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The San Pedro Sun

San Pedro Animal Hospital Offers low cost vaccinations to pets of San Pedro
The issue of overpopulation of strays has been at the forefront of the news for the past several weeks here on the island. Now that the San Pedro Town Council is working with the Saga Humane Society in a weekly round up campaign of unattended dogs, which according to representatives has been very successful, this alone does not provided a solution to the problem. In an effort to encourage responsible and affordable pet care, the San Pedro Animal Hospital (SPAH) has come onboard, now offering low cost vaccinations. The SPAH has committed to assist as well as provide for healthier pets on the island. Weekly the SPAH does a round up along with Town Council officials, and offer a one per week spay or neuter free of cost. This is done to curb the propagation, and eventual overpopulation of pets. This week, they are offering a different service to pet owners; vaccinations at an extremely low cost. On Friday between the hours of 9AM and 5PM all pet owners on the island can get their pets vaccinated at a whopping 75% Discount.

San Pedro’s Art in the Park!
Art in the Park has been a big event in other parts of the country and in San Pedro it has been happening, even if on a smaller scale. However this year, with the support of the San Pedro Town Council through the San Pedro Cultural Committee, the event was organized a little differently in attempt to enhance the event to attract more people. The two-day event kicked off today Thursday August 30th at the San Pedro Central Park with over 35 artisans. The aim of the Art in the Park initiative is to bring together artisans in one common area to market their products. While the event is ongoing for a full two days, official ceremony is scheduled for 6PM at the San Pedro Central Park and it includes special performances by well-known Belizean artist Terryl “Man at Work” Godoy. The event includes both visual and expressive arts. It is geared to provide a common forum for artists and artists to market their products to locals and visitors alike. While it is a singular event every year, the San Pedro Cultural Committee hopes to host the Art in Park more often during the course of the year and is also working to include the cooking art as well. “We are seeing a lot of people stopping by and inquiring. It has been a good turnout but we expect more people to come out at night and on the second day,” said one arti

Adrift for 6 months and 4,643 miles – Lydia Rose lands on Ambergris Caye beach
Fisheries Department employees, attached to the Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve on northern Ambergris Caye, found a British race craft vessel on the evening of Thursday August 23rd while patrolling north of the Rocky Point. At first the vessel was believed to be a submarine or even a submersible craft but after closer inspection it was found to be a British type race vessel. The Lydia Rose was initially believed to be a vessel used in the transshipment of drugs. According to Lieutenant Commander of the Belize Coast Guard Elton Bennett, the Anti Drugs Unit of the Belize Police Department was called to inspect the craft and determine whether it was used for transporting drugs. “After inspection, it was determined that the racecraft could not be a drug vessel because of its size and small space. We are convinced of that,” said Bennett. The Belize Coast Guard official told The San Pedro Sun that the fisheries officers took the craft to the Bacalar Chico Outpost after which they were notified. But where did the vessel come from and how did it end up in Belize? Well it so happened that the water craft is one that was being used in the Ocean Pedal Challenge by a team which was attempting to pedal across the Atlantic with the aim to raise £50,000 and awareness for CHUF, the Children’s Heart Unit at the Freeman Hospital, in Newcastle, UK. The Ocean Pedal Challenge was also an attempt to set a new world record.

Oil covered turtle rescued and now released
The juvenile Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) that was found covered in crude oil on July 24th was released on Wednesday August 29th after being in rehabilitation for a little over a month. The apparently happy and energetic turtle was released at Hol Chan Marine Reserve by staff members of the same reserve and it quickly adapted, swimming swiftly and gracefully into its natural habitat. The turtle caught the attention of the local and national media after it was confirmed that what the turtle was covered in fresh crude oil. The turtle was found by a group of divers on Tuesday July 24th along the main channel at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, covered in thick, black crude oil. The fatigued turtle was immediately transferred to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve Office in San Pedro Town where the oil was removed from its body. Because the turtle had also swallowed and ingested some crude oil, biologist at the reserve had to battle to remove as much crude from inside the turtle’s mouth. In addition, the turtle was placed under intravenously administered saline and dextrose solutions along with charcoal to help further excrete the crude from its digestive system. Hol Chan Marine Reserve Biologist Kirah Forman said that the decision was made to release the turtle because it had begun feeding on greens which showed that the health condition had improved significantly over the past week. “We know that it has begun eating and its energy level is high. [Because of this] we are certain that its chance for survival is very high,” explained Forman.

Friendly people, beautiful landscapes… Punta Gorda – Belize’s Hidden Jewel
Never before having ventured to the southern borders of Belize, my decision to visit Punta Gorda (PG), the southernmost town of Belize, was one that came with eager anticipation. I can recall as a child, many of the stories that were told of the South and I must say, not many of them were nice. So, as an adult, I decided to discover it for myself. Getting to PG from San Pedro, the capital town of the Toledo District, would be fastest by plane, however for the budget traveller, an overnight stay in Belize City with an early morning (3:15AM) express bus gets you there just around 9:30AM. Of course buses do travel south throughout the day, but the earliest express leaves at that time. The Southern Highway provides for just about the most beautiful scenic landscapes in the country, what with the towering Maya Mountains and winding highways through valleys and towns. However, during my trip, a lengthy nap was much more appealing, especially taking into consideration the fact that on an average 8AM is considered very early for me! At 2:45AM I could barely keep my eyes open to get onto the bus, but I was determined.

Ambergris Today

San Pedro High Evening Division Opening
It is now official; San Pedro High School will be operating an evening division to provide Continued Adult Education. This is as a result of the Ministry of Education official closure of St. Peter’s College that was offering these educational services for over ten years in San Pedro. The New Board of Directors of San Pedro high explained that it is the principle of the Ministry of Education to provide universal access to education and with the closure of St. Peter’s the Ministry solicited San Pedro High to kindly pick up the slack. The Board of Directors under its new Chairperson, Mrs. Marina Kay, accepted to undertake the challenge and have now announced to all stakeholders and interested parties that applications and registrations are ongoing as of Thursday, August 30 to September 7.

New Cattery Donated to Saga Humane Society
The Saga Humane Society is happy to announce that it has completed the construction of a new cattery that was donated to them by a supporter of the Society and a good businessman of the community. Saga invited Ambergris Today to be present as Mark officially handed it over to them on Wednesday, August 29, 2012. Mark Maggiotto was very generous in donating to Saga the materials and construction of this new cattery which temporarily houses cats when they are kept at the Saga compound. Mark was in the process of putting his pet cats for adoption with the help of Saga and decided to make this great donation to assist them.

Dominic and Danna Amendolia Wed in Vegas!
Congratulations to Danna and Dominic Amendolia who got married in Las Vegas on August 17, 2012 and dined under the stars at the Paris Hotel on top of the Eiffel Tower overlooking the city. Congratulations to Danna and Dominic and we wish them the very best for years to come!

Health Fair to assist with Blood Drive and more
It is through the collaborative efforts of: The Belize Blood Donor Service, Belize Council for the Visually Impaired, Belize Diabetes Association – San Pedro Branch, Escape Day Spa, National Drug Abuse Control Council – San Pedro Branch, San Pedro Cancer Society, San Pedro Lions Club, The Palms and Tropic Air that we are pleased to announce a health fair set for Saturday, 8th of September, 2012. The event is scheduled to begin at 8:30 am at the Lions Den. Services provided will include: Drug Abuse Education and Information – Complimentary (NDACC) Blood Donations – A call to all blood donors (BBDS & SPCS) Blood Glucose Test – Complimentary (BDA – San Pedro Branch) Stress Relief Massages – Complimentary (Escape Spa) Eye Exams – Complimentary (SP Lions Club & BCVI) Food and Drinks will be on sale. Any other organizations or entities that can contribute or be a part of the Health Fair, please contact us as soon as possible.

Misc Belizean Sources

VIDEO: Deep Sea Fishing Belize
Fishing outside the reef aboard the 32ft Texean, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize

Belize Youth Support Network
The Belize Youth Support Network, which has a very noble cause, has an FB page, and they are trying to reach 1000 likes. Help them out! "The main focus of Belize Youth Support Network (BYSN) is to support the children, youths and families of Belize. We are continuously researching organisations, groups, professional people both in the UK, Belize and Internationally that can assist in the support of the most vulnerable in Belize. BYSN is as the name states a Network of people coming together to support one another."

Infrastructure Project for Benque and San Ignacio
More street improvements, including drains and curbs, in Benque and Cayo! They had the ceremony today in Benque. "A $2.2 Million dollar street project that will enhance the road network in Benque Viejo del Carmen, San Ignacio & Santa Elena and Punta Gorda under the Belize Municipal Development Project (BMDP) was launched on Thursday, August 30th, during a formal ceremony in Benque Viejo Town. The street project calls for the enhancement of Church, Churchill and Burns Streets in Benque Viejo Town; the improvement of Eden and West Streets in San Ignacio & Santa Elena Town..."

UB's Back to School Bash
Tonight at Puccini's Lounge, UB will be having their Back 2 School Bash. The UB Student Government is doing it right: Mistah Geeh will be there, opening for DJ Special and DJ Jago. Tickets are $10 at the door.

Climate Change Cartoon Competition
Youth-IN is having a Climate Change Cartoon competition for youth between the ages of 16 and 29. They are giving away 2 MacBook Pro laptops to the winners. All CARICOM member youths can enter. Good luck! "The objective of the cartoon competition is to support advocacy that bring young people to the centre of climate change and human development debates. The competition encourages young people from the Caribbean to portray issues of concern related to climate change in the region from a youth’s perspective."

Belize September Celebrations Photos
Will Moreno is the official photographer for this year's September Celebrations. He was there at one of the first events: the National Song Competition. Congratulations to the 3 winners in the Top Song Competition! Carnival winner, Sharon Martinez, Patriotic winner, Nello Player, and Junior winner, Tara G.

Coca Cola Exhibit at GPC
If you missed the Coca Cola exhibit in Cayo or Benque, you can catch it at the George Price Centre where it will be until September 14th. "A wonderful display of colours, cultural scenes and concepts - 50 paintings by professional and amateur artists from all over the country on the theme: "Moments of Happiness" - celebrating 50 years of Coca Cola in Belize. The exhibit will be on display until September 14. For school visits, please call 822-1054"

September Celebrations T-Shirts
Restore Belize has a September Celebrations line of shirts, and they are nice. They are for sale in Belize, and you can order them by calling 223-1269 or 223-0965. It's here I am Belize Present this year September Gear, We have Tank Tops, Blouses, and T- shirt. 2XL. XL,L,M,S and Kids. 2XL $25.00 T- Shirt $20.00 Blouse $25.00 Kids $15.00 Get them while they are HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Channel 7

Teenaged Girl Injured In Evening Shooting
There was another shooting in Belize City this evening - and again, it happened on LA Croix Boulevard in the Lake Independence Area. This time the victim is a 14 year old girl - who is being treated at the KHMH. The shooting occurred at about an hour ago at twenty minutes to six. We understand the girl was in her house on Park Street, which joins La Croix. Three men on bikes were passing in the area and shot multiple times at another men. He escaped, but stray gunshots pierced the side of the girl's house where she was having dinner. She was shot to her side - and left in an ambulance. Those who saw the ambulance leave say she was alert when she got in and holding unto her side. Latest reports are that she was shot to her lower back and is heading into emergency surgery. We'll follow up on the story tomorrow. There have been at least seven other persons shot in and around La Croix Boulevard since April.

Calaney Flowers To Jail, Sochyl Sosa Speaks About Accident
25 year-old Calaney Flowers, the woman who allegedly knocked down and killed her ex-boyfriend 29 year-old Lyndon Morrison, is spending her first night on remand tonight - charged for murdering her Baby's father. As we reported last night, Morrison and his current girlfriend 25 year-old Sochyl Sosa, were travelling on his motorcycle on Freetown Road at just before 10 p.m. on Tuesday. According to police, when they arrived in front of the Central Assembly of God church, Flowers sped up in her car and slammed it into the motorcycle sending both Sosa and Morrison flying into the street. By all reports, Flowers sped off leaving the couple to fight for their lives where they landed. Morrison's injuries were too severe, and he succumbed, but Sosa survived, and she is recovering at the KHMH. Today, she spoke to the media from her hospital bed, where she recounted all the events which led up to the crash. Here's her side of the story. Sochyl Sosa, accident victim "Tuesday night, while my boyfriend and I went to buy food when we were coming by the round-about we saw her vehicle. She followed with her car speeding and bang into us. After that I don't remember anything because I was flew off the motor cycle."

Digging Down Into Fuel Prices
Tonight, we continue to look at the alarmingly high pump price for fuel. We're trying to get behind the numbers to see what's making it so expensive - the highest it's ever been. We did some digging and found that in July of 2008 - when world oil prices were at an all time high - around 140 dollars per barrel - what's known as the landed cost of fuel was $7.39 per gallon on July 5, and $7.65 on July 28th. The pump price at that time was 11.16 and 11.50 respectively - which was considered high at the time. But right now, the world price for oil is hovering around the ninety dollar per barrel mark - yet the pump price for fuel is almost thirteen dollars! So why is that? Well, the landed cost right now - quite surprisingly - is 7.68 per gallon - three cents higher than when oil was trading for 140 dollars a barrel! So then - that suggests to us that there has to be something odd in what's called the buildup - the accumulated costs and margins - which are all secret - that factored into that landing cost.

Coast Guard Gets Expensive, High-Powered New Toys
Last night we told you about the Coast Guard's impressive drug find: a bail with 104 pounds of cocaine. It was found near the Turneffe Attoll - and has a local street value of about a million dollars - but an official traducing value of at least four times that value. The package was handed over to police yesterday afternoon - and they tested and confirmed that it is cocaine. The find comes just as the COAST Guard received another donation form the US Government. This one is to be shared with the BDF and is valued at over 4 million US dollars. We got a look at some of the high tech new toys at the Commissioning today - and Jules Vasquez has the report:.. Jules Vasquez reporting The Coast Guard was on full display today both men, women and machines - as these Boston Whalers roared past the launch - giving everyone a small scare.

Three Towns Gets Funds For Upgraded Streets
And while the Coast Guard and BDF are getting major money from the US - the towns of Benque Viejo, San Ignacio and Punta Gorda are receiving some major funds for street improvement through a World Bank and GOB project. It's called the Belize Municipal Development Project and today the street project was launched - where else? - but in Benque Viejo the stomping grounds of the Minister of Economic Development Erwin Contreras. He explained how the funds will be used. Hon. Erwin Contreras "Today a new chapter is being recorded once again in the history of our town. A soon officially launch a 2,2 million dollars project that will improve our street network in the municipalities of Benque Viejo, Punta Gorda, San Ignacio and Santa Elena under the Belize Municipal Development Project better known as BMTP." "This package represents one of the greatest components of the infrastructure aspect of the BMDP. As Mr. Cano stated the project is a thirty million dollars government project which aims to provide and infrastructure in our major district towns."

Getting Ready For The Gang Truce Downscale
Last week Friday - Minister of state with responsibility for the Gang Truce Mark King dropped a bomb when he announced that 200 persons form the Southside rejuvenation project were being laid off. Well, now, King's office has announced that the Gang Truce is now officially the Peace In Progress programme - with direction from a Cabinet subcommittee led by King with Minister's Lisel Alamilla, Godwin Hulse and Wilfred Elrington. The Gang Truce and the CYDP programme currently employ about 640 persons - and they will likely be laid off in October of this year. According to the release, the Cabinet subcommittee's job is to quote, "ensure that after the downscaling, there is a feasible program that will be sustainable for at risk youth on all levels." They are taking your ideas which can be sent to [email protected]. As for the 200 persons - mostly women laid off from the South Side Rejuvenation Project, so far, five of them have been hired with RBJ's Construction, ten with Mejia's Construction and another thirty will start working on McKay Boulevard, Ordonez Street and Police Street in Belize City.

Mayor, Meet the Queens
The Queen of the Bay Pageant stands alone as the most enduring beauty contest in the country. It dates back to 1946 and is a staple of the September Calendar. The pageant is on Saturday and this week the contestants have been making the media and official rounds ot create hype for the big event. Today, they had an official visit at City Hall, where they socialized with Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley and his Councilors. There are 11 contestants who are offering themselves to be this year's Queen of the Bay. Because of the number of young ladies who offered themselves, the elders of the pageant committee had to add 3 more ceremonial houses for remaining contestants to represent. The pageant will be held at the Bird's Isle at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

The Mas Camp Contagion
Carnival preparations are at a fever pitch all this week - as revelers are getting their outfits and their dance moves just right for the big day. But the big day starts form this week when judges go into the Mas Camps to see what's happening. That continued last night in three camps and Monica Bodden was there - here's her report:.. Monica Bodden reporting It is contagious and spreading rapidly - and so far it seems like there isn't a cure for the Carnival Fever. That was quite visible here at Belizean Jewel Mas Camp where it was all high level energy for these revelers who gyrated to some of the most popular soca songs in front of a crowd of spectators. Sharon Wade - Belizean Jewels "Our team this year is "many colors, many faces, one nation: Belize."" Monica Bodden "Why was that theme chosen?" Sharon Wade - Belizean Jewels "The theme was chosen simply because carnival is all about colors and its full of different races, different faces and Belize is one nation." Monica Bodden "Now tell us a little bit about the costumes?"

World Class Chinese Acrobats In Belize
Tomorrow night - a troupe of world-class Chinese acrobats will be in Belize for a special show. They're called the Guangdong Acrobatic Group from mainland China - and they've played to rave reviews all over the world. Now, the Belize Chinese Association is bringing them to Belize and Chairman Edmund Quan told us more:.. Edmund Quan "These acrobats came from mainland China to do a show for to raise funds for charity in Belize. Its called Guangdong Acrobatic. its a large group consisting of almost 40 persons and they are going to show flexibility of Chinese acrobats and different stunts." Tickets are 25 dollars - and can be bought at Chon Saan on Kelly street, Quan's Trading on Orange Street or at the door. All proceeds go to charity - as the acrobats are donating their performance.

Oil Covered Turtle Recovers, Released
Last month, 7News aired the alarming story of a juvenile green sea turtle which was found covered in crude oil, along the main channel at in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve off Ambergris Caye on July 24. The biologists from the Hol Chan Marine Reserve labored to rescue the turtle, where they had to clean it off, cleanse out its mouth, and get it to pass copious amounts of oil that it had swallowed from its digestive system. It was discovered severely fatigued but due to the efforts of the biologists, the turtle was successfully rescued, and resuscitated. Yesterday, it was geo-tagged and released back into the Hol Chan Marine Reserve because the experts believe that it can now survive on its own. The origin of the crude oil which the turtle was covered in has still not been established.

Channel 5

Breaking News: female minor injured in late evening shooting in the City
Just before six o’clock this evening, there was another shooting on Lacroix Boulevard in the Lake Independence area. Early unconfirmed reports are that a school aged girl was injured in the shooting. According to the reports, two young men on bicycles fired shots at another person, instead, the minor was hit and has been rushed [...]

Same sex spouse definition in Banking Legislation?
The senate met on Tuesday in Belmopan; a number of bills were passed, but there is one that having gone through the House and debate; landed on the Senate and is stirring controversy. It is the Domestic Banks and Financial Institutions Act 2012 which contains a definition of spouse and which is being interpreted as [...]

Murder charge after she drove over her baby’s daddy
This afternoon, a twenty-five year mother and bank proof teller, was charged with murder and attempted murder. Calaney Flowers is accused of slamming her car into the father of her child Lyndon Morrison who was riding his motorbike along with his pregnant girlfriend Sochyl Sosa. Morrison succumbed two hours later but Sosa lived to tell [...]

Million dollar cocaine drop, but devil in untold details
As the US Southern Command visited the Coastguard Headquarters on Wednesday, a bail of cocaine weighing over a hundred pounds was retrieved from the Turneffe Atoll. It was a major find that is valued at one point eight million dollars. The find coincided with the transfer of sophisticated equipment to the Belize Coast Guard and [...]

U.S. Southern Command and Embassy gives $4.5 Million in equipment
As the US Southern Command visited the Coastguard on Wednesday, a bale of cocaine was retrieved from the Turneffe Atolls. The visit by the Southern Command, however, had to do with the transfer of millions of dollars of sophisticated equipment including vessels and vehicles to both the BDF and Coastguard. It is a contribution by [...]

CEMO Councilor trains for disaster management
While the coast guard and B.D.F. are beefing up resources, CEMO is strengthening its capacity to deal with natural disasters. Belize City was spared when Hurricane Ernesto moved north and made landfall in the Yucatan Peninsula on August seventh. But the hurricane season isn’t over and the City Emergency Management Organization is still brushing up [...]

P.U.P. memo on frog hoppers in the north
The sale of majority shares in the Belize Sugar Industries to American Sugar Refineries is expected to be completed by the start of the next crop. But on the ground, cane farmers are experiencing a major setback. Recent flooding brought about by Depression Seven in August has caused considerable damage to cane fields which are [...]

Revelry continues on the road to Carnival 2012
The road march for Carnival 2012 takes place on September eighth; we will have full coverage of the spectacular event with William Neal and entertainment reporter, Safiyyah. But before that, on September first this station is producing and will be airing a special Carnival Marathon which captures the rich history of the carnival. Our reporters [...]

Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe of China
The Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe of China has been perfecting traditional Chinese acrobatic skills and merging them with modern dance, artistic gymnastics, theatre and other forms. The group has created its own artistic style representing the Guangdong region of southern China and you have the opportunity to experience it for one night only at the Bliss. [...]

Healthy Living packs a lunch kit for kids
Whether, it’s Pre K or Infant two, the beginning of every school year brings a lot of anxiety for parents who want provide the very best for their children during their formative years. In addition to the new notebooks and pencils, children need to be equipped with the right food choices. So before you pack [...]

LOVE FM

Bank Teller Charged With Murder
Twenty-five year old Calaney Flowers, a proof teller at Atlantic Bank who allegedly knocked down her ex-boyfriend and his lover, was charged with murder and attempted murder when she appeared in court today. Flowers, who resides on Lavender Street, was also charged with dangerous harm ...

BDF Truck Overturns and Injures Several Soldiers
A number of Belize Defense Force soldiers were hurt when the truck they were traveling in overturned last night in the Cayo district. The incident happened around midnight on the Chiquibul road in the Mountain Pine Ridge area. Love News spoke with the Commander of the BDF Brigadi...

Implementation Continues for the Belize Municipal Development Project
The Belize Municipal Development project which is estimated at thirty million dollars and aims to provide needed infrastructure to seven major municipalities in the country, continues to be implemented. This morning a special ceremony launched a 2.2 million dollar street project ...

Over 100 Pounds of Cocaine Found in Belize's Waters
A large amount of cocaine was found floating in Belize’s territorial waters on Wednesday morning. According to reports, the drugs weighing in at just over a hundred and four pounds, was found in multiple packets near the Turneffe Atoll and has since been turned over t...

Surviving Victim of Traffic Incident Speaks to the Press
Twenty-five year old Calaney Flowers, a proof teller at Atlantic Bank who allegedly knocked down her ex-boyfriend and his companion, was charged with murder and attempted murder when she appeared in court today. Flowers, who resides on Lavender Street, was also charged with dangerous h...

Orange Walk Terminal Vendors Feel Jilted
Several vendors at the Orange Walk terminal are asking authorities to look into a matter affecting their livelihood. Vendors told us that a specific vendor has been granted permission to set up a food shed inside the terminal when in the first place no one is granted permission t...

BPO Training Underway for High School Graduates
A two week training course for young people is underway at the Yabra Community Centre in Cesar Ridge Road in Belize City. According to the Youth Program Coordinator with the Community Policing Unit Douglas Hyde, the objective of the training is to give young men and women marketable em...

Campaign for Birth Registration Continues in Belize
The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF today began its birth registration campaign on south-side Belize City. The objective of the program is to get primarily unregistered children properly documented. Registrar General at the Vital Statistics Unit Velda Flowers a...

Wednesday, August 29 -------- Police News
A post mortem examination conducted on the body of Punta Gorda resident Descartes Bol Jr. certified the cause of death as “trauma shock, massive liver damage and multiple traumatism due to traffic road accident”. Around 4:40 am on Saturday, Bol’s body was found ...

Fisherman Charged for Policeman's Murder
Police have formally arrested and charged Delford Slusher, a thirty year old fisherman of Hattieville Village for murder. This is in connection with the shooting death of Corporal Victor Lima. Slusher was originally charged with attempted murder shortly after the incident w...

Infidelity Ends In Murder
A woman is in police custody, another hospitalized and the body of a man is at the KHMH morgue following a bizarre series of events last night in Belize City. Reporter Marion Ali has the details. MARION ALI News Reporter Love FM “The saying goes, all’s...

CTV3

Police Hit The Jackpot, $1.8 Million Worth Of Cocaine Found Near Turneffe
On August 20th, thirty one year old Rene Caseres of Belize City, 30 year old Noel Tun and 32 year old Leonardo Tun both Belizean fishermen of Chunox Village, Abimael Aki, 30 year old Belizean fisherman of Copperbank Village and 40 year old Cornelio Mendez Belizean fisherman of Chunox Village were charged with possession of controlled drugs with the purpose of supplying it to another person for drug trafficking. The men were detained after a search was conducted on the vehicle they were travelling in during a checkpoint set up at the toll bridge. Three kilos of cocaine were found: two of the parcels were labelled with (2) X’s while one was labelled with the letters PZ. Interesting enough, this morning about 35 parcels of cocaine found 30 miles off the coast of Belize City, near the Turneff Atoll, were labeled with the same letters PZ. The drugs were taken in by the Belize Coast Guard for processing at their Head Quarters on the Western Highway. It is believed that the drugs are part of a wet drop from Colombia and is likely that more parcels could be floating in the area. The drugs is estimated to be valued at more than BZE$1.8 million. We’ll have more on this story in tomorrow’s newscast.

Drains Opened In Trinidad Village, Flooding Problem Alleviated
Two months ago, on June 19th to be exact, we showed you how deep the water was in the Village of Trinidad after a heavy down pour caused several sections of the village to become inundated. The flooded waters accumulated in certain sections of the village due to the lack of proper drainage system. Ever since the flooding, Chairman of Trinidad Village, Salomon Bobadilla, has been lobbying for assistance so as to alleviate the problem. Blue Creek Resident David Dyck, agreed to assist by lending his heavy equipment to open drains within the village. Orange Walk South Area Representative Honorable Jose Mai, also assisted by coordinating a meeting between Bobadilla and the Chief Engineer for the Ministry of Works Lennox Bradley, in order to obtain permission to excavate alongside a creek that runs through the village, for the water to flow. The Village Council was given the go ahead and work commenced this past Saturday and tonight residents of the village are happy that their cries were heard. “A mi me había afectado bastante esa creciente trae un montón de basura y me afecta mi aquí en fi terreno porque cuando a acaba yo tengo que andar recogiendo la basura y un motón de cosas como zapatos y los mosquitos por el agua que ha llegado. Este sábado escarbaron y tumbaron una matas que había sembrado y el village council me pregunto si lo pueden tumbar y yo le dije que si y estuvo trabajando el Backhow y estuvimos con toda mi familia viendo que se haga con el Chairman de la aldea y se logro.” With the stagnant waters having where to run, flooding will no longer pose a problem for residents of the area.

Karol Mello Takes GOB To Court
He was freed of all charges brought against him by the Government of Belize when he appeared before the Belmopan Magistrates Court and tonight 42 year old Karol Mello; the alleged mafia boss from Slovakia, wanted for a series of crimes he reportedly orchestrated, is taking Government to court. Mello is suing Government in order for him to retain his legal status as a permanent resident which was withdrawn by the Ministry of Immigration after they tried to get him expelled from the country. Yesterday the first hearing of the case was heard before Justice Oswell Legall. The case is still in the process of assessment and as a result Justice Legall set September 17th as the actual date for the case to commence. Mello is reportedly wanted in Slovakia for the murder of a woman and child as well as two underworld executions carried out in 2003 and 2004. He has been living in San Pedro since 2010.

Contestants OF Karaoke Competition Appear On Despierta Belice Show
It started off with ten contestants and now it’s down to the four finalists. We are talking about the much watched and anticipated Buscando Una Estrella Infantil Karaoke Competition scheduled to come to an end this coming Sunday with the announcement of the first, second and third place winners. Over the past four weeks the competition has discovered the talent that exists among the competitors. Only four of them; however, were able to make it the finals and on Sunday Byron Munoz, Samsung Pop, Ayana Rudon or McBride Pop will be named the winner of the talent competition. What we can tell you tonight is that the race is close so keep on voting for your favorite contestant. And keeping in mind how important it is to promote the four talented finalists they will each be making an appearance on the Despierta Belice Morning Show. This morning the first two finalists, 11 year old McBride Pop and 9 year old Samsung Pop, were the special guests on the morning show hosted by Santiago Baeza. Of course the two talented young artists could not leave the show without delighting viewers with their melodious voice.To vote for Samsung Pop, text the number one to CKTV, that is 2588 and to vote for McBride Pop, text the number four to 2588. Voting ends on midnight Friday August 31st. Tomorrow Ayana Rundon and Byron Munoz will be the special guests on the Despierta Belice Show. Remember that the finals will take place this Sunday at Fort Cairns Market Plaza during the celebration of Fiesta F.M’s 8th anniversary set to commence at 1:00pm.

OWTC Negotiates Overdraft Facility Payment With GOB
Presently the debt review team, headed by Ambassador Mark Espat, is renegotiating the $543.8 million super bond on behalf of the Government of Belize. And while that is taking place at an international level, here at home the Orange Walk Town Council is trying to negotiate with Government the payment of the councils $110,000 over draft facility which was exceeded by the previous U.D.P Town Council. This afternoon Mayor of Orange Walk Town Kevin Bernard gave us an update on the negotiations. We did receive a memorandum fax yesterday that was sent to the financial secretary from the CEO of the Ministry of Labor and Local Government as it pertains to the subject Orange walk Town Council overdraft facility. In this memorandum the minister of local government recommends to the financial secretary that the financial relief be given to the Orange Walk Town council and it stipulates several ways how we were requesting, one of that is that we are asking is that $60,000.00 be paid into the overdraft account as a grant on behalf of the Town Council and that the overdraft limit be reduced from $110,000.00 to $75,000.00 and that the period be extended from December 2011 to March 2013 in the first instance and then can be further extended upon the approval of the ministry of finance and in his memorandum the minister clearly stated that the council finds itself in an emergency situation at times and at times finds itself difficult to meet our payroll. They are asking that the assistance be given because the only next option would be to contemplating in reducing staff it is something that as a cost saving measure, as a surety measure but the ministry discourages that.”

Work On Tangerine Street Underway
Under phase one of the Belize Municipal Development Project four streets in Orange Walk Town, namely Avilez Lane, Tangerine Street, San Ignacio Street and Santa Familia Street will be upgraded at a cost of almost $1.2 million. As it pertains to Tangerine Street we are sure that residents have noticed all the heavy equipment working in the area. That’s because the street is being upgraded and pretty soon all those potholes will disappear. “What I want to remind citizen that out of the four street that is being done in phase one, Tangerine street was the last street that was selected because remember Santa Familia and San Ignacio were the much bigger street and then Aviles lane and based on the allocation that was done for the Town council in this phase left with us only be able to complete two blocks of Tangerine Street so residents may wonder why only a certain portion of the Tangerine street is being done, I just want to assure them that part of our proposal at our town meeting. We want to propose that the entire remaining Tangerine Street also be up graded.” Presently Avilez Lane is being surveyed in order for paving to commence next week. Work on San Ignacio Street is expected to commence on Monday while work on Santa Familia Street should commence in the month September.

The Battle Against HIV AIDS Continues
The first person to be diagnosed with HIV in Belize was approximately 26 years ago. Since then, the disease has spread and Belize is seen as one of the most affected countries in the region. On July 19th of this year, the National Aids Commission launched the National Strategic Plan and the National Operational Plan on HIV and AIDS with the intent to coordinate a national response to the disease for the next five years. It’s a high priority effort and a lot of assistance is required. In order to effectively coordinate a response, each district has a branch of the National Aids Commission which will be working with its community members. This morning, the National Aids Commission and Country Coordinated Mechanism Corozal Committee inducted its members. CTV3 News was invited for the ceremony and here is how it went. “We the undersigned hereby publicly declare our commitment to support the national response to HIV and solemnly pledged to uphold and implement the vision and mission of the NACT CCN Corozal Committee.” Eighteen members representing non-governmental and governmental organizations, the private sector and other institutions were today inducted as full pledge volunteers of the National Aids Commission and Country Coordinated Mechanism Corozal Committee. Heading the committee is Clemente Novelo who says that when it comes to HIV/AIDS the availability of medication has changed throughout the years.

LOVE TV

Woman detained in connection with fatal traffic incident
English Playwright and poet, William Congreve once said in a famous quote “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” and perhaps it was the wrath of one woman which made a complicated love story end fatally when a flight operations dispatcher of Maya Island air, was killed in a traffic incident on the streets of Belize City last night. Reporter Marion Ali and Videographer Brian Castillo bring you the details of this love tragedy.

Man charged for murder of Hattieville police officer
Police have formally arrested and charged Delford Slusher, a thirty year old fisherman of Hattieville Village for murder. This is in connection with the shooting death of Corporal Victor Lima. Slusher was originally charged with attempted murder shortly after the incident which occurred on July 24th. Lima along with other Police officers responded to a home invasion in the village. While opening the door to the house, Lima was shot twice to the chest. He succumbed to his injuries on the July 27th. Slusher is still awaiting charges in connection with the home invasion.

Toledo man died from RTA injuries
A post mortem examination conducted on the body of Punta Gorda resident Descartes Bol Jr. certified the cause of death as “trauma shock, massive liver damage and multiple traumatism due to traffic road accident”. Around 4:40 am on Saturday, Bol’s body was found with apparent injuries to the head, on the right hand side of the road approximately two hundred meters from the San Marcos Junction which is located about eleven miles outside Punta Gorda.

