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The San Pedro Sun

Iron Cause for Iron Kids: BTIA president Jim Scott takes on Iron Man Cozumel
On November 25th, 2012, BTIA president and faithful member of the Rotary Club of Belize City, Jim Scott turns 50 years old. Already a momentous occasion, but one that will be even more celebrated as on that very same day Jim will also be taking part in the Iron Man Competition in Cozumel, Mexico. Jim is taking on the challenge as part of his Iron Cause for Iron Kids campaign that aims to raise $50,000 in funds for the renovation and expansion of the Dorothy Menzies Child Care Centre. All funds raised by the campaign will be matched by the Rotary Club of Belize City lending to the motto “2 + 2 = 8. If you Donate” and could see the monies total up to $100,000. Jim has dedicated himself to the challenge and since his last birthday in 2011 has given up everything he can to keep his focus on achieving his goal for the kids at the Child Care Centre. On the campaign website Jim wrote “It’s hard. Don’t get me wrong. I usually get up when it’s pitch black out to go ride my bike. I run and or swim almost every day after work. I drank my last Guinness on my birthday last year. Everything I do right now is focused on that Iron Man. But as hard as it is for me to give up these things to achieve my goal – can you imagine how hard it is for the children at DMCCC? I think when you’re in a position that you can give time, passion and money to those kids who really need the support, you have to do it.” You can even track Jim during his working out via his training log on the Iron Cause for Iron Kids website.

Work starts on new Cemetery for San Pedro
With the present cemetery in use for decades beginning from the days when San Pedro was just a fishing village, the quickly expanding population has lead to a very congested cemetery with limited to no space for new burials. With this in mind San Pedro authorities have now allocated an area to be designated for a new cemetery. This past week, work commenced on a five acre plot of solid land located some two and a half miles south of San Pedro town, the area where the new San Pedro cemetery will be located. At the site on Friday May 25th were: Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. Minister of Tourism and Culture; Daniel Guerrero, Mayor of San Pedro, and Councilor Severo Guerrero Jr., councilor responsible for cemeteries. According to Heredia, this is a major accomplishment for both the San Pedro Town Council as well as himself, as the Minister of Tourism, “From the past town council, the idea of finding a new cemetery was born. For many years we have been hearing of the need for a new cemetery. Well, now it is here.”

‘14 Years of neglect is enough’… say frustrated San Mateo residents
First created 14 years ago as a sub-division, the San Mateo community continues to be neglected. Residents have been deprived of the basic infrastructures required to have a normal life by world standards. After land was distributed in 1997 by the then Mayor of San Pedro Manuel Heredia JR, with the understanding that it would be improved, residents are now demanding that the adequate infrastructure be placed. The frustration and issues affecting San Mateo is not a new subject to San Pedro. In fact it has been chronicled time and time again in The San Pedro Sun. Most recently San Mateo was featured in the Spring 2012 publication of M-Powered, a magazine produced by journalism students from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) USA, who visited the San Mateo area. What is frustrating to the 569 residents of the San Mateo subdivision is the condition they are forced to live in. While it is a culture shock for visitors who may learn that within Belize’s number-one tourism destination lies one of the poorest and badly planned subdivisions in the entire country, the issues at hand are a harsh reality for the people who live there. The subdivision lacks proper potable water services, adequate road infrastructure, adequate or sufficient energy distribution and no sewage system. Homes are surrounded by mangrove swamps and the only hope of landfill materials available is the garbage collected from the island that is trucked into the area by the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC). The island’s garbage, combined with the improper waste disposal from the area poses not only an environmental concern but a very serious health hazard that residents have to live with on a daily basis, one that could be detrimental to the entire island.

Interoffice Basketball League 2012 kicks off: Tuff E Nuff wins!
The Interoffice Basketball League 2012 started on Friday May 25th in Belize City. San Pedro is being represented in the league by the Tuff E Nuff Tours team. The league has a total of 10 teams who will be challenging each other during the regular season to win a space in the playoffs scheduled to start on June 29th. Tuff E Nuff started the regular season on the right foot having won its first two games in the regular season. In its first game, which was the inaugural game on Friday May 25 at the Birds Isle in Belize City, Tuff E Nuff managed to edge Alamilla Furniture Boys by a score of 53 to 51 points. It was a disappointment for the Alamilla Furniture Boys having dominating three quarters by 13 points. Tuff E Nuff made a remarkable come-back in the last quarter topping the Belize City based team by a two -points lead in the last five seconds before the long whistle.

Ambergris Today

Over 60 Potential Cultural Tourism Champions Trained
Cultural Tourism, allows for visitors to a country to be engulfed and enriched through the region's culture, lifestyle, history of the people, their art, architecture, religion(s), and other elements that helped shape their way of life. This sector is identified as a priority product and key tourist attractor within the National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan of Belize. The Ministry of Tourism and Culture, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB), the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) and Beltraide partnered to create a Cultural Tourism Training Workshop and its guide called, ‘Belize: Cultural Tourism Development: A Handbook for Community Champions, How to develop, promote and run your cultural tourism business.’ These trainings are to stimulate the development of cultural tourism in Belize, particularly in some of the emerging destinations.

Misc Belizean Sources

North Beach Charity Poker Run Thursday
Thursday May 24 th @ 1:30 Captain Morgans, Kama Lounge, The Hotel, Cowboy Bar, and Capricorn are hosting a Charity Poker Run. Raising money for an Emergency Medical Outpost. $40 per hand which includes a drink at each place where you pick up your card. Must be at Captain Morgans no earlier than 6.Drawing is at 6:30. Starts at Kama Lounge.

VIDEO: Amigos del Mar, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize
Watch all the great dive sites Amigos del Mar has to offer to you, the come to Belize and experience them with us for yourself. Great local music by Will and Dale

Mad Dog Motors has a new web site
Mad Dog Motors, the best car repair shop around, has a new web site. The Cayo Scoop scooped it! Kudos to Stephany Espat, Jensine Gentle, and Jasmine Gentle for coming up with such a great site. JCariddi Photography got some great photos of Mad Dog Motors' shop. Their motto is outstanding! "A project can be good and cheap but it won't be fast. It can be fast and cheap but it won't be good. It can be fast and good but it won't be cheap."

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
Glenn Tillett Jr. submitted this essay to Chaa Creek for the Eco Kids Summer Camp. Great goals! There is still a week left to submit an essay. "Every journey starts by taking the first step. My first step is to be an Eco kid! My first mission is to be an eco- warden. I pledge that wherever I go I will pick up litter. I will be a spokesperson in making sure children in my school put litter in its proper place. My wish is that one day I can organize clean -up campaigns in neighborhoods around my town. Land pollution causes a depletion of soil nutrients which prevents grass, flowers and new trees from budding. In turn we have less oxygen to breathe."

Caye Caulker commences Tour Guide Training
Last week a new Tour Guide training course got underway here in Caye Cauker. The course was put together by the Forest and Marine Reserves Association of Caye Caulker (FAMRACC) on behalf of the Belize Tourist Board and is being co-ordinated by our own marine bioligist and eco-warrior, Ellen McRae. Thirty five candidates commenced the course (a much higher turnout than usual) all hoping that at the end of the course, they will be a fully fledged Tour Guide. The course will require the students to be present from Monday to Friday (inclusive) until August. The course will cover 7 Chapters (each with an exam that the students are required to pass), a CPR course, a swimming exercise and a fieldwork. The students are required to learn in detail about Belize’s history, geography, population demographic and its politics. The course will also include a Chapter on presentation including both presenting to a group and about their presentation as a Tour Guide. Shane Anderson (or Big Shane) as we often call him, has already passed with flying colors the first three exams as in his eagerness to become a Tour Guide he has been traveling to and fro from San Pedro to take exams. He will join the course at the appropriate time and will be joined with Shane Sho (Li Shane) and Dylan Blease too! Although the success rate for these exams is often very low we are confident that all our candidates will achieve their goal! Good luck to all concerned and thank you Ellen McRae and FAMRACC for putting together this very much needed course together!

Channel 7

FOUR MEN GET OFF DRUG RELATED DOUBLE MURDER
An hour ago, Brionne Swift, Victor Garnett, Frank Edwards, and Gabriel Salazar became free men after they were acquitted before Justice Herbert Lord of the June 2009 double murder of James Swan and Edward "Bro Lee" Gutierrez. It made the headlines of all the media houses when their bodies were found 20 miles north of San Pedro Town in 2009. It was believed that their murders were drug related. The prosecution, represented by Senior Crown Counsel Cecil Ramirez, called Eric Swan, brother of the James Swan to provide the key witness testimony. Swan testified under oath that on June 29, 2009, he went fishing with his brother, James Swan, and Edward Gutierrez. According to Swan, 2 hours later, they took their boat to the Bachalar Chico area and all 3 of them got off. Several minutes later he saw 6 men coming toward them, and when they came closer, he saw that they were all armed with firearms. He pointed out all 4 of the accused as being part of this group which approached them. The 6 men then allegedly confronted all 3 men about the location of, quote "the package". Swan said that 2 of men held him hostage, and the other 4 then took James Swan and Edward Gutierrez to a secluded area of the beach. An hour later, he heard gunshots, and when the 4 men returned they did not bring back Swan and Gutierrez with him. Swan continued that the men continued to hold him hostage for 24 hours, and when they got into another boat the next day, police arrived and fired on them. The police then arrested everyone in the boat. Swan told the court that since the day that those men took his brother and Gutierrez, he hasn't seen them alive again.

TEENAGER CHARGED FOR KILLING BUSINESS OWNER
2 weeks ago, 48 year-old Jeremy McNab, the owner of Mobile Hardware Store, on Currasow Street, was murdered inside his store. Well today, police arrested and charged 18 year-old Anthony Carballo Jr for the crime. Carballo, who is a resident of Tigris Street, was arraigned in Magistrate's Court today for murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Due to the nature of the offenses, he was not eligible for bail, and he was remanded until July 12. According to reliable information, Carballo was initially detained pending an investigation for a robbery, but under questioning, he allegedly confessed, and gave a signed statement in which he also gave police information about his accomplice. As we reported, McNab was in his business place along with 2 employees at around 7 p.m. on May 17, when 2 men entered. According to police, the men had a conversation with McNab, and one of them suddenly pulled out a 9 mm handgun. That gunman then shot McNab 3 times at point blank range in chest, and he died on the spot. After McNab was shot, his assailants made off with his licensed firearm and stole nothing else.

STREETS PAVED WITH CONCRETE HIRE AT-RISK YOUTH
We've reported many times on the difficulties with the gang truce work programme. Well, another kind of work programme, which is far stricter and firmly result-oriented has commenced in the city. It started last year on Bishop Street in Belize City and is continuing with two much-used streets. It is a project spearheaded by CISCO construction to pave streets with concrete - instead of the standard pavement. It is a labour intensive, long-term project that aims to provide jobs and thoroughfares that will endure for decades. It will employ about 25 men to do the concrete paving of two streets totalling 870 feet. Today we visited South Street where we spoke to Francis Woods who told us more about the project and the people working on it. Francis Woods - CISCO Construction "These guys are very optimistic. They hope to be finished by Saturday, but I'd say no later than Wednesday of next week, and then we'll need a week of curing, so a total time of hopefully no more than 14 days. Our new mayor is very aggressive in fixing streets.

RE-PAVED ORANGE STREET LASTED TWO YEARS
And one street that sure could use a few dozen sacks of that concrete is Orange Street. After being paved just over two years ago - tonight the news is that the troublesome section of that street has again fallen into ruin. In what seems to be a chronic problem with drainage - the sections of the streets near Extra House is again populated with potholes, forcing pedestrians to walk in the street. Much fanfare was made in January of 2010 when the street was paved by the Ministry of Works with so called emergency funds from Central Government. That was seventy thousand dollars for the paving of the area between Euphrates Avenue and Orange Street - and now, the most troublesome part needs paving again.

MAN HAS PROHIBITED FIREARM IN JAIL
26 year-old Cecil Castillo, who is currently on remand for murder, is facing a firearms charged after a homemade firearm was discovered in his cell yesterday. According to police, the prison authorities received information of an illegal item in Castillo's possession, and as a result, they went and searched his cell in the Tango 9 Section of the facility. They found a homemade firearm in the cell. He was brought to court this afternoon and he was arraigned for 1 count of keeping a prohibited firearm, to which he pleaded not guilty. He was remanded July 31, his next court date. It is important to note that Castillo was acquitted 2 months ago of the attempted murder of Darwin Phillips, and he was on remanded for a murder charge in Cayo, which is still pending.

COMMUNITY WATCH CAUGHT PLACENCIA BURGLARS
A vigilant community crime watch in the Placencia area led to the collaring of three men accused of a brazen burglary. It happened on Monday afternoon in the Maya beach area where a pair of homeowners were sitting on the beach taking in some sea breeze. A few minutes later the lady of the house turned around and saw a tall dark skinned man bounding off her veranda with her laptop computer under his arm. Her husband and a neighbor unsuccessfully chased him into the bush while two other suspects headed south along the beach. That might have been the end of it, but the victims activated the local Crime Watch network and 22 year old Ambrose Joseph, aka 'Monkey Man', and 21 year old Lionel Vasquez, aka 'Dallas', were apprehended by citizens a half mile away. Police, who were on patrol in the area, arrived immediately and arrested the pair while 22 year old Kendale Ramirez, aka 'Snakey', was detained about an hour later at his home in Seine Bight. But that wasn't the end of it; under questioning, police also recovered the stolen items. Under questioning, Ramirez led police to a bushy area near the scene of the crime where the laptop, an ipod and cell phone, all belonging to the homeowners, were recovered.

THE TEXTING PHENOMENON: MILLIONS OF TEXTS SENT DAILY
Unless you've been living under a rock somewhere, you'll know that texting has really caught on in the past few years. It seems everyone is doing it, from youths to senior citizens, students to businesspersons to politicians. And they're sending those text messages every which way, from English to text slang, to creole, talking about the serious, the mundane, right down to the silly. Our intern Robin Schaffer is part of what might be called Generation Text - youths who have forged an almost spiritual connection with their cell phones. For the past few weeks, she's been gathering information on texting habits - and it provides a compelling profile of a communication transformation. Here's her report: Robin Schaffer Reporting It seems like every time you look around someone is text messaging - pedestrians, drivers, bicycle riders. Indeed, this texting thing is not just a fad, it's a way of life and a preferred means of communication for many.

HATE THY NEIGHBOR BECAUSE OF ONE MAN'S WORST FRIEND
3 weeks ago, 7News told you about 33 year-old Russell Gongora, a businessman of Los Lagos, was arraigned for harm in the Magistrate's Court. It is alleged that Gongora's dogs attacked a man, but instead of helping the man defending himself, Gongora fought with him. Well today, the victim, 35 year-old Andre Gonzalez, was brought to court in a cross complaint about the same incident, and 37 year-old Raphael Gongora, who is the owner of the dogs - and also Gongora's brother - was also arraigned. Gonzalez was charged with 2 counts of harm, which he allegedly committed against the Gongora brothers, and Raphael Gongora was charged with keeping a ferocious dog without a muzzle. Both men pleaded not guilty to the charges, and they were both granted bail, which they were able to meet.

