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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
30 Day Belizean Treats Challenge: Day 19 to 24
We are almost there! Only six more days to complete the Belizean Treats Challenge! Let the count down begin�
Letter to the Editor: The Catholic Church and Homosexuality
Dear Editor,
My husband and I were deeply offended by the article "the church, homosexuality and the community," written by Mr. Jorge Aldana, that was in The San Pedro Sun newspaper on September 11, 2015.
It was disrespectful to everyone. You not only attacked Father Scott's character, the parishioners of the San Pedro Catholic Church, Pope Francis, but also the foundation on which the Catholic Church was built. Even though I was brought up in the Catholic faith, I feel it is important to be respectful of everyone's religion. We all worship God in our own way.
My husband and I both had catholic education in the United States. I was born in Belize City and attended St. Catherine's Academy until I was nine years old and moved to the United States. We have uttermost respect for everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or religion. We're all God's children. He doesn't discriminate.
The "Bible" is the teaching of God and his apostles. It doesn't drive people away from God, but establishes a relation with God.
Mother Theresa is an example of what God teaches us to be "A servant of God." She fed the poor and cared for the sick throughout her life. Wouldn't it be great if each of us could follow in Mother Theresa's footsteps?
Joel Nagel appointed as Belize's Ambassador to Austria
Island businessman and investor, Joel Nagel has been appointed as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Austria. Nagel officially took the role during a ceremony at Hofburg Palace in Vienna, where he was received by Austrian President Heinz Fischer. Apart for being appointed as Belize's Ambassador to Austria, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also appointed Nagel as the Permanent Representative to its United Nations offices in Vienna. While in office, Nagel will work to strengthen and improve the relationship between Belize and Austria. Nagel is the founder and managing partner of the international law firm of Nagel & Associates, LLC in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. The firm is Pittsburgh's first law boutique focusing exclusively on international commercial transactions and immigration. Nagel is also the Chairman of Caye International Bank, an investor of Exotic Caye Beach Resort and legal counsel and Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer for Grand Baymen Belize.
Therapist needed for burn victim
Burn Victim Mercy Fund is seeking a Physical Therapist in San Pedro Town who would be willing to contribute his/her skills to improve the life of a very special girl. The services of a physical therapist are needed to facilitate the releases of nine-year-old Katerin Michel Perez from Shriners Hospital for Children (Burns Center), to return to Belize. Her return home can only be determined by whether or not her therapy can be continued here. It is essential to finding a therapist able and willing to contribute to the ongoing care of the burn patient who has limited resources.
Verdes FC still hoping to advance Champions League Quarterfinals
Belize's Verdes FC continue their journey in the Scotiabank Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Champions League (SCCL). With three matches down and only one more to go in the first round, the Green Machine are giving it their all in hopes of making their country proud. Currently in the second position in their group, Verdes must achieve one more win in order to advance as only the winners of each group move on to the knockout stage.
In their two most recent matches, Verdes FC experienced both a loss and victory. Their second match was an away game against Mexico's Queretaro FC on Thursday, September 17th. The match was played at the Estadio Corregidora in Queretaro, Mexico. After experiencing a draw in their first match against Verdes FC during the first game on Tuesday, August 18th at the Football Federation of Belize (FFB) Stadium, Queretaro FC was determined to win.
Misc Belizean Sources
Supermoon Sunday evening
This weekend's full Moon is a "supermoon," as much as 50,000 km closer to Earth than other full Moons of the year. Rising in the east at sunset, the swollen disk will look extremely beautiful... because it is going to be eclipsed. On Sunday evening, Sept. 27th, the supermoon will pass through the shadow of Earth, turning the lunar disk a cosmic shade of red.
What makes the eclipsed Moon turn red? A quick trip to the Moon provides the answer: Imagine yourself standing on a dusty lunar plain looking up at the sky. Overhead hangs Earth, nightside down, completely hiding the sun behind it. The eclipse is underway.
You might expect Earth seen in this way to be utterly dark, but it's not. The rim of the planet looks like it is on fire. As you scan your eye around Earth's circumference, you're seeing every sunrise and every sunset in the world, all of them, all at once. This incredible light beams into the heart of Earth's shadow, filling it with a coppery glow and transforming the Moon into a great red orb.
For Belize, the Eclipse of the Moon by Earth will be happening between about 8pm to 9:30pm Sunday Evening.
http://shadowandsubstance.com/
Women's U-17 training rescheduled
Island athletes selected for training please take note. The Football Federation of Belize informs that training for the Women's U-17 scheduled for September 25 - 27, 2015 has been canceled due to weather conditions. Training will resume next week Friday, October 2, 2015.