Birth registration campaign comes to south-side Belize City
The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF today began its birth registration campaign on south-side Belize City. The objective of the program is to get primarily unregistered children properly documented. Registrar General at the Vital Statistics Unit Velda Flowers and Attorney General Wilfred Elrington both agree that registration is an important part of a person’s identity. The birth registration campaign started on February of last year in the Toledo district and has so far covered the south and the Corozal district. UNICEF’s country representative Christine Norton says the hope is to have the birth registration campaign completed by the end of the year. According to Norton, there are five registration centers in Belize City, including, the Samuel Haynes Centre on Mahogany Street, the Young Women’s Christian Association, Sister Clara Mohammed School on Central American Boulevard and the Vital Statistics Unit on Gabourel Lane. The birth registration campaign for south side Belize City ends at one o’clock on Friday afternoon. And even when the countrywide birth registration exercise is completed, Norton says UNICEF is assisting the Vital Statistics Unit and the country on a whole, to set the necessary infrastructure in place to ensure that all Belizeans are properly registered and documented. According to statistics release this morning, the UNICEF-sponsored birth registration exercise has seen three thousand, two hundred and fifty six new birth certificates issued in the Toledo district; three thousand, one hundred and seventy four in the Stann Creek district and two thousand, five hundred and eighty two in the Corozal district. A total of three hundred and fifty two late registrations have been completed in the three districts canvassed to date, while one hundred and ten communities have been visited by the birth registration campaign.

Scholarships for Galen University students
Galen University held a special ceremony to award scholarships to a number of students. Correspondent Fem Cruz was in Central Farm and filed this report.

A new corn variety being promoted in southern Belize
A new variety of corn is being introduced and validated in the Toledo District. Correspondent Paul Mahung tells us more.

The Guardian

UDP ready for Patchakan Village Council Elections
Over a hundred supporters of the United Democratic Party gathered at the Mother's Park in Patchakan Village to select people, who will be contesting the upcoming village council elections. At the conclusion of the meeting, Alex Medina was selected as the Chairperson Candidate while Kenny Tzib Andy Bastarachea, Ignacio Victorin, Andrei Ku, Enhir Chimal and Rafael Loza were selected as councilor candidates. Present at the meeting were Area Representative, Hon. Hugo Patt and National Party Coordinator, Ruben Campos. During the meeting Hon. Patt encouraged villagers to continue to support the United Democratic Party and to vote for a UDP Village Council to ensure that progress continues in the area.

BSI Deal Almost Complete
The Belize Sugar Industry is nearing the completion of the expansion of share capital and within the next 30 days, the process should be complete. On Monday of this week, Senator Godwin Hulse told Love FM as much. He explained that the due diligence process by American Sugar Refineries (ASR), the company which will be infusing BSI with new capital, has been complete. Within a week's time a subscription deed would have been signed and a month from there, all outstanding debts will be settled by ASR. Hulse also explained that within the next 30 days, the shareholders agreement will be signed so by the start of the new crop, the entire deal would have been complete. Under the agreement ASR will assume some 64 million dollars in debt which is owed by BSI and BELCOGEN to various creditors. They will also increase sugar production through improved sugar deliveries, an expansion in production and in yields. At the end of the transaction, ASR would have owned 80% of the company.

Rehiring Jobless Workers
Last Friday, The Government of Belize found itself in the unenviable position of having to release employees, who had been hired under the Southside Rejuvenation Project. It was not an easy decision but it certainly was one that had to be made. But even as the people had been let go, before the week was out some of those people who had lost their jobs were back to work. Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Development Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Mark King, announced that some of those who had lost their jobs had already been rehired. So far 6 workers have been hired by RJB Construction, 10 have been hired by Mejia’s Construction and 30 others will be hired in a project to upgrade McKay Boulevard, Ordonez and Police Streets in Belize City. RJB’s Romel Berges told the Guardian Newspaper that he is pleased to hire the workers and is more than satisfied with their performance. Currently, these workers are on Evergreen Street as the preparatory works are underway to have street concreted. According to Berges, he will be taking on more workers as the project expands.

Jealous Rage Turns Deadly
Lyndon Morrison died on Tuesday, August 29th after he was allegedly run over by his ex-girlfriend. The case is one where an enraged woman trailed his ex-boyfriend and slammed her car into his motorcycle. But what must have caused the woman, identified as Calaney Flowers, to act in such a violent manner was the fact that travelling on the motorcycle along Morrison was his new girlfriend, Sochyl Sosa. Police report that at around 10:15 on Tuesday night, the 29-year-old Flight Dispacher, Lyndon Morrison, was travelling on his motorcycle along with Sochyl Sosa on Freetown Road when he realized he was being followed by his ex-girlfriend with whom he has a child. The ex-girlfriend, Calaney Flowers was driving a red Saturn Car, and when they reached an area in front of the Central Assembly of God Church, she rammed her vehicle into the motorcycle causing the pair to be sent flying into the air. As a result of the impact, Morrison received injuries to the back of the head and left eye. He later died as a result of the injuries. Sosa, for her part, received abrasions to both hands and a cut wound to the head. She remains at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital receiving treatment. So violent was the impact that the helmets of both Sosa and Morrison were broken up. The motorcycle was also extensively damaged. After the collision, Flowers drove off and according to friends of the deceased, she visited his mother's house to report what she had done.

Four charged for Involvement in Paula’s Store Robbery
At about 2:20 p.m. on Thursday, August 23rd, police responded to a robbery in progress at Paula’s Store located on Cemetery Road. Businesswoman Paula Chen reported that while attending to a customer, three armed men entered the store. According to police reports, one of the assailants walked towards Chen, pointed the gun at her face, and demanded money. He then went behind the counter and took an undisclosed amount of money from the cash register. The other assailants proceeded to rob the customers in the store of their personal belongings. The men then rushed out of the store but police were hot on their tails. The quick response led to a search operation at #32 Plues Street. That search led to the discovery of a cell phone valued at $495, an unlicensed .38 Special revolver containing four rounds of ammunition and a .357 pistol containing six rounds. Present at the time of the search were 23-year-old Aaron Bailey, of #45 Raccoon Street; 27-year-old Jarreth Gault of #5 Euphrates Avenue; 21-year-old Inmar Welch of #68 King Street; and 22-year-old Jeffrey McDougall of #32 Plues Street. All four men were arrested and charged with robbery, handling stolen goods, keeping a prohibited firearm, keeping a firearm without a gun license and two counts of keeping unlicensed ammunition.

Another Murder in Lake I
The family and friends of 20-year-old Guzman Crescent resident, Miraldo Alvarez are still mourning after his life was taken by a gunman in the Lake Independence area of Belize City. At about 10 p.m. on Friday, August 24th, Alvarez was at his mother-in-law, Diana Enriquez's, house playing video games with a friend before he decided to head out to buy fry chicken. Enriquez tried to discourage him from leaving the house because the area is currently a war zone. She says that shootings happen every night in the area. However, Alvarez was not deterred and he left with his friend to go buy food. Minutes after Alvarez left, Enriquez heard gunshots from her home. Alvarez and his friend were riding on separate bicycles on McKenzie Street and upon reaching its junction with Luis Street they were approached from behind by two men who were by the basketball court on McKenzie Street. One of the men fired several gunshots towards them. Alvarez was hit in the left lower back and rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. He succumbed to his injuries while undergoing surgery at 10:45 p.m. Alvarez’s family and friends are still seeking answers. They say that he had never been a troublemaker and was definitely not a gang member. He was scheduled to marry Enriquez’s daughter in December of this year. Alvarez was shot near the complex building. That area has been the most dangerous in Belize City in recent months. Police detained one suspect in relation to the murder.

Belize City Shooting Incidents
Though there was a gun- related murder over the past week, police are concerned about the number of shooting incidents and crimes committed with firearms that have occurred over the last few days. Police visited the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital at about 7:45 am on Saturday, August 25th, where they saw 19-year-old Raheem Nicholas suffering from a gunshot wound to the left shoulder. According to police reports, Nicholas was walking on Alicia Street when a fair complexion man rode up beside him on a black beach cruiser bicycle and said, “Mek I see your face.” The man then pulled out a firearm and fired a single shot at Nicholas causing his injury. Police have not announced any arrest in the case thus far. At about 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 26th, 24-year-old Edmund Gentle was riding with a friend contrary to the flow of traffic on Vernon Street when a dark complexioned man came from an alley on Lakeview Street and called out for him. As Gentle responded to his name, the man pulled out a firearm and fired several shots at him. He received injuries only to his right index and middle finger. He was treated at the KHMH and released. No one has been arrested for the shooting of Gentle.

UDP ready for Patchakan Village Council Elections
Over a hundred supporters of the United Democratic Party gathered at the Mother's Park in Patchakan Village to select people, who will be contesting the upcoming village council elections. At the conclusion of the meeting, Alex Medina was selected as the Chairperson Candidate while Kenny Tzib Andy Bastarachea, Ignacio Victorin, Andrei Ku, Enhir Chimal and Rafael Loza were selected as councilor candidates.

Western Regional Hospital Officially Certified as Mother – Baby Friendly Hospital
Hon. Pablo Marin (left), Dr. Peter Allen (3rd) and administrators of the Mother-Baby Friendly hospitals A certification ceremony was held on the grounds of the Western Regional Hospital on Wednesday, August 29th, as the Ministry of Health and the United Nations Children’s fund (UNICEF) celebrated the latest hospital to have met the necessary international requirements to be certified as a Mother - Baby Friendly Hospital.

ASR’s Equity Investment in BSI: An Update
The process to conclude the investment by American Sugar Refining, Inc. (ASR) is advancing well and in accordance with the target timetable. Meetings were held in mid-July between representatives of BSI and ASR Management and Boards, supported by their respective legal counsels to advance final negotiations on key investment documents, principally the Subscription Deed (Purchase Agreement) and the Shareholders’ Agreement. Since then, BSI and ASR have continued to be actively engaged and fully committed to expediting the process in the context of the defined timetable for completion of the transaction. During the period of discussions with ASR, the management of BSI also held several meetings with the Protectors of BSI Employee Holdings Limited (BEH) and the Belize Workers’ Union (BWU) Executive Committee as part of management’s efforts to keep them and employees informed about the status of the transaction. Agreement between BSI and ASR has now been reached on all commercial matters and legal documentation with respect to the Subscription Deed and the related approvals from existing shareholders in BSI have been secured. Accordingly, the parties signed the Subscription Deed documentation August 23rd, 2012. The completion date of the entire transaction is estimated to occur one month following yesterday’s signing of the Subscription Deed. During this time, BSI and ASR will press on to conclude various conditions precedent actions and obligations connected with the transaction. These include formal engagement with existing lenders to BSI and Belcogen regarding repayment of lending and release of security upon the deal completion. Efforts by all parties remain focused on concluding the entire transaction at the very earliest.

The European Commission allocates $75,000 to Bring Relief to the Victims of ‘Ernesto’ in Belize
The European Union, through the European Commission and its Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO), expresses its solidarity with the victims of Hurricane Ernesto in Belize. As a major contributor to the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the Commission has agreed to use 32,335 EUR1 of its DREF contribution to help bring relief to the victims. The aid will be used to replenish stocks and to provide food, water and relief items to the most affected people. Hurricane Ernesto, rated category 1, passed over Belize on 7th August 2012, and its strong winds and rain impacted the northern population of the country. There were no reports of deaths or injuries but houses and public buildings incurred varying degrees of damage. Belize Red Cross Society (BRCS) mobilized its specialized National Intervention Teams (NIT) to complete damage and needs assessments in the affected areas, with the assistance of a disaster manager and a water and sanitation IFRC’s delegate. The European Commission is providing 32,335 EUR (75,037 Belize dollars) to bring relief to the victims. This aid will be used to support BRCS NIT members on the needs assessment phase, to replenish pre-positioned stock and to assist the 150 most affected families with food and relief items (hygiene items, jerrycans and blankets) delivered by the BRCS for a period of three months. The aid will be channelled through the Red Cross who operates with funding from the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

IMF Hosts Forum to Address Low Growth and High Debt in the Caribbean
The International Monetary Fund (IMF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean Development Bank, will hold a high-level forum on “Rethinking Policy to Address Low Growth and High Debt in the Caribbean” on September 4-5, 2012 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The forum will discuss how lessons from the past and from other parts of the world could help the Caribbean economies in light of the distinctive challenges the region faces. “This forum offers a unique opportunity to further our ongoing dialogue with the Caribbean and listen to the concerns and ideas of policymakers regarding the challenges the region faces and explore possible policy avenues to foster inclusive and sustainable growth,” Mr. Saúl Lizondo, Associate Director of the IMF’s Western Hemisphere Department, said ahead of the gathering. The forum will bring together Ministers, Central Bank Governors, and other high-ranking officials from the ECCU members–Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Anguilla and Montserrat as well as from The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. The event’s opening ceremony to be headed by The Honourable Winston Dookeran, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. William Warren Smith, President of the Caribbean Development Bank, and Mr. Min Zhu, IMF Deputy Managing Director will be open to members of the press. A concluding press conference will be held on Wednesday, September 5th at 12:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain.

$2.2 Million Infrastructural Project for Benque, San Ignacio and Punta Gorda
A $2.2 Million dollar street project that will enhance the road network in Benque Viejo del Carmen, San Ignacio & Santa Elena and Punta Gorda under the Belize Municipal Development Project (BMDP) was launched on Thursday, August 30th, during a formal ceremony in Benque Viejo Town. The street project calls for the enhancement of Church, Churchill and Burns Streets in Benque Viejo Town; the improvement of Eden and West Streets in San Ignacio & Santa Elena Town, and Robert Pennil and Pampana Streets in Punta Gorda Town. The work scope for the project includes the realignment of streetside drains, provision of street concrete curbs, resurfacing of the streets with Hot Mix and or chip seal, provision of street markings for vehicular and pedestrian lanes and permanent signage. This project will cost approximately $2,219,746.10 and will be carried out by Imer Hernandez Development Co. Ltd, a local firm. These street projects will satisfy a number of important objectives including putting in place proper traffic safety measures that can be monitored and enforced by the respective municipal traffic departments; addressing health issues that normally affects street users during the dry and rainy seasons; and improving the general aesthetics and attractiveness of the areas in the participating municipalities.

Mapping Exercise underway for Foreign Cooperation in Citizen Security
A mapping-exercise is currently underway as part of a cordinated strategy to address security issues through foreign cooperation. Being mapped-out during the exercise are ongoing programs and planned initiatives that the Government of Belize intends to undertake in the short, medium and long term. The mapping-exercise comes out of a meeting of the Donor Coordinating Group on Citizen Security conducted last Thursday, August 23rd, at the US Embassy Conference Room in Belmopan, that meeting being a follow-up to a previous high-level meeting that was held on July 13th at the NEMO Conference Room in Belmopan. Last Thursday’s meeting was attended by Chief Executive Officers in coordinating ministries, namely Audrey Wallace, Office of the Prime Minister; George Lovell, Ministry of National Security; Yvonne Hyde, Ministry of Economic Development; Alexis Rosado, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Judith Alpuche, Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation. Priority areas identified for foreign co-operation are Democratic Governance and Citizen Security; Economic Development and Citizen Prosperity; and Human Development. Among the specific areas for assistance are crime scenes management, intelligence gathering and management, strengthening of the Police Prosecution Branch and capacity building in forensics; market assessment of training needs and the establishment of a micro-enterprise unit; capacity building in conflict mediation, neighbourhood upliftment projects and the refurbishment of parks, playgrounds and neighbourhood sports facilities.

Southside Rejuvenation Workers to Work on Upcoming Projects
On Friday, August 24th, Hon. Mark King, Minister of State with Responsibility for the Gang Truce and Conscious Youth Development Programs, announced that the Ministry was scaling back on its work programs and as a result a number of employees were relieved of duties. Two hundred employees of the Southside Rejuvenation Project were released last week and more are expected to be released in the weeks ahead. It was an extremely difficult message for King to deliver; one that would be easier to understand if the audience understood the history of the program. The Southside Rejuvenation Project was launched in 2009. Hundreds of men and women of the city’s Southside were hired to work on construction, sanitation and various other infrastructural projects. The project was a huge success as many who were living criminal lives took advantage of the opportunity and contributed meaningfully to the city’s upliftment. Unfortunately, the Southside Rejuvenation Project was only designed to last one year. Just as the project was about to close in early 2010, then Minister of Works, Hon. Anthony “Boots” Martinez, travelled to Vienna, Austria where he was successful in reaching an agreement for US$11 million for the extension of the program. The Government of Belize added an additional $8 million in counterpart funding to make it $30 million for Phase 2 of the Southside Poverty Alleviation Program. Prime Minister Barrow has been the greatest supporter of the program. When funds from international agreements are exhausted, PM Barrow allocates funds to the program from the national purse. Over 800 people were employed under the various city jobs programs. That number was way above what is actually needed for the projects being undertaken but government tried to hold on as long as possible. After the $30 million for Phase 2 of the program was exhausted, PM Barrow allocated an additional $2.29 million to keep the workers employed. According to Hon. Mark King, that money finished on August 10. Employees were held on an additional two weeks before 200 were released on August 24th with salary and severance. King hopes that their last cheque could help them out until October, which he believes is a good time table for a source of funding to be identified. The Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation will seek employment opportunities for all who are released in upcoming infrastructural projects. Such projects include the hot mix paving of Central American Boulevard; the paving of Jane Usher Boulevard, Faber’s Road and Pen Road and the rehabilitation on various secondary streets.

Four New Police Motorcycles for Belize District
The Ministry of National Security announces the acquisition of four (4) new motorcycles to assist the police in maintaining law and order in villages throughout the Belize District. The acquisition is a direct fulfillment of a commitment made by Minister of National Security Hon. John Saldivar during his countrywide tour, which he embarked on immediately upon taking up his new appointment in March of this year. Rural Executive Officer,Assistant Superintendent, Glen Rivero says the new dirt bikes will greatly assist in policing the formation that falls under his command, which covers the entire rural area that runs from Mahogany Heights to Western Paradise at Mile 8 on the Western Highway; and from Haulover Bridge all the way to Rhaburn’s Ridge on the Northern Highway. It includes Hattieville and La Democracia, Ladyville and Lord’s Bank, Sandhill and Crooked Tree, Burrell Boom and all the villages in Belize River Valley, Maskall and all the villages along the Old Northern Highway from Boston to Bomba. The four new dirt bikes just acquired are being specifically assigned to the villages of Sandhill, Bermudian Landing, Hattieville and Crooked Tree. The new MEILUN dirt bikes were purchased with the Government’s own funds at a total cost of $14,000. In related news, a temporary residence has been identified and secured for the posting of a resident police officer in Crooked Tree, while plans are underway for the construction of a new permanent Police Station and living quarters in that village. This urgent need has been addressed through the direct intervention of Belize Rural North Area Representative Hon. Edmund Castro and Minister of National Security Hon. John Saldivar.

Fixing and Painting Downtown Belize City
Finishing touches being put on Patricia Slusher’s home On Tuesda, August 28th, The Guardian Newspaper visited Patricia Slusher at the far end of Albert Street. She was at home and in high spirits as three workers from the Belize City Council were about her yard and around her house putting the finishing touches to paint work being done on her house. Slusher is one of at least 20 home and business owners, who will have their houses spruced up by the Belize City Council. According to Mayor Darrell Bradley, the idea is to have residents be included in the overall transformation of the city. Currently, there is major infrastructural work taking place and the program called the "Fix-up and Paint-up downtown Belize City" is tied in to the overall upliftment program. Phillip Singh, Community Outreach officer for the Belize City Council, says that they have identified 20 houses which will receive a paint job. Among these buildings, there will also be a component for small repairs to be done to some of the houses. Currently, there are 10 workers, who have been retained through the Belize City Council and a staggered number of other workers from the Conscious Youth Development Program doing the work. Depending on the area being worked on, the CYDP provides young men to do the work. Singh says that while they have identified 20 houses which will undergo a paint job, there are plans to do as many as 50 houses in the downtown area. The main streets being targeted are Albert Street, Regent Street and Southern Foreshore. The Council is currently looking for people to work with the program to enhance the numbers that are currently employed. Mayor Bradley says that within the next 2 weeks there should be a visible impact on the look of the downtown area of Belize City through the painting program.

As Belize Economic Train Turns : The Superbond
As emerging economies continue to wade through the global economic crisis, the challenges of crafting a strategy for long-term sustainability becomes even more masterful. Belize’s debt to equity ratio is projected to be around 84%. There is a need to find solutions to service the debt, while meeting other obligations. In 2006, in order to avert a sovereign default, the uncontrollable debts, which had average interest rates of 11% or 12%, were shopped in the bond market. This resulted in the now infamous Super Bond. The deal that was signed in February 2007 was for US 548.6 million dollars or BZ 1.1 billion. The country had surpassed grim and was at serious risk of defaulting on its loan payments. The structure of the debt was that there would be a grace period of 12 years, from 2007 to 2019. The payments would be made semi-annually on February 20th and August 20th of each year. During the grace period, interest would step up from 4.25% to 6% until August 2012, when the interest would step up to 8.5%, twice the initial rate. Under the present configuration, the principal repayments would commence on August 20th, 2019. Belize would have to pay approximately BZ 110 million from 2019 to 2029 until the full principal is repaid. These principal payments are in addition to the principal payments stretching over the full 22 years of the Super Bond. The Prime Minister indicated that it’s necessary to find a debt sustainable solution to service the debt and meet other expenditure obligations. In early August 2012, there were signals that Belize intended to renegotiate the Super Bond as it’s presently configured. The economic indicators, as reported on the Central Bank website, showed as much that there would be increasing financing gaps commencing in January 2013. There was every indication that the revenue projections would allow for the payment that was due on August 20th, 2012, but the inflow of revenue was not realized, which made it difficult for the payments to be made. As a result on August, 20th, 2012, the government indicated that they were unable to make the payment. Prior to the non-payment, three indicative scenarios, which would serve as a basis for discussion, were put forward. These scenarios were based around the present economic situation and all three would create relief for the country. The first scenario seeks no reduction in principal, but a reduction in interest, an extension of the maturity date, and a 15-year grace period. This means that the payments would be made over a longer time and at lower interest rates. The second scenario seeks a 45% reduction of the principal, no grace period, a maturity date of 2042 and a stepped up interest from 1 to 4%. The third scenarios seeks a 45% reduction of the principal, a grace period of 5 years, a maturity date of 2042 and a fixed 3.5% for the duration. As is in the case where negotiations are concerned, the three scenarios that form the basis of the negotiation, is the government’s position. It is now for the bond holders to consult and review to determine whether scenario A, B, C, or some other configuration would be acceptable.

UB gets Solar Energy
Official launching of the Solar Energy Project In August 2011 work commenced on the construction of a solar energy project on a 2.04-acre plot of land belonging to the University of Belize. After one year of construction the project was officially launched on Friday, August 24th. Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador of Japan to Belize, H.E. Hiroshi Yamaguchi said "The Government of Japan is honored to call you pioneer partners in the process of promoting the most advance solar energy system of the world here in Belize." Japan is a partner to the construction of the solar panel system called the Photovoltaic Project. It is expected to generate 450 kilowatts of clean energy, which will be sold to Belize Electricity Limited (BEL). The gross proceeds from the sale will be transferred by way of a grant to the University of Belize. The government of Belize and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) picked up the expenses of construction of the system. JICA has provided $20 million towards the project. Maintenance of solar energy system will be maintained by the Ministry of Works, the University of Belize and if necessary assistance will be provided by BEL. After a 10-year period, ownership and management will be transferred to the UB.

Male Vocalist of the Year wins Patriotic Song Competition Sharon Martinez New Carnival Queen
The 2012 National Song Competition was held at the MCC grounds on Saturday, August 25th. The competition is the Super Bowl for local musicians. It is their one chance in the year to prove that they are the best in their craft. Musicians competed at the junior and senior levels for the Carnival and Patriotic songs of the year. The competition only had three junior entries this year. Morelia Pop’s “Tranquil Haven” earned her $1,000 for a second place finish in the junior competition. “Belize Da Mi Country” by Tara Gill was selected by judges as the best junior entry for 2012. Gill received $1,500 for the rights to her piece. There were seven entries for the Carnival Song competition. Mr. Program came in third with “Everybody Dance” and received $1,500 cash. “Wave The Flag” from TR Shine was good for second place and earned the prodigy $2,500. The Carnival Song of the Year was performed by Sharon Martinez. It is entitled “Freedom” and should definitely free up carnival spectators on September 8. Martinez received $4,000 for winning the competition. There were nine entries in the Patriotic song competition. Patrick McPherson’s “A Song that We Sing” earned him third place honors and $1,500 cash. Nello Player was the king of the night. He took home the $4,000 cash prize for first place in the competition with his piece “Celebrating Belize”. Nello Player has long been one of Belize’s most talented artists. His great year began when he took home the award for Best Male Vocalist at the 2012 Belize Music Awards. All of his supporters look forward to his performances at concerts because he always brings it. While the top prize went to Nello Player, the most memorable moment for people in the business was the announcement of the second place winner. Leroy “Bass” Castillo’s “This is Belize” was named the econd best patriotic song of 2012. It was sung by Leroy’s brother Ellsworth Castillo because “Bass” passed away on Wednesday, August 22nd, due to complications stemming from an enlarged heart. He was very influential in the music business and admired by all who aspired to succeed in the music industry.

First Spine Surgery in Belize
Dr. Joel Cervantes performes first spine surgery Five Weeks after the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital’s Director of Medical Services, Dr. Adrian Coye, performed the first open heart surgeries in Belize the hospital’s Chief of Neurosurgery and Spine Surgery, Dr. Joel Cervantes, performed the first Scoliosis Surgery in Belize’s history. On Wednesday, August 22nd, Dr. Joel Cervantes and his team partnered with a team of specialist from the United States and Canada to execute the first twisted spine correction surgery inside the KHMH. The patient was a 13-year-old girl, whose scoliosis was at a stage where surgery was the only treatment option. Scoliosis is a medical condition in which a person's spine is curved from side to side. The spine of an individual with scoliosis may look more like an "S" or a "C", rather than a straight line. Surgery is usually recommended by orthopedists for curves with a high likelihood of progression-those greater than 45 to 50° magnitude. Those are curves that would be considered as cosmetically unacceptable for an adult. According to the KHMH, the surgery would not have been possible without the donations made by NuVasive Spine Foundation and Amedica. NuVasive donated spinal implants used in the surgery that cost upwards of US$50,000. They also donated a cell-saver machine that allows the collection and return of a patient’s own blood in cases where large amounts of blood loss is possible. Amedica donated instruments and implants valued at US$100,000. The members of the Belizean team that participated in the first scoliosis surgery in Belize are Dr. Joel Cervantes, Anaesthetist Dr. Ruben Pineda; George Arthurs, Frank Lorenzo; Intensivist/ Internists Drs. Jorge Hidalgo and Pedro Arriaga; Chief of Pediatrics Dr. Mirta Ochoa; Sister Alicia Moody; Respiratory Therapist Rocio Giron and Mark Cargill among others. The North American team was led by Ms. Keri George of Alberta, Canada. It also included Dr. John Williams, Dr. Andrew Moulton, Jarrett Self, Mary Dietz and Caitlyn McCullough; all of different cities across the United States. The surgeries were made possible through the partnership of KHMH, the Belize Spine Program (BSP) and the Resources for Medical Education and Collaboration (RMEC). RMEC is a US based non-profit organization, which collaborates with BSP to bring sustainable access to spine care for the Belizean population. The mission of the Belize Spine Program is to provide quality patient care, education for physicians and staff at KHMH and to provide technology that would otherwise not be available.

“Harvest for Kids: Planting Seeds of Hope”
By now you probably have heard about the “Harvest for Kids” initiative by Belize Camping Experience, a non-governmental organization, which is seeking to make a difference in the lives of Belizean children through summer camps and follow-up programs. The 40 acres of corn planted and designated to BCE’s “Harvest for Kids” project in San Carlos and Banana Bank is growing healthily. On August 18th, Belize Camping Experience took 22 of the children from their programs in Belize City to the field in San Carlos. On that day, the children not only got to learn more about what it takes to farm corn, but participate by hand harvesting some selected corn, which they boiled and enjoyed in a meal with farmers of the area. The children were also able to take up to 8 heads of corn home to share with their families. While the corn may be good to eat already, this corn is being left to mature longer so that it may be made into a product used for such purposes as corn tortillas and chicken feed. On the day of the Harvest, all are invited to watch Harvest for Kids set a record, doing something that has never be done before in Belize. They are expecting to have at least 10-15 combine machines harvesting 20 acres of land simultaneously. The harvest will take place some time in early October. Money made from the harvest and subsequent sale of the corn will go to subsidizing Belize Camping Experience’s program in Belize City. BCE’s programs include summer day camps, and follow-up programs in select elementary schools and children clubs around the city. This past summer BCE was able to reach 1,057 kids with their summer camp programs and they will now pursue follow-up with all of these kids during the school year. Belize Camping Experience is asking for your help in subsidizing the costs of this Harvest Project. While the labor and machinery has been donated the rest of the expenses will take away from the profit going to the children, unless caring citizens partner with them through donations. If you are interested in making a donation please contact Alexander Perez at: 621-5541 or Sashà Garnett at: 622-9239. Any size of donation will be appreciated.

Melonie Gillett, Berne Velasquez and Ernestine Carballo to be Honoured at SOUNDFEST 2012
Soundfest 2012 will be held on Friday, September 7th, at the Big Bird’s Isle. It is now one of the events that the average Belizean highlights on the September Celebrations Calendar. Soundfest brings all of the best Belizean entertainers together for one night to share one stage. This year, Soundfest will feature the Youth Connection Band, Love Vibration Band, Lucio and the New Generation Band, Jorge Ernesto Babb and Ivor Cacho, Radiance Thompson, Ben McKay, Fransin Murillo, Mr. Cleve and the Dream Girls Sugar City Dancers. Special Awards for the 11th annual Soundfest will go to Melonie Gillett, Berne Velasquez and Ernestine Carballo. Gillett has used her talents to take the music and fashion industry in Belize to another level. Velasquez has shown aspiring artist that success is possible in Belize. He has been doing big things in the music and film industry and is a legit local superstar. Carballo is one of the most dynamic entertainers in Belize’s history. She is one of few artists that have been able to make a splash in the political arena with her music. The three artists that will be honoured at Soundfest 2012 are well deserving of every accolades that may be bestowed upon them. They have made Belize proud. The show starts at 7 p.m. and entrance is $15 for adults and $5 for children. Entertainment will be family oriented and there will be plenty of food and drinks on sale. Everyone is encouraged to support.

UNICEF stresses Child’s Right to an Identity
On Wednesday, August 29th, the United Nations Children's Fund, in collaboration with Mrs. Kim Simplis-Barrow, Special Envoy for Women and Children and Global Ambassador for Special Olympics and the Vital Statistics Unit, launched a universal birth registration campaign at the Samuel Haynes Institute of Learning in Belize City. On September 2nd, 1990 the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child came into force. Belize as a signatory to the Convention is bound by international law to implement the Convention. Each country that ratifies the convention is required to report to, and appear before, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child periodically to be examined on their progress with regards to the advancement of the implementation of the Convention and the status of child rights in their country. Article 7 of that convention emphasizes a child’s right to an identity. The first step in establishing such identity is by registering the birth of a child. It is estimated that unregistered births range from about 2% in the Cayo District to about 12.4% in the Stann Creek District. The national birth registration drive was launched on February 24th of last year in the Toledo District, which was considered to be the most difficult district to cover. From Wednesday, August 29th, to Friday, August 31st, officials of the Vital Statistics Unit will be in different centers across Belize City to facilitate the registration process for residents of the city. Those locations are the Samuel Haynes Institute of Learning, Youth for the Future near Belchina Bridge, Sister Clara Muhammad Primary School, Young Men’s Christian Association building on Faber’s Road and the Vital Statistics Headquarters. The registration fee has been trimmed down to $3 during the exercise. Mrs. Barrow strongly urges parents to register their children because when a parent fails to register their child it is like “that child does not exist”. Failure to register a child affects that child’s other fundamental rights. An unregistered child has no nationality, right to an education, access to healthcare or other basic services.

Telemedia is National Softball Champion Again!
The 22nd Edition of the National Women’s Softball Championship, is now history. The championship, which concluded on Sunday, August 26th, 2012, was again captured by Belize Telemedia Ltd (BTL) when it defeated Mirage Lady Rebels by the score of 10-3 in five innings. Telemedia batting in the bottom of the 1st inning sent 7 batters to the plate when it tallied 3 runs. Centre-fielder, Lydia Cacho opened the inning with an infield hit and then advanced to second base on catcher Erlene Belisle’s infield hit. This then set the stage for the showdown between Telemedia’s third baseman, Norecia Frazer and Mirage Lady Rebels starter and loser Lanisha Jones, in which Norecia Frazer drilled a Lanisha Jones’ fastball over the left field fence for a 3-run homer. Lanisha Jones was able to retire the team without giving up any more runs in the inning. Unfortunately for her, the offence of the Telemedia team tagged into her again for an assortment of hits including a double by shortstop, Elaine Humes to centre field; a run-producing double by centre fielder Lydia Cacho, a run-producing triple by third baseman, Norecia Frazer and a run-producing single by pitcher Mary Flowers that chased her from the mound. Lanisha’s older sister, Lisa was called in to replace her and she came in and retired the next batter without any more damage.