DATA TO MARK THE SPOT
Today, a Belize National Spatial Data Infrastructure Policy was drafted in a workshop in Belize City. Now, if the term Spatial Data - sounds a little out there, it isn't; basically it's information that is presented on a map - such as google maps. The information then can be analyzed to figure out solutions to some of Belize's problems from property zoning and to policing. It holds great potential, and today Wilbert Vallejos, the commissioner of lands, explained exactly what the workshop was about, and how Belize can benefit. Wilbert Vallejos - Commissioner of Lands "What this workshop is doing today is creating a policy that would set out the standards and protocols that would allow all these organizations who have these organizations to be able to communicate properly. Really, what we're trying to do is just establishing the framework of bring all this information together, and able to do it as a country with rules standards and protocols so that everybody can benefit."

KHMH, A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE IF YOU'RE DEAD
When we report on Belize's high murder rate, and high mortality rate for traffic accidents - apart from the initial trauma, there's another side to that story, and it's the issue of where all the dead are stored. Truth is, the morgue at the KHMH has been functioning at a level far above which it was originally designed for - and on some deadly weekends - storing all the dead can become problematic. But lately the KHMH administration has been making significant changes in that area of the hospital. We found out more today: Robin Schaffer Reporting Many would agree that the morgue at the KHMH has been functioning at a level far above which it was originally designed for - especially with the upsurge in fatal accidents and murders in the past years. But lately they are some significant changes being done to that particular area of the hospital. Today the media were all invited to tour a roomy, refurbished and gleaming new morgue.

MANATEE ALERT...
The Belize Port Authority along with the Coastal Zone Management have placed No Wake signs at the mouth of the Haulover Creek - to alert boat captains that they must approach the area with caution - due to the fact that it is one of the more popular hangout spots for manatees. The media was invited out on a boat ride this afternoon to view the area -where the greatest number of manatee collisions occurs. The No Wake signs are being enforced and boats are to traffic the area at no more than 5 miles per hour - if not, there is a penalty. Research associate Jamal Galvez explains: Jamal Galvez - Manatee Research Associate/CZM We had these signs donated to us from Save the Manatee Club from Florida along with Sea to Shore Alliance. We've noticed that the majority of manatee collisions are in this area, so we're focusing on this area by using these signs and working together along with the Port Authority to regulate boat movement within this area to see if it may change the rate of manatee deaths in the area. We have no-wake zone coming in toward the river mouth and leaving the river. It's pretty much a couple of yards away from each other, but it's a small area in which we've seen a lot of manatees. We know that the boat traffic is very high in this area. So, we're hoping this regulation may change boat movements in this area and eventually change the increase the increase in mortality rates. We have a couple more signs coming in, especially on for the Manatee Lookout area where most people know that you can go and have a beer, or have lunch, and you can actually see a manatee from there. So, we are actually trying to protect the manatees in the area where they are more present."

Channel 5

Morgue gets upgraded and increases spaces for bodies
The morgue at the nation’s referral hospital has gone through a major renovation. In a onetime deal, the media was allowed in this morning to view the improvements made to the unit at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. The facility now has more capacity, is more efficient and grieving family members will have access to [...]

More students needed to study pathology
Medicine is a hot career path in which the competition is brutal. But the pathology profession in Belize is not meeting the demand. Doctor Hugh Sanchez, whose schedule is always booked, says that the country needs at least three more persons to pursue pathology studies.   Dr. Hugh Sanchez, Pathologist “I am the pathologist and [...]

Is the K.H.M.H. whistleblower case D.O.A.?
In late December of 2011, a former employee of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital collected over ten thousand files that contained potentially damaging information about procurement practices and purchases made with K.H.M.H. credit cards. Delroy Herrera made the allegations and much was expected of the potentially explosive documents. That prompted the administration to send out [...]

“Snakey” and “Monkey-man” busted for Placencia burglaries
In the south, a trio of suspected burglars is in police custody tonight. The three men were nabbed by residents of thePlacenciaPeninsulaafter word went out that a well known couple had been robbed. Twenty-two year old Kendale Ramirez, aka ‘Snakey’, was today charged with Burglary while twenty two year old Ambrose Joseph, aka ‘Monkey Man’, [...]

Marion Jones speaks candidly on Piers Morgan Show
Former Olympic champion, Marion Jones is the first and only Belizean to win Olympic medals, not one but five. She gained international prominence after winning the medals at the Sydney Olympics in the year 2000. When she crossed the finishing line she raised the Belize flag; she captured the love of the nation and the [...]

Marion Jones talks about prison and family
Prison life was not easy, but Jones says the hardest part was being away from her family, particularly her sons, who were toddlers at the time of her imprisonment.   Piers Morgan “What was the single worst moment for you of the whole thing when you look back?”   Marion Jones “The single worst moment [...]

Saving the manatee population
From time to time we have reported on the threats to manatees. The Sea to Shore Alliance has been monitoring the gentle mammals and has found out that their increased mortality rate could either be because there are more manatees or more boat traffic in the area. The Alliance is determined to enforce regulations to [...]

Everything you didn’t know about Spatial Data
Spatial data; little is known of it but the Ministry of Natural Resources says it’s hoping to change that. The subject which looks at the size, area and position of any location or phenomenon is for the most part not organized in a systematic way in Belize. Since 2009, however, spatial work groups under the [...]

LOVE TV

BSI workers approve sale of shares to American Sugar Refineries
BSI stakeholders gathered this morning at the factory site in Tower Hill. The purpose of the extra ordinary meeting was the presentation of a resolution to allow acquisition of majority shares of BSI by American Sugar Refineries. The largest owner of shares in BSI presently is BSI Employee Holding Trust which represents the staff and hourly workers of the company. This morning these beneficiaries were asked to vote either for or against the resolutions presented to them. But before we tell you how that went, this afternoon Love News spoke with Managing Director of BSI, Joey Montalvo who was sure to make a clarification that BSI is not selling out. Montalvo explained that after ING informed them back in 2010 that it was unable to continue financing, BSI saw it necessary to search for substitute banks. Back in 2011 we heard about Banco Atlantida who were interested in purchasing shares as well as invest in the company. That did not work out. Today BSI owes approximately US$62 million dollars to its creditors. According to Montalvo American Sugar Refinery has previously bought sugar from BSI and since early last year has been well acquainted with BSI. American Sugar Refinery expressed interest in investing in the company and in return acquires shares, but for that to happen it was important that the majority owners accept the proposal. Majority holders is BEH, with 81.29% shares of the company. Since last week representatives of the Belize workers Union have been meeting with BSI to reach a memorandum of understanding for a number of concerns, one of them the employees’ job security. After the voting this morning, Love News caught up with Ian Leiva President of the BWU. Attorney for the BSI Group, Michael Young explained that the way the company operates is that the factory will remain in the hands of Belize to be managed. Leiva said the BWU is satisfied with the agreement reached with BSI. For their part, American Sugar Refinery representative Jonathan Bamberger explained that after studies conducted they are sure they are making a good investment. Back in 2011 the Government of Belize extended a hand to the company in the sum of $10 million when the company was in financial constraints. With this new investors, Senator Godwin Hulse said GOB welcomes it. According to Montalvo 94% of all beneficiaries under BEH Trust turn out to vote. He added that the company’s board of directors has authorized for the share acquisition to be completed by the end of June. So far, Montalvo says they are moving on target.

Residents of Benque Viejo protest over land ownership
A primary school in Benque Viejo del Carmen town yesterday staged a small protest in front of their school grounds in that western municipality. It had the participation of students, teachers and a few parents all carrying colorful banners. At issue is the ownership of a piece of land in the town. According to Member of the Board of the Hills of Promise Seventh Day Adventist Primary School, Kelly Guerra, someone else is claiming that they own a piece of land that the school has been modifying to build a new playground for the children. The principal of the school Esmay Neal Graham says that it is unfair because the school has worked so hard on the land for it to be given away just like that. Love News spoke with a representative for the family in question, Ignacio Barrerra who told us that it was all a confusion and that the land owned by the family is the one across the street from the school, however the school officials say Barrerra is lying since he showed them documents showing them the same lot number that they are concerned about. Love News tried to get a word with the Commissioner of Lands Wilbert Vallejos about the situation in Benque Viejo del Carmen. But after waiting around for over an hour in his office, our reporter was told that Vallejos was not available to talk with us.

NEMO prepares for Hurricane Season
Two days away from the start of the Hurricane Season, officials at NEMO are finalizing preparations for what has been forecast to be an average year. But still, no one is taking any chances, especially people in San Pedro town. Love TV’s Mara Novelo reports.

YWCA gets million dollar project
The Young Women’s Christian Association has been around for the past 57 years conducting skills training to particularly single mothers and at risk teenage girls. Now the non-government organization is expanding its reach to four rural communities to enhance upon an existing project. It comes through a hefty donation of close to a million dollars from the European Union and along with it will come the construction of a new building. While the official signing ceremony was done this morning, the project won’t come to fruition for another three years, when the building is complete and the work kicks off. The Y’s General Secretary, Sonia Lenares, told Love News that the scope of the project will encompass training that will advance upon the previous one conducted in 2008 when 200 women engaged in sessions to learn income-generating skills. At the helm of the operations will be Regina Cambell. In the interim, the YWCA will communicate with groups in the various rural communities to get feedback on what training they require.

Statistics show further decrease in AIDS cases
The National TB, HIV/AIDS & other STIs Program of the Ministry of Health has released the latest statistical data. According to the synopsis, for the year 2011, there was a further documented decrease in the number of new HIV infections, with a total of 226 new infections for the year. [VO STARTS HERE] This according to the statistical data, represents a further 7.4% decrease when compared to 2010 data. This is now the third year in a row that documented decreases in confirmed HIV cases has happened. The Ministry of Health says that this represents close to a 100% reduction in cases from the peak number in 2004 and that the decreasing trend also reflects a better data collection and processing, which eliminates duplication. According to the Ministry of Health, TB, HIV along with other STIs continue to be a health priority given its’ evolving dynamics, and the impact that it has over the multiple and cross sectional layers of society. The information contained in the statistical data was derived primarily from the Belize Health Information System, except for the private entities that submit manual reports. In addition to the reduction n new AIDS cases, the statistical data shows that new HIV infections continue to affect all age groups, albeit, the majority of the new cases continue to be in the younger age groups, particularly those between 20 to 34 years. The male to female ratio has undergone changes over the last years and the previous notion of a ‘feminization’ of the disease is no longer applicable to the Belize epidemic as there is a gradual transition towards a higher ratio for males.

National Festival of Arts underway
The National Festival of Arts was launched during an opening ceremony at the House of Culture in Belize City this morning. Hundreds of children from all over the country of Belize including teachers and parents attended the ceremony and were dressed in different attires and costumes in preparation of a parade after the ceremonies. During the Keynote Address on behalf of the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Manuel Heredia, CEO in the Ministry, Tracey-Taegar Panton stressed the importance of having the children participate in initiatives to highlight culture. The audience was entertained by several presentations by the schools that were present and the President of NICH, Diane Haylock Declared the National Festival of Arts open after stressing how crucial it is to have the participation of our children in art. Although everyone had started lining up for the parade, it was promptly cancelled due to the rain, but that did not stop some of the bands, stilt walkers, drummers and dancers to continue to dance under the rain in the House of Culture compound. Belize, Belmopan and Orange Walk Primary Schools are scheduled to make their presentations at 10 o’clock tomorrow morning at the Bliss.

Man charged for the murder of Jason Canto
Twenty three year old Norman Slusher was this morning arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on a single count of murder. Slusher, was charged in connection with the May tenth shooting death of Jason Canto at Dale’s Barber shop. Slusher who had been hospitalized at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital was released into police custody on Friday and taken to court this morning. No plea was taken from him as the matter is indictable. Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer remanded Slusher into prison and ordered that he reappear in court on June twenty ninth.

Trio accused of theft of government vehicle gets bail
Three people who are charged with the theft of a government vehicle assigned to the Ministry of Health, reappeared in the Magistrate’s Court his morning and were granted bail. Twenty three year old constable Marvin Wade, thirty two year old Jason Wade and twenty four year old Herwin Godoy were each offered bail by Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer in the sum of twenty thousand dollars. According to court reports, the trio was also given partial disclosure of the evidence against them by the police prosecutor. The Wade brothers and Godoy are charged jointly for the crimes of taking a Motor Vehicle without Authority and Handling Stolen Goods.

Pawn shop money gone missing
One Belize City businessman is reeling from a significant dent in his cash pan funds and the economic rigidity has nothing to do with it. (VO of First Stop Pawn Shop) Today Gilroy Usher Junior, the co-owner of First Stop Pawn Shop on the first flat of the Commercial Centre, told Love news that he made a discouraging discovery on Monday night that close to ten thousand dollars had been wiped clean out of his cash pan. Love News has learned that the cash went missing not over a period of time, but in one huge swipe on Monday. Police have detained three persons, including two current male employees and a female who was fired less than two weeks ago from the same establishment. A fourth employee, a woman, is said to not be a suspect in the theft. The intricacies of the incident and exactly how it happened are still under investigation, including how the former employee is involved. A check late this evening for an update on the incident revealed that the two male employees who are in detention claim that the business was robbed of the money on Monday evening.

Security guard shot in the hand
A man was shot in both hands on Monday afternoon in Belize City. The victim has been identified as thirty year old Security Guard Glen Staine. According to police reports. Staine, was sitting down at the corner of La Croix Boulevard and Park Street, when the sound of gunfire was heard. Staine then realized that he had been shot to the right and left hands. Police investigation continues.

Man robbed in front of BTL park
A man was robbed of his belongings on Monday afternoon in Belize City. Fifty one year old John Michael Toledo, told police that around 1:45 yesterday afternoon, whilst sitting on his motorcycle in front of BTL Park on Newtown Barracks, he was approached by two Hispanic men riding on bicycles. One of the men who was armed with a knife held up Toledo and demanded his property. Fearing for his life, police say Toledo handed over his laptop computer valued at two thousand, five hundred dollars and other personal document. After the jacking, the robbers fled the scene. Police investigation continues.

Cargo truck and 11 grand missing
There is a cargo truck missing tonight, and police as well as the owner of the truck is trying to track down the vehicle. According to police reports, Corozal businessman Daniel Moreno gave the truck to his worker Gerald Burk Rolland of Orange Walk, with the instruction to do some land filling in Sarteneja village, Corozal. That was on the morning of Monday, April thirtieth. Two weeks later, on May eighteenth, the same Gerald Burk Rolland was given an eleven thousand dollars advance for work being done, by a man named Omar Sosa. Two weeks later, Gerald Burk Rolland has not returned to his boss with the money or the White Suburban Cargo Truck, which bears Corozal licence plates A-4795. Police investigation continues.

