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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

Holiday Hotel Celebrates Halloween in Grand Style!
“Every year I say, ‘They can’t possibly get any better…’ and then they do!” Lisa McCorkle Guerrero echoed the sentiments of everyone who had gathered at the Holiday Hotel for its annual Halloween Bash. As one of the Holiday Hotel’s biggest celebrations, the annual Halloween Party attracts people from all across the country who show up in full regalia, eager to outdo the past year’s costumes. From the sweet and pretty to the outrageous to the full on creative, costumes abounded this year, and yet again, set the bar high for next year.

Jerdon Anderson and Gorge Olivarez make their mark at the Laguna de Bacalar Sailing Regatta
On Saturday, October 25th Jerdon Anderson and Gorge Olivarez, from San Pedro Junior Sailing Club, traveled to Bacalar, Quintana Roo, Mexico to represent Belize and San Pedro at the Laguna de Bacalar Sailing Regatta. This was the first time that sailors from Belize have been invited to attend an International Regatta, and they certainly made their mark as Jerdon Anderson took the top prize! The first four races of the division were held on Saturday, October 26th and Jerdan quickly took first place in the first three races. In the final race of the day, Jerdon was satisfied with finishing third. On the other hand Gorge started off in fourth place in the first race, second in the second and third race and moved up to first place in the final race of the day. The boys performed exceptionally well on the first day of race and were leading the Optimist division. Jerdon had placed first with six points and Gorge was closely behind in second with a score of nine points.

Saga Halloween Party (42 photos)
Kids and critters in costume....nothing cuter!

Ambergris Today

Remembrance Day Events in San Pedro
On the eleventh day of the eleventh month at the eleventh hour there will be a resounding silence throughout the Commonwealth; it will be for remembering all those fallen heroes of the two world wars and all the conflicts since and we shall remember them. Jamila Janmohamed, member of The Royal British Legion Belize would love to see the San Pedro Community show its support for the Belizean and Commonwealth veterans and their families by wearing a poppy and contributing to the cause.

Crime Stoppers Belize Wins Awards and Honors Local Media
Crime Stoppers has been in operation in Belize since 2004 and to date has become a household name after quickly gaining reputation as a legitimate organization that gets the job done by guaranteeing confidentiality to persons who provide tips on crime. Crime Stoppers Belize continues to work arduously to make sure that every household in the country knows about their service and uses it to tackle crime. One of the ways in which Crime Stoppers Belize is spreading the word about its service is through local television and radio commercials. They have been so good at producing effective commercial spots that in September of this year Crime Stoppers International recognized two of their advertisements. The first was a television ad featuring Marleni Cuellar of Channel 5, Indira Craig of Channel 7 and Anju Gidwani of Love TV and the second was a radio ad that featured the voices of Dorian Nuñez of Ambergris Today Online, David Marin a former panelist on Reef TV morning show and Jorge Aldana of The San Pedro Sun Newspaper.

Misc Belizean Sources

Turneffe Flats Honored with Green Globe Certification
The Turneffe Flats Resort in Belize announced today that it has earned Green Globe certification. The Green Globe Standard is a "structured assessment of the sustainability performance of travel and tourism businesses and their supply chain partners," according to GreenGlobe.com. To earn the certification members must have high standards in environmental, sociocultural, quality, health, and safety issues, plus contribute to local communities and their local environment. Turneffe Flats Resort, located 30 miles off the coast of Belize, recently led efforts to establish Turneffe Atoll as the country’s largest Marine Reserve. The resort offers fly fishing, scuba diving and marine eco-tourism activities. It also features a spa, casual dining, private villas and guest rooms.

Way Back When: Today In History
More than 400 people were killed in Belize, the capital of British Honduras, by a tidal wave in the wake of Hurricane Hattie that hit the area with winds of 200 mph. The storm also left many missing and thousands homeless. Gov. Sir Colin Thornley estimated that more than 75 percent of the buildings in Belize had been destroyed or damaged by the disaster "that overwhelmed our estimates."

The plaque that was presented to Mayor Daniel Guerrero and the people of San Pedro Town
by Mayor Eduardo Espinosa Abuxapqui of Othon P. Blanco, Q. Roo, México.

American father and son convicted of band fraud and money laundering
A father and son duo is facing serious jail time in the United States after they were found guilty of bank fraud and money laundering involving offshore banks in the Cayman Islands and Belize. According to a report carried by News Channel 7 in Pensacola, a federal jury there found Gary Wayne Thomas of Daphne, Alabama, and son Brian Keith Thomas, 40 of Birmingham, guilty of laundering $4.5 million dollars in loans to off-shore banks in the Cayman Islands and Belize. The online report says that the men hid the in 2008 and stopped paying on the $56 million dollars in loans they received from New South Federal Savings Bank. The online report further says that over the last three years, Gary Thomas wired $2.1 million dollars from the off-shore banks to five Destin bank accounts opened by Brian Thomas and others.

Cubola's Living Together Sponsorship
Feelgood news of the day. Cubola Productions has teamed up with some local businesses to provide school books and training. Pictured is the San Jose Succotz primary school. Thanks, Cubola! "In June 2013, Cubola Productions offered to team up with donors in the private sector of the Cayo District to supply the 'Living Together a Belizean Social Studies Series' for Primary Schools Standard 1 book and workbook at cost price. As part of the package we also committed to supply free training for teachers... Each book and workbook have an identifying label and logo acknowledging the sponsorship made to the school and to the Standard 1 children. We thank the sponsors: Chaa Creek, Pine Lumber and Caracol YCD for their generosity and willingness to mentor our children in their quest to become responsible citizens."

Rotary Educates Our Youth
The Rotary Club of San Ignacio is having their 'Educate our Youth' dinner and live auction to raise money for the 25 scholarships they provide to the needy children of Cayo. There will be a live auction along with some great food, including tortilla soup, coconut shrimp, lobster and beef kabobs, and chimichangas, which will be served by the SHJC Food and Beverage students. Thanks, Rotary! "The Rotary Club of San Ignacio will hold it's annual Fundraising Dinner & Auction. Pursuant to our motto 'Educate our Youth' the function will take place at the Cayo CET, Buena Vista Street, San Ignacio. A delicious surf & turf dinner will be served by students of Sacred Heart College and CET. Amazing prizes will be auctioned for our main goal: raising funds for the 25 permanent scholarships our club provides to talented and needy children from Cayo."

SMCU Visits Octavia Waight
The SMCU staff paid a visit to the Octavia Waight Centre while celebrating International Credit Union Day. Thanks, SMCU, for brightening their day! "Saint Martin's Credit Union - Belize staff celebrating international credit union week/day with elders at the Octavia Waight Centre, in San Ignacio Town. Giving back to our community."

Galen Halloween Bash
The Galen Student Government is having their Halloween Bash tomorrow night at Barrio Fino. Cloud 9 will be there. In related news, in Cayo, Fuego is having their Halloween costume party and Serendib is having their anniversary special.

Belize Wildlife Benefactor's Tour
The Belize Wildlife Referral Clinic has an excellent idea for sustainable conservation projects. People can take a learning vacation that helps the local community. They'll be doing their first one in January. "How to find sustainable income sources for small wildlife conservation projects in developping countries? We have been working and pondering for a few years...and we are exited to share that in January 2014 we will try something new: An 8 day high-end tour to experience and support amazing wildlife conservation efforts while enjoying the best of Belize. Not for credit, but for wildlife lovers and conservation minded individuals with the desire to travel with a purpose. For those interested in an adventure, with 'creature comforts,' while contributing to wildlife conservation in Belize. Please share this message and the flyer with your friends and family or others who might be interested in learning more about this?"