Jesse Smith scored of the San Pedro Seadogs
Jesse Smith scored for the San Pedro Seadogs The 2012-2013 Premier League of Belize Football Competition opened on Saturday, August 25th, with two games on the schedule. In the game played out at the Isidorio Beaton Stadium in Belmopan, the visiting FC Belize blanked the home team by the score of 1-0. The only goal of the game was scored by Leon Cadle in the 87th minute of play to give FC Belize the victory. Meanwhile, out at the Norman Broaster Stadium in San Ignacio Town, Verdes FC blanked San Ignacio United FC by the score of 2-0. The goals for Verdes FC were scored by Julio Ayala in the 71st minute of play and Emanuel Martinez in the 90th minute of play. The competition continued on Sunday, August 26th, 2012, with four games on the schedule. At the San Felipe Football Field, the visiting San Pedro Seadogs defeated the home team San Felipe Barcelona by the score of 3-1. The visiting San Pedro Seadogs were the first to get on the scoreboard when Francisco Noralez scored the 1st goal of the game in the 7th minute of play to give his team an early lead. Meanwhile, the home team San Felipe Barcelona was able to get on the board when Elizar Itza scored the equalizing goal in the 54th minute of play. The San Pedro Seadogs were able to take another lead when Everette Genus scored the go-ahead goal in the 63rd minute of play for a 2-1 lead. That lead was never relinquished again by the defence of the San Pedro Seadogs for the rest of the game. The final goal of the game was scored by Jesse Smith in the 75th minute of play to give his team the 3-1 victory. In the game played out at the MCC Grounds in Belize City, the visiting Paradise/Freedom Fighters blanked the host team R.G. City Boys by the score of 1-0. The lone goal of the game was scored by Dion Moguel in the 91st plus minute of the game.

BDBA Firms competition to open this Friday night
The Belize District Basketball Association’s 2012 Firms competition is scheduled to open this coming Friday, August 31st, at Bird’s Isle in Belize City. The Firms Competition will feature the following teams in this year’s competition: Belize Water Services Ltd, Central Bank, Smart, Belize Telemedia (BTL), Airport, Bowen &Bowen;, Belize Electricity Ltd. (BEL), Port of Belize, Belize Bank, and Atlantic Bank. The Official Opening Ceremony is scheduled for Friday, August 31st, at 6:00 pm followed by the first of three games on the schedule. In game one, BWSL will go up against Central Bank, followed by Smart against BTL, and in the third and final game of the evening, it will be Airport against Bowen & Bowen.

Vega Cup Tournament rolls on in Orange Walk North
The 2012 Vega Cup Tournament continued on Sunday, August 26th, out in Trial Farm Village in the Orange Walk North Constituency. In the first game played, San Roman FC defeated San Luis FC by the score of 5-3. The goals for San Roman FC were scored by Adrian Armstrong in the 2nd, 8th, 30th and 35th minutes of play, while the goals for San Luis FC were scored by Teodoro Chan in the 16th minute of play and Erubiel Ku in the 38th and 41st minutes of play. In game two, San Pablo FC and defending champions Santa Cruz FC played to a 2-2 draw. In the third game of the afternoon, Old School FC blasted New River Dynamites by the score of 10-0. The goal scorers for Old School FC were Oliver Hendricks in the 18th, 27th, 32nd, 69th and 87th minutes of play; Vans Waight in the 23rd and 65th minutes of play; Marlon Miranda in the 30th and 40th minutes of play; and Jose Carlos Puerto in the 63rd minute of play. In the fourth and final game of the day, Untouchables FC edged Barrio Boys by the score of 2-1. The goals for Untouchables were scored by Alexander Cacho in the 12th minute of play, and Eliseo Garcia in the 50th minute of play, while the lone goal for Barrio Boys was scored by Ronel Flowers in the 9th minute of play. The competition will continue this coming Sunday, September 2nd with four more games on the schedule all Group B at the Trial Farm Football Field. In game one at 10:00 am, San Jose Survivors will go up against San Antonio Jaguars; followed by game 2 in which San Juan FC will go up against Douglas Galaxy. In game three, San Jose Pumas will see action against Blackwater FC, and in the final game of the day, it will be Athletics FC against United Ballers.

The Reporter

New gasoline prices through the Roof
Effective 12 midnight on Monday, August 27, the price of gasoline advanced to new heights – $11.95 a gallon for regular and $12.97 for premium gasoline. Diesel price remains stable at $10.17 a gallon. At the beginning of the year gasoline prices started out at $10.55 for regular and $10.90 for premium. Diesel was at $10.04.

“Complex” neighbourhood hot! 20 year old man shot and killed.
City Police have detained one man in their investigation of the murder of Miraldo Alvarez, 20, unemployed, who was gunned down near the junction of McKenzie Lewis Streets around 9:45 last Friday night, August 24.

Case dismissed! over missing marijuana.
Mark Sarcasa, 36, escaped a drug trafficking charge this week when Magistrate Anne Marie Smith dismissed the case on Tuesday, August 28, on grounds that the arresting officer, Detective Constable Palacio, had failed to follow proper police procedure for the custody of the seized drug.

The most effective form of democracy? The winner-takes-all system doesn’t represent everyone
According to the Election and Boundaries Department, there are 178,054 registered voters in Belize, of which only 73 percent (130,303) actually voted on Wednesday, March 7, 2012. Post-General Election figures showed that out of that 73 percent more than 1,400 ballots were rejected and that about 2,000 votes were in favour of independent or third party candidates; therefore, it is clear that the total number of votes received by Belize’s two major parties, the United Democratic Party (UDP) and the Opposition People’s United Party (PUP), was approximately 127,000 – which is roughly 71 percent of the total number of registered voters.

Belize Superbond: A fight to the debt
By Andrew Enriquez Former director and vice president of Bear Sterns & Co. Belize is currently in danger of re-defaulting on its debt after missing a US$23M interest payment due August 20, 2012 on the $544M USD bond it released on markets just 5 years ago, widely known as the “superbond.” Belize has a 30-day grace period before default is declared, but recent comments by the Finance Secretary suggest that Belize cannot afford to make the payment.

Motorists question PUMA’s diesel quality
Motorists have called in to various morning television talk shows to complain about the quality of diesel being sold at service stations in Belize of late. They claim that their vehicles’ response are not as peppy as before, and express the view that the substandard quality of the diesel is to blame.

SMART’s 3G hits out-of-the-park home run in telecom services
Smart tele-communications customers have been on a roll since the company launched its 3G network late last year. Since then, access to the information super highway has proven to be fast, and most Internet applications which stream data from cyberspace work flawlessly on the new network. There are no annoying breaks in the flow of data or delays from program buffering, especially Internet based radios and videos from sites such as Youtube. But that is only the beginning. Smart is continuing to create new, dynamic services to its more than 120,000 customers, breaking new ground in Belize’s telecom industry. One of the new additions to Smart’s line-up is its call roaming services for prepaid customers which the company launched last month. This is a first for Belize. Not only is the service available at a very low cost, but there is no need for customers to make a deposit to access the roaming service. Customers can even recharge their phones while roaming, by using Smart prepaid cards.

Murder for love
Calaney Flowers, 26, of Lavender Street, Belize City, was remanded to the Hattieville prison on Thursday after she drove her car over her ex-boyfriend, 29-year-old Lyndon Morrison and Morrison’s new flame, Sochyl Sosa.

GOB’s actions are “counterproductive,” bondholders say.
The “super-bond” restructuring negotiations may not have a speedy conclusion due to the “counterproductive, and adversarial actions” taken by the Government of Belize, said AJ Mediratta, the co-chair of the Bondholders Coordinating Committee.

Why postmenopausal women should say ‘No thanks’ to dessert
Post-menopausal women hoping to control their weight may be able to help themselves out by sticking to three simple rules: lay off the meat and cheese, eat more fruits and veggies, and skip dessert and sugary drinks. A new study, published Tuesday in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, aimed to find out how eating or avoiding specific foods made a difference in short and long-term weight loss results in women who had gone through menopause.

Genes may determine how we vote
The 2000 presidential election may have hung on some hanging chads, but new evidence suggests that a handful of genes may be influencing election outcomes more than we think. Genetic studies find that nature may be playing as significant a role as nurture when it comes to political traits. Certainly, learning and environmental factors play a role too in the development of political opinions, but new gene studies indicate that people may have natural tendencies when it comes to political ideology and partisanship, voting behavior and engaging in political violence.

Belize Telemedia women win National Softball Championship
Belize Telemedia women hammered the Mirage Lady Rebels 10-3 for a five-inning mercy rule victory to repeat as National Softball Champions at Rogers Stadium in Belize City on Sunday, August 26. Telemedia collected 10 hits off Lanesha Jones’ pitching. Lydia Cacho led the attack as she and Earlene Belisle scored after Norecia Fraser hit a home run in the first inning.

Scotiabank & Atlantic Bank win in Interoffice volleyball
Atlantic Bank, Scotiabank and Belize Telemedia enjoyed victories in the Belize City Interoffice Competition organized by the Belize District Volleyball Association at the Belize Elementary School Auditorium over the weekend. The Simon Quan Black Stars got some payback in their two- set victory over the Honeybees in Junior Female Volleyball Competition on Sunday afternoon, August 26. Stars’ Nyala Tun, Nandi Woods, Mia Miles and Alexis Burns hammered hits at the net on balls set by Alexandra Smith and Lediri Betson to reach 24-23 in the first set. Honeybees’ Merissa Williams, Leila Hernandez, Jenna Peck and Moesha Shaw counterattacked furiously spiking the Stars on balls set by Rebecca Price and Maria Contreras, but the Stars’ good defense forced the Honeybees into errors and the Stars won the first set 29-27.

Blogs

Birding in Belize's Toledo and Stann Creek Districts
Birding in Belize's Toledo and Stann Creek Districts 08/30/2012 0 Comments Birding in southern Belize is great fun and very productive, with many exotic specimens just waiting to show you their colors. We spent lots and lots of time looking for and watching birds on this seven-day trip and got quite a few new additions to our life lists, even though we certainly didn't get photos of all of them. We also saw many birds we'd seen before but never mind seeing again, like the exotic Montezuma Oropendola, this time hanging from its very interesting pendulous nest. This was right outside Hickatee Cottages, and very easy to spot, thanks to its distinctive call, appearance, and size. This is a BIG bird! Picture Montezuma Oropendola and nest While we were at Hickatee Cottages, Ian, the proprietor, presented us with a very thorough list of the birds of the Toledo district, keyed by whether each bird was a full-time resident, whether it had been previously sighted at Hickatee, and the likelihood of seeing it. This list was very helpful, especially if we were trying to determine a bird identification and were torn between two similar species, some with a very high likelihood of being seen, and some with a very low or nil likelihood. But let's back up a bit. Here are the birds we identified at Mama Noots or Mayflower Bocawina National Park, on the first half of our trip, in the Stann Creek District of Belize. Starred birds are new for our life lists. Photos we managed to catch are included below. Sure wish we'd gotten more! Black-Cowled Oriole* ~ Black-Headed Saltator* ~ Stripe-Throated Hermit ~ Chestnut-Colored Woodpecker* ~ Brown-Crested Flycatcher* ~ Purple-Crowned Fairy* ~ Ivory-Billed Woodcreeper* ~ Violacious Trogan ~ Great Kiskadee ~ Social Flycatcher ~ Rufous-Tailed Hummingbird ~ Smoky-Brown Woodpecker* ~ Buff-Throated Saltator* ~ Emerald Toucanet* ~ White-Collared Manakin* ~ Long-Billed Hermit ~ Yellow-Winged Tanager ~ Crimson-Collared Tanager(*Barry) ~ Masked Tityra* ~ Golden-Hooded Tanager(*Barry) ~ Blue-Black Grassquit* ~ Olive-Backed Euphonia* Picture Black-Headed Saltator Picture Blue-Black Grassquit (female)

Weather folklore blue moon
For all you sky watchers, we are about to experience a Blue Moon tomorrow night. The most common definition of a blue moon out there right now refers to it as the second full moon of a calendar month. I knew there had to be more behind it and Earth Sky science website provided me with the information below. The idea of a Blue Moon as the second full moon in a month stemmed from the March 1946 issue of Sky and Telescope magazine, which contained an article called “Once in a Blue Moon” by James Hugh Pruett. Pruett was using a 1937 Maine Farmer’s Almanac, but he simplified the definition. He wrote: Seven times in 19 years there were — and still are — 13 full moons in a year. This gives 11 months with one full moon each and one with two. This second in a month, so I interpret it, was called Blue Moon. EarthSky’s Deborah Byrd happened upon a copy of this old 1946 issue of Sky and Telescope in the stacks of the Peridier Library at the University of Texas Astronomy Department in the late 1970s. Afterward, she began using the term Blue Moon to describe the second full moon in a calendar month on the radio. Later, this definition of Blue Moon was also popularized by a book for children by Margot McLoon-Basta and Alice Sigel, called “Kids’ World Almanac of Records and Facts,” published in New York by World Almanac Publications, in 1985. The second-full-moon-in-a-month definition was also used in the board game Trivial Pursuit. Can there be two blue moons in a single calendar year? Yes. It last happened in 1999. There were two full moons in January and two full moons in March and no full moon in February. So both January and March had Blue Moons. The next year of double blue moons is coming up in 2018.

100% Made In San Pedro, Belize: Delicious Kakaw Chocolates
Yesterday I was a bit nervous. After dieting for seven weeks with rigor and perseverance that would impress most Olympic athletes, I was headed to south Ambergris Caye to visit Kakaw Chocolate factory. And when I returned? The "full house" of Belizean chocolate right there in my hand. Oh the temptation! But let's back up a bit...in fact, let's back up a lot. Belize has a long history of chocolate production. In fact, we may boast the longest in the world. Everyone's favorite flavor was actually first used by the Mayan and Aztec peoples thousands of years ago...some speculate as an ale of sorts made with the ground beans and the pulp that surrounds them. Belizean chocolate has come a long way since being served as a bitter beer. In much more modern times, mega-producer Hershey's Chocolate had a facility in Belize in the 1970s and 80s but left for cheaper production elsewhere. (Kakaw actually has one of the old Hershey's presses left in a garage in Southern Belize. Taller than me and weighing hundreds and hundreds of pounds, this machine is a beast! I shiver to think about how they actually got it to the island.) Famous organic producers Green & Black (now owned by Kraft) still buys cacao here for their Mayan Gold blend. You've probably seen those very bars at your local supermarket.

International Sources

Creditors question Belize's debt sustainability concerns
Creditors are asking the government of Belize to justify its restructuring proposals in light of what they see as contradictory information released earlier this year and a December IMF report that did not express any concerns about debt sustainability. “In the absence of comprehensive and consistent information, we are relying on the IMF Article IV published last December,” said a source close to the credit committee. “This report, which was issued in consultation with the Belize Government, did not even raise a concern about debt sustainability, so the committee is understandably curious about what has changed.” Belize missed a US$23m coupon payment on August 20, days after Prime Minister Dean Barrow said the country would be unable to make the payment. Creditors are still waiting for a formal response to proposals that could see them take a haircut of up to 80% on the net present value of their holdings. The government has until September 19, when the grace period ends. “We still have hopes it will be a 2012 restructuring, but that will need accommodation from each side,” said Sebastian Espinosa, managing director of White Oak Advisory, which is advising the government.

Creditors question Belize's concerns over debt sustainability
Creditors are asking the government of Belize to justify its restructuring proposals in light of what they see as contradictory information released earlier this year and a December IMF report that did not express any concerns about debt sustainability, Reuters reported. "In the absence of comprehensive and consistent information, we are relying on the IMF Article IV published last December," said a source close to the credit committee. "This report, which was issued in consultation with the Belize government, did not even raise a concern about debt sustainability, so the committee is understandably curious about what has changed." Belize missed a US$23 million bond interest payment on August 20 and creditors are still waiting for a formal response to restructuring proposals. The government has until September 19, when the grace period ends. However, one senior portfolio manager was skeptical last week, saying the final offer could be nearer 20 cents on the dollar, Reuters said. According to Reuters, the two sides appear to be far apart. The situation is exacerbated by approximately US$300m in additional liabilities in the form of compensation due to former shareholders of Belize's electricity and telecoms companies, which were nationalized between 2009 and 2011.

August 30, 2012

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The San Pedro Sun

20 community members trained in First Aid
A group of twenty participants from San Pedro are now properly trained in basic first aid. The training took place on Tuesday, August 28th at the Fido’s Courtyard and was organized by the San Pedro Branch of the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) and facilitated by the Belize Red Cross. The one day training was primarily for preschool teachers but had one member from a local commercial airline in attendance as well. According to the local NEMO Coordinator in San Pedro, Jeromey Timrose Augustine, the training was organized following a request by the teachers. “We received a request to coordinate the training in an effort to have teachers versed in community first aid so that they can be better able to deal with emergencies at their school,” explained Augustine. Teachers from all preschools in Ambergris Caye were invited to be a part of the training. The training was led by Winnie Parchue and Christbert Berry of the Belize Red Cross society. Speaking to The San Pedro Sun, First Aid Coordinator for the Belize Red Cross Winnie Parchue explained that, “The community first aid training is part of the disaster risk response project that is currently being implemented in the San Pedro Town area. This training will help teachers develop ways to deal with a medical emergency at school.” The participants received training on how to deal with scenarios such as unconsciousness, performing Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), choking, controlling bleeding and how to deal with broken bones.

Ambergris Today

Tres Pescados Slam Fishing Tournament Raises $14,000 for Bonefish Tarpon Trust in Belize
2012 Tres Pescados Slam Tournament Wrap-Up: On August 23, 2012, 42 anglers and guides descended upon San Pedro, Belize for the 4th Annual Tres Pescados Slam Tournament presented by El Pescador and Simms Fishing Products. The venue was beachfront and the Holiday Hotel served as the backdrop for this year’s three-day competition. Over the past few years this event has turned into Central America’s premier fly-fishing tournament. In the professional division 15 teams were pitted against each other and were competing for more than $8,000 in cash and prizes.

Grid Earth Project Returns to Bring More Lights to San Pedro
Ambergris Caye Directory Dining Out:Mambo Restaurant 0 inShare digg Email Sharebar News Icon August 29, 2012 - 00:00 Grid Earth Project Returns to Bring More Lights to San Pedro Audrey Cochran of Grid Earth Project distibutes solar lamps in San Mateo Area The Grid Earth Project, a US-based charity www.gridearth.org, returned to San Mateo recently to distribute solar powered LED lamps donated by the NW Rotary Club of Austin, Texas. The project visited San Mateo previously and distributed solar lamps to the children in San Mateo, however, the need was so overwhelming that the Grid Earth Project vowed to return to San Mateo with twice as many lamps. It is the mission of the Grid Earth Project to save lives, and improve health, educational and economic opportunities for those less fortunate. Millions of people die worldwide each year as a result of kerosene lamps, open flames and other alternate sources of household light. The Grid Earth Project replaces these with solar powered LED lamps.

Pre-School Teachers Brush Up on First Aid Training
Parents of preschoolers on the island will be more than happy to know that the teachers of their children received some First Aid training on Tuesday, August 28, 2012. The training came in part by the Belize Rural South District Emergency Coordinator and was facilitated by the Belize Red Cross. Sixteen pre-school teachers received proper training at Fido’s Courtyard on Basic First Aid by instructors Winnie Parchue and Christbert Berry of the Belize Red Cross. As teachers head back to classes next week, they now go back more prepared to handle medical emergencies that should arise at school.

Ambergris Today’s Kitty Rescue
I have to give much props to Saga Humane Society for their quick response during a kitty emergency I just recently had. Get this! Midway through my drive to meet up with friends I heard the cry of a kitten coming from within the vehicle. To my surprise a very skinny and weak little kitten was trapped underneath my car somewhere within the chassis and moving parts of the steering mechanism. Luckily the kitten was not crushed to death. But it took about half an hour of coaxing to finally retrieve the startled animal. Many thanks to Argeni Santoya (bartender at Wayo’s Beachside Beernet), Coconut Leo (who happened to be nearby), Gerry and my friend Erin de Santiago (who provided these pictures) who all helped me. Another generous lady who was sitting at the bar also offered to bathe the cat and give it some food.

Misc Belizean Sources

ERI Staff Receiving Training
The staff from the Environmental Research Institute has been doing a lot of training internationally. Last month, ERI Botanist German Lopez was in El Salvador where he received 1-week field training in the establishment of Permanent Sample Plots within agroforestry systems. This month, Ivanna Waight and Nicole Weatherburne went to Panama to take a GIS and Remote Sensing course. "“It was a remarkable course! I really appreciated that both theory and practical sessions were incorporated into the course. I look forward to applying the skills and knowledge gained to my work at the ERI."

Western Regional Hospital is Mother-Baby Friendly
The Western Regional Hospital got certified as Mother-Baby Friendly, and they had a great turnout for the ceremony. "A very nice Mother-Baby Friendly Certification Ceremony at the western Regional Hospital was held this morning. There were moms talking about the benefits of breast feeding, nurses, Minister of Health, Representative from unicef & many other people. They shared jingles that they came up with during their training (about 96 % of the staff - clinical & non-clinical were trained: 170+ persons). Awards were issued as well as pins to the audience. They also explained the significance of the pin. Can you guess what it is?"

SIRH Hosts Taiwanese Vice President
The VP of Taiwan had an exquisite lunch at the SIRH with Sir Colville Young and the MoFA during his visit to Cayo. "Vice President Wu was greeted by the Governor General of Belize, Sir Colville Young and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In reflection of esteemed welcome to Vice President Wu, the Governor General of Belize, Sir Colville Young requested a luncheon in his honor at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel. In preparation for the welcome of such prestigious dignitaries the San Ignacio Resort Hotel once again launched its 'Operation Protocol.'"

Channel 7

Woman Allegedly Knocked Down And Drove over Her Baby's Daddy
Since 2010, there have been two cases of women killing their boyfriends or husbands - and tonight there is another: a woman accused of killing her baby's daddy. 29 year-old Lyndon Morrison was knocked down and killed last night - and all sources say it's his baby's mother who did it. At the time, he was on a motorbike with his new girlfriend - and she was seriously injured. 7News has been following the story, and even though the families didn't want to talk, here's what we found out today: Daniel Ortiz Reporting From this angle, the red car on your screen looks as though it's just parked waiting for the owner to get in and leave. But police say that this vehicle was used as a weapon to kill 29 year-old Lyndon Morrison, and injure his current girlfriend Sochyl Sosa. And the woman who police say intentionally knocked them down is none other than Morrison ex-girlfriend, and the mother of his child, 26 year-old Calaney Flowers. The vehicle looks as though it is in excellent condition, but closer inspection shows telling signs of the violent accident which happened last night.

Prison Authorities Say John Chessman Wanted To Break Out
John Chessman was remanded to prison on August 13, accused of pulling the trigger in the remorseless murder of shopkeeper Jian Tao Yang. It is not Chessman's first time in prison: the 22 year old has spent long periods of his short life in custody awaiting trail for three different murder raps - all of which he beat. So he's had enough of jail and now, prison authorities believe he tried to escape from the Supermax area on Sunday night. The CEO of the Prison Earl Jones today confirmed that three prison officers have been released for suspected involvement in a plot to allow Chessman's escape. Jones only told us it was negligence on their part and didn't go into details, but 7news has learned that on Sunday night, a prison guard who came unto duty discovered that the door to Chessman's cell was not properly locked. The officers were tasked to ensure that they locked the door for the cell and that was not done. Prison authorities have concluded that three officers were deliberately negligence in leaving the cell open so that Chessman could escape on Sunday night.

What's The Real Cost Of Fuel Imported Into Belize?
PUMA energy recently came into Belize to replace Esso as the country's monopoly importer of fuels. And tonight it is under scrutiny because pump prices are the highest they have ever been - almost thirteen dollars a gallon for premium gas in the city - and that's because Government reduced its tax take by 25 cents! If not, it would have been $13.22 per gallon for premium in the city and almost 13.50 in Punta Gorda. Wow! So how did we get to this astronomically high price? Indeed, world fuel prices are high - but 7news has been digging down into the numbers - and it seems that PUMA energy may be biting off a little more than it should. The current shipment of fuel was shipped on August 21st. and according to the Platt's index, on that day the US Gulf Coast Price for a gallon of premium $3.2925 US dollars. But then PUMA puts a standard premium or offshore margin unto that price - which brings what's known as the FOB Price to approximately 3.55 US dollars per gallon. But that's a premium of almost 28 cents US per gallon! Those we spoke to say that margin should be there, but it should only be about 9 cents US per gallon. We asked PUMA for comment and they only told us that, quote, "we kindly urge you to connect with the Ministry of Finance of Belize before running a new story based on the information..."

Coast Guard Grabs Over A Mil In Cocaine
Tonight, the coast Guard has confirmed that there was a major million dollar cocaine find made on the Southern seas. According to the Ministry of National Security, at around 9 o'clock this morning, a Coast Guard vessel patrolling the Turneffe area found a bale of cocaine, wrapped in a crocus sack, which washed up onto the beach. The officers took possession of it and transported it to the Coast Guard Headquarters, where it was discovered that the bail contained 35 packages, all to a total weight of 47.45 Kilograms - or 104.5 pounds - of cocaine, which was confirmed by the forensics department. This has an estimated street value of more than a million Belize dollars. The drugs are now in the custody of the police department, and it is expected that it will be destroyed at the earliest convenience.

Teenager Stabbed In Cayo Fight
Tonight, a sixteen-year-old minor is hospitalized at the KHMH - after he was stabbed in his home early this morning. The incident happened in Santa Elena Town - a little before one this morning. Roni Banos was at home with his family - when a young man identified to them as Francis Neal arrived at his house to look for his baby mother- who was there spending the night. According to family members, Neal got in altercation with the young woman and while Banos and his brother tried to defend the woman, that was when Neal pulled out a knife and stabbed the 16 year old once to the right side of his chest. He then fled the scene - while Banos had to be rushed to the San Ignacio Hospital and later transported to the KHMH. We found out about his condition today: Ramon Banos - Father "I was downstairs with them. We were all together but I then went to bed. I understand that this guy came into my yard because his girlfriend was there. I understand that he was trying to take away the baby from the girl. So, my two sons were there, and I think that they were trying to defend and avoid. They were trying to help the young lady. That's what I understand because I wasn't at the scene. But I heard a lot of shouting, and that's when I jumped out of my bed. I shouted at the guy, and when I came out, he was already running. They told me that my son got stabbed, so I didn't follow him. I went to go tend to my son. I put him in a truck, and we rushed him to the San Ignacio hospital."

A Harvest Of Hope For City Kids Living In Squalor
A group called the Belize Camping Experience has been working on a fascinating project called the Harvest For Kids. So far, one thousand and fifty seven Belize City kids have been involved in summer camps and now they are preparing for a major harvesting events. Organizer Alexander Perez says it's a way to broaden the perspectives of city children. His organization asks farmers for land, machinery and labour while he provides seed, fertilizer and chemicals. So far they have gotten 40 acres near Belmopan and twenty acres in Orange Walk for the children to get involved in. He tells us that the experience has been transformative: Alexander Perez - Director, Belize Camping Experience "The question was, can we study to be farmers? Can I study to drive a machine, or fix one like that? I said that you do have that opportunity. The career is there, but in Belize City, it has never been heard of, young people being farmers. That has been key to know that these children are now dreaming to be farmers, the 20 kids who are now experiencing planting, seeding, and harvesting. They are now saying that they want to live out in the districts. They don't want to their family to grow up in this neighborhood, or live on the swamp. They can actually plant on good grounds if they live in the outside. Now, 20 kids have been experiencing going in the fields, on the day of the planting, the day we put fertilizer, and just a week ago, when we took the kids to pull corn from the plants, right into the pot, and eat it right on the farm. Jules, you should have seen the face of the kids. Some of them couldn't believe it, that you literally can cultivate if you plant."

Mas Camp Madness 2012
The Carnival is set for Saturday September eighth - and that means that right now the various Carnival Camps are in high gear, finalizing elaborate costumes and cultivating that wild spirit to unleash it on the streets when the big day comes around. Last night Monica Bodden visited a few of those camps and here's her report: Monica Bodden Reporting With carnival only 10 days away - The carnival fever continues as these bands finish up the last minute touches on their costumes and strengthen their dancing techniques. Our first stop last night was at the Sunshine Masqueraders Mas Camp where 46 revelers - all energized - gave us a peek at what we can expect on Carnival day. Marilyn Young - Band Leader, Sunshine Masqueradors "We are portraying the Mayan Heritage. We're doing their culture. Our costumes - the king and queen - will be Moon God, and Rain God."

UNICEF Sponsors Registration For Disadvantaged Children
UNICEF and The Vital Statistics Unit are teaming up in a drive to achieve universal birth registration of the most disadvantaged children in Belize. Simply put, the idea is to mobilize communities to register children who slip through the cracks and never get registered. The programme targets unregistered children under the age of 18 with the goal of achieving universal birth registration in Belize by 2015. Today the Belize City programme was launched and UNICEF"s country representative explained how you can participate: Christine Norton - UNICEF Representative "Belize have on average, some 7,000 children being born every year. Yet, still, when you look at the registration, really not 7,000 children are appearing to be registered. And they are not having a social security card, or an identity card. As my colleagues already mentioned, the importance of this is precisely that every child born in Belize has an identity, a recognized identity in Belize, a name, and a chance to have a nationality. The point is that today, we're in Southside, and I think that we have a great opportunity to close the gap in Southside. So, everybody who's listening to this, please come out, if you know that you're in a situation where you have incomplete registration, where you have a desire to register children born in Belize, because that is the important - all children born in Belize should be registered. We have even registered some adults because we realize that some people fell through the cracks. We'll help you. So do come, we have 5 centers. Sammuel Haynes is 1, Youth for the Future, the YMCA, - you can also go to the main Vital Statistics Office, which is on Gabourel Lane. We have Clara Muhammad Muslim School."

Mystery Boat Was In a Trans-Atlantic Race
On Friday we told you about a weird looking vessel that had washed up on the beach at northern Ambergris. We didn't know quite what to make of it, but tonight there is an answer. The San Pedro Sun reports that the vessel is named Lydia Rose and was being used in the Ocean Pedal Challenge by a team which was attempting to pedal across the Atlantic. However, on day four of their challenge, the crew began experiencing bad weather conditions at sea and had to be rescued via helicopter abandoning the vessel.

Channel 5

35 parcels of cocaine, 1.8 million fished in sea near Turneffe
Close to two million Belize dollars worth of cocaine was found this morning in the area of the Turneffe Atoll. The drugs were taken in by the Belize Coast Guard for processing at their headquarters. Interestingly, the bale carried the markings, PZ, which is the same as those on three parcels of cocaine found last [...]

Driven to murder; ex drives over baby daddy and his girlfriend
An Atlantic bank employee is in police custody tonight. She is being detained for killing twenty-nine year old Lyndon Morrison, the father of her child. Calaney Flowers is likely to be charged with Morrison’s murder. She allegedly followed him and his girlfriend, Sochyl Sosa on Tuesday night and drove her car into them in the [...]

Santa Elena resident, 16 years, stabbed to the chest
A sixteen year old Santa Elena resident is under observation at the K.H.M.H. after he was stabbed to the chest early this morning at his house. Roni Baños was in his yard on Tuesday night socializing with relatives when he was injured. It happened at around twelve-thirty a.m. when he intervened in to stop a [...]

Principal Willacey won’t face charges
Norman Willacey, the former Pastor of the Belmopan Baptist Church, will not face any charges before the courts for carrying on a sexual relationship with a sixteen year old student. When the scandal broke, over a week ago, Willacey, a high ranking member of the Belize Baptist Association, had to resign. Speculation about whether Willacey [...]

Pan Caribbean partnership’s Study on HIV/Aids
The number of new infections of persons affected with HIV/AIDS has been on the decrease, but for those affected, stigma and discrimination remain the number one hurdle. A conference is taking place on this sensitive issue and the results of a survey show that police and the church are the major perpetrators. Another finding is [...]

PG man; accident or murder victim?
The investigation continues into the death of eighteen year old Santiago Bol. On Monday, we told you how the body of the PG resident was discovered on the road in that southern district. Initial investigations into Bol’s death had the markings of foul play, as Inspector Ernel Dominguez told us in an interview on Tuesday. [...]

Belizean companies will be allowed in gold panning area
Friends for Conservation and Development has been at the front lines against gold panning in the Chiquibul by Guatemalan nationals. When the illegal activities were first reported, there was a huge hue and cry because about three hundred Guatemalans were operating well within the national park. In an update to that story, the Department of [...]

Mesoamerican Territorial Information System handed over to Belize
Since 2010, government leaders of Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Mexico, Colombia and the Dominican Republic have been meeting and working on the Mesoamerican Territorial Information System (SMIT). It’s a tool that was created to allow countries in the region to share territorial information on risks, preparation and response to natural [...]

Bacchanal, mas camps in full swing for Carnival Season
The September celebrations are fast approaching, the hottest ticket for the season has got to be the carnival. Mas camps got underway on Tuesday night to give the judges an opportunity to view the colorful and intricate costumes that have been under preparation for months; it all leads to the grand road march on September [...]

The Belize Camping Experience
Over a thousand Belize City kids participated in summer activities by an organization called the Belize Camping Experience. The camps finished last week, but the coordinators do follow up visits with the participants throughout the year to offer mentoring and whatever assistance they may need in school. Like many summer programs, the Belize Camping Experience [...]

Superstar performances at the Bliss
Channel Five is in search of the Next Superstar! Every Tuesday night, a pool of talent in all genres of the creative arts from across the country converge at the Bliss, bringing to you show-stopping presentations in dance, singing and drama. When Group A took the stage on Tuesday night, two were eliminated and there [...]

LOVE FM

Southern Area Representatives Return From Working Visit in Texas
Area Representatives of the Toledo and Stann Creek Districts have completed a recent working visit to Houston Texas. Correspondent Paul Mahung reports. PAUL MAHUNG Toledo Correspondent Love FM “During the visit Toledo West Representative Hon. Osca...

Another Shooting in the City
A shooting incident last night left one man injured. According to police reports, they visited the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital last night where they saw Omar Martinez suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to his left ankle. The incident occurred around 9:45 last night. ...