Honduran ambassador visits Toledo
The Ambassador of Honduras to Belize Sandra Rosales Abeya, yesterday completed an official visit to Punta Gorda town. Our Toledo correspondent Paul Mahung reports.

The thrill of the greasy police documented on film
Rice and beans, chicken and salad for dinner on Sunday is a typical Belizean tradition. And in the realm of entertainment, the good old greasy pole has to stand out as one of the top attractions. In fact, the climbing of the greasy police has captured the imagination of a television program all the way from Germany. They were in San Pedro recently to check out the spectacle, and Love TV’s Maria Novelo was among the spectators.

PlusTV

KMHK morgue gets top-notch renovation
The morgue at the KHMH has been newly renovated. This is news worthy especially after complaints about no space in ...

Public Service Information Day celebrated countrywide
Today our news crew took the familiarization tour of the many display booths erected in recognition of Public Servi...

Consultation on National Spatial Data Infrastructure Policy
National consultation on draft for National Spatial Data infrastructure (NSDI) policy held today. Today at the Radi...

New work permit policy being drafted
Foreigners who travel to our country Belize and wish make an income must first get a work permit. In general, there...

Teen charged for Jeremy McNab murder
Almost two weeks ago, Belize City businessman 48 year old Jeremy Ellis McNab was shot and killed. Today, police say...

Min. Faber invites public to open forum on education
The Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, invites stakeholders of education in the following...

Owner of missing cargo truck seeks public's help
A cargo truck has disappeared, and police as well as the owner of the truck is trying to locate the vehicle. Accord...

First Stop Pawn Shop robbed, employees detained
First Stop Pawn Shop in Belize City was robbed. An estimated $10,000 went missing from the Pawn Shop located at the...

Grand plans for World Oceans Day
The Coastal Zone Management Authority & Institute (CZMAI) in the Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries & Sustainable Deve...

Blogs

Hurricane Preparations
I was trying to work out which of the gazillion things to cross of my to do list today and decided to let the weather dictate my direction. The overcast skies and rain put hurricane preparation at the top of my list. Who needs Doomsday Preppers when you have yearly hurricane season? Actually I have seen a few good ideas on that show and some stockpiles that put ours to shame. I started by cleaning out my food basket and the top shelves of our food cupboard so that we can start adding to our hurricane food supply. While I was taking a break to let the shelves dry, I came back to work for a bit and opened a very timely email by Blaine Shranka Outreach Director Everyday Health in New York. As part of Hurricane Preparedness Week 2012, Everyday Health has created The Hurricane Disaster-Proof Healthy Eating Guide to serve as the food preparedness resource for upcoming hurricane season and all natural disasters. Hurricane disaster experts advise that you store enough food and clean water for your family in case of an emergency. Everyday Health has created a guide to good choices for health-conscious families, as well as those who have diabetes or other medical conditions. Hurricane Preparedness: A Guide to Eating Healthy in an Emergency.

The Mayor Talks About Dogs, The Streets & Mosquitos On Today's Morning Show
The mayor was allotted just 30 minutes to discuss a wide range of topics (too little Reef TV!). Here's my brief summary: 1. The Streets: Always a huge source of contention when the rainy season begins, all talk in town has turned to the weather and the bad state of the roads. The Mayor and his counsel are well aware of the situation in San Pedrito, DFC, San Mateo, up north and Boca del Rio...basically all areas with sand and dirt roads. He assures us that there is a plan and that most of it cannot be enacted until the rain stops (not for a few more days). Rather than do a full overhaul of the streets (which is impossible for many reasons at this time), the plan is to create a sidewalk. Full details were not discussed...but I'll take it! It will be nice to walk to my local market and not be covered in mud. 2. Educating On & Enforcing the Dog Laws: There are too many stray dogs on the island. I'm guessing that most of us can agree on that. They also mentioned that the raccoon population is bigger than we've seen in years. The near term plan (over next few months) is to license all pet dogs. There will be a dog catcher that will collect stray or troublesome dogs...your dog will be returned to you for a fee. Strays will be spayed and neutered or euthanized if they are in bad shape. DOG OWNERS HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES. Keep your dog on a leash, clean up after your dog. Danny correctly stated we are "no longer La Isla Bonita if we have all this crap all over the street!" A fee structure will be in place...mainly fines for your dog being picked up by the town. Ultimately, the town council would like to find a way to prevent people from breeding dogs on the mainland and bringing them to San Pedro. For all of these changes, they plan to work closely with SAGA and the SP Animal Hospital. 3. Mosquito Spraying: During the campaign, the mayor promised spraying for mosquitoes early and often. When he took office he found that the Health Department is in charge of the spraying schedule. Good news: there is a new spraying machine on the island (bringing us to two) and more foggers on the way. Once the rains have stopped, the heavy spraying will take place. Other things mentioned: please drill a hole in your trash drum so that it can drain of water. Also try to keep the drum to a reasonable weight. The town trash collectors have one of the hardest jobs on the island. Let's try to help them out!

International Sources

Analyzing Royalty’s Mystique
Next week, after the confetti from Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee celebration has been swept from the streets of London, more than 100 scholars will convene at Kensington Palace to ponder a phenomenon as puzzling as it is familiar: the robust survival of the British monarchy in a democratic age that long ago consigned similar institutions to the gilded dustbin of history. This three-day conference, which will feature talks on subjects ranging from hats and monarchs to the role of the Crown in a constitutional system, commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s ascension to the throne as well as the recently completed renovation of the palace. But it can also be seen as an unofficial celebration of another refurbishment: that of the study of modern monarchy itself.

The Queen of Diamonds
The sparkle and splendor of royal diamonds, laced with stories of historic grandeur and family love, will go on show in Britain this summer. The diamond jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, to be celebrated publicly this weekend with a four-day festival, is being backed up by unprecedented disclosure of royal treasures from Buckingham Palace. While cities and villages flutter with red, white and blue bunting and shop windows are decorated with objects incorporating the Union Jack, there is an easier and less uptight relationship between palace and people. In the same open spirit with which last year’s wedding of Catherine Middleton and Prince William, now Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, was celebrated with ceremony but not too much pomp, the big ease has reached the vaults of monarchy. Hence the unprecedented display of royal treasures.

SLIDESHOW: Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee
This week Britain is celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s diamond jubilee, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s ascension to the throne. Queen Elizabeth II in her coronation crown in 1953. More photos of the monarch are on the following slides.

Carnival Liberty Day 4: Everything old is new again
Having spent so much time working on my tan on tropical islands over the past week, I thought it was about time my cultural-self got a work out. Belize was our next port of call and is most famous for the archarchaeological site Altun Ha, that houses Mayan temples believed to date back to 100AD. Deciding to purchase a tour in port as opposed to through Carnival, my Minnesota friend Del and I boarded the tender to shore more than a little nervous about our 'risqué' decision. The common concern about purchasing shore tours yourself is always that you won't return to the ship on time, thus risking the ship leaving without you or waiting and lobbing you with a hefty fine. Having never taken this risk before, I was keen to obtain some advice from a crew member who directed us to the tour desk for a company he said was reputable and, most importantly, affordable. We selected the rainforest, country and Altun Ha ruins tour that retailed for well over USD$100 onboard but was available for a mere USD$49 in Belize. With a little time to spare, we check out the wide variety of shops lining the port and I eyed some very convincing knock off designer suitcases that would definitely solve my problem regarding having run out of room in my luggage.

Anguilla hosts 23rd Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Social Security
The Anguilla Social Security Board will host the 23rd Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Social Security from May 31 to June 01, 2012. The conference, which will be held at Paradise Cove Resort, will bring together key Social Security and National Insurance officials from some 13 countries throughout the region including Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and The Grenadines, The British Virgin Islands, Antigua and Barbuda, as well as host country Anguilla. Also attending the meeting will be specialists from the CARICOM Secretariat.

Ryan Chan wins his first Mission Catwalk Challenge
It took ten tries, but T&T; designer Ryan Chan can finally call himself a Mission Catwalk challenge winner. Episode ten of the Caribbean fashion reality series saw Chan and five other designers creating a prom dress for a high school girl—a test not only of their design skills but their ability to work with a client. A statement from Jamaica’s publication firm AG Select Public Relations, quoted Chan as saying: “I made sure to ask my model what her favourite colour combination was. She, without hesitating, answered ‘pink and black’, also my two favourite colours! I created a pink dress with peau de soie fabric and used black accessories.

Wild Belize: Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve
Belize's 107,000-acre Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve is home to exotic wildlife such as Cougars, Jaguars, Ocelots, Crocodiles, and many bird species. For the best chance of spotting a big cat, go on a moonlight jaguar hunt (of the non-violent kind). The Rio On Pools are one of the best attractions in the reserve. Waterfalls flow over smooth granite, creating shallow pools perfect for sunbathing and lounging. Take the stairs down to the lower pools, or hike upstream for better views and bigger pools. If you're interested in Mayan history, be sure to check out Barton Creek Cave. Mayan artifacts have been found all over the area, and it's believed that the Cave was a former ritual site.

May 30, 2012

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

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

The San Pedro Sun

The Palometa Report: Tarpon fishing in Belize
Even with our rainy weather this past week, many guides have been getting their clients into tarpon. Seems like the big fish have come home a bit early So with tarpon season just around the corner, many anglers will be flocking to Belize in the hopes of hooking into our big migratory tarpon. These giants run anywhere from 80-200 pounds and are truly one of the greatest game fish on the planet. Tackle plays a crucial role in the outcome of landing one of these tarpon. By making sure you come prepared with the correct tackle, your odds of boating a big fish will increase dramatically. But beware, once on the end of your line the fight is far from over. 2-4 hour battles are commonplace when fighting fish of this size. In the end your angling skill and equipment will be the deciding factor. A little bit of luck never hurts either. This week’s tip: For tarpon fishing in Belize you will need two fly lines for success. One should be a floating saltwater line, with the other being a full intermediate. This will allow you to fish the flats or target bigger fish in deeper water. These lines paired with 10 & 12 weight fly rods will prepare you for battling the silver king.

German reality series “Das Duell um die Welt” films in San Pedro
Residents would certainly have noticed a group of guys with video cameras and production equipment making their way through the streets of San Pedro on the 24th and 25th of May. They were a film crew from a German digital production company, Endemol, here on the island filming an episode of a new prime time reality series called “Joko gegen Klaas – Das Duell um die Welt” exclusively for German television network ProSeiben (Pro7). In English the show is called “Joko vs. Klaas – The Battle for the World”, and is a reality show that pins its two stars against one another in a series of challenges all over the globe. Hosts Joachim ‘Joko’ Winterscheidt and Klaas Heufer-Umlauf give each other a series of outrageous and tough challenges in countries all over the world; they know where they’re going but have no idea what they will have to do until they get there. It is a travel game show and reality series where each host tries to push the other to their limits in an attempt to be crowned the “world champion” by taking on all the obstacles and coming out on top as the one who has won the battle for world domination. It is a high stakes truth or dare without the truth but a whole lot of dare!

Ambergris Today

Leo’s Club Adds Youthful Energy to San Pedro Lions Club
The San Pedro Lions Club members gathered on Saturday, May 26, 2012, to incorporate and officially install the new Leo’s Club as a positive addition to the Lions Club. The Leo Club objective is to provide the youth of the world an opportunity for development and contribution, individually and collectively, as responsible members of the local, national and international community. Leo Clubs encourage youths to develop leadership qualities by participating in social service activities. They are dependent on a Lions Club to sponsor and initiate a Leo Club. They conduct various projects in the fields of health care, elders, children, differently abled, literacy and education, and self-development. Leos can raise funds by conducting fund-raising projects. They can conduct projects with another Leo Club, sponsoring Lions club, or with an outside organization. Leo Clubs are sponsored by Lions clubs and comprise an official program of the Lions clubs international.

“World Games” Films The Greasy Pole in San Pedro
The Greasy Pole is an exciting and fun game that has been part of the Belizean tradition for many years and it can be said it is essential at most grand celebrations. As September Celebrations approach, every year island residents look forward to seeing groups of teenagers and men attempt to go up this 30- foot pole greased up with lard and claim the grand prize placed atop of the pole. Last week Island residents were surprised to see the erection of the greasy pole at Central Park and wondered what was going on an ordinary Friday. Ambergris Today met up with Hon. Manuel Heredia, Mayor Daniel Guerrero and his councilors at Central Park as they greeted a group of men from Germany.

Kindest Kid in San Pedro Awarded
Be Kind Belize was looking for the “Kindest Kid” in the community and students at primary school level were invited to nominate Kindness Ambassadors to represent their school. Students that have done acts of kindness were asked to be nominated for this award and after much nominations being entered it was narrowed down to four. Nominations were posted online and the public was asked to vote for their favorite (anonymous) nominee. The idea behind the award was to acknowledge acts of kindness and reward them. Be Kind Belize wants to encourage the community to start to recognize our great kids so that they will be role models for future generations.

Dealing With Young Anger!
By Christopher Emmanuel “Anger always comes from frustrated expectations” -Elliott Larson It was dark, ink black, when the little boy woke abruptly from his sleep. The position of the small bed where he laid, with his two sisters and two brothers, had him crowded against the wall. He moved a foot off his back. His sister Lucy, sprawled beside him, he could barely make out her night shirt stuck to her body from the night heat. Her black face shone purple as the single window light cast a shadow across the small room. Bang! Bang! He heard the wall rocking as something knocked against it from the adjacent room. “O God, No! No! Oooooh!! He could hear his mother crying. Then his fathers’ slurred, drunk voice, “Shut your ……….ing mouth, I am the man do as I say!!”

Football Tournament Underway
A football tournament is currently underway and is being sponsored by The San Pedro Town Council, Shalom and Caye Caulker Water Taxi. The tournament commenced on Saturday, May 19, 2012 with two groups of teams.

We Take Things For Granted
I cannot remember the last time I went into the sea, to swim or snorkel. And no, I do not know how to scuba dive, although it’s something everybody is surprised to hear. “You are from the island and you do not know how to dive?” is all I hear from others who do not live here. I know! I’m getting around to it, promise. I do think that most of us who live on the island do take it for granted that we have this beautiful beach, sea and natural wonder of the Great Barrier Reef. It is so easy to get caught up in our busy schedules and forget to just kick back, relax and decompress. Others are submerged in it every day or weekend. So, every now and then I get a chance to do this and wonder why I don’t do it more often. My Isla Bonita is an amazing paradise.

Misc Belizean Sources

Revenue Collected by the Government of Belize from the BNE Oil Discovery

National Festival of Arts pictures
The Benque House of Culture represented Cayo at the NFoA. Orchidea Negra was there, as was the Benque Marching Band! We heard it was a spectacular time.

