers from around the world.
SPHS graduate injured in traffic accident
Gabriel Zetina a San Pedro High School (SPHS) 2015 graduate suffered major injuries in a traffic accident on Friday, June 12th. The incident occurred near Caribe�a Fuel Station just south of Town core. Zetina suffered two critical fractures on his left leg and several other fractures to his lower foot and ankle. Due to this incident, the senior student was unable to attend his graduation ceremony on Saturday, June 15th. Zetina was taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where he is waiting on news if further surgeries will be needed to save his leg.
According to Zetina, on Friday, he was driving a golf cart accompanied by other friends when a blue taxi van coming in the opposite direction, allegedly on the wrong side of the road, almost ran into them. "I was driving on my right, but the other vehicle was on the wrong side of the road coming straight to me. I swerved to the left to try and avoid a collision, and then I did a hard right to avoid running off the road, but when I did that, the golf cart flipped and fell on my left leg," explained Zetina via a phone interview.
Chef Christy Bono Vacations in San Pedro
Christy Bono, a chef and restaurant owner from Southern California, USA is on vacation on Ambergris Caye. Her father was the late singer Sonny Bono, an American recording artist and producer who partnered with his second wife Cher as the popular duo Sonny & Cher. Christy became well known via her cooking and business skills. She has owned and run several upscale restaurants in Los Angeles and Long Beach over the past 25 years. She inherited the love for cooking from her father who owned a restaurant in West Hollywood.
On Tuesday evening, June 16th, The San Pedro Sun had the honor of meeting Bono at Wine de Vine's Tuesday wine tasting event. "I am truly happy to be in Belize and in San Pedro, the Belizean people are remarkably nice; I am really impressed with their kindness," said Bono. When asked about her dining experience on Ambergris Caye, Christy definitely agreed Belizean food is good, "I have been savoring the local gastronomy and to be honest, I have no complaints. The local cuisine in San Pedro has really satisfied my taste buds. From the rice and beans to the tacos, fry jacks, pupusas etc. Every time I visit a new country I like to experience their culture, their traditional food." However, she had hoped to find a good Italian restaurant in town.
Guatemalan Navy Vessel runs into Glover's Reef Atoll
The Department of Environment (DOE) and Belize Fisheries Department are currently conducting an environmental damage assessment at Glover's Reef Atoll where a Guatemalan Navy Ship ran aground into the reef. The incident occurred sometime in the late hour of Wednesday, June 10th, but a report was not made until on Thursday, June 11th. Apparently, the 65-foot vessel, bearing the marking GC-651 Tecum Uman, and enroute Isla Mujeres, Mexico, experienced mechanical problems and drifted into the crest of the reef. The grounding occurred about 500 meters north of Middle Caye. The vessel was removed on Saturday, June 13th.
The 2015 International Costa Maya Festival® is set to go!: Presenting Miss Costa Rica!
The San Pedro Sun is delighted to announce that the preparations for this year's International Costa Maya Festival® are well underway. Naturally, readers will be delighted to know that the Reina de la Costa Maya delegates from all eight countries have already confirmed their attendance.
The pageant is scheduled to take place on Thursday August 6th, the first night of the festival. But what about the remaining two nights? Well, fear not, the committee has been working feverishly behind the scenes to ensure they bring you music, entertainment and culture once again!
After the pageant kicks off the festival with beauty and color, the Friday night festivities will include a lot of culture and some amazing musical performances. Mexican Dance Troupe Alma Caribe�a will grace us with their presence, and joining them will be the Belize Dance Company, an international DJ (to be announced at a later date) and of course, the mighty GILHARRY 7 Band!!
Misc Belizean Sources
Dia De San Pedro 2015
Schedule of Events
Saturday, June 20th:
La Bajada Service at the RC Church, 4am. Novena, 5am. And an exhibition of fishing, the festival and San Pedro at the Lobsterfestival in Central Park.
Each night, The Novena will take place at the Roman Catholic Church at 6pm.
Friday, June 26th There will be a karaoke competition and dance performance with an after party in the Old Football field.