LOVE TV

Bond holders say they want more info from Barrow administration
Members of the super bond renegotiation team say they remain confident that an amicable resolution of Belize’s call for better payment terms on the nation’s foreign debt will be forthcoming soon. But a report today by Reuters News Agency puts the Belizean officials on the spot, accusing the government of not releasing enough information for bond holders to be able to make informed decisions. According to the Reuters reports, the bond holders are saying that no meaningful talks can take place about renegotiating the super bond until the government of Belize comes up with more information. Although Belizean officials are confident of a negotiated solution, no time table for a new deal has been set. And a statement issued today by the committee formed to represent bond holders, makes it clear that the government of Belize has not provided requested information in order for bond holders to understand why Belize failed to make the August twentieth coupon payment and the Prime Minister maintaining that Belize could not afford to service the debt. It its statement, the bond holders committee described the missed coupon payment by the Barrow administration as unnecessarily provocative and furthermore putting up restructuring options without any discussion. Mike Gerard, who is the managing director of the advisory committee BroadSpan, is quoted as saying, quote: “We … need to receive from the (government) the information necessary to complete our analysis before meaningful discussions can take place,” end of quote. The Reuters News agency report ends by saying that bondholders said they wanted to agree on a new debt sustainability analysis with Belize, noting that the International Monetary Fund’s 2011 report on the country’s finances had not flagged a looming payment problem.

Accused man beats drug trafficking charges
Thirty-six year old Mark Sacasa, charged with drug trafficking for 51 point seven pounds of cannabis, was freed of the charge today when Chief Magistrate, Ann Marie Smith dismissed it because the arresting officer detective constable Palacio, did not follow procedure in the chain of custody of the cannabis. The incident occurred on December 7, 2011. The police intercepted a brown car that was coming from the direction of Belmopan at a checkpoint in Hattieville. When they searched the trunk of the car they found a sack that had the word, “El Quetzal” on it that contained the cannabis. Sacasa, the driver of the car, was arrested and charged. The case for the prosecution fell apart when Palacio testified that he handed the cannabis over to the Anti Drug Unit exhibit keeper and he gave a statement on December 7, 2011 that on December 8, 2011 he took samples of the cannabis and gave them to the National Forensic Laboratory and handed the samples to the national exhibit keeper. There was a gap in the chain of custody, so the sack of cannabis and the samples were not admitted as exhibits. As a result the charge was dismissed. Sacasa was represented by attorney Arthur Saldivar. Sergeant Dennis Miles represented the prosecution.

Policeman chopped in the chest
An off-duty policeman was chopped in the chest during an altercation in San Pedro town on Saturday night. The victim has been identified as police constable Alfonso Guerra. According to police reports, PC Guerra was performing special duties at an establishment on Sea Grape Drive in San Pedro town, when he observed two men fighting. One of the men, identified as twenty four year old Francisco Dominguez was reportedly armed with a machete, and when PB Guerra intervened to try and defuse the situation, Dominguez reportedly took a swing at the officer with his machete. While PB Guerra was able to avoid the first wing of the machete, a second swing by Dominguez found its mark on the left side of PC Guerra’s chest. The official police report says that when PC Guerra fell to the ground, the machete wielding Dominguez reportedly stood over him and was apparently about to chop him again when it is reported that a bystander stoned him with a bottle hitting him to his head. Dominguez then fled the scene. Police investigation continues.

Belize City man shot in the ankle
A shooting incident last night left one man injured. According to police reports, they visited the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital last night where they saw Omar Martinez suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to his left ankle. The incident occurred around 9:45 last night. Martinez was at his house with his common-law wife and a friend when a dark complexioned male person approached them from the nearby bushes and fired six shots in their direction injuring Martinez on his ankle. Martinez was transported to the K.H.M.H where he was treated and released. Police continue to investigate the incident.

National AIDS Commission targets discrimination
Stigma and discrimination are buzz words often times used to dissuade people from judging or displaying scorn at certain groups of persons or individuals simply for their lifestyles or illnesses from which they may be suffering. But tonight and for the next two years, stigma and discrimination will be anything but buzz words to the National AIDS Commission. In fact, they are what the Commission wants to completely stomp out of people’s vocabulary and behavioural mode. The National AIDS Commission will focus for the next two years on reducing the level of stigma and discrimination among people to a zero degree status. At a launching ceremony tonight at the Belize Biltmore Plaza, the Commission will unveil its plan which is entitled, “Getting to Zero 2012-2014”. It will come as part of a conference with relevant parties who deal with people suffering from HIV and AIDS. Executive Director of the National AIDS Commission Secretariat, Doctor Martin Cuellar, say that while the Commission would like to see everybody disassociates him or herself with being judgmental or condescending upon people with HIV and AIDS, there is also the legal aspect of that issue, but getting the population to understand that it does not pay to discriminate is important. Cuellar says that the conference will reveal some surprising details over a recent study conducted on the issue of stigma and discrimination. Tonight’s launching and conference begins at seven o’clock at the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel.

All public hospitals now baby friendly
The Ministry of Health this week announced that Belize has now completed the cycle of upgrading public hospitals to the Mother and Baby Friendly status. It is an international ten-step initiative promoted by the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF. Belize started on its quest to meet the international requirements in 2008 with the declaration of the Karl Heusner Memorial, Corozal Community and Northern Regional hospitals as certified Mother and Baby Friendly facilities. Nurse Ann Matute is the senior public health nurse under the maternal and child health unit of the Ministry of Health. According to an official release from the Ministry of Health, the certification ceremonies will be held on Wednesday morning at the Western Regional in Belmopan in the afternoon at the San Ignacio Community Hospital. The Mother and Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative is a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund to encourage and recognize hospitals that offer an optimal level of care for infant feeding.

South area representatives back from the USA
Area Representatives of the Toledo and Stann Creek Districts have completed a recent working visit to Houston Texas. Correspondent Paul Mahung reports.

PlusTV

Government redefines the word "spouse" in most Liberal definition ever
We almost missed it, but the Opposition’s senators informed the church senator only a few minutes before today’s Se...

Will decriminalization of Marijuana reduce Police and Court work?
A committee has been commissioned with the responsibility of galvanizing the general consensus of the Belize societ...

VOICE advocates for Universal pension for older persons
VOICE is an organization that advocates for the rights of older persons in our society. The organization was offici...

Belize Bond Investor meeting produces no results
Investors holding Belize bonds met in Washington, D.C., last week Friday with officials from the International Mone...

Moodys' Investors Service further downgrades Belize's financial ratings
In related news Moody's Investors Service has lowered Belize's local currency bond and deposit ceilings to B2 from ...

Teenage cancer victim dies leaving family with whopping health bills
The case of cancer victim 19 year-old Shayna Lightfoot had been in the news for a couple of weeks. Lightfoot was re...

Belize Gas prices spike upward
Back in May there was noticeable drop in the price of premium fuel. On Sunday night however fuel prices took a big ...

Will Miss Belmopan get to compete in National Queen of the Bay?
We broached the issue of Ms. Belmopan - Queen of the Bay 2012 – 2013 last night. Jasmine Arce is scheduled to repre...

Night ambush lands a Belize City man in the hospital
Police visited the K.H.M.H. last night where they saw Omar Martinez suffering from a gunshot wound to his left ank...

Two houses in Belize City burn to the ground
Two houses in Belize City burn to the ground. Jaslyn Godoy of #40 Iguana Street reported that at 11:30am on Saturda...

Police shoot man stealing steel in the leg
On Saturday morning (August 25) Police responded to a theft in progress on Marine Parade. Police on patrol responde...

Caye Caulker Chronicles

Photo of the Week: GO SLOW on Caye Caulker!!
A couple of our island’s Taxi Drivers take a break from their busy schedule!! What a fine day it is to relax and just simply GO SLOW!!

Liberty Tours offering sailing trips from Caye Caulker!
Liberty Tours is a locally owned and operated tour shop in Caye Caulker. Mr. Edwardo Arceo is a well-known business person on the island. Liberty Tours office is located in the heart of Caye Caulker right next to the famous Roses Grill and Bar. Our office hours are from Monday to Sunday 7am-7pm. We offer Sailing tours that will make a memorable experience. Our Sailing trips are unique and adventurous. Liberty tours offers a variety of tours to suite your vacation budget. We do Sailing trips to the different islands around our jewel Belize. Either it’s three nights or a one night camping on the island. Our Sunset Cruise is breath taking, you enjoy the magnificent sunset as you sail away! Liberty tours also offers Fishing Sailing trips as well, which is quite an adventure. All our tours are done with two professional and well-experienced tour guides. They are always eager and happy to make your trip an unforgettable one!

New Caye Caulker R. C. School building ready for school year!
Caye Caulker is never short of having great news for the Community and the newest development on the island was having a much needed additional school building at CCRCS. This past Sunday, August 25, 2012, the two spanking new school buildings were blessed by Auxiliary Bishop of Belize City and Belmopan, Christopher Glancy, who also officiated Sunday’s Mass at Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion Church, well attended by members of the community. The new classrooms will house two Std. 1 classes, very much needed for the school so as to avoid the overcrowding of classrooms. Members of the Caye Caulker Lobster Fest Committee also contributed much needed desks, chairs and fans to the two classrooms just in time for the new school year. Matthew Badillo was present to hand over the furniture and fans, which were bought from the proceeds of this year’s Lobster Fest, another successful fete for Caye Caulker in 2012. He continued to pledge his Committee’s assistance to projects that require much needed assistance in the future including Caye Caulker R.C. School. Mrs. Beatrice Chan, Principal of CCRCS was very thankful and humbled to receive the much needed furniture on behalf of the school and thanked Bishop Glancy for his presence and his blessing on the 2 new classrooms. Fathers of students took out time to volunteer their services to paint the school building with the vibrant blue and bone colors.

Blogs

September in Belize is THE Best: There is Still Time!
I have written about why I think you should be here for Independence Day, September 21st, in Belize before. But I think visiting Belize in September is a decision your won't regret. I know that it is tough. The kids are easing back into school, the weather is still summery so maybe you aren't longing for a tropical location complete with white beach, hammock and pina colada YET. But there are really lots of amazing reasons to visit San Pedro and the whole country of Belize in September. It's my favorite month. So let me see if I can talk you into a last minute trip. Airfares and Lodging Prices are historically at the lowest of the year: I just check prices for the third week of September. $580 round-trip from the NYC area. $536 from Calgary, Canada. Everyone has their own search engine, I'm a big fan of Kayak.com. Just check...it can't hurt to just check... Here is the view on your flight over to Ambergris Caye. (Flight over Caye Caulker on Tropic Air.) All hotels in Belize will have "low season" rates. If you don't see them on your favorite hotel's website, send them an email. I bet you can even get a great deal on renting a golf cart...again, just ask. Your excursions won't be crowded There are so many great trips to take when you visit the island. Snorkeling to Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley, diving (of course), sailing to our sister island, Caye Caulker, cave tubing on the mainland. Don't worry that you will be jockeying for a spot on a crowded catamaran or getting kicked in the face by some rookie snorkeler at Shark Ray Alley, September is the month to get great deals and feel like excursions were sent out just for you.

Actun Tunichil Muknal Classic Articl
e This is a classic review of ATM. Great for the pictures, of which new ones are few and far between now, and the story, which has a well written postscript about how the experience wouldn't be the same anywhere else. Pacz gets an honorable mention, as do Patrick Warrior and Carlos Panti. "In other, more 'developed' countries, a comfortable dry tunnel would no doubt have been blasted through from the 'show caves' to the Visitors Centre and they'd be putting a thousand visitors a day through here along roped walkways to look at what remained of the artifacts after the museums had taken their cut. Of course, that would make the visit more comfortable and accessible but you'd miss out on a wonderful life enhancing adventure and the sense of awe and mystery that touched us would feel somewhat 'canned' if you felt it at all."

60 Scholarships Get Funded
Feelgood story of the week! The BNE Charitable Trust has teamed up with Restore Belize, and provided $400,000 towards scholarships to high school. Thanks! "But there’s some good news; sixty students are getting a shot at a secondary education through a partnership of Restore Belize and the B.N.E. Charitable Trust. The students will be a part of the 'I am Belize' Scholarship Program and by extension will get internship and mentorship opportunities. Last week, B.N.E. Trust handed over a four hundred thousand dollar cheque for investment in the students’ education, beginning this academic year."

International Sources

Lidar archaeology shines a light on hidden sites
If you think archaeologists spend all the time with trowel in hand in a muddy ditch then it’s time to think again. More and more are using sophisticated aircraft-mounted lasers, and it is opening up a new age of discovery. For the best part of 25 years, archaeologists Arlen and Diane Chase slogged through the thick undergrowth in the west of Belize in search of an ancient city whose details had been lost to the passage of time and the decay of the jungle. The going was tough, often requiring a machete to clear a path through the dense vines and creepers that blocked their way. Over time, their perseverance paid off as their hand-drawn maps began to reveal long-forgotten parts of the massive Mayan city of Caracol. But the more the pair found, the more they realized the extent of what remained uncovered. It would take several lifetimes, they figured, to reveal the true extent of Caracol. Then, in 2008, they got talking to a biologist colleague at the University of Central Florida where they worked. For years, he had been using airborne laser sensors known as Lidar (Light Detection And Ranging) to map and study forests and other vegetation. He suggested they give it a go.

Pair’s pedalo washes up in Belize
AN OCEAN pedalo that was abandoned at sea by a Whitehaven duo part way into a cross-Atlantic challenge has been found washed up on a tropical beach on the Caribbean country of Belize. Friends Kieran Sweeney and Callum McDonald were forced to abandon their pedalo – the Lydia Rose – when they were winched to safety by a helicopter after running into difficulties 300 miles into the 3,000-mile planned journey from Gran Canaria to Barbados in February. Now, more than six months later, the pedalo has been discovered off the coast of Ambergris Caye, the largest island in Belize – over 4,000 miles away from where it was abandoned. The local newspaper, The San Pedro Sun, reports the anti-drugs unit of the Belize Police Department was initially called amid suspicions that the craft had been used to transport narcotics.

Belize opposition supports renegotiation of superbonds
The main opposition People’s United Party (PUP) says it backs the decision of the Dean Barrow government to seek to renegotiate the restructuring of its US$544 million superbond with investors. “We have not been briefed by the government on this matter. They (government) have not shared with us any official information. You know but having said that, our position we believe, as a responsible opposition is to act in good faith on this issue,” said PUP leader Francis Fonseca. “We believe it is an absolutely critical issue for Belize’s development and Belize’s future. “So our position is very clear, we want the bond renegotiation exercise to succeed and whatever we can do as an opposition to assist we are prepared to do,” he added. A delegation headed by Ambassador Mark Espat has already visited Washington for talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the issue and Governor of the Central Bank, Glen Ysaguirre said the first face to face meeting with the bondholders is expected to be convened next month and a definitive offer should be on the table by the middle or ending of September. Belize is currently trying to renegotiate its foreign debts with creditors and has offered them a three-pronged payment plan, which involves an extension of the payment period on the super bond well beyond the 2029 maturity date. The Barrow administration said that the Step-Up Bond due 2029 contains a collective action clause that permits the holders of 75 per cent of the bonds either to amend the terms or approve a complete exchange of that bond for a new instrument or instruments. “The Government is currently disinclined to close a restructuring transaction unless that 75 per cent threshold has been reached.”

Belize starts mapping exercise to improve citizen security
A mapping exercise has been launched by the government of Belize as part of a coordinated strategy to address security issues through foreign cooperation according to an official press release issued today. Being mapped-out during the exercise are ongoing programs and planned initiatives that the Government of Belize intends to undertake in the short, medium and long term. The mapping-exercise comes out of a meeting of the Donor Coordinating Group on Citizen Security conducted last Thursday, August 23, at the US Embassy Conference Room in Belmopan, that meeting being a follow-up to a previous high-level meeting that was held on July 13 at the NEMO Conference Room in Belmopan. Last Thursday’s meeting was attended by Chief Executive Officers in coordinating ministries, namely Audrey Wallace, Office of the Prime Minister; George Lovell, Ministry of National Security; Yvonne Hyde, Ministry of Economic Development; Alexis Rosado, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Judith Alpuche, Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation.

August 29, 2012

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El Pescador Fishing Report, Week of August 19th – August 25th , 2012
WHAT GUESTS WERE CATCHING: BONEFISH: Lots of bonefish as usual – Mary landed her first ever bonefish as did Billy. Mary was fishing with Capt. Luis while Billy was out with Capt. Vince. Everyone caught bonefish each day. The biggest just around 4 pounds. PERMIT: On Monday, his first day out, long time guest Adam M. landed a permit warming up for the tournament with Capt. Emir. Tony, his teammate got one to eat but didn’t get it in. Repeat guest Dave D. warmed up for the tourney with Capt. Carlos on Wednesday and landed a permit – his first permit here at EP! Victor Landed a good 12-pound permit with Capt Kechu. For tournament points, Team Reel Women fishing out of EP landed a permit on their first day out. Congrats to team Reel Women (our own Lori-Ann and Diane) who fished with Capt, Tomas. Team Yellowdog also fished out of EP as well, Ian and Keith fished hard but could not repeat their second place finish of last year but finished strong on Saturday with a permit to the boat...

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

Blue Reefers are the 2012 Tres Pescados Grand Slam winners
The fourth annual Tres Pescados tournament took place with great success over the weekend. The three days of sun and bluer skies provided perfect weather for the yearly anticipated tournament. With a grand prize of $4,000BZ on the line, anglers hailing from near and far headed out to sea daily, some as early as 4:30AM! The objective of the game was to capture the most “Grand Slams”, i.e.: All three fish –Bone fish, Tarpon and Permit. Competition commenced early Thursday morning with 15 boats and some 36 anglers signed up for the tournament. Teams went out daily and brought photos of their catch of the day. Points were tallied and added daily, eventually leading up to the award ceremony on Saturday night, August 25th. Caprice Bar and Grill saw some 50 or more fishermen along with their family members and friends gathered for the cocktail dinner party followed by the award ceremony. In third place with zero slams but the most points and taking home Bze$1,500 was Team Pesca with 1150 points. In second place, capturing one grand slam over the three days was Team Fly Treks, which took home Bze$2,500. And the grand prize winners, capturing two slams over the three days, and winning Bze$4,000 were, the Blue Reefers.

Belize to host historic, high-level CRFM/OSPESCA Meeting
Belize will host a historic, high-level ministerial meeting which will see as many as 25 countries from two regional fisheries organizations—tasked to promote cooperation and policy coordination in addressing transboundary fisheries matters—converge at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City, from Monday, September 3 to Tuesday, September 4, 2012, as they chart a comprehensive course for future collaborative action. The joint meeting will bring together 17 CARICOM member and associated member states of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), and 7 members of the Organization for Fisheries and Aquaculture of the Central American Isthmus (OSPESCA), joined by the Dominican Republic as an associate member. “The similar mandates and objectives of both organizations highlight the potential benefits of sharing scientific knowledge and experiences related to research, resource management, and policy coordination in fisheries and aquaculture development,” CRFM organizers said. They added that, “Strengthening collaboration between these two regional fisheries organizations would improve conservation, management and sustainable development of the shared living marine resources of the Caribbean Sea.”

Ambergris Today

Pre-School Teacher Brush Up on First Aid Training
Parents of preschoolers on the island will be more than happy to know that the teacher of their children received some First Aid training on Tuesday, August 28, 2012. The training came in part by the Belize Rural South District Emergency Coordinator and was facilitated by the Belize Red Cross. Sixteen pre-school teachers received proper training at Fido’s Courtyard on Basic First Aid by instructors Winnie Parchue and Christbert Berry of the Belize Red Cross. As teachers head back to classes next week, they now go back more prepared to handle medical emergencies that should arise at school.

Two Manatees Rescued in Belize
Just a couple weeks ago a report by the Oceanic Society and the Belize Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute (CZMAI) indicated that Belize has the most numbers of endangered Antillean manatees in the world. Belizeans were very happy with the reports as the manatee has always been an iconic symbol of the country’s rich marine life. And Belizeans have always been protective of manatees because of their gentle nature and more so because of their endangered status. Just last week this love for the magnificent marine creature was displayed as a group of volunteers managed to save two injured manatees from possible death. With the help of volunteers from residents at the Vista del Mar area in Belize City/Ladyville, the CZMAI and the Sea to Shore Alliance were able to remove two injured manatees from the area and transport them to the Manatee Rehabilitation Facility in Sarteneja where they are currently being treated.

Solar Energy Project Introduced to Belize
On Friday, August 17, 2012, the University of Belize was handed over a multi-million dollar project for introduction of clean energy by a solar electricity generation system. The facility is located at the Belmopan campus of the University of Belize and was funded was funded under the grant aid for environment and climate change program by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Completion of the project took about a year and $10Mil Bze and it represents a world of new possibilities for Belize and its environment, as the country takes hold of clean energy generation. UB President, Carey Frazer, explained at the inaugural ceremony that the facility will also be important to carry out research for the development of other green technologies.

San Pedro Police Officer Assaulted with Machete
Police reports indicated that on Saturday, August 25, 2012, Police Constable Alfonso Guerra, 30yrs, was involved in a chopping incident that occurred in the vicinity of Marina’s Store on Sea Grape Drive. San Pedro Police reported visiting Marina’s Store at about 10:30p.m. on the said date where they saw PC Guerra suffering from a chop wound across the left side of this chest. Initial investigation revealed that PC Guerra was working special duty at the establishment when Francisco Dominguez, 24 year old laborer of Coconut Drive, armed with a machete, approached another male person known to him only as Kalahka. Both men then engaged in a struggle and when PC Guerra intervened to diffuse the situation, Dominguez used the machete and swung at him.

Coconut Fresh, No Sugar Added
There is nothing that can beat the refreshing taste and hydrating qualities of fresh coconut water on a hot and steamy day on San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. Look who we caught up with by the beach - the famous Coconut Leo! He was just finishing up filling a gallon with fresh coconut water that he collected by climbing up the trees himself. It is impressive to see this master of coconut tree climbing collect all the coconuts and open the nut without any tools (no machete needed); it all done by hand! Ambergris Today is now enjoying some delicious, sweet coconut water – no sugar added – courtesy of Coconut Leo. The gallon of coconut water goes for $10Bze.

San Pedro's DJ Polo Weds
Congratulations to Apolonio Reyes who got married to Seli Reyes on August 11, 2012 in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize. DJ Polo is a well known radio personalety on the island who hosts various segments on Reef Radio and Reef Tv including a children's program. Congratulations to DJ Polo and Seli!

Misc Belizean Sources

OCCASIONAL PAPER PRESERVATION HESITATIONS? A CONTRIBUTION TO BELIZEAN STRATEGIC THINKING BY Jean H. Cornec and David A. K. Gibson, AUGUST 2012
Can and should Belize benefit from developing its natural resources, turning the perception of poor resource management and use of economic proceeds - the resource curse- into the blessings it deserves? The answer is yes. Alaska, Botswana, Chile and Norway, to cite notable examples, are blessed with oil and gas, diamonds and copper. These States are great models of achievement in successfully coping with the effects of sudden wealth derived from a single resource that became major economic drivers and income generators in their respective economies. This paper is an effort to stimulate new thinking by Belizeans that challenge conventional ideas and policies which may seem sensible on paper and on maps, but which do not serve their intended purposes. The unmitigated and escalating incidents of deforestation, of forest degradation, agricultural encroachments in protected areas, and illegal exploitation of Belize’s natural resources in the Maya Mountains and adjacent border regions, glaringly illustrates this inadequacy, to cite one critical area of concern. The authors therefore seek to contribute to creative thinking in a non-polarizing way on the issue of what is termed development for preservation-the protection and sustainable management of Belize’s natural resources in a way that preserves their many bounties for the benefit of future generations of Belizeans.

Telenova's 2nd Anniversary Concert
Telenova is having a huge anniversary concert and dance in Benque at the Cancha Marshalleck this Saturday. DJ Caesar will be mixing, and there will be plenty of local entertainment. Happy anniversary, Telenova! "Telenova channel 20 celebrates its 2nd anniversary BIGTIME! Come and enjoy a night of extreme fun! first the night kicks off with performances by our very own Belizean Artists: RVM Records, The Lab y Pura Sangre, Ralfy el Phantom, Chinomanstyle, and Blueprint Music. Followed by a banging Dance with DJ Cesar sounds! September 1st!! Cancha Marshalleck!! Doors open at 9PM. YOU CANNOT MISS IT! "

Cayo Welcome Center's Design Plans
The Cayo Welcome Center's ultimate look is really majestic. Downtown's facelift will be great for everyone, and it will be safer too. "The project Site for the new Cayo Welcome Center was chosen as a core area within the community with good pedestrian and vehicular links to the surrounding town and beyond. Already in use as a public park this prominent location is currently under utilized and has a lot of potential for future development. Positioned between Burns Avenue and the New Market area, if dealt with properly the site is ideally situated to help ease congestion and restore vitality to the historic town center. Parts of Burns Avenue will also be include within the scope of the project as the section from the junction with Savannah street down to St. Andrew’s Anglican Church will be renovated in conjunction with the work to Coronation Park."

Cayo Welcome Center Nearing Completion
The Cayo Welcome Center is really close to being finished. All the buildings have their walls and roofs completed. They've finishing the bus entry, which will be right across from the market. Is that a toucan statue?

Queen of the West Video
Pandy captured a funny skit from the talent part of the the Queen of the West pageant. Great way to kick off the September Celebrations. Way to go, Pandy! Congratulations to Marcia Moody, and good luck at the Queen of the Bay!

VIDEO: Boil Up Sauce
I made this recipe as a separate video that the Boil Up meal because we will use this sauce in the future for other dishes. Many Belizean recipes are interchangeable, with many dishes being the base to build another dish.

Channel 7

Is Puma Playing The Margins With Premium Vs. Diesel?
Last night we told you about the astronomical pump price for fuel: in Belize City it is almost thirteen dollars a gallon for premium! And if you think that's bad try buying a gallon in Punta Gorda where the price is thirteen dollars and twenty cents per gallon! Regular isn't far behind at almost twelve dollars per gallon in the city and twelve - nineteen in PG. Diesel, though, is stuck at 10.17 per gallon. Don't get us wrong, we aren't complaining, but those with knowledge of the sector, point out to us that it is unusual that for the past two increases in pump price, Diesel has remained untouched. Our investigations today tell us that may have something to do with the fact that Belize Natural Energy is now importing Diesel fuel. It's not huge quantities, but it is enough to factor into the market - because BNE is offering cheaper diesel to large consumers - particularly in the south. And so, insiders say, it may be that PUMA is keeping the price of diesel low to remain competitive - and making up for its loss at that end, by inflating the price of regular and premium fuel.

Man Gets Off Trafficking 50 Pounds Weed On His Birthday
36 year-old Mark Sacasa got a birthday gift today when he was acquitted of a major drug trafficking charge. Police had arrested him with 51.3 pounds of marijuana but they dropped the ball in the trial.? According to the detective constable from the ADU, who was in charge of the case, he and another police officer busted Sacasa at a checkpoint in Hattieville on December 7, 2011 at around 5:30 p.m. According to the officer, they found the drugs in the trunk of a vehicle which he as driving. Sacasa's trial began in the court room of the Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith last week Wednesday. The arresting officer made his first mistake when his written statement, which was dated December 7, mentioned steps taken on the following day. Sacasa's attorney, Arthur Saldivar, questioned the validity of the statement because the officer was writing of events which happened in the future. As a result, the statement was not admitted into evidence.

Mello Now Taking GOB To Court
Last week we told you about Karol Mello, the reputed international gangster, who was freed of all charges when he appeared in the Belmopan Magistrate's Court. We also told you about his intention to sue the Government of Belize so that he could get back his legal status as a permanent resident, which was withdrawn when the Ministry of Immigration tried to get him expelled from the country. Well today, the first hearing for that case was held before Justice Oswell Legall. The matter is still in its case management phase, and as a result, Justice Legall only set down September 17 as the date for it to start. Mello was not present court, and only his wife, Zuzana, attended on his behalf.

Bondholders Want More Info; GOB Says They Are Stalling
More information, that's what a group of Belize Bondholders say they want. The Miami-based Coordinator Committee which says it represents the owners of more than half of the Belize bonds issued a release today saying quote, "The evaluation process has been impacted by delays on the part of the GOB in providing key information requested by the Committee." As we understand it this is information having to do with BEL and BTL - the compensation for which has been added to the overall debt profile. And until they get what they call full disclosure , the Coordinator Committee says it will rely on the IMF Article Four report published last December, as, quote, "the definitive active financial analysis for Belize." But a representative of the debt restructuring team told us today that it is not a matter of non-disclosure, but instead it is posturing and a stalling tactic - so that Belize will be pushed to the default deadline which is September 19th. This prospect of default would cause some alarm in most capitals, but in Belmopan, we're told that in the 30 days - government's resolve will only strengthen.

Police Charged Cpl. Lima's Killer (Again)
Last week Friday, 7News told you about the Police Department's response to Plues Street incident, in which they refuted any claims of brutality saying that in the wake of Corporal Victor Lima's death in the line of duty, they will crack down on criminals with weapons. Well, the man who is accused of killing Corporal Lima will finally face the actual charge in court. As we reported, 30 year-old Delford Slusher was originally arraigned on charges of attempted murder, use of deadly means of harm, and grievous harm. These charges were laid hours before Lima succumbed to his injuries at the KHMH. Today, Slusher was brought back to court, and his charges were upgraded from attempted murder to murder. Chief Magistrate Smith remanded him to prison until October 9. As we reported, at around 10:00 p.m. on July 24 Corporal Lima was responding along with several other officers to a home invasion in Hattieville.

Accused Killer Andrewin Gets More Charges
Another man who is seeing additional charges brought against him is 20 year-old Tevin Andrewin, who police say was the man who shot 19 year-old Myrick Gladden to death just after midnight on June 24. As we reported, Gladden, his 27 year-old girlfriend, Shyiana Allen, and his 24 year-old friend, Richard Wade, were walking on Administrative Drive. When they arrived in front of the CB Hyde Building, they were allegedly approached by 20 year-old Tevin Andrewin, who pulled out firearm and fired several shots at the group. Gladden was hit in twice to the chest, once to the right side of his shoulder and left side of his back. His girlfriend, Allen, also suffered a gunshot injury to her left calf. As a result, police charged Andrewin was arraigned 2 months ago on the single charge of murder in relation to Gladden's death. Well, it seems that police are taking into consideration that Allen was also shot because Andrewin was taken back to Magistrate's Court today, and he was arraigned on charges of attempted murder and wounding.

Western Gas Owner Speaks On Butane Blaze
The Butane Fire that had the entire city in a state of suspended panic last week Thursday is old news by now - but there are still lessons to be learned form this important fire and questions to be answered. Lessons because a fire at a butane depot is an absolute worst scenario and it is the first we have had in the city in decades. And questions because - by numerous accounts - the performance of the Western Gas employees when the fire started was not acceptable. Today we got to discuss both the lessons and the questions with the owner of the business Mike Reyes. Here's what he told Jules Vasquez:... Mike Reyes, Western Gas "Fortunately we have an excellent - a superb fire department and I guess they got tested maybe for the very first time at this level but they did an exceptional job which created whatever could have been a catastrophe to have been minor." Jules Vasquez reporting Mike Reyes, has a lot to be thankful for. He's the owner of Western Gas at mile four and a half on the Western Highway and today he showed us what went wrong last week Thursday at his depot. Reyes was out of the country when he got the call that there was a fire: Mike Reyes, Western Gas "What happen when I got the call of course my first impression was thinking safety. When I heard the call the first thing I told my uncle who was the one in charge here 'please make sure the main valves are cut or completely shut off.'"

GSU Under Review (Again)
As we reported last week, The Gang Suppression Unit is under investigation again after last week Tuesday's allegation that they roughed up as many as 20 young men from Crooked Tree Village. Yesterday, the police press officer said the COMPOL will have a good talk with the GSU:.. Inspector Fitzroy Yearwood - Police Press Officer "A team of investigators from our Professional Standard Branch visited that area last week where they recorded several statements and hopefully by the end of this week they will release the outcome of the investigation. I know that the minister of national security and the commissioner of police along with other senior officers and other outside parties will meet with the members of GSU this week to actually discuss justifiable force and harm with them." The Commander of the GSU Marco Vidal had been on leave, and returned yesterday.

Another City Shooting - No One Hurt
There was another shooting in the city last night - and again, it happened at the edge of the Lake Independence neighborhood. At 9:45 last night, 27 year old Omar Martinez of mile two and a half on the western Highway was with two friends when an unknown man came out of the bushes and fired six shots at them. Martinez was hit in the left ankle. Fortunately, his injuries were minor and he was treated and released form the KHMH.

Jamaica & St. Vincent Want To Say "Bye-Bye Betty!"
Belize is about to celebrate its 31st anniversary of Independence but The Queen OF England is still our Head Of State and the figurehead on our currency. It doesn't cause too much concern locally, but in Jamaica and St Vincent they've just about had enough of the Queen as their head of state. This was recently verbalized at a Conference held in Jamaica at the 50/50 conference. Our colleague from CEEN TV in Jamaica Kalilah Enriquez reports:.. The 50/50 Conference was held in Kingston and Sponsored by the University Of the West Indies.

Conference On HIV Stigma
The National Aids Commission is holding a Conference on Stigma and Discrimination in Belize this evening at the Belize Biltmore Plaza. It started at 7:00 and the conference intends to share perspectives on regional and local HIV-related stigma and discrimination in Belize. Executive Director of the National Aids Commission Doctor Martin Cuellar also mentioned that some of the latest HIV and aids data will be released at the conference. Martin Cuellar, Director of the National Aids Commission "The national response including all of our partner agencies and our support and technical partners including in this case PASCA from the USAID agencies are frivoling one of our most important elements of national strategic plan for the next 5 years which is for us to prioritize and coordinate the work that we are doing in stigma or against stigma and discrimination as it relates and as it impacts HIV and so in that light we've organized stigma and discrimination conference focusing on - again set against the backdrop of HIV."