RAYMOND 'SIXTEEN' THOMPSON!
The memories of this awesome Belizean boxer continues to haunt me whenever Belizeans speak about boxing. We know that Lugwig Lightburn was the greatest, and David Dakers was back to back national boxing champ of Belize, and others rose to high acclaim in the Belizean boxing world, but Sixteen, as he is called by most Belizeans, dazzled the Belizean boxing world, and perhaps sent shock waves to the Mexican fighters all the way down to Campeche, Mexico. My close up view of him at Havana Gym under the training brilliance of Eustace Vernon, and why he was so feared by many boxers in Belize, was because of how good he was, and the skill and hard work he put into his training. But Thompson was fearless, and would step away from no challenge. He was second to none, and though he fought at a lighter weight than many of the other big boxing champions in Belize in the 1970's, Sixteen flew high like he was Belize's only national boxing champion. His style, speed, and punching power was parallel to many boxers across the world and the in the United States. He was a combination of everything you can think about in the boxing world at that time. He was a fighting machine.
Statement by Hon. Wilfred Elrington
At the United Nations Summit to Adopt the Post 2015 Development Agenda
Belize Statement Interactive Dialogue
Ending Poverty and Hunger - Post 2015 Summit
INDEPENDENCE EVE 2015
57 new photos
Final Line-Up for Sunday's Parade starting at 10:00 a.m. at the Boca del Rio Park
Thank you for registering your group/float!
Horticulture Classes Fall 2015
If you want to learn more about a wide range of horticulture subjects, there are a lot of classes coming up at the Belize Botanic Gardens Garden Shop.
"If you have any question feel free to contact us at 834 - 4800, 824 - 3101, 671 - 3322 or stop by at our garden shop in San Ignacio for more information."
Channel 7
Alleged Child Predator Bowman Charged, In Jail
42 year old alleged child predator Kenrick Alston Bowman is in jail tonight. The Lake Independence man who has been in the news for most of this week - was charged for the little used offence of, quote, "obtaining gratification why he engaged in activity of a sexual nature in front of a child." End quote. He was taken to court for arraignment this afternoon - and pleaded not guilty. It brings to an end a week of intense pressure on police. But, there's a twist in every tale - and the twist in this one is that Bowman was not charged for molesting the child whose story has been on the news - the one who was allegedly involved in oral sex for two packs of Ramen noodles. The allegation is for an incident with another child - dating back to sometime in January of 2015 - a child who was only made to witness and act - not one who engaged in it. The formal charge read in court was that Bowman, for the purpose of obtaining gratification, engaged in activity of a sexual nature in front of a 15 year old child, knowing or believing that he was being observed or with the intention of being observed by the said child.
Today, the southside commander Chester Williams wouldn't say much about that case, but explained why they have not brought charges for the more recent case:...
Teachers Take To Picket Line Against Their Own Principal At Faith Nazarene
The standoff at Faith Nazarene Primary School in san Ignacio is entering its fourth week - and still children are being kept at home by angry parents who want the principal gone. Today 249 of the 403 registered students showed up for school - which is not even three quarter of the total enrollment. Today parents got a permit to stage their second protest - and they got support on the picket line from teachers who stepped out during the morning break to protest against their own principal. Crazy�and we were there to witness it...
Jules Vasquez reporting
While children looked on in bemusement the chants were resounding: "Pech Must Go "and what made the difference today was that teachers were on the picket line - chanting and carrying signs against their own principal.
At break time - it was more than idle distraction for these kids caught in the middle of a war between adults.
Police not teachers had to tell the kids to get back to class - a chaotic atmosphere - hardly conducive to learning. How can school go on with all this noise outside - being generated by persons with vested interests - parents and teachers.
Trouble In Paraiso: Daylight Double Murder
There was a daytime double murder north of Corozal Town today. Around 10:30 am Two men were killed as they were working in a cane field. 42 year old Rogelio Rancharan and his worker 58 year old Vincente Cayuno were shot in the head by an unknown gunman. Police told CTV-3 they got the report from one man who survived:...
Supt. Dennis Arnold - OC, Corozal Police
"At about 10:45am this morning, a 54 year old male person came to the police station and made a report of shots being fired in the San Roman area. That's 3 and a half miles north east of Corozal town. Police visited the area and upon arrival saw two male person lying face up in a cane field with what appears to be a gunshot wound to the right side of the head. Whilst the person came to make the complaint on the two deceased were scattering fertilizer in the cane field. Apparently someone came out of the bushes and fired shots at them. The two persons stayed there and the other person got away and he was the one who came to make the complaint."
