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The San Pedro Sun
Los Barbies are the top Comparsas of this year's San Pedro Carnaval
El Gran Carnaval de San Pedro has ended, but not before delighting thousands of islanders and visitors with a grand island-style 'fiesta'. The festivities were full of painting, parties and comparsas presentations. This year, three comparsas groups (San Pedro AIDS Commision, Flora Ancona , and Los Barbies) took to the streets of downtown San Pedro to not just add fun to the celebration, but also to try impress the judges for the coveted title of best comparsas. After three days of non-stop dancing, from Sunday February 26th through Tuesday, February 28th, Los Barbies were declared the winners of this year's Carnaval. In second place was the San Pedro AIDS Commission Comparsas Group, and in third place Flora Ancona Comparsas Group.
San Pedro Red Cross collects 14 pints of blood
The Belize Red Cross, San Pedro Branch (BRCSPB) held their first blood drive of the New Year on Saturday, February 25th at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II. From 9AM to 3PM, a total of 14 people donated the much-needed blood.
Among some of the donors were San Pedro Town Councilor Hector Alamilla, and several team members of the San Pedro Pirates Football Club. The Club stated that as part of its community service, the team is willing to assist in positive ways.
Red Cross member Phillip Ramsey, explained the lower turnout. "The Red Cross had to schedule the drive one week earlier, because of Carnaval. It wouldn't be feasible, especially if a donor consumed alcoholic beverages. However, because the drive was a week early, our frequent donors couldn't donate, because it has not been 90 exact days since their last donation,"
The group still considers the blood drive successful, and the technicians were able to collect 14 pints of blood, enough to save 42 lives. Ramsey also invited members of the San Pedro Red Cross Youth Group, consisting of 19 San Pedro High School students to do community service. The youth group held a dollar drive, and were able to raise $1,414.43 to further the works of the Red Cross. In addition, Crazy Canucks also donated $216 as part of their Trivia nights.
Female American National reported missing at sea in North Ambergris Caye
San Pedro Police and the Belize Coast Guard are searching for a female tourist who was reported missing at sea in Northern Ambergris Caye since Tuesday, February 28th. American National 29-year-old Rickilee Michelle Mercer, from Texas, USA, has still not been located. As the search continues today Wednesday, March 1st, police have released an official statement.
On Tuesday, 28th February, 2017 39-year-old Marvin Hazim Yono, American National of Bloomfield Michigan reported that he and another friend were at an area located west of Ambergris Caye, which is known as "Secret Beach," on separate jet skis. Around 2:30 p.m. he invited 29-year-old Rickilee Michelle Mercer, American accountant of Texas, USA for a ride. Yono reported that they left on the Jet Ski heading west from "Secret Beach" when they both fell off. He then swam to shore and the last sighting of Mercer was when she was swimming towards the Jet Ski. They then conducted a search party but could not locate her. Police then visited the area along with members of the Belize Coast Guard and began to search for her.
Ambergris Today
The San Pedro AIDS Commission dedicated their entire performances to the late Felix Ayuso who was recognized by the San Pedro Town Council and San Pedro House of Culture as 'El Rey de Carnaval' (King of Carnaval) for his tremendous efforts in keeping the culture of the celebrations alive on the island. The Commission put on spectacular dance routines with elaborate costumes and even sent out the message of 'No Offshore Oil Drilling' for Belize during Day 2 of Carnaval. The group was awarded second place,
Third place was given to Do�a Flora's Comparsa who were more traditional in their costumes and style of dancing. They stuck to the roots of Carnaval and had superb costumes and a very energetic group of dancers. A fourth comparsa 'Jaguar's Girls' only managed to perform on Day 1 of Carnaval but were just as entertaining for those who came out to watch them dance. FUN!
There was a lot less painting taking place this year, except for the last day when it seems like the entire island comes out to paint each other. Deejay music and Foam Parties kept the young at heart entertained at Central Park where most of the painting was centered.