More Triplets At KHMH
In January of this year we reported on a set of triplets born at the KHMH. Well, TONIGHT, another set of triplets making the news. On Friday a 16 year old mother when delivered three little boys - weighing between 3-5 pounds each. Because the mother is a minor - and the case is complicated we couldn't speak to her, nor could we photograph the newborns, but we did get pictures of them - and the full story. Voice of: Grandmother "I am proud grandmother for the babies. The babies will be handed over to me, I don't know when and I don't know the time but I thank God that they are healthy. I thank God that the doctors and nurses did a great job for my grandbabies and I am a very proud grandmother." "This is the second set of triplets in the family because my mom had triplets of 39 years old, she died already. I am a mother who has twins too and my niece have twins also. I feel so glad because it keeps in the family, God bless the family."

World Grain Crisis Sense Chicken Prices Up
The global drought has driven up poultry prices all over the world - including Belize. Last week, the price of chicken went up 10 cents a pound on the wholesale price making it two dollars and forty cents per pound - while at the retail level, prices vary. Orlando Habet of the Belize Poultry Association told us that fortunately Belize produces enough corn to feed its chickens - so the corn shortage does not affect us. But the protein source for poultry is still soymeal and prices for that have been driven up due to the grain shortage and the transport is also going up due to fuel prices. Habet tells us that last week, he attended a meeting of regional producers and prices are up all across Central America - highest in Costa Rica, lowest in Nicaragua.

Channel 5

Bus owners gear up for transport dispute
The gears are shifting in the Transport Ministry and once again, there seems to be issues regarding permits given for prime runs in the West to a preferred company, West Line. West Line is once again in a tug of war with the Belize Bus Owners Cooperative (BBOC) over runs. The Transport Ministry could not [...]

Cops say 16 year old machete death was self defense
Last week Belmopan was also the scene of a confrontation, but instead of conversation there was violence. On August twenty-third, tragedy struck a family in the Salvapan Area when Yamani Aguirre, also known as Yasmani Mejia, died after he was stabbed once to the chest with a machete by nineteen year old Jesus Enriquez Flores. [...]

Bondholders want to evaluate more information
Failure, by the Government of Belize, to meet a forty-six million dollar coupon which was due last Monday, as part of the Superbond payment, has been a hot button issue since mid-August. In the wake of a subsequent downgrade in Belize’s credit ratings, as well as the recent departure of the Debt Review Team for [...]

P.U.P. contacted by bondholders
The Superbond restructuring is being widely discussed, both locally and internationally, but for the Opposition the talk is about their dissatisfaction over a lack of communication from government. P.U.P. leader, Francis Fonseca, feels that as parliamentarians, the elected members of the Opposition should be involved or at least be kept updated on the process. While [...]

P.U.P. hopes for successful bond renegotiation
Fonseca also spoke on the risks associated with government’s approach to the debt restructuring, but says the Opposition is hoping for successful negotiations and a sustainable solution for Belize.   Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition “Certainly, after the thirty day period I think it is open to the bondholders to move in a completely [...]

Should G.O.B. increase taxes to pay for the Superbond?
Tonight’s question is: Should G.O.B. increase taxes to pay for the super bond? Send your comments and responses using your SMART phones to 8686 or post your vote on our e-poll at channel5belize.com. You can also send an email with your comments to [email protected].

Capital City enforces quality of life crimes
The Police Department launched its Quality of Life Program to warn the public that offenses such as public drinking, loitering, and littering are against the law. Persons can be ticketed and fines levied for these offenses—some up to five hundred dollars. Since June twelfth the campaign has been in full swing in the Capital as [...]

Aids Commission conference on HIV stigma and discrimination
Quality of life is not only the concern of the Police Department; the National Aids Commission also bears the burden to improve the lives of HIV affected people who are also part of the country’s workforce. The commission is set to stage a one day conference on HIV stigma and discrimination, funded by USAID on [...]

Teen’s successful delivery of triplets at the K.H.M.H.
While the commission is about to release its statistics, the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital sent out a press release today reminding the public about one of its most cherished records, that is the birth record of course. Since January 2012 K.H.M.H. has recorded nine hundred and eighty-five births. Of those, there were twelve sets of [...]

Registering births of people who aren’t in the system
And though we are informed that the birth and names of the boys will soon be recorded by the Vital Statistics Unit, strangely enough many parents fail to register their children into the system. That is why UNICEF recently teamed up with the Vital Statistics Unit to open temporary centers in Toledo, Stann Creek and [...]

Cancer victim returned home for birthday and last goodbye
While the previous stories were about welcoming newborns into the world, the following item is about the untimely passing of a teen. Just two weeks ago, Era Lightfoot came to our studios to plead for financial assistance because her nineteen year old daughter, Shayna, who was being kept at a Merida Hospital until they could [...]

Green tropics given the green light
Green Tropics is a Guatemalan company that intends to build a sugar factory, along with a refinery and cane fields complemented with an energy generation facility. But while its Environmental Impact Assessment was being reviewed, the company dug a canal approximately fifty feet wide and four miles long through a protected biological corridor. A stop [...]

Shot inside his home, no suspects
A shooting incident near mile two and a half on the Western Highway in Belize City shortly before ten o’clock on Monday night has left one man recovering from a gunshot wound to the left ankle. According to Omar Martinez, he was at home with his common-law wife Sherlene Kerr and friend Shawn Muschamp when [...]

Gospel Concert for positive influence on youths
Earlier in the newscast you heard from one senior officer’s solution to serious crime is to be vigilant also of minor offenses. The following group believes you also need to be vigilant about what we listen to. This coming Saturday night in Ladyville, Belizean gospel singers will be performing lively and positive music. The concert [...]

Superstar’s Group A prepare for the center stage
Another round of song, dance and drama will take the stage in an hour at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts. It’s another showing of Be the Next Superstar where three performers from Group A will compete in the knock out round for a spot among the remaining nine performances to woo the judges [...]

LOVE FM

Southern Area Representatives Return From Working Visit in Texas
Area Representatives of the Toledo and Stann Creek Districts have completed a recent working visit to Houston Texas. Correspondent Paul Mahung reports. PAUL MAHUNG Toledo Correspondent Love FM “During the visit Toledo West Representative Hon. Osca...

Another Shooting in the City
A shooting incident last night left one man injured. According to police reports, they visited the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital last night where they saw Omar Martinez suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to his left ankle. The incident occurred around 9:45 last night. ...

Police Constable Chopped In The Chest
An off-duty policeman was chopped in the chest during an altercation in San Pedro town on Saturday night. The victim has been identified as police constable Alfonso Guerra. According to police reports, PC Guerra was performing special duties at an establishment on Sea Grape...

Police Fouls Up Case - Accused Drug Trafficker Freed
Thirty-six year old Mark Sacasa, charged with drug trafficking for 51 point seven pounds of cannabis, was freed of the charge today when Chief Magistrate, Ann Marie Smith dismissed it because the arresting officer detective constable Palacio, did not follow procedure in the chain of cu...

International Media Says Belize Has Not Submitted All Details to Bond Holders
Members of the super bond renegotiation team say they remain confident that an amicable resolution of Belize’s call for better payment terms on the nation’s foreign debt will be forthcoming soon. But a report today by Reuters News Agency puts the Belizean officials on...

LOVE TV

Chukka-Belize wins tourism award
Chukka Belize has won a prestigious award from Princess Cruises. Country Manager for Chukka in Belize Valerie Woods told us more about the award.

Teenager givers birth to triplets
When a newborn comes home, everyone in the family is usually elated with the new arrival and the joys of having a new addition to the family. Tonight, one family in the village of Lucky Strike in the Belize District have three times that joy as they welcome three new members of their family. Last Friday, a teen from that village became the mother of triplets at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. The newborns, who have been in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit at the hospital, went home today. On hand to receive them was their grandmother, who asked to that her identity and that of her daughter’s be kept private for social reasons. But the newborns will not go home empty-handed. They left with goodies from Santiago Castillo Limited, whose Marketing Manager, Aisha Trapp Rudon, was on hand to deliver the first batch of gifts courtesy San Cas Limited. But while the family from Lucky Strike will be occupied feeding and nursing the little ones, the team who successfully delivered the triplets was tasked to ensure that they make it into the world safely. They were headed by Chief Obstetrician, Doctor Jose Guerra. San Cas has pledged to supply the triplets with gifts for the remainder of this year. However, if you would like to assist the young mother care for her three babies you can reach her family at 205 5572. The babies’ mother has been in Lucky Strike since undergoing C-Section to remove them. This is the second time for 2012 that triplets have been born at the KHMH.

Belizean softballers doing well in Guatemala
Belize’s national high school softball team continues to blaze its way through the ongoing regional college games, also known as CODICADER. [VO STARTS HERE] The games started on Monday in Guatemala City, Guatemala, and according to reports from the Games, team Belize behind the stellar pitching of Ashley Lucas has been giving a good account of itself. According to the national secondary school sports association coordinator Deon Sutherland, Belize’s latest success came this morning, when Team Belize defeat host country Guatemala by the score of 4 runs for Belize and 1 run for Guatemala. The winning pitcher was Ashley Lucas. Belize had previously defeated El Salvador by a score of 15-1. According to Sutherland, with the young ladies defeating both Guatemala and El Salvador, and with only Nicaragua left to face Ashley Lucas and company, Team Belize is assured of coming back to the jewel with nothing less than a silver medal.

Friday night murder in Belize City
On Friday night, blood marked the streets once again, as a young man was abruptly cut off from his life when he was shot to death in Belize City. Reporter Marion Ali and videographer Brian Castillo bring you the details of this incident in the following report.

Amandala

Bad news at a bad time for 200 Belizeans!
“I am disappointed … things are hard … the timing is wrong!” – single mother who has just been fired ”… meanwhile, they have the Gang Truce working, giving them money to buy more guns, more bullets to kill each other, while we single mothers are struggling…” - another terminated mother Two hundred employees of the Southside Rejuvenation Project (SRP) began losing their jobs as of last Friday, August 24, in the “back to school season” for single mothers and other breadwinners, and the fate of hundreds of others is in limbo this week. Minister of State for Human Development, Poverty Alleviation and Social Transformation, Mark King, cut a solitary figure on Friday morning at the NCFC Conference Room on Cleghorn Street, where he delivered the bad news for workers in the SRP, a one-year project begun three years ago as an urgent response to bad social conditions on Belize City’s Southside. “Effective August 10, 2012, the 2.29 million dollars allocated to these programs has been exhausted and the wages for the week of August 13 was paid through supplemental funds. Therefore, effective today, Friday, August 24, we will be scaling back with 200 members from the Southside Rejuvenation Project. These persons will be paid full salaries and severance, which should last them through to October, where we will then exhaust our energies to find projects for them to have a more robust employment. These programs will continue to scale back with the remaining members until another program can be reasonably afforded or funded,” King announced.

6 arrested in connection with Paula’s Store armed robbery
A composite patrol of police and BDF soldiers operating out of the Mesop Substation on Dean Street has captured four men and two guns, including the highly prohibited 357 Magnum revolver, along with the loot from the robbery of Paula’s Store on Cemetery Road on Thursday, August 23. Paula Chen, of a Cemetery Road address, told police that around 2:20 p.m. on Thursday, August 23, whilst at her business place, Paula’s Store, serving a customer, three men who were armed with firearms entered her store. One of the armed thieves walked towards her, pointed the gun at her face and demanded money. He then went behind her counter, opened her cash register and stole an undisclosed amount of cash, while the other robbers proceeded to rob the customers in the store of their personal belongings. Police say that Aaron Bailey, 23, a cabinetmaker of Racoon Street; Inmar Welch, 21, a fisherman of King Street; Jeffrey McDougal, 22, a construction worker of Plues Street; and Jarreth Gault, 27, a musician of Euphrates Avenue, are allegedly the men who entered Paula’s Store and robbed her and her customers at gunpoint. The four men were captured while hiding in a house on Plues Street. In the house police also found Teresita Vivas, 24, and her mother, Carol Vivas, 47. Police said that the women were in the house at the time of the search when the men and the firearms and ammunitions were found.

Excruciating pump prices took effect Sunday
The price of regular and premium gasoline shot up at midnight last night. Regular gas has increased by 88 cents on the gallon, from $11.07 cents to $11.95, while premium gasoline has increased by 94 cents per gallon, from $12.03 to $12.97. These are Belize City prices, and the district prices are higher due to transportation costs. The increase has no doubt pushed pump prices past $13 in Punta Gorda. The price of kerosene and diesel, for the meantime, remained unchanged. Industry sources say that the last price change took effect on July 31, 2012.

BAGA news – Mexicana Masters Tournament in Cozumel
The Belize Amateur Golf Association hosted its Mexicana Masters Tournament in Cozumel, Mexico. It was a great weekend with lots of golf and fun for all the players and families. The results are: Friday’s Stableford: 1st – Duane Arnold, 2nd – Lucas Hunt, 3rd – Michael Marot. Saturday’s Stroke Play: 1st – Lucas Hunt, 2nd – Andy Hunt, 3rd – Robert Lee. Sunday’s Scramble: 1st – Duane Arnold/Steve Hack, 2nd – Paul Martin/Steve Maestre. 3 Day Champion: 1st – Duane Arnold, 2nd – Andy Hunt, 3rd – Michael Marot. Best Shots of the Tournament – Michael Marot and Paul Martin. Worst Shots of the Tournament – Paul Martin/Steve Maestre, Hank Weiss. Highest Score on a hole – Slavek Machacka (12), Mickey Thornton(10). Biggest Choke – Alan Graham. Best Comeback – John Sansone. Sandbagger – Steve Hack. 3 Day Tournament Donkey – Sam Mathias. It was a big success, and we look forward to our next tournament at Roaring River Golf Course on Sept 15.

EDITORIAL: Wired to fail
In considering the sensational news story of last Friday night in which Mark King, Minister of State with responsibility for the Gang Truce, announced that his ministry was releasing 200 of the over 800 workers it employs, we have to go back exactly one year ago. A year ago Friday, August 26, 2011, the Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) went “berserk” on George Street, which one of the most notorious gangs on Belize City’s Southside calls home. It appeared that GSU had brutally beaten practically every man and woman on the block. The television images were absolutely stunning. The George Street members promised payback. It was just days before the start of our traditional September celebrations; this one was marking our country’s 30th Independence anniversary, and the air was tense, filled with retaliatory talks of grenade droppings. Our September celebrations appeared on life support. The Prime Minister, away on a trip to St. Kitts to see the new president of the Caribbean Court of Justice officially installed, cut his travels short to attend hastily convened meetings with practically all the major Belize City gangs on Friday and Sunday, September 2 and 4. Social anthropologist Herbert Gayle, who had just recently done a study on crime in Belize, was flown in for the mediation sessions. Three meetings lasted almost 7 hours, and on Sunday evening, September 4, Barrow guardedly announced that a truce had been hammered out between the warring sides. There would be a short testing period, and once the truce held, the government would make jobs available for the gangs “to do a little infrastructure” in the various neighborhoods.

Blogs

Physics of the Quest
At the end of the movie the end of Eat Love Pray Liz Gilbert [Julia Roberts] talks about physics of the quest in her following lines: ‘In the end, I’ve come to believe in something I call “The Physics of the Quest.” A force in nature governed by laws as real as the laws of gravity. The rule of Quest Physics goes something like this: If you’re brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting, which can be anything from your house to bitter, old resentments, and set out on a truth-seeking journey, either externally or internally, and if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher and if you are prepared, most of all, to face and forgive some very difficult realities about yourself, then the truth will not be withheld from you.’ Tacoboy often jokes that the movie is a chick flick and it is in a way but it is much more if you are open to it. It is about designing your future, enjoying your present moment and letting go things in the past that weigh you down, among other things. We are both in process of consciously working on that right now and it feels really good. I just wish the balance would come a little sooner for me as I am still feeling like my plate is too full. Thinking it might be time to look the movie up on netflix for some visual reminders. Living on this island I have definitely learned, what ever the future holds we have to do the best we can with the information we have at the time and try to keep from being overwhelmed by it all. I find it helps to practice being in the right place at the right time both mentally and physically which is easier said than done some days.

Walking South to North: Pictures All Over Town (Really)
Yesterday, I had plenty of meetings to attend (most seem to be linking up with friends at an assortment of bar but HEY! In San Pedro, I classify that as an "official meeting". Plus, it was hot tea and soda waters all day.) The most important was dropping off my friend Jamie at Tropic Air for her return flight to the states. She has been visiting for seven weeks now and we've had some extremely good times this summer. But you guys have heard all about my summer. So let me talk about my walk-about yesterday. Right here at my home, Royal Palms, the palmetto tree is blooming. I have also seen these flowers for sale at a few veggie stands. Apparently they are eaten like vegetables. One local told me "you can eat them with eggs". Eggs and flowers? Does anyone have information on this plant? I'm intrigued... I walked through Grand Colony. They always have a very pretty garden. (And YES! these were my "errands".) I like how many of the royal palms have orchids hanging from them. This is the only one that was blooming. Not the most gorgeous flower but an interesting one...

International Sources

Belize bondholders say no talks without more information
Belize bondholders said on Tuesday no meaningful talks can take place about renegotiating the country's $550 million superbond until the government comes up with more information. The Central American nation has said it is confident of successful negotiations but not committed to a timeline. It has until Sept. 19 to make a missed coupon payment to investors or formally default on the debt. The committee formed to represent bondholders said in a statement that the government had been "unnecessarily provocative" in missing the payment and putting up restructuring options without any discussion. It had asked for more information to understand Belize's statement that it could not afford to service the debt. "We ... need to receive from the (government) the information necessary to complete our analysis before meaningful discussions can take place," said Mike Gerrard, managing director at BroadSpan, which is advising the committee.

August 28, 2012

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The San Pedro Sun

Rowan walks across San Pedro, raises nearly $7,000
Close to 150 islanders joined inspirational 14-year-old Rowan Garel in his walk across San Pedro on Saturday August 25th. The event was the second of two planned walks in an effort to raise monies for the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired (BCVI). The five-mile walk took off shortly after 9AM from the southern end of San Pedro Town near Pelican Reef Resort and ended at the Boca Del Rio Park with all day beach party. “I am very glad that I did the walk. [It was done] as a fundraiser for BCVI. I did the walk across Belize but unfortunately we were not able to meet our goal of raising $90,000 to $100,000,” explained Rowan. At the Walk Across Belize, Rowan was able to raise some $73,000 and had hoped that with the walk across San Pedro, it could have bridged the gap. According to BCVI Communications Officer Carla Ayres Musa, they were able to raise $6,895 in cash but are still waiting to collect a few more pledges. So far Rowan has collected a total of $80,641. Musa told The San Pedro Sun that they hope to reach their goal before the end of the year and remain confident that within the next few months they will host more fundraisers which will be able to reach their targeted $100,000.

Ambergris Today

San Pedro Joins Consultation on National Cultural Policy
Local Craftsmen and interested community members were invited by the San Pedro House of Culture at the Sunbreeze Hotel Conference Room on Wednesday, August 22, 2012, for the National Cultural Policy Consultation held by National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) in San Pedro Town. The consultation was carried out to identify the linkages between culture and development in order to discuss a national plan which will reflect the desire of Belizeans for the development of culture and the arts in the country. The consultation took off with an empowering speech by Honorable Manuel Heredia, Minister of Tourism and Culture, in which he pointed out his ministry’s vision of promoting, protecting, preserving and befitting our culture and art on the island. He stated that he will address a meeting with the education department and schools to ensure that the history, culture and art of Belize is being taught to all students in order to keep the culture alive, respected and appreciated for many years to come.

BTIA Executes Huge and Successful Marketing Summit Belize
Even with tourism being one of its main industries; Belize is still relatively unknown internationally, with people still asking the question “Where is Belize?” But the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) feels that the country has more potential of exploding in the global market. With this in mind, it hosted the 2012 Marketing Summit on Thursday, August 23, 2012, at the Princess Hotel and Casino. The one day event drew over 200 sales, marketing and public relations personnel, managers, bankers, tour operators, artisans, media, students and individuals, all eager and ready to learn about marketing and public relations from internationally renowned trainer/speaker, Mr. David Meerman Scott.

San Pedro's Biggest Festival Back Then
In the book, The Little World of Danny Vasquez, narrated by a Sanpedrano, Danny recollects on the Grand Fiesta in San Pedro. June 29 is the Feast Day of St. Peter and it has been the occasion of the biggest island fiesta ever since the Yucatecan refugees settled in San Pedro in 1848. The preparations for the fiesta took a week, the celebration itself lasted a week, and a third week was required to clean up the village. “In those days we had little money but had the luxury of time. We could spend three weeks on the fiesta and be happy. Today everybody has money but no time,” says Danny as he takes us back to 1916 to a San Pedro of two short streets, 400 people, no electricity, no radios, no motor boats. The fiesta was organized by a committee of four Batabs, two chics and representatives of the three rich families. In the Maya system a Batab was a powerful man like a mayor of a village. In this fiesta they were to collect donations and fees and keep order at the dances. Chic is a Mayan word for comedian. The committee also chose El Amo de Hacienda (owner of the farm) who had to be a rich man because he had to offer gifts during the fiesta. The committee also decided which young ladies would be invited to be the featured dancers during the fiesta.

Second Generation Of Queens In San Pedro
The grand celebration of queens goes back to 1954 when Leni Aguilar Alamilla was first crowned. Even since San Pedro has selected its beauties leading up to last years Yalarelis Hernandez. What an honor and great feeling of pride it is to be Miss San Pedro. But what a greater honor and pride it is to be a part of first generation and second generation of queens. This was the case of Lily Paz Nuñez who was crowned in 1979 and her daughter Liliana Nuñez crowned 27 years later in 2006. No matter what decorations there are on stage, and how many people are present at the event, the feelings are the same. Indeed a few things were different. Elaborate costumes and bathing suits were not used by the first generation queens. Long live the Miss San Pedro pageant! Making a guest appearance on stage that year was Miss Alma Staines who contested in the Miss Belize National Pageant in Belize City, another great honor for San Pedro.

Rowan Garel’s Walk Across San Pedro, Angel Perlita Joins his Cause
Rowan's inspirational journey continued this past weekend in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize, as he held a ‘Walk across San Pedro’ seeking to reach his goal of raising $100,000 for the Belize Council of the Visually Impaired. The event took place early Saturday morning, August 25, 2012, from Pelican Reef Villas to the Boca del Rio Park north of San Pedro Town. Angel Perlita Zapata Joins Rowan Garel’s Walk Across San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize Dorian’s Angel, Perlita Zapata, was one of the many island residents who showed support to Rowan Garel and trekked the 2.5 mile walk with him from south to north along the main road of Ambergris Caye. She shared a special moment with Rowan as she took his hand to guide him along part of the way.

Misc Belizean Sources

Belize National Top Song Winners
Congratulations to the 3 winners in the Top Song Competition! Carnival winner, Sharon Martinez, Patriotic winner, Nello Player, and Junior winner, Tara G. See them on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp2iYm1_djQ

VIDEO: 2012 Belize National Song Competition
The Belize National Song Competiton is one of the events that kick off the September Celebrations in Belize and this year, 2012, Belize is Celebrating is 31st Anniversary of Independence from Britain. The Musicians and Artists write their own songs and compete in patriotic and carnival categories Despite the change of venue this year, the people came out in droves to support their favorite musicians and artists. This video is only a sampling of the music that the winning artists performed. This is not a professional video with color and sound editing. Its a video to share what's happening in Belize for those who call it HOME!

Stork Club's 80's Night with DJ Caesar
DJ Caesar played some 80's, and some 70's, and 90's, at the Stork Club's 80's night. There was a good turnout, and some dancing was done. The SIRH will be bringing back 80's nights more often.

Save Lucky Boy Campaign
The indiegogo campaign to raise money and awareness for Lucky Boy, the rescued jaguar that is currently doing fine at the Belize Zoo, raised over $11,000. A big thanks to Steven Servantez for getting it going, and making headlines all over the hemisphere. You can still get your Save Lucky Boy shirts: http://www.cafepress.com/saveluckyboy "The campaign is over. Although we didn’t make our goal, the impact this money will make on Lucky Boy and the Zoo will be immense! Thank you to all who supported this campaign the last 30 days by donating, posting, sharing and commenting! My PayPal account will still accept donations! The account is: [email protected] If you donate (please), drop me a note at: [email protected] and let me know! I will forward funds to the Zoo."

Destination Belize 2012 Magazine Online
The Destination Belize Magazine is online in high quality. It's the BTIA's official visitor magazine for Belize. There are cultural articles and interviews throughout the book. Cayo has its own chapter, and it starts on page 103. It admits from the beginning that we are the eco-tourism capital of Belize. http://www.destinationbelize.com/issue_2012/

BTIA's First Marketing Summit a Huge Success
The Belize Tourism Industry Association had its first marketing and tourism summit, and it was a huge success. David Meerman Scott, a marketing and social media expert, was the main speaker at the event, and he challenged the huge audience to think outside of the box. It was such a success, that they are already talking about having another. "The BTIA Marketing summit surpassed all expectations; it allowed participants the opportunity to sharpen their marketing and public relations skills in real time. The session has generated loads of interest from those not only within the tourism industry but a wider range of sectors including schools, NGO’s, banks and other retail companies; we are content and optimistic that those who attended the summit will be placing the knowledge they gathered at this event into practice and reaping the fruits of these in the months to come."

Belize Mega Bingo Results For (25 August 2012)
Straight Line 100.00 Each (13 Balls) 52 ­16 ­47 ­73 ­50 ­24 ­75 ­46 ­63 ­72 ­42 ­44 ­9­ Y 125.00 Each (16 Balls) 52 ­16 ­47 ­73 ­50 ­24 ­75 ­46 ­63 ­72 ­42 ­44 ­9 ­69 ­56 ­33­ Inside World 1000.00 Each (21 Balls) 52 ­16 ­47 ­73 ­50 ­24 ­75 ­46 ­63 ­72 ­42 ­44 ­9 ­69 ­56 ­33 ­39 ­55 ­11 ­65 ­19­ Letter X 750.00 Each (25 Balls) 52 ­16 ­47 ­73 ­50 ­24 ­75 ­46 ­63 ­72 ­42 ­44 ­9 ­69 ­56 ­33 ­39 ­55 ­11 ­65 ­19 ­59 ­68 ­4 ­17­

Channel 7

Another Lake I Murder
Another man was killed in the Lake Independence area this weekend. We say "another" because since April - there has been sharp spike in crime in that area: resulting in at least six murders and about twice that number in shootings. This weekend it continued with both a murder and a shooting - the victims were 20 and under. We start with the murder of 20 year old Miraldo Alvarez - a Belama resident who was hanging out across the river from his home with a friend from Lake I when he was shot. It happened at around 9:45 on Friday night near the Administration Building. Monica Bodden found out more today:.. Diana Enriquez - Mother- In-Law "Friday night after 10 "Brado" was already in his bed. He and his friend "Jafet" was in his room, they were playing games and watching TV. They decided to go buy fry chicken; I was lying down in this chair here. When he and "Jafet" pass by going I told him not to go. He says that he is going to buy a fry chicken and I told him not to go because every night shootings happen back here. I told him that those boys are dodging anybody that they see they will shoot." "He says that he will come back right now and he went. No sooner than he went you heard the shots. He didnt even reach the chicken place."

A Number Of City Shootings
Boulevard. 19 year old Raheem Nicholas was shot to the left shoulder by a light skinned male on a bicycle. There was another shooting on Sunday night where 24 year old Edmund Gentle was shot to the hand. GENTLE was riding on Vernon Street with a friend when a gunman came out from Lakeview Street and called his name. When gentle responded, the man fired a number of shots at him, but luckily, he was only shot to the finger.

Police Shot Alleged Thief Who Ran
And in the weekend's other shooting, it was the police pulling the trigger. On Saturday morning, Police responded to the report of a theft in progress on Marin Parade - where a man was allegedly stealing some fence pipes. Police responded and say that the alleged thief, 42 year old Ernest Vasquez started to run. The Police press officer gave us the official version of what happened next. Inspector Fitzroy Yearwood - Police Press Officer "Initial investigations revealed that police were on patrol and responded to a theft in progress on Marine Parade and upon arrival they saw Vasquez attempting to steal aluminum pipes off a chain link fence on Marine Parade. Upon seeing the police, he tried to escape where the pursue him and he was shot in the leg." Vasquez is at the hospital pending charges.

Western Gas Says It Is Up to Standard
On Thursday when a fire started at the western Gas Depot at mile four and a half on the Western Highway - we all expected a catastrophe. With forty thousand gallons of LPG exposed to naked flames - you'd be right to expect that - but it didn't happen. And, as we told you in Friday's news - a safety feature built into the storage tanks averted what seemed to be a certain disaster. It's called a pressure release valve which released overheated LPG into the air every 20 seconds - so that it did not stay in the tank where it could have possibly cause an explosion there. A release today from Western Gas notes also that an internal valve under the bulk storage tank shutoff the LPG flow as another safety measure. The release says the fire was caused by quote, "an overheated electrical contactor in the transfer pump room" end quote, which ignited fumes from the butane when it was being transferred. That was also the finding of the Fire Department. The Western Gas release congratulates the Fire Service and says that the company is compliant with all industry safety requirements and standards.

Teenager's Death In PG Being Investigated
Police in Punta Gorda are investigating the sudden death of a teenager that happened on Sunday morning. 18 year old security guard Descartes Santiago Bol was found dead near San Marcos Village on the Southern Highway. No one knows for sure how he died - but the Police press officer says there are some telling signs of violence. He explained:.. Inspector Fitzroy Yearwood - Police Press Officer "We have a sudden death in Punta Gorda that we are investigating. The victim in this is Descartes Santiago Bol Jr., 18 year old security guard of the VOA Road Punta Gorda Town. He was seen laying on the pavement with abrasions to the face and chest area." "Initial investigations have revealed that Santiago was seen socializing in Big Falls Village at a bar around 10:30am, 26th August and he had a exchange of words with people also socializing in that bar. He left about 2:30 am and he went to borrow a bicycle at one of his family members in that village and he rode off towards the Dump area. Someone was passing by when they saw the body on the ground and they notified the police. The body was transported to the Punta Gorda Town hospital where he was pronounce dead on arrival. Now awaits a post mortem and we are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death - from the mere fact that he had abrasions to his face and chest."

City Resurfaces Sandlighters' Promenade/Paints Houses
The Sandlighters' Promenade near the Princess looks like one of the few public spaces in Belize City where planners got it right - an expansive, colourful walking area, along the coast. But, while it looks good from far, the Promenade is in bad shape when you see it up close. It's been there for 16 years and the constant exposure to salt water has corroded the bricks. And so - the city council - which is always after new projects has decided to refurbish the promenade. It will cost seventy thousand dollars and will use a more durable covering called stamp-concreting. Mayor Darrell Bradley explained:... Darrell Bradley - Mayor, Belize City Council "We did an inspection of certain public spaces throughout Belize City that we want to upgrade. When you look at the condition of the pavers that were there - they were in serious need of repairs and actually they haven't put down the stamp creating at the present moment, so if you go out there right now you would see that the pavers in another year or so would be totally beyond use. What we have decided to do is to upgrade that area to put another layer of cementing and it would be stamp-created within 2-3 weeks and we've gotten commitments from the Belize Tourism Board and they are going to give us a donation of benches. We've also done electrical works out there and we've put out 15 very nice lamps and we are awaiting additional electrical equipment from BEL and those will be in operation within another week. By the time the full project comes on stream it will be totally resurface - we're going to have park benches out there, the lights would be out there and we are talking about some additional works that would be going on to enhance the area."

Is Mayor Bradley Double Dipping?
As those projects show, you can't fault the mayor for ambition or execution - actually you can't fault him for much at all. In just a few months in office, his council has paved about 20 streets with concrete - and there are plans to pave many more. The Municipal Bond bill went to the house for a first reading last week - and the prospectus will be launched shortly. Indeed, the entire culture at City Hall seems to have been transformed in a short time, and as well corruption has been discouraged, making Darrell Bradley a model elected official. But might there be a chink in Mayor Bradley's otherwise impervious armor? Jules Vasquez thought so, and he brought it up with the mayor today. Here's how their conversation went:... Jules Vasquez "I have seen you in court since being elected and some people frond on it." Darrell Bradley - Mayor, Belize City Council "Some people have frond on it?" Jules Vasquez "Yes have frond on it that as an elected public official and one that's being paid for fulltime work. I know you are not being paid like you were as a lawyer. However some people have frond on it saying that as an elected official and as a senior elected official perhaps you shouldn't be in court. Explain what's your rationale and how you manage this."

Bze City Registered ISP Hawking Counterfeit Sites
An offshore company registered in Belize is making a bad name for this country again. The name is AltusHost; it is an Internet Service Provider Registered at 2236 Albert Hoy Street, in Belize City, with its Corporate Office in Stockholm, Sweden. According to PC World Magazine, a court in The Hague ruled that AltusHost has to take down 25 domains which are selling counterfeit goods. The websites include bestwatchonsale.com, cheap-watch.org, breitlingwatches-replica.com and fakewatchesuk.org. The complaint is brought by Eleven companies, including Chanel, Christian Dior and Omega. PC World reports that about half of the approximately 6,000 domains hosted by AltusHost fall into the counterfeiting category - a claim which AltusHost flatly refutes. We note that the same Albert Hoy Street address was also used as an address for another company recently involved in a prohibited phone service called toll bypass.

Shayna's Struggle Ends
3 weeks ago, 7News told you about 19 year-old Shayna Lightfoot, a cancer patient who was stuck in Merida because her family couldn't pay her medical bills. Tonight, we report that she passed away, not at Clinica De Merida in Mexico, but at the KHMH in Belize. According to her mother, Era Lightfoot, the entire family staged a big fundraising event and was able to amass $8,000 BZ, which they paid toward the medical bills. The Mexican hospital, after seeing the family's commitment to pay, allowed Shayna to come back to Belize, and she continued to receive treatment at the KHMH up until last week. She was able to spend her 20th birthday in Belize, but a complication forced the doctors to attempt an emergency surgery on Friday. They couldn't do anything more for her, and at 9 p.m., she passed away.

