Belize News Daily, 9/1/2014 to 9/10/2014, Ambergris Caye

5th Anniversary Corozal Art In the Park will be the best ever!

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Kicking off the September 9th night's celebrations in San Pedro
, the Fire Engine parade, complete with fire trucks, San Pedro Cadets, Isla Bonita Elementary School's drummers and traffic wardens passed through the island's main streets. Tonight's Tribute to the Baymen program will feature culture and music at Central Park starting at 8PM! Don't miss out!! (6 photos)

Yumm o’clock at Mesa Café!
What can be better than a place serving amazing coffee and delicious food? NOTHING! And that’s what you get at Mesa Café. Having eaten there before (stuffed burger) and loved it, and being a coffee junkie, I was quick to jump on the invite to sample some offerings. Mesa Café is owned by Australians Sheldon and Jo Florence, and they serve a variety of contemporary dishes, including a wide range of vegetarian selections. Honoring the title of “Café”, Mesa also serves real espresso coffee (for the caffeine addicts) and teas (for the caffeine non-addicts). Sheldon is the master mind in the kitchen while Jo serves up some astounding coffee concoctions. It was a solo date for me, which meant more food for me, myself and I. Located at Vilma Linda Plaza on Tarpon Street, Mesa offers both indoor and outdoor seating. I opted for indoor, away from the blazing sun.

SICA Directors of Energy meeting hosted on Ambergris Caye
The Secretary General of the Central American Integration System (SICA), in partnership with the Government of Belize, through the Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology and Public Utilities hosted a two day conference on Ambergris Caye. The meeting, held at Banyan Bay Resort on September 4th and September 5th, was comprised of directors of energy from all Central American countries and involved the discussion of a number of energy related topics. Opening the event was Belize’s Minister of Energy, Science, Technology and Public Utilities, Honorable Senator Joy Grant. In welcoming the delegates, Grant stated that the forum gives the technical directors the opportunity to look at energy related issues in the region.

Ambergris Today

Carnival Competition Extravaganza
On September 6, 2014 many gathered in Belize City to witness some of the most beautiful carnival costumes to grace the stage at this year’s Carnival King and Queen Competition. Each team showcased their best costume performance to impress the judges, while the crowd cheered on. The pictures showcase the Erotic Mas Band on their winnings: 1st place Carnival Queen; worn by Mrs. Anita Hamilton and 2nd place Carnival King; worn by Brent Hamilton. Congratulations to the Erotic Mas Band on their winnings and keep it up.

Belize receives $30millionUS for Improved Road Infrastructure and Disaster Risk Management
The Belize Climate Resilient Infrastructure Project (BCRIP) will support the efforts of the Government of Belize to improve the resilience of critical road infrastructure against flood risk and to strengthen the capacity of relevant ministries to incorporate climate resilience and disaster risk management in their investment planning and implementation. They include the Ministries of Works and Transport and Natural Resources and Agriculture. “The Government of Belize is conscious of the social, economic and environmental implications of Climate Change and takes this opportunity to first, welcome the strategic partnership with the World Bank through this loan for the Climate Resilient Infrastructure Project,” said Yvonne Hyde, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. “This project will enable Belize to implement mitigation and adaptation strategies in the war against this global threat as it relates to the negative effects on Belize’s economic growth and welfare of its present and future generations.”

Misc Belizean Sources

BELIZE IS AT WAR and doesn't even know it
The distant sound of gunfire in the rain forests of Belize is rare but not unheard of, usually a far off solitary hunter. But a 9mm unexpectedly going off close by in the middle of a jungle where there should only be bird calls and monkey howls is personal shock and awe. A few seconds earlier myself, 2 fellow explorers and two rangers were climbing, single file on what should have been a small, almost imperceptible trail in what I believed was one of the most remote, pristine and wild regions of Belize. But instead the trail was a 12 foot wide highway of horse hoofs, boot prints and trash up a steep saddle between two huge elevated sinkholes in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve of the southern Cayo District. Without warning, the ranger behind shoved me aside, anxiously whispered “get down, Xateros!“ and in a single fluid motion slipped off his backpack, drew his 9 millimeter pistol and charged up the hill. BAM! BAM! There is a tunneling of perception - the shrinking of peripheral vision, a quickening of heartbeat and breath, a general slowing of motion - when the moment takes an unexpected and sudden turn. As my mind struggled to make sense of the situation - the adrenaline-fueled sound of the ranger’s voice; his firm push; the kicked up stones and leaves from his boots as he flew uphill; angry shouting of “Alto! Manos Arriba!“ and then the gunfire - fear, anger and instinct kicked in. Holding my camera close to my body so it would not swing on the shoulder strap, I ran uphill in a crouched position a good 20 yards behind the ranger just now disappearing over the saddle.

BATTLE OF ST. GEORGE’S CAYE
216 years ago, days like September 8th and September 9th were absolutely stressful to say the very least. On September 10th, a volatile day in our country's history exploded. Many things have happened since the journey to Belize's Independence began then. Between September 3rd and September 10th, 1798, things truly became very interesting in the settlement of Honduras. The Spanish made a final attempt to take (British) Honduras by force. The English and a rough neck crew of about sixty five Baymen decided that they would not walk away from their home anymore. They found it unacceptable and they resisted with all their souls in defense of what is today our native land Belize. They resisted successfully and perhaps the most important outcome of this final Spanish-English battle on our shores was that the Spanish never again attempted to remove anyone from this land.

MONKEY BUSINESS
WILDTRACKS and the struggle to rehabilitate and release injured or illegally held “pet” monkeys in Belize. FOR MANY YEARS, BELIZE HAS STRUGGLED TO ESTABLISH A PROGRAM FOR THE REHABILITATION AND RELEASE OF ILLEGALLY HELD PET MONKEYS. SINCE 2010, A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION NAMED WILDTRACKS - LOCATED IN NORTHERN BELIZE - HAS BEEN ABLE TO TAKE IN ALL MONKEYS THAT ARE SURRENDERED OR CONFISCATED BY THE BELIZE FORESTRY DEPARTMENT, OR THAT ARE INJURED IN THE WILD. THE PRIMARY GOAL OF WILDTRACKS IS TO DRASTICALLY REDUCE THE ILLEGAL PET TRADE IN MONKEYS IN BELIZE, AND TO GIVE ALL RESCUED, SURRENDERED AND CONFISCATED MONKEYS THE BEST POSSIBLE CHANCE TO BE RETURNED TO THE WILD. DURING THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS I HAVE DOCUMENTED THE WORK DONE BY THESE DEDICATED WILDLIFE CONSERVATIONIST. HERE IS THEIR STORY. Northern Belize is a starkly beautiful land; dry most of the year, hot, rugged and unforgiving. Dotted by brackish lagoons, ringed by mangrove and blanketed by lowland forests, the ancient Maya Civilization somehow densely populated this region which today is mostly uninhabited. THE MANATEE REHABILITATION CENTRE Belize is a stronghold of the endangered Antillean Manatee, with an estimated population of between 800-1000. The Manatee Rehabilitation Centre was established to care for orphaned or injured manatees; to prepare them for their reintroduction into the wild; track their well-being for a short time after release; and to raise awareness of manatees in Belize.

VACANCY FOR BELMOPAN CITY COUNCIL: CITY ADMINISTRATOR

Belize People’s Front speaks on violence against women and children
The Belize People’s Front, and it’s Leader (The first Female Party Leader of Belize) Nefretery Nancy Marin are flabergasted by the tolerance for the abuse and violence against women by our elected officials. We refer to the recent report given by a young lady stating that she was physically abused at the hands of no less than the Minister of Education. The fact that he has not yet been arrested , he has not been reprimanded by the Prime Minister; that this young lady does not have a male figure in her life to give this “man” a dose of his own Medicine, speaks volumes regarding the amount of excesses we tolerate, and what is becoming “NORMAL” in our societies. We need to hold and place our women in a higher regard as we need to be cognizant of the fact that our actions influences the younger generations.

Field simulation exercise on Foot and Mouth Disease in the Cayo District
The Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) will be conducting a field simulation exercise on Foot and Mouth Disease in the Cayo District from 15 to 17 September, 2014. This exercise code-named “Baymen’s Clan” is supported by the IDB and with technical assistance from the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), the Pan American Centre for Foot and Mouth Disease (PANAFTOSA) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). BAHA officers along with other key stakeholders including Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health and the Belize Livestock Producers Association will review a draft Foot and Mouth Disease Emergency Manual to finalise it as the Belize Emergency Manual for Foot and Mouth Disease. Exercise “Baymen’s Clan” will then have officers visiting 4 selected cattle farms in the Cayo District to investigate and control a hypothetical outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease. The experts from PAHO, PANAFTOSA and FAO will be evaluating Belize’s field response capability and make recommendations to strengthen deficiencies identified.

PACT Challenge Chiquibul Expedition
his is a blast from the past. This great video from Daniel Velazquez was recently uploaded for everyone to enjoy. "2005 expedition into the Chiquibul, to create awareness on the wildlife poaching and looting issue by Guatemalans from Peten, funded by Pact, coordinated by FCD, documented by The Fosters wildlife films produced by Carol Foster shot by Richard Foster and Daniel Velazquez, expedition leader Lenny Gentle."

Channel 7

US Says Bz Offshore Companies Scammed 1 Billion!
Tonight, Belize's Offshore Banking sector is under extreme scrutiny from US authorities, and they have local police doing their work. The US Department of Justice says they are cracking the key play players in a billion dollar scheme to defraud US tax authorities. It's playing out right now at the fourth floor of the Matalon Building on Coney Drive at the office of Titan Securities. At 1:00 pm, three police pickups and the Financial Intelligence Unit swept in, reportedly to confiscate all documents and they may also arrest at least three persons who have been named in a US indictment. They are 51 year old Belizean ANDREW GODFREY, 34 year old Bahamian KELVIN LEACH and 29 year old Bahamian Rohn Knowles. Leach and Knowles are principals in Titan, while Godfrey also has an office on the fourth floor.

CWU Meets Regional Boss From FCIB To Talk Garifuna Ethics
For the past 2 weeks, we've been telling you about the controversy brewing at the Dangriga Branch of the First Caribbean International Bank about the use of the Garifuna language by two employees. The Garifuna Community has been quick to condemn the bank, declaring it a violation of their constitutional right and an affront to their indigenous rights. Bank Employee Uwahnie Martinez, who had been working at the Dangriga branch for 14 years, resigned last week, and took a complaint to her union, the Christian Workers Union, to challenge the management's complete refusal and denial that any restriction on the Garifuna language had been issued. With all the negative attention that the bank had been receiving, corporate managers in Barbados started taking notice.

PUP Says Faber's Private Issue Very Public
By now, you've surely heard all about Education Minister Patrick Faber. He was named in a criminal complaint by a 25 year old Ministry of Education staffer who appears to be his girlfriend. She says that she was having her 25th birthday party at his house on Saturday morning when he assaulted her. She made a police report saying he choked her, puled her by the hair and hit her twice. As often happens in such domestic cases, she didn't proceed with charges - so Faber was not charged. But, the court of public opinion is something else completely - and that's where he's come under major attack. Remarkably though, the PUP which you might think, would instantly seize upon such an opportunity to take down a ranking minister was slow to react. The party held a press conference on another matter yesterday, and the party leader didn't even want to talk about Faber when he was asked:.. Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Oposition "I have not heard anything. This is the first time I am hearing about any incident involving Patrick Faber and I have no desire to comment on that issue."

Police Stumped On Paulino Case
Last night, when we reported on the murder of 38 year-old Jason Paul Paulino, the outcome was that police hadn't made any arrests. Well tonight, that position hasn't changed, but police are working on trying to solve this crime. As we reported last night, Paulino was sitting with 2 other companions on an old refrigerator at around 10 on Sunday morning. He was socializing with 2 other companions at his house on Neal Penn Road when 2 men on a motorcycle drove up to his house. There were two men on the bike, and the passenger then pulled out a weapon and fired several shots in Paulino's direction. Police say that he tried to run, but he had already been hit by one of the bullets. When he fell to the ground, the assailant stood over him and fired several more times, jumped back on the bike, and both men made their escape. Paulino was injured in the head, right side of his abdomen, and his left shoulder, and though he was rushed to the hospital in time, doctors couldn't save his life. He died about an hour later while undergoing treatment.

JP Says Police Did A Third World Waterboarding On Nephew
Tonight there is one more story added to the list of police abuses coming out of last weekend. Justice of the Peace Grace Flowers told us that on Saturday afternoon a truck full of police officers picked up her nephew 19 year old Armani Bailey from in front of her home on West Canal. Instead of taking the young man to a police station, the officers allegedly drove him to Belizean Beach - at mile 4 on the Western Highway and did a sort of third world waterboarding! They allegedly put him a garbage container and attempted to drown him! We'll let her explain the whole thing:.. JP Grace Flowers, Aunt of victim "I was up at my house, but a mind tell me to peep out and when I peep out I see the black 4Runner stop down the street, so I shouted and told my mom and my aunt to go and see who the police is harassing out there. When they went out there they said that it was my nephew Armani. So I ran downstairs went down the street and when I got there they had already search him.

House Burnt Down, And Sonya Harris Can't Get Back To "Sam"
Last month we told you about Sonya Harris, a Gungulung area homeowner, whose house burnt down. It was dramatic because she accused her own nephew who was living there at the time. Harris claims that her nephew burnt down the house because she didn't allow him to sell weed there. He was charged for arson, but now, she is trying to rebuild her home and return to the US with her husband but, like the old song says, "after the fire, the fire still burns." Thing is, she and her husband, both live in the states; he lost all his documents in the blaze, and while she still has hers; she won't travel without him. And apart from that, she is having difficulties rebuilding her house due to a property dispute. She told us about these troubles today:.. Sonya Harris, Gungulung Resident "I went to do the papers in my name and it's in there. They took it at Belmopan, that's why they said we got to wait, now as I explain if the government or the president would get in touch with me, I mean I am homeless.

PUP Leader Says Saldivar Viral Video A Factor In Investigation
Last week Friday we showed you attorney and politician Arthur Saldivar's latest fiasco - it's a video posted on Youtube by one of his opponents - where Saldivar uses some off color language and gestures while he is being baited, allegedly by Boris Mansfled at Robert's Grove resort in Placencia. The video went viral on YouTube and it comes at a most inopportune time for Saldivar as he is under investigation by his own party for conduct unbecoming a standard bearer. Yesterday, his party leader said the video does factor into the investigation:.. Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition "I have seen the video. As you know there is a process underway to deal with this issue. The report from the committee that was establish by the national executive to look into this matter should be forthcoming on Friday of this week and the national executive will discuss the matter next week. That's where it stands, we will deal with it at that time."

PUP Defends Mayor, Says PM Took Cheap Shot
But the real business of yesterday's press conference was to respond to an allegation made at Friday's House Sitting by Prime Minister Dean Barrow. He alleged that the mayor of Punta Gorda Town Anthony Fuentes had given the Toledo Teachers Credit Union to take money from the Town's subvention to pay a loan that Fuentes had. So, the allegation that he was using public funds to pay his private loan. Well, it's kind of true, but only insofar as those same public funds pay Fuentes's salary. You, the Toledo Teachers Credit Union gets the twenty two thousand dollar government subvention every month, and Fuentes gets paid out of that. Now, he has a personal loan with the credit union, and they take five hundred a month from his salary - which comes right out of the subvention. It could be seen as a "you say potato, I say potato situation" - but yesterday PUP leader Francis Fonseca says that it was a cheap shot by the PM- and an attempt to imply that there was impropriety when there is none:.. Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition "A personal loan obtained by Mr. Fuentes even before he became the mayor of Punta Gorda. A salary deduction arrangement with the Toledo Teachers Credit Union. Every single cent of the monies which go to service the mayor of PG personal loan to service Mr. Fuentes' loan come from his personal salary as the mayor of Punta Gorda."

Rhys Back Behind Bars
23 year-old Nicholi Rhys, the man who was acquitted of probably the most brazen killing in recent memory, is back behind bars tonight after he was taken to court for allegedly snatching a man's gold chain. The complainant, Delon Lockwood, reported to police that on Tuesday, August 26, he was walking on King Street, when he was attacked by a man who struck him over the head, ripped his two thousand dollar gold chain from around his neck, and ran off. Police investigated the report for 2 weeks, and they charged Rhys with robbery. He was arraigned yesterday before the Chief Magistrate, Ann Marie Smith, and though the offence was not committed with a firearm, Rhys was denied bail. He was remanded to prison until October 22.

Man Charged For Carnal Knowledge of Minor
Dyron Taibo, a chef from Bullet Tree Road in Cayo District, is in jail tonight after he was accused of sexual relations with a 15 year-old. The report picked up quite a bit of attention from both the police and the press. The girl reported that on last week Thursday, at around 1 in the morning, she was picked up in a taxi by one of her female friends who was with her boyfriend, and another man at the time. She says that the friend took her in the taxi to a hotel along the Northern Highway. The female said that her friend then dropped her off with the other man, told her that she would return, and she then left with her boyfriend. That's when the man allegedly invited her into one of the rooms where he had intercourse with her against her will. Police investigated the report, and it seems that they didn't accept her story that the sex was not consensual. That's because they charged Taibo with unlawful carnal knowledge instead of rape. He was arraigned before the Chief Magistrate late yesterday evening.

Sugar Roads Sweetening
The sugar roads, in December of last year, they were in major disrepair after the heavy rains, and they proved to be a major problem for farmers looking to move their cane from remote areas. The 2013-2014 crop season had to start with the roads in very bad conditions, since then, repair works have been ongoing. The companies Teichroeb & Sons and Constructora Mool S.A. de C.V. are reporting tonight that they are almost finished with the two contracts they were awarded. The company reports that their contracts were funded by the European Union under a program called, "Accompanying Measures for Sugar". They say that Lot "A" which runs from San Lazaro to August Pine Ridge, Orange Walk District is 85% completed. Also, Lot "C", which runs from San Narciso to San Victor, and Palmar to Guinea Grass in the Corozal and Orange Walk Districts is reportedly 75% completed.

The Tenth Is World Suicide Prevention Day
While you may be celebrating the Tenth tomorrow, you may also want to take some time for reflection because it's also World Suicide Prevention Day. Today Courtney Weatherburne spoke to Eleanor Bennett?from the Mental Health Program about how suicides can be prevented:.. Courtney Weatherburne "800,000 people from around the world die from suicide every year and it's the second leading cause of death among people between the ages of 15 and 29, so talk to us more about Belize's case." Eleanor Bennett, Coordinator, Mental Health Program in MOH "In Belize we have a suicide rate of about 5 per 100,000. So if I can track from 2011 - 2012 and 2013 - in 2011 our suicide rate was 10.6. In 2012 was 6.2 and in 2013 it was 6.5. When you disaggregate that by male and female we have a suicide rate of about 10 to 1, for every 10 male per 100,000 that commits suicide, 1 female per 100,000 commits suicide." Courtney Weatherburne "In the release it also outlines some of the preventative measures, but what are some of the signs and also are we knowledgeable enough and have enough awareness in Belize to recognize those signs?"

Spain Minister in Belize To Give and Ask Support
Spain's Secretary of State for International Cooperation and Latin America, Jesús Gracia, is on an official trip to Belize and Nicaragua. He's visited the Prime Minister asking for support for of Spain's Candidate for the Security Council in the United Nations. And, today an MOU was signed between Spain and Belize in an effort to strengthen and boost the efficiency of one of SICA's commission OSPESCA which is responsible for fisheries and aquaculture. Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, Sus. Dev. Hon Lisel Alamilla commented on the importance for the MOU to the development of this sector. A representative from New Zealand was also in Belize last week asking for Belize's support for the same initiative.

Guatemala Has A New Foreign Minister
We have all gotten to know Fernando Carrera as The Guatemalan Foreign Affairs Minister who has been working closely with Belizean Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington on improving relations between both countries, but now, he's being replaced. Reports out of Guatemala say that President Otto Perez Molina announced yesterday that Carrera has been appointed as the new ambassador to the United Nations, replacing Gert Rosenthal. His replacement as Guatemalan Foreign Minister is Carlos Raul Morales. No telling yet how this wrinkle will affect Belize Guatemala relations.

Ministry Says Progresso Students Picking Beans
Yesterday at his meeting with the media - Education Minister Patrick Faber discussed all kinds of issues which are timely as the new school year begins. But at the Adventist School in Progresso Village - all that is by the way. Some parents at that school are fed up with the principal and refused to send their children to classes when the new school year started. Carla Alvarez the district Education Manager yesterday told the media that there are issues on both sides of this dispute:... Carla Alvarez, District Education Manager - OW "Yes we do recognize that there are some discrepancy there and yes there is mismanagement to a certain extent and the Adventist Mission has made the commitment to do certain kinds of intervention. For example they will have the local manager there every two weeks. The general manager has promised to be there every month and working along with the Ministry of Education I am sure that we can make drastic improvement."

Another Teenager For Western Diaries
Last week, we told you about how 2 minors were charged for a robbery which happened at the Western Dairy Ice Cream Parlor on Freetown on Friday, August 29. Well, tonight there is another young man who is in police custody who has been charged for that crime. The problem is that the police are unsure if he is 17 year-old, which would make him a minor, or 18, which makes him an adult. He was taken to court today to be arraigned, but because of the age discrepancy, it was postponed until Thursday. He will be taken back before court on that date, and we'll tell you in our next newscast if we can release his name and photograph. AS we told you, the robbery happened at around 4:30 that Friday evening. Four men were riding on bicycles when they pulled up behind Western Dairies on Heusner Street. That's where four men were loading up a cargo truck. Two of them pulled out pistols and ordered the men to lie on the floor. But, very suddenly, someone inside the store opened fire shooting the two teenaged robbers, while their partners in crime dashed off. In the course of their escape, a small .25 pistol was dropped in the process. The robbers also left bicycles behind.

Channel 5

6 firms and executives in Belize accused of a US $500 million tax fraud
Belize has been named in a five hundred million US dollar tax fraud scheme. For months, there have been investigations that various companies, including Titan International Securities were using Belize [...]

P.U.P. Says Faber Must Explain Assault on MoE Employee
Minister of Education Patrick Faber is taking significant heat at the moment. The senior U.D.P. Member of Parliament has been accused of assaulting two women during a party at his [...]

P.U.P. Call on Police to Investigate the Incident
The People’s United Party has called on the police to carry out and complete an investigation into the matter. That seems distinctly unlikely, based on the response by the police [...]

Uwahnie Martinez Speaks Out
The plight of Uwahnie Martinez, a former employee of CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Dangriga Branch, concluded this morning with the bank formally accepting her resignation. This succeeds a meeting with firstCaribbean’s regional [...]

CWU President Discusses Meeting with FCIB
CWU President Audrey Matura says the meeting was held to address three pertinent issues relating to Uwahnie Martinez’s employment situation. That discussion, she said, was chaired by Ella Hoyos, who [...]

FCIB Senior Executive Flies in for Meeting
According to Ella Hoyos, Managing Director for CIBC FirstCaribbean, the bank has a no discrimination policy where it concerns race and language; however, certain aspects of the policy will be [...]

Nasley Sommerville Hearing Postponed
On August fourteenth, after almost a year of so-called intense investigations, former Southern Regional Hospital Administrator Nasley Sommerville finally appeared before the Services Commission to determine her fate in the [...]

Shooting Victim Speaks Out Against Police
On Monday, we reported that both a criminal and an internal investigation have been launched by the Police Department into the shooting of a Baghdad Street resident over the weekend. [...]

Second Man Arraigned in A&R Robbery
A and R was robbed on August twentieth, just before the close of business at around six o’clock. Five days after the robbery, security officer Leroy Ciego was charged with [...]

Nicholi Rhys on Remand for Robbery
Twenty-three-year-old Nicholi Rhys, the son of a female police sergeant, is tonight on remand at the Belize Central Prison after being accused of robbing a man back in August of [...]

Belize Celebrates International Literacy Day
Monday was International Literacy Day, celebrated in schools throughout Belize. The focus is on reading, comprehension and writing, and to that end the Ministry of Education collaborated with the media [...]

Progresso School Issues Nearing Resolution
The 2014 school year opened a week ago, with students returning to classrooms across the country. Well, not all students. The classrooms at the Seventh Day Adventist School in Progresso [...]

Patrick Faber Speaks Out on Proposed Firearms Act Amendment
At the sitting of the House of Representatives on Friday, Prime Minister Dean Barrow spoke briefly on the introduction of a bill to amend the Firearms Act. According to the [...]

Banak Street Grenade Revisited
A British A-One grenade was retrieved from the streets of the Old Capital last Saturday. The grenade was located at an abandoned house on Banak Street. While that operation was [...]

P.U.P. Leader Says Petrocaribe Infrastructure Loan Needs House Approval
Late last month, Prime Minister Dean Barrow was asked about a twenty million dollar loan from Venezuela through the Petrocaribe Initiative which is being used for infrastructural works ongoing nationwide. [...]

Highlights of Expo 2014
The annual expo Belize market place was held over the weekend at the ITVET compound in Belize City. It’s always a big deal, always crowded, always full of deals and [...]

CTV3

Prime Minister Says BSCFA Needs To Get Its Act Together
There have been a number of matters that the Belize Sugar Cane Farmer’s Association has had to face in the sugar industry and which can spell calamity in the industry. There are currently at least three pressing matters that they need to tackle starting with reaching a resolution to the revenue sharing of bagasse with BSI. Then there are the issues surrounding Fairtrade. These were brought up in the sitting of the House of Representatives last Friday. Corozal South East Area Representative Florencio Marin Junior is of the opinion that all stakeholders should come together to resolve the issue to ensure the survival of the industry. Florencio Marin – Area Representative Corozal Southeast “We can begin to resolve some of these issues it is not going to be easy, it won’t be resolve easily at all, it is a very serious issue but we can begin to start to resolve it if we revised the sugar act and especially begin to clearly revise the marketing of our sugar, right now we have one person marketing our sugar, we need to have some adjustments into that, the farmers at the very least have to see where we are selling our sugar, we have a lot of information when you speak with the farmers they have a lot of information how the relationship with cane farmers and the cane millers in the Central American countries operate, how they market their sugar there are many different solutions you just have to listen to everybody in the table to resolve it and everybody have to come to the table for this.”

Cattle Producers Able To Export Livestock To Guatemala
Last Friday in the sitting of the House of Representatives, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources, Gaspar Vega announced that there have been some good progress as it relates to livestock in Belize. Vega said that livestock producers are now able to export live cattle to neighboring Guatemala. Here is what he announced at the House sitting on Friday. Screen_Shot_2014-09-08_at_7.45.59_PMGaspar Vega – Deputy Prime Minister of Belize “Last week the Belize Agriculture health Authority, also known as BAHA and the directorate for animal health of the Guatemalan Ministry of agriculture signed an agreement governing the export of cattle to Guatemala and we are now working with the cattle producers to begin formal exports of lives animals into Guatemala. We expect that this new entry into Guatemala will hold a demand for Belizean beef and will certainly benefit our farmers and in extension the economy of our entire country.”

Tour guides Undergo Training Under LICU Program
The La Inmaculada Credit Union has been implementing the Small Scale Enterprise Development in Agriculture and Tourism project since 2008 in the Orange Walk and Corozal communities. The project has various components including medium and small enterprise development, micro grants, and institutional strengthening among others. Under these are the trainings provided to many participants under the project. A part of that group is tour guides who have been undergoing training. Twenty-eight members of the Northern Tour Guide Association have been part of the latest training and over the weekend they went on a trip for the practical part of this capacity building. Service Provider for LICU under SSEDAT, Raul Cocom spoke more on the work.

New Scout Recruits Installed In Corozal
During a special ceremony this morning at the Mary Hill RC School compound in Corozal, the 11th Corozal Mary Hill Scout Group was officially sworn-in. Witnessing the installation were parents, executive members of the Scout Group, Mayor Hilberto Campos, students and other guest including our reporter Victor Castillo who filed the following report. Victor Castillo - Reporting From Beaver to Ventures, 20 children were officially sworn in as the 11th Corozal Mary Hill Scout Group in the Corozal District this morning. It was a proud moment for the new recruits who will soon learn that being in the group is not only about wearing a prestigious uniform, its also about learning basic skills that will transform them into good men and women of society.

Bag Drive Spreads To Solomon s School
Last Friday we told you about the Give a dollar back to school drive in which thirty school bags were handed to students from Saint Peter’s Anglican School. This morning coordinators of this initiative were at Solomon’s SDA Primary where they issued out an additional twenty-five school bags. Teodoro Chan is one of the organizers and told us about their project. Teodoro Chan “The initiative is just giving something back to the community so we don’t really expect nothing in return just blessing right and just basically we just see it for the need of education for kids who really need it. We’ve been increasing with the help of the community and the people who donates whatever they feel in the can. Once God spear life we are going to continue doing it and take it as much as big as we can. We’re planning to see if we can turn it into a charity fund organization.”

Faber Says Someone Is Out To Get Him
But while the report is stating that Polanco has denied the incident, Faber says the incident did occur but not the way it was reported hence the reason why the report was withdraw. Patrick Faber- Minister of Education "A report was made and in fact I believe subsequent to that, that report has been withdrawn for the mere reason that the situation did not occur as it was reported. So it was withdrawn and so there is no issue there any longer. The reason why it was withdrawn is because in the first place it did not happen in the manner in which it was reported. "The young lady is my friend. All of you know that if fact my wife and I have undergone a separation - that is going in to almost a year now and we had an unfortunate squabble if you will, but nothing like what has been reporter.

Minister Of Education Accused Of Assault
On Friday it was Arthur Saldivar who made headlines with a video that went viral showing him using obscene language and gestures, tonight it is the Minister of Education Honorable Patrick Faber that is in the center of public scandal. According to an article released on the Social Media, a birthday party that took place allegedly at Faber’s house in Lord’s Bank Village over the weekend, turned ugly after he assaulted the birthday girl with whom he shares a relationship with.

Measures To Be Set At Progresso SDA School
Last week we reported on the ongoing turbulence at the Progress Seventh Day Adventist School among parents and the SDA administration for the removal and replacement of one teacher and the principal of the school, following serious allegations against them. On Tuesday of last week, some parents took the matter to the District Education Officer in the hope that the Ministry of Education would intervene. At that point, the Ministry was waiting in writing the decision from the SDA Management on the situation. We contacted District Education Manager, Carla Alvarez today who said that the management has outlined measures that will put in place. Carla Alvarez – District Education Officer, OW “He mentioned that the local manager will be visiting the school every two weeks to ensure that, especially that records are in place and that the administration is doing what it should be doing and the General Manager, Pastor Gillett has already committed to continue visiting the school at least ones per month so I think that in line with the fact that it is a denominational school, we need to see if indeed that will take place.”

7 Year Old Accused 13 Year Who Tried To Sodomize Him
Tonight there is an extremely disturbing coming out from the Village of San Narciso in the Corozal District that has authorities working overtime in order to get the alleged perpetrator behind bars. A seven year old male child in the company of his father visited the Corozal Police Station, where the minor reported to police that on Thursday September 4th around 6:00pm he was at home watching television when a male individual walked into the house took off his pants and attempted to sodomize him. Today when we spoke with Andrew Ramirez, Officer Commanding the Corozal Police Formation, we were informed that culprit is another minor.

BSI And BSCFA Resume Discussion On Commercial Agreement
Today at the halls of the BSI Staff club, representatives from the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) and the Belize Sugar Industry Limited’s negotiating team met to renew engagements to conclude a new commercial agreement that will define a commercial relationship between both miller and producer. BSI/ASR’s Financial Director Belizario Carballo says that the new agreement seeks to set clear terms and conditions in which to operate. Belizario Carballo – Financial Director, BSI/ASR “We are hopeful that at the start of the crop we will have in place a new agreement that will set clearly the terms and conditions on which we operate and that is what we all did today as you all now we had started this process quite some time ago but we got sort of bugged down on the matter of the bagasse payment and so we have now reengage with the purpose of concluding a completely new agreement that would include the matter of the payment for bagasse but that is just one component of this overall ne agreement...

LOVE FM

The Significance of the 10th of September
Tomorrow marks the 216th Anniversary of the Battle of St. George’s Caye. The day has been a bone of contention as some believe the battle never happened. Historian, Fred Hunter Sr spoke to us about the significance of the day and some of the controversy surrounding the day. Historian Fred Hunter “The whole country celebrated the 10th. 1930's, 1940's, 1950's, 1960's, it was between the 50's and the 60's because when the movement of independence started every 10th the PUP’s would take a wreath and lay it on Simon Lamb’s grave because he was the man who started the centenary of the 10th. Because when the people now say there was no celebration of the 10th until the 100 celebration. No. Thirty years after the 10th there was also a celebration. 1798 to 1818, 1828 that was the first celebration of the 10th. Those who lived it experienced it. When the 100th anniversary came Simon Lamb being a patriot or what you want to call it, realized the importance of the tenth. If it wasn’t for the tenth, if the tenth wasn’t fought and wasn’t successful we would be a part of Quintana Roo today.

Vehicles Donation to Southern Regional Hospital
The Punta Gorda Hospital is the recipient of a number of health support vehicles. Correspondent Paul Mahung reports. Pau lMahung “Southern Regional Deputy Health manager Ruth McDonald was happy of the availability of vehicles on behalf of the Ministry of health. Toledo staff was pleased to comment on plans for the appropriate use of the vehicles.” Ruth McDonald “I am happy to say that we have recently received three small health support vehicles, one of which will be assigned to Punta Gorda hospital, one to the San Antonio poly clinic and one of them is actually due to be reassigned to the Independence polyclinic. These three health support vehicles they were part of a donation from the Government of Dubai to the Ministry of Health in Belize and we are happy that we now have ours in Toledo. These vehicles will mostly be used for in town for things like Parades or for any patients that are within town and need to be brought to the hospital. We are also very happy to say that we received approval to purchase a van which we have now converted into an ambulance for the districts. This will improve the reliability of our ambulance service and assist with transportation of patients to the Southern Regional Hospital in Dangriga.”

Renovation causing Problems to Market Vendors
Market vendors in Belmopan have been complaining about the pace of work being done at the Market Rehabilitation Project. While the project is ongoing, vendors have been relocated however according to them the site has a number of challenges especially when it rains. Love News spoke with Mayor Simeon Lopez who said while he understands the vendors’ frustrations; the Belmopan City Council has nothing to do with the ongoing project. Mayor Simeon Lopez “The Belmopan City council is in no way in control of the project to renovate the civic center parking lot. We are trying our best to get our vendors out of that situation but every time we seem to get a little closer the timeline moves a little further backwards. Just yesterday there was a walkthrough of the area yesterday evening and I was advised that maybe the move would not happen until around the 26th of September.

Attorney Lisa Shoman says Minister of Education Patrick Faber should get some help
Yesterday, Minister of Education, Patrick Faber, responded to the allegations of him being involved in a physical altercation with a 25 year old female employee of the Ministry of Education. An initial report was filed at the Ladyville Police Station but was later withdrawn. Yesterday, Faber did not deny the allegations however he did say that it was withdrawn because the report was not accurate. It’s a black eye for the ruling UDP Government as another of its ministers have been involved in another scandal. The People’s United Party is now taking the opportunity to bring pressure on Faber and Prime Minister Dean Barrow. The PUP is calling on the Prime Minister to at the very least suspend Minister Faber from Cabinet pending the outcome of a full and proper investigation into this matter. The main opposition Senator for the PUP, Attorney Lisa Shoman, says Patrick Faber should get some help.

Christian Workers Union meet with CICB First Caribbean Bank
A meeting to discuss the ongoing controversy involving CIBC First Caribbean Bank took place this morning. As we have been reporting, now former employee of CIBC First Caribbean Bank, Uwahnie Martinez, alleged that the managers of the bank’s Dangriga Branch where she worked here, instructed her not to speak her native language. Since the allegations first surfaced last month, several organizations have spoken out against the matter. Even the Prime Minister stated that if the allegations were true, it cannot be tolerated. The Christian Workers Union was demanding a meeting from the Bank’s Head mangers and they got one today with the Managing Director for Human Resources, Ella Hoyos, out of the Bank’s Barbados Headquarters who said her visit was three fold.

No contention with High Schools merged
A few months ago, it became public knowledge that the Ministry of Education would be amalgamating three Belize City schools namely Excelsior High School, Maud Williams High School and Sadie Vernon High School. According to officials of the Ministry of Education, the move to merge the schools’ resources is proving to be beneficial. However, some parents had concerns that due to the location of the schools and the different city areas from which the different students would be coming from would pose a threat due to gang rivalry. According to Sister Caritas Lawrence of the Ministry of Education no contentions have been recorded in the schools so far.

Minister of Education Patrick Faber discusses School concers
The Minister of Education held a breakfast press conference this morning with the purpose to share the latest information on several important topics in relation to education in Belize. One of the topics discussed is Primary School Fees. Faber explained that the maximum amount of schools fees a school can collect is one hundred and fifty dollars and must be approved by the Ministry of Education. Minister of Education Patrick Faber “Primary school fees my friend are set by the school but are approved by the ministry of education via the Chief Education Officer. So there is no school that should be charging outrageous primary school fees or fees at any level that is receiving aid from the government or where it is a totally government or state-owned institution.

Problem being dealt with at the Progresso Seventh day Adventist School
Last week we told you that classes were back to normal at the Progresso Seventh Day Adventist School in Northern Belize after the parents and management were having issues. Today, during a media breakfast hosted by the Ministry of Education, District Education Manager for the Orange Walk District, Carla Alvarez, addressed the matter. District Education Manager O.W,Carla Alvarez “Indeed we received some complaints from the parents of Progresso and these complaints came to me in the month of July and we in fact conducted an investigation, I submitted a very lengthy report to the general manager of that particular school and I asked him because it is a denominational school and it is the management who is primarily responsible for it although it is a grant aided school and I asked the management to conduct an investigation.

Instructors at Toledo ITVET Unhappy with Manager’s practices
Instructors at the ITVET, Toledo, are expressing their unhappiness with Manager, Allen Genus. A press statement issued out by the instructors, state quote, “On May 28 in the middle of our investigation into questionable practices by the Manager, Allen Genus, the board was asked to question the Ministry of Education and determine who the manager works for and who he answers to before we proceed. We still have teachers who have received one evaluation in seven years and the manager has attempted to copy the one evaluation and submit it for seven times but was stopped by the instructors who wants a fair evaluation……. The manager is continuing to attempt to have employees teaching without a license, which is against the law! But the government seems to be turning a blind eye.” Minister of Education, Patrick Faber, responded to the instructors’ comments.

Stop order issued to Fire Victim Harris in the rebuilding process
About two weeks ago Sonia Harris lost her house in a fire incident. Her nephew has since been charged with arson in connection with the incident. Today Harris told Love News in the rebuilding process she is now facing challenges from officials. She said a stop order has been issued. Fire Victim Sonia Harris “Two or three days ago I got a call from a Mr. Williams and he said that he needs to find out what the situation is with my house. He said he was going to talk to Mr. King about the place. Well, I don’t know if he got the chance to speak to Mr. King but he asked me if I applied for the land and I told him that I did. I went to Mr. King’s office and I filled out a paper to get the land about over a month now. Now because I am trying to put back the place that was burnt down I had like four people that just came here. They said they were from lands and they told me that they want me to stop building my house.” Harris says she has been on the land for 18 years without any problems. Harris said she has applied for her land papers and all procedures are in place.

Serious Allegations were made against MOE Patrick Faber
Serious allegations were made against Minister of Education, Patrick Faber, over the weekend. In fact, a complaint was made to the Ladyville Police Department, by a 25 year old woman, who alleged that Faber assaulted her during her birthday party which was held at his residence in Lord’s Bank Village. Faber told the media this morning that the complaint has been retracted. Here is a bit of that exchange with the press. Minister Of Education Patrick Faber “A report was made indeed and was subsequently withdrawn.” Reporter “Could you tell us the substance of that report?” Minister of Education Patrick Faber “A report was made and was withdrawn, hence meaning it does not exist.”

PlusTV

Police raid offices of Titan Securities
A police raid was effected this afternoon on the offices of Titan Securities on the fourth floor of the Matalon Building on Coney Drive. We understand police were out in numbers on the ground and inside the building, seeking the owners of the business who are allegedly wanted by U.S. authorities. Ti...

Uwahnie Martinez leaves First Caribbean Bank in Dangriga
Employee of CIBC First Caribbean International Bank Uwahnie Martinez of Dangriga Town was scheduled to leave her post by her own choice as of October. But her last day on the job, after 14 years, turned out to be today. She spent it meeting with superiors in Belize City, joined by representatives of...

PUP leader responds to allegations made against Punta Gorda Mayor
On Monday the People’s United Party (PUP) called a press conference to respond to allegations that Mayor of Punta Gorda Town, Anthony Fuentes, used Council funds to pay a personal loan at the Toledo Teachers’ Credit Union (TTCU)...

PUP leader says video of Arthur Saldivar is part of report
On Friday of this week, a report on the actions of suspended Belize Rural North standard bearer Arthur Saldivar will be submitted to the People’s United Party, whose National Executive will determine his fate at a meeting next week...

Raul Tush charged with Dangerous Harm following stabbing of Luis Tzib
Just an inch away from his wind pipe and Corozal Police would have reported its sixth murder for this year. On Friday September 5^th around 9:30 pm Corozal Police reported to a report in Patchakan Village in the Corozal district of a man suffering of stab wounds. Upon Police arrival they saw 45 year...

Belize City Mechanic shot and killed
A Belize City mechanic was murdered over the weekend. 38 year old Jason Paulino was sitting in a yard on Neal Pen Road around 9:55 a.m. Sunday with two other persons when two dark-skinned men on a motorcycle and the passenger fired several shots toward Mr Paulino...

Ministry of Education’s staffer withdraws police report against Minister
A very serious allegation of assault has exploded in the face of Minister of Education Hon. Patrick Faber. According to a leaked police report published online and obtained by PLUS News, a Ministry of Education staff member, 25 year old Nickesha Polanco, told Police in Ladyville that she was having...

San Pedro Fisherman latest murder victim on the island
There was a murder in San Pedro Town over the weekend, sandwiched between two in Belize City. We have already told you of the death of Jason Paulino, but police have made an arrest in the death of Rolando Espat. Gabriel Salazar, a name familiar to viewers, was charged with the murder. Superintendent...

Police find grenade on Banak Street
It has been a while since police have recovered hand grenades from the streets of Belize City...

Seven persons arrested in attempted robbery
Police have arrested and charged seven persons in connection with a Friday afternoon attempted robbery at the Fabers Road Snack Shop in Belize City. The Gang Suppression Unit (GSU), acting on a tip received earlier in the day, got a man to the scene on time to engage the would-be robbers and captu...

Police investigating police shooting of suspect in leg
This past weekend in the West and Orange Street area near Taylors’ Alley, police say they had to use justifiable force to subdue 50 year old Kent Skeet of Baghdad Street, shooting him in the left leg after he allegedly attacked a police officer while being searched...

7 year old boy almost sodomized
A 7 year old male child of San Narciso Village, Corozal District, accompanied by his father, reported that on Thursday September 4, at about 6:00pm, he was at a house in the village watching television when a male person took off his pants and attemped to sodomize. A medical examination was ...

Fatal traffic accident claims life of 88 year old man
There was a fatal traffic accident on Friday 5th September, between miles 83 and 84 on the Phillip Goldson Highway. A red Honda Motor Cycle with no license plates was travelling from Corozal Town to Orange Walk Town when Eluterio Chan, an 88 year old Belizean of Ranchito Village, was walking across ...

Minister of Education addresses education issues
Shaking off a personal near-tragedy over the weekend, Minister of Education Patrick Faber sat down with the press at the Belize Institute of Management (BIM) for nearly two hours, addressing several key issues in education. Topics ranged far and wide but the Minister kept coming back to the importan...

Belize loses both games to Honduras and Guatemala
Belize played two valiant games against power houses Honduras and Guatemala. In the first game against Honduras, Belize lost two to nothing, due to two auto goals, scored on Belize’s goalkeeper Woodrow West. The second game was played in Dallas Texas on Sunday evening, where they lost two to one...

Amandala

First GSU, now police “craziness!”
Police have confirmed that they have launched an investigation through their Professional Standards Branch into the shooting of Belize City resident Kent “Gigante” Skeet, 50, former football player and a resident of 33 Bagdad Street. Skeet was shot once in the left leg on Saturday, September 6, on Orange Street near its junction with West Street, as he was making his way home. The police report of Saturday, September 6, 2014, said that “while conducting operations in Taylor’s Alley, police had to use justifiable force to subdue 50-year-old Kent Skeet of a Bagdad Street address by shooting him in the left leg after he allegedly attacked a police officer while being searched.”

Jason Paulino, 38, executed
A mechanic who resided in Southside Belize City was cut down in a hail of bullets yesterday morning while reportedly sitting with a few of his colleagues on an old refrigerator on the street side in front of his home at #9 Neal Pen Road. At approximately 9:55 a.m., two dark-complexioned men on a motorcycle who were both wearing helmets, drove up and stopped in front of Jason Paul Paulino, 38, after which the passenger on the bike allegedly took out a pistol and unleashed a barrage of gunshots in Paulino’s direction. According to police, Paulino attempted to flee, but fell in the process, and that was when the gunman got off the motorcycle, approached a wounded Paulino, stood over him, and callously shot him several more times.A mechanic who resided in Southside Belize City was cut down in a hail of bullets yesterday morning while reportedly sitting with a few of his colleagues on an old refrigerator on the street side in front of his home at #9 Neal Pen Road. At approximately 9:55 a.m., two dark-complexioned men on a motorcycle who were both wearing helmets, drove up and stopped in front of Jason Paul Paulino, 38, after which the passenger on the bike allegedly took out a pistol and unleashed a barrage of gunshots in Paulino’s direction. According to police, Paulino attempted to flee, but fell in the process, and that was when the gunman got off the motorcycle, approached a wounded Paulino, stood over him, and callously shot him several more times.

Patrick Faber “escapes,” with police help
A report made by a young woman who was throwing a party at the home of Minister of Education, Hon. Patrick Faber, against the Minister, has been withdrawn, according to police, who have now said that they have “no comment” about the matter at a press conference this afternoon at the Racoon Street Police Station. The cordon of protection around the Minister was so tight that even Police Press Officer, Raphael Martinez, refused to offer any information to the media. He even refused to provide a timeline between the time that the report was made to the Ladyville Police Station, and the time at which the complaint was actually withdrawn, which is standard information in a case of this kind. Martinez would only say that “A report was made indeed, and it was subsequently withdrawn.”

Security officer fatally shot on Sibun Street
Today saw another slaying in the pitiless streets of Belize City, and the circumstances continue to puzzle the victim’s family, since the young security guard, who was on the way to his workplace, was not known to have any ties to the streets or any of the notorious gangs that operate therein. After a slight lull in unremitting gun violence over the past few days, gunfire ruptured the morning’s serenity on Sibun Street in the “Back-a-Town” area of the Old Capital, claiming the life of Corey Douglas Howard, 21, a resident of St. Martin De Porres. Howard, a security officer who had recently been employed at KBH Security, was reportedly ambushed and shot multiple times within sight of his workplace, where he had been heading to pick up equipment to go on the job.

CWU and CIBC meet Tuesday over issues at Dangriga branch
–A team of representatives from the Christian Workers Union (CWU) is scheduled to meet tomorrow, Tuesday, with management of CIBC First Caribbean International Bank, including Ella Hoyos, CIBC Managing Director for Human Resources out of its Barbados headquarters, to discuss the case of Uwahnie Martinez, a loans officer who has resigned amid controversy over directives allegedly handed down from persons within the bank restricting the use of her native language, Garifuna, on the job. The CWU had said at a press conference last Wednesday that it was giving the bank until 1:00 p.m. Thursday to respond to their demand for a meeting which would include Martinez and CWU reps, and not two separate meetings as the bank had proposed.

Dangriga area rep calls on Parliament to denounce discrimination against Garinagu in banking
Ivan Ramos, Dangriga’s area representative for the Opposition People’s United Party, strongly denounced in Parliament today what he said was an act of discrimination against two banking employees, after allegations that CIBC First Caribbean has tried to “stifle” speech in their native tongue, a form of disrespect Ramos said he had not seen in a long time. Ramos, the grandson of Garifuna activist and hero Thomas Vincent Ramos, noted in his statement that on May 18, 2001, the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO) issued a proclamation designating the Garifuna Language, Dance and Music to be A Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. It was the first such proclamation issued by the UN organization.

Penner and Castro removed by Committee of Selection
On the occasion of Friday’s House meeting, the Committee of Selection led by Mesopotamia area representative Michael Finnegan removed Cayo North East representative Elvin Penner as chair of the Public Utilities, Transport and Communications Committee and replaced him with the Lake I area representative Mark King. Meanwhile, Albert Division area rep Herman Longsworth was installed as chair of the Public Service, Labour, Industry and Trade Committee in place of Belize Rural North representative Edmund Castro. Both Penner and Castro, who have acted as ministers of state or junior ministers, were at the center of a hailstorm of controversy in late 2013 over allegations of impropriety in public office.

The Empire in Central America
At the opening of the second millennium, the British were mere barbarian tribes fighting each other on their island in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, and by the end of that millennium they had lost absolute control of the international empire they had built in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. But the British earned a reputation during the course of the second millennium of post-Christian history as arguably the greatest and most successful warriors on planet earth. There was a famous British Empire still in place in the first half of the twentieth century, British Honduras was one of that empire’s colonies, and there were British Hondurans who swore by the British and their empire. The Caste War of the Yucatán, which began in 1847, only 26 years after Mexico had become independent of Spain, had significant effects on the settlement of Belize. The Caste War, in which the Yucatec Maya rebelled violently against the ladino-dominated status quo, catapulted the Santa Cruz Maya and the Icaiche Maya to prominence and power to the north and northwest of Belize. The Santa Cruz and the Icaiche taxed the mahogany contractors of Belize mercilessly, frightened Belize’s settler elite with their violence, and eventually caused that settler elite to seek colonial status in the British Empire in 1862.

From the Publisher
I don’t know if you really understand what Tony Wright has been trying to do, and how his efforts contribute to the building of our national consciousness as Belizeans. Tony Wright is trying to protect the Belize market for Belizean musicians. This is something that should have been done by our elected leaders, but it seems they are always too busy trying to enrich themselves. So it is that, 33 years after our political independence, Belizean musicians are not treated with the respect they deserve, as authentic artists, in their home country. This is painful. And the man who feels the pain inside more than anyone else, and keeps on expressing it, is Tony Wright. In talking about Tony Wright, I have to do a little talking about myself in order to show you how different our backgrounds and personalities are. Some of the official disrespect which has been shown to Tony Wright over the years is derived from the fact that the power structure in Belize assumes, because he broadcasts on KREM Radio, that he is pushing an Evan X Hyde agenda. And, you must understand that there are powerful people in this country who have hated Evan X Hyde’s guts from the time he first began speaking out loud in 1969.

Fragmentary grenade found in the City
BELIZE CITY–Precinct 2 police are carrying out an investigation to determine the source of a British-made fragmentary grenade that was found in an abandoned house on Banak Street in the south-side of Belize City. Police said [...]

Patrick Faber “escapes,” with police help
BELIZE CITY–A report made by a young woman who was throwing a party at the home of Minister of Education, Hon. Patrick Faber, against the Minister, has been withdrawn, according to police, who have now said [...]

Ranchito resident dies in motorcycle accident
BELIZE CITY–An elderly resident of Ranchito, Corozal District, has succumbed to injuries he suffered after being knocked down by a motorcyclist this morning on the Philip Goldson Highway. Amandala understands that Eluterio Chan, 88, was hit [...]

Murder in San Pedrito, San Pedro
SAN PEDRO–Rolando Espat, Jr., 22, a fisherman of San Pedrito, San Pedro, is dead after a gunman shot him several times in the head and chest at about 12:30 Saturday morning. Espat was found bleeding from [...]

Cayo man, 33, detained for raping Belize City girl, 17
BELIZE CITY–A 17-year-old female from Belize City has reported to police that she was raped by a man unknown to her inside a hotel on the Philip Goldson Highway early yesterday morning. The incident reportedly happened [...]

First GSU, now police “craziness!”
BELIZE CITY–Police have confirmed that they have launched an investigation through their Professional Standards Branch into the shooting of Belize City resident Kent “Gigante” Skeet, 50, former football player and a resident of 33 Bagdad Street. [...]

Infamous firearm laws to be amended
BELMOPAN–Citizen Security in Belize, an October 2013 report of the Inter-American Development Bank authored by Jennifer Peirce and Alexandre Veyrat, said, “Licit and illicit circulation of firearms is a growing concern for Belize, particularly because the [...]

Homeless fire victims having a hard time
BELIZE CITY–Less than three weeks after the house of Sonia Harris and her family in the Gungulung area, along with almost all their belongings, was burnt down, the family is facing many difficulties. Harris and her [...]

7 persons arraigned for Friday’s brazen robbery
BELIZE CITY–This morning, seven persons lined up in the small courtroom of Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith as their names were called and they were placed according to their appearance on the court book, before they [...]

Father & daughter win “B” race at Weekend Warriors September Criterium
BELIZE CITY–Approximately 35 cyclists took the streets in 4 different categories: Class C, Class B, Class A and finally – the Devil Takes the Hindmost Race, in the 6th Annual Weekend Warrior September Criterium yesterday on [...]

Updated report on Belize at CODICADER Games; Shanicka wins GOLD
BELIZE CITY–The following report was submitted today by Belize delegation head, National Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA) President, Deon Sutherland, in reference to events held on Thursday, September 4, at the CODICADER Games in Guatemala: “In [...]

Final results for Battle of St. George’s Caye Regatta 2014
BELIZE CITY–The 5th Battle of St. George’s Caye Regatta was staged over the weekend of August 30-31 on the historic waters off St. George’s Caye. The event was hosted by Belize City Sailing Club (BzCSC). At [...]

Corozal Wildfire Club plays youth basketball games vs Mexican teams
COROZAL TOWN–On Friday, August 29, at Corozal Civic Center at 10:00 a.m., the Corozal Wildfire Basketball Club (CWBC) hosted Caribbeans Basketball Club from Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico. In the first game, in the 8-10 age group, [...]

Wayanuhaba Garifuna ya
August 29, 2014 Dear Editor Amandala, The controversy around First Caribbean Bank in Dangriga in regards to the use of the Garifuna language by its employee(s) is bigger than just bank employees speaking in the indigenous [...]

Regarding Major Lloyd Jones
Dear Editor, Major Lloyd Jones and his supporters are asking the most for Belize of its second class citizens – the Diaspora! Major! Your advocating for less rights for the Belizean Diaspora means you are advocating [...]

Major Lloyd Jones still missing the basic point
Dear Editor, Could you please publish this letter to Major Lloyd Jones? Dear Major Jones, You are missing the point because the issue is still about “the fundamental rights of citizens”. All the citizens of a [...]

Edmund “Roach” Roches passes
BELIZE CITY–Amandala has been informed that Edmund “Roach” Roches, 54, a resident of Lake I, was found dead in his house at 8293 Miller Street off Administration Drive at about 5:30 this evening by his friend, [...]

Penner and Castro removed by Committee of Selection
BELIZE CITY–On the occasion of Friday’s House meeting, the Committee of Selection led by Mesopotamia area representative Michael Finnegan removed Cayo North East representative Elvin Penner as chair of the Public Utilities, Transport and Communications Committee [...]

Barrow will leave the Bar
BELMOPAN–Prime Minister Dean Barrow told journalists outside the National Assembly on Friday that he will leave the Bar after new laws to remove the requirement in the Legal Profession Act for practising attorneys to join the [...]

Good news for cañeros – for now
ORANGE WALK–After receiving the disappointing news that sugar conglomerate Tate & Lyle Industries will probably only be buying a minimum of 10,000 tons of Fair-trade sugar from local cane farmers for the next sugar crop season, [...]

Chryslin Gladden’s accused murderers return to court
BELIZE CITY–Clement Bol, 23, the man who is accused of the gruesome August 2 murder of Chryslin Gladden, 16, a recent graduate and honor student of Wesley College, returned to court today, along with a 17-year-old [...]

Briceño decries “measly” $10,000 settlement for baby deaths at KHMH
BELIZE CITY–Wrongful death lawsuits could result in awards of millions of dollars, but earlier this week, the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) reached an undisclosed settlement with five of thirteen mothers who had lost their babies [...]

Jason Paulino, 38, executed
BELIZE CITY–A mechanic who resided in Southside Belize City was cut down in a hail of bullets yesterday morning while reportedly sitting with a few of his colleagues on an old refrigerator on the street side [...]

Patrick Jones

Fuel Pricing & Tomato Competitiveness in Belize
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimated that, in 2012, Belize produced 1.7 million pounds of tomato on 96 acres of land, with an average yield of about 18,000 pounds per acre. That year, Belize ranked #85 in the world in terms of yield per acre….with Netherlands being #1, producing a yield […]

Ministry of Education engages media on education issues
The Centers for Employment Training are making a comeback of sorts in at least four of six districts. According to Minister of Education Patrick Faber, the program is designed to run concurrently with the ITVET program, but address a specific need – early school leavers without high school equivalency […]

PUP demands Patrick Faber “come clean” on assault
Minister of Education, Youth and Sports Patrick Faber was accused of assault based on a complaint made over the weekend by a 25-year-old staffer of the Ministry and later withdrawn by her. Faber was alleged to have hit and choked the woman during a birthday party at his […]

Belizean named in securities fraud indictment in the United States
Belizean national, 51 year old Andrew Godfrey, is one of 6 individuals named in an indictment on securities fraud today in federal court in Brooklyn, New York. Six corporate defendants, including a Belize-registered offshore company, were also named in the indictment. According to a report on the […]

First Caribbean Bank releases Uwahnie Martinez; to review policy on language
Employee of CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank, Uwahnie Martinez of Dangriga Town was scheduled to leave her post by her own choice as of October. But she agreed with her employers to leave today after 14 years’ employment. She spent it meeting with superiors in Belize City, joined by […]

Police lower charge against accused sex offender
Because they do not believe, allegedly, that a 15 year old Belize City girl did not consent to intercourse with an older man, police have elected to charge Bullet Tree Road, San Ignacio Town resident Dyron Taibo with carnal knowledge. Taibo, a chef by profession, appeared on Monday […]

Garifuna rallying against discrimination
The issue of discrimination against the Garifuna people recently exploded on center stage following allegations that a First Caribbean International Bank manager prohibited the use of the Garifuna language in the Dangriga branch of the bank. It is an issue that Mayor of Dangriga Town Gilbert Swazo says […]

New scouts sworn in at Mary Hill School, Corozal
New members have been inducted to the 11th Corozal Mary Hill Scout Group. Brief ceremonies were held at the school compound on Monday morning where 20 boys and girls were officially sworn in as members of the group. Present to witness the swearing in were parents, members of […]

Ladrones asaltan abarrotería de Orange Walk
Ladrones en el municipio de Orange Walk han hecho de las suyas en la abarrotería Taisan en la Carretera a Palmar. El robo a plena luz del día se informa rindió a los ladrones una desconocida cantidad de dinero en efectivo. Reportes desde el municipio de Orange Walk […]

PUP demand apology for P.G. Mayor
On Monday the People’s United Party (PUP) called a press conference to respond to allegations that Mayor of Punta Gorda Town Anthony Fuentes used Council funds to pay a personal loan at the Toledo Teachers’ Credit Union (TTCU). In fact, says party leader Francis Fonseca, there are two […]

Robbers target Orange Walk grocery shop
Thieves in Orange Walk town have targeted the Taisan grocery shop on Palmar Road. The broad-daylight robbery reportedly netted the thieves an undetermined amount of cash. Reports from Orange Walk town say that the robbery happened just before one o’clock this afternoon. Initial police reports say that […]

Unstable weather in the forecast
Relatively moist and unstable conditions are dominating our weather heading into the second half of the week. The general forecast for Belize and her coastal waters is for cloudy skies at times with a few showers and isolated thunderstorms, mainly inland this afternoon and then over the south […]

Empleada del Ministerio de Educación retira queja contra Ministro
Se alega que el pasado fin de semana, el Ministro de Educación Patrick Faber estuvo involucrado en un muy serio incidente de asalto. Un reporte filtrado de la policía obtenido por los medios locales incluyendo el Belize Media Group indica de que un miembro del personal del […]

Police charge elderly man with assault of officer
This past weekend in the West and Orange Street area near Taylors’ Alley, police say they had to use justifiable force to subdue 50 year old Kent Skeet of Baghdad Street, shooting him in the left leg after he allegedly attacked a police officer while being searched. Skeet […]

GSU foils robbery of Chinese store; seven young men charged
Police have arrested and charged seven persons in connection with a Friday afternoon attempted robbery at the Fabers Road Snack Shop in Belize City. The Gang Suppression Unit (GSU), acting on a tip received earlier in the day, got a man to the scene on time to engage […]

Pescador asesinado en el municipio de San Pedro
La policía en el municipio de San Pedro, Cayo Ambergris, está investigando un asesinato ocurrido a primeras horas del Sábado. La victima ha sido identificada como Rolando Espat, Jr. de 22 años un residente del área de San Pedrito. Según reportes de la policía, a eso de […]

Asesinato en la ciudad de Belice
Un hombre fue muerto a tiros el Domingo por la mañana en la Ciudad de Belice. La victima ha sido identificada como Jason Paul Paulino de 38 años. Según la policía, Paulino se hallaba sentado en un patio en la calle Neal Penn a eso de las […]

Los estudiantes en Belmopan celebran Día de la Alfabetización
Estudiantes de todas las escuelas de Belmopán se reunieron en el Parque Independence el Viernes, 5 de Septiembre para celebrar el Día Internacional del Alfabetismo. Los estudiantes, llenos de entusiasmo, vinieron preparados con sus carteles, que contenían información acerca de Alfabetismo, Salud y Paz. Aunque el lema […]

Blogs

Ashley’s Story: The Inspiration Center – Helping Kids in Belize
In the past year, Ashley has moved to Belize City and taken on a huge and important job at Belize’s new Inspiration Center. I love following her on Facebook and seeing all her pictures and observations about living in Belize’s gritty capital. She has an amazing ability to see the positive through the negative and I keep telling her that she needs to start a blog. A quote from the other day “Today I met an 8 year old boy who likes to go tarantula hunting despite the fact he said “Ms. Ashley, I’m only afraid of 2 things, spiders and clowns”. I’m pretty sure I have the best job in the world.” She’s a busy lady (working, training for the Placencia “End of the World” half-marathon and getting used to a new place) but I’m lucky that she wrote this post for SanPedroScoop. It’s good stuff. Here’s Ashley (who also gave me a rundown, recently, of her budget living in Belize City.)