Saturday Night festivities continue in the Sporting Area with dancers, a marimba performance by the Benque Youth Academy and more.
Sunday June 28th. There is a Fishing Rodeo.
PRESS RELEASE: LPG Price Change
Please note the new LPG prices your respective area.
First Ever Invest in Belize Seminar Held in the Republic of China (Taiwan)
The Ambassador of Belize to the Republic of China (Taiwan) H.E. Cherie Nisbet hosted the 2015 Invest in Belize: Investment Seminar at the Palais de Chine Hotel in Taipei, Taiwan, on June 15, 2015.
The event was the first of its kind and was held with the aim of attracting Taiwanese investment to Belize. A small delegation from Belize was invited by the Embassy of Belize to attend: Mr. Lincoln Blake, Director of the Policy and Investment Unit of the Ministry of Trade; Mr. Brian Lin, Manager of BelizeINVEST, BELTRAIDE; and Mr. Hero Balani, Investment Associate of BELTRAIDE.
The seminar was attended by approximately 40 potential Taiwanese investors. The presentation focused on the areas of key interest for Belize: Tourism and Leisure, Medical Tourism, Offshore Outsourcing, Agri-Business and Agro-Processing, Aquaculture and Mariculture, Renewable Energy, and Investment in the Free Zone.
Power interruption 6:00am to 6:05am, Friday, June 19: entire Stann Creek and Toledo Districts
BEL to change transformer tap at La Democracia Substation.
Wildfire Gallery Art Exhibit
There's a new art gallery in town: Wildfire. They are launching a new art exhibit tomorrow night, the 19th, from 5pm to 8pm. Nihanda Higinio will be unveiling her mixed media collection entitled 'The Universal Language of Art.'
Sacred Heart College 2015 Graduation
Congratulations to all the SHC graduates! They had a great graduation, and Kenny Lamb was there to capture the moment.
Tapir
Rice University students capture wildlife of Las Cuevas Research Station in the Chiquibul through field cameras: Tapir
Puma
University students capture wildlife of Las Cuevas Research Station in the Chiquibul through field cameras: Puma
Ocelot
Rice University students capture wildlife of Las Cuevas Research Station in the Chiquibul through field cameras: Ocelot
Louisiana Army National Guard supports Exercise Tradewinds in Belize
The Louisiana Army National Guard (LANG) 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team is in Belize in support of Phase II of exercise Tradewinds 2015, lending their training knowledge to all participating nations.
"We're here to support our partner nations across various military branches in any medical case they require," said Capt. Rachel Ward, a nurse from Louisiana Medical Command (MEDCOM), assigned to LANG for the exercise.
The Pineville, Louisiana, native added, "We have a water purification section taking well water and ensuring it's purified then taking it to the troops. And a food service section helping to prepare and serve meals to all of our partners here in theater."
Operating from four sites, the guardsmen have two medics in the jungle, where the U.S. Marines are working jointly with special forces from participating countries; two medics who are working an exercise element along a river, and two medics assigned to weapons proficiency training, embedded with the British Army Training Support Unit, Belize. This is in addition to three medics, a nurse and a physician's assistant at Price Barracks, the exercise headquarters on the outskirts of Belize City.
BEL Holds Annual General Meeting of Shareholders - Dividend Payments Increase by 87.5%
Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) is holding its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders this evening to report to its Shareholders, the Company's achievements and dividend payments for the year ending December 31, 2014. Shareholders will receive news of net earnings of $36.2 million. As a result, BEL's Board of Directors has approved dividend payments of $0.15 per share for 2014 - an 87.5% increase compared to 2013.
BEL's Mission "To provide reliable electricity at the lowest sustainable cost, stimulate national development and improve the quality of life in Belize" is being proclaimed as the driving force behind the Company's business plan, initiatives and decisions. Lowering electricity rates for the fifth consecutive time since 2013 is being highlighted as one of BEL's major accomplishments under the new leadership. In addition to the recent decision to reduce the Mean Electricity Rate (MER) to $0.35 cents per kWh, the Company is also reporting a 51% reduction in the frequency of power interruptions since 2010.