Woman Reported Missing After a Day of Jet Skiing, Suspected Drowning
The San Pedro Police and community this morning are in search of a missing woman who is lost at sea on the leeward side of Ambergris Caye after an afternoon that was suppose to be a pleasurable one.
According to Police Reports, on Tuesday, February 28, 2017, 39-year-old Marvin Hazim Yono, American National of Bloomfield Michigan reported that he and another friend were at an area located west of Ambergris Caye which is known as "Secret Beach" on separate jet skis . Around 2:30 p.m. he invited a 29-year-old Rickilee Michelle Mercer, American accountant of Texas, USA for a ride.
Mr. Yono reported that they left on the jet ski heading west from "Secret Beach" when they both fell off the jet ski. He then swam to shore and the last sighting of Mercer was when she was swimming towards the jet ski.
The crowd that was enjoying an afternoon at Secret Beach became a search party as the daylight started to fade. Some islanders reported seeing a woman on a jet ski drifting towards Cayo Espanto, a few miles so of Secret Beach, but as of this morning the search party deployed last night was not able to locate the woman.
Misc Belizean Sources
Belize's Wonder Women! Derricia Castillo-Salazar
March is Women's History Month, and we are proud to announce that Derricia Castillo-Salazar is our Belize Wonder Woman! In fact, Derricia is the Embassy's nominee for the prestigious International Women of Courage award, presented annually by the United States Department of State to women around the world who have shown leadership, courage, resourcefulness, and willingness to sacrifice for others, especially in promoting women's rights.
Derricia is one of the highest-ranking women in the Belize Defense Force (BDF) and is an exceptional advocate for women and human rights. She assisted in creating and implementing a BDF HIV Response, spoke at the 38th Meeting of UNAIDS in Geneva, worked as a Conflict Mediator, and is a member of the Caribbean Women's Alliance for Diversity and Equality. Derrica is the Aircraft Maintenance Officer at the BDF and a founding member of the military's HIV committee, which conducts behavior change campaigns for members of the BDF and the Belize Coast Guard.
"Positive Play, Positive Minds, Brighter Tomorrow!"
This morning preschoolers from Belmopan and surrounding communities gathered at the steps of the National Assembly to kick off festivities for Child Stimulation Month. The month-long celebration opened with a brief ceremony followed by a parade.
Share a photo of how the month was opened in your community!
Happy Child Stimulation Month to All Our Preschoolers!
Caye Caulker Blood Drive
OK guys, just putting this out there. San Pedro averages 20 pints of blood at their Red Cross Blood Drives. That's 20 people donating. I feel like Caye Caulker can *easily* beat that! They have the high population but we have the community spirit! Come on guys, let's try to beat SP on this one! Let's go for at least 25. Be one of the 25!!
Mission Cry's director reports on Belize trip
Sometimes, the best way to find out what someone needs is simply to ask.
Jason Woolford of Mission Cry, formerly Christian Resources International, did just that on his recent trip to Belize. "They're not asking for food or clothes, but they're saying, 'Listen, we need discipleship, we need Bibles, we need Christian books,'" he said.
That's where Mission Cry comes in. According to Woolford, their goal "is to reach the entire country of Belize with the Bible or a Christian book in every home in this country."
John Foy, an on-the-ground partner in Belize, said the answers Woolford got are spot on. Most local believers "don't really need any more evangelism. What they really need is more discipleship. They need Bibles so they can read it, eat it, and grow."
Foy first encountered Woolford's mission when his team started a village outreach in Belize. They quickly ran out of Bibles, and a friend suggested he contact Woolford's organization.
Cayo Air Show 2017
It's been a few years since the last Cayo Air Show. This year's show will be on Sunday, March 12th, at the Spanish Lookout airstrip. They'll have helicopter rides and skydiving open to the public. They'll also have live aerial acrobatics.
Pictures from the last airshow.
"Guys and gals, get ready for another exciting day at the biennial Fly In at the Spanish Lookout airstrip. Pilots, aircraft owners, and flight enthusiasts you are ALL welcome.