Belize Weather: Tackling Climate Change
Just like Faberge Eggs, hand blown crystal glasses, Ming dynasty vases and Mona Lisa’s smile, Belize’s environmental treasures are stunningly beautiful, extremely valuable and yet very fragile. Sometimes we’re frustrated that the same care and protection that those other priceless items receive isn’t given to the environment, worldwide and in Belize. However, as more and more people wake up to the realities of manmade climate change, attitudes are changing as well, and all over the planet people are taking measures to turn climate change around and mitigate the effects this global phenomenon is having on the planet We’ve previously written about local efforts, and are glad to see that a national policy and action plan addressing climate change was presented at the National Climate Change Consultation held September 4, 2014 at the Radisson Hotel in Belize City. Dr John Charlery, a climate change modelling specialist said, “Belize as every other country in the world is going to be affected by the changes in climate. The issue of course is to what extent those changes will produce effects which can be negative or positive maybe in some cases. There are some of them that we can immediately see.” He then went on to highlight the issue of rising sea levels in relation to Belize’s low-lying coast, cayes and spectacular barrier reef.

Hawkesworth Bridge: Myths laid to rest
The reason I had decided to write about Hawkesworth bridge and E. G. Hawkesworth was because you can’t speak of one and not the other, but mostly because there is nothing that is truly written about both, allowing certain myths to settle in. In fact, for many years I had heard that the bridge was in South Africa before coming to Belize and reassembled. I myself, and I’m sure many other tour guides, are guilty of delivering this wrong information that was then spon out of control. We know now that it was not the bridge itself that was in Africa, but rather it was Sir Gerald Hawkesworth who was in Nigeria for many years before giving service to British Honduras; so therein lies the confusion. With this research I have answered many questions. I keep thinking about how many phone calls I have to make and how many emails I have to write to my past guests to correct myself that I had delivered wrong information all these years.

Happy St. George’s Caye Day!
Every year on September 10th Belize celebrates the anniversary of the Battle of St. George’s Caye, the day when the Baymen defeated the Spaniards in a fight to ascertain claim for present day Belize. Belizeans from every corner of the country dress in patriotic colors of red, blue and white and sing the popular song “The Tenth Day of September”:

International Sources

U.S. prosecutors charge 6 with running $500 million money laundering scheme
Federal prosecutors charged six men Tuesday with running a complicated offshore scheme that allegedly enabled clients to manipulate stocks, avoid U.S. taxes and launder hundreds of millions of dollars. An indictment unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn alleged the men laundered some $500 million in proceeds from fraudulent securities transactions for more than 100 U.S. citizens and helped commit tax fraud. The men—all of whom reside in Belize, according to the indictment—concealed their U.S. clients’ ownership in offshore shell companies over a five- year period. Some of the clients used the entities to mask transactions in order to manipulate stocks, and then launder the proceeds through the offshore accounts, prosecutors alleged. The indictment came after a two-year undercover investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation during which an undercover agent traveled to Belize to meet with the alleged conspirators and set up offshore entities. The agent explicitly told the defendants that he planned to use a sham company to manipulate stocks, according to the indictment.

Belize Firm Charged in $500 Million Tax-Evasion Scheme
IPC Management Services LLC, a Belize-based investment firm, and its founder were accused of a $500 million scheme to launder money and hide investments as part of a U.S. crackdown on tax evasion. Robert Bandfield, a U.S. citizen, was charged in an indictment unsealed today in Brooklyn federal court with conspiring to commit securities fraud, tax fraud and money laundering. Five other individuals and six companies are accused of taking part in the plan that involved as many as 100 U.S. clients, according to prosecutors.

Current Distribution of the invasive seagrass Halophilia stipulacea in the Carribean
Have you seen the invasive seagrass anywhere else in the Caribbean other that the flagged areas below? Please let us know by contacting us or completing our online form.

El Salvador vs Belize Preview
El Salvador vs Belize Competition – Copa Centroamericana Date: 10th September 2014 (11th in EU) Kick-off time – 01:00 GMT+1 Stadium - BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, Texas Live streaming - bet365 El Salvador meet Belize at the BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas this Wednesday evening to play their third match in Group B of the Copa Centroamericana 2014. El Salvador lost their opening game 2:1 to Guatemala before defeating Honduras 1:0 last time out. Belize lost 2:0 against Honduras in their opening match and followed that up with another loss against Guatemala (2:1).

Feds Charge 6 With Running $500 Million Offshore Laundering Scheme
Federal prosecutors charged six men Tuesday with running a complicated offshore scheme that allegedly enabled clients to manipulate stocks, avoid U.S. taxes and launder hundreds of millions of dollars. An indictment unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn alleged the men laundered some $500 million in proceeds from fraudulent securities transactions for more than 100 U.S. citizens and helped commit tax fraud. A person briefed on the probe said the amount of laundered money and the number of clients could be much larger and the investigation is ongoing. The indictment didn’t name any of the U.S. clients. The men—all of whom reside in Belize, according to the indictment—concealed their U.S. clients’ ownership in offshore shell companies over a five- year period. Some of the clients used the entities to mask transactions in order to manipulate stocks, and then launder the proceeds through the offshore accounts, prosecutors alleged.

DNA Testing Sheds Light On Bird Migrations
Migratory birds are declining across the Western Hemisphere. Conservation efforts are restricted by the inability to assess breeding grounds, migratory stopover sites and wintering areas. A major challenge has been the lack of an efficient method for connecting populations across the annual cycle. Every fall, countless birds migrate from their breeding grounds in the United States and Canada. The birds head south to spend the winter in Mexico and Central America. To see if they could detect genetic linkages, they examined DNA from 22 birds captured in five regions of the United States, sequencing 150,000 regions of their genomes. From a pool of a half-million genetic markers, they chose 96 that could best distinguish the birds. Then they compared them with those taken from a second set of 1,626 feathers from 68 locations across North and Central America. The results revealed six genetically distinct groups of Wilson's warbler. The study confirmed that birds breeding along the California coast spend the winter in southern Baja, and warblers in the eastern United States head for the Yucatan, Belize and Costa Rica. It also provided the first strong evidence that warblers in the southern Rocky Mountains and the Colorado Plateau winter in El Salvador.

Videos

Video: Blue Hole Dive - Mayan Encounter, 3min.
A couple of honeymooners and a couple of coworkers hit the Blue Hole in Belize for a little full day adventure.

Video: 39ft Catamaran Delivery. Cape Town to Belize, 6min.
A video of our voyage across the Atlantic Ocean.

Video: Tides, 4min.
Tides- Belize. Three friends fly fishing in the Caribbean

Video: MOU Belize and Spain, 2min.

Video: Mission to Belize's Chinese, 4min.
An introduction of mission to Chinese in Belize in Central of America. This teamwork is organized by Chinese Christian Mission (USA). The presentation is focused on a supportive missionary Desmond Ma, and the short-term mission team from Austin Chinese Church.

Video: Belize, 2min.
Peaceful mawning at Rumors Resort Hotel.

Video: Isla Marisol Belize Lionfish Highlights, 5min.

September 9, 2014

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Gabriel Salazar charged for the murder of Rolando Espat Jr.
Police on Ambergris Caye have arrested and charged 27-year-old Gabriel Salazar Villafranco in the murder investigation of 22-year-old Rolando Espat Jr. The deadly shooting took place in the wee hours of Saturday, September 6th in the San Pedrito Area of San Pedro Town. Espat Jr was ambushed and gunned down by a lone gunman as he exited a local bar in the area and about 50 feet away from his home. According to Police, at about 12:20AM on Saturday, they visited the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro PolyClinic II where they saw the body of a male later identified as Rolando Espat Jr, fisherman of San Pedrito area, San Pedro Town. The body was observed with two apparent gunshot wounds to the chest, one to the left eye and one to the right upper thigh.

Glitz and Glamour at the Premier of La Isla Bonita Telenovela
Also walking the red carpet was male lead Josh Nuñez (Juan-Manuel Mendoza), and lead antagonist and Executive Producer, Horacio “Chito” Guerrero (Maximiliano de la Roca). Both men looked dashing and shared their experiences on the telenovela. “La Isla Bonita brings new light on life in San Pedro. Everyone worked so hard from the production staff to the cast. This telenovela is a huge achievement for the Belize filming industry,” said Guerrero. Lead female, Denny Mendéz (Carolina Del Valle), was unable to make it for the event but she sent her greetings through a video that was posted on the telenovela’s fan page. Following the red carpet was the screening of the telenovela. La Isla Bonita is based on the life of people living in San Pedro and highlights issues of friendship, peer pressure, hate, envy, greed, drugs and lust all the good stuff that make telenovelas so fun! The main story line follows the life of Carolina, who was left at the alter on their wedding by her fiancé, Jorge. After being heart broken and losing her father, who suffered a heart attack with confronting, Carolina renounces love completely.

Ambergris Today

Pic of the Week: Leaving The Belize Islands is Never Easy
When visiting the main touristic islands of Belize, it is very hard to say goodbye when the day finally arrives to head back home. You see people with their packed bags with them on the beach, taking advantage of every last minute in the sun, sand and sea. Luckily there are last minute flights and water taxis that leave just as the sun is ready to set. Island life is like no other in Belize. Pictured here is one fellow with his luggage at the Caye Caulker Split, waiting until the very last minute to run and catch his boat home. He just needed to admire the sunset a few more minutes.

A Hollywood Premier for Belize’s First Telenovela La Isla Bonita
The opening scenes had everybody at the edge of their seats as the interesting plot of the first episode unraveled with plenty of drama and filled with intense scenes of despair, anger and deception. A bride left standing alone at the alter on her wedding day, as her groom eloped with his mistress and a stressed father of the bride dies of a heart attack. Love, friendship, romance, hatred, deception and vengeance - the telenovela had it all, in true spirit of an intense soap opera. The island of Ambergris Caye was also like another character in the telenovela as it is the perfect backdrop for all the action that took place. The episode had amazing aerial footage of San Pedro Town and local businesses, streets and beaches were also major highlights of the project.

Misc Belizean Sources

San Pedro Town Council: Please note a change in the Schedule of Events.
The date of the Central America & Mexico Independence Eve has been changed to Saturday, September 13. See you there!

Small Business Owners Receive Financial Aid for Startups
A series of checks in various denominations were distributed this afternoon to small business owners who will use the financial assistance as venture capital and for the expansion of their businesses. They gathered at the Radisson where Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development Mike Singh was on hand, along with a representative of the Taiwanese Embassy, to present the disbursals. The assistance is part of a collaborative effort between Beltraide, the Center for the Promotion of Micro and Small Enterprises and the Embassy of Taiwan. News Five’s Isani Cayetano has the following story. Isani Cayetano, Reporting The emergence of small businesses across the country, from mom-and-pop stores in rural communities to medium enterprises with a complement of employees carrying out the day-to-day operations of the concern, aids in bolstering the Belizean economy. To get any venture off the ground successfully however, a formal business plan has to be outlined and seed capital needs to be infused into the initiative. It’s all part of a blueprint for entrepreneurship.

Most dangerous natural sites around the World - The Great Blue in Belize, amazingly #4
Most dangerous natural sites around the world 1. Saltstraumen (Norway), the most dangerous swirls in the world 2. Gouffre Berger Cave in France, also called “The Cave of Death” 3. Rock Preikestolen, Norway. Only for those without vertigo 4. Blue Hole in Belize, beautiful but very dangerous 5. Hussaini Bridge in Pakistan, a challenge trying to get through it 6. Nature Reserve Tsingy in Madagascar. The forest of stone knives where you can lose your life (6 photos)

Taiwan Computer Donation Ceremony
Thanks to the Taiwanese Embassy, some of the primary schools around Cayo received computers, laptops, and projectors. The new Taiwanese Ambassador, Benjamin Ho, gave a short, inspiring speech, and then presented the donated computers and projectors to many of the local primary schools, and SHJC's Hands for Life club, which works with the Taiwanese student groups every Summer. A big thanks to the Taiwanese Embassy, and all the great students from NTHU that spent a huge amount of time and effort acquiring the computers! "The Taiwanese Embassy donated computers to many of the primary schools around Cayo. SHJC hosted the ceremony, the Tourism Management students provided the delicious food for the event, and the computer staff and students will be installing the computers in the computer labs at the primary schools."

Channel 7

Hon. Faber's Private Life In A Tailspin Again
The news went out like wildfire on Saturday afternoon: a police report had been filed by Minister Patrick Faber's female friend - and she alleged that he assaulted her. On Saturday morning at 5:00 am, 25 year old Nickesha Polanco went to the Ladyville Police Station to report that Faber had choked her, pulled her by the hair, and puncher her twice in the face. Polanco works as a license officer in the Ministry of Education - and if we are to judge by facebook photos and postings, she and her Minister had an intimate friendship. She told police that on Friday night, she was having her 25th birthday party at his home in Ladyville. At 2:30 on Saturday morning, she was in his bedroom using her cell phone - which, she claims, caused Faber to go into a rage. She says he choked her, and when she called her friend to help, he dragged her by her hair into the corridor. She claims he also assaulted another female.

Police: Hon. Faber's Accuser Withdrew the Complaint
And while that's the allegation that the 25 YEAR OLD made against Patrick Faber during the weekend, today, when the media asked the Police Press Officer about it, he was very tight-lipped. He told us that the report has been withdrawn, and so police cannot disclose the nature of its contents. No matter how hard we tried, he wouldn't give anything else on the topic: Mike Rudon, Ch5 "Could we ask about the situation where we understand that there was a complaint made in the Ladyville Police Station against Minister of Education Patrick Faber? Could you confirm if that report was made?" Rafael Martinez, Police Press Officer "A report was made in deed and was subsequently withdrawn." Mike Rudon, Ch5 "Could you tell us the substance of that report or could you give us any information at all about that report?" Rafael Martinez, Police Press Officer "A report was made and it was withdrawn. Hence meaning that it does not exist."

Police find Grenade Lying Around In Ghost Town
Police took another grenade off the streets on Saturday - it is the ninth grenade event in six years. Deputy Commander of Eastern Division Edward Broaster got information of where the dangerous explosive was stashed. 7News came upon the scene shortly after,. Jules Vasquez has the report:.. Jules Vasquez reporting Senior Superintendent Edward Broaster received information that led him to this abandoned house on Banak Street. He responded immediately, still in his Saturday slippers, and here he is trying to call the BDF Bomb Expert. His information told him to look in the overgrowth under these stairs, which is where Broaster took us, as he unearthed the deadly explosive. It was tucked inside the domed cover of a coffee cup.

The Street Slaying Of The 4th Espat Male
Tonight, the Espat family in San Pedro is reeling from the loss of their loved one, 22 year-old Rolando Espat Jr. who was violently killed early on Saturday Morning. To be grieving the death of one loved one is by itself, unimaginable. For the Espat's, however, this is the fourth male in their family to be murdered, and so, the sorrow they feel is multiplied. Today, Daniel Ortiz travelled to the Island to speak with them about the death of the man they affectionately called "Rolito". Here's his report: Daniel Ortiz reporting The Espat family was beside themselves with grief as yet another of their young men was murdered in cold blood.

Police Make Quick Arrest For Rolito's Murder
As you heard in our story, Rolando Jr.'s mother and aunt are demanding justice, and San Pedro police are working diligently to get it for them. This afternoon, Police reported that they've already charged a man, and they also discussed what their investigation into his killing has revealed so far: Rafael Martinez, Police Press Officer "I just want to report that we have since arrested and charged 27 year old Gabriel Salazar, a Belizean fisherman of San Juan Area, in San Pedro for the crime of murder." Supt. Hilberto Romero, O.C., Crimes Investigation Branch "Police took several statements, consultations were made with the Office of the DPP and they directed that this person be charged for the crime of murder. It was a thorough investigation, they had several tips and leads and that information was followed up."

Motorcycle Gunmen Killed Jason Paulino
At the top of the news, we told you about the murder in San Pedro which happened on Saturday morning, but there was also another which occurred in the City on Sunday morning. 38 year-old Jason Paul Paulino was sitting in a yard on Neal Penn Road at around 10, and he was socializing with 2 men when two men drove past on motorcycle. Police say that the men immediately targeted Paulino and fired several shots at him. He suffered a gunshot wound to the head, 1 to the right side of the abdomen, and 2 to the left shoulder. Today, police told the media that while they have no suspects, they believe that he had a prior misunderstanding, which led to his death: Supt. Hilberto Romero, O.C., Crimes Investigation Branch "We have several persons detained. We are recording statements, but at this time no one has been charged for that murder likewise. The information we have gathered so far is that it was a misunderstanding that he had with some persons. We do not believe that it is gang related. Some incident he had a week ago with some persons and that resulted in that shooting."

Education Minister: Parents Will Get An Ease On School Fees
At the top of the news we showed you how Education Minister Faber is under extreme scrutiny tonight for an alleged assault on his girlfriend. But he's still holding unto his portfolio as Minister of Education. Budget-wise, it's the biggest portfolio in all of government - and last week, before his public life was thrown into a tailspin, Faber and the Ministry of Education higher up's planned a media breakfast to discuss nine subjects which are all topical at the opening of the new school year. First among these was that subject which might also be a subject dear to you parents, the issue of those school fees, outside of tuition, which seem to increase every year. Education Minister Faber discussed the rule on new fees for the primary level: Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education "Primary school fees my friends are set by the school but are approved by the Ministry of Education via the Chief Education Officer. And so there is no school that should be charging outrageous primary school fees or fees for that matter at any level that is receiving aid from the government or where it is a totally government or state own institution.

7 Charged For Fabers Road Robbery
And from Minister Faber, right back to Faber's road. On Friday, we told you about the brazen daylight robbery which the Gang Suppression Unit foiled. Well tonight, the 3 men who police say they caught in the act, are at Prison, and one of them has pleaded guilty to the crime. Those men who police say was directly involved are 29 year-old Jareth Crawford, 21 year-old Christian Robateau, and 21 year-old Kevin Bowen. But, there are others who police believe are involved in its planning or execution, and today, they briefed the media about their investigation. Here's what they told us: Rafael Martinez, Police Press Officer "Quick police responds lead to the recovery of all items just over $8,000 worth of items and cash as well as the detention and now the charging of several persons."

Corey Howard's Murder Still Unexplained
On last week Friday's newscast, our headline story was about the murder of the 21 year-old Security Guard, Corey Howard, who was shot to death on Sibun Street. As we told you, he was a working man, and investigators were having trouble finding a motive for his killing because it defied other patterns of violence in the City. Today, when the media asked for an update, they told us that they are still trying to figure out what led to his murder: Supt. Hilberto Romero, O.C., Crimes Investigation Branch "On Friday we had the murder of Corey Howard. Police had commence an investigation, several persons have been detained and interviewed, however no one has been charged for that murder. We have several theories and leads that we are following up, but again like I mention before that we have no suspects at this time and the investigation continues."

Another Brutality Allegation Against GSU
It seems like almost every day our newsroom receives complaints of police brutality and general abuse of power. But today, it seemed like things got really out of hand over the weekend. We came across at least five substantial complaints of police physical abuse. And it can’t all be fictional… Here’s one story, today a single mother of 4 says told us that the news is her last resort, since she has been complaining about police abuse to higher authorities since 2012 and has gotten nowhere. Here’s her story.

Despite the Rain, Expo Drew Record Crowds
One of the main highlights of this weekend was the 18th Annual Expo at the ITVET compound. While last year many businesses had to adapt a more creative approach to their marketing techniques to accommodate the major clash between expo and carnival, this year, carnival was not in the way. Here is Courtney Weatherburne with the story on Expo 2014. And indeed the rain didn't affect the turnout.

The 2014 Carnival King & Queen
All last week, we showed you the Carnival Mas Camps - which is a buildup to the carnival road march, but also to the King and Queen of Carnival. On Saturday at the Roger's Stadium, a total of 14 bands participated in this year's competition. Courtney Weatherburne has that story. First place Senior King and Queen received $5,000 dollars.

Police Shot Kent Skeete
Tonight, 50 year-old Kent Skeete, is out on bail recovering from a gunshot injury he got when a police officer shot him, allegedly in the line of duty. The officer says that on Saturday morning at around 3:15, he was part of an operation in Taylor's Alley, in which he encountered Skeete standing on Orange Street. The officers says that he tried to search Skeete, but the civilian allegedly attacked him, and that led to a scuffle. The officer further accuses that in that confrontation, Skeete went for his gun, and he had to pull it and shoot him in the leg. Police today told the media that professional standards branch has been called in to investigate this shooting: Rafael Martinez, Police Press Officer "Whenever there is an incident regarding police and the use of force, whenever a police draws out his license firearm to use it against anybody, there is always an internal and an external investigation to justify whether or not the use of force was justifiable. What happened in this case, the officer commanding eastern division saw it fit to get in touch with the professional standards branch to look into this and of course we will be very thorough when it comes to investigating our own. There is absolutely nobody that can hide under the radar when it comes to use of justifiable use of force."

Internal Affairs Investigating Karique Tzul's Allegations Against GSU
Last week, we told you about the allegations which Karique Tzul made against the Gang Suppression Unit. He says that officers from the unit descended on a house on King Street where he was hanging out, and without warning, they started to brutalize him. It was an outrageous case, where officers allegedly kicked him so hard that he soiled himself. Well, today, when we asked the Deputy officer Commanding Eastern Division about it, he told us that Professional Standards Branch is investigating the allegation: Sr. Supt. Edward Broaster, 2nd In Command Eastern Division "Whenever there is allegations of police abuse the professional standard branch is task to carry out investigation and yes there is an investigation being carried out with respect to the 3 officers of the GSU." Reporter "Did the officers go at the wrong house and detain the wrong man?"

CWU Will Meet With CIBC
The Christian Workers Union will meet with the First Caribbean International Bank Management tomorrow. The meeting had long been requested, but both sides could not agree on who all should attend. Today the uni9on sent a press release saying that visiting CIBC Managing Director for Human Resources, Ella Hoyos, out of its Barbados Headquarters, wall participate in the meeting. She will meet with the CWU Team, including Uwahnie Martinez, tomorrow at 10:00 am at CIBC's main Belize City Branch.

Works Ministry Signs Road Rehab Contracts
Minister of Works and Transport Rene Montero signed off on another batch of contracts in Belmopan today. The contracts were signed this morning and Works CEO Errol Gentle outlined the upcoming renovation projects across the country:.. Errol Gentle, CEO - Ministry of Works "The first contract we will be signing this morning is with Rodla Construction and that's for the paving of 5 miles of the Old Northern. We will then be doing the concreting/paving of Oliva Sentino and Cairo Streets in Punta Gorda with CISCO. The concreting of Ramos Road and a section of the Ecumenical Drive again with CISCO Construction Limited. And then there is some baseline data monitoring equipment and this has to do with the flood mitigation project in Belize City and this will be done with after which we will be signing contracts for both roundabouts in Belize with CISCO Construction Limited and finally the feasibility study for the Punta Gorda Sporting Complex by Mahung and Partners."

Belize Lost To Guatemala
The Belize National Football team lost a heartbreaker to Guatemala in Dallas yesterday in the ongoing Nation's Cup. The final score was two to one. Carlos Ruiz opened the scoring with a brilliant strike in the 26th minute. With his back to goal, Guatemala's all-time leading scorer took a cross off his chest, turned and beat Belize goalkeeper Shane Orio with a bouncing volley from 10 yards. El Pescadito's sixth career CCA goal and first in 11 years came two minutes after Orio robbed Marco Pappa of his third tournament tally, making a sensational diving save on a 22-yard shot. Avila put Guatemala in front, 2-0, in the 51st minute, latching onto a deflected cross and putting a lunging eight-yard header on frame. Orio dived to his right and made the save as the momentum carried the ball just over the goal line.

Channel 5

Patrick Faber Accused of Assaulting MoE Staffer…
Minister of Education Patrick Faber is neck deep in a personal and political scandal tonight. The senior government minister has been accused of assaulting a staff member and her friend [...]

Minister Doesn’t Exactly Deny Accusations…
Despite being up that proverbial creek without a paddle, Faber has both hands in the water and is churning up a storm. Interestingly, while the report speaks about the Minister [...]

Faber Says He doesn’t Expect Political Fallout…
The Minister didn’t deny the incident happened, but insisted the report was withdrawn. As Minister of Education, Faber travels the nation speaking to students, encouraging them to reach for the [...]

Police Says Faber Report Withdrawn…So Doesn’t Exist!
At a press briefing called today, the newly formed Public Relations Unit of the Police did their best in a bad situation. When asked the question about the report made [...]

Fisherman Gunned Down in San Pedro…
One man has been arrested and charged with the murder of a San Pedro resident. Rolando Espat Junior was executed early on Saturday morning reportedly by someone he knew and [...]

Death Finds Mechanic in his Own Yard…
There was another murder, this time in the dangerous streets of the south side in the Old Capital. Thirty-eight year old mechanic, Jason Paulino, was shot to the head, abdomen [...]

Another Grenade Found Just Before September Celebrations…
The threat of a grenade attack during the September Celebrations is very real, following a bold attempt in September 2008 when a hand-thrown bomb was hurled into a crowd of [...]

Police Shoot Man in Leg…Internal Investigation Ongoing…
While the police have successfully retrieved a grenade from the streets, an incident on Saturday morning is raising questions about one of its own. A police officer is under investigation [...]

Family Seeks Answers in San Ignacio Chopping…
A vicious chopping incident in San Ignacio Town over a month ago remains uninvestigated, despite numerous attempts by the family of Felix Romero Junior to have a formal inquiry conducted [...]

P.U.P. Attorney Arthur Saldivar in the Hot Seat…Again!
There is more political news. While U.D.P. Minister Patrick Faber is under heavy public scrutiny tonight, attorney Arthur Saldivar’s political star is dimming very quickly. Saldivar is currently on suspension [...]

P.U.P. Leader Says Video Will Be Used Against Saldivar…
This afternoon, the People’s United Party called a press conference. The P.U.P. leader, Francis Fonseca was asked about the Saldivar fiasco. He told the media that the members of the [...]

P.U.P. Says PM Barrow Lied in the House…
P.U.P. Leader, Francis Fonseca was among the last Friday’s House meeting. He pointed out that the government was not helping P.U.P. town Councils. But the Prime Minister responded with serious [...]

P.U.P. Insulted by PG Town Council Receivership…
The monthly subvention that the PG Town Council receives, says Fonseca, is in the tune of twenty-two thousand to pay salaries for the mayor, his deputy and councilors. But the [...]

Education Minister Says Arbitrary Raise in School Fees Wrong!
Earlier in our newscast we showed you Minister of Education Patrick Faber on the hot seat. He was at a media breakfast which was organized last week to deal with [...]

Faber Says G.O.B. Provides ALL Primary School Textbooks…
That will be welcome news for some parents, who’ll be scrutinizing those school fees much more closely now. And there’s also the issue of school books for primary level students. [...]

The Merging of 3 Schools…An Update!
Also on the table for discussion today was the merging of the resources of three high schools – Maud Williams, Sadie Vernon and Excelsior. It was officially announced at the [...]

Carnival King & Queen 2014 – the Highlights…
It all leads to the road march this coming weekend. But on Saturday night, an extravagant show of stunning and colorful creations overwhelmed revelers as a record number of Bands [...]

Sporting Highlights with James Adderley
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday. After falling in a 2-zip score to Honduras at the COPA Centro Americana, being hosted inside the United States, [...]

CTV3

PM Writes Off BSCFA Loan
As mentioned at the top of the newscast, the House of Representatives met today at Belmopan and among the presentations included the introduction of new bills being the Electricity Amendment Bill 2014 and the Belize Telecommunications Amendment Bill 2014. Bills were also presented for second reading and these included the Insurance amendment Bill 2014 and the Gaming Control Amendment Bill. Yet these were not the most outstanding issues brought up in the house. We have been following the developments within the sugar industry in the north and currently, we can say that there are a few hurdles the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association has to deal with. Their debt to the government however is no longer of any concern as today the Government moved to write off yet another lump sum of monies owed to them. We are talking about the cancelation of a loan balance of $835, 543 dollars owed to government.

Senior Dies In Traffic Accident
An elderly man from the Village of Ranchito in the Corozal District is tonight is tonight dead after he was hit by a motorcycle. The accident happened this morning at around 7:00 between miles 82 and 83 of the Philip Goldson Highway near the Ministry of Works in the Village of Ranchito. Reports are that the victim was about to cross the highway when he was knocked down by the motorcycle which was travelling towards Orange Walk. The senior citizen was transported to the Corozal Community Hospital where he died a little after one this afternoon. Police were unable to release the name of the victim or of the driver of the motorcycle since they are still investigating.

Santa Cruz Resident Protest Outside The House, Land Is Their Problem
There seems to be an increase in public demonstrations at Independence Hall and today one such demonstration was staged there. Two groups of villagers from Stann Creek West held posters demanding their rights be respected and demanding that the government settle matters that have been affecting the communities of Santa Cruz and Silk Grass for quite some time. The leaders of both communities say that the land in their villages is being mismanaged and that the authority of the council is being undermined. Reynelio Lobos is the Chairman of Santa Cruz Village in Stann Creek West and explains their contention with government. Reynelio Lobos – Chairman, Santa Cruz Village “Nosotros estamos tratando de venir en paz y democráticamente como siempre todas las comunidades venimos y el problema es que Melvin Hulse está dando órdenes como Mr. Pandy que es el representante de terrenos entonces están midiendo los lotes para vender por acres mientras nosotros hay más personas necesitadas que están alquilando entonces nosotros queremos que el gobierno no los haga de esta forma sufriendo porque nosotros estamos representando y ellos tienen un representante que no ganaron que ellos se han tomado la ley de Santa Cruz y la verdad que a nosotros no respectan ni nos toman en cuenta, el concilio exactamente. Asi que hoy estamos aqui para tener reconcimiento, exacto.”

Former Revenue Manager To Payback CZL Town Council Missing Monies
Viewers may recall that in January of this year, we reported on the misappropriation of funds from the Corozal Town Council. At the time reports surfaced that some $80,000 had gone missing. The Mayor of Corozal, Hilberto Campos, clarified that the numbers were being exaggerated and it was only a couple of thousands of dollars that were unaccounted for. All indications were that the Revenue Manager had made away with those funds. When we first broke the story, an internal investigation was launched into the allegation and the revenue manager was relieved of his duties. And while we tried to question Corozal Mayor, Hilberto Campos on the matter, he refused to give us comment.

O/W Central Area Rep. Says $10,000.00 KHMH Compensation Is Not Enough
In May of last year, the news broke that thirteen babies had died at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital due a bacteria outbreak. At the start of that scandal, CEO Gary Longsworth indicated on national TV that he did not know about the problem until he saw it on the news. At the sitting of the house today, Orange Walk Central Area Representative, John Briceno, brought up the matter saying that there should have been and that there should be more done to investigate the death of the thirteen infants. Briceno exclaimed that the KHMH did not accept responsibility for the incident and that it wasn’t until after public outcry that an investigation was launched, headed by PAHO. In June of 2013, PAHO issued its report identifying numerous discrepancies in how the case was handled at the hospital and also highlighted the lack of proper resources and management at the medical facility. Briceno stated that one year later the hospital management would still not issue a report on the incident or reach a settlement with the families of the babies that died there. In spite of this, five out of the thirteen families decided to file a lawsuit. After mediation, the KHMH finally settled and offered each of the five families ten thousand dollars. Briceno says this is not enough and is completely unacceptable.

LOVE FM

Police update on City Incidents
Police also updated the media on a number of issues that occurred in Belize City including Friday morning’s robbery at a Chinese Grocery on Faber’s Road as well as two murders. HILBERTO ROMERO “Police have since arrested and charged 7 persons ranging from the crimes of robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, abetment to commit robbery and possession of unlicensed firearms. Seven person will be taken to court this afternoon for those various crimes mentioned. On Friday we had the murder of a Corey Howard, police have again commenced an investigation several persons have been detained and interviewed however no one has been charge for that murder. I go now to the murder of Jason Poulino that occurred on Sunday, we have several persons detained and we are recording statements but at this time no one has been charged for that murder likewise.”

Mayor Anthony Fuentes defends against Allegations
On Friday during the Sitting of the House of Representatives, Prime Minister Dean Barrow called out the Mayor of Punta Gorda, Anthony Fuentes, for allegedly having used the town council’s monies to pay off a personal loan at the Toledo Teacher’s Credit United Limited. Prime Minister Barrow alleged that Mayor Fuentes along with the Deputy Mayor and a PUP town councilor used the council’s subvention monies to pay off personal loans. This afternoon, the People’s United Party called a press conference to rebut Barrow’s accusations. ANTHONY FUENTES “Senseless, insensitive and of course the individual who I believe is suffering from chronic disorder which eventually will lead to permanent insanity on Friday wanted to be little the character of myself the Mayor of Punta Gorda Town. Now I believe that as the duly elected mayor of the municipality , given the challenges that we have had under a UPD government that is not friendly to all three PUP town councils have done a lot for the municipality and so I as the mayor of the municipality must say unequivocally that I did not use the monies to pay my loan. It is deducted out of my salary and in return whenever I receive my salary its less the $500 that is the truth. I will never steal monies from a community, my town and I know that the town needs the money. So ladies and gentlemen I am here, the God above knows that I have not touched public monies. The only money that I received from the Punta Gorda Town council are monies that are given to me for my pay or stipend not a single cent have I taken from that municipality.”

Bus targeted by Robbers In Stann Creek
On Sunday our Dangriga correspondent reported that a bus transporting students and teachers from Stann Creek Ecumenical came under attack. When we spoke to the driver of the bus he told us he believed that the bus was being targeted by robbers. Today Police told Love News the incident might have been the result of a misunderstanding between two students. Here is correspondent Harry Arzu. Harry: An excursion bus filled with students and teachers from Ecumenical Junior college was attacked by bandits on the Hummingbird highway while returning to Dangriga from the Expo in Belize City. Jason Edward Saldano was the driver of the bus, he spoke to Love News about the ordeal. Edward Saldano “While I was coming away from Expo in Belize while I was dropping off between Steadfast and AltaVista I went to drop of the students there and when I looked a swarm of men came to attack the bus around 8 o’clock, between 7:30-8:00pm. When I saw them they put masks on their face. I began to drive off from the crowd and when I did that the intended men started to swarm the bus with stones and other things they had in their hands.

Milpa Rice a Success in Toledo
Results of a field demonstration plot to test increased productivity of milpa rice were a success in the Toledo District. Paul Mahung: The Milpa Rice field demonstration plot was designed by Toledo District Agriculture coordinator Flint Wagner. FLINT WAGNER “Milpa production has historically produced projection was 1200 pounds. We have seen that this is very unsustainable for farms so we wanted to improve on the yield of the milpa producers. Mr. Denis Usher was very instrumental in making available his farm to conduct this experiment to include conducting timely agronomic practices and application of fertilizer to the crop.” Paul Mahung “Wagner was pleased with the improved results of the Milpa Rice field demonstration plot.”

St. Vincent de Paul School Bag Donations
Over two thousand primary school children will benefit from school supplies from the St. Vincent De Paul Society. We have the details in this report. Ava Diaz “The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was founded in 1833 to serve impoverished people living in the slums of Paris France. Today the society boasts over 700,000 members in some 148 countries worldwide. In Belize the society has conferences in the Belize, Stann Creek and Cayo districts. This past weekend members were hard at work at one of the society’s biggest initiatives. Marion Marsden is the national President of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Belize.” Marion Marsden: “We decided we wanted to do a big project. We call it big because it’s not just a hand out. You want something smaller we hand it to you so we joined together. This initiative in Belize is all the Catholic churches mainly in Belize City and we have Belmopan and Dangriga.”

Teacher recuperating from hit and run injuiries
A teacher from the Toledo District us recuperating from injuries sustained in a hit and run accident. Correspondent Paul Mahung has details. Paul Mahung: “Punta Gorda inhabitant Candice Tate who was injured spoke to Love News.” Voice 1: About 6:30PM I was riding my bicycle on Jose Maria Nunez Street when a drunken driver on a motor cycle hit me from behind. I fell off the bicycle and he dragged the bicycle with him all the way to the lane. Paul Mahung: Tate is grateful to those who assisted her at the time of the incident and is also disappointed that the motorcycle driver did not stop to render assistance.

PlusTV

Security Guard Fatally Shot in Belize City
21 year old security guard Corey Douglas Howard was shot around 7:40 Friday morning in Belize City, and died later that evening. Mr Howard, who works with KBH Security Services, was in front of a white house on Sittee Street near the Lakeview Street Canal, when he was attacked. Sources say tell us...

Food Vendor’s body pulled from sea
The body of a food vendor was retrieved from the sea in Dangriga. Stann Creek correspondent Harry Arzu has the story. “The body of a man was found floating in the sea here in Dangriga in front of Holy Ghost Primary School...

Man arrested for alleged rape of 17 year old female
A 17 year old female has reported being raped by an unknown man. The incident happened on Thursday September 4, at about one o’clock in the morning. Police say they were called to a hotel located on the Philip Goldson Highway, where they met the 17 year old female who claimed she was raped by an...

Teacher robbed in Belize City
A Belize City teacher was robbed Thursday night in Belize City. On Thursday September 4 just before 9:00 p.m., a 28-year-old teacher of Belize City was walking on Coney Drive heading home...

PC Linsdale Blease charged for assault and firearm offences
On Thursday September 4^th at 3:00p.m. Police Constable Linsdale Blease, presently attached to the Domestic Violence Unit at Eastern Division, was arrested and charged for the crimes of “Aggravated Assault and Discharging Firearm in Public”. At 3:30p.m...

Belizean Firm being monitored for possibly hiring Guatemalan workers
On Thursday we spoke to CEO in the Ministry of Trade and Investment, Michael Singh, about reports that workers from Guatemala were being hired by Santander Sugar, the Spanish firm that owns Green Tropics Limited’s operation in central Cayo District...

Santa Elena Neighborhood Watch hosting Beauty Pageant
The Santa Elena Neighborhood Watch will be hosting a Beauty Pageant this Saturday, September 6^th. 5 contestants are vying for the title Neighborhood Watch Queen. It is the first of its kind and organizer Cecil Flowers tells us why they decided to do the pageant. We also spoke to the contestants wh...

Silk Grass and Santa Cruz village protest in front of National Assembly
We have been reporting on the matters concerning the village of Silk Grass in the Stann Creek District, where many villagers are claiming that two separate and independent committees are going rogue. On Monday we reported the matter concerning the village Water Board, which villagers claimed had no ...

Bond Payments no Problem for Belize City Says Mayor
It is responsible for the concreting of 100 streets across Belize City, but the municipal bond commissioned by the Belize City Council of $20 million represents a financial burden but according to Mayor Darrell Bradley it is one the Council can meet. Darrell Bradley – Mayor of Belize City “In The Mu...

Jermaine Rhaburn rearrested and charged for murder of Clifford Cruz
On Thursday, Twenty-year-old Jermaine Michael Rhaburn was rearrested and charged once again for the murder of BDF volunteer soldier Clifford Isaac Cruz. Clifford Cruz was murdered on October first of 2012, on the compound of Militia Hall located near the Lord Ridge Cemetery in Belize City, where J...

Belize Police Department has new Community Public Relations Unit
The Belize Police Department dedicates most of its resources to the Belize District and the City in particular – partially because it is the single largest police district and it is where most crimes are committed...

Patrick Jones

Police find grenade on Banak Street
It has been a while since police have recovered hand grenades from the streets of Belize City. They have been used in several terrifying incidents in recent years, including the attack on Mayflower Street in 2008, an incident on the day of the Carnival Road March a few months later, and an attack on the house of the Comptroller of Customs, Gregory Griffith. Over the weekend there was another found, thanks to a tip from a concerned citizen. Senior Superintendent of Police Edward Broaster confirmed that BDF officials were called in and removed the grenade without incident.

Police department offers update on murders
There was a murder in San Pedro Town over the weekend, sandwiched between two in Belize City. We have already reported on the death of Jason Paulino for which several persons are in detention, but police have made an arrest in the death of Rolando Espat. Gabriel Salazar, a familiar name, was charged with the murder. Superintendent Hilberto Romero says the potential motive is still being investigated but confirmed that drugs is being considered as a motive.

Ministry of Education worker withdraws complaint against Minister
This past weekend, Minister of Education Patrick Faber was alleged to have been involved in a very serious allegation of assault. A leaked police report obtained by local media including Belize Media Group says that a Ministry of Education staff member a 25 year old female whose name we will withhold, told Police in Ladyville on Saturday that she was having her birthday party at the Minister’s residence in Lords’ Bank Village this past Saturday. According to the report, which has since been retracted, between 2:30 and 3:00 a.m., the Minister reportedly requested her cell phone which she was using; and when she refused to give it to him, she was choked and punched twice to the right side of the face, in full view of a friend who tried to intervene. But the complaint has been withdrawn, according to the Minister, who candidly told reporters in Belize City today that he and the woman remain friends and there is no story, to the dismay of some opponents.

Belize City mechanic murdered
A man was shot and killed on Sunday morning in Belize City. The victim has been identified as 38 year old Jason Paul Paulino. According to police, Paulino was sitting in a yard on Neal Penn Road around 9:55 am on Sunday when he was shot multiple times to the head, abdomen and left shoulder. Police say that their investigations reveal that two men on a motorcycle arrived at the yard where Paulino was and that the passenger fired several shots at Paulino.

My Tomato Dream For Belize
Tomato is a vegetable-fruit that can be grown year-round in Belize. Belize can produce a large surplus of tomato, using a fraction of the land used to produce corn, however it would have to develop green-house tomato production and/or expand irrigated systems production to make this happen. In 2007, the US imported ONE MILLION metric tons of tomato, amounting to about US$1 billion. In that year, the US consumed around US$1.3 billion of fresh tomato, and about US$1.2 billion of processing tomato. In 2007, Mexico exported around ONE MILLION metric tons of tomato, earning around US$1.2 billion, supplying close to 90% of US imports. That same year, it imported around 48,000 metric tons, at a cost of around US$48 million.

Blogs

A Stay in Maya Beach on the Placencia Peninsula Makes Me & My Stomach Very Happy
it’s time to get back to reality. AND back to writing about my awesome trip last week to Placencia and then San Ignacio. The hiking…the pretty pretty village and…next, my two nights at the beautiful Maya Beach Bistro & Hotel. It’s most certainly my favorite place to eat. And if you’ve been following my blog for even just a few days, you probably know that my favorite activity is enjoying the food of Belize. Maya Beach is the first community when you arrive on the peninsula, It’s mostly homes and a sprinkling of a few small hotels and beach front cabanas. A few restaurants. And a police station.

September in Belize: Another Reason to Visit!
This one is for the birds! Belize is blessed with a robust year-round resident bird population, with locals including such luminaries as the keel-Billed Toucan (the national bird), parrots, mot-mots, majestic harpy eagles, tiny colourful hummingbirds and many more. All in all some 590 species have been recorded in Belize, and when you consider that nearly 40% of them are migrant, you get an idea of how much Belize comes alive with colour and song when the out-of-towners descend upon the country. Guests such as the Kentucky Warbler, Yellow breasted Chat, Purple Martin, Red-eyed Vireo, Black-and-White Warbler, Grey Catbird (now there’s a confused animal) and various flycatchers come to make Belize home for the winter and indulge themselves in the lush habitats and abundant food.

Meet the Birds of Belize
With around 590 bird species, it is safe to say Belize is a paradise for birdwatchers. Even regular folks who don’t have much interest in bird watching are drawn to this recreational activity when in Belize because of how easy it is to see them here. Most of the birds of Belize are local inhabitants and about 20 percent are migrants who choose to vacation in Belize during the harsh winter months in North America. With almost half of Belize being made up of protected areas, it doesn’t matter if you are in the coast, Cayes or inland, you will encounter numerous flying creatures. At most Jungle lodges it is easy to spot birds in the morning and they also usually offer excellent birding tours. Another option is waking up early and going to Mayan sites – the ruckus of the rainforest is absolutely amazing. Below are a few photos of some of the most beautiful birds you can see in the wild:

Lemon Bread Pudding
Bread pudding is my favorite dessert. This version is lemony and very moist. The glaze is divine and really makes the flavor pop.

International Sources

Ranking Caribbean Countries on Competitiveness: Report
What are the most competitive economies in the Caribbean? The World Economic Forum has released its annual Global Competitiveness Report, including results for a number of Caribbean countries. The report defines competitiveness as the “set of institutions, policies, and factors that determine the level of productivity of a country,” noting that competitiveness is as much about the ability to sustain a high level of income as it is about a given country’s growth potential. As the WEF notes, the level of productivity sets the level of prosperity that can be reached by an economy. So which country has the most competitive economy? It’s Puerto Rico, which was ranked 32nd in the world, just behind Thailand and ahead of Chile. (Puerto Rico scored particularly strongly on health and primary education).

Foundation of Veterinary Aid International in Sarteneja, Belize
For a second time in 2014, we returned to Sarteneja and Hopkins, our two favorite villages in Belize. We sterilized 111 animals. The impact of our project in Sarteneja is remarkable. Word of our work has spread, so that when we return to Belize in January 2015, we will be caring for animals in surrounding villages as well. FVAI is proud to help these underprivileged populations that have no access to basic veterinary care. Belize, a little known country in South America, is a paradise for scuba diving and snorkeling with the second largest barrier reef in the world. Its luxurious forests are home to ocelots, jaguars, monkeys, tapirs, toucans and other animals. The official language of Belize is English but the inhabitants also speak Spanish, Creole, Mayan and Garifuna.

Cobbs Arm- Corozal's premier Canoe Team
Congratulations to Cobbs Arm- Corozal's premier Canoe Team as they won 1st prize in the Best Decorated Canoe category during the Patriotic Paddle event which took place August 30th. The event which was a fun non-competitive race began in Flowers Bank and ended in Belize City.

Red Carpet Premiere of Belize's First Telenovela
What started as a longtime dream finally came to life on the 'big screen' in San Pedro, Belize, this past Friday night. The pilot episode for Belize's first locally produced telenovela, "La Isla Bonita,” debuted to an enthusiastic audience at Paradise Theater on September 5. Much like the popular Spanish soap operas, produced in Mexico, Make-Belize Films Director Matthew Klinck decided capitalize on their popularity by showcasing the beautiful island of Ambergris Caye in the country’s first telenovela. “La Isla Bonita” follows the story of an abandoned bride, played by international actress Denny Mendez, who is hoping to find love once again. Story lines include everything from complicated family issues to encounters with local criminals and drug traffickers. For Belizeans and residents of San Pedro, there are a number of recognizable and humorous tie-ins. Klinck teamed up with San Pedro native Horacio (Chito) Guerrero, Executive Producer for “La Isla Bonita,” Dion Vansen who wrote the soap opera’s script, and award-winning director Arlando Smith, who is the project’s Producer.

NASA Launches New Era of Earth Science from Space Station
The launch of a NASA ocean winds sensor to the International Space Station (ISS) this month inaugurates a new era of Earth observation that will leverage the space station's unique vantage point in space. Before the end of the decade, six NASA Earth science instruments will be mounted to the station to help scientists study our changing planet. The first NASA Earth-observing instrument to be mounted on the exterior of the space station will launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, on the next SpaceX Commercial Resupply Services flight, currently targeted for no earlier than Sept. 19. ISS-RapidScat will monitor ocean winds for climate research, weather predictions and hurricane monitoring from the space station. The second instrument is the Cloud-Aerosol Transport System (CATS), a laser instrument that will measure clouds and the location and distribution of airborne particles such as pollution, mineral dust, smoke, and other particulates in the atmosphere. CATS will follow ISS-RapidScat on the fifth SpaceX space station resupply flight, targeted for December.

Downers Grove South High School student researches sharks in Belize
Wherever her future travels lead, Elizabeth Kazmierczak probably won’t be trying any shark fin soup. The Downers Grove South senior has a passion for marine life and conservation, and got a first-hand look this summer at how over fishing sharks for their dorsal fins has led to dwindling numbers of some species....

EYE-OPENING MISSION: Residents help impoverished Belizean villages, learn life lessons
A recent health care mission in Belize was eye opening for several North Okaloosa residents. Seventeen volunteers spent a week in the Central American country providing clinical treatments, supplies and health education to people in seven impoverished villages. Although several volunteers, including organizer Dr. Joseph Peters, were already aware of the area's health care needs, a number of first-time participants — who arrived Aug. 27 and returned last week — said the experience was memorable. “After getting (to) see the poverty these people lived in, all I wanted to do was help them out even more,” Fallon Simmons, a Crestview registered nurse, said in an email. Volunteers evaluated and administered physicals to adults and children, and physicians prescribed any necessary medications, Simmons said. “The thing I enjoyed most from this trip was seeing just how appreciative these people were that we came to help them,” she stated. “They all were so kind and polite at all times. They are willing to walk for miles away just to be seen for an hour by some doctors and nurses.”

Animal Planet’s seven days of frightful fun
On Nature’s Most Wanted: Croczilla, join wildlife cameramen Jim and Jason on their quest to track down and relocate a gigantic 4.5-metre crocodile—dubbed “Croczilla”—that is tormenting a local village in the Caribbean Republic of Belize. The boys’ job is to investigate the attacks on local inhabitants by interviewing the victims and tracking down the beast before locals take matters into their own hands and kill the endangered animal.

Videos

Video: Plongée Mexique-Belize 2014, 5min.

Video: Pescador Cavern, in the barrier reef just off Ambergris Caye, Belize, 4min.
White Sands Dive Shop took us diving to this fantastic site.

Video: Diving Hol Chan Marine Reserve in Ambergris Caye, Belize, 2min.
We went on a dive and snorkel to Hol Chan. The sea life was so healthy and varied!

Video: Belize Reisen, 3min.
Belize - das kleine Land im Norden Mittelamerikas beeindruckt durch seinen enormen Artenreichtum sowohl über- als auch unter Wasser und durch seine guten Surf- und Tauchspots. Aktive Urlauber kommen bei einer Belize Reise voll auf ihre Kosten. SHOW MORE

Video: Mexico, Guatemala, Belize 2014 - Gopro hero 3, 12min.

Video: Belize will always be an Independent Nation ----Guatemala reminds me of an old rabid dog with no teeth but still can bark!, 10min.
Belize will always be protected by Great Britain, but too we have lots friends in the Caribbean and elsewhere

Video: Monster -Alien- {within us} Human Bot Fly Removal on Mellowvision, 5min.
A family vacation in Belize in December 2008....... Nightmare for one family member.............. Two weeks after returning from an otherwise wonderful vacation, he begins to develop a 102 degree fever which lasts for two weeks. He experiences random bleeding from three small, infected wounds on his left elbow. He sees four different internists and after two rounds of antibiotics is still suffering from the symptoms. It turns out that he had three bot fly larvae growing in his arm. This video shows the removal of the larvae. Bot flies (Order Diptera, Family Cuterebridae) are large, stout bodied, hairy flies that resemble bumblebees. The botfly egg is deposited by a mosquito or sometimes by another insect. The larva grows in the host's body until it is fairly large. The botfly larva can easily be killed by taking away its air supply -- by putting vaseline or similar on the skin where the lump is, but then you still have to extract the larva. Adult botflies have nonfunctional mouthparts and do not feed. Larvae of this species parasitize wild and domestic rabbits. Females deposit their eggs in or near the entrance of their host's burrow. Bot fly larvae penetrate their host through the skin or natural body openings after hatching. The larvae form a tumor (called a warble) in the subdermal zones of their host and remain at this location until larval development is complete. Larval development varies among species, ranging from 20 to 60 days. Before pupating, the larvae leave the host's skin and drop to the soil.

Video: DECEPTION, 4min.
Song written by Carlton Sharp.... Video by Mellowvision,,,,DECEPTION Dean Barrow's Parliamentary system of Belize -90% failure- -morally bankrupt- -plagued by party voltures and Predator- HERE IS A VIDEO SONG CALLED "DECEPTION," IT WAS FILM RECENTLY BY ME, SOME FILM CLIPS WERE EDITED/ADDED TO THIS VIDEO. I JUST WANTED TO EXPRESS MY TRUE FEELINGS ABOUT CORRUPTION AND ECONOMIC VIOLENCE IN BELIZE...

Video: Belize Video, 5min.
Scuba diving and life on the water!

Video: Susan Hooks & John Shelton Honeymoon! Snorkeling in San Pedro, Belize, Sept. 2014, 8min.
There are some who choose to celebrate their wedding with a very expensive party... But others prefer to be together in paradise overcoming fears

Video: Belize Guatemala Girl's trip, 9min.
Scuba diving in the blue hole Belize. Maya Tikal.

September 8, 2014

Video: Dusk at Xanadu San Pedro Ambergris Caye Belize September 2014, 1min.

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Wolfe’s Woofer: Fitness
“Well, if it’s not Jo Castleberry,” I said. “Where have you been keeping yourself?” “I’ve been keeping myself at home,” she said. “You should go out more,” I told her. “You need to get some sun.” “I need more than sun,” she said. “I need one of them makeovers.” “You mean like the ones on […]

National AIDS Commission Island Committee receives donation
Press Release – September 3, 2014 – National AIDS Commission Island Committee: The National AIDS Commission IC is pleased and excited to extend a most grateful thank-you to Edie & Joe Pendleton. Edie works with Alberta Health Services in Canada, where she is employed at the Royal Alexandra Hospital as a Social Worker in the […]

Doctor Love: Complicated Relationships
Readers, please send your letters. They can be emails, formal letters or handwritten notes. They are edited solely for grammar and spelling. Also, they are sometimes edited for length. Dear Doctor Love, My girlfriend is 21 and I am 24 and we have a two year-old daughter. She still lives with her mom even though […]

Misc Belizean Sources

Grenade Found in Crime Hot Spot
On Saturday afternoon in Belize City, officers on Banak Street. At 1:30 p.m. the grenade was found inside an abandoned house. The BDF was called to the scene and it was removed from the property without incident. It was labelled as Found Property since there was no one in the vicinity. Abandoned properties in Belize City are regularly used to hide marijuana and handguns. (The photo is a stock image of a grenade)

Commentary: The Garifuna people's patience has run out on racism
By Wellington C. Ramos If some people were to know the history of the Garifuna people they would just leave them alone. Who are these people? These people are descendants of the native Kalinagu and Galinagu Indians who migrated from the Orinoco region in South America centuries before the Europeans explored the Americas to occupy the Caribbean islands. They have a history of fighting and winning wars against all the nations they went up against. These nations included Spain, France and Great Britain. The Garifuna people have always been against slavery and subjugation of any people. This was the reason why they were prepared to fight and die rather than to surrender to any other nation.

IMF executive board concludes 2014 consultation with Belize
WASHINGTON, USA -- On June 23, 2014, the executive board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with Belize. Real GDP growth plummeted to 0.7 percent in 2013, from 4 percent in 2012, mainly due to continued declines in oil production and weak agricultural output, especially sugarcane and citrus. Unemployment stood at 14.2 percent in September 2013 and is on an upward trend since it hit its lowest level in 2008. Average inflation eased to 0.5 percent from 1.3 percent in 2012, as commodity price pressures abated. The external current account deficit widened to 4.5 percent of GDP in 2013 up from 1.2 percent in 2012, as exports of oil and agricultural products fell sharply while imports of fuel and electricity picked up. International reserves improved to 4.7 months of imports at end-March 2014 (up from 3.3 months at end-2012) mainly owing to PetroCaribe financing and private inflows.

Rotaract Adopt a Village Program
The Rotaract Club of San Ignacio continued their Adopt a Village campaign, and paid tuition and donated school bags to the students of the Yalbac village. Thanks, Rotaract! "On August 31st, 2014 Rotaract Club San Ignacio delivered backpacks and paid tuition for the students of Yalbac Village. It was a rewarding and life-changing experience."

Miss Neighborhood Watch Queen
The CNWA had their 1st annual Miss Neighborhood Watch Queen pageant last night in Santa Elena. They got plenty of fun pictures from the event. "Zone 10 NW group, part of the Cayo Neighborhood Watch Association held their First Annual Miss Neighborhood Watch Queen Pageant... it was so much fun, not even the rain stopped the show! Santa Elena people are not stopped by rain, what a great time, thank you to Zone 10 for putting this together! Great job!!"

CTV3

Arthur Saldivar's Video Goes Viral
The House of Representatives met today in Belmopan but basically there were no fireworks, not even sparks. It consisted of the usual back and forth among parliamentarians and presentation of bills. We will bring you the full detail of today’s sitting in a few but first we start off with what is making headlines.But the man of the hour is in more serious trouble tonight that is after a video of him using foul language and obscene hand gestures went viral on the social media. It is not the proper way for someone who is seeking political office to conduct himself but then again, when it comes to Arthur Saldivar anything can be expected.

The Reporter

IMF: Belize economic outlook “worse than envisaged”
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) medium term outlook for economic growth for Belize “is worse than envisaged” and real gross domestic product (GDP) growth would be weaker than expected in the near term. The IMF recently released the results of the Article IV consultation with Belize, which was conducted in June in Washington DC. According to the IMF, real GDP growth plummeted to 0.7 percent in 2013, from four percent the previous year, mainly due to continued declines in oil production and weak agricultural output, especially sugarcane and citrus. The IMF reported that unemployment stood at 14.2 percent in September 2013 and is on an upward trend since it hit its lowest level in 2008. It also reported that average inflation eased to 0.5 percent from 1.3 percent in 2012, as commodity price pressures went down.

Brazil’s former director of state-run oil company accuses politcians of corruption
Paulo Roberto Costa, an ex-director of Brazil’s state-run oil company, Petrobras has accused more than 40 politicians of involvement in a kickback scheme over the past ten years. Costa, who is in jail and being investigated for involvement in the alleged scheme, named a minister, governors and congressmen who were members of the governing Workers party and two other groups that support President Dilma Rousseff who is seeking re-election on October 5. Many of the names were published in Veja, one of Brazil’s leading magazines and several politicians mentioned have denied involvement. Costa claimed that politicians received 3 percent commissions on the values of contracts signed with Petrobras when he was working there from 2004 to 2012.

The Belize Times

GSU Must Go!!
The majority of right-thinking Belizeans are in support of the Opposition People’s United Party’s calls for the disbanding of the UDP Government’s Gang Suppression Unit. The GSU, trained with elite military forces in El Salvador by the United States of America, sprang into sudden action in 2010. By action we mean terrorizing community residents to instil fear. Over the years, the GSU has acted like an entity of its own with no one to answer. There is evidence that not even the Commissioner of Police or the Ministry of National Security have control over the GSU. In February 2012, following a vicious beat down of young men from Taylor’s Alley, the Ministry of National Security which heads the Police Department had to apologize to the victims for the reported abuses. They claimed to not have known of the operation nor have given the order for this attack.

UDP Fails Belize – Still No Changes to Barrow’s Draconian Gun Law
When the House of Representatives meets tomorrow, Friday September 5th, 2014, the members of the ruling UDP will report that they have failed to properly address one of the issues that have been terrorizing Belizeans: the criminalization of the citizens and abuse of the innocent through Prime Minister Dean Barrow’s heavy-handed gun laws. On Friday, August 29th, Prime Minister Barrrow appeared to be caught off guard by the media which sought an update on the changes to the firearms act which the Ministry of National Security had promised to carry out since February of this year. Obviously not quite sure what was taking place, Barrow said he “hoped and believed” that amendments to the gun laws could be introduced on Friday.

Bogus Growth!! – While the UDP grass grows, the horse starves
There is something considerably sick and wrong with a Government that would boast about so-called economic growth while the reality for its citizens tells a different tale. This week the Government-funded Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) declared that economic growth in Belize had surged to an unprecedented 8.7% in the second quarter of the year. The SIB merited the growth to better performance in sugar and citrus industries, and incredibly, a 13.2% increase in the production/consumption of beer and 7.4% percent rum. This in the heels of a statement by UDP Minister Santino Castillo that stress is causing more police officers to turn to drinking. We can conclude then that more Belizeans are stressed out than ever.

Murder suspect caught by angry residents
Miguel Choco, a resident of San Pedro Columbia, was apprehended today by a manhunt led by angry and concerned residents. Choco was the main suspected for the murder of 61 year old Agripina Coc has reportedly confessed. Residents of San Pedro Columbia launched a manhunt on Sunday morning following the discovery of Coc’s lifeless body the night before. She had been left nude on the road side. A large cut injury was seen on her forehead. The killing of the senior citizen has been condemned nationwide. Press releases were issued this week by the Chamber of Commerce, National Council on Ageing and Helpage Belize, calling on the Government to deal with crime as a priority.