Channel 7
Guatemalan Ambassador Rejects Narrative of Five Belizeans Held In Santa Cruz
On Monday, a new Guatemalan Ambassador presented his credentials to Governor General, Sir Colville Young in Belmopan. He is Manuel Roldan Barillas - a senior diplomat with 26 years in the Guatemalan Foreign service. He has served as Ambassador in Canada and Brazil but calls Belize his most important posting so far. And he enters at an interesting time - right when a public case is being made in Belize that the Guatemalan military is becoming increasingly aggressive against Belizeans - both out armed forces and our civilians. Today Roldan deflected the suggestion that his country is becoming increasingly hostile towards Belizeans. We started by asking him about the detention of five Belizeans over the weekend in Santa Cruz, Guatemala.
H.E. Manuel Roldan Barillas - New Guatemalan Ambassador to Belize
"if you were to read the note that your government sent to the OAS office, it states that we had a very active role in trying to sort things out and that's exactly what happened. I haven't got the official information yet, the OAS hasn't pronounced itself yet as to what was requested of it. It's something that happens, human relations are not easy sometimes and they have a version and we have a version - we have to try to conciliate those. We're happy to see that everything was taken care of rapidly, that they are back in Belize and let's see how it goes from there."
Lots at Stake In Stake Bank Case
For months now, developer Mike Feinstein has been in court against the owners of the Fort Street Tourism Village. He's being trying to broach a resolution with village owners Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and Diamonds International which would see his Stakebank Cruise port move forward without any lawsuits. All attempts have failed, and so now, both sides have commenced litigation before Justice Courtney Abel.
As viewers may know already, Feinstein is challenging the legality of the head tax that is collected from each cruise tourist, which is then shared between the owners of FSTV, and BTB on behalf of the Government of Belize. His issue is that all tax revenues must be paid into the Government's Consolidated Revenue Fund, but in this case, most of it goes to the Tourism Village. FSTV has countersued saying that if this head tax is indeed illegal, then both the Government and Mike Feinstein, who originally helped to craft this agreement, should pay them an award of damages.
The Government's position is that this "head tax" is not really a tax; it's more of a fee that is charged to each cruise passenger entering Belize.
Felix Turns Himself Into Police
Shooting victim Mark Gentle died in the first week of June - and since then police have been waiting to bring murder charges against Maurice Felix - but he's been on the run from police.
His brother was charged for Gentle's murder on June 9th - and this morning after nine days on the run, 30 year old Maurice turned himself in. His charge of attempted murder was upgraded to murder when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser. Maurice is also charged with the attempted murder of Mark Gentle's mother, Pamela Cumberbatch. So Maurice now joins Emory on remand - and they are to return to court on September 8.
Last year, the brothers came off eight years on remand for a murder after three abortive trials for the murder of Mitchum Herredia.
ADU Busts The Heroin House In Ranchito
Today, four persons who were caught with heroin on Tuesday afternoon appeared in the Corozal Magistrate's Court. They are 51 year old Fermin Velasquez, 25 year old Eber Rivera, 38 year old mother of two Alba Velasquez and the odd man out, Chinese hotel owner Kua Hsiung Liao known as Peter. They were all charged for trafficking 16.5 pounds of heroin and remanded to prison until September third.
Now, 16.5 pounds is a lot with a street value of 1.4 million US dollars - according to figures posted on the internet. So how were they caught? Well it was the anti-drug unit -which moved on a house in Ranchito, Corozal on Tuesday at 4:30 pm. The police noticed that the Chinese businessman had been frequenting the house - which didn't fit, because it was quite run down. That caused police to suspect something, and when they raided the building they found Velasquez, Rivera and Peter in a backroom with 7 parcels of heroin looking very surprised. They were downstairs while Alba Velasquez and her two under aged children were upstairs.
Man Remanded After Burning Up Wife
34 year old Joel Pech of Santa Clara Village in the Corozal District appeared in Magistrate's Court today after he tried to burn up his wife on Monday night.
