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Posted By: Marty Today's Belize News: October 7, 2018 - 10/07/18 11:16 AM


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Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials


The San Pedro Sun

GOB obtains $8.5 million loan to improve San Pedro's water system
The acquisition of an $8.5 million loan for the water and sewerage expansion in southern Ambergris Caye was debated at the Senate on Wednesday, October 3rd in the capital city of Belmopan. The loan was obtained from the Caribbean Development Bank, and part of it will be used to acquire shares of Consolidated Water Belize Limited (CWBL), which currently supplies Belize Water Services Limited (BWSL) on the island with water. The funds will also be used to expand the existing water treatment plant, renovate the island's water and sewage system and improve the water distribution pipelines. The debate provided mixed opinions about the loan, as some Senators believe that the monies should be invested in infrastructure, rather than in purchasing shares.

The government of Belize to expand Hemodialysis Program
On Wednesday, October 3rd the Prime Minister of Belize Right Honorable Dean Barrow, with the approval and support of the Cabinet announced that the Hemodialysis program is being expanded to cover more than twice the number of patients at end-stage renal failure. For Belizeans struggling to pay for treatment, the decision is a welcome one, as dialysis is high-priced with many patients losing lives due to the prohibitive expense. According to the release issued from the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Health will contract Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH), Loma Luz Hospital, Miguel Rosado Dialysis Center, and Dialysis del Caribe to provide two dialysis sessions per week per patient, with the patient only required to pay for the third session. The ministry has evaluated and certified that these establishments have met acceptable standards for quality care.

Rotaract Club of Ambergris Caye launches Environmental Educational Campaign
Hoping to educate island children on the importance of protecting and keeping our environment clean, the Rotaract Club of Ambergris Caye along with MarAlliance has launched an Environmental Educational Campaign in San Pedro Town. The campaign is spearheaded by Rotaract's Job Mendizabal, Kyle Vasquez, Rachel Jensen and members of MarAlliance. Vice President of the Rotaract Club Kyle Vasquez told The San Pedro Sun that the idea of the program began in May of this year after they received monetary donations from ECI Development and Grand Baymen. This new program seemed perfect as it targeted four out of the Rotaract's six areas of focus when implementing projects: disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, basic education and literacy and economic and community development.

Misc Belizean Sources

mzz

Paco Smith on the Referendum
Allow me to begin by first stating, I acknowledge that everyone is entitled to their opinion, even in instances when all that is required is fundamental common-sense, in order to discern that which is i versus that which is not or that which is prudent, versus that which is not. A most topical issue involves the impending Referendum slated for 10th April 2019 and to even the most causal of observers, I trust the gravity of this matter has finally hit home. After all, the bipartisan "brain-trust" has, against all accepted measures and practises associated with Good Governance Principles, backed Belize into a corner, to the point that we will vote on whether to take Guatemala's unfounded claim to our sovereign territory to the ICJ. Based on their actions to-date, they are hell-bent on having their way. This is demonstrated via their farce of a so-called Referendum Education Campaign, which does not make appropriation for those with a dissenting voice, by excluding us as presenters during these sessions.

Graham Creek and Machakilha
Nurses, caretakers like Elbia Chiac, Mauricio Ack, Juan Ishim and other others at ministry of health also have to make the journey to Graham Creek and Machakilha on a regular basis...walking 2 hours each way after a long drive through mud, hot sun, rain...all kinds of things...to ensure babies are vaccinated and pregnant women get their check-ups....about 3yrs ago GOB changed the public service regulations, so that now, once you remain in the district where you are stationed, you only receive a $10 or $16.67 "meal allowance".....

Caye Caulker BTIA Annual Tourism Training 2018
Save the Date: November 1-16, 2018

FATAL RTA IN SUCCOTZ
On 6.10.2018 about 4:00 a.m., Carlos Martin Martinez 53-year-old, Belizean, Contractor of a Belmopan address was driving his Grey and White Toyota Rav 4 on the George Price Highway heading to San Jose Succotz Village and was in the company of Jarinet Consuelo Cowo 16-year-old, and Cindy Miselly Cowo 26-year-old, Belizean Sisters of San Jose Succotz Village. Upon reaching between miles 71 and 72 on George Price Highway, Martinez lost control of his Vehicle and ran into the Mopan River, causing the vehicle to submerge under water, with both Cowo sisters trapped in the vehicle. The bodies of both females were removed and transported to the San Ignacio Hospital where they were pronounced dead. The driver escaped unhurt and is in police custody pending investigation.

STILL THE CHAMPIONS
The Dragons traveled North today to the Corozal Civic Center to claim their victory over the Orange Walk Rebels with a 6 point lead as they scored the win at 57-51. Congratulations fellas!!