Has Barrow turned PetroCaribe Gift into Curse?
“The amount of the debt owed to Venezuela by many Caribbean countries is shrouded in secrecy because the process of dealing with Petro Caribe has not been transparent. ….The beneficiary Caribbean governments have much for which to thank Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro, but they would be imprudent if they did not now begin to make adjustments to their budgets for a transition from dependence on Petro Caribe to buying oil on the international market.” “They would be sensible to approach the Caribbean Development Bank for technical advice on how to alter their financial circumstances to make the transition and to propose ways in which such a transition could be accomplished with the least amount of inevitable pain — pain which would be more desirable than calamity.” The above is the opening and closing paragraphs of an article written by Sir Ronald Sanders that was published in the Jamaica Observer in February of this year. Sir Sanders is a consultant, senior research fellow at London University and a former Caribbean diplomat. Under the title “Petro Caribe: Are Caribbean countries prepared for the worst?” the article delves into the intricate and mostly ignored facts about this novel and noble initiative from the late Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez.

Editorial: THE GSU IS BSU
Only in a Dean Barrow government could something like this happen. A Police Officer engaging in a personal and political attack on television against an elected member of the National Assembly. That member is also the former two time Prime Minister of the country. It is bizarre and unheard and underlines the low level to which the government is politicizing the police force and the public service. The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Francis Fonseca, quite rightly, was swift and unsparing in condemning this latest outrage coming from the government. On Saturday 30 August in the Lake Independence constituency, the resurgent People’s United Party held its convention to endorse the return of Cordel Hyde as standard bearer for the next general elections. Over two thousand energized residents attended. Former Prime Minister and elected Area Representative from Fort George, Hon. Said Musa was one of the main speakers.

Belize loses to Honduras 2-0, autogoals
The Belize National A Team selection, the Jaguars, lost their 2015 Gold Cup qualifier game opener to Central American powerhouses, “los Catrachos” of Honduras. The Jaguars scored two goals, but on themselves, giving the Honduras team their first win in the tournament. Goal keeper Woodrow West was not able to stop the first autogoal, scored by Jerome “Jarro” James who headed the ball in an attempt to deflect a pass from corner kick. The ball, unfortunately, steered just below the goal’s cross bar and went right into the net in the 33rd minute of the game.

Shelton Graham, Manuel Esquiliano & Giovanni Choto win annual Pawpa Brown birthday race
Team Santino’s Shelton Graham won the A/B division, Truckers Posse’s Manuel Esquiliano won the C division and C-Ray Road Addikz’ Giovanni Choto won the elite division when the Weekend Warriors Cycling Club held its the annual Andrew “Pawpa” Brown series of races on the George Price and Philip Goldson Highways on Sunday. A/B Open (50 miles from Leslie’s Imports to Garbutt’s Farm mile 25) 1st Shelton Graham – Santino’s – 2:11:12 2nd Eric Burns – Scotiabank 3rd Robert Mariano – Digicel 4G 4th Barney Brown – Scotiabank 5th Ray Cattouse – Stationery House/Medina’s Jewelry 6th Santino “Chief” Castillo – Santino’s

Complex Generals win Firms basketball champs
The Complex Generals are the Belize District Firms Basketball Champions, after winning Game 3 of the Finals 61-54 over the Belize Bank Bulldogs at Bird’s Isle on Saturday night. The Generals were very tight on defense with a full court press in the crucial final game. The Bulldogs had to fight for each basket they scored, while Marshall Nunez Jr., Rhetton Belisle and Richards stole the ball and forced several turnovers.

PUP Statement on GSU
September 2nd, 2014 On Sunday evening, August 30th, 2014 the Rt. Hon. Said Musa, former Prime Minister of Belize and current Area Representative for Fort George, speaking at a Party Convention in Lake Independence, made certain specific comments about the conduct and operations of the Gang Suppression Unit (GSU). As a former ...

Hon. Jose Mai delivers school bags to needy children of OW South
Orange Walk District, September 1, 2014 With the cost of education on the rise, the assistance provided by Orange Walk South Area Representative Hon. Jose ...

UDP Convention flops in Corozal Town
Corozal Town, September 1, 2014 The UDP’s convention held last weekend to unveil the tired faces that make up their pack of recycled candidates for the upcoming town council elections turned out to be a major flop. The event, which was supposed to start at 10am saw a small handful of supporters ...

HOME ECONOMICS – The Need for Overhauling Home Mortgage Financing
By Richard Harrison Thousands of Belizean families are still living in sub-standard housing…many in “casas de carton” type dwellings…that slowly descend into ghettos, with several generations piled up one on top of the other. There is need for a complete rethinking and reformulating of the mortgage financing regime, in order to address ...

IN MY PERSPECTIVE – What We Need in Belize is Opportunity!
By Rayford Young On my last trip to Belize just a couple months ago, I had some friends over one evening just to chat and eat some Belizean food. The evening was going well then I said something that made one of my guests make a strange face and I knew ...

Hon. Joseph Mahmud – Serving the People!
Cayo District, August 30, 2014 From August 27th to 30th, the Cayo North Area Representative Hon. Joseph Mahmud organised the cleaning and lawn mowing of the Scared Heart Primary School yard in preparations for the resumption of classes. Hon. Joseph Mahmud is dedicated to enabling our children in our community to study ...

Hon. Dolores helps BRC students with school bags
Belize City, August 1, 2014 Through the generosity of SMART Hon. Dolores has distributed school bags to children in Spanish Town, Ladyville and Old Hattieville. The school bags bear the encouraging message: "Be Smart Stay in School!!" [caption id="attachment_21588" align="alignleft" width="600" caption="Hon. Dolores with some of the children receiving school bags"]...

Government’s Shameful Neglect of UB
By Gilroy Usher, Sr. A very disgraceful situation exists at the computer lab for the University of Belize as many of the computers are from the dinosaur-era. The situation is so terrible that a number of lecturers are urging students to bring their laptops to the computer class if they want ...

Joke of the Week!
The GSU Boss visits a farm in Camalote and talks with the owner, an old farmer. He tells the farmer, "I need to inspect your property for weapons and illegally grown drugs." The old farmer says, "Okay, but make sure you don't go in that field over there." The officer verbally explodes saying, ...

Tell we dah no soh!!
UDP Chairman Alberto August has been doing his best to keep “hush hush” an accident that nearly killed a resident of Bullet Tree Falls. Reliable information reaching this newspaper is that one of the quarrelsome UDP Chairman’s super-sized SUVs (the kind ...

WOMAN IN THE HOUSE: Welcome Home, Cordel
By Dolores Balderamos Garcia I attended and spoke at the endorsement convention for Cordel Hyde this past Saturday, August 30, 2014. We, and especially Cordel, were really 'God's Pikni' that afternoon and evening. He could not have asked for more beautiful weather, and at the Saint Martin de Porres Field in Belize ...

CORDEL HYDE RETURNS TO LAKE I
The St. Martin’s de Porres football field was the venue for the much-anticipated return of three-time PUP Area Representative ...

REFLECTIONS ON THE PUBLIC SQUARE – A POLICE STATE
By Francis W. Fonseca Violent crime is a serious matter that requires serious attention and action. This attention and action must come from properly trained and adequately resourced security forces. These security forces, whether they be the Belize Police Department, GSU, BDF or Coast Guard, exist and function to serve and protect the ...

Some are more equal than others at the Ministry of Education
Dear Fellow Belizeans, We the instructors of ITVET Toledo need to inform you of an injustice continuing to take place at our school. On May 28 in the middle of our investigation into questionable practices by the Manager, Allen Genus, the board was asked to question the Ministry of Education and ...

In Search of True Justice at Immigration Department
Dear Editor, As we approach the one year anniversary of the most despicable act of treason committed by a sitting member of this Government, Belizeans continue to be deprived of answers and justice in the Immigration, Passport/Nationality irregularities. It is a shame and disgrace that the powers that be refuse to ...

Diaspora: Love don’t live here anymore
Dear Editor, I am happy that my letter asking the Diaspora “what have you done for me lately”, has stirred once more, the debate about what constructive roles the Diaspora can and should play in Belize’s national development. I was particularly interested to hear about the contributions of the Diaspora outside of ...

Police Abuse in Benque Viejo
Dear Editor, My name is Gomer Enriquez, I’m a resident of Benque Viejo. I have lived all my life here, except for the years I went abroad to study. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Tourism administration and a Master Degree in Analysis and Administration of Reliability. I came back ...

Patrick Jones

Students in Belmopan Area Schools Celebrate Literacy Day with a Bang
Students from all the Belmopan Schools gathered at the Independence Park on Friday, September 5 to celebrate International Literacy Day. The enthusiastic students came prepared with their posters that had information about Literacy, Health, and Peace. Although the theme for International Literacy Day is “Literacy and Sustainable Development” the Rally and Parade highlighted the importance of literacy, healthy living, and Peace. During the Rally the students entertained each other and the audience with music, drama, and song. The organizers express gratitude to all the teachers, principals, Mayor Simeon Lopez and the City Council Officials, decoration committee, and parents for making the event a success.

Students from Taiwan send computers for schools in Cayo
Eight schools in the Cayo district received computer donations and school supplies from students in the Republic of China, Taiwan. A total of 26 computers, including 12 laptops were handed out during a brief ceremony late last week at the Sacred Heart Auditorium in San Ignacio town. The donation of the computes and school supplies was facilitated by a group of visiting students from a University in Taiwan earlier this year and forms part of their outreach to assist with the learning experience for children. Aside from the computers, the donation included school backs, pencil boxes and colored pencils. At the handing over, the ambassador of the Republic of China, Taiwan, Benjamin Ho, oversaw the receipt of the donation by a representative of the respective schools.

Compassion School celebrates anniversary
The Compassion School, located in Yo Creek, Orange Walk, is celebrating an important milestone. That milestone is its twenty fifth anniversary of service to the community. The school first opened its doors in 1989 and on Friday the anniversary was marked with a special celebration. Past students, teachers, administrators and the school’s founders, including former politician Florencio Marin, Sr., gathered to mark the important milestone. Several presentations were made by the student body as well as token of appreciation were given to the panel at the head table.

Belmopan September Celebrations activities launched
Residents of the Garden City of Belmopan gathered at the Independence Plaza on Friday night, September 5, to witness the launching of the program of activities leading to our Independence Day, September 21. Mayor Simeon Lopez invited everyone to join in the celebration and make it memorable. He also highlighted the activities for the celebration period. The next activity will be Belmopan Battle of the Beats at 1 p.m. at the Governor General Field. Entertainment was done by Jason Wade and his dancers, Shanika Myers, Police Drama Group, Elijah Noralez, Students from Garden City Primary School under the guidance of Mrs. Beverly Requena, BAY Dancers, and Queen of the Bay Belmopan Designate- Ms. Jasmine Rhamdas.

The September 7th, 2014 issue of The STAR (Cayo) is online HERE

This Week's Stories:

Possession With Intent To Supply:
Just as we were going to press this Thursday night the report came in of another drug bust this one netting 132 grams of suspected marijuana. The report informs that at around 11 o’clock this Thursday morning a team of policemen, armed with a warrant, conducted a search on a premises located on 18th Street in San Ignacio Town. Present at the time of the search were Leon Nelson Smith, 27, and Roger Hilton, 26, both Belizean laborers. Nothing incriminating was found inside the house occupied by Leon Smith. The search then extended to the yard where, under a fire hearth, a member of the police team found a black plastic bag containing three smaller transparent plastic bags containing suspected marijuana. Smith and Hilton were arrested and jointly charged for the possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply.
Suspected Stolen Goods Found:
Police today reported the discovery of several items suspected to have been stolen. As the cooperation between the community and the police continues to grow, based on a tip off, a team of policemen this Thursday afternoon visited an abandoned wooden house located at the corner of Zaiden Street and La Luma Luz Boulevard in Santa Elena Town where they found several items suspected to have been stolen and stashed inside the house. Among the items found were a sound system, standing speakers, tools, a vehicle jack, plastic containers, lawn chairs and plastic buckets.
A Man’s Fate Hangs In The Balance:
Police are awaiting instructions from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions which could result in the arrest of a man on a rape charge. An 18 year old female of San Ignacio Town reported to police that on Sunday, August 24, she was socializing at the home of a male acquaintance when, under the influence of alcohol, she fell asleep on his bed at around 5:00 pm. She was reportedly awoken to the man having sexual intercourse without her consent.
Hillview Weed Without Owner:
More black plastic bag, more weed found. Acting upon information received, a team of policemen visited a vacant lot in the Hillview area of Santa Elena Town at around 8 o’clock on Monday morning, August 25 where they found a black plastic bag containing 120.8 grams of marijuana. No one was found in the area. The weed was labeled as found property.
Editorial: The Possibilities Are Endless:
The United Democratic Party (UDP) was the first political party to win an election in an independent Belize. The results of the 1984 general elections is said to have been a referendum on the people’s acceptance of the guiding of the nation into independence under George Price and his People’s United Party (PUP). When the votes were counted in the first general elections in Independent Belize, history was made as the PUP was booted out of office for the very first time. Included among those losing their seat was the new Prime Minister (formerly Premier) George Cadle Price who was soundly trashed at the polls in Freetown by the youngest UDP elected Area Representative, Derek Aikman. Hence began the political demise George Price, the father of the PUP. Price’s sister, Jane Usher was a powerhouse PUP area representative in the Pickstock division where she, to this day, operates the largest credit union in Belize, the Holy Redeemer Credit Union.
Samsung And LG Launch New Watches While Apple Waits:
South Korean tech firms LG and Samsung have announced more smartwatches, ahead of a wide ly anticipated entry to the sector from Apple. The devices, from LG and Samsung, suggest renewed attempts to create a smartwatch that is perhaps more fashionable than previous efforts. Samsung's Gear S features a curved screen, while LG's G Watch R has a more classic watch design. Apple is rumoured to be preparing to launch its device next month. Technology news site Recode has said the smartwatch - dubbed iWatch by Apple's fans and some of the press - will debut on 9 September. However, in typically tight-lipped fashion, Apple has yet to confirm its plans.
Caesar Panti Jr. Receives Scholarship:
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” Benjamin Franklin once said. It is with this quote in mind that Adventures Sports Club is pleased to have been able to secure a one year scholarship for Mr. Caesar Rene Panti Jr to attend high school. The donation of $1,300 Belize dollars comes through the generous gift of Mr. Michael and Julie Lindo of New Jersey, USA, on behalf of BelCare Football Youth Academy. Mr. Caesar will be attending Sacred Heart College so the funds will be utilized to cover registration fees as well as needed school supplies including text books and utensils. BelCare Football Youth Academy is a fully incorporated organization whose purpose is to provide children of grassroots ages 6 -12 the opportunity to play football in a safe environment of fun and enjoyment.
Chilean Sailor Makes History After Announcing He Is Gay:
A sailor in Chile has become the first serving member of the Chilean armed forces to announce he is gay. Mauricio Ruiz, 24, told a televised news conference his decision had "not been easy", but he wanted to help fight discrimination against homosexuals. Mr Ruiz said that what was most important was not a soldier's sexual orientation, but his or her willingness to serve the country. His announcement came with the full backing of the Chilean armed forces.
Garcia Pleads Guilty:
A Sunday night search at a house in Santa Familia Village, Cayo District, resulted in the discovery of almost 6 grams of suspected weed seeds. At around 9:30 pm on Sunday, August 24, two policemen visited the Santa Familia residence of Belizean laborer, Mervin Carrias, 27, to conduct a search for drugs. The search led to the discovery of the trademark black plastic bag near the kitchen. Opened in the presence of Carrias, the bag was found to contain suspected weed seeds. The occupants of the house, Mervin Carrias and his common-law-wife, Rosseli Garcia, 20, were instantly detained and transported to the police station in San Ignacio where, when placed on the police digital scale, the product was recorded at 5.81 grams.
Another Small Haul:
As the aggressive police operations in the community continue, there is the report of the arrest of a crack addict and the confiscation of a piece of crack cocaine, a crack pipe and a penknife found in his possession. At around 11:15 p.m. on Saturday, August 23, police on routine mobile patrol pulled up alongside Francis Vera, an alleged crack addict, as he was walking on Carmen Street in Santa Elena. Vera complied with the instruction to halt and when searched he was found in possession of a black metal pipe suspected to be an instrument used to smoke crack cocaine along with a small piece of hard substance suspected to be crack cocaine and a six inch knife with a black handle.
Gastroenteritis:
Gastroenteritis or infectious diarrhea is a medical condition from inflammation ("-itis") of the gastrointestinal tract that involves both the stomach ("gastro"-) and the small intestine ("entero"-). It causes some combination of diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain and cramping. Dehydration may occur as a result. Gastroenteritis has been referred to as gastro, stomach bug, and stomach virus. Although unrelated to influenza, it has also been called stomach flu and gastric flu. Signs and Symptoms Gastroenteritis typically involves both diarrhea and vomiting, or less commonly, presents with only one or the other. Abdominal cramping may also be present. Signs and symptoms usually begin 12–72 hours after contracting the infectious agent. If due to a viral agent, the condition usually resolves within one week. Some viral causes may also be associated with fever, fatigue, headache, and muscle pain. If the stool is bloody, the cause is less likely to be viral and more likely to be bacterial. Some bacterial infections may be associated with severe abdominal pain and may persist for several weeks.
UniBAM Response To Amandala:
UNIBAM categorically denies allegations made in the Amandala Editorial “Government and Gays” of 14th August, 2014 and wishes to set the record straight on the following matters: 1. There is no secret funding from the US Embassy! The Embassy generally issues calls requesting proposals for funding from the NGO community. UNIBAM has submitted proposals in response to grant calls and have received a total of US$35,000.00 over the years 2011 and 2013 as well as several other Belizean NGOs.
Expo Belize Market Place 2014:
Spirits are high as we prepare for our 18th annual Expo Belize Market Place 2014 scheduled for September 6th and 7th, at the ITVET Grounds on Freetown Road in Belize City from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.! The Belizean public is buzzing with anticipation as various micro, small, medium and large enterprises, both new and seasoned, have booked their booths to display quality products and services. The EXPO promises to lead the way into our September Celebration season with countless deals and steals, a fashion show and live music entertainment, fun activities for the kids, chances to win great prizes and much more!
Ministry of Health Shares Results of Foodborne Disease Research Study:
Belmopan. August 25, 2014. Last week the Ministry of Health in partnership with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Belize and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) presented the results of the Burden of Illness (BOI) research study on Acute Gastroenteritis and causes of Food Borne Illness in Belize. The study launched in September 2012 and was aimed at estimating the proportion of the population suffering from Acute Gastroenteritis (AGI), also known as stomach flu, at a specific time period while also estimating the economic burden the disease has on the public health system.
STAR Humor
Your Weekly Horoscope and Lucky Numbers
Letters to the Editor
Public Notices

Blogs

The FULL Sir Barry Bowen Belikin Bash Experience Plus Dolla Beer!
Last night was the final night of one of the bigger celebrations – the annual Belikin bash. A giant free three day concert and party featuring all Belizean artists and plenty of Belikin beer. A few hundred artists (Gilharry 7 and Caribbean Connection are massive bands), hundreds of Belikin staff and thousands of Belizeans celebrating BELIZE! Celebrated annually during the Independence month and the birth month of the now deceased and sorely missed Sir Barry Bowen, this is one GIANT EVENT. And one that I’d never attended in Belize City. Missing out on the big Belikin bash? The beer of Belize “giving back through music”? This must be remedied. So far, the bash had been a huge success. Word on the street is that about one thousand people attended on Thursday night, about 3000 on Friday and about 5000 were expected last night…

My September Celebrations surprise party
Since my birthday falls under the biggest party month in Belize “September Celebrations” I decided to throw myself a really good surprise party. I knew I could use my birthday as a good excuse to get Paul off the island for some old fashioned country downtime. You might be wondering how can you through yourself a surprise party? The surprise part is actually for Paul, and something to do with one of his fav book series Lord of the Rings and the custom of people giving away gifts on their birthdays instead of receiving them. He did it for me when we first started dating so I figured I would give it a go and in my book awesome parties make great gifts. I know he will not mind I have turned our romantic birthday getaway into surprise celebration with friends. It will make the moonlight horse ride and bonfire so much better, plus I can’t wait to watch Tinker with the talking birds. We flew out this morning on the 8:00am Tropic flight from San Pedro to Belmopan, another round of people will take the 11:30 flight. A few of the gang decided to get some extra adventure in by flying to Municipal Airport on the 9:00am and catching the 10:00am express bus to Belmopan, they will be here any minute. The last two are joining us Monday for the big party.

International Sources

Water's edge: the crisis of rising sea levels
As the seas rise, a slow-motion disaster gnaws at America’s shores. Part 1: A Reuters analysis finds that flooding is increasing along much of the nation’s coastline, forcing many communities into costly, controversial struggles with a relentless foe. Missions flown from the NASA base here have documented some of the most dramatic evidence of a warming planet over the past 20 years: the melting of polar ice, a force contributing to a global rise in ocean levels. The Wallops Flight Facility’s relationship with rising seas doesn’t end there. Its billion-dollar space launch complex occupies a barrier island that's drowning under the impact of worsening storms and flooding. NASA's response? Rather than move out of harm’s way, officials have added more than $100 million in new structures over the past five years and spent $43 million more to fortify the shoreline with sand. Nearly a third of that new sand has since been washed away. Across a narrow inlet to the north sits the island town of Chincoteague, gateway to a national wildlife refuge blessed with a stunning mile-long recreational beach – a major tourist draw and source of big business for the community. But the sea is robbing the townspeople of their main asset.

Belize ready for Guatemala in key CCA encounter
Belize (0-0-1, 0 points) head coach Leroy Sherrier Lewis is confident that his team is ready to square off against Guatemala (1-0-0, 3 points) on Sunday. The sides will meet at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, for the second day of play in the Central American Cup (CCA). In the Wednesday openers for each, Belize fell to Honduras (2-0) after conceding a pair of own-goals, while Guatemala topped El Salvador (2-1) on the strength of a Marco Pappa brace. “We played against a World Cup team, one of the largest in the area with vast technical expertise and quality,” said Sherrier in reference to the Hondurans. And now the Belizeans will go up against their neighbors, who have won three straight games, including friendlies against Nicaragua and Cuba.

Guatemala vs Belize play by play
final score 2-1 Guatemala wins

Costa Rica, Guatemala punch tickets to Gold Cup via Copa Centroamericana group play in Dallas
In the second match of the night, Guatemala beat Belize and also qualified for the Concacaf Gold Cup. Former FC Dallas forward Carlos “Pescadito” Ruiz scored for Guatemala in the 25th minute. Marvin Avila scored the second goal in the 52nd minute. Deon McCauiay scored the only goal for Belize in the 81st minute.

Sunday Crocodilian - Crocodylus moreletii Edition
Morelet's Crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii), also called the Belize Crocodile or the Mexican Crocodile, is found only in the eastern freshwater marshes, rivers, and lakes of Belize, Guatemala and Mexico. Up until the 1920s it was often misidentified as the Cuban Crocodile or American Crocodile. It is named for French naturalist P.M.A. Morelet, who described it in 1850. Morelet's Crocodile is generally darker in color than the American Crocodile, and has a shorter and broader head. Males have brownish-gray skins with black bands, while females tend to have more yellowish skins. Juveniles of both sexes are brighter yellow with black spots and bands, but the females don't get as dark as the males. They are on the smaller side, when compared with other crocodile species. Adults average about 9.8 feet (3 meters) and weigh approximately 128 pounds (58 kg). They have 66 or 68 teeth when fully grown.

Videos

Video: Creation Care Study Program: Belize, 3min.
Fall 2014 orientation week! It had some of the greatest experiences in my entire life. The country is beautiful and the people are great

Video: BELIZE 2014, 10min.

Video: You Betta Belize It, 4min.

Video: Guatemala vs Belize Highlights, 4min.
Final score, Guatemala 2, Belize 1

Video: Life on Caye Caulker Belize, 3min.
Some clips from life on Caye Caulker, Beize, 04-07. September 2014. Includes snorkeling with the sharks and rays on the local reef.

Video: Sailing Belize's Barrier Reef With The Moorings, 4min.
Chronicles of our 7 day bareboat charter with the Moorings. The boat is a Beneteau Oceanis 41 (Moorings 42.3) and the location was Belize's barrier reef! What an amazing experience for our first charter!

Video: Brooks and Leah in Belize proposal, 3min.
At a depth of 50 feet on the Barrier Reef in Belize, Brooks asks Leah to marry him. Coco Plum Resort Belize August 29, 2014.

September 7, 2014

Schedule of Events for Corozal - September Independence Celebrations!

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Fundraiser Fashion Show
In conjunction with Foreva Fancy & Wet Willy's held Saturday night to raise funds for a young islander Alicia Cisneros. Alicia has been diagnosed with Thyroid cancer and is in need of immediate treatment. We of course hope for the best for Alicia, and that her recovery is speedy.

Rolando Espat Jr Gunned Down in San Pedrito
On Saturday 06.09.14 at about 12:20 a.m. San Pedro Police personnel visited the San Pedro Poly Clinic where they saw the body of a male Hispanic person identified as 22-year-old ROLANDO ESPAT JR,fisherman of San Pedrito area, San Pedro Town. The body was observed with apparent gunshot wounds to the chest, left cheek and right upper thigh. Initial investigation revealed that at about 12:15 a.m. Espat was heading home when at about 50 feet away from his house he was approached from behind by a male Hispanic person who fired several shots at Espat causing his fatal injuries. The culprit then made good his escape.

Gaby’s Construction donates helmets to Police
On Monday, September 1st the San Pedro Police and the Caye Caulker Police received a much needed donation of motorcycle helmets. The donation was made by Gabriel “Gaby” Nuñez of Gaby’s Construction Company, and is aimed to increase the safety of the police officers while on patrol. The San Pedro Police received 12 helmets, while four were handed over to the Caye Caulker Police. On hand to receive the donation was Officer in Charge of the San Pedro Police Department Superintendent Luis Castellanos and Officer in Charge of the Caye Caulker Police Department Inspector Jesus Palma. According to Nuñez, the donation was made after he noticed that both police departments had recently acquired motorcycles, but lacked proper helmets. Since it is the law that all persons driving a motorcycle, motorbike or an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), the helmets were urgently needed by both police departments. “I hope that this donation only serves to improve police response in keeping our two islands safe. As part of the community, I always want to try to assist the police when they need it,” said Nuñez.

Police Report
On Sunday, August 31st at 6:30AM, acting on information received, a team of Special Branch Police and San Pedro Quick Response Team (QRT) Personnel conducted a searched at the residence of 32-year-old Deon Pitts in the Bayside Area. The search led to the discovery of a wrap transparent plastic containing 117.2 gram of suspected cannabis. Pitts, better known as Ghost, a known drug peddler, was arrested and escorted to the San Pedro Police Station. Pitts has since been officially charged for the crime of Drug Trafficking and remanded to the Belize Central Prison.

Ambergris Today

Belize's first telenovela La Isla Bonita - Telenovela
La Isla Bonita - Telenovela premiered last night (first episode) with a red carpet spectacular and raving review from everybody. It was a true success and Grade A production. We give it a WOW review. Go check it out yourself! Check on comments for theater showings

Misc Belizean Sources

Pan Yaad Steel Band Concert 2014 (16 photos)
A most memorable night! The "Panerifix" (Belmopan steel pan band) gave an infectious performance throughout the night!

Dora Hernandez Riveroll's 99th Birthday
The Corozal Daily joins with all the Sons, Daughters, Nephews, Nieces, Granchildren, great grandchildren and many many friends from Corozal in celebrating Dora Hernandez Riveroll's 99th Birthday. An accomplished woman in her time "Mama Dora" or "Tia Dora" as affectionately known was the first Miss Queen of the Bay Corozal. She is the only living sister out of nine Riveroll brothers, all deceased. She is well loved by everyone in Corozal and we continue to wish her many more birthdays and may the hands of the divine continue to give her great strength and fortitude. The entire Riverolls and families connected to this family cherish and love Mama Dora as she is the only 99 year old Matriarch of the Grand extended RIVEROLL FAMILY!!! Happy birthday Mama Dora - Tia Dora from all the family, including the hundreds of nephews, nieces, grandsons, grand-daughters and friends. A special Happy Birthday greeting from the Corozal Daily "Mama Dora"

Guava Limb's 1st Anniversary Celebration
Guava Limb has had a great first year. The anniversary party was top notch. "We would like to say a heartfelt THANK YOU to all our patrons who joined us on Saturday August 28th, 2014 to celebrate with us our ONE YEAR BIRTHDAY! We would also like to extend a raving THANK YOU to ALL our AMAZING PATRONS who have supported The Guava Limb Café family from our doors first opened. It has been a pleasure serving you!!!"

Financial Empowerment for Women in Belize
Video showing some great female business success stories from around Belize. Burns avenue makes an appearance. In related news, the National Call to Action Conference on Women and Girls Financial Health happened last week. The conference allowed female entrepreneurs to meet and share their products. "Women entrepreneurs in Belize have the passion, the creativity, and the capacity to be successful in business. What they lack is financing. This video showcase but a few of the women endeavoring to create economic opportunities for themselves and the efforts of Belize's Special Envoy for Women and Children to link them with the financial resources they need to succeed."

PlusTV

Bill to remove compulsory membership by attorneys-at-law to the Bar
Area Representatives met on Friday at the National Assembly building in Belmopan for a special House Sitting, and as customary we bring you the highlights of the event. Several amendment bills were read and a few motions were passed. Among them was the bill to amend the Legal Profession Act Chapter 320 which was presented in the House by the Honourable Attorney General and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington. vlcsnap-2014-09-06-06h17m58s219The amendment bill was twofold; it aimed to provide for the composition of the General Legal Council; and to remove the requirement of compulsory membership by attorneys-at-law to the Bar Association of Belize. After the meeting, the Prime Minister expounded on this amendment. Prime Minister Dean Barrow “Before, the matter had to go to the General Legal Council and the Chief Justice. No judge of the Supreme Court sat on the General Legal Council. The General Legal Council would make a finding and then that had to go to the Chief Justice for confirmation or for, perhaps, his disagreement. This way he chairs the thing so it’s a one stop type of operation now, and so there ought to be dispatch into dealing with complaints. That’s the first major aspect of the amendment.

Arthur Saldivar Video Goes Viral
One lawyer who has been in a lot of hot water as of late is Attorney Arthur Saldivar. Mr Saldivar has recently been suspended by his own party as investigations into alleged wrongdoing get on the way. Going viral now is a video, showing Arthur Saldivar on camera in another controversy. Arthur Saldivar, PUP standard bearer for Belize Rural North will run against Hon. Edmund Castro, should his suspension from the party be lifted. A very long press release was issued this evening by the Law office of Marcel Cardona, who claims he was present at the time of the video taken at Robert’s grove in Placencia. Mr Cardona described what led to the conflict and why Mr Saldivar responded in the manner he did, saying that Mr Saldivar and other persons were provoked by one of the shareholders of Roberts Grove, Boris Mansfield, the person who allegedly released the video of Mr Saldivar.

Draft Amendment to Firearm Act read in National Assembly
Since the Fire arm act was amended in the year 2008, there has been mounting concerns due to the perception that many innocent people have been prosecuted, because of the provision that allows an entire household to be taken into custody if a firearm is found in the premises of their home. On Friday, the amendment to that law was supposed to be moved, however, according to the Prime Minister, due to time constraints, the provision was not fine tuned enough to be moved. However a draft of it was read. Prime Minister Dean Barrow “The drafting wasn’t being done quickly enough for various reasons. I am not blaming anyone. At the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday it wasn’t quite ready, so it was agreed that the Minister and his people would get together with my favorite draftsman, Mr. Gian Ghandi, so that a quick bit of work could be done. I only then saw the finished product yesterday, and the rest of the cabinet had to sort of go on faith, that the amendments would achieve the objective that we want, and strike the fine balance.

The Reporter

Fatal shooting in San Pedro
Rolando Espat, 22, a fisherman of San Pedrito layout, San Pedro, was shot and killed shortly after midnight on Saturday in that town. Police say that when they observed the body at the San Pedro polyclinic it had gunshot wounds to the chest, left cheek and right upper thigh. According to police, Espat was heading home at about 12:15 a.m. when at about 50 feet away from his house a man approached him from behind and fired several shots at him. The culprit then escaped. Police say they have recovered one 9 millimeter expended shell and slug from the scene and have since detained a 27-year-old man of San Juan Area, San Pedro Town pending charges.

Salvador’s ex president hands self in on corruption allegations
Francisco Flores, Salvador’s former president who is wanted on corruption charges, has handed himself in. Flores is accused of misappropriating $15 million US that Taiwan gave the country during his term in office between 1999 and 2004. Flores, who has been out of the public’s view for several months, denies the charges, which he says are politically motivated. A warrant for his arrest was issued in May. A judge has now put him under house arrest.

Firearm Bill and Legal Professional Bill tabled at House Sitting
There were two bills tabled at Friday’s House Sitting namely, the Firearms Amendment Bill, the Crime Control and Criminal Justice Bill and the Legal Professional Bill. The Firearms Amendment Bill entails legislation regarding who is considered responsible and arrested when a firearm is found. The Crime Control and Criminal Justice Bill details the specifics of bail for firearm offences. While the bills have been tabled Prime Minister Dean Barrow said the drafting of the bills is a work in progress. “I think it is getting at the central aspects of the current law that need to be fixed so perhaps we could have taken the chance and simply passed it today, but I think it has to be better to wait for a couple week,” Barrow said.

Patrick Jones

San Pedro fisherman murdered
Police in San Pedro town, on Ambergris Caye, are investigating an early morning homicide. The victim has been identified as 22 year old Rolando Espat, Jr., a resident of the San Pedrito area. According to police reports, around 12:15 am, Espat, Jr. was on his way home when he was accosted about 50 feet from his home and fatally wounded. Police say that Espat’s attacker, described as a Hispanic man, approached him from behind and opened fire hitting him several times. Police say they have detained a 27 year old man of the San Juan area of San Pedro town pending charges.

Blogs

Belize’s First Telenovela Premieres with A Red Carpet & A Seriously Impressed Audience
When you think of Belize, do red carpets events and film premieres come to mind? Probably not. And that is just part of what made last night’s Premiere Event – the Red Carpet, Showing and After-Party for La Isla Bonita Telenovela – so special. The La Isla Bonita telenovela has been in the works on the island for over a year now. From open auditions & casting last September to filming in the streets and buildings around town a few months ago, we all knew some of the details but didn’t know what to expect from the final product. And while life in San Pedro is often like a soap opera, translating that to the big screen, with local actors, crew, writers (many of them first timers) couldn’t be easy.

Time for change – Belize People’s Front
In opening to a new era of Leadership in the timeline of Belizean history, I’d like to start this communication with a quote: Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. – Albert Einstein Throughout our short history as a nation, we have consistently been on a never ending circle of electing one of two parties that have kept our nation at a near stand still position and at some points put our nation on a backward movement. We have been changing parties but yet our people and our nation have not made many significant progresses. Our Belizean people are so frustrated, angry and disillusioned that some have this feeling of hopelessness. The future of our nation is at stake and we will not sit idly by to see this trend continue in this century. Today, we are faced with high unemployment and poverty rates, families living on $25.00 a day, high cost of living, huge international debt better known as the Super Bond a debt brought upon our nation by an uncaring few who benefited from it and left us and our future generations with a bill to pay for decades to come. This debt is currently sitting at $1.033 billion dollars and growing daily, forceful take over of private companies, a steady robbery of citizens Social Security savings for political spending and a claim by Guatemala to our beloved country that remains unresolved for centuries which puts our future as a sovereign nation in doubt; these to name a few from the never ending list of items resulting from 32 years of failed leadership, lack of vision, stagnation, minimal economic growth, inefficient governance and corrupt politicians in both the PUP and UDP. We cannot continue to change political parties to become our government and we see no significant changes in our people’s lives and nation. Where did the Super Bond monies go and who were the people that benefited from it? Let me count the ways:

International Sources

World Bank to improve climate resilience in Belize
More than 170,000 Belizeans will benefit from improved climate resilient roads and capacity to manage climate risks and impacts as a result of a US$30 million project approved by the World Bank s Board of Directors. This project will enable Belize to implement mitigation and adaptation strategies in the war against this global threat as it relates to the negative effects on Belize s economic growth and welfare of its present and future generations, said Ambassador Yvonne Hyde, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change identified Belize as one of the most vulnerable countries to the adverse impacts of climate change. More than half its population and business centers are at sea level along its low lying coastline. Hurricane Hattie destroyed half of Belize City in 1961, killing 400 people and causing damages amounting to over 600 percent of GDP, which prompted the government to build a new administrative capital 50 miles inland in Belmopan.

Guatemala v. Belize
Belize was the shock team in the 2013 edition of this tournament, qualifying for the Gold Cup for the first time in its history. A tough draw and a 2-0 loss to Honduras in its tournament opener makes that difficult for the nation. “I think it would be a huge blow if we don’t make it to the Gold Cup again. All the work we have put in through the years trying to get football to another level in Belize, it wasn’t easy,” Belize forward Deon McCaulay told Goal USA. “I think that if we don’t make it, it’s going to be something huge. We’d have to start all over again.” To get through a win Sunday against Guatemala is a must, and it will require the team to generate more in attack than it did against los Catrachos. “I’ve evaluated the last game that I played, and I think that I need to come down more for the ball and try to take on players one-on-one and try to find open spaces and help the other players moving forward with me move into space so I can create more,” McCaulay said. “I just plan to be explosive tomorrow and try to bring the best game I can bring.”

Videos

Video: BELIZE BOY- DAY WITH DESTINY PROD BY CHILL THA MONSTER, 5min.

Video: Belize's World Famous Dive Sites-SD (480p), 5min.

Video: Our Beautiful Belize-SD (480p), 3min.

Video: Margaret Usher: Belize's Softball Ace Pitcher!, 18min.
The sixth episode of a documentary series called Belizean Legends that will profile Belizean softball legend and ace pitcher Margaret Usher as she discuss with Belizean Legend host Bilal Morris how Belize beat the 1970's's softball world champions team the United States in the 1979 Pan-American Games. Usher was the pitcher that struck out the American batters and gave the Belizean national team the advantage in beating the softball world champions the United States in a historic 2-1 victory. With her outstanding accomplishments including this one in the international arena, Usher went on to become Belize's best pitcher ever in the history of the sport of softball in Belize. According to Belizean softball coaches and experts, no other Belizean softball pitcher had statistically accomplished her outstanding record as a pitcher.

Video: Pan Yaad Bands Concert in Belize City - September, 3min.
The Pantempters performing at the Pan Yaad Bands Concert at the House of Culture in Belize City, Belize - Marching toward the September 21st, Belize's 33rd anniversary as an independent nation. SHOW MORE

Video: Xunantunich Mayan Temples in Belize, 31min.
Touring the Mayan ruins of Xunantunich in Belize during our honeymoon cruise. SHOW MORE

Video: Snorkling the Hol Chan Marine Reserve in Belize, 2min.
Mike & Genevieve snorkeling in Belize in 2006.

Video: Caribbean Cruise | Episode III | Belize, 6min.

September 6, 2014

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

And the premiere of San Pedro's very first telenovela, La Isla Bonita, has kicked off!
Look out for more red carpet photos... (5 photos)

Isla Bonita Telenovela red carpet highlights!
(14 photos)

Man shot dead in San Pedro
San Pedro police have confirmed that a male individual was shoot and killed between midnight and 1AM in the San Pedrito area. Police believe he was ambushed when exiting a bar near his home. The individual sustained four gunshots. Police have recovered one 9mm bullet shell from the scene and one suspect has been detained. Police continue their investigation. The victims name will be released later today.

Veralina Rivas Awarded Officer of the Month for August
Woman Police Constable (WPC) 1672 Veralina Rivas was the proud recipient of August’s Officer of the Month Award. WPC Rivas was honored in a small ceremony on Monday, September 1st at the San Pedro Police Station. Her effectiveness and rational thinking in the past month earned her the recognition and prizes that come along with the title. Officer in Charge of the San Pedro Police Superintendent Luis Castellanos and Deputy Mayor Gabriel “Gaby” Nuñez were present to hand over the award and prizes. According to Castellanos, WPC Rivas carries herself in the police station with pride and always puts her work first. “WPC Rivas has never once complained when tasked to do something, even more she goes the extra mile to ensure that her cases are properly dealt with. WPC Rivas also takes the initiative in making decisions that will help the police station and has never let her personal life interfere with her working profession. For these and many more reasons, I believe she is the best candidate to receive the award,” said Castellanos.

163 days later, Police houses have still NOT been relocated
The San Pedro Police Department officially received their new housing barracks on Wednesday August 13th, thanks to the efforts of the San Pedro business sector. However there are still two houses that have not been delivered after months in the making. The two homes were originally donated to the Belize Coast Guard by the San Pedro Business Association (SPBA) and after they were vacated, were given to the San Pedro Police Department. Founding member of SPBA Elito Arceo, was prepared to move the houses months ago, but the San Pedro Town Council stepped in to take the task.

Exploring the country one village at a time!
Tamara has been in love with the name of this village since she heard it, and now, here I was, finding a way to go visit it! Excited at the prospect of finally setting foot in Double Head Cabbage, we began planning our first of hopefully many forays into the back roads of Belize. Room? Booked at the Howler Monkey Lodge. Wheels? Crystal Auto Rentals had us covered.

National Call to Action Conference on Women and Girls’ Financial Health
The National Call to Action Conference on Women and Girls’ Financial Health, hosted by the Special Envoy for Women and Children on Friday, August 29th, was a great success. The event was a continuation of the 20,000 STRONG Women’s Empowerment Campaign and had the participation of over 200 women and young ladies from across the country. These included aspiring, emerging and successful entrepreneurs who engaged in discussion about the opportunities, challenges and needs of women as business owners. 10659218_726061954148252_9063213613522004424_nThis exercise is a precursor and will inform the design of an economic development program that will support women entrepreneurs in starting, growing and sustaining their business. Collecting firsthand information from these women as well as organization working in entrepreneurship development was, therefore, a vital first step toward ensuring that program will be properly tailored to fulfill its purpose.

YJ’s Deli still operating on public land
Why is YJ’s Deli, located at the corner of Angel Coral and Black Coral Streets still allowed to operate on public land, free of charges? That is a question that has been on the mind of many island residents since the deli should have moved by June 14th. The deli was opened and allowed to provide food for construction workers of the San Pedro Boardwalk Project over three years ago, but that project was inaugurated in March, 2014, yet the deli is still operational. The deli is owned by the family of Joel Chi, the driver for the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation Manuel Heredia Jr. Back in May, the SPTC confirmed that YJ’s Deli had not been paying municipal tax and in fact was not even registered in the data base. Furthermore, in a previous interview in May, Mayor Daniel Guerrero explained that once the project was completed, the agreement was for the business to move out by a given time since that was an agreement under the Sustainable Tourism Project (STP). He also said that a reminder letter would have been sent to owners of YJ’s Deli. That time expired on June 14th, and as of press time, the business was bustling with patrons. Six months after the project was inaugurated, YJ’s Deli is still fully operational.

Ambergris Today

Moho Chocolate Factory - From the Bean to Chocolate Bar Tour
This week’s blog post took me to Moho Chocolate Factory and Cafe in Belize City, where I hung out with some of the most talented chocolatiers in the business. They showcased to me how their chocolate made from organic cacao is produced and taken from the bean straight to the bar. Moho Chocolate was established in January 2012 and is a producer of one of the highest quality chocolates made in Belize. All of the cacao used is sourced from Maya Mountain Cacao which is located in the pristine rainforest in the Toledo District of southern Belize; and farmed by local entrepreneurs. During the chocolate tour, I was informed by Charles that the Maya’s believe that chocolate is a good use for the rejuvenation, fertility and strength of the body. It is a fact that up to this day the Maya’s still believe and use the chocolate for its amazing properties. Chocolate contains 300 minerals, including: Copper - for growth and healthy enzymatic reactions, Zinc - for a strong immune system, and better digestion, Manganese – for better absorption of calcium, making healthier bones and Sulfur – for the proper function of our cells.

I’m Headed to Cancun to Represent Belize at TBEX
I’m so very excited to share this bit of news with all of you, as I can finally announce something really big for myself, Ambergris Today and Belize. I am traveling to Cancun, Mexico, next week for the TBEX Travel Bloggers Conference. However, I am not only going to the largest blogger’s conference as an attendee. I have been honored by the organization to represent Belize and participate as a panelist speaker.

Embassy of Belize in Mexico Launches Website
The Embassy of Belize in Mexico officially launched its website on 1st September, 2014. The site, which will be in both English and Spanish, contains information that may be useful to Belizeans as well as to residents of Mexico and other neighboring countries. The primary aim of the site is to encourage greater awareness about Belize, its system of government, and its unique geography, culture, and people. The website also serves to promote Belizean exports, investment opportunities, and tourism, and will provide information about consular services as well as educational opportunities.

Travellers Liquors Unveils New Flavored Belizean Rum
September is here and what better way to celebrate than with Travellers brand new “Belizean Rum”. The Belizean distillery just added a new flavor to its line of gold rum which they claim to be their best taste yet. The new rum hit stores countrywide today for Belizeans and visitors to enjoy during the country’s patriotic celebrations. At a media conference held at the company’s headquarters in Belize City on Wednesday, September 3, 2014, Travellers held the official unveiling of their new rum. “The Belizean Rum has come a long way and a lot of hard work has been put behind in making this rum, from the design to formulating the rum,” stated Travellers chemist Mr. Jose Reyes. “This is not a premium aged rum; it’s a premium rum. Selected from the most mature and finest aged barrels used to blend and flavor.”

Misc Belizean Sources

The flag of Belize
The flag of Belize is a continued version of the earlier flag of British Honduras (the name of Belize during the British colonial period). British Honduras obtained a coat of arms on January 28, 1907, which formed the basis of the “badge” used on British ensigns. The coat of arms recalls the logging industry that first led to British settlement there. The figures, tools, and mahogany tree represent this industry. From 1950 onward an unofficial national flag was in use. It was blue, with a modified version of the arms on a white disc in the centre (sometimes a blank white circle was used as the coat of arms was difficult to draw). The national motto, Sub Umbra Floreo, meaning “I Flourish in the Shade”, is written in the lower part of the coat of arms. Happy 33rd Independence to all Belizeans at home and abroad.

Artist Erwin Chan
Belizean artist Erwin Chan from the Cayo District attend the 25th Annual art Exposition of Guatemala's Regional School of Art "Humberto Garavito" in Guatemala. Congratulations to this great local artist.

Taiwan Computer Donation Ceremony
Sacred Heart College was the host of the Taiwanese computer donation ceremony yesterday. The new Taiwanese Ambassador, Benjamin Ho, gave a short, inspiring speech, and then presented the donated computers and projectors to many of the local primary schools, and SHJC's Hands for Life club, which works with the Taiwanese student groups every Summer. A big thanks to the Taiwanese Embassy, and all the great students from NTHU that spent a huge amount of time and effort acquiring the computers! "In July and August 2014, 12 volunteers from National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan visited Belize again for the fourth time. During their stay, the volunteers learnt that many elementary schools in Cayo District still did not have sufficient computer equipments and stationery for students’ learning. To improve the learning environment for the students, the volunteers sought assistance from Taiwan and secured the donation of these above-mentioned equipments and materials. "

Belikin Beer has a new look. They've changed the labeling on their beer bottles. They still have Altun Ha on there, and they kept the same great taste. Amusing musical selection for the commercial: the epic theme from 2001. "Belize Brewing Company proudly presents the new look with the same great taste of Belikin Beer! Produced by Ben Popik & Joanna Popik of Island Films.

Corozal Community College
As we begin this new school year, we want to remind parents that is is very important that they be involved in their children's education. We are organizing a series of meeting in September and are asking parents to make every effort to attend and become familiar with the policies of the school and meet their children's teachers. Below are the dates for the meetings by forms: September 11 (Thursday) - Fourth Form September 16 (Tuesday) - Third Form September 18 (Thursday) - Second Form September 23 (Tuesday) - First Form The meetings will begin at 3:00 p.m. at the Rudolph Wade Auditorium. Please make every effort to attend and be punctual. May you all have a wonderful weekend.

September Celebrations in Cayo
The SISE Town Council has made a complete schedule of Cayo's September Celebrations events. There's a lot on there, and it looks like there's an activity on most days, and this weekend too. Belmopan has a calendar of events too.

Maria Estella and Maybelline Beauty Show
Cayo's Maria Estella took her Maybelline Beauty Show on the road. She had a session in Cayo, and then one in Belize City. Daniel De La Torre was on hand to show how best to use the beauty products, and Danny Chung got some great before and after shots. "Both days were very successful. We hope that everyone who came out was pleased with everything they learned and bought. You were all a very receptive audience and we couldn't be more pleased. If there were any items that you missed out on, remember we distribute all over the country. We know everyone is excited to see their pictures, so those will be posted as soon as possible. Look out for them this coming week! Don't worry, this isn't the last of it, Daniel De La Torre was super impressed with the audience so he will be back. Thanks everyone!."

National Service Day
September 19th is National Service Day. It was created in honor of George Price. It's a day to help out in the community, and there will be plenty of community service events happening that day.

Belize Wins Gold at NCCWMA
Belize won a gold medal at the North, Central American and Caribbean World Masters Athletics Championship, which was held in Costa Rica last week. 3 Belizeans competed in the championship, and Daland Jones won the gold in the shot put competition. Congratulations, Daland Jones!

Channel 7

Security Guard Killed" ... For His Gun?
This morning at around 7:30, A security guard was shot on Sibun Street in the area of the city known as "Bak-a-Town". By noon, he was dead from his injuries. It's an unusual crime because, by all appearances, the victim, 21 year-old Corey Howard was a working man with no connections to any of the city gangs, the shooting defies known crime patterns. Tonight, his family is grieving his loss, and they're trying to make sense of his violent end, which has all appearances of one of those street slayings we've seen so many times. We spoke to police this afternoon, and to his family half hour before news time. Here's what they told us:

GSU's Back Is "Got" By The PM
There was a robbery foiled by the GSU today - more later, but, so the GSU is back in the headlines tonight, but, this time, for the right reasons. But, the issue of whether the unit does more harm than good is still very much a public and political debate. Today at the House Meeting in Belmopan the Prime Minister conceded there have been excesses but still endorsed the overall effectiveness of the Unit and its commander. That's after he stayed far from the war of words between former two term Prime Minister Said Musa and Inspector Mark Flowers:.. Mike Rudon, Ch5 "Could we get a comment from you on the exchange from the former and the head of the GSU?" Prime Minister Dean Barrow "They both said more that enough aren't they?"

House Debates Crime/GSU
But the debate about crime in general and the GSU specifically was not limited to those comments from the Prime Minister - it was also discussed on the House floor. That's where the representative from Toledo West, Oscar Requena discussed the recent heinous murder of Agripina Coc in his constituency. But when he moved from there to Belize City, that's when he entered the crosshairs of the police Minister John Saldivar. Here's how their exchange went:.. Hon. Oscar Requena, Toledo West "What is unprecedented though about it is the number of women and girls that are being targeted. We have seen many examples Mr. Speaker of innocent hard working Belizean women and young girls who are being murdered and slaughtered across this country by criminals who are running across this nation. When a man cannot provide for himself and his family, it is an attack on his manhood. When a woman cannot provide for her family, it is also an attack on her self-esteem and integrity and these are the issues that this government has to address Mr. Speaker. Just 3 days ago Mr. Speaker we witness on national television the incidents happening in the streets of Belize City in which a young man was beaten and it is allege that he was beaten so bad that he even soiled himself Mr. Speaker.

GSU Foils Robbery
Earlier on, you heard the Prime Minister's endorsement of the GSU and its controversial commander, Inspector Mark Flowers. And, today - in the middle of a public debate, the GSU proved its worth and showed why they're not going anywhere anytime soon. That's after they foiled a robbery in progress on Fabers Road. Here's how it happened, 3 men went to rob the Fabers Road Snack Shop. They almost made off with major loot and electronics, but because the GSU had prior information, they got a police officer out on the scene in time. It led to a shoot out, but at the end, all 3 suspects were detained. 7News was on the scene shortly after and we spoke to the commander about the details:

GOB Moves To Bar Mandatory Bar Membership
Earlier on, you saw the discussion in the House of Representatives about crime - but that was about it for across the floor fireworks today - in what was mostly an unremarkable House Meeting. But there was important legislative business, namely the introduction of two prices of long - anticipated legislation, namely the Firearms Amendment Bill and the Legal Profession Amendment Bill. The Legal profession bill seeks to install the Chief Justice as the chairman of the general legal council and to make it so that lawyers no longer have to be members of the bar association. The Prime Minister discussed both:.. Jules Vasquez "Is this a symptom of your fatigue with the Bar Association? You have said that it is instrumentalize by a group of PUPs." Prime Minister Dean Barrow

New Gun Law Is A Work In Progress
The other bill that was introduced and will have to go for lengthy consultation is the Firearms Amendment Bill and the Crime Control and Criminal Justice Bill. The firearms bill has to do with who all get arrested when a gun is found at a property, and the crime control and criminal justice has to do with bail for firearm offences. As has been widely publicized, the gun laws have come under heavy criticism as being oppressive and based on a presumption of guilt, rather than innocence. So, government has changed it - but the legal drafting went right up to the very last minute and from the PM's comments today it was clear that it is still a work in progress:... Jules Vasquez "The average man and woman would just want to know what has been describe as an odious position in the law that everyone in a household or in a vehicle gets taken under joint enterprise."

Hon. Briceno Says KHMH Compensation Not Enough
One other subject of great public interest that came up at today's House Meting was the KHMH and the recent settlement in the case of five of the 13 babies who died inside the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in May of 2013. According to Orange Walk Central Representative John Briceno, the families got ten thousand dollars each for their babies:.. Hon. John Briceno, OW Central "It is only at the mediation that the CEO decided to make an offer. An offer of a measly $10,000 for each mother Mr. Speaker. Mothers that have been grieving, they have been suffering, they have been wondering why is this happening to them, why is it that the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital which supposed to be the premier hospital in this country have let them down. Mr. Speaker this is not just a slap in the face of these women or these mothers but also an insult to the memory of these children. $10,000 for the death of 5 of the innocent children from an institution and ministry that is riddled with corruption, mismanagement and wasteful spending."

Stann Creek Villagers Protest Outside House
And while Briceno protested the ten thousand dollar payment inside the house, outside there was another protest, this one about land. A group of about 40 villagers from Stann Creek gathered at the steps of the National Assembly building to voice their concerns because they say they their village lands are the subject of a land grab. Courtney Weatherburne heard their complaints. Courtney Weatherburne reporting While there were the usual fiery exchanges between members of the House, a small but vocal crowd of protesters assembled outside. Silk Grass and Santa Cruz residents are claiming that UDP Standard Bearer Melvin Hulse is illegally selling off their land and according to them, it is facilitated by corruption in the Lands department.

First Caribbean Bank Cautioned For Discrimination On House
And one subject that did not escape comment in the House today was the allegation of language discrimination at the First Caribbean International Bank. As has been widely reported, the Bank has been condemned because a senior staffer Uwahnie Martinez alleges tat she was scolded for talking to a customer in Garifuna. She is one of two Garifuna employees at the Dangriga branch of the Bank and other reportedly has also filed a grievance with the Christian Workers Union. Today the Area Representative for Dangriga named that other long time employee:.. Hon. Ivan Ramos, Dangriga "It was not the employee that started the conversation. It was the customer and so the employee basically responded in Garifuna. Mr. Simeon Joseph Jr. has been with the bank from the time of Barclay's Bank for 32 years. A respected gentleman, an intelligent and productive gentleman, one that has the admiration of the Garifuna community and I believe by extension of Belize because he has also worked at other branches. Uwahnie Martinez, a Garifuna woman again concern with the same issue. She was born in Hopkins, she is a Garifuna. Her first language is Garifuna, so to be told that she cannot speak Garifuna in the bank, this is unacceptable and I come here today to ask this honorable house to reaffirm then to the Belizean people and to all of us that discrimination will not be tolerated anywhere in this country."

Mayor Says He Will Have A Solution For Belmopan Market Vendors
On Tuesday we told you about the distraught market vendors in Belmopan who claim that the city council is charging them outrageous fees for a spot at the new market place in front of the Civic Center. Well, today at a meeting between the Mayor and the vendors, he told us that the fees are not outrageous at all and that he has negotiated a feasible payment plan with the vendors. Simeon Lopez, Mayor - Belmopan City "As to increase in prices no, it's only $2 per day. What we were suggesting you can pay the one thousand dollars plus in advance and that's okay, we don't have to collect from you from the rest of the year again. Lots of them couldn't meet that and we agree well, we will charge you per month."

Arthur Goes Viral
In the past three weeks - attorney and PUP politician Arthur Saldivar has become one of the most talked about national figures - and, let's just say, most of those discussions don't center on his positive traits. And tonight it's gotten even worse - after a video emerged where he's caught in an unfortunate exchange with a managing shareholder of Roberts Grove Resort in Placencia. The video was captured, allegedly by Boris Mannsfeld last week Saturday, August 30. Saldivar is confronted by Mannsfeld holding a camera, and he let's off a few choice words. He clearly is being baited, but, much to his detriment, he falls for it - and the rest is viral video history after the video was posted on youtube last night. We've had to bleep and blur out a few parts, but here it is:

Speedbump fiasco On Princess Margaret Drive
Last night on the news, we spoke to Francis Woods of CISCO Construction about Central American Boulevard and whether it will be ready for Carnival Day next Saturday. We also used the opportunity to ask him about the speedbump confusion on Princess Margaret Drive. That road was recently paved without speedbumps, and then the jackhammers came in to install speedbumps, and then those jackhammers came back to destroy those speedbumps, so that new ones could be installed. Woods told us, it's their bad:.. Francis Woods, Contractor - CISCO Construction "We were quite upset, that was a simple miscommunication between ourselves and the person that did it. However we are taking them out and putting a very soft bump. We want that the bump still is there to slow down traffic, but that it's not very dramatic going over it. We want to consider cyclist as well because they have to go over it. Whenever we have races and stuff we want to make it nice enough that they can go over it easy."

Mas From The Mas Camps
A few minutes ago - you probably heard thumping music in the background of this newscast. Don't get it wrong, we're not having a September party - that was the carnival motorcade, just part of the riotous buildup to Carnival Day. All of it is an effort to foster that true Carnival spirit - which Monica Bodden and Codie Norales got another heaping serving of when they went to the Mas camps last night. Here's what they found:..

PM Exposes PG Mayor
And from carnival we go right back to politics. Today the Prime Minister ended the house meeting with allegation of a very irregular transaction by the mayor of Punta Gorda town and two of his councilors, here's how he described it:.. Prime Minister Dean Barrow "But that a part, that Punta Gorda Town Council administered by his great People's United Party and in particular stewarded by Mayor Anthony Fuentes gave instructions to the Toledo Teachers Credit Union Limited to make deductions from the council's subvention monies forwarded by government to repay a loan of $32,187.42 that the PUP Punta Gorda Town Council had secured from the Toledo Teachers Credit Union Ltd. In addition to that, the mayor you see instructed the Toledo Teachers Credit Union Ltd. to also take out from the town council monies deductions in order to repay the personal loan of the PUP Mayor of the Punta Gorda Town Council. Toledo Teachers Credit Union Ltd. shall maintain direct deduction from the subvention for commitments for 3 of the officers of the Punta Gorda Town Council in respect to the mayor and deputy mayor and the particular PUP councilor in relation to their personal liabilities herein considered. You want the government to give monies to your town councils when their town councils behave in this fashion? Give instructions for government monies to be use to service their personal loan? Sir, not today, not tomorrow, not ever."

Channel 5

Security Guard Murdered In Morning Shooting on Sibun Street
It has been rather quiet over the past few days in the Old Capital…that was until this morning when the silence on the streets of the city was shattered by [...]

Armed Robbery on Fabers Road, Quick Response Leads to Arrest of 6 Persons
There was a late-morning armed holdup in Belize City today, where thieves entered a business establishment on Fabers Road Extension and proceeded to lift several items, including cash from the [...]

Belize City Teen Allegedly Raped Inside a Hotel
Police are also reporting a disturbing incident of rape in the city. A seventeen-year-old female minor is reporting that she was raped inside a hotel on the Phillip Goldson Highway. [...]

GSU Commander Highlights the Successes of Its Operations
The Gang Suppression Unit, in recent days, has come under sustained fire from the public for its strong-arm approach to crime fighting. Of late, there have been allegations made against [...]

P.M. Barrow Comments on Gang Suppression Unit
Following today’s sitting of the House of Representatives, Prime Minister Barrow was asked about the exchange between former Prime Minister Said Musa and GSU head Mark Flowers. The exchange has [...]

Stann Creek Residents Protest House Meeting Over Land Issues
While things inside the House of Representatives were relatively tame today, comparatively speaking, there was a very vocal protest outside the House. About one hundred villagers travelled a long way [...]

John Briceño Condemns Paltry Settlement from K.H.M.H.
Earlier this week, five mothers of babies who died in the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in May 2013 received settlement from that institution. Investigations by the Pan American Health Organization [...]

…and Widespread Corruption at the Hospital
That wasn’t the fiery debate just yet…that came when Briceño went after former K.H.M.H. Director of Finance Carlos Perera. Perera was fired by the K.H.M.H. Board recently, following a series [...]

Body of Dangriga Resident Washes Up on Beach
Dangriga Police are tonight investigating the sudden death of a forty-five-year-old resident. Details are that the man went swimming earlier this morning and his body was later found floating near [...]

ASR Clarifies Fair-trade Sugar Misconceptions
There was quite a scare in the sugar industry last week, when it was announced that there would be a considerable reduction in the quantity of fair-trade sugar to be [...]

P.M. Barrow on Sugar Cane Farmers Association
Prime Minister Dean Barrow lashed out at the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, the body which administrates the eighteen cane-farming branches. ASR has maintained that the decision to reduce quota [...]