VIDEO: Skydiving into the Blue Hole, Belize
The ultimate skydive in my 22 years of jumping! Exit from 13,500 feet in PERFECT weather conditions (ie endless blue skies, puffy clouds and NO wind) with my beautiful husband slaDE~ and our Arizona friend, Ginger. I deployed at 8,000 feet so I could soak in all the exotic beauty and sublime heavenly experience. A once in a lifetime never-to-forget skydive!!! BTW, my canopy is red, black and gray, and I am the last person to land in this video. WOOHOO! The Great Blue Hole is a stunning circular jewel surrounded by a ring of shallow luminous coral reef in the Lighthouse Reef Atoll. Measuring 1,000 feet across and more than 400 feet deep, this ocean-floor limestone sinkhole is believed to be the world's largest blue hole, made famous by Jacques Cousteau. Atolls are characterized by a large, fairly shallow lagoon surrounded by coral reefs. Only four known true atolls exist in the Western Hemisphere, and of these, three reside in Belize: Turneffe, Lighthouse and Glovers.

NOTICE TO ALL COROZAL BOAT OWNERS
BELIZE PORT AUTHORITY NOTICE: ANNUAL LICENSING EXERCISE The Belize Port Authority (BPA) hereby informs the general marine public that the registration and licensing exercise for the year 2014 will commence on October 7th, 2013. During this exercise all vessels involved in coastal and river service shall be registered and licensed, including skiffs, Jet Skis, sailing vessels, launches, tugboats, barges, dredges or any other watercraft used to ply the waters of Belize, including the inland waterways, as required under the Laws of Belize, Chapter 234, Revised Edition- 2000, Harbours and Merchant Shipping Act.

Ms. Tanya Carter on her Belize Tour
The lovely and talented Ms. Tanya Carter on her Belize Tour performs in Corozal over the past weekend! Photo by Jordel Heredia

Channel 7

Canadian Retiree Killed In Consejo
Tonight, Corozal Police continue to investigate the first murder in 7 months in that district, and it’s a terrible one: the stabbing death of a 57 year-old female Canadian retiree. Investigators are seeking the help of the public because there are very few clues in the crime which happened in the secluded village of Consejo, a place where many North Americans settle down to retire. 7News went to the village, to find out how it unfolded; Daniel Ortiz reports: Daniel Ortiz The community of Consejo Village in the Corozal District has been shaken by the murder of Canadian 56 year-old Patricia Lynn Nichiporowich. The Consejo Shores area is a well-known real estate location where international retirees settle down, and as such, they expect to leave peacefully. That peace and sense of security was violated last night.

Accused Robbers/Killers to Court
So, while police are working on solving that murder, they believe that they’ve cracked the case of 61 year-old George Blanco, the truck driver who was killed on last week Friday when robbers targeted his meat wholesale delivery truck. Tonight, 21 year-old Alton Bailey, 33 year-old Roger Hernandez, 25 Roque Middle Middleton, 33 year-old Elario Frank Eligio are at prison after they were charged in Magistrate’s Court this evening. As we reported, on Friday afternoon, the Yo Creek resident George Blanco was with his boss, Abraham Penner, and they were driving through Sandhill when a gunman opened fire on the truck as it passed over the last speed bump in the village near the old Northern Road. Blanco was hit under the left armpit, and he died at the wheel. This caused the vehicle to veer off the road, and when it stopped on the shoulder, 3 men robbed Penner of $9,600 in cash and fled.

PUP Want Hon. Castro Recalled
It’s been 25 days and counting, but the PUP says that by next week, they’ll have about 2000 signatures vetted for submission to the Governor General to formally launch a recall in Cayo Northeast. And now, the opposition is embarking on another recall effort. PUP Deputy Leader Julius Espat told us the decision has been made to launch a recall drive in Belize Rural North, that’s the home base of two-time UDP representative, the embattled Edmund Castro. As has been widely reported, Castro is accused of taking bribes to facilitate visas for Chinese. Alvorine Burgess says she paid him four hundred thousand dollars in bribes to facilitate 200 visas in five months. Castro empathically denies her claim, saying he did write a generic letter of recommendation for five visa applications but claims that he never took a penny from her. Castro’s attorney – who also happens to be the Prime Minister’s law partner, Rodwell Williams has initiated libel proceedings against Channel 5 and Alvorine Burgess.

Floodwaters Rolling Into Belize City
Flood waters continue to roll towards the Belize District tonight and the after effects of a week of heavy rain are still being felt. The water is rising fast in Crooked Tree, and the Causeway is impassable for small vehicles. It is doubtful that busses will be able to go into the village tomorrow and NEMO has dispatched a boat to the area. Coast Guard has also dispatched boats to Rancho Dolores, and Freetown Sibun. Water is also rising in Bomba and Flowers Bank while Gracie Rock, Grace Bank, Biscayne, St. Pauls Bank, Lucky Strike, St. Anns, Santana, and Corozalito are experiencing flooding. But we do know that water is going down in Hattieville, but it’s rising at the mile 8 community of Western Paradise where we spoke to a pair of villagers today:

Closer Look At Police Shakedown In ATM
Last night we showed you how police shook down Thyrell Hyde in an Atlantic Bank ATM booth. His shake-down story is so incredible, that without the video evidence, it would be hard to believe. But with the evidence it is compelling, and stands out as one of the most outrageous police abuses ever caught on camera. Tonight, we take a closer look at the video to see how the cops made sure they got every dollar they could from Thyrel Hyde: Daniel Ortiz Reporting The camera inside the ATM picks up 2 men. The one in red is Thyrell Hyde, and the other in the corner is one of the police officers he says kidnapped him and took him there to rob him of money from his personal bank account. Inside the ATM room, it seems so ordinary, just like 2 close friends who have no trust issues making a withdrawal, but if the allegation is true, it is an obscene abuse of authority.

Report: Belize Business Climate Not Conducive
And crazy, corrupt events such as that can only serve to further tarnish Belize’s image as a country where it’s not easy to do business as usual. A report called “Doing Business 2014” sponsored by the World Bank says that Belize ranks 106 out of 189 countries in terms of “how easy or difficult it is for a local entrepreneur to open and run a small to medium-size business when complying with relevant regulations.” This is two notches down from last year, below the regional average for Latin America and the Caribbean which is 100, and far below Mexico which ranks 53rd and Guatemala which ranks 79th. The problem with Belize? Well, the study says that doing business in Belize is just plain difficult, from dealing with construction permits to registering property, to paying taxes, to getting electricity, it’s all just plain difficult in Belize. In terms of ease of starting a business Belize is ranked 167th – which is way below the regional average; in terms of getting credit, Belize is ranked 130th, and in terms of protecting investors, Belize is ranked 138. As you might expect, Government Investment Czar Mike Singh doesn’t like the report one bit. He says they have very little comments to substantiate the information provided, there’s no fresh, updated information from last year and this is because they have not had a formal point of contact in Belize. He says that this year his office has provided updated information on reforms but the new information will not be reflected until the next publishing.

Caneros Want To Cash In On Bagasse Bucks
Last night, we told you about the dramatic move which executives of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers took to voice a protest against Belize Sugar Industries and their parent company, American Sugar Refining: they walked en masse out of a stakeholders meeting. As we’ve told you it’s in relation to bagasse, the bi-product of sugar production after the sugar cane has been processed. BSI’s subsidiary, BELCOGEN, uses this material to generate electricity which it then sells to BEL. Currently, BSI reaps 100% of the profits it makes from that arrangement with BEL, but the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association wants a share in the earnings. Today, 7News caught up with the Chairman of the Association’s Committee of Management, and he told us that the cane farmers deserve a piece of the pie because they provide the sugar cane, the raw material which ends up as bagasse:

Guat Professionals Busted At Border: 3 Engineers + 1 Lawyer Face Remand
The police Mobile Interdiction Team has made another neat bust at the Western Border. This morning at 11:30 the MIT with K9 support searched a grey 2010 Toyota Hilux with Guatemalan plates coming over to Belize from Melchor. They found six rounds of 9 millimeter ammunition and two rounds of .380 ammunition inside the glove compartment. That’s an offence, and all four occupants, including three Guatemalan engineers and a lawyer were arrested and charged for kept ammunition without a gun license. They are 31 year old Engineers, Jorge Mario Najera Bolanos, 33 year old Eva Haydee Soto Espina and 30 year old Melvin Alfredo Posadas Ponciano along with 32 year old lawyer, Luddyn Adolfo Fuentes Vasquez all from Guatemala City. They are detained pending arraignment in court, on 2 counts of unlicensed ammunition. And though it’s only eight rounds, any unlicensed ammunition charge IMPOES for mandatory remand.