RIDES! Astrum Helicopters will be offering rides for sale on location, so and your sweetheart can go for a flight over the country side. More coming later.
SKYDIVING! We will have a professional skydiving team performing for everyone to enjoy. And for U$199 you too can strap in and jump out of a plane!
AEROBATICS! For the first time ever we have officially been authorized to have live aerobatic performances.
RC AIRCRAFT! We are inviting all RC pilots and owners to bring out their RC planes drones and helicopters to join in the fun."
Rota Copa Football Marathon
The Rotaract Club of Benque has teamed up with the DYS to bring the 2017 Rota-Copa to Benque. The all day football tournament will be on Saturday, March 18th, at the Amin Hegar Filed in Benque.
"World Rotaract Week will be celebrated from March 13th to 19th, 2017, and the Rotaract Club of Benque Viejo in partnership with the Department of Youth Services will host a one day football marathon on March 18th, 2017.
Through this medium we take the opportunity to invite you and your team to join the ROTA-COPA 2017 football marathon to be hosted at the Amin Hegar Football field in Benque Viejo Town, starting at 8 a.m. until. Your team may be a co-ed (both males and females)."
2017 Taste of the Americas in Miami
Showcasing the staple and cultural foods of Belize!
Pendant found at Nim Li Punit
A large T-shaped pendant was found in an intact collapsed tomb at the Maya frontier site of Nim Li Punit in southern Belize.
BELIZE'S SANDRA COYE: WE LOVE & APPRECIATE YOU!
Sandra Coye's reflection upon me since her attending my Islamic wedding in 1986 in Los Angeles, California, has been something that is very difficult to erase from my memory since her physical disappearance from Belize's social life. She has stood out all the time for me as a Belizean woman of considerable brilliance and tenacity rarely seen in any woman of African heritage across these post-colonial slave societies in the Americas and across the African diaspora.
During my producing of Raymond Gongora's documentary feature on what we here at Belizean Legends called, "The Belizean Artistic Renaissance", Coye's work came alive again in her dynamic poem called,"Genesis of Destruction", that was used in a award winning monologue at the 1976 Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA). It is a classic Belizean protest poem that was highly praised across the English speaking Caribbean since the awesome Belizean artist, the late Beverly Smith-Lopez, brought it in monologue to Carifesta.
First 2017 Successful San Pedro Blood Drive
On Saturday, Nov. 25th, the Belize Red Cross, San Pedro Branch (BRCSPB), held their first blood drive for 2017 at the Dr.Otto Rodriguez Poly Clinic. The team worked hard and successfully collected a total of 14 pints of blood and raised $1414.43 at their dollar drive.
The next blood drive will be held at the Clinic on Caye Caulker on Saturday, March 4th to kick off the BRCSPB country wide Blood Drive training initiative, which will be open to all districts. The San Pedro Branch will train participating branches in facilitating bi annually or quarterly blood drives and creating shareable rare blood type data bases across the country. This will help build the capacity of all districts in helping assist those who need blood in their area.
Countrywide Blood Drive Training
The Belize Red Cross San Pedro Branch will commence facilitation of Countrywide Blood Drive Training in Caye Caulker on March 4th. The 2 part program open to all active Belize Red Cross Branches.
San Pedro Branch will train all participating districts in facilitating bi annually or quarterly blood drives and creating shareable rare blood type data bases across the country. This will help build the capacity of all branches in helping assist those who need blood in their area.
Immigration hearings in Belize will not change enforcement of our laws
By Wellington C. Ramos
Years ago when I was a police officer in my country of Belize, up until my departure to the United States in 1978, we were responsible for the enforcement of our immigration laws including the issuing of passports. Now, the Immigration Department is run by civilian civil servants. For many years the chief immigration officer for Belize was Mr William Tennyson, a man of integrity who I knew personally. I must point out that Belize was still a British colony and we were considered British subjects up until we attained our independence from Great Britain on September 21, 1981. Our local politicians had to be careful as to how they interfered with the police officers' enforcement of the laws at that time.