Sibun Gorge Expedition pictures
Mountain Equestrian Trails did an expedition to the Sibun River, and then kayaked out. Looks like it was a wild ride. "This was a four night, five day expedition beginning high in the Bald Hills of Belize. The team of four hiked down to the headwaters of the Sibun River where they inflated their Aire Kayaks, boarded them, and began the adventure of a lifetime."

Maya Full Moon Ceremony at Lower Dover
Don Beto Cocom will be donig a Maya Full Moon Ceremony next Tuesday, June 5th, at Lower Dover Field Station. Preperation will start at 2:00pm, and the ceremony will be from 4:00 until 6:00pm. Don Beto Cocom is a renowned healer from Bullet Tree Falls, and takes care of the Masewal Medicinal Trail. The Cornerstone Foundation and the Natural Healers Program are also cosponsors of the event.

Belizean Flaky Meat Pies
Meat pies are always a special treat. It's made with ground beef and and hot peppers. The pie dough is always flaky and you have the choice of adding healthy vegetables like spinach or any other fiber to make it a little bit more healthy.

Weekend’s Football update ..
The Under 14 Finals that was planned for the weekend was postponed to next weekend due to the slight drizzle we received on Saturday so I am sorry but no exciting news with regard to that league. Sunday’s adult’s games still went ahead and the results made the league table look slightly different. The first game was Caye Caulker Boys/ Bahia vs Team Danger (6 – 1) and the second game was the Lazy Lizard vs Tsunami (1 – 4). The new league leaders are now Tsumani as they have a game in hand to both Lazy Lizard and the Caye Caulker Boys – all of whom are on 6 points. Unfortunately, at the bottom of the table, both Team Rainbow and Team Danger (who have both played 2 games) have no points and are struggling at the bottom!! Roll on next week and the Under 14 finals!!

Belize Is Praying For You Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow
In times like this, the country should be more united than ever. I come to you as a Belizean and the humanitarian that I am, asking you to support Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow in this time of need. A little prayer or a little message of support can do wonders in these hard times that the wife of the Prime Minister of Belize find herself in. If you were not aware about her sickness then let me help to refresh your mind. In a press release from Special Envoy for Women and Children, earlier in November of last year, it stated that Ms. Barrow urgently left the country seeking medical attention. She was later diagnosed with breast cancer -- a sickness that has haunted women of all ages over the past centuries. Since then she has been in a battle that she never saw coming but has confronted it like the strong person that she is.

Channel 7

FIRST STOP ROBBERY NETS THIEVES 10K
Tonight, three employees of First Stop, a micro credit business are being questioned in connection with a robbery of the businesses cash deposit. Police are keeping a tight lid on the story, but 7news has learned that the robbery occurred last night on Mapp Street where a pair of employees were robbed of ten thousand dollars. Police suspect it may be an inside job - and are questioning the employees who were taking the money - presumably to be deposited. The owner of the story, Gilroy Usher Jr. has refused comment at this time.

COPS ACCUSED OF STEALING HILUX GET BAIL
A week ago, 7News told you about police's recovery of the 2009 Toyota Hilux which was stolen from the Central Health Region. They also wrapped it up with the arrest Police Constable Marvin Wade, his brother Jason Wade, and their friend Kerwin Godoy, who police say were all trying to sell the vehicle. Today, the Wade brothers and Godoy were brought back to court for Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer to consider if they should be granted bail, after they spent a week on remand while police prepared their disclosure. Viewers may recall that their attorney, Brian Neal, submitted to the court that the pursuing of this matter by the police was frivolous. He based this conclusion on the fact that at the time, police did not provide any evidence that linked his clients to vehicle, apart from a verbal affirmation that they were caught as the result of a sting operation. Well, that disclosure was also handed over today, and attorney Arthur Saldivar, who joined Neal in representing the men, submitted to Senior Magistrate Frazer that the evidence furnished was not overwhelming enough to further deny bail. The prosecutor did not offer any further objections, and as a result, Senior Magistrate Frazer granted bail of $20,000 to all 3 men. We spoke to Neal this evening and we asked about that disclosure. Here's what he had to say about its inability to link his clients to this vehicle: Brian Neal, attorney "The evidence from my opinion from a legal standpoint is very weak. If you recall last week I made submissions that there is no evidence that my clients were in fact involve with this car - that they had driven this car or that they allowed themselves to be driven in this car."

ANOTHER CITY SHOOTING
Glen Staine, a 30 year-old Belize City security guard is fortunate to have survived serious injury, after he was shot yesterday. According to police, at around 10 a.m. yesterday, Staine was sitting at the corner of La Croix Boulevard and Park Street, when he heard a gunshot. He then realized that he suffered injuries to both of his hands, and he then went to get treatment at the KHMH. Police are investigating, but Staine could not provide them with any other useful information because he did not see the shooter.

WOULD-BE SHOMAN SHOOTER CHARGED FOR DRIVER'S MURDER
Last week Friday, 7News told you about 23 year-old Norman Slusher who was released from his 2 week stay at the Hospital. He went directly into police custody, and he was charged for the murder of Jason Canto. Well today, he was brought to court. Slusher was arraigned for one count of murder when he was brought before Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer. Because of the nature of the offense, no plea was taken and he was remanded to prison until June 29, his next court date. As we reported, at around 7:45 p.m. on May 10, 2 armed men - one of them being Slusher - reportedly went to Dale's Barber Shop on West Canal possibly to target businessman Jose Shoman - who was there to get a trim. An exchange of gunfire between the gunmen and Shoman ensued. When the dust settled, Canto, who came to Shoman's rescue, had been shot in the back, and he died on the spot. Another patron of the barber shop was also shot in the crossfire, and Slusher received multiple gunshots to the stomach.

SHYNE PETITIONS WHITE HOUSE FOR VISA
Back in April - rapper Moses Leviy, known as Shyne gave this station an extended interview in which he discussed all things Shyne - but what came across most emphatically was that he wanted a visa to go back to the USA - the place he had called home since his childhood. Well now that call is going to a whole other level. There's a petition on the White House website to grant Shyne a visa. The petition, which was posted on the website on May 16th by one "Adam W" from North Carolina makes the case - in very poor English, we might add - that Shyne was a model prisoner, and that he visited prisons in Belize to speak with inmates, speaking on the bad decisions he made when he was young. It adds that he is presently the cultural ambassador of Belize. But, in order to pass the threshold for consideration, a petition needs twenty five thousand signatures, and guess how much this one has gotten so far? 311! So it needs over twenty four thousand more by June 15th to have any prospect of success.

NEW SHERIFF IN CAYO
We've reported on the difficulties police have been having in Cayo - where the Officer Commanding Superintendent Alvan Gentle has refused to be transferred back to headquarters after ruffling some feather locally. And while Gentle is on sick leave - there's a new sheriff in town: Senior Superintendent Chester Williams - who is on vacation from law school in Barbados - is home for the summer, and has been sent to Cayo to take over. Williams assumed the post on Friday - taking over a familiar seat - because he was Cayo's Officer Commanding before he left for law school in early 2011. Of course, it's only a temporary fix, because Williams will only be here until September. By then, the senior command should have found - what might be called - a Gentle solution.

YWCA + EU
The Young Women's Christian Association of Belize received a grant today from the European Union and the Government of Belize under the Belize Rural Development project number two. The project will seek to create economic opportunities and improve the livelihoods of rural women and youths to become more productive while generating income and employment through enterprise development and market access enhancement. That's project talk, and Director for the Y, Regina Campbell explained how it will work in the real world. Regina Campbell, Director for the YWCA "This particular project's focus is expanding the economic opportunities and entrepreneurship for rural women and youth in Belize." "It's a multi-phase approach; we have four different tracks that we will be working on; the first be helping develop marketing outlets for products being develop by the women and youth. We also will have skill building training on site as well as in districts." "An additional portion of the project will include expanding the market outlet here at the Y as well as building as new enterprise development building in Belmopan. Between the two we hope to continue the sustainability of the project that's funded here by the EU." "The venture is important because it's in line with the millennium development goals as well as Belize's policy on poverty reduction. Through this project it is our goal to help reduce the poverty level of women and youth here in Belize, particularly rural women and youth who are impacted disproportionately compare to the rest of the population." The total cost of the grant is estimated at 2,185,000. The duration of the project is 34 months.

THE ORAL TRADITION REMEMBERS THE WORST STORM OF LAST CENTURY
Hurricane season 2012 starts officially on Friday, June first. And most of us don't need any reminders of how serious a storm can be - after category one Hurricane Richard tore up central and western Belize in 2010. But as far as hurricanes go - in Belize's recorded history, Richard was like - what you might call - "wah lee breeze" - compared to Hurricane Hattie in 1961. That was one of the deadliest storms of the last century and, in Belize, it killed hundreds, while leaving thousands more without shelter. More Belizeans died in the 1931 hurricane but that was because there was no advance warning due to primitive communication technology. With Hattie, there was warning, but still no one expected the terrible, massive damage she would deliver. Fortunately, the oral history of Hurricane Hattie is still available - and everyone who lived through the storm has a story. A few of those histories are compiled in a new programme produced by NICH called Belize Kolcha, Hurricane Hattie. The programme - which is a 45 minute documentary will air at nine tonight on Channel Seven - but for the news tonight - we clipped out a small portion as city residents remember the storms hellish onslaught and the sight of death that followed:

RAIN CANT STOP THE FESTIVAL BRAM
Once again, it's time for the National Festival of Arts- a fun way to encourage creativity and incorporate the arts into the school curriculum. This year's opening ceremony was held at the House of Culture because the stage at the Bliss Center for Performing Arts is being resurfaced. Our news team caught up with Kim Vasquez, youth development officer, who explained what the festival is about and what to expect from this year's participants. Kim Vasquez - Youth Development Officer, ICA "The national festival of arts kicks off today here at the House of Culture. What we have done is to bussed in students from all across the country. We have a line-up featuring 6 poster youths - these are outstanding youths from across the country, one from each district that has really excelled in one of the disciplines and they are here to also perform on stage with us and then we have a week filled with performance and showcasing their activities." Robin Schaffer "The Bliss is being remodelled; will that affect it as well?" Kim Vasquez - Youth Development Officer, ICA "Not necessarily, actually we are anticipating that the stage will be ready in time for the perform and showcase and that the kids will sort of christened the stage for us, the new stage at the Bliss." Robin Schaffer "It's raining, how do you guys plan to deal with that?" Kim Vasquez - Youth Development Officer, ICA "The only thing we can do is hope that the rain will stop and that we will be able to proceed with the parade."

LEO DOES DUBSTEP
On the local music scene, punta, brukdown, dancehall, reggae and soca artists reign - dominating radio stations and local music channels. Well, one young Belizean artist, Leo Matura, wants to throw a new sound into the mix. Dubstep is a type of electronic music that employs the deep bass of reggae music and adds the din of electronica to create a distinctive sound that rolls like reggae while pulsing like club music. Matura has been creating this kind of music under the name of D!rty Jok3s because, he says, like a dirty joke, some people probably may not like it- or understand it. Still, he has produced an EP with songs that each took almost 20 hours to produce because of the complex, layered sounds that he created. He says he did it to expose the Belizean public to a new style. He stopped by our studios today where he explained more about the kind of music he works with and what Belizeans can expect from the EP. Leo Matura "This project is a EP which means it is an extended compilation of singles that I have made over the past month so far and the genre was primarily dubstep and brostep which is a genre of electronics music. I don't think it very familiar here in Belize as yet but it is my mission to bring it out so it's one of the main reasons I made this EP."

Channel 5

99% of Employees vote for selling B.S.I.
The ownership of the Belize Sugar Industries is about to go to foreign hands. American Sugar Refinery, the world’s largest sugar refining company, is poised to seal a deal to acquire majority shares, in excess of eighty percent, in the financially beset B.S.I. This morning, representatives from ASR met with BSI’s management and employees at [...]

Police and brother get bail for stolen vehicle
A policeman, his brother and friend were all granted bail today after being remanded last week in connection with a stolen government vehicle. The Toyota Hilux was taken by a brazen thief who was caught on camera as he walked gingerly into the Central Health Region Compound on May eighth and drove off in truck. [...]

Police following leads to solve recent murders
The two known suspects in the murder of a Belmopan teen are still on the run tonight. Eighteen year old Valentino Coc, a resident of Maya Mopan, was brutally hacked to death with a machete on Saturday night in the Salvapan area. He was reportedly playing football with friends when an altercation ensued. Valentino is [...]

Has your cost of living in the past 4 years increased or decreased?
Close to a thousand votes were cast on the last question: Do you think that the government is clueless on how to solve crime? Eighty-one percent of voters were convinced that there is no direction on how to solve government’s greatest irritant, which is crime while nineteen percent disagreed. Tonight’s question is: Has your cost [...]

2012 Hurricane Season will be average
The National Meteorological Service is predicting that the 2012 hurricane season will be average to a little bit above average. It forecasts that the average number of named systems would be around nine of which six will become hurricanes and two are expected to be intense. While everyone is hoping that we will be spared [...]

NEMO, CEMO and Channel 5 structurally sound
CEMO recently announced a major change for this hurricane season. And that is that this season our facilities here on Coney Drive are to be used to house CEMO operations. The background is that the matter was discussed since last year under the previous council, which was looking for a safer facility. The decision was [...]

YWCA gets $1.7 Million for women projects
Close to two million dollars will be spent on women development projects in rural communities over the next thirty-four months. With a good track record in project execution, the European Union is doubling its funding to the Young Women’s Christian Association to the tune of one point seven million dollars. Government is expected to throw [...]

Who will be held accountable for child’s death?
On May twenty-fourth in 2009, six year old Jose Garcia Jr., then an Infant two student of Wesley Lower Primary School, was crossing the street on his bike at on Amara Avenue when he was knocked down and killed. The incident happened at around six o’clock in the evening and many persons say they witnessed [...]

HIV cases go down, but male infections go up
A report has been compiled by the National TB, HIV/AIDS & other STIs Programme of the Ministry of Health. The statistics offer good as well as bad news. It says that for 2011, there was a continued decrease in the number of new HIV infections, with a total of two hundred and twenty-six new infections [...]

Minimum wage increases minimally
Two statutory instruments signed earlier this month will put more money in the pockets of unskilled, domestic and manual workers. Senator Godwin Hulse, the Minister of Labour signed off on the increases which were gazette on May twenty-sixth. SI number fifty-five is a Wages Regulation Amendment order which provides for unskilled workers employed in the [...]

School rids itself of asbestos problem
For several years, families of students at the Saint Peter Claver School have been complaining about the health risks associated with asbestos roofing on a number of school buildings. In recent days, several of the buildings were torn down and the students have been relocated. While the problem is finally being addressed, the temporary closure [...]

Oceana takes kids on educational tour
On June eighth, World’s Ocean day will be celebrated across the globe. With the oceans in trouble, the celebration is taking on new meaning. In Belize, Oceana is organizing various events for youths who have not been to the reef and marine sites. This past Saturday, it treated the students from a Guinea Grass school [...]