National Bank 1 Year Later
The National Bank of Belize recently celebrated its first birthday, with much the same fanfare with which it celebrated its birth. Today, Prime Minister Dean Barrow lauded the institution which [...]

Honorarium Concert at B.T.L. Park
This weekend in Belize City promises to be quite eventful and fun-filled, with lots to do for the entire family. While there is the Sir Barry’s Belikin Bash and the [...]

Mas Camp 2014 Wraps Up in Belize City
The Carnival Road March 2014 is a week away and since Tuesday of this week, the fourteen bands competing were judged in the preliminary stage of the event. Thursday was [...]

CTV3

The North Records Another Suicide
There is another suicide case to report tonight, 36 year Fidel Catzim, a mechanic from Sarstoon Street took his own life sometime in the wee hours of this morning according to authorities. Deputy Commanding the Orange Walk Police formation, Inspector Selvin Tillett says the exact events that caused Catzim to allegedly kill himself are unclear. Inspector Selvin Tillett – Deputy Commander, OW Police “On Thursday 4th of September, at about 6:10am acting upon information police visited Sarstoon Street in Orange Walk Town and upon arrival they saw the lifeless body of a male person identified to be Fidel Catzim 36 year a Belizean mechanic of above mentioned address was seeing hanging on a beam inside his room, initial investigations reveals that he was at home with his nice Nikita flowers hanging with an electrical wire inside his bedroom apparently dead, he was last seen alive about 1:00am todays date at about 9am the post mortem examination was conducted on the body of Fidel Catzim and has caused death as a consequence of hangin.”

BSI And BSCFA To Resume Discussion on Commercial Agreement
A meeting between the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association and the Belize Sugar Industries Limited is scheduled for Monday September 8th 2014 to resume negotiations for the Commercial Agreement. Currently no agreement exists between the miller and the producer to purchase sugar. While both entities agree on most of the conditions placed on the agreement, the negotiation on bagasse revenue sharing is proving to be a setback for the agreement to be signed. So, will anything change during the upcoming meeting? We will let you decide for yourself. Mac McLachlan- International Advisor ASR Group’s “We have put forward a formula for the payment of bagasse which we believe it is sensible, it is scientifically based and that we believe should form part of that agreement.”

Has The Ministry Of Transport Address Taxi Issues At The Northern Border?
Last week we had the opportunity of interviewing Chief Transport Officer Crispin Jeffries on several issues dealing with road safety including drunk driving. In that Interview we also asked him for an update on the issue with Belizean and Mexican taxi drivers at the Old Belize Chetumal Border. At that time Belizean taxi drivers claimed that the Mexican taxi operators were invading their territory thus affecting their business. In sight of the situation, Jefferies told CTV3 News that the matter would be investigated and apparently it was. When we spoke to him last week he told us that the department addressed the situation and the Mexican taxi drivers are no longer allowed to work in the area. A few of them though, can be seen parked inside the casinos parking lot since they are hired by clients of the casinos.

Another Robbery Committed In Corozal
Tonight there is one more report of robbery that is coming out from the Corozal District. This time the victim is a 41 year old woman from the village of Ranchito. Today Ana Sosa walked in to the Corozal Police station and reported to police that on August 30th, around 2:00am while she walked around Maya Hotel located on the Philip Goldson Highway, she was attacked by four to five male persons. According to her report made to police five days after, she was beaten by all five men and to make matters worse her red Samsung Galaxy phone with calling number 628-8080 of an unknown value was stolen from her. She also reported that her purse with personal documents and $80.00 was also taken.

100 Pound Cylinder Of Butane Reduces By $1.00
The price for a 100-pound cylinder of butane gas has gone down by $1.00. In the north, a hundred pound cylinder tank of Liquid Petroleum gas from Belize Gas Limited went from $115 to $114 and in Corozal the price went from $114 to $113. LPG from Belize Western Energy Limited, Southern Choice Butane, Zeta Gas and Tomza Gas went from $112 to $111 and in Corozal from $111 to $110.

Tate And Lyle's Move has Nothing To Do With Bagasse Negotiations
While it has been said that Tate and Lyle’s decision to drastically reduce the amount of Belize’s Sugar sold to Fair Trade is due tom the changing EU market, there are those who think otherwise. When the news first broke the first question that was asked was, Is Tate and Lyle pressuring cane farmers to accept BSI’s proposal of 51 cents payment per ton of bagasse? According to McLachlan, that is another misconception. Mac McLachlan- International Advisor ASR Group’s “That’s absolutely false and incorrect as I have mentioned before it is due to the market and it has nothing to do with the bagasse negotiations.”

Suicide, A Silent Killler
Known as the ‘silent epidemic’, in today’s society, suicide continues to be a major problem. Suicide is a huge but largely preventable public health problem, causing almost half of all violent deaths and resulting in almost one million fatalities every year, as well as economic costs in the billions of dollars, says the World Health Organization (WHO). Estimates suggest fatalities could rise to 1.5 million by 2020. But on a local scale in Belize, the Ministry of Health is indicating that the suicide rate for the country is 5.3 per 100,000, which is one of the lowest among Central American countries. But according to Eleanor Bennett, Nursing Administrator at the Ministry of Health, a single suicide case is one too many and that it is a serious issue that is related to mental illnesses such as depression.

Tate and Lyle Defends Its Decision To Reduce Quantity Of Sugar sold Under Fair Trade
On Tuesday August 26th 2014, the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association received the shocking news that for the 2014/2015 crop, Tate & Lyle would only be selling a minimum of 10,000 tons of Belize’s sugar to Fair Trade. That’s 55 thousand less than what was sold for the 2013/2014 crop season. It is also a huge hit financially. For the 2013/201 4 crop season the BSCFA will collect close to 8 million dollars in Fair Trade premiums. But for the 2014/2015 crop the association will only receive a little over a million dollars due to the reduction. While the association made a huge noise over the issue sighting that the drastic cut would affect cane farmers and the sugar industry on a whole, BSI/ASR, who owns Tate and Lyle, has kept silent about the situation. That is until today. In an interview with ASR Group’s International Advisor, Mac McLachlan, he told us that there have been various misconceptions when it comes to Tate and Lyle’s latest move. He also added that the cutback is not only for Belize but for suppliers across the board. Here is how McLachlan defended the company’s decision.

LOVE FM

Mayor Darrell Bradley Speaks about Street project
The street works continue around Belize City and yesterday when we sat down with Maor Darrell Bradley we asked for an update. MAYOR DARRELL BRADLEY “We are right now at 125 streets. Because of our projects we are kind of very mindful that we want to finish a lot of work going on into the rainy season. Right now we are finishing up Seashore drive which looks very nice; we are doing York Street and Lancaster Street. I am getting bids for the extension of Vernon Street and I am talking about the other side of Vernon Street across from Central American Boulevard onto the Western Highway. We are also looking at extending King Street from Canal to Canal that is one of the bids we are looking at also. We are going to finish West Canal, we did East Canal that is to be finished from Bishop Street to Regent Street West and then we are going to finish that and we are going to do West Canal and we are connecting a lot of the areas.

Slight Increase in Crime in Toldeo
A slight increase in crime has been reported in the Toledo District; here is correspondent Paul Mahung. Paul Mahung “Punta Gorda Police Station Sergeant Concepcion Cal spoke of the crime figures for last month as compared to that of July.” CONCEPCION CAL “Major crimes for the month of August 2014 at the Punta Gorda Police Formation category 2014 are: murder 1, rape 1 , Carnal Knowledge 0, burglary 4, theft 1, robbery 1, a total of 8.” PAUL MAHUNG “How does this compare to the month of July Sergeant?” CONCEPCION CAL “For the month of July we have murder rated as 0 for that particular month, rape 0, Carnal Knowledge 0, Burglary was 1, Theft 3, Robbery 0 that was a total of 4. In comparison now we have noted that burglaries have gone up to 3 and we have 1 murder for this month in comparison to last month which was 0, that is equivalent also to rape which is 0 but this month it went up to 1 so there’s a big difference.”

Calendar of Events launched In Belmopan
“The Belmopan September Celebration Committee will officially launch their calendar of events this evening at the Independence Plaza in Belmopan. Love News spoke to Deputy Mayor and Chairlady of the Committee Anna Guy who shared with us the different activities planned for this year’s celebrations.” Anna Banner Guy: “This year the Belmopan September Celebrations Committee is very excited about keeping it at home. We plan to have all of our activities to be family oriented and a time for enjoyment in our own municipality. Today we are excited about the launching of the Belmopan September Celebrations and we’re handing out our calendars all over the city and have been doing that for the past week but we officially launch today at 6pm at Independence Plaza which is of course at the steps of the Assembly building.

18 years of Belize Expo Show
The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry once again will be hosting the Annual Expo Belize Market at the ITVET Compound on Freetown Street tomorrow and Sunday. This marks the 18th year of the Trade show and this year it is expected to be even bigger and better than last year. There will be many small and medium businesses that will be promoting their products and services to the public. Love News met with BCCI, Expo coordinator Yorshabell Cattouse who spoke more about this year’s expo YORSHABELL CATTOUSE “This year marks eighteen years since the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been organizing Expo Belize Marketplace. This weekend it takes place at the IT VET grounds on Freetown Road Belize City starting from 8am to 5pm. We have tickets on sale; it is 5 dollars adults, 3 dollars kids. If you want to buy your tickets in advance and not stand in the lines you can do so at our office on Coney Drive at the Western Union office and also at Doony’s on Albert Street and Totos on Orange Street.

Body of Dangriga Man Retrieve from Sea
The body of a food vendor was retrieved from the sea earlier today in Dangriga. Correspondent Harry Arzu has the story. HARRY ARZU “The body of a man was found floating in the sea here in Dangriga in front of Holy Ghost Primary School. He has been identified as 45 year old Simon Norberto, a food vendor of the Rivas Estate area of this municipality. His common law wife said that he left home this morning at about 5:10AM to go swimming like he did yesterday. Just before six this morning his body was found floating in the sea. Here is an eyewitness account from a person who was about to take a swim in the same area, Denmark Hernandez.” DENMARK HERNANDEZ “I was going to take a swim this morning and upon reaching Deep Pride in front of the Holy Ghost School I saw a bicycle and a couple clothes. I didn’t see anybody or anything so I decided to take a little work out. I was there and I tried to see if anybody would come out of the water from the surroundings from where I saw the bicycle and the clothes. I didn’t see anyone come out of the water around me so I decided to go in. It was when I was going in the water that I saw the body of a person floating and I thought it was a manatee or something. I decided to look at the body for a little while. Upon reaching the man I saw him and called the BDF because they were around and they came to the beach side and they saw the body. I realized it was the body of Simon Nolberto my neighbor in ‘Rivas’ Estate.”

Silk Grass Residents Protest In front of National Assembly Building
While members of the House of Representatives were meeting inside the National Assembly building, outside, residents of Silk Grass Village were registering their frustration and anger against the Lands and Survey Department. As we have been reporting for over a week now, a hundred villagers are upset that the officers at the Lands Department do not want to take their monies for leases they possess. Chairman, Soloman Andrews, told us what he hopes to achieve by way of the demonstration. SOLMAN ANDREWS “From since 2008 they tried to go in to pay their leases and they can’t pay their leases so we drew the attention to the lands department and said look the people can’t pay their leases, they need to pay their lease because the grave period is soon up sometime early in next year and they still get denied to let the people go in and pay their lease. So three weeks ago they said that the people could have gone in and paid their lease and I sent the people to make cheques and they gave them all different dates, they also gave me a different date so we are here today to see what we can get resolved because the people need to pay their lease because the seven years is near and they need to pay their leases so that they can construct their property.”

Legal Profession Bill Discussed
Another significant bill that was introduced today at the Sitting of the House of Representative was the Legal Profession Bill. The Bill is the brainchild of Minster of Foreign Affairs and Attorney General, Wilfred Elrington. The Bill seeks to amend the Legal Profession Act, Chapter 30, to provide for the composition of the General Legal Counsel to remove the requirement of compulsory membership by attorneys-at-law to the bar association of Belize. Prime Minister Dean Barrow, spoke about the bill. PRIME MINISTER DEAN BARROW “The reconstitution of the general legal counsel with the Chief Justice as chair ought to result in not just a quicker initial hearing of complaints brought against attorneys at law by members of the public but bringing finality to such complaints more quickly. Let me explain. Before the matter had to go to the general legal counsel and the Chief Justice, no judge of the Supreme Court sat on the general legal counsel. The general legal council would make a finding and then that had to go to the Chief Justice for confirmation or for perhaps his disagreement. This way he chairs the thing so its a one stop kind of operation now and so there ought to be dispatched into dealing with complaints that’s the first major aspect of the amendment. The second is very straight forward, to remove this mandatory requirement that all attorneys at law become members and pay fees to the bar association of Belize. “

Area Rep slams down on Ministry of Health
Area Representative for Orange Walk Central, John Briceno, also criticized the Government of Belize and the Ministry of Health, after audit reports, proved that large sums of monies were being misappropriated at several health institution including the Southern Regional Hospital and Central Health Region. Briceno called out the former Financial Secretary of the KHMH, Carlos Perrera. Area Rep OW Central John Briceno “Let me remind you Mr. Speaker and remind my honorable colleagues in this honorable house that way back as June the 19th of 2009 in this National Assembly I called that attention of the Prime Minister about the hustling and the corruption at the KHMH led by its ring leader the former CFO one Mr. Carlos Perrera a well-connected UDP lackey from Orange Walk, Belize City. He married to a beautiful young lady from Orange Walk and that is why he is in Orange Walk, he is from Belize City. He was the one that was leading the big hustling in the purchases of the medicines. Let me give you a few examples to remind ourselves as to what was happening. “

KHMH CEO’s action chastised by Area Representative for Orange Walk Central John Briceno
On Tuesday, through a mediation session, five of the thirteen mothers who lost their babies at the KHMH in May of 2013, agreed to a settlement offered by the Management of the Karl Huesner Memorial Hospital. Attorney for the five mothers told the media that day, that both parties were satisfied with the settlement. Area Representative for Orange Walk Central, John Briceno, chastised the CEO of the KHMH for the amount of money paid to the five mothers. Area Representative for Orange Walk Central John Briceno “It is only at the mediation that then the CEO decided to make an offer. An offer of a measly $10,000 for each mother. Mothers that have been grieving, suffering, that have been wondering why this has happened and why it is them, why it is that he KHMH which is to be the premier hospital in this country have let them down.

Prime Minister Barrow agrees with Response from Head of GSU Mark Flowers
Earlier in the week Love News aired the comments made by former Prime Minister of Belize, Said Musa, about the aggressive tactics being exercised by the Gang Suppression Unit. Musa pledged that if the PUP would come into power at the next general elections, one of the many things they would do is to disband the GSU. The comments did not sit well with the Head of the GSU, Inspector Mark Flowers, who fiercely fired back at Musa by saying that Musa’s comments were irresponsible. That response sparked a wave of controversy between the People’s United Party and the GSU. Prime Minister Dean Barrow, backed up Flowers saying that he believes that the senior parliamentarian was out of line. PRIME MINISTER OF BELIZE DEAN BARROW “I would like to feel that there is a stronger internal mechanism to deal with excess when they occur. I would like for us to have an ideal situation where excess don’t occur but that’s not going to happen, this is not a perfect world.

BSCFA debt written off by G.O.B
The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association has been having a rough couple of weeks. First, they have not come to an agreement with ASR over the payment of bagasse and they were later notified that Fairtrade would only take a specific amount of their sugar for sale. The BSCFA, however, received some sort of alleviation after the Government of Belize announced that it write off an outstanding balance to a loan owed by the BSCFA, as explained Prime Minister Dean Barrow. PRIME MINISTER DEAN BARROW “Mr. Speaker this is the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association loan right off number two motion 14. Whereas a resolution was adopted by this honorable house on the 12 December 2013 approving the right off of the sum of Belize $2,866,835 payable by the Belize Cane Farmers Association under the sugar price stabilization fund and whereas the association has now informed the government that the actual balance of the loan has changed and that has shone in the 2011-2012 audited financial accounts of the association is in fact $3,702,378 and not $2,866,835 as previously intimated and has requested the government to write off the balance $835,543 and whereas the view of the association’s audited financial statements there is no likelihood that it would be able to repay this balance in the foreseeable future.

Fire Arms acts to be Amended
The House of Representatives met today in Belmopan where several issues of national concern were discussed. Several bills were presented including one to amend the Firearms Act. In recent times several media reports have highlighted what is being called the unfair gun laws where several people are arrested and sent to jail without bail. According to Prime Minister Dean Barrow, the acts aims to relieve hardship in genuine circumstances for those caught up in such situations. PRIME MINISTER OF BELIZE DEAN BARROW “The drafting wasn’t being done quickly enough for various reasons I am not blaming anyone and at the cabinet meeting on Tuesday it wasn’t quite ready so it was agreed that the Minister and his people would get together with my favorite draftsman Mr. Gian Ghandi so that quick bit of work could be done. I only then saw the finished product yesterday and the rest of the cabinet had to sort of go on faith that the amendments would achieve the objective that we want and strike the fine balance but the question of joint possession and trying to ensure that there is not this automatic joint possession charge looking at who is the head of the household and providing circumstances in effect you can’t charge at all if you are to avoid the mischief.

Young Woman Set Up By A Friend To Get Rape
One man has been detained following a rape report. According to Police, the young woman was set up by one of her friends. POLICE PRESS OFFICER RAPHAEL MARTINEZ “Her friend arrived to pick her up in a taxi. The friend was apparently with her boyfriend and of course with an unknown man was sitting in this taxi cab as well. This young lady was taken to a hotel on the Philip Goldson Highway where her friend told her I will come back for you and that never did materialize. The young lady was then taken into a room by this unknown person to her and she was raped.” The Police is asking the public, especially parents to be vigilant and to advise their children accordingly. As it relates to the suspect who is accused of the murder of 61-year-old Agripina Coc in the Toledo District, no charges have been filed as yet.

Chinese Store Robbed
Meanwhile a number of young men have been detained following a robbery at the corner of Lionel Tillett and Faber’s Road. Police Press Officer Raphael Martinez “This was at the corner of Lionel Tillet and Faber’s road extension here in Belize city where some young men robbed a Chinese store. However that is still being processed as we speak but I can tell you that we have since apprehended six persons and they are presently in detention. As I mentioned before we are processing this new development and we believe we have also recovered all the items that were stolen.”

PlusTV

Security Guard Fatally Shot Outside His Belize City House
21 year old security guard Corey Douglas Howard was shot around 7:40 Friday morning in Belize City, and died later that evening. Mr Howard, who works with KBH Security Services, was in front of a white house on Sittee Street near the Lakeview Street Canal, when he was attacked. Sources say tell us...

Michael Rhaburn rearrested and charged for murder of Clifford Cruz
On Thursday, Twenty-year-old Jermaine Michael Rhaburn was rearrested and charged once again for the murder of BDF volunteer soldier Clifford Isaac Cruz. Clifford Cruz was murdered on October first of 2012, on the compound of Militia Hall located near the Lord Ridge Cemetery in Belize City, where M...

Official September Celebrations opening for Belmopan
The official September Celebrations opening for Belmopan got on the way this evening at the steps of the National Assembly...

Suspected Murderer of Agripina Coc is Captured
The man suspected to have been responsible for the murder of Agripina Coc was captured on Thursday, with the assistance of residence from San Marcos Village. On Monday August 1st the body of Agripina, an elderly Mayan woman, was found a short distance away from her home in the rural community of San...

Minister of Local Government appoints Financial Controller for the Punta Gorda Town Council.
Municipal elections cycle every three years in Belize and, with only about 6 months away from another one, scrutiny from the Department of Local Government has increased, especially against the PUP Punta Gorda Mayor Anthony Fuentes and his council...

San Ignacio Town Board taken to court by SSB for lack of payments
UDP Mayor John August and the San Ignacio Town Council have been taken to court for withholding Social security fees from workers and not paying it to the social security Board for a period of three years.A summons was issued to the San Ignacio town Board to appear in the San Ignacio court on the ...

Concerns expressed over new Pomona Water Board
On Sunday at 10am, Pomona Village Council held change over ceremony for its new Water Board. Pablo Wagner is the immediate past chairman and has handed over to incoming Chairman Adriano Vanegas. According to Area Representative, Hon Rodwell Furgeson, the outgoing board had done a stellar job, keepin...

Silk Grass and Santa Cruz residents to protest at National Assembly
Over the last week or so, PlusNews has been highlighting various issues raised by villagers in the south. These issues involve the resources of water and land in the villages of Silk Grass and Santa Cruz. PlusNews has confirmed that the residents from both villages will be staging a protest in front...

Second round of grants to small businesses participating in the Emprende project
The second round of grants to small businesses participating in the Emprende project co-sponsored by BELTRAIDE, the Center for the Promotion of Micro and Small Enterprises (CENPROMYPE), and the Republic of China (Taiwan), concluded on Thursday. From a field of 88, 14 persons were selected to receive...

Plans for a Nuclear Lab at UB to promote safe and peaceful nuclear technologies
Dr. Aaron Lewis, Assistant professor at the University of Belize, travelled to Jamaica in 2012 when he was asked to represent Belize at a regional workshop in Jamaica, where he pitched a proposal on behalf of the University to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the World’s Cooperation center in the Nuclear field. The idea is to establish a Nuclear Lab at the University of Belize in Belmopan to promote safe, secure and peaceful nuclear technologies.

Ranchito Village woman beaten and robbed
A 41 year old woman of Ranchito Village, Corozal District, reported that on August 30^th at about 2:00am, while she was walking around the Maya Hotel situated on Phillip Goldson highway, she was attacked by four to five men...

Deshawn Craig faces further charges in relation to firearm
As we reported on Wednesday, laborer Deshawn Craig faces further charges in relation to a firearm he tried to get rid of this week. It turns out that the firearm belonged to one Derrick Hemmans and was apparently stolen. Deshawn Craig was read charges of handling stolen goods and pleaded not guilty ...

Butane prices drop by a dollar countrywide
The price for liquid Petroleum, known also as Butane gas, is about to go down by a dollar in every district. According to a press release sent by the Belize Bureau of Standards, effective Friday September 5^th, the new controlled price per 100lb cylinder of liquid petroleum imported by the Belize Ga...

Amandala

“Brand new ” GSU accused of brutality
The Belize Police Department’s elite Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) which rolled onto the streets in late 2010 has frequently been accused of violating the constitutional and civil rights of residents of the south side of Belize City. They are once more being accused of the wanton brutalization of a citizen. Some GSU officers were operating on King Street early yesterday, Wednesday morning. In the wake of their departure, a West Street resident, Kariq Tzul, 23, who is the grandnephew of the Mesopotamia area representative Hon. Michael Finnegan, had to seek medical treatment, after he allegedly was severely beaten by the GSU officers. Deborah Myvett, Tzul’s mother, told Amandala this morning, Thursday, that she received a call asking her if she was aware that the GSU had beaten up her son.

Mexican authorities say “Hezbollah terrorists”; Lebanese community says “Belizean citizens”
Four Belizean-Lebanese citizens who traveled to Mexico were believed to be Hezbollah terrorists by Mexican police after they were informed that two Middle-Eastern men, believed to be terrorists, were with two women travelling in a grey BMW car with Belize registration on Friday in the Tulum City area of Quintana Roo, Mexico. The men were believed to be members of the terrorist organization Hezbollah, which, according to some reports, has been operating a cell out of Belize. The Mexican online newspaper Black Gold, of Friday, August 28, said that “Hacsam Elsayed and/or Hassan El Sayed,” linked to the militant group Hezbollah, had crossed the state onboard a Mercedez Benz from Belize.

Agripina Coc’s alleged killer caught
Five days after her gruesome death, Punta Gorda police, with the aid of unrelenting villagers, captured a 24-year-old resident of San Pedro Columbia, a village in the Toledo District, who was wanted in connection with the murder of villager Agripina Coc, 61, whose nude body was found in some bushes near her home with a large chop wound to the center of the head this past Saturday, August 30, at around 7:30 p.m. At about 10:00 a.m. today, the suspect, dressed only in boxer shorts, was detained; the clothing was the same clothing that he reportedly was wearing when he was last seen traversing the area where Coc had been murdered this past weekend. The young man was pinpointed as the primary suspect by fellow villagers of San Pedro Columbia, who were convinced that he was the culprit, since he was seen in the area when Coc was murdered, and also, because the residents allege that he was the man who has been harassing women of the village. The suspect has even been accused of sexually assaulting women in the village in the past.

Coast Guard saves 8 from the blue: 3 missing!
The Belize Coast Guard, in conjunction with a few other search organizations, is at press time tonight on a massive manhunt for three Cubans who went missing after their vessel, Helga, capsized just two miles east of Caye Caulker around 11:30 Saturday night, March 19. The Panama-flagged cargo vessel, which was loaded with salt bound for Mexico, from Honduras, and was carrying a crew of eleven, capsized after running into bad weather. The three members of the crew who are still missing are Alexis Gonzalez Cune, Nelson Perez Ardao, and the captain Arturo Edrei Garcia, ages unknown. Eight others — Iraelio Mengana Garcia, 47; Armando Garnado Martinez, 47; Humberto Iglesias Hernandez, 49; Antonio Perez Sadez, 37; Alfredo Porta Martinez, 43; Jose Consta Nalia, 46; George Herrera Aldana, 38; and Joaquin Ruiz De Zarate Arribas, 39 — survived the overturning of the vessel.

IMF calls on Belize to take “strong measures”
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) released its latest assessment of Belize this evening, and its executive board’s assessment calls on the Government of Belize to trigger “a vigorous policy response” to what the IMF describes as Belize’s weakened macroeconomic performance, “on the back of decelerating growth and increasing fiscal and external imbalances.” The IMF is calling for “strong measures” which it said “are necessary to moderate goods and services and wage-related outlays, reform the public employees’ pension system, and broaden the base for the general sales tax.”

CWU prez, Audrey Matura-Shepherd, not backing down on CIBC FirstCaribbean
The president of the Christian Workers Union (CWU), Audrey Matura-Shepherd, called a press conference on Wednesday afternoon to offer, via a public appeal, a “final opportunity” to CIBC for a meeting with the union to settle allegations coming out of its Dangriga branch that the only two Garifuna-speaking employees at that location, a male and a female, had been told that they could not speak their language in the bank. Matura-Shepherd said that one of the correspondences from the bank stated that the language was “loud and unwelcome.” She said that the Barbados arm of the bank, which runs the Belize operations, recently wrote her and tagged it as confidential, asking her to please not come public on the allegations.

Who pays the piper …
At the end of their lecture presentations on Wednesday morning at the Bliss glorifying the British Baymen and the Battle of St. George’s Caye, Mr. Fred Hunter concluded that “it was the Africans who won the battle,” but Mr. Francis Humphreys, the UDP Mayoral candidate in Dangriga, conceded that nothing changed in the enslaved condition of the said same Africans after September 10, 1798. In 1798 there were some naval episodes and confrontations between September 3 and September 10, featuring an invading Spanish fleet from the Yucatán and the defending British Baymen from the settlement of Belize. There were no casualties of any kind on the Baymen side, and no battle casualties of any kind on the Spanish side. This was not much of a battle, when we consider Borodino in 1812, say, and there is no record of its being celebrated until exactly 100 years later, because of an initiative organized by a BEC employee and subsidized by the colonial government of British Honduras.

From the Publisher
I had a unique experience this week. A 15-year-old St. John’s College student came to visit me at Kremandala on Partridge Street Monday afternoon. He was small, bespectacled, light-skinned, of Maya descent, and he lives with his parents on the Southside of Belize City. His main subjects are chemistry, biology, and physics, but he is interested in film making, which requires scripts, so for that reason he is looking at writing and writers, which brought him to us. Now when we see students back here, it is usually because some teacher gave them a specific assignment which required their visiting Partridge if they wanted to get a good grade. But this young student had come here on his own, as far as I could figure out. This made him special. I’m not sure whether to call my visitor a young boy or a young man. I guess I have to stay with “young student.” He had made contact with me through the newspaper office, which is to say, he had e-mailed the newspaper, the mail went to the editor’s desk and the editor forwarded it to me. I responded to the student through his e-mail address, and we arranged for him to come to Partridge.

Amendments prepared to “soften” gun law
BELIZE CITY–Government’s legal counsel, Gian Ghandi, SC, told Amandala today that amendments to both the Firearms Act and the Crime Control and Criminal Justice Act have been prepared and should be introduced in Parliament at tomorrow’s [...]

3 men charged with drug trafficking; only 1 convicted
BELIZE CITY–Two brothers and one of their cousins were jointly charged with drug trafficking, but at the end of the trial today in the courtroom of Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith, only one of the trio [...]

Coast Guard officer charged with manslaughter by negligence
BELIZE CITY–An officer of the Belize Coast Guard was today arraigned on a charge of manslaughter by negligence in connection with the death of a Crooked Tree resident, Benjamin Gentle, Jr., 20, which occurred on the [...]

Ebony Street resident sentenced to 5 years for unlicensed firearm and ammo
BELIZE CITY–A 21-year-old man who resides on Ebony Street was found guilty in the Magistrate’s Court today of keeping an unlicensed firearm and unlicensed ammunition. Stephan Anderson, who has had his share of remand time for [...]

Belize Softball and volleyball teams disqualified from playing at CODICADER Games in Guatemala
BELIZE CITY–There is a lot to be desired in the preparation of Belize high school teams that represent the country in the regional CODICADER Games. Participating student/athletes must be under 18 years of age, but we [...]

Kent and Shalini repeat as Lionman Triathlon 2014 Champions
BELIZE CITY–The 15th Annual Lionman Triathlon – a 1500 meter swim, followed by a 40 km ride, and ending with a 10 km run – was held on Sunday, August 31, a the Sand Lighters Promenade [...]

Lily White “Back to School”
BELIZE CITY–Primary schools across the city and country opened today, and there were some happy kids who received their school bags, books, pencils, etc. from their parents or from some kind souls helping out those in [...]

Table Tennis – Belize qualifies for Central American & Caribbean Games – Veracruz, Mexico 2014
BELIZE CITY–Belize has now officially qualified to participate in Table Tennis at the 2014 Central American & Caribbean Games, to be held in Veracruz, Mexico in November, 2014. Tyrone Tun and Carlos Cui successfully qualified in [...]

Power to the needy, not the greedy!
Dear Editor, Today, Friday, September 5, marks almost a year since the Penner Passport Scandal was disclosed to the citizens of this honorable country. It gives us a great indication of the incompetency of those in [...]

Diaspora of Belize: Organize!
Dear Editor, I am happy that my letter asking the Diaspora “what have you done for me lately”, has stirred once more, the debate about what constructive roles the Diaspora can and should play in Belize’s [...]

From New York City, Wellington Ramos
Dear Editor, The Gang Suppression Unit (G.S.U.) was implemented by the Government of Belize just like how the Police Special Force (P.S.F.) was implemented by the PUP back in the 1960’s to break up the U.B.A.D. [...]

September Celebrations officially opened
BELIZE CITY–The official ceremony to mark the opening of the 2014 September Celebrations was held today at the House of Culture in Belize City amidst a gathering of diplomats, public officials, government representatives and patriotic citizens. [...]

Belize no-show at UN migrant workers’ rights hearing
BELIZE CITY–The United Nations Committee on Migrant Workers is reporting that it has had to consider the Belize situation in the face of a no-show by the Government and its failure to submit a report to [...]

Alcoholism leads to death of Corozaleño
COROZAL–It is no secret that alcoholism is a serious and growing public health problem not only in our country, but all over the globe, and that is exactly what the family of a Corozaleño suspects was [...]

Blacks experience highest obesity rate in US-based study
BELIZE CITY–Last Friday, Belize health professionals discussed the prevalence of obesity, linked to non-communicable diseases such as cancer and heart disease, among Belizeans and the data depicted substantially higher obesity rates among Belizean women when compared [...]

Firearm Amendment not presented in Cabinet
BELIZE CITY–Although no draft of the Firearm Amendment Bill was presented in Cabinet on Tuesday as had been expected, it appears that an attempt is still being made to ensure that a draft is ready for [...]

Lawyers will no longer have to be members of Bar
BELIZE CITY–An amendment is due to be tabled in the National Assembly on Friday to remove the requirement for practicing attorneys in Belize to be paying members of the Belize Bar Association. The Legal Profession Act [...]

LPG down by a dollar
BELIZE CITY–Effective today, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), a mixture of propane and butane cooking gas, will inch down by a dollar on the 100-pound cylinder, according to an announcement from the Supplies Control Unit in the [...]

Nigerian man’s report to police led to the discovery of his illegal status in Belize
BELIZE CITY–A Nigerian man who witnessed a crime and decided to report it to police ended up in the custody of the Immigration Department after his passport revealed that he had overstayed his visit to Belize. [...]

The Reporter

Brazilian indigenous group expel illegal loggers from their land
Confrontation between a group of indigenous people in Brazil’s Amazon region and illegal loggers working in their communal forests have led to the detention and expulsion of the loggers. Leaders of the Ka’apor tribe accused the Brazilian authorities of failing to protect them and they proceeded to tie up the loggers and set fire to their trucks and chainsaws, before forcing them out. The logs found at the indigenous territory in the north-eastern state of Maranhao were also destroyed. The incident happened from August but has just come to light. The Brazilian indigenous agency, Funai, says it has requested tighter security in the Alto Turiacu Indian Territory to prevent violent clashes.

World Bank approves $60 million loan for climate change projectt
The World Bank has approved a $60 million loan for a project to improve infrastructure and to increase Belize’s capacity to manage the impacts of climate change. The project will be implemented over a five year span and financed from an International Bank for Reconstruction […]

KHMH CEO to go by end of September
Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) Chief Executive Officer Dr. Gary Longsworth said he will be vacating his post at the end of September. According to Longsworth, the hospital has not yet decided on his replacement but said he believes the post would be filled […]

Saldivar’s camp protests at PUP headquarters
PUP leader Francis Fonseca says that his party’s national executive supports the decision to suspend Arthur Saldivar pending the outcome of investigations into alleged misconduct. Fonseca told reporters this week that further to the suspension on Wednesday, September 17, the same body will decide […]

High cost of Stomach Flu in Belize
The economic burden caused by Acute Gastroenteritis (AGI), also known as stomach flu, is estimated at over $18 million, according to data released by the Ministry of Health. The ministry released some of the findings from the Burden of Illness (BOI) research study on AGI […]

‘Reparations not on Belize’s priority list,’ says Minister of Foreign Affairs
The Government of Belize is not aggressively pursuing the issue of reparations for slavery from European nations, says Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Wilfred Elrington. Elrington said that because of issues currently occupying the governments resources such as economic development and national security, reparations is […]

Rotary Donates school supplies to Central Assembly
The Rotaract Club of Belize made a donation of 50 school bags filled with school supplies to needy children of Central Christian primary school on Wednesday. According to Tanya Thompson, Community Service Director for Belize Rotaract Club, the children receiving the school bags with […]

Editorial
The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association received some bad news last week from their British sugar buyers, Tate & Lyle PLC. Tate & Lyle is now exercising its option to delay payment for sugar supplied throughout the year until after the sugar has been sold! ! This is harsh treatment […]

CWU to CIBC: its not over yet!
The Christian Workers Union is requesting a meeting with CIBC First Caribbean International Bank to discuss matters pertaining to the resignation of Uwahnie Martinez, the Dangriga branch’s employee who resigned after charging that the bank discriminated against the Garifuna language. The union requested the meeting […]

GSU working on transparency, says unit’s chief
Belize’s Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) is taking steps to improve the transparency of its operations, GSU Commander, Inspector Mark Flowers said Thursday. Flowers, who took over less than a month ago, told this newspaper that the GSU has established a system of recording its planned […]

More high school students have tried drugs than not
Three out of every four teenagers between the ages of 14 and 16 admitted they’ve tried drugs, a recent study by the University of Belize and the National Drug Abuse Control Council revealed. Four hundred and fifty high school students participated in the survey, and […]

Archeological sites to get new health and safety policies
A new Health and Safety Standards Policy will now regulate activities at archaeological sites across the country and a sensitization campaign will be launched to familiarize stakeholders with the new regulations. The official manual was handed over to the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) and […]

New bridge for Haulover Creek on the way
Procurement for the design and construction of a new bridge to span the Haulover Creek at mile five on the Philip Goldson Highway is expected to take place shortly as part of a multi-million-dollar project. The government had secured a loan of US $29 million […]

Patrick Jones

Man charged for Chukka robbery
This week we have been reporting on the recovery of a stolen firearm at the residence of 35 year old Deshawn Craig on Caesar Ridge Road. That firearm is alleged to have been stolen from Derrick Hemmans, the manager for Chukka Tours who was robbed in August. On […]

Youth re-charged for 2012 murder
19 year old Jermaine Rhaburn was released from charges of murder this past April when his case was struck out. He had been accused of the October 2012 murder of Clifford Cruz at the Belize Defence Force’s Militia Hall on the George Price Highway. Both Cruz and Rhaburn, […]

Policeman charged for gun assault on citizen
At the conclusion of an investigation spanning several months, police moved quickly to arrest one of their own. On Thursday Constable Linsdale Blease, 32, attached to Eastern Division’s Domestic Violence Unit, was arraigned on charges of aggravated assault and discharging a firearm in public. Blease is accused of […]

Security guard murdered in Belize City
21 year old security guard Corey Douglas Howard was shot and killed today. The shooting happened around 7:40 this morning in Belize City and Howard was taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in a critical condition. He died while undergoing treatment. Howard, who works with KBH Security […]

Blogs

Two tasty lunch options in San Pedro Belize
El Fogon is located just north west of the airstrip on the side street by Save On Grocery. Chaya Cafe at Zen Arcade is located south west of town by on the first side street past the old Belkin distributor by Island Academy school (would have mentioned Sea Star st. but it is highly possible there is there is no street sign). Fresh lime juice, stewed pork and key lime pie were my last menu picks at El Fogon, long time Belize food hot spot. My lunch was a little more expensive here at around $33 but still worth it and I was totally stuffed when done. This local Restaurant has been a much talked local favorite for years as you can read in the Ambergris Today restaurant review – Enjoy A Family Style Dinner at El Fogon Restaurant, also has great food pics by Jose Luis Zapata.

A Belize Airline Discussion: Slow Season, Ticket Prices, Cruise Ships & The Placencia International Airport
Just a few HUGE topics that affect each and every one of our lives in Belize – whether we work directly with the tourism industry or not. Tourism is estimated to make up just over 30% of employment in Belize and on Ambergris Caye? That number is much higher. So…just a few days ago, I was listing on my Facebook page the restaurants and hotels that were taking time off in September and October this year for renovations, for staff vacations or maybe just to save themselves from the dismal “slow season” P&L sheet. I then received an email – and it got me thinking about the slow season. Sure…it is “back to school time” around the world, the get-back-to-work season, and it is our rainy/storm time here in the tropics, but do we close because no one is here? Or does the fact that we close influence potential vacationers decisions about visiting Belize?

Profits from Incarceration
Seeing today how easy it is for a person to end up in jail, especially youth that have been forced for the most part into a life of crime because of unemployment rates, lack of opportunities, education and such in Belize; except that is if you know string to pull in the system. I want to share this report with you because it has been or will be in Belize pretty soon. How incarceration and the legal system have been setup for gains of some at the life and expense of others. Who runs the largest jail in Belize? Who pays for things offered by said jail? Just two questions that you should think of and there are more, think about it, thing in this article will ring bells.

24 Epic Journeys To Take Across Belize Before You Die
The creation of bucket lists has become a popular endeavor for many people recently. Often these lists include taking trips to foreign lands. If you have created this type of destination list or have the desire to travel, there are many Belize journeys to include on your list of things to do in Belize. Taking the work out of the search for you, below is a list of 24 Epic Journeys To Take Across Belize Before You Die.

5 Articles On Placencia Belize You Need To Read
For the past few weeks we have been collecting and sharing with our readers the best and most popular articles and blogs on Belize that are making headlines on the Internet. This week our Data Scientist Team observed a surge in articles on Placencia, the beautiful tourism destination in Southern Belize. We have compiled a list of those articles below and the content range from things to do to the best time to move there. We have also been noticing that Belize has been getting an incredible amount of exposure online (we will share those articles with you on Sunday, September 7th). So without further ado, here are the articles on Placencia we believe you should read right now:

International Sources

Live flight tracker!
A live flight tracker that shows air traffic in real time. Great coverage and cool features!

Cruise arrivals up in July
While stay-over tourism figures showed healthy growth for July 2014, cruise ship arrivals for the month rose by 79.63% over the figure for July 2013, with more than 120,000 passengers, up from almost 67,000 last year, according to the last statistics from the Department of Tourism (DoT). There has been a steady rise in cruise arrivals over 2013, with the exception of January, but this July was the busiest since 2004, when around 123,000 people arrived by cruise ship, turning around the downward trend since 2006. Cruise passengers for the first half of the year, January through June, for the Cayman Islands were up 8.6%, compared to an overall growth in the region of 4.3%, which follows a world average rise of 4.7%, according to figures released by the Barbados-based Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). Cayman Islands stay-over visitors in the first half of 2014 increased by 9.4%, compared to an overall increase in the Caribbean of 4.3%, with Jamaica up 1.6%, the Bahamas down 1.8% and Barbados down 0.1%, while Belize, Grenada, Haiti and Montserrat all showing significant growth, according to the CTO.

Summer of the Goatfish
With the northern hemisphere days getting shorter, and the air getting crisper as autumn approaches, we reflect back on the summer soon passing. You may not have known, but this was the “Summer of the Goat” as christened by internet sites, and further blessed with countless video and photographic outpourings of humanity’s apparent love of goats. The cyber cuteosphere erupted with frolicking baby goats, bipedal goats, narcoleptic goats, goats with puppies, goats with British royalty, bleating goats singing along to the theme from Jurassic Park, and this was just the start. Though I certainly appreciate goats for their sublime comedic gestalt, that was certainly not my summer. As a marine biologist I had a very different summer – the Summer of the Goatfish. Goatfishes are found worldwide in shallow, warm waters, and as an ichthyologist with pathetic swimming skills, I’ve dog-paddled alongside them the shallows of the Gulf of California, waded with them in the Red Sea, and snorkeled among schools of them in Hawaii. This year I enjoyed them again in the Caribbean waters off Belize and the Cayman Islands, continuing my excitement of underwater fish-watching and reinforcing my admiration for these fishes, and at 55 species, that’s plenty to love.

Boosting resilience in the Caribbean countries
Having lived and worked for more than a decade in four Caribbean countries, I have witnessed firsthand how Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are extremely vulnerable to challenges ranging from debt and unemployment to climate change and sea level rise. Such aspects make their paths towards sustainable development probably more complex than non- SIDS countries. That was my experience, working closely with governments, civil society organisations and the people of Belize, Cuba, Guyana and Haiti – where I led the U.N. Development Programme’s (UNDP) reconstruction efforts after the devastating January 2010 earthquake. That’s why the upcoming UN Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), taking place in Samoa, Sep. 1-4 is so important. It will provide an opportunity to increase international cooperation and knowledge sharing between and within regions. And it takes place at a key moment, ahead of the Climate Change Summit at the UN General Assembly, to be held on Sep. 23.

CARICOM Makes Case for Sustainable Development of SIDS at UN Conference
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) officials at the Third United Nations Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) made the case for the peculiar vulnerabilities of SIDS to be considered when the international community formulates economic policies for those countries. The critical importance of debt management, concessionary financing, partnerships, financing for climate change adaptation and mitigation, trade, capacity-building, technology and sustainable energy in addressing severe challenges confronting SIDS were among the issues emphasized by the CARICOM high level delegation, which included Heads and Ministers of Government. Speaking at the AOSIS Leaders Conference, Barbados' Prime Minister Hon. Freundel Stuart advocated for what he described as the "SIDS Collectivity." SIDS, "speaking with one voice," he explained, was paramount in representing their interests at the international level, whatever the issue - whether trade relations; graduation from least developed status and the constraints experienced; the inherent weaknesses of using GDP as the sole criterion for accessing concessional resources; or the sustainable development of SIDS, including the adverse impacts of climate change.

Videos

Video: World Air Traffic 24 Hour Period - YouTube, 1min.

Video: Wildtracks Cenote in Sarteneja, 10min.
Perhaps the most unusual spot I have ever dived. Well off the beaten track near a village called Sarteneja in Belize. The sights are predominantly shallower than 7 meters so this is also a great spot for snorkelling and freediving. SHOW MORE

Video: Guatemala and Belize, 12min.

Video: Nina Agdal, Beach Bunny Swimware shoot at Kanantik Reef & Jungle Resort, Belize - Unravel Travel TV, 3min.
Sanctuary, Belize is the location for Nina Agdal modeling Beach Bunny Swimwear’s spring-summer 2014 collection. Nina Agdal (1992) is a Danish fashion model. She was one of three models to be featured on the cover of the 2014 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Location Shots at: Kanantik Reef & Jungle Resort, Belize

Video: Plongées au Belize, 7min.
avec Phocea Mexico.

Video: Few Clips from behind the scene of the Music video ---No Gossip---, 4min.
No Gossip is the name of Michael Wagner newest album, his music video has the same title and will be out in a few days...

September 5, 2014

La Isla Bonita telenovela viewing schedule

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Well known Sanpedrano Gerald Leslie is has been living in the USA, working as pilot for the world famous songwriter and singer Jimmy Buffett. It is no surprise that both men share a love for the sea and fishing. During their spare time, the two often go out to sea and practice their fishing skills. On one of their days off last week, Leslie, Buffett and another friend went fishing off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts. During their day’s adventure, the trio caught a huge deep-sea black tuna. Buffett and Leslie are excited to share the picture with the people of San Pedro Town.

San Pedro’s line-up of event for September Celebrations
The 2014 September Celebrations are well under way, and citizens from all six districts are celebrating Belize’s most patriotic month of the year. This year’s celebrations are being held under the theme “Industrious Hands, Intelligent Minds, Together for Belize”. 2014 marks the 216th anniversary of The Battle of St. George’s Caye Day and the 33rd anniversary of Belize’s Independence Day. Here in San Pedro, September will be celebrated in grand fashion with a line-up of events.

Howler Monkey Resort lives up to its name!
“If you miss the turn/sign and arrive at the Community Baboon Sanctuary museum you have gone too far,” read the directions on how to get to The Howler Monkey Resort in Bermudian Landing, and sure enough (and despite their ample sign) in our excitement we did just that! The Resort is just yards from the main road but it’s certainly tucked away. We are warmly greeted by owner Melissa Turton and her son Jusef, and our excitement mounts as we follow them on a path through the open, landscaped property to our cabaña. There are a handful of these quaint cottages, all intermittently situated along the sloping bank of the wide, slow river below us.

Police to implement Anit-Crime Campaign
The San Pedro Police Department has officially launched a September Celebrations Anit-Crime Campaign . Aimed to ensure safety for residents and visitors during the event-filled month. The campaign will last from Monday, September 1st to Tuesday, September 30th, and entails an increase in patrols as well as police presence during scheduled events. The San Pedro Police Department is made up of 46 police officers, and receives additional help from 20 volunteer Special Constables.

Belize Jaguars Participate in 2014 Central American Cup
The team has been practicing for the past month under the guidance of Head Coach Costa Rican Le Roy Sherrier Lewis, and will be competing in Group B against Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. Group A consists of Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama. Tournament matches will be played in four different cities: RFK Stadium in Washington DC, Cotton Bowl in Dallas Texas, BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston Texas and Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles California. Each team will compete in three matches which will determine the final lineup. The top four teams automatically earn the UNCAF spots for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, while the champion of the tournament earns a coveted spot in the 2016 Centennial Cup America. The 5th finisher will earn the right to participate in a two-leg playoff against the fifth-place team from the 2014 Caribbean Football Union Caribbean Cup, for an additional Gold Cup spot.

Ambergris Today

Humble Patriotic Celebrations in 1980
This was the first verse of the historic song we all sang during the parade of September tenth. In fact children used to sing it during the school rehearsal one month before the event. On the day of the event there were two speeches, one from the village alcalde and one from our Area Representative, Honorable Louis Sylvestre (RIP). Note that there was no elaborately decorated stage. In this case it was only a platform with no backdrop. Behind the stage was the church bell tower and then the famous Blake House. As for the coronation Lily Paz Nuñez was crowning Estrella Nuñez in the year 1980. They were accompanied by the other pageant contestants. (Kindly identify them in comments if you know them) In the center is Louis “Cuz” Sylvestre, the man in whose memory and honor the new sporting facility has been named.

First Lady Kim Simplis Barrow and Daughter Visit the Blue Hole
During their visit, mother and daughter were able to appreciate the stunning aerial views of the Great Blue Hole. In describing the experience Simplis Barrow shared, “I knew I was going to see it and I knew what I was going to see but just approaching the Blue Hole and seeing it for the first time was an experience I can’t explain to you in words…what it really felt like. To see this magnificent natural wonder right there in front of you was an incredible experience. To me, it’s important to show Salima what it is we have in Belize; the natural wonders we have and the importance of conserving it.” Simplis Barrow says she is all too aware that conservation is as much about future generations of Belizeans as it is about this one. “And they deserve the same experiences we are having today. We as Belizeans should really be proud of what we have and be proud of Belize.”

Belizeans Asked to Observe World Suicide Prevention Day 2014
While some people turn to suicide to cope with problems, it is important to know that suicide and suicidal thoughts are never solutions to stress. Many people who committed suicide never sought treatment for their underlying mental health issue, although effective treatments are available. The Mental Health Program of the Ministry of Health has ongoing activities targeting suicide prevention and treatment across the country. The Mental Health Clinics in each district provide psychological services to persons in need of counselling. The Ministry has also published a training pamphlet entitled “Suicide Risk Guidelines: a resource for teachers” in addition to other informative materials which are currently being used by the Mental Health Program staff.

Misc Belizean Sources

The Good Morning San Pedro Talk Show gets new TV
On one of his weekly visits to the Good Morning San Pedro Talk Show, Mayor Daniel Guerrero presented the hosts of the show, Mr. Angel Nuñez and Mr. Eiden Salazar, with a new Television set since the previous one that they had was sadly stolen from their studio. The Good Morning San Pedro Talk Show has become a vital source of communication in our town where it has not only helped in spreading news, promoting awareness and informing the town, but it has also helped many families and individuals in raising funds via telethons. Keep up the good work Reef TV!

Belizeans to Benefit from US$30 million Climate Resilience Project from World Bank for Improved Road Infrastructure and Disaster Risk Management
The Belize Climate Resilient Infrastructure Project (BCRIP) will support the efforts of the Government of Belize to improve the resilience of critical road infrastructure against flood risk and to strengthen the capacity of relevant ministries to incorporate climate resilience and disaster risk management in their investment planning and implementation. They include the Ministries of Works and Transport and Natural Resources and Agriculture. “The Government of Belize is conscious of the social, economic and environmental implications of Climate Change and takes this opportunity to first, welcome the strategic partnership with the World Bank through this loan for the Climate Resilient Infrastructure Project,” said Yvonne Hyde, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. “This project will enable Belize to implement mitigation and adaptation strategies in the war against this global threat as it relates to the negative effects on Belize’s economic growth and welfare of its present and future generations.” CEO Hyde added that the project is designed at increasing the resilience of the Belizean people to climate change and its impact on the environment and economy of Belize.The project will rehabilitate 30 kilometers of roads, improve the Ministry of Works’ capacity in road maintenance and training of road maintenance personnel, operationalize

Financial Controller for the Punta Gorda Town Council Appointed
The Department of Local Government hereby informs the general public that effective Monday, September 1, 2014, the Minister of Local Government appointed a Financial Controller for the Punta Gorda Town Council. The appointment of a Financial Controller for the Punta Gorda Town Council is in accordance with Section 5 Subsection 23A of the Town Council Act as amended by Statutory Instrument No. 21 of 2008 which gives the Minister with responsible for Local Government such powers “where the Minister, after considering the financial affairs of the Council, forms the opinion that its financial affairs are not in accordance with the rules and regulations, or that the financial position of the Council is such that it requires strengthened fiscal management and controls, he may after consultation with the Council, appoint a financial controller to oversee the financial affairs of the Council and may direct that all disbursements from the Town Fund above such amount as he may prescribe shall be certified by such financial controller in order to be valid.” In this regard, the Minister has appointed Mr. Glenford Hines to act as Financial Controller for the Punta Gorda Town Council for the period of one year.

U.S. Ambassador Carlos Moreno in Stann Creek, Toledo Districts on familiarization tour
U.S. Ambassador Carlos Moreno recently traveled down south to the Stann Creek and Toledo Districts on a familiarization tour. During this trip, he had a chance to meet with Claret Care, a Catholic religious organization that manages an HIV clinic in Dangriga. Claret Care has partnered with the Pan American Social Marketing Organization (partially funded by USAID), to provide HIV testing to at-risk groups and also promote safe sex practices. Photo 1: Ambassador Moreno joins Claret Care and PASMO personnel on a tour of the facilities. Photo 2: Claret Care Team Leader, Ms. Elecia Castillo, shows Ambassador Moreno one of the rapid HIV/AIDS tests which delivers results in 6-7 minutes.

La Isla Bonita on Canadian News
First we made the Italian tabloids, now we're on the Canadian news!! Amazing international coverage for Belize's telenovela!

Ministry of Natural Resources & Agriculture hosts meeting of the Central American Agricultural Council

September Potluck South Ambergris Caye Neighbourhood Watch
Our 3rd annual (or is it 4th…but who’s counting) September Potluck Social is on Sunday, September 7 from 11am to 3pm and is being held at the Caribe Island Clubhouse (Pink Condos). If you’re here on the island we hope you will join us for a fun day of mingling with your neighbors and enjoying everyone’s culinary talents. In order to make sure that we have plenty of food and drink we need to know how many to expect and what dish you are bringing (to feed 25 to 30 folks). If you plan to attend and did not fill out the food sign up sheet at the August general meeting, please reply to this email and let us know how many will be in your party and what dish you will bring:

New price structure for the sale of Liquid Petroleum Gas
The Supplies Unit in the Ministry of Trade, Investment Promotion, Private Sector Development and Consumer Protection is hereby informing the general public that effective September 5, 2014 there will be a new price structure for the sale of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG).

A fantastic day at the House of Culture today as we opened the Battle of St. George's Caye Exhibit.
We thank the close to 500 primary school students and their teachers who visited and viewed the exhibit. We kindly invite the Corozal community to come in and learn more about this most important time in Belizean history. The exhibit will be on display through to November. (18 photos)

Rescued baby Armadillo from Corozal
Baby armadillo, orphaned, from Corozal district was successfully delivered to us with the help of numerous people in the Wildlife Conservation Network. Due to its' very small size, we settled it in the "nursery" enclosure. That allows us better access to the observation of the animal. Thank you, everybody!

Hawkesworth History
History lesson of the day. Learn about the Hawkesworth Bridge's history with the latest articles from the Cayo Tour Guide Association. There's an article just about the Hawkesworth Bridge, and one about Edward Hawkesworth too. "The Hawkesworth bridge was opened on Saturday August 20th 1949 and was named after the late Sir Edward Gerald Hawkesworth, former governor of Britsh Honduras. The type of bridge was decided based on the fact of very high flooding and that the River was used to float logs downstream... The total cost of the bridge was $198,384.33 and contained 2,260 tons of concrete, 264 tons of steel work and the cables, made of 7 individual strands and weighing 18 tons each. The foundation was carried to bedrock 12 feet below the surface. The columns were raised to a height of 46 feet and the center to a height of 52 feet, 7 feet above the heightest known flood level. The total length of the bridge is 480 feet and the main span is 280 feet, with an additional 100 feet on each side."

Valley of Peace Medical Clinic
Valley of Peace village had a medical clinic, courtesy of Best of America by Horseback, which promotes riding in Belize. "Today we spent most of the day preparing for the free medical clinic. Best of America by Horseback is providing to a village near Banana Bank Lodge where we take guests riding in Belize. We have not publicized this work on the show, but Best of America by Horseback has been quietly supporting the Valley of Peace Christian School, an elementary school in this small village for some time, helping with school supplies and other needs. Tomorrow and Wednesday our riders and volunteer nurses and a doctor who have traveled here with us from the states will be hosting a free clinic to the students, their families and anyone in the village needing medical attention. This work is extremely heart warming."

Francis Reneau's CELEBRATION
September 4 - September 7. Francis Reneau's “Celebration” is a colorful musical journey through Belize, encouraging the myriad of cultures which combines to make this country so unique. “Celebration” pays homage to the indigenous Maya, whose cities flourished between 200 and 800 AD. In movementB, the melody of Mayan harp lines at the heart of this work, while the story of the Maya is cushioned by the tranquility of the marimba. Both instruments are still played in Belizean villages, particularly in the Cayo and Toledo districts. Reneau also explores the vibrant cultures of the Africans - the Creoles, descendants of salves brought to Belize in the early 1700s, and the Garinagu, Africans in the diaspora who were never enslaved. With some Amerindian ancestry, the Garinagu settled in Belize last century at the tail-end of a long journey from Africa, to St Vincent, to the shores of Central America's Caribbean coast.

Channel 7

Teenager Charged Once Again For BDF Volunteer's Murder
Two years ago, 21 year old BDF volunteer soldier Isaac Cruz was killed at Militia Hall in Belize City. The alleged killer was another reservist, but he was only 17. The story at the time was that the two had some hard words, and the teenager had a BDF issued AR-15, so he shot and killed Cruz - right there on the military compound. The 17 year old, who is now 19, is Jermaine Michael Rhaburn. He was charged for murder back in 2012, but he walked in April of this year when the case was struck out. So the last thing he could have expected was that he would be picked up at work this morning to be charged for murder, a second time. But that's just what happened based on a Directive from the DPP's Office.

Was PC Blease Acting Lawlessly?
He's sworn to uphold the law but tonight, a police constable is in jail after he allegedly got lawless with a firearm. 32 year old Linsdale Blease of a Belama Phase one address in Belize City was charged for aggravated assault and wantonly discharging a firearm in public. It happened between miles 25 and 26 on the Western Highway in February of this year. Cordel Duran alleged that between Miles 25 and 26, Constable Blease approached him, pulled out a firearm, pointed it at the ground and fired a shot. The cop and Duran allegedly had an altercation that day over a vehicle that got burnt up which purportedly belonged to the cop. But, no charges were levied back in February when the complaint was made; however, the file was sent to the DPP's office and it came back today ordering that the police charge Blease.

Garifuna Community Keeps The Pressure Up on CIBC
Yesterday, the president of the Christian Workers Union Audrey Matura Shepherd told the media about a deadline she'd given the First Caribbean International Branch. She demanded that by 1:00 pm, the Bank indicate its readiness to meet with the Union and its member, Uwahnie Martinez, who recently resigned from the Bank. Well, Matura Shepherd told us today that the Bank did respond and she expects that the union, along with Uwahnie Martinez will meet with the Bank tomorrow. As we reported, Martinez - an employee of 12 years - has resigned alleging discriminatory practices by the manager at the Dangriga Branch of the Bank. The Union says Martinez was not allowed to speak to bank customers in Garifuna. And so while First Caribbean has the Christian Workers Union to contend with, they also have to deal with a new pressure group, formed out of various Garifuna Organizations including the National Garifuna Council, Ligemeri Dangriga, Garifuna Development Organization and the Dangriga Town Council.

Youth Claims GSU Officer Tried To Shoot Him
The GSU's violent intervention in the King and George Street area yesterday is still resonating in that neighborhood. Today we were called to speak with a young man who claims that when everything started yesterday, a GSU Officer tried to shoot him. He explained that it all started with an unusual car in the neighborhood:.. Voice of: victim "Yesterday when I walk downstairs and I notice a suspicious car on the lane and the young man from downstairs was going to his grandmother and when he pass car the GSU jumped out from the car and start to beat him for no reason. So I couldn't stay in the area and so I flee from the area and I ended up reaching doe the lane. They were searching the area and one of them meet me, but I didn't run. The man (GSU) point the gun at me fired a shot. As he fired that shot I jump the fence and so I ended up escaping because I don't want to get shot for nothing."

Unrelated Search Leads Police To Seize A Stolen Gun
Police went pursuing a robbery suspect and allegedly busted 35 year-old Deshawn Craig with a gun. So, tonight, he's at prison after being taken to court for it. The incident occurred on Monday morning just before 10. The police reported that they was pursuing a man who they believed was involved in a robbery attempt, so they visited Craig's residence. They said that upon their arrival, Craig ran out of his house and he threw a plastic bag over a fence. They retrieved the bag, and found that it contained a black 9 millimeter pistol with 6 rounds of ammunition in its magazine.

Police: Tablada Helped Steal That Gun
And while police say that Craig had the stolen gun on him, the man police believe who actually stole it from Derrick Hemmans, the rightful owner, is Belize City resident Nelson Tablada. He is also at prison tonight. 31 year-old Chukka Tours Manager Derrick Hemmans told police that on Thursday, August 14, exactly 1 month ago, he had just come back from Water Caye, and he was unloading supplies from a white Chevy cargo van. He said that he drove off, and when he arrived at the NAPA roundabout, he was ambushed by an armed man who robbed him of 2 black bags which contained, $6,500 cash, and a laptop computer. The man also relieved him of his licensed 9mm pistol, which was loaded with 16 live rounds of ammunition.