I know for a fact that they still found a way to meddle in the affairs of the police and immigration officers, while they were enforcing our immigration laws. At that time, the People's United Party was in power.
Mad City Money Financial Literacy Game
In addition to shopping and balancing a chequebook, students also identified needs vs. wants and the percentage of their budget they were willing to spend on internet, food, phone, bills, savings etc.
LOST & FOUND
Today on my walk on the north road in front of village market an iPhone 6 flew off a golf cart and I want to try and find the owner. It is black with a black case. I think it's a tourists phone because it doesn't have phone service. It is locked and needs fingerprint to unlock. If they can unlock it it's theirs.
Contact Carmen at Coco Locos or PM Us to get in contact with Jaimie. #share to help us find the owner! We called the phone and her outgoing voicemail said her name is Susan Turling. Wasn't best reception but that's what it sounds like.
Children Celebrating the Opening of Child Stimulation Month!
In San Pedro
Immigration Department to issue temporary passports
Please be informed that the Passport Office is presently experiencing technical difficulties with the passport printing process.
The Immigration Department will be providing temporary passports, in emergency cases, to persons whose passports are exhausted, lost (6 weeks waiting period apply), damaged or mutilated, and who demonstrate a need for urgent travel. Temporary passports will be processed within one (1) week, with validity for one (1) year at the normal fee of $30.00.
Starting 7th March 2017, machine readable passports (MRP) that have expired, but have blank pages, will be extended for 1 year. Extensions will be processed in one week free of cost, on completion of the attached form which is available at the district offices, overseas and on the Immigration & Nationality Service (INS) website at www.ins.gov.bz. Persons residing overseas should contact the nearest Belize Embassy or Consulate to access this extension process.
CEO Caucus Cancer Awareness Ride 2017: "We're with You"
The second annual CEO Caucus Cancer Ride is slated for Saturday, April 8, 2017, under the theme "We're with You".
The route is same as last year, starting at 6:30 a.m. at mile 25 George Price Highway to the National Agriculture and Trade Show Grounds in Belmopan. The fundraising target is $50,000 and the proceeds will go exclusively to the Belize Cancer Treatment Center in Dangriga Town, in an effort to augment the capabilities of their increasingly accessed services.
The CEO Caucus launched its Cancer Awareness Initiative on May 7, 2016 with a fundraising target of $50,000. In its inaugural year, the Caucus raised over $80,000 and the ride garnered the support of more than 200 participants, which included numerous partners and volunteers, local and internal donors and supporters, public officers, and friends. The initiative was arguably the largest social ride noted by the cycling community. The beneficiaries in 2016 included the Belize Cancer Society, the Belmopan Cancer Society, and the Belize Cancer Treatment Center in Dangriga.
New businesses are popping up all over in San Pedro. Mmmmm...croissants? Merci!
Zut alors! San Pedro is getting seriously fancy and buttery and really really tasty. At the opening of Delices de France - I tried a croissant and something brown and carmelized on the outside and soft and spongy and vanilla on the inside. Mangnifiques! Now we wait for the coffee shop next door :)
Power interruption 8:00am to 9:30am, Saturday, March 4: entire San Pedro Town & Bomba Village
BEL to remove Osprey nests from transmission structures that supply power to San Pedro & Bomba. BEL has installed platforms for the nests away from the power system to prevent outages caused by Osprey nests.
Channel 7
Immigration Officer Tench Spills the Beans On Chang/Tillett
For the past 3 weeks, we've told you about how the Senate has been attempting to get former Deputy Mayor Eric Chang and former City Council Employee Patrick Tillett to come before them and testify. They want both men to answer to allegations from the Auditor General and senior Immigration Officers, who say that, in late 2012, they bought 8 stolen visas to try to get Asian persons to travel to Belize.
This is one of the key incidents in the Auditor General's Report, which reeks of corruption within the Department. That embarrassment is compounded by the fact that very little was done to take disciplinary action against the persons implicated in an internal investigation, and the Department heads did not call in the police to properly investigate the theft and illegal sale of Government property.