He was charged for attempted murder harm and aggravated assault. He was remanded and more charges are expected to be brought.
His 36 year old wife Maria told police that she was cleaning some aluminium to sell when Pech woke up and started cursing her out. He then lashed her with a machete and when she ran, he stoned the machete at her, but it missed. She then caught her, drafed her by the hair and locked her up in the kitchen where he dowsed her with kerosene and tried to light her on fire, but she managed to wash off some of the accelerant. He still managed to light only her forearm but she doused it in water.
Krismar Will spend At Least Eight
Krismar Espinosa was today sentenced to 16 year for the manslaughter of 24 year old Rachel Chun in 2007. He's been on remand since then, and based on time served, he will serve 8 more years for the killing. He was convicted earlier this month after a jury of 12 was unable to reach a unanimous verdict of guilty for murder - so they found him guilty of manslaughter.
In September of 2007, Chun was believed to have been taken into an abandoned building in Santa Familia, sexually assaulted and then bludgeoned with a cement block. She was found days later, half naked and decomposing. She was last seen with Esipnoza in front of her home.
The 26 year old Espinoza still has another murder trial pending. He was accused of killing his cell mate Keon Swasey on Christmas Eve of 2009. He had gotten off, but the Court of Appeal ruled in 2014 that he must face a new trial for the same charge.
Capital Cops Got A 357 Magnum
A gun seizure in Belmopan: police found a Magnum pistol and ammunition in the Maya Mopan area yesterday. Yesterday morning at around 11:45 Belmopan Police, Special Branch and K-9 unit searched a vacant lot on Salvapan Street Extension in the Maya Mopan area. They found a silver six shooter .357 Magnum Calibre Ruger Brand Pistol. About 200 feet away 6 live .38 rounds of ammunition along with 6 live 9mm rounds of ammunition were found wrapped in a grey under shirt in some bushes. No one was in the area at the time of the search so all items were deposited as found property.
All Along The Watchtower
Today a new fire observation tower was inaugurated at the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area. This management area is known as the largest private protected area and the best managed in Belize. That status is being maintained with the construction of a new fire observation tower at the management area. While its main purpose is to allow rangers to more effectively detect and control fires in the area -the Executive Director of Program for Belize says it's serves as more than just a fire watch tower. We traveled to the management area today to find out more.
Courtney Weatherburne Reporting�
This single column 40 foot cement structure was erected in 1990 and served as the fire tower at the East Gate post of the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management area.
But it has over served its purpose and now it has been replaced with a larger, sturdier more modern fire observation tower. The new stainless steel tower has a 20 foot wide base and stands 60 feet high.
This folding stick chair - mouldy and old - rests at the top of the tower overlooking the wide-open landscape of lush shrubs and pine Savannah. It's a breath taking view in the somber light of an overcast morning
UDP Pawpa Mena Says People Power Not Petrocaribe Will Make Difference In Dangriga
Next week Monday is nomination day for the Dangriga Constituency when Anthony Sabal will be formally entered in the by-election as the PUP's candidate. Frank "Pawpa" Mena will be on the other side of the political divide as the UDP candidate.
He has been UDP's standard bearer for a year longer, and so, it is perceived that he has an edge over Sabal, who was named as the Opposition's replacement for Ivan Ramos one month ago.
Last night, Mena was in Belize City, and we asked him about the sudden opportunity he's being presented with to possibly be elected to the House of Representatives:
Frank "Pawpa" Mena - UDP Standard Bearer, Dangriga
"I have a committee who's working very diligently and getting things together. So the nomination is on Monday and we're already doing the ground work, the invitations - telling everybody to come out. We start our march to nomination from in front of Ms. Hortence's house at the corner at St. Vincent and we mark to the town hall and after that there is a big rally at the central plaza.