Premium Fuel, About To Break Thirteen Dollars A Gallon
In May we told you about a sharp drop in the price of premium fuel as it went down by 81 cents. Well the pendulum has swung further in the other direction and - tonight premium fuel is verging on 13 dollars a gallon, more than it has ever been before. Last night at midnight, the price of premium fuel went up by 94 cents, while regular went up by 88 cents. The brings the controlled pump price for a gallon of premium to a painful 12 dollars 97 cents per gallon, while regular is at 11 dollars 95 cents a gallon. For the time being, diesel has remained unchanged.

UB Belmopan Gets thoroughly Modern Solar Array
The University of Belize has the largest most modern array of solar energy panels in Belize. The agreement for a cooperation project with the Japanese Government was signed two years ago, construction started last year - and the impressive grid was declared open on Friday. It is a 450 kilowatt system designed to introduce clean energy to Belize by solar power. The non-resident Japanese Ambassador explained its technological pre-eminence. H.E. Ambassador Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Ambassador of Japan to Belize "The Government of Japan is honored to call you pioneer partners in the process of promoting the most advance solar energy system of the world here in Belize." Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Local Government "On the technical side, it introduces Belize to an alternative renewable energy source and ultimately should contribute to a reduction in the country's energy bill. Dependency on fuels and the primary means of electricity generation whether generated locally or imported from our neighboring Mexico is no longer a very promising option."

Nello Player Wins Patriotic Song Contest
Every year, the September Celebrations Season begins with the National Song Competition, where Belizean performers and composers vie for the prizes and the prestige. On Saturday, this year's competition was held at MCC Grounds - a change in venue because the Memorial Park is still not ready - and it was broadcast live on this station. But, for those of you who might have missed it, we caught up today with Nello Player, one of the winners, and he told us about the message behind his patriotic song. Here's what he told us: Nello Player, Artist "The song is called "Celebrating Belize" and it's just as the songs says, it's our 31st year of Independence and we are celebrating our anniversary. We are celebrating Belize come September time, this is the season for celebration and I wrote the song with that in mind - there is always an element to the songs that I put out in September. We have an obligation as artists to reach out to our past." "I met a teacher yesterday and she told me that she loves the songs but none of the kids knew what I was talking about. So this is a good opportunity for them to inquire about certain things they hear in the song to the teachers."

Who's Little Miss Independence?
On Friday night, we told you about the 4th Annual Independence Day Junior Miss- Pageant. It was held at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts last night. The winner of this year's pageant was Abigail Castellanos, and here's her crowning moment:

Channel 5

Gunman chased Miraldo Alvarez and killed him
Early on Friday night, another life was lost in one of the hot spots on the south side of the City where at least six shootings have taken place in the past few months. A resident of McKenzie Street was on his way to buy food when a hail of bullets abruptly ended his life. [...]

Questions surround death of 18 year old Security Guard in P.G.
In the south, another man was found dead but the circumstances of his death are still unclear. Punta Gorda Police are investigating the strange death of an eighteen year old security whose body was discovered in Big Falls, Toledo, on Sunday morning. Descartes Santiago Bol Junior was partying at a club on Saturday night when [...]

Central Bank talks about upcoming Superbond meeting
Aside from crime, there is the Superbond for which there has been international backlash after government did not make a forty-six million dollar coupon payment that was due on August twentieth. The debt review team is making its media rounds after concluding talks in Washington with the IMF. The governor of the Central Bank, Glen [...]

Possible default in September
It is very unlikely that the negotiations will wrap up before the September nineteenth deadline; so what happens if the country defaults on the Superbond? While there is a small window after the deadline to engage bondholders, Ysaguirre says the consequences would include further downgrading of the sovereign credit rating and Belize might be branded [...]

7 persons homeless after fire guts building
Three families, including three school aged children are homeless after their house was gutted by fire at around eleven-thirty on Saturday morning. The cause of the fire is still unknown, but fire officials say that the blaze started inside the front part of the wooden structure and spread quickly through the house shared by the [...]

2 shot in Belize City
Aside from the murder on Saturday night, there was more gun violence on the South Side. A recent spate of shootings in the area behind the Charles Bartlett Hyde Building, known as Gungulung, has resulted in the attempted murder of a teenager. Nineteen year old Raheem Nicholas, a Belize City student, is tonight recovering from [...]

GSU accused of brutality?
A disturbing incident involving a team of officers attached to the Gang Suppression Unit, which resulted in allegations that as many as twenty Crooked Tree residents were physically assaulted, remains under investigation tonight. A group of young men, reportedly practicing for a weekend basketball tournament, came under attack last Monday when GSU personnel descended upon [...]

60 scholarships courtesy of Restore Belize and B.N.E.
But there’s some good news; sixty students are getting a shot at a secondary education through a partnership of Restore Belize and the B.N.E. Charitable Trust. The students will be a part of the “I am Belize” Scholarship Program and by extension will get internship and mentorship opportunities. Last week, B.N.E. Trust handed over a [...]

European Union gives $75,000 in relief to hurricane victims
Hurricane Ernesto brought heavy rains in the north when it diverted to the Yucatan Peninsula. The European Union says it will be providing relief to a hundred and fifty affected families. The EU, via the European Commission and its Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department, has agreed to give over thirty thousand Euros, the equivalent [...]

Grassroots organization get donation from Kentucky Church
Self Development of the People is a humanitarian group that is supported by the Presbyterian Church of Kentucky, USA. The group promotes and supports sustainable development projects. Recently it has committed to fund projects in Belize for a period of six years. So far the Sandy Beach Women’s Cooperative and the Hopkin’s Farmer’s Cooperative have [...]

Hardest working Mayor has 2 jobs?
Two weeks ago, Mayor Darrell Bradley announced that he was floating a bond for twenty million dollars to repair at least fifty percent of the city’s streets, including the major thoroughfares. If you drive through the city or if you walk across town, you would have noticed a major improvement in the condition of streets [...]

Chukka wins award for awesome tours!
Chukka Belize has won a prestigious award from a major cruise line. According to a release from the tour operator, Princess Cruises has named its Jungle Zipline Adventure and Cave Tubing tour as the 2011-2012 “Tour of the Season” in Belize. Princess Cruises has been giving annual awards to operators in its ports of call [...]

2 manatees rescued by CZMAI and Sea to Shore Alliance
Last week the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute (CZMAI) and the Sea to Shore Alliance were informed about manatees who were harbored for days in Vista Del Mar near the Oar Restaurant. The assessment team found out that one manatee was seriously injured across its back and the fin on another was caught in [...]

Solar Energy project handed over to U.B.
On August sixteenth, the media was invited to tour the multi-million dollar solar energy project at the Belmopan campus of the University of Belize. That facility, which was funded under the grant aid for environment and climate change program by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), was formally inaugurated and handed over this past Friday. [...]

Moses Sulph delivers the goods and services to students
Summer vacation is officially over as schools reopened across the country today. On the south side of Belize City, about three hundred needy students from eleven schools have the stationery they need thanks to a new charity foundation called Hand of Mercy. You’ll recognize its Executive Director, the outspoken former President of COLA, Moses Sulph, [...]

And the winner of the song competition is…
September fever is spreading; the 2012 Celebrations calendar of activities got underway this weekend. On Saturday, the festivities were kicked off with the national song competition which featured the carnival and patriotic junior and senior song competition. The annual event was held at the MCC grounds where all the competitors performed their entries to a [...]

James Adderley and Sports Monday with the play by play
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and welcome to this delivery of Sports Monday.   The 6 best women’s softball teams in the Jewel congregated inside Roger’s Stadium over the weekend in a bid to emerge as champion in the 22nd National Softball Championships that lent itself to a double elimination format. By Sunday evening, only [...]

LOVE FM

Police News
There was a murder last Friday night in Belize City. It happened just before ten that night in the Lake Independence area and claimed the life of twenty year Miraldo Alvarez, an unemployed of Guzman Crescent in the Belama Phase one Extension area. Alvarez was shot in the lo...

Investigations Against GSU Concludes Shortly
Last week Love News reported on the allegations of abuse of authority by elements of the Gang Suppression Unit on youths in Crooked Tree Village last Tuesday night. After that incident, we also brought you the update of visits made to Crooked Tree by the Commissioner of Police, D...

Winners Selected for National Song Competition
The fifth annual national song competition took place on Saturday night in Belize City. Joseph Stamp Romero is the Coordinator of the event. JOSEPH STAMP ROMERO Coordinator National Song Competition “Patriotic first place in the junior division &n...;

Subscription Deed Signed for Belize Sugar Industry
The sale of Belize Sugar Industries factory at Tower Hill in Orange Walk to the group American Sugar Refineries is all but complete. Today, the Minister of National Emergency Management, Senator Godwin Hulse told Love News that all the intricate details of the deal have been work...

BNE Trust and Restore Belize Awards Scholarships
Last Thursday the BNE Trust handed over a cheque of 40 thousand dollars to Restore Belize to assist in its I am Belize Scholarship Fund. On hand to receive the cheque was Marie Munoz of Restore Belize who said the scholarship fund is geared towards assisting underprivileged stude...

Pallotine Sisters Celebrate 100 Years
Plans have begun in connection with a nationwide celebration for one hundred years of the presence and outstanding services of Pallotine Sisters in Belize. Correspondent Paul Mahung has the details. PAUL MAHUNG Toledo Correspondent Love FM “A ...

Belize's Super Bond Negotiations Inevitable
Belize’s external debt, also known as the sovereign bond and commonly referred to as the super bond, continues to generate a lot of interest in the international financial services sector. Following the missed coupon payment of twenty three million US dollars last week, the ratin...

European Commission Assists Victims of Hurricane Ernesto
The European Commission is allocating seventy five thousand and thirty seven Belize dollars to bring relief to the victims of Hurricane Ernesto in Belize. According to a press release issued by the organization, The European Union through the European Commission and its Humanitar...

Man Arrested for Chopping His Sister
A woman from the Stann Creek District is hospitalized at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital after she was reportedly chopped by her brother. Correspondent Harry Arzu has the story. HARRY ARZU Dangriga Correspondent Love FM “On Sunday, August 27, sometime in ...

LOVE TV

Investment in the sugar industry by US group almost complete
The sale of Belize Sugar Industries factory at Tower Hill in Orange Walk to the group American Sugar Refineries is all but complete. Today, the Minister of National Emergency Management, Senator Godwin Hulse told Love News that all the intricate details of the deal have been worked out. Minister Hulse explained that the categorization of the deal as a takeover of the sugar industry is not all together accurate and he says that there were not big concessions given to ASR to complete the deal. The American Sugar Refineries Incorporated deal is expected to result in the modernization of the sugar industry. ASR owns sugar mills in the United States, Dominican Republic and Mexico.

Financial adviser confident of super bond renegotiation deal
Belize’s external debt, also known as the sovereign bond and commonly referred to as the super bond, continues to generate a lot of interest in the international financial services sector. Following the missed coupon payment of twenty three million US dollars last week, the rating agency Standard and Poor downgraded Belize and was followed later in the week by Moody’s investor services. In the case of the Wall Street-based Moody’s Investors Service, the agency lowered Belize’s local currency bond and deposit ceilings to B2 from B1. The foreign currency country ceilings on bonds and deposits remain unchanged at Caa2. Moodys in its report released late last week, said it expects the government will formally default following the expiration of a 30 day grace period in September, unless a restructuring agreement is reached before then. Belize’s debt renegotiation team, headed by Ambassador Mark Espat was in Washington, D.C. over the weekend for meetings with officials of the Inter-American Development Bank and the International Monetary fund. According to Minister Godwin Hulse, who is also a member of the debt restructuring team, the talks with the IDB were very positive and now the team awaits support from the IMF. Belize has published its three-pronged offer towards a negotiated restructuring of the five hundred and forty seven million US dollar foreign debt. Advisor to the Minister of Finance Allan Slusher today told Love News that those three scenarios published earlier this month are solid starting points for the government of Belize, given what is at its disposal going into the negotiations. Slusher says he is optimistic that the solution will come after what he called a choreographed maneuvering by the bond holders. According to Moody’s Investor Services, the super bond, accounts for 48 per cent of total central government debt and 57 per cent of Belize’s external debt. The agency noted that the indicative scenarios released by the government on August 8 – a par bond and two discount bond options – resulted in bondholders absorbing losses of 70-80 per cent in net present value terms. Moody’s continue to maintain that, quote: “the government’s decision to trigger a credit event and force investors to take deep haircuts is a credit negative development that increases the odds of a protracted debt exchange process,” end of quote.

Police press officer updates on weekend crime
There were a number of shootings that occurred in the old capital as well. Police cannot determine if the killing was gang-related, but Yearwood confirmed that Alvarez’ companion lives in the area where a known street gang operates. Meanwhile, a student was also shot on Saturday in the Lake I area, but his injury was less severe than Alvarez’, according to Yearwood. A second shooting happened on Saturday, this time on the northside of town. On Sunday, yet another shooting occurred, this time in the Collet Division near the Vernon Street Bridge. Last week Love News reported on the allegations of abuse of authority by elements of the Gang Suppression Unit on youths in Crooked Tree Village last Tuesday night. After that incident, we also brought you the update of visits made to Crooked Tree by the Commissioner of Police, David Henderson and by Belize Rural South Area Representative, Minister of State Edmund Castro, to meet with the youths and to discuss assigning a policeman in the village while plans to build a new police station there is finalized. Today at the police press conference, Inspector Yearwood told reporters that the Professional Standards Branch, which has replaced the Internal Affairs Unit of the Police Department, is investigating the allegations of abuse on youths. Police Press Officer, Inspector Fitzroy Yearwood, says that the police will release the details of a murder in the Toledo District shortly.

Toledo man found dead on the roadside
The body of a Punta Gorda Resident was found on Sunday morning on the Punta Gorda San Antonio Road. Correspondent Paul Mahung has the details. According to Police reports, Bol was seen socializing at Carolina Bar in Big Falls Village around 10:30 pm. He is said to have had an exchange of words with other customers and later left around 2:30 a.m. Bol is said to have borrowed the bicycle from a family member who resides near the dump and he rode off toward Punta Gorda Town. The body now awaits a post-mortem examination.

Clean Energy project handed over in Belmopan
The handing over of the project for the introduction of Clean Energy by Solar Electricity Generation System was held on Thursday of last week in Belmopan. The project is located at the main campus of the University of Belize in Belmopan. Speaking at the official handing over ceremony, President of UB Dr. Cary Frazer said the location of the facility at the UB campus is a benefit not only to the nation, but the University as well. The green energy project is a donation to the government of Belize by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency. On hand for the handing over was Japan’s ambassador to Belize Hiroshi Yamaguchi. The contract cost for the project which started in September of 2011, is listed at ten million dollars. According to Minister of Labor, Immigration and National Emergency Godwin Hulse, the project will benefit Belize in more ways than one. The local sub contractor for the establishment of the project is Medina’s Construction Limited.

BNE Trust contributes to Restore Belize
Last week the BNE Trust handed over a cheque of 40 thousand dollars to Restore Belize to assist in its I am Belize Scholarship Fund. On hand to receive the cheque was Marie Munoz of Restore Belize who said the scholarship fund is geared towards assisting underprivileged students from Belize City. Handing over the cheque was General Manager of the BNE Trust Sharon Ramclam. Ramclam said there are certain conditions attached to the scholarship such as students maintaining a passing grade, open and maintain a savings account at one of the financial institutions and be a part of the scholarship club.

Pallotine Sisters celebrate important milestone
Plans have begun in connection with a nationwide celebration for one hundred years of the presence and outstanding services of Pallotine Sisters in Belize. Correspondent Paul Mahung has the details.

Help for hurricane victims via the Red Cross
The European Commission is allocating seventy five thousand and thirty seven Belize dollars to bring relief to the victims of Hurricane Ernesto in Belize. According to a press release issued by the organization, The European Union through the European Commission and its Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department expresses its solidarity with the victims of Ernesto in Belize and as a major contributor to the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, has agreed to use thirty two thousand three hundred and thirty five Euros of to help the victims. The aid will be used to support Belize Red Cross Society National Intervention Team members on the needs assessment phase to replenish pre-positioned stock and to assist the one hundred and fifty most affected families with food and relief items delivered by the BRCS for a period of three months. The aid will be channeled through the Red Cross, who operates with funding from the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund of the IFRC.

US-supported humanitarian agency funds local projects
A humanitarian agency, Self Development of the People, which is supported by the Presbyterian Church in Kentucky USA will fund a number of projects in Belize over the next six years. The group aims to develop and strengthen capacity groups to feed and sustain their communities. Cyntia Ellis Topsey, a community developer from San Ignacio Town told us more about the grants. Two other organizations based in Belize City namely the Regina Martinez Foundation and JUNA Neighborhood Association have already applied for grants from the Agency. Members of the Self Development of the People Agency were scheduled to be a part of today’s event but unfortunately they could not make it. We will have more on the scope of the agency’s work when representatives arrive in the country.

Winners of national song competition announced
The MCC grounds in Belize City came alive on Saturday night as the venue for the National Song competition. Nineteen performers in the Junior Patriotic, Senior Patriotic and Senior Carnival song Categories all showcased their talents onstage to the public and the judges ,James Sanker, Kenny Gladden, Jenniffer Lovell, Richard Moody and Colville Young Jr. At the end of the night only one person emerged as the winner in each category. Here are the highlights of Saturday night’s event. Tabulators for the competition were Shaheida Vega and Marcia Rodgriguez. The Winner for the Junior Patriotic song walked away with one thousand five hundred dollars, the Senior Patriotic song winner took home four thousand dollars and for the Carnival song, the winner also took home four thousand dollars. All prizes for the night amounted to over twenty five thousand dollars.

PlusTV

Belmopan Police say weekend death of Compre student was self defense
Our big story on Friday was the stabbing death of young Yasmani Aguirre who was inflicted with a fatal wound by Enr...

Senior Police Officers give opinion on decriminalization of marijuana
Late last month, the nation learnt via a press release from the Government of Belize’s Ministry of National Securit...

Belmopan Market Days to get Cultural injection!
Market Day in Belmopan is a great place for steals and deals. Well this Friday (AUG 31) there will be an added fea...

House discusses Mark Espat's Hallmark Company
The House Meeting got testy on Friday when Cayo South Area Representative, Julius Espat asked Prime Minister Barrow...

American Sugar Refining Inc still interested in Purchasing BSI
The buy over of the BSI sugar factory by American Sugar Refining, Inc. (ASR) is advancing well and on target. Meeti...

Nelo Player win September celebrations Song Competition
This past weekend The National Song Competition was held at the M.C.C. Grounds. The competition had three Junior En...

Belizean is new Football Vice President of UNCAF
The Football Federation of Belize issued a release recognizing Vice-President of the FFB Rawel Pelayo, appointment ...

European Commission donates to TS Ernesto Victims
The European Commission allocates funds to assist Belizean victims of Tropical Storm Ernesto. The storm passed over...

200 sent home as GOB Southside project winds down
The Government Southside Rejuvenation Project had been ongoing for 3 years (two years beyond its projected scope) b...

Men on bicycles targets of reckless gun violence.
Men on bicycles are targets of reckless violence. C.I.B. personnel visited the KHMH on Friday night (August 24). Th...

Bicycle gunman confronts then shoots 19 year old student
Around 7:45pm on Saturday night (AUG 25) Police visited the KHMH where they saw RAHEEM NICHOLAS, of Belize City suf...

Gentle shot by man on a bicycle
Just before midnight on Sunday (August 26) Police visited the KHMH where they saw 24 year old EDMUND GENTLE, of Bel...

Blogs

Heading home to Ambergris Caye
We'd had a wonderful time on our first trip to the Toledo District of Belize and re-visiting the Stann Creek District we'd previously enjoyed, but a week had flown by, and it was now time to head back north to Ambergris Caye. We had to get up quite early to catch the Hokey Pokey water taxi from Placencia to Independence as we wanted to catch the 7:30 am Express bus to Belize City. The Hokey Pokey leaves at 6:45 am, and we had to walk to the dock. That left us no time for breakfast -- or even coffee -- before leaving. Fortunately we'd bought some fiber cookies at the grocery store the day before, and I lucked out -- an enterprising local was selling cups of steaming hot coffee as we got onto the bus for just $1.50 BZ (75 cents US). Sold! Yes, it had sugar, which I usually don't take, but I didn't care. It tasted good, and the caffeine was what I was after anyway. It had rained quite a bit overnight, but fortunately had stopped in time for our walk to the dock and ride on the ferry. We met up with the traveling Canadian girls, Heather and Lauren, at the dock, and traded experiences. We find we have more in common with travelers their age than our own in many ways.

There are so many things to do in Belize
The barrier reef lies close to shore of Belize, which shelters the land and creates a calm turquoise sea – a veritable water sports playground. Sail, kayak or jet ski. Windsurf, kite surf or para-sail. Pretty much anything you can think of is available, waiting for you to have a go. A day’s sailing and snorkeling in crystal clear waters is (we think) a near-perfect way to spend your day. Here are some suggestions of things to do, right off your beach: Snorkel and island hop, Sail away, Wildlife wonder, Catch and cook, Paddle your own canoe (or kayak), Gone with the wind.

Six Inland Belize Adventures You Will Love
As Belize becomes one of the biggest boom areas of the Caribbean, affluent visitors—and more and more celebrities—soon find themselves switching from the adventures of island-hopping to Inland Belize Adventures. Below are six inland Belize Adventures you will love. horseback riding in belize Easy: Average Fitness level Medium: Active Outdoor level Difficult: Advanced Fitness level required Horseback riding: With hundreds of miles of riverside trails and forests to explore, traveling by horseback gives you a chance to take in your surroundings without all the effort. Take a carrot as a reward for your trusty steed. (Medium) Airboats: Experience nature at an exhilarating speed when you take an airboat tour of the wetlands. This fragile ecosystem is home to unique tropical plants, turtles and the American crocodile. (Easy) Canoeing: A canoeing trip on any of Belize’s picturesque rivers is a rejuvenating adventure. As you drift along clean, clear waters try to spot the noisiest animal in the Belize jungle, the howler monkey, in the trees overhead. (Easy to Medium) Caving: Belize is home to one of the most extensive cave systems in Central America. Visitors can choose whether they want to hike, float or swim through these ancient and stunning underground spaces. (Easy to Difficult) Ziplining: Get amazing views, and your adrenaline high, as you fly through the jungle canopy on a zipline. An ideal option for family fun, memories of this exciting activity will last a lifetime. (Medium to Difficult) Hiking: Enjoy extraordinary hikes in Belize including climbs to the majestic Victoria Peak, the lookout of the Thousand Foot falls, the tallest waterfall in Central America or the neighborhood Maya temple. (Easy to Difficult)

For fly fishing excellence – Caye Caulker is the place to be!!
Once again our fly fishing guides put our tiny island on the international map!! This weekend the 4th annual Tres Pescados was held in Ambergris Caye – this tournament is where the fly fishing elite from Belize and around the world join forces to both gather data on the fishing area and also raise funds for local charities. The idea of the tournament is to test both the fisherman and the Guides as each team of 3, comprises of a Guide and 2 Fisherman – together they must bring home and have weighed their best size and amount of fly fishing’s grand slam fish – Permit, Tarpon and Bonefish. Each year Caye Caulker brothers Parnell (Fly Treks) and Ken Coc (Anglers Abroad) compete for the fun of the sport, for the pride of Caye Caulker and of course, the title!! The past two years Ken Coc has dominated the competition by his team winning and also being crowned as the Lead Guide in the competitions. This year it was his brother’s turn to light up the pride of Caye Caulker as Parnell came in second with Ken coming a close 4th. With pride we must congratulate our Coc brothers as once again they did us proud. With this win sending a clear message (once again) to those who are interested in the sport of fly fishing , that Caye Caulker is indeed the island to be for competitive prices and quality guiding!!!

International Sources

Tips for photographing birds
Perhaps you've noticed something about photographing wildlife: It's really hard. The main problem, of course, is that animals will, almost without exception, fail to pose on cue. In fact, they refuse to take any direction from you at all. And if you thought it was hard to take a photo of a cat or a dog or a moose, just try to photograph birds. In the past, we've given some advice for shooting critters, but let's zero in on tips for capturing our feathered buddies. There are two common situations you'll encounter with your camera—sitting and waiting for a bird to land somewhere, and then shooting it while it's earthbound, or trying to catch a bird in flight as it zooms by overhead. Both are fun and can yield some rewarding photos, but it's a lot harder to snap a great photo of a bird in flight, because you need to pan the camera so you track the bird's motion in the viewfinder. I suggest that you start by shooting birds when they come to our home turf—when they settle down in trees, on posts, or on some other stationary spot. You'll have to act fast, though, because they probably won't stay long. Here are four things to keep in mind:

Mexico promotes regional open skies
Mexico is advocating for its neighboring countries—Belize, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala—to agree on an open skies policy to jointly market the leisure destination known as Maya World. Under open skies, participating countries would benefit where local carriers operate fifth, sixth and seventh freedom rights in the region, linking city pairs such as Tikal-Cancún and Monterrey-San Salvador. A spokesperson for Mexico’s State of Quintana Roo told local media that open skies would bring air fares down and the number of visitors up to 18% to the region within two years.

As Genes Learn Tricks, Animal Lifestyles Evolve
Early one evening a few years ago, I took a short hike with my wife, Jamie, in the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary in Belize. The large, lush reserve is known for its healthy population of jaguars, so, following closely behind our guide, we kept our eyes peeled for the elusive cats. We saw a few tracks and some claw marks on trees, but elected to leave the jungle before nightfall. We were very near the end of the trail when we were surprised by a large snake, about six feet long, crossing directly in front of us. Belize has lots of snakes, more than 50 species. Some can get pretty large, like the boa constrictor, which is impressive but harmless. This one was not harmless. Even in the darkening jungle, the triangular pattern on its back allowed me to identify it quickly as a fer-de-lance, the most dangerous snake in Belize. Excited, and comfortable that I was well out of striking range, I reached into my backpack for my video camera and flipped on its “night shot” feature. I now saw the magnificent snake clearly on my LCD screen. As I tried to creep in for a closer shot, however, I felt something holding me back. It was Jamie. She had a grip on my backpack and was concerned that my enthusiasm for snakes had overtaken my judgment. She was not convinced that we were out of range, nor that the snake would not move quickly toward us. I used the zoom and filmed from where I stood. For me to film the snake in the dark, I had to rely on Sony’s innovation and engineering. The camera’s infrared LED source generated light with a longer wavelength than the human eye can detect; those photons then bounced off the snake and were detected by the camera’s infrared sensors and converted into an image.

Belizean authorities revoke Mello’s residency
The Belizean Immigration Ministry has reportedly annulled the residence permit for Karol Mello, a Slovak fugitive who faces at least two charges for organising murders back in 2003 and 2004. The ministry claims that he received it under false pretences, the Belizean website Reporter.bz wrote on August 24. Mello’s lawyer Godfrey Smith said that his client wants to stay in Belize and intends to do so, accepting any consequences that may follow. Belize cannot extradite Mello to Slovakia, because it has no extradition treaty with the country. However, the government of Belize could declare him persona non grata, i.e. an unwelcome person, by executive decree, and there is no legal defence against that, the Reporter.bz wrote.

August 27, 2012

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

The latest Tia Chocolate column is ready for reading!!! Opposites, Part III
In the bigger, cleaner house, Andrea lay awake, staring at the zinc ceiling. It was late, and already the moon had shifted west, bringing with it a silvery light through the open windows of the bedroom. Mama was not in the bed with her.

The sounds coming from the floor next to the bed had woken her. Mama was with Papa on his mattress where he normally slept if he didn’t fall asleep on the hammock first. The hammock was tied up tonight. The silvery light turned faint by the time she finally fell asleep again, and when she woke up, Mama was hugging her on the bed. Papa snored loudly, rumbling with each breath. In the coop, the rooster began crowing loudly. It was time to think about getting up.

The August 26th, 2012 issue of The STAR (Cayo) is online HERE

This Week's Stories:

• Empty Handed Burglar Caught In The Act
• Another Empty Handed Accused Burglar Charged
• High School Teacher Charged For Assaulting Girls
• Belize National Classification System For Hotels And Tour Operators
• This Empty Handed Burglar Goes To Jail
• Rotary’s Gift Of Life Belize Project
• Teen Depression: A Guide for Parents And Teachers
• Art In The Park of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye
• Female Facing Burglary Charge
• Four New Motorcycles For The Police
• Guatemala Ex-Police Chief Jailed For Civil War Kidnap
• STAR Humor
• Your Weekly Horoscope and Lucky Numbers
• Letters to the Editor
• Public Notices

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

Wolfe’s Woofers: Happy Birthday
“Dennis, I want you to do me a favor,” Charlie said. “I need you to keep an eye on Tommy for me.” “Sure,” I said. “What’s the problem with Tommy?” “He turns seventy-nine on his birthday this weekend and he wants a big celebration. The old fool met up with a twenty-two year-old girl yesterday who is after him for nothing but money.” “I didn’t know he had any money. Where do I come into this?” “He wanted me to go to the jewelry store with him to buy her something and I want you to go instead of me. I have to stay here at the restaurant. Try to stop him from doing anything stupid.”

Marlon August releases book entitled “My Life and Travels in Belize”
Long time islander Marlon August has penned a book entitled My Life and Travels in Belize. The book has been available for sale on the internet for the past three months. The book details August’s life since childhood days, his adventures, his travels and San Pedro, the place he had decided to make his home. August who is originally from the Cayo District has been living on Ambergris Caye for over 20 years. “What inspired me to write this book is the people (tourist) that I have meet throughout the course of the year and the stories we share,” said August. August says most of the stories are related to his personal life but some are tied down to people and events that are rich part of history. One such anecdote involves a detailed description of him hiking along the roads of Belize and getting a ride with the Father of the Nation, the late Rt. Hon. George Cadle Price. “I think I had to include that part because it shows how Belize has developed. The two people I was with, a Venezuelan and a Canadian, were surprised that the country’s leader would stop and give people along the street a ride, something not common to them in their country,” said a smiling August.

Dr. Love: Stuck
Dear Doctor Love, I’m happy to see that there is a local advice column in San Pedro because I may be moving there soon. I have had the same boyfriend for nearly three years and he is planning to move here to take a job. He wants me to come with him. Although he is older than me by more than ten years, I love him very much. I try to listen to his advice because I know he is wiser than I am but sometimes I feel like some of my decisions have to be made on my own. I know that if I wanted him to, he would marry me and even go for having children. On the other hand, I know that these are things that I will want but he will be doing them just to please me. I love the idea of leaving theU.S.and going off on a big adventure inCentral Americabut I also think that I should eventually go back to school. From what I can tell, there are no colleges that I could attend inBelize. I feel like, either way, I am going to lose something. If I go to Belize with him I won’t be able to go to college and pursue my career. On the other hand, I hate the idea of not going with him and letting love go by the way. What is my best bet? /s/ Stuck inOregon

Police Report: August 23rd, 2012
On Saturday 18th of August 2012 at about 10:12AM, Cruz Novelo, 56 year old Belizean Security Guard of Pescador Drive in San Pedro Town reported that between the hours of 5PM on the 17th and 5AM on the 18th of August, someone broke into his house and stole one TCH brand flat screen TV valued at $900 Bze and one DVD player, brand unknown, valued at $200. On Monday the 20th of August 2012 at 8:30PM, Raquel Lino 27 year old of Los Encantos located five miles north of San Pedro Town reported that on 20th of August at about 4PM whilst she was closing the lock on the door of her employer’s house namely Mark Garyle, which is located directly behind her house, she felt someone from behind push her into the house and started to touch her breast in an indecent manner without her consent. She recognized the assailant to be Martin Medina, other particulars unknown. As a result, a struggle ensued and she managed to escape and call for Police assistance. Police is looking for Martin Medina as part of their investigation.

Misc Belizean Sources

COUNTRY FOODS COOPERATIVE SUCCESS STORY IN BELIZE
Country Foods cooperative is growing in production. ALL is sold on the local market. Nothing is exported yet. Eggs represent 71% of this Spanish Lookout Cooperative. 18% of their business is in RK beans. Rice represents the other 11%. 80% of their beans are RK beans. They also produce and market cranberry, and smaller red beans, with black eyed peas. There is nobody in Belize producing LENTILS yet, my favorite bean and the one we always buy, but it is imported. The cooperative rice is packed in 20, 50 and 100 pound bags. They distribute locally about 800,000 lbs of rice per year. About 1 million pounds of beans are sold each year locally.

COUNTRY FOODS EGG PRODUCING COOPERATIVE TO GET NEW BRAZILIAN MACHINERY
Country Foods is going to become more mechanized. Instead of labor intensive candeling and sorting for size with eggs, they have ordered a machine from Brazil, that will do the job. Country Foods Cooperative market about 7 to 8000 eggs a month. The new system when operational will use plastic egg containers. Laying hens are good for 16 to 19 months, when they are culled and sold off. The current trend is export to Guatemala, as buyers come in and bid on them.

Seine Bight Day Weekend in Belize was a blast!
Music, culture and fun in the sun were in abundance at this year’s Seine Bight Day Weekend in Belize. Seine Bight Day Weekend was held on August 17 to August 19, 2012, in Seine Bight Village, Stann Creek District, and was one of the numerous events occurring around the country. Other festivities were the San Joaquin Fiesta and the Willow’s Bank Fyah Haat Fest. “The funds raised from the weekend are to be used to build a basketball court in the village, which is definitely needed,” shared Francisco Palacio, chairman of Seine Bight Village. “Everyone enjoyed themselves with the games, contests, music and live entertainment. During the three days, the beach was full of life. Participants were up early in the morning to await the upcoming activities and stayed up late into the night for its festivities. I’d like to thank everyone who made the Seine Bight Day Weekend a great success.” For more than ten years, the village of Seine Bight has been hosting this celebration, which commemorates the existence of the community. Every year, the event gets bigger, with many Belizeans travelling down south to join the villagers in their celebration. Fun competitions at the event included swimming contests, coconut husking contests, and Punta contests among others. Cash prizes and giveaways kept contestants striving to win at every try. During the night, live music and entertainment by Belize’s very own renowned artists kept everyone dancing all night long. Next year’s Seine Bight Day weekend promises to be even better!

