July 8, 2017

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Specials and Events

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

The San Pedro Sun

Islanders demand justice for Faye Lin Cannon
The tragic death of 13-year-old Faye Lin Cannon has brought together an island community in collective mourning. The young American girl had been living on the island for several years, and suffered a death that many deem preventable. Physically and sexually assaulted, her death was officially ruled as caused by internal hemorrhaging due to a punctured heart. She had three broken ribs. Believed to have committed these heinous crimes against Faye is her adoptive mother Anke Doehm, and stepfather David Boehm. Both are yet to be charged, but they remain in San Pedro Police custody.

Opening of the Lobster Fishing Season
The Belize Fisheries Department would like to advise the public that in accordance with the Fisheries Act (Chapter 210s, revised 2003), the open season for the Spiny Lobster Fishery is from June 15rg to February 14th, inclusive in any year. The public is advised of the following regulations which relates to the Spiny Lobster (Crawfish) in Belize: 1. No person shall take in the waters of Belize or buy, sell or have in his possession crawfish – a. If the cape length is less than three or tail weight is less than four ounces: b. Between the 15th February and the 14th June, inclusive in any year: c. That is berried, has eggs or spawn:

September Celebrations Theme Announced!
The National Celebrations Commission is pleased to announce the winner and theme for the upcoming September Celebrations. After careful deliberation by the Commission, the submission made by Ms. Janine Sosa was selected. The theme focusses on our unified Belizean people, cultures and country. This year’s theme calls on us to recognize the often difficult decisions that must be made to ensure our nation’s progress. It acknowledges the moment in which we take pleasure in the victories of our past and present, and uses these accomplishments to strengthen our advancement into the future.

House of Representatives proposes Stamp Duty Transfer Tax increase
At the sitting of the House of Representatives on Friday, June 30th in Belmopan City, a bill was read and entered to raise the stamp duty transfer tax, from 5% to 8%, on all foreign -purchased properties in Belize. The current rate of stamp duty on Belizeans and foreigners alike is 5%, with the first $20,000 exempted. This new proposal from Central Government has Ambergris Caye Real Estate agents concerned, as they see the proposed raise as a threat to their business.

MURDER
Another suspected murder is being reported in San Pedro Town. The victim has been identified as 56-year-old Plutarco Noralez, Belizean labourer and resident of San Pedrito Area. According to the police report, on Wednesday, July 5th, about 9:00 am San Pedro Police responded to a report at the Dr Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II, where they saw a male person lying motionless on a bed. Initial investigation revealed was that about 7:55AM Noralez arrived at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II, and complained of severe chest pain. Noralez was escorted to the Emergency room area where he was attended. Shortly after, about 8:50AM, he passed away. On Thursday July 6th, a Post Mortem Examination was conducted on his body and the cause of death was "Traumatic Asphyxiation due to severe oedema of Epiglotis due to neck and chest compression due to blunt force trauma".

Ambergris Today

No Charges Yet For Faye’s Parents Who Remain In Police Custody
As the day ends with residents all angry, frustrated and and feeling hopeless and partly responsible for the death of 13-year-old Fay Lin Cannon, the Criminal Investigation Branch of San Pedro Police Department continues their investigations. Prime suspects in the murder case, David and Anke Doehm, have not been charged with murder or conspiracy of murder. The Doehms remain in San Pedro Police custody tonight as the Magistrate explained that the 48-hour investigation period won’t expire until Saturday, July 8. If the Doehms are found guilty of Faye’s death, San Pedro Police will have the right to keep them in custody over the weekend until they can reappear in court on Monday, July 10. At a closed-court family matter case held today with Anke Doehm, the hearing resulted in San Pedro Town Magistrate Janel Villanueva granting full custody of Cannon siblings to the Department of Human Services.

Misc Belizean Sources

The Government of Belize Reaches Important Cornerstone in Border Management
The UN Migration Agency (IOM) reports that an important upgrade to Belize’s Border management system is complete. Particularly, this initiative strengthened the capacity of Belize’s Department of Immigration and Nationality Services (DINS) and its staff to manage the border more efficiently through an upgrade of the recently installed PIRS/MIDAS computerized border information management system. The MIDAS system has been designed by OIM to be compliant with international standards and is currently operational in 19 countries. It also enables the production of real-time reporting over the 1.5 million border transactions per year in Belize. MIDAS automatically checks all recorded entry and exit data in the border posts, allows the collection of biometric data and more accurate capture of information. “With this Belize can count on a better risk assessment of those travelling and more targeted interventions at the front line and faster clearance of passengers” said Mr. Jason CLARKE, IOM’s Senior Specialist in Border and Identity Solutions.

Opening of the Lobster Fishing Season
The Belize Fisheries Department would like to advise the public that in accordance with the Fisheries Act (Chapter 210s, revised edition 2003), the open season for the Spiny Lobster Fishery is from June 15th to February 14th, inclusive in any year. The public is advised of the following regulations which relates to the Spiny Lobster (Crawfish) in Belize:

Fit Bodies Bootcamp
Who's going to make it out today??

National Song Competition 2017 to be held in Dangriga
The National Celebrations Commission is pleased to announce the involvement of the different municipalities in ensuring that the September Celebrations festivities are experienced as an all-encompassing national experience. This year the energy, fun, and celebration of the National Song Competition will begin touring the country as representatives from several towns and the city of Belmopan were present for a lotto pick of this year’s venue for the National Song Competition 2017. The winner and host of this year’s National Song Competition 2017 which will be held on Saturday, August 12th will be the nation’s beautiful Culture Capital, Dangriga Town.

Home Invasion on San Pedro
On 06.07.17, police responded to report in the San Pablo area and visited a house on Hope Street where 53-year-old KELLI RICO, manager of corner Hope Street and Sting Ray Drive in the company of her father 75-year-old Doyle Harris reported that on Thursday 6th July, 2017 about 6:30 p.m., they arrived at home and were about to have supper when a person kicked opened their door and pointed a handgun at them. A few minutes later a female entered and took two diamond rings from her father, a gold necklace with a gold US coin medal and two knives. All items were valued at approximately $14,650. The thieves then locked them in the house and escaped.

Coming Soon to Belize City: The Brand New, World-Class Civic Center!
Features: • An air-conditioned interior with a seating capacity of 4,500 • A FIBA standard wooden main court similar to NBA courts, and three practice courts • A centralised scoreboard, and shot clocks for each of the six backboard • Offices, media boxes and multiple locker-rooms • Underground parking for 100 cars and courtyard parking for an additional 100 cars • A 65,000 gallons water tank Expected date of completion: December, 2017

Barcelona FC first captain and goalkeeper Francisco Sedano Antolin "Paco Sedano" is in Belize
He will be holding a press conference later today about his visit to Belize. He had the opportunity to swim with sharks at Hol Chan Marine Reserve this morning after which he visited Ambergris Caye. He was swarmed by fans on the island.

The Santa Rita Wedding Garden Re-enactment
They say good things come to those who wait. Despite the unexpected delay, the show must go on and it did! The Santa Rita Wedding Garden Re-enactment last night was a different version, than has usually been presented to us in the past. It portrayed the re-enactment of the bond between a Mayan Princess and a Spanish Conquistador that led to the birth of our Mestizo heritage, but it was also complimented by a presentation of our more modern Mestizo traditions and culture. It was, to say the least, short and sweet. The re-enactment of our Mestizo/Maya culture never disappoints. We gave our camera up a bit last night (we slipped in one or two), and we were glad to do so because the images captured will be everlasting and forever embedded in our hearts, minds and souls.

Invest Belize Magazine Vol 5
The 5th volume of Invest Belize is out. Beltraide had the launch on Wednesday. They spent some time on this magazine, and it shows once again. It's online, and it's worth a read. "Belize’s premier business and investment magazine comprised of engaging articles, enlightening statistics and important information on the country’s business community. It provides an opportunity for Belizean businesses to make their mark with its wide distribution both nationally and internationally. We welcome both local and foreign parties as they promote their business or investment. Our upcoming 5th edition of the magazine will be centered around the theme, 'Innovative Strategies & Competitive Investment.'"

APEX Music @ Xunantunich Archaeological Reserve!
Thank you, National Institute of Culture and History and Institute of Archaeology!

Channel 7

US Couple Held Pending Charges For Death of 13 Year Old Daughter
Tonight, an American husband and wife are still detained for questioning in the death of their 13 year old adopted daughter. Faye Lin Cannon was found dead in her room in a condominium on northern Ambergris Caye on Monday morning. Her parents, Anke and David Doehm who have been living in Belize since 2012 told police she had been locked up in her room for three weeks refusing to come out or eat anything. They said that she'd had trouble breathing on Saturday, and then on Monday morning she woke up, asked for water and went back to bed. 15 minutes later, he father found her unresponsive. When police asked about visible bruises and a bump with a cut wound on her head, her parents said she was mentally ill, and would bang herself against the wall during her attacks.

Trove of BDF Uniforms Found At OW Residence, a Mexican Had The Connect
Tonight all kinds of questions are being asked after close to 100 BDF uniforms were found in a home in Orange Walk, along with a few unserviceable outboard engines - also from the BDF. These were all found at a home in Baeza alley, but what's really raising questions is how the police, and the BDF were led to the trove of uniforms. Yesterday, a joint patrol operating in the western Orange Walk district searched a Mexican who had one of the BDF uniforms on him. He was taken in for questioning and he led police to his Belizean contact - at this home in Orange Walk - which is where all the items were found.

Erwin Santos Takes Plea for Firearm, Sent To Jail
Murder suspect Erwin Santos has been sentenced to 5 years in prison for a firearm offence. This is after a .22 rifle was found at his family home in Teakettle village. Santos who turned himself into police two days ago, was taken to the Belmopan Magistrate's court this morning where he pled guilty to the charge. Police told us that a murder charge will follow but this sentencing gives them more time to further investigate his involvement in the murders of Markey Mendez as well as Unitedville resident Jorge Lemus.

Ladyville Gunman Jesse Mejia Back To Court
While Belmopan Police are working on closing that case, Ladyville police have also made major head way in another. As we told you, 22 year old Jesse Mejia was charged for firearm offenses on Wednesday, but today he was brought back to court for additional charges. Those are attempted murder, dangerous harm and use of deadly means of harm. Mejia is accused of shooting Elward Mckay on Pigeon Street in Ladyville. It happened on Monday night. Mackay had just gone to buy food when Mejia allegedly rode up from behind and shot him.

Two Cases Of Aggravated Assault Involving Females
Two cases of aggravated assault involving females as perpetrators are making news tonight. The first happened in Ontario Village in the Cayo District where at 11:30 on Wednesday night, 60-year-old farmer HUGH LAMB, was awakened by the sound of a woman calling him. It turned out to be a nightmare encounter with this woman who he knew. It ended when she ran into his room, grabbed his double barrel shotgun, and ran outside and met two men. One of them clubbed Hugh Lamb in his head with a metal pipe. They ran off, firing shots at him with his own gun. He was unhurt and police are investigating.

Saving Souls On Southern Waters
Yesterday a joint patrol between the Belize Coast Guard and TIDE, responded to a distress signal from a capsized boat off the coast of Punta Gorda. The joint patrol's quick action resulted in the rescue of all the passengers of the overturned boat. Acting Vice Commander of the Coast Guard, Lt. Gregory Soberanis, gave us more details... Lt. Gregory Soberanis - Acting Vice Commander, BCG: "At approximately 5:30 yesterday evening, the coast guard received a distress call that a vessel had capsized in Punta Gorda and just east of Punta Gorda town about 15 minutes away. We responded by deploying the joint patrol with TIDE and the coast guard to the location. Arriving at the location the personnel who were on-board the capsized vessel had been rescued and were taken to safe harbour. We confirmed that all personnel were safe and that there was no injury that all was well. Upon confirming that personnel on-board the capsized vessel were well and that there were no injuries, the joint patrol consisting of TIDE and the coast guard proceeded back to the operating base."

Minister says Time Away From CODICADER Should Be Used To Improve
As we told you two nights ago, Belize's student athletes will have to sit on the sidelines, possibly for two years because Belize is expected to be sanctioned by the organizers of the Codicader games. The organizers want Belize to host the Codicader special athletes games in August, and Government is saying it can't afford it. That's because the Ministry of Sports is still recovering from hosting last year's games, and then would still have to pay for a large contingent to go to the regular games in October. So, the Ministry - through the National Sports Council - is waiting for the official letter of sanction to come from CODICADER next week. In the meantime, sports Ministers Patrick Faber says Belize's athletes and coaches should use the time to try and re-focus their energies on getting better:...

Former CEO Freed From Free Zone
Back in May, we told you about all the difficulties at the Corozal Free Zone where the Zone Chamber of commerce had turned against Former Chief Executive Officer Valentino Blanco. Under intense pressure, the board placed Blanco on 30 days administrative leave. Well, earlier this week we learned that his contract is being being bought out and he won't be returning to the post. As the brother in law of the Minister of State in the Ministry of Health Angel Campos, Blanco and his perceived political connections was never popular with the Zone;s private sector interests.

Belizean Busted In Playa
A 46 year old Belizean named Edward Amado Gonzalez was arrested in Play Del Carmen, Mexico for stealing two credit cards. A Mexican newspaper report says he entered a private property and stole the two credit cards. He was caught inside the house by the owner, a 55 year old American. He called police as Gonzalez threw away the credit cards and tried to flee in a Volkswagen Jetta. But police caught him and have him in custody. He is reported to have entered Mexico as a tourist.

A Gender Violence Outlook For All
Gender based violence: it covers a wide spectrum of issues centering on abuse especially against women and girls but also men and boys. It is a chronic social problem that certainly won't go away overnight. So the National Women's Commission along with its partners keep revising and updating their national plan of action in seriously addressing this problem. The revised action plan for 2017 to 2020 was launched yesterday at the Biltmore and one of the lead figures in this initiative Anne-Marie Williams told us this plan focuses on a more multi-sectoral approach.

Mother Pleads For Missing Daughter
Regrettably, it's an all too familiar story: teenaged girl goes missing, and her parents don't know where to find her, or where to turn for help. Tonight that's what Belize City mother Roshawn Casey is facing tonight: her 14 year old daughter went missing last week and hasn't been seen since. She says her daughter has done this before, but that doesn't make it any easier. And, tonight, she makes a desperate plea for her return:... Her mother believes she is with friends and hopes that she returns soon.

Belize Immigration Systems Meet International Standards
The UN Migration Agency sent out a release this week saying that an important upgrade to Belize's Border management system is complete. It's an upgrade of the recently installed PIRS/MIDAS computerized border information management system - which they use in those immigration kiosks at all points of entry and exit. The IOM says this system is compliant with international standards and is currently operational in 19 countries. They adds that "It also enables the production of real-time reporting over the 1.5 million border transactions per year in Belize."

Soberanis Superior
Earlier in the news, we showed you Lieutenant Gregory Soberanis. As we told you last week, he excelled in a one year training course at the United States Naval War College. Soberanis distinguished himself among his counterparts, winning the International Leadership Award and was voted President of the Naval Staff College while he attended. When we spoke to him today, Soberanis told us about his experience at the training course, and how it will help to bolster the Coast Guard's activities here in Belize...

The End Of A Rough School Year
The 2016 - 2017 school year is over - and it was a rough one. The school year came to an end earlier this week after three extra days were tacked on at the end of the year - to make up for days missed due to a teachers' strike. Attendance during those extra days was poor, as might have been expected, since the school year was already over. Education Minister Patrick Faber said he would have wished that it were otherwise, but, regardless, he's keeping his hopes up for next year:...

Banking Sector And Money Supply
From education we go to the banking sector - where we continue our interview with Scotiabank's Managing Director, Michael Shaw. It's not often we get to talk to a bank manager - and so we asked him about the money supply, and why banks are offering such low rates on savings. Its been working out well for a credit hungry government, which has been capitalizing on the excess liquidity by offering government paper, at attractive rates. Its last offering of one hundred and forty million dollars was over subscribed by 35 million dollars. We asked Shaw if the market's thirst for a good rate suggests that the banks are doing something wrong:...

Cheques Will Be Processed Faster
We also asked Shaw about the Central Bank's new Automated Cheque Processing system, known as "APS 3" . The system was activated today and it means faster cheque clearing and processing. All cheques deposited countrywide will be processed electronically, allowing for faster clearing time. Shaw explained how it will benefit you in real terms: Michael Shaw, Managing Director - Scotiabank Belize: "The main feature is these cheques will be processed a lot quicker, so the end customer gets the transaction done a lot faster, a lot cheaper and a lot more efficient."

A Theme To Remember For September
The theme for this year's September celebrations has been chosen. It is: "Belize, Confronting Challenges! Celebrating Triumphs! Renewing our Resolve!" It was submitted by Janine Sosa and was selected from among more than 250 entries. She gets a cash prize for the winning entry.

Carnival Queens On Parade
And while that theme talks about Challenges, Triumphs, and Resolve, the Belize Carnival Association is thinking more about partying for its September celebrations. They're starting things off this weekend with the Miss Carnival Pageant 2017 tonight, and the Little Miss Carnival Pageant on Sunday night. Here's how they hyped it for us yesterday:...

The Swift Dynasty?
And turning now to politics, the UDP deadline for submission of names of prospective candidates for the City Council election is generating lots of activity in the red camp. It's even spurred a teenager to declare for the race. Mark Swift is far from an established political name, but his father, Ryan who's a UDP lifer, feels he can take his young son over the top with his old political machinations. He asked us to speak to the young hopeful for ourselves - and we did: The deadline for Belize City Council candidates is next week.

Amandala

ark Pollard, 49, missing 4 days after early morning jogging
At about 5:00 Monday morning, Mark Pollard, 49, a resident of Peter Seco Street (Belize City), left home on his regular early morning workout and jogging session. He told his family that he would be jogging to Haulover Bridge, and back, an undertaking which normally took him about one hour. Mark set out but did not return. Later that day, Mark’s family made a missing person report and commenced searching for him. During an interview with us yesterday, his twin brother, Jarret, told us that the police have not been helping them search for Mark. He said he is getting the run-around. He went to seek help at the Mahogany Street Police Sub Station, and they sent him to Queen Street Police Station. Police at Queen Street then sent him back to the station on Mahogany Street. So far, he told us, they are getting no assistance.

Cordel Hyde says minimum wage must be a living wage
For Belizean workers living on the minimum wage, it’s been five long years since there has been an adjustment, and recently a group of activists which includes Moses Sulph and others, held a small protest to raise awareness about the issue. Speaking on the adjournment of the House of Representatives meeting on Friday, June 30, Lake Independence representative Cordel Hyde lent his voice to the call for an adjustment to the minimum wage, citing that, “For the almost 60,000 Belizeans who are making just $3.30 per hour, this is no laughing matter.” Hyde said that “…when you get down to the bottom of it, this issue of a minimum wage that is below a living wage, means early and premature deaths for a lot of people, because the truth of the matter is a lot of people who are on minimum wage can’t really afford to buy healthy food, and so they end up eating and having a lifestyle that is unhealthy, that leads to diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, high cholesterol, cancer and the list goes on.”

Castro attempts to castrate Senate Inquiry
In her testimony before the Senate Select Committee, Alvarine Burgess accused Cabinet Ministers Anthony “Boots” Martinez and Edmond Castro of being involved in a visa hustle at the Immigration Department. When he appeared before the committee today, Martinez denied the allegations made against him and so did his UDP colleague, Castro, who had sued Burgess almost four years ago for defamation but withdrew the case, reportedly after being advised that the ruling might not be in his favor. Today, Senator Elena Smith would press Castro for more answers into the allegations made against him by Burgess. Here is an excerpt from the exchange that took place:

Foreigners owe $400 mil in land tax: Senator Lizarraga
At today’s sitting of the Senate, Mark Lizarraga, senator for the business community, said that outstanding or uncollected property tax due to the Government of Belize is in the hundreds of millions, with as much as 400 million dollars due from foreigners. The assertion was made in the context of the debate on the Stamp Duties (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill put today to the Senate from the House, which proposed an increase in the rate of stamp duty for land transactions from 5% to 8%. Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte, a Government Senator, noted in the Senate that the increase would not apply to CARICOM nationals and Belizeans, in answer to a question from Senator Lizarraga over whether applying the rate to foreigners would not violate the Treaty of Chaguaramas, under which the CARICOM Single Market and Economy is established.

Autopsy says death of 13-year-old girl was due to physical and sexual abuse
The lifeless body of American, Faye Lin Cannon, a 13-year-old student of San Pedro, was found on her bed in her room by her adoptive parents, who are also Americans, at about 7:30 Monday morning. Police took her to the San Pedro Polyclinic, where she was declared dead on arrival. The child’s body was then taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where a post-mortem examination was performed this morning. It certified the cause of her death as compression on the chest causing internal hemorrhage and sexual and physical abuse. Police have detained the girl’s adoptive parents as they investigate her death. Police said that on Monday morning, they went to the room of the teenager and saw her apparently lifeless body on her bed. According to police, the officers saw bruises on her legs, and a cut wound on the right side of her head. The right side of her head was also swollen.

“We did not expect that as Ministers they would come here and be disrespectful.” – Senator Elena Smith
his newspaper has documented every single sitting of the Senate Select Committee since last year when the committee was established to investigate the findings of the Auditor General in the Special Audit of the Immigration Department. We have documented the appearances of controversial former UDP Cabinet Minister Elvin Penner, embroiled in the Won Hong Kim scandal, which erupted after it became publicly known that a South Korean criminal was issued a Belizean passport and nationality certificate while in a Taiwanese prison. We have documented the appearance of the elusive “Mr. Middleton,” an alleged visa agent, later identified as Orange Walk resident Barton Middleton, who had allegedly sold stolen visa stickers to former Belize City Deputy Mayor, Eric Chang, and the Financial Controller of the Belize City Council, Patrick Tillett.

“In the Paint” – Interoffice basketball round-up
In games played last Friday night, it was the Kings subduing Infotel/Mars Distributors by the final score of 77-70. Despite having four players scoring in double figures, Infotel was no match for Jacob Leslie and the Kings, as Leslie hit for 28 points on 11 of 24 shooting from the field, which included 5 for 9 from behind the arc. His teammate, Farron Louriano was no slouch either, converting 9-of-15 attempts from the field, for a total of 24 points, to go along with 9 rebounds and 2 steals. Earl Johnson’s 20 points led the quartet of Infotel players who managed to score in double figures; he was followed by Herman Ramos 13 pts, Elvis Olivera 11 pts, and Travis Lennan 10 pts.

Belize Football Commentary – A case study in football continuity
When it comes to raw talent, especially as it relates to football, Belizean athletes are abundantly blessed with it. When it comes to the technical aspect of football, however, we sometimes seem to be light years behind our neighboring countries. Take the recently concluded UNCAF U-20 Female Championship, that was held last month in Managua, Nicaragua, for example. Our female players exhibited the will to win, and did their best on the field; but due to a lack of preparation, among other factors, they ultimately succumbed to the superior tactics of both Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Sometime in 2012, under the guidance of Santiago “Santi” Valencia, a reinforced Youth With A Mission (YWAM) All-Belize Male U-15 team won a gold medal in a quadrangular football tournament held in the Dominican Republic (DR).

All visitors win in Week 5 of National Over 40 Tournament
The Belize National Over-40 Football Tournament 2017 continued over the weekend with Week 5 games featuring all 8 teams in the competition, and the visitors were victorious in all 4 games played. On Saturday afternoon at the MCC Grounds, visiting Belmopan Veterans came away with a 3-2 victory over BDF Veterans, with Gary Wiltshire (38’, 78’ & 82’) netting all 3 goals for the visitors; while BDF got a goal each from Joel Wade (4’) and Godfrey “Brads” Dominguez (75’). And later on Saturday night at San Pedro Stadium, the visitors were also victorious, as Kulture Yabra Veterans won, 3-1, over San Pedro Veterans. San Pedro got the first half lead through Edgar Lima (5’); but Kulture came back strong in second half, as goal scoring leader Kevin Rowland tied it up at the 52nd minute, and Maurice “Magic” Francis struck twice (58’ & 71’) to secure the Kulture victory.

Smart 13 & Under Mundialito 2017 championship and awards
The final day of the 2017 Smart 13 & Under Mundialito Tournament began today with the 3rd place match; next was the traditional exhibition game featuring Officials vs Coaches, and then the championship final, followed by the awards ceremony. In the 3rd place game, Hattieville Riverside Boys clipped Ladyville Rising Stars, 1-0, with a goal from Jose Almendarez. The exhibition game was won by Officials, 1-0, over Coaches, with a goal from Tyrone “T-Bone” Muschamp.

EDITORIAL: Insolence and arrogance
In the morning and the afternoon of Wednesday, July 5, during the Senate Select Committee inquiry into the Auditor General’s report of scandalous transactions at the Department of Immigration, two different Cabinet Ministers of the ruling United Democratic Party (UDP) gave sustained displays of insolence and arrogance which were broadcast on national radio and television. In Belize, you know, there are adult citizens who are committed adherents of the UDP, on the one hand, and of the Opposition People’s United Party (PUP), on the other. Committed UDP adherents will vote UDP no matter what, whereas committed PUP adherents will do the same for the PUP. In the beginning of party politics in British Honduras in 1950 and 1951, the difference between the two political parties, the PUP and the National Party (NP), was manifest and very clear to see. The PUP wanted to end British colonialism; the PUP wanted self-government and independence for Belize. The NP wanted the colony to continue being run by the British; the NP was pro-colonial. The PUP had a prominent workers’ base, whereas the NP supported the giant industrial employer/landowner of the time, the Belize Estate and Produce Company (BEC), and the huge mercantile houses such as Brodie’s and Harley’s.

From the Publisher
The strangest thing I remember about my visits to the old United States Consulate on Gabourel Lane/Hudson Street as an 18-year-old Belizean preparing to take up an American State Department university scholarship, was when a Consulate official, out of the blue, advised me that I would have to wait two years before I applied for U.S. citizenship. This was the summer of 1965. For me, the comment was strange because it had never occurred to me to become an American citizen. Yes, I wanted to go to the United States very badly, but I was happy in Belize and considered it my home. Looking back, I can understand how the Consulate would have assumed I wanted to become an American: everybody else did, and does. My love for Belize basically derived from the fact that my parents and my brothers and sisters lived in Belize, from the fact that I had status and self-esteem in Belize, and from the fact that my family was privileged to have access to a private caye about nine miles south southeast of Belize City – Spanish Caye.

BELIZEAN LEGENDS SHINING STARS!
Belizeans in Los Angeles, California and Belize will remember one of the first efforts of diaspora news in 1983 for the Los Angeles Belizean Community: the outstanding newspaper by the Los Angeles Muslims of Belize (LAMBS) called, “Belizean Focus”. The newspaper that was published by L.A.M.B.S. documented one of the most interesting phenomena that today has created what is called here at this documentary series, “The Belize Gang Crisis.” As seen on this headline in a 1984 edition of the Belizean Focus the headline titled, “Belize / Third Greatest Drug Trafficking Country to the U.S.” has become a wake-up call for most Belizeans today in terms of the destabilization of a once peaceful Belizean society. The legendary newspaper that ended publication in 1985 during the creation of the organization BREDAA that later brought Belizeans in L.A. the popular radio show on KPFK Los Angeles called, “Belize-Caribbean Pulse”, was the first in the Belizean diaspora to call the crisis for what it has become today in Belize.

The Cane Farmers Association and the Northern Cane Workers Union
With the passing of the Sugar Industry (Control) Ordinance in 1959, the government created the Sugar Board, through which it controlled delivery licenses and quotas. The law also authorized Plantations Limited to deliver such cane as was required for up to one-third of sugar production. A companion law created the Cane Farmers Association (CFA) with powers to negotiate on behalf of farmers, organize cane deliveries and make loans to members. The law gave a privileged position to the large producers and was open in several places to diverse interpretations. During the 1960s most Corozal rural men became members of the CFA, and not surprisingly it became characterized by confusion and internal conflict, as opposing factions tried to interpret the laws and use the CFA to suit their interests. There were three major factions: two groups of small farmers led respectively by Mateo Ayuso and Jesus Ken and a small but powerful group of large producers. Plantations Limited was not directly involved in the faction fights, and was often the target of all three.