Burglar Got Big Bills From BIL
The Belize Infrastructure Limited at the Market Square in Belmopan was burglarised on Tuesday. The Administrative Assistant 27 year old Aura Montes reported to police that between 4:46 on Tuesday evening and 8:45 on Wednesday morning her workplace was burglarised. An assortment of items were stolen including 1 Dell Laptop, 1 Epson brand Projector, 1 white Oyster blender, 3 Canon calculators and 1 radio all to a total value over $6,000. The thief or thieves broke into the building through the roof by screwing off one of the zinc sheets. Police have no one detained as yet.
Want More From Chetumal?
With hundreds of thousands of Belizeans spending millions of dollars in Chetumal annually - you wouldn't think that the southern capital of Quintana Roo has to promote itself too much, right? Well, think again: The Embassy of Mexico and the Chetumal Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism organized a Tourism and Commercial Mission today at the Institute of Mexico. Participants included hotels, restaurants, tour operators, travel agencies and other commercial companies from Chetumal, Bacalar and Mahahual. The objective is to promote products and services that Southern Quintana Roo has to offer, as well as to encourage regional integration between Belizean and Mexican companies. The Mexican Ambassador told us more:�
Carlos Quesnel -Ambassador of Mexico to Belize
"As we all know, Belize and Mexico we have a very good relationship but we also have a very good potential. This potential can be realised through more trade, more commerce and more influx of Belizean visitors to Mexico and more Mexican visitors to Belize. So we are very happy that we have this opportunity today to share this event with Mexicans and Belizeans together - trying to look for new opportunities for business.
The BTIA Bi-Annual
The Belize Tourism Industry Association held its 30th Bi-Annual General Meeting today at the Princess Hotel. The meeting, which was attended by members from across the country, touched topics such as the core importance of customer service from upper management to frontline staff and the importance of teamwork. It was an all-day event - and we stopped in this morning.
John Burgos - Executive Director
"We have the BTB as I mentioned before, we're going to be doing a proposal for the final destination chapters. Currently we're officially launching the local ad campaign. With the slogan, discover how to be a Belizean traveller and you can sign on for the hashtag #belizeantraveller. We already sent the information, you should be able to sign on basically we want you guys to be able to provide packages to promote local businesses. In other words your family, teenagers, who ever is going to be able to travel country wide this year, especially during the slow season.
San Salvador Expert Says Yes To Min Of Housing
Last night, we showed you day one of the Housing Ministry's workshop organised to come up with a National Housing Policy.
The goal is to create an action plan which will attract more international funding agencies to look favourably on proposals to provide affordable housing to needy citizens. The Salvadoran Facilitator told the media today that they are impressed with the enthusiasm from the Housing Agencies who participated in the workshop:
The Housing workshop ended this evening.
The Importance OF Being Cecile
She touched down this afternoon at the PGIA in true -bad gyal- style. We're taking about Jamaican reggae artist Cecile. The reggae songstress is in Belize to perform two shows. This time she didn't come alone - she brought along one of dancehalls newest female artists -who goes by the name of Amanyea. You might know her as a former Miami Heat dancer - but she is singing now. 7news caught up with the crew.
The first show is tomorrow night at Club Elite and then Cecile will hit the stage on Saturday night in Dangriga.
Woodrow Rolling SouthWest To Honduras
According to reports, the Belize National Team goalkeeper, Woodrow West has signed with the Honduran semi professional team, El Progresso. They met with West yesterday evening at Yim Saam restaurant in Belmopan and finalised terms. This picture from PLUSTV shows the 29 year old with a Progresso Team Jersey.
Reports said that the same Club Deportivo Progresso would be meeting with super striker Deon McCauley today to discuss him playing for them.
We could not reach McCauley for comment.
Both players are currently contracted to local teams in Belize - which would have to grant a release.
BEL Nets Big Bucks
Right now at the Radisson, BEL is having its Annual General Meeting. The company will declare a dividend of 15 cents per share, which is up almost 90% from last year. But even more impressive is the 36.2 million dollars in net earnings for the year ended December 2014.
The Company is also reporting a 51% reduction in the frequency of blackouts since 2010.
All this is good, but lamentably, for a company that is wholly publicly owned, BEL does not open its Annual Meetings to the media as do the other utilities BTL and BWSL.