Thread By Thread
A graduate of Sacred Heart Junior College has come up with a great idea, following the 'pay it forward' concept. Thread by Thread is a nonprofit that donates school uniforms to children that can't afford them. Awesome idea! "The expression 'pay it forward' is used to describe the concept of asking that a good deed be repaid by having a good deed done for others instead. Thread by thread is a nonprofit company dedicated to making sure Belizean school children whose families cannot afford material goods have both what they need to attend school and also learn to share the giving by giving themselves. By helping students obtain school uniforms we hope that each student will be driven to further his or her education. By giving the uniforms we hope each student absorbs the mind set of being grateful for what he or she receives. By requiring recipients to 'pay it forward' we hope that in return for our gift, they will learn that giving brings more value than just the dollar amount of what was received. We are about 'Making Threads by Giving Threads.'"

Marcia Moody is Queen of the West
Congratulations to Marcia Moody for winning Queen of the West. The September Celebrations have officially started. Good luck at the Queen of the Bay!

Euphoria Dance pictures
Danny Chung was at the Euphoria Dance at Barrio Fino to take some stills. He got some good ones, in the color of Summer. Cloud 9 was the headliner, with Tagg International and Mistah Geeh opening. Thanks go out to News Exchange, Bowen & Bowen, which had the Verano beer flowing, and the Royal Car Wash.

LOVE TV

Millions of dollars in damages to the Sugar Industry
Cane farmers in the north are facing millions of dollars in damages caused by pests and natural disasters. Recent floods brought on by the passage of tropical depression number seven inundated a number of cane fields in the north, particularly in Corozal. Alfredo Ortega is the vice chairman of the committee of management of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association. Ortega says that damage from flooding is not the only thing making life difficult for cane farmers as they are also battling the pest, known as the froghopper. The other challenge facing cane farmers is the condition of roads leading to the farms which allow them to move their product from the field to the factory. Ortega says the BSCFA is appealing for help from government; but at this time it is slow to non-existent. Ortega says the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association plans to continue lobbying government for assistance to help cane farmers during these challenging times.

Sugar dividends to be paid shortly
BSI employees were informed this morning through an information bulletin that arrangements are being put in place for the first payment of outstanding dividends. This announcement comes at the heels of negotiations between BSI and American Sugar Refinery that have been ongoing since late May of this year when some 400 BSI employees under Belize Employees Holding trust voted in favor for the American company to become the major share holder of the Tower Hill based company. In the bulletin issued to employees this morning as they reported to work, Managing director of BSI Joey Montalvo says “that he is pleased to announce that all commercials matters and legal documentation with respect to the Purchase Agreement has been agreed between BSI and ASR and the necessary approval from existing shareholders of BSI to proceed with the signing have been received.” The other existing shareholders of the company include Tate & Lyle and the Government of Belize. It is understood that the purchase agreement was signed yesterday. The transaction cannot not be cannot be called a done-deal yet as completion of the transaction is estimated to take another month, but at least employees can feel confident that by next week Friday they should be receiving the first fifty percent of outstanding dividends owed to them since 1998. If everything follows as planned nine months after next week Friday employees should receive 30% of the remain balance and within a year after the signing they are expected to receive the last 20%. Retired BSI employees should expect to receive 100% of outstanding dividends by next week Friday. In the month that follows to completion date the release goes to explain that BSI and ASR will continue to meet in order to conclude various conditions associated to the transaction which includes the existing lenders to BSI and Belcogen regarding payment.

Victory for Oceana-Belize in the Supreme Court
Oceana-Belize has won round one of its battle with the government over oil contracts issued to a number of companies to conduct offshore petroleum exploration. On Wednesday, Attorney for the government, Herbert Panton, argued why the court ought to strike out Oceana’s claim against the government and Attorney for Oceana, Senior Counsel Godfrey Smith, argued that the claim was a legitimate one. Today, Justice Oswald Legall gave his ruling on those arguments and Love News got a lay man’s explanation of the ruling, what it means and what happens next from Oceana-Belize’s Vice President, Audrey Matura-Shepherd. But while Oceana has gotten the green light, the bigger battle lies ahead now. Oceana-Belize, meanwhile, has another case pending aside from this one in the court against the government. In that one, it is challenging the disqualification of over eight thousand names of people who had signed its petition on oil drilling.

High school buy murdered in Belmopan
Police have detained 19-year-old Jose Enrique Flores pending charges following the death of a teenager last night. Correspondent Fem Cruz has the details.

Four charged for robbery
Four men and two women were charged with firearm and ammunition offences and handling stolen goods when they appeared in court today. They are 23 year old Aaron Bailey, 21 year old Inmar Welch, 22 year old Jeffrey Mcdougal, 27 year old Jareth Gault, 47 year old Carol Vivas and her daughter 24 year old Teresita Vivas. They were charged with one count of kept prohibited firearm, one count of kept firearm without a gun license and two counts kept ammunition without a gun license. The firearms were a .38 special revolver and a Smith and Wesson .357 Magnum revolver. The ammunition was six live rounds and four live rounds of .38 calibre. The charge of handling stolen goods was for a blue cell phone valued at $200.00. Apart from those charges Bailey, Welch, Mcdougal and Gault were charged with robbery. They pleaded not guilty to charges. Magistrate Aretha Ford explained to them that the court cannot offer them bail because of the nature of the offences. She remanded them into custody until October 2. The robbery occurred around 2:30 p.m. yesterday at Paula’s Store on Cemetery Road. The culprits stole a purse that contained $400.00 , a cell phone and other items. The police received a report of the robbery in progress and they apprehended the suspects about 90 minutes later. Later the same day the police went to Vivas’ residence on Plues Street and reported that they found the firearms and ammunition and recovered the cell phone.

Man jailed for drug trafficking
Fifty-four year old fudge vendor Godfrey Rowland , charged with drug trafficking for 26.3 pounds of cannabis, was sentenced to 5 years today by Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith after he was found guilty of the charge. It was his fourth conviction for drug trafficking. Rowland was also found guilty of driving without a driver’s license and driving a motor vehicle not covered by insurance. He was fined $150.00 for the first offence and $500.00 for the second. The incident occurred around 9 a.m. on December 21, 2011. The police had a checkpoint at mile 4 on the Northern Highway and they intercepted a grey car as it pulled off the highway about 100 metres from the checkpoint. Rowland was the only occupant of the car at the time and when the police searched the trunk of the car they found the bag of cannabis. Rowland testified and said that he was hitching a ride and the driver of the car had gone to purchase something. But Chief Magistrate Smith did not believe his story and she found him guilty.

New drop-in centre for south side youths
A new drop-in centre for at-risk young men was officially opened this morning in Belize City. The facility occupies the space held formerly by Big Daddy’s restaurant at the Commercial Centre. At the launch of the program, it was explained that the Southside Youth Success Project Drop In centre is a collaborative effort of the government of Belize, the United Nations Development Program and the Central American Regional Security Initiative known by the acronym CARSI. One of the speakers at the launch of the project was the United States ambassador to Belize Vinai Thummalapally. At the heart of the broad-ranging project is to help young people improve their lives and cut down on the senseless crime and violence in the urban areas. The centre provides a youth-friendly space where young men and boys, particularly from the south side of Belize City can come get life skills training. Roberto Valent is the country representative for the United Nations Development Program in Belize, and he addressed the youths at this morning’s launch.

Improvements sought for the public transportation system
“Clear the Land” fires back... The array of concerns in the public transportation system has spanned over many years and successive Ministers of Transportation have attempted to correct the many voids that exist therein. The current Transport Board has formulated a list of conditions that bus owners who operate in the west and south of the country must meet in order to carry out their service. That list includes, albeit a lengthy one, is supposed to take the quality of the bus industry from what it is to what would be considered acceptable. Minister with responsibility for Transport, Edmund Castro, told Love News that these conditions are supposed to take the quality of the bus industry from what it currently is to what is considered to be acceptable. Bus operators have been given one month the longest in order to receive their road service permits, or else.

Spinal surgery at the KHMH
The nation’s referral hospital, the Karl Heusner Memorial, has reached another milestone as now it is able to now provide a clinic for spinal injuries and specifically, a condition that results in what we call hump back. The life-saving intervention now available was first performed on Wednesday at the hospital. The new service comes through a joint effort on the part of the hospital and doctors from the US. Neurosurgeon, Doctor Joel Cervantes, says that it is a major breakthrough for Belize and Belizeans. Keri George was part of the visiting team that performed the first procedure locally. In the US, one of the spinal surgeries can cost well over a hundred thousand US dollars while in Belize, it is not to go over a thousand Belize dollars. Most of the screws and costly instruments required to perform the procedure is donated to help defray costs.

Motorcycles for the police department
The Ministry of National Security has just acquired four new motorcycles to assist them in maintaining law and order in various villages of the Belize District, as was promised by the Minister of National Security, John Saldivar during his country wide tour. According to Rural Executive officer Assistand Superintendent Glen Rivero, the new dirt bikes will assist in policing the formation under his command which covers the entire rural area that runs from Mahogany Heights to Western Paradise on the Western Highway and from Halouver Bridge to Rhaburn’s Ridge on the Northern Highway. The four Meliun dirt bikes were purchased by the Government of Belize at a total cost of fourteen thousand dollars and will be specifically assigned to the villages of Sandhill, Bermudian Landing, Hattieville and Crooked Tree. A temporary residence has also been identified and secured for the posting of a resident police officer in Crooked Tree Village, while plans are underway for the construction of a permanent police station and living quarters there. The urgent need for the police station has been addressed through direct intervention of the area representative, Edmund Castro and Minister of National Security, John Saldivar.

Selva Maya consultation held in Belmopan
A consultation workshop on the Selva Maya project was held on Thursday in Belmopan. The project tri-national project involving Belize, Mexico and Guatemala is being executed jointly by the German Agency for International Development and the Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and Sustainable Development. It is aimed at promoting the conservation of existing ecosystems and their biodiversity through sustainable management and the use of natural resources. Jaap Schoorl is the regional program director for the German Development Cooperation. According to Schoorl, the Selva Maya, which started in 2011, covers a period of about fifteen years and will see the investment of over twenty million dollars among the three participating countries. Thursday’s stakeholders workshop was held at the George Price Centre in Belmopan.

National Song competition set for Saturday at MCC Grounds
Tomorrow the MCC grounds in Belize City will come to life as the National Song and Carnival Song for this year is chosen. Joseph Stamp Romero is the Creative Arts Development Officer at the Institute of Creative Arts and organizer of the National Song Competition. The entrance is free of cost and the whole family is invited to come out and support your favourite artist.

Municipal Bond legislation goes to parliament
The House of Representatives met today in Belmopan. It was a short agenda which featured a short list of five amendment bills, among them three that dealt with the banking sector. The passage of the bills now sends them to the upper house of parliament where they are expected to be ratified by the Senate next week. The House also passed two motions, one for the establishment of a National Assembly Staff Committee and the other approving a two million US dollar loan from the Caribbean Development Bank to be used for education sector reform. Aside from the Bills for second and third readings, Prime Minister Dean Barrow today introduced two Bills having to do with a proposed municipal bond by the Belize City Council. The first Bill is for an Act to provide for the Belize City Council to float a twenty million dollar municipal bond to be used for infrastructural development. The Prime Minister told parliament that the Bill has the support of Cabinet. The Prime Minister commended Mayor Bradley for his initiative and noted that government is fully behind the municipal bond issue. And the Prime Minister used his time on the floor of the House at the introduction of the Bill to offer a sales pitch to potential bond holders.

Man jailed for sex assault on girl
Sixty-six year old Venustiano Pacheco, a Mexican national was sentenced to three years yesterday after he was found guilty of aggravated assault of an indecent nature on an eight year old girl. The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. on February 25, 2011 in Scotland Half Moon Village. The child, a Standard 1 student, testified that she was taking a bath outdoor at the back of her house when Pacheco, her neighbor, came to her and knelt down in front of her and sexually assaulted her. The child’s aunt testified that she caught Pacheco in the act. Pacheco testified but he did not contest the child’s testimony. He said that the aunt was lying and that she had made up the story. But Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith did not believe Pacheco and she found him guilty. Pacheco was not represented by any attorney. Inspector Carol Tucker represented the prosecution.

Burglary at Belmopan Baptist High School
Belmopan Police reportedly have three men detained following the report of an apparent burglary at the Baptist High School in the Banana Bank area on the Western Highway just out of Belmopan. Reports are that sometime between four thirty yesterday evening and eight thirty this morning someone made off with about nine thousand dollars in cash and three thousand dollars in cheques that was locked up in a safe in the principal’s office. The money was school fees that had been collected over the past three weeks. The metal door of the safe was reportedly forced open.

Girl alleges her uncle raped her
A rape has been reported in Belmopan. The victim, a seventeen year old female in the presence of a Justice of the Peace, reported to police that on the 14th of August she was in the company of her uncle and another male person who is unknown to her. She alleged that they visited Valley of Peace village where they were consuming alcohol and later left to Armenia Village to continue drinking. They then went to Cave’s Branch where her uncle and the other male began swimming. It is then that her uncle came out of the river and proceeded to hold her hands down, took off her underwear and had sexual intercourse with her against her will. The minor’s uncle has been detained pending charges.

Compol meets Crooked Tree residents after GSU rampage
Two days ago Love News brought you the story of a Gang Suppression Unit visit to Crooked Tree Village that ended in what residents describe as abuse on the village youths. The incident allegedly happened at the village basketball court where the GSU members went to conduct an investigation. One day after the allegation hit the airwaves, the Commissioner of Police, David Henderson, visited the youths in the village along with the Area Representative, Edmund “Clear the Land” Castro. Love News was there and spoke with one of the youths who alleges that he was abused is Devin Swasey, who only a few weeks ago, was viciously attacked and bitten by a crocodile in the Crooked Tree Lagoon. Swasey told reporters on Wednesday that one of the GSU members stood on his hand that is still healing from the crocodile attack. He told reporters on Wednesday the incident happened at between eight-thirty and nine on Tuesday night while eight of them were on the court. Commissioner of Police, David Henderson, told us that the allegation will be investigated and that he and Minister of State, Castro discusses the possibility of assigning a policeman in the village, which has been without police presence for a few years. Meanwhile, Minister Castro told us that while a police station will be built in the village, in the interim, a policeman will be stationed there. He reassured that the government has zero tolerance for abuse of authority, if that is what really occurred on the part of the GSU members. The results of the investigation into the allegations of abuse by GSU members should be known before the end of next week.

Belmopan Queen of the Bay disqualified after winning the crown
Last weekend Jasmine Arce was crowned Miss Queen of the Bay Belmopan however Arce is upset because she found out she will not be allowed to participate in the national competition next weekend. Arturo Cantun has the details.

Telethon in aid of accident victim planned
There is good news to report about a child who almost lost his life when the dwelling he calls home fell on top of him. A few weeks ago, ten year old Brighton Cordova almost died while he was playing with two puppies underneath the house and the house fell on him. After doctors at the Northern Regional Hospital resuscitated the child, he was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital before being stabilized and transferred back to the Northern Regional. Brighton returned home today from the hospital and his aunt, Marvette MacFarlane, told Love News that he is in good spirits and responding well. But aside from that, he and his family need your help in order that he might make it back to some level of normalcy. They have rallied the Orange Walk community to help them to raise funds to meet medical expenses and costly therapeutic sessions for Brighton. If you would like to assist Brighton, you can call Marvette McFarlane at 626 1958. That number again is: 626 1958.

PlusTV

Will Ms belmopan get to compete in National Queen of the Bay?
We broached the issue of Ms. Belmopan - Queen of the Bay 2012 – 2013 last night. Jasmine Arce is scheduled to repre...

Compre student murdered in Belmopan
A family in the community of San Martin here in Belmopan, is tonight mourning the loss of a son and a brother. 16 y...

PlusNews visits Baptist High and speaks with Board member
It was business as usual at the Belmopan Baptist School orientation day. The bad press it had been receiving this w...

Crime down in Cayo thanks to Community Policing
In terms of crime, Police forces have been focusing on Belize City and trying to keep the occurrence of criminal ac...

Cayo Police Give updates: Bert Vasquez Jasmine Lowe case
Officer in Command of the Benque Viejo Del Carmen Supt. Ralph Moody, Supt. Alvan Gentle for the City of Belmopan an...

Cayo Police give UPDATES: Willacey, Silva case, Tzec Case, Hyde case
In regards to the Willacy's recent opprobrium Police have conducted an investigation into the matter. Silva was las...

University of Belize inaugurates Solar Panel Project
Last week we gave you a detail tour of the newly built Solar Panel System at the University of Belize. Infrastructu...

Major fire at Butane Depot disrupts traffic
There was a major butane fire yesterday evening at mile 4 ½ on the Western Highway. The fire was finally brought un...

Pacheco gets 3 years for molesting 8 year old
A Mexican man will be spending the next 3 years in jail. 66 year-old Venustiano Pacheco was sentence after he was c...

Police quick response leads to arrest of robbers
Yesterday afternoon (Aug 23) just before 3pm Police responded to a robbery in progress at Paula’s Store on Cemetery...

Blogs

Knocked myself out
It was a fairly lazy day at the taco shack, after cleaning up after dinner party, I ended up having a nap then watching National Treasure in bed with tacoboy. Sometimes a movie in bed is a perfect Sunday thing to d, quiet time it was much needed by both of us as life never seems to slow down. I got a good reminder of why I do not drink last night, all it took was two of of my favorite coconut rum drinks, I mix it with fresh watermelon juice and sometimes add a bit of lime or cilantro. I went from zero to done and sadly knocked myself out from the party :( Thankfully I was only hit with minor goma [hangover] today. Paul reminded me I was not the only one we have seen do that and we had a good laugh over some past knockouts while we enjoyed coffee on the veranda. I was watching for fish, I over head the people across the canal talking about seeing Crocodiles and it reminded me that One of my work projects this week is blogging our crocodile cruise aka the CSI Croc Adventure. We did it recently and had a great time, I learned so much. For now you can read about it in San Pedro Scoop – CSI Belize Tour: A Night Time Search for Crocs on Ambergris Caye. To find out more about taking the CSI Belize tour visit the American Crocodile Education Sanctuary website. Totally a trip worth taking and a perfect kid friendly option.

Heading up to Ak'Bol and Palapa Bar on a HOT Summer Day
When I go visit the states, one of the most frequent questions that I get is: "Don't you miss the changing season?" No. No, I don't...at least not in the way they are asking. Cold weather makes me miserable for the most part and we DO have seasons in Belize, definite seasons. This past day or two have been definite examples of the hot, almost breeze less weather that we tend to have at the end of summer/early fall. The water is so flat that there isn't even a break over the reef in many spots. And the sky is so so incredibly blue.

Cheap flights to Belize
Flight stats for Belize – did you know? There are 19 airports in Belize and the 5 biggest are Philip S.W. Goldson Intl Airport (Belize City, Belize) Right now, 11 airlines operate out of Philip S.W. Goldson Intl Airport. Philip S.W. Goldson Intl Airport offers nonstop flights to 16 cities. Every week, at least 483 domestic flights and 105 international flights depart from Philip S.W. Goldson Intl Airport. Dangriga Airport (Dangriga, Belize) Right now, 2 airlines operate out of Dangriga Airport. Dangriga Airport offers nonstop flights to 4 cities. Every week, at least 280 domestic flights and 0 international flights depart from Dangriga Airport. San Pedro Airport (San Pedro, Belize) Right now, 2 airlines operate out of San Pedro Airport. San Pedro Airport offers nonstop flights to 5 cities. Every week, at least 329 domestic flights and 0 international flights depart from San Pedro Airport.

International Sources

Mexico scrambles to cope with egg shortage
Mexico scrambles to cope with egg shortage, spending millions on emergency measures The Mexican government is battling an egg shortage and hoarding that have caused prices to spike in a country with the highest per-capita egg consumption on Earth. A summer epidemic of bird flu in the heart of Mexico's egg industry has doubled the cost of a kilo (2.2 pounds), or about 13 eggs, to more than 40 pesos ($3), a major blow to working- and middle-class consumers in a country that consumes more than 350 eggs per person each year. That's 100 more eggs per person than in the United States. Egg prices have dominated the headlines here for a week, spurring Mexico City's mayor to ship tons of cheap eggs to poor neighborhoods and the federal government to announce emergency programs to get fresh chickens to farms hit by bird flu and to restock supermarket shelves with eggs imported from the U.S. and Central America. The national dismay over egg prices has revealed the unappreciated importance of a cheap, easy source of protein that's nearly as important to Mexican kitchens as tortillas, rice and beans. Added boiled to stewed chicken, raw to a fruit-juice hangover cure and in every other conceivable form to hundreds of other foods, the once-ubiquitous egg has disappeared from many street-side food stands and middle-class kitchens in recent days. "Eggs, as you know, are one of Mexicans' most important foods and make up a core part of their diet, especially in the poorest regions of the country," President Felipe Calderon said Friday as he announced about $227 million in emergency financing and commercial measures to restore production and replace about 11 million chickens slaughtered after the June outbreak of bird flu.

Sea Level Rise Threatens Countries, Regions And Cities Around The World
With sea levels expected to rise by as much as three feet by the year 2100, in large part due to climate change, low-lying countries and coastal cities face an unprecedented challenge this century. Recent research indicated that in the next several centuries, average global sea levels could rise somewhere between 18 and 29 feet, explains Climate Central, a nonprofit climate news and research organization. Much of this potential sea level rise may be spurred by glacial melting in the world's polar regions. James Hansen, a professor at Columbia University and head of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, has said that the global goal to limit atmospheric warming to 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius) "is actually a prescription for long-term disaster." Hansen fears, LiveScience reported, that with warming of two degrees, we could see an ice-free Arctic and a notable rise in sea-levels by tens of meters.

Underwater, Feeling Our Ocean Origins
I’ve always loved scuba diving and the cell-tickling feel of being underwater, though it poses unique frustrations. Alone, but with others, you may share the same sights and feelings, but you can’t communicate well. There are few ways to convey joy, amazement or thrill. How many divers know American Sign Language? The vocabulary of scuba talk is small and inadequate, circling around the transactional analyst’s bywords, I’m O.K. Are you O.K.? One can also signal: I’m in trouble, I’m low on air, I’m going to surface, Look at that, I’m cold, Danger over there, My ears haven’t pressurized, Stay where you are — but little more. “Isn’t that fish on the rock face spending his whole life guarding a minute territory mind-blowing?” is just as unsayable as “I’ve got to go to the toilet.” Or “My throat feels parched from the wheeze of the regulator.” Or “Those brown angelfish are hanging like flak in the water.” I think some people may dive, in part, for the thick layers of quiet and the luxury of not having to converse.

Moodys downgrades Belize
Less than 48 hours after Standard & Poors downgraded Belize, another international credit rating agency has followed suit. The Wall Street-based Moody's Investors Service said it lowered Belize's local currency bond and deposit ceilings to B2 from B1. The foreign currency country ceilings on bonds and deposits remain unchanged at Caa2. It said the action reflects the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countrys decision to renege on the 8.5 per cent August coupon payment. The payment was for a US$547 million sovereign bond maturing in 2029 (the Superbond), after publicly budgeting for the US$23.5 million outlay in the 2012/13 budget. The Superbond, which accounts for 48 per cent of total central government debt and 57 per cent of external debt, is itself the result of a distressed debt exchange completed in 2007, Moodys said. The agency noted that the indicative scenarios released by the government on August 8 - a par bond and two discount bond options - resulted in bondholders absorbing losses of 70-80 per cent in net present value terms.

PHOTOS of BELIZE
Taken by travelers....

Blancaneaux Lodge on Top 10 List
They'll make a top 10 list about anything. This list has the top 10 celebrity owned hotels in the world. Francis Ford Copola's Cayo resort, Blancaneaux Lodge, is on it, as is Bob Marley's Resort, which wins for the best bar name: Stir It Up. "In a secluded corner of the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve lies this charming 20-lodge resort designed to slide you perfectly into the surrounding natural environment. With a mix of rustic and amenity-filled cabins strewn along a waterfall-fueled river, the property is ideal for contemplating starry nights, relaxing in hammocks, exploring a vast realm of unspoilt nature and embracing the meaning of getting away"

August 26, 2012

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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

Grace Kennedy and SPTC Traffic Department team up to offer “Back to School” giveaway
The San Pedro Town council has joined forces with Grace Kennedy Belize to offer a “Back to School Giveaway” for single parents in San Pedro. The promotion comes as Grace Kennedy celebrates 30 years of serving Belize and as an effort from the SPTC Traffic Department to do what it can in assisting the education of the kids of La Isla Bonita. Councilor in charge of the Traffic Department, Kenrick Brackett, told The San Pedro Sun that they will be offering gift baskets for no less than 60 single parent families on a first come basis. He is also working to provide as much as 100 or more if possible and would like to invite all single parent families out for their chance to benefit from the giveaway. Each basket will be filled with school supplies and products from Grace Kennedy Belize Ltd. Grace Kennedy will also be on hand with free samples and offering taste testing for a wide range of their products as well as new products that they are introducing to the local market. The giveaway will take place on Saturday, September 1st, the weekend before classes resume in schools.

Proposed protected areas get the green light from island residents
The Ambergris Caye Wetland Committee (ACWC) held its last in a series of consultations with islanders and stakeholders on their proposal to have three areas off and on Ambergris Caye declared as national reserves. The areas in question are Mexico Rock’s Marine Reserve, Bajos proposed Marine Reserve and Mata/Cayo Frances lagoons. At the last consultation held on Tuesday night, August 21st, the team received no opposition to the proposal and as such, it is a go. The San Pedro Sun reported on this proposal on January 12, 2012 (Vol. 22, Issue #02). The smallest of the three proposed areas is the Mexico Rock’s Marine Reserve. This particular area starts north of the Palmero Channel area, runs five miles south to Mata Channel and 1.5 miles wide for a total of 8.75sq miles. The reserve will begin at the coastline sea grass bed area and extend east to where the reef shelf drops off. A “no-take” zone has been designated in the middle of the perimeter, which is currently used for recreational activities. The size of the no take zone is 1.5 square miles (one mile running along the reef and 1.5 miles running east to west from the outer fore-reef). The no take area is positioned so as to provide a 1.5 mile buffer on the north and south sides of the perimeter.

13 year old Belizean girl first Belize scoliosis surgery patient
Dr. Andrew Moulton, a New York based Pediatric Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, was matter of fact as he described the historic first scoliosis corrective surgical operation performed in at the Karl Huesner Memorial Hospital two days ago on a 13-year-old Belizean girl. Although his manner appeared professionally detached, it was clear to those in attendance at this morning’s press conference that he was very pleased with nearly all aspects of the complex undertaking, especially the results so far. His colleague, Dr John Williams, an Indiana-based Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, said that by this morning the teen was already able to sit up in a chair less than 72 hours after having the life-altering 6-hour operation. Scoliosis is described as an abnormal curving of the spine in this particular patient’s case, Dr. Williams said that the curvature had grown by 20 degrees between their examination and diagnosis 6 months ago, and the surgery this week. Until Wednesday she faced a life of misery, pain and the vulnerabilities caused by the mal-formation, and the distinct possibility of an early death.

Two Old Town San Pedro landmarks torn down as Sunset Boardwalk constuction begins
Two landmarks of old town San Pedro, the Saca Chispas Football Field and the ‘El Embarcadero’ area, have been torn down to make way for the construction on the new San Pedro Sunset Boardwalk. The dismantling of the areas, seen as the last remaining symbols of San Pedro as a fishing village, started the week following the annual Costa Maya Festival, making way for the multi-million dollar development project that will transform the location into a modern spectacle for tourism. The project will be a state of the art enhancement geared towards improving tourism on the western side of the island. While ground was broken on June 21st, the San Pedro Sunset Boardwalk Project has come under fire by local fishermen, tour operators and residents in the area since November of 2009, when planning and consultation started. Some residents opposed the project on the basis that the ‘El Embarcadero’ area is the only place on the island that paints a true picture of how the island used to be when it was a fishing village.

Police Report: August 23rd, 2012
On Saturday 18th of August 2012 at about 10:12AM, Cruz Novelo, 56 year old Belizean Security Guard of Pescador Drive in San Pedro Town reported that between the hours of 5PM on the 17th and 5AM on the 18th of August, someone broke into his house and stole one TCH brand flat screen TV valued at $900 Bze and one DVD player, brand unknown, valued at $200. Police visited and processed the scene whereby the house was observed to be a bungalow concrete house. Entry was suspected to have been gained by breaking out two metal louvers on the northern side of the building. No arrest has been made and police continues their investigation. On Saturday 18th of August 2012 at 9:15AM Francisco Alvarado, 33 year old Belizean Director of Grand Belizean Estates Limited reported that on the 13th of August 2012 at 7:12PM whilst he was at the Train Station Gym working out, his alarm on his phone went off which is connected to his office security system located on Barrier Reef Drive. He quickly made his way to his office where upon arrival he noticed that a flat screen TV valued at $1500, which had been on the wall was in another room on the floor, and two wireless USB were missing valued at $40 each. He called for Police assistance and with the quick response of the police, led to the detention of Ernesto Cacho. A search of Ernesto Cacho by the police led to the discovery of two wireless USBs which had been missing. Entry is suspected to have been made by breaking the glass window on the northern side of the building. Cacho was detained pending further investigation.

Lion Fish Street Project vandalized; perpetrators caught on Camera
The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) is offering a $500 reward for anyone who can help them identify the persons responsible for defacing the freshly placed concrete slabs placed along Lion Street. The defacing of the concrete occurred during a short period of time, between 9:30PM and 9:45PM, on Tuesday August 21st right in front of Maya Island Air. The entire incident was caught on surveillance camera. The concrete slabs had been recently set down on Lion Street as part of the street rehabilitation project conducted by Medina’s Construction. At least six of the slabs were defaced, four of which will need to be fixed or replaced. Speaking to The San Pedro Sun as he inspected the project Mayor Daniel Guerrero said, “It is unacceptable for people to destroy something that will benefit the entire island. Honestly I don’t think the island needs these kinds of people that are in the business of destroying our infrastructure.” The Mayor also took the opportunity to review the footage from a surveillance camera at Captain Shark’s that captured three males defacing the concrete by carving all sort of messages, leaving a “bad taste” to visitors and residents alike. The surveillance, in which one of the brave men stared at the camera, captured the young men moving from slab to slab while at least ten people passed by and even observed the men defacing the pavement.

Misc Belizean Sources

Belize Tourism Industry Association's first Marketing Summit a success
As social media continues to heavily influence how travelers choose their vacation destinations and specific booking options, the country of Belize is quick to recognize that perhaps they are not maximizing online marketing opportunities. On August 23, the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) hosted its first marketing and tourism summit in Belize City with marketing strategist and best-selling author David Meerman Scott. Mr. Scott is a professional speaker who travels the globe helping educate a variety of businesses and organizations on the importance of online marketing and public relations. He has written eight books, including three international bestsellers, with The New Rules of Marketing and PR landing six months on the BusinessWeek bestseller list and translated into 26 languages. Scott facilitated three 90 minute sessions focusing on content marketing, real-time marketing and PR, and the effective use of social media. At the conclusion of each session, industry stakeholders conducted panel discussions to provide additional insight on each of the main subject matters.

Galen University is Growing
Congratulations to Galen University for growing their student base. And a big congratulations to the 71 recent graduates. Good luck, and have a great semester. "Galen University’s student enrollment has grown by leaps and bounds from 285 students at the beginning of the 2009 academic year in September 2009, to 340 in 2010, to 404 last September and to 460 this year with the enrollment of 110 new students for whom orientation exercises were held on Thursday, August 23. Seventy-one graduates received degrees when the University held its sixth annual commencement exercises at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel on Sunday, August 19."

LOVE FM

Fudge Vendor Imprisoned for Drug Trafficking
Fifty-four year old fudge vendor Godfrey Rowland , charged with drug trafficking for 26.3 pounds of cannabis, was sentenced to five years by Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith after he was found guilty of the charge. It was his fourth conviction for drug trafficking. Row...

Six Charged For Firearm Offences
Four men and two women were charged with firearm and ammunition offences and handling stolen goods when they appeared in court yesterday. They are 23 year old Aaron Bailey, 21 year old Inmar Welch, 22 year old Jeffrey Mcdougal, 27 year old Jareth Gault, 47 year old Carol Vivas and her ...

Murder in Belize City
A man was murdered last night in Belize City. The victim has been identified as twenty year old Miraldo Alvarez an unemployed resident of number 236 Guzman Crescent. According to Police reports, C.I.B personnel visited the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where th...

Blogs

Cottage weather
Today’s island weather reminds me of waking up at the cottage, and that fall is coming fast. The birds are singing and there is very peaceful energy. I remember those fun days as a kid and later in our adult years in Muskoka at my cousins cottage, we had so many good times up there. I hope it gets hot like Indian summer later, doing a small dinner party tonight and it would be nice have the air a bit warmer. I am not up for the polar bear pool thing. I almost find it hard to believe that I jumped in Lake Muskoka in March one year. I forget how cold it was but lets just say beyond freezing covers it – what a rush. It is cooling of a lot now and I can hear thunder rumbling in the background. If the Maya weather god is listening better to get rain out of the way now versus later please.

It's Turtle Season: But Hatchlings on the Beach At Royal Palms?
Royal Palms, the condo community where I reside, is about one mile south of town. Not really an untouched area anymore, there are other condos, hotels, and homes all around us. But yesterday, my friend Jamie (who incredibly sadly is leaving Monday after 7 weeks visiting) found a baby turtle making his way up the pathway at Royal Palms. Broad daylight and he was about 20 feet from the beach heading in the wrong direction. Flapping away on the sidewalk. Not his native environment. You may have seen the pictures I posted last week (on my Facebook page) of Jamie releasing baby turtles in Cancun. But those Mexican turtles had been cordoned off as soon as their mothers laid the eggs and very carefully protected. There were tons of nests at Royal Sands, Cancun... And each participant was handed a baby turtle or three (out of 421!) to send into the Caribbean waters...and to watch to make sure she swam off rather than to the shore. But a baby turtle at Royal Palms? This narrow beach with all day foot traffic where half of it is surrounded by sea wall?