The selfless genius
I can recall two times in my childhood when my joy for football at the MCC Garden was so overwhelming I couldn’t hold it in. I remember when my 18-year-old brother, Migayl (Michael Hyde), burned Sol, twice. Independence was my team and Sol (Roland Craig) was my portero, but Migayl was my brother. The first one, he went high in the air and crashed a header into the far corner to Sol’s left. The second goal unlocked a 2-2 tie. Di Buuki (Charles Leslie) had served it on a platter, about five yards outside the eighteen. I ran all the way home that day. The second time I went home on air—was when “Peeta” stopped Keith Gardiner’s penalty. Time was winding down on the day, the sun having disappeared behind the pavilion on the west side of the stadium. Time was winding down on Landivar too. The vaunted team from the city was down, 2 goals to 1, to RAC, the champions from Stann Creek.

Right to the Point: Spouse … lover … partner – what are their options
I am pleased that so many have taken an interest in the issue of the common-law spouse and its proper legal definition and the rights, benefits and detriments that ensue from it. Now, I must make it clear that each case turns on its own unique facts and that one simple factual difference can alter the legal response to any particular case. What I explain is not legal advice, but the legal position of the law and based on your situation you need to seek legal advice on how that affects your individual circumstance. I must admit, that from one end the married spouses are asking their own questions and on the other end those I classified as the mistress/lover/ partner or any other name, other than married spouse or common-law spouse, are also asking their own questions. It is good that eyes are being opened and adults involved in these intimate, life-changing relationships are thinking critically and choosing to address their legal status within their relationship.

Pastor Louis Wade cleared of all charges in Robert Montero incident
Pastor Louis Wade is singing “hallelujah” today after Magistrate Hurl Hamilton cleared him of all the charges brought against him in relation to an incident involving a confrontation that took place between the pastor and Robert Montero, son of UDP Minister Rene Montero. The young Montero told police that Wade had physically and verbally assaulted him in November 2016 at the Santa Elena Sports Complex. No charges were brought against Wade at the time because the officer that dealt with the matter did not believe Montero’s account of the incident. However, one week before the matter was statute-barred, the authorities apparently instructed police to assign the case to another officer, who accepted Montero’s version of the incident.

Environmentalists follow-up on oil spill in Guatemala
The negative effects of an oil spill was what sent environmental activists and the media on a 2-hour boat trip from Punta Gorda Town to the Cadenas Belize Defence Force outpost area along the Sarstoon River on Wednesday. As KREM News has been reporting, this past weekend there was an oil spill not in Belize’s territorial waters, but rather, inland in Guatemala at the Gracias a Dios river. The concern was that since the said river runs into the Chocon River, the Sarstoon was also at risk because the Chocon empties into it. The Belize Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage, Wil Maheia of the Belize Territorial Volunteers and SATIIM coordinated the mission. After the 2-hour boat ride under—at times—heavy rainfall, there was no visible sign of petroleum in the waters.

Crazed man beats ex-girlfriend in the head with a hammer
A man who has been on the run from police since June 11, after he used a hammer to beat his ex-girlfriend in the head, was captured in Punta Gorda Town yesterday, Wednesday, and was transported to Belize City today to answer for his sadistic behavior. This evening, Domestic Violence Unit police confirmed that George Gill, 28, is in police custody and will be booked on charges. Amandala has also learned that a bench warrant has been issued from the Orange Walk Magistrate’s Court for Gill, who has not been attending court for a drug trafficking charge that had been brought against him in that jurisdiction. Gill’s ex-girlfriend, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Amandala that since the frightening incident of June 11, Gill has not stopped harassing her and continues to threaten her and members of her family.

Zoning and the City’s entertainment mecca
There has been disquiet in the seaside community of the Caribbean Shores area over noise pollution, parking disruptions and public urination in the area known as Belize City’s entertainment mecca, at the heart of which is the renovated BTL Park which has become a hub for enterprising Belizeans who benefit from the renewed buzz of activity by park patrons. However, the area is also known for partying, live concerts, public movie screening and open-air clubbing—the effects of which are said to spill over into the surrounding domiciles of families many of whom are affluent. Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley recently told the media that zoning regulations, which would arguably help to regulate and mitigate the situation, are in the works, and he went further to say, based on his understanding, that draft zoning legislation went to Cabinet last Tuesday.

The Reporter

San Pedro protest postponed
Over 50 San Pedro residents gathered this morning, as a sign of protest against the events surrounding the death of 13-year-old Faye Lynn Canon; however they were sent home because they didn’t have a permit. Community resident, Shelley Hubert, said that there were more people […]

Healthcare professionals discuss diabetic amputation
The Nurses and Midwives Council of Belize, in collaboration with the Belize Diabetes Association of New York, held a training conference today, focusing on how to prevent diabetic amputation. The conference gathered doctors, nurses, and personnel from the Diabetes Association of Belize, Kidney Association of […]

Bangladeshi businessman strangled to death; police seek suspect
A Bangladeshi businessman who operated a booth at the old Novelo’s bus terminal in Belize City was discovered strangled to death inside his apartment in the upper flat at #4 Orange Street on Saturday evening, about five hours after he had left his business establishment. […]

Principal placed on administrative leave pending outcome of sexual offence charges
Johnny Valencia, the principal of Monsignor Romero primary school in Valley of Peace, Cayo has been placed on administrative leave; and now a second student at the school has filed a charge of sexual misconduct against him, with a third possible charge pending investigations. According […]

Murder suspect hands himself in to Corozal police
The man who is accused of the June 29 slaying of a San Joaquin man and the attempted murder of his friend, handed himself in to Corozal police custody on Sunday morning. Arthur Joel Tzul, 33, walked into the Corozal police station on Sunday in the company […]

Burglar falls alseep and gets caught
A man is in trouble with the law after he was found sleeping under a tree and in possession of several stolen items on the Iguana Yard Resort compound in Bullet Tree village early Monday morning. Hilberto Ye, 21, a laborer of Bullet Tree was discovered sleeping […]

Munchie vs Gapi again!
Right around the third year since the brutal murder of Orange Walk businessman, Ramon Cervantes Sr., his son Ramon Jr., who has had a protracted conflict with his Orange Walk North political rival, Gaspar Vega over the murder, came out swinging this week, in response […]

PUC approves BEL submission, no light bill increase
With prices going up for many goods and services, Belizeans can rest a little easier knowing that their light bill won’t be going up soon, after the latest decision by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). On Wednesday, June 28, The PUC accepted Belize Electricity Limited’s submission under […]

BTB launches new and innovative Virtual Trade Expo
The Belize Tourism Board (BTB), unveiled it first ever live Virtual Trade Expo at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel last Thursday, which saw the participation of a host of local travel agents and international buyers. The launch of the new platform provided 27 local travel […]

Caribbean tourism stakeholders seek to make region climate change-resilient
Stakeholders in the Caribbean’s tourism industry are seeking to make the region climate change-resilient, in light of increasingly harsher weather conditions the region faces. They also feel that adaptation and resilience are key issues facing Caribbean tourism because it is a region heavily reliant on […]

Charges against Pastor Louis Wade thrown out
The sitting San Ignacio Magistrate, on Tuesday dismissed charges brought against Pastor Louis Wade, ruling that the misdemeanor charges were a direct result of “executive manipulation”. In May, Wade was charged with ‘common assault’ and ‘indecent words’, levied against Robert Montero, son of Minister Rene […]

Bad PSE scores a community problem says Education Minister
The 2017 Primary School Examination results highlighted a repeated trend of poor performance, particularly in English and Mathematics; and the Minister of Education, Patrick Faber, is calling on school sand communities to be a part of the solution. In June the Ministry of Education released the preliminary […]

Gas prices continue to fluctuate
Only 12 days after its last price change, the cost of fuel in Belize got its eighth price adjustment for 2017. As of Tuesday, July 4, the price for Premium fuel went up, while the price of Regular and Diesel went down. Premium moved from $10.53 to […]

Destra loses negligence lawsuit
Trinidadian Soca superstar, Destra Garcia, owes over $16,000 in damages after she lost a negligence lawsuit in the Belize Supreme Court for injuries she caused to Fernando Oliva at a concert in 2015. Oliva’s attorney, Steve Perrera, explained that the Supreme Court of Belize ruled that Destra’s […]

Editorial
The Ministry of Education has been trying for the last 12 years to improve student performance at the primary school level. In the words of Education Minister Patrick Faber, “If every year your school comes with failing grades, then you are failing those children; the entire school community is failing […]

American couple under fire for adopted daughter’s death
Two American nationals – husband and wife – are in police custody pending investigations into the death of their 13-year-old adopted daughter who died suddenly on Monday in San Pedro town. A post-mortem examination on the child’s body revealed she had been physically and sexually abused. According to police, around […]

Sparks fly as Castro and Boots testify
The most confrontational testimonies of the ongoing Senate Inquiry took place this week as Edmond “Clear the Land” Castro and Anthony “Boots” Martinez faced the Senate Select Committee on Wednesday in Belmopan. Both men became hostile toward the probing senators, repeatedly interrupting them, being uncooperative, and selectively choosing which questions […]

No government response on potential Sarstoon river oil spill
Up to press time, the Department of the Environment (DOE) had not issued a statement on the potential dangers of an oil spill in the Sarstoon river caused by a Guatemalan oil truck. According to Guatemalan publication, Publinews, the tanker crashed on Saturday, July 1, […]

Southside Belize City welcomes new commander, Marco Vidal
Former Gang Suppression Unit (GSU)chief, Marco Vidal was welcomed this week as Commander of the Eastern Division South, formerly headed by ACP Chester Williams. Vidal, whose reputation for a tough, no-nonsense style of policing raised concerns that the recent calm in Belize City’s southside would […]

Man drowns in Macal river
A man has reportedly died of drowning in San Ignacio town. The incident happened on Sunday in the Macal River. Police say they were summoned to the branch mouth area at around 11:00 a.m., where they observed the decomposed corpse floating down the river. The […]

Breaking Belize News

NICH hosts Benque Viejo’s Alborada Day 3
The Community of Benque Viejo Del Carmen has started its 9 day Fiesta in honor of the Patron Saint – Our Lady of Mount Carmel. These nine days are a faithful Catholic devotion that started today July 7th and leads into the 16th (the main […]

Record amount of sugar with less cane; 2017/2018 sugar crop closes
The 2017/2018 Sugar crop, ended with the month of June, and American Sugar Refineries/Belize Sugar Industries (ASR/BSI) is reporting that the mill grounded a record amount of sugar, despite havig less can that it did last crop. ASR/BSI reported that it produced some 144,086 […]

Boots defends his conduct at Senate hearing
Minister Anthony “Boots” Martinez, having shocked the nation with his testimony at the Senate Inquiry this week, said that he feels there was nothing wrong with the way he conducted himself as he spoke to the senators. Martinez told the media that he did […]

BBN EXCLUSIVE: Belizean taxi driver hijacked by two Guatemalans
A taxi driver from Bullet Tree Village went through a horrible ordeal last week Wednesday. According to the taxi driver, around 9 pm last week Wednesday, two Guatemalan men chartered him from San Ignacio to Bullet Tree Village. When he arrived, they told him that they […]

More than $9000 in boat motors stolen from Progresso Lagoon
According to police reports, on Wednesday, July 5, 2017 at 5:30 p.m., Linda Cabral, 65, of Progresso Village, Corozal District reported that sometime between Monday July 3rd, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday July 4th, 2017 at 4:00 p.m., someone stole a 9.9 out board motor […]

51st annual Benque Fiesta kicks off
Picture: Belize Tourism Board The annual Benque Fiesta 2017 officially kicks off on July 13, 2017. Before the grand opening ceremonies, residents in Benque Viejo begin the fair to honor their patron saint Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Nuestra Señora de Monte Carmelo). It begins with ‘Las Alboradas’ […]

An important notice from the Belize Fisheries Department
The Belize Fisheries Department informs the public that in accordance with the Fisheries Act (Chapter 210s, revised edition 2003), the open season for the spiny lobster is from June 15th to February 14th, inclusive in any year. The public is advised of the following regulations which relates […]

Woman steals almost $15k from retiree
Yesterday, police responded to a report in the San Pablo area of Ambergris Caye where Kelli Rico, 53, in the company of her father Doyle Harris, 75, a retiree reported that on Thursday July, 6th, 2017 about 6:30 p.m., they arrived at home and were […]

Over 900 grams of weed found in Camalote
Yesterday, around 7:30 a.m., Belmopan Police conducted an Anti-Drug Operation within Camalote Village, Cayo District. Police found a black plastic bag containing 924 grams of cannabis in an abandoned lot. It was deposited as found property. […]

Woman steals shotgun in Ontario Village, Cayo
On Wednesday, July 5, 2017 around 11:30 p.m., Hugh Lamb, 60, a farmer of Ontario Village, Cayo was in bed when he heard someone call out his name. Lamb told police that upon making checks, he saw a female whom he recognized. They had a […]

Blogs

The International Costa Maya Festival is back!
The award-winning festival is the largest in Belize, and dates back to 1991, when it was called the Sea and Air Festival. Featuring the Mundo Maya countries of Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and now Panama, the festival celebrates the dance, sound and cultures of these vibrant countries. It is always held on the first weekend of August, starting Thursday and running through the Sunday. In 1996, the first ever Reina de la Costa Maya Beauty Pageant was held, and has become one of the highlights of the festival. In fact, it opens the grand weekend of events, with a bit of glitz and glamour. Rich cultural costumes, sexy swimwear and elegant evening gowns grace the stage, and at the end of the night, one of the eight beauties has the honor of overseeing the festivities, and represents the region for a year. This year’s pageant will be held on Thursday, August 3rd.

International Sources

CCJ welcomes new judge
PRESIDENT of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Sir Dennis Byron welcomed the newest judge to the CCJ bench Justice Denys Barrow. Sir Dennis said after assumption ceremonies in Justice Barrow’s country of Belize, he was sworn in and became the first Belizean to a CCJ bench. “I have no doubt that Mr Justice Barrow will serve the citizens of the Caribbean with fervour and with the wisdom, strength of character and sense of fairness that has characterised his distinguished career. We are grateful to have him on the bench of the CCJ and as a part of the leadership team at the Court.” He said Justice Barrow has had judicial appointments across the region, served on the International Labour Organisation’s Committee of Experts and has had a career in private practice for more than four decades.

New Species of Amazon Parrot Discovered in Mexico
Possible new species of parrot in Mexico near Belize! Closely related to the white-fronted, but an all red fiery face and bright blue wings with a unique hawk-like call. Not official yet, but research is convincing.

Videos

July 7, 2017

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Specials and Events

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

The San Pedro Sun

Police investigating death of 13-year-old Faye Lin Cannon
San Pedro Police are currently investigating the death of an American minor believed to have been physically and sexually abused. According to official reports, police responded to a “Sudden Death” alert at a hotel approximately one and a half miles North Ambergris Caye where they discovered the body of 13-year-old Faye Lin Cannon. Present at the scene were the child’s adopted parents, two American nationals, David and Anke Doehm. During initial investigations, Faye’s parents testified that she was mentally ill and would physically hit herself against the walls during her attacks. They also claimed that the child had been inside her room for the past three weeks refusing to come out or eat anything. According to the mother, Faye had complained of difficulty breathing on Sunday, July 2nd. The body was later transported to the Karl Huesnuer Memorial Hospital in Belize City where a post mortem examination conducted indicated that the child had been physically and sexually abused and the cause of death due to compression on the chest causing internal hemorrhage. Both parents have since been detained by San Pedro Police, pending investigation and charges.

Over a hundred runners participate in Belize Fitness Cancer 5K
In an effort to further raise Cancer awareness and show solidarity with those affected by the disease, Belize Fitness held its first annual 5k ‘Cancer Run,’ on Saturday, July 1st. Over a hundred participants joined celebrity runners Nicole Amato, Tatiana Girardi and Holly Barker at the Sancas Plaza at 6AM. The designated route went all the way to the Northern Ambergris Caye Police Booth and back to the start line. For a $20 registration fee participants not only helped to spread awareness but also raised funds for the San Pedro Cancer Society. Runners were provided with a number, a dry fit shirt, breakfast, and drinks. At the end of the run, four top participants were awarded in four categories.

Central Bank of Belize to introduce new Automated Cheque Processing
On Tuesday, July 4th, the Central Bank of Belize announced their plans to launch ‘Automated Cheque Processing’, which is a new component of the Automated Payment and Securities Settlement System (APS3). Starting on Friday, July 7th, all cheques deposited countrywide will now be processed electronically, allowing for faster clearing time. As APS3 seeks to reform Belize’s national payment system, it provides the groundwork to facilitate the electronic transfer of funds domestically, for both large and small value payments, including an instant funds transfer feature. Through APS3, financial institutions are connected in a local network, which will enable banks to provide customers with services to make electronic payments quickly, safely, and securely anywhere in Belize. This project provides a wider range of payment options such as (1) Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for low-value payments (which includes bulk payments, such as payroll and accounts payable) within the same day, (2) Instant Funds Transfer (IFT) (an electronic payment that is available 24/7) within a few minutes, (3) Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) for high value payments within an hour, and now (4) automated clearing and processing of cheques by the end of the next day.

Police Report: Drug Trafficking
On Monday, July 3rd, San Pedro police conducted a search at the apartment of 31-year-old Jermain Dion Zuniga, construction worker of San Pedrito area, San Pedro Town. The search led to the discovery of three parcels of cannabis, weighing a total of 953 grams. Zuniga has since been arrested and charged with ‘Drug Trafficking’.

Panama’s Felix LT to perform at Costa Maya
The International Costa Maya Festival is a celebration of art, music, culture and entertainment. With an international pageant and fun line-up of performances, the committee is tasked with discovering performers for everyone to enjoy. One such artist gracing this year’s festival stage is Panamanian Reggaeton singer Félix LT. He will make his Belize debut on Friday, August 4th, priming festival-goers before the Undisputed Queen of Soca, Alison Hinds, takes the stage. A versatile performer, Felix’s “Romantic Style” lyrics and harmonies are based on daily life. Under the production of renowned music producer Carlos Ariza, better known as Caito, he is currently promoting his latest song entitled “No Quiero”. He has also recorded several remixes with international artists from Honduras and Belize, including a remix of the song “Húndele el Clutch” with Renato, Supa G, MC Loco, Glen King and Yoel el flow del movimiento. Be sure to swing by the festival to check out this rising star, and of course, enjoy some reggaeton fun!

Belize Telemedia Limited to debut DIGINET in San Pedro Town
Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) CEO Rochus Schreiber and his team paid a visit to La Isla Bonita on Friday, June 23rd. While on the island, they announced that San Pedro will be the first municipality to experience DIGINET, a new service which will offer superfast fiber-based internet up to 100mbps for homes and businesses. The island is expected to be fully connected to this upcoming service by August 2017.

Ambergris Today

Nemo Minister In The South Following Weekend Flooding
On Monday and Tuesday, July 3rd and 4th, 2017, Minister of National Emergency Management Hon. Edmond Castro was in the South to assess the impact of flooding over the weekend and the effectiveness of the National Emergency Management team in the Toledo District, which was affected by the floods; and in the Stann Creek District, parts of which were momentarily placed under flood warning on Sunday afternoon. The Minister stopped first in Dangriga where he met with Mayor Francis Humphreys and NEMO Southern Regional Coordinator Keith Emmanuel at the Stann Creek Emergency Command Center (EOC). They visited key locations at Sarawee and Hope Creek where the North Stann Creek River had to be monitored during the flood threat, which fortunately did not materialize over the weekend.

Belize Canoe Association To Compete In Guatemala
The Belize Canoe Association (BCA) is trying to develop the sport of kayak alongside the country's traditional canoeing. On Tuesday, July 4, 2017, the BCA sent four athletes - namely Avis Guydis (female), Chris Guydis, Bayron Cruz and Brandon Lind - to Guatemala City for a kayak competition. This competition is called the Copa CentroAmericana and it is a regional event for Caribbean and Central American countries being hosted by the Guatemalan Canoe/Kayak Federation to build the sport in this region.

Could 13-Year-Old Faye’s Death Been Prevented? Community Rallies For Hope!
The death of 13-year-old Faye Lin Cannon sent shockwaves throughout the island community of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize. After island residents discovered that her post mortem report showed that she had been the victim of sexual and physical abuse, residents blamed themselves for not doing more for her; even save her life. Even though police have not charged Faye’s parents David and Anke Doehm for her death, investigations continue into the case that is being treated as a homicide; Cannon’s parents will remain in custody for 48 hours. After Faye’s death, alarms started ringing in residents minds. Could they have done something to prevent her death? Is the community guilty of not helping? These questions arise as residents recall various instances where human services were made aware of possible child neglect/abuse on Faye and her sisters.

Adoptive Parents Detained As Police Investigate Death Of 13-Year-Old Girl
The adoptive parents of 13-year-old Faye Lin Cannon have been detained by the San Pedro Police as they investigate the death of the American minor believed to have been physically and sexually abused. Police reports indicate that on Monday, July 3, 2017, at around 8:50a.m., they responded to a report of a “sudden death” to a hotel located 1 1/2 miles north of San Pedro Town where in a condo they saw the body of 13-year-old American student Faye Lin Cannon. Both American parents were at the condo when the police arrived to investigate.

Misc Belizean Sources

The Placencia Breeze July 2017
INSIDE July 2017 What’s Inside Pg 3 Recycling at Lobsterfest Pg 5 Tour Guide Training / Lobsterfest Vendors Form Pg 7 From the Fire Hearth - Lobster and Mangos / Lobsterfest Duck Race Pg 9 Seine Bight News Pg 10 Lobsterfest Raffle Prizes Pg 11 Croc Corner / POV Pg 15 & 18 Placencia BTIA Members Pg 16 & 17 Placencia Peninsula Map Pg 19 Beach Cleanup / Placencia Lobsterfest Art Winner Pg 20/21 Placencia Peninsula Guide Pg 22 PHS News Pg 23 Pop-up Placencia Pooch Parlour! Pg 24 Rotary News / 11th Battle Cancer Walk/Run Pg 25 Chocolate Festival Pictures Pg 26 Community Corner Pg 27 Fitness Page Pg 28 Cruise Ship Passengers arriving in Placencia Pg 29 Placencia Regatta Winners Pg 30 Placencia Peninsula Happenings Pg 31 Calender of Events.

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY PHOTO CHALLENGE
World Environment Day is a day that is celebrated worldwide, including Belize, in recognition of the value and benefits the environment provides to us and other living organisms. This year (2017) the Department of the Environment (DOE), organized an online photo challenge under the theme “Connecting People to Nature” in commemoration of this day. The theme appeals to us to get outdoors and into nature, to appreciate its beauty and its importance, and to take forward the call to protect the Earth that we share. The photo competition asked members of the general public to submit original photos that captured their favourite spot in nature in Belize or how they connected with nature; in addition, they had to briefly share on social media their story about that photo using the hashtag #BelizeWithNature.

BELTRAIDE Launches new volume of INVESTBelize Magazine
The Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE), through its technical unit, BelizeINVEST, officially launched its fifth Volume of the INVESTBelize Magazine today, Thursday, July 6th. The launch is the unfolding of yet another precious chapter showcasing Belize as an Investment destination! Since its inception in 2012, the magazine is widely known for its effective promotional platform showcasing business success stories and investment opportunities in Belize. This year’s theme, ‘Belize, Your Competitive Hub for Investments’ provides investors, capital suppliers, opportunity seekers, and business professionals from around the world, with engaging articles, success stories, current business statistics, and upcoming projects and services in Belize.

Belize Delegation Attends 38th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM
St. George’s, Grenada. July 6, 2017. Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Wilfred Elrington attended the 38th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) held in St George’s, Grenada on July 4th to 6th, 2017. CARICOM Heads of Government reiterated their support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of Belize. They urged the development of a protocol for the Sarstoon and expressed hope that the referendum would be held as soon as possible to allow for the Guatemalan claim to be referred to the International Court of Justice.

Digital Border Crossing Card
The Department of Immigration implemented the use of the Digital Border Crossing Card on 1st July 2017 following months of consultation with and notification to the Corozal Free Zone (CFZ) Management, as well as the major established businesses in the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) area. In a meeting held with the CEO of the CFZ in January 2017, the use of the border crossing card was welcomed as a means to facilitate the movement of persons employed in and those visiting the Free Zone, as well as for Belizeans who wished to use the card to pass the Immigration Controlled point. In April of 2017, the major business establishments in the EPZ and CFZ were notified of the availability and use of the card and were provided with the necessary applications to supply their employees, enabling them to obtain the card before the implementation date. Provisions were made for the issuance of special cards to foreigners who were holders of Temporary Employment Permits and Permanent Residents who were employed in the Zone. To date, some 2000 cards have been approved and issued.

Emergency Family Plan
Here's a useful guide from NEMO to assist you in creating an emergency family plan for the hurricane season. You can find a guide from NEMO at https://goo.gl/iQLaLc.

NATIONAL CELEBRATIONS THEME WINNER
The National Celebrations Commission is pleased to announce the winner and theme for the upcoming September Celebrations. After careful deliberation by the Commission, the submission made by Ms. Janine Sosa was selected. The theme focusses on our unified Belizean people, cultures, and country. This year’s theme calls on us to recognize the often difficult decisions that must be made to ensure our nation’s progress. It acknowledges the moment in which we take pleasure in the victories of our past and present, and uses these accomplishments to strengthen our advancement into the future. Over 250 entries were submitted for this year’s Theme Competition. A panel appointed by the National Celebrations Commission then narrowed the field to the top 58 entries. Each entry was scored and Ms. Sosa’s entry attained the highest score, claiming the grand prize of this year’s National Celebration Theme Contest 2017. The theme for this year’s Celebrations will be: "Belize: Confronting Challenges! Celebrating Triumphs! Renewing our Resolve!"

Western Dairies 50th anniversary
You are invited to our celebration country wide from the 7 to 11 of August 2017

Belize Fishing Report, June 26th - July 2nd, 2017
Stronger winds are continuing this week, but the bonefishing has remained fabulous. Some of our anglers have been boating over thirty a day. We are having overnight rains with some pop-up showers but not enough to affect any fishing. If you are an avid bone fisherman, it is a perfect time to be here.

Paradise Theater playing this weekend:
The Circle, Ghost Shell, Power Rangers, BUster's Mal Heart.

Channel 7

US Parents Detained For 13 Year Old Daughter Found Dead in San Pedro, Police Say Abuse
Tonight there is a very ugly and tragic story coming out of San Pedro. This 13 year old, Faye Lin Cannon is dead, and she appears to have died as a result of extreme physical and sexual abuse. The parents called police to their condominium unit on northern Ambergris Caye on Monday morning, saying the teenager was unresponsive. Her mother Anke Doehm told police that Faye woke up at 7:00 am, asked for water and went back to bed. 15 minutes later, her father, David Doehm found the child unresponsive. They called the police and a doctor confirmed that she was dead. But this was no ordinary death that the young girl endured. Her body was seen with multiple bruises to the arms and legs, plus she had a swelling on the right side of her head with a cut wound on top of the swollen area.

Boots Says Senators Need To Show Respect
Yesterday we showed you the fiery exchanges in the Senate hearings. It was the first time that UDP Ministers Anthony Boots Martinez and Edmond Castro testified and they surely made quite an impression - launching sharp and cutting remarks at the Senators. Well, Anthony Boots Martinez doesn't think he was rude at all; he says he might have gotten a bit too riled up, but it's not anything out of norm when it comes to him. This evening in an interview Martinez explained as much and added that really, it's the Senators who should check their behavior. Hon. Anthony "Boots" Martinez: "In my humble opinion I referred to what was before me in committee. I referred to what was in the senate report. I referred to what was the terms of reference of the committee. I need not to respond to anything outside of the committee."

Hon. Martinez Says Restraint Is Difficult
We also asked Martinez what he thought of his colleague Edmond Castro's testimony. Martinez didn't answer directly because he says he didn't hear it, but he took the opportunity to call out PUP Senator Michel Chebat on his line of questioning. While Castro didn't think twice before attacking Senator Mark Lizarraga- Martinez says he had to hold himself back from insulting Chebat. Courtney Weatherburne: "In terms of Castro testimony he called out Senator Mark Lizarraga on a personal issue regarding his maid. Did you think that was appropriate to bring up in that case? Did you hear that part where Castro actually called out Lizarraga on that?"

Panton Says Minister Colleagues Need To Be Mindful of their Role
We also asked Minister of State Tracey Taegar Panton about what she thought of her colleagues' behavior in the senate hearings. Panton says she didn't see their testimonies but reminded them of their role as government representatives. Hon. Tracey Taegar Panton, Minister of State, Investment Trade & Commerce: "I didn't see the senate inquiry yesterday, for me Wednesday is my constituency day so I am very busy doing work for the residents of the area. I have seen comments on Facebook but not that I can speak to directly. I will say that as leaders, as parliamentarians, as government representatives, we are all expected to carry ourselves with a certain decorum, we are expected to facilitate questions and answers as is necessary and I hope that my colleagues did that, I don't know in the manner in which they did becasue I didn't see the presentation first hand but I would say we do have a responsibility to carry ourselves with a certain decorum."