Reporter
"Sir from what you found on the scene, police some sort execution style maybe?"
Supt. Dennis Arnold - OC, Corozal Police
"Well the investigation is in the preliminary stage and I really don't want to speculate, but the two expended shells were found near both bodies."
Still No Bail For Keyren Tzib
Keyren Tzib, the Coast Guard Officer who has been charged with manslaughter for allegedly stabbing her common-law husband to death, went back to the Supreme Court today. She was hoping that Justice Troadio Gonzalez would allow her to go home until her trial starts, but the judge was not convinced that he had all the information to make an appropriate decision.
In today's hearing, Justice Gonzalez commented, quote, "I am inclined to grant her bail, but my biggest concern is her mental status." End Quote. He was hoping to get a report from a medical professional which would convince him that the state was fully aware of her mental health. However, when Ingrid Bonilla Claire, a Psychiatric Nurse, took the stand and was prepared to answer his question, Justice Gonzalez was not convinced that her assessment alone was sufficient. That's when the court found out that there was no Psychiatrist currently posted in Belize City.
Are KHMH Staffers Going to Get 14%?
In the Prime Minister's Independence Day speech, he announced that the Government of Belize was going to forgive the 9 million dollar debt that the public owes the KHMH. That was the total in unpaid medical bills left uncollected.
With the government assuming those impaired debts, the Board of KHMH would be able to pay for the raise that the employees of the hospital had been asking, somewhere in line with the 18% that the teachers and public officers were given. The Guardian Newspaper recently reported that this final figure that this raise will amount to is 14%. When we had an opportunity to speak with Labour Minister Godwin Hulse at an event today, we asked him if that figure is accurate:
Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Labour
"The KHMH employees are not public officers, so they were not subject to that grand bonanza that the public officers were subjected to of 6 and 8 percent. However the government has to put a serious subsidy into the KHMH because it's not a self-sustaining institution and of course health is a priority. So what we have done is we have asked the board to redo their budget and as he rightly said, it's not just a hand out.
Hon. Hulse: Electricity Workers Agreement Soon
Labour Minister Hulse was also able to discuss was the status of the negotiation between the Belize Energy Workers Union and the Management of BEL on an across-the-board salary increase. The union has been threatening industrial action - but Hulse told us that, from his perspective, a resolution could be worked out as soon as next week:
Daniel Ortiz
"It appears that the discussions are falling away and industrial action seems to be imminent. Is that the position, since you are at a more informed position than we are in the press?"
Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Labour
"No it's not at all, the discussions are definitely not falling away and we are not close to industrial action. I personally spent 10 meetings and by labour commissioner and CEO took it from there to discuss with both parties. This has gone on now more than a month almost two. There were some structural issues that we wanted to clear on both sides first. We've been at a point where we have a better clarity for management and we were hoping to meet with the unions this week but we understand from them that they had some issues concerning a death in the family of some one of their persons in their negotiating team. So as a consequence we were not able to meet yesterday, we have a plan to meet on this coming Monday. It is my hope to be able to square this away when we do meet on Monday because there has now been tremendous clarity on both sides. Both what the unions really want and what the management really wants and we are fairly confident that we can bring this together."
Contending With Coastal Sewage
If you live or work in a coastal community, the ugly truth is that every time you flush your toilet, you are polluting the seas and lagoons in your area - even if at a very slow rate.
Don't get too worried because pollution is measured in parts per million. That might seem a bit too abstract, but it basically means that the higher the concentration of a hazardous substance is, the more harm it is doing.
The bottom line, however, is that as you've been hearing for the past few days, communities like Placencia are more at risk. That's because the sewage system being used on the peninsula are mainly septic tanks, and those are inefficient at keeping the chemicals released from human waste from eventually seeping into waterways.
Yesterday, the people from Belize Weste Control told us, an integrated sewage system, which would effectively lower this rate of pollution significantly, is prohibitively expensive - in the millions of dollars. That's money that the company does not have, and if they can't afford it for Placencia, they certainly can't do so for other coastal communities. The resident consultant engineer outlined to us what would have to happen for the company to afford these integrated systems:
Mangroves Matter
So, while the country's water and sewage services provider is waiting for a grant, the environment has a ready-made defence against such pollution. We're referring to mangrove forests, which act as a natural filtration.