Wesley Walking To Be Drug Free
This morning the students of Wesley College marched through the city streets chanting messages for a drug free Belize. It’s the schools 15th annual Red Ribbon Week which has become a part of its tradition in the fight against teenage drug use. The parade ended at the school's compound, and immediately after that, the entire school participated in a rally, in which the students displayed skits and dramas developed around the Drug Free theme. We found out more: Elizabeth Goff - School Counselor "This week is a very important week for us. We are celebrating our 15th annual red ribbon week. Red Ribbon Week is all about drug prevention, and so, this week, the school is united under the theme, "A Healthy Me Is Drug Free." They've been a lot of activities; we had the opening of the week with Ms. Jennifer Lovell, President of the Mental Health Association of Belize, and she gave a very powerful message to our students. Yesterday, our teachers wore caps or hats as a way of saying capping out drugs, saying no to drugs, and there were some very creative hats - it wasn't a competition, but it was just something that the teachers wanted to do. The kids love that; they loved to see the teachers involved. Today is Red Ribbon Day. We have always on the Wednesday, observed it as Red Ribbon Day. We got to Wesley Church as usual, so, we've had our church service, and there was the first part of the judging of t-shirt competition. Then, after service, we're taking our message to the streets, and we're almost at Wesley College, and it's been a very good parade. The kids have been much energized, very lively in sharing that message of saying no to drugs."

Consejo Road Is Rough!
At the top of our newscast, we told you about the murder in Consejo Village. Well, that wasn’t the only reason for our news team visiting the village. A month ago, 7News received complaints from residents of Consejo that the main road to their village has been long neglected, and is in need of major repairs. Whenever there are heavy rains, the road becomes impassable due to flooding. And, sure enough, today, when our news team used the road to get to the village, it was virtually impassable. We found 3 men on the road who were trying to alleviate the problem by opening up a drain on the most flooded section. They told us that the residents are fed up: Marco Antonio Manzanilla - Concerned About The Road "The road is really in bad shape. They came like 2 weeks ago to repair it, but they were asking for donations to repair it. They only thing that they did is repair the really bad holes, and now this rain fall again, it messed up the rode once again. Instead of elevating the road, they just covered the little holes. Now, we have the same problem once again. It doesn't make it any better because, for example, I have an Explorer, now I have to come with the Jeep. With the Explorer, I had 2 front bearing destroyed because of the waters being too high."

PAC Postponed
All of last week, the UDP members of the Public Accounts Committee were meeting with the social partner stakeholders to get them to buy into the UDP version of the PAC. Those consultations are still being parried back and forth but the UDP-PAC was to have resumed meetings this week under the old formula. But, it didn’t happen. Monday’s meting was postponed, and today, the Financial secretary Joe Waight showed up to testify as did member Patrick Faber, but it had to be postponed again. The reason? Faber tells us there wasn’t a quorum with one member out of the country and the opposition absent.

Channel 5

Canadian woman is stabbed more than eight times inside her house in Consejo
There is a brutal murder to report tonight; a Canadian woman was stabbed to death at her house sometime on Tuesday evening. Her body was found in a pool of [...]

P.U.P. Deputy Leader calls for recall process to begin for Belize Rural North
The P.U.P. has reached the threshold to trigger the recall mechanism in Cayo Northeast. In fact, the party has exceeded the threshold and continues to gather signatures. Meanwhile, Elvin Penner [...]

The Opposition plans to demonstrate in Belmopan on Friday
The P.U.P. will be in Belmopan on Friday, and we don’t mean just inside the House. Deputy Leader Julius Espat has confirmed that the party will be organizing a protest [...]

Godwin Hulse says visas are really no big deal and is not concerned about Castro
The man in the visa hot-seat, Minister of State Edmund Castro, continues to dodge the media at every turn. Apart from a lengthy press release in which he remembers recommending [...]

Minister Hulse speaks on 11 abrupt transfers from immigration department
It has now been forty days since the Wonhong Kim passport scandal highlighted the corruption in the Immigration Department. The matter is of national and even international importance, but while [...]

Tyrell Hyde says he will recover losses through court action against police department
On Tuesday, shocking surveillance footage of a police shakedown involving a university student surfaced in the media, following several attempts by the family of the young man to settle the [...]

Ombudsman says his department has been working on matter with police
Tyrell Hyde is unhappy with the Police response to his complaint. He has presented video evidence which shows the officers involved. He even has witnesses who will corroborate his story. [...]

Flooding continues to affect communities in Rural Belize
The rains are slowing down and in some areas, floodwaters are beginning to recede. In other areas, residents are having a hard time getting in and out of their houses. [...]

Land dispute continues on Cemetery Lane
On Saturday, Cemetery Lane in Belize City resembled a war zone as armed Police Officers and B.D.F. soldiers galvanized into action. It wasn’t another Operation Jaguar or Operation Restore Belize. [...]

The case of Glenn Tillett versus Lois Young and Nestor Vasquez
In June of this year, media personality Glenn Tillett’s case against Lois Young, Nestor Vasquez and the Social Security Board was freed to continue at the Supreme Court after the [...]

Attorney says neither Young and Vasquez gained anything from sale of Telemedia shares
In the afternoon session, Dr. Lloyd Barnett, who appeared for Vasquez and Young, seemed to suggest that the transaction did not involve B.T.L. directly and that S.S.B. needed to diversify [...]

Tillett says there will not be a chaotic situation to reverse transaction
Finally, we asked Tillett whether, if the court rules his way and finds the conflict of interest he proposes, there would be “a chaotic situation” as described by Doctor Barnett [...]

4 are charged in connection with the murder of Jorge Blanco
Late this evening, CIB personnel rushed over four Belize City men to court to charge them in connection with a murder and robbery that occurred on midday last Friday. This [...]

Carnal knowledge case involving Belize City bus conductor
A Belize City bus conductor will have to put up a defense in the Supreme Court for a charge of carnal knowledge of a thirteen-year old school girl for which [...]

Body of drowned Succotz man is retrieved from Mopan River
The lifeless body of sixty-five year old Carlos Valdez has been recovered from the Mopan River, following a massive search effort by family and friends since the canoe he was [...]

San Ignacio Police busts vehicle with 21 pounds of weed
Just after six p.m. on Tuesday, the San Ignacio Police searched a vehicle on the George Price Highway in front of the Ministry of Works in Santa Elena Town. The [...]

CWU formally booted from N.T.U.C.B.
On Monday, the Christian Workers Union was formally booted out of its umbrella organization, following a failed congress over the weekend which should have seen the ouster of President Antonio [...]

LOVE FM

NEMO Issues Further Advisory on Flooding
In its latest advisory, NEMO cautions the public that the Belize River continues to rise and that communities that are experiencing flooding are Gracie Rock, Hattieville, Freetown Sibun, Grace Bank, Biscayne, Crooked Tree, St. Pauls Bank, Lucky Strike, St. Anns, Santana, Corzalito and Bomba. NEMO advises residents living in these to take the necessary action to safeguard life and property and move to higher ground. In addition, NEMO says that the Coast Guard has dispatched one boat to Rancho Dolores, Crooked Tree and Freetown Sibun to assist residents. Those heading to Crooked Tree Village are warned that small vehicles cannot access the road into the village. In the Mountain Pine Ridge, the northern side of the Privassion Bridge approach has been washed away and only small vehicles can cross over the bridge and must do so with extreme caution. The Guacamallo Bridge is under water and is impassable to vehicular traffic. The road network in the Mountain Pine Ridge is severely eroded and drivers are asked to drive with extreme care. The Low lying Bridge in San Ignacio /Santa Elena is still under water and remains closed to traffic. The Iguana Creek Bridge is and the Baking Pot Ferry remains closed to traffic.