New Border Cards No Big Deal Says Immigration Dept.
There was an uproar at the northern border on Saturday when the Immigration Department implemented a new twenty dollar digital border crossing card for Free Zone workers and regular visitors. The workers say they already earn very little and can't afford it, and claim that the new measure was thrown on them without sufficient notice. Well, the Immigration Department put out a release today saying that it implemented the card on Saturday after months of consultation with the Corozal Free Zone Management, as well as the major businesses in the Zone.

Mark Pollard Still Missing
Tonight, Belize City resident, Mark Pollard is still missing and his family is growing increasingly worried. The 49 year old went for a morning run on Monday - and hasn't been seen since. This morning his family did a search around the Haulover bridge where his run was expected to finish - but they found nothing. The Coast Guard is also searching and they have found nothing. If you have any information about Pollard you can contact the family at 620 8107 or 6012014.

Crazy Home Invasion In Roaring Creek
Yesterday, Guatemalan chef, Axel Ibarra, was taken to the hospital after being brutally beaten in his Roaring Creek home. Ibarra told police that at 4:30 that morning, he was in his bedroom when two men known to him as Jose Juarez and Richard Trapp, broke in and began to punch and chop him. Ibarra eventually fell to the ground and Trapp stamped him in the face several times. The men searched his pockets and took $400 before leaving. Both men are from St. Matthews Village, and police have detained them for questioning.

Record Volume Of Sugar Produced
The sugar crop - which started in December finished last week - and ASR/BSI reports that it produced a record amount of sugar. That's a total of 144,086 metric tonnes, eleven thousand more than last year, and two thousand more than the previous record set in 2015. And they accomplished this feat despite grinding about 23,000 fewer tonnes than last year. The increase in sugar production from less cane is owed to good cane quality, and improved factory performance, not to mention good weather for most of the crop.

In Depth: The Sarstoon Exploration
Yesterday our news team joined an expedition to the upper Sarstoon to see if they could find any oil traces in the river which forms Belize's southern boundary. That's after an oil tanker toppled over on the Guatemalan side on July first, spilling thousands of gallons of oil into the Rio Chacon, a tributary of the Sarstoon. We showed you a small part of that story last night, and tonight, Alex Courtenay has the full report: For years the Sarstoon River has been a hotbed for political and military tension. And at the beginning of the month, the southern border between Belize and Guatemala came under threat from a potential environmental disaster. On July 1st, an oil tanker crashed as it was travelling on the Pan American Highway. The tanker tipped over, spilling about 4000 gallons of crude oil into the Rio Chacon below. The Rio Chacon feeds directly into the Sarstoon, and then into the Caribbean Sea, which means that if left unchecked, an oil spill could jeopardize the livelihoods of thousands of Belizeans.

Will UDP Hold Door Open For Darrell
Turning now to politics, what is the status of the mayor of Belize eCity, Darrell Bradley? Weill he run for office again? Seems like that's a question we ask ourselves every three years because the mayor flip - flops frequently. Yesterday we asked the deputy party leader if the party will keep the door open for him and for how long:... Hon. Patrick Faber - Deputy Prime Minister: "As far as I know its only Dion Leslie who has put in his application so far and I heard rumors that Councilor Willoughby will also put it in, but I don't know that he has put it in. I am not able to confirm that he has."

Justice Barrow Assumes Post On CCJ Bench
Today prominent Belizean attorney and brother of the Prime Minister, Denys Barrow, officially assumed his seat as a Justice of the Caribbean Court of Justice. Barrow, who has practiced law for over 4 decades, was selected over candidates from throughout North American and East Europe. Aside from his practice in Belize, Barrow has served on multiple international benches, including a short stint on the Belize Court of Appeal. He is one of 7 judges on the CCJ bench.

The Many Mysteries of "Ephre"
Yesterday, the Sports Council threw a major press conference to welcome international "futsal" player Paco Sedano. If you didn't know his name that's because "futsal" isn't popular in Belize, but in Europe its huge and that's where Sedano plays for the legendary Barcelona FC. So, he's a big name, but he was only here as a spokesperson for a project that's much bigger than sports? How big? That's what Jules Vasquez tried to find out:...

Castro and The Ukranian Recommendation
UDP Ministers Edmond Castro and Anthony "Boots" Martinez appeared before the Senate Select Committee yesterday and we're all still trying to put it in context today. You saw some of that at the top of the newscast, but now we got back to yesterday's testimony for some more of the heated and haughty exchanges. We've already showed you how Castro chose to attack the credibility of PUP Senator Michel Chebat and Business Senator Mark Lizarraga. He also dismissed the list from Former Immigration Director Maria Marin, which flagged the frequency of visa recommendations from ministers, as "garbage" and "hearsay". The Committee even retrieved copies of recommendation letters for visa applicants which had his ministerial office's letterhead and his signature, and he refused to acknowledge them as his. He said that these were "forged" and even though they "looked like his", he wasn't "sure" that they were.

Hon. Boots, Mr. "Yessir"
Minister Anthony "Boots" Martinez also had to answer for one visa recommendation he sent. It's for a Chinese applicant, Wen Zan Yu, who applied to visit Belize in 2013. The Auditor General does not complain specifically about Wen Zan Yu, but she did not think that the person who sponsored Yu should have been allowed to do so. That person is Zian Li, and at the time he was only a permanent resident, and so, the Auditor General does not believe that he should been allowed to host Wen Zan Yu. Yesterday, Martinez was asked about it and he acknowledged that he made a recommendation letter, but he said that he did it on behalf of the sponsor, who he knows, not the applicant.

A New Magazine For Investors
BELTRAIDE today launched the fifth volume of its INVESTBelize Magazine. It's a publication designed to attract investors and showcase opportunities in Belize. This year the theme is: 'Belize, Your Competitive Hub for Investments', and we found out that it's about demonstrating how innovative business models can work in Belize: Lejia Melanie Gideon, GM, Enterprise and Innovation, BELTRAIDE: "The theme for the 5th Volume for the Invest Belize Magazine is Belize your innovative hub for investment. We decided that this was the most appropriate theme because the companies that we are seeing more and more setting up shop in Belize is using a lot of creativity in how they design their businesses and how more important how they deliver their product and services so again it was just showcasing all of the innovative companies we have in the country so far."

Scotiabank and Its Students
Yesterday, Scotiabank had its 11th Anniversary of Educational Grant Celebration where it handed out 60 educational grants - with no less of a special guest than the Minister of Education. Scotia's Country Manager explained:

We Say Downsizing, Scotibank's Shaw Says Right-Sizing
And while we had Shaw, we got a chance to ask him about what we understood to be downsizing at Scotiabank - where over a dozen senior staffers have moved on. We heard that it was as many as 18, and he agreed that many had moved on - but didn't want to characterize it as a downsizing:... Michael Shaw, Managing Director - Scotiabank Belize: "Let us set the record straight, it is neither 17 nor 18. The truth is that only to date, only 8 of those persons displaced and they still have an opportunity to find an employment with us because they haven't truly left our system yet, so as soon as opportunities comes up they have first preference in applying for those jobs so we have not lost 17 or 18 persons. Part of this exercise..."

Vidal Getting Vital Info From Community
Moving now to police matters, yesterday we showed you Senior Superintendent Marco Vidal;'s entrance tot he Southside with his first meet and greet session. He held that in the area of North and South Creek, which had seen a string of shots fired days earlier. He discussed his approach to the community:...

Capital Cops Brought Down Crime
MOVING NOW TO BELMOPAN POLICE, according to OC Howell Gillett between January to June 2017 major crimes in their jurisdiction dropped by 35 percent and he says it is as a result of community support. Gillett gives us the breakdown. OC Gillett says they will continue to work on their community policing efforts.

Senate Debates Tax On Land Transactions For Foreigners
And finally, tonight to today's Senate Meeting. There was robust debate to the changes in the taxes on land transactions by foreigners. Here's the back and forth on that divisive issue:

Rare Praise For PM From Business Senator
And while the Senators disagree on the effect that this amendment may have on the real estate sector, they were a lot more bipartisan when the Economic Development Council Bill was tabled in the Upper House today. This is an advisory body that has been embraced for years by Prime Minister Dean Barrow to discuss ways to strengthen the economy from the private sectors' perspective. This law intends to ensure that the EDC will have institutional longevity. So today, Business Senator Mark Lizarraga, who is usually opposed to the Government, congratulated the Barrow Administration on the decision to enshrine it: Hon. Mark Lizarraga, Business Senator: "Today the business community is pleased that after many years we have finally gotten a piece of legislation, although not perfect. Don't get too happy."

Channel 5

American Parents Detained for Daughter’s Death in San Pedro
A teenage girl was found dead at a resort in San Pedro and police are investigating as a case of murder because a post mortem concludes that the child was [...]

Did Ministers Act with “Decorum” on Wednesday?
U.D.P. Ministers Anthony “Boots” Martinez and Edmond “Clear the Land” Castro appeared before the senate hearing on Wednesday. They are the first two sitting ministers to be questioned by senators [...]

‘Boots’ Sticks to Guns
Minister Martinez was defensive today telling the media this afternoon that he comported himself fairly well, given the nature of questions that were asked during his testimony.  While his conduct [...]

Minister Insists Alvarine Burgess Questions Were ‘Out of Order’
Martinez maintains that the questions posed to him were beyond the pale, and resulted in his terse responses.  He also strongly believes that Burgess should never have been called before [...]

Tracy Panton Says Inquiry is About Recommendations, Not Grandstanding
Has the senate inquiry run its course? Prior to calling several past and present ministers to testify before the Senate Special Select Committee, U.D.P. ministers have been singing the same [...]

News Five Investigates Sarstoon River “Oil Spill”
On Wednesday, OCEANA and the Belize Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage organized a media tour to Cadenas, and an additional trek to Gracias A Dios in southern Belize. This [...]

DOE Says Tar Was Spilled; National Plan Still in the Works
As you heard in that story, the local press didn’t observe anything that looked like crude oil in Belize’s water ways. But Guatemalans living in the area claimed that the [...]

Less Fishers But More Gill Nets in Sarstoon
Over the years, we’ve reported on the illegal fishing taking place in southern Belize. Hundreds of Guatemalans are fishing illegally in Belizean waters and it is an issue that Wil [...]

Is Gracias a Dios Border Marker Neglected? That’s What the BTV Believes.
Is Gracias a Dios border marker neglected? That’s what the BTV believes. On the trip up the Sarstoon, the media made a quick stop where the BTV had planted mahogany [...]

Business Development Focus at Senate
The Senate met in its final session before summer break in Belmopan. On the agenda were ratifications of several treaties and review and passage of bills from the House of [...]

Fixing Issues with Land Transfer Payments
Two of the Bills garnering wide debate were the Stamp Duties Amendment Bill and Economic Development Council Bill. The former deals with stamp duties chargeable on transfers of land, particularly [...]

B.C.C.I., B.T.I.A. to Dictate Composition of Economic Development Council
There was near-unanimous support for the establishment of the Economic Development Council, which advises the Prime Minister and the Government on economic and business issues. The Bill calls for ten [...]

BECOL Gets New Headquarters
There was a groundbreaking ceremony today in Cayo for a headquarters for the Belize Electric Company Limited, BECOL, whose parent company is Fortis. Fortis is the previous owner of Belize [...]

Edmond Castro Dismisses ‘Minister’s List’
Earlier in this newscast, you heard from one of the two witnesses at Wednesday’s Senate hearings, Minister Anthony “Boots” Martinez, attempting to justify his behaviour. And while raising strong objection [...]

Castro Stung by Questions on Court Case
Castro also bristled when the matter of his court case in 2013 against nemesis Alvarine Burgess was brought up by Senator Michel Chebat. Castro sued Burgess and this television station [...]

Castro Caught over P.M. Admonition
The recalcitrant Ministers were also pressed on their public commentary about the inquiry, its purposes and intentions, and the Prime Minister’s famous dictum that all Ministers should stop making visa [...]

INVEST Belize Talks Technology
The fifth edition of Invest Belize was launched today at the Radisson by BELTRAIDE of the Ministry of Trade and Investment. This volume focuses on how technological advancements can expedite [...]

CARICOM Heads of Government Support Belize against Guatemala
The thirty-eighth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) concluded today in Saint George’s, Grenada.  The conference discussed the Single Market and Economy [...]

The Plan to Decrease Gender-Based Violence
The National Women’s Commission, the Secretariat of the National Gender-Based Violence Committee, today launched the Plan of Action 2017-2010 as the country’s national response to Gender Base Violence. This 2017-2020 [...]

Who Will Be Miss Carnival 2017?
Carnival season 2017 is in full swing and mas bands across the city are meticulously preparing for the upcoming road march.  Getting there, for most associations, means participating in all [...]

Healthy Living: Stay Fit, Stay Dry
If you’re preference for fitting in daily exercise is a nice outdoor jog or walk in the mornings or evenings; then surely the onset of the rainy season is not [...]

LOVE FM

GAF Trails Media at the Sarstoon
A trip led by The Belize Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage to the Sarstoon yesterday went uneventful surrounding the common practice of hostility by members of the Guatemalan Armed Forces. There was one Guatemalan military vessel that showed up but the boat captain, Wil Maheia who also heads the Belize Territorial Volunteers was not […]

Guatemalan Trespassers Caught in the Chiquibul Forest
Two Guatemalan men were captured early yesterday morning in the Chiquibul Forest. Forty year old Victor Aldana Lopez and twenty seven year old Antonio Ramirez were detained by FCD park rangers who believe the men are macaw poachers-guaqueros. There was a third man, believe to be the leader of the group, who was able to […]

Justice Lucas Quashes Al Jones’ Conviction
An inferior court appeal by 27 year old Al Jones, succeeded today when Justice Adolph Lucas ruled that they were discrepancies in the testimonies of prosecution witnesses and he quashed the conviction, set aside the sentence and acquitted Jones. On March 15, 2016, Jones was convicted of possession of a point thirty eight revolver and […]

A 3-Year Plan to Fight Gender Based Violence
An 83-page document was officially presented to stakeholders and the media this afternoon that seeks to combat gender based violence. The 3-year action plan will see several agencies engaged in the effort with a look at areas including health and education. Speaking to Love News on this document and its contents and objectives was the […]

Senate Convenes Over Amendments to House Bills
Today the Senate convened to discuss the amendments to eight bills including the Customs and Excise Duties, the International Business Companies, Stamp Duties, Economic development Council, Money Laundering and Terrorism, Belize Building and National Cultural Heritage Preservation bills. Also included was the General sales tax amendment number two bill 2017, which was given its second […]

September Celebrations Coming
The theme for the upcoming September Celebrations has been decided on after the committee received multiple submissions. This morning via a release from the National September Celebrations Commission, it was noted that the 2017 theme is, “Belize: Confronting Challenges! Celebrating Triumphs! Renewing our Resolve!” Among the more than two hundred and fifty suggestions received over the […]

Premium Goes 44c Higher
What was perceived as somewhat of a reprieve at the fuel pumps on July 1, 2017, when the prices for Regular Fuel and Diesel were decreased, was short-lived as on Tuesday night there was a stark increase in fuel. The Belize Bureau of Standards noted that while Regular Fuel remains at ten dollars per gallon […]

BECOL: From the Mollejon to Santa Elena
The Belize Electric Company Limited, BECOL, a company owned by Fortis Inc., today broke ground for the construction of a headquarters building in the Cayo District. The location is at Mile 69 on the George Price Highway. BECOL, which lost its majority ownership of the Belize Electricity Limited when government nationalized the company in June […]

Fortis Hopes for Solar Installation with Cooperation From BEL
Since the nationalization of the Belize Electricity Limited, in which Fortis maintained 33 percent shares in the company, BECOL CEO Lynn Young says they have maintained a good working relationship with the government. LYNN YOUNG “So when we looked at it we said you know what we are part of the San Ignacio/Benque community, we […]

INVESTBelize Launches Its 5th Publication
The fifth volume of the INVESTBelize Magazine was launched today in Belize City by the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service, BELTRAIDE. This year’s, ‘Belize, Your Competitive Hub for Investments’ was chosen as this year’s theme. General Manager Melanie Gideon, explained. MELANIE GIDEON “We decided that this was the most appropriate theme because the companies that we […]

Breaking Belize News

Adoptive parents detained in death of 13 year old
On Monday, July 3 around 8:50 am, San Pedro police visited a hotel on a report of a sudden death incident. Police saw the body of 13 year old Faye Lin Cannon. At the time, Cannon’s adoptive parents were present at the hotel. The two American nationals reported that around 7 am, Cannon woke up and asked for water and then went back to bed.

2 Belmopan high school graduates turned young entrepreneurs
Two 2017 High School graduates from Our Lady of Guadalupe Roman Catholic High School in Belmopan have created their own delivery business. Kirk Williams and Daunte Noralez created a delivery business named Royal Express.

Immigration Department launches digital border crossing card
The Department of Immigration implemented the use of the Digital Border Crossing Card on July 1st, 2017 following months of consultation with and notification to the Corozal Free Zone (CFZ) Management, as well as the major established businesses in the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) area.

2017 Fisher of the Year
Like most fishermen his age, 45-year-old Leobihildo Silvino Tamai, who lives in the northern coastal village of Sarteneja, Corozal, has been fishing since he was a teenager. So what makes this dedicated husband, father, grandfather and well-loved resident stand out, so much so, that he was selected Fisher of the Year 2017?

Silver SUV stolen from businesswoman
Teresita Leslie, 55, a businesswoman of George Price Highway reported to police that between the hours of 6:00 p.m. on Monday July 4 and 7:45 a.m. yesterday, someone stole her silver colored 4-door, 2011 Ford Explorer SUV bearing license plate BCC 57877 while parked on the street side in front of her residence.

Guatemalan chef robbed at home in Roaring Creek
Yesterday, police visited the Western Regional Hospital where Axel Ibarra, 32, Guatemalan Chef reported that sometime around 4:30 a.m., he was inside his room in Roaring Creek village when two men entered and started to punch him to his face and then inflicted several chop wounds to his head.

Santander donates new truck to Belmopan Police
Yesterday, Santander donated a brand new vehicle to the Belmopan Police Formation. Officer Commanding Belmopan Police, Sr. Supt. Howell Gillett received the donation and explained that it will be used to patrol the Western corridor from Franks Eddy Village to Blackman and all the villages in between.

Disguised John Mcafee claims recent visit to Orange Walk
John Mcafee, the millionaire American anti-virus pioneer who moved to Belize and later snuck out of the country under bizarre circumstances in 2012 following the murder of his neighbor Gregory Faull while local police sought him for questioning in relation to the incident, in a post on his page yesterday claims he was in Orange Walk recently.

BPP calls for re registration
The Belize Progressive Party issued a release today stating that it frowns upon the repugnant testimonies given by the elected Ministers of Government during yesterday’s Senate Committee Hearing, concerning the Immigration scandal.

September Celebrations 2017 Theme announced
The National Celebrations Commission today announced the winner and theme for the upcoming September Celebrations. After careful deliberation by the Commission, the submission made by Janine Sosa was selected. Sosa’s theme submission was, ““Belize: Confronting Challenges! Celebrating Triumphs! Renewing our Resolve!” The theme focuses on our unified Belizean people, cultures and country.

Erwin Santos finally captured
Erwin Santos was wanted by police for questioning in connection with two murders. Santos is the main suspect in the murder of Markie Mendez and another murder. Yesterday morning, Belmopan police apprehended Santos in Teakettle after a manhunt.

Senator Smith speaks on Minister’s conduct
Following the blatantly disrespectful conduct of Ministers Edmond Castro and Anthony Martinez at the Senate Inquiry this week, Pro-Ten Chair of the Senate Special Select Committee, Elena Smith, condemned their behavior by saying that it was unjustified.

Blogs

Heavenly Girl’s Getaway at Victoria House Resort
A heavenly girl’s getaway at Victoria House Resort was just what the doctor ordered for my friend Sandie and I. We both really needed the spirit of tranquility and peace that is the heart of this luxury island resort. As we were driving to our destination (which was down the street from Sandie’s house) she said “Let’s pretend we are really on vacation and are tourists.” It was not hard to do, as Victoria House instantly gave us a decadent taste of what the Caribbean was made for – island style relaxation, pampering and rejuvenation. Check in included a delicious welcome ginger refresher drink. Soon we had sand between our toes and breeze in our hair along with gorgeous blue skies, swaying palms and the Caribbean sea on the walk to our suite.

10 things I love about Chabil Mar Villas
Chabil Mar Villas in the Placencia Peninsula (southern Belize/Stann Creek District) turned out to be a lovely place to vacation, or staycation if you are Belizean like me! This summer has taken us to so many amazing places in Belize and I’m just loving our country even more now! I’ve been having so much fun sharing my summer with you on social media and decided it was time for a little blog action.

International Sources

Belize: Attempts to Undermine the Alcalde System
In early 2016, Alcaldes in the Maya village of Santa Cruz arrested an outsider who, in violation of the village’s customary laws, built his house and began farming on a sacred site, causing irreparable damage to the Maya temple of Uxbenka. Leading up to this arrest, the Alcaldes, traditional leaders of indigenous Maya communities, had issued advice, warnings, and orders to the outsider. But the Alcaldes were slapped with criminal charges by the Punta Gorda police for their actions and were publicly denounced by the Belize government simply for exercising their rights. Throughout the extended trial process, the Belize government presented no evidence against the Alcaldes. Ultimately, all charges were dropped and proceedings are now taking place against the government, citing the grievous harms inflicted on the Alcaldes and Uxbenka. But the case reflects a pattern of using the criminal justice system to intimidate Alcaldes, weaken the indigenous system of governance, and subjugate the Maya people. The Alcalde system is based on the customary law of Maya villages in the Toledo district of southern Belize, which predates British and Spanish colonizers. Although the system continues to thrive today, attempts to delegitimize Alcaldes, diminish customary law, and consequently sow division in Maya villages are rooted in the colonial history of Belize. As the colonizers’ policy stated, “the Maya were to be settled” and the Alcaldes were a threat.

My Depressing Summers in Belize
Still, I love all of it. One of the big rewards is the wonders you stumble into by just spending so much time in nature, the kind of things you see in BBC documentaries narrated by David Attenborough. Last summer I woke up in the middle of the night, looked over the dock and saw a dozen spotted eagle rays slowly circling beneath me. It looked like a mobile you’d hang over a baby’s crib. We’ve also come across mating leatherback turtles (awesome, but not so sexy), orcas and manta rays in the Galápagos Islands, a huge tiger shark in Moorea and fields of tiny eels peeking out of their holes on the sandy seafloor in Palau. By the time I graduated from high school, most of that coral splendor was gone. A disease linked to ocean warming wiped out about 99 percent of elkhorn coral colonies across the entire Caribbean — literally hundreds of millions of corals disappeared in a matter of months. This species and closely related staghorn corals had dominated Caribbean coral reefs for at least 5,000 years. Things aren’t getting any better. A few days ago, a colleague, Bill Precht, a coral reef scientist with an environmental consulting firm, sent me a note describing what he saw on a recent dive at Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. It’s typical of my summer correspondence from fellow scientists. Depressing. “This reef is a coral graveyard,” he wrote. “Lots of recently dead colonies now covered with a thin veil or sediment and turf algae.”

Belize, Cyprus, and Philippines Open 60-Meter Bands
In Belize, the secondary allocation of 5,351.5 to 5,366.5 kHz has become available with a maximum EIRP of 25 W. The Cyprus telecoms regulator, the Department of Electronic Communications, on June 30 issued a gazette notice updating the national frequency table to include the new WRC-15 secondary allocation of 5,351.5 to 5,366.5 kHz with a maximum EIRP of 15 W, as well as the secondary MW allocation of 472 to 479 kHz, with a maximum EIRP of 1 W.

Bangladeshi man found murdered in Belize
A Bangladeshi businessman has been found dead inside his rented flat in Belize City, the capital of Belize. Police say Abdus Salam, 29, was strangled to death on Saturday and that they are looking for a man who was seen getting out of the flat after the murder, reports News5. The motive behind the first recorded murder of a Bangladeshi national in Belize is unclear. Central American country Belize, bordering the Caribbean Sea, sits between Guatemala and Mexico. Salam operated a small business in Belize City and shared the flat on Orange Street with several others.

Ibraheim Campbell dives off cliff in Belize
The time off between the end of mini-camp and the start of training camp is a chance to relax for most NFL players. Some are able to do that from the comforts of their own homes. Others need to travel the globe. In the case of Cleveland Browns safety Ibraheim Campbell, he went to Placencia, Belize.

Videos

July 6, 2017

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Specials and Events

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

The San Pedro Sun

Costa Maya Festival Presents: Miss Nicaragua Danielle Nicole Hodgson Joseph
The International Costa Maya Festival® Committee proudly announces the seventh contestant vying for the title of Reina de La Costa Maya 2017-2018: Miss Nicaragua Danielle Nicole Hodgson Joseph. 19-year-old Joseph stands 5’, 7’’ tall, and has honey brown eyes and dark brown hair. She is currently pursuing a degree in marketing and advertising. She is very athletic, and enjoys volleyball, soccer, swimming, and racing. She also loves dancing, singing, literature, poetry and going to the beach. However, Joseph’s weakness is cooking then eating, especially Caribbean dishes. “Healthy versions of course!” she says with a laugh.

F.C. Barcelona goalkeeper Paco Sedano on philanthropic visit to Belize
Football fans in San Pedro Town were delighted to meet world renowned Spanish Futsal Player and goalkeeper for the popular Football Club Barcelona, Francisco ‘Paco’ Sedano on Wednesday, July 5th. Paco was in Belize from Sunday, July 2nd under the auspices of EFHRE International University. During his stay in the Jewel he made donations to the National Sports Council and met with government officials in regards to future projects in Northern Belize and Ambergris Caye.

Camp Starfish ready to start special needs summer program
Camp Starfish will host its fourth annual, free two-week camp at the Lions Den on July 17th, 19th, 21st, 24th, 26th, and 28th. With their motto, “We are more alike than different”, Camp Starfish focuses on children with learning and physical disabilities. Each camp day will run from 9AM to 11:30AM, where campers will learn about healthy habits, marine life, transportation, and animals. Thanks to a $5,847 donation from the Blue Water Grill, The Phoenix, and Wine de Vine, Camp Starfish will provide campers with various story time activities, music, arts and crafts, sensory activities, food and drinks, and a t-shirt. There is also a beach day scheduled on Monday, July 21st at Sandbar. Friday, July 28th will mark the last day of camp, and will be celebrated with a fun parade, followed by a party.

Projects Abroad and Ministry of Health host Health Fair
Non-governmental organization Projects Abroad, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH), hosted a health fair in San Pedro Town on Saturday, July 1st at the Lions Den. The general public was invited to take advantage of an array of free health services, such as blood pressure testing, HIV/AIDS testing, eye exams, brushing and flossing demonstrations, environmental demonstration, pharmacy services, information on Saga Humane Society, drug information and information on how to avoid vector borne diseases.

A year after the devastating fire, San Pedro Town continues bold and strong
Today, the area where the fire took place still looks vacant, as most of the buildings have not been replaced. One structure that was quickly erected is El Dorado Store. Abel Dorado, owner of the store, says that he is back on track and thankful to everyone who assisted him. It was a terrible experience, but for him life goes on. “When bad things happen to you, don’t just sit and mourn on it, get up and get it out of your way as soon as possible,” he said. He is glad to be back on his feet with his flourishing business on Pescador Drive. For Romel Bardales, who runs a fruit and vegetable shop, business continues as usual, but he mentioned that just thinking about the fire gives him goose bumps. He lost almost everything in the fire. “It took me a couple months to get back on my feet, but with the assistance I received from the different organizations that were helping people, I was able to quickly get my business up and running,” he says.

Tropic Air awards $13,000 in educational grants
Tropic Air awarded $13,000 in educational grants to the dependents of 21 members of staff. The grants were selected based on academic ability and merit from a large field of applicants representing all 11 destinations served in Belize. “Tropic has a commitment to education, through its support of the Nation’s schools, sports, drug prevention programs, and internships for those interested in the airline industry”, said John Greif III, Tropic Air’s president. “Similarly, these grants are an investment in a better and more prosperous future not just for the recipients but for our nation, because Belize will benefit for decades to come from the career achievements of these individuals. We congratulate them all”.