LOVE FM

Tuesday, May 29 - POLICE NEWS
Twenty three year old Norman Slusher was this morning arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on a single count of murder. Slusher, was charged in connection with the May tenth shooting death of Jason Canto at Dale’s Barber shop. Slusher who had been hos...

NEMO WEEK OBSERVED IN BELIZE
Maria Novelo reporting… “An agenda full of activity is being held to observe NEMO Week 2012 across the country and in the Belize Rural South Area it is no exception. Each year, prior to the beginning of the Hurricane season, the National Emergency Management Organizati...

BELIZE'S NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF ARTS LAUNCHES TODAY
The National Festival of Arts was launched during an opening ceremony at the House of Culture in Belize City this morning. Hundreds of children from all over the country of Belize including teachers and parents attended the ceremony and were dressed in different attires and costu...

BELIZE RECORDS DECREASE IN NEW HIV/AIDS CASES
The National TB, HIV/AIDS & other STIs Program of the Ministry of Health has released the latest statistical data. According to the synopsis, for the year 2011, there was a further documented decrease in the number of new HIV infections, with a total of 226 new infections for...

HONDURAS' AMBASSADOR TO BELIZE ON OFFICIAL VISIT
The Ambassador of Honduras to Belize Sandra Rosales Abeya, yesterday completed an official visit to Punta Gorda town. Paul Mahung reporting... “With her arrival during the morning hours, Ambassador of the Republic of Honduras in Belize Her Excellency Sand...

PRIMARY SCHOOL PROTESTS FOR SCHOOL LAND
A protest took place at a primary school in Benque Viejo yesterday, that involved students, teachers a few parents and some colorful signs. At issue is the ownership of a piece of land in the town. According to Member of the Board of the Hills of Promise Seventh Day Adventist Pri...

MEETING WITH BSI STAKEHOLDERS HELD
The proposed sale of Belize Sugar Industries was the focus of a meeting today in Orange Walk town. Arturo Cantun reporting… “BSI stakeholders gathered this morning at the factory site in Tower Hill. The purpose of the extra ordinary meeting w...

CTV3

Family Feud Leaves Two Persons Injured
A bitter feud over the weekend between two families from the Corozal District left two persons injured. When police arrived at the Corozal Community Hospital at around 10:30 on Sunday morning they observed 32 year old Adam Williams with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the left knee. Initial investigations reveal that Williams and 42 year old Vincent Charley were involved in an altercation earlier that day. As a result both men ended up wounded. While Charley shot Williams on the left knee, Williams inflicted two chop wounds Charley’s head. Luckily both men are alive tonight even though one of them has been detained by police and the other is recuperating from his injuries at the KHMH. So what caused the confrontation? Well it’s a bit complicated since both families have their own version of what transpired on Saturday yesterday morning on 2nd Street North Corozal. Here is what they had to say. Hipolito Novelo Reporting Tonight 32 year old Adam Williams is at the KHMH recovering from a gunshot wound to his left knee while 42 year old Vincent Charley is locked up at the Corozal Police Station suffering from two chop wounds to his head. Both men sustained their injuries during an altercation on Sunday at around 4:00pm. The reason behind the argument is really difficult to decipher since both families have their own version of what took place.

Driver Tow-head Truck Lucky To Be Alive
The driver of a towhead truck is lucky to be alive tonight after the vehicle he was traveling in somehow ended up in a man made pond located on the left hand side of the Northern Highway near the entrance of San Jose Village in the Orange Walk District. When CTV3 News arrived at the scene around 9:00 yesterday morning this is what we encountered. The towhead was semi-submerged in the pond while the empty 40 foot container attached to it remained in mid air. Luckily the driver of the towhead, only identified as a man from the Village of Buena Vista, managed to escape unhurt. When we spoke to residents of the area we were informed that around 4:00 in the morning they heard a loud bang and when they came outside to check what had occurred they saw the driver of the towhead coming out of the passenger side. Unconfirmed reports are that the towhead belongs to one Omar Gutierrez also from the Village of Buena Vista. CTV3 News understands that the driver of the towhead was traveling from Orange Walk Town to Buena Vista when he lost control of the vehicle and ended up in the pond. According to witnesses the driver was under the influence of alcohol. We understand that the towhead was not pulled out of the pond until 1:30 in the afternoon.

Student Of Trial Farm Gov School Is Orange Walks Poster Youth
The National Institute of Culture and History in collaboration with the Institute of Creative Arts is once again shinning the spotlight on talented Belizean youths in the annual National Festival of Arts. The grand festival is an event that grasps the culture and artistic expressions portrayed by Belizeans who showcase their talents and display their artist work during the annual Festival of Arts Parade. One of the main highlights of the event is the District Poster Youth that enables one talented young mind from each district to represent their home town at the festival of arts. Now, if you’re wondering who will be representing Orange Walk then the answer is 13 year old student from Trial Farm Government School David Alvarez who more than filled the criteria to be Orange Walk’s Poster Youth. Yvette Torres, Coordinator BHOC “What happened is that this year we were closer to the ministry of education here in Orange Walk and with their efforts we managed to get three different poster youth candidates which these candidates their submissions was sent to Belize City and a panel were the ones who choose. The criteria was that they had to be between the ages of 3 and 29 and they had to live in their district for five years and they are willing and active in the expressive arts and that participated in different activities that had to do with the performing arts.” Certainly I must say he is a person that is actively involved and he has the performing art that talent he dances and apart from dances he performs so I believe that that was one of the artistic talent that maybe he had which the panel saw that he was the best candidate out of the three that was sent to Belize City.

ASR Says There Will Be No Retrenchment Of BSI Employees
When we left you on Friday night the Executive of the Belize Workers Union demanded that BSI Management provide workers with a copy of the proposal made by American Sugar Refinery for the purchasing of Belize Sugar Industries Limited. The aim of the Executive was to ensure that the payment of dividends owed to BSI employees and security of employment was outlined in the proposal. In letter sent to the Belize Worker’s Union today, by BSI Management, all employees are informed that 50% of the outstanding dividends will be paid two weeks after the closing of the transaction with ASR; 30% of the outstanding dividends will be paid one year after closing and the remaining payment of 20% will be paid two years after closing. In the letter, sent to President of BWU Ian Leiva, BSI’s CEO, Joey Montalvo assures employees that any dividends declared against 2012 profits will be paid in full in 2013. The letter also specifies that 100% of the outstanding dividends due to hourly paid retirees will be paid in full two weeks after closing of the transaction with ASR. Montalvo also confirms that the payment of the 1% additional bonus which would become due against profits above $6 million in 2012 will be honored.

OWTHS Business Expo Turns Out to Be A Huge Success
Braking off from the usual tradition of having business expositions inside school grounds, over the weekend the Orange Walk Technical High School decided to take their annual expo to new heights. The business expo kicked off from 8:00 o’clock in the morning and ended at around 5:00 o’clock in the evening. Here is how it went Hipolito Novelo Reporting On Sunday the rain poured down and the grounds at the Orange Walk People’s Stadium became mucky but despite of all of this, the Orange Walk Technical High School Business Exposition went well, according to Teacher, Juanita Polanco. Juanita Polanco, Teacher OWTHC “It’s been really great. Despite the rain this morning, people have been coming. There are great deals. Everybody is enjoying this. It is really going well. The visitors, the come and they all go happy because I see a lot of people going with a lot of bags so I think they are enjoying it. The booths of both phone companies, Telemedia and SMART, are attracting the most of the visitors. Also Circle Rice because a lot of rice have been passing here. Everything is going great.” But it was not all business at the expo also saw the participation of various enjoyable games.

LOVE TV

Cayo school vandalized; children sent home
Hundreds of primary school children in San Ignacio town had to be sent home today after their classroom was hit by vandals over the weekend. According to reports reaching the RSV Media Center, a three-classroom building at the Sacred Heart Primary School in San Ignacio town was vandalized. Principal of the upper division Bernadine Lavern Martinez spoke with Love FM’s Patrick Jones via telephone this morning and said this is not the first time she and her staff have had to deal with this kind of ordeal. Even though it is approaching the end of the academic year, Mrs. Martinez says the vandals are still causing major interruptions the school’s plans. Martinez expects that classes will resume as normal on Tuesday, following clearance from public health officials.

Police gets equipment for destruction of firearms
Today the Belize Police Department got two handsome donations. One came in the form of mobility with thirty new bicycles and the other in the form of destruction with a hydraulic shears for firearms destruction. The donation came from the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs and Development in Latin America, UN LiREC. It follows an assessment conducted in 2010 on weapons destruction and stockpile management for small arms control strategy. Melanie Regimbal, who is the Director of UN LiREC in Belize, told reporters that the equipment guarantees a permanent method of destroying illegal weapons. The equipment, complete with a generator and accessories, is valued at close to fifty thousand dollars. The bicycles meanwhile, came from the Government of Belize. Assistant Commissioner of Police, Elodio Aragon, Junior, said that they are aimed to complement the walking patrols in specific areas of the city. Aragon says that protocol will be put in place to ensure that the bicycles are taken care of.

Two killed in weekend violence in Belize City
There is more bloodshed to report tonight as the ongoing crime surge has put three more bodies in the morgue, and left more families in mourning. Three homicides were reported over the weekend, two in Belize City and one in the nation’s capital. Love TV’s Marion Ali reports on the killings in the commercial capital.

Cancer Walk in Caye Caulker Village
And while Kim Simplis Barrow who is the special envoy for families and children continues her battle with breast cancer, in Belize the awareness campaign continued over the weekend with the annual Cancer Walk in various municipalities and communities. Love TV’s Maria Novelo reports on the Cancer Walk in Caye Caulker village.

Prime Minister’s wife hospitalized in Miami
The wife of Prime Minister Dean Barrow Kim Simplis Barrow has been hospitalized in Miami, Florida. A statement from the office of the Prime Minister says that the hospitalization of Mrs. Barrow is as a result of complications arising out of her treatment for breast cancer. As a result of the hospitalization of Mrs. Barrow, the Prime Minister traveled to Miami, Florida this afternoon to be by her side during this time. In an email sent to us via Facebook, Mrs. Barrow expressed her thanks for the many prayers being offered for her since we posted the story online. Mrs. Barrow explained that she is in the Intensive Care Unit and she is experiencing difficulty breathing, with fluid in her lungs and heart. But while she stole a few moments to send us the email message, the severity of her hospitalization was not lost on the wife of the Prime Minister as she noted that only ten percent of her heart is currently functioning. Mrs. Barrow notes that her white blood cell count is low and that she is anemic. While the Prime Minister is by his wife’s bedside in Miami, in Belmopan, the Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega will act hold over the reins of government until Mr. Barrow’s return to the country this weekend.

Pipes dry in Cristo Rey
Water is an essential to life and healthy living. But for residents of Cristo Rey village in the Cayo district it is a commodity that is in short supply and has been scarce for over a month now. On Sunday, Love TV’s Patrick Jones went to the village to talk with residents about their plight. Here is what he found.

Cacao farmers get basic training in agriculture
A one week training program in basics of agriculture basics for cacao farmers concluded on Saturday in Punta Gorda town. Our Toledo Correspondent Paul Mahung reports.

National Festival of Arts about to start
Belize’s future leaders will take centre stage this week to showcase their artistic talents in the National Festival of Arts. The week of events will highlight art in drama and visual arts at the Bliss Institute for Creative Arts. Creative Arts Development Officer at the Institute of Creative Arts, Denise Enriquez, told Love News that the week-long displays will open on Tuesday. A ceremony and parade will officially kick off the festival on Tuesday morning at the House of Culture in Belize City.

PlusTV

Belize observes Global day of Prayer
Global Day of prayer was celebrated on Sunday May 27th across the world. Over 220 nations and hundreds of millions ...

New transient OC takes over San Ignacio precinct
The temporary Officer Commanding at the San Ignacio Police Department is Chester Williams. Williams is only a tempo...

Week long activities for National Festival of Arts gets under-way
It’s time once again for the National Festival of Arts. The festival is a compilation of the country’s best perform...

Thousands march to raise awareness on cancer
The entire month of May is Cancer Awareness Month - and the annual Cancer Walk was held this past Saturday (MAY 26)...

High school students "Go Green"
Aldebaran an NGO which focuses on Marine research launched a young, clean and green campaign in October of last yea...

YWCA aims at creating economic opportunities for rural women youth
The Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) has signed an agreement with the EU - Expanding Economic Opportuniti...

Police Department welcomes weapon destruction equipment
A brief ceremony was held at the Queen Street Police Station on Monday (May 28), in which the United Nations Region...

Bicycles donated to Belize Police Department
The Ministry of National Security has handed over bicycles to Belize Police Department Eastern Division. This morni...

NGO's receive major financial aid to fund respective goals
A grantee capacity building workshop was held today at the George Price Center in Belmopan. The workshop, implement...

Furry white substance found in unopened coke bottle
Twice in the last six weeks Plus news has reported on foreign particles found inside sealed soft drink bottles. Oth...

Town meetings for education stakeholders
The Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, invites stakeholders of education in the following...

Caye Caulker Chronicles

Photo of the Week: Go Slow …

Jenna Bernard to represent Caye Caulker at the Queen of the Jewel
The Next Miss Belize 2012-2013 May 29th, 2012 The Class of 2012 for the Queen of the Jewel – The Next Miss Belize proudly presents Ms. Jenna Bernard who has undertaken the task of representing Caye Caulker this year. Caye Caulker has not had a representative in any of the national pageants in quite some years and this representation could not come at a better time. The pageant takes place on June 30th at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts and Jenna is requesting as much support as possible for pageant night. The delegates are also to visit Caye Caulker for a fun weekend and details of this visit will be disclosed closer to time. In the meantime, I present our brave Caye Caulker representative. Please join me in wishing Jenna all the very best!! I am very sure she will do a wonderful job in representing our La Isla Cariñosa, Caye Caulker!!

Amandala

Early morning murder in Belize City
Anthony David Mayen, 42, a car dealer of Lizarraga Avenue in Belize City, died before reaching the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) as result of sustaining eight gunshot injuries: three to the abdomen, one to the chest, two under the right armpit, one to the right side of his back and one to the right arm, while his brother Darrell, 37, was shot in the right shoulder.

Humana People to People Store cease operations in the city – too much crime!
After the store was robbed four times, the last being around 11:30 a.m. on Friday, May 26, when the employees were robbed and beaten by gunmen who made them lie down on the floor with guns aimed at the back of their heads, the Humana People to People Clothing Store on King Street has now closed its doors and ceased operation in the Old Capital as of today, Monday.

Pastor Ensford Llewelyn Maskall laid to rest
The service began with the sounding of a trumpet and a vibrant and triumphant time of worship, which was followed by several remembrances delivered by fellow pastors who shared their recollections of the life of this exceptional man.