SICA Meets In Belize; Sustainable Energy For All Discussed
Representatives from the member countries of SICA, the Central American Integration System, are in San Pedro tonight after an entire day of meetings. As we've told you, Belize is currently the protem President of SICA, and will maintain control for the next 5 months. That's why a team from the Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology and Public Utilities were the hosts today of a technical meeting for government professionals from the energy sector in all the member countries. On the agenda, along with renewable energy, was the topic of designing social programs to assist poorer sections of the population to get access to affordable electricity. Energy Minister Joy Grant was the Keynote Speaker and after her presentation, she spoke with the media about the significance of these discussions for Belize. She told us that there is the plan have access to power in every community throughout the country, as part of the Sustainable Energy for All Initiative currently endorsed by the region:

A Lot More Yet Unsaid About Climate Change
One of the one most devastating and destabilizing issues affecting Belize and the globe is Climate Change. Now, many of you may think that discussions and coverage surrounding this issue have been exhaustive but at today's National Climate Change Consultation held at the Radisson, the stakeholders made it clear that this issue can never be overemphasized. Today's consultation centered on the presentation of a National Climate Change Policy, Strategy and Action Plan geared at addressing climate change in Belize. Climate Change Specialists commented on the grave factors that are affecting Belize in terms of climatic and environmental conditions and the impact this plan will have on the regulatory process. David Simons, Consultant, National Climate Change Policy for Belize "We have been working on this plan now for a few months. The whole idea is that I haven't recognize that climate change is a phenomena which is affecting Belize and the government has decide that the way to approach this is to develop a national policy, strategy and action plan. Basically what the policy do is to kind of set the guidelines that will determine how they are going to go forward; the goals, objectives, action plan - things which ought to be done. So what we've been doing over the past few months is engaging with stakeholders just to ensure that we can get an input from them to understand clearly what their concerns as far as climate change is concern, how it's affecting Belize."

Revellers Ready For The Road, But Is The Road Ready For Them?
And CISCO Construction is hoping that the climate doesn't change in the next 9 days as the company rushes to try and get all of Central American Boulevard ready for the Carnival Road March. It's only about two miles from the Belcan Bridge to Caesar Ridge Road, but work on the Boulevard is a major project with drainage, sidewalks, a roundabout and a dual carriageway. It started in February of this year and was supposed to take one year, but right now, work is at hyper speed, as CISCO Construction tries to get all of the Road March route ready - even if some of it has to be one lane only. Presently 250 men and women are working on four different areas of the Boulevard and Princess Margaret Drive - and today Francis Woods told us they'll make it in time for a smooth road march: Francis Woods, Contractor - CISCO Construction "For carnival in particular we are trying to get much done as possible. We figure that there will only be like a 400 foot stretch that the carnival will not roll on fresh concrete, new concrete."

Eastern Division Gets A New PR Organization
If you follow police news - you'll know that since the de-centralized precinct system was put in place last year - you've seen precinct police giving interviews on the evening news more regularly. But, last week, word came down that a new beefed up police press office would be regulating, and in essence, restricting, those appearances. That sounded like bad news for the media and for the free flow of information which our viewers depend on. And so, today, the senior command of the Eastern Division along with the three members of the new Community Public Relations Office, comprising Raphael Martinez who is now joined by Douglas Hyde and W-Corporal Hortense Hernandez - met with the media to explain that the new deal is not a raw deal - just information management, not control, they claim: Douglas Hyde, Public Relations Coordinator, Eastern Division "We basically exist to promote the reasonable of mutual understanding and cooperation between Eastern Division and the stakeholders especially the staff, the general public and the media as in gender continued public confidence and service. We are in the process right now of identifying police officers from each precinct in the next couple of weeks to participate in training in public relation and also in terms of interviewing skills and stuff like that which is very important for information dissemination to the general public when it comes to media interviews."

RFP Process Still Going
Earlier, we told you about the SICA meeting in San Pedro in which the social programs were discussed to provide energy to 100% of the country's population. Well during that discussion, Keynote speaker, Joy Grant, informed the gathering about Belize's request for power initiative. As we told you, the government and your electricity company are trying to increase the capacity of the national grid by introducing an additional 75 megawatts of energy. The 20 bids were officially tendered 3 months ago, and today, Grant discussed with us how far the process has gone in reviewing the programs which will be selected to produce that additional power. Here's what she told us: Hon. Joy Grant "That started on May 29th and we got 57 applications, much more than we thought. We are happy about that because what that shows is investor confidence in the country and come in and say they would like to do a project. We did the first review and we brought that down to about half and then we did a second review that we had the socio-economic benefits from all of these that were on the short list and also the financial analysis because that's very important. If we are going to get new sources of energy it must be at a competitive price if not it does not make any sense, so we are at the point where all these analysis has been done. There is a small group of 3 with representatives from BEL, the Public Utilities Commission and the ministry working very hard on this and in the next 10 days the short list will be announce to the Belizean public."

BELTRAIDE Helps 14 New Entrepreneurs
If you are an entrepreneur or aspiring to be one, you are aware of the steep cost of getting a startup business going, but today Beltraide made that start up process for 14 entrepreneurs, a bit easier with a seed grant for their business. The entrepreneurs told us how this grant will significantly assist in the growth of their business. Omar Castillo, Senior Business Advisor, SBDC Beltraide "Today we are celebrating the hard work of all these entrepreneurs here. This was a 3 month process, they really had to buckle down and do a lot of work. It took place in 3 phases; there were 2 workshop phases, each followed by fieldwork. The approach we took it's not just feeding you information, but actually going out and putting it to use, so interacting with the market, you customers finding out what's the actual needs because as entrepreneurs we fall victim to thinking that we have the perfect product. You don't know until you actually interact with your market. Here at SDBC Belize and Beltraide like our mantra say "making small business happen" we want to see mindsets change, so programs like these and resources that SDBC Belize offers we believe could do wonders in not only helping a few people, but changing entire mindsets and that's the direction we want to take Belize." Courtney Weatherburne "What inspired you and your son to write this book?"

Mas Camps Madness Continue
Tonight the Mas Camps are continuing all across Belize City. Unless you've been to a mas camp, you might not understand how really crazy it gets. And that's because the Mas Camp serves two purposes: a very practical one of getting all the costumes ready for the Road March, and another more intangible one of building that carnival spirit, which - at the senior camps is fostered by loud soca music, wild and dirty dancing, and in no small part by a "goodly" amount of alcohol. Monica Bodden and camera man Codie Norales got to see it in action last night when they visited Mother Nature's Creation and Erotic Mas Band. They started though with the pure and untainted energy of the youths at the Pickstock Carnival Band:.. Monica and Codie are back out on the Mas Camp circuit tonight with the final set of visits and you'll see that story tomorrow…

Mexico's Brass Quintet Arye
And while soca's the thing at those camps, they would no doubt be able to find a few saucy steps for a visiting Mexican Brass Band . The group is called "Ayre" and it comprises two trumpet players, one French horn player, a tenor trombone player as well as a bass trombone player. We got to hear them play at rehearsal today. The concert will take place tomorrow evening at the Institute of Mexico at 6:30. Entrance is free. The group will also perform on Saturday at the Benque Viejo House of Culture as part of the celebrations of the 3rdanniversary of the cultural center.

The La Isla Bonita Telenovela
Tonight, the local film industry is getting ready for the screening of telenovela filmed on San Pedro. The telenovela is called La Isla Bonita and it's been in production for several months now. One of the things which makes it unique, is that though the director is an international film maker, the actors, and producers are Belizeans who are trying to grow the local film industry. Today, we got a chance to catch up with a few of the cast and film crews for a discussion on the Telenovela, which hopes to capture the local Hispanic population. Here's how that discussion went: The first screening of the La Isla Bonita Telenovela will be held tomorrow evening with a red carpet gala event. The producers are still looking for a distribution deal.

Oscar B Back In Belize
Trinidadian Soca artist Oscar B is in Belize for the September celebrations. He's been coming to Belize since the 90's but this time he's solo on a mini tour of Belize. He invited the mature audience to come out and enjoy his old school Soca vibes - this weekend at the Biltmore:.. He will also be performing in Cayo on Independence eve.

Jaguars Need A Win Or Draw In The Next Nation Cup Match
Team Belize lost two - nil to Honduras yesterday evening in Washington DC. The defeat was doubly disappointing because both of Honduras' points came from "own-goals." But now, team Belize has to prepare for the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on Sunday where we take on Guatemala. If it is to have any hopes of moving on Belize has to win or tie in that game.

Channel 5

The Accused Murderer of San Pedro, Columbia Woman Is Finally Captured
The alleged killer of an elderly woman from the southern community of San Pedro, Columbia is tonight in Police custody. And he has confessed to the brutal murder of sixty-one-year-old [...]

Residents Praised and Criticized for Their Role in Suspect’s Arrest
The villagers of San Pedro, Columbia and those from San Marcos played a crucial role in the capture of the alleged killer. They acted swiftly after the murder of a [...]

GSU Commander Mark Flowers Opens Up About the Unit’s Public Image
The Gang Suppression Unit remains the object of intense public scrutiny. Recently, the elite task force came under fire from the People’s United Party which ultimately resulted in a tiff [...]

Flowers Says Balance Between the GSU and Public is Necessary
According to Flowers, a delicate balance needs to be struck between the GSU and the public in the manner in which it executes its function. Hostility, he says, needs to [...]

Community Public Relations, the Police and the Media
On Friday, a terse email from the Police Press Officer announced to the media that all requests for information or interviews from senior officers would have to be channelled through [...]

Douglas Hyde Outlines Police Departments New PR Strategy
Where the media is concerned, we are assured that using the new method information-gathering will be streamlined and much more efficient. All queries will be made to the new unit, [...]

Eastern Division Gets Made Over
The Eastern Division is getting a new look and new feel, the brainchild of Commander Dezerie Phillips. It’s all about changing the perception of the Police Department, making it more [...]

Jermaine Michael Rhaburn Re-arrested for Murder of BDF Volunteer
On Monday, October first, 2012, a young B.D.F. volunteer soldier, Clifford Isaac Cruz was killed on the compound of Militia Hall located near the Lord Ridge Cemetery in Belize City. [...]

Cop Remanded to Hattieville Prison for Aggravated Assault With a Firearm
Tonight, a cop is on remand at the Belize Central Prison after the D.P.P. handed down her directives to have him charged for an allege gunplay incident which is said [...]

SICA Meets in Belize to Discuss Energy Cooperation
Belize currently holds the presidency of the Central American Integrated System, SICA. That means hosting a round of regional meetings in different critical areas, like energy. This morning, directors from [...]

Carnival Mas Camp 2014: Are Erotic and Mother Nature Ready for the Road?
Day three of Mas Camp 2014 is currently underway and a News Five team is visiting the five remaining bands that will face the judges in the preliminaries of the [...]

Mexican Brass Quintet Takes the Stage in Belize
The Embassy of Mexico is inviting the public to a concert by a Mexican Brass Quintet “Ayre” on Friday at the Institute of Mexico in Belize City. The ensemble which [...]

CTV3

LOVE FM

Belize City Mayor speaks of recent trip
Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley is back home after attending a conference in the United Kingdom. When we sat down with the Mayor, we asked about his recent trip. Mayor Darrell Bradley I had gone to the Ahmadiyya Muslim community conference which is an annual convention which is held in the United Kingdom. The Ahmadiyya Muslim community recently set up a chapter in Belize, I attended the opening ceremonies, delegates came from Canada and I had engaged with them. They have a very active nonprofit humanitarian wing that they call Humanity First they do a lot of disaster relief, construction projects with engineers who are part of their community and we had engaged them in getting some of that technical assistance for Belize City .The facility that they set up in the Coney Drive area of Belize City has an internet cafe, it’s very much into attracting young people and those are areas which I think we could cooperate with that community. I was asked to bring words of greeting and welcome on behalf of Belize.

SICA focuses on renewable energy
The Government of Belize through the Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology and Public Utilities is hosting a two day conference in partnership with the Secretary General of the Central American Integration System, SICA. In attendance were Directors of Energy of each of the SICA country and on the agenda was the discussion of the status of their current projects, and agree on future projects with an emphasis on renewable energy. Hipolito Novelo reporting … “Representatives of SICA countries, including that of Panama, Guatemala, Honduras, and Belize, converged at the Banyan Bay Villas on San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. It was day one of a two day conference in which Directors of Energy from all SICA member countries had an opportunity to discuss the current status of existing projects and brainstorm for future ideas. The emphasis was placed on Renewable Energy. According to the Minister of Energy, Science & Technology and Public Utilities, Joy Grant, the conference is historic, as it is the first time that Belize is hosting the Directors of Energy. “ MINISTER JOY GRANT “Energy efficiency is a huge topic we need to look at it very closely but also at the same time rural electrification, getting electricity to the villages that presently don’t have it is a priority. When we look forward and we look forward to solving the problems as I said earlier, we could look at it on a national level and we are and we are coming up with solutions but it’s always best in circumstances such as these to look at it from a regional perspective.”

Alternative Energy bids still under review
Back in June, the Public Utilities Commission and the Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology and Public Utilities presented bids submitted for electricity generation. Twenty proposals were submitted and the idea is to attract an idea that would satisfy public demand for electricity services within the country for the next 15 years. The bids are currently going through a perusal process and according to Minister of Energy, Science and Technology and Public Utilities, Joy Grant, the number of bids have been reduced to 10. Minister Joy Grant “If we are going to get new sources of energy it must be at a competitive price without it does not make any sense. So we are at the point where all the analysis has been done, there is a small committee of three representatives from BEL, the PUC and the Ministry working very hard on this and in the next 10 days the shortlist will be announced to the Belizean public. At that stage we go into negotiations because people have said that we have the money and we can do this but we have to make sure that that is in fact so and as soon as these negotiations will probably take a month or so and at that time we will be ready too look at what time we could start to implement these projects that would have been chosen.”

Man faces murder charge for the second time
BDF volunteer soldier Clifford Isaac Cruz was shot and killed on the compound of Militia Hall located near the Lord Ridge Cemetery on October 1, 2012. Jermaine Michael Rhaburn was charged for the murder however earlier this year the charge was struck out. Today based on a directive from the office of the DPP, the 20-year-old Rhaburn was taken to court where he was re-charged for the 2012 murder. No plea was taken from Rhaburn who was unrepresented. He was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until October 22. The Chief Magistrate noted that the record showed that the charge had been struck out. No reason was given for the initial striking out of the charge against Rhaburn. According to a relative, Rhaburn was picked up from work this morning at a Chinese store and brought to be re-arraigned for the old murder. According to reports, Rhaburn and Cruz were involved in an altercation on that day which resulted in Cruz being shot.

Belize remains dependent on Mexican power
Belize has yet to be independent when it comes to supplying energy for our own consumption. A portion of the energy Belize uses is bought from Mexico at a high rate. Minister Joy Grant says that cutting the electrical wires that connects Belize and Mexico, is not in the near future. Minister Joy Grant ‘That does entail setting up the infrastructure, the lines that could carry the load and that would mean significant investments however we are working both with the world bank and the IDB and looking to see if Belize could become a member of CEPAC, we are not . These discussions are quite advanced. Now to your specific question of buying energy from Mexico I said this morning that fifty seven percent of our electricity is from renewable resources. Now that is actually more than most countries especially in the Caribbean. If we could increase that while keeping the cost down, we will be able to decrease our dependence on Mexican energy. That will not happen in the very short term. We are always lucky that we have this arrangement with the Mexicans of which we are very happy that we have it, we are glad that the Mexican government is working with our government this way because Belizeans don’t have to worry if we have for example very dry air and we don’t get the hydroelectricity, we can always get from Mexico but with time we would like to use biofuels which gives us energy in a more sustainable manner than Hydro to bridge the gap so that most of our energy will be coming from renewables, bring down the cost and make us more energy sustainable.”

Villagers capture murder suspect
The man believed to have murdered 61-year-old Agripina Coc of San Pedro Columbia in the Toledo District was captured earlier today. Paul Mahung reporting… The capture of the suspect occurred during a joint search operation of a number of San Marcos Villagers led by San Marcos Villagers and Punta Gorda Police search team led by Cpl Steven Parham. STEVEN PARHAM “At 9 o’clock a.m. on today’s date Thursday September 4, 2014 acting on information that the suspect in relation to the murder of Ms. Agripina Coc of Columbia Village was sighted in San Marcos Village, myself along with PC 1195 Antonio Pop, PC 192 Davy Griffith and WPC 21 David Allen visited San Marcos Village where some villagers were still in pursuit of the said suspect. We all joined the determined villagers of San Marcos where we combed the bushes leading to the Southern Highway in search of the suspect. About 10am, the suspect who was dressed only in boxers and shirt was caught on the southern highway between miles 12 and 13. The suspect is presently detained at the Punta Gorda town police station.”

Police Department creates new Public Relations Unit
When the news of the creation of a new unit within the Police Department to deal with how the media has access personnel from the Department for information was handed down, there were a number of concerns raised. In an effort to respond to those concerns Officer Commanding Eastern Division Senior Superintendent Desiree Phillips along with her Deputy Senior Superintendent Edward Broaster and the members of the new unit met with media representatives. Phillips said contrary to the concerns raised, the move was in no way meant to restrict access to information but rather to streamline operations. The newly appointed Public Relations Coordinator Douglas Hyde explained more. Douglas Hyde – Coordinator, Community Police Relations DOUGLAS HYDE “The unit itself is the information management wing of the Police Department, specifically the Eastern Division and is in charge of the internal and external communication drives. It’s overall responsibility is to build and safeguard the image of the Eastern Division maintaining a two way communication channel between the Eastern Division and key stakeholders which also includes the media. We basically exist to promote the reasonable level of mutual understanding and cooperation between the Eastern Division and its stakeholders especially staff, the general public and the media so as to engender continued public confidence and service, the CPR unit will be creative, innovative in implementing its duties and will be guided by Belize Police Department Media Policy and reports directly to the officer in charge of the Eastern Division.”

Crackdown on human trafficking at northern border
Belizeans travelling with minors to Mexico might have encountered setbacks due to new immigration policies implemented at the beginning of the year. Arturo Cantun reporting … Arturo Cantun “As of January 1st 2014 minors travelling with relatives who are not their parents cannot legally enter Mexico. This is because the national Mexican immigration institute has introduced a new policy to counter a rise in human trafficking in the region. In recent weeks a number of Belizean have reported setbacks when they reach the Mexican immigration as they will not be allowed to enter without proper permission from the minor’s legal guardian. Belize’s honorary council in Chetumal Jorge Valencia told us more about it.”

Former revenue manager held accountable for missing monies at Corozal Town Council
Earlier this year the Corozal Town Council was in hot water over a situation that involved the misappropriation of funds. As a result, an internal investigation was conducted. At the time Mayor Hilberto Campos did not say much, only that he would speak with us after the audit was completed. Today he shared those findings with us. MAYOR HILBERTO CAMPOS “The outstanding of course we have $13,495.00 which is still owed to the council. There are three people involved in the whole issue, nevertheless the revenue manager Mr. Garcia is the one that will be asked to come up with these monies or to pay back to the council so to speak. Yes they were terminated but we also have affidavits signed by Mr. Garcia before he left. When he was terminated he asked that he was going to leave the country but he was willing to sign an affidavit in which he practically confesses that he was involved in the outcome of the investigation and he also has committed to pay back which is why we will meet as a council to discuss the way forward to the next step which would be to either hand it over to the police for him to be prosecuted or to have him pay back this council. The important thing in this matter would be for us to get back the $13,495.00 outstanding to the Corozal Town Council.

PlusTV

Over 100 Silk Grass Leases About To End After 7 Years Of Lands Department Rejection
On Monday night, PlusNews aired an exclusive story on the Water Board situation in the village of Silkgrass in the Stann Creek District. Villagers complained that the Water board was going rogue; with no meetings, no reports on financials, and only answerable to the UDP caretaker, Melvin Hulse. But that is not the only problem residents of the small community are having; there is another board; a Lands Committee, independent from the Village Council, but again empowered and answerable to the UDP Caretaker. In January of 2008, 161 lots were surveyed and distributed to Silkgrass villagers but almost 7 years later, most villagers are unable to make any payment on their 7 year lease, and are fearing the worse. We spoke with Area Representative Rodwell Furgeson who initiated the land distribution in 2008. Villagers anxious for a parcel of land to build their homes are now left holding the bag. Current Village Council Chairman, Solomon Andrews, says that from he came into office he has been lobbying Government on behalf of the disenfranchised villagers, but to no avail. To complicate the issue, while some villagers are being told they are not in the system, others are getting their titles processed. This allegedly includes some favored villagers who never were in the initial distribution.

Christian Workers’ Union demands meeting with First Caribbean Bank
The issue of alleged policy forbidding the speaking of languages other than English inside the First Caribbean International Bank branch in Dangriga Town has taken center stage in recent days. But while the Bank has denied fostering such a policy, it is in a behind-the-scenes battle with a soon-to-be former employee, Uwahnie Martinez, who alleges discrimination by the bank’s management. She and another Garifuna employee of long standing have turned to the Christian Workers’ Union which represents a majority of the branch’s employees. On Wednesday CWU President Audrey Matura Shepherd reported that the Bank is stonewalling its efforts to settle the matter behind closed doors.

Will BML workers be hired in January?
We asked Attorney Audrey Matura-Shepherd about the status of soon-to-be former employees of Belize Maintenance Limited (BML), who are expected to join the Belize City Council. Prime Minister Dean Barrow had assured, as part of efforts to end strike action by the disaffected workers, that the majorit...

Belmopan Police Will Clear High Crime Area In Riviera
In June, the Belmopan police formation, in collaboration with the Belmopan City Council, undertook a cleaning campaign along main pathways that weave through the centre of capital. The problem was that the footpaths were shrouded with thick shrubs making the area prone to robberies and other illicit activities. Next week, a similar project will be undertaken by the Belmopan Police Station which has partnered this time with the Kolbe Foundation to clean the Riviera Area in Belmopan. Superintendent Howell Gillett – Officer Commanding Belmopan Police Station “Recently we’ve had some thefts from motor vehicles in the Riviera area. We went out there. We saw what was needed. There is too much shrubs and bushes around the Riviera area. We will ensure that we comply with environmental laws, but we will clear the entire area, so the people could see where they are going, when they go to swim in that area.

Arab Muslim Community in Belize respond to Hezbollah accusations
On Monday September first we told you that a Mexican newspaper Por Esto had reported that suspected members of the Hezbollah were apprehended. The news paper reported that on August 28th a Mercedes Benz was searched by police in Cancun. driving the vehicle was Hacsam Elsayed and three other passengers. As we told you on Monday, the News paper claims they all had Belizean Passports and while they are residing in Belize, the article says they were actually members of a theorist group called “Hezbollah”. The article further stated that authorities are aware that Belize is being used as a base for Hezbollah cells. These reports have enraged the Arab Muslim community in Belize. On Wednesday Amir Zriba, spokesperson for the Belize Arab Muslim community, told the media that the article is erroneous and said they are going to sue.

National History Lecture discusses Battle of St. George’s Caye
The Battle of St. George’s Caye is a historical fact, despite efforts by some to suggest otherwise. 216 years after the naval engagement off Belize’s coast however, the question two historians attempted to answer today was: “Is the Battle important and relevant to modern Belize, and if so, how?” With an answer, here is presenter and chair of the executive board of the Belize History Association, Francis Humphreys. Francis Humphreys – Belize History Association Chairperson “As we’ve said, in the context of the presentation itself, the Battle put in place the first foundation stone for the permanence of what is today Belize. Without that permanence, you and I wouldn’t be having this discussion today. Spain had intended to plant the Spanish flag in the settlement, permanently, but that didn’t happen. The defense of the settlement was successful, as a consequence of the Battle, and the rest, as the saying goes, is history.

The Guardian

The Truth About Fair Trade Money
The recent announcement, first revealed on social media and then in the local media last week, that Tate and Lyle has written to the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers’ Association (BSCFA) has left many reeling for answers, and has (as per norm) sent the BSCFA into its usual tailspin as it (the association specifically) scrambles to now figure out what it will do to replace this teet that has now been slapped out of its greedy mouth. What is Fair Trade first of all? It is a social marketing program which allows those Fair Trade accredited/certified producers and distributors to sell their products at a higher (premium) price by appealing to social conscience. In other words, companies like Tate & Lyle, can become certified by the relevant fair trade accreditation body (Flo-Cert), which they can then in turn utilize to label their products as being Fair Trade products. This unique distinction, allows them to sell the sugar product at higher prices. The Fair Trade program is marketed across major markets like Europe, in which Tate & Lyle trades, so when buyers see the fair trade labeling on the product package, they will immediately know that if they purchase the product, a portion of the proceeds from the sale, will go back to the “poor” farmer/producer who produced the raw material(s) used to make said product. Critics of this way of trade say it is rooted in European white guilt for its exploitation of developing countries over centuries, and is their means of recompense.

Why is there a cut in Fairtrade Money?
There is no official in Belize who can actually answer the question as to why Belize’s assistance through Fairtrade is being cut but there are many indicators that can give us some idea as to why it is happening. Julio Cesar Escalante, a career public servant in the Ministry of Economic Development finalized his doctoral thesis in February 2013 at the Centre for Development Studies, The University of Auckland, New Zealand. It was entitled “The Politics of Fairtrade Sugar in Belize: Fairer for Whom? The document is quite compelling and examines the topic quite extensively. While that is so, what is very interesting is what the document says about the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association and the way they handle the finances derived from Fairtrade. The thesis explains that the BSCFA was first certified in 2008 but “Just over a year after the BSCFA was certified it was then suspended for a litany of noncompliances with the Fairtrade standard. These related to mismanagement of the premium – totaling almost US$4m in the first year – and a lack of accountability in the governing committees.” The thesis continues: “Canefarmers had little knowledge of Fairtrade” “in the beginning many cane farmers were against Fairtrade funding being used to pay for new vehicles and increased wages for staff of the BSCFA because the budget was well in excess of a million Belize dollars. In addition many interviewees reported that they had seen the machineries of the BSCFA in plots that belong to farmers who serve in the association or their relatives; the machines in question were fixing feeder roads.”

Why the PUP Wants the GSU Disbanded
If you have been a resident of Belize City for the past thirty years, you would have noticed that a lot has changed since then. The demographics certainly speak a different story today as compared with 1984. Older folks speak of a time when everyone was their brother’s keeper and when everyone knew each other’s child. Everyone had the authority to correct that child if found committing wrongdoings. In 1987 the United Democratic Party Government created the SIS- Secret Intelligence Service. There is no denying the success that this unit had in curbing the nascent crime wave which was afflicting Belize at the time. It was vehemently criticized by the PUP and in 1989 after winning the elections; the first order of business for the PUP was to disband the SIS. Something went terribly wrong after around 1990. The system broke down and we started to see an escalation in crime like never witnessed before in Belize. This was a little after the PUP won the general elections in 1989. In 1993 the UDP was once again elected to office and robust, no-nonsense strategies were implemented within the police department to tackle the crime which was spiraling out of control.

20 K Campaign Focuses on Financial Empowerment for Women
Over 200 women and young ladies answered the “National Call to Action” from Special Envoy for Women and Children, Kim Simplis Barrow, on Friday, August 29, when the 20,000 Strong campaigned proceeded with a focus on financial empowerment for women. According to the Special Envoy, the Conference on Women and Girl’s Financial Health is “a precursor that will inform the design of an economic development program which will support women entrepreneurs in starting, growing and sustaining their businesses.” The conference provided an opportunity for young ladies and aspiring entrepreneurs to hear from successful businesswomen. The accomplished entrepreneurs in attendance shared about the early challenges they faced and how they paddled through. The conference also provided an opportunity for policy makers to hear from new business owners about what support they need and what are the limitations that exist in the economic environment.

Maintaining three billion dollars worth of infrastructure
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport is now preparing to conduct a study on the way forward for the continued maintenance and improvement of some three billion dollars worth of roads and other infrastructure. This will occur as the Ministry of Works continues to improve road infrastructure across the Country. This bit of good news was revealed last week by Chief Engineer Lennox Bradley and if all goes as planned, within the next four years all of Belize’s national highways will be at very improved standards. Some of these improvements on Belize’s road networks are now taking place through the efforts of the Government of Belize in partnership with several international development organizations. In the Cayo Central Division work has begun with the concreting of streets for aesthetic purposes and for it to serve a longer period of time. As of this past Sunday several work crews were out on Bishop Martin Street to pave it with concrete and it is expected that this project will cost half a million dollars. Also in the pipe line is the concreting of Requena Street in an effort “..to transform Santa Elena into a Town that is the envy of all,” says Area Representative and Minister of Works and Transport, the Hon. Rene Montero. Meanwhile; work on the Loma Luz Boulevard in Santa Elena is being done by contractor CISCO with funding from the Caribbean Development Bank. This road will feed into the San Ignacio and Santa Elena By-pass, which is being prepared to cross the Macal River.

Bringing Dignity to a Dirty Job
We have not heard about the dumpsite “scavengers” since the late Keith Swift’s great award winning piece in November of 2008. The “jungle”, as the scavengers refer to it, was cleared, covered and closed in 2010 under the IDB funded Solid Waste Management project. This project not only got rid of the eye sore that was the jungle but has significantly improved the working environment of the men and women who were once called “scavangers”, the bottom feeders of society. The Solid Waste Management Authority is now responsible for the disposal of garbage from out of Belize City and other municipalities in the Western Corridor. The location that was the “jungle” is now a temporary holding facility for the city’s garbage known as transfer station. The compound houses a 600 square meter building where garbage is collected from households, business institutions and non-processed industrial waste. Those are then separated and taken to mile 24 on the George Price Highway, site of the state of the art sanitary landfill.

Eden Seventh Day Adventist Primary School in Santa Elena opens up in full colors
One of the largest Seventh Day Adventist Primary Schools in Belize, the Eden Seventh Day Adventist Primary School, opened on Monday of this week in Santa Elena Town, showcasing its brand new classrooms, kitchen and playground. Students and staff assembled in the School grounds on the first day of school for prayers and to celebrate the achievements that have been made over the last few months. Earlier this year Seventh Day Adventist Missionaries had worked on several projects at the Eden Seventh Day Adventist Primary School. We enquired from Principal Tharine Gabourel the sources of all that help and she told us that all had come from international groups. The School in Santa Elena Town now has all grade classes on the same grounds and now sports freshly built upper concrete classrooms as well as a brand new kitchen, equipped with modern appliances.

Benque Viejo Town Council gets compactor truck
The Town Council of Benque Viejo del Carmen received a compactor truck last Friday from Santander Sugar Limited. The 1987 GMC Truck is valued at about $30,000.00 According to Mayor Miguel Velasquez, the vehicle will be used to pick up garbage around Town with greater frequency and more effectiveness. The Town of Benque Viejo at one time had two garbage trucks, but as of recent were only able to operate with one. This new addition to the Town Council assets is being received with good news by Benque Viejo del Carmen Residents, who have traditionally kept their Town spankingly clean of all refuse.

Leases issued to 105 residents of Bullet Tree Falls Village
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources & Agriculture, Honourable Gaspar Vega in collaboration with UDP Cayo North Standard Bearer, Mr. Omar Figueroa presented 105 Leases to the residents of Bullet Tree Falls Village in Cayo in a ceremony held yesterday in that community. Of the over one hundred leases issued, 40 were the regularization of documents, and for these first-time lease holders, these papers provided a solution to decades-old uncertainty regarding ownership of the land on which their families reside. The Ministry of Natural Resources & Agriculture covered the survey & subdivision costs in an effort to provide these families with security and legal rights to their property.

Channel 5 Poll is a Joke
Channel 5 has lost their claim to objectivity a long time ago but they still play an extremely important roll in the dissemination of information or mis-information here in Belize. Many Belizeans get their news from this television station with the most resources and their pieces are often featured on regional outlets. Unfortunately, the once highly regarded news agency continues to sink to the level of gossip tabloids as its appetite for sensationalism continues to expand. Channel 5 is definitely not the only news station accused of being sensational and they may not even be the most sensational in Belize. However, they almost certainly produce the most skewed news in the region and their polling is nothing but a joke. The Channel 5 poll has always rubbed objective viewers the wrong way. The questions are framed in a certain way to get a desired result that would further their anti-government agenda – very crafty. However, looking at its most recent poll, Channel 5 has simply gone too far. Forget about framing a question to get a desired result! Channel 5 has now chosen to simply give you the answer they are looking for. Fresh off the PUP’s announcement that they will disband the Gang Suppression Unit, Channel 5 “asks” its viewers: “Do you believe that the GSU should be disbanded?”

First Indian Diaspora Conference in Belize - a Resounding Success
The First Indian Diaspora Conference in Belize, held from August 5 to 11, 2014, was a resounding success. The theme of the conference was Highlighting Indian Culture and Contribution in a Multi–ethnic Society. The conference’s success was due to the input of several organizations and the hard work of many individuals. In the year 2012, Mrs. Sylvia Gilharry-Perez, President of Corozal Organization of East Indian Cultural Heritage (COEICH), with the approval of her executive members, accepted a suggestion. The suggestion was made by anthropologist, Dr. Kumar Mahabir, a professor at University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) to host an Indian Diaspora Conference in Belize. The suggestion was circulated to many individuals and organizations. The National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) supported the idea. Mr. Nigel Encalada, Director of NICH, and his team were fully involved with the planning and implementation of this conference. Dr. Albert Williams, Professor at Nova Southeastern University, Florida and a Belizean East Indian, gave his time and expertise to help with the planning of the conference, actively participated in its implementation, and provided exquisite entertainment with far-reaching solos on his guitar.

El Progresso Primary School in Cayo has difficulties
It was the start of the school year for primary school children around Belize on September the first, but for one school in the Cayo District, as of Tuesday, classes were yet to begin as normal. Parents turned up with their children on Monday of this week at the El Progresso Primary School in El Progresso Village at Mile 7 on the Mountain Pine Ridge Road, only to find that the Principal was not present. As a result parents had refused to leave their children alone at the school, concerned as to who was going to be the Principal and who was in charge of the school. There now seems to be a small group of villagers from El Progresso that are standing up against the Principal Pedro Cano and others are in his support as he is well liked in the village. Earlier in June of this year a letter was in circulation relating to Cano, an investigation had ensued, but no action was taken by the education authorities until recently, when he was placed on administrative leave. Allegations in the letter are that he behaved inappropriately, he is also accused of duct-taping the mouths of some students. There is a possibility that Pedro Cano could go back to teaching if the findings show that he had always been a good Principal.

Rotten to the Core
Not since the litany of scandals and indignities which were orchestrated between 1998 and 2008 has the People’s United Party dominated the national headlines for two consecutive weeks. Last week it was Saldivar and his alleged million dollar daylight heist from his former client and this week began with Cordel’s so-called “return”. Saldivar’s particular drama continued unfolding from Monday evening to Friday morning past when his committee came in from Belize Rural North and staged a protest in front of Independence Hall. An all-around waste of time, people have commented, since no protest in the past has ever had much influence on the PUP’s mindset. They, like some religious leaders, believe in being infallible. And so Saldivar today continues on suspension, with the likelihood of being removed as Standard Bearer. Personally I think Saldivar’s entire political career is over. And to think, this is the same man who once aspired to be PUP Party Leader, but is now considered crude and rude by his own colleagues. Then again, I can’t blame them, since the majority of us Belizeans share that same opinion of the man, don’t you think?

September Celebrations Officially Started
We are proud Belizeans today because 216 years ago a group of Baymen, African slaves and free blacks decided to defend the settlement against an intimidating foe. The facts of the 1798 Battle of St. George’s Caye continue to be the subject of much debate. How huge was the Spanish fleet? Did their vessels experience difficulties? What weapons were used? How long did the battle last? Was it really a war or just a standoff? Different historians hold on to different versions but what they all agree on is that the road to nationhood began with a decision to permanently settle St. George’s Caye (whether it be facing an intimidating foe or frightening uncertainty). It is because of that decision that we are able to celebrate our 33rd Anniversary of Independence this year and it is for that decision that we will march with our heads held high on September 10 as we remember our forefathers who decided that holding on to this blessed piece of earth is worth every once of blood, sweat and tears they can muster.

Cordel Hyde’s Empty Legacy
After 15 years of being a representative in the Lake Independence constituency with a legacy of doing absolutely nothing, Cordel Hyde, returned to the People’s United Party. We must be specific that he returned to the People’s United Party because he did not return to the people of Lake Independence, after all he was never there for them. He has absolutely nothing that he can point to or say were his accomplishments while he represented (or not) the people in that division. He had the audacity to stand on the podium and claim that the people of Lake I were clamoring for his return, but is that really the truth? We are sure that can’t be so. Under his 15 years, Lake I was simply stagnant, there was nothing done by way of infrastructure, education, health or housing in that division. We can say however that in those 15 years under Hyde, the people of the constituency were treated with great disregard. Clinics were held but in order to be seen by Hyde people had to fight for a few tickets that were thrown over the verandah of the education building behind the Mahogany street complex building. And those who were strong enough to get a number were given mere pittances to pay a water bill or an electricity bill.

National Bank Starts Accepting Deposits ...
The National Bank of Belize opened its doors on September 2 of 2013 with $20 million in start up capital from the Government of Belize. $10 million was earmarked for teachers and public officers and $10 million for other middle income Belizeans. On Tuesday, September 2, the bank celebrated its first anniversary and is holding raffles and other promotions for customers throughout the week. The biggest news on the first anniversary is that the bank is now accepting deposits. Janette Arnold, Deputy General Manager of the National Bank, says Belizeans can now open a savings account with just $25. Savings accounts can be opened for children with just $10. She encourages all Belizeans to open an account with the bank as it continues to expand its portfolio and services. A Belize City branch is expected to be constructed in the Lake Independence Boulevard area very soon and other branches countrywide will follow. Over the next 18 months, clients of the National Bank will benefit from the roll out of an Automated Teller Machine system with two ATMs at the Belmopan branch. Clients will be able to use their ATM cards at the Belmopan branch or any Heritage Bank ATM countrywide. According to Senator Joy Grant, Chairman of the Bank’s Board of Directors, the cards will also be usable at over 25 credit unions across the country.

Can Love be the Answer
Your brother, sister, mother, grandparents- all of us- experience a world of corruption; a world where the only quick escape is harm. The words used of shame and sorrow hurt not only the individual spoken to, but the world also as a whole. No doubt, each of us has inflicted some type of pain in another individual's life. Sitting down thinking about the pain and suffering caused in people’s lives helps to demonstrate the importance of love in the world. We often times experience a level of discomfort from pretty much everyone we come in contact with, and they have experienced similar levels of discomfort from us as well. This anxiety ranges from a mere tickle in the stomach to pain that makes your eyes shine with trickles of pure sadness. This leads us to believe that in a world of such incredible pain, we need something to lean on. From the words of the great Beatles themselves, I believe that “all we need is love”.

Di Silvaana Udz Lekcha Series launched in Belmopan
A lecture series celebrating the illustrious life and contributions of Dr. Silvana Udz, assistant professor at the University of Belize, was launched in a packed hall of the Jaguar Auditorium at the University of Belize in Belmopan this past Tuesday. It was an opportunity at this occasion to hear the well known and established writer Godfrey Smith, who gave students numerous pointers to the writing process. Present at this event on Tuesday was Dr. Silvana Udz, who was much applauded for her work and contributions to Belize. As reviewed by book enthusiast and writer Ivory Kelly, Dr. Silvana Udz is a founding member of the Belize Creole Project, the literary arm of Belize’s National Creole Council. While at the Creole Council Dr. Silvana Udz published the Creole English dictionary in 2007 and promoted a standard Creole spelling system as well as material for using the Creole language as a tool in developing English fluency in Belize. Dr. Silvana Udz is now leading a team of English lecturers at the University of Belize in developing a pre-college English program.

Slow Down! Smooth Road + Speed = Accidents
There is an old saying that progress brings problems and that is very true in the old capital city these days. The over 100 newly paved or cemented streets in Belize City have brought welcome relief to struts and tires, and the pockets of automobile owners. It is pure sweetness to plot your ‘smooth road’ route to your next destination as drivers navigate away from the few, still pothole-filled streets. But this new phenomenon has brought to light another challenge – motorists are just speeding through the city in reckless fashion with little or no regard to pedestrians. While hard statistics may be lacking, it can be assumed that since the newly paved streets, there are many more accidents and near misses taking place that are not reported. There is one piece of road where the selfishness, ignorance (creole definition), hastiness and impolite side of residents rear its ugly head, and that is the first 3 miles of the northern highway. Impatient motorists speed up cutting in and out of traffic only to come to a complete halt some 100 yards up ahead. If not for the few speed bumps added recently, the evening news would be replete with more tragic traffic accidents. Another treacherous piece of urban road is the Youth for the Future Drive from the BelChina Bridge to Vernon Street. That has become a virtual speedway and pedestrians have to literally run for their lives sometimes when crossing that wide span. Undoubtedly, a crosswalk needs to be constructed posthaste. It might be useful to note here that speed limit signs in the city are pretty much non-existent which doesn’t work well for city residents who are already somewhat adverse to obeying traffic law and rules.

Neighborhood Watch Summer Camp 2014, Benque Viejo
The Zone 4 Captain Mr. Samuel Bruce has hosted an annual summer camp for the Benque Viejo del Carmen's area children, which concluded on Friday August 22nd, at the spacious Sam’s Community Park; complimenting the efforts of community policing unit commanded by Corporal Joshua McKoy. This event has been hosted by Mr. Bruce since 2008, when the program began in Benque Viejo. Zone 4 has been a model of success for the Police Department ever since. This event required the coordinated effort of Zone Captain Sam Bruce and volunteer instructors such as Mrs. Carmita Harris, Rony Nix, Dorian Harris, Isela Tesucum. It also needed the help of Assistant instructors Gene Bruce and Luis Lisbey. The summer camp was offered free of cost to over 60 children per day, along with police youth cadets, who took part in arts and craft projects, football, volleyball, and became immersed in the play ground's equipment. Some of the many treats for the children were juice, biscuits, snacks, ideals’, Rice & Beans and chicken dinners. A total of 300 children participated for the week in this year’s program.

Belize’s First Governor General is Trailblazer of the Week
Trailblazer Tuesdays proudly presents Belize's First Governor General, Dame Elmira Minita Gordon! Dame Elmira Minita Gordon became Belize’s first Governor General and the Queen’s representative when Belize got its political independence in 1981. The independent Belize’s constitution allows for a Belizean citizen to be appointed by the Queen, on the advice of ministers in Belize, to be her in-country representative with day-to-day executive powers. Dame Minita held this highly esteemed position for twelve years. Born and raised in Belize City, Elmira Minita began her education at St. John’s Girl’s School and St. Mary’s Primary. Her professional education was done locally at St. George’s Teacher’s College and enhanced with a course from the College of Preceptors, Oxford, England. She pursued postgraduate education at universities of Nottingham and Birmingham in England, the University of Calgary in Alberta Canada and the University of Toronto, Canada. Minita became Belize’s first Belizean trained psychologist when she returned to Belize in 1980.

San Pedro Colombia residents looking for murder suspect
Investigators from Punta Gorda are looking for a suspect on the run for a gruesome murder which happened in the village of San Pedro Colombia. 61 year-old Agripina Coc was raped and murdered in the very quiet village on Saturday, October 30, 2014. According to her family, she left her house at around 12:30 p.m. to visit a relative and to go buy rice at one of the neighbouring shops. After she went missing for more than 2 hours, her family immediately began to get worried. They organized themselves into search parties, asking for the help of other villagers. About seven hours later, the search parties discovered her nude body. She had suffered a large chop wound to the centre of her head. Coc was well-known in the village as a friendly and kind Christian woman, and as soon as the grisly discovery was made, the other villagers became enraged. They organized themselves into search parties to investigate what had happened. Shortly after, they received information that Agripina Coc had complained of a young man she’d seen around the village stalking her. The search teams soon started to behave mob-like, arming themselves with sticks and machetes, and they went searching for this person. There are reported sightings of the young man, but he has not been detained as yet.

San Antonio wins in Vega Cup Tournament
The 2014 Vega Cup Tournament continued on Sunday, August 24, with four games on the schedule out at the San Antonio Football Field in Orange Walk North. In the first game played, Santa Cruz Jrs blanked Rising Stars by the score of 2-0. The goals for the Santa Cruz Jrs were scored by Ruviney Carillo in the 45th and 56th minutes of play. In game two, Barrio Boys also blanked San Jose Pumas by the score of 2-0. The goals for the Barrio Boys were scored by Jesus Richards in the 8th minute of play and Zaim Cawich in the 90th minute of play. In the third game of the afternoon, Jaguars United defeated Douglas United by the score of 6-1. The goals for Jaguars United were scored by Johnny Cardenas in the 2nd and 17th minutes of play, Luis Herrador in the 15th minute of play and Osmer Uk in the 46th minute of play. Meanwhile, the only goal of the game for Douglas United was scored by Hilmer Martinez in the 82nd minute of play.

Complex Admirals leads Firms basketball championship series
The Belize District Basketball Association Firms competition entered its championship round on Friday, August 22, at Bird’s Isle with championship game one between Complex ‘Admirals’ and the Belize Bank/Airport Team. In game one of the best of three series, it was the Complex ‘Admirals’ that won game one by the score of 73-63. The top scorers for Complex ‘Admirals’ were Wilfred Richards with 26 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals, Rhetton Belisle with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals, and Cassian Flowers with 12 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Meanwhile, the top scorers for the Belize Bank/Airport Authority team were Terrique Gabb with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists, Chris McGann also with 18 points, and Dominique Guzman with 12 points, and an assist and 3 steals.

XXIV National Women’s Softball Championship this weekend
The XXIV National Women’s Softball Championship will be played from August 29-31, 2014, at Rogers Stadium. The National Softball Championship is played between the champions and sub-champions of the Affiliated Associations that makes up the National Federation. The championship will feature from Belize City Belize Bank Bulldogs (Champions) and Beacon (Sub-champions), from Belize Rural Sunrise of Lord’s Bank (Champions) and Burrell Boom Orchird Girls (sub-champions), from Cayo Roaring Creek the number one seed and Esperanza Wolverines the number two seed and from Orange Walk Carmelita the number one seed. The championship will commence on Friday, August 29, at 6:30 pm with game one between Beacon and Roaring Creek and this will be followed by game two, which will see Belize Bank Bulldogs against the Esperanza Wolverines.

Murder on Fabers Road
Residents of Fabers Road Extension woke up on Sunday, August 31, 2014, to the early morning gunfire which claimed the life of 38 year-old Michael “Pama” Usher. Very little is known at this time about the motivation for this street slaying, but at around 4:30 a.m., Usher left his mother’s house on Fabers Road Extension. He was riding his bike, heading towards the George Price Highway. That’s when an unknown gunman ambushed him and fired several shots in his direction. Usher, who was caught off-guard was injured in his upper body and head, and he collapsed in the middle of the street. He died on the spot, while his attacker rode off. Police responded shortly after it happened, and they recovered six 9mm expended shells and one of the slugs.

Coast Guard Officer charged for Crooked tree boat accident
On Wednesday, September 3, a single charge of manslaughter by negligence was levied against Coast officer, 49-year-old Whain Williams. Williams was arraigned before Magistrate Herbert Panton. He was unrepresented. A single charge of manslaughter by negligence was read to him for the January 31, 2014 death of 20-year-old Benjamin Jerome Gentle Junior. After the charge was read to him, Magistrate Panton said, “I could not help but question why you are before me on this charge.” He commented saying that “Weren’t you in the execution of your duties.” Nevertheless, the charge was read to him. Because the matter is an indictable offense, no plea was taken from Williams. There was no objection to bail and Magistrate Panton offered him bail in the sum of 2 thousand dollars plus one surety of the same amount which he met.

Indian Medical Student kills two in traffic collision
An Indian medical student has been charged in connection with the deaths of 2 Belizeans following a terrible collision on the Goerge Price Highway. Police believe that he was driving a vehicle drunk when he killed his passengers, and probably just as bad is the fact that he is an unlicensed driver. The accident happened at around 8 o’clock on Friday night, August 29 between Miles 46 and 47 on the said highway. 20 year-old Indian national Lenin Mayavan was driving a grey Chevy Tracker, and with him in the vehicle at the time were 17 year-old Belmopan resident Jose Manuel Castellanos and 22 year-old Maritza Cruz Rodriguez. He was driving toward Belmopan when his vehicle slammed into a Mitsubishi Pickup, which was going in the opposite direction. That vehicle was being driven by 67 year-old businessman Luis Urbina from Orange Walk.

Wallace Gordon, 35, will spend the next year in prison for beating up his ex-common-law-wife on March 7 of this year. Tenielle Williams, 34, reported to police that just after 6:50 a.m. on March 7 she was at her Kings Park home when Gordon visited requesting to see their baby boy. She refused to let him see the baby. Williams told him to go through the courts to see the child. It was then that Gordon forced himself in and a struggle ensued. According to Williams, Gordon punched her in the face at least two times before leaving the house. Williams made a report to police about the incident and also informed them that Gordon had her passport. When police detained Gordon he told them that he accidentally hit Williams but admitted that he took her passport and tore it up.

Anti-Christ’s’ son sentenced to 6 months for robbery
On Monday, September 1, 21-year-old Kenrick Kevin Longsworth was found guilty of robbery by Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith. He was then sentenced to six months imprisonment. Longsworth is accused of jacking a purse from Sherlette Lamb whilst she was on Freetown Road. Lamb testified in court that on the day of the robbery she was at Deheli, a Chinese Store, where she had gone to buy some drinks. Whilst at the store, she took out her purse which she had in a plastic bag and took out some money to pay for her items. She said that she put back the purse in the plastic bag and placed it on the handle of the bicycle she was riding. Whilst at the store, Longsworth was there and he was watching her so she left. As she rode off on her bicycle, she heard heavy breathing coming from behind her and that’s when she looked behind her and saw it was Longsworth who then snatched her purse from off the bicycle.

Man is maimed with a vehicle
A Belize City man has been left maimed following what looks like a deliberate attempt by a driver to run him over. The man behind the wheel has since been arrested and charged for that incident. An eyewitness has told the media that 42 year-old Belize City resident Francis Gill was at Key Ley Fried Chicken shop in front of ITVET on Freetown Road. He was buying food when a Chevy Blazer ran Gill over. He recounted to the media that he ordered his food and was urinating off to the side when he felt a pain to the side of the body. That’s when the vehicle hit him, and much to the shock and trauma to other eyewitnesses, his right leg came apart from the impact. The eyewitness says that when Gill went down, the driver revved the vehicle several times, giving the impression that he deliberately ran Gill over. A short while after that, he drove off.

Three shot in robbery attempt - two are 17 year olds
On Monday, September 1, two minors both ages seventeen were remanded to the Wagner’s Youth Facilities located at the Belize Central Prison after they were charged jointly at the Belize Family Court. The two minors were charged with robbery. Since the robbery is alleged to have occurred with the use of a firearm, they were both denied bail and remanded into custody until October 2, 2014. Since they are minors, we are unable to publish their faces. Reports are that on Friday August 29th at around 4:15p.m. the minors along with two other men rode on bicycles to the rear of the Western Dairies Ice Cream parlor on Heusner Street where 4 employees of the establishment were loading a truck. Two of the assailants pulled out guns and pointed it towards the workers and ordered them to lie on the floor stating that it was a robbery. Before anything else could happen, the culprits came under fire and the two 17 year olds along with another of the robbers were shot. One of the minors received a gunshot to the upper side of the left shoulder and the other received a gunshot to the back. A third robber was also shot and while the two minors were escorted to face charges, the third was not taken since his injuries were more severe and he remains a the KHMH in serious but stable condition. The fourth suspect managed to escape unhurt.

Perfilio “Champagne” Rodriguez Not Properly Dressed for court
Perfilio Rodriguez, better known as Vanessa Champagne Paris, almost missed his court appointment on Friday, August 29, because he showed up inappropriately dressed. Rodriguez prefers to dress like a woman but this was not the reason he was refused entry into the courtroom of Magistrate Herbert Panton. Rodriguez appeared at court late (after 10 a.m.) dressed in blue tight jeans and a white shirt but he was wearing slippers on his feet. The female security officer refused to allow him to enter the court room and he became angry and confrontational. According to eyewitness, Rodriguez charged pass the security officer to see the clerk of court. The clerk also refused to allow him to enter in slippers and Rodriguez was forced to go purchase a tennis shoe. Rodriguez did not get back to court until around 11 a.m.

Edward “Ned” Pitts honoured with Commonwealth Games Federation Order of Merit
Edward “Ned” Pitts, President Emeritus of the Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association was awarded on July 22, 2014, at the General Assembly of the Commonwealth Games Federation in Glasgow, Scotland, with the Federation Order of Merit. Pitts, has been awarded this honour in recognition of over 60 years’ service to sport in Belize and the wider Commonwealth. The prestigious Commonwealth Games Federation Gold Pin and Scroll was received on Mr. Pitts’ behalf by Mr. Hilly Martinez, the President of the Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association.

Complex “Admirals” captures Firms competition Basketball title
The Belize Basketball Association 2014 Firms competition came to an end on Saturday August 30 at Bird’s Isle with the third and final game in the best of three series between the Belize Bank/Airport Team and Complex “Admirals”. In the third and final game of the championship, Complex “Admirals” defeated the Belize bank/Airport Team by the score of 61-54 to capture the championship by winning 2 games to 1. The top scorers for the Complex “Admirals” team were Rhetton Belisle with 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists, Cassion Flowers with 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals, and Wilford Richards with 13 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.

National “A” Team participating in Copa Centroamericana Tourney
The Football Federation of Belize National “A” Team is currently in the United States of America where it is participating in the 13th UNCAF Copa Centroamericana Tournament. The 21 payers and Technical staff left the country on Monday September 1, 2014 for Washington DC. Team Belize was placed in Group A which consists of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. The following are members of the National “A” Team: Goalkeepers – Shane Orio, Woodrow West and Frank Lopez; Defenders- Elroy Smith, Dalton Eiley, Ian Gaynair, Evral Trapp and Felix Miranda; Midfielders – Harrison Roaches, Denmark Casey, Daniel Jimenez, Andres Makin, John King, Delone Torres, and Trevor Lennen; Forwards – Jarret Davis, Evan Mariano, Highking Roberts, Clifton West, Jerome James and Deon McCaulay.

Sagitun leads championship series in President’s Cup
The Football Federation of Belize President’s Cup championship series got underway on Sunday August 31, 2014, at the Ricalde Stadium between Sagitun FC and the host team San Antonio FC. In game one, the visiting Sagitun FC edged out the host team San Antonio FC by the score of 3-2 to take a 1 game lead in the series. The goals for the Sagitun FC were scored by Delone Torres in the 16th minute of play, Rollin Burgess in the 18th minute of play and Ashley Torres in the 31st minute of play.

Women’s Football rolls in across the country
The Football Federation of Belize Women President’s Cup competition continued over the last weekend with 2 games. On Saturday August 30, at the Carl Ramos Stadium in Dangriga Town, DFC Gentle Touch blanked Smart Millennium by the score of 1-0. The only goal of the game was scored by Abbe Halliday in the 6th minute of play via a penalty kick. And then on Sunday August 31, 2014, at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium in Belmopan, Triple B’s also blanked Toledo Girls by the score of 2-0. The goals for Triple B’s were scored by Yamili Herrera in the 48th minute of play and Jennisha Scott in the 80th minute of play.

United Ballers won big in Vega Cup Tournament
The 2014 Vega Cup Tournament continued on Sunday August 31 with four games at the Trial Farm Football field. In the first game of the day, United Ballers defeated San Roman FC by the score of 7-0. The goals for United Ballers were scored by Didier Chulim in the 8th and 85th minutes of play, Andrew Allen in the 25th and 48th minutes of play, Jarette Hyde in the 27th minute of play, Kadir Gallindo in the 40th minute of play and Andy Garcia in the 57th minute of play. In game two, San Juan FC edged out San Pablo Youth by the score of 2-1. The goals for San Juan FC were scored by Eric Osorio in the 37th minute of play and Juan Acosta in the 43rd minute of play. Meanwhile, the goal for the San Pablo Youth was scored by Guillermo Aguilar in the 73rd minute of play. In the third game of the day, Awe V. United squeaked one by Uprising with the 4-3 victory. The goals for Awe V. United were scored by Daython Rivas in the 5th minute of play, Norman Trapp in the 17th minute of play, Dedron Baptist in the 50th minute of play and Floyd Jones in the 75th minute of play.

Health Hookup
Back to Basics – Acute Gastroenteritis (Stomach Bug) On August 25th, 2014 the Ministry of Health issued a press release regarding Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE). The MOH, along with PAHO and CARPHA released a study revealing the impact AGI has on a society as it pertains to Burden of Illness. Without going into detailed medical terminology, AGE is simply an infection of the stomach and small intestines that usually results in diarrhea, vomiting and/or stomach cramps. It is often referred to as stomach flu, stomach bug or food poisoning. The infectious agent is transferred via contaminated food, water or coming in contact with someone who has the infection. Often times when infants and children have AGE, several days after one of the parent develops it due to exposure from caring for the child and cleaning up the mess.

Patrick Jones

Suspect in the San Pedro Columbia murder captured
For four days, San Pedro Columbia resident, 22 year old Miguel Choco was a wanted man. But his flight from the police ended around 10 am today when he was captured in his underwear as he walked along the Southern Highway between miles 12 and 13. Choco is […]

Garifuna organizations unite against First Caribbean International Bank
The residents of Dangriga town are still fuming over what they call the “discriminatory” policy of First Caribbean International Bank branch in the municipality of not allowing Garifuna language to be spoken by employees in the institution’s public spaces. That policy, according to residents extended even to […]

Mexican troupe to play in Belize
Five young Mexican musicians have landed in Belize to perform concerts in Belize City and Benque Viejo. They are the brass quintet “Ayre” and we met with them today at practice at the Mexican Institute. Bass trombonist Miguel Antonio Garcia says they are looking forward to playing classical […]

Deshawn Craig charged for handling stolen gun
As we reported yesterday, laborer Deshawn Craig of Caesar Ridge Road faces further charges in relation to a firearm he tried to get rid of this week. It turns out that the firearm belonged to one Derrick Hemmans and was apparently stolen. Craig was read charges of handling […]

Entrepreneurs receive money to further business
The second round of grants to small businesses participating in the Emprende project co-sponsored by BELTRAIDE, the Center for the Promotion of Micro and Small Enterprises (CENPROMYPE) and the Republic of China (Taiwan) concluded today. From a field of 88, 14 persons were selected to receive seed capital […]

Mayor agrees with BML on payment plan
The ongoing saga of Belize Maintenance Limited (BML) and the Belize City Council is expected to draw to an end next January when the contract for sanitation services expires. But amid reports that the Council was unable to come up with the first payment due at the end […]

National Climate Change Action Plan presented
Today the Ministry of Fisheries, Forestry and Sustainable Development hosted stakeholders in a meeting in Belize City to present the draft of the National Climate Change Action Plan and Strategy for validation. It represents over a year’s worth of consultations with key stakeholders in several major sectors from […]

Police Eastern Division revamps public relations
The Belize Police Department dedicates most of its resources to the Belize District and the City in particular – partially because it is the single largest police district and it is where most crimes are committed. It is also where most media houses are based and in an […]

Search intensifies for murder suspect in San Marcos village, Toledo
Police in Toledo have co-opted the assistance of residence of San Marcos village to capture a man suspected of murdering a woman in San Pedro Columbia village on Saturday. The main suspect was first spotted in Big Falls village on Wednesday afternoon but managed to elude capture and was reported to have headed in the direction of San Marcos village via the bush and farmland in the area. Residents of San Marcos reported sighting someone who they believe is the suspect in the village late last night. This morning police went back to the village and are now working with villagers in an attempt to capture the elusive suspect. Four teams of 4 persons each, including a police officer, are now on the search in San Marcos village.

Blogs

A Scoop Newsletter: Hurricane Timing, New Businesses in Town, A New Look For Belikin and Lots of Red, White and Blue
Yesterday, I noticed (or took a picture) of a few new businesses that are open or will be opening in the next few months. Business #1: A new Hostel – The oh-so-mysterious old Sand’s Hotel. On a huge central lot on the Front Street, just across from the Central Park, is this building. But word is, that the owner, now deceased, left the property to his relatives. One (with friends) has repainted the building and will open the property as a hostel. They only wait for a hotel license. Business #2: Smoothies N Treats I visited this lovely 16 year old, Idalmy, who has opened an afternoon, evening Smoothies shop just behind Captain Sharks in San Pedro. She opens at 4pm after school. Snacks, wings, DEEP FRIED SNICKERS, smoothies. And she is not just making banana…there are tons of flavors. Delicious ones. Made with yummy ingredients. And at a super reasonable price. Business #3: The Coffee Bar The Caribbean Connection internet shop is an internet place no longer – or so I hear. Yesterday, a sign painter was outside taking measurements. The place will now be “The Coffee Bar” and be, primarily, a coffee spot. I’m guessing they are going to be doing more. This is expensive, Front Street real estate and just coffees might not do it. But we will have to wait to find out.

Hero is Celebrated in Belize: Marcus Canul – An Icaiche Maya!
And on September first, another memorial took place in the town of Orange Walk in Belize’s north as people commemorated the death of Icaiche leader Marcus Canul on that date in 1872. Readers will be forgiven for not immediately recognising Mr Canul, or his historical significance to not only the Maya, but to all citizens of Belize. Even many Belizeans are unfamiliar with the man and his deeds, as he was woefully ignored in history books and classrooms for many years. And what was taught about Canul, the Battle of Orange Walk, and the Maya resistance in general was often misleading. We won’t debate that aspect of the Canul legend here, except to remember that history is usually written by the victors, and while the British portrayed Canul and his band as bandits and thieves, he was revered by some people in Belize, Mexico and Guatemala as a freedom fighter seeking justice and compensation for losses suffered by what is today known as ethnic cleansing. We do know that when the British were consolidating their settlement and expanding the logging of mahogany, logwood and other timber back in the 18th century they began encountering stiffer resistance from the indigenous Maya. As the British brought in African slaves and embarked upon a campaign to subjugate and drive the Maya away by burning their villages and crops, the Maya retaliated with raids.