Ambergris Today

Dive Into Scuba Diving Summer Program For Kids
Learning to scuba dive is a fulfilling, life-changing, and educational experience. This summer the San Pedro Tourist Guide Association (SPTGA) in collaboration with the Hol Chan Marine Reserve are once again giving local kids the opportunity to explore the underwater world. The annual Scuba Diving Summer Program’s purpose is to educate the community’s younger generation on the importance of Belize’s reef eco-system and so they can also assist Hol Chan Marine Reserve research and programs in to futures. The ages accepted for the summer program are 10 years and older and participants targeted are primary school level children.

Change Of Electoral Division / Transfer Period For Voting In Belize
Do you want to change your electoral division for voting in Belize? Two months are set aside each year by law for the transfer of electors from one Electoral Division to another. These two months are JULY AND AUGUST. Application for a change of Electoral Division from one Electoral Division to another are done using Form No. 17. These applications are processed during normal working hours at the Elections and Boundaries Registration Office your new division of choice during the Period: JULY 1 - AUGUST 31 of each year.

New Check Processing System Introduced By Central Bank Of Belize
The Central Bank of Belize announces the launch of Automated Check Processing, a new component of APS3. Starting 7 July 2017, all checks deposited countrywide will be processed electronically, allowing for faster clearing time. According to Governor Joy Grant, “This new service will further expedite the flow of money, contributing to faster receipt of funds by beneficiaries and increased business activity in Belize.” Inaugurated on 21 October 2016 by the Central Bank in collaboration with Central Government and domestic financial institutions, APS3 is an instrumental component of the National Payment System (NPS) reform project, which is a priority initiative of the Central Bank to enhance the safety, reliability, and efficiency of Belize’s financial infrastructure.

Celebrity Spotting: Belize To Receive Donation From World Renowned Spanish Futsal Player
This week, visiting Belize from Europe is Francisco Sedano Antolín, better known as Paco Sedano, who is a world renowned Spanish futsal player and goalkeeper for F.C. Barcelona. Mr. Sedano is in Belize under the auspices of EFHRE International University which is in the process of establishing a campus in Belize. Along with EFHRE representatives, Mr. Sedano will be making a donation of sporting gear to the National Sports Council at a brief ceremony to be held at 2:00 p.m. today, Wednesday, July 5, 2017 at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex.

Misc Belizean Sources

National Sports Council Receives Donation from World Renowned Spanish Futsal Player
This week, visiting Belize from Europe is Francisco Sedano Antolín, better known as Paco Sedano, who is a world-renowned Spanish futsal player and goalkeeper for F.C. Barcelona. Mr. Sedano is in Belize under the auspices of EFHRE International University which is in the process of establishing a campus in Belize. Along with EFHRE representatives, Mr. Sedano made a donation of sporting gear to the National Sports Council at a brief ceremony today, Wednesday, July 5th, 2017 at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex. The representatives of EFHRE International University also met with representatives of the National Sports Council to see what assistance is needed and how it can be provided. They have offered assistance, both technical and equipment wise, in multiple areas and in all sporting disciplines. The delegation arrived in Belize on Sunday, July 2nd and will depart on Thursday, July 6th.

NEMO MINISTER IN THE SOUTH FOLLOWING WEEKEND FLOODING
On Monday and Tuesday, July 3rd and 4th, 2017, Minister of National Emergency Management Hon. Edmond Castro was in the South to assess the impact of flooding over the weekend and the effectiveness of the National Emergency Management team in the Toledo District, which was affected by the floods; and in the Stann Creek District, parts of which were momentarily placed under flood warning on Sunday afternoon. The Minister stopped first in Dangriga where he met with Mayor Francis Humphreys and NEMO Southern Regional Coordinator Keith Emmanuel at the Stann Creek Emergency Command Center (EOC). They visited key locations at Sarawee and Hope Creek where the North Stann Creek River had to be monitored during the flood threat, which fortunately did not materialize over the weekend.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Wilfred Elrington joins CARICOM Heads of Government at the Opening Ceremony of the 38th Regular Meeting in Grenada
Business sessions will commence today, Wednesday, July 5th. CARICOM Heads of Government in a family photo following the Opening Ceremony for their Thirty-eighth Regular Meeting in Grenada, Tuesday. The Heads move into their business sessions on Wednesday and Thursday at the Radisson Beach Resort.

Join the Belize Defence Force!

Summer Beach Olympics
Sunday, August 6 at 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM, Placencia

Job Opportunity
Are you a Belizean with an Associates Degree and looking for a job? Do you have at least 5 years experience in education, community outreach and organization, business administration, tourism management or related field? This might be what you are looking for!

Job Opportunity at BEL
A vacancy exists at Belize Electricity Limited for the post of Technician I in the Transmission & Substation Department.

Flor de la Feria 2017
Who will be Flor de la Feria 2017? You can find out which of the 4 candidates becomes the 51st pageant winner this Saturday, July 8th, at the Cancha Marshalleck.

Soul Project Wine Revolution
The artisan wines you can find at the Soul Project are amazing, creative, and yes, are a revolution in and of themselves. Worth a read. "From its grand opening, Soul Project was planning on selling local wine San Ignacio Town was experiencing a wine-making movement, and local restaurants were not promoting these local artisan wines. Yes, most of the traditional seasonal wines are a bit too sweet and people like to say they give you “bad gomma” or hang over. But I felt tourists needed to decide for themselves, and we explained, ”this is sweet like port, a desert wine” and they enjoyed it and we became known for selling local wines. At the same time other new wine makers were making dry wines, and I was now buying from 3 different wine makers.

Motmot Heritage Education Camp
The Rotaract Club of Benque Viejo is having a Motmot Heritage Education Camp from Friday, July 7th, through Sunday, July 9th. It'll take place in Succotz, and you can get more information at the Succotz public library.

Maya Wedding Re-enactment
Today July 6th is the BIG Wedding Re-enactment at our Santa Rita Wedding Garden. Please come out and support this important event representing our Maya/Yucatec history.

Plumber needed at USA Embassy
Attention interested candidates: The U.S. Embassy has extended application deadline for plumber position to July 14th, 2017.

Felix LT Performing at International Costa Maya Festival 2017
Follow the link to view his music videos!

Channel 7

Senate Select Filled With Fireworks
As everyone expected, today's Senate Hearings on Immigration was filled with fireworks, and it even escalated to open hostility, the hurtling of insults, and finger pointing. That's because, for the first time, 2 sitting UDP ministers, Edmond Castro and Anthony "Boots" Martinez, were called to testify before the Senate Select Committee. They are the 2 elected politicians who have been most imputed upon in the most in the Senate Hearings so far. Added to that was Castro's public embarrassment for his sons who got into a confrontation with police, and were then busted with 89 cases of contraband beers, and so it's easy to see why he was on edge.

And What About Those Letters of Recommendation?
So, we now go to an earlier moment in his testimony when the Senators were drilling him on the recommendations he made for applicants seeking Belizean immigration documents. The Senators were trying to find out what weight he thought those recommendations carried. As we have shown you, immigration officers, under cross examination have conceded that these recommendations from ministers, even though they are worded as suggestions, are treated more like orders because they don't want to block the wishes of a Minister. Castro was a repeat recommender, and the Senators wanted to find out why he did this:

Castro Confronted With Documented Evidence
So, as you heard, Edmond Castro insisted that he made sure that in his letters that the person he is recommending should only be approved for immigration documents "if all is in order". Well, the Auditor General flagged one such letter which is identified as Edmond Castro's. We say identified as his because when he was asked about it today, he says that it is a forgery. Here's that and other excerpts of the hearing where the Senators confronted him with documented evidence of visa recommendations that they've been provided with from sources at Immigration: Michel Chebat - PUP Senator: "Alright minister, there are at least 2 letters which you wrote on the 13th of May 2013 and in each of those letters in one you recommended 6 persons and in the other one you recommended 5 persons for visas. Do you recall that?"

Not Answering Alvarine
Before all of that unfolded, the Senators began the afternoon asking Castro questions about Alvarine Burgess. She's the former immigration agent who claims that she paid him bribes of $2,000 to write recommendation letters for Chinese nationals which guaranteed approval for their visas. He was a little more calm at the beginning of the hearing, but he made it clear that any questions about her are not welcomed. Here's the back and forth:

Boots Blocked Questions On Burgess
But, before it was Castro's time in the hot-seat, his ministerial colleague Anthony "Boots" Martinez was up first. Martinez took the morning session and though he was the better behaved of the two witnesses today, he was very intolerant of any questions related to Alvarine Burgess. And every time the Senators brought her up in the hearings, he shut them down. Here's how that went: Hon. Elena Smith - Labour/Civil Society Senator: "You are aware minister that Ms. Alvarine Burgess appeared before this committee few weeks ago?"

Senate And Minister Clash On Public Characterization Of Sittings
And while he took issue with questions on Alvarine Burgess, Business Senator Mark Lizarraga made sure to question him on his public comments from last week. You'll remember he called the Senate Hearings a "circus" for even allowing Burgess to testify in the first place. He also felt disrespected for being summoned last week, only to be sent home, after he had canceled all his appointments as a minister and as an Area Rep. for the day. Here's Lizarraga challenging him on his description of the hearings:

"Bruk" Belize Banned From CODICADER For Two Years
Every year, Belize's best young athletes look forward to the CODICADER - which is where Central America's elite student athletes in all disciplines meet to compete under their national flags. But this year, scores of young Belizean athletes will be disappointed because Belize is being sanctioned, basically, we won't be able to participate. And the reason? Well, the usual, "no money noh deh". Except it's not that there isn't enough money to send a contingent; the problem is CODICADER is asking the Government to host the CODICADER special athletes competition. That's what Government doesn't have the money for. And because of that event organizers are expected to ban Belizean athletes from the games for two whole years! Today we asked the Minister of Sports to explain

Capturing The West's Most Wanted
Police finally captured 24 year old Erwin Santos – he is the suspect in Marky Mendez's Teakettle murder - and he is also wanted for questioning about another murder. Police caught him this morning at 11:00 in the village after an extensive manhunt. He is now in custody being questioned about both murders. Senior Superintendent Howell Gillett gave us more on this arrest.

While Murder Suspect At Large, Family Home On Fire
Now we have been following this case closely and there is nothing that Markey Mendez's family and friends wanted more than for Erwin Santos to be captured. As you can recall, the villagers expressed their outrage at Santos' initial release by starting up a tyre fire in the village. Well, early this morning around 5:30, hours before Santos was captured, his home was burnt down. Now it is alleged that frustrated villagers lit his house on fire but today police told us that they are still waiting for the fire department's report.

7News On-Site, Investigating The Sarstoon Oil Spill
For the past two nights we've been reporting on the oil spill in Guatemala on July first - caused by a tanker truck that crashed not too far from the southwestern Belize - Guatemala border. It caused thousands of gallons of oil to spill into the Rio Chacon which feeds into the Sarstoon River on the Guatemalan side of the border. Well, at around 4:00 this morning, our team left out from the city to accompany OCEANA and the Belize Territorial Volunteers down the Sarstoon to see if the spill had gotten into the Belize side of the river. They've been on the water all day and just got back to Punta Gorda at around 6:00. Here's what Will Mejia told Alex Courtenay about the importance of the expedition:

FCD Catches Macaw Poachers
Guatemalan poachers in the Chiquibul - it's an old story that we've told many times, but tonight is different. For the first time, the Friends for Conservation and Development is reporting that they've caught a pair of what are called "Guageros", the term for Guatemalan macaw poachers. On Monday morning at 4:00 am, as they were crossing the Chalillo Lake swimming, the park rangers apprehended them. They are 40 year-old, Victor Noe Aldana Lopez of Dolores Peten and Antonio Ramirez de Ramirez of Dolores Poptun. They had 2 long ropes and spurs used to climb the tall trees. They said that they were planning to remain in the area for another three days. They reported that young macaw chicks can be sold as much as 1,500 quetzales or $450.00 Belize dollars. They were escorted to the San Ignacio Police station pending charges by the Forest and Immigration Departments.

Family's Far Mounts In case Of Missing Man
A man went missing after an early morning run on Monday. 49 year old Mark Pollard left his house to go jogging around 5:00 Monday morning. He usually goes way up to the Haulover Bridge and back to his Peter Seco Street home. But he didn't return and his family is starting to fear the worst. Today one of his close friends told us that he hopes Pollard makes it back home but he also shares his theory as to what might have happened.

Sr. Supt. Vidal, Welcome To The Southside
Senior Superintendent Marco Vidal is back in Belize City - for the first time since 2014 when he handed over the command of the GSU, which he founded. Vidal assumed command of the Southside Eastern Division over the weekend - and, today, he held his first meet and greet session. We found a renewed officer, embracing community policing which he had once repudiated:… Sr. Supt. Marco Vidal- Southside Commander : "The community policing is a department philosophy and therefore those will continue. The whole purpose of community policing is to foster the relationship with the community and to understand the problem and to look at ways to resolve them. So the information we're getting is that in some areas there are police visibility and in some areas there are not, so we need to look at those areas they are not in place and then improve on those because it has allowed a better interaction between the police and the community. Of course we will be looking at the continuation of the community policing programs but in tandem with that we'll also have intelengence led polcing because community policing does not mean that the criminals are allowed to do as they please. So the law has to apply. So where the law has to apply then it will be applied."

Pro-Tem Chair Comments On Rudeness
At the top of the news, we showed you how UDP Ministers Edmond Castro and Anthony "Boots" Martinez were rude and hostile with the Senators when they were finally obliged to take questions on allegations of that have surfaced against them in the Senate Hearings. Now, in the past, witnesses have become confrontational, but there has always been a level of respect between the Senators and those who are called to testify. As you saw, today was a big departure from the normal decorum of these hearings, and after they concluded, we asked Senator Elena Smith about it. She had to fill in as pro-tem chairman because Senator Aldo Salazar was unable to make it today. We asked her about the way the hearings were sort of dragged into the mud, and here's what she had to say:

DPM Faber Says There Was Not Deliberate Rudeness
So, was it a deliberate strategy for the Ministers to be difficult, rude and rough with the Senators? That's what we asked the Deputy Prime Minister today: Jules Vasquez: "Did you see the senate proceedings today, what did you think of the performance your ministerial colleagues?" Hon. Patrick Faber - Deputy Prime Minister: "I have not seen it sir." Jules Vasquez: "You must have heard it."

Senator Disputes Alleged Cost of Hearings
And in our last item from the the Hearings Today, Senator Elena Smith clarified that contrary to the Guardian Newspaper report, the Hearings have not cost half a million dollars so far. She told us that in fact, they haven't spent even 200 thousand dollars as yet. Here's how she explained it: Daniel Ortiz: "From the camps of the government and the UDP, there seems to be that suggestion well we are wasting money now."

Major Criminal Appeal Being Argued At The CCJ
If you didn't see PUP Senator Eamon Courtenay at today's Senate Select Meeting, its because he was in Port of Spain, Trinidad, arguing before a full panel of judges at the CCJ. Its the ongoing criminal appeal of the conviction of Gregory August for the murder of 73 year old Alvin Robinson. He's asking the CCJ to overturn his conviction after his lawyers successfully convinced the Court of Appeal to make a landmark judgement scrapping life sentences. Today in two and half hours of arguments his attorney Eamon Courtney touched on a number of key points including the makeup of the parole board:

Alleged Ladyville Shooter Jessie Mejia Charged For Weapon Only
Last night we told you about Elward McKay who was shot in Ladyville. Police pursued the suspected gunman and recovered the weapon, a 38 pistol. But today in court, 22 year old Jessie Mejia wasn't charged for attempted murder, he was only charged for with two firearm related offenses for keeping and unlicensed firearm, and kept ammunition without a license. Mejia was denied bail today and remanded pending additional charges while McKay recovers form his injuries.

DPM Faber Comments On Possible Bradley/Barrow Rift
Last night on the news we tried the Prime Minister's comments from Friday's House meeting where he said that if Darrell Bradley said that Cabinet was considering zoning regulations, he was not speaking the truth. Bradley did say that and today we asked the deputy party leader if there IS A RIFT between the two:.. Jules Vasquez: "So then, the Prime Minister has, publicly in the National Assembly, outed the mayor as a speaker of things that are not true. That's a bad thing do be in politics." Hon. Patrick Faber- Deputy Prime Minister : "So what do you need from me?"

New Vehicles For Capital Cops
This afternoon Belmopan Police got a much needed donation from Santander. They got a pickup truck. Sure, you might say that the last thing police need are mooore vehicles but today OC Howell Gillett told us just how critical this donation is for communities out West. The vehicle will be moved over to the Roaring Creek Police Station. Belmopan police have an ongoing partnership with Santander. As part of this donation, the Belmopan police will patrol Santander grounds once per night.

Channel 5

Ministers Martinez and Castro Repudiate Alvarine Burgess’ Testimony
As expected, today’s public hearing of the Senate Special Select Committee was a spectacle, though not of the best kind. For the first time since the Committee convened in November, [...]

Why a Recommendation is Only a Recommendation
Minister Martinez poured out his troubles to the press last Wednesday, including an extensive discussion about the need for recommending persons to obtain visas, passports and nationality and whether a [...]

Boots Took Sponsor’s Word on Wen Zhan Yu Visa Application
Anthony “Boots” Martinez’s sole appearance in the Auditor General’s Report is in Appendix Four of the Visa section as a recommender for Wen Zhan Yu, which he says was done [...]

Did Someone Forge Castro’s Words?
In the case of Edmond Castro, there is a trail in the Auditor General’s Reports as well as in documentation provided by previous witnesses in the inquiry. Castro’s name appears [...]

Hearing Gets Political as Ministers Taunt P.U.P. Rivals
In today’s appearances before the Senate Special Select Committee, both Ministers Martinez and Castro took strong objection to answering questions that they felt appeared outside of the scope of the [...]

Boots Concedes Low Conviction Rate for Trafficking in Persons, but Not Gov’t Complicity
As we told you on Friday, Prime Minister Dean Barrow does not accept the claims made in the U.S. State Department’s Trafficking in Persons report, which puts Belize in Tier [...]

Pro-tem Chair Chides Ministers’ Conduct in Hearing
Senator for Trade Unions and Civil Society Elena Smith took the chair for the first time as pro-tem chair, replacing the absent Aldo Salazar who returns next week after being [...]

Senate Being Thrifty in Committee Spending; Hearings Will Continue Past July
The Committee has usually been reticent in outlining where the inquiry is going in terms of calling witnesses, for fear of giving too much of the game plan away. It [...]

Most Wanted Erwin Santos Caught in Teakettle
Just a few minutes shy of eleven a.m. today, Erwin Santos was captured by officers attached to the Belmopan Police Formation in Teakettle, Cayo. The twenty-four-year-old, who also has the [...]

In Teakettle, Santos Family Home Destroyed by Fire
According to police, Erwin Santos was considered armed and dangerous while on the loose. Some six hours before his detention, his family home in Teakettle was burnt to the ground. [...]

C.C.J. Hears Final Appeals of Gregory August and Alwin Gabb
A conviction appeal brought by condemned murderer Gregory August, who has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, resumed before the Caribbean Court of Justice earlier [...]

D.P.P. Asks to Keep Mandatory Sentence But Allows for Rehabilitation
D.P.P. Cheryl-Lynn Vidal, in her presentation, argued that the court should be able to determine whether an inmate should be eligible for parole and granted such release based on rehabilitation. [...]

Guatemalan to be Tried for Fatal Highway Accident
Guatemalan national, Erick Rene Salazar Guzman, a driver of Burrell Boom, Belize District was committed to stand trial for manslaughter by negligence, causing death by careless conduct, failure to report [...]

Where is Mark Pollard?
Where is Mark Pollard? The forty-nine-year-old of Peter Seco Street in Belize City has not been seen or heard from since Monday and the family is tonight fearing the worst. [...]

Has Oil Spill from Guatemala Reached Belize’s Sarstoon?
Did Guatemalan oil spill reach as far as into Belize’s waterways? There has been no official statement from the Department of Environment, but it is widely believed that there is [...]

Guat Military Trail Belize Expedition in Belizean Territory
This morning, shortly after passing through the Sarstoon Island area, the Guatemalan Armed Forces trailed the Belizean boat for some ten minutes. While the boat remained within Belize territory, as [...]

Meet and Greet is Back with Marco Vidal in Charge
This afternoon, in the vicinity of North Creek, personnel from Eastern Division South, led by Senior Superintendent Marco Vidal, met with residents of the area on an individual basis.  The [...]

Vidal Concedes Worth of Community Policing
Senior Superintendent Marco Vidal, during his tenure as head of the Gang Suppression Unit, decried community policing as a failed attempt by the department to reach out to the citizenry.  [...]

Gangs at Peace, but Work Continues
As for the present ceasefire among rival Belize City gangs, Senior Superintendent Vidal says that the truce was struck between the various groups at their behest and not an initiative [...]

New Top Cops Close Book on Past
Despite the many criticisms that Vidal has received for his hard-nosed approach to policing, during his days as GSU commander, he has opted to take a progressive attitude this time [...]

Breaking Belize News

Scotiabank gives primary school scholarships
Scotiabank is giving away scholarships to 60 primary school students country wide, beginning today with the downtown Belize City branch. The bank held a brief ceremony at the brach this afternoon, where they gifted their scholarship recipients with backpacks full of school supplies for the upcoming school year. The bank’s Vice President, Michael Shaw, explained that today marks the 11th year that the bank has kept this commitment.

Vidal in, Chester out
On Monday, Senior Superintendent of Police, Marco Vidal officially replaced Assistant Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, as the commander of the police’s Eastern Division South. Williams will now head the Police Professional and Standards Branch in Belmopan.

Premium fuel now $10.97 per gallon
Belizean motorists continue to feel pressure at the pump with the ever increasing costs of fuel although the cost per barrel of crude oil remains low. Previously the cost of regular gasoline rose to $10.18 per gallon but has now gone down to $10.

Boots and Castro uncooperative with Senate
Today two sitting Ministers of government appeared before the Senate Select Committee. The first was Minister of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation, Anthony “Boots” Martinez. The second was Minister of NEMO and Transport, Edmond Castro. Both Martinez and Castro were named by whistle-blower, Alvarine Burgess, for their alleged involvement in a visa hustle at the Immigration Department.

Man who received shots to the head recovering
Twenty three year old Ontario resident, Hammon Lemoth, was gunned down on Central American Boulevard in Belize City while he was trimming a man inside LD’s barbershop on the night of May 23. Lemoth had been shot twice to the head and left for dead. He was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) where he had gone into a coma

Two Guatemalan macaw poachers detained in the Chiquibul
At 4:00 a.m. this morning, FCD park rangers were able to apprehend two Guatemalan macaw poachers (guaqueros) in the Chiquibul Forest. However, one of the poachers escaped into the jungle. The poachers arrived on the nesting habitat of macaws on Monday and as they were crossing the Chalillo Lake swimming, the park rangers apprehended them in the early hours.

BTV heads to Sarstoon to assess damage cause by oil spill
The Belize Territorial Volunteer (BTV), today embarked on a trip to the Sarstoon river along with members of the media to assess the impact that a Guatemalan oil tanker which spilled oil in the river had on the environment.

Money found growing on trees!
Belize’s economy has been in recession for more than a year. Our economy is not growing and we are becoming increasingly desperate for solutions. In our quest for a quick fix we often look toward big money foreign investors with big promises of jobs and revenue. But, as we have often seen, many of these projects have damaged our environment, not fulfilled promises of long term jobs and left us with more economic questions than answers.

SBDC Belize invites businesses to free training
he Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) through its Small Business Development Centre, Belize (SBDCBelize) in conjunction with the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) will be executing a project entitled: Expanding SME Access to Finance and Business Development Services in Belize.

BELTRAIDE launches New Volume of INVESTBelize Magazine
The Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE), through its technical unit, BelizeINVEST, announced the launch of the fifth Volume of the INVESTBelize Magazine, the unfolding of yet another precious chapter showcasing Belize as an Investment destination!

Mexican contemporary summer film series launched
The Mexican Embassy in Belize, with the support of the Mexican Agency for International Development and Cooperation (AMEXCID), and the Mexican Film Institute (IMCINE), in collaboration with the Belize International Film Festival, presents: CINEMA MÉXICO. MEXICAN CONTEMPORARY SUMMER FILM SERIES.

San Pedro man charged for drug trafficking
On Monday, July 3, 2017, around 1:40 p.m., police conducted a search at the apartment of Jermain Dion Zuniga, 31, construction worker of San Pedrito area, San Pedro Town which led to the discovery of three parcels of cannabis weighing a total of 953 grams.

Blogs

Belize’s Cultural Celebrations: Benque Fiesta
The Benque Fiesta begins on July 6th and consists of a ten day celebration in honor of Benque Viejo del Carmen’s patron saint Nuestra Señora de Monte Carmelo (Our Lady of Mount Carmel). The celebration features alboradas (early morning prayes) and ladies praying novenas, accompanied by the reverberating sounds of the marimba. The Benque Fiesta also includes a feria, a social event that includes the selection of Señorita Flor de la Feria, other cultural displays such as the Chatona, 3 nights of dancing to the music of popular bands and Djs, and the sale of traditional foods and beverages.

All You Can Eat Lobster at Caye Caulker Lobsterfest
The sleepy island of Caye Caulker, Belize, awakens for their biggest celebration of the year. Three days of all things lobster – it’s Caye Caulker Lobsterfest! There is no time to “Go Slow” during Caye Caulker Lobsterfest because thousands from around the country and tourists inundate the island to eat lobster, swim in sea, bask in the sun, roam the beach, sip tropical cocktails and dance the night away. It’s one giant beach party that lasts for three days. WOW! There is no shortage of lobster or fun as Caye Caulker knows how to host an event. Have a look at all the activities during Caye Caulker Lobsterfest:

What to do in Belize While being on your next vacation
Belize has something for everyone. Whether you are looking for a family vacation spot, long weekend escape from the U.S.A., romantic getaway or backpacking in Central America – you are bound to find plenty of activities to suit your tastes. These are some favorite things to do in this un-belize-ably beautiful country. Live at the beach How to get to the islands is an easy way into Belize City (or catching a bus down from the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico), it is an easy cab ride and ferry across to the islands of Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye. Alternatively, it is possible to fly to either island from the Philip S.W. Goldson International Aeropuerto in Belize City.

Mexican "American Circus" in Corozal
Everyone is excited to witness the Mexican American Circus this coming weekend in Corozal Andres Civic Center. Show grounds begin this Friday July 7th, 2017 commencing 6:00pm and 8:30pm. Shows will feature international and Mexican performers and for the children, they will feature the "Pepa Pig and Frozen Shows". Actors and International dances for children and adults will make you and your family entertained. So, come out this weekend and have a great time inside the circus. Charge fee are: 10$ for children and 15$ for Adults. Here are some pictures below how they are putting up the Circus.

Videos

July 5, 2017

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

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

The San Pedro Sun

San Pedro participates in Regional HIV Testing Day
Several organizations in San Pedro gathered at the San Pedro Lions Den to host a “Regional HIV Testing Day” health fair on Friday, June 30th. From 9AM to 3PM, the National AIDS Commission (NAC), the San Pedro AIDS Commission, Projects Abroad Belize, Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II, and the National Drug Abuse Control Council (NDACC) welcomed all community members, offering free glucose and rapid HIV testing.

Islanders honour their Patron Saint during Dia de San Pedro
Over the course of five days, San Pedro Town honoured its Patron Saint via El Dia de San Pedro festivities. From Wednesday, June 28th through Sunday, July 2nd, celebrations were held at the Honourable Louis Sylvestre Sporting Complex. The annual celebration began on Thursday aiming to promote unity, history and the island’s culture and tradition. The different events during the week-long festivities embraced San Pedro’s beginnings as a small fishing village and the importance of Saint Peter, the patron saint of the fishermen.