Showdown at Western Border over allegedly stolen vehicle
Police have detailed an apparent showdown between the commander of the Benque Viejo police station, Superintendent Ralph Moody, his officers with their counterparts from Guatemala’s Policia Nacional Civil (PNC), and two persons claiming to be involved with a vehicle parked on Belize’s side of the border that local police believed may possibly have been stolen.

BSI stakeholders to meet Tuesday on sale to American Sugar Refinery
Managing Director of the Belize Sugar Industries (BSI), Joey Montalvo, confirmed to Amandala this morning that the company has been authorized by its board of directors to try to finalize by June 30, 2012 the sale of the Belize Sugar Industries to American Sugar Refinery (ARS), which had acquired some of Tate & Lyle’s sugar interests in Europe.

Eldon Lewis, 37, executed in Mayflower yard
Lewis was shot 14 times... Eldon “Cry Cry” Lewis, 37, was sitting under a house in the Bailar area of Mayflower Street around 7:15 p.m. on Sunday, May 27, when a gunman came into the yard through a side alley and fired about eight shots at him at close range, killing him almost instantly.

Week 8 of Old Master Challenge Cup 2012 in Orange Walk
Three games were played yesterday, Sunday, in the South Zone at the Carmelita Football Field. In game 1, Guinea Grass United FC clipped Chan Pine Ridge Real Juvenil, 2-1, with all goals coming in the last 10 minutes of the ball game. Theodore Chan struck twice for Guinea Grass at the 83rd and 85th minute, while Farid Torres got the lone tally for Chan Pine Ridge at the 89th minute. Game 2 saw Palmar FC blasting Trinidad FC, 4-1, with goals from Jazier Cantun (9 min), Kenny Chi (35 min), Adel Caceres (38 min) and Abner Caceres (86 min). Trinidad’s only goal was by Jaziz Wicab (54 min). In game 3, it was Santa Cruz FC with the 2-1 win over Tower Hill FC. Dennis Esquivel (18 min) and Josue Diaz (57 min) hit the target for Santa Cruz, while Cesar Grijalva (89 min) got the consolation goal for Tower Hill.

Dangriga sports – last chance for playoff hopefuls
In game 1 on Friday, May 25, Southside remained undefeated, as they crushed Galindo Proper Fix, 4-nil. Freddy Flores struck twice, and Egemery Flores and Seed Ledland got one apiece for the winners. In game 2, Hope Creek Pumas won over Canada Hill Aguillas, 1 goal to nil, on a goal by Shane Gentle.

Sports report from Corozal
The primary school softball competition continues with 2 games today. At 1:00 p.m., San Antonio Gov´t female are playing Chan Chen Gov´t females at the Andres Campos Civic Center. Following that game, the San Antonio Gov´t males are playing Chan Chen Gov´t males.

Editorial: Same sad song
There was a time less than a decade or so ago when semi-pro basketball was the talk of the town in the streets of Belize, especially in Belize City. It was not necessarily a case of the NBA being any less galvanizing than it is today, but we loved us some semi-pro basketball. After all, the game here was playing at a remarkably high level.

Felix Stanwood defends homosexuals
Says Paul Rodriguez is “fanatical”... I am shocked that you keep choosing to run articles by former Ombudsman and current homosexual obsessive Paul Rodriguez, a man whose job it was to investigate and protect the human rights of all Belizean citizens, yet a man who, in spite of his professional credentials, doesn’t seem to have gotten the memo that the UN Human Rights Commission no longer exists, having been replaced by the UN Human Rights Council in 2006

“On our own …” and “The Economic History of Belize
I think your editorial entitled “On our own …” in the Amandala of Sunday, May 27, 2012, opens up the important and direly needed discussion/debate/dialogue on Belize’s development options. It sets the stage to begin the assessment of what steps should be pursued to move away from the IMF prescribed orthodoxy that ultimately assures that “the poor will be with us always.”

Blogs

San Pedro Belize farmers market and a mango story
There was a mango dealer on the back street at that time when I went Into his living room there must have been 500 mangoes and his wife was watching the 700 Club on TV. I’m guessing he’s no longer around after all these years. Hard to beat living In Belize and on Ambergris even better. After reading the text above in Larry’s email, I asked him if he would mind if I shared it on the blog and he wrote back with the following, expanding on his funny story above: No I certainly don’t mind but there is more to that story. The largest mango plantation In the world Is In Belize and It was mango season and I couldn’t find a single one. I did buy a stalk of bananas and hung them In our little beach house with fishing line and told the cleaning lady to help herself and she did. Also, we always bring candy to San Pedro for the children. Well anyway I was asking everyone on the Holiday Hotel fishing pier for several days where to buy mangoes so finally one afternoon some guy said want mangoes come with me. I called my wife and followed him so we went up street and turned left to the next street came to this white house went up steps to the 2nd floor and entered their living quarters. I swear there were 500 mangoes and the funny thing was they weren’t In containers they were place just anyplace there was a bare spot. They were .50 cents US each and I don’t remember how many we bought anymore but It was a lot. Just wish I had a camera who would believe that ?

Rain, Sun, Rain, Sun, Belikin Gets a Shipment & Lunch at Blue Water Grill
Yesterday I headed into town just before lunch. Sure, this cloud was looming in the direction that I was headed...but I thought I could beat it. Ok...I'm not going to make it. I ducked into La Isla Supermarket across from the Belize Yacht Club which is owned by one of my favorite people, Abdul. He let me know that he is a proud new father of his second son, Mahmoud. He was also just receiving some new beer fresh from the distributor. Both the new Chocolate Stout with an elegant gold wrapper... Mmmm....chocolaty Belikin goodness. Get it while it lasts! And Smirnoff Ice is also here. It's been out of stock at Bowen & Bowen for a few months now. Ladies rejoice! In Belize, a guy wouldn't be caught dead sipping a Smirnoff. The Belikin barge generally comes from the mainland on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Your delivery guy will be busy unloading rather than bringing you your sodas and beers. Craving a salad, I thought I'd try to make a break for Blue Water Grill but halfway there, it started pouring. Blue Water Grill has a great lunch salad selection...they have a Grilled Shrimp & Calamari Salad, a classic Cobb, a Wasabi Pea & Chicken, a Greek salad and my chosen one below...Cashew Chicken Salad with Ginger-Soy vinaigrette.

International Sources

COMPANY SNAPSHOT: Thor Mining, Aminex, New World Oil & Gas, Ascent Resources, Patagonia Gold, Cape
Meanwhile, the Belize Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment has formally approved the assignment of a further working interest of 12.5 percent in the Blue Creek project to New World, bringing its total interest to 25 percent. Under the terms of the farm-out agreement signed in June last year, the company can earn up to a 100 percent interest in the project by achieving various milestones including a three phase 2D seismic programme and a two well drilling programme. “With our first outstanding year on the AIM market behind us and strong cash position following a fundraising earlier in the year, we are confident we will deliver on our stated milestones in Belize as well as in Denmark where we have two other highly prospective projects,” said chief executive of New World William Kelleher.

New World Oil & Gas announce Blue Creek working interest increased to 25%
Belize Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment has formally approved the assignment of a further 12.5% working interest in the 420 sq km Blue Creek Project. New World Oil and Gas Plc, a company focused on making investments in the oil and gas sector, announces that the Belize Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment has formally approved the assignment of a further 12.5% working interest in the 420 sq km Blue Creek Project located in the producing Petén Basin in Northwest Belize ('the Project') to New World's wholly owned subsidiary, New World Oil and Gas (Belize) Ltd ('NW Belize'). This assignment, which was approved following the acquisition of an additional 125 line km of 2-D seismic data as detailed in the Farm-Out Agreement ('FOA') announced on 16 June 2011, brings the Company's total working interest in the Project to 25%. Under the terms of the FOA, which was amended in February 2012, the Company can earn up to a 100% working interest in the Project by achieving various milestones including a three phase 2-D seismic acquisition programme totalling 231 line kilometres and a two well drilling programme. The most recent Competent Person's Report ('CPR') gives a combined P50 gross resources estimate of 294 million barrels of oil with a combined NPV10 of US$7.1 billion for two prospects.

CDB approves agreements, funding
Belize will be the beneficiary of CDB funds for a traffic improvement project and education sector reform. The objective of the education sector reform project is enhanced learning outcomes across all levels of the education sector and CDB will provide a US$2 million technical assistance loan to finance the initiative. In addition CDB has approved a $7.248 million loan to the government of Belize for a project to reduce deaths and serious injuries associated with road traffic accidents. Belize has the highest number of traffic deaths per capita of all borrowing member countries. The project aims at improving the safety of road infrastructure along a demonstration corridor, changing road user behaviour through increased awareness and understanding of the issue, traffic law enforcement support, post-crash response support and road safety management capacity building.

McAfee Co-Founder On The Run From Belize Authorities
Internet security company McAfee’s co-founder John McAfee is reportedly on the run from the local authorities in the Central American nation of Belize. Trying to flee from the US authorities in which he faces a $5-million lawsuit for wrongful death, the British-born co-founder fled to Belize and set up a home for himself while trying to start a new business making antibiotics from jungle plants. “After his company suffered setbacks, the yoga lover moved to Belize in 2008 and then launched a bid to make antibiotics from jungle plants. As of 2009 his fortune, once valued at $100-million, had fallen to $4-million,” wrote The Daily Mail. But McAfee’s home in Belize was raided on suspicion of him running a methamphetamine laboratory, and for allegedly harbouring illegal drugs and weapons. McAfee was arrested by the nation’s Gang Suppression Unit (GSU), for charges he claims “refusing to donate money to a local politician”. The GSU said that he was arrested for possessing an illegal firearm, but it is widely speculated that the running a methamphetamine laboratory was the main charge.

May 29, 2012

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

WEEKLY WEATHER OUTLOOK FOR BELIZE
Valid: May 28 – June 4, 2012

Two systems were responsible for the outbreaks of showers and thunderstorms last week and over the weekend. The first was a persistent low pressure area over and just offshore Belize that eventually drifted NE towards Cuba by late Wednesday. While, in the upper atmosphere, a westward drifting short-wave trough moved over Belize on Sunday and its axis now extends from NW Bahamas south-westward across the eastern Gulf of Mexico and central Yucatan Peninsula and Guatemala. This feature is forecast to continue its westwards displacement as an upper anticyclone migrates westward over northern Central America by Thursday of this week.

A weak tropical wave will make its way westward over the central and western Caribbean this week, reaching the Yucatan and Belize coasts by late Wednesday. Otherwise, the airflow in the NW Caribbean will become drier in a weak SE’ly current as we approach the weekend. Showers may likely be on the increase once again on Sunday afternoon and Monday.

Daily rainfall accumulations will be in the range of 0.25-0.50 of-an-inch over north-western and northern Belize on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, with amounts of 0.50-0.75 of-an-inch in the higher terrain and some parts of the coast. Daily accumulations will decrease on Thursday through most of the weekend over the country as the airflow becomes drier and more stable. We can expect daily totals of 0.10-0.25 of an inch especially in the N and NW regions.

Tropical Cyclone Outlook: The models are not forecasting any tropical cyclone formation over the Caribbean during the next five days.

CLICK HERE for the full Belize Weekly Weather Report

El Pescador Fishing Report, Week of May 20 – 27th, 2012
I heard Judy say the other day, “We are having an early summer and that’s all there is to it.” OK. I agree. As long as we have short periods of rain, I’m OK. But shut out days are tough. We did have one of those, but everyone was a super good sport. And when the weather cleared, some headed up the beach to chase tailing bones, and then some went in the lagoon and found adventure standing in the canoe and casting to schools of bones as they passed by...

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

The San Pedro Sun

Red Cross Holds Basic First Aid Training in San Pedro
The Belize Red Cross, in coordination with the San Pedro Red Cross volunteers conducted a basic first aid training session on Ambergris Caye. The training took place upstairs of Fido’s Courtyard on Saturday, May 19th and saw the participation of 30 community members. The training was facilitated by Red Cross Instructors Delcy Berry of Belize City and Chris Berry of Belmopan City. During the training, participants were given an overview of basic first aid and its importance in saving lives, the Good Samaritan Law which involves obtaining consent from an injured person prior to administering first aid, methods to implement safety measures to prevent disease transmission while administering first aid, the steps to take in implementing emergency actions and administering Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and other basic first aid. The training covered written material, oral participation and hands on practical training using mannequins.

23 million dollar CARILED project launched by T&T; PM while in Belize
Belize hosted a major Caricom meeting and a three-day forum that saw the launching of a $23 million dollar project by the Trinidadian Prime Minister Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is an organization of 15 Caribbean nations and dependencies. CARICOM’s main purposes are to promote economic integration and cooperation among its members, to ensure that the benefits of integration are equitably shared, and to coordinate foreign policy. The three-day event saw the Caribbean Local Economic Development (CARILED) forum which drew the participation of the Commonwealth Secretary General His Excellency Kamalesh Sharma, Ministers of Local Government of the Caribbean, Local Government Leaders and representatives from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The event took place from Wednesday, May16th and ran through Friday, May 18th at the Princess Hotel in Belize City and was hosted by Minister of Local Government Hon Senator Godwin Hulse and former Mayor of Belize and outgoing Chair of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) Zenaida Moya.

Kindest Kid San Pedro Award Winner announced
Be Kind Belize on May 24th announced the winner of the first ever Kindest Kid San Pedro Award. The announcement and presentation of awards were done during a well attended Youth Rally at the Rafael Angel Nunez at the San Pedro High School. The first place award winner is Mariano Calderon of Island Academy. Second place was awarded to Faith Azueta from San Pedro Roman Catholic School while the Be Kind Belize Choice Award went to Naomi King from Island Academy. According to Colette Kase of Be Kind Belize, the idea of the Kindest Kid San Pedro Award was for the schools and community to recognize and award students that are exceptionally kind. “We hope that the community can take notice and that other children can take them as a role model and for them to find out that kindness is not something that they should avoid but something they should embrace,” said Kase. It is the hope of the organizer that through the award program, which she hopes will be done annually, children will be able to be more kind to their friends, family, animals, the environment and to the community and for them to understand how important it is to be kind.