Canadian Retiree Murdered in Northern Belize
57 year old Patricia Lynn Nichiporowich, a Canadian retiree who lived in Consejo Shores, Corozal for the past few months, was brutally attacked and murdered at around six on Tuesday evening inside the two storey house that she rented. Police say that the woman, who was planning to relocate to San Ignacio Town, Cayo on Thursday, suffered multiple stab wounds to her upper body. Her attacker pounced with calculated precision and the only evidence left behind were an eight inch bloodstained knife on a sofa, a few drops of blood and footprints as he escaped the premises. ASP Daniel Arzu “We realized that access was not possible given the fact that the building was secure. It has one stairs which carries a metal door and that was locked. We made entry into the building via a ladder and inside, we observed a Caucasian female, a woman on the floor in the living room; it appears that person or persons may have made entry by climbing to the upper flat of the building and exited the same means by jumping down and made their escape.”

President of Public Service Union Has Questions on Recent Immigration Transfers
Rumors have been rampant since early this week that there would be a transfer of staff from the Immigration Department. Love News has confirmed with the President of the Public Service Union, Marvin Blades that this transfer has indeed occurred. In an interview this morning we spoke with Blades who provided his views on the reason for the transfer. MARVIN BLADES “The immigration scandal based on what we have been hearing is the only thing that would cause the ministry to transfer 11 clerks. That’s what I am hearing so far on the news; we have verified at least 7 or 8 for sure but we didn’t verify the others but I am pretty sure it’s happening to the rest of the officers. However, what we are trying to find out as I see it is where these officers have gone, which department or what ministry and were the proper procedures followed which is in place; as you know we have regulations that govern transfers. So, we need to find out where are the 11 officers; what department is they going into and who will replace them and what is in place for these officers who are going to replace these 11 officers.”

Immigration Minister is Unconcerned About Visa Allegations Made Against Minister Castro
Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Edmund Castro, is the focus of an allegation being made by Alverine Burgess who claims that Castro is involved in a visa hustling ring. Castro through a press release denounced any allegations. Today we asked, Godwin Hulse, as the Minister of Immigration, is he is even looking into the matter. Hulse explained that the allegations made against Castro are not within his remit. HON. GODWIN HULSE “I haven’t heard all the allegations; there are so many things running around but what I want to say about visas specifically is that people must realize that the visa is a permission to come to this country; that is what it is. When you get to this country, when you get to any of the border points, you get a permit to do several things; you either get a permit if you want to be a student that’s called a student permit, you get a permit if you are a visitor for so many days, you get a permit if you’re going to work that you have to apply for. The visa is to get here. Citizens of many countries do not require visas to come to Belize; only a few countries require visas to come to Belize.

Immigration Minister Meets With Social Partners to Form Scrutinizing Committee
Last night we told of the meeting that the Minister of Immigration, Godwin Hulse, had with the social partners and the National Trade Union Congress of Belize. The basis of the meeting was the proposed amendments to the Immigration laws as outlined by Minister Hulse in a press conference two weeks ago in relation to the Nationality Scrutinizing Committee. Hulse told us more. HON. GODWIN HULSE “Well it was just information; it is courtesy, first of all. As you heard at the press conference that we held two Thursdays ago and announced that there will be this nationality scrutinizing committee that will now support the department in scrutinizing persons who apply for citizenship. So, we are doing everything to ensure that we bring some serious credibility to this process and we announced that we would invite a representative from the Belize Chamber of Commerce, a representative from the Belize Council of Churches and a representative from the NTUCB to sit on that committee along with CEOs from the various ministries.

A Look At Improving Communications on Climate Services
Climate change affects everyone but not all of us are up to date with information being release by experts due to various reason. Well, today a three day conference entitled, “National Consultation on a Framework for Climate Services in Belize” commenced at the Radisson Fort George Hotel. For those three days, relevant stakeholders and professionals will be creating a strategic plan on how to funnel down key information to the common man. Love News spoke to the Chief Meteorologist at the National Meteorological Service of Belize, Dennis Gonguez and the Head of the Global Framework for Climate Services Office in the World Meteorological Organization, Filipe Lucio. DENNIS GONGUEZ “What we plan to do is we are looking to improving our climate service to different stakeholders in Belize. So, we are looking at how the meteorological service could provide better climate information.” HIPOLITO NOVELO “How do you plan to trickle down the information to the common man?” DENNIS GONGUEZ “Well that’s what we are looking at; we are looking at strategic ways we can communicate and that’s why we have this consultation here, so we can look at ways, so we could communicate that information down to the everyday person and that is what we are looking at over the next three days.”

Belize Waste Control Says Mayor Misinformed Media
The owners of Belize Waste Control have responded to comments made by Mayor Darrell Bradley on Monday. When questioned about delayed payments to the sanitation company, Mayor Bradley said the Council is about ten weeks behind schedule in payments and the fact that they were in a similar position last year. According to the release from Belize Waste Control, the last payment from the council was received on October 3 and was payment for the period of July 15 to 19, which puts the council in arrears for 15 weeks. It says while during the previous Mayor’s tenure there were protests, she did not allow arrears to go beyond eight weeks. It ends by saying that they would welcome a discussion with the Mayor.

CTV3

Doctor Mario Estradaban Testifies In Murder Case
The case against Eric Gonzalez, accused of the murder of Daniel Alberto Soto, resumed today before Justice Herbert Lord in the Northern Session of the Supreme Court of Belize. On Monday October 28th 2013, the Crown, comprised of Councils Sabita Maharaj and Linsbert Willis, introduced their first witness to the stand who testified as the then Scenes of Crimes Technician for the Orange Walk Police Department. Today, two other witnesses were called to the stand to testify, they are Dr. Mario Estradaban, pathologist at the Karl Huesner Memorial Hospital and Juan Francisco Soto, father of the late Daniel Soto. With no objection from defence attorney, Simeon Sampson, the post mortem report of Daniel Soto produced by Dr. Estradaban, was accepted into evidence. While on the stand, Dr. Estradaban gave a vivid account, based on the facts of his report, of what caused Soto’s demise.

PUP Continues Recall Process
And while Elvin Penner has not made up his mind if he is resigning, the People’s United Party says it now has enough signatures needed to trigger a recall in Cayo Northeast. The opposition says it is pushing the issue because it is their duty and obligation to look over the best interest of the people. CAROLYN TRENCH-SANDIFORD – PUP, Deputy Party Leader “We have preceded in terms of the first step 30% threshold required to trigger the recall, we have gather over 30% of the signatures required and what we have done because of the experience with Election and Boundaries with the Oceana situation which you all know but also because we know that the elections and boundaries processes are also tainted, that was how Penner was able to register three to four hundred persons leading up to the elections with nationality that were gathered one and two days before the registration despite the provisions of the law which say you must be a Belizean and live somewhere for two months let us not forget that, so we have gathered the signature over 30% which I think it is two thousand plus at this point in time and we are continuing that process we are not stopping, so that has been completed so I can say now we can take it to the elections and boundaries commission but what we are doing meanwhile is also to double check and triple check, because we know that when those signatures go there, there are couple things that are going to happen.

Motion For Senate Inquiry To Be Presented Next Week Wednesday
On Monday we told you about a Notice of Motion for a Senate Inquiry into the Immigration scandal which was filed by the PUP Secretariat. The motion, which was discussed with social partners before it was handed in to the Clerk of the National Assembly, is slated to be tabled and debated at the next sitting of the Senate. PUP’s Deputy Party Leader for Policy & Reform, Carolyn Trench Sandiford says the Party is engaged in a multi-prong approach into allegations of corruption or conduct unbecoming of public officials. CAROLYN TRENCH-SANDIFORD – Deputy Party Leader, PUP “As you go along the stages what you are seeing is a blatant disrespect for the law in terms of fraud, in terms of doing what we would call kind of a parallel system of accountability in government, where is the money going? In terms of what I would say encouraging multiple players engage and involved in government affairs, at the end of the day it is not only about criminal charges and I think we need to be very clear on this and to look at it from this angle as well. Is not so about criminal charges as it is a blatant disrespect and disregard for something that is sacred which is our Belizean identity, when it comes to the passport matter what has transpired is that we have rendered to some extent suspicion on who we are when we leave this country, we carry not only a Belizean passport but we carry a CARICOM passport which gives us certain privileges when we travel in the Caribbean that is going to be suspect recently we understand and it is recorded that a plane landed in Miami and there were some issues regarding the passport of Belizeans...