“Justice for Felix” Walk brings community together
In honor of island activist Felix Ayuso, who was brutally murdered at his residence on February 1, 2017, family and friends organized a “Justice for Felix” Walk on Sunday, July 2nd. Nearly five months after Ayuso’s death, the San Pedro Police Department officially released a wanted poster for Vildo Westby, who is believed to be connected to his death, on Wednesday, June 28th. Family members hope the walk will sew as a reminder that we need justice for him and others, and that it will speed up the process of capturing Westby. At 11AM, dozens of participants, many dressed in “Justice for Felix” t-shirts and brought posters, converged at the Central Park to plead for justice. As Alex Noralez guided the walk with music and positive messages, walkers made their way north to Boca del Rio before returning to Pescador Drive, then back at the park. During the walk, participants shouted “Justice for Felix”, while family members distributed wanted posters of Westby throughout San Pedro Town. The walk also highlighted justice for victims whose murder cases remain unsolved, including Jeffrey Eiley and Melvin Almendarez. After short remarks from Ayuso’s family members and supporters, the walk ended.

Locals and visitors celebrate Caye Caulker Lobster Fest 2017; Aaliyah Elijio is the new Miss Lobster Fest
Since 1994, the Caye Lobster Fest has been one of the favourite beach festivals for both Belizeans and visitors alike. This year was no exception, and the celebration of the Caribbean Spiny Lobster did not disappoint, as thousands of visitors from around Belize and abroad convened on La Isla Cariñosa from Friday, June 30th through Sunday, July 2nd, for a weekend of fabulous parties. The event kicked off on Friday night, with the long awaited Miss Caye Caulker Lobster Pageant. Four contestants competed for the coveted title; Aaliyah Elijio, Aleizy Durantes, Annabella Requena, and Katleen Cutkelvin. Master of Ceremonies was the effervescent William Neal, and he welcomed everyone to the pageant held under the theme, ‘Flora and Fauna of Belize’. The stage came alive as the four young beauties sashayed onstage for their official introduction. They radiated confidence, garnering applause from the audience as they enthusiastically introduced themselves.

Ambergris Today

Island Residents ‘Walk For Justice” As Murder Cases Remain Unsolved
Nearly five months after the brutal murder of island resident/activist Felix Ayuso Jr. that shocked the community, family, friends and residents are still angry and upset that nobody has been charged for his murder and that his killer is still free Sufficient evidence has been obtained by the Police Department to arrest Vildo Westby who is now wanted in connection with Felix Ayuso’s murder; yet the department has failed to locate and capture lead suspect in the case. Family members of Felix are frustrated and in dire need to put closure to this tragic case. Flyers have been given out, notices have been released on national news and still no justice has been served. The community is mad as this is not the first murder on the island that that remains unsolved or left inconclusive.

Misc Belizean Sources

Faster Internet coming to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye
On Friday, June 23, 2017, the CEO of Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL), Mr. Rochus Schreiber and his team were in San Pedro Town, where they made an official visit to Mayor Daniel Guerrero to coordinate future works that will be taking place for the installation of Belize Telemedia’s new service, DIGINET. DIGINET is a new service that promises to offer Superfast Fiber-based Internet up to 100Mbps for your home or business, and the island of Ambergris Caye will be the first in the country of Belize to experience it. If everything goes as planned, San Pedro Town will be fully connect by August 2017. The BTL team will be out in San Pedro Town in the upcoming month to promote its new service prior to the official launch. The CEO, Mr. Schreiber expressed his excitement for the launch of this new service and stated that the island of Ambergris Caye will be the first to experience DIGINET because of it is the top destination for tourism for Belize. He asks for the community’s support during the time of installation as works will be very aggressive in order to fully execute the service as planned.

Celebration of Dia De San Pedro this past Weekend!

A tanker truck spill oil in the Sarstoon

CLOSURE OF CONCH FISHING SEASON
The Belize Fisheries Department informs the public that the conch fishing season is officially closed from July 1st, 2017 to September 30th, 2017.

Belizeans Take Advantage of BTEC Barbering Course
From June 15th to 23rd, the Belize Training and Employment Center (BTEC) – a unit of Beltraide tasked with properly equipping and preparing individuals to confidently compete in the marketplace - hosted a Basics in Barbering Training at the ITVET in Belize City. Last week, our team caught up with some of the barbers who participated in the course to hear about their experience.

Philip Goldson Highway Gets Major Rehabilitation
Back in 2015, the Government of Belize announced that it had secured a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank for the upgrading of the Philip Goldson Highway Project. The works are well underway, and our team got an update on the progress ...

BTB hosts third digital summit
For the third consecutive year, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) will host its annual Digital Summit on Friday, 14th July at the Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City. The one-day-event is the premier and only Digital Summit in the country that provides a unique learning experience for tourism stakeholders. This enabling marketing environment will provide opportunities for information sharing and insights by some of the top professionals within the digital marketing business, in the field of Content Marketing, Social Media “Best Practices”, Travel Trade in Tourism and Digital Trends.

Guess which Circus comes to Corozal?
The "AMERICAN CIRCUS" from Mexico will be making its debut this Friday, July 7th with two performances at 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. at the Andres Campos Football Field in COROZAL opposite the Civic Center. The shows will feature international and Mexican performers and for the children, they will feature the "Pepa Pig and Frozen Shows". Have a Laugh Out Loud weekend with family and friends. Please check the prices at the show grounds.

Channel 7

Cabinet Ministers Will Appear Before Senate Select
Tomorrow, the Senate Hearings on Immigration will continue, and for the first for first time sitting UDP Ministers of Government will be called to testify as main witnesses. Those Ministers who will answer questions from the Senate are Anthony "Boots" Martinez, who did not get his chance from last week, and Edmond Castro. They have been accused in these hearings by the former immigration agent turned whistleblower, Alvarine Burgess. You'll remember that she said that back in her days as a fixer, she paid $2,000 in bribe money to both Ministers so that they would write recommendation letters for Chinese visa applicants. She asserted that those letters guaranteed that the applicants would get their visas approved.

Pastor and Media Personality Luis wade Cleared of Charges Against Minister's Son
In May, pastor and media personality Louis Wade was charged for common assault and using insulting words. The police said his victim was Robert Montero, the son of Minister Rene Montero. Wade says he was the victim - who was intimidated and almost run over by Robert Montero while he was doing his job - reporting on a matter of public interest. But, the police thought otherwise, and confidently brought a case against Wade as the aggressor.

Johnny Valencia, Principal Pedophile?
Valley of Peace Principal Johnny Valencia has been charged with another count of sexual assault and police are already looking into a third complaint. The Monsignor Romero principal was taken to Belmopan Magistrate's court today. It is damning case with mounting evidence, and today when we spoke to the Cayo District Education Officer he told us that Valencia has been placed on Administrative leave since June 20th. He explained that although a panel has been formed to do an internal investigation into these complaints, everything ultimately depends on the results of the court case since it is now a criminal matter. Valencia returns to court for both matters on August 21st.

Alleged Coro Killer Caught
Last week Thursday, we told you about the chopping murder of 21 year-old Amilcar Omar Moralez Gonzalez, the Salvadoran from San Joaquin village. Police were looking for 33 year-old Arturo Tamai Tzul, and they were concerned that he had fled back to Mexico. Well, he didn't; he was caught in Belize and yesterday, he was charged with one count of murder. He will now be arraigned and remanded to the Belize Central Prison.

Ladyville Shooting Victim Crawled To Safety
27 year old Elward Mckay is recovering in the hospital tonight after he was shot near his home in Ladyville. Last night after 9:00, Mckay was heading back home on his bicycle after buying food when a gunman opened fire on him on Pigeon Street. Mckay was hit to the back - the bullet exited his chest. He fell off his bike and dashed as fast as he could to the nearest home. I went to Ladyville today and the blood trail he left behind as he dragged himself to residents' front door was still there. We spoke to the resident who told us she simply couldn't do anything for him because she had to keep her kids safe.

Convicted Police Firearms Examiner Orlando Vera
3 weeks ago, we told you about how the convicted police firearms examiner Orlando Vera was attempting to get bail. He's currently serving a 2-year sentence for abetment to pervert the course of justice. He has a pending appeal which the Supreme Court believes that it can dispose of urgently, and so his first attempt to get bail failed. The DPP's office committed that it would be ready to proceed against him, but, it seems there are some administrative difficulties. The records for the case, from the Magistrate's Court have been slow in arriving to the Supreme Court, and that means that the deadlines for Vera's appeal have been pushed back.

Destra Making Int'l Headlines For Bladder Bursting Dance Move
Since 7News broke the story last night, the news of Soca superstar Destra Garcia has gone viral. It is being reported in news outlets all over the Caribbean that the Supreme Court of Belize has ordered her to pay Belizean Fernando Oliva just over $14,000. That's for rupturing his bladder when she called him up on stage and body slammed his midsection. You might think folks would be sorry for the guy, but back in Belize - on social media outlets - the more attention the story gets, the more hate Oliva gets.

Sarstoon Tributary Contaminated On Guat Side
Tonight, not much more is known about the oil spill in Guatemala which has reportedly made its way into the Sarstoon River that forms the southern boundary between the two countries. We do know first that thousands of gallons of crude oil spilled out of a tanker truck into the Gracias a Dios river, which feeds into the Sarstoon River - on the Guatemalan side. According to Guatemalan media reports, it happened near the village of "Arenales" - which is not very far from Belize. One Guatemalan news outlet says"the oil spill ... could destroy the aquatic life of the rivers Chocon and Sarstun..."

Pastor Humes Clears His Name
Last night we told you about the Pastor and Cab Driver, Mark Humes - who was charged for drug trafficking. This is after he took a taxi job to drop off a 16 year old who was carrying 10 pounds of weed in a suitcase. Humes said that on Friday he was just outside the bus station doing his usual runs when the 16 year old came off the bus. Little did he know that the events of the next few hours would see him end up in police lockdown for 72 hours, sleeping on the floor with common criminals. And by last night - he was being labelled on another media house as "a church pastor turned drug trafficker." Today, the father of four told us what the past few days have been like:...

A Workshop To Tackle The Complex Problem Of Suicide
Men and youths, those are the two groups most at risk for suicide according to the Ministry of Health. Today, health planners and social sector stakeholders sat down at the Biltmore with PAHO for a suicide prevention plan workshop. I was there and found what's being done to reach out to these at-risk groups:... Courtney Weatherburne reporting: 117 Belizeans committed suicide between 2012 and July 3rd 2017. 94 of those suicide victims were men. Lorna Perez, Surveillance Officer, Epidemiology Unit: "When it comes to actually men dying from suicides we have them dying 5 times more than women."

Why Do Men Kill Themselves More Than Women?
So as you heard, more men are killing themselves than women but why? And is there a difference with how men and women commit suicide? Nurse Bennett elaborated on this complex issue. Eleanor Bennett, Nursing Administrator, Mental Health: "From what we observe with suicide behavior is that when a man attempts to kill himself he would usually use very lethal means and a lethal means that he would use a mean that would prevent him from getting assistance. So that would mean he would try to hang himself, he would try to use a gun, he would try to jump off a bridge - something that might sure to cause his death. But we also notice that when women attempt suicide, they would do so by less lethal means which means that there is a window to get them help and that might be by drinking poison which is an issue for us, drinking over the counter medication and overdosing on other substances and so that creates that statistic that we have less men attempting, but more men dying and more women attempting and less women dying."

Kyle Carter Charged For Home Invasion
Twenty year old Kyle Carter today joined a group of men accused of barging into the home of businessman Mario Galvez and stealing $600 dollars in cash at gunpoint. He was charged with aggravated burglary when he appeared today before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser. Carter pled not guilty to the charge. He was remanded into custody where he joins his alleged accomplice, Nicoli Rhys.

Police Disclose Names In Ladyville Motorbike Accident
Tonight, more is known about that accident we first told you about last night. Just after 5:00, 35 year old Eric Gordon, a customs broker of Gardenia Village, was driving his Honda "600 CC" Ninja from Belize City to Lord's Bank Village. At the airport junction, he collided into a smaller 150 CC Honda owned by Bowen and Bowen coming from the opposite direction. Both drivers fell to the pavement where Gordon received a minor abrasion while 21 yr old Orlando Cowo had a broken right foot.

Pulled Up To His Bumper
There was a minor accident in downtown Belize City which held up traffic on Albert Street. A Nissan Maxima driver appears to have been focusing on something other than the road today when he rear ended a Tourism Police Unit Mazda Pickup. The Mazda didn't get much damage, but the entire hood of the Maxima was crushed under its rear bumper.

Cyber Security For Internet Service Providers
On this newscast, we've told you a lot about cyber security and the efforts of the Public Utilities Commission in raising public awareness. And now they're doing so with Internet Service Providers - to make sure that end users like you don't run into security snags on the internet. I found out more today:...

Did PM Just Call Mayor Bradley A Liar?
The past few days - we've heard the PUP's Monchie Cervantes say the Prime Minister wasn't being truthful when speaking about him. And across party lines, that sort of thing happens all the time. But, to have one UDP elected official refer to another UDP elected official as a liar? That would be very odd - and even more so if the one making the accusation is the Prime Minister. But that's just what happened. We have to start with the comment from the mayor which triggered the Prime Minister:

Caribbean Shores Rep and PM On The Politics of The Entertainment Strip
That talk about zoning came up when The Prime Minister responded to Caribbean shores area representative Kareem Musa. They were talking about the BTL part entertainment strip. Here's that back and forth in Friday's house meeting. Hon. Kareem Musa, PUP - Caribbean Shores: "But I think he may have over - reacted in going from one extreme of allowing all these open air bars, to now shutting down some of these establishments. So, now, before the residents are misconstrued, let me just make it clear for the record what their concerns were. First of all they no longer wish to have the Carnival there. I don't know if it's Mexican or Guatemalan, but it's a real nuisance. So, if it is that he is no longer going to allow the Carnival to come there, we applaud that initiative. Two, the residents, Madam Speaker, complain that they are locked into their homes, because the parking situation is a disaster. And so you have the patrons of these establishments, parking right in front of the constituents' homes and they cannot get out."

Channel 5

Court dismisses case against Louis Wade
Back in May, journalist and owner of Plus TV Louis Wade was taken before the Magistrate Court in San Ignacio and arraigned for common assault and use of insulting words. [...]

Orlando Vera wait continues; court pushes decision on bail to Friday
A ballistics examiner employed with the National Forensic Science Service is still awaiting the result of a second application for bail following his conviction for abetment to perverting the course [...]

Why Vera could not get bail the usual way
But why can’t Vera apply directly to the court as a result of appealing his conviction? The answer lies in a change to the law that in fact limits his [...]

“Person of interest” sought in Abdush Salam murder
Police are actively looking for a person of interest in the murder of Bangladeshi national Abdush Salam. The nude body of Salam was found in his Orange Street apartment by [...]

Accused San Joaquin killer, Arthur Tzul, charged
He was wanted by Corozal Police for last Thursday’s chopping murder of Amilcar Omar Morales Gonzalez and the attempted murder of Doniver Ruano, but on Monday, police formally arrested and [...]

The Ministers are coming to Belmopan on Wednesday
Wednesday’s Senate Special Select Committee public hearing in Belmopan is expected to turn up the heat on the Government of Belize. For the first time, sitting Ministers in Cabinet will [...]

The reality of the employment situation
At least nine percent of the population is jobless. The latest figures released by the Statistical Institute of Belize also show that as of April 2017, almost two thousand persons [...]

OCEANA, SATIIM et al. to follow up on Sarstoon oil spill
A team of environmental watchdogs led by OCEANA inBelizeis headed to the site of a waterborne oil spill along theSarstoonRiveron Wednesday.  As we’ve reported, a tanker traveling toward Chahal, Alta [...]

Premium gas goes up again
Effective today, drivers saw another increase at the fuel pumps, this time for premium gasoline. It had gone untouched when the last increase came in for regular gasoline which is [...]

The real reason why Gaspar Vega returned to House
Friday’s appearance in the House of Representatives broke a personal streak for Orange Walk North area representative Gaspar Vega which dates back to August of 2016.  He lost his powerful [...]

Motorbikes clash and crash at Airport Road junction
Two persons were injured following the collision of two motorcycles on the Phillip Goldson Highway. Just after five p.m. on Monday, police were called out between miles eight and nine [...]

Police catch shooter of Elward McKay in Belize City
Ladyville police have one person in custody following a shooting on Monday night. Around nine-thirty p.m., shots rang out on Pigeon Street as a gunman took aim at twenty-seven-year old [...]

Everal Gray makes plea in drug trafficking case
Belize City resident, Everal Gray, was convicted this morning in the Belize City Magistrate for drug trafficking. Gray, who is no stranger to the court, appeared before Senior Magistrate Sharon [...]

The plan to prevent rising suicide and depression
From 2012 to 2016, one hundred and thirteen persons died by their own hand, and three hundred and eighty-two others attempted to do so. There have been three more suicides [...]

What started Holy Emmanuel arson?
The Fire Department says that the fire that happened on Holy Emmanuel Street in Belize City seems to be a case of arson. The twelve by fourteen wooden structure was [...]

Central Bank builds cheque processing system to supplement national payment
The Central Bank of Belize launched today a new Automated Cheque Processing, which paves the way for the electronic processing of cheques. It means that clearing time will be reduced [...]

Internet operators told to set minimum security standards
This April’s National Cyber Security Forum, hosted by Packet Clearing House and the Public Utilities Commission, featured a host of participants working to create a National Cyber Security Strategy and [...]

Thirteen continue road to KTV Remix title
Shortly, we head over to the Bliss Institute for another exciting round of competition in this summer’s hottest entertainment show, KTV the Remix.  Fifteen performers took to the stage last [...]

Amandala

A pastor’s nerve-wracking experience with a dangerous law
A pastor who makes his living as a taxi driver operating out of the Novelo’s Bus Terminal, located on East Collet Canal, had a horrifying experience Friday evening when he accepted some passengers for what he thought were two routine runs in the city. Instead of going home to his wife and family in Burrell Boom after work, he ended up spending the weekend in police lockdown and is now facing a serious criminal charge, which can be punished by three years in jail and a $10,000 fine. This morning, Pastor Mark Humes, 45, and a 16-year-old youth appeared before Magistrate Carlon Mendoza to answer to a charge of drug trafficking.

PUC approves marginal rate reduction but consumers will pay the same rates
The Public Utilities Commission (PUC), which regulates electricity tariffs charged by the Belize Electricity Limited (BEL), has disapproved the April 1 recommendation made by the company to keep the Mean Electricity Rate (MER) at 36.99¢ per kilowatt-hour. In its final decision issued today, the PUC announced that the rate should be reduced to 36.92¢ per kilowatt-hour—a marginal decrease of 0.19%. The new mean rate is effective as of Saturday, July 1, 2017; however, the Commission, chaired by John Avery, said that the reduction “is too insignificant to have any impact” on electricity rates, so consumers will continue to pay the same rates.

Tied up, naked and dead
A Bangladeshi man who has been living and working in Belize for a number of years, at first in the Orange Walk District and later in Belize City, was found dead on Saturday, tied up with his hands behind his back. Abdush Salam, 29, was last seen alive at Al Rafa Mini Mart, the shop he operated inside the Novelo’s Bus Terminal on East Collet Canal. Salam closed up his shop around 1:30 p.m. on Saturday and went home to his apartment at 4 Orange Street to have lunch. Salam had no family in Belize and lived alone in his apartment.

Gapi back in the House
Former Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar “Gapi” Vega returned to Parliament on Friday, June 30, after an astounding 10-month absence marked by his resignation from Cabinet in the wake of a land scandal involving his son, Andre Vega. At last report, Vega had missed seven consecutive meetings since the meeting of December 9, 2016, but because those meetings spanned more than three months, he was not subject to the provision in the House standing orders that would have resulted in his seat being declared vacant.

While pastor preached, thieves raided his office in the same building
The Church of the Kingdom of God situated on Queen Street in Belize City, just beside the Queen Street Police Station, was burglarized during a church service on Friday. Pastor Wesley Ruiz, 30, told police that between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 4:45 p.m., someone entered his office and made off with a black Dell-brand backpack valued at $30, which contained a 13-inch Apple-brand laptop valued at $6,000. Burglars also took a 9-inch black LG tablet, valued at $300, and a 9-inch white Alcatel tablet, valued at $250. The pastor’s wallet, valued at $10, was also stolen.

Toledo and Stann Creek Districts suffer from weekend’s tropical wave
–The southern districts of Toledo and Stann Creek got the worst of heavy rains from a tropical wave that passed over the country over the weekend. The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) had to spring into action, because the torrential rains caused numerous rivers and creeks in the south to overflow across their banks, threatening the lives and properties of hundreds of villagers. Three advisories were issued in less than 24 hours as the organization worked to keep Belizeans in the areas affected, up to date with the situation.

City Boys – champions, and Heights FC – sub-champions of Smart 13 & Under Mundialito 2017
We don’t have the details yet; but it’s official, City Boys won, 1-nil, in the championship game yesterday over Heights FC, who settled for second place in the Smart 13 & Under Mundialito at the MCC. Hattieville Riverside Boys took third place by defeating Ladyville Rising Stars. We’ll have more details and the individual awards in our Friday issue.

C-Ray Youth Summer Series 2017 under way; Week 1 results
–The 4th Annual C-Ray Cycling Club’s Youth Summer Series kicked off yesterday, Sunday, July 2, on Marine Parade Boulevard. Despite the rainy weather conditions, some 48 youths (34 male and 14 female) from as far as Georgeville, Cayo, showed up to race in 10 different categories. Included here are the Week 1 results with some pictures. There is a special picture with all the females who raced yesterday. A little progress each day adds up to big results. I definitely can’t change the past, so I’m focusing on making a great future for female cycling in my country. These are the faces that will take over from me.

Mayors Cup quarterfinals, 2 games played, 2 more this Friday
The Dangriga Mayor’s Cup Tournament 2017 had knockout quarterfinal playoffs scheduled for the past weekend on Friday, June 30, and Sunday, July 2, at the Carl Ramos Stadium; but only the Friday night games were played, as the Sunday games had to be called off due to weather conditions. In the opener on Friday night, DYFA dropped Wagiya, 3-2, with a goal apiece from Eugene Martinez (22’), Davis Marshall (78’) and Jonard Castillo (85’); while Wagiya got a goal each from Krisean Lopez (70’) and Horace Avila (90’). And in the nightcap, it was Coast Guard, 2-1, over New Site Tire Depot. Brian Martinez (9’) and Kyle Budna (79’) shook the net for Coast Guard, while Shawn Caliz (40’) got the lone goal for New Site.

Performance Report on Central American Senior Championships in Honduras
Belize was represented at the Central American Senior Championships, hosted in Tegucigalpa, Honduras from Friday, June 30, to Sunday, July 2. 17 athletes and 5 officials represented Belize. Once again, we were able to be the star country of the competition, winning an impressive six (6) Gold medals. Samantha Dirks was awarded the MVP and Best Female Athlete of the competition with an amazing three (3) Gold medals.

Southside apprehension
This Monday morning, July 3, Marco Vidal takes over the top police command from Chester Williams in Belize City’s troubled Southside. Vidal, who was the first commander of the Gang Suppression Unit (GSU), has a heavy-handed reputation, to put it mildly. Chester Williams, who was “discovered” by Ralph Fonseca when he was Minister of Police in the Said Musa years, was also considered heavy-handed until he went to qualify himself in law and, upon his return, began to dedicate himself to “community policing.” It is sad that the academics in Belize are so intimidated that sober, focused public discussion on serious issues is seldom held. Party politics makes everything so prickly in Belize; Belizean citizens allow Gordian knots to exacerbate matters in Belize, even when a proven solution emerges.

From the Publisher
I went to St. Ignatius Church on Saturday morning for Lois Lightburn’s funeral, and a lot of memories ran through my mind. Lois had lived in Chicago with her two daughters (one of her daughters, Alva, had been a New York City victim of the 9/11 terrorist disaster at the World Trade Center in 2001), and it occurred to me that Lois must have asked to be buried in Belize. It is an expensive proposition, you know, to bring a body home from America for burial. Between 1975 and 1977, I was like an adopted son of Ms. Lucille Eusey, mother of Stretch, Ray and Pulu Lightburn. Ma Luz was like a stepmother to Lois, who was a daughter of Bill Lightburn, the father of Stretcher, Ray, and Pulu, through another lady. I will always treasure the closeness of the relationship between Ms. Luz and Lois. It was beautiful. They were like blood.

BELIZE’S CYCLING “DAREDEVIL” RUDY MIGUEL & THE HOLY SATURDAY CROSS COUNTRY!
Two years ago this feature on the two-time Belize Cross Country Cycling champion, Rudy Miguel, should have been done. But it appears that at this late date, after the 2015 Belize Cross Country victory of Miguel’s American-born grandnephew, Justin Williams, that the story of the triumphs of the Miguel brothers’ cycling dynasty was worth the wait. At this present time also, yours truly can surely say that soaking up the facts and information about this daredevil of a Belizean cyclist name Rudy Miguel over the last two years has been most rewarding, it being the case that Miguel extended a warm invitation to Belizean Legends (BL) to come and explore his archive of cycling greatness that he had compiled on his career in photographs, oral history, and his own personal memoirs. Thanks to Belizean cycling activist, Yvonne Robinson. We chatted about his career as a cyclist before his acceptance of an interview, and it was a chance for me to get to know him for the first time, since I was only a boy when he won his two Belize Cross Country Cycling Classics, and for him also to get to know me and the story he wanted to tell.

“AYO DA” TO DANA MARTINEZ & HER DANCE OF LIFE!
The loss of the legendary Garifuna Belizean dancer and artist, Dana Martinez, in the Los Angeles Belizean community has been irreplaceable. Since her death and departure from the Belize artistic scene both at home and abroad, Belizean dance performances have never been the same. Dana brought a new vibe to Belizean dance and performance. She incorporated like no one else did Garifuna dance rhythms into Caribbean art forms that would even make Bob Reneau blush. Dana was not only a dancer but an awesome musician and percussionist. She carved out a style of dancing while playing the harmonica prolifically, or playing the two-handed Shaka as she glided like a python across her space on the stage. She also did many performances to the drumbeat of Garifuna drums in real time. She was a sight to see, an almost flawless performer, that carried the beat of Africa in her Garifuna bones. She was a spectacular performer who would illuminate the show and bring an audience to its dancing feet.

Crude oil spill in bordering Guatemala could threaten the Sarstoon
An oil spill in the vicinity of the Sarstoon River in southern Belize has sparked outcry from the Guatemalan environmental agency, Centro de Acción Legal Ambiental y Social (CALAS), which has called for immediate action to mitigate the devastation caused by the spillage of an estimated 4,000 gallons of crude petroleum into the adjacent Gracias a Dios River, in the village of El Arenal, Livingston, Izabal, Guatemala.

Special police protection for Vega
The political rivalry between Orange Walk North area representative, Gaspar “Gapi” Vega, former deputy prime minister, and his challenger, Ramon “Monchi” Cervantes of the Opposition People’s United Party, is no secret, and it was most pronounced after Vega was publicly fingered by the alleged hit man in the disappearance and murder of Cervantes’ father back in 2014—an allegation which sparked the threat of a lawsuit from Vega. On Vega’s return to Parliament on Friday, June 30, after an extensive 10-month absence from House meetings, Orange Walk South rep for the PUP, Jose Abelardo Mai, said that Vega, notwithstanding his exit from Cabinet in 2016, was enjoying special police protection—cops on around-the-clock guard at his home in Orange Walk.

Belize gets woeful grades on 2017 Reef Scorecard
Belize has been lauded for putting a large portion of its territory, and in particular its maritime spaces, under protected status, but even those protected areas would be threatened if Belize were to explore offshore oil and if something were to go wrong, as was the case with the Deepwater Horizon catastrophe, which devastated the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. The threat of oil was the first red-flag raised in Belize’s 2017 Reef Scorecard, produced by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Belize Audubon Society, Oceana, the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Belize Institute of Environmental Law and Policy (BELPO), and the Belize Tourism Industry Association.