Launch of the Destination Belize 20th Edition
October 24th

Support Recycle San Pedro: GoFundMe
Recycle San Pedro is the only recycling organization in Ambergris Caye. Currently we have blue recycle bins for plastic bottles in over 40 locations on the island. We pick up twice weekly from these barrels and then send the bottles to be shredded and the caps to interlocking pavers to be turned into bricks. We also crush all glass for recycling and give to interlocking pavers to make recycled bricks. This does come at an expense as we have to pay the guy that collects the bottles for us, as well as for plastic bags and for the blue bins located at different businesses throughout the island. We are also in the process of purchasing a plastic shredder for the island so we can recycle more than just bottles. Then we can do bags, cups and all sorts of single use plastics. We are running low on funds to keep the recycling going and would appreciate any and all assistance to keep our beautiful island clean for future generations.

RefugiArte Exhibit Launch
From photos.google.com - October 6, 12:50 PM Pictures from the launch of the RefugiARTE exhibit launch. It just finished its run at the SISE HoC. Some really nice works of art. In related news, the new exhibit was launched on Thursday, October 4th, and it's all about the sustainable summer camp that happened in Bullet Tree. NICH has a video of the opening ceremonies. Pictures on fb.

Tropical Agriculture Educational Conference
The first Tropical Agriculture Educational Conference will be held at the National Agriculture & Trade Show grounds from November 13th through the 15th. Anyone interested in tropical agriculture is welcome to go to the free event. "Educational event for Regeneration Belize and Regeneration International. 3 days of International and Local speakers highlighting regenerative practices for no pesticide farming."

October Big Day in Toledo
We had a blast today on October Big Day! Preliminarily, we recorded 102 bird species in Toledo District, southern Belize. We will be posting our list on eBird later.

The Independent Yucatec Maya Communities during the Guerra Social Maya(Caste War 1847-1930's)
Today the Yucatec Maya in Belize also called themselves Maya Mestizo,Masewal,Maya Masewal,Maya or Mayero .During the Caste war they were divided into different groups like the Icaiche,Cruzoob etc . In 1850 the Chan Santa Cruz state founded by the Yucatec Maya group known as the Cruzoob Maya, stretching from north of Tulum to the Belize border and a considerable distance inland, was the largest of the independent Maya communities of the era but not the only one. The Ixcanha Maya community had a population of some 1,000 people who refused the Cruzob's break with traditional Catholicism. In the years of stalemate, Ixcanha agreed to nominal recognition of Mexico in exchange for some guns to defend themselves from Cruzob raids and the promise that the Mexican government would leave them alone. As Chan Santa Cruz was more of a worry, the Mexicans let Ixcanha govern itself through 1894.

The Reporter

TWO SISTERS DROWN WHEN VEHICLE RUNS INTO RIVER
Sisters, Cindy Miselly Cowo, 26, a waitress and Jarinet Consuelo Cowo, 16, of San Jose Succotz Village, Cayo, lost their lives early this morning when the vehicle they were travelling in careened off the George Price Highway and into the Mopan River. The incident happened around 4:00am, in the same village.

BANK TELLER CHARGED WITH THEFT
Police have arrested and charged Ivor Garcia, 19, a bank teller employed with the National Bank of Belize Limited, with the crime of Theft. The arrest follows a report made by Alvaro Alamina, 60, the General Manager of the bank, who told police that an audit conducted at the bank on Regent Street last week Friday revealed that two bundles of $50 worth $10,000 and another bundle in $20 notes worth $2,000 were missing.

EARLY MORNING ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT ON THE GEORGE PRICE HWY KILLS 2
The bodies of the two persons who were in the vehicle that careened off the George Price Highway and into the Mopan River earlier this morning have been recovered. The Reporter has confirmed that the two persons, sisters, Cindy Cowo, 25, and Consuelo Cowo, 16, were from San Jose Succotz Village, Cayo, where the incident happened.

VIDEO - ACCUSED CHILD ABDUCTOR GOES TO COURT - BAIL HEARING IS ADJOURNED
ritish National Roger Wallis, who is accused of attempted kidnapping, is still in custody after Friday's bail hearing. Despite the nature of the charges, the DPP's office did not object to bail. But presiding judge, Adolph Lucas posed a number of concerns and has ordered the crown to provide him with the victim's statements in order to decide whether or not to grant Wallis bail.

Breaking Belize NewsPJ

Belizean NFL superstar signs with Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Belizean American, Rakeem Nune Roches, 25, has earned a spot with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On Tuesday, the fourth-year defensive tackle officially signed his contract.

Alleged child kidnapper wants bail
British National, Roger Wallis, 63, who was arrested and charged in connection with an attempted kidnapping in Belmopan last month is asking the Supreme Court for bail. Yesterday, Wallis Attorney, Hurl Hamilton made an application for Supreme Court bail before Justice Adolph Lucas. However, Justice Lucas had concerns granting Wallis bail and thus the case was adjourned for next week Friday.

Human remains discovered in Belmopan
esterday authorities in Belmopan discovered human remains near the Belize Water Services sewage plant that is close by the Agric Showgrounds. According to reports, the remains are of a male person however police cannot ascertain the cause of his death.