So, that's one more reason to keep these plants around, apart from preventing soil erosion. But, the problem, as we've shown you, is that developers cut down large tracts of mangroves to make way for their development, which is something that the conservationists are very concerned about. They discussed this with us on Wednesday:
"As you fly into any one of these tourism destinations, San Pedro, Placencia, Caye Caulker, you begin to see the changes in mangrove cover and similar to shrimp farms. These mangroves help to remediate and remove some of the nutrients that's coming off from the various uses and so here we have industries that depend on high water quality. But at the same time those same industries are removing ecosystems that provide a service and help to remove a nutrient out of the system. It's not the solution for all, but it is one of those elements that add to the solution and it's not only on the mainland. We are starting to see that on very small cayes much like harvest Caye. We're starting to see dredging out at Turneff and that completely removes the cover of mangroves. We anticipate that we will see the same problems that we are seeing, in Placencia and San Pedro where you are starting to see the leachate from the septic tanks reaching out to the water and then reduction in water quality."
Is Reserving The Key To Preserving Placencia Lagoon?
So, as you've seen the Placencia lagoon is under sustained pressure, either from rapid development expansion, or from the slow pollution of the community's inefficient sewage system. That and other reasons are why the Southern Environment Association is hoping that the Government will declare the Placencia Lagoon a protected area. The Executive Director told us more:
Nicole Auil Gomez, Executive Director, SEA
"The Placencia peninsula is within an ecological hotspot. It's within very close range of the reef. There are patch reefs off of the lagoon itself and westward of the peninsula is the Placencia lagoon which is a critical fish nursery habitat. It's an important mangrove habitat, it has high importance value for manatees, and it would be classified as the most important sites for manatees in Belize. The Placencia lagoon has been a gap in the protected area system nationally. It has been identified by several individuals in publications and the national rationalization report that comprehensively looked at the protected area system and identified it as a gap. So the environmental association is working with the friends of Placencia lagoon through the support of the world wildlife fund. To get Placencia lagoon declared a wildlife sanctuary under the new national protected area systems bill or act that will be finalized shortly. We hope to see the process move forward that we can get that site declared a protected area."
Caught With A Single Round
Santos Lopez was arrested yesterday in Los Lagos - police searched him and say they found one round of unlicensed 9 millimeter ammunition in his pocket. Police say the resident of Trinidad farm ran when he saw them. Today in Court, Lopez told the judge that police planted the ammunition in his pocket. A please of not guilty was entered on his behalf. Still, he was remanded. We are reliably informed that LADYVILLE police are investigating him in connection with a murder.
US Ambassador Gives to Fire
Yesterday, we showed you how the US Military Liaison Office handed over an 800 thousand dollar emergency, disaster, and community center in Hattieville. Well today, that office along with the US Embassy in Belmopan were in Belize City where they handed over about 1.1 million dollars in state-of-the-art equipment to the Fire Department. We spoke with the Ambassador about this donation.
The donation includes 200 personal protective gear kits, 80 breathing apparatus replacement cylinders, 12 heavy duty rescue saws, 14 combustible gas detectors, 6 vehicle stabilization kits, 4 transportable pumps, and 40 handheld radios specifically designed for firefighters. But, with all this new equipment, has the government considered replacing those ancient fire engines that the Fire Department still uses? That's what we asked Hulse today:
The US Ambassador told us that there are about 5 or 6 other programs that the US Government is working on as donations to the Belize Government.
The Sanguinary And The Sacred Intersect
Usually praise and worship sessions are done in a church, at bible study or privately and those include either praying or singing hymns. But not all religions have these orthodox practices. Yesterday the Bangladeshi Muslim Community in Belize City held its own form of worship in the yard behind Red House on Vernon Street. It is known as Eidal - Adha and we went to see what it was all about. We warn you though these images that we are about to show may be too graphic for the squeamish or younger audiences�so if you don't like the sight of blood, or have kids around, you might want to take a break for about 3 minutes. Here is what we saw at the ceremony:
Muslims all over the world celebrate this day every year and it is done at other locations around the country. The Muslim Community sent out a press release describing what the day signifies for Muslims. It states " Eid ul Adha is also known as the Feast of Sacrifice and commemorates the Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to God. This festival, is celebrated each year by Muslims all over the world."
Inside The Incubator
The Ministry of Health is spearheading a major clean up at the Western Regional Hospital. The idea is, if course, to chase out the vermin which resides in the 40 year old building. But, it was a media event tailored for only media house: LOVE TV. When we found out about it - we were told we weren't invited. So, we ended up just kinda crashing the love party - right when the infection control nurse was displaying the inside of the incubator where the rat was found:...
The incubator is climate controlled - so an alarm sound anytime one of the ports is open for too long.