Minimum wage increases approved by GOB
The general public is hereby advised that the Honourable Senator Godwin Hulse, Minister of Labour, Local Government, Rural Development and National Emergency Management, in exercise of the powers conferred upon him by section 7(6) of the Wages Councils Act, Chapter 302 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000-2003, signed Statutory Instrument No. 55 THE WAGES COUNCIL (WAGES REGULATION) (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) ORDER, 2012 and Statutory Instrument No. 56 WAGES REGULATIONS (MANUAL WORKERS) (AMENDMENT) ORDER, 2012 on the 8th May, 2012, which has been Gazette on the 26th May, 2012. Statutory Instrument No. 55 The Wages Council (Wages Regulation) (Consolidation) (Amendment) ORDER, 2012, provides for: Un-skilled workers employed in the citrus industry in cleaning, picking, transporting, processing and handling of citrus for a minimum wage of $3.30 per hour For domestic workers employed full-time or part-time from $3.10 - $3.30 an increase of $0.20 For shop assistance employed full-time or part-time (excluding students who may be employed outside of school hours or during school vacation in premises covered by the shops act) $3.10 – $3.30 an increase of $0.20. Statutory Instrument No. 56 Wages Regulations (Manual Workers) (Amendment) ORDER, 2012, provides for: Manual Workers except for those who are engaged in agriculture, agro-industry or export oriented industries from $3.10 – $3.30 and increase in $0.20. Manual Workers engaged in agriculture, agro-industry or export oriented industries from $2.50- $3.30 an increase of $0.80. The general public is also reminded that students who may be employed outside of school hours or during school vacation in premises covered by the shops act remains at $3.00 an hour.

Guinea Grass Students and Teachers awed by field trip
Some 20 students and 5 teachers of the Guinea Grass Pentecostal School visited Belize’s Barrier Reef for the first time last weekend courtesy of Oceana in Belize. The event, part of Oceana’s community education and outreach campaign, was granted to the top 20 standard six students as a graduation treat in an attempt to expose them to Belize’s marine wonders and encourage them to learn more about, and help protect, their marine patrimony. “Wow!” “I want to come back again tomorrow.” “I am so glad I got to make this trip.” Were some of the comments of the very excited students who explained that they learnt about some these marine areas and animals in their science class but never thought it would be so amazing to actually experience it. At part of the tour the students travelled to Caye Caulker on Saturday, May 26th. They were accompanied by Belizean tour guides who briefed them on what to expect and on the use of snorkeling gear, as none of the students had previously snorkeled

Belize host 26th CARAIFA Congress in San Pedro
San Pedro Town was the venue for the 26th annual Caribbean Association of Insurance Financial Advisors (CARAIFA) Congress which took place from the 20th to the 24th of May. The conference was celebrated under the theme “Today’s Excellence – Tomorrow’s Legacy.” Over 130 participants from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Cayman, Dominica, St Lucia, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Belize took part in the five-day event at Coco Beach Resort. In speaking to The San Pedro Sun, Congress Director Harry Pilgrim said that it is the third time that Belize has hosted the CARAIFA congress. “CARAIFA is the only organization within the Caribbean that effectively brings together insurance advisors and other professionals from across the region fostering cooperation and upholding high ethical standards within the insurance industry,” said Pilgrim. The congress was geared to sharpen the skills of the advisors and insurance agencies to better serve their clients. Secretary General of CARAIFA Marcelle Fenton hopes that after the congress, participants would increase their professionals. “We hope that we can increase the professionalism of our members and members’ territories. If an individual is able to access individual needs and interface with people, they can ensure that when a breadwinner passes on those who are left behind will not suffer. We represent food, shelter, clothing and overall peace of mind for that family if any tragedy should occur,” said Fenton

“Tender Buff” Water Buffalo Meat… Beefier than Beef
Tender Buff (Water Buffalo meat) has been known for its nutritional qualities and it is also known for having high levels of Omega 3, a fatty acid that is commonly found in marine and plant oils. This polyunsaturated fat is known to lower triglycerides, according to a study performed by the Food Technology Institute of the INTA Castelar. Because of its nutritional qualities which give it a marketing edge in today’s more nutritionally conscious society where fat and cholesterol tend to be avoided, it has a significantly lower fat content in the lean meat, it is less prone to marbling (white flecks of fat within the meat muscle) and has approximately 43% less cholesterol than beef, according to the Australian buffalo industry council inc report. Meat is a good source of proteins and irons, yet its consumption has been associated with unfavorable cardiovascular effects. Whether this applies to all types of meat it is unclear. A study done by the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition in September 2010 showed and came to the conclusion that the consumption of Tender Buff (water buffalo meat) seems to be associated with several beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk profile, specifically, water buffalo meat has less fat and is richer in proteins. An extensive research shows that recent consumers of water buffalo meat showed a significant decrease in total cholesterol and triglycerides level, lower pulse wave velocity, as well as a more blunted response to oxidative stress in comparison with subjects who had never consumed water buffalo meat. Findings suggest that water buffalo meat could be recommended as a safer and healthier alternative to cow meat, whereas continuing to provide a substantial proportion of the recommended daily allowance of protein.

BTB Welcomes New Acting Director Of Tourism & Director Of Marketing
As the New Acting Director of Tourism, Laura is no stranger to the Tourism Industry. She has and continues to work in the Belize tourism and services industry; a professional career that has earned her over twelve years of experience, four of which were spent at the Belize Tourism Board as the Director of Quality Assurance. During her years at the BTB, Laura instituted many initiatives to assist in facilitating the development of programs for industry quality of service and standards. She led the launch of an intensive Customer Service course which targeted government and private agencies across Belize. She also spearheaded the upgrading of standards for tour guides. She initiated the Pro Chef Program that single-handedly trained Belizean Chefs and upgraded the preparation standards for cuisine and beverage services. In addition, she successfully lobbied the Horse and Buggy Regulations, which was passed in 2009; as well as the Fort George Tourism Zone Statutory Instrument which was signed in 2010. Mrs. Frampton currently holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from the University of North Florida and is now pursuing a Master’s Degree in Business Administration

Prime Minister leaves the country
Press Release – Belize Press Office Belmopan, 28th May, 2012. The Office of the Prime Minister informs that Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow, wife of Prime Minister Barrow, has had to be hospitalized in response to a complication arising out of her treatment for breast cancer. Prime Minister, the Hon. Dean Barrow will leave Belize today to be by her side during this time. During the absence of Prime Minister Barrow, the Hon. Gaspar Vega, Deputy Prime Minister will act as Prime Minister. Prime Minister Barrow is expected to return to Belize at the weekend.

EU signs Financing Agreement with GOB on Climate Change
Her Excellency Paola Amadei, Head of Delegation, European Union, arrives in Belize to present her credentials to the Governor General of Belize and for an official visit, after taking office in Jamaica March of this year. Ambassador Amadei’s official visit will include the signing of a Financing Agreement with the Government of Belize (GoB) on Climate Change. As a result of the signing of the Financing Agreement on Climate Change, Belize will benefit from a Climate Change Project entitled ‘Enhance adaptive capacity and resilience to climate change in national policies’ which aims to develop a resilient water sector and enhance climate change governance through the establishment of a Climate Change Office. The European Union (EU) will contribute Euro 2.9 mn (BZD 7.25 mn) and GoB will contribute Euro 0.3 mn (BZD 0.75 mn) to the project. The project will support the strengthening of the National Climate Change Office which is providing economic, social and environmental expertise to meet the Government’s objectives. The proposed action also foresees to address capacity development of water governance mechanisms, such as the National Integrated Water Resources Authority, to facilitate coordination among water resource managers and users as well as provide the legal basis for responsible management of the country’s water resource base. Finally, physical interventions are foreseen in the form of pilot projects which should result in better adaptation to and/or better mitigation of the negative effects of droughts, flooding, soil erosion (also in coastal areas) and salinization.

Ambergris Today

BTB Welcomes New Acting Director Of Tourism & Director Of Marketing
Belize Tourism Board (BTB) is pleased to announce that after a national search to find the best candidates for the position of Director of Tourism and Director of Marketing and Industry Relations it has selected two well-respected and highly qualified Belizean candidates. Selected as Acting Director of Tourism is Mrs. Laura Esquivel Frampton, and as the New Director of Marketing Mrs. Alyssa Carnegie.

Morgan Cartwight Crowned Miss ACES 2012
Ambergris Caye Elementary School held its annual Miss ACES Pageant on Friday, May 25, 2012, at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium. Two brave contestants gave it their all and at the end of the night lovely miss Morgan Cartwight walked away with the title of Miss ACES 2012. Morgan Cartwight (Standard V student) and Logan Grey (Standard III student) were the only two contestants and accompanied by outgoing queen Miss Aces 2011 – Yari Flores. The girls formally introduced themselves during the casual wear segment, after which they came out in beautiful costumes depicting sea creatures. Logan presented herself as a parrot fish, giving a brief description of her costume and the creature she represented while Morgan came out dressed as a sea horse and also gave a brief description of her costume.

Work Starts on San Pedro’s New Cemetery
It is no news for residents of San Pedro to hear that the cemetery located at the end of Barrier Reef Drive on the beach side has surpassed its maximum capacity and cannot accommodate more bodies for burial. But the good news is that the San Pedro Town Council and Hon. Manuel Heredia have allocated land south of Ambergris Caye for a new cemetery. On Thursday, May 24, 2012, Ambergris Today accompanied Mayor Daniel Guerrero and Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. as they made a site visit to inspect the five acres of land which was recently acquired by Central Government for a new cemetery.

Teen Talk: Drive Down Memory Lane
So this week I asked my peers: “What is the constant reminder of the inner child you turn to for bliss and comfort?” Teen Talker: “Grandma’s food, flashbacks of times when my grandfather cut sugar cane for us to chew on, and watching adventurous innocent children on the hunt for kittens or playing with ‘mud tamales’. These touching memories constantly remind me of the bliss once lived and to keep looking forward to more.”

Steve Perera & Shelley Estephan Nuptials
“There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved” With this Steve Perera (son of Eneyda Perera & Estevan Perera II) and Shelley Estephan (daughter of Dana Perdomo & Michael Estephan) sealed their love for each other in Holy Matrimony at a ceremony held at the San Pedro Roman Catholic Church on Saturday, May 27, 2012.

Old Timer or Modern Sanpedrano? #14
When you got home for lunch during the week and you did not get a piece of pig tail in your beans, you felt cheated and on Sunday you felt cheated if you did not get corned beef soup. Your school supplies were two exercise books and a pencil or pen. You argued which empanadas and garnachas were better- Mrs. Rosita’s or Mrs. Lara’s.

Pic of the Week: Paddle Boarding to the Bar
Paddle boarding is becoming quite common and a new popular sport here in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. After enjoying some time out paddling in front of town, these tourists spotted BC's Bar and Grill headed to shore where they started changing: "Cervecas Please". There are not many places in the world were you can paddle board up to a bar and enjoy a cold beer!

Misc Belizean Sources

BNE Trust gives Belmopan Comprehensive New Classroom
The Belize Natural Energy Charitable Trust had their inaguration celebration earlier this month at the Belmopan Comprehensive High School. BNE built a brand new classroom building to alleviate BCHS' overcrowding. They've done many projects in Cayo over the last year, including one at Sacred Heart Primary and Santa Elena Primary schools. Thank you, BNE Charitable Trust!

Institute of Creative Arts Poster Youth
The Institute of Creative Arts has chosen their 2012 Poster Youth. They chose one from each district. The Cayo district's Poster Youth is Vivian Mauricio. She is in the dance troupe Orchidea Negra with her sister, and if you haven't seen them, you should be sure and catch them at the next Cayo cultural event. Vivian began dancing at the age of 5 to much acclaim. She recently participated in NICH's 6 month training program, and currently teaches dance to youth. Congratulations to Vivian, and all the Poster Youth!

NBHA Belize race pictures
The National Barrel Horse Association of Belize had another successful event this weekend. There are some good pictures in there.

Town Meetings with Minister of Education
There will be a town meeting with the MoE tonight at CET. "The Ministry of Education is cordially inviting all stakeholders to a Public Town Meeting hosted by the Hon. Patrick Faber. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday May, 29, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. at the Cayo Center for Employment Training. The Minister will also be hosting the meeting in Belmopan of residents of that area, the meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. at the Belmopan Civic Center."

Belize Zoo in Top 10 Zoos of the World
The Belize Zoo made it on the top 10 list for best zoos in the world! Of course it did, it has only local animals that have been rescued or rehabilitated, and they are kept in their natural habitiat. The Tropical Education Center got mentioned too. "'The Best Little Zoo in the World' was founded nearly 30 years ago to provide sanctuary for wild animals used in a documentary about tropical forests. Today the zoo, located 29 miles west of Belize City, exhibits more than 150 animals native to Belize. A major draw is the represented five wildcat species found in the Central American country: jaguar, puma, ocelot, margay and jacuarundi. The Problem Jaguar Rehabilitation Program is just one of the zoo’s initiatives that help to promote conservation and awareness, and to protect Belize’s natural resources."

Channel 7

WORKING MAN KILLED IN "GHOST TOWN"
There were three murders countrywide this weekend and three shootings as well. We start in the city where two men were killed - one figure with enemies in the underworld, and another, a working man - with no street history. We begin with the working man - Eldon Lewis who was killed last night on Mayflower Street. Mayflower has been in the news many, many times before the base for the Ghost Town gang. Except, 37 year old Lewis was not in any gang - he was in the area to buy a one dollar weed. But something went very wrong - and he ended up riddled with bullets. 7news was on the scene last night - and here's the story:.. Jules Vasquez reporting When we arrived on the scene, police had moved the body from where it was found under a house unto the street - another body headed form Mayflower Street to the morgue. The playful nature of the children just feet away from a dead man show just how accustomed they have become to this kind of violence in their neighborhood. And while these youths have had to become accustomed to violence in a community that is exploding in their midst -the deceased Eldon Lewis had his own three month old child at home this is the last thing his wife could have expected when he left home last night. Today she stood alone outside the KHMH back entrance - she had just been to the morgue to see her dead husband: Tanya Bowen, Wife of Deceased "I just find out this morning like after minutes to seven, I notice that he didn't come home last night. I got up to see where he was because he is not the type of person that sleeps out. Before I reach the shop to buy a phone card to call him, Mrs. Finnegan called me and asks me if I heard that Eldon got shot." She said he had left home to go to his usual hangout at Mayflower street. Tanya Bowen, Wife of Deceased "After 4 or 5 he came to ask me for one dollar, he says that he is going to buy something and come back. He never did come back."

CAR DEALER TARGETTED AND KILLED AFTER LEAVING NIGHTCLUB
The next murder is not so straightforward. It's about Anthony Mayen, a car dealer who was marked for death when he left the Tropicana Nightclub after 4:00 on Sunday morning. Mayen and his brother were leaving the club when two men came up and opened fire on the car they were in. After the spray of gunshots, Anthony Mayen lay dead with 8 gunshot wounds. Now there are all kinds of stories in the streets about what may have led to this execution outside a nightclub, but police - publicly at least - are sticking to the straight story - and his associates are not talking. Here's what we found out:.. Monica Bodden reporting The murder of 42 year old Anthony Mayen happened outside the Tropicana Lounge Nightclub in Tourist Village at around 4:40 on Sunday morning. Mayen who was at an Old School dance had just exited the nightclub along with his relative 37 year old Darrell Mayen. The two men proceeded to their grey Mercedes Benz that was parked on Fort Street - while at their vehicle, 2 gunmen approached them and began to open fire. Mayen was shot 8 times to his body - execution style. He received 3 gunshot wounds to his abdomen, 1 to his chest, 2 under his right armpit, 1 to the right side of his back and 1 to the right arm. Mayen died almost instantly. His brother Darrell Mayen was shot once to his right shoulder and is listed in a stable condition.