Brewing tropical disturbance can target Belize early next week
Satellite data, surface observations, and radar data from Belize indicate that an area of low pressure is centered over the northwestern Caribbean Sea east of northern Belize. According to a report from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), the associated showers and thunderstorms show signs of organization and the wind circulation is gradually becoming better defined.

More details surface on fatal traffic accident in Succotz
According to reports, the accident happened around 4 am today. A man was traveling from Benque to Succotz village with two young ladies when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the Mopan River. This morning around 9, BBN Newsroom was informed of a car crash in Succotz Village, Cayo District. According to reports, the car crashed into the Mopan River and two persons reportedly died.

Central American Agriculture Council Meeting Held in Belize
On Thursday, October 4, 2018, the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Central American Agriculture Council hosted a one-day National Consultation Workshop for the Central American Agriculture Council Regional Agriculture Policy. According to a press release from the Government of Belize, the purpose of the workshop was to define the objectives, lines of action and the regional policy measures for the five priority areas.

"Belizean products have global competitiveness," says Caribbean Export
According to the Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA), Belizean businesses can hold a competitive space in the world market if greater care is taken in making businesses export ready. Zamanie Moodie, Market Intelligence Adviser for the CEDA, emphasized that Belizean products are "very competitive," however companies need to be more aware of opportunities that exist and how to access those opportunities.

Bus drivers risk people's lives by repeatedly overtaking each other on George Price Highway
Reports reaching our newsroom are that there was almost a fatal bus collision involving a J&J Bus and a Silva's Bus, both coming from Cayo this morning around 5:10. A source told BBN that the buses rammed at each other twice, once near Georgeville and the other in Teakettle."Both buses were pulled over by Police in Roaring Creek. Accordingly, the Silva's bus was behind their scheduled hours which triggered the situation to escalate.

International Sourcesizz

This major discovery upends long-held theories about the Maya civilisation
IN THE autumn of 1929, Anne Morrow Lindbergh and her husband Charles flew across the Yucat�n Peninsula. With Charles at the controls, Anne snapped photographs of the jungles just below. She wrote in her journal of Maya structures obscured by large humps of vegetation. A bright stone wall peeked through the leaves, "unspeakably alone and majestic and desolate - the mark of a great civilisation gone." Nearly a century later, surveyors once again took flight over the ancient Maya empire, and mapped the Guatemala forests with lasers. The 2016 survey, whose first results were published this week in the journal Science, comprises a dozen plots covering 830 square miles, an area larger than the island of Maui. It is the largest such survey of the Maya region, ever. The study authors describe the results as a revelation. "It's like putting glasses on when your eyesight is blurry," said study author Mary Jane Acu�a, director of El Tintal Archaeological Project in Guatemala.

Commonwealth SG pledges support for Belize in border dispute with Guatemala
Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland has ended a two-day visit here pledging the 53-member grouping's support for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country in its long-standing border dispute with Guatemala. The Secretary General, who held talks with Prime Minister Dean Barrow on his return to office following spinal surgery in Cuba, said that they had discussed the proposed 2019 referendum, when Belizean voters will decide whether or not to take the dispute with Guatemala to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for a final resolution. "I have made it clear during my visit that the referendum is entirely a matter for the Belize electorate. What I was able to do is to reassure the Prime Minister of the trenchant support of the whole of the Commonwealth family. This was reaffirmed by leaders at the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) in April.

Caribbean continues to lament lack of support for SIDS
In a week of marathon speeches at the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), no theme was unequivocally more worrisome for Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries than the lack of support - whether financial and otherwise - for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Caribbean leaders, therefore, continued to lament this paucity, saying that global policies, programmes and strategies remain "unfairly unaccommodating" to the "very real and true challenges" facing SIDS. Noting that 2019 will mark 25 years of the United Nations' support to the SIDS Agenda, Belize's Foreign Affairs Minister Wilfred P. Elrington said his country joins in the call for a renewed commitment to the special case of SIDS and for "systematically targeted support" to respond to the particular needs of SIDS, such as those identified by the Caribbean SIDS in the San Pedro Declaration adopted in Belize in August.

Videos

  • Cassava Baking Class, 47min. I've been carrying this idea for a while, and finally I decided to ask J if she would come and teach/ demonstrate the art of baking cassava bread to us. Being the selfless person she is, the answer was a definite yes with no hesitation. And so it was, I invited a few family and friends over. We enjoyed our time together enriching and preserving our culture at the same time. I am certain we will do this again and maybe more of our brothers and sisters can join us. Seremein hun soun achulagutien!

  • Sahou making process, 15min.

  • Jarrel celebrates with fans after 2 round victory, 5min.

  • Cave Tubing Belize 2018, 10min. Awesome excursion off the carnival Dream. Good friends Bob, Joseph, Lorie and Rob and my wife Holley. Melvin was our guide. Jaguar Paw cave tubing. When in Belize this is a must do.

  • Verdes FC vs Bandits SC, 1hr40min. Verdes FC vs Bandits SC, End of game score 1-0, Bandits Won.
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