We've told you how both Eric Chang and Patrick Tillett are refusing to show up to the hearings, and the Senate now has to compel them to show up. Chang will have quite a lot to answer to because the Auditor General's Report also says that he took a fraudulent Belizean passport to Won Hong Kim while he was in a Taiwanese jail.
No One Called the Cops?
So, as you saw, Mark Tench said that he and the other investigators did all they could to find out which immigration officer stole those visas from the Belize Western Border Station. He said that after their operation, word got out that the Immigration higher-ups know that it had happened. Tench said that he and the senior officers from the Western Border believe that there were other officers who participated or were complicit in the theft. But, because the officers realized that they were under suspicion, everyone prepared themselves to stand up to any kind of questioning.
Tench told the Senate today that this should have been the time when his superiors got the police involved to activate a criminal investigation. The problem, according to Tench, is that they never did. Here's how he explained his frustration at their fumbling:
Mark Tench - Former Supervisor, BWBS:
"One thing I want to say is that upon returning from that trip that night, when we came from Corozal with information that we had I told Mr. Cano to call the police because I told him-"
Tench: From Whistleblower to Scapegoat
So, there was no police investigation on the case, and there was no further follow up for this serious breach of public trust. And according to Immigration Officer Mark Tench, the Ministry of Immigration then turned around and tried to scapegoat him for the embarrassment. The problem is that he discovered that the visas were missing, so those higher than him reasoned that he was the one who was negligent on the job.
Here's how he explained to the Senate that he was forced to defend and exonerate himself in a Public Service Commission Hearing on the matter:
Mark Tench - Former Supervisor, BWBS:
"I am the only person who has done any investigation into this matter and nobody has been blamed except for me and Mr. Leslie."
Hon. Aldo Salazar - Chairman, Senate Select Committee:
"Was it that you were blamed for taking the visas? It said you Mark Tench stole the visas or was it that you were brought before the commission because you the officer who - you were the supervisor at the time when it went missing and that perhaps there was a complaint about the way in which the visas were handed over to you?"
Mark Tench:
"They said that I did a wrong handing over."
Questioning Calndelaria
And that's why Mark Tench has a bone to pick with former Immigration CEO Candelaria Saldivar-Morter.
You'll remember that when she went to testify in front of the Senate, she told them that he had been sanctioned for the 8 stolen visas with a surcharge. Well, today, Tench told the Senate that she has it all wrong, and he wants the record set straight. Here's what she said on February 8, and followed by his response from today:
Mark Tench - Former Supervisor, BWBS:
"It's so unfair and then on another matter to have Ms. Saldivar come here and slander my name publicly that's so-"
Hon. Aldo Salazar - Chairman, Senate Select Committee:
"What are you referring to?"
Mark Tench:
"When she came and she said she took me in front of the commission and I paid money, none of that is the truth and I thought that maybe the committee had done their research concerning what was the result of that previously hearing that we had at the public service commission. We had a hearing there, they even have recordings of those hearing if you want to listen to them but nobody knew, nobody could have stopped her from scandalling my name."
Chang and Tillett Will Be Required To Appear
So, will Eric Chang and Patrick Tillett show up? That's what the Senate is attempting to force them to do. In fact, they are being summoned to present themselves at next Week Wednesday's hearing. This evening, the Senate Select Committee Chairman, Aldo Salazar, gave us an update on the actions that they have taken to make sure this happens:
Hon. Aldo Salazar - Chairman, Senate Select Committee:
"You would recall I said on the last occasion that we had invited them based on the actual convention for the senate inquiry was an invitation that was sent out. So we had invited them with anticipation they would attend at a prior date but when they declined our invitation then we actually took the decision to issue a summons. So when the summons was issued it was not with the intention they appear today but next week."
Daniel Ortiz:
"Sir so is there any indication that this summons will be successful and these persons will present themselves given as to how the hearings have played out and what the audit? Report says they are major players according to the audit reports and according to the persons who have come to testify."