“Walk on the Wild Side” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
The tranquility of my early morning “me time” out on the veranda (the western, lagoon facing one if you’re wondering) with the mug of coffee -black,no sugar as frequent readers will know- and the iPad has been disrupted over recent months occasionally by worrying thoughts. What could have been so invasive you’re thinking (actually you probably don’t give a damn) to interrupt this period of the day that I enjoy so much. Worrying that Arsenal won’t qualify for next season’s Champions League (yes I know that this season has only just begun but you have to think ahead) ? No. Too soon to start worrying about that even for me. Worrying that the water tank under our house will run dry? Well I have been a little (OK, a lot) that I’d get up one morning, turn the tap and … nothing. But the rain last Sunday washed (terrible I know) those concerns away. Worrying that I’m getting old? Nope. I know which of the two options I’ve got and I’ll go for “the getting older” one every time!

THREE LITTLE BIRDS
The Acorn Woodpecker is one of a few woodpeckers that can be found busy moving about in Belize. This is a beautiful member of the woodpecker family with all the amazing colours woodpeckers boast. This one in particular, in flight, one is given a treat of what looks like white polka dots under its wings. Its truly fashionably loud in the woodpecker world. What a delight! The little Scrub Euphonia! This beauty is only 4 inches in size and its bright yellow and blackish blue colour is sure to arch you eyes! We are happy this bird makes Belize its place of residence and can be found in Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador too. In the Spanish speaking places this special “ray of sunshine” is called “Monjita Gorjinegra”, just pronouncing this makes one realise it must be a beautiful species. The Red-Lored Parrots. These are very popular species of parrots around Belize. They always make themselves known even when in flight. Their loquacious communicative “cra-craa-cra” gives them away anywhere. To find them, one needs to visit areas that are forested, patchy woods or even farms – where they can be traumatising to corn fields and the like.

IDB Report on Citizen Security in Belize
The following is a report published by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) dated October 2013. It discusses the lack of citizen security, the ever increasing crime rate, lack of resources to combat it and the underlying aspects that are causing this growth, things I have touched time and again in many discussions like Education, Poverty, failure of our justice system not only in practice but to your citizens in the penitentiary system. Without further adieu, here is the report, and may I say that things have gotten and only keep getting worst.

Ambergris Caye Is Your Sailing Paradise
With its beautiful beaches and excellent location, Ambergris Caye is the largest of over 200 cayes that lie off the coast of Belize near its border with Mexico. In addition to the sights contained on and around the island itself, it also sits less than half a mile from Belize’s Barrier Reef, the second largest in the world. It’s surrounded by a whole host of deserted islands to explore, scuba diving options for all skill levels, and some of the world’s best fishing. The wealth of options makes Ambergris Caye a great central hub for enjoying a number of aquatic adventures. And there’s no better way to get from one attraction to the next than on a chartered sailboat.

International Sources

Footage shows coral stirring water
Coral reefs may look static to the naked eye, but scientists have now seen "violent" activity on their surface. Using powerful microscopes, researchers filmed this footage showing microscopic hairs on the surface of corals "stirring up" the surrounding water. They say that these swirls of water draw nutrients towards the coral, and may also drive away potentially toxic waste products.

BELIZE: IMF EXECUTIVE BOARD CONCLUDES 2014 ARTICLE IV CONSULTATION
On June 23, 2014, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV Consultation1 with Belize. Real GDP growth plummeted to 0.7 percent in 2013, from 4 percent in 2012, mainly due to continued declines in oil production and weak agricultural output, especially sugarcane and citrus. Unemployment stood at 14.2 percent in September 2013 and is on an upward trend since it hit its lowest level in 2008. Average inflation eased to 0.5 percent from 1.3 percent in 2012, as commodity price pressures abated. The external current account deficit widened to 4.5 percent of GDP in 2013 up from 1.2 percent in 2012, as exports of oil and agricultural products fell sharply while imports of fuel and electricity picked up. International reserves improved to 4.7 months of imports at end-March 2014 (up from 3.3 months at end-2012) mainly owing to PetroCaribe financing and private inflows. The primary surplus for FY2013/14 (fiscal year ends in March) is estimated to have fallen to 1 percent of GDP, from 1.4 percent of GDP in FY2012/13. Revenue is expected to be better-than-budgeted, as robust tax revenues more than offset the decline in non-tax revenues. However, substantial increases in wages and salaries, transfers and interest payments drove up current expenditure. Capital expenditures were higher than budgeted because of the need to rebuild the infrastructure that was badly damaged by rain. Credit growth and monetary policy continued to be hampered by weaknesses in the financial system. Private sector credit grew by 3.8 percent (y/y) in March 2014, while broad money grew by 5.2 percent. The banking system remained highly liquid. While declining, non-performing loans (NPLs) remained high at 16.7percent of total loans at end-March 2014. The banking system’s capital adequacy ratio (CAR) improved to 23.4 percent. The authorities stepped up their efforts to address other weaknesses of the financial system, including the adoption of new anti money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) legislation.

Pasta and Noodles Market in Belize: Databook to 2017 - New Study Released Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/2165096#ixzz3CRSBmngp
"Pasta and Noodles Market in Belize: Databook to 2017" is the result of Canadean's extensive market research covering the Pasta and Noodles market in Belize. The report presents detailed historic and forecast data on the Pasta and Noodles consumption trends in Belize, offering consumption volume and value at market and category level. Bringing together Canadean's research, modeling, and analysis expertise to develop uniquely detailed market data, it allows both foreign and domestic companies to identify the market dynamics of overall Pasta and Noodles sales, and remain sensitive to those categories that will be in the ascendency in the coming years.

Long-Term Political Outlook - Corruption And Violent Crime To Remain Atop The Agenda - OCT 2014
BMI View: Belize will continue along its present political trajectory over the next 10 years, with the government remaining unable to tackle corruption, and violent crime posing an ongoing threat to citizens . Nevertheless, we believe that Belizean society will remain stable, and future transitions of power will occur within Belize's constitutional framework. Challenges And Threats To Stability Corruption : We believe any meaningful reform on this front is unlikely over the coming years, regardless of a potential change in administration. The ruling United Democratic Party (UDP) and the main opposition Peoples' United Party (PUP) have both refused to sign the UN Convention Against Corruption whilst in power, making Belize the only country in Central America to remain outside the convention's purview. Prime Minister Dean Barrow was elected on an anti-corruption platform in 2008, pledging to work with the international community to reduce graft in Belize, yet progress has been extremely slow. For example, in 2013 the UDP sacked former secretary of state Elvin Penner from the cabinet due to an immigration scandal involving the sale of visas and passports to foreign nationals, yet he retains his parliamentary seat.

SIDS leaders sign pact
More than 150 delegates and members of the international development community from more than 45 countries were on Monday stunned to see leader after leader approach the podium to sign a historic sustainable energy and climate resilient treaty that will significantly change the lives and destiny of over 20 million small islanders, for the better. Led by the Deputy Prime Minister of Samoa Fonotoe Nuafesili Pierre Lauofo, multiple leaders from the Pacific, Caribbean and African, Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea (AIMS) regions accepted responsibility for fulfilling the commitment to the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Sustainable Energy mechanism — SIDS DOCK.

St. Kitts and Nevis’ minimum wage highest in the OECS
As a final report with recommendations from a 27-person National Advisory Committee on Minimum Wage is being prepared to be sent to Minister of Labour, the Hon. Patrice Nisbett, St. Kitts and Nevis leads the OECS with the highest minimum wage. St. Kitts and Nevis’ Minimum Wage is presently$8.00 per hour or EC$320 per week, while other OECS nations minimum wage is between EC$4.05 per hour and EC$7.51 per hour. Information obtained from the local Department of Labour indicates that the minimum wage in the other OECS countries are as follows: Antigua and Barbuda, EC$7.51 (EC$300.40 per week); Grenada, EC$6.00 (EC$240.00 weekly); St. Lucia, EC$5.00 per hour (EC$200.00 per week); St. Vincent and the Grenadines, EC$4.46 per hour (EC$178.40 per week); Dominica, EC$4.05 per hour (EC$162.00 per week). It is interesting to note that Barbados’ minimum wage is EC$8.45 per day (EC$338.04 per week) and in Belize, EC$4.46 per day (EC$162.00 per week).

Four Benefits Of Living In Belize
Now I do. My husband and I first visited Belize‘s popular island of Ambergris Caye in 1999 and from that very first trip, we were taken with it. I felt a sense of belonging and community I’d never experienced in the U.S.—including in California where we were living at the time. So in 2008, we made the move…and we haven’t looked back. There are a lot of choices when it comes to living the Caribbean lifestyle…including the Cayman Islands, Virgin Islands, Bermuda, and the Turks Caicos…all with their aquamarine Caribbean Sea scenes…soft sand beaches…and pastel-hued Caribbean towns… So why did I pick Belize over other Caribbean destinations? For a few good reasons:

Videos

Video: Top 10 Belize, 5min.
Countdown of the 10 best places to visit in North America. This is a companion piece to Discovery Channels big "North America" series of blue-chip natural history. When they came up short of their contracted 6 shows, this one was hastily imagined to fill out the series. I was producer, writer, editor, and my task was to make up a countdown show that would use footage from the series coupled with whatever I could find in Discovery Channels stock library. Also needed to match the series style of using pop hits as music videos within the show - but I was restricted to Discovery Channel's music library - no Rolling Stones.

Video: Belize it! Part 2, 5min.

September 4, 2014

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

US Embassy hosts business industry meeting on Ambergris Caye
The United States of America (USA) Ambassador to Belize, His Excellency Carlos Moreno, met on Friday August 29th with members of the business and American communities on Ambergris Caye. The roundtable discussion, held at Banyan Bay Resort, was geared to educate and inform the business community and American citizens about the new US tax system as it relates to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The meeting was held in partnership with the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA). In his remarks, Ambassador Moreno informed the gathering that looking back at his last visit to Ambergris Caye in May of 2011, the island has developed, and likewise businesses, on the island. He explained that the US government is interested in supporting genuine businesses. “The US government is interested in helping Belize develop its economy… we support business initiative that are socially responsible and that conduct transactions in an ethical way. In that respect, we are willing to help and support businesses here.”

World Suicide Prevention Day 2014
In observance of World Suicide Prevention Day on Wednesday, September 10, 2014, the Ministry of Health is encouraging Belizeans to light a candle near a window in their homes at 8:00 p.m. on that day. Suicide is a serious public health problem, but is also a preventable one. The World Health Organization estimates that every year around 800,000 people commit suicide. Statistics from the Ministry of Health indicate that the suicide rate for Belize is 5.3 per 100,000, which is one of the lowest among Central American countries.

The Government House- Belize House of Culture
With exquisite colonial architecture and an even richer history, the House of Culture, better known as the Government House, is one of the most important buildings in Belize. Located on Regent Street in Belize City, the building was erected in 1814 when Belize was still British Honduras and under British rule. It was the residence of the Governor General (the British Monarchy representative) until 1998, when The Government House was opened to the public and renamed the House of Culture. It was at the Government House where the Union Jack was lowered, and the Belize flag was raised for the first time on September 21, 1981 cementing our independence from our mother country. Read more: The Government House- Belize House of Culture - My Beautiful Belize Follow us: @MyBeautifulBze on Twitter | MyBeautifulBelize on Facebook

Eight SPHS athletes participate in CODICADER Games
Eight San Pedro High School (SPHS) students left for Guatemala on Monday, September 1st to represent Belize in the 28th Centroamericano de Deportes y Recreacion (CODICADER) Games. The games run from Monday, September 1st to Wednesday, September 10th, and are organized by CODICADER in collaboration with Central American Integration System (SICA) to promote sports amongst youth. Youth athletes from Panama, Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador and Belize are competing in 16 sport disciplines. The SPHS volleyball team comprises of Gabriel Nuñez, Guillermo Nuñez, Afri Black, Shemar Broaster, Francisco Pineda, Jovi Ico and Giomar Marin, and SPHS triathlete Kian Ancona are among Belize’s delegation of 89 athletes participating in the games. Representatives include the champion school teams of the National Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA) in football, volleyball, basketball and softball, as well as individual NSSSA champions in track and field, chess and karate. All participants must be 17 years of age or younger.

September Celebrations Officially Kicks-off
The National Celebrations Commission officially launched the 2014 September Celebrations on Sunday, September 1st at the House of Culture (The Government House) in Belize City. This year’s celebrations are being held under the theme “Industrious Hands, Intelligent Minds, Together for Belize!” The event marks the opening of the celebrations in honor of two significant days in Belizean History, the 216th anniversary of The Battle of St. George’s Caye and the 33rd anniversary of Belize’s Independence. The event is usually held at Saint Georges Caye, but due to inclement weather it was moved to the House of Culture, and saw the attendance of a large crowd of patriotic citizens. Several dignitaries also attended the event, including Governor General His Excellency Sir Colville Young, Acting Mayor of Belize City Alifa Elrington-Hyde, and several ambassadors to Belize.

Ambergris Today

Pic of the Week: Fishing with Jimmy Buffett
This picture is not of Jimmy Buffett fishing in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, but of him fishing with a Sanpedrano. Pictured here is Mr. Buffett (right) with local Sanpedrano pilot Gerald Leslie off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusets, USA. Gerald Leslie is a private pilot for Mr. Buffett and on one of their days off they went fishing and caught this huge tuna. They wanted to boast their big catch with San Pedro and sent the picture to Ambergris Today.

Another Older Person A Victim of Senseless Crime
The NCA once again requests that greater attention be paid to older persons in their communities because they are more vulnerable than most and not able to defend themselves against attackers. Older persons also need to be more vigilant and make sure they do not walk about on their own at night or let unknown persons into their homes. Also once older persons report incidences to the authorities they need to be taken seriously and attended to.

Misc Belizean Sources

Handing Over of Health and Safety Policy Manual
Tourists and local visitors to archaeological sites in Belize will soon benefit from new health and safety policies to be undertaken in Belize in an effort to implement the recently created Health and Safety Standards for archaeological sites. The Health and Safety Standards policy is now mandatory after being signed into law by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Investment and Consumer Protection on May 27, 2014 and gazetted on May 31, 2014. The Health and Safety Policy Manual was officially handed over to the Belize Tourism Board and the National Institute of Culture and History on Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at the Institute of Archaeology’s office in Belmopan. The policy manual was developed as part of the objectives of the Making Tourism Benefit Communities Adjacent to Archaeological Sites (MTBCAAS) project, funded by the European Union and the Government of Belize and implemented by the Belize Tourism Board and the National Institute of Culture and History. The project intends to achieve three main sets of results at archaeological sites:

Chicken Fajitas
Chicken Fajitas are very easy to make. I use the thigh because it has more fat and will give more flavor to the meal. I made the seasonings from scratch to avoid using a mix that has msg. This dish it spicy and very satisfying.

Thirsty Thursday's Grand Opening
Thirsty Thursday had their grand opening on Saturday. They've really done an amazing job on the old Piache spot. Tanya Carter showed up to sing, and Danny Chung got some great pictures. They are open Wednesday through Sunday.

Channel 7

Belize Begins Nation's Cup With A Loss
The Nation's Cup started this afternoon in Washington DC – and the Belize Jaguars took on Honduras in game two, which started an hour ago. The bad news is that team Belize is down two nil – but it's not like the Hondurans were scoring on us: we scored on ourselves – not once, but twice! In the 33rdand 36th minutes. Jerome "Jaro" James scored the first and Elroy Smith scored the second – so at the half, Belize was down two goals to nil. Right now they are in the halftime intermission, so we'll keep you posted on the game as it progresses throughout the news.

GSU Attacks Again!
Last night, we told you about the PUP’s call for the removal of the New Commander of the Gang Suppression Unit, Inspector Mark Flowers. Well the Unit is making headlines again tonight after another allegation of police brutality and excessive use of force has emerged. The story started earlier this morning when the area around George Street saw a new GSU toy on patrol. It’s a bus designed for the unit’s paramilitary style and intelligence based operation. It’s designed with a generator and 2 AC Units on the back, sophisticated camera equipment, and electronics on the inside. It’s a fully-functional and mobile operating base, and today, they decided to test it out in George Street territory. It unfolded into chaos, and 7News was there for the aftermath. Daniel Ortiz reports: When we arrived, Officers of the Gang Suppression Unit were searching a yard on King Street.They were peering impishly over the high zinc fence, monitoring the progress of our cameras. Meanwhile, they already had Kariq Tzul and Bernard Myers detained in the back of their police mobile. Both men appeared angry, and Tzul looked to be in discomfort.The officers combed the rest of the area looking for another man who they had been pursuing, careful to try to avoid us. Tzul was detained by the officers here at the upstairs flat of this house, and as has been alleged before, the officers reportedly stopped the homeowner from monitoring their activities while they interrogated Tzul.

This Is How Badly They Beat Up Kariq
And while our news team couldn’t convince Kariq Tzul, the alleged victim of brutality from the GSU, to speak with us after he had been released, Monica Bodden caught up with him and his family an hour before news time. Asking to appear off camera, he outlined his version of events to us beginning from when the officers entered the King Street House, up until he was released from the hospital. Here’s how he described it:… Kariq Tzul "Miss they just come out there and start beat me. 3 of them just come up by the place, ask me who is up there and tell me get down and start beat me. After a little while, they dragged me to the back and ask me who else in the house, nobody in the house but me. They start talk about breaking my ribs and start hit me in my face over and over and 3 of them just start beat me up until they tired of beating me, after that they bring me out." Monica Bodden "At what point did they mention to you what, or why?" Kariq Tzul "They didn't say nothing, they just ask me who is in there, I told them nobody, nobody and they insist on dragging me to the back and beat me for no reason. They just come up and meeting me texting on my phone."

What GSU Commander Says On Kraal Road
But that’s today’s allegation of GSU excess. What about the ones from last week? As we told you, residents from Kraal Road told 7News last week Thursday that officers from the Unit descended upon them and doled out a heavy dose of beat down. At the time, we were unable to reach the new commander for comment, and we aired our story. Yesterday, we got a chance to speak with him about those allegations coming from Kraal road, and in his response, he accused Channel 7 of airing rumours. It turned into a back and forth about ethics, but here’s his main criticism of our story: Inspector Mark Flowers, Commander - GSU "They were alleging on the news cast that some people were beaten or something to that effect and because they news media was there, you guys were there and they reported on a third party situation. Somebody said that somebody was beaten yet they did not find the need to in the least bit confirm this allegation. It is troubling indeed when they news media will report third hand information without even attempting to verify. And these are the sentiments that are causing problem, not only for the police, but for everybody. If in fact somebody was beaten, why didn't they just interview the person, or try to video the injuries to the person. They claimed that somebody had regurgitated there, they did not show anything to suggest that what they were reporting was even true."

A War Of Words: Police vs. Politicians
And so the GSU is dominating the headlines tonight – but let’s not forget where it all started – on Saturday at the Saint Martin De Porres Field – when former two term Prime Minister Said Musa lashed out at the GSU. Never one to hold back on an easy target, Musa pulled out some of his old social justice rhetoric and condemned the GSU’s tactics. Since then, it’s been a lively back and forth about the unit’s tactics and political gamesmanship. We put a few choice bits together:.. Rt. Hon. Said Musa "I was looking at what the Amandala said in I believe it's an editorial or perhaps it's from the publisher that Belize today to be young and black in Belize City today is to be treated as a criminal or a potential criminal - that is the sad state of affairs that we are in today my friends. When we have these GSU people riding about in pick-up trucks with US flags on them and they go into your home and raid your yard and your home and lock the house and tell even the occupants, even the people who lives in that house you cannot see what we are searching for. They lock out the people and they carry out their search and they beat up people as well. We saw it on television night after night - this is what we are dealing with my friends. We are becoming a police state under Dean Barrow and the UDP. The GSU is out of control and if I have my way, if had anything to do with it, that is one of the first things the PUP will do - out with the GSU - abolish the GSU because that is no way to be treating people."

Coast Guard Charged For Crooked Tree Lagoon Death
You may recall that on January 31st, the Crooked Tree Lagoon saw one of the worst boating accidents in memory. The Lagoon Causeway had been flooded for months, and the Coast Guard had been running a boat back and forth many times a day to get village residents from one side to the other. But on that day in January, one of the coast guard vessels crashed into the other – killing 20 year old Benjamin Gentle and injuring nine other students. Today, over 7 months later, 49 year old Coast Guard Officer Whaine Williams was charged for manslaughter by negligence. Williams was arraigned in Court #1 before Magistrate Herbert Panton where he was unrepresented. It is an indictable offense, so no plea was taken from Williams and the court prosecutor had no objection to bail so Magistrate Panton offered him bail of $2,000 dollars plus one surety of the same amount which he met within 15 minutes of his arraignment. After the charge was read to him, Magistrate Panton said, “I could not help but question why you are before me on this charge.” He commented saying that “Weren’t you in the execution of your duties?” Nevertheless, the charge was read to him and tonight, Williams is home with his family. No other charges were levy against him although eight others were injured in the boat accident.

First Caribbean vs. The Christian Workers Union
Uwahnie Martinez is one of only two Garifuna’s working at the First Caribbean Bank Branch in Dangriga, and she has resigned, alleging discriminatory behavior. That’s what her representative, the Christian Workers Union alleged in a press conference at the Union’s Belize City Office today. Audrey Matura Shepherd told the media that the Bank accepted her resignation, but it does not go into effect until October – since she has to give two months notice. Matura Shepherd says that the Bank has asked to meet with the Union – but that is not acceptable: Audrey Matura Shepherd President – CWU "The bank immediately wrote an email and made several calls to me to ask me to meet with them personally and at the same time wrote a letter asking for a meeting with the employee apart. Our policy is that we never have meeting concerning any employee in their absence especially a matter of this nature and we did not believe in having two separate meetings. So we wrote them back asking for us to have one meeting and to have the employee there and two, to ensure that all the evidence they have tried to use against her or complains she has made against them, that we have all the records straight. Up to today, they have refused to give us that material and as recent as yesterday they sent us an e-mail now saying, they do not believe they need to have a meeting with the union, and the union position is that we disagree. Today I will tell you a bit about what is going on but we are giving them the final opportunity to have a meeting with the union by Friday. We are giving them a deadline by tomorrow, at 1 p.m. Feeling that we will underscore some of the nasty things that have happened and being perpetrated by the bank."

Police Give an Update On "Not In My City" Operation
A month ago, Police from Eastern Division, combining the efforts of all 4 precincts, launched the operation, “Not in My City”. It was the effort to try to curb the recent spike in violence in the City. Since then, the officers have been diligently on the streets keeping up with the enforcement, and today, the Deputy OCED, Sr. Superintendent Edward Broaster, gave us an update. He gave us the metrics of how many successful arrests and seizures were made. Here’s what he told us: Sr. Supt. Edward Broaster, Deputy Commander - Eastern Division "The operation Not In My City has been very successful. We've made quite significant number of arrests as it pertains to quality of life crimes. We've made over 800 arrests pertaining to bicycle offences, we've made 200 drug arrests. We've had the seizure of found drugs, 40 to be exact. We've had quite a number of loitering arrest. We've seized 20 firearms, 7 for which we've made arrest. As well we've had a number of traffic offences that we have dealt with and public drinking. We will continue to press on this Not In My City operation for an indefinite period."

PUP National Campaign Manager Rejects Saldivar Camp's Characterization
The Chairman of the PUP continues leading the investigation into the conduct of the party’s Belize Rural North Standard Bearer Arthur Saldivar. But, Saldivar’s camp says it’s a plot targeting their candidate, simply because he is not liked by certain PUP lawyers. They’re talking about Eamon Courtneay who is pursuing Saldivar on behalf of Melonie Coye, and Godfrey Smith, the PUP’s National Campaign Manager. The names they posted on facebook as being behind this plot include Dr. Francis Smith, Godfrey’s brother and the PUP’s Chairman of the Eastern Caucus. Yesterday, we had an opportunity to ask Smith about it:… Courtney Weatherburne "Saldivar's camp alleges that you as well as Eamon Courtenay and Francis Smith, your brother have some how concocting this plot, what do you have to say about that?" Godrey Smith "Concocting of a plot, no. The issue that faces Mr. Saldivar is one that naturally found itself on the political table of the People's United Party and a position was taken on that. Perhaps after everything had reached it conclusion, what ever that conclusion may be, I will be happy to share what my views were at the time. But again, I don't want to prejudice or influence the process and the position that the leader of the party has taken."

Bees Swarm To Seven News
First snakes, now bees? That’s what you’ll probably be saying after our next story – which is about a large beehive that recently nested itself unto the eastern corner of our Channel 7 studio. We didn’t see it until yesterday, but we don’t know how we missed the huge and active hive! So this morning we called the Agriculture Department who came over to destroy the hive – Monica Bodden spoke to them:.. The bee experts say that the hive was formed because mangrove is flowering in the coastal area right now – and all that sweet honey we tasted was the product of mangrove flowers. They say that bee populations in Belize have been in decline this year due to drought conditions. Without rain, there aren’t enough flowers, and no flowers no pollen for the bees.

After Lecture, Students Big Up The Battle
Did the battle of St. George's Caye really happen? Many Belizeans are skeptical about the historical veracity of the event but today the history lecture at the Bliss Center entitled "St. George's Caye, the truth revealed; exploring the facts and implications" sought to eliminate that doubt and seemingly, it was a success because the students were convinced. On leaving the lecture, they told us more about what they learned today. Mai Wer, Belize High School "Before this lecture I believed that it did actually happen because the facts I did learn in school sounded really realistic to me and this lecture also let me believe even more really." Destiny Gaynair, Belize High School "Now I know more in detail. It didn't actually take just that day to have the battle, it was actually a really long period of time, so that was something that I learned, it was really longer than what we were thought in school."

Mas Camp Madness, Night One
The Carnival Road March is just ten days away and the hyped-up leadup to the big event started last night with the media rounds at the mas camps. Monica Bodden made it to three of them and she has this report:… It is contagious and spreading rapidly - and so far it seems like there isn't a cure for the Carnival Fever. The first night of the annual carnival mas camps started off with 5 junior bands – From what we could see, things were intense as the revelers- all pumped up with energy -demonstrated some of their latest carnival moves in front of our camera. Patricia Flowers– Trench Town Masqueraders "This year Trench Town Masqueraders are portraying looking in the sky. When you look in the sky it is about our universe, the sun the stars the rain, the rainbow. And we also portray them as day and night."

Boxing In Orange Walk Was No Walkover For Local Fighters
On Saturday night, Belizean boxers had the opportunity to showcase their skills and agility at the Orange Walk sporting complex. It was an international ticket, as Belizean boxers took on challengers from Mexico. So how did they do on their home grounds against the northern neighbors? Courtney Weatherburne has the story:… Under the glaring lights of the Orange Walk Sporting Complex, the scrutiny of judges and the weighty expectations of fans, boxers fought ferociously to win the title, the respect of competitors and the adulation of boxing enthusiasts. The night began with the junior boxers. One of the most exciting matches was between 8 year old Victor Sanchez and 10 year old Mervin Choto. Choto dominated much of the first round with his heavy blows to Sanchez’s head.But Sanchez made a major comeback in the last seconds of the first round, with four power bunches that sent Choto tumbling to the ropes.In the second round, both exchanged furious blows but Sanchez landed some powerful body and head jabs.

One More Bottle Of Rum On The Wall At Traveller's
Travelers produces 29 alcoholic beverages – and at least 8 kinds of rum, and about 15 rum products. But, they are adding one more rum, which is simply called “Belizean Rum.” It may sound simple, but it’s meant to capitalize on the Belize brand and attract tourist, while coming in at a price point which will make it an everyman’s rum. Manager, Magali Gabb told us about the process behind producing their Belizean Rum. Traveler's Belizean Rum is currently available in stores in Belize City. They are planning to take it to other districts soon.

GSU Gets Weed In Mahogany Heights
At the tope of the news, you heard all about the Gang Supression Unit and the controversies that it’s at the center of – but the Unit continues to do its work of seizures and interdictions. Yesterday the unit conducted another operation in Mahogany Heights Village at the residence of persons they say are well known George Street Gang affiliates but nothing incriminating was found. However, GSU did find a Brown female sling bag containing 3.5 pounds of weed in an abandoned lot in the immediate area. No one was around at the time and the drugs were labeled as Found Property. The GSU says the drugs are believed to be the property of George Street Gang affiliates who peddle drugs in that community.

Arab Spokesman Defends His Ethnicity
Last night you saw our interview with Amir Zriba – an ad hoc spokesperson for the Arab Community in Belize. He decided to speak out because some of his fellow Arabs are being randomly labeled as Hezbollah in Belize. He says it’s unfair and untrue, and has caused them to face visa cancellations and police harassment. But, while the broad brush labeling may be unfair, there is definitely something up with members of the Lebanese community. We asked him about it: Jules Vazques "From 2012, you had 3 Lebanese murdered in Belize. Extremely famous murders are executions in broad daylight. Obviously 3 out of a community of maybe a few hundred is a big percentage. So something is happening in this Lebanese family, in this Lebanese community in Belize." Amir Zriba "Okay Jules, I'm going to be honest with you. What happened, has nothing to do with Hezbollah, we have been accused of being with Hezbollah for 2, 3 years. Yes they might be some of us who do bad business or bad relation or maybe infamous with other things, but nothing to do with Hezbollah. What ever happened at that time, there is involvement only Belize knows exactly what happened and I tell you Jules, it is something very sad for the community, it was 3 at one time. One happen, then I look at Schackron, but some people saying different story, even Belize doesn't know the truth."

PM's Wife Visits Blue Hole
Every year, approximately ten thousand tourists visit the Blue Hole and Half Moon Caye Natural Monuments. Unfortunately, of that number, very few are Belizeans. As part of ongoing efforts to have Belizeans enjoy Belizean resources, this weekend, Oceana, in collaboration with the Belize Audubon Society, organized a visit to the these World Heritage Sites for two Belizeans who had never been to the Lighthouse Reef Atoll: wife of the Prime Minister Kim Simplis Barrow and their daughter, Salima. And while it may have been their first visit, as the following video highlights, it definitely won’t be their last. The Half Moon Caye and Blue Hole Natural Monuments are among the oldest protected sites in Belize. There are no entrance fees for visits to the Great Blue Hole for Belizeans while the entrance fee for Belizeans to Half Moon Caye is two dollars and fifty cents.

Final Football Score
Belize’s first game in the 2014 UNCAF Nation’s Cup against Honduras has ended in a 2 to 0 loss for the Jaguars. The Jaguars battled hard to try to win back those goals, which the team scored on themselves, but at the end of 90 minutes plus 2 minutes and 43 seconds of stoppage time, the score remained. So, that’s where it’s at tonight, Honduras has won the game, but it’s because of those two own goals, scored in 33rd minute and 36th minute, scored by Jerome Jarro James and Elroy Smith respectively. If you would like the see the full game and how the Jaguars looked, it will be aired on Channel 7 at 9:30 tonight.

Channel 5

Tate & Lyle Agrees to Purchase Initial Tonnage from 2014-2015 Sugar Crop
Last week, Tate and Lyle dropped a bombshell on cane farmers when it wrote to say that it will be buying a minimum of ten thousand tons of fair-trade sugar [...]

Suspect in Brutal Murder of Agripina Coc Still on the Lam
Tonight, police say that the suspect in the brutal murder of San Pedro, Columbia elder Agripina Coc, is still at large. The manhunt for the suspected killer continues, with villagers [...]

Police Say Citizen Arrest in San Pedro, Columbia Is Unauthorized
The plan was reportedly to lock up the family members in the village while village leaders questioned them. But for their own safety, Punta Gorda Police decided to transport them [...]

FCIB Accepts Uwahnie Martinez’s Resignation, Still No Meeting With CWU
Last Tuesday, the plight of Uwahnie Martinez, an employee of CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank, made headlines when she was reportedly informed by her superiors at the institution that she wasn’t allowed [...]

Oil Spill Near Hondo Stream is in Veracruz, Mexico not in Belize
There is a report that is tonight causing alarm locally. It speaks of a spill in the Rio Hondo that spans Belize and Mexico, but we can confirm that the [...]

Drug Use Up Among Belize City High School Students
A recent survey involving a sample of four hundred and fifty high school students is showing an alarming use of drugs. The survey was carried out by the National Drug [...]

Broaster Skirts Around GSU/PUP Tiff
The very public war of words between former Prime Minister Said Musa and GSU Commander Mark Flowers has gone viral. It’s the big thing on the airwaves, morning shows and [...]

Police Say Citywide Crackdown on Crime a Resounding Success
While the insults thrown between Flowers and Musa make for sensational news and politically stimulating drama, there’re actually bigger things happening in the city. For example, there’s an ongoing operation [...]

BML Debt Still Outstanding, Is Mayor Bradley’s Promise Broken?
Mayor of Belize City Darrell Bradley has reneged on his very first commitment to Belize Maintenance Limited. The Council is in arrears twenty-one weeks, and he made a firm promise [...]

Seven Months Later, Coastguard Officer Charged for Manslaughter By Negligence
In the early hours of the morning of January thirty-first, a collision between two boats ended the life of twenty-year old Benjamin Jerome Gentle Junior, a former Gwen Liz student. [...]

Deshawn Craig Charged for Kept Firearm and Ammunition
There was an attempted robbery on Monday morning at the Port of Belize. Police say two men tried to rob the establishment and that their investigations later led them to two suspects [...]

Broaster on Quality of Life Cleanup
As you heard earlier in the newscast, a major component of the operation known as Not In My City has been a crackdown on what is known as quality of [...]

The Rationale Behind Police Department’s Media Blackout
Today, News Five was allowed unrestricted access to Deputy Commander of the Eastern Division, Senior Superintendent Edward Broaster. Our request for an interview was handled quickly and efficiently by the [...]

Rotaract Donates Stationeries to Needy Primary School Children
Primary school students are back in school for the start of the new academic year. We caught up with a group of them who had every reason to be smiling [...]

Mas Camps In Full Swing for Carnival 2014
The spectacular carnival road march is set for September thirteenth and from a look at the mas camps at this early stage, the event promises to exceed expectations. First, there [...]

Travelers Liquors Unveils New Belizean Rum
Travellers Liquors Limited is among the producers of Belize’s finest rums. From vintage liquors to aged dark rums, from gold to white and flavored rums and in between, there are [...]

Belize Versus Honduras, International Football Match!!
At nine o’clock tonight, we’ll be carrying the game between Belize jaguars and Honduras that took place at the RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. where Belize is attempting to qualify [...]

CTV3

Health And Safety Issued For Public Archaeological Sites In Belize
Over the past years tourist arrivals in Belize has seen an increase and all indications are that the trend will continue this year as tourists and local visitors to archaeological sites in Belize will soon benefit from new health and safety policies to be undertaken in Belize in an effort to implement the recently created Health and Safety Standards for archaeological sites. The Health and Safety Policy Manual was officially handed over to the Belize Tourism Board and the National Institute of Culture and History yesterday at the Institute of Archaeology’s office in Belmopan. The policy is now mandatory after being signed into law by the Minister of Trade and Industry, investment and Consumer Protection on May 27, 2014 and gazetted on May 31, 2014.

Men Accused Of Robbing Tan's Game Room Unable To Meet Bail
Twenty one year old Jahir Armando Garcia and 24 year old Charles Gabriel Sho, accused of robbing Tans Game Room in Corozal Town on Sunday night, were arraigned at the Corozal Magistrates court this afternoon where they were jointly charged for robbery. Both men were offered bail of $1000.00 each plus a surety of the same amount. They were unable to meet bail and up to news time they were still under police custody. The men are accused of making good their escape with more than $1,000 in cash from Tans Game Room.

Obesity A Severe Public Health Crisis
One of the biggest health stories of the year has been the rise in obesity among both adults and children in the world and in Belize it is no different. We've all heard so much about the "obesity epidemic" that it is easy to think the story is being blown out of proportion. After all, people putting on a few pounds may not seem to warrant the proclamation of a national emergency. But while obesity may not be the Black Death, it is a severe public health crisis. Experts agree that as more and more obese children become obese adults, the diseases associated with obesity, such as heart disease, cancer, and especially diabetes will surge. That will mean a lot of sick people. Today when we sat down with Medical Officer at the Northern Regional Hospital, Dr Manuel Estrada, we were informed that 60 percent of the Belizean population suffer from overweight issues and obesity. So, one has to wonder, how obesity got so out of control that we reached this crisis. And more importantly, how do we stop it?

Parts Of The Rio Hondo River Turns Blood Red
The international press reports that nearly a mile of the Hondo River has turned blood red following the oil spill on August 27th in the northern state of Nuevo Leon in Mexico. The Hondo River lines the border between Belize and Mexico and several crews have been working to clean four thousand gallons of the crude oil out of the river before it reaches a nearby lake known as the Laguna Maria Lizamaba on the Mexican side. The sill was the provoked by thieves according to reports. The 24 inch pipeline, owned by Pemex, was raptured when thieves attempted to tap into it. When the leak was found, workers initially contained the deadly mess, but heavy rains caused containment ponds to overflow and spread the oil again. According to the international reports, the Veracruz state environmental prosecutor Dalos Rodriguez Vargas said that dozens of “reptiles, birds and fish” had been killed, as well as vegetation on the river banks, which will have to be replaced. According to reports, thousands of illegal pipeline taps have become an increasing environmental and safety problem in Mexico as they trigger spills or explosions deadly to animals and human alike. Authorities say it will take months to clean up the mess.

BSCFA Addresses Non-Complainces By FLOCERT
And while the BSCFA wants the issue on the revenue sharing of bagasse, they are also tackling other issues simultaneously. One such matter is on the efforts being made to improve in the areas that the Association has fallen short after the FLOCERT audit. Alfredo Ortega - Vice Chairman BSCFA, COM “Ya les hemos enviado a ellos las medidas correctivas, propuestas y las han aceptado y ahora nos queda la implementación de ello en la cual ya estamos a punto de iniciar para implementación de las medidas correctivas. Esperamos la cooperación de todos los caneros para que así podamos salir victoriosos y podamos triunfar en esta situación que hoy que nos esta lastimando, porque vemos que nos esta cayendo como huracán todos los problemas pero creo que todo tiene solución siempre y cuando tenemos el deseo de avanzar y hacer las cosas como debemos de hacerlo.” Another matter of much importance to the association is the situation surrounding the latest cut in sales to Tate and Lyle. Ortega says that they have sent a letter to the company and have received a response.

38 Year Old Found Dead Inside His Bedroom
Corozal Police are tonight waiting for the results of a post mortem examination to determine what exactly caused the death of a 38 year old man who was found dead this morning by his brother. It was little after three this morning when Benito Puerto, a construction worker of Santa Rita Heights in Corozal Town was found dead inside his bedroom. According to brother of the deceased, he discovered Benito dead when he went to check-up on him after he arrived home intoxicated a few hours earlier. Corozal Police was called to the area and Benito was immediately transported to the Corozal Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Benito’s family admits that he had a drinking problem. In fact, they told us that he had been consuming alcohol for the past two days and that could have possibly caused his death.

Alcoholism, A Serious Problem In Belize
At the top of the newscast we told you about the death of a male person from Santa Rita Heights, his family indicated that he may have died as a result of consuming high volumes of alcohol. But if our records prove accurate, in a span of one month, 3 persons have lost their lives due to severe alcoholism due to multiple complications. And although drinking alcohol is a part of the culture in many societies and many people use it sensibly, its misuse has become a serious and worsening public health problem. Today we sat down with Medical Officer, Dr. Manuel Estrada, who says that most patients seeking help at the hospital are in denial of their drinking habits. Dr. Manuel Estrada – Medical Officer, NRH “I don’t know if it is the culture that we have in Belize but alcohol is a serious problem not only here on Orange Walk but country wide, alcohol have been related to several diseases for example liver failure, we have had chronic phsyrosis and as a result we have a lot of deaths due to alcohol abuse, alcohol is drug which is legal but it has social issues and it can also have health wise issues.”

Orange Walk Resident Detained For Drug Trafficking
Tonight a resident from Orange Walk is spending his first night at the Kolbe Correctional Facility after he was arrested and charged for drug trafficking and was unable to meet bail. On Tuesday 2nd September 2014 at about 11:20p.m, Orange Walk police conducted a search at the residence of Alex Tobar, 18 year old Belizean Construction Worker of corner San Antonio Road and Staines Alley, Orange Walk Town. Upon Police entering Tobar’s property, he attempted to escape but was quickly captured by authorities and escorted to his residence where the search began. On the septic tank located in the rear of the property police retrieved vegetable substance consistent to that of cannabis which weighed 2.4 grams. Further search in the immediate are led cops to the discovery of a black plastic bag that contained vegetable substance suspected to be cannabis weighing 246.9 grams.

SIMIS Introduced Into The Sugar Industry
For the rest of the week the Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute, SIRDI will be carrying out an awareness campaign throughout the northern part of the country with the objective of sensitizing cane farmers about the benefits of the Sugar Industry Management Information System. SIMIS is a system that will be implemented to collect information continuously for the Sugar Industry in three levels: The general Information of the farmer, Information of the cane fields and finally information generated by the mill during the crop season. Jessamyn Ramos, SIRDI’s Information Officer, says SIMIS is not only a plus for the Sugar Industry; it will also benefit those that produce and harvest the cane.

How Can Children Readjust To School Schedule After Holidays
Getting kids to stick to a bedtime routine can be an uphill battle that's bound to make even the most patient parent want to hide under the covers. With the summer break over and the school year kicking into high gear, moms and dads all over the country are dreading the words: "But I don't want to go to sleep!" Today when we spoke to District Education Officer for Orange Walk Town, Carla Alvarez, we found out that the process of readjusting to a school-day schedule may be challenging, but it must be done. Carla Alvarez – District Education Officer, OW “During the summer we allow children to stay later and then they get up later in the morning and so they get into that pattern as you mentioned and so I think one of the important things we need to do is maybe a couple of weeks before classes actually start we need to try to little by little put them back into that mode of going to sleep a little bit earlier every night and then getting up a little bit earlier every morning because yes it does take some adjustments, I am experiencing with my own child, but I think if we consistently do that at least may a week before classes start if we can try to send our children to bed a little bit earlier then they start to get up a little bit earlier and then it is not so challenging on the first day of classes.”

The Trick To Separation Anxiety
And while some children need time to readjust to their sleeping schedules, another hurdle first time student’s face is separation anxiety from their parents. In early childhood, crying, tantrums, or clinginess are healthy reactions to separation. Separation anxiety can begin before a child’s first birthday, and may pop up again or last until a child is four years old, but both the intensity level and timing of separation anxiety vary tremendously from child to child. A little worry over leaving mom or dad is normal, even when your child is older. But you can ease your child’s separation anxiety by staying patient and consistent, and by gently but firmly setting limits.

Discussions Underway Between Belize and Mexico On Transport Issues
In last night’s newscast, we told you about the Road Safety project that was rolled out last year and revisited this month. That project aims at curbing the high incidence of drunk driving in Belize, education on traffic legislation and safety, road infrastructure improvements, equipment and training among other things. This is not the only work being done in the department according to Chief Transport Officer Crispin Jeffries. He says that the transport department of Belize is currently engaged in discussions with Mexican counterparts on how to improve road border transportation between both countries.

Torch Run Runners Needed
Plans are underway for the September Celebrations countrywide. And as is tradition, a torch run is held on the 20th night to welcome the 21st of September. The torch run moves out of Belize City at about 5:00pm and is scheduled to arrive in Orange Walk minutes before midnight. In charge of this year’s 3rd annual torch run is Orange Walk Town Councillor for Youth and Sports, Ladrick Sheppard who is looking for young male and female athletes willing to participate in the run. Laddrick Sheppard – Councillor for Youth and Sports “Tomorrow we’ll be having a meeting with those runners, we are asking those runners that were running the year before to please show up at 7:30 and also we are encouraging some of the females to join in and be a part of the torch run and this year we have spoken to the police officers to give us and assistance we know that that was a very important factor that played a very important role that when it comes to that night time and it gets a little dark that is when the police would give us a big assistance in helping us with one of their transportations also this has been a great, great honour to work along with some of these young people when it comes to the torch run and I hope it continues and it becomes more and more and the further it goes it is better for Belize and we are doing it for the virtue of Belize and it is something great.”

Decline In Student Enrollment Due To Too Many Fees
Today when we sat down with Education Officer Carla Alvarez, she noted a sharp decline in enrollment figures for the past few years in schools in the north. Alvarez says part of the problem stems from parent’s complaints of schools asking and requesting way too much from the students. Examples would include frequent rag days, asking for supplies and additional money throughout the week and months of school and it seems to have taken a toll on cash strapped families. Alvarez says the Ministry is strongly discouraging the sale of raffles and other forms of fundraising, since it poses predatory risks on our children.

Vehicle Batteries Stolen In Corozal
While police in Corozal Town are currently cracking the case of the latest robbery in that municipality, they are also seeking the assistance of the public to recover four stolen vehicle batteries. 34 year old Eric Milian, Belizean businessman of Ranchito Village in the Corozal District, reported to police that sometime between 7:00pm on August 30th and 6:00am August 31st, four LTH vehicle batteries were stolen from his blue freight liner tow head truck that was parked in front of his house. The batteries have a total cost of $1,000.00.

Belizean Women Exploited In Cancun Mexico
Belizean women, along with Guatemalan female immigrants are exploited in Cancun, according to the Mexican press. In a report published today, it states that the Institute of Tourism Investigations at the La Salle University in Cancun, 46.8 percent of undocumented migrants work as housekeepers and hotel maids in Benito Juarez, Solidaridad and Tulum. The investigation is titled “Migrant women in Quintana Roo, Profile and conditions of stay”. The report states that employers are continuously promoting the illegal residence of immigrants especially domestic workers of which 23.4 percent are hired per day for domestic work. Many of these women come from Guatemala and Belize, the report adds, and they arrive by air, sea or land to obtain employment despite the risk of facing violence at the work place or psychological abuse.

Date Set For The Election Of New Lands Committee In San Jose Nuevo Palmar
We have been following the story of the descendants of San Jose Nuevo Palmar as they work towards the reelection of a lands committee they find efficient in administering their land entrusted to them by their ancestors and a committee they can trust. The situation grew out of hand earlier this year when disgruntled villagers moved to remove the existing lands committee primarily on the grounds of land and financial mismanagement. Since then the government, which is the trustee, intervened and commenced the process of resolving the matter by first ensuring that due process is followed in reelecting a new lands committee. It proved a rather lengthy process which almost ended in villagers conducting the reelection without the trustee’s participation. Today however, further conflict was avoided as government finally met with the villagers to set that date. Dalila Ical has more on the story. Dalila Ical – Reporting After the group comprised of elders, villagers and the Village Council developed a voters list, the Lands Department and Solicitor General have sanctioned that list. Lands Commissioner Wilbert Vallejos says they also set a date for reelecting a new lands committee in a short meeting with the villagers this morning.

Two Men Charged For Sunday Nights Robbery Of Chinese Businessman In Corozal
Tonight two men are behind bars as they have been charged for Sunday night's robbery of Tans Game Room in Corozal Town. They are 21 year old Jahir Armando Garcia and 24 year old Charles Gabriel Sho both of Corozal Town. This afternoon both men were charged for robbery and are expected to appear at the Corozal Magistrates Court tomorrow. We also understand that Corozal Police has recuperated some of the stolen items. As reported last night 48 year old Tan Guo Zhang, was inside Tans Game Room when sometime between 9:15pm and 9:30pm, a man of Hispanic decent entered the business.

LOVE FM

Attorney Says She Is Awaiting Meeting With First Caribbean Bank
CIBC First Caribbean Bank has recently come under fire after allegations of discrimination surfaced last week. As we reported, allegations are that the management of the Dangriga Branch of First Caribbean Bank instructed its employees to not speak the Garifuna Language. That did not sit well with the Garifuna community and the controversy sparked a demonstration last week. The bank has issued a statement denying the allegations. However, to the President of Christian Workers Union Audrey Matura-Shepherd, bank officials are refusing to meet with her and the employee at the same time. Matura -Shepherd gave the bank officials a deadline of tomorrow afternoon to reply to her request for a joint meeting. AUDREY MATURA-SHEPHERD audrey matura“The bank immediately brought an email and made several calls to me asking to meet with them personally and at the same time wrote a letter asking for a meeting with the employee apart. Our policy at the union is that we never have meeting concerning any employees especially in their absence especially a matter of this nature and we did not believe in having two separate meetings. So we wrote them back and asked them for a meeting for us to have one and two to ensure that all the evidence that they have try to use against her or whatever complaints she has made against them that we have all the records straight. Up to today they have refused to give us that material and as recent as yesterday they sent us an email saying now that they do not believe that they need to have a meeting with the union and the unions position is that we disagree.

Bagasse Negotiations To Resume
In other news from the sugar industry, LOVE NEWS understands that BSI and cane farmers are to meet once more on Monday September 8 to continue negotiations for a quantum to be paid for bagasse. The meeting to be held in Orange Walk Town follows a letter sent by BSCFA to the Sugar Industry Control Board requesting intervention in the matter. Fred Ortega of the BSCFA told us more. ALFREDO ORTEGA “ As you know we had our general meeting on the 20th of July where the farmers passed a motion that we ask for the intervention from an independent expert to look forward into both ____ and to come out with a clear analysis and indication on how some things can work out but the letter was sent to the SICB and we called board meeting on which they came out with a proposal that the association and BSI meet once more to see if we can come out with a good understanding on this meeting and if it is not then we will go back to SICB in regards to getting that independent expert to look forward into both proposals.

Tate And Lyle Clarifies Letter To Cane Farmers On Sugar Quota
The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers’ Association, BSCFA, has received a reply from Tate & Lyle Sugar regarding the sugar quota cut announced last week Tuesday Arturo Cantun reporting … ARTURO CANTUN “Last week Tuesday August 26 mega sugar cooperation Tate and Lisle announced to sugar cane farmers in Belize that there is a high possibility that the sugar quote sold under the Fairtrade logo will be cut as much as 85%. The news sent shockwaves within the sugar industry and main industry stakeholders but today another letter was received from London and Tate and Lisle clarifies the letter. The letter received this afternoon informs Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association that payment for sugar from the 2013-2014 crop season will be paid immediately. Alfredo Ortega is BSCFA spokesperson.” ALFREDO ORTEGA “But what was not so clear was the payment and we taught that the payment for this crop that had just passed and the deliveries under the trade umbrella would have been cut but that is what they have sent clarification now that they will be paying the premium for the 65,000 that they will receive this year and they will be paying it in due course based on the arrangement that is there and on the date it should be paid. We will be receiving funds for the 65,000 tons under the Fairtrade umbrella of this crop that has passed.”

Rotaract Donates to Central Assembly
The Rotaract Club of Belize made a donation to students of Central Assembly of God Primary School. The project has been in place for four years and each year donations are given out to different Schools within Belize City. Community Director for the Rotaract Club of Belize, Tania Thompson, elaborated more about the donations. Tania Thompson – Community Director, Rotaract Club TANIA THOMSPON “The project has been something that we have been doing for the past four years and we try to keep it consecutive. Each year we try to up the project by giving more bags, more supplies and stuff like that. Last year we did 50 supply packages but it was just packages we didn’t give the actual school bags so this year that was our improvement. We went out and we sought different schoolbags that we had the 50 schoolbags to put the supplies in. Every year we try to select a different school, the reason for that is we try to reach out to the larger community. We try not to stick to one school so we try to look for different school every year to work with. So when we choose a school every project we do throughout the year would be with that specific school for the year.”

BML Workers Say They Are Banking On Prime Minister Keeping His Promise
Attorney Audrey Matura Shepherd also gave an up-date with the situation of the employees of Belize Maintenance Limited. As we reported, back in August, more than a hundred sanitation workers protested by dumping garbage in front of City Hall after BML was not getting paid by the City Council. The workers got angrier after they were told that they would be out of job by January because Mayor Darrell will not renew BML’s contract. After the rage of the workers was televised, Prime Minister Dean Barrow intervened and pledged to pay the salaries of all sanitation workers until the contract expires and thereafter, they would transition to the City Council. Their attorney, Audrey Matura Shepherd, is holding the Prime Minister to his word. Audrey Matura Shepherd – Attorney AUDREY MATURA- SHEPHERD “We have not gotten any commitment in writing. However as I previously said the Prime Minister intervene has publicly said what it will be that is what appeased the employees. We will act on that good faith until otherwise is sure. I know for sure that when the employees were planning to have two days of protest in the city and the reason they held back that protest was because they were told that their job was secure come 2015 because the city council will absorb you.

Lecture Focuses On Battle of St. George’s Caye
Today, the Belize History Association in collaboration with the National Celebrations Commission presented the National Lecture: “St. George’s Caye, the truth revealed: Exploring the Facts and Implications”. The presenters were Francis Humphreys and Fred Hunter Senior. According to the Vice Chair of the Belize History Association, Gian Vasquez, the lecture was a success. Gian Vasquez – Vice Chair, Belize History Association GIAN VASQUEZ “In terms of the success I think it was highly successful we brought a lot of the high-schoolers. Our target was the highschoolers and the audience at home. We wanted to educate and at least begin the discussion about the history of Belize. We find that a lot of our people don’t know the real history of our country and so this was our first step at trying to get that information out. Having it broadcasted live on national tv stations I think was that additional boost to reach a lot more people and I think we did that today by having this lecture. I think the interaction was very good. We had many questions that showed that people were listening and thinking about the information being given. Being our first lecture I think we did really well in drawing out our public and having them give us that feedback. We got feedback from Facebook and other mediums to give questions to these presenters. “

New Data Base System On Sugar Being Developed
The Sugar Industry Research & Development Institute, SIRDI, is developing a data base system that will hold vital information about cane fields in northern Belize. Arturo Cantun reporting… ARTURO CANTUN “SIMINS is the name of the database system being developed by SIRDI with funding from the European Union. The principal objective is to provide vital information to stakeholders in the sugar industry. Information officer at SIRDI Jessamine Ramos explains.” JESSANIBE RAMOS “What SIMINS is all about is a centralized database system that we the sugar industry stakeholders are developing for storing information about cane farmers and about cane parcels under production. “ ARTURO CANTUN “Why is this important for the industry?” JESSAMINE RAMOS “This is important for the industry because at the moment we are yet to know how much acres we have under production so what we are doing is trying to gather as much information from all stake holders and that includes the sugar cane farmers so that we could have a total acreage under production. Our varietal status and in that way all sugar industry stakeholders could use this information to make better decisions.”

Orange Walk Town Council Donates To Primary Schools
The Orange Walk Town council today donated books to two town schools. The books are both old and new and are to benefit children from the pre-school and infant division. Mayor Kevin Bernard and his deputy Ian Cal made the delivery of the books this morning. Mayor Kevin Bernard KEVIN BERNARD “We were able to secure some books. A good gentleman from the states had contacted me and had said that he had some reading books that should be useful to our schools. As you know reading is essential and we want to ensure that our young minds are catered to good learning and the books that we were given will be an addition to their libraries. It will help the younger kids that are growing up so that they could learn to read more and accept the fact that reading is what makes us better, it gives us more knowledge, it allows us to be able to think well, it allows us to be able to defend ourselves. So that is the reason why we decided to take this initiative.”

University Of Belize To Get Nuclear Lab
The International Atomic Energy Agency, the world’s center of cooperation in the nuclear field is proposing to establish a Nuclear Lab at the University of Belize in Belmopan. The idea of the lab is to promote safe, secure and peaceful nuclear technologies. University of the West Indies Professor of Applied Nuclear Physics Dr. Mitko Voutchkov explained the mechanism of the project. Dr. Mitko Voutchkov – UWI Professor of Applied Nuclear Physics MITKO VOUTCHKOV “The purpose of my visit is to visit the University of Belize on behalf of the International Atomic Energy Agency to advise on some application of nuclear science. During this project Dr. Luis and other staff members will be trained on radiation safety, they will get that exam and license and after that they will have to implement for the new staff members, they will be responsible for that. The purpose of the lab will accommodate a few pieces of equipment, x-ray machines, gamma ray machines and the equipment that can measure radioactivity in the water. So with these three equipment they will be able to develop applications in several areas in terms of monitoring contamination in the environment, food safety and security, health. In medicine for example if you go have a diagnostics x rays etc. so the lab it will oversee all these safe application but in the meantime it will be used for teaching purposes to set up a new program.”

PUP Says Gang Supression Unit Must Go
Yesterday the People’s United Party responded to comments made by the Head of the Gang Suppression Unit Inspector Mark Flowers. Former Prime Minister of Belize, Said Musa at the endorsement convention of Cordel Hyde last Saturday stated that the GSU has to be disbanded. Flowers responded by saying that the former Prime Minister’s comments were irresponsible. Attorney Lisa Shoman, weighed in on the issue by saying that the PUP has had concerns about the GSU for some years. Attorney Lisa Shoman LISA SHOMAN “In 2009 I had to opportunity to sit for two years on the crimes control commission. Not only did the PUP participate in that we also made concrete written representations to the UDP administration suggesting how work could be done, what things could be done, how we should function, those were all ignored and what has happened is an increased criminalization of the citizen population not only by the GSU but by laws like the firearms control act, which has meant that therefore the criminalization of the population is the primary purpose that the government is using to try to control crimes. If you treat everybody like a criminal that does not bode well for cutting down the crimes in this country. Therefore the party has been for a long time saying to the government we want to work with you, let us work with you. We asked for amendments to the firearms act supposedly they are coming on Friday. We have not seen them nor have we been consulted. We’ve not even been provided with a copy of the coming bill. On the other hand we have provided them with our amendments. So to put this on the PUP as though all of a sudden we are acting in some unconscionable manner I think is unfortunate but what is even more unfortunate is the extended rant which was made by Inspector Flowers. It’s wrong and unprofessional.”

Mayor Complains About Progress Of Street Works
A number of infrastructural works are currently underway throughout the country and others are set to begin very soon. In Orange Walk the second phase of the project includes the refurbishment of the Orange Walk Central Park. The commencement of the project was set for the beginning of September but three days into the month there is no sign that any work is likely to start in the next few days. According to Mayor, Kevin Bernard, this is of concern to all town residents. Mayor Kevin Bernard “Well I am waiting to see what update we will be getting by Friday. I have been in communication with the project manager Mr. Raymond and we keep hearing the same issue that they are waiting on the world bank in fact at a meeting last night my council mentioned that we should probably go further than that and start to question the bank whether or not the bank indeed has these delays because that is the information that we keep getting. I know previously we were told that if we were to change the banner on the billboard we had in the park that would speed up the process. As you know the billboard in the park did not had the government of Belize there before, we decided to change it to show cooperation that we appreciative of the fact that yes this loan from the world bank was gotten through the government of Belize but the Orange Walk town council has also invested money in terms of its 3% contribution but we need to see work and we have been waiting too long. I know evaluation and bids have already been done I was part of that evaluation committee we all know that that was already sent to the world bank, what is the delay we don’t know but we really want to see this new park. Work should already have begun because they said the month of September would have seen work commencing in the park up to now no contractor has been identified.”

Spokesperson For Arab Muslim Community Denies Mexican Newspaper Report
On Monday we reported on a group of persons that were reportedly stopped at a check point in Merida because it was alleged they were linked with the Hezbollah terrorist group. The report came via the Mexican Newspaper, “Por Esto”, which reported that, a man by the name, Hacsam Elsayet, was driving a grey Mercedes Benz with Belizean license plates. The newspaper states that authorities over that side of the border had gotten information of the travelling group and as a result a check point was place. According to the spokesperson for the Arab/Muslin Community in Belize, Amir Zriba, the report is completely false and is an attempt to destroy the reputation of the Muslim community in Belize. Zriba spoke to Love News. Amir Zriba – Spokesperson, Arab/Muslin Community in Belize AMIR ZRIBA “Firstly today we had a meeting between the Arab community and the Muslim community in Belize, they are tired of are recusing Hezbollah and everybody was frustrated and the last thing is we have right now is the little story is Al Said story in Mexico. The man went to clarify it from Belize to Merida to do a doctor checkup because he already had an operation and is going to get the next operation. Now someone put that he went to Tulum and they say that he was arrested and detained by police actually this is wrong news and everybody was accusing the newspaper Por Eso which is a Mexican Newspaper and we will look into it.

Victim Buried – Murder Suspect Still On The Run
Funeral services for 61-year-old Agripina Coc of San Pedro Columbia, Toledo took place this morning. Paul Mahung reporting… PAUL MAHUNG “The San Pedro Columbia village Mennonite church was packed to capacity while hundreds of others were outside as the funeral service for the murdered elderly female victim Agrippina Coc was held during the morning hours. Thereafter the large crowd of sympathizers and family members ,village leaders and others from other Toledo communities and districts of Belize were in procession with the body to the burial spot at the Columbia village cemetery. Since tragic incident on Saturday evening villagers and village leaders along with the Coc family have kept together in morning efforts and community level activities to denounce the unacceptable criminal act in their village while echoing the village and family cry for justice and capture of a suspect from Columbia who is still at large at the moment even as the late Agrippina is laid to rest. Columbia Village Alcalde Jose Che who was also at the funeral spoke to Love News and gave an update on village search efforts to capture the suspect.”

PlusTV

Man charged for unlicensed firearm
Police believe that 35 year old labourer Deshawn Craig of Caesar Ridge Road, Belize City, may be on the hook for a stolen gun which he allegedly tried to get rid of when police visited his home this week. On Wednesday, Deshawn Craig pleaded not guilty to keeping firearm and ammunition without a gun license, before Magistrate Herbert Panton, who remanded him into custody until October 24. Around 9:50 a.m. on Monday, September 1, police say they were pursuing a man they believed was involved in a robbery attempt, and they went to Craig’s residence. They said that upon their arrival Deshawn Craig ran out of his house and he threw a plastic bag over a fence.