Orange Walk Residence Complain About Street Conditions
The heavy downpour over the past week has not only left many areas of Town waterlogged but is also giving motorists a nightmarish ride and headache thanks to the potholes that keep popping up or get larger on most road surfaces. Reporter Maria Novelo and Videographer Jesus Melgar took to the streets where we were inundated with complaints from motorists who are fed up with the bad road conditions since they are now facing expensive repair costs for the damage to their vehicles. Maria Novelo – Reporting If you are a regular commuter in Orange Walk Town, chances are that you may have either fallen into a pothole or may have developed severe back pain. Heavy rains this week has once again exposed the poor quality of roads in Town, as even the ones that were re-carpeted have developed new potholes.

BSCFA Addresses Non-Compliances
In the month of April, the BSCFA fell into non-compliance with Fair Trade standards after an audit was conducted by FLOCERT. The BSCFA immediately began working at addressing those non-compliances and wrote to FLOCERT informing them about the measures they plan to implement to address those issues. Recognizing the importance of the benefits of the Fair Trade movement such as commanding premium prices in foreign markets, the BSCFA has been working arduously ensuring that they keep up within the rules and regulations of the movement. However, FLOCERT seems not so convinced about the measures implemented by the BSCFA and therefore has scheduled to conduct a follow up audit in the month of November to verify that indeed those non-compliances have been addressed.

Canadian National Viciously Stabbed To Death In Corozal
Last night Corozal recorded its fourth murder as a criminal or criminals made their way into the home of 57 year old Canadian National Patricia Lynn Nichiporowich. Nichiporowich, who relocated to Belize some six months ago, lived on the second floor of a two storey building located in the Consejo Shores Area of Corozal Town when her life was viciously taken away by a ruthless intruder or intruders. Our news team has been following the story since morning and here is what they found. Victor Castillo – Reporting The peacefulness surrounding a neighborhood in the Consejo Shores, Corozal, was shattered around 6:00 yesterday evening when several loud cries for help were heard coming from the residence of 57 year old Patricia Lynn Nichiporowich. Neighbors, who refused to speak to the media on camera even after being interrogated by police, claim to have heard screams coming from the upper flat of this residence where Nichiporowich, a Canadian National who moved to the area three months ago, resided.

BSCFA Walks Out On BSI In The Middle Of Strategic Planning Presentation
Sugar Industry Stakeholders met today at the Gala Lounge to strategically plan the future investment of the Industry where key points were raised to remain competitive beyond 2017 in the Global Market. But that’s not all that happened. Our news team was on hand for the event and brings you the following report. Maria Novelo - Reporting In an effort to effectively compete in the global market where changes to the EU is imminent, Industry Stakeholders including the Ministry of Agriculture, Belize Sugar Industries Limited, Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association and majority holder American Sugar Refinery, met today to chart a way forward in their new Action Plan for the Future of the Sugar Industry of Belize.

PlusTV

Body of Carlos Valdez recovered from Mopan River
The search effort for 65 year old farmer Carlos Rito Valdez, believed to have drowned after his boat capsized in the high rise Mopan River is slated to continue Wednesday. A surface search of the river was conducted on Tuesday, but there was not much the search team could...

Edmund Castro Continues to Evade the Media
The House of Representatives is scheduled to convene this Friday and while there is no official word on the reason for the unexpected meeting, it is certain that the recent revelations involving passport, visas and nationality scandals, will be put on the floor for debate. There,...

Belize Waste Control responds to Mayor of Belize City
On Monday night, we showed you Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley speaking on the Council’s current spat with Belize Waste Control and BML. Well on Tuesday, the Belize Waste Control hit back, saying the Mayor’s comments on payments were untrue. But before we get into that release, take a...

Police destroy marijuana plantation
Police destroyed a marijuana plantation on Monday. Between the hours of 4:30 and 6:30pm, Police conducted a joint Anti-Drug operation about 1 ½ miles Northwest of Carmelita Village in the Orange Walk District. There, they came upon a marijuana plantation containing about 50 marijuana plants ranging from 2 inches...

Minister of Culture seeks stiffer penalties for tampering with sacred monuments and relics
It wasn’t too long ago that the nation’s attention was centered on the destruction of the Noh Mul Archaeological site in northern Belize. A portion of the site’s ceremonial temple was destroyed, reportedly at the hands of D-Mar’s Construction, for road aggregate. Four persons, company owner old Denny Grijalva,...

Mayor Bradley says all help is welcome to fix Belize City Streets
The Belize City Council has been revered for its tough approach to addressing the immediate fixing of over 100 streets under the Municipal Bond program. Now the Government is getting in on the act with works of its own. Mayor Darrell Bradley tells us more. Mr. Darrel Bradley- Mayor...

Price of Butane rises
The Government of Belize has announced a dollar increase in the price of butane. The new costs per 100lb cylinder took effect yesterday and are follows: in Belize City and Corozal $118.00, in Belmopan and San Ignacio $120.00 and Benque $121.00. Orange Walk residents will pay $119.00, Dangriga residents...

Patrick Menzies says he intends to change his approach
It turned out to be another rainy day for Patrick Menzies and some of his company, However, like he has proven in other occasions, his fiery nature did not sway him and still went on with what was scheduled to be the last leg of...

Day of Healing held in Yarborough Community
Since it began earlier this year the Day of Healing initative has been all over the City bringing a day of peace to crime-torn communities. On Saturday, despite the wet weather in the City, residents of the Yarborough area hosted fun activities. Co-organizer Jerome “Peeloff” Mejia...

Blogs

The Inn At Robert’s Grove: A VERY Comfortable Way to Visit the Placencia Peninsula
A few months ago, I took my first trip to Placencia, the beautiful small beach town that is probably the second most popular beach vacation in Belize after Ambergris Caye. I loved it there. Love it there. And plan to return early and often. My first two nights were spent in the town proper (you can read about and see the pictures from those visits below). Next I moved a bit north to a resort just south of Seine Bight but a quick taxi ride from Placencia, The Inn At Robert’s Grove. A bit too comfortable in my suite and on the gorgeous grounds…I really didn’t want to leave. A picture of the main building with the dining room, the main bar and just a beautiful lounge area.

Living Together Sponsorship – Donors’ Program
In June 2013, Cubola Productions offered to team up with donors in the private sector of the Cayo District to supply the Living Together a Belizean Social Studies Series for Primary Schools Standard 1 book and workbook at cost price. As part of the package we also committed to supply free training for teachers. The feedback we continue to have from primary school teachers using the Series has been very positive. They have expressed a strong interest in having access to the Standard I book and workbook, the newest title in the Series, however many schools do not have the funds to purchase class sets. This is the first year of this programme but we hope to eventually gain more sponsors with the hope that all primary schools in the Cayo District will have access to these materials.

“The Way We Were” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
Now we have moved up to the First and Second Floors (we moved up there after the burst pipe incident on Saturday) I have really been trying to get back in to my routine. You know. Get up early. Make a mug of coffee (black). Grab the iPad and go sit on the veranda. I’ve got the coffee worked out. I know where the essential ingredients are -coffee, water, kettle, spoon and mug- and I know where I keep the iPad. But the dilemma is which veranda? The heavy rain of the last few days though has made the choice a little easier. The veranda with the best cover – the western (lagoon) facing one on the First Floor. Decision taken -literally for me- it’s time to move one of the two chairs (fit for purpose) that we have until our patio furniture arrives (more about that in a future edition).