Breaking Belize News

Belize listed among most terrifying places in the world
An article on MSN Lifestyle listed Belize among some of the most terrifying places in the world. The list features mainly tourist destinations for the adventurous traveler. It includes a volcano in Turkmenistan named “The Door to Hell”, a creepy town in Japan where […]

Central Bank introduces new cheque processing system
The Central Bank of Belize, at a press event on Tuesday morning, announced the launch of its new Automated Cheque Processing system which is one component of its larger Automated Payment and Security Service System (APS3), which the financial regulator says will significantly improve the […]

GOB and Ashcroft clash in court
The government of Belize and lawyers representing the Michael Ashcroft are set to face off for another round of battle in the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) over a US $92 million legal cost claim from Ashcroft over the 2015 settlement of the Belize Telemedia Ltd. […]

Pastor Lucas’ head exhumed for forensics test
The decapitated head of slain Pastor Llewelyn Lucas was exhumed from the Belmopan cemetery last week to take samples for forensic testing, according to reports from multiple media houses.Love FM reports that the samples could be crucial for the prosecution’s case against William Mason, […]

Ralph Fonseca in hot water
Controversial former Cabinet Minister and businessman, Ralph Fonseca, considered the ultimate achilles-heel of the 1998-2008 Said Musa regime, is back again in the news. This time it is in relation to the issuance of a Belizean Nationality Certificate to another business man who didn’t […]

Magistrate throws out Wade’s case due to “executive manipulation”
This morning, Plus TV’s Louis Wade appeared at the San Ignacio Magistrate’s Court to answer charges of ” common assault” and “indecent words”. Robert, “Bobby” Montero, the son of Cayo Central Area representative, Rene Montero had accused Wade of assault and indecent words. Today, […]

Soca queen Destra Garcia sued in Belize
World renowned Soca artist, Destra Garcia, lost a negligence civil suit in Belize, for injuring Belizean, Fernando Oliva, during a September 2015 concert. The Supreme Court accepted Oliva’s claim that Destra was negligent when she jumped onto his torso while on stage, rupturing his […]

Said Musa challenges Faber on student subsidies
During the last sitting of the house, former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Said Musa rose to discuss the issue of education subsidy. In previous years, each Opposition member had received $10,000 of tax payers’ dollars to assist students in the upcoming school year. So […]

“Monchie” wants Vega recalled
Ramon “Monchie” Cervantes, PUP Standard Bearer for Orange Walk North, said this week that he is looking into having UDP area representative Gaspar Vega, recalled. Cervantes told the media this week that he is looking into gathering the resources to call a bi-election and […]

Pastor charged for drug trafficking
Yesterday, a pastor who is also a taxi man appeared in court for drug trafficking charges. Pastor Mark Humes alleges that he picked up a teenager who had with him a suitcase filled with weed, and as a result, Humes and the minor were […]

Blogs

Passports to the Future
Tropic Air recognizes the value in education and has made it a priority to step up and help staff provide for their families future. Yesterday, Tropic Air presented education grants totaling $13,000 to the dependents of 21 employees. Recipients were chosen from a large group of applicants from Tropic Airlines 11 flight destinations countrywide and based on academic ability and merit. Since the inception of the education grant program more than three years ago, Tropic Air has given more than $50,000 in education grants to the dependents of its team members.

International Sources

Franklin Township: Sisters in Training for Life (STFL) Travel to Belize
STFL recently made its presence felt thousands of miles away from home. Two days after Franklin High School’s (FHS) graduation ceremony, five members of STFL along with FHS Students Assistant Coordinator, Stacy Hale, an STFL Advisor and a parent chaperone flew to Belize. The trip to Belize was completed through an Education First Educational Tours program (EF). Over the course of the trip, the group was able to explore Belizean culture, participate in adventurous activities, and give back to the community.

Honduras president urges Central American neighbours to join customs union
Last week, while attending the Central American Integration System (SICA) Summit in Costa Rica, Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernández proposed expanding the Honduran-Guatemalan customs union to include other Central American nations. "Guatemala and Honduras would like to invite our neighbours to share in the growing market that our countries are creating," Hernández said. "The customs union is a boon for the economy, benefiting consumers, producers, and businesspeople alike."

Videos

July 3, 2017

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Specials and Events

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

The San Pedro Sun

Doctor Love: Mother knows best
Dear Doctor Love, My fourteen year old son stays up really late then he cannot get up in the morning and wants to nap all afternoon. I think it is laziness but my husband says he needs extra sleep. Who is right? /s/Mother knows best Dear Mother, In this case, father knows best. The National Sleep Foundation states that teenagers require eight to ten hours of sleep per night to function normally and most don’t get anywhere close to that amount. They go to bed late and get up early, then feel drowsy midday during classes. So instead of worrying that he is getting too much sleep, you need to make sure he is getting enough proper sleep.

Wolfe’s Woofer: Home Care
“Hello, Dennis speaking,” I said, when I answered the phone. “Mr. Dennis, it’s me – Consuela.” “Oh, hi, Consuela,” I said. “What did the doctor say about Mario? Is he going to be all right?” Mario, my sometime yard worker and handyman, had been feeling poorly all week long so his wife, Consuela, had taken him to the doctor. “The doctor say he want to talk to me by myself about Mario,” she said. “I’m scared. Will you go with me to the doctor’s?” “Sure.”

Ambergris Today

Celebrity Spotting: Nick Jonas Excites Fans In Belize!!!
Yes! The Belize social media is a buzz and the teenage girls are screaming for joy and wishing they knew where Nick Jonas is staying in Belize. The young American singer/actor has been spotted in Belize but his whereabouts remain unknown. According to our sources he was spotted in Placencia, while others swear he was in San Pedro. Tropic Air pilot Milo Paz shared his picture with us that he took with Nick at Belize’s Phillip Goldson International Airport.

Misc Belizean Sources

NEMO Flood Advisory #1:
FLOODING IN SOUTHERN BELIZE SUNDAY, 2ND JULY 2017, as at 12:00 MD. The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) hereby informs that the National Meteorological Service have issued a flood warning for the Toledo District due to flooding as a result of heavy rainfall over the last 36 to 48 hours over southern Belize. Rainfall is expected to continue through the day and tonight. It is raining over the Maya Mountains, so communities prone to flash flooding in the Stann Creek District must be on the alert. The concerns remain as localized flooding of low-lying communities and flash floods near rivers and streams especially in the south. AREAS OF CONCERN in Stann Creek are the North Stann Creek and South Stann Rivers including Kendal. In Toledo it is the Moho and Temash Rivers which are at flood stage. So far eight (8) families had to relocate to their relatives due flood waters in Crique Sarco...

NEMO Flood Advisory #2
FLOODING IN SOUTHERN BELIZE, SUNDAY, 2ND JULY 2017, as at 6:00 p.m: Few showers and isolated thunderstorms will continue over the south tonight. Conditions are expected to improve tomorrow with showers and thunderstorms becoming isolated. Communities in the Stann Creek District that are prone to flash flood must be on the alert as the North and South Stann Creek rivers are rising fast. A flash flood warning is in effect for and has been issued to the villages of Sarawee and Hope Creek. Shelters will be opened in Sarawee and Hope Creek to assist those residents who need a dry, safe place to shelter until the water recedes. The Stann Creek District Command Centre was activated at 4:00 p.m. today. The Hon. Frank Mena chaired the Stann Creek District Emergency Committee meeting, reviewed the situation and initiated their plan of action.

Caye Caulker Lobster Fest 2017
Lots of photos!

This Month July is when the event of the Maya resistance known as the Caste War Started
The Independent Maya Masewal Communities during the Guerra Social Maya(Caste War 1847-1930's) In 1850 the Chan Santa Cruz state founded by the Yucatec Maya group known as the Cruzoob Maya, stretching from north of Tulum to the Belize border and a considerable distance inland, was the largest of the independent Maya communities of the era but not the only one. The Ixcanha Maya community had a population of some 1,000 people who refused the Cruzob's break with traditional Catholicism. In the years of stalemate, Ixcanha agreed to nominal recognition of Mexico in exchange for some guns to defend themselves from Cruzob raids and the promise that the Mexican government would leave them alone. As Chan Santa Cruz was more of a worry, the Mexicans let Ixcanha govern itself through 1894. Another important group was the Icaiche Maya, in the jungles of the lower center of the peninsula .The Icaiche Maya territory included part of northwestern Belize and southern Mexico close to the Rio Hondo. , who in the 1860s battled against the Mexicans, the Cruzob, and the British .

WATER RECEDING AT JACINTOVILLE - HIGHWAY PARTIALLY OPENED
Water is receding on the Southern Highway at Jacintoville (Toledo), 8 miles just outside Punta Gorda. As a result, the Highway has been partially re-opened for now, with only high vehicles being allowed to pass. Motorists and villagers in Toledo District and Stann Creek District are advised to stay informed and keep monitoring the situation, for while flooding might be subsiding in some areas, waters might still be rising in other areas.

BAFFU12 an e magazine from BELIZE
Still accepting submissions...

BEL Authorized Collection Agents
Payments for electricity bills can be made for free via any Authorized BEL Collection Agent countrywide. If you are being charged a fee to pay your electricity bill, be aware that you are not using an Authorized BEL Collection Agent.

Ceviche with a smile
Friendly faces and delicious food at the Lobster Fest in Caye Caulker.

The Reporter

Man drowns in Macal river
A man has reportedly died of drowning in San Ignacio town. The incident happened on Sunday in the Maval River. Police say they were summoned to the branch mouth area at around 11:00 a.m., where they observed the decomposed corpse floating down the river. The person was identified Leston Broaster, 31, of Santa Elena town. Broaster’s mother, Mirta Broaster had reported that he left home last weekn Wednesday and had not returned.

Police believe murdered businessman was killed on lunch break
Police believe that Abdush Salam, the 29 year-old Indian businessman whose body was discovered Saturday night in his apartment downtown Belize City, was murdered during the lunch hour. Salam reportedly left his booth at the Novelo’s bus terminal to go for his lunch break at aroynd 1:30 on Saturday afternoon but did not return. A friend who went looking for him just before 6:00 p.m., discovered his nude body lying face up on a bed inside his apartment. His hands were tied behind his back. Police have not yet made any arrests.

Breaking Belize News

US Embassy confirms Wentz found safe
This evening, BBN reported that Renee Wentz, a self-defense instructor went missing in Corozal Town. Wentz was last seen yesterday in Corozal and her family and friends were concerned since she did not show up for an appointment in Chetumal this morning at 10. The United States Embassy’s Duty Officer/ Public Affairs officer has responded to BBN and informed us that Wentz was found safe in Corozal Town.

Post-mortem reveals Letson Broaster found in Macal River died by drowning
According to police reports, at 11 am today, authorities visited an area on the Macal River Bank in the branch mouth area where the body of a male person was seen faced up floating down the river. The body was retrieved and was in an advance state of decomposition.

Body found in Macal River identified
Earlier today, BBN reported that the body of a man was found floating in the Macal River near the new San Ignacio/ Santa Elena bridge. BBN can confirm from sources that the body was identified as Densdale Letson Broaster. According to reports, Broaster had been missing for several days.

Indian businessman found dead at home
Last night around 6:15, Belize City police visited #4 Orange Street in Belize City and observed a man of East Indian descent lying face down naked on a bed. The person was identified as 29-year-old Bangladeshi businessman, Abdush Salam. Salam had both hands tied behind his back.

NEMO Toledo partially activated
The Ministry of National Emergency Management informs that the NEMO Toledo Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has been partially activated as coordinators monitor rising waters of the Moho and Temash rivers.

More problems for Belize’s struggling oil industry
Belize’s oil industry, which is already facing rapidly declining production, is gong through even more difficulty as production at the Never Delay Oil Field, located north east of Belmopan, came to a halt. Director of the Petroleum and Geology Department, Andre Cho, explained that Belize Natural Energy (BNE), the only oil producer in Belize, hit a rock formation which is making oil extraction difficult.

Bus driver robbed in Lords Bank
Belizean bus driver, Dexter Hemmans, 36, of Hollywood Street, Lords Bank reported that on Friday night around 8:00 he was inside his bus doing his last bus run for the night when he stopped for two dark complexion men.

Belize City church robbed of almost $7,000 in items
According to police reports, Wesley Ruiz, 30, Brazilian pastor of Queen Street in Belize City reported that between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. on June 30, while he was giving a service inside the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God someone entered his office at the church.

House burns in Belmopan
Bernard Lino, 65, of Ortanique Street, Belmopan City reported that on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. he was at home watching news when he smelt something burning. Lino told police that he made checks in one of the bed rooms and noticed that the mattress was on fire. Lino immediately called the fire station for assistance.

Blogs

Plunge Into Rio Blanco Falls
We just took the highway while exploring southern Belize and kept our eyes open for any great adventure we could get into. We were told there are beautiful waterfalls in the area. Signs on the road alert of waterfalls and the Rio Blanco Falls was easy to find. The falls are located in a national park that was made a protected area in the early 1990’s. Rio Blanco contains a series of waterfalls dropping 15-20 feet into a deep pool. It is a popular swimming and picnic spot for locals, as well as tourists. It is designated as an Indigenous People’s Park and is managed by Santa Cruz and Santa Elena Villages. Two dollars allows you access to the falls that has changing rooms, picnic areas and stairways to access the waterfall; there is a ranger who overlooks the park. Jumping in and cooling off the the best part of it all.

International Sources

Caribbean credit unions want a greater role in regional development
Caribbean credit unions are more alive and active and can play a greater role in national and regional development, but that much is either not known or recognized by the region's government's -- and they want to change that. That's the word from the president of the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions (CCCU), Aaron Moses -- and he delivered just that message at the regional organization's 60th International Convention and 46th AGM held June 16-17, 2017, at the Memories Varadero Beach Resort in Cuba.

Videos

July 2, 2017

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

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

The San Pedro Sun

Elvin Penner charged for manslaughter
Former Minister of State in the Ministry of Immigration, 45-year-old Elvin Penner is out on bail after he was arraigned at the San Ignacio Magistrate Court for manslaughter by negligence, and causing the death of Unitedville resident 41-year-old Kenrick Myvette on Friday, June 23rd. Penner was driving his Sports Utility Vehicle around 7PM heading to San Ignacio Town, while Myvette was travelling on his motorcycle in the opposite direction when the collision took place on the stretch of road in front of Running W Meats at mile 62 on the George Price Highway.

Belize Represented at XLIX Summit of Heads of Government and State of the Central American Integration System
Belize attended the XLIX Summit of Heads of Government and State of the Central American Integration System (SICA) in Costa Rica from June 28th-30th, 2017, where leaders met to discuss regional cooperation, security and the continued strengthening of regional integration. Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Wilfred Elrington, representing Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, congratulated the Government and people of Costa Rica for their leadership and welcomed the discussions and commitments made to regional integration, particularly in the area of security.

Senate Special Select Committee grills Immigration officer Ady Pacheco
The Senate Special Select Committee resumed its investigation into the Auditor General’s Special Audit report on Wednesday, June 28th. The Committee continued its inquiry into allegations of corruption at the Passport, Visa, and Nationality Departments between 2011 and 2013. After being interrogated last week, Immigration Clerk Ady Pacheco reappeared before the senate panel to discuss a lot of administrative irregularities. Within the Auditor General’s report, her name is mentioned over 90 times for improperly granting nationality, visas, and permanent residence.

Caye Note: SPTC introduces youth summer sports camp
The San Pedro Town Council, in collaboration with Projects Abroad and the Department of Youth Services, are proud to announce their upcoming summer sports camp. For four weeks, children ages five to 12 years old can enjoy various sports like football, softball, basketball, swimming, and martial arts. Below is the schedule: Monday, July 17 to Friday, July 21st- beach football at Honorable Louis Slyvestre Sporting Complex (Saca Chispas). Monday, July 24th to Friday, July 28th, softball at Saca Chispas. Monday, July 31st to Friday, August 4th- basketball at San Pedro High School or Boca Del Rio Park. Monday, August 7th to Friday, August 11th. Those interested in martial arts can meet at Belize Fitness on Coconut Drive at 9AM to 11AM. Those wanting to swim can meet in front of Mayan Princess on Barrier Reef Drive from 2PM to 4PM.

Misc Belizean Sources

Monthly Weather Summary, May 2017
THE MONTH OF MAY STARTED WITH MAINLY FAIR, WARM AND DRY WEATHER WITH AN EAST TO SOUTHEASTERLY SURFACE FLOW OVER BELIZE AS THE NORTH ATLANTIC HIGH PRESSURE RIDGE EXTENDED INTO THE NORTHWEST CARIBBEAN AND DOMINATED THE AREA. RIDGING WAS NOTED AT THE UPPER LEVELS FOR THE FIRST THREE DAYS WITH RELATIVELY LOW AMOUNTS OF MOISTURE, RESULTING IN ONLY ISOLATED SHOWERS OVER THE COUNTRY. A COLD FRONT WAS LOCATED IN THE CENTRAL GULF OF MEXICO THAT PREGRESSED EASTWARD. AS THE COLD FRONT APPROACHED THE AREA, CONDITIONS BECAME MORE FAVORABLE FOR SHOWERY ACTIVITY AS MOISTURE AND INSTABILITY INCREASED OVER THE AREA. ON MAY 4TH, INTENSE THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPED OVER THE MAYA MOUNTAINS LASTING FOR OVER TWO HOURS AND PROGRESSED ON A SOUTHWESTWARD PATH BEFORE DISSIPATING LEAVING BEHIND DENSE CIRRUS CLOUDS STREAMING OVER THE AREA...

NOTHING CAN STOP YOU IF YOU WANT TO, AND KNOW "HOW"
Here these women are a feature in the City as the fruit seasons roll by. I have looked forward to seeing them for over 12 years as I did my observational research for my books. Once its Mango, Kinep, Craboo season and all, they travel from over 100 miles to come and sell in the city. They are very smart, and work very hard. As with hustling all over the world, they attend to their customers, run to the vehicles to serve their customers conveniently, and making it a celebration and laughing fest at their fruit stand. Here you can study what makes businesses, especially small businesses work. While others around them may complain of how the system stops them from doing anything, or there is nothing to do, these show something maybe terribly wrong with that view on life. At the end of the eight hours or so they will be here, they pack their emptied buckets and head back to their villages hoping to do it again another day.

Fire in Hopkins
Thanks to villagers and employees from nearby resorts the fire was extinguished by 3:15 this afternoon. We understand the fire started from the laundry room. There is no fire truck in Hopkins so villagers had to work together to out the fire while they waited for the fire truck to arrive from Dangriga.

Today was a day of street dog care, and animal health outreach in Succotz village.

Visit to the Otto Rodriguez Polyclinic
Minister Marin, CEO Figueroa and DHS Manzanero were on a one day visit to the Otto Rodriguez Polyclinic, San Pedro to meet with staff, members of the Lions Club, Mayor and area representative to look at proactice approaches to upgrading services from the Polyclinic. Key and immediate agreements were reached in pro of continuing to improve the overall functions of the clinic. Thanks to the community for the ongoing support.

Exhibit "Canada, Synonym for..." in Corozal
We are getting ready for part 2 of our Canada 150 celebrations in beautiful Belize. For Canada150, we are happy to collaborate w/ Corozal House of Culture with exhibit "Canada, Synonym for..." in Corozal until 21/7.

Belize Weather for July
To assist in planning your visit here is a brief weather statement. As with anything involving the weather it will not be 100% accurate for any given year, but it does provide a snapshot of Belizean weather. High on the list of Belize’s many charms is a very comfortable tropical climate with an average yearly temperature of 84° F (29°C). Costal sea breezes and Belize’s large tracts of jungle and rainforests provide cooling relief even in the hottest summer months while winters can be cool but never very cold. In short, the climate is pretty much near perfect.

Belize Yucatec Maya - "Dia de San Pablo" in Orange Walk
Celebrating the Yucatec Maya/Mestizo Culture of the village . San Pablo had milpas since 1886 by Mayeros. Their first permanent inhabitants were in the 1915 consisting of Maya people who spoke Yucatec Maya. The descendants are still in the village speaking mostly the Spanish language while elders still speak their Native Maya language. Pictures courtesy of AK kuchkabal Maya Institute for Social & Cultural Research Institute Of Belizean Studies San Pablo Village Council

Belize's Wonder Women! Deborah Sewell
Deborah Sewell is the Managing Director of the Love Foundation--the Philanthropic arm of the nation's largest private radio and television station. Her passion is youth and community development. After living in both New York and Connecticut, where she held executive roles in several nonprofit organizations, Deborah returned to Belize in 2014 to manage the Love Foundation.

Congratulations-Fisher of the year 2017!
Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development (SACD) wants to congratulate one of its very own board member – Mr. Leobihildo Tamai, winner of the fisher of the year award 2017. This is an annual event organized by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), which recognizes the importance and great work of fishers in Belize. Mr. Tamai currently resides in the Village of Sarteneja and is a proud father of 6 daughters. As many of his age, Mr. Tamai entered into fishing at the age of 12 and has continued fishing for over 30 years – currently using the Glovers Reef area as his primary fishing ground. He was very fundamental in the creation of the Sartneja Fishermen Association (SFA) and is also an ac tive member of the Glover’s Reef Advisory Committee (GRAC); and a pioneer of Managed Access in Belize. Along with Mr. Cesar Munoz, the chair of the SFA, Mr. Tamai has also supported the promotion of loin fish extraction and consumption for the wellbeing of our fishery resources. Mr. Tamai is also currently serving on the SACD board as the representative of the Sarteneja Village, one of the biggest fishing communities in Belize and where he actively supports the management and sustainable use of the Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary – an important fish nursery for many commercial fish species in Belize.

ATLIB Professional Development 2017
The Association for Tertiary Learning in Belize had their annual Professional Development training, where almost every tertiary level professor, and the support staffs, meet to learn to be better instructors. This year, it was in Corozal, at Corozal Junior College, and the focus was Quality Assurance. Looks like they had a fun time while learning to be better teachers. Pictures on fb.

The Mojo and the Sayso
If you're wanting to see some Belizean live theater, then tonight's the last night to see The Mojo and the Sayso at the Wildfire Artmosphere. It's well done, and is about the trials of loosing a loved one. Great acting, score, and they put some time into their set too. It's free, and the last showing is tonight at 7:00pm. "The Wildfire Artzmosphere has been showing their play, The Mojo and the Sayso, this month. It's an interesting look into a Belizean family that must deal with the loss of a child. It's definitely worth checking out, and tonight is the last night. It's free too." Pictures on fb.

Human-Jaguar Conflict Officer visits schools
Human-Jaguar Conflict Officer Marchilio “Moon” Ack, along with Julio Chub and ArtCorps’ Isabel Carrio, visited 3 primary schools in the Maya Golden Landscape to increase awareness about reducing conflict with jaguars. They communicated how to identify the 5 cats of Belize, as well as the history and diet of jaguars and the threats they face. The students drew masks and created a show based on what they learned. Human-jaguar conflict is increasingly becoming a sensitive, multi-layered issue. As more forests – the jaguar's home – are converted for agricultural activities and community development, clashes between people and the forests’ apex predator becomes more widespread. Moon and other Ya’axché staff dedicatedly work to reduce this conflict and create a win-win for jaguars and humans.

The Reporter

Workshop held for regional enterprises on operations after disasters
Representatives from micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the Caribbean and Latin America have completed a workshop on the continuity of business and operations after disasters. The event is conducted in compliance with the work program for 2017, approved by the Latin American Council of SELA (Sistema Económico Latinoamericano y del Caribe). It seeks to provide participants with a vision of the risks and vulnerabilities to which MSMEs and their suppliers of goods and services are exposed, and how a disaster could affect the continuity of their operations. It also serves to raise awareness about the need to adopt a methods or guidelines for effective risk-management in their business models, and to provide a strategy that facilitates the implementation of a program on the continuity of business and operations after disasters.

Businessman murdered at apartment on Orange Street
Police are currently at the scene of a murder at an apartment on Orange Street in Belize City. Preliminary reports are that the victim, a Bangladeshi national, was discovered inside his apartment with his hands tied behind his back.

Robbers target church and bus driver
A pastor and a bus driver became this week’s latest victims of robbery when thieves struck in separate instances on Friday. The bus driver, Dexter Hemmans, 36, of Lord’s Bank told police he was conducting his last bus run for the day at around 8:00 p.m., Friday when two dark-skinned men signalled the bus to stop and they got on pretending to be passengers. One of the men produced a handgun and demanded Hemmans’ money bag and personal belongings. Fearing for his life, the bus driver handed over the money bag, which he said contained $320. He also gave the thieves an Alcatel brand cell phone worth $150, after whicb the robbers got out of the bus and fled.

Breaking Belize News

House Speaker shuts down Briceño
Speaker of the House, Laura Longsworth, took a strong stance this week against People’s United Party Leader John Briceño, shutting him down as he attempted to violate the standing order of the House in a speech. Briceno had attempted to make comments to the Speaker, regarding her vote that Mace Bearer, Brian “Yellow Man” Audinett should have lost his job for assaulting members of the media.

Barrow refutes US claim on GOB being complicit in Human Trafficking
Prime Minister Dean Barrow, this week, refused to accept claims made by the U.S. State Department, that the Government of Belize has been complicit in human trafficking activities in the country. Belize ranked the worst among all Central American nations in the State Department’s 2017 Human trafficking report, alleging that trafficking was facilitated by those in the highest echelons of society including government officials.

Belize participates in Crime Stoppers forum in Salvador
Crime Stoppers joined with Salvadoran, Guatemalan and Belizean police in a two day forum to share experiences and information on the contraband of cigarettes in the countries. It is the first time that Belize has participated in the forum.

Gapi fears for his life, Barrow blames PUP
Former Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega is under constant police guard following threats to his life and his family members, which Prime Minister Dean Barrow said came from members of the People’s United Party. At Friday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, Vega made a brief appearance, but left by midday.

Santa Elena church seeks funding for feeding program
The Full Gospel Church of God in Santa Elena Town began a feeding program in September 2016. The church is located on Bishop Martin Street, opposite to the Santa Elena Primary School. The program caters mostly for students from Santa Elena Primary School and has been able to operate with contributions from church members as well as a few community members...

Belize City teen shot on Raccoon street
Last night around 9:00, police visited the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where Raheem Bowden ,18, of Raccoon Street Extension was seen suffering from a gunshot wound to the left shoulder.

Government and opposition debate over Economic Development Council
At yesterday’s Sitting of the House or Representatives, the last before it breaks for summer, members of the opposition People’s United Party (PUP) including party leader John Briceno and Cayo South area representative Julius Espat raised concern over the composition of government’s Economic Development Council (EDC).

Police seek man for Teakettle murder
Belmopan police are investigating the murder of Teakettle resident, Markie Mendez. Police are seeking Erwin Santos, 24, for questioning in connection with the murder. Mendez went missing for five days and on Monday night, his body was found near the old Warrie Head bridge by some farmers.

PM and Julius agree, police and community need to work together
At yesterday’s House Sitting, Cayo South area representative, Julius Espat expressed his concern about the crime situation in his constituency and comments that police would pursue protesters in Teakettle village. On Monday, Sr. Supt. Howell Gillett, Officer Commanding Belmopan told the media that cops would seek the people responsible for burning tires on the highway last Saturday.

“We live in a violent country,” says PM Barrow
At yesterday’s house meeting, Cayo South area representative, Julius Espat shared his concerns about the escalation of crime in his constituency and the country. Espat also spoke about Sr. Supt. Howell Gillett’s comments on the media about charging 20 Teakettle village protesters for burning tires on the road.

Are We Living In A Good Country?
We all know, with unquestioned certainty, that we want to live in a good country. We are, however, differently certain in our knowledge as to what that means exactly. When we think of a country we think of a group of people occupying a defined territory, sharing values and resources, being culturally and commercially connected. When we think on the status of a country – whether it is good or bad – we tend to think on the condition of the physical and social space the people occupy and how that space enables (or disables) their pursuit of a happy, harmonious existence.

International Sources

Fly fishing: Tested by bonefish in paradise
The sun blazed down relentlessly from the summer blue sky, patched with white candy floss clouds. The temperature hovered around 30 degrees; I know that this scenario was commonplace across Yorkshire during June afternoons, but this was 6.30am and I was in a state of deep shock having crawled from my bed over an hour ago. I don’t do early mornings. They are unnatural. Nevertheless, there I was, rod in hand, barely conscious, gingerly lowering myself into the boat, urged on by Mario’s firm hand shake and infectious grin. There was no Yorkshire landscape visible over the prow of the boat. A sapphire panorama interrupted only by crashing waves on the reef confirmed that I was in Belize in the Western Caribbean hunting salt water fish with a fly rod. My fishing companion for the day was Mark thus fulfilling a promise we’d made four years ago. On that occasion, Mark was too ill to join our Central America expedition so it was not only realizing an ambition but confirmation that he has returned to good health. Our target was the bonefish that inhabit shallow tropical waters and are the piscatorial equivalent of Usain Bolt. We left the dock and motored parallel to the coast of San Pedro Island.

Latin America Still Falling Short in Combating Human Trafficking: Report
An annual report on the global state of human trafficking suggests that the majority of Latin American countries still do not fully comply with US standards for combatting the crime. The latest annual Trafficking in Persons Report from the US State Department, released on June 27, found that the majority of countries in Latin America still do not comply with the minimum standards of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), a law the United States introduced in 2000 to combat human trafficking. Overall, Latin America continues to be a region filled with "source, transit and destination" countries for human trafficking, sex trafficking and forced labor, the report states.