Belizeans Get Free Trip To Lighthouse Reef Courtesy Oceana
In an effort to get more Belizeans to enjoy Belizean resources, and our natural heritage, Oceana in Belize partnered with Belize’s Aududon Society to organize a trip for two Belizeans who had never been to the Lighthouse reef atoll: Prime Minister’s wife Kim Simplis Barrow and her daughter Salima. Mother and daughter were able to enjoy the stunning aerial views of the Blue Hole, which some have considered the 8th wonder of the world. According to Oceana, up to ten thousand tourists visit the Blue Hole and Half Moon Caye natural monuments, however very few of that number, are Belizeans. Vice President of Oceana in Belize Janelle Chanona says that coordinating such experiences where Belizeans enjoy their own natural heritage is central to the organization’s mission.

The Belize Jaguars play their first game
To all Belizean football fans keeping track of the Belize National A Team: Belize played their first game at the Copa Centro Americano at the RFK Stadium in Washington DC. The first game was played on Wednesday against Honduras at 7:30 pm Eastern Time, that was 5:30 pm Wednesday evening. However due to the time lag it will show on Univsion at 9:30 pm. (At news time) The Belize Jaguars are on half time break and are losing 2 to nil as a result of two auto goals. Belize plays against Guatemala on September 7th and El Salvador on September 10th. Our thoughts are with the Belize Jaguars who currently are playing their hearts out.

Man Found Dead In Carozal After Night Of Drinking
There is another family grieving the death of one of their loved ones, whose life was cut short presumably by abuse of alcohol. It was a little after four Wednesday morning when Corozal Police responded to a distress call in the Santa Rita Heights in the Corozal District. According to the brother of the deceased, around three this morning, he went to check on his brother, 38 year old Benito Puerto, a construction worker of Corozal Town. Benito had arrived highly intoxicated the night before. Upon seeing that his brother was motionless and was not breathing he called the Corozal Police Department. Benito’s body was transported to the Corozal Community Hospital where it was pronounced dead. The brother of the deceased added that Benito Puerto had a drinking problem, and for the past two days he was under the influence of alcohol.

Online Article Describes Hondo River As Red After Oil Spill
“Blood red” is how one online news article is describing the Hondo River which boarders Mexico and Belize. Information from other news outlet is that there was an oil spill last week Wednesday August 27th, where a malfunction of an illegal pipeline extracting crude oil caused 4,000 gallons of crude to be spilled in the river. According to several Mexican News articles, the incident occurred in the Hondo stream that passes through Teirra Blanca, a town in Vera Cruz, and not the Rio Hondo. Now if you know anything about maps, you’d know that Vera Cruz is several hundreds of miles West of Belize, closer to Mexico City. But one article, posted in an online newspaper- Ryot, is reporting that the incident occurred in the Rio Hondo saying that, “The Hondo River lines the border between Mexico and Belize. Nearly a mile of the river turned blood red after the spill, which was caused on August 27th when thieves drilled a tap into a gasoline pipeline.”

UB Launches Lekcha Series
The University of Belize’s Faculty of Education and arts launched the First Annual Di Silvaana Udz Lekcha Series on Tuesday. The launching is part of the Jaguar Salon Series, which aims at encouraging students to take up interest in reading and engaging in the literary arts, by exposing them to noteworthy Belizean intellectuals, and writers, and other artists in the field. Ivory Kelly, one of the Organizers of the annual event, told us more. Ivory Kelly – Organizer “It is a part of a broader series of artistic and intellectual events here at the university of Belize, that we have entitled ‘The Jaguar Salon Series,’ a year-round series of events, plays, lectures, and so forth, to broader our students perspective on life, and academic life in particular.

Five mothers receive settlement from KHMH
It was an ugly episode: a common-place bacteria took up residence in one of the leading national hospital’s most sensitive units, and proceeded to kill as many as eight premature infants in the span of three weeks. Even more damagingly, the hospital could not say how the bacteria known as enterobacter cloacae got into the facility. Five of the eight families affected decided to sue, a sixth having already reached a settlement, and on Tuesday, following a lengthy and emotional mediation session presided over by Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin, a settlement was agreed. Not all of it is public purview, but attorney for the families Kareem Musa was able to share some details.

KHMH CEO reflects on tenure
Dr. Gary Longsworth’s contract has not been renewed, ending his six-year tenure at the nation’s top hospital. Unfortunately, it was marked by scandal, affecting everything from mismanagement of pharmaceuticals to the deaths of premature babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. We asked him about it all.

COLA marches toward appeal of Penner decision
In July of 2014, the private prosecution of Cayo Northeast area representative Elvin Penner was tossed out of Belmopan Magistrate’s Court for lack of evidence. Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA) has planned an appeal and on Tuesday we had an update from attorney Kareem Musa. Kareem Musa – Attorney 1“In relation to the appeal for Penner, no. The grounds of appeal, we have received the notes of evidence from the Magistrate in Belmopan, and we have fourteen days which will expire, I believe, this Friday, within which to file the grounds of appeal. So after that, then a date will be set.

Patrick Jones

Christian Workers’ Union demands meeting with First Caribbean Bank
The employee at the center of First Caribbean International Bank’s current troubles over alleged discrimination has resigned, giving two months’ notice. But she wants an apology for alleged discrimination and proper benefits, according to Christian Workers’ Union president Audrey Matura-Shepherd, whose union represents a majority of the branch’s employees. […]

Mechanic accused of dishonestly taking payment for vehicle
An auto mechanic is being accused of taking payments for a vehicle he never actually sold. Elizardo Ochoa, 28, of a Casuarina Street address, pleaded not guilty to obtaining property by deception after he agreed to have the case heard in the lower court before Magistrate Herbert Panton. […]

Man charged for unlicensed firearm
Police believe that 35 year old laborer Deshawn Craig of Caesar Ridge Road may be on the hook for a stolen gun which he allegedly tried to get rid of when police visited his home this week. Craig pleaded not guilty to keeping firearm and ammunition without a […]

Blue Creek villagers continue to call for the removal of Chairman
Residents of Blue Creek village, Toledo continue to advocate for the removal of the chairman of the village council Heraldo Pop. The villagers are accusing Pop of corruption after a letter purportedly written to a local businessman and including the name of the First Alcalde, without his permission, […]

GSU finds marijuna in early morning operation in Mahogany Heights
A woman’s Prada brand bag was found chock-full of marijuana early on Tuesday morning in Mahogany Heights village, Belize district. The Gang Suppression Unit reports that it conducted an early morning operation in the village starting at 5:15 am on Tuesday targeting several houses which the GSU […]

Preschool teachers in the Cayo District gear up for new school year
Preschool Head Teachers and Local Managers in the Cayo District schools met September 3rd at Oasis Preschool Grounds to discuss the way forward for the 2014-2015 school year. Mr. Pablo Chan, Education Officer in charge of Curriculum Matters spoke about the role of the principals, school managers […]

Paving of the Belize-Corozal road underway
The government of Belize has begun delivering on a promised national road infrastructure program which will see the investment of close to $76 million nationwide. The Ministry of Public Works is currently carrying out the first phase of paving of the Phillip Goldson Highway in Orange Walk, […]

Corozal man found dead in his house
A Corozal man is dead … and alcohol poisoning may be the cause. 38 year old Benito Puerto was found dead early this morning inside his home in the Santa Rita Heights area of Corozal town. Family members say that on Tuesday night, Puerto arrived home intoxicated and […]

Blogs

Tiger Beach Club: Super Cool New Indian Spot Opens on Placencia Peninsula
I love Indian food. So…when I heard that a swanky new spot was opening just north of Seine Bight village on the Placencia Peninsula, I knew I’d want to try it eventually. And then I found out that the place was being opened by Frankie Gagliano and I REALLY wanted to go. The designer of places like Rumfish y Vino (he sold it even before it opened) in Placencia, Fuego Restaurant in San Ignacio and DragonFly Moon (I actually first met him there) has beautiful taste and makes all his spots look impossibly cool. We moved to the table and ordered a feast. Or what looked like a feast. The three dishes (one of each – chicken, lamb and fish) come in their own bowls for sharing but what also arrives are countless smaller bowls of side dishes like lentil dhal and chutneys, yogurt sauces, condiments, toppings, herbs and spiced rices.

5 Reasons Why September in Belize is Awesome!
There’s no better time to visit someone than during their birthday party! September is the biggest month on the Belize social calendar, and for the savvy traveller, it’s one of the best times to visit this exuberant yet laid back little tropical paradise. Here’s five reasons why 1. September marks the start of the longest holiday season in the hemisphere From September 10, when the nation comes alive to commemorate the 1798 Battle of St George’s Caye until New Year’s Day, Belize is in fiesta mode. St George’s Caye Day is followed by Independence Day on September 21, which is followed by Day of the Americas (which those of you over the age of 12 may remember as Columbus Day) on October 12. Then there’s Garifuna Settlement Day on November 19, leading up to Christmas Day and Boxing Day, with Halloween as well as local celebrations and religious observations thrown in for good measure.

Soft opening of Rain Restaurant Ambergris caye
More fantastic lighting at the inside restaurant area, the chandelier was absolutely gorgeous and just the kind of design I would pick if I had a house with a large open space. Since we do not have super high ceilings at the taco shack, I settled for hanging mid size disco balls by my windows for my cool lighting effects. Leisa and I arrived first and could not wait for the others to start feasting so we ordered drinks and coconut shrimp. It was not long before a few more showed up and more food orders went in. I went with the lobster squash ravioli as my main course and it was delicious. Soon as Leisa and I were done our ravioli, and Cowboy wandered in and joined our table. When I saw creme brulee on the dessert menu, I knew I had to order it. It was a good size, flamed perfectly with that light crispy layer on top that cracks like thin ice and all that creamy sweet goodness underneath. For a soft opening everything went pretty well, in Belize that special events can often be a behind the scenes comedy of errors. After we were finished our meal,Victoria came around and did some quality control, we gave her our feedback on a couple of minor things could be improved and she was receptive to what we said.

The Battle of Saint Georges Caye
After a few treaties in negotiating rights and opportunities to live and cut, first logwood, used for dyes at the time in Europe and then mahogany – still being used today for furniture and inside houses. Whatever happened in Europe between England and Spain directly affected the Caribbean and what is today Belize in Central America. It is only fitting to state that England and Spain did not really care for each other too much then. One of the problems for Spain, even though they entered fair negotiations on what was their property in Central America, (British) Honduras (today Belize), was entitlement of land. The English sat on the land, then British Honduras and even though were kicked out several times between 1715-1760, they resiliently returned and grew their roots. Note that, the Spanish never once attempted to make a home in Belize. The English made it a home – away from home – as primarily, there was economic opportunity here for them and more, freedom.

International Sources

Stunning energy and climate development in Samoa
Over 150 delegates and members of the international development community from more than 45 countries were stunned to see leader after leader approach the podium to sign a historic sustainable energy and climate resilience treaty that will significantly change the lives and destiny of over 20 million small islanders, for the better. The treaty was signed by the governments of Barbados, Belize, Bahamas, Dominica, Cabo Verde, Cook Islands, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Grenada, Guinea Bissau, Kiribati, Niue, Palau, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, and Tuvalu.

Own-goals propel Honduras past Belize
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Honduras benefited from a pair of own-goals to register a 2-0 win over Belize in the first 2014 Central American Cup match for each on Wednesday at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium. The Group A victory extended Hondurans’ streak of conceding one goal or fewer in the competition to 16 games. In new head coach Hernan Medford’s debut, the 2014 FIFA World Cup participant became the first team in tournament history to reach the 100-goal mark. The second own-goal enabled it to hit the milestone, but it came as a result of another CCA first – two own-goals in the same game. From the start, Honduras looked sharp and played with purposeful intent. Forward Antony Lozano embodied that adventuresome spirit for a side that looked distinctively different from the one that lost all three games at Brazil 2014 only two months ago. Early on, the Olimpia standout had an effort from seven-yards out blocked by goalkeeper Woodrow West and saw a bicycle kick whistle past the right post.

Copa Centroamericana: Get the latest results as the tournament kicks off
The 2014 Copa Centroamericana kicked off Wednesday, and it is being played for the first time in the United States. Click here for a preview of Wednesday's action and check below for recaps of the evening's action at RFK Stadium, and be sure to check up on FutbolMLS.com's Copa Centroamericana homepage for the latest information on the tournament.

King Ras John and the coolie Connection bring reggae magic to Ethnic Fest
King Ras John and the Coolie Connection bring their reggae magic to Walker Sept. 13 for Ethnic Fest XXII. The band will play on Stage Two on Fourth Street from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. and return to the Walker American Legion Post at 7:30 p.m. for Ethnic After Hours. King Ras John was born in the Caribbean nation of Belize, Central America. He grew up in a family of musicians, listening to the Puntarama and Soca music of the south of Belize. The Coolie Connection was originally made up of family, cousins and friends, but the band continues with that name. A self-taught guitarist, King Ras John composes his own music, performing improvisational reggae, Puntarama, Soca, Ddub and much more.

MEXICO SEES MASSIVE FISH DIE-OFF AT LAKE
Mexican authorities say a mass die-off of fish at a lake in western Mexico was not due to natural causes, but the causes are still being investigated and one research said that low water levels could have been responsible. Over 53 metric tons of rotting fish have been removed from Lake Cajititlan in western Jalisco state, the state environment department said late Sunday. Workers using shovels, a bulldozer, boats and wheel barrels removed the dead fish, which are being sent for testing. Workers wore masks to ward off the smell of rotting fish. The small, finger-sized fish are apparently a type of chub. The cause of the die-off has not been determined; samples of the dead fish have been sent to laboratories for testing. The state environment department said late Sunday it was not due to natural causes.

Alcohol poisoning may have caused death
Alcohol poisoning may have attributed to the death of 38 year old Benito Puerto of Corozal Town. Puerto was found dead early this morning inside his home in the Santa Rita Heights area of Corozal Town. Accordingly to family members last night, Puerto arrived home intoxicated and went to bed. Around 3 o’clock this morning, they went to check on him and found him motionless and not breathing. That was when a distress call was made to the Corozal Police who responded and transported the body to the Corozal town community hospital. Family members of Benito Puerto say that he had a drinking problem and had been under the influence of alcohol for the last couple of days.

Videos

Video: Half Moon Caye trip, 3min.
by Oceana Belize. Stunning aerial views and interviews, including the wife of the Prime Minister Kim Simplis Barrow and their daughter, Salima.

Video: Texas Tech Students Help Market Belize Banana Farm Tour, 2min.
The agricultural communications campaigns class traveled to Belize for a study abroad trip in 2014. During their visit they conducted research to help Bunches of Fun Banana Farm Tour promote their business though techniques they learned in class. After the students returned, they used the remainder of the semester to prepare a communications campaign for Bunches of Fun in addition to a social media plan and a video.

Video: Yeniden Yeryüzü - Belize'nin Sakl Hazinesi, 6min.
Mobilya üretimi, aaç kesimine neden oluyor ancak ormanlara zarar vermeden de ahap malzeme elde etmek mümkün. Belize’nin yamur ormanlarnda aaç kesiminin youn olduu yllarda aaç kütükleri tanrken nehirlerin dibine batm. Sularn derinliindeki saysz tomruk çürümeden asrlarca kendini koruyabilmi. Çevreci bir ekip bu durumdan yararlanp tomruklar nehrin dibinden çkararak aaç kesimini azaltm. Yeniden Yeryüzü bu bölümde, kayp tomruklarn izini sürmek için Belize’de.

Video: Honduras vs Belize CONCACAF Highlights, 4min.

Video: Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in Ministry, 4min.
Since 1812 the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth risk their lives and resources in promoting the dignity and equality of women and oppressed people in the world. In the pioneer spirit of the foundress Catherine Spalding, impelled by the love of Christ, Sisters carry out ministries in education, health care, pastoral outreach, systemic change, social justice and women’s empowerment in Belize, Botswana, India, Nepal and the United States.

Video: Adaptive SCUBA Belize June 2014, 14min.
5 friends SCUBA dive in Belize, 3 are paralyzed but unstoppable.

Video: Traveling In Belize, 4min.
A little video about what Belize has to offer for curious travelers.

Video: Having fun in Mexico, Belize, and Honduras, 14min.
Went on a cruise with my family to Mexico, Belize, and Honduras! Here is a small glimpse of what we did!

September 3, 2014

Progress on the paving of the road on North, Ambergris Caye. (9 photos)

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

San Pedro Athletes take top prizes at Lionman Triathlon
Local athletes dominated the 15th Annual Lionman Triathlon held on Sunday, August 31st with Kent “Bob” Gabourel taking first place in the male category and Brandon Santos taking first place in the junior category. But Kent and Brandon were not the only San Pedro athletes to place high in the competition as Jordan Santos took second and Kian Ancona took third, both in the junior category. The triathlon started at 6:30AM at the Sand Lighters Promenade on New Town Barracks, Belize City and saw the participation of several local and international athletes. The Lionman Triathlon dares athletes to complete a 1500 meter swim, a 40 kilometer bicycle ride and a 10 kilometer run. The triathlon is divided into four categories: male (over 18 years of age), female, junior (under 18 years of age), master (over 40 years of age) and relay team. The triathlon tests the athlete’s endurance in the three disciplines and builds endurance and stamina.

Another Older Person a victim of Senseless Crime
The National Council on Ageing once again is appalled at the increasing numbers of older persons being targeted and becoming victims of senseless crimes. Following the vicious attack on the Westby family in Crooked Tree Village and Mr. and Mrs. Augustine in Hopkins Village, resulting in the death of Mrs. Augustine, we hear the case of Mrs. Agripina Coc in San Pedro Columbia. This case is particularly worrying since it appears that Mrs. Coc was aware that she was being stalked by an unknown person. This was obviously not a frivolous concern of Mrs. Coc and because of her age maybe her concern was not taken as seriously as it should have been. The NCA once again requests that greater attention be paid to older persons in their communities because they are more vulnerable than most and not able to defend themselves against attackers.

Ambergris Today

Fashion Show For A Worthy Cause
In efforts to support a friend, Alicia Cisneros Sanchez, who was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer, Forever Fancy Boutique will he hosting a fashion show this Saturday to raise funds for her medical expenses. Come support a worthy cause; please be a part of this!! God bless you all, let's kick cancer's butt!!!

Interest Free Student Loans – Apply NOW
The Leo S. Rowe Pan American Fund – Interest Free Student Loans The Organization of American States offers supplementary is offering financial aid to students completing their last two years of undergraduate or graduate studies in US universities. For more information contact: Organization of American States Executive Secretariat for Integral Development | Education | Rowe Fund 1889 F Street N.W. (769) Washington DC 20006 NEW (202) 370-9760 | [email protected] www.oas.org | www.oas.org/en/rowefund | www.facebook.com/rowefund

25 Years Ago: Things We Take for Granted – Meat
The other day as I was opening a can of corned beef for a quick lunch, I recollected the times when my brother and I used to fight for the rights to open the can of corned beef in the 1950’s. Why such a big deal you might ask! Well I am talking about a time in San Pedro’s history when there was no kind of meat on the island, at least not as frequent as today, nor the variety and it was not readily available like driving over to the meat shop and obtaining your supply of meat. Indeed I am talking about a time when fish formed the main menu seven days a week and that is morning, noon and evening. To tell the truth the mothers who were the housewives had to be innovative and creative in order to have it appear that there was variety in the menu. There was fried fish, and there was fish fillet also fried. A favorite on a daily basis was fish in soup with red recado also called “Chechac”. Sometimes there was a clear fish soup with oregano, some lime and lots of olive oil. A delicacy was baked fish. Dry corned fish was smoked directly over Charcoal, and sometimes over the grill. Boiled fish was also served with boiled ripe plantains all fixed up with lots of fresh coconut oil sort of like a guacamole.

ConnectAmericas, New Internet-based Network To Help Belizean Companies Go Global
The Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) is facilitating a mission from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for the presentation of a new digital social networking platform to help companies, particularly small and medium-size businesses throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, expand to international markets. ConnectAmericas, dedicated to promoting foreign trade and international investment, will afford Belizean businesses to opportunity to connect with clients, suppliers and investors throughout the region and all across the globe. Membership in the social networking platform is free and allows individuals and companies to take online courses, learn about financing options, access databases with useful trade data, and build business relationships with trustworthy international contacts.

Misc Belizean Sources

Our Unsung Hero, Marcus Canul
Why September 1st is a very important date in the history of the North, particularly Orange Walk and Corozal. Very little is taught in schools, written and heard about Marcus Canul. As we celebrate our independence, let us recognize Marcus Canul and his legacy to be a pillar in our Belizean history and heroes. September 1st should be celebrated as a National Holiday in memory of the last day Marcus Canul fought the British in northern Belize. It is not clear whether the Baymen clan, British intruders or their British West Indies military force killed Marcus Canul but that was the last day he was defeated and killed while he and his group defended their lands in Orange Walk. Belize had already been transformed in the Maya World we know today before the arrival of the pirates who after became the Baymen clan. The Maya World consists of the States of Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatan and Quintana Roo in Mexico; Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador in Central America. And it has about 500,000 square kilometers.

OAS Leo S. Rowe Pan American Fund Interest Free Student Loans
The Rowe Fund is an educational loan program of the Organization of American States (OAS) that helps citizens from Latin America and Caribbean OAS Member States finance their studies or research in accredited universities across the United States by awarding interest-free loans of up to $15,000 dollars.

Caribbean Exporter’s Toolkit
Any business can export products or services but the process can be complex and challenging and success is far from guaranteed. Yet, when it is approached with careful deliberation, exporting can be a rewarding growth strategy for any business. Whether you are a sole trade offering consulting services or manage a 500-person manufacturing facility, exporting offers you opportunities for growth, increased sales and diversified markets. But a marketable product or service is only the beginning. Exporting takes time and effort. It also takes resources and a strong commitment to compete beyond your current borders. If you are focused and committed you must first assess your readiness to enter the global marketplace. Follow our 10 Steps guide to help to achieve success in exporting.

Design Caribbean
Design Caribbean is the region’s leading contemporary design event displaying the Caribbean’s finest handmade designs and innovative products. Design Caribbean is the re-branded Caribbean Gift and Craft Show (CGCS), which was staged for the first time in 2011. Design Caribbean has received plaudits from exhibitors, visitors, buyers and the press for successfully re-establishing the event, as the largest contemporary design trade event in the Caribbean. Inspired by the passion and talent of both distinguished and aspiring artists, Design Caribbean showcases the very best of the region’s finest handmade products and innovative designs – in contemporary craft, music, fashion and film.

Cocoa
By Abdulmajeed K. Nunez. September this year Belize will be thirty-three Dah now we weh know if it’s truly free This pending sugar slump threatening wi economy Will reinforce that we got independence symbolically Unless wi start thinking and strategizing early Partnering with countries round we Everybody mi di jump pan Sedi But they have information that we are not privy They saw it coming already That’s why he ran to Guatemala and agree From in the 70s Price mi know That the sugar quota mi wah get slow Now we will neva know Why he did not warn the country before It’s one big puppet show With just ova two years to go Cane farmers may have to consider now fi sure That the country has the capacity to grow cocoa

Baffu Magazine - Issue 2
Baffu Magazine's second issue is out. Unique, interesting, and wild. The first article is about Noh Mul. It's online, and it's free.

Benque HoC 13th Anniversary Celebration
The Benque House of Culture is celebrating 13 years this Saturday, and they are teaming up with the Embassy of Mexico to have a concert for the occasion. The Benque Marimba Academy, Benque Viejo Marching Band, and the Ayre brass quintet will all be performing. The event starts at 7:30pm. Happy anniversary, Benque HoC! "Make it a date and let's celebrate the Benque House of Culture 13 years Anniversary Celebration with a musical concert featuring ' Ayre' from Merida Yucatan, our very Champions, the Benque Viejo Marching Band & Benque Marimba Academy...."

Belize Jaguars at Copa Centroamericana
The Belize Jaguars are in the United States, where they are competing in the Copa Centroamericana, and warming up for the Gold Cup. They play in Washington D.C., Dallas, Houston, and L.A. over the next 2 weeks. Go Jaguars! "Our Belize Jaguars will be going up against Central American power houses with the intent to qualify for Gold Cup 2015. Our boys are hyped and confident especially since we're being led by much respected head coach Costa Rican Le Roy Sherrier Lewis. The Jaguars need your support as they do battle in huge U.S. Stadiums against Honduras, Guatemala and Salvador."

Power interruption 6:00am to 8:00am, Thursday, September 4, San Pedro
: North San Pedro from Blue Reef Resort to Tranquility Bay Resort. BEL to energize new high voltage lines and replace utility pole in North San Pedro.

FISHING REPORT: Week of August 23 – 30th, 2014
We have had nothing short of a stellar month of tarpon fishing here at El Pescador. We are thrilled for our anglers who have landed fish of their dreams. And for the newly initiated, now you know! It’s a hunting game – a state of mind – a time to put it all together. It’s a time to establish a team with your guide – so you are talking the same language, reaching your goals together. I have seen the guides grow throughout the years and they have learned skills to help with all the steps that go from “seeing the fish,” to “landing the fish.” There are a lot of steps – and they all count. Remember to practice your cast, even if it is 5 minutes. When you are staring at a giant tarpon approaching you, when you are waiting for the timing of your shot, when that thin black line from a distance turns into a creature that has been around for 100 million years, you want to be ready. From your family at El Pescador we thank you for sharing your time and dreams with us!

BCVI Clinic today
Belize Council for the Visually Impaired (BCVI) will be holding their monthly free clinic at the San Pedro Lions Den tomorrow (Wed) from 8:30 - 2PM.

20th Commonwealth Games [2014] (10 photos)
Check out our Belizean Athletes at the 20th Commonwealth Games in Scotland 2014

MCCAULAY JOINS NATIONAL TEAM FOR CENTRAL AMERICAN CUP
Atlanta Silverbacks midfielder Junior Burgos - from El Salvador - and forward Deon McCaulay - from Belize - will each be with their respective National Teams for the next two weeks participating in the Central American Cup 2014. Both players had previously been listed on their countries' preliminary rosters and were named to the final 23-man squads Sunday evening. The two-group, seven-team tournament begins this Wednesday, September 3 at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. with a triple-header featuring 2014 FIFA World Cup quarterfinalist Costa Rica taking on Nicaragua at 5:30 ET, followed by Honduras facing Belize at 7:30 ET, and wrapping up with El Salvador against Guatemala at 9:30 ET.

EXPO Belize Market Place
Reminder that EXPO Belize Market Place takes place this weekend at the ITVET Grounds in Belize City.

Taiwanese Ambassador visits Corozal House of Culture
The House of Culture was delighted to have an impromptu visit by the Taiwanese Ambassador this evening! Mr. Benjamin Ho and wife Jennifer, along with Douglas Chang of the Taiwanese Embassy. It was a pleasure meeting the newly appointed Ambassador and an honour to introduce them to our historical landmark; the Corozal House of Culture.

Wildtracks Update
We're getting closer and closer to finishing the Central Enclosure for the Spider Monkey Complex. We have contracted Neto and his crew, from Sarteneja who, over the last few months, have shown great skill in finding solutions to every problem thrown their way. The framework is now completed (as of this morning!) - standing 36 feet high at the highest point. How to ensure chainlink fencing panels are 100% monkey proof and fully tensioned? No problem! The have spent painstaking hours knitting the rolls together to form six single panels, each 25 feet long and 25 feet wide, and one for each side, and then tensioned them using the weight of a log....impressive! Tomorrow we raise the roof...

Power interruption, 8:00am to 2:00pm, Saturday, September 6: entire Orange Walk District
BEL to repair equipment at the Orange Walk Substation and replace poles and crossarm on the transmission system.

Guava Limb's 1st Anniversary
The Guava Limb Café had their 1st anniversary party on Saturday, and it was a beautiful event. The San Pedro Scoop(no relation) came over to see how amazing the best restaurant in Belize celebrated. "The dinner menu was a buffet – and a Mayan feast. Perhaps the guests wouldn’t be here yet but the food was ready right on time. And look at this menu? Impressive... This was no cheese dip and beer fiesta. Beautiful food, beautifully presented and the drink of the night? White sangria with fresh cantelope."

Channel 7

Maimed By SUV, Francis Gill Back Home
Imagine leaving home after midnight to go buy a fried chicken, and then waking up the next day in the hospital with your right foot amputated from the knee down. It's almost unimaginable, but that's just what happened to Francis Gill early on Saturday morning at Key Lee restaurant in Belize City. As we told you last night, eyewitnesses report that 42 year old Gill had some hard with 33 year old Devon Jones outside Key Lee - which is the former Li Chee at 12:45 am. Jones was with his girlfriend and after she had gotten her shrimp order, they left. But what no one expected was that Jones would then drive his Chevy Blazer over the sidewalk, and ram into Gill, but once but twice. He shattered Gill's right leg - and to the horror of onlookers, his leg actually came apart right there in front of the restaurant. It's an unimaginable scene, and Gill remembers very little, if anything of the event. Today he came out of the hospital - and he agreed to speak to Monica Bodden off camera. He told her how he's dealing with life as an amputee:...

Family of 61 Year Old Toledo Woman Speaks
And while the Gill maiming is the most viscerally arresting story coming out of the weekend - the other, involving the rape and murder of a 61 year old woman in rural Toledo is the most disturbing. As we reported, on Saturday night, Coc reportedly left her home in san Pedro, Colombia, went to the shop to buy, and never returned. Her family went out looking for her, and at around 7:30, they found her nude body beside the main road at the southern entrance of the village. She had a large chop wound to the center of her head. A search around the area also led the officers to find pieces of clothing and blood stains, which they believe must belong to her. She had been raped and murdered - and unthinkable and excessively cruel end, especially in a small, peaceful village. Her post mortem was held today, and her son told the media what the family knows so far about the murder:.. Ronaldo Coc, son of deceased "At Saturday at 2 o' clock my mom says that she will be going to my uncle's place to deliver some container and then she was bought 10 pounds of rice coming back home. Coming back home she met a lady and they had a conversation there for a little while and then she left. After leaving there it's about 200 yards down a little hill and there she was murdered. So from 2 o' clock to 4:30 - that's when my dad got worried about where she was because she has never gone that long. When I came back and visit them it was almost 5pm and my dad had already left to look for her and so I went and look for her too. And as 5:30 reach we realize that something was wrong because she did go far. The family got together quick as possible because she has never stayed out that long, so we started to look round and around until 7:30 when they found the body that I never expected what had happen to my mother."

PUP Says Disband The GSU
We've featured complaints against the Gang Suppression Unit in our newscast regularly. Recently, showed you what residents from Lakeview Street and Kraal Road had to say about alleged excesses inflicted by officers from that embattled unit. It must be noted that while there have been many complaints against the unit, in December of last year, the Government of Belize had to pay $175,000 compensation to residents of the George Street for excessive behaviour for a raid in August 2011. Then the National Security Ministry apologized to residents of Taylor's Alley in April 2012 for the unit's behaviour when they conducted a raid through that neighbourhood in 2011. Then there is businessman Miguel Menjivar in Belmopan who launched his own lawsuit against the Unit for the raid conducted on his house. So, the Unit's behaviour has been called into the question many times in the past, and at the Cordel Hyde Convention on Saturday, the Former 2 Term Prime Minister and current Area representative for Fort George Said Musa called for the hard charging, elite unit to be abolished. Here's his controversial comments:

When Is a Lecture a "Leckcha"? Ask Silvaana
The University of Belize's Faculty of Education and Arts launched Di SilvaanaUdzLechka Series today at the Jaguar auditorium in Belmopan. This is part of a year round series of events hosted at UB entitled the Jaguar Salon Series. The objective of this Lecture series is to introduce students to writers and poets from Belize and abroad and to develop an appreciation for reading as well as the writing process. Courtney Weatherburne has more on the story. Courtney Weatherburne reporting Apart from the classroom sessions at the University of Belize, many academic activities are held to engage students and foster critical discussions. One of those activities is the Di Silvaana Udz Lechka series named in honor of Dr. Silvaana Udz for her contribution to Literature and Arts in Belize. Ivory Kelly, one the organizers of the lecture series strongly supports the importance of informal education and training in the development of the student. Ivory Kelly, Organizer "It is not sufficient for our university students to pursue training or preparation for the job market. That is an important aspect of education of course but we also want to develop other aspects of their gifts. Students who are creative in the arts are able to apply those creativity in the workplace and just to feed their souls and so we really wanted this series to galvanized that aspects of our students development."

Hezbolla Hysteria Has B'zean Arabs Losing Visas
The name Hezbollah has been in the local news more than once - always in reference to Arabs, mostly Lebanese who are accused of some illicit involvement. The most notable was the famous Rafic Labboun who used bogus documents and corrupt officials to get a Belizean passport in the name of a deceased Mennonite, Wilhelm Dick. US intelligence chatter said he could be associated with Hezbollah - and that may have started the whole ball rolling. The Hezbollah connection came up again this weekend when Por Esto newspaper in Quintana Roo reported that another Lebanese Belizean had been intercepted in Tulum, Mexico on Thursday, August 28th and that he was part of a Hezbollah cell in Belize. Now, that's really bad news because Hezbollah is one of the most feared militant groups in the Arab world and the US and Europe consider it a terrorist organization.

The National Bank, One Year Later
Today the National Bank celebrated its 1st Anniversary. Although it is a new bank, Deputy General Manager Janet Arnold says they are doing well so far but, conceded that, inevitably there will be difficulties in the initial phases of operation. She shared some of those challenges. Janet Arnold, Deputy General Manager "We are celebrating a major milestone. I think we have accomplish just about exactly what the Prime Minister was saying; provide affordable banking services to all Belizeans. As our motto says "Of the people, for the people" really those are the people we have catered to. A nutshell 20 million was put aside for the bank. we have approved up to 23 million at this time. We have disbursed 13 plus million, so I think we are not only on target, we are well beyond the plan. We have to admit we have experience some delays, but understandably it's been so many applications which it is good in a way because it tells us that we are providing a service that is clearly very needed. We have added staff basically to address this need, so we do expect the timeframe, the turn around to be much better after this."

Resolution In Baby Deaths At KHMH
Who can forget last year when 13 babies died inside the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit? Well, 5 out of the 13 families took the hospital to court and sued them. That case ended today without going to the Supreme Court, instead, it went through the new mediation process. After more than a year and a half refusing to accept blame for the babies, the Hospital will now be doing so in the form of an apology, and an award of damages. 7News was outside of court when that resolution was reached, and we spoke to both parties about its significance: Dr. Gary Longsworth - CEO, KHMH "We arrived at a settlement but we cannot disclose anything about it, it's all confidential." Reporter "Are both parties satisfied sir?" Dr. Gary Longsworth - CEO, KHMH "I imagine so." Geovannie Brackett "Do you feel that the compensation was satisfactory?"

Tenth: Examining The Historicity and The Mythology
For decades now, historians and intellectuals have been wrestling with the Tenth of September and the Battle of St. George's Caye - critics question its validity both as a patriotic cornerstone and a historical assertion. Tomorrow morning at the Bliss Center, both the historicity and the mythology of the Tenth will be examined at a forum called "St. George's Caye, the truth revealed; exploring the facts and implications." Director of the Institute for Social and Cultural Research, Nigel Encalada told us they will go to the historical record:… The event is the first being held by the newly formed history association.

Belmopan Vendors Complain
There is a rift between the Belmopan city council and the capital's market vendors. Last month, a very distraught market vendor came to our studios to tell her side of the story. The issue is that the market-day area, which is located directly in front of the Civic Center in Belmopan, is being renovated and the market vendors had to relocate, first, to the Agriculture and Trade Show grounds and, then, to their present location along the ring road near the Roman Catholic Church. According to the vendors this move has crippled them. Apart from losing business, the fees for their spots at the new market are simply unaffordable. Courtney Weatherburne has the story: Courtney Weatherburne reporting It seems like a casual Tuesday market day here in Belmopan, but the thing is a ripple of discontent moves among the vendors. We are here to find out why:... Janice Baine, Herbalist "The reforms that they have made in the first place they have taken our $40 a month and told us all those contracts no matter how many years you are in the market you are void. So now you will go and you will pay $10 a market, so if you look at it we were paying $4 a market day, now we are paying $10 a market day. We have terrible conditions here, for example, we have to a dollar to go and use the market there which is a little bit bizarre because if you look at somebody they might visit the bathroom 4-5 times a day - that's a little steep for public bathroom and also which is a problem we don't have places to wash our hands. First thing that we would like to see them do is to put an exemption and an amnesty on every outstanding debt that we have acquired for being here because you forced us into this debt by raising the price so high, you tax us and remember the ability to tax is the ability to destroy."

Stephan Gets "Cinco"
Tonight, 22 year old Stephan Anderson, a laborer of 7 Ebony Street, who was charged with firearm offences, is spending his first night of a 5 year sentence after he was convicted in Magistrate's Court. The incident occurred around 7 on June 16, 2013. According to the evidence, Anderson was riding his bicycle on Vernon Street and when he turned into Lakeview Street and saw the police mobile coming from the opposite direction he turned around and headed on to Sibun Street. Sergeant Keith Clark, the arresting officer, testified that he saw when Anderson take a black object from the waist of his pants and throw it into an empty lot on Ebony Street. When the police retrieved the object it was a 9 millimeter pistol with 8 rounds of ammunition.

US Embassy Gives To Capital Cops
The US Embassy donated a kit of computer supplies to the Belmopan Police today. These items include 3 computers, peripherals along with 10 radios and polo shirts for the citizens on patrol. OC in Belmopan Howell Gillet also commented on another initiative: The Belmopan Police are partnering with the Kolbe Foundation in a clean-up campaign scheduled for next week. 20 inmates will clear the area near Riviera which is known as a crime prone area.

Channel 5

Supreme Court Orders Mediation in Deaths of Five Neonates at KHMH
In early May 2013 there were thirteen reported infant deaths at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. A subsequent investigation revealed the presence of a deadly bacteria, enterobacter cloacae, in the [...]

Musa’s Fiery Remarks at Cordel’s Convention Angers GSU Boss
There has been no love between the People’s United Party and the Gang Suppression Unit and tonight those bad relations have reached rock bottom. Complaints of police brutality at the [...]

Inspector Mark Flowers Launches Personal Attack on Said Musa
Those comments made by former Prime Minister Said Musa on the political podium at Saturday’s Lake Independence convention have angered GSU Commander Mark Flowers. Now normally politicians and police keep [...]

Former P.M. Says Flowers’ Comments Are Unbecoming of a Public Officer
Well this afternoon, the former prime minister did come back to the media. Speaking at today’s press conference, Said Musa described Inspector Flowers’ response as an emotional attack on him. [...]

P.U.P. Demands the Removal of GSU Boss
The reaction from the P.U.P. was swift. The Leader of the Opposition Francis Fonseca reiterated the call for the disbandment of the Gang Suppression Unit, as well as the removal [...]

Do you believe that the GSU should be disbanded?
And tonight’s question is: Do you believe that the GSU should be disbanded? Send your comments and responses using your SMART phones to 8686 or post your vote on our [...]

Residents of San Pedro, Columbia Still on the Hunt for Suspected Killer
There have been new developments in the murder of sixty-one year old Agripina Coc. The mother of nine children was brutally chopped to death near her home in the village [...]

Arthur Saldivar’s Fate as a P.U.P. to be Decided by National Executive
P.U.P. Belize Rural North standard bearer Arthur Saldivar remains suspended tonight amid an ongoing investigation into a number of serious allegations that are directly affecting his candidacy in the next [...]

Chief Magistrate Suspends Phillip Gallaty from Driving Following Traffic Accident
In March of this year, fifty eight year-old businessman Phillip Gallaty was accused of reversing his double cab white Toyota Hilux Pickup truck into the front bumper of the vehicle [...]

MADISCO Employee Charged for Drug Trafficking
A Madisco employee was this morning convicted in the courtroom of Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith for drug trafficking. He is Kent Mendez, who was jointly charged with two of [...]

Is CitCo Keeping Up with its BML Arrears?
In early August sanitation matters between Belize Maintenance Limited and the Belize City Council came to a head. City Hall was in arrears to the company eighteen weeks, and because [...]

National Council on Ageing Issues Statement on Violence Against the Elderly
In the recent months, several elderly persons have been victims of violent crimes. Back on July thirtieth, Betty Westby as well as her mother were victims of a frightening home [...]

National Bank Celebrates One Year Anniversary
The National Bank of Belize, the country’s sole government-owned lending institution, is celebrating a milestone achievement this week. Since opening its doors to the public on September second, 2013, the [...]

Belmopan Police Formation Introduces Inspector Stephanie Grinage
Inspector of Police Stephanie Grinage is one of several officers to have been promoted within the Belize Police Department recently. With extensive experience, working various posts over the past seventeen [...]

Land Woes in Gungulung
A trio of residents from the Holy Emmanuel Area is tonight up in arms because despite years of asking for a street to access their houses, they have had no [...]

Sir Barry’s Belikin Bash is Here Again
The Sir Barry Bowen Belikin Bash, formerly known as Belikin Fest, is a popular event in string of activities for the September Celebrations. The three-day event, which is traditionally held [...]

CTV3

SDA Management Has Until Friday To Investigate Accusations Made Against Principal And Teacher
Yesterday we told you about the dissatisfaction from parents of Progresso who are requesting from management to remove and replace principal Wilbert Tamai and teacher Alvaro Tzul of the Progresso Seventh Day Adventist School. It’s a situation that has been brewing for some time, and one week before school started, the complaints mounted escalating to allegations of drinking on campus to complaints of incompetency. We reported yesterday that parents opted to not send their children to school and if they did, they were accompanied by their parent. And while those concerns were posed to General Manager of the SDA Schools, Pastor Leslie Gillett, their request for change has not been met. Pastor Leslie has gone on record to say that there is a process to be followed as it pertains to situations as this and classes must go on. Well, it didn’t sit well with the parents and today a handful of them arrived at the Education Center to see if the Ministry of Education can intervene. District Education Officer, Carla Alvarez gave us an update on the situation at hand.

LOVE FM

Heat flares up between PUP and GSU
HEAD OF GSU, MARK FLOWERS “I am certain that by now this man must have by now awakened and realized the magnitude of irresponsibility that he displayed. I am certain that by now he would have regretted saying and passing those remarks.” These are the words of Inspector Mark Flowers, the head of the Gang Suppression Unit, who was referring to comments made this past Saturday at Cordel Hyde’s endorsement convention by the country’s past Prime Minister, Said Musa, regarding the GSU and the party’s opposing views of the unit. As you heard Flowers was certain that Musa would have regretted his words but regret is certainly not the case….as a matter of fact, the People’s United Party summoned the media houses at their headquarters on Queen Street in Belize City to reiterate their views. While Area Representatives and standard bearers from all districts were present, the Party’s leader, Francis Fonseca and Musa were the ones who took the head table. The conference followed a press release that was issued just after one o’clock this afternoon calling for the removal of Inspector Mark Flowers as the leader of the Gang Suppression Unit, not only because of the disrespect that the party claims were rendered against Musa but also because Flowers is viewed as being unfit for the position he currently holds.

Romeldo Coc says several complaints were made in the past about the suspect
A post mortem on the body of 61 year-old Agripina Coc was conducted this afternoon at the Karl Huesner Memorial Hospital Morgue. Her alleged killer is still on the loose and villagers of Columbia Village are hunting him down. According to Coc’s son, Romeldo, several complaints were made in the past against the man who he thinks murdered his mother. Coc says his brother, Florencio, briefly spoke to the alleged killer and he bragged that he had committed the crime but he would never be caught. SON,ROMELDO COC “Due to the recapture, capturing him its very hard when the village started to raid a place he got away but finally when they looked at it they changed clothes. Then an hour after that they found where he was again, they raid the area again and they found another set of clothes. So they found out that somebody is supporting him. That is when they found out some phone business going on too and that’s when the village found out really they really capture the families yesterday.”

Good Bye Dr. Gary Longsworth
Dr. Gary Longsworth, is on his last days as his contract comes to an end at the end of the month. Longsworth had requested his contract to be renewed but that request was denied by the KHMH Board of Governors. Today, Longsworth, said that he believes he did a more than satisfactory job as the CEO of the KHMH. DR. GARY LONGSWORTH “I leave at the end of September.” REPORTER” “Your replacement” GARY LONGSWORTH “No my replacement has not been chosen yet.”

Battle of St. George’s Caye, disproving all myths, exposing the facts
A lecture will be held tomorrow in which, historic information and facts will be shared about the Battle of St. George’s Caye. According to the Research Assistant, at the Institute of social and Cultural Research, Selene Solis the presenters will look at disproving all the myths and exposing the facts. INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RESEARCH, SELENE SOLIS “In this lecture tomorrow morning there will be exploration of the major facts and archival documents, specific documents that they will be making reference to in order to dispel some of the erroneous ideas of the Battle of St. George’s Caye and its significance in our nation’s development. So it will be an open forum essentially, there will be two presentations but there will be a question and answer segment for the public so we do invite all public, all Belizeans in general to come in if they are able to the Bliss Center for the Preforming arts. Teachers and Students particularly will be co-presented by Mr. Francis Humphries, he is a historian, retired teacher with over 30 years of experience with teaching and in research and there will also be Mr. Fred Hunter Sr. who is a history enthusiast himself, historian and is a past politician so he has years and years of experience and research under his belt. We are looking at really just opening up a channel for Belizeans that they start thinking and reflecting about these significant days and start going to important historical primary facts and reflecting on our nation as it is and as it was and envisioning and idea for the future so we are really looking at full attendance, public support, teacher and school support.”

Settlement agreed upon in the case of thirteen dead babies
the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital was rocked by scandal when thirteen babies died in its neonatal intensive care unit. The unit was temporarily closed down and a team brought in. Investigations revealed that the deaths were caused by the outbreak of the bacteria Enterobacter cloacae. Five of the affected parents took legal action against the KHMH. It has been over a year and today both parties went into a mediation session. Reporter Hipolito Novelo was outside the courtroom and has the story. HIPOLITO NOVELO “After a three hour mediation session a settlement was agreed upon.” CEO OF KHMH Gary Longsworth ”We arrived to a settlement but we cannot disclose anything about it. It is all confidential.” HIPOLITO NOVELO “Are both parties satisfied?” GARY LONGSWORTH I imagine so.

Shopping Plaza Welcome at Vernon Street
The residents of Vernon Street in Belize City will be getting a boost in visitors and much productivity via the opening of a shopping plaza. Renee Trujillo tells us more in this report. RENEE TRUJILLO “The area of Mayflower Street in Belize City has always been a neighborhood associated with gang and criminal activities. As a matter of fact the area had become even more renowned when in 2008 when the first ever grenade was reported on the streets of the old capital. Years later two retired Belizeans who had lived in the United States for over two decades are back home and for the last three years had begun works on the neighborhood via a three story shopping center. As far back as the mid 70s Lillette Soberanis has had title for the property at number 47 A Vernon Street where the green concrete structure now sits ready to be utilized for businesses of all sectors. Love News visited the location today to get an inside look and to find out more. LILLETTE SOBERANIS “We have 12 units that we will be renting for different prices because they have different sizes and then the upper level will be a residential but it hasn’t been finished yet so what we are looking for is to get these rented at all businesses. We are hoping maybe for a pharmacy, maybe a restaurant, someone asked about a boutique and we hope that the first one will be a boutique so are looking forward to changes in this area, people who will be coming in and bringing people into the neighborhood making it positive.”

Relatives of Suspect in Murder of Elderly Woman Detained.
The search continues for the main suspect in the murder of 61-year-old Agripina Coc of San Pedro Columbia in the Toledo District. Since the body of the elderly woman was found, villagers have been up in arms, demanding justice. On Monday evening they detained a number of the relatives of the suspect. Correspondent Paul Mahung has been following the story. Paul: The family members were first taken to the police station in the village by village leaders and members of the community as explained by one of the village volunteers and justice of the peace Miguel Choco. MIGUEL CHOCO “At about 4PM this evening a large number of the community in San Pedro gathered together to hold a public meeting. The Alcalde, the chairman and the concerned citizens came up with a plan that the family should be detained for police questioning. It is not in the police custody but the community and they asked why they had to do that, it’s simply because that are the one connected to this boy. They fed him in the morning, fed him in the afternoon and fed him in the evening. So they did it for a purpose so as to keep the family and the son here for two nights and then the people will go and do a search. We made that decision today. We are prepared to go and surround the house tonight incased he comes.”

Usher Family Believes There’s A Cover-Up in Relative’s Murder
A 38-year-old mason of Belize City is dead and his mother has resigned herself to a case that police will never solve. It was in the wee hours of Sunday morning on Faber’s Road Extension in Belize City when Michael Usher was hit by a spray of bullets just a few blocks from home. Just before five o’clock in the morning, police reported that Usher was riding a bicycle towards Central American Boulevard from the direction of the George Price Highway when he was approached by a man, who fired the fatal shots at him. Usher was hit twice in the head and four times in the upper back region. Inspector Hilberto Romero, Head of the Criminal Investigations Branch spoke to the media on this matter. INSPECTOR HILBERTO ROMERO “Police responded to a shooting incident on Faber’s road where they saw the lifeless body of a male person who was identified as Michael Usher with several gunshot wounds to his head and body. He was taken to the KHMH and was pronounced dead on arrival. The police commenced an investigation, statements have been recorded; however, so far no one has been charged for this crime. We have not established a motive at this time. Michael Usher was known to the police; he had been charged before for several crimes ranging from theft, robberies and burglaries.”

Altercation Leads to Man’s Leg Being Amputated
A resident of Kelly Street left home late Friday night to get food from the popular Lee Key Restaurant of Freetown Road, in the company of two friends….but little did he know that he would have been caught in an incident that has now left him with a severed right leg. 43-year-old, Francis Gill is presently admitted in the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital with his family soliciting for blood donation. Today, the police officers of the Community Public Relations Unit held a briefing today and this is what they had to say regarding the incident. INSPECTOR HILBERTO ROMERO “He reported that he had an altercation with Devon Jones. As a result Devon Jones then reversed his vehicle into him causing injury to his foot. He was taken to the hospital where his foot had to be amputated. Devon Jones has now been charged for maim and aggravated assault and will be taken to court today. The incident happened about 1:35am by the restaurant on Freetown Road that area of Lee Chee. It was a fight that started in front of Lee Chee and that led to him receiving those injuries as a result of the vehicle being reversed on him. Police apprehended Jones shortly after.”

Head of GSU Says Musa’s Comments Were Irresponsible
The statements made by the two-term Prime Minister and Senior Parliamentarian were such that left many puzzled, particularly since the comments could be interpreted as championing the criminal elements and encouraging disrespect to the law enforcement officers, particularly the GSU. Today, the Head of the GSU, Inspector Mark Flowers told Love News that he is disappointed at Musa’s comments and views them as being nothing short of irresponsible. INSPECTOR MARK FLOWERS “I have heard the comments on the midday news today and I was appalled. I was shocked and disappointed. I find it very frightening the comments made by the senior parliamentarian. The kind of comments are treacherous to say the very least and certainly unnecessary. What it does is two things, it gives people this sense that there is going to be impunity from crime if ever his wishes were achieved and two, it creates and it’s going to create an environment of hostility whereby his comments; this parliamentarian is endangering people lives.

PlusTV

Businessman found guilty of reckless driving
On Tuesday, 56 year old manager of Victor L. Bryant and Company Limited, Philip Gallaty, was found guilty of driving without due care and attention. His penalty is a $100 fine to be paid by Wednesday, and he has been disqualified from driving in Belize for six months. On Saturday, March 22, while at Friendship Restaurant at Mile 2 1/2 on the Philip Goldson Highway, Mr Gallaty allegedly accidentally reversed his white Toyota Hylux pick-up truck into a parked vehicle belonging to Magistrate Stephanie Gillett. Ms Gillett’s vehicle suffered minor damages. Philip Gallaty, in testimony, admitted to being in the parking lot but says he does not remember hitting any other vehicle.

Man found guilty of keeping unlicensed firearm
22 year old Stephan Anderson began a five-year prison term for keeping firearm and ammunition without a gun license. Police on mobile patrol around 7:00 a.m. on June 16, 2013 spotted Stephan Anderson riding a bicycle on Vernon Street, Belize City. As he turned into Lakeview Street, he saw the mobile coming at him from the opposite direction and, according to arresting officer Sergeant Keith Clarke, he turned around and rode into Sibun Street. Toward that street’s intersection with Ebony Street the mobile pulled up behind him and Sergeant Clarke alleged he saw Anderson pull a black object from his pants waist and toss it into an empty lot. Police immediately detained Anderson and took him back to the area where they retrieved a black 9mm pistol with eight live rounds in the magazine.

Protests in Columbia, Toledo, over murdered mother
On Saturday, 30th August, the peaceful village of San Pedro Columbia, in the Toledo District, received the shocking news that a murder had been committed in their community. According to Police reports, 61-year-old Agrapina Coc, a Belizean housewife of Columbia, Toledo, left home at about12:30p.m. to purchase goods at a local store, but she did not return home. A search was conducted in the area by the family members and at about 7:36p.m Saturday night , the nude body of Agrapina Coc was discovered about 10 feet beside the main road at the Southern entrance to the Village. Police say that she received a large cut wound to the centre of her head. The immediate area was searched and police were able to find several pieces of clothing with blood stains on them. PlusNews Toledo Correspondent, Jose Caal, spoke with one member of the family.

Two dead, two injured in fatal traffic accident
Two persons are dead and two others injured following a fatal traffic accident that occurred between miles 46 and 47 on the George Price Highway, near the Hector Silva Airstrip in Belmopan. According to police investigations, sometime around 8:00 pm on Friday August 29th, a grey Chevy Tracker, driven at the time by 20 year old Lenin Mayavan, an Indian Medical student of Ladyville, Belize District, was travelling in the direction of Belmopan, when it collided with a red Mitsubishi Pickup, driven at the time by 67 year old Luis Romero Urvina, a Belizean Businessman, of Orange Walk Town, as it was coming from the opposite direction. Superintendent Howell Gillette – Officer Commanding Belmopan Police “The Tracker, according to our investigations, swerved into the left lane of incoming traffic, and the pickup hit the Trucker to the side, which caused it to flip over.

Amandala

Woman, 61, murdered; Toledo villagers outraged!
Residents from the tranquil village of San Pedro Columbia in Toledo are extremely angry and fearful, following the brutal murder of a woman from the village that occurred over the weekend, and as a result, over a hundred of them, most with sticks and machetes, have embarked on a relentless quest to find her killer, at any cost. Their outrage stems from the discovery of the nude, lifeless body of Agripina Coc, 61, which was found a short distance from her home in the village late this past Saturday, August 30, after she was allegedly murdered by a fellow villager who, according to the angry villagers, will be found and handed over to police “dead or alive,” if police do not do their job and find him first. As of press time tonight, villagers are reportedly holding a candlelight vigil in her memory at her home in the village.

PUP renews Lake I love affair with Cordel Hyde
Saturday, August 30, marked the return of Cordel Hyde, the three-time People’s United Party (PUP) area representative for the Lake Independence constituency, as standard-bearer for the division. By 4:00 p.m., the St. Martin De Porres football field on Vernon Street was teeming with people from all across the vast Lake Independence area and from many other areas of the country, for a momentous political event, as Cordel Hyde waded through crowds of supporters to take his seat with the PUP Leader Francis Fonseca, and two former Party Leaders, Rt. Hon. Said Musa and Hon. Johnny Briceño. Also present on the stage for the endorsement convention were Deputy PUP leaders Hon. Dolores Balderamos-Garcia and Hon. Florencio Marin Jr., former PUP Agriculture Minister and Cayo Central standard-bearer Dan Silva, Orange Walk East area representative Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez, and the PUP standard-bearers for Pickstock and Orange Walk East divisions respectively, Dr. Francis Smith and Ramon “Munchie” Cervantes.

2 minors, 17, shot in botched armed robbery
Two of four robbers are recovering at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital after they tried to rob the Western Dairies Ice Cream Parlor on Freetown Road at about 4:30 Friday afternoon and were shot by an alert employee. Unofficial reports to Amandala are that at about 4:30 Friday afternoon, two delivery trucks of Western Dairies drove into the compound after making deliveries, and four men riding on separate bicycles rode into the yard at the rear of the ice cream parlor, jumped off their bicycles and two of them pointed guns at the workers as they were about to reload the trucks. The gunmen ordered the employees to lie on the ground and announced that “this da wah robbery!”

Collision on George Price Highway claims 2 lives
Two persons lost their lives and two others were injured in a tragic road collision between a Chevy Tracker and a Mitsubishi pickup that occurred on the George Price Highway between Miles 46 and 47 at about 8:30 on Friday morning. The Tracker was traveling to Belmopan, and the pickup was travelling to Belize City, in the opposite direction, when they collided. The Tracker veered to the left lane and slammed into the truck, the impact of which smashed the right side of the Tracker and trapped the two passengers on the right front seat and backseat, who died almost instantly. Police believe that the Tracker veered across the road, when the driver lost control of the vehicle on the curve, ending on the left side of the road. The driver of the pickup truck, who tried to avoid the collision, cut away to the left but the right front portion of the pickup impacted the center of the Tracker, causing the tragic collision.

Mason, 28, executed on Fabers Road Extension
In spite of the police’s ongoing crime prevention operations which are aimed at restoring a sense of security in apprehensive city residents, a determined gunman managed to eliminate his target during the pre-dawn hours of yesterday in the Fabers Road Extension area of Belize City. Police say that as an unsuspecting Michael Usher, 38, rode his bicycle from the direction of the George Price Highway towards Central American Boulevard after 4:00 a.m. yesterday, Sunday, he was fatally shot multiple times in the head and body. Authorities responded to the scene near #9719 Fabers Road Extension sometime after, and Usher’s body was later transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival at 6:00 a.m.

“Sugar bullet” killing Belizeans faster
Whereas violent homicides tend to grab the national news headlines, there are some insidious villains slipping under the radar, as even more Belizean lives are being lost to the deadly trio: diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, which continue to emerge as leading killers in Belize and which account for 60% of non-communicable diseases, largely linked to unhealthy lifestyle habits. Up to Thursday, August 28, forty-seven cancer cases had been diagnosed through the public healthcare system, the latest case being cancer of the larynx in a man still in his productive years and possibly linked to smoking. “In Belize, one in three adults die by non-communicable diseases [NCDs] before age 60, and that is premature death,” said Dr. Manuel Ramirez, coordinator of the Research Center of INCAP for the Prevention of Chronic Diseases (CIIPEC), at a lecture held on Friday morning at the Radisson Fort George Hotel in Belize City.

Transvestite Perfilio Rodriguez arraigned
He is, perhaps, Belize City’s only publicly known transvestite. That role, however, is not acceptable when it comes to the standards of appearance at the Belize City Magistrate’s Court, where the strict dress code is enforced by the court’s security guards and police officers. Perfilio Rodriguez, 19, who prefers to be called “Vanessa Champagne Paris” and was dressed as a woman when he was first arraigned on an aggravated assault charge in July, appeared at the court building this morning wearing a pair of slippers, his feminine accoutrements whittled down, except for the round hips that he was sporting. He was denied entry by a female security guard, who spotted his pair of slippers. Rodriguez made an attempt to speak to the Clerk of Courts, but due to the slippers, he was further denied entry to the court’s office.

Gun law amendments to the House on Friday
Revisions introduced to Belize’s gun laws dating back to 2008, and which have been called “draconian,” “demonic” and even “asinine,” could be expunged, at least partially, with a new bill due to be taken to the National Assembly as early as this Friday, September 5, 2014. Six months ago—amid a howl of protests against the legislation which has seen even elderly persons with no prior criminal record being placed on mandatory remand at the prison, just because they were on the same premises where illegal guns and/or ammunition had allegedly been found—the Barrow administration promised to revisit the laws it had put in place over 6 years ago. Today, we asked Prime Minister Dean Barrow to update us on the status of that revision, and he told us, “…there is a House meeting next Friday and I hope and believe that the amendments will be presented for first reading at that meeting next Friday.”

Wanted man captured in San Pedro
The long arms of the law reeled in a fugitive who was on the run from San Pedro police. Jason Gillett, 25, of San Pedro, who has been on the run from Monday, August 18, was captured on Friday, August 22, in the San Mateo area after eluding police for five days. Gillett was wanted on charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault with a firearm, and was taken to the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Monday, where he was arraigned on the charges and remanded to the Belize Central Prison until October 24. Inspector Jemmott, the Deputy Commander of San Pedro police, told Amandala that there was no magistrate in San Pedro, so Gillett was taken to Belize City Magistrate’s Court to be remanded for the charges.

Victim’s mangled leg had to be amputated
A Belize City electrician was charged in court with one count of maim and one count of aggravated assault after he reversed his Chevy Blazer into a man who was leaning against a cement wall, with whom he had had an altercation on Freetown Road on Saturday night, August 30. The victim’s left leg was completely mangled and had to be amputated immediately. Devon Jones, 33, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith, who did not require a plea from him, because his case will be tried on indictment at the Supreme Court. Victim told police that after an argument, the driver reversed his car against him while he was leaning against a cement wall Police charged Jones with the maiming of Francis Gill, 43, a taxi driver. Court prosecutor Corporal Christopher Smith had objected to Jones being granted bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the offense and the fact that the prosecution has a strong case against him.

Editorial: Cordel’s implications for Dolores
One of the interesting aspects of party politics in Belize is how developments in one constituency or area can impact on the political landscape in another constituency or area. The major political parties are national organizations. They field candidates in every one of the 31 electoral constituencies. Interpersonal or professional relationships between and among these candidates are often sub-surface, but highly significant. Take the UDP situation in Belize Rural North before the 2012 general election, for example. The UDP area representative, Edmond Castro, had been removed from Cabinet and made a backbencher by Party Leader/Prime Minister Dean Barrow some time before the election. A Belizean in California had made an allegation against Mr. Castro. It appeared that Mr. Barrow would actually have preferred to have Castro replaced as the party’s standard bearer. Castro was even challenged at the constituency convention level before the election, but he survived, easily.