Hon. Aldo Salazar:
"I have no indication as to whether they would show up or not. If there's a refusal to show up then the committee will have to take a decision as to what to do next but I don't have any indication at this point whether they would show up or not next week."
Cops Mum On High Powered Rifle/Ammo In OW
Police have not released details of a sizable weapons and ammunition bust made on Monday in Orange Walk. So far, through our own sources, we have learnt that a high powered assault rifle and over 100 rounds of ammunition were found in an operation. There was an AR-15 rifle with a scope, along with 76 rounds of .223 ammunition and 50 rounds of of 7.62 ammunition - which are types used in assault rifles. Two persons have been arrested and charged, while charges are pending for another. 59 year old Jorge Leiva, of Unity Steet in Orange Walk Town, and 24 year old Larissa Zetina, have been charged with Kept Ammunition without a License. We are told that one of the male suspects was caught fleeing the house with a bag full of illicit items.
Two Perish In Burnt Vehicle
There was a terrible accident on the Placencia Road this morning - and it has left two persons, not four dead. Initial reports said it was four persons, but an on site post mortem has confirmed that there are only two sets of skeletal remains. It happened very early this morning about three to four miles away from the junction with the Southern Highway not far from Belize Aquaculture Limited. A vehicle appears to have run into a lamp post and burst into flames. The persons inside were burnt so badly that they could not be identified. NOW WE SAY "APPEARS," BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME SUSPICIOUS ELEMENTS TO THE CASE INCLUDING THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY LICENSE PLATES. Police are interviewing one person who may be the owner of the vehicle but they re waiting for proof.
Jury Says He Killed Lerisha
Just last night, we told you about the man charged and remanded for knocking down 6 year old Ashanti Pollard. Well, back in 2010, Lyle Harris, knocked down and killed four year old Elisha Gilharry. Today, a jury of 6 women and 3 men found him guilty of causing death by careless conduct. The jury deliberated for 90 minutes before it arrived at its verdict in Justice Adolph Lucas's courtroom. Justice Lucas has deferred sentencing until March 10th. Harris had also been charged with manslaughter by negligence but that charge was withdrawn by Justice Lucas because there wasn't enough evidence to support it.
On September third, 2010, Harris was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser when he knocked down Elisha. Her father Joseph Gilharry testified that the driver apparently did not know that he had knocked down his daughter and he was dragging her along the road. Gilharry said he had to run down the driver to stop him.
Cops Will Go To Trial
3 San Pedro cops accused of killing an island Bartender back in March 2016 will stand trial for manslaughter and not murder.
Constables, 20 year old Reydel Teck, along with 20 year old Jahsimir Cob and 22 year old Romelio Logan allegedly beat Edwin Ixtapac - who was found injured near the sea wall the next day, and was then taken to prison. Ixpatac's injuries were not treated until a day later, when he was found unconscious in his prison cell. He was taken to the polyclinic and later transported to the KHMH where he succumbed to his injuries.
Faber Accepts Court Decision On Makeup Days
As we reported last week, the BNTU's court case against the Ministry of Education has ended. The teachers will get their full pay and in return, they will have to make up six school days lost in the 11 day strike. Teachers and students are expected to report for classes for 3 more days before going on the Easter Break, and 3 more before going on the summer break. When we spoke to Minister of Education Patrick Faber today, he told us what he thinks about the outcome. Faber says this wasn't the initial proposal but it's the decision they all will have to work with now.
Hon. Patrick Faber - Minister of Education:
"We had as you know proposed to include the 6 additional days, 3 at the start of the new calendar year in January and then again 3 days - sorry I think it was 4 in January and 2 in the Easter break. That would have allowed for the students who are taking PSE and also those are the CSEC level to get that additional instructional time. However you know the events played out and in fact it did not pan out in that manner and the only other option would have been for us to agree to tag on half hour on everyday which really and truly in our opinion does not make sense. I believe that we might be able to really do some saving of instruction time in the Easter break but you're right we don't have many much hope that at the end of the school year June or July or whenever it is that much will be accomplished in those time, we are only hoping that the teachers and the BNTU will encourage the teachers especially to make good productive use of it."