Videos

July 1, 2017

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

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

The San Pedro Sun

GoFundMe campaign launched to help Caye Caulker lionfish crafter
Family and friends of Caye Caulker resident and lionfish crafter, Dianny Enriquez, are kindly asking the general public for donations to assist with her medical bills. On Wednesday, June 21st, Enriquez suffered a stroke, which left the right side of her body paralyzed, and prompted the urgent need for brain surgery. Due to her overwhelming medical expenses, several fundraisers have been organized, along with donation drives. Enriquez has established her livelihood on handcrafting intricate pieces of jewelry, using lionfish fins, tails, and spines. Lionfish are an invasive species that threatens 56 species of fish and many invertebrate species up to half its body size.

Closure of the Conch Fishing Season
In accordance with the Fisheries (Amendment) Regulations under Statutory Instrument number 54 of 2012 (Regulations 24.A), the Fisheries Administrator hereby informs fishermen and the general public that the Conch Fishing Season will officially be declared closes from July 1st, 2017 to September 30th, 2017. The public is reminded that no person or establishment shall have in possession any conch during the closed season in accordance with Regulation 6 of Principal Regulations (Chapter 210’s of the Laws of Belize – Revised Edition 2000-2003).

Ministry of Health confiscates hundreds of expired goods as part of routine inspections
With hundreds of businesses, including restaurants, grocery stores and bars thriving on Ambergris Caye, San Pedro Health Inspector Horris Patten is tasked to inspect each establishment three times per year. In an effort to ensure consumer safety, hundreds of expired perishable and nonperishable food items have been confiscated since the start of the year. On Thursday, June 22nd, The San Pedro Sun received a report that a truckload of expiry goods were seized after a local grocery store was inspected. Health Inspector Patten explained that food safety is taken very seriously at the Ministry of Health (MOH). “We conduct inspections randomly. Whether or not it is through a report or complaint, we make sure we are visiting these establishments to make sure they are in compliance with the food safety laws of Belize. Once we carry out an inspection, we look at all of the products, and remove all of the expired, damaged, dented, swollen, and rusty items,” said Patten.

Costa Maya Presents: Miss Honduras, Kerelyne Isell Campigoti Webster
Only two Central American beauties remain unnamed, as the International Costa Maya Festival® committee has announced the sixth contestant vying for the title of Reina de La Costa Maya 2017-2018: Miss Honduras Kerelyne Isell Campigoti Webster. 19-year-old Webster stands six feet tall, and has brown eyes and light brown ha

ACES celebrates 7th Graduation Ceremony
10 pre-schoolers and five standard six students participated in Ambergris Caye Elementary School’s (ACES) 7th Graduation Ceremony on Wednesday, June 28th. A host of family and friends gathered at the Lions Den to celebrate the students’ success in education. With the graduates themselves leading the ceremonies, it was an emotional time as the teachers of ACES said good bye to their students. Invited guest, San Pedro Education officer, Odilia Caliz delivered the commencement address, challenging students to keep striving for their dreams. ACES’s Principal, Amanda Burgos, also wished the graduates the best in their new journey, especially the standard six graduates who will be heading off to high school.

San Pedro Police report a decrease in major crime compared to last year
Officer in Charge of the Coastal Executive Unit, Assistant Superintendent Henry Jemmott has issued a crime report for May 2017. The report focuses on crime activity, statistics, and law enforcement measures in comparison to the same month in the previous year. The report indicated that major crime in May 2017 declined, with only theft on the rise. May 2017 saw three burglaries, four robberies, no cases of unlawful sexual intercourse, murders, rape, or thefts (above $5,000). This means a 27% decrease from May 2016, when there was one murder, one rape, eight burglaries, and one case of theft.

Ambergris Today

Dia De San Pedro Festivities Continue
On Thursday, June 30, 2017, San Pedro residents gathered at the Honorable Louis Sylvester Sports Complex to continue the celebrations of Dia De San Pedro. Delighted by the music of Wil and Dale, Rompe Raja, Dayanara Manzano and a special video tribute of San Pedro, the audience patiently awaited for the fireworks display! Events will continue tonight with more entertainment at the Sports Complex; Saturday will feature a special presentation by comedian “Puruxona” from Mexico and it will all culminate with a beach party on Sunday at the Central Park.

Belize Coast Guard Officer Graduates With Top Honors Abroad
Lieutenant Gregory Soberanis of the Belize Coast Guard (BCG) graduated from the United States Naval War College on the 16th June, 2017, after successfully completing the Naval Staff Course in Newport, Rhode Island, U.S.A. Soberanis, who is the first Belizean to attend the one-year version of the course, was elected class president during his time at the Naval Staff College and won the International Leadership Award for being the most outstanding overseas student.

Misc Belizean Sources

Blood Drive in Belmopan
IT'S TODAY! Give blood. God gave it to you first. July 1st, St Ann's Church, Belmopan, 9 am to 4pm. 18 to 65 years old. 669 31645 for info, or just come along.

THE BELIZE JENKINS SISTERS SOFTBALL DYNASTY!
Like the legendary Miguel Brothers of the 1960s and 70s Belizean cycling dynasty, the Jenkins sisters became a household name in Belizean softball during the same period. It appeared that there were four of them that played the game with extraordinary talent; but only two made the honor role as the best among their other siblings. It is typical that families that dominated a sport in terms of ranking among the best were fostered by their natural family heritage . It becomes a kind of domino effect that spark one family athlete to become like the other. It is a kind of chain reaction that explodes into that competitive spirit to be good and then better than the best. This analogy can only be the best way to describe family athletes like Cynthia and Genevie Jenkins of Belize's Softball Hall of Fame.

BELIZE & JAMAICA: POWERHOUSES IN WORLD CLASS SOFTBALL!
As the legendary Belizean softball player, Cynthia Jenkins graced this classic photograph of an historic battle of champions in the Caribbean between Belize and Jamaica in softball, memories of these sports reports on Radio Belize touched many Belizean hearts and inspired many future Belizean softball players of the late 1960s. It is most inspiring for me to remember this period through reading an article by the legendary softball coach, the late Collect Gill, in a Belizean magazine about these heated softball games between Belize and Jamaica. They were the two formidable rivals of the game in the historic 1968 and 1969 periods of Caribbean softball.

CYNTHIA JENKINS: POWER TO THE BELIZEAN WOMEN OF SOFTBALL GREATNESS!
Belizean Legends has been in dialogue occasionally with the legendary Belizean softball player and pitcher, Cynthia Jenkins in Chicago, Illinois where she lives after her migration from Belize in the early 1970s. Jenkins holds one of the most important key to yours truly completion of the softball documentary called, "When We Were Queens". The documentary that we started to shoot some years ago has been incomplete because we cannot proceed until we capture on camera the historical story of those like Cynthia Jenkins and those of her peers who made Belize great in the softball world. Harbour.

BELIZEAN SOFTBALL GREATNESS IN RETROSPECT!
The 1960s, 70s and part of the 1980s culminated the historical period of Belizean softball greatness that continues to be talked about today in Belizean circles both at home in Belize and in the Belizean diaspora abroad. It was a golden age of Belize's sporting greatness; a period of highly developed sportsmanship that was achieved through hard work and a high level of performance that appears to be unattainable today in all levels of sports in Belize.

Tropic Air
Travel just got easier between San Pedro and Corozal with your TropicAir Belizean Summer Special! $99bz each way!

Paradise Theater playing this weekend
Okja, The Lost City of Z, The Bad Batch, Smurfs: The Lost Village

This Day In History
1803 June 30th - Erection of Fort George, a small fort on an island off the river mouth of the Belize

Congratulations to Aaliyah Elijio, Miss Caye Caulker Lobster Fest 2017-18!!!

Dia de San Pablo
In Orange Walk celebrating the Yucatec Maya(Maya Mestizo) culture of the village . San Pablo had milpas since 1886 by Mayeros. Their first permanent inhabitants were in the 1915 consisting of Maya people who spoke Yucatec Maya. The descendants are still in the village speaking mostly the spanish language while elders still speak their Native Maya language.

Caye Caulker Lobster Fest 2017
Lots of good photos!

Benque Summer 2017 Art Courses
The Benque HoC is having quite a few Summer courses for the kids. They range from creating corn husk dolls to learning Maya glyphs to basket weaving, and even learning how to play the marimba. "Learn, Explore & Be Empowered through the Arts this Summer 2017, inbox, call us 823-2697 and save your space today!!! "

This Day In History
1807 June 30th - African Slave Trade abolished by Parliament in all British Colonies. Following are some key dates in the trans-atlantic trade in slaves from Africa and its abolition.

This Day In History
June 30th, 1828 - The Revd. Dr. Newport tendered to the Legislative Assembly of the Settlement his gratuitous services in the marriages of slaves, for which he received a Vote of Thanks.

Agroforestry concession inside Maya Mountain North Forest Reserve
20 farmers visited and exchanged knowledge with the group working in the agroforestry concession inside Maya Mountain North Forest Reserve – the first of its kind in Belize. The farmers were encouraged and inspired by the experiences and rewards of working within a protected area. They saw the young cacao blooming with pods, evidence of proper care of the plots, as well as the newly-established inga alley cropping system. The visit ended with a presentation of the recently-developed Integrated Farming Manual at Ya’axché’s field station. This activity was funded by Selva Maya.

Channel 7

Hon. Vega from Backbench M.I.A. to Front Bench Appearance
He had missed 7 straight house meetings since he was forced to resign from Cabinet in November, but Gaspar Vega appeared at today's meeting - warmly greeting colleagues after a long absence. And we were surprised to see that Vega was not seated at the far end of the back bench where his seat had been placed before; instead he was brought to the front and placed in the 8th seat - not far from the fourth seat he occupied before his resignation. Now, its quite unusual to have a backbencher - that is: a representative with no portfolio - in the front bench but this may have been part of the compromise to have the Orange Walk North Representative Vega back in the house.

Strong Speaker Shuts Down Leader Of The Opposition
But before we get to that - we have to start at the top of the meeting where opposition leader John Briceno jumped out of the gates to try and make a statement about Mase - bearer Brian Yellowman Audinett - who was back in the house today doing his duties as sergeant-at-arms. But, the Speaker Laura Longsworth saw him coming and used her speaker's authority for firmly stop him in his tracks:... Hon. John Briceno, Leader of the Opposition: "I have to first start off by congratulating you on the principle position you took when it comes to the issue of the sergeant at arms." Hon. Laura Longsworth, Speaker of the House: "You are not supposed to any matter related to the speaker, please do not go there please Hon. Opposition Leader. It is in the standing orders, you are not allowed to do that. You are not allowed to refer to my chair at all, please."

Discussion Of Escalating Crime Enters House of Representatives
And after that firm opening, today's very long house meeting - had a lot to do with current events. First, Cayo South Representative Julius Espat made a presentation on all the murders in his division. Indeed, there have been many - especially in recent weeks - including the murder of Markey Mendez - which Espat said pains him greatly. Espat called on government to press police to make an urgent intervention in Teakettle where residents are frustrated - and the Prime Minister was very receptive:

Police Name Teakettle Suspect
And while the PM says he will press police to do more - they say they are investigating the killing of Teakettle resident Markey Mendez very aggressively. Police are trying to find 24 year old Erwin Santos for questioning in connection with this murder. Police say Santos is in hiding right now and they are doing all they can to locate him. Markey Mendez had been missing for 5 days and his body was found on Monday night around 6:00 in a creek about a 45 minute walk beyond the old Warrie Head Bridge. His body was tangled in a tree branch that had fallen in the creek. His entire upper body was decomposed and the only way his father could have known it was him was from his Nike tennis and his tattoos on his foot.

PUP Rep Says Hon. Vega Should Not Have Police Protection/PM Blames His Opponent
And while the spate of Cayo South murders made it to the house meeting today - another security issue did as well. But it's not about crime, it's about police protection for the UDP's Gaspar Vega. PUP Orange Walk South Representative Jose Mar alleged that Vega has 24 hours police security - which is straining police resources in that town. Here's how he put it, and how the PM responded:...

The Castro Corona's Crushed
Today, the Orange Walk Customs Department destroyed the 89 cases of Mexican Beer that they caught Jafari and Wasani Castro with on Friday June 16th. The customs department took the beer to a dumpsite outside Orange Walk Town where they threw them into a heap, and then brought in a front end loader to smash and destroy the over two thousand cans of beers. Just like the Castros had done, the Customs Department took the beers to the destruction site in the back of a pickup. On the night of June 16th., Customs found the beers uncovered in the pan of a southbound Wingle pickup truck. Reports say the beers had come across from Mexico at Santa Cruz - which is the village across from Botes Mexico - a main source point for contraband.

Alleged Drunk Driver Will face Trial For Causing Death Of Lilian Guy
Today Victor Mason Gibbs appeared in the Magistrate's Court for a preliminary inquiry into the traffic accident that killed Lilian Guy and injured two others. In July of 2016, an allegedly intoxicated Gibbs was driving past the Michael Finnegan Market in Belize City when he began to swerve along the street. Gibbs eventually veered onto the sidewalk, where multiple people including Lilian Guy, Francis Hinds and Stephanie Pouchie were standing. Gibbs crashed into the group, completely crushing Guy's right foot and injuring Hinds and Pouchie. After loosing a fatal amount of blood, Guy, who was a Jehovah's Witness, refused to take blood from the hospital and succumbed to her wounds the next day.

No Charge For Larios In Wild West Style Shooting
Remember the May 2016 Wild Wild West bar room shootout in Spanish Lookout? Two business rivals squared off against each other, guns blazing; one was killed, the other seriously injured, and police recovered almost two dozen expended shells from the scene. 59 year old Businessman Jose Molina Estrada was the victim - but he also fired the first shot. So, now, his rival, Eddy Larios, the man who shot and killed Estrada, will not face charges because the DPP has ruled it a case of self-defence.

BDF's Helicopter Pilots and Technicians Ready For The Air
Years ago, it seems like a dream, but tonight, the BDF helicopter unit is finally fully operational. The BDF today held a Graduation Ceremony for the four Pilots and thirteen Technicians who completed a year long Helicopter Conversion Training. We visited them a few months ago into the training, and today Daniel Ortiz went back to see how far they've progressed since. Here's his story: According to the BDF General, the Taiwanese Government has committed to assist them with parts for these helicopters, which lessens Government's operational costs.

"GI Joe" Changes His Plea, Sentenced To Ten
Cecil Franklin, a career criminal known as GI Joe was sentenced to a total of 10 years in prison this afternoon, after changing his plea from not guilty to guilty to avoid wasting time in trial. Franklin is accused of robbing and wounding Janette Seawell last December. She had just finished a night of partying and was on Central American Boulevard trying to get home when Franklin approached her. She knows him, and told the court he offered her a place to stay for the night, and when she refused, he snatched her phone, and dragged her by the neck into a nearby alley. Franklin then allegedly struck her to the left side of the face, and ordered her to strip. Fearing for her life, Seawell began to shout for help, which caused Franklin to run away.

Government Fails The Reef Test
Earlier this week, the Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage released its 2017 Reef Scorecard. The document reviews the work that the government has been doing to protect the barrier reef over the past year, and ranks those actions on a point scale. The scores are based on the government's response to various recommendations that the Coalition and its members have given them in the last year or so. GOB was scored on a scale of 1-3, with 1 meaning that no progress has been made, and three denoting that significant work is underway. The scorecard is divided up into six categories each with an individual score. The categories are: Oil, Mangroves, Coastal Development & Tourism, Environmental Regulation, Fisheries and World Heritage Value. First off, government did not receive an optimal score of 3 in any of the categories. It was given 1 in Oil, with the Coalition citing a lack of commitment to a moratorium or a referendum and criticisms on last year's plans for offshore oil exploration.

Arson Suspected In Ladyville Fire
Tonight, the Ladyville Police are investigating a fire in the Milpa area, which members of the family strongly believe was arson. 34 year-old Lorna Bardalez reported to police that around 11:40 she went outside her house. That's when she saw her cousin's home, which in the same yard, completely engulfed in flames. The Fire Department arrived as soon as it could, but, by then, the plywood and zinc house was completely destroyed. This afternoon, Lorna Bardalez spoke with us off-camera about the blaze, and here's what she told us:

Both Sides Debate Economic Development Council
And going back now to today's meeting at the House of Representatives, today the government introduced the economic development council bill. It establishes the Council in law as a body to promote partnership and collaboration between the public and private sectors. The opposition didn't like it one bit:;.. The bill was passed with government support.

Finnegan To Hyde: Don't Tell Me About Being Black And Poor
And while that was an orderly debate, things got downright rowdy when PUP Lake-I Representative Cordel Hyde rose to speak on the minimum wage. He's following up on a civic lobby raised by activist Moses Sulph. But, Hyde clashed openly with another Southside representative the UDP's Michael Finnegan - when he connected the low minimum wage with black poverty in the city. Here's the testy exchange:...

Titan's Principals Lose Again
Bahamians Rohn Knowles and Kelvin Leach have lost another legal battle, and this time it's not about money. The Supreme Court is ordering that the aborted extradition proceedings against them must resume, which could mean that their freedom may once again be restricted. In September of 2014, the US Department of Justice unsealed an indictment accusing them and other defendants of committing a 1-billion dollar securities fraud. In the months that followed, Knowles and Leach were on a roll, winning the criminal and civil suits in the courts.

Police Mentoring That Matters To Minors
Last night you heard Chester Williams and Dianne Finnegan plead with the Southside gangs to keep the peace and not fall back into their violent ways. Well, today Williams also asked the southside youth from the mentorship program to hold on to what they learned and carry it with them as they go back into their neighborhoods. And 100 of those youth graduated today from the mentorship program. A ceremony was held for them today at the Radisson. We stopped by to see how impactful this 6 month journey has been for these children.

Increasing HIV Awareness Through Testing
Today, over 20 countries throughout the region celebrated the 10th Annual Regional HIV and AIDS Testing Day. The event promotes HIV/AIDS status awareness, and aims to eliminate the stigma around getting tested. This year the National AIDS Commission opened up testing sites in 8 different locations throughout the country to attract and test as many people as possible. We spoke with the Arthur Usher, the Communication and Programs Officer at the AIDS Commission about the importance of the event...

Channel 5

House Meets; P.U.P. Questions Make Up of Economic Development Council
The House of Representatives met in its final session before the mandated summer break and there was a lot to discuss. We’ll have all the highlights, but first, to the [...]

P.M. Gives EDC Members Credit for Legislation
Accusing the Leader of the Opposition in particular and the Opposition generally of ignorance of the role of the Council, Prime Minister Dean Barrow gave them credit for several of [...]

Supreme Court, Liberty Hall Volunteered for “Rejuvenation”
We have been covering the Cultural Heritage Bill’s passage through the House of Representatives. It is intended to present a regime for registration and maintenance of historical assets including buildings, [...]

Commercial Center Not Part of Project
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture Patrick Faber hit back with a reminder that both Liberty Hall and the Supreme Court were in some disrepair years ago. He countered [...]

P.M. Barrow: “I Don’t Accept” U.S. Claim of Gov’t Complicity in Human Trafficking
News Five was able to pigeon-hole Prime Minister Dean Barrow for a quick interview following the sitting. We asked first about the U.S. State Department’s Trafficking in Persons report. This [...]

Bleeding Cayo South Begs for Crime Resolution, P.M. Responds
Two topics addressed on the adjournment are carrying a lot of currency at the moment. While Belize City has been mostly crime and murder-free for a few weeks, there has [...]

Julius to Howell: Don’t Charge Tire Fire Protestors
The Cayo South Area Representative also called out the officer commanding Belmopan, Senior Superintendent Howell Gillett. Gillett told News Five on Monday that while the search was continuing for murder [...]

Can Education Gap in Labour Force Be Cured?
As we reported on Wednesday, unemployment ticked up to nine percent year to year according to the Statistical Institute of Belize’s Labour Force Survey done twice annually. Additionally, just under [...]

The Pitfalls of Living at Minimum Wage
Five years ago, the minimum wage for working Belizeans was raised to three dollars and thirty cents. In that time, the cost of living has increased hundredfold, exacerbated by high [...]

Returning Gaspar Vega Living in Fear; Police Guard Home & School
Former Minister of Natural Resources and area representative of Orange Walk North, Gaspar Vega, made his long-awaited return to the House of Representatives after being absent since August. It wasn’t [...]

Family Dispute Causes Arson in Ladyville
A domestic dispute among members of a Ladyville family has resulted in the alleged torching of a property in the Milpa Site area of the village.  According to thirty-four-year-old Lorna [...]

U.D.P. Sets Municipal Conventions for August
Municipal elections are set for March seventh, 2018. There are nine municipalities and a whopping sixty-seven seats to fill; eleven in both Belize City and Belmopan. The U.D.P. is in [...]

Accused in Fatal 2016 Accident Faces Supreme Court Trial
Belize City resident, Victor Mason Gibbs, accused of causing the death of a Jehovah witness, Lilian Emily Guy on July thirtieth, 2016 was today committed to stand trial at the [...]

Belize Short Again in Protecting Barrier Reef
The World Wildlife Fund and the Belize Coalition say that Government has failed to implement promised protection for the Belize Barrier Reef World Heritage Site. According to the WWF, this [...]

First 100 Graduates from Police’s Youth Membership Program
Two years ago, a spike in crime violence in Mayflower and Sibun area of Belize City saw residents seeking an initiative targeting those most susceptible on the south side. ACP [...]

4 Pilots Train to Fly Huey ‘Copters for B.D.F.
An auspicious ceremony was held at the Belize Defense Force headquarters in Ladyville.  Four pilots completed a Helicopter Conversion Training Course to fly the Taiwanese-gifted Hueys thus transitioning from the [...]

Know Your Status: Test for HIV!
Belize joined regional efforts today to encourage testing for HIV, particularly by men. Across the country, centers were open for persons to get tested and know their status. The trends [...]

LOVE FM

House Meeting #2 Held for 2017/2018 Fiscal Year
The second sitting of the house of Representatives for this fiscal year concluded at around five o’clock this evening in Belmopan with thirty elected members in attendance including Orange Walk North’s representative, Gaspar Vega who has been absent for House meetings since November 2016. Today’s meeting saw the second reading of eight Bills including the […]

Speaker Shuts Down Briceno
Starting off today’s House Meeting was the Leader of the Opposition, John Briceno who did not get far in his presentation as the Speaker of the House interrupted his attempt at bringing back the issue surrounding Brian Yellowman Audinett.

Cayo South Rep Alarmed at Recent Crime Wave
For a very long time the cry and appeal to mitigate crime had come from Belize City residents after the municipality had been riddled with gang related gun violence. In recent weeks, however, the cries have been coming from the west which is seeing even more violent forms of homicides ranging from burnt bodies to […]

EDC Bill Garners Much Debate in House Meeting
Several Bills which ran through fairly smoothly with the exception of the Economic Development Council Bill which saw much debate. Cayo South Representative, Julius Espat began the debate by questioning the purpose of legislating this Council which seeks to promote partnership and collaboration between the private and public sector. Collet’s Representative, Patrick Faber responded to […]

Hopkins’ Cove Goes Down in Flames
Fire Officials and police are investigating what started a fire at the Parrot Cove Lodge in Hopkins Village. The fire started some time after two in the afternoon. Ted McCoy, Chairman of Hopkins Village told us more about the incident.

Helicopter Training Ends with 17 BDF Members Better Equipped
The Belize Defence Force held a graduation ceremony to recognize four Pilots and thirteen Technicians who successfully completed a Helicopter Conversion Training. The Helicopter Conversion training started on the July 11 last year and concluded on June 26 and covered a wide range of helicopter related subjects and practical exercises. Hipolito Novelo reports.

Bert Vasquez’ Trial for Abduction Begins
On Wednesday a trial involving Bert Vasquez began in the court room of Supreme Court Justice Adolph Lucas. Vasquez is accused of a crime allegedly committed in May 2011. Nine jurors were selected to hear the case. Representing the crown is Sheringe Rodriguez who began her opening statement with details of the case. Vasquez is […]

Police Investigates Separate Shooting Incidents in Rural Belize
Ladyville police are investigating reports by two men who were injured in separate shootings. According to authorities, on 32 year old Christopher Meighan told police that shortly after four Thursday afternoon he was sitting inside the pan of a grey Ford Ranger pickup along with 4 men when they stopped on the Lemonal Road opposite […]

House Fire and Family Feud Takes Down Home
Fire officials are investigating the cause of a fire that destroyed a home in Ladyville. They believe it was arson and when Love News visited the scene today we found out that it might have stemmed from a family feud. Hipolito Novelo reports.

Loan Motion Gets Green Light for Testing of Placencia’s Waters
A loan motion for one point two million dollars was pushed through this morning during the sitting of the House of Representatives in Belmopan. The loan is being acquired through the Caribbean Development Bank for a study under the Placencia Peninsula Wastewater Management Project. This morning’s session was suspended briefly to give way to the […]

Fishermen Awarded at Annual Ceremony
As part of Caribbean Fisherfolk Day, the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism, recognized three fishermen at the annual Fisher of the Year Award Ceremony. Hipolito Novelo reports.

Chester Says Goodbye to EDS
The name, Chester Williams has become a household name in recent years as he has made his mark particularly on the southside of Belize City as the Commanding Officer for Eastern Division South. Friday, June 30, the Assistant Commissioner of Police will engage in a handing over of office to Inspector Marco Vidal who leaves […]

PlusTV

Murder in Corozal
Police are looking for a man that they believe can help them in their investigation into another murder in the north. The man is Arturo Tamai Tzul whom police say they believe can assist them in their investigation into the chopping death of a Salvadoran man. The murder happened in San Joaquin, C...

SIB says economy on rebound
In Belize’s economy grew by 2.1% in the first quarter of 2017. According to SIB , Belize produced goods and services totaling 748.2 million dollars which an increase of 15.4million dollars from $732.8 in the first quarter of 2016. During this period, the banana industry grew by more than 34%. Sugar...

Unemployment rate at 9%
The unemployment rate has increased in comparison to the same time period last year. That is what the latest figures from the Statistical Institute of Belize reveals. The Labour Force survey of April 2017, showed that when compared to April of 2016, there were over two thousand more persons unemploy...

Drunken cop to be disciplined
A uniformed PC Florencio Rash was caught on camera in a most unflattering position on the ground at the Belmopan bus station earlier this week. The video quickly made its way around social media and on Wednesday, it was determined that PC Rash was indeed drunk in the video, as suspected. Police sa...

No one checked Nationality Certificates?
Yesterday, Addy Pacheco returned to sit before the Senate Select Inquiry into the Auditor General’s report on the passport, nationality and visa sections of the Immigration Department. As we told you yesterday, Pacheco has constantly placed blame for the processing of fake nationality certificates ...

On Line sale of Pharmaceuticals not approved
Belizean Pharmacists have been monitoring a website which sells medications online. The website operators claim that they are operating from Belize and even the Google site tracker picks up the site running from NorthSide Belize City. Well, online Pharmacies are illegal in Belize and today the Mini...

Weed found in over grown lot
Cops found 950 grams of weed on Wednesday afternoon. Police searched an overgrown lot next to the Fiesta Park in the Belama Phase 4 area of Belize City where they found a black plastic bag containing the cannabis. No one was in the area at the time and as a result the item was labeled and deposited...

Belize attends 49th SICA Summit in Costa Rica
Belize attended the 49th Summit of Heads of Government and State of the Central American Integration System (SICA) in Costa Rica where leaders met to discuss regional cooperation, security and the continued strengthening of regional integration. Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Wilfred Elrington, H....

Belize Coast Guard officer graduates with top honors from the united states naval war college
Lieutenant Gregory Soberanis of the Belize Coast Guard (BCG) graduated from the United States Naval War College on the 16th June, 2017, after successfully completing the Naval Staff Course in Newport, Rhode Island, U.S.A. Soberanis, who is the first Belizean to attend the one-year version of the c...

Amandala

Hammon Lemoth, 23, barber, survives gun attack
Hammon Lemoth, 23, a barber who was shot twice in the head on Central American Boulevard in Belize City over a month ago, is still alive today. After being shot, he was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) in a critical condition. Doctors at the time described his prognosis as grim. Miraculously, he survived. However, information to Amandala is that he is unable to walk, talk, or move his body. Despite his slow road to recovery, we have been reliably informed that the KHMH is seeking to discharge him within the next few days. His family has not provided our newspaper with a comment on this decision taken by the hospital, but we understand that it is not being taken lightly. We understand that efforts are underway to clear his medical expenses in Belize, and to seek further medical attention for him abroad.