Channel 5
Woodrow West Signed By Honduras Progresso
Within days of the big win against the national football team of the Dominican Republic, the goalkeeper who pulled off amazing saves for Belize is moving on from the Jaguars. [...]
Maurice Felix Surrenders…Is Remanded on Murder Charge
Relatives of murder suspect, Maurice Felix, confirmed to us today that early this morning, he handed himself into police custody.� But strangely, when Maurice and his sister visited the police [...]
67K of Marijuana Found by Checkpoint Cops
This evening, a group of four persons, who were busted inside a Cherokee jeep, were remanded to the Belize Central Prison, after the prosecutor objected to bail due to the [...]
PACT Act Amendments Tabled in Cabinet
Amendments to the PACT Act which were allegedly tabled at Cabinet have been the cause of much speculation and even concern among N.G.O.s in Belize. Some representatives we spoke to [...]
N.G.O.s Have Concerns About Amendments
Among the complaints we've heard about the proposed amendments is that there is much more power being vested in the Minister, and apparently less inclusion of N.G.O.'s and less dependence [...]
Guatemalan Ambassador Admits Incursions Are Not Being Controlled
On Monday, the new Guatemalan Ambassador to Belize, Manuel Estuardo Roldan, was sworn in to assume his diplomatic mission in Belize. He begins his appointment at a time when there [...]
He Hopes to Rebuild Relationship Between the Countries
Ambassador Roldan says that his primary focus will be to build the relationship between Guatemala and Belize. And one of his priorities is to help alleviate the pressures on the [...]
Belize Named as One of World's Worst Tax Havens
On Wednesday, Moody's Investors Service reported that Belize's debt is unsustainable. Tonight, we report that Belize is among fourteen Caribbean countries blacklisted by the European Union as the world's worst [...]
New Fire Tower for Rio Bravo Protected Area
Nestled in the far reaches of the Belize River Valley is the Rio Bravo Protected Area, a large and lushly forested zone where flora and fauna thrive. But like other [...]
Supreme Court Examines Feinstein/FSTV/G.O.B. Relationship
Can the Government of Belize make agreements with a private party concerning another private party’s operation of his/her business? Can the Government cede collection of revenue by taxes to a [...]
No Legislative Support for Head Tax
The so-called head tax, paid by cruise ship passengers to enter Belize, is collected by the Belize Tourism Board (B.T.B.) and shared with the Belize City Council, Protected Areas Conservation [...]
Marshalleck Says G.O.B. Misrepresented Itself
Feinstein agreed that the original agreement for the village in 2001 designated it the only port of entry for cruise ships in Belize District for fifteen years, this has subsequently [...]
Butane Prices Down
As of midnight tonight, there will be a drop in the cost of butane gasoline. The government, in a press release from the Supplies Control Unit, announced today that effective [...]
San Pedro to Host LGBT Pride Week
In news that will surely fire off much heated debate on the social media, News Five has confirmed that from September fifth to September twelfth, members of the LGBT community [...]
More Works Underway on F.F.B. Football Pitch
The football pitch at F.F.B. headquarters in Belmopan has been an unending source of frustration for national team players and executive members. But not anymore. If you watched the home [...]
B.T.I.A. President Reveals 10 Short Term Goals
The Belize Tourism Industry Association is celebrating thirty years. And with those thirty years, the association has grown tremendously, just as much as the industry. The association president says that [...]
Mexican Embassy Hosts Trade Mission
The Mexican Embassy today hosted a half day trade mission for Mexican businesses to meet with local businesses. The aim is to build a relationship and forge business opportunities that [...]
Healthy Living: Emergency Apps by Red Cross
With the hurricane season upon us, the Belize Red Cross has released two new emergency apps that are tailored to meet the needs of the country. The first app basically [...]
CTV3
Man Slapped With Three Charges On Trying To Set Wife On Fire
Joel Alfredo Pech, a Belizean laborer of Santa Clara Village in the Corozal District, has been charged for the crimes of attempted murder, harm, and aggravated assault. The charges were filed against him following investigations into a report made by his wife, thirty six year old Maria Pech. Pech told police that on Monday of this week, at about seven thirty in the night, she was cleaning some aluminum to sell while her husband was asleep inside their home when he woke up and began insulting her and when she tried to go inside he began threatening her and her children.