Faber Accepts That Things Have To Change At Immigration
Faber also weighed in on the ongoing senate inquiry into Immigration irregularities. As you saw in our first segment, the senate probe continues to be very revealing - each session unearthing layers upon layers of irregularities and shady dealings by public officers and UDP operators. It's a major black eye for the UDP and Faber admits there is a serious systemic problem:
Hon. Patrick Faber - Minister of Education:
"I think what is clear is that there is a lot that has gone wrong in the immigration department as is the case in other areas of the government that are notorious for corruption. I think what is clear is that while everybody seems to want to place blame on the politicians that in fact there is much more going wrong and what is really needed rather than the pointing of fingers is for us to revamp the system and get a kind of system going that is transparent and that is open where these kind of abuses won't take place."
Finding A Potato Solution
Last week we told you about the 2.5 million pounds of Belizean potatoes that were in danger of going to waste, because they were unable to compete with the larger, cheaper, Mexican potatoes that are currently on the market. Normally, by the time the Belizean red potatoes are ready to enter the market, the Ministry of Agriculture cuts back on the importation of the competition. And according to Minister Godwin Hulse, that's exactly what happened, but the problem is that the Mexican potatoes in the country now are contraband. So now, the potato farmers have been forced to reduce their prices to about 75 cents, which they think is unfair. We spoke to the CEO of the Ministry of Agriculture, Jose Alpuche about the situation, and he told us that even at the lowered cost, the farmers should still be able to turn a profit...
Jose Alpuche - CEO, Ministry of Agriculture:
"I expected this question but quite frankly look I'll be very honest from the very beginning we had stated that the ministry was attempting to have facilitation to facilitate an agreement between the producers and the marketers. Despite what you hear the Ministry of Agriculture agreed to issuance of permit, the last permit on the 18th of January. We don't issue the permit; we are consulted as it related to whether or not there are domestic supplies."
Creek Ready For The Ruta
Carnival revellers say they are ready for the road, while Ruta Maya Paddlers say they are ready for the river. And tonight we can report, that the river - or at least the Haulover Creek is ready for them. Today 7News went along with the Forestry Department and the City Council for a final run through after a team of 12 men and two divers worked for 12 days on clearing the creek. It was a tall and tough task, but they're finally finished and just in time for Ruta Maya. We found out more:�
Phillip Willoughby - City Councillor:
"I honestly thought the magnitude of the scope of works that we would have to contend with was way beyond our capacity, way beyond our capabilities."
Jules Vasquez:
"You thought it was impossible in the period of time?"
Phillip Willoughby:
"Yes sir, being fair yes, impossible with uncertainty of getting the work done."
Gold Panning In Chiquibul Still A Problem
Today the Friends for Conservation and Development - which co-manages the Chiquibul issued its most recent situation report on gold panning in the Chiquibul. The news is that despite serious deployments of manpower, resources and conservation posts, the Guatemalan gold panners continue to push into Belize. But, because of the presence of Belziean law enforcement, they have changed their tactics. The FCD notes that since the post was installed in 2012, the gold panners have dispersed, but they haven't gone away. Instead, they have learned how to elude the patrols. In the first year, things seemed to be going well, the BDF soldiers, police, and FCD rangers detained many gold panners. But, the panners started studying the patrols' movements and timing and they dispersed to other areas of the Ceibo creeks - those are, the Ceibo Chico, Ceibo Grande and Mal Pago.
And the result of that is that the FCD report, quote, "Today the impacts in plain view is much bigger than it was in 2012 when we estimated up to 300 gold panners." But because the panning activity is now widely dispersed across a 5,000 acre area, the FCD cannot say quite how many there are. But, the effect is felt. The FCD concludes, quote, "what is obvious is that the watershed; the wild life and forest are disappearing every year." They note that Gold panners have "deliberately set the forest on fire and large tracts of land have been denuded�".