Top 15 Luxury Hotels in Belize
Here I am including a list of what I consider the best luxury hotels in Belize right now. Each place has something unique to offer, whether they are a hip boutique hotel with all the modern comforts and world class amenities or a rustic Eco haven in the middle of nowhere. If you think that I’m only mentioning the resorts below because they offer upscale full service or have exclusive clientele, you’re wrong. These properties have been hand selected because they offer spectacular views, exquisite food, the best tour guides and staff, and have a rich ambience rated “5 Star” in my books. Chaa Creek, Ka’ana, Blancaneaux Lodge, Chan Chich, Hamanasi, Chabil Mar, Turtle Inn, Roberts Grove, Cotton Tree Lodge, Belcampo Belize, Cayo Espanto, El Secreto, The Phoenix, Mata Chica, Victoria House

VIP Belize calls PM to Please Sign the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC)
The VIP Invites ALL Belizeans at Home and Abroad to join our petition to help fight Corruption……a hard copy drive will be launched countrywide on Thursday Oct 31st. marking the 10th Anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption For 10 years Belize has refused to sign the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). As a result, Belize is viewed as a country that is not serious about fighting corruption which has now become a cancer that has beseiged the heart and spirit of Belizeans. Every department of our Government is plagued by an entrenched Culture of Corruption that is retarding the development of our country, increasing poverty, crime, cost of living, education and negatively affecting every facet of society. As concerned Belizeans, we must unite to demand that our Prime Minister and Government sign the Convention NOW. By signing this petition you will show the country and world that we the people of Belize want to rid our country of corruption and thereby set Belize on the path to National Development, Peace and Prosperity.

Mennonite Gurls A'ken Cook: Sugar Cookies n' Pumpkin Shapes
Today is un apperpriate day ta share t'recipe fer these pumpkin shapet cookies, I uset ta make 'um fer air youngns so at wen thay kum trayler frum skool thar would be a ‘pumpkin treet’ fer 'um. The n' lat'r yeers I made 'um fer t'gran'chiltre. All o't' youngns an' g’youngns have growd up, but who a'ken resist a purty cookie deceratid as un orange pumpkin! Thishere recipe a'ken be uset fer differnt seesons, it’s my favert at Christmus usin festif' cookie cutters.

International Sources

New World Oil & Gas extends Belize PSA for two years
New World Oil & Gas (LON:NEW) has told investors that the Belize government has approved a two year extension to its production sharing agreement (PSA) for the Blue Creek project. The PSA now runs up until October 12 2015. Over the next twelve months the company intends to carry out a thorough review of its previously captured seismic and drilling results. Then, in the second year of the renewal, New World will have the choice to either drill one new exploration well or ‘drop’ the PSA. New World says it continues to look for a farm-in partner to share the exploration drilling costs at Blue Creek. "We are delighted to have received the approval from the Government of Belize for the third renewal period on the Blue Creek PSA,” chief executive Bill Kelleher said in a statement.

Caribbean 2013 Tourist Arrivals by Country of Origin
Following is a summary table of Caribbean tourist arrivals from the Caribbean Tourism Organization:

Bookbag Santa's new sleigh might break the bank
You may recall the teeny tiny Roanoke charity Bookbag Santa — I’ve written about them a couple of times. It’s a tax-exempt nonprofit that collects usable school supplies discarded by students here and ships them to poor and needy schoolchildren in Belize. Not only does that keep tons of material out of our landfill, but it puts those items to their best use elsewhere. Bookbag Santa has some exciting news to share. Saturday, it won an online contest, 100 Cars for Good, sponsored by Toyota. The prize is a new vehicle. That’s a real big deal for a charity that operates on a total budget of less than $1,000 per year. The outfit is a one-man shop run by artist/environmentalist/handyman Gary Hunt. He’s been taking used school supplies down to Belize since 1990, and he incorporated the organization as a 501(c)3 nonprofit in 2007. Its website is Bookbagsanta.com

Cultural awareness dance Nov. 13 will benefit Central American nonprofit
Students at Appalachian State University will host a cultural awareness event called Dance Around the World on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 6 p.m. to benefit the Tumul K’in Center of Learning in Belize. Dance Around the World is a multicultural dance featuring groups from Appalachian’s campus and the Boone community. Each group will perform and teach a dance that represents their culture. The dance will be held in Plemmons Student Union’s Parkway Ballroom. The event is free, but attendees are encouraged to give a suggested donation of $6. This event is organized by students in the Department of Communication’s Principles of Fundraising class to raise money for an international non-profit organization, Tumul K’in Center of Learning. Tumul K’in is based in Toledo, Belize. Its mission is to promote sustainable development through intercultural education while preserving Mayan culture and traditions. Proceeds from Dance Around the World will be used to purchase T-shirts for Tumul K’in’s Maya Day celebration, scheduled for Spring 2014.

Saving Paradise
Many of the male parrotfish fish found in the Ulithi atoll were once female. They are among several species in the coral reef-ringed waters that are sequential hermaphrodites, meaning they change sex during their lifetime. With more than 200 miles of reef, Ulithi is one of the world’s largest atolls, or circles of coral reef that enclose a lagoon. Its sapphire and emerald waters are punctuated with dozens of diminutive islets, each with a halo of bright beach around a verdant center. Four of the islands are inhabited, with a population of just 400 to 600 on the most crowded, Falalop. (As home to Ulithi’s high school, Falalop’s population balloons during the school year.) Autonomous and overlooked, Ulithi has “essentially no red tape,” in Nelson’s words. The scientists can make a recommendation and, if they choose to, locals can implement them immediately. This instantaneous conservation is nearly unheard of in the field. It took more than 20 years of government negotiations and meetings for reef conservation proposals Crane worked on in Belize, for example, to be adopted.

Video: TRAVEL GUIDE TO CAYE CAULKER, BELIZE
If you're looking for island vibes, beautiful weather, underwater adventure, reggae beats, and good people, travel on over to Caye Caulker, Belize! In this video, I reunite with my best friend Allie and get to know the island of Caye Caulker.

October 30, 2013

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Specials and Events

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 latest Tia Chocolate column is ready for reading!!!
Birthday Cake & Memories:
I recently shared a photo of the last birthday party that my parents threw for me. It was my eleventh birthday, and I was in my last year of primary school. My dress is blue, with pretty lace and peplum, handmade by my mother. A lot of my clothes were sewn by her; you just had to find a pattern in the prom and style catalogues and she would whip up a similar look for far less. The photo I mention dredged up a lot of memories for me, and it seemed a few people who were part of the parties had their memories too. That is when it really struck me how much those parties must have meant to others; at some point, it stopped being about me.

The San Pedro Sun

UNDP hosts Workshop on Social Audit for Young Belizean Leaders
United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in collaboration with The University of Belize (UB) hosted a two day workshop on October 25th and 26th with the purpose of educating youth on Social Auditing. The workshop was held at UB’s Central Farm Campus in the Cayo District, with over 30 participants from across the country. The workshop aimed to increase prosecution capacity, community leadership and youth engagement in the running of the government. It also sought to promote the development of management, leadership and practical skills for social auditing from different dimensions, such as political, social, technical and teamwork, among young Belizean leaders. Opening the workshop were Doctor Cary Fraser, UB’s President and Daniel Alemu, Assistant Resident Representative of UNDP, who both elaborated on the significant role that youth play in the development of a country and the need for transparency and accountability in the government.

Heavy rain causes severe flooding in Belize
Heavy rainfall over the past few days has caused severe flooding in various areas of the country. The five districts that have been affected the most are Cayo, Stann Creek and Toledo, Belize and Orange Walk districts. According to the Weather Channel, turbulent weather is being caused by The Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) which is causing thunderstorm production over the western Caribbean, the eastern Pacific and south/southwest of Mexico. The MJO is an intra-seasonal fluctuation or “wave” that occurs in the tropics when atmospheric circulation meets oceanic circulation. On Friday, October 25th, the National Emergency and Management Organization (NEMO) issued a public advisory stating that non-stop rain was affecting both the Cayo and Stann Creek Districts and that the Mullins River was 3ft above normal.