Winty J – ‘Ballers need help in Mahogany Heights; 2nd Mugger Day
Still active veteran footballer and music/cultural activist 65-year-old Vincent Albert “Winty J” Johnson vented his frustration with the Director of Sports this morning at our sports desk. “I have been living in Mahogany Heights since 2006,” said Winty J, “and I have begged the Sports Director repeatedly for help with a couple goal posts, and he has steadfastly refused to help us.” Winty said this has not stopped his community from organizing football games for the youths. “From time to time, we cut some sticks and make goal posts, but the wood rots and breaks after a while; and the field is not all grass, so the football also wears out quickly on the sand.”

Belize Jaguars head to the US for Nations Cup
Notwithstanding their traditional hurdles in terms of preparation and financing, the National Men’s Football “A” Selection, affectionately known as the Belize Jaguars, left the country today to partake in the Nations Cup tournament which kicks off in the United States this Wednesday, September 3. Amandala was at the Philip Goldson International Airport this morning as they were preparing to board their flight, and we spoke to a few of the enthusiastic players who were all in good spirits, and they basically gave us the indication that despite their challenges, the team is prepared to go out and do their best in order to hopefully advance throughout the tournament and make their country proud once more. Evan Mariano, who has gained additional international exposure since he got an opportunity to play for a team from Houston earlier this year, said, “I feel confident enough, during the two weeks that we had training, it was really intense, and I believe that the coach put us in enough shape to play these games. We did it already in Costa Rica, and we plan to do it again under the same coach. We will go out there and play our hearts out, and we just want everybody to watch the games and support us, regardless of the outcome.”

Belize National “A” Team faces tall odds at Central American Cup
Whenever two elevens take the field, there is always hope from either side; but it helps for Belizeans to be mindful of the enormity of the task up ahead for our squad in its quest to try and qualify once again for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The 7 Central American countries have been divided into two groups for the upcoming UNCAF Copa Centroamericana or Central American Cup, which will be played in the U.S. for the first time in its 13 editions, from September 3 -13. Group A – Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama; and Group B – Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. Belize plays Honduras on September 3, Guatemala on September 7, and El Salvador on September 10. After a single round-robin, the top 2 teams from each group automatically qualify to the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, with the fifth place finisher, decided between the 2 third place teams, then entering a two-leg playoff with the fifth place finisher in the Caribbean Football Union’s Caribbean Cup for an additional berth in the Gold Cup.

Undisputed Half-Marathon king, Leon O’Brien extends his reign at BDF Sports Day
We await the details of the race results in the various categories of Saturday’s BDF Sports Day races, namely the Half Marathon, the 10k and the 5k, as well as a number of shorter distances around the grass track at Price Barracks. But one thing we know for certain, and that is that 28-year-old Leon O’Brien continues his reign as king of long distance running in Belize, winning the Half-Marathon by a significant margin ahead of his perennial closest competitor, 29-year-old Kenrick Duncan. In the Half-Marathon race (13.1 miles) on Saturday morning, leaving from around Mile 4 on the George Price (Western) Highway, travelling through Belize City and on to the Philip Goldson (Western) Highway, to finish at Price Barracks in Ladyville, Leon once again “blew away” the field, coming in all alone to register another triumph in his long list of Half-Marathon successes in Belize.

From the Publisher
In reading and editing the articles of the late Smokey Joe for about two decades, beginning in the last part of the 1980s, if I remember correctly, the one thing that always struck me was his love for Belize and for his friends and associates and contemporaries. Since Smokey (christened Selvyn Wade) travelled to the southern United States as part of a war manpower mission in 1944 at the age of 18, this means he was born in 1926 or so. And that means that Smokey grew up in some really hard times in old British Honduras. From whence the love? The Great Depression in 1929 hurt the economy in British Honduras badly, because the market demand in the United States for our mahogany and chicle practically collapsed. Then the 1931 Hurricane two years later devastated the capital city, “Belize Town” as it was called back then. If that wasn’t bad enough, when the Americans ended their Prohibition on alcohol use in 1933, Belizeans’ profits from running rum to the U.S. Gulf Coast disappeared.

More Belizean boots at the border, but when?
Last week, we told you of reports of expanding incursions by Guatemalans into Belize, including survey lines being pegged as many as 5 miles inland and the construction of 9 dwellings inside the Chiquibul National Park. On Friday, we asked Prime Minister Dean Barrow, who is also head of the National Security Council of Belize, what his administration will do about the worsening problem on the border. “That’s a continuing problem which we continue to go at. There is clearly a need for increased collaboration on the part of the BDF [the Belize Defence Force] with the FCD [Friends for Conservation and Development]. Last year, I had indicated that Government was prepared to fund a number of new conservation posts. Not one has been built. I’ve asked the BDF what is taking so long…” Barrow said.

Barrow comments on Belize’s economic performance
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dean Barrow has described Belize’s 8.7% GDP growth for the second quarter of 2014 as “phenomenal,” but said that the tremendous gap between Belize’s huge import bill and reduced level of exports is not desirable. Barrow said that Belize has to increase its exports, but he does not know how soon the country can expect to reach a point where its exports outpace imports, as Belize is “an importing economy.” The phenomenal 8.7% GDP growth for the second quarter of 2014 was also fueled by high levels of importation and Barrow explained that, “so many of the inputs that go into the very processes that then result in exports have to come from abroad.”

Garinagu in Dangriga protest at CIBC FirstCaribbean
n an awesome showcase of Garifunadüaü – the richness of the Garifuna culture – drummers and dancers, men and women, the young and not-so-young staged a defiant protest through the streets of Dangriga on Friday morning which culminated in front of CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank in Dangriga, precipitating a late evening press conference by the bank’s Belize City headquarters on Friday to say that the bank is sorry that there has been “a misunderstanding” amidst allegations that it has maintained a policy restricting conversations in Garifuna inside the bank. Robert Mariano, president of the National Garifuna Council of Belize (NGC), told News 5’s Isani Cayetano on Friday, on the occasion of the protest that, “The NGC is totally unhappy with the rules of the bank where being in a Garifuna community, Garifuna people cannot speak their own language when doing transactions in the bank. As president, I have received several emails, calls, texts and even comments from people within our community and from other parts of the world.”

Arthur Saldivar’s executive committee protests PUP headquarters
The People’s United Party National Executive decided to suspend Belize Rural North standard bearer Arthur Saldivar on Thursday, until the Party concluded its own investigation into the allegation that he allegedly made off with over nine hundred thousand dollars from his former client, Melonie Coye. Saldivar’s suspension, however, did not go down too well with his executive committee, which fired off an angry press release and staged a boisterous protest in front of the PUP’s Independence Hall this morning, demanding an audience with Party Leader Francis Fonseca. None of the Party officials were at Independence Hall, however; only Fonseca’s driver, George Dominguez, and his advisor, Albert Vaughan were present, and they had to endure a few hard words from the protesting committee members before they eventually left.

Gungulung fire was arson?
Sonia Harris, 50, a Belizean-American who is presently on a visit back to Belize, became hysterical and almost fainted when, at about 12:45 this afternoon, she went to her home on Holy Emmanuel Street, in the Gungulung area of the city, and found it engulfed in flames. Harris beat the side of the fire engine and shouted out that her nephew had burnt her house after threatening to do so, because she put his girlfriend out of the house so that her brother could move in. Police have detained her nephew, pending an investigation. The angry homeowner, who was crying, said that her nephew set the house on fire after he had been threatening to do so, because she stopped him from selling drugs in her house and on her property.

Patrick Jones

Businessman found guilty of reckless driving
56 year old manager of Victor L. Bryant and Company Limited, Philip Gallaty, was today found guilty of driving without due care and attention. His penalty is a $100 fine to be paid by tomorrow, Wednesday and he has been disqualified from driving in Belize for six months. On Saturday, March 22, while at Friendship Restaurant at Mile 2 1/2 on the Philip Goldson Highway, Gallaty reversed his white Toyota Hylux pick-up truck into a parked vehicle belonging to Magistrate Stephanie Gillett.

Controversy continues; classes end early at El Progresso Government School
For the second day in a row classes were interrupted at the El Progresso Government School in the Cayo district as controversy continues to plague the institution. The General Manager and Local Manager of public schools, accompanied by police officers, went to the school today to investigate allegations of misconduct leveled against the principal, Pedro Cano who is well liked in the community. The Principal, Pedro Cano, was placed on administrative leave last weekend, just days before the opening of the new school year, because of a letter written to the Ministry of Education complaining of alleged misconduct by the principal. Parents are also unhappy with the assignment of another teacher to a specific class, saying that she is not qualified and will hamper the children’s education if left to teach that particular class.

Security guard faces deportation
A security guard who reported a break-in at an apartment complex in Belize City is in trouble tonight for a different reason. 42 year old Nigerian security guard Uche Ochunkwo of Chancellor Avenue in West Landivar has been charged with failure to comply with the conditions of his visitor’s permit. Ochunkwo saw a former occupant of the building using his key, which he had never returned, to break into the room of a former roommate and steal. Ochunkwo reported the matter and police were called in. His troubles started when police asked him for identification and he gave them his passport.

Police: San Pedro Columbia villagers detentions were illegal
The officer commanding Punta Gorda police, Superintendent Simeon Alvarez says residents of San Pedro Columbia village had no rights to “detain” relatives of a man believed to have murdered a woman in the village on Saturday afternoon. The body of 62 year old Agripina Coc was found a short distance away from her home in the rural Toledo village on Saturday evening. Police are now looking for a man who they believe is responsible for the brutal slaying; but residents of the village met on Monday evening and decided that they would place the family of the main suspect under “communal detention” in the hopes of luring the suspect out of hiding.

Blogs

An Amazing Day Hiking, Tubing and Sliding at Cockscomb Wildlife & Basin Jaguar Preserve
Many people visualize the ocean and the coral reef when they hear about Belize – I know I certainly did when I moved here. And that is how Belize is first seen by many. Even the very first visitors - the Spanish & British colonized along the coast – because much of the mainland was (and still is) dense practically impenetrable tropical jungle. Even the jaguar’s need game trails to follow through it. After pick-up (we were a group of about 10), we drove to the park. We stopped just outside in Maya Center to check out the gift shop. Lots of very pretty Maya crafts from the local ladies cooperative. We drove up the dirt road, passed the jaguar crossing sign above and ran into this guy. Let me just answer your question – this is the only jaguar that we’d be seeing that day. In fact, Doyle has seen 3 of these cats in 14 years of touring here.

Best-selling author & Marketing Strategist David Meerman Scott visits Belize again!
Bestselling author David Meerman Scott is widely recognised as the world’s foremost expert on the new face of marketing, with one of his books, “New Rules of marketing and PR” having sold more than 300,000 copies in some 25 languages around the world. We like Mr Scott, and his non pushy approach that stands traditional in-your-face selling techniques on their heads. He represents the gentler, kinder and yet more effective approach to marketing. As it turns out, David likes Chaa Creek as well. So we were most happy to have David, his mom Carolyn and his lovely wife Yukari Watanabe Scott visit Chaa Creek last week (August 25 2014). By way of background, David had kindly mentioned Chaa Creek’s marketing team in the latest edition of his bestselling “New Rules of Marketing and PR”. As can be imagined, it’s gratifying that one of the world’s leading authorities in marketing understands what we do and why we do it.

“When the Boat Comes In” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
Yesterday morning I got up at 04.00 hours and went straight for a shower, a shave and a brush for the old molars ((long-time readers of this blog will know that quite a few of my teeth (implants) are actually quite young/new)) and then dressed (this doesn’t take too long when you’re wearing shorts and a polo shirt). Downstairs in the kitchen by 04.20 hours and out on the veranda (yep, the western, lagoon facing one) by 04.25 hours with a mug of coffee (black, no sugar) and the iPad and straight in to The Times online. No wasting time listening to the ripple of the water. No trying to detect from which direction the chirruping of the birds was coming from. I didn’t have time for that today. So why the urgency you’re probably thinking . You always give the impression of just sitting there and taking it all in. And I do normally. But not yesterday. In all the years that we came here on holiday and especially during the twenty-seven months we’ve lived here permanently we have often spoken about, but done nothing about, “being there” when the Mennonites bring a boat over from the mainland laden with fruit, vegetables, milk, cream and eggs.

How many Belizeans does it take to screw in a lightbulb
A WikiLeaks cable shows that even when getting donations, GOB finds ways to generate income.

International Sources

Notes on the Celebrity Data Theft
An interesting aspect of information security is how periodically it collides with other industries and subcultures. With more information than ever being stored and shared online and on connected devices hacking stories are frequent and are mainstream news. This was the case yesterday as dozens of celebrities fell victim to hackers who leaked hundreds of private photographs and videos stolen from web based storage services. The summary of the story is that a number of personal and private nude images from high profile celebrities started appearing on online image boards and forums – most notably on anon-ib, 4chan and reddit. The first pictures were posted nearly a week ago, but didn’t get much attention since they were being ransomed (censored previews being shared in the hope somebody would purchase them). It was only after a number of intermediaries purchased the images and posted complete nudes in public forums that the story exploded. At least a dozen celebrities were affected by the photo dumps, with over 400 individual images and videos. A list of celebrity names published anonymously, and serving as something akin to a sales brochure, suggests that over 100 have had their personal data compromised. After this story broke I spent some time immersed in the crazy, obsessive subculture of celebrity nudes and revenge porn trying to work out what they were doing, how they were doing it and what could be learned from it.

Copa Centroamericana, which opens at RFK Stadium, extends international soccer influx
Soccer teams from around the world visited the United States this summer for dozens of friendlies and preseason tournaments. The influx will continue over the next 10 days, only with greater stakes. For the first time, the Copa Centroamericana, the region’s seven-nation biennial championship, will take place at U.S. venues, starting Wednesday at RFK Stadium with three matches. In its first competition since the World Cup quarterfinals in Brazil, Costa Rica will field as many as seven first-choice players against Nicaragua at 5:30 p.m.

Boosting resilience in Caribbean countries
HAVING lived and worked for more than a decade in four Caribbean countries I have witnessed first-hand how Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are extremely vulnerable to challenges ranging from debt and unemployment to climate change and sea level rise. Such aspects make the path towards sustainable development probably more complex than for non-SIDS countries. That was my experience, working closely with governments, civil society organisations and the people of Belize, Cuba, Guyana, and Haiti -- where I led the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) reconstruction efforts after the devastating January 2010 earthquake. That's why the UN Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), taking place in Samoa September 1-4, is so important. It will provide an opportunity to increase international cooperation and knowledge-sharing between and within regions. And it takes place at a key moment, ahead of the Climate Change Summit at the UN General Assembly to be held on 23 September.

4,000 Gallons of Crude Oil Turn Mexico’s Hondo River Blood Red
Cleanup crews are racing to clean 4,000 gallons of crude oil out of the Hondo River before it reaches a nearby lake. The Hondo River lines the border between Mexico and Belize. Nearly a mile of the river turned blood red after the spill, which was caused on August 27th when thieves drilled a tap into a gasoline pipeline. Workers initially contained the deadly mess, but heavy rains caused containment ponds to overflow and spread the oil again.

Naked and Afraid: Snaketacular
There are over 3,000 species of snakes and every location on Naked and Afraid was bombarded with them. We have mentioned several times that it seems that snake is the only protein most of the contestants get, but we had no idea how prominent it actually was. Here's how to cook it: Peel the skin, clean it, chop into strips. This way you can be sure the active nerves don't cause the body to slither out of the fire. Snake meat is very lean and can be tough if over cooked. (It should be noted that a snakes brain remains active after his head is severed... it can still eat and react to movement up to an hour after decapitation.) Commonly compared to chicken and places like China, Korea and Vietnam serve it in their traditional dishes. It is lower in cholesterol than pork or beef and considered to hold medicinal benefits. Amazon, Belize, Madagascar: boas (known to eat pigs, monkeys and deer) has a constricting pressure up to 25 psi. Can weigh over 100 lbs and has a 25-30 year life span. Males wrestle each other to win females.

Central American Cup to showcase home-grown talent in the US
The final national team squads for the Central American Cup Tigo 2014 that kicks off tomorrow have been announced, boasting multiple World Cup players amongst MLS and Europe-based players. However, there is a strong contingent of home-based players in each squad, serving not only as a reflection of each nation's best 11, but also as a point of comparison for each nation's respective club leagues. The best-known names that appear belong to those on the Costa Rican team that performed so well at the Brazil World Cup. Arsenal striker Joel Campbell is the noteworthy exciting attacking player on the roster, and a fellow England-based player Jose Miguel Cubero (playing at Blackpool) accompanies him. The squad is made up chiefly of young home-based players that are the likely contenders for 2018 World Cup spots.

Videos

Video: Open Your Eyes Interview in Belize with MusAid and NYOCB, 23min.
Channel 5's Open Your Eyes interviews Kevin Schaffter and Erin Fung of MusAid as well as Colville Young of the National Youth Orchestra and Choir of Belize.

Video: The Peninsula Club and Marina in Placencia Belize, 5min.
The Peninsula Club is an amazing opportunity for those who are interested in real estate opportunities in Placencia Belize and will feature home sites, luxury villas, a lively shopping galleria with boutique shops and services to make life at The Peninsula Club effortless and exciting.

Video: Doreth Martinez: Belizean Softball Legend!, 24min.
The fifth episode of a documentary series called Belizean Legends that will profile Belizean softball legend Doreth Martinez as she discusses with Belizean Legends host Bilal Morris how Belize beat the 1970's's softball world champions national team the United States in the 1979 Pan-American Games. Martinez was one of the players on the bases that scored the winning runs after the hit from her teammate Glenda Ellis that gave the Belize national team a 2-1 victory over the United States. Here Martinez speaks about the U.S. ace pitcher Barbara Renaldo in that game that had boasted that nobody had ever hit her pitches until that day when the outstanding Martinez and Ellis broke that record. Martinez chronicled the Belize softball era that molded her whole life as a person, and how a country and a people supported them to succeed in the sport of softball.

Video: Belize - No Working During Drinking Hours, 13min.
Grab your Belkin beer and get ready to tickle the sharks. It's time for another tropical island adventure.

Video: Belize Honeymoon. Highlight Version, 9min.
Celebrating our honeymoon in Placencia, Belize at Robert's Grove Resort. After becoming Mr & Mrs Eve, we went hiking, river tubing, scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and sailing. We couldn't have had a better time together. So thankful to have such an amazing husband.

Video: Sustainable community development in Belize, 4min.
Capitalism is a world wide tool for development. It has been poorly used for selfish ends everywhere and has become a pariah to sensitive humanity. Used properly, ethically, it can be of great benefit to the world.The tools for this exist in ethically and conscience based business models. Our 'Ethical Business Exchange' will undertake many seminars, presentations, trainings and consultancies in Belize and Central America. The Organic and quality solar dried fruits model business is established locally and must export its products to become well used and financially useful.

Video: BELIZE FOR ALL RAISE YOUR FLAG AND WIN WITH LOVE SONG, 4min.
My 2014 Love FM's "Raise your flag and win with love song competition submission." You can text the number 1 to 3524 to vote for my song. Digicell users only. The competition will be judge by 40 percent of votes and 60 percent by judges. Votes cost 50 cents and a person can vote as much times as possible. Votes appreciated!!!

September 2, 2014

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Michelle Estrella Nuñez is Miss San Pedro 2014/2015
San Pedro Town has a new beauty ambassador, and she is Michelle Estrella Nuñez! Selected during the Annual Miss San Pedro Pageant on Saturday August 30th, 23-year-old Michelle captured the hearts of the public, as well as the judges as she joined five other contestants on stage. Nuñez also got the award of “Mujer Sanpedrana” as selected by the management of Los Cocos Hotel in Chetumal , Mexico. Sponsored by Ramon’s Village Resort Michelle Nuñez was joined onstage by Doris Soriano sponsored by Diamante, Elma Gonzalez sponsored by Castillo’s Hardware, Daphney Panti sponsored by Fido’s Restaurant and Bar, Illeny Aguilar sponsored by Captain Sharks and Janelli Ack sponsored by Jaguar’s Temple.

New Labor Officer assigned to San Pedro Labor Office
On Monday August 11th, Ms. joined The Labor Department-San Pedro Office as the new Labor Officer. Risella was transferred from The Labor Department (Ministry of Labor) at the Corozal Free Zone and she replaces the recently transferred San Pedro Labor Officer Ms. Tanya Peters. The San Pedro Labor Department is here to ensure that the labor laws, legislations and acts are being adhered to by business entities, both government or privately operated. In addition to rendering advise and lodging complaints from employees and employers, Ms. Dominguez works through the department to carry out investigations, and in extreme cases where need be, seeks the persecution of culprits (whether employee or employer) through civil cases. Another major role of the department is to facilitate Belizeans who are in search of jobs through job placement opportunities. Persons seeking this service are directed to employment officer Mr. Vernon Avila.

Surcharge on credit card is illegal in Belize
A surcharge is an additional fee that a merchant adds to a consumer’s bill when a credit card is utilized for payment of goods or services. But in Belize, all banks offering credit card service abide by US Visa and Master Card regulations which do not allow for surcharges, with the exception of ten states in the United States of America. According to US documents on credit cards, currently there are laws limiting surcharging to California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah. But because Belize falls within the Latin American and Caribbean regulation on credit cards, and because banks in Belize abide by Visa and Master Card regulations, it is prohibited to surcharge on credit card use (whether charging Visa, MasterCard, Discovery or American Express). But what can consumers do who are victims of surcharge?

Ambergris Today

San Pedro Selects Michelle Nuñez as New Beauty Ambassador
Six beauty contestants were in full bloom as they took center stage on Saturday, August 30, 2014, at the Miss San Pedro Beauty Pageant. Michelle Estrella Nuñez, Miss Ramon’s Village, was selected as the new Miss San Pedro 2014-2015. The pageant ignited with a group dance performed by the six contestants accompanied by outgoing Miss San Pedro 2013 Solani Graniel; the energetic performance set the mood for the show. The pageant then immediately flowed into the costume segment where the beautiful girls modeled in fantastic animal inspired costumes that included the seagull, seahorse, blue morpho butterfly, hummingbird, green iguana and the whitetail deer, all native animals to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Food Borne Diseases Amount to $6.2Mil in Burden to Belize Public Health System
The highest monthly prevalence of cases of AGI came from the Cayo District followed by the Belize District. The burden of AGI on the public health system was estimated at BZ$6.2 Million annually taking into consideration basic medical services, supplies, hospitalization as well as working days lost and the need for caregiver services. Food borne infections are linked to a significant number of illnesses and deaths worldwide. Studies have shown that 70% of diarrheal diseases are food borne. Research also shows that cases are not reported to the health system. The results of this survey provide evidence that the estimated health burden of AGI and other food borne diseases are significantly higher than what is reported to the Ministry of Health. The results will be used for targeted interventions in food safety and improvements in underreporting at the laboratory level.

Misc Belizean Sources

Letter: Given the current state of affairs, what are we truly celebrating in Belize?
It is September in Belize and, as per usual, it is filled with excitement and lots of festivities. Yet, given the current status of matters in Belize, I am compelled to ponder, “What precisely are we celebrating?” I pose this question given the existential threat to Belize’s current reality, due to Guatemala’s unfounded claim to our sovereign territory. This threat only persists, which makes it a reality, it increases with each day! Meanwhile our so-called “Honourable Representatives” continue to pussyfoot and acquiesce to the whims of our neighbour to the west, the very same aforesaid neighbour continues its backdoor and underhanded activities by encouraging its citizens to encroach on and expand into our sovereign territory. That alone is irresponsible, but the lack of conviction by elected Belizean authorities to take effective and sustained strategic action, is an indictment of negligence from within.

Clay Art Classes with Maki
Maki, a Japanese artist, is coming back to Cayo, and he'll be giving some clay art courses. Classes start on September 13th. Check with the Soul Project for more details. Daniel Velazquez did a documentary on Maki that was shot in Belize, Japan, and Guatemala. "FIRST CLASSES WILL START SEPT.13 11AM, FOR MORE INFO INBOX ME, DANIEL VELAZQUEZ ARTIST, FACEBOOK, SOME HOW THE SOUL PROJECT INBOX IS NOT OPENING MESSAGES."

National Call to Action Conference on Women & Girls' Financial Health
On Friday, the Office of the Special Envoy Belize hosted the National Call to Action Conference on Women & Girls' Financial Health. The conference also featured the 20,000 Strong Marketplace where aspiring, emerging and successful female entrepreneurs from across the country got a chance to share their products with Belizeans. Take a look at a few of our entrepreneurs and their products. Have you heard of these? Do YOU buy Belizean products? (24 photos)

SI United Tryouts
It's September, and the San Ignacio United are having training and tryouts this evening. Stop by the Broaster Stadium around 6:00pm if you are interested. Good luck! "San Ignacio United will commence training and tryouts this Monday 1st of September 2014 in preparations for the 2014/2015 Premier League of Belize Opening Tournament. All Player and any one wanting to tryout are called for training start at 6pm at the Broaster Stadium. Go SIU!!!"

Belikin 8 Ball National Finals
Belikin had their 8 Ball National Finals at Hode's this weekend. Congratulations to team Elements, from Belize City, for winning the tournament.

Le Petit Art School Fall Program
Le Petit Art School is starting their art program on September 8th. "Enroll your child in a fun, creative after school art program that will allow them to explore a world of art. Le Petit Art School's art program resumes September 8th. Register here => http://lepetitartschool.com/register-for-belize-art-school/ "

A sneak peek at the launch of the September Celebrations 2014
at the House of Culture on Sunday August 31st...The event was well attended (10 photos)

Channel 7

Pre Dawn Sunday Slaying In City
There are two weekend murders to report tonight - one of them, the kind we've seen too many times before in Belize City, the other an outlandish and savage assault in Punta Gorda. We start in the city where a man was killed early Sunday morning on Faber's Road. Before dawn, at 4:30 am, 38 year old City resident Michael Usher was riding alone at the far end of Faber's Road when a lone gunman shot and killed him. Monica Bodden spoke to his family today. Voice of: sister of murder victim "I really think they chance my brother and thing because it's from the back my brother got shot. Its not like he could have defend himself." Monica Bodden "You know if he had just left home or if he was coming home?" Voice of: sister of murder victim "He had just left from home because he had come in earlier from 7pm because I went to buy food to eat. This morning we found out that the man got shot and die on Faber's Road."

Man Uses Chevy Blazer To Settle Argument In Front Of Fried Chicken Joint
And while that murder is unsolved - police have the man who they believe pulled off an outrageous assault with an SUV. It happened in front of Key Lee restaurant, which is the former Li Chee - the popular fried chicken joint in front of ITVET on Freetown Road. At 12:45 am, there was hard talk in front of the restaurant between 47 year old Francis Stanley Gill and 33 year old Devon Jones. Gill was reportedly the aggressor while Jones was with a female. When she got her food, they jumped into his Chevy Blazer. There were about a dozen people outside the restaurant, and they all thought that was the end of it. But then, suddenly, Jones started driving unto the sidewalk towards Gill. And eyewitness who asked to appear off camera told us about the crazy and bloody scene that unfolded next:.. Voice of: Eyewitness "One his girlfriend got the food and she got in the vehicle, I remember seeing the guy turning his vehicle from his parking position, like he turn facing Li Chee and the guy without the shirt was right in line with the vehicle and before the vehicle ran into him the driver was revving his vehicle on the guy without no shirt.

Savage Murder and Rape Of Woman In San Pedro Colombia
Tonight, the Village of San Pedro Columbia in the Toledo District continues to mourn the loss of one of their own after the body of 61 year-old Agripina Coc was found dead on Saturday night. Investigators suspect at this time that she was raped and murdered. Coc reportedly went to the shop to buy in the evening, and after being missing for hours, her family got very worried. They went out looking for her, and at around 7:30, they discovered her nude body beside the main road at the southern entrance of the village. She had a large chop wound to the center of her head. A search around the area also led the officers to find pieces of clothing and blood stains, which they believe must belong to her. Her family also claims that they found a bag of rice and her hair clip near to her body.

Unlicensed, Drunk Driver Implicated In Double Fatality Western Hwy
A teenager was killed in a massive collision on Friday night outside Belmopan - and it was all caused by a drunk driver who didn't even have a license. It happened between miles 46 and 47 on the Western Highway where a red Mitsubishi pickup with Belize City plates collided into a Grey Chevy Tracker from Stann Creek. The pickup was reportedly travelling to the city when the Tracker which was heading to Belmopan, crashed into it, and spun off the road, flipping several times. As this footage shows, it was extensively damaged. Three persons were trapped inside the Tracker, including Indian Medical student 20-year-old Lenin Mayavan, and his passengers 17-year-old Jose Manuel Castellanos of Salvapan and 22-year-old Maritza Cruz Rodriguez, a Honduran Waitress. Mayavan survived with only minor injuries while his passengers were crushed inside and died. They were reportedly coming from M and S bar at mile 37, and we saw signs of beer bottles in the Tracker.

Two Teenagers, One Adult Shot In Foiled Ice Cream Parlour Robbery
Two teenagers and an adult were shot in Friday's failed attempted robbery at the Western Dairy Ice Cream Parlor on Freetown Road. The two 17 year olds were shot - one to the back, and the other to the shoulder when they tried to rob four men who were loading a truck at the back of the building on Heusner Street. Here's how it happened: at 4:30, four men were riding on bicycles when they pulled up behind Western Dairies on Heusner Street. That's where four men were loading up a cargo truck. Two of them pulled out pistols and ordered the men to lie on the floor. But, very suddenly, the predators became the prey, as someone inside the store opened fire shooting the two teenaged robbers, while their partners in crime dashed off, dropping a small .25 pistol in the process - as well as leaving their bicycles behind. Police found seven 9 millimeter expended shells on the scene, while the robber's .25 pistol had two live rounds.

Day One At School Is Special
Last week we told you about the financial burden of back to school expenses on the parents, but tonight we have another side of the back to school story and we got it from the very enthused students and teachers. I visited St. Joseph Primary School this afternoon to find out how the first day of school is going for the students and teachers.

Cordel Calls It A Comeback In Lake-I
And while those kids were coming back to school, on Saturday Cordel Hyde came back to the PUP. We first told you about it 4 months ago. It was news because he'd had had a less than amicable departure from the PUP in March of 2012. Viewers may remember that in February, 2012 - right before the general election, Hyde announced to his party and the public that after 3 consecutive terms as Area Rep, he was resigning because his son's battle with cancer had worsened, and that he needed to focus on his family. That happened days before his political colleague, Mark Espat's, decision not to run for the Albert Division in the 2012 Elections. You may recall that in last few years of both of these men's political careers in the PUP, they became infamous for their attacks on their own party, the so-called Old Guard of the PUP, which had departed from the Party's social justice roots.

Can Cordel Take Down Hon. King?
And while Hyde got love from many of his former PUP foes, he finds himself in an unfamiliar position: that of the challenger. The incumbent is now the UDP's Mark King. As we told you, after Hyde stepped down, King won as Area Rep in Lake Independence. Many have speculated that if King had faced the former 3 term Area Rep, he might have lost. So now that Hyde is back in as standard bearer, those "what if" scenarios are becoming a real possibility. That's exactly what we asked King about this weekend when we caught up with him at another event. He says that Hyde's return changes nothing about the way he operates in Lake I. Here's how that conversation went: Hon. Mark King "As you know I've been doing my work as an area rep. and as the minister of gangs and the responsibility also for conscious youths - that is my job. I am always in this community. You guys have don't many interviews with me. Politics is nowhere around the corner for us, no elections. But if we ought to look at it about the return of the PUP's candidate, he has just become basically a name in this area and we have no fear for that kind of thing."

PUP Leader Remains Firm On Saldivar Suspension
And while PUP is riding the wave of Hyde's come back, they're also trying to put out the fires in the wake of the political intrigue developing in Belize Rural North. As we've told you, the Party has suspended Arthur Saldivar as Standard Bearer for that division following the allegations that he made off with almost a million dollars of his former client, Melonie Coye's, money. As we showed you on Friday the Rural North Executive Committee protested that decision saying that the Leader and the Executive overstepped their authority when they suspended Saldivar. We couldn't get any comment from the Opposition Leader on Friday when our story aired, so after Hyde's endorsement we took the opportunity. He told us that he respects their position, but he remains firm: Hon. Francis Fonseca, PUP Leader "We respect their right to obviously voice their dissent - that is absolutely an important right within the People's United Party.

Police Cop A .38
Good intelligence led police to a weapons bust. This morning at about 11:00, a police strike team searched a yard in the Victoria St area and found.38 special revolver with no serial number.

National Football Team Leaves For Copa Centroamericana
Remember the Gold Cup 14 months ago? And all the hype and hysteria that accompanied it? Well, tonight Belize's National Football Team is in Washington DC for the first game of the Copa Centroamericana, or Nation's Cup - and the event has received very little hype. That's because it's a smaller event, and really only a qualifier for the Gold Cup - but also because the FFB is going through its own internal problems - and only brought players into camp a few weeks ago - whereas, for the Gold Cup, they were there for months. But, no matter, the players will still be wearing that flag on their chests when they take the field at RFK Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. What was their state of mind as they took wing..? 7News was at the airport. Jules Vasquez reporting There was no great fanfare when the national team arrived at the airport. With veteran leadership, the team was calm and ready for Wednesday's game at the 50 thousand seat RFK Stadium in Washington DC.

Outrage About Murder From Toledo
At the top of the newscast, we told you about the two murders, one in Punta Gorda and another in Belize City. Well, the Chamber of Commerce, says the crime wave has gotten out of hand. The organization sent a release today saying, quote, "This steady growth in violent crime raises major red flags for Belize's future." It adds with a call on the Government…quote, "to ensure that updated and effective measures be put in place to restore law and order." And while many regular folks are upset about the enforcement of quality of life crimes, that's the one thing the Chamber congratulated police on. And while that release kind of came out of the blue, another release in response to crime was more direct. The Toledo Maya Women's Council expressed its deepest condolences to the family of murder and rape victim Agripina Coc. The release says, quote, "The news of her brutal murder is deeply saddening and brings into focus the appalling levels of violence in our society, but more importantly to our women." End quote.

Who Is This Year's Iron Lions?
The 15TH annual Lionman triathlon was held on Sunday morning on Marine Parade in Belize City. The lionmen and women competed in a 1,500 meter swim, then 40 kilometer ride, and finally, a 10 kilometer run - which are the international parameters for a full triathlon. 7News was there to see the competitors in action. Here's how it looked: Defending champions Kent "Bob" Gabourel Jr. and Shalini Zabaneh were the winners in the male and female categories and are the 2014 Lionman and Woman, respectively. By our count, this is Shalni's eight first place finish in the event. Team Coast Guard was first in the team event. That team consisted of swimmer, Alma Pinelo, cyclist Joel Borland, and runner James McFoy.

Celebration Season Opens, Officially
And though it is not a celebration, per se, the lionman event is part of the September Calendar. The official launch of the Celebrations Season took place on Sunday at the official opening ceremony. It is usually held on Saint Georges Caye but due to bad weather it was held this year at the House of Culture. Here's what the Co-Chair of the National Celebration's Commission told the gathering: Diane Haylock - Co-Chairperson, September Celebrations Committee "On behalf of the government of Belize and as co-chair of the national celebration commission I extend to you a warm welcome to the launch of this year's national 2014 September Celebrations. Today marks the start of a month of patriotic events being held under the theme "Industrious Hands, Intelligent Minds, Together for Belize."

Prison For Purse Snatcher
21 year-old Kenrick Longsworth, a Castle Street resident, is spending his first night of a 6-month sentence after he was convicted of theft in a trial before the Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith. The complainant, Sherlett Lamb, testified that on September 23, 2013, she was at a shop on Freetown Road, and she noticed Longsworth monitoring her. She said that she took her purse out of a plastic bag, placed into the basket on her bike, and rode off. Lamb said that while she was on her way, she noticed Longsworth following her. Before she could react, Longsworth snatched her bag out of the basket and ran off. In his defence, he denied that he committed the offence.

Went To Unlock Phone, Got Locked Up
23 year-old Michael Usher is also spending a 6-month prison sentence after he was convicted of theft. The Complainant, Shawn White, accused him of promising to run an errand for her, but instead he stole her money and property. White testified in a trial before the Chief Magistrate that on May 14, 2014, she asked Usher to take her cellular phone along with $200 cash to unlock her phone for her. Instead, Usher pocketed the money and stole the phone, and after investigating, police charged him with theft and obtaining by deception. Usher chose to remain silent, and after considering all the evidence, Chief Magistrate Smith found him guilty of the offences. She sentenced him to serve 6 months for each count, but the sentences are to run concurrently, so he will only spend 6 months in jail.

San Pedro Pol Nab Peddler
Police from San Pedro are reporting tonight that they've caught a reported drug peddler with weed. At around 6:30 yesterday morning, acting on Special Branch Intelligence, a team of officers conducted a raid at his house in the Bayside Area. They found 117 grams - or 4.1 ounces - of cannabis. It is expected that he will be arraigned shortly.

On The 16th Day...
In our last segment, we showed how active Lake Independence was abuzz this weekend with Cordel Hyde's return. But, there was another community event held known as the Days Of Healing. The outreach effort, as we've shown, goes into the different embattled neighborhoods where gangs are dominant. It's lead organizer, Perry "Stikz" Smith, tries to put together a fun day for the families and children living in these areas, and this weekend Days Of Healing went to the PIV area. We spoke to the lead personalities behind it: This weekend's Day of Healing was the 16th in the Series.

Channel 5

San Pedro Columbia residents make citizen’s arrest
An elderly woman from San Pedro, Columbia was killed on Saturday, resulting in a manhunt for the alleged killer, who villagers feel is a resident of the community. We’ll have [...]

Elderly Villager Raped and Brutally Murdered in San Pedro Columbia
The brutal murder and probable rape of the elderly woman from the village of San Pedro, Columbia has sparked tremendous grief, outrage and fear. The nude body of sixty-one year [...]

Michael Usher Shot and Killed In Pre-dawn Attack
The other murder victim is thirty-eight year old Michael Usher. The Fabers Road resident, who is well known to the law, was killed at about forty-twenty on Sunday morning. Usher, [...]

3 Minors Arrested For Western Dairies Robbery
There was a late evening attempted robbery on Friday in Belize City, but it didn’t go quite as planned. In fact, two of the robbers actually ended up at the [...]

2 Perish In Deadly Car Collision Near Belmopan
A minor and a woman perished on Friday night at about nine o’clock in a traffic accident on a dangerous stretch of the George Price Highway. The two victims are [...]

Media Blackout – Eastern Division to Introduce Public Relations Buffer
It’s official – media personnel will no longer have access to Senior Police Officers from the Eastern Division when trying to access information. That bit of bad news came via [...]

Belize City Man Loses Leg After Purposely Being Crushed With A Vehicle
A man who allegedly used his vehicle as a deadly weapon was today charged with maim and aggravated assault. Police believe that thirty-three year old electrician Devon Jones deliberately reversed [...]

Police Department Issues Media Advisory for September Celebrations
The press conference at Raccoon Street this morning was actually to issue an advisory to Belizeans. September is here, and along with the celebrating and carnival, there is also, always [...]

Cordel Returns to His Political Roots in Lake-I
Former Lake-I area representative and two-time Minister of Education Cordel Hyde is officially back in the P.U.P. fold. Hyde, who is unbeaten in that constituency, stepped down from participating in [...]

P.M. Barrow on Friends of Conservation and Continued Chiquibul Incursions
Incursions along the western border continue unabated; Friends for Conservation and Development has in fact documented an increased number of incidents. Recently, nine dwellings constructed inside the Chiquibul National Park [...]

Prime Minister on Leadership of O.A.S.
Belize’s Ambassador to the Organization of American States is aspiring to succeed Surinamese national Albert Ramdin as Assistant Secretary General to the O.A.S. The seat becomes vacant, as does the [...]

Motivating Youths of Belize Organize Street Play
A group of Belize City youths are joining efforts to put off a six-month project focusing on social issues affecting teenagers. The list is long and includes teenage pregnancy, police [...]

Team Belize Heads to Washington for UNCAF Football Tournament
The national football team left Belize from the Philip Goldson International Airport today with high hopes. The team has been training for a month hoping to qualify for the Gold [...]

Sports Monday with James Adderley
Good Evening I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday. It was a heroic effort mounted by Belize Bank Airport Friday night to crush Complex 76-61 and force the [...]

CTV3

Elections For New Lands Committee Put On Hold By Residents Of San Jose Nuevo Palmar
Last week Friday we told about a decision from the descendants and village elders of San Jose Nuevo Palmar in the Orange Walk District who had voted to fast track the election process of a new lands committee for the village. For context, descendants of the village have accused the current lands committee in the village of mismanagement of land and money. This decision however, is questionable as it is being held without the authorization of the land trustee which is the government. In February this year, villagers met with representatives of the trustee and formed a committee to develop a voters list that would be reviewed by the solicitor general’s and lands department offices. After that was completed, the date for election would be set.

Another Chinese Businessman Robbed In Corozal
Over a thousand dollars was robbed from a Chinese businessman in Corozal Town last night after the heavy rain came down. 48 year old Tan Guo Zhang, proprietor of Tan’s Game Room located on 7th Avenue in Corozal Town, was inside his business when sometime between 9:15pm and 9:30pm, a clear Hispanic male person entered the business place and changed a $10.00 bill into US$5.00 to play one of the machines. Ten minutes after, another male person of clear complexion knocked on the front door and upon Zhang opening the door, the man who was inside playing the machine placed a knife to his throat.

Orange Walkenos Learn More About Traffic Legislation And Safety
The Road Safety Program was rolled out a year ago and today the work continues in achieving the goals set out with a large focus on drunk driving and curbing this trend in the country. Only last Thursday, the transport department and stakeholders held a town meeting with the residents in Orange Walk Town with the purpose of educating them on traffic legislation and safety. Chief Transport Officer Crispin Jeffries was at the meeting and spoke with us on the project. Crispin Jeffries – Chief Transport Officer “What is happening is that we have initially started on the corridor from Belize City to Belmopan that is called the “Road Safety Corridor Project” but it is actually a survey to look at the best practices that we need to put in place for the same program to roll out nationally, so whilst this current project is a three year project it will impact Belie in many ways, it will have impact on the education system; all teachers will be trained will be added to the curriculum, we will have a number of public awareness campaign that will go national on national radios, we have training for enforcement officers from all the municipality, the police department, the transport department so it is already impacting Belize an it will continue, it will also see national standards set for signage on roads , markings on road and those things are already happening, what you will be seeing between Belize City and Belmopan will be repeated as a standard that will be used across Belize so yes it will benefit Belize in the long term but the initial thing is a demonstration corridor between Belize City and Belmopan that is taking some of the new things that ought to be develop.”

Campos To Run Again For Mayor Of Corozal, Pablo Marin Also To Contest Municipal Elections
While the People’s United Party in Corozal Town has two mayoral candidates and 12 councilor candidates that will meet at a convention on October 5th when party supporters will exercise their right to vote and elect who will represent them for the upcoming Municipal Elections in March of 2015, the United Democratic Party in Corozal hosted an endorsement convention this past Sunday. Mayor Hilberto Campos will once again run for office but his entire councilor team won't among those not running is councilor Jude Budna. The UDP’s slate is comprised of Hilberto Campos for Mayor and Elva Perez, Staci Chi, Estevan Cruz, Guillermo Arana, Raul Gomez and Rafael Castillo for councilors. Also endorsed on Sunday was Pablo Marin as standard bearer for the Corozal Bay Constituency for the next General Elections. He will meet face to face with Gregorio Papas Garcia who is the PUP Standard Bear for the area. In 2012 Marin won Garcia by a close margin.

Orange Walkenos Honor Marcus Canul
This year will mark 142 years that the Battle of Orange Walk took place, on September 1st, 1872. Events that succeed that grand event have had a profound influence on the history on Northern Belize. History teaches us that in the 18th century, the British tried to consolidate their settlement and pushed deeper into the territory in search of mahogany but they encountered resistance from the Maya. In the second half of the 19th century; however, a combination of events outside and inside the colony redefined the position of the Maya. During the Caste War in Yucatán, a devastating struggle, that halved the population of the area, led thousands of refugees to flee to British Honduras. Though the Maya were not allowed to own land, most of the refugees were small farmers who were growing considerable quantities of crops by the mid-19th century.

Miss Belize Named Fourth Runner Up At The Miss Freedom The World 2014
And in news from the pageant world, Miss Belize, Jessel Lauriano, was named 4th runner up at the Miss Freedom of the World 2014 in Prizren, Kosovo on Sunday August 31st. Miss Hungary was bestowed the Freedom of the World crown while Miss Mexico was named first runner up. Twenty six year old Jessel Lauriano arrived in Prizren, Kosovo, in Southeast Europe, on Friday, August 15th where she joined delegates from 21 countries. While in Kosovo, Lauriano and the other delegates got to savor the rich culture of the country. We must note that Miss Belize, who also holds the title of Miss Freedom of Belize 2014 and Miss Heritage Belize 2014, took fifth place in the Miss Freedom of the World Bikini Competition.

More Trouble Brewing At Progresso Seventh Day Adventist School
They said they would not send their children to school today if principal Wilbert Tamai and teacher Alvaro Tzul were not transferred from the Progresso Seventh Day Adventist School by the opening of the new school year which was today. And since their demand was not met, approximately 30 parents stuck to their guns. While they did send their children to school, instead of attending classes the student’s remained outside with their parents since Tamai and Tzul were not transferred. It is a serious situation since the children are being affected but it’s one that parents are adamant to see through as they have clearly stated that Tamai and Tzul are unfit for the job they are paid to carry out.

Cordel Hyde Returns Home To The PUP
On Saturday August 30th Cordel Hyde was sworn-in as the PUP Standard Bearer for Lake Independence at the St. Martin de Porres football field. The endorsement was witnessed by a huge crowd of PUP supporters from Lake Independence and other parts of the country. Hyde was surrounded by the party’s hierarchy including Party Leader Honorable Francis Fonseca, Honorable John Briceno, Honorable Said Musa and also standard bearers including Ramon Monchie Cervantes, Jr. The three time Lake I Area Representative parted ways with the party back in February of 2012, weeks before the General Elections were to be held sending the PUP scrambling for a new standard bearer for the area. Back then Hyde made it known that his Khalid was diagnosed in New York with a cancer called Hodgkin's lymphoma and he needed to be by his side.

ITVET Orange Walk Kicks Off New Training Cycle
Schools countrywide opened their doors to their campuses for the new academic year and in the North it was no different, except to say that the Technical Vocational school known to us at ITVET, Institute for Technical Vocational and Education Training, got off on a high note with a slightly different spin to its first day of school. Chairperson for the events committee at ITVET Orange Walk, Josette Espadas, says the schools training cycle got off on the right foot. Josette Espadas – Chairperson, ITVET, OW “We had different speeches from people of the industry, past trainee, our manger and an address coming from the board and it was just to encourage the trainees to do their best during their training cycle an as well thanking the parents for having ITVET’s in general as their choice for the continuing education of their sons and daughters.”

Man Found Dead In San Estevan Village
The death of a sixty-three year old man is not the result of foul play according to authorities. The elderly man, Francisco Rodriguez, was found this morning about 8:10 by his niece Rosalin Rodriguez at her home in San Estevan Village. According to her, her uncle was drinking heavily on Sunday and apparently fell asleep on some card board boxes he had laid open on the floor behind the house. When she found him this morning, she says she thought he was asleep and only realized he had passed when she went to touch him. His feet were soaked wet, according to Rodriguez and when police moved him there was some blood on the card board.

LOVE FM

Religious serviced held in Honor of Benjamin and Onelia Rash
The disappearance of two children in the Toledo District in 2010 led to a series of activities. After the children were reported missing, an incensed group of villagers set the ACES compound on fire. This past weekend a religious service in honor of the two missing children of San Marcos Village was held. Correspondent Paul Mahung reports. PAUL MAHUNG “ Saturday marked the fourth year since Benjamin and Onelia Rash went missing on Augusts 30 2010. Since their mysterious disappearance then concerns were echoed nationally and abroad as hopes remain alive in their home village of San Marcus and parts of Belize for their safety and possible contact with their family and return home. Love News spoke with father of missing Benjamin and Onelia Pedro Rash.” PEDRO RASH “ I remember when I first went to your house and reported the two children missing on the 30th of August 2010. “

“Industrious Hands, Intelligent Minds, Together For Belize”
Industrious Hands, Intelligent Minds, together for Belize” A ceremony to mark the official opening of the festivities took place on Sunday morning. Co- Chair of the National Celebrations Committee, Diane Haylock spoke of the importance of unity, togetherness and a renewed appreciation for our Jewel Belize. CO-CHAIR OF NATIONAL CELEBRATIONS COMMITEE,DIANE HAYLOCK “For this year’s festivities the National Celebrations commission has put together what we consider a remarkable series of activities over the ensuing weeks. This calendar of activities will only excite your imagination but will also inspire a spirit of togetherness and renewed appreciation for our jewel Belize. As part of our September Celebrations we honor many diverse expressions of nationalism yet two days stand as the most prestigious hallmarks of our nation’s birth, the battle of St. George’s Caye and Independence Day. The battle of St. George’s Caye celebrated on the tenth of September will be the 216 anniversary of this historic event. It was only fitting as we’ve been doing for a number of years now that we planned to launch the September Celebrations on St. Georges Caye the first capital of Belize and the area in which a small nation began to see hope and the promise of achieving liberty and prosperity.

Villagers in Search for Murder Suspect
A number of villagers of San Pedro Colombia in Toledo joined in search operations to capture a suspect in connection with the murder of a woman in their community on Saturday. Correspondent Paul Mahung has the story. PAUL MAHING “ Love News caught up with some family members at the Punta Gorda hospital after 9:30PM as the body of the woman was brought to the hospital where she was pronounced dead and taken to the morgue. Love News spoke with the woman’s husband Francisco Coc.” FRANCISCO COC “ She told me that she was going to deliver crop with her brother and they also told me that they would buy rice so I gave them some money to buy the rice. When she left with her brother she went and did shopping. I was expecting at home at any time but because she is not reaching home I began asking where she was and I went to the brother and he told me she left a long time ago. “

Fatal Accident on Western Highway claims the life of two persons
IMG_445720-year-old Lenin Mayavan, a medical student of Los Lagos, Ladyville has been charged with a number of traffic related offences. Mayavan was the driver of a Chevy tracker that was involved in a fatal traffic accident on Friday night on the George Price Highway. Correspondent Fem Cruz has the details. FEM CRUZ “According to 67 year old Louis Romero Urbina a businessman and resident of Orange Walk town, on Firday night August 29 sometime around 8 o’clock he was driving his red and grey Mitsubishi L200 from San Ignacio to Belize city. Upon reaching a curve between miles 47 and 48 on the George Price highway he saw the lights of a vehicle that was coming from the opposite direction suddenly take an extreme left into his path and collided into the front portion of his vehicle. Love News spoke to Elizabeth Pascasio who was the first to arrive to the scene of the accident.”

PlusTV

Another man shot and killed in Belize City
Police are still baffled over the murder of 38 year old mason Michael Usher of Belize City. Around 4:30 Sunday morning, Mr Usher was riding his bicycle from the George Price Highway on Fabers Road, toward Central American Boulevard, when a single man approached and fired several times at him. He was hit in the upper body and head and died almost immediately at the scene. Police continue their investigations, after recovering six expended 9mm shells and a slug from the scene.

Man charged for vehicular altercation
The alleged use of a vehicle as a weapon led to charges for 33 year old Devon Jones of Belize City. Mr Jones, a self-employed electrician, is accused of aggravated assault and maim of 42 year old Francis Stanley Gill in front of the Key Ley Restaurant, formerly Li Chee, on Freetown Road. Around 12:45 in the morning of August 30, 2014, Francis Gill was buying at the restaurant, when he and Devon Jones got into an argument. Mr Gill went to stand in front of the restaurant, and that is when Mr Jones got into his blue and gray Chevy Blazer car and reversed it into MrGill, then backed up and did it at least once more, causing Mr Gill’s right leg to become mangled and eventually broken. Francis Gill was treated at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where his right leg was amputated.

Patrick Jones

Memorial to Marcus Canul held in Orange Walk
Residents of Orange Walk town took time out of their schedules today to commemorate the death of Icaiche hero Marcus Canul on September 1, 1872. Historians note that Canul, a Maya leader, led a raid on a mahogany camp at Qualm Hill on the Rio Bravo in what […]

Francis Fonseca unfazed by Rural North protests
PUP leader Francis Fonseca has responded, after a fashion, to the protests of the Belize Rural North executive committee on Friday. The committee says they were not consulted and believe the party had no right to suspend standard bearer Arthur Saldivar last Wednesday while carrying out its investigation […]

Man charged for vehicular altercation
The alleged use of a vehicle as a weapon led to charges for 33 year old Devon Jones of Iguana Street in Belize City. Jones, a self-employed electrician, is accused of aggravated assault and maim of 42 year old Francis Stanley Gill of Kelly Street in front of […]

National team leaves for Central American Cup
Belize’s Jaguars left home soil today for the United States hoping to repeat history. In 2013 the national men’s football team shocked the region with a fourth-place finish in the Central American Cup, qualifying for the first time ever to the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the United States. […]

Traffic accident on the Placencia road
One person sustained injuries when a pickup truck overturned this evening on the Placencia Road. According to information received, the accident happened near Santa Cruz and photographs obtained from the scene show the pickup truck extensively damaged. Reports say that the driver who was alone in the […]

San Pedro Columbia want justice for murdered woman
Villagers of San Pedro Columbia have taken into communal custody some family members of a man believed to have been involved in the murder of 62 year old Agripina Coc. After a community meeting, hundreds of villagers marched over to the home of the brothers and took them […]

San Pedro Columbia villagers detain family of alleged murder suspect
Villagers of San Pedro Columbia village in the Toledo district are taking drastic action to try and capture the man who is believed to have murdered 62 year old Agripina Coc. At a just concluded meeting, the village leaders decided to “arrest” the entire family of the suspect […]

Controversy at El Progresso Government School
The first day of the new school year was full of chaos and controversy at the El Progresso Government School in the Cayo district. The situation escalated to where the parents refused to allow their children into classes when they learned that the principal of the school […]

The Need and Justification For Overhauling Home Mortgage Financing in Belize
y Richard Harrison. Many thousands of Belizean families are still living in sub-standard housing….many in “casas de carton” type dwellings….that slowly descend into ghettos, with several generations piled up one on top of the other. There is need for a complete rethinking and reformulating of the mortgage financing regime, in order to address this challenge. The existing formula was drafted in the 1960-70s period, and is based on 15% per annum, 15-year-term…with large bias advantage in the contracts leaning in favor of the financial institutions, including foreclosure rights that give financial institutions complete sway over the assets that back the mortgage. The World Bank estimated that life expectancy in Belize in 1960 was 59 years….and that by 2012 it had increased to 73….and increase of 14 years, or 23.7%. In Mexico, the average effective retirement age is 72, while the official retirement age is 65. In the USA, these are 65 and 67 respectively. For France, workers can retire at age 60, with 41.5 years of contributions; for Greece, at 59 with 37 years of contributions. ~ OECD

Blogs

More of Placencia Village, a Sunset Cruise and Uber-Cute Casa Placencia
Okay…so in my previous post, I left off in Placencia sipping soda waters in the Barefoot Bar trying to cool off. The almost noon time sun was HOT! I headed back out. The village was so quiet…and lovely. A few places are closed for the season – most importantly my FAVORITE ice cream place. Everyone’s favorite ice cream spot – Tutti Frutti Gelato. Closed until October. Julia’s Guesthouse. I’ve stayed here a few times. Cheap and on the beach.

“Lay Me Down” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
On Sunday I enjoyed a bit of a lie -probably caused by the exertions (for exertions read Belikins) of going on a Poker Run- and got out of bed unusually late at 06.15 hours. I hurriedly (well you can’t hurry up a kettle really apart from putting less water in) boiled the water for my mug of coffee fairly well rushed -OK, I walked quickly- out on to the veranda. Yep, the western, lagoon facing one. Why the hurry (or maybe you’re not), you’re thinking. Simple. The Spurs versus Liverpool game was on TV with a 06.30 hours kick-off. What right minded Arsenal fan wouldn’t want to watch Spurs take a good hiding. And they did. What a perfect start to my day. Or so I thought. Time for another mug of coffee and my breakfast (no time to go to Estel’s Dine By the Sea for a last breakfast before it closes for a month) before the Leicester City versus Arsenal game. Exquisite scheduling by the Premier League (or was it the TV companies?).

Beef Fajitas
Beef Fajitas are very similar to shrimp fajitas in the regard that it uses basically the same ingredients with the exception of the beef. I used the beef that is perfect for stir frying and allowed it to cook until tender. The home made fajita seasonings is the thing that made this recipe unique, delicious and irresistible.

50 Reasons to Buy Real Estate in Belize
What will it take to convince you that paradise awaits–that you’re just one “yes” away from living a dream in a place and at a pace that you’ve only dreamed about? How about 50 reasons? Each one of the following offers a compelling reason to choose Belize for your new home. 1. Save on gas. The entire nation of Belize is just 8,860 square miles. Travel the nation without racking up huge gas bills. 2. Save on heating and cooling. Move to Belize where your power bills won’t send you into sticker shock. 3. Everyone speaks English. Dubrovnik is gorgeous but learn a new language? Not in Belize. 4. It’s easy to buy real estate. Belize real estate laws make it easy to put down roots. Choose from three options: Tourist card, QRPP (Qualified Retired Person Program) or permanent residency.

Belize climate and tax advantages make it a retirement destination
Belize’s year round warm climate makes it a number one vacation, and now retirement destination. The Qualified Retired Person’s Programme provides exemption from taxes on income and import duties for expats living in Belize, adding to its attractiveness that includes plenty of recreational options as well as daily familiarities, like an easy currency exchange, for Americans. Following are 15 reasons to consider becoming an expat that makes Belize their new home away from home. There is no need to learn a new language before you move to Belize. Belize is a former British colony and while Spanish is commonly spoken, most in Belize are bilingual and most media, signs and documents are in English. If you have children, the schools are English speaking and highly regarded by locals and newcomers alike.

International Sources

Caribbean local govt ministers meet in The Bahamas
Local government ministers from the Caribbean met over the weekend to finalise the agreement of the Caribbean Forum of Local Government Ministers (CFLGM). CFLGM's eighth general meeting also discussed the Regional Policy and Cooperation Framework (RPCF) as well as securing recognition by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). CFLGM has set 2014 as the deadline for signing off on the RPCF by member states. So far the Bahamas, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, and St Vincent and the Grenadines have endorsed the RPCF. Bahamas Local Government Minister Alfred Gray said the meeting also sought to set the stage for carrying out the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as well as having CARICOM leaders sanction the recommendations "to advance and approve the Millennium goals in 2015.

Belize in Morning Calm Magazine
Belize was featured in Morning Calm magazine, the magazine of Korean Air. It's a great article, and Cayo is spoken of fondly, as the author stayed at Ian Anderson's Caves Branch. There are pictures of Mountain Pine Ridge, and they talk about Xunantunich. The article starts on page 36.

Videos

Video: Peace Corps Belize Pre Service Training 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kncyQvVYwz0min.
Belize Health 2 Pre-Service Training June 25th-September 5th 2014 I think my cohort would want me to tell you that our work is not all sunshine and rainbows, but we've loved getting to know this country and our place in the Peace Corps world over the last few months.

Video: 2014 Cruise Dive Video, 3min.
This video was recorded during our scuba dives from our 2014 Royal Caribbean Cruise to Roatan, Belize, and Cozumel.

Video: La Isla Bonita Telenovela Trailer La Isla Bonita, min.
Are you ready for the grand premiere of La Isla Bonita Telenovela? Be sure to attend the Red Carpet premiere on Friday,September 5th at Paradise Theater. Tickets available exclusively at Island Gear Boutique for $75 for a limited time only! Tickets for screenings throughout the week available for $12-Kids and $15-Adults! La Isla Bonita Telenovela Trailer Huge thanks to all our fans. Here's the "talking trailer" many of you are asking for, en espanol. Have an awesome week and see you at Paradise Theater starting Friday!

Video: Michelle Nunez Selected Miss San Pedro 2014 -Pageant Highlights, min.
Six beauty contestants were in full bloom as they took center stage on Saturday, August 30, 2014, at the Miss San Pedro Beauty Pageant. Michelle Estrella Nuñez, Miss Ramon’s Village, was selected as the new Miss San Pedro 2014-2015.

Video: Belize Activities for the Adventurous Travelers, 2min.
Belize is a perfect destination for active travelers, with its variety of sport and adventure opportunities. Know more about some of its most popular adventure sports and activities.

Video: 7 Top Reasons to Visit or Move to Ambergris Caye, 2min.
It's vast variety of natural attractions of Belize high contributed to Belize tourism. More than a quarter of it land and sea is preserved, which vary in level of protection and purpose.One of the biggest contributors of Belize tourism is its natural attractions. About 26% of Belizean land and sea is preserved within a 95 reserves, which vary in their purpose and level of protection. This network of protected areas exist under various management structures. Below are the main natural attractions of this beautiful country.

Video: School of Blue Tangs. Silk/Queen Caye, Belize., 21sec.

Video: Fun in Belize! Mayan Ruins and Cave Tubing, 8min.
Ambergris to Belize City, then a drive to the Mayan ruins of Xunantunich and lazy river tubing through caves.

Video: Semi Sub on Barrier Reef, Rendezvous Cay, Belize, 3min.

Video: Barrier Reef Snorkeling in Belize at Rendezvous Cay, 4min.

September 1, 2014