Dealing With Trauma In A Violent Society
About 30 social workers participated in a trauma training today at the YABRA COMMUNITY DROP IN Center. Now usually these sessions would entail learning techniques and strategies to help their clients cope with trauma but the main focus wasn't their young patients, it was the social workers themselves. Courtney Weatherburne spoke with the lead facilitator, psychotherapist Dr. Alex Depaz about vicarious trauma and why it's important to address it . Here is that story
At some point in life, we all experience trauma - like the death of a loved one through natural causes, violent murder or suicide.
The sorrow and misery left behind is profound. The most vulnerable ones are the children. They see the blood on the streets, they see the dead bodies.
Deborah Sewell - Managing Director, LOVE Foundation:
"They live in this trauma, just where they live, the location where they live, it is a traumatic experience for them."
Tourist Drowned At "Secret Beach"
San Pedro police today found the body of of a tourist from Houston Texas who apparently drowned yesterday in a water sports accident. Yesterday at 2:30, 29-year-old Rickilee Michelle Mercer was jet skiing along with 39-year-old Michigan resident Marvin Hazim Yono near an area known as "Secret Beach" which is Northwest of San Pedro Town.
They left the beach heading west in the direction of Blackadore Caye when they both fell off. He swam to shore, but Mercer didn't make it - and he says he last saw her swimming towards the jet ski. She didn't resurface and a Police and Coast Guard search party was launched. Her body was found at around 1:30 near Blackadore Caye which is 4 miles northwest of Secret Beach.
Aragon Bickering With Bernard
The PUP Mayor of Orange Walk Town and the UDP area representative for Orange Walk East are at it again. The last we reported on their feuding, it was over incomplete work on roads in the Louisiana area. Well, Aragon sent a letter to Bernard on Monday boasting that he'd finished upgrading those roads to what is called "paving standard", and he urged Mayor Bernard to pave them before the rains come in June.
As you might imagine, that didn't go down too well with the Mayor. Last night, he posted a salty response to area rep on Facebook. Right at the opening, in the second sentence, Bernard snaps, "I know comprehension is not your strong suit". Form there he promises to keep it short, saying that unlike the area rep, he doesn't have time for, quote, stupidity and petty quarrels." Bernard says he is quote, "quite willing and able to complete what you have barely started." He chides the UDP Rep, quote, "Please�step aside and let those who are prepared to work, get to work."
Mauger Caye Coming Along
Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve is one of the most important marine reserves in the country, and it's finally getting permanent outposts so that officials can properly patrol and maintain the territory. An inauguration ceremony took place today on Mauger and Calabash Cayes. Here's a quick look at the day's events...
We'll have the rest of that story for you tomorrow.
No Bail For Pulu
A well-known and vocal supporter of the PUP was denied bail today because of his long rap sheet. Henry Gillett, known as "Pulu" along with 19 year old Keifer McKenzie, was read two criminal charges, one count of aggravated assault with a Presidente bottle upon Jaheel Goodger, and one count of threatening words upon Goodger.
It's a routine charge, and initially, the police prosecutor, had no objection to bail but after the Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith saw Gillett's rap sheet, which listed a number of violent offenses and some cases which are pending, she questioned the prosecutor why he was not objecting to bail.
And so, the Prosecutor then objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the offense and that the victim is known to both accused men.
Chief Magistrate Smith told Gillett that based on his previous convictions for offenses of the same nature, she will remand him into custody and that he should feel free to go the Supreme Court for bail.
Celebrating Child Stimulation
Early Childhood Development is more than just having kids play fun educational games, it's actively reading with them , challenging them to think and solve problems and the Ministry of Education says the best place to get kids engaged at that level is at preschool. Today preschoolers from all over the Belize District marched through city streets to celebrate child stimulation month. The coordinator of the event as well as the Minister of Education shared how importance it is to capture kids at this stage of their life.
The goal of the ministry is to have all 4 year olds in preschools.