What’s for Dinner? Casa Picasso!
Tonight’s the night…hmm, wasn’t that a song??? Well there’s plenty to sing about today, and it’s not just Fred Astaire dancing around in the rain! After a slow-season hiatus the wonderfully delicious and island-hip Casa Picasso will officially open their doors tonight at 5:30PM for their third season on La Isla! Last Friday night, October 25th, the ever-so- gracious and downright fun owners Jacqueline and Adam hosted an open house soirée where guests were treated to a few of their new menu items and indulge in mouthwatering cocktails. Their very attentive wait staff generously circulated trays of tasty morsels, teaming with the likes of braised pork belly, peel n’ eat shrimp, Snook bites, chicken salad on cucumber slices, roasted cauliflower with cheddar sauce, sere shoots and beets with goat cheese to drool, I mean NAME a few. Of course pairing these bites with the likes of Bellini and Brazil 66 cocktails only took the taste sensations to a level off the flavor charts. Boasting new menu items, new cocktails, new wine choices and the strongest martini’s in San Pedro, Casa Picasso is the go-to place for creative food in an artful ambience.

Halloween 2013 Part ll. (32 photos)
Check out some more fun pictures from this year's Halloween celebrations

Kirt Jason Cruz- Diamond in the rough
About Kirt: Kirt Jason Cruz is a 35 year old Belizean artist originally from San Ignacio Town located in the Cayo District of Western Belize. Currently residing in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye Kirt is My Beautiful Belize’s newest Diamond in the Rough. Born into a family of 8, ( 5 siblings plus his mother and father), Kirt picked up painting at the age of 10 as he was influenced by his father, renowned Belizean artist (painter) Pedro Cruz. Painting has always been a part of Kirt’s life, but it was in 2006 that the artist really drew closer to his skill as art would become his therapeutic source after being involved in an altercation that would leave him partially paralyzed. Kirt struggled to keep art in his life after his right hand (which he used to paint) was affected by the incident. It would take months before he would make the transition from a right- hand painter to successfully teaching himself to use his left hand. While Kirt has limited mobility as his accident has also left him in a wheel chair, he hasn’t let these obstacles stop him from doing what he loves.

Ambergris Today

San Pedro Sailing Club Excels in First International Regatta
On October 25th two young men, Jerdan Anderson and Jorge Oliverez from San Pedro, Ambergris Caye took to the sea in Bacalar Mexico, representing not only San Pedro but the entire country of Belize in an Optimist sailing regatta. This was the first time ever that that sailors from Belize have been invited to attended an International Regatta. 58 sailors from the Quintana Roo, Yucatan area represented Mexico and our two young sailors from San Pedro made a total of 60 competing in this Invitational Regatta. The Federacion Mexicana de Vela and its President Miguel Angel Pani Can hosted the Regatta. Jerdan and Jorge were two of 25 Optimist sailors racing in the two day event along with 35 Laser sailors and wind surfers. The first four races were held on, Saturday, 26 October. Jerdan Anderson took first place in the first three races and finished third in the final race of the day. Jorge Oliverez was fourth in the first race, moved up to second place in the next two races and then finished ahead of his teammate, Jerden, and the rest of the field sailing into first place in the final race of the day. At the end of an exciting day of racing, overall scores had Jerdan in first place with six points with Jorge solidly in second place with a score of nine points.

San Pedro Vocalized Support of Land Use Planning Efforts
On Tuesday October 22nd, during a public consultation, residents of Ambergris Caye vocalized their general support of land use planning efforts currently being championed for the community. This effort is being undertaken by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture and Belize Tourism Board, as a component of the Sustainable Tourism Program (STP), with the full collaboration of the San Pedro Town Council. The initiative follows on the heels of Cabinet’s endorsement of the National Sustainable Tourism Masterplan last year, which highlights the importance of a national land-use planning framework to enhance destination quality, guide appropriate new developments, and manage the redevelopment of the urban areas. A vast data collection and mapping exercise has been undertaken as part of the planning process to provide a detailed overview of the existing situation. It is intended that the new plans will grandfather in any existing land use, however Planning Consultant Mr. Monfort stressed that new additions and developments will need to conform to new regulations which will make stipulations on use, height, setbacks and % lot coverage. Similar efforts are currently being coordinated in other municipalities through the Lands and Surveys Dept. who were also represented at the consultation.

25 Years Ago: Old School vs. New School in San Pedro Num. 3
The old school was slow and the new school is fast. The old school was simple while the new school is complex or even complicated. This is not about which way is better but rather for the old heads to try to adapt to the new and the new generation to learn that there was another way and it worked. Those of the Old School still try their home remedies to combat many illnesses and medical conditions. There is gargling of warm water with salt, drinking warm coke with lime, lime with honey, rubbing of the chest with Vick vapor rub, inserting of feet in hot water, chewing of tobacco leaves, pinching the forehead with sharp prickles, and puffing of smoke into the ear. The list of home remedies goes on with some practices getting a bit weird like bathing with water with lemon leaves and warmed in the sun, or frying of a scorpion and applying it to a wound. The above were safe and efficient home remedies that were practiced to alleviate illnesses of various kinds. Today folks simply pick up the sick one and take him or her to the doctor for an injection, antibiotics, or ultra sound tests. Back then we didn’t have doctors in the island up until the late 70’s.

Flashbacks: Halloween in Old San Pedro
The Wizard of Oz was driving around San Pedro back in the 1980’s along with witches, devils and ghosts and they were high in possibility of winning the grand prize. Halloween in Old San Pedro was mostly for the children who dressed up for their Halloween fair, danced in a circle and won a prize or two. It was later that adults got into the frenzy that it is today with elaborate costumes, not to forget to mention that they are time consuming and expensive. But Halloween is Halloween and is the joy of sharing some fun even if it means driving around town in a golf car as our good friend Kay Scott the Photographer did in her youthful days. And her vehicle only had one front wheel, something we don’t see any longer. Thank God or we would hear about a flipping over every weekend with the fifty miles per hour that we have today.

Difficult Students (From Challenges to Solutions)
In previous articles I reviewed both positive and negative ways to deal with “Difficult Students” who constantly misbehave at school. Dealing with Difficult Students, Effective Ways to Deal with Difficult Students, Dealing with Loud and Playful Difficult Students. I encouraged teachers to have unbending and effective classroom management, and I suggested positive ways for them to deal with repeated and distractive behavior of students. However, several parents recently contacted me to complain about several difficult students whose constant power struggles with teachers at a high school in Belize City hamper the learning process of other students.

Misc Belizean Sources

VIDEO: Belikin Calendar Unveil
One ofour favorite times of the year...

Belize's first youth prime minister
By Abdulmajeed K. Nunez Sound the alarm! The third party has been formed Since the 90s our case has been adjourned This is the calm before the storm We’re coming with a youth platform Constitutional amendments and legal reforms The female prime minister will be our tutor We are coming like a storm so be informed They have been afraid of youth voices Giving the youths choices Using the expressive arts to form alliances Where are the youth forums, councils, and youth governance? Because we are tired or receiving pittances and remittances And want to form cooperatives and industries And exercise our civil liberties

Oct 20, 2013 - Oct 26 , 2013 Fishing Report
We welcomed the Annual Orvis Bonefish Bonanza with 12 boats going out daily for 3 days. Orvis Travel’s Jeremy Kehrein hosted the annual trip with an enthusiastic group of both first time flats anglers to a couple flats veterans and returning guests. People are already booking for next year. Call Jeremy at 800-547-4322! More honeymooners visited us this week with Caroline and Jacob, and Martha and Justin, both were married on October 19!

PACT Supports Chiquibul
The Protected Areas Conservation Trust has awarded a grant to the Friends for Conservation and Development to help them manage the Chiquibul Forest Reserve. Thanks, PACT!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=541728712575387&set;=a.162084270539835.40741.162061983875397&_fb_noscript=1
Mary Open Doors is having a cake sale this Friday for Dia de los Muertos. Get a yummy cake and support a great cause at the same time. In related news, the SISE and Benque House of Cultures are both having Finados displays in memory of Elias Awe. There will also be the Belikin Halloween block party on Burns.