The PUP, UDP and the Harmouchs
An in-depth analysis of the Auditor General’s audit of the Immigration Department would lead one to think that the Harmouch family in San Pedro has benefited from its relationships with political figures in both the ruling United Democratic Party and the opposition People’s United Party. For example, the audit revealed that in 2012, Abdel Harmouch became a Belizean national even though he had not satisfied the requirements to do so. Tourism Minister Manuel Heredia had provided a reference for him to the Immigration Department for the issuance of his nationality certificate. The Officer in Charge of the Nationality Section at the Immigration Department, Gordon Wade, however, was of the view that he did not qualify for nationality and so did not recommend him.

14,823 unemployed in Belize
There are over 2,000 more unemployed people in Belize, as joblessness increased from 8% to 9% this April, reflecting the fact that as many as 14,823 people who are of working age (14 years and above) are not even able to get paid work for at least an hour a week. Belize’s job market has failed to meet the growing demand for work. Although roughly 3,000 new jobs were created, they were not enough to satisfy the burgeoning labor force. According to data released today by Curwen Arthurs, Statistician I (Labour Force) at the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB), the majority of those who joined the ranks of the unemployed (more than 6 in 10) are women.

Deadly machete chopping in San Joaquin
Two men were chopped in San Joaquin at about 3:00 this morning near the village’s fiesta grounds. Omar Mario Gonzalez, 21, a farmer of San Joaquin who is originally from El Salvador, was chopped in the back and in the back of his head, and died on the scene, while his companion, Doniver Armoldo Ruano, 20, also of San Joaquin, was chopped in the right side of the neck, but he was able to escape. Their attacker, then ran away. Ruano was able to alert police, who were on patrol, and both victims were taken to the Corozal Town Hospital, where Gonzalez was declared dead on arrival while Ruano was treated for his chop wounds and was later released.

Banana and sugar lead economic rebound
Belize experienced a recession in 2016, but indications are that the economy is on the rebound, with first quarter growth of 2.1%, according to latest figures announced by the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB). Jefte Ochaeta, Statistician I of the SIB’s Economic Statistics Department, told the media on Wednesday that agricultural expansion—primarily from the banana and sugar sectors—accounted for most of the growth reported for the period January to May 2017. The 2.1% increase in Belize’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) can be attributed to the agriculture sector, said Ochaeta, adding that agriculture alone contributed 1.6% to the numbers, with banana production actually making the highest contribution to the increase for that period.

The Godfather of internet inventions is a Belizean-American, Andre Gray
Before the internet and the World Wide Web (WWW) became public modes of modern communications, its precursor was some dial-up telecommunications nodes. Every state in the US had them. In New York, there was Dialnet and Telenet. These were mostly utilized by the military and some people in academia, who paid for subscription and were connected via modem on their computers. Built on to these communications nodes from as early as the 1970s were the bulletin boards system (BBS) which were around until the 1990s, when the internet came along. The BBS had no sounds, no graphics, no videos. BBS were essentially texts streaming on computer screens in a style resembling a telegraph machine.

Allison “Harrier” Laing Tournament results
Here are the results from the Allison “Harrier” Laing Tournament which was held at the Trial Farm Basketball Court in Orange Walk on Sunday, June 25. In Round 1 games: Crooked Tree defeated Knights, 62-24; One Love def. Truckers, 53-26; and San Lorenzo Snipers def. All Stars, 42-31; while Muffles Bobcats got a bye. Round 2 saw Crooked Tree with the 61-32 win over Muffles Bobcats; Truckers defeated All Stars, 42-24; One Love def. Knights, 49-37; San Lorenzao Snipers got a bye; and Truckers won, 47-18, over Muffles Bobcats.

Kulture Yabra leads at Week 4 of National Over-40 Tournament
The inaugural Belize National Over-40 Football Tournament 2017 completed its fourth week of games over the weekend, and two undefeated teams, Kulture Yabra and Mango Creek Veterans lead the standings, with Kulture Yabra in first place with 7 points, followed by Mango Creek Veterans in second. But the race is tight, as Mango Creek is also tied at 6 points with Benque Vets FC and BDF Veterans. And two others are right behind with 5 pts each – San Pedro Veterans and Belmopan Veterans. Two games each were played on Saturday and Sunday over the past weekend.

The Annual Kaina Martinez Track and Field Games, July 22-23
The Seine Bight village on the Placencia Peninsula in southeastern Belize will host the fifth annual Kaina Martinez Track and Field Games on July 22-23, 2017. Named for Kaina Martinez, an Olympic athlete who represented Belize in the 2012 Games in London, the Kaina Martinez Track and Field Games features young athletes between the ages of 4-14 from Seine Bight as they compete in a series of track and field events. Kaina Martinez is an 11-time All-American track athlete, two-time NCAA champion, and both the Belizean and Central American world record holder in the 100-meter sprint who grew up in Seine Bight. She has also won gold medals in the Central American Championships for the 100-meter sprint, the 4 x 100-meter relay, and a silver medal in the 200-meter event. The Track and Field Games named after her are part of her long-standing desire to contribute to the success of other young people in her community.

Cricket Corner: Last segment – BNCA President resigns
The attached message was sent in by the President of the Belize National Cricket Association (BNCA), Jeremy McCulloch. He has resigned. Also, I have withdrawn from doing anything for cricket. It was a pleasure doing so, but it had gotten to a point where a line has been drawn. I thank everyone who had supported me constructively throughout these 6-plus years… No more postings on cricket, but later I will find other positive things to write about. Thanks again. May you all, be blessed. A message from BNCA President, Jeremy McCulloch:

Editorial: Re-registration
The newspaper is disturbed by the decision of the ruling United Democratic Party (UDP) to postpone re-registration yet again. For us, the UDP decision is worse than Machiavellian: it is anti-democratic. Everyone knows that the voters’ lists are dirty, which is to say, people are voting in constituencies where they should not be voting, and some people are voting who should not, strictly speaking, be eligible to vote. The first time re-registration took place in the post-universal adult suffrage (1954) era of Belize’s modern politics, was in 1978. In 1978, the then ruling People’s United Party (PUP) introduced the 18-year-old vote, which had been a demand of the UBAD Party (1969–1974), and 1978 was the first time Belizean voters were required to have their photographs taken for identification purposes.

From the Publisher
I went to St. Ignatius Church on Saturday morning for Lois Lightburn’s funeral, and a lot of memories ran through my mind. Lois had lived in Chicago with her two daughters (one of her daughters, Alva, had been a New York City victim of the 9/11 terrorist disaster at the World Trade Center in 2001), and it occurred to me that Lois must have asked to be buried in Belize. It is an expensive proposition, you know, to bring a body home from America for burial. Between 1975 and 1977, I was like an adopted son of Ms. Lucille Eusey, mother of Stretch, Ray and Pulu Lightburn. Ma Luz was like a stepmother to Lois, who was a daughter of Bill Lightburn, the father of Stretcher, Ray, and Pulu, through another lady. I will always treasure the closeness of the relationship between Ms. Luz and Lois. It was beautiful. They were like blood.

Neri O. Briceño writes the Taiwan Ambassador to Belize
Dear Ambassador Liu, I write to you as simply a man, without medals, honours, degrees, positions and titles; just an ordinary mortal as you are, but most importantly as a citizen of this beloved nation of Belize. This country is one of the most diverse in Latin America and has a long history of cultural and racial diversity that can probably be traced back to the origin of this state. It’s a country that is made of immigrants to whom it has always opened its doors with welcome arms. Some have come with good intentions and managed to integrate and be a productive part of the community and the new nation they live in, while others, we will say, have not been so generous and forthcoming.

Bigging up road repair crews
Dear Editor, Since it is usual to hear complaints on most subjects, this will be a note with a difference. As much as people complain that the Western Highway is in terrible repair, we must admit that the repair crews do a tremendous job with what they have to work with. Without them, the road would be useless at more than ten miles per hour, and even then hard on the tires. These guys keep the road usable. Without them, we would spend hours, rather than minutes, to get from Belmopan to Cayo. While nothing in this world is perfect, these guys are out there making our world a little easier and safer. Some kudos for people who really try.

Beloved, scuttlebutt is scuttlebutt …
Greetings, It must be that in this day and age my efforts within the trade union movement are ill conceived or simply not known. Nonetheless I take serious umbrage to the inferences drawn in your recent article regarding me and the current administration. It was not until I read that article that I knew that the Barrow administration was rooting for me to be president. This is fresh news and would have been grateful to at least know. The second statement draws a serious inference to suggest that I am controlled by the UDP administration, If this is the view of the Amandala crew, I would deem you to be misguided without more. Perhaps it would have served all of our interest had a simple conversation been held with me about the state of affairs between both the Congress and PSU, so that misinformation and statements bordering on slandering are not so freely tendered.

Former Ex-Services General Secretary writes aspiring member
Dear Mr. Carr, My attention has been drawn to a Radio and TV broadcast which was aired by KREM Radio and Television on the morning of Monday, June 19, 2017, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. In this broadcast you made a number of statements about the secretary of the Ex-Services League and the Executive of the Ex-Services League, which I believe to be libelous. I am the secretary of the Ex-Services League to whom you made reference, and at all material times I was a member of the National Executive Council.

The Panama Taiwan breakup
The announcement by the government of President Juan Carlos Varela of the severing of diplomatic ties between Panama and Taiwan was of monumental importance both to this region and Belize in particular. In an address to the nation, President Varela announced the breaking of immediate diplomatic ties and that the severing of ties was the correct path for his nation and that of China. The possibility of mending this relationship is almost non-existent since China, regardless of not having formal diplomatic relationship with Panama before this announcement, however shared close financial ties with Latin America’s financial powerhouse. The fact that China is also the second largest customer to the Panama Canal and the largest supplier of merchandise to the city of Colon’s Free Zone was, I am sure, a huge deciding factor. Taiwan as expected came out with a swift and hard diplomatic statement condemning the move and announced that it would immediately cease all bilateral projects, pull its diplomatic staff and technical advisors, essentially closing its embassy. This is a monumental blow for Taiwan.

In his time he was the best…
He’s 79 now, and one of his knees isn’t working all that well, but he still looks spry enough to take off and push one out of the farthest corner, or slam a C. F. S. Brown fastball over the boundary for six. In 1950’s/1960’s Belize, everyone knew Charlie Gardiner’s name. He was a top football player. And he had some brilliant days on the cricket pitch too. He had to excel. Athletics is written all over his genes. His dad, Robert Gardiner, was among that famous group of Belizeans (British Hondurans) who boarded steamships in Belize and journeyed across the ocean to fight for Britain in the First World War. Robert won a silver cup in Mesopotamia for gaining the most points in a sporting competition for soldiers stationed over there. (Charlie says he still has the cup) His brother, Keith, was an All Belize footballer in the 1960’s, a first class cricketer, and a national table tennis champion. His brother, Roy, was a highly respected boxer.

BELIZEAN LEGENDS SHINING STARS!
As a childhood friend in Belize City Derrick Estrada had more freedom than most of us who grew up in the same neighborhood and in very strict homes like mine in the late 1960s. But remembering him and his shy personality since then makes me realize that boys like him had appeared distant in many ways. For me, there was always this wonderment why my sheltered background at the time prevented me from knowing him better. It later appeared after we both became teenagers in the late 1970s, and my family’s departure from the neighborhood that divided us from connecting, that we were to meet again in more maturity. There was a sense of reluctance still, even though we would chat occasionally at the Belize Islamic Center on Racecourse Street that had become like an educational hub for some of Belize’s most brilliant minds.

The saga of evidence of the common-law union!
I must confess I was not taken aback by the huge interest expressed by many over my article regarding common-law unions because it only proved that indeed many do not even know the law, their legal rights and the legal consequences that ensue when it comes to the relationships they are in. Thus, this week I will further expand on this topic as there were some rather interesting questions asked by readers. High on the list of questions is what happens if it’s just a visiting relationship? It is good to know that in jurisdictions such as Barbados the legislation recognizes the visiting partner, but that is not the case in Belize. This is critical in that jurisdiction, because some men sought to get away from being considered common-law spouse by virtue of the fact that they made sure they only visited and thus never “lived-in” with the partner, even when he spent most of the night with the female partner.

Yacht ran aground on the reef near Snake Caye
A United States-registered 45-foot yacht, the La Ishta II, was found on the reef near Snake Caye in the Stann Creek District by the Belize Coast Guard, who were conducting routine patrols in the southern seas last week. A report was made to the Port Authority and the Department of the Environment, who went to the area to find out what had happened, and to assess the damages. An initial assessment of the area was also conducted by TIDE (Toledo Institute for Development and the Environment), because Snake Caye lies inside the Port Honduras Marine Reserve, a zone co-managed by that organization. Nicholas Christian Dorion Ferber, the Guatemalan captain of the vessel, told local authorities that the incident occurred while he was travelling to Livingston, Guatemala, from Placencia, Belize. A senior officer at the Port Authority told us that they are yet to conclude their report, but it is believed that the motorized yacht ran aground due to the captain’s error.

Police tribunal charges apparently intoxicated policeman
This morning at about 10:00, a policeman was seen lying on the ground near the Belmopan Bus Terminal. He tried to get up, but apparently could not. He got into a sitting position, but fell. He then managed to get up, and tried to retrieve his cap and handcuffs that were near him on the ground, but was unable to do so. Police said that they went to the bus stop, where they saw a police officer in uniform, apparently under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They identified the officer as Police Constable 1319 Florencio Rash, attached to Eastern Division South (Precinct 1, Belize City). Belmopan police said that they took him into custody and charged him internally. Rash was charged with “Act to the Prejudice of Good Order and Discipline, bringing the department into disrepute, conduct unbecoming of a police officer and violation of police codes of ethics.”

Illegal Salvadoran family ran afoul of the law
A routine police check on a young man riding a bicycle in the Fort George area of Belize City has led to the detention of three other members of his family, who are Salvadorans and are all in Belize illegally. The four Salvadorans appeared in the Magistrate’s Court before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser. They are Moses Diaz Valdez, 18; Santos Emiliano Valdez, 18; Cesar Gomez Valdez, 19; and Maria Valdez, 39, who were all charged with possession of a utensil for the smoking of illegal drugs, and possession of a controlled drug for 1.6 grams of cannabis. Three of the accused pleaded not guilty to the two charges, but Santos Emiliano Valdez accepted responsibility and pleaded guilty to the two charges.

200 passports were stolen in 2005
At the end of August 2005, as many as 200 passports were stolen from the Immigration Department’s Belmopan office. Following that major heist, former Director of Immigration, Jose Carmen Zetina, had told the press, “I am a suspect and everybody from Immigration must be considered a suspect, including those who profess that they were on leave. They must be considered suspects.” Though this incident occurred over a decade ago, it was revisited by the Auditor General’s special audit of the Immigration Department for the period 2011 to 2013. The audit revealed that one of the stolen passports had been issued to Chinese national, Qiu-Yun-Lin. It was issued on November 13, 2007, and was scheduled to expire 5 years later. The audit also revealed that this passport issued had been a part of a series issued to Immigration officer, Ady Pacheco.

The Reporter

Youth shot on south side
A youth is currently undergoing surgery after he was shot earlier on the south side of Belize City. Unofficial but reliable reports are that Raheem Bodden, 18, was shot in his right shoulder sometime before 10 p.m., Friday on Antelope Street Extension in the Collet […]

Police look for suspect in connection with arson
Ladyville police are looking for a suspect following a fire they believe was deliberately set, which destroyed a man’s house Thursday night. The blaze was first spotted at around 11:30 p.m., when Lorna Bardalez,34, went outside her house when she saw her cousin’s house on […]

BDF has four new pilots and several helicopter mechanics
Seventeen members of the Belize Defence Force (BDF) who have completed a Helicopter Conversion training course today graduated, two of them with honours. Four of the members are pilots and 13 are technicians who now know how to fly, repair and service the military’s helicopters. […]

Healing Circle: an inter-generational book of poems on Belizean issues
A few weeks ago the Institute of Social and Cultural Reseach (ISCR) helped two artists from two different generations publish their collection of poems in a book named after one of their works called, “The Healing Circle.” The book of poems is co-authored by past […]

Chester out, Vidal in – Gang truce in limbo
The month of July brings with it a few changes within the Belize Police Department, one of which includes the transfer of Assistant Commissioner Chester Williams as the Regional Commander of Eastern Division South to head the Professional Standards Branch in Belmopan. It is a […]

Miss Costa Maya Belize delegate chosen
Popular beauty contestant and former Miss San Pedro, Michelle Estrella Nunez, has been officially chosen to represent Belize at the 2017 Costa Maya pageant scheduled for August 3. The 26-year-old Belizean beauty ambassador and resident of San Pedro town will compete against delegates from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, […]

LGBTI community given voice at Commonwealth
The 52 members that make up the Commonwealth have given the Commonwealth Equality Network (TCEN) – a lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and/or intersex (LGBTI) group, increased access to that organization. TCEN is a network of 38 civil society organizations that operates in 39 countries, including […]

More Belizeans awarded scholarships to study in Taiwan
Some 24 Belizean students will travel to Taiwan later this year to pursue degree programs offered by the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) scholarship program and the Taiwan Scholarship Program 2017. The students will receive full tuition, round trip economy-class ticket, accommodations, tuition […]

Retired broadcaster, Richard Merrill, passes
Retired broadcaster, Richard Merrill – best known for his years on Love FM’s Morning Show and presenting the news during that radio station’s early days – died on Saturday in Consejo Shores, Corozal where he lived for the past few years. Originally from Mississippi, USA, […]

Belikin launches new light beer
The Belize Brewing Company, makers of Belikin Beer, on Tuesday unveiled its latest product , Belikin Light, in an already extensive line of beers. Belikin Light, offers heath conscious drinkers a comparable flavor profile of a regular Belikin, but with reduced calorie content. Nolan Michael, […]

Venezuela leaves OAS, Belize sides with US
Foreign Minister of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, emphasized that Venezuela will leave the Organization of American States and does not intend to return, during the 47th OAS General Assembly held in Cancun, Mexico. Rodriguez explained that there was a two year administrative period in which Venezuela has to […]

GOB continues investments in TVET education
The Government of Belize, in its continued effort to enhance the quality of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the country, signed a consultation contract with a German consultancy company. The Ministry of Economic Development & Petroleum along with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth […]

Barrow speaks on IMF outlook of Belize
The International Monetary Fund, in light of Belize’s poor economic outlook, offered Belize several recommendations in its latest report on the country; however Prime Minister Dean Barrow has openly rejected most of their recommendations. Barrow, responding to the IMF’s recommendations after its routine Article IV Consultation, emphasized […]

BEL and shareholders meets for AGM
The Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) held its Annual General Meeting last Wednesday at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel to report the company’s performance and achievements for the year 2016. According to a press release from BEL, following its vision to become a model of excellence, […]

Uniformed police constable caught drunk on video gets disciplined
A police constable who made the news this week after he was videotaped lying on the ground in his uniform – apparently under the influence of alcohol- is to face a disciplinary tribunal for the offence: “Prejudice of Good Order and Discipline.” Police Constable Florencio […]

Elvin Penner charged for fatal accident
Former Minister of State, Elvin Penner, was charged in San Ignacio Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday for causing the death of a motorist in a traffic fatality last Friday. Penner was read charges of manslaughter by negligence, causing death by careless conduct and driving without due care and […]

Indian national robbed of over $50,000.00 cash at Airstrip in Corozal
Corozal police are looking for two thieves who netted over $50,000 in cash from an Indian national at the Ranchito airstrip in Corozal Town late Friday evening. Thirty-four-year old Avinash Deshmukh, store manager of Corozal Town, reported to police that around 5:00 p.m on June 23 he was attacked at […]

Police looking for suspected killer of Marky Mendez
The five-day search for a Teakettle resident who was reported missing came to an end on Monday after his decomposed body was discovered in a shallow creek near the old Warrie Head Bridge about a mile away from Teakettle village. The body of 24-year-old Marky Mendez was […]

Editorial
We just spent seven days celebrating Police Week, and we are pretty confident that the men and women who responded with so much enthusiasm and goodwill all have stress in their lives. Policemen are not the only ones living with stress, and stress cannot be used as an excuse for […]

Early morning murder in Corozal; suspect on the run
Corozal police are seeking the public’s assistance in finding a San Joaquin man who is suspected of inflicting deadly chop wounds to two men, one of whom died on the scene. It is believed that the suspect, Arturo Tamai Tzul, might have escaped across the […]

GOB trying to avoid another million dollar lawsuit
The Government of Belize is entering into negotiations with an American businessman, over several acres of land valued at more than $8 million dollars, used for the newly-opened Rene Montero Bridge over the Macal River in San Ignacio town. Errol Gentle, Chief Executive Officer in […]

GDP and exports up! Unemployment and cost-of-living too!
The latest data released by the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) shows that Belize had increased economic performance while battling rising unemployment and cost of living for the first quarter of 2017. The SIB released its latest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Estimates, External Trade Bulletin, […]

Southside bids farewell to Chester Williams
More than 70 members of the Belize Police Department’s Belize City south side zone, along with various media houses, and supporters of the Community Policing program were recognized during a ceremony to bid Assistant Commissioner of Police and leader of the program, Chester Williams, farewell […]

Breaking Belize News

Belize observes Regional Testing Day
The National AIDS Commission (NAC) culminated six weeks of mobile HIV testing today, with countrywide observance of Regional Testing Day. The NAC and its partners, such as the Ministry of Health and Scotia Bank, had testing sites all over the country, encouraging Belizeans to come out and learn their HIV status.

WWF challenges GOB on empty promise to protect Barrier Reef
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF), in a report this week, called out the government of Belize for its failure to implement legislation drafted to protect the Belize Barrier Reef from the threat of offshore oil drilling and damaging coastal construction.

Addy Pacheco talks missing passports
Senior Immigration Officer, Addy Pacheco, had another round of testimonies at the Senate inquiry this week, answering questions about hundreds of missing passports cited in the Auditor General’s Report.Senator Mark Lizaraga led the way in the questions, pointing out that over 600 passports were reported missing, stolen, or were simply unaccounted for. Lizaraga added that many of those passports re-entered into the system for renewal, at later dates.

Walk in my Shoe fundraiser
My name is Ruby Reyes and I am a teacher at SCA and an adjunct professor at UB. I am coordinating a shoe drive to secure 50 school shoes and school supplies to 50 deserving girls of Big Falls R.C. in the Toledo District. I taught there for four years prior to moving to Belize City so I’m aware of the difficulty parents face, like in many parts of the country, in preparing their children for school which often requires funds that surpasses the available financial resources.

U.S. Embassy in Belize celebrate 241st anniversary of U.S. independence
Last night, the United States Embassy in Belize celebrated the 241st anniversary of independence for the USA. Charge d ‘Affaires Adrienne Galanek hosted distinguished guests including Governor General, Sir. Colville Young among others. Dr. Paul Whisnant was also present at the celebration.

Corozal police seek man for murder
Yesterday, BBN reported the murder of a Salvadoran national in San Joaquin, Corozal. Amilcar Morales Gonzalez , 21, and Doniver Ruano were riding home when they met a girl and began speaking to her. Arturo Tzul, 34, confronted the men and chopped both men […]

Local businesses fund summer camp for over 100 kids
Green Reef, a marine conservation NGO, for the fourth consecutive year, will undertake a four week summer camp at Camp Basil Jones on North Ambergris Caye adjacent to the Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve. The summer youth camp program aims to promote conservation and preservation of the […]

Ladyville farmer shot
Yesterday, Ladyville Police visited a farm located on Texas Road, Scotland Half Moon village where Timothy Schrock, 29, farmer of Isabella Bank told police that around 3:50 p.m., he was driving his tractor on the Lemonal Road heading to Scotland village. Upon reaching beside the […]

House burns in Ladyville
Last night around 11:41, Ladyville Police visited #80 Milpa Site, Ladyville village, and spoke with Lorna Bardalez, 34, who reported that around 11:40 p.m. she went outside her house and saw her cousin’s house ( Calvin Palma, 27) engulfed in flames. The structure was a […]

Top cop Chester says goodbye to Belize City
Assistant Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams today departs from his post at Eastern Division South, Belize City to take up his new position in Belmopan City. Williams now assumes the post of Head of the Professional Standards Branch unit in the capital city. Former […]

Chester encourages youths to keep peace in Belize City
Assistant Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams’ departure from Belize City has raised concerns among Belize City residents. Williams’ work in the streets of the city’s southside included intervention programs, community policing and even a peace march earlier this year with gang members. Williams has […]

Blogs

September in Belize
September is one of the best times to visit Belize. Falling during the "low" season, visitors can get a chance to see the top spots in the country and enjoy fabulous festivals without having to deal with large crowds. Here are 5 great reasons why you should visit Belize in September: Affordable Flights: All four of America's biggest airlines now offer non-stop flights to Belize, making it easy to get great prices on airfare to Belize. The Whole Month is One Big Holiday: Belize has several national holidays that all occur in September, making the entire month one non-stop celebration.

What Is the Climate Like in Belize?
If you had to describe the climate of Belize in one sentence, you could say that it's very similar to South Florida. Officially, Belize is a sub-tropical country that enjoys warm weather year-round, gentle trade wind breezes, and a mean humidity of around 83%. Unlike North America, Belize only has two seasons, often referred to as the "dry" season and the "green" season. The "dry" season is also the "high" season for tourists, roughly corresponding to winter in North America but featuring long stretches of sunny days and delightfully warm temperatures. The "green" season is the "low" season, roughly corresponding to summer in North America but without any significant elevation in temperatures.

Visit Belize's Cayo District: 7 Reasons This Should Be Your Next Destination
Below are 7 great reasons to visit Cayo District: It's the "Wild West:" Often known as the "Wild West" more for its abundance of pristine nature and exotic wildlife rather than the presence of cowboys, Cayo District is the eco-tourism heartland of the country. It is home to enormous national parks, animal sanctuary, pristine rivers, and spectacular waterfalls. Ancient Maya Sites: The ancient Maya civilization once dominated Central America from Mexico in the north to El Salvador in the south. Belize was the heartland of the ancient Maya culture, and today is home to more Maya sites than anywhere else in the world. Some of the most impressive Maya sites can be found in Cayo, including the ATM Cave, Caracol, and Xunantunich. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tikal is located just a few miles from Cayo District across the border in Guatemala.

Time Magazine Says You Should Visit Belize in your 30's
On June 25, 2017, Time Magazine published a video on its Facebook social media account that listed seven amazing trips that travelers should enjoy in their 30s, including Belize. The Time Magazine video extolled the highlights of Belize for individuals in their 30s, describing it as the perfect honeymoon or beach destination because it is far (from the United States) but not "too far." Indeed, all four of the biggest airlines in the United States now offer non-stop service to Belize from major cities across the country, with flights taking just 2-5 hours to arrive in the country. For honeymooners of all ages, Belize is well-known as a place for exotic destination weddings because of its luxury resorts, hundreds of picturesque islands, sugar sand white beaches, and lush natural jungle settings. The Time Magazine video also described Belize as a great beach destination and a world-class spot for scuba diving and snorkeling. Many newlyweds enjoy experiencing these and similar activities on the islands, including sea kayaking, windsurfing, fishing, sailing, and sampling fresh-caught seafood with a lovely beach barbecue.

Belize Sleeping Giant Mountain
With one foot in the Central American jungles and the other in the Caribbean Sea, Belize may be small but it’s packed with adventure and culture. Belize is even known to offer great tales from the mythical world, and today we are going to explore a mythical slumbering giant that lies in the mountains of Belize, the Sleeping Giant. Lying 19 miles from the country’s capital, Belmopan, the Sleeping Giant features can be defined. His facial profile and barrel chest is a portrait of his slumber, as he reigns over the vibrant green valleys below. Cast under the spell of eternal rest, his domain and minions bring alive the serenity of a dream living in harmony with the enchanted terrain.

Vacation Planner, Whats Ahead and New Codes
Everyone always wants to know what is happening when while they are planning their trip. Things change so fast it is hard for everyone to keep track, thankfully Paradise Guy has stepped to help. He currently has the most up to date general events schedule. Click through for a complete calendar on all the Ambergris Caye nightlife (which bands are playing where, trivia, darts, karaoke etc.) For those of you that are thinking about Belize the next 3 months or have your tickets booked, below is an overview of various annual festivals and events.

Videos