At that point, Pech says Joel came outside wielding a machete with which he lashed her on her left leg. The woman told police that she ran but he set chase after her, threw the machete at her but missed. She reports that things got worse when she returned home.
Espinosa Get 16 Years In Prison For Manslaughter
Sentencing for 26 year old Krismar Espinosa was held this morning at the Northern Session of the Supreme Court. Presiding judge was Hurbert Lord and Espinosa's defence attorney was Leo Bradley. On June 5th 2015, Espinosa was found not guilty for murder but guilty of a lesser charge for manslaughter when it comes to the death of then 24 year old Rachel Cicely Chun.
In court today, after 4 witnesses were called for the mitigation plea, Judge Lord sentenced Espinosa to 16 years imprisonment. Viewers may recall that in September of 2007, Espinosa was accused for the murder of Chun. Chun's badly decomposed body was removed from an unfinished concrete house on Santa Familia Street in Orange Walk Town. At the crime scene, a bloody cement block, which was believed to be the murder weapon, was also found. That same day, Krismar Espinosa, an Orange Walk resident, who was only seventeen years old at the time, was arrested since he was the last person Chun was seen with and due to the conversations he had following the murder.
Consumers Will Get $3.00 Reduction On Price For Butane
We start off this segment of the newscast with some good news. Effective tomorrow, consumers will pay $3.00 less for a 100 pound cylinder of Liquid Petroleum Gas. A bulletin from the Supplies Control Unit reveals that the new controlled price per 100 pound cylinder imported by Belize Gas Limited and Western Gas Company Limited from Pemex in Mexico will drop $3.00 in Orange Walk Town going from $91.00 to $88.00. In Corozal, consumers will now pay a new price of $87.00 dollars. The controlled price of LPG imported by Belize Western Energy Ltd, Zeta Gas and Gas Tomza from within Central America now stands at $86.00 dollars for Orange Walk Town and $85.00 for consumers in Corozal. The across the board decrease of $3.00 dollars is attributed to a current production boom in North America that has led to a downward pressure in oil derivatives including LPG. It is of note that compared to last year; prices per cylinder are $32.00 lower this year.
Mexicans Claim Mistreatment At The Corozal Free Zone
There are reports surfacing that there is a surge of incidence of violence against Mexicans at the Corozal Commercial Free Zone. There is a full write up on the issue circulating on Facebook. According to that report, the rate of violence against Mexicans is rising and fast. The report even states that the level of aggression and bad treatment has risen up to seventy percent from last year. The write-up goes on to criticize and even discriminate against Belizean culture as being one of arrogance, adding that this is clearly demonstrated at the Belizean border. The author claims that there is rampant discrimination against Mexican nationals and makes the comparison to when Belizeans cross into Chetumal where they are treated with great hospitality. Of course we remind viewers of news articles we aired and which were reported on Mexican media in Chetumal of the growing incidence of robberies and abuse of Belizeans by Mexican taxi drivers and at grocery stores.
Belize Has New Israeli Ambassador
The beginning of a new relationships between the Guatemalan and Israeli communities have commenced as Manuel Roldan of Guatemala and Oren Bar El of Israel were sworn in as new ambassadors to Belize.
Israel and Guatemala share a long history together; Israel provided weapons to the Guatemalan government during its genocidal civil war. Israel also became Guatemala's main arms supplier in the 1970's after the United States refused to supply them with weapons. Ironically, those very weapons were used for causing threats along our Belizean Borders.
But it is a new decade, and despite the disorderly history between Guatemala and Belize, Israeli Ambassador, Bar El, assures the public that Israel is unbiased to the disputes. He personally believes that the disputes between Guatemala and Belize can be solved without Israeli input.