TEENAGER KILLED IN GREATER BELMOPAN
And while those killings happened in the city, an 18 year old was murdered in Belmopan over the weekend. It happened in the Maya Mopan area just before midnight on Saturday. Valentino Coc was chopped up in his yard. The Police Press officer told us more. Fitzroy Yearwood - Police Press Officer "On the 26th of May police were called out to an area known as the Maya Mopan area where they saw Valentino Coc in the yard with several chop wounds to the face and right hand." "Coc was transported to the Western Regional Hospital and eventually to the KHMH in a very critical condition. He succumbs to his injuries whilst undergoing treatment at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital." "What investigators have gathered is that he was involved in an altercation with some persons known to the police where he ran from that group and he was fatally injured."

CANCER COMPLICATIONS: PM GOES TO BE WITH WIFE
Prime Minister Dean Barrow left the country urgently today to travel to Miami to be with his wife, Kim. According to an official release - she is experiencing complications as a result of her treatment for breast cancer. As we understand it, the PM was supposed to travel later on this week - but the situation carries some urgency, so he travelled today to be with her. No doubt it is trying, running a country, and managing a spouse's stage 3 cancer, while also raising a small child. On Saturday, the PM took part in the Cancer Walk - and told us about the difficulties of juggling his various responsibilities while managing medical emergencies that arise:.. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister "She herself is very strong and so that helps me. It's a bit of a juggling act but by and large because the trips abroad are scheduled trips, one is able to plan around them." "Last week I had to rush out because she had a little bit of a setback. They discovered fluid in her lungs and she had to be hospitalized while the fluid was being extracted and they had to test the fluid. There was a fear that perhaps the cancer might have spread. Thank God the tests don't show that but except for that sort of thing when there is an emergency on schedule trip that I have to make - I am able to balance the two things and nowadays with technology and the ease of communication we are able to keep in touch and be on top of what's happening and so it's been manageable." "The biggest thing though for her and by extension for me is the out pouring of support on a continuing basis for the people of this country. That's been the prayers, that's been I think the best thing about this whole experience - the way she has been so lucky to have benefitted from this tremendous show of support and genuine sympathy on the part of the Belizean people." According to a press release, the PM is expected to return this weekend. During his absence Deputy Gaspar Vega will act as Prime Minister. Later on, we'll have more on the Cancer Walk.

HIV INFECTION NUMBERS DOWN, FOURTH YEAR IN A ROW
The HIV numbers for 2011 have been released and they show a decrease in the number of new infections for the fourth year in a row. A total of 226 new infections were recorded in 2011, a 7.4% decrease from 2010. It's a quite remarkable downward trend, and the 226 cases is less than half of what was reported at the peak in 2004 - when 457 new infections were recorded. The majority of the new cases continue to occur in the age group between 20 to 34 years. And, a higher number of new infections were reported in men even though fewer of them were tested. Most of the cases are still concentrated in the Belize District, with Cayo and the Stann Creek showing the second and third highest numbers. Presently, 1,358 HIV infected persons are receiving medical care from the thirteen different facilities giving anti-retroviral treatment countrywide.

GUATE'S TRIED TO PULL SENIOR COP'S GUN IN CHAMPON
On Friday we told you about the heated incident at the western border - which had things running very high between authorities in Benque and Melchor. Well it was more serious than had been originally reported to us. As we told you, it was all about this red pickup, a 2008 Mistusbishi L200 Sportero. The truck appears to have been stolen - and various border operators were trying to smuggle it into Melchor. But, it was in Belize and customs took possession of it - which is when things got a little chaotic. The police account of the incident is far more serious: it details how even Guatemalans - tried to pull a senior policeman's gun in Belizean territory! At 11:45 am, when the police got a two truck to haul away the pickup, a female known as ANA who operates in the middle of the no border buffer area called Champon claimed that she was the owner of the pickup. She then pushed the tow truck driver telling him not to move the pickup. Another Guatemalan who called himself "LOQUILLO" also tried to stop the tow truck driver. The OC in Benque Viejo, Superintendent Ralph Moody then stepped in and Ana pushed him! The other one, Loquillo then drove a van in front of the truck to block it from being moved. He was told to move it, but refused and when he was approached he took out a black pistol resembling a 9mm pistol, cocked it and handed it over to an unknown person through the passenger side window. Superintendent Moody then tried to get the keys from Loquillo and it another Guatemalan tried to pull the gun off Moody's waist, but the weapon fell to the ground. Loquillo then exited the van and stood aside as the cocking of another gun was heard. The van was then moved and the pickup was taken into Customs compound.

KARL HEUSNER JR. TO PRISON
26 year-old Karl Heusner Jr., who is no stranger to the police, is at prison tonight after he was busted with an unlicensed firearm and a bag of marijuana. According to police, on Saturday at around 10 p.m. they were on mobile patrol when they saw Heusner at the corner of Wagner's Lane and Simmon's Alley. The officers said that he was acting suspicious because he had one hand in his back pocket and the other on the front of his shirt. As a result, when he entered a yard, one of the officers chased after him, and grabbed him on the arm. Immediately, a bag of suspected marijuana fell out of his shirt, and when the officer searched him, he found a chrome and black .38 revolver with the serial number filed off. The gun was also loaded with 5 live rounds of .38 ammunition. Police charged him with keeping an unlicensed firearm, keeping unlicensed ammunition, and drug trafficking after it was discovered that the bag contained 113 grams of marijuana.

GSU GETS GSG FIGURE
And while Heusner is on remand for a gun, 23 year-old Nelson Martinez is his fellow inmate tonight because of the very same offense. According to the Gang Suppression Unit, at 9:40 p.m. on Saturday - 20 minutes before another patrol caught Heusner - they were on George Street conducting operations when they saw Martinez riding a bicycle at the corner of Bishop and George Streets. When the GSU officers approached him, he sped off trying to escape. Just before he was caught, Martinez reportedly pulled out an object and threw it over a fence in yard which is very near to his Plues Street address. When he was detained, the officers located the object he threw away, and discovered that it was an Austria Brand Glock 9 mm pistol, which contained 13 live rounds of ammunition. This pistol also had the serial number filed off. As a result, they arrested and charged him with keeping an unlicensed firearm, and keeping unlicensed ammunition. He was brought to Magistrate's Court today where he was arraigned and remanded to prison until July 11.

ANOTHER PEN ROAD SHOOTING, THIS ONE NON-FATAL
A NON FATAL shooting in the city over the weekend left two males injured. It happened last night around 11 on Neal's Pen Road. According to taxicab driver, Kevin Young - he was driving his grey Honda Civic Taxi cab on Neal's Pen Road and at the corner of Monroe Street, he stopped to pick up four friends. That's when a red motorcycle with two passengers pulled up next to his car and someone opened fire. Young was shot to the right arm and a 17 year old minor was shot to the right foot. Police Press Officer, Fitzroy Yearwood, discussed the incident. Fitzroy Yearwood - Police Press Officer "This is where a taxi driver Kevin Young is saying that he was driving his vehicle and he stop to pick up 4 friends. Upon doing so two men on a red motorcycle approach them firing several shots at them injuring Young and a 16 year old minor who was a part of the group that was with Young. They were transported to the KHMH where they are listed in serious condition." So far there are no suspects.

TURNING FIREARMS INTO SCRAP METAL
And while gunplay continues to create chaos in the streets - police today received a new tool to help them properly dispose of weapons that have been found or confiscated. In the past we've witnessed many gun destructions before - where welding torches are used to destroy the firearms. But a new tool does it far more efficiently. It is a donation from a UN agency and part of a wider regional programme. Here's how it will work in Belize... Jules Vasquez reporting It's called a hydraulic shear - and it's used to destroy weapons. No high tech sorcery or laser beams, it simply massive clamping power to crush and snap gun barrels and stocks leaving them in unusable metal scraps. The devise is housed at the Queen Street police station and it is part of an initiative by The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affair's Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), called stockpile management. Melanie Regimbal - Director, UN LiREC "As many of you know all too well our region has the dubious honour of having the highest homicide and violence rates in the world. Nearly 80% of all homicides are committed with firearms either trafficked illegally across our borders or stolen from private or government facilities." "Today we are here to oversee the handing over and training of the use of the hydraulic shears that will leave the government of Belize with permanent and effective capacity to destroy confiscated surplus and obsolete weapon until the material can be recycle and disposed of properly."

POLICE GO OLD SCHOOL WITH BEACH CRUISERS
And while the police department is taking a leap into the future with that hydraulic shears - they're also taking a step into the past with a new fleet of bicycles. Over 30 Beach Cruisers - were donated by the ministry to the department. If it seems retrograde, the officer commanding eastern division, Assistant commissioner Aragon told us - it's part of a wider plan:.. ACP Elodio Aragon, OC, Eastern Division "Jules, you may think its low tech, but it's not. The bicycles will simply be used for our foot patrols to give them a little more mobility within specific areas. I believe that low tech will give us the opportunity to be not too fast or not too slow within certain areas and its going in between the foot patrols and the mobile patrols." Jules Vasquez "How about if I challenge you and I say that its useless, in six months all these bikes will be wrecked or stolen and you don't have them here and the plan will have gone array. How will you respond to that?"

BZE MAN, GROWN IN STATES, DODGES DEPORTATION
A 47 year old man who was born in Belize, but has been in the states for 43 years, was almost deported. Henroy Underwood has quite a story of legal troubles which began in 2003, when the murder of Dernell Stentson. In March of 2005, Underwood was driving an Acura belonging to a suspect in that case. When police stopped the car, they found 30 pounds of marijuana inside. Underwood denied any knowledge of the drugs, and was offered a plea deal for three years' probation. He was never informed that by pleading guilty, he was eligible for deportation since he was born in Belize. But he was not deported. And six years later, Underwood left the United States for a cruise with his fiancée, and when he tried to return to the U.S., he was detained by immigration officials who tried to deport him. He was detained for 364 days in a place that had only 2 toilets for 60 people. Because Underwood was not informed that by accepting the plea deal he was deportable, his sentence was overturned, but he was still going to be tried for the 2005 drug transportation charges. He was then offered another plea bargain which he accepted, so the sentence was "time served". Underwood had been sentenced for the same crime - twice! He's been told that he cannot leave the country again, and he says he doesn't plan to.

OREGON'S KILLER TO COURT
On Friday's Newscast, we told you about 22 year-old Henry Jacobs, who was charged for the April 30 murder of Brian Welch Requena, aka "Oregon". Well today, he was taken to court. Due to the nature of the offense, Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith could not grant him bail, and he was remanded him until July 5. As we reported, Welch was walking along with two men on Faber's Road Extension, and he was heading toward Central American Boulevard. When he arrived near to the intersection, a gunman ambushed them and fired several shots in their direction. Welch was hit several times and he died on the spot.

Convicted Human Trafficker Appeals
In February of 2012, 7news told you about 41 year-old Yolanda Garcia, a Honduran National who was convicted of human trafficking in the Magistrate's Court. Well today, her attorney came to court requesting bail for her because he is in the process of appealing that conviction in the Supreme Court. Mansel Thurton, who is representing Garcia, made an application today for the stay of execution - which is equated to a request for bail - to Chief Magistrate Anne Marie The Director of Public Prosecutions, Cheryl Lynn Vidal, who prosecuted the case, objected to the stay on the grounds that Garcia has no ties to the country, and that if Garcia is granted bail, she will abscond because she will not risk the possibility having to go back to jail. After listening to the submissions, Chief Magistrate Smith decided to deny the stay, and she further recommended that Mansel makes applications to the Supreme Court to expedite the process. As we reported, Garcia was convicted on the strength of the 17 year-old complainant's testimony, who told the court that she was employed at Garcia's establishment, La Serenita Bar. According the minor, Garcia allegedly told her that part of her job description was that she was required to have sex with customers for money. She was sentenced to 12 months in prison and she has already served 3 months and 2 weeks.

Minimum Wage Increases By 80 cents/Hour for Agroindustry Workers
A new pair of statutory instruments sharply increases the minimum wage for those doing manual labour in agro industry. The new law says that Un-skilled workers employed in the agriculture, agro-industry or export oriented industries now qualify for a minimum wage of $3.30 per hour - up from $2.50 where it had been since 2007. There's also an increase for domestic workers whether full-time or part-time; they go up from $3.10 to $3.30 an hour. Shop assistants employed full-time or part-time also get a twenty cent increase from $3.10 to $3.30 Manual workers not engaged in agriculture, also get an increase from $3.10-$3.30 an hour. The increases arise from reviews by the minimum wage second task force council which scheduled the increases in 2007 and 2008 to keep up with the cost of living.

Cancer Walk Pulls Record Crowd
The annual cancer walk began 15 years ago to raise cancer awareness. Every year, the numbers seem to grow, and the rise in awareness is mirrored in the increase of participants in the cancer walk. Organizers say three thousand people participated this year - which is a sharp increase from last year's walk when they estimate that twenty five hundred persons participated. Luverta Medina, the vice President of the Belize Cancer Society, explained what the walk is about and what it means for Belize. Luverta Medina, VP - Belize Cancer Society "This is annual walk, we do this every year for the past 15 years and it's a way to show support to those who are fighting cancer and those who have lost the fight. Whenever one walk is finish we begin to plan for the next walk." "The support, the people who just want to come in and volunteer and help us in everything that we do has been overwhelming, it is enormous. Prevention is definitely better than cure. Come out and take your yearly tests. If you see something different with your body then come out and find out what's going on with you." "This is a disease that is affecting Belize in a big way." Eric Rhaburn, Participant in Cancer Walk "My mom died from cancer in 1996 so it's all about support and giving back. I feel good to be a Belizean right now. Every year the thing just gets bigger and bigger." Janika Hilton, Participant in Cancer Walk "I feel really good. The walk was nice and I participated because nowadays anybody can catch cancer and so I didn't mind walk."

"Young, Green and Clean"
A competition for high schools called Young, Clean, & Green held its final event on Sunday at Old Belize. The first campaign was a country wide clean up, and after its success, an international organization Alde-baran's started the "Young, Clean & Green High School Competition." Almost 50 percent of all high schools participated in the event, and they were tasked to create a public service announcement, a primary school booklet, a shopping bag made out of natural recyclable materials and a 3 year concept about how schools could incorporate recycling, gardening, and composting. We spoke to representatives of the 1st and 2nd place winners to find out more about their projects. Patricia Acosta, SCA, District Winner, 2nd Overall "At the beginning we started a contest of who could recycle the most paper and bottles and then we promise that class a prize and so that encourage the girls to start go out. Also we got some donations and we got some garbage cans collected. We have them all over the school campus, which helped minimize loitering." "Our school is already clean and also what they do is in