Hon. Hulse To Media: Let The Rat Go
And so while the infection control nurse told the media that the nursery had been cleaned just before the rat incident, Labour Minister Godwin Hulse called the media out, basically saying, "to let it go". Here's his rational:
Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Labour
"I was a little disturbed at the massive coverage that the rat in the incubator had. Because really rats and bats are everywhere and yes it should not be there, it should have never been in the incubator etc. it's very unfortunate. Thank God nothing happened to the child but that we covered it to the extent that it got all this international coverage doesn't speak well for our country and I think sometimes we have to be sensitive on how we cover things. The nurses, we can't put that on everybody's shoulder. Rats are creative little creatures I think they've been around from the dinosaur days just like roaches you can't get rid of them and houseflies, it doesn't matter what you do, and you can only do your best.
The Vision Thing
2 months ago, we told you about how the Bishop Martin High school in Orange Walk brought home third place in the regionals of the Regional portion of the Sagicor Visionary Challenge.
They developed a research program on Chaya, and that took them to the finals of the competition 2 years in a row. Today, Sagicor Life Inc. started the 3rd Annual competition by holding a workshop for the teachers in Belize. This session took place at the Biltmore Plaza hotel, and it gave us a chance to meet the winners from Bishop Martin. We took the opportunity to speak with the winners about the high-level science tour they got in the US as an award for their innovative science project. Here's what they told us:
So, what are the principals of Sagicor hoping for this time around from the brilliant visionaries who will compete? That's what we asked one of the representatives today:
Channel 5
Registered Sex Offender Kenrick Bowman Arraigned and Granted Bail
C onvicted Belizean/American sex offender, Kenrick Bowman has been in the news since Tuesday for allegations that he sodomized a number of minors at his house on Police Street, Belize [...]
Why Wasn't Bowman Charged For Alleged Sexual Abuse of Minor?
Despite Bowman's arraignment on a separate matter this afternoon, there are a myriad of questions that need answers. Those questions were posed to Senior Superintendent Chester Williams during a press [...]
Williams Says Investigation on Bowman Still Ongoing
Does the request for statements from alleged victims of Kenrick Bowman taint the partiality of the police investigation into the reported sexual offence?� That's what the media asked the Regional [...]
Two Farmers Executed in Paraiso
Two farmers from the Corozal District were gunned down this morning in a cane-field near Paraiso, just three and a half miles out of town. The bodies of Rogelio Rancharan [...]
Keyren Tzib's Bail Petition Postponed Pending Psychiatric Evaluation
Keyren Tzib, on remand for manslaughter, was in Supreme Court this morning for a second appearance in her petition for bail. Last week Friday Justice Troadio Gonzalez had adjourned the [...]
Sister of Thytis Blancaneaux Says Tzib Showed No Remorse
Tzib's mother says that she is doing okay on remand because she is away from the things that terrorize her. She's confident that everything will work out for her daughter [...]
Minerva Blancaneaux Says Tzib Needs Real Help…Not Incarceration
Blancaneaux says that her family is seeking closure for the death of their brother and son. But they also want Tzib to get the help she needs. According to Minerva [...]
Coast Guard Personnel Allegedly Detained for More Than 48 Hours
As we told you on Thursday, the Police Department is denying that there is any update in the case of the three fishermen missing for one month. The Department also [...]
Persons Detained and Released Without Charges May Sue Police
Bradley says that his client and another Coast Guard officer who was similarly detained are considering legal action against the Police. That's because they were allegedly held long past the [...]
Minister Hulse Blames Local Media for Bad International Press on WRH Rat
A rat in the incubator!� Not only have the jarring images gone viral but the story has made headlines across the world.� Undoubtedly, the recent incident involving a rodent biting [...]
Says KHMH Needs More Rigid Bill Collecting Procedure
Minister of Labor Godwin Hulse also touched on the proposed raise for employees of the K.H.M.H.� He rationalizes the salary increase in much the same way as the Prime Minister [...]
Fire Departments Received Critical Equipment Donation
The National Fire Service is the recipient of a generous donation of equipment from the United States Government.� This morning, U.S. Ambassador Carlos Moreno was on hand for the delegation [...]
Swiss Authorities Commence Legal Proceedings Against FIFA President
Swiss authorities began criminal proceedings today against FIFA President, Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini, the two most powerful figures in world football. The Swiss are investigating whether Blatter made an [...]
Garifuna Women in New York Sing for Pope Francis
And on a more positive note, hundreds of thousands have been turning out to greet beloved Pope Francis who is in the US on a hectic schedule.� The pontiff arrived [...]