International Sources

Beyond the Luster Of Mahogany. Mahogany for 18th-century furniture was harvested under appalling conditions across the Caribbean. Slaves branded with owners’ monograms lived in thatched huts and scouted for trees. They had to drag and roll felled mahogany trunks to riverfronts and then float the logs, which were chained together, to ships waiting in bays full of sharks and coral reefs. There were only a few upsides to the task. “Enslaved woodcutters had the option of wielding their machetes against a despised authority or just slipping away into the surrounding forest,” the historian Jennifer L. Anderson writes in a new book, “Mahogany: The Costs of Luxury in Early America” (Harvard University Press). In a recent interview Ms. Anderson emphasized that she did not want readers to begin recoiling in horror from mahogany antiques, despite the material’s origins in cruelty. Her goal, she said, was to reveal the human dramas and real estate battles behind the objects.

New study shows tectonic interactions formed arc of Caribbean
A new study published in the journal Nature Geoscience indicates that the movement of Earth's viscous mantle against South America has pushed the Caribbean islands east over the last 50 million years. In announcing the study, the University of Southern California (USC) said the findings upend previous hypotheses of the seismic activity beneath the Caribbean Sea and provide an important new look at the unique tectonic interactions that are causing the Caribbean plate to tear away from South America. According to researchers, the Caribbean plate is being pushed eastward due to a thick section of the South American plate called a "cratonic keel." This section of crust is three times thicker than its surroundings. Part of the South American plate is meanwhile being pushed beneath the Caribbean plate, a process called subduction. Intense heat and pressure gradually force water-containing magma to rise into the Earth's mantle and fuel the many active volcanoes in the region.

Belize based ISP blocking 25 website domains for counterfeit products
AltusHost, an ISP based in Belize, has to take 25 domains offline that are used to sell and promote counterfeit fashion goods, a court in The Hague ruled Tuesday. AltusHost has to block the websites bestwatchonsale.com, cheap-watch.org, breitlingwatches-replica.com and fakewatchesuk.org among others within three days, judge E.F. Brinkman ruled in a summary judgment in the Civil Court in The Hague. If AltusHost does not comply, it has to pay a penalty of US$3,112 per day with a maximum penalty $100,000 the judge ruled. Eleven companies, including Breitling, Chanel, Christian Dior and Omega, filed suit against AltusHost to protect their trademarks. The organization REACT, which calls itself the European Anti-Counterfeiting network, prepared the lawsuit on behalf of the organizations. After the summary judgment, the trademark holders cut a deal with AltusHost, which agreed that it will block websites in the future that are reported to it by REACT and others if the websites are clearly promoting counterfeit goods, said solicitor Marc van Rijswijk of Griph Advocaten, who represented the ISP (Internet service provider), in an email. “AltusHost has agreed to indeed shut down the relevant website if such is the case,” he wrote.

Creditors dig in for battle of Belize
The restructuring of Belize’s 2029 “superbond” may become a drawn-out battle, as creditors keep the country waiting for a formal response to proposals that could see them take a haircut of up to 80 per cent on the net present value of their holdings. “We are working through our analysis and expect to share our views with the government within two to three weeks,” said Mike Gerrard, managing director of BroadSpan Capital, which is advising a committee of creditors that claims to have a majority interest in the US$544m instrument. A US$23m coupon payment was missed last Monday, days after Prime Minister Dean Barrow said the country “simply cannot afford “. That comment suggested the sum will not be honoured during the grace period, which expires on September 19. It is also unlikely an acceptable offer will be put to creditors by that date. “We still have hopes it will be a 2012 restructuring, but that will need accommodation from each side,” said Sebastian Espinosa, managing director of White Oak Advisory, which is advising the government. At the moment, the two sides appear to be far apart. The situation is exacerbated by additional liabilities, estimated by the government at US$300M, in the form of compensation due to former shareholders of Belize’s national electricity and telecoms companies, which were compulsorily nationalised between 2009 and 2011. No settlement has yet been reached with these claimants, and the government wants to roll their claims into a wider debt restructuring. Some progress had been made with Fortis, which used to own 70 per cent of Belize Electricity. However, negotiations with former shareholders of Belize Telemedia, mostly connected to Michael Ashcroft, are more drawn-out. Ashcroft is a former deputy chairman of the British Conservative party and one of Belize’s richest residents.

Rap Genius: Top 5 rap lyrics of the week — Shyne disses Diddy
There is nothing that the rap world loves more than artists sniping at each other. Thus, it makes perfect sense that Shyne would try to get back in the public eye by dissing his former mentor, Diddy, who somehow emerged unscathed after the two went on trial for a December 1999 shooting incident. Shyne reasonably enough seems to have a chip on his shoulder about the ten years in jail he served, and makes abundantly clear in this song what he thinks was responsible for the differing outcomes in court.

August 25, 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

Taiwanese draftee develops app for Belizean farmers
An Android app designed to calculate the exact amount of fertilizer needed to be applied to crops has been invented by a Taiwanese national who is performing his alternative military service with a technical mission in Belize. Lai Chun-fa, who graduated from the Department of Information Management at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, said Tuesday that the idea was inspired by Cheng Kun-mu, a technician with a Taiwanese agricultural technical mission who has been helping local farmers in the Central American nation for several years.

Ocean Pedal Challenge watercraft found off the coast of Ambergris Caye
Fisheries Department employees, attached to the Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve on northern Ambergris Caye, found a British race craft vessel on the evening of Thursday August 23rd while patrolling north of the Rocky Point. At first the vessel was believed to be a submarine but after closer inspection it was thought to be a submersible race craft vessel. According to Lieutenant Commander of the Belize Coast Guard Elton Bennett, the Anti Drugs Unit of the Belize Police Department was called to inspect if the craft was used for transporting drugs. “After inspection it was determined that the race craft could not be a drug vessel because of its size and small space. We are convinced of that,” said Bennett. The Belize Coast Guard official told The San Pedro Sun that the fisheries officers took the craft to the Bacalar Chico Outpost after which they were notified. The water craft is believed to be one that was being used in the Ocean Pedal Challenge by a team who were attempting to pedal across the Atlantic and aiming to raise £50,000 and awareness for CHUF the Children’s Heart Unit at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. The Ocean Pedal Challenge team were a collection friends from Whitehaven, Cumbria consisting of Kieran Sweeney, brother Shaun Sweeney, Callum McDonald and Stuart Quinn. Keiran’s name is still clearly visible on the vessel. The boat, named Lydia Rose, was said to be entirely self-sufficient with solar panels and water filtration systems, however on the challenge website it states that due to safety concerns they had to abandon the attempt. It is unknown how the vessel ended up in Belizean waters, and the investigation continues.

Chief Justice rules in favor of Oceana
In the Belize Supreme Court today, Justice Legall struck down the Government of Belize’s (G.O.B.) application to strike out the claim brought by Oceana, the Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage and the Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA) which challenges the legality of the Production Sharing Agreements between the Government of Belize and six offshore oil exploration companies. Although the Supreme Court of Belize is formally in recess until September 15, 2012, Justice Oswald Legall continues to hold and hear court cases. According to Belize tradition, two justices, one civil and one criminal, remain to hear urgent and arising matters, and may even hear continuing matters while their colleagues take a six-week “summer” break. The tradition of a summer break (and a two-week Christmas break, and a three-week Easter break) is a holdover from colonial times and pre-air conditioning days when the sweltering August heat forced much of the public service bureaucracy and schools to seek cooler parts of the country to wait it out. This morning in Justice Legal’s court, attorneys for the GOB argued that he should agree to their application to have case #810 of 2011, filed on December 21, 2011, struck out. Crown Counsel Herbert Panton from the Solicitor General’s Office argued, using an almost similar example case, that last month’s decision by the Belize Court of Appeal in the case ‘Gilharry’s Bus Line versus Transport Board and Others,’ applied only to Judicial Review and that the Claimants had failed to stay within the Limitation period required for them to pursue any legal claim.

SPHS celebrates Freshman Day 2012
Some 500 students gathered at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium this morning, Friday August 24th in welcoming the approximately 180 students that make up the new freshman class at the San Pedro High School (SPHS). The new students come from the various primary schools across the island and will now make the SPHS their home for the next four years. The day is filled with interactive activities between all classes that started at 8AM until 1PM. The activities give the newcomers the opportunity to interact with and get to know the other members of their newly found family in fun ways. Activities for the day included games such as: musical chairs, goal kick, Fruit Loops relay, orange pass relay, mummy wrap, dress your baby, lime and spoon, pigtail bottle, pig and ring out, soda biscuit and whistle, and male and female arm-wrestling among many others. The students were separated by their various classes. This year, the SPHS has a total of 17 classes from which six were formed by freshmen students at the high school. Adding to the excitement of the day is the fact that the winning class gets to take one day off during the first semester.

No bluff, no bluster, no bravado: Belize lays out its case
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Hon. Dean Barrow tried on Wednesday, August 22nd to end months of uncertainty and speculation regarding his government’s attempt to re-structure the so-called “Superbond”. Speaking to an assembly of some of his Cabinet ministers and their entourages, and reporters, and flanked by his debt negotiating team comprised of Financial Secretary Joseph Waight, Immigration Minister Godwin Hulse, Ambassador Mark Espat and Central Bank Governor Glenn Ysaguirre, he said that he had called today’s press conference to not only “provide all information possible” but also “to seek support, to rally the country behind” the re-structuring effort. The $1.1Billion bond accounts for almost a third of the country’s national debt, and almost 40% of its foreign debt. Barrow noted in his introduction that he had announced the re-structuring exercise before the March 7 general election and his administration had started on it almost immediately thereafter but following the recent publication of three proposed “indicative restructuring scenarios” and last week’s announcement that Belize would not be making a scheduled $46 million payment, interest had intensified. Interest on the bond had stepped up 6% from to 8.5% this year as part of the original terms reached with investors in 2007, and the Barrow administration had estimated that its fiscal deficit will climb to 2.5% of GDP this year from 1.1% last year. He blames an anemic recovery from the world economic crisis of 2008, declining oil production and what he called “the unavoidable intervention in the public utilities sector leading to the acquisition of BTL and BEL” as the main reasons why they could not continue to meet the debt re-payment schedule.

Service Learning Inspires Ole Miss Graduates to Begin Teaching Careers in Belize
What began as a week of service learning in Belize has turned into a career-starting event for two recent education graduates at the University of Mississippi. Claire Kennedy and Alexandra Phares, both of whom received master’s degrees in education in May, recently moved to Belize, where they will lead classrooms at the Island Academy in San Pedro. “We both decided we wanted to leave our comfort zones after graduation,” said Phares, a Pass Christian native. “The teachers don’t have the comforts that we have; they have to be resourceful.” As part of a service-learning course last spring, both women spent a week in the country providing academic enrichment to children at the Lion’s Club building in San Pedro and the Holy Cross Anglican Primary School in San Mateo, a poverty-stricken community literally built atop a contaminated lagoon. Ole Miss students from a variety of departments have volunteered in the community since 2008. Phares and Kennedy were taken aback by the challenges and resourcefulness of teachers at the Anglican school, including how they pulled lessons together without traditional textbooks, worksheets and teaching tools. They were shocked but inspired.

San Pedro’s Volleyball Team makes it to the Semi-finals!
The San Pedro Volleyball team has earned their spot in the semi-finals of the Orange Walk Volleyball Tournament. On August 11th the team placed in the 4×4 category of the tournament. San Pedro played two qualifying games, winning one and losing one. In the first game, the San Pedro team went up against Sounder Barrio Boys of Blue Creek and won the first two sets. In the first set, San Pedro gave Sounder Boys a whopping 25-6 defeat, and didn’t let up on the punishment when they took the second set with a defining 25-11 win. In the second game, team San Pedro went up against Bad News1 from Orange Walk, pushing hard through three sets. They won their first set with a score of 25-22, but lost the next two sets by two (24-26) and three points (22-25) respectively. The Semi-finals are scheduled for this Saturday, August 25th at the Complex Building in Orange Walk. At the Semi-finals, San Pedro will go up against Hard Core Juniors from Corozal. Because of their loss against Bad News1, winning or losing means the difference between advancing and being knocked out of the competition. San Pedro’s team member Gustavo Morataya assured The San Pedro Sun that the game is a definite win for San Pedro. Team San Pedro players are Armando Escalon, Guillermo Rivero, Eric Santizo, Ricky Luna and Gustavo Morataya. The team takes this opportunity to thank contributors to their BBQ sale: Miss Ilna Nuñez, Neri Rivero, Virjilio Rivero, Don Aldo “Duck”, Rosela Guerrero, Shelby Leiva, The San Pedro Town Board, Gricel Graniel of Mata Chica for buying most of the BBQ and Fido’s. Special thanks to sponsors: Cholo’s Golf Cart Rentals and Bar, Caye Caulker Water Taxi, Suya Tours, Coral Cable Vision, Caribeña Fuels, Captain Sharks, Councilors Carlos Perez-Barrientos and Gabriel Nuñez, as well as friends that gave their kind donations.

Ambergris Today

Oceana Wins Strike Out Case Against GOB
In the Belize Supreme Court today, Justice Legall struck down the Government of Belize’s (G.O.B.) application to strike out the claim brought by Oceana, the Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage and the Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA) which challenges the legality of the Production Sharing Agreements between the Government of Belize and six offshore oil exploration companies. The learnt Justice agreed that the Court of Appeal’s July 2012 decision in the case ‘Gilharry’s Bus Line v. Transport Board and Others, which was introduced by the Claimant’s Senior Counsel, Godfrey Smith indeed bore precedence in the trio’s case against the government, reiterating that the Public Authorities Protection Act is confined to private law matters and, as such, there is no limitation period for parties seeking action against the Government in matters of public law. The Supreme court equally did not agree to the argument brought by Crown Counsel, Herbert Panton that Oceana et’al’s failure to seek permission for judicial review was detrimental to their request asking for certiori (quashing an act) as a possible relief should their case be successful. Justice Legall, citing a 2007 ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in the case Watson v. Hernandez stated that Courts exist to deliver Justice and quoted from the noted CCJ case that, “Justice is not served by depriving the parties of the ability to have their cases decided on the merits because of a purely technical procedural breach.”

San Pedro Embarcadero Torn Down as Work Commences on Sunset Boardwalk
Many residents are having mixed feelings as they see a part of the old San Pedro village go while a new modern aspect of San Pedro Town starts taking its place. The old Embarcadero (or lagoon docks) behind the San Pedro Old football field is being dismantled to make way for the new Sunset Boardwalk which will bring a more modern ambiance to the area as well as more amenities. While some may disagree with the project completely and are really upset to see just another aspect of the old San Pedro Village disappear, others have mixed feelings as they understand that the area had been looking more dilapidated lately and that the new multi-million dollar project will enhance the area tremendously. Although the project will displace some businesses and local fishermen, areas for them have been reserved once the project is complete.

Misc Belizean Sources

Hickatee Turtles
HERE is Dr. Rainwater's latest research paper on endangered Hicatee turtles in Belize. Dr. Rainwater stayed at ACES in Punta Gorda just months prior to the arson during his research in the south. Dr. Rainwater states, "Thanks to you and Vince for all your help and hospitality during the project. Being able to use your place (ACES) at Forest Home as a base of operations in the south made all the difference for us." ACES and The San Pedro Sun are thanked in the Acknowledgments. We're very proud to play a small part in turtle conservation. ACES Recent countrywide survey of Dermatemys mawii in Belize (2012)

No Argentina-style default, says Belize PM
Although Belize has retained the same law firm that advised Argentina on its two debt restructurings, Prime Minister Dean Barrow said he does not want to get to the same point as Argentina. “We really don’t want things to get to that point,” Barrow said in an interview in Belize City on Wednesday when asked about the possibility of facing lawsuits and being blocked from international credit markets, as Argentina has been since 2001. Barrow was seeking to assuage the concerns of holders of $544 million in bonds after it missed an August 20 coupon payment. His administration is open to all restructuring proposals put forward by investors as long as they lead to “sustainable” debt payments for the $1.4 billion Central American economy, he said in a national address. The premier has sent a team of finance officials to Washington to meet with representatives of the US Treasury Department, the International Monetary Fund and Inter-American Development Bank to discuss funding options after missing the $23 million coupon payment. Belize says it can’t afford to pay its debt after the coupon on the securities jumped to 8.5 percent from 6 percent as part of an accord reached with bondholders in 2007. Barrow, speaking to reporters in Belize City in his first national address since the missed payment, said restructuring scenarios the government published August 8 “are intended to serve as a basis for detailed discussions” with creditors that have yet to take place. He said that his government isn’t prioritizing payments to holders of the nationalized telecommunication and electricity companies over bondholders.

Save Lucky Boy Shirts
Lucky Boy has his own line of shirts now. Yes, you can show your support, and help Lucky Boy out at the same time by purchasing a Save Lucky Boy shirt. 100% of the profit will go towards the Belize Zoo, which is the best little zoo in the world. "You'll find unique merchandise with an important message. 100% of the proceeds will go directly to the Belize Zoo. Funds raised will support the ongoing effort to permenently home the newest member of the Belize Zoo: LUCKY BOY! The Belize Zoo recently rescued a starving jaguar found in an abandoned resort that was left for dead. The Zoo needs help in the rehabilitation and care of this endangered animal. The Belize Zoo is NOT supported by the government; donations sustain this zoo."

September Celebrations Schedule
The September Celebrations are right around the corner. Here's the link to the schedule for all activities at this point. Cayo, Benque, and Belmopan have quite a few events scheduled. The Queen of the West pageant starts it all off tomorrow night at the Novelo's Convention Center.

Youth with a Mission's DTS
YMAM had their first Discipleship Training School National Outreach recently. Youths came from all over Belize, and they even had one from Honduras and one from the U.S. Awesome news! YMAM Banana Bank Base's website: http://www.ywambelize.com/

SHJC's Orientation
Sacred Heart Junior College had their orientation last Friday. New students got to meet the staff, find out about the JC, ask questions, and even win prizes. "New Students Orientation, Student Assistant Workshops, Welcome Days with giveaways... all took place the first week of the Aug 2012 semester"

Channel 7

GOB Lays Off 200, 450 More Likely To Follow
Tonight 200 people who worked with Government's Southside Rejuvenation Project are jobless. It had been rumored from earlier in the week - but today it was confirmed by the Minister of State with responsibility for the Gang Truce, Mark King. This morning, he held a remarkable press conference at the NCFC conference room this morning. We say remarkable because it's a very special public figure who can announce that 200 people are being fired, and - worse than that - warn that another 640 employed in the gang truce and CYDP will likely be sent home by October - because the budget is busted. It left our heads spinning, but not Mark King, he was cool, calm and collected as he delivered a deathblow that would make even the most hardened critic of those programmes wince. Here's how the press conference went:... Hon. Mark King "Effective August 10th 2012 the 2.29 million dollars allocated to these programs has been exhausted and the wages for the week of August 13th was paid through supplemental funds. Therefore effective today Friday August 24 we will be scaling back with 200 members from the south side rejuvenation project. These persons will be paid full salaries and severance which should last them through to October where we will then exhaust our energies to find projects for them to have a more robust employment."

The Butane Depot Fire That Could Have Been A Catastrophe
Today things were back to normal at mile four and a half on the Western Highway after a fire at an LPG or Butane Gas terminal that could have been catastrophic. And that is no exaggeration: 40 thousand gallons of butane gas were exposed to naked flames. But, thankfully, there was no disaster, no one was hurt and there was no major damage to property. In fact - after all that excitement - we can say that it was a very minor blaze. But, it could have been so much worse! Monica Bodden looked back at the fire - and found out what caused it today. She got first hand amateur video from the first responder, Jorge Orellana of Belize MARINE AND MOORING SERVICES - who is building a house across the street from the scene of the blaze: Monica Bodden reporting At 4:55 Jorge Orellana and his staff were on the waterfront near his tugboats, where in the background beyond his home he saw a fire starting at Western Gas which is directly in front of his property. He and his workers ran towards the fire and saw all the Western Energy workers running away. Jorge Orellana - Businessman "I was the first one who saw the tanks burning. Looks like the workers were not well trained because they ran away instead of minimized the damages, they just ran away. My workers are the ones who came and help the first truck from the firefighters who came to the scene. The fire started in a small house next to the tanks and instead of minimizing - they should have extinguishers just to minimize the damages but instead of trying to avoid that they just ran way and left the fire."

Third Former Murdered In Belmopan
A sixteen year old was stabbed to death last night and a 19 year old student is responsible for her murder. It happened around 8:40 last night in the San Martin Area of Belmopan. According to reports, a female got into a fight with 19 year old Jesus Enrique Flores - her neighbor. The female's brother third form student at Belmopan comprehensive 16 year old Yasmani Mejia stepped in to defend his sister - that's when Flores stabbed HIM to the right side of his chest. Thus far, the 19 year old has not been charged.

Police Says Plues Street Crackdown Was Necessary
Yesterday, 7News told you about the robbery in progress on Cemetery Road, which ended in a police showdown inside a home at the corner of Plues and Prince Street. Today, the men who police say did the robbery, were all arraigned in Magistrate's Court today. But, you heard the upset resident vent his frustration about how the police did their job, alleging brutality. It all started yesterday at around 2:20 p.m. when Paula Chen was at her business place, Paula Store. While she was attending to a customer, three men, all of whom were armed with firearms, entered her store. One of the assailants then walked towards her and pointed the gun at her face while demanding money. He then went behind the counter and stole an undisclosed amount of cash, while the other assailants robbed her customers of their personal belongings. Quick police response led the officers to a house at #32 Plues Street, Belize City which led to the discovery of a cell phone, $494.65Bcy in cash, an unlicensed .38 Special revolver containing 4 rounds of .38 Special ammunition, and a .357 pistol containing 6 rounds of .38 Special rounds of ammunition. Present at the time were 23 year-old Aaron Bailey, 27 year-old Jarreth Gault, 21 year-old Inmar Welch, and 22 year-old Jeffrey McDougal, 24 year-old Teresita Vivas, and her mother, 47 year-old Carol Vivas.

Fudge-man to Jail For Weed
54 year-old Godfrey Rowland, a well-known fudge vendor, was convicted of drug trafficking today in the Magistrate's Court, and he is spending his first night of a 5-year sentence. On December 21, 2011 police searched the trunk of a car he occupied and found a sack stuffed with 26.4 pounds, or 11.9 kilos of marijuana. They charged him with drug trafficking and he has been convicted. In his defense, Rowland testified to the court that he was not the driver of the vehicle. He said that he hitched a ride, and when he got to the checkpoint, the driver went to a nearby shop. That's when the police arrived and searched the vehicle making the discovery. Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith did not accept his explanation of the events, and as a result, she found him guilty. Because he had 2 previous convictions for the same offence, Chief Magistrate Smith handed him a strict sentence of 5 years in prison.

BSI: Not Ready Yet For final Agreement With Strategic Investor
"Not Ready Yet!" That's the status of the final investment agreement between BSI and American Sugar Refining, Inc. - which proposes to be its new majority shareholder. Because public restlessness is building, a release from BSI today says discussions are quote, "advancing well and in accordance with the target timetable." The release adds that agreement on all commercial matters between BSI and ASR has now been reached. They signed what's known as a Subscription Deed yesterday and it is expected to be completed in a month. The Prime Minister disclosed earlier this week that one delay has been a Settlement Deed that government has to sign - which would agree to certain concessions from Government. The PM says he has given authorization.

OCEANA Gets Interim Win
On Wednesday's newscast, we told you about the impending judgment from Justice Legall about Oceana challenge to several off-shore oil drilling contracts. As we told you, the Government Crown Counsels made a submission to strike out the matter, but the court had to decide on whether the Froyland Gilharry Appeal case applied to this particular one. This would bind the court to rule in Oceana's favor on the strike out application. Today, Justice Legall ruled that the Gilharry case did apply and the strike out application was refused. The media spoke to both side on the importance of this judgment. Here's what they told us: Audrey Matura-Shepherd - VP, Oceana Belize "I think what was most important about the ruling is that once and for all we've answered the question whether or not the decision of Gilharry - the principle stated in that case that the public authorities act and by extension the limitations act which is saying that you can put a limit on claims being brought against government in terms of time. This case now says conclusively that that decisions with Gilharry applies to not only judicial review but to all administrative law and just so that people know administrative law is any case where you bring an action against the state where you a citizen or a group and it is a way that democracies work because they want to know that no government could act high handed and do whatever they want without accounting to the people."

Southside And Success
While the Government is letting go 200 persons employed under the southside rejuvenation programme on one hand, on the other, they today launched Southside Youth Success and Drop-in Center. This is another second-chance program which ensures that at-risk young men between the ages of 14-17, who are living on the Southside of Belize are given a chance to become productive citizens, instead of turning to crime. Today, the Drop-in Center, which is located at the second floor of the Commercial Center, was officially opened, and the media were invited to partake in the event. 7News attended, and here's what the guest speakers told the gathering: H.E. Vinai Thummalapally, United States Ambassador to Belize "This CARSI sponsored UNDP project focuses on mentoring, skills training and job placements for at risks youth In Belize City. What is the key to the success of this project? One may ask - Its collaboration and cooperation and I am particularly fond of this project because not only it represents cooperation between government agencies - this project is also an example of government and the private sector collaborating to maximize benefits. We are all aware of the statistics about the economic and citizen security difficulties affecting our friends and neighbors every day in Belize City. We all know the realities and while they are important statistics and numbers about economic and security issues in Belize City - statistics and numbers will not solve hood problem." "Statistics and numbers will not by themselves change any realities. The reality unfortunately is quite simple and quite tragic - young people are killing each other."

KHMH: Another Breakthrough Surgery
Six weeks ago, the first open heart surgery in Belize was performed the KHMH. Today they celebrated another first: the first surgery for Scoliosis. If you don't know what that is we didn't either. But we found out today when the KHMH held a press conference with their international partners who made the surgery possible. Dr. Joel Cervantez - Nuero/Spine Surgeon "To be part of this historic moment is something that you are going to cherish for the rest of your life." Jules Vasquez reporting He's talking about the first Scoliosis procedure to repair a curved spine: Dr. Joel Cervantez "Scoliosis is no easy task, it is something that when it affects our young children or growing adolescence they suffers, it means a lot of pain and socially speaking it means many times a lot of shame."

An Odd Vessel On Northern Ambergris
Authorities are trying to determine the origin of an odd vessel that was found on northern Ambergris Caye. According to the San Pedro Sun, so far, the Coast Guard has determined that it is a British racing vessel. The find was made on evening of Thursday August 23rd north of Rocky Point while Fisheries Department employees, attached to the Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve on northern Ambergris Caye found it. At first the vessel was believed to be a submersible craft - and the location suggested that it may have been used in drug trafficking. But the Sun quotes Lieutenant Commander of the Belize Coast Guard Elton Bennett, as saying that the Anti-Drug Unit determined that the race craft was not could not be a drug vessel because of its size and the small cargo space. The name and identification numbers are on the craft, which officials hope can help to establish where it came from. It remains in possession the Belize Port Authority.

Li'l Miss Independence
The 4th annual - Independence Day Junior Miss- Pageant will be held this weekend at the Bliss. The pageant is organized by a group of ladies - who call themselves "Concerned Belizean Women" and through this event they have been able to fundraise and donate to numerous organizations and charities in Belize. 7news caught up with the 7 contestants today - who told us what they will be "representing" on pageant night. Karen Vernon, Theatre Director - NICH "Independence Day junior Miss 2012 is our 4th annual Independence Day junior Miss pageant and it takes place this Sunday at 6pm at the Bliss Center. We have 7 contestant vying for this title and there will be different segments; they first come out introducing themselves and do a little dance and then they move on to the district. Each contestant will be representing a district and giving a platform statement about that district and then there is the talent section which is a new section in this competition. Last but not least is visual poet where they come out in their evening gown and strut their stuff."

Scholarships For Restore Bze
60 high school students will benefit from the "I AM BELIZE Scholarship Club" after a cheque was handed over to Restore Belize by the BNE Trust. The handing over ceremony was held yesterday evening. The cheque of four hundred thousand dollars will assist these underprivileged children with the chance to get a high school education. Sharon Ramclam, General manager - BNE Trust "We decided that the trust to support the "I am Belize scholarship program." There were 60 students that were enroll in the program up until July of this year and the trust decided to essentially adopt these 60 students and the partnership really is to see these students graduate through to 4th form. They are in various forms and so we are very excited to have been able to support the education of these 60 kids." "There are features of the partnership that requires commitment from the students and we feel that this is a very indebt 3 way partnership between the Trust, RESTORE Belize and the kids where it's not only providing financial support for their educational advancement but it's also allowing for them to also commit and be responsible for their own development as well."

Channel 5

200 Southside Rejuvenation Workers fired!
Minister Mark King stood alone before the press this morning. He did not want to use the word firing but the government sent home two hundred men employed with the South Side Rejuvenation project. That’s only the tip of what is to come because hundreds more in other projects will soon be sent home. The [...]

Gang Truce Workers may be next to be unemployed
A few weeks ago we told you how the Gang Truce was renamed “Peace in Progress,” well, we don’t know for how long that will remain in place and it seems neither does the Minister tasked with that responsibility. Today Mark King said that the cut of two hundred workers from the Southside Rejuvenation Program [...]

Belmopan Comprehensive student murdered
The Belize City streets have been relatively free from bloodshed for a few days. But an argument in the capital has left one teen dead. Tragedy struck a family in the Salvapan Area of the Capital when a sixteen year old student of Belmopan Comprehensive School died after he was stabbed once to the chest [...]

Cops imply Plues Street victims cried crocodile tears
Four men at a residence on Plues Street in the Old Capital reported to the media that they were allegedly beaten by the police. The men said they were shocked by tasers, beaten and then taken to the Queen Street Police Station. The residents were outraged by what they called an excessive use of force [...]

Price of premium and regular gas going up
Butane prices went up two weeks ago and this was followed by a hike in the price of chicken which went up by as much as twelve cents per pound this week. If that hurt your pocket, hurry to the gas pump because the price of fuel will take a sharp increase on Sunday. Premium [...]

Oceana’s wave of success, another courtroom win
A breakthrough decision in a claim brought before the Supreme Court, whereby Oceana is challenging the validity of six oil concessions granted by the Government of Belize in 2007, was handed down in the chamber of Justice Oswell Legall this morning. The ruling went in favor of Oceana and it is the organization’s second legal [...]

What caused the fire at the butane depot?
A fire at the Western Gas Depot was brought under control at about seven o’clock on Thursday night. It was a dangerous operation that risked the lives of the firemen because it involved liquid petroleum gas. The blaze started from a gas leak in the compressor room. Neighbors say the fire started after five o’clock. [...]

Counseling to be offered to 16 year old student
Earlier in the week, News Five spoke to Reverend Ruperto Vicente about Norman Willacey, the high ranking pastor of the Baptist Association of Belize, who was allegedly involved in a sexual relationship with a sixteen year old student. Vicente was very candid and made it clear that the association acted as soon as it became [...]

1st spinal surgery in Belize, success at the K.H.M.H.
The Belize Spine Program is supplemented by a U.S. based team that currently travels to the country twice a year. On Wednesday the team along with Belizean counterparts completed the first scoliosis surgery in the Jewel. The surgery to rehabilitate the twisted spine of thirteen year old Corozal resident Valerie Sosa, took place at the [...]

U.S. doctors donate medical equipment to K.H.M.H.
According to the K.H.M.H., the team has donated a cell-saver machine that allows the collection and return of a patient’s blood, which would come in very handy in the Emergency Room. This machine valued at forty thousand U.S. dollars was used in the scoliosis case. A company called Amedica also donated instruments and implants valued [...]

Real-Time marketing for Tourism Industry stakeholders
The Belize Tourism Industry Association’s (B.T.I.A.) Real-time Marketing Master Class Marketing & P.R. Summit was launched to a crowded Queen’s Room at the Princess Hotel on Thursday. David Meerman Scott, the renowned speaker, has presented in over thirty four countries and he was today’s featured guest at the event which was co-sponsored by the Belize [...]

LOVE FM

Trio Detained Regarding High School Burglary in Belmopan
Belmopan Police reportedly have three men detained following the report of an apparent burglary at the Baptist High School in the Banana Bank area on the Western Highway just out of Belmopan. Reports are that sometime between four thirty yesterday evening and eight thirty this mo...

Senior Citizen Sentenced to Prison for Sexual Misconduct on a Minor
Sixty-six year old Venustiano Pacheco, a Mexican national was sentenced to three years yesterday after he was found guilty of aggravated assault of an indecent nature on an eight year old girl. The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. on February 25, 2011 in Scotland Half Moon Village. T...

Conference for Belize Police Southern Formation Takes Place
A conference for senior police officers of the Stann Creek and Toledo Districts was held yesterday in Punta Gorda. Correspondent Paul Mahung reports. PAUL MAHUNG Toledo Correspondent Love FM “Discussions and planning not only focused on the issue ...

Bill for Municipal Bond Passes in the House of Representatives
The House of Representatives met today in Belmopan. It was a short agenda which featured a short list of five amendment bills, among them three that dealt with the banking sector. The passage of the bills now sends them to the upper house of parliament where they are expect...

Caye Caulker Chronicles

Crystal Water’s Volleyball Tourney held August 18-19, 2012!!
This past weekend, August 18-19, 2012, the Belize Volleyball Association along with Crystal Water and the Lazy Lizard Bar sponsored and male and female volleyball 2X2 tournament at the Split Beach. With the utmost perfect weather being enjoyed, it turned out to be a huge success and new winners crowned. The male tournament was h