Three Men and One Woman Remanded For Heroin Bust In Corozal
They were found in possession of 7.4 kilos of heroin and tonight they are paying the price for committing the crime. Twenty five year old Eber Rivera of San Joaquin Village, Corozal, 51 year old Fermin Velasquez of Ranchito Village, Corozal, 51 year old Kua Liao, Chinese businessman of Mile 8, George Price Highway and 38 year old Salvadoran domestic Alba Velasquez of Ranchito Village, Corozal are spending their first night at the Hattiville Prison after being arraigned this morning at the Corozal Magestrates Court for drug trafficking.
As reported last night, the Police Anti-Drug Unit was on a special operation when they searched a residence located near the junction of the Phillip Goldson Highway and the Maya Airstrip road where all four persons were in. There authorities found seven parcels of suspected heroin which amounted to 7, 418 grams. All four will remain in priosn until their next court date. We understand they will apply for bail at the Supreme Court level.
LOVE FM
Assistant Coach Believes Football Match was Fixed
Three football players are being investigating by CONCACAF and UNCAF for allegedly match-fixing. The complaint suggests that the game played by the Verdes and BDF FC on April 29 of this year was fixed by the three players. That complaint was made by the Assistant Head Coach for FFB, Charlie Slusher, who told Love News [�]
Love Foundation Holds Awards Breakfast Event
Several persons from the private and public sectors as well as the general public attended a Breakfast meeting this morning at the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City. The event was the Love Foundation's first Awards Breakfast geared at presenting to its stakeholders, the activities and causes that the organization has undertaken over the [�]
Butane Goes Down Three Dollars
Friday, June 19 will see a change in butane prices as per the information coming out of the Ministry of Trade, Investment Promotion, Private Sector Development and Consumer Protection. According to the release, the new controlled price per one hundred pound cylinder for liquid petroleum gas, imported from PEMEX in Mexico and distributed by Belize [�]
Ambassador Nisbet Hosts Investment Seminar
The Ambassador of Belize to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Cherie Nisbet hosted the 2015 Invest in Belize: Investment Seminar on Monday. The event was the first of its kind and was held with the aim of attracting Taiwanese investment to Belize. The delegation comprised of Lincoln Blake, Director of the Policy and Investment Unit [�]
PlusTV
Housing Ministry prepares new policy; grants for repairs available
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is rarely heard from but they continue to work at solving the problems of Belizeans in acquiring and maintaining proper housing. Today it embarked on the creation of a policy on establishing social housing for the country...
Man shot in Lord’s Bank
A man shot�Tuesday�night is in critical condition at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. 28 year old Jorge Caseres was socializing at a residence in Lord’s Bank village around�8:46�in the evening when someone knocked on the main front door...
Husband accused of attempted murder of wife
A husband is facing charges for the attempted murder of his wife. 36-year-old Maria Pech, a housewife of Santa Clara village, Corozal District, reported that on Monday June 15 at about 7:30p.m. she was in her back yard when her husband Joel Pech assaulted her with a machete...
Four charged for trafficking heroin
Four persons have been charged with drug trafficking charges in the North. On Tuesday June 17 at about 5:15 p.m., �Police Anti-Drug Unit (ADU) were conducting operations within the Corozal District when they �searched �a residence in Ranchito Village �and found seven parcels of suspected heroin...
Court to decide on sentence for convict
The Court of Appeal heard a second appeal by Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl Lynn Vidal today in relation to the sentence given to Wilbert Cuellar of Orange Walk...
Man charged for encounter with police
A man who menaced a police officer with a firearm and then tried to run away has been charged with aggravated assault with a firearm and keeping a prohibited firearm and ammunition...
Four Belizeans bestowed the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
Four Belizeans were today bestowed the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire on the occasion of the 2015 New Year Honours. The honours were conferred by the Governor General of Belize H.E. Sir Colville Young on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at today's Investiture Ceremony...
Is Woodrow West being drafted for the international football league in Honduras?
Is Belizean goalkeeper Woodrow West being drafted for the international football league in Honduras? Plus news has been informed that today, members of El Progreso, the football club that wants West on their team, met with the 29 year old star goal keeper to finalize the documents...