Cayo Scoop Halloween Cup
The Cayo Scoop Halloween Cup 9 ball tournament was Saturday at Mom's Backyard. It was a fun evening, and had a good showing too. It came down to one shot in the last game, with Luis and Oscar tied 3 to 3. First place was $200 and a trophy. Second was $100 and a trophy. Third was a case of Kubuli beer. Thanks to everyone that came out, and a special thanks to Mom's for hosting the event and giving the case of Kubuli. "It came down to one shot at the Halloween Cup! Congratulations, Luis, for taking first place. Oscar took second, and Wallace took 3rd."

Fuego Halloween Party
Fuego is having a Halloween costume party and happy hour. It'll be on Halloween night, and it starts at 7:00pm. Mistah Geeh will be mixing for the event. "It's coming.....Our FIRST Signature Event."

The Mopan River remains in flood stage and the ferry at Succotz village is closed to traffic.

The low-lying bridge spanning the Macal River in San Ignacio town remains flooded and closed to vehicular traffic.

The Iguana Creek bridge spanning the Belize river in Blackman Eddy Village remains flooded and closed to vehicular traffic.

Friendly sporting matches played between Corozal & Mexico schools
On the evening of October 17, 2013, the Escuela Tecnica Secundaria Mexico Junior College of Corozal, Belize, took part in a friendly several sporting matches with students of the university, “Universidad de Quintana Roo” UQROO. The invitation by Mexico university was to continue to foster the friendly ties and goodwill between both neighboring countries. The Director of UQROO responsible for the physical well being of the students Maria de Guadalupe Cuellar Espadas warmly greeted and welcomed the students and delegates. On behalf of her institution, Cuellar Espadas thanked the Corozal students and teachers and told the visitors to enjoy this great event. She said this event "strengthens the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood between the two educational institutions".

Oct 29th - Traffic Jam today on Progresso Road! (Corozal)

We Restarted Our Lives in Belize
Veronique McKenzie didn’t exactly choose to make her home in Belize…more like, Belize chose her. In her former life, Veronique was working in sales, marketing, and advertising, splitting her time between Chicago, New York and Los Angeles. Her job gave her the opportunity for plenty of travel…but as the years progressed, she knew she needed to make a change. She considered moving to Marseilles in France where she is originally from…but before she did that, she decided to take a vacation. That vacation brought her to Belize…and to her new life. She fell in love with the beauty of Belize and the warmth of its people. She left Belize after her vacation…but the tiny country never left her mind. It felt like fate was calling her back to Belize…a feeling that was proven right on her return. Within weeks of returning to Belize for an extended stay, she met her husband Lance. Though the pair had been practically neighbors in LA, it took that trip to Belize for them to meet.

Channel 7

Cops Caught On Camera Shaking Down Man In ATM Booth
Six weeks ago, a young man named Thyrell Hyde came to us complaining that police robbed him, and then took him to the ATM to clean out his account. His story was compelling, but he asked us to stand down on it because he wanted to make the internal affairs process work without the prejudice of public exposure. So he complained to police and the ombudsman, but got no assistance. So today he came back to media with disturbing proof that what he said is true. Here's how he explained it to Daniel Ortiz.:.. Thyrell Hyde, Claims Police Robbed Him "They said that they were going to search the car and us and so they told the 2 females to go at the back of the car while they search the 2 males; myself and my friend. They searched us, I had $70 in my pocket and they took that.

Flooding Has Hatteiville On Gaurd
Tonight, floodwaters are subsiding in Western Belize, while they are rising in the Belize district. This morning the Belize District Emergency Committee will had an emergency meeting in the district Operations Center at the Sandhill NEMO office. District Emergency Coordinator Calbert Budd was getting the office's communication system ready - and the priority areas outlined. Tonight NEMO is reporting that River levels are rising in the Belize District as the Mopan and Macal Rivers empty into the Belize River at Branch Mouth and coastal communities in the south. The villages of Hattieville, Free Town Sibun, Gracie Rock, La Democracia; Gales Point, Ladyville, Lords Bank, Burrell Boom, Fresh Pond, Crooked Tree, Sand Hill, Grace Bank, May Pen, Bomba, Scotland Half Moon, Lemonal, Rancho Dolores, Willows Bank, and St. Paul's Bank are under flood watch. Today we visited Hattieville where villagers the water is rising but at this point it's not life threatening. We spoke to the chairman:..

Body Of Drowned Man Still Not Recovered
In the Benque Viejo area, the Mopan River has receded slightly, but still searchers have not found the body of the only casualty of the flooding so far, 65 year old farmer Carlos Rito Valdez. As we reported last night, Valdez was paddling his canoe across the Mopan River returning form his farm with plantains when the canoe capsized. Another man who was with him, Luis Baron managed to swim to safety, but Valdez and the canoe went under and did not resurface. Today, a body recovery team conducted a surface search downriver, looking at areas where the body may have gotten caught. They looked all morning but found nothing. The river is still too perilous to conduct searches in canoes or boats, and the search will continue tomorrow. In other flood news from the Cayo district, the low lying temporary bridge remains submerged and closed to traffic.

Castro “Kisses Off” The Media
Belize Rural North Representative and Minister of State in the Ministry of Transport Edmund Castro went to Cabinet today for the regular Tuesday meeting. It's the last Cabinet meeting in at least two weeks as the Prime Minister is expected to undergo back surgery next week. The media did try to catch Castro as he left the Sir Edney Cain Building, but as this video from PLUS TV shows he got into his Toyota Fortuner and left before he could be questioned. KREM Radio reports that he blew the female media workers a kiss, before leaving. Castro has dodged and declined all interviews since returning to the country on Saturday, only saying in a statement that he intends to sue Channel 5 and Alvorine Burgess, the woman who claims she paid him four hundred thousand dollars in visa bribes over six months.

NTUCB Kicks Out Christian Workers Union
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize has expelled the Christian Workers Union, just as the umbrella group said it would. The NTUCB took the decision unanimously at a special general council meeting yesterday. The NTUCB made its position clear in a press release 10 days ago saying that that CWU Leaders were compelled to stick by a timeline that President Antonio Gonzalez had publicly committed to in August. The CWU Leader, backed up by the majority of its member groups have decided instead to push that meeting back to February 2014. The NTUCB presided over an abortive attempt to hold an AGM last week Saturday but they failed to get a quorum.

Waste Control Snipes At Mayor, Calling Him “Dismissive”, Untruthful
Yesterday, Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley told the media that the City Council was only ten weeks behind in its payments to Belize Waste Control. He added that this is about the same as last year. Well, Waste Control, which usually keeps a low public profile, shot back today with a scathing press release. It says Bradley's statement is untrue; the last payment was for the week of July 15 - 19th and it was received on October third. So, the weeks outstanding number 15 - not ten, extending from July 22nd to November first. The Mayor also said the council will pay in December, which Waste Control says would bring it to 19 weeks, which their press release says is, quote, completely unreasonable for any business to operate."

214 Foot Waterfall Che Chem Ha “Disappeared” In Flash Flood
As we've been showing you, there has been a lot of flooding along with the week of rains across the country. We've had one drowning and a few people rescued, but apart from that no major landslides or flash floods in populated areas. But, what looks to be a flash flood in the upper reaches of the Cayo District caused an entire waterfall to disappear! That waterfall is called Che Chem Ha, famous for its beauty. But that beauty is no more! Yesterday, Jules Vasquez went to see what happened to it - here's his report:... Jules Vasquez reporting We found Lea Pleitiez taking in the breath-taking vista of the Vaca Plateau - a quiet moment of reflection, and you probably couldn't find a better place for it as the expanse unfolds into so many mesmerizing shades of green.

Man Accuses Police And Produces Expended Shell
At the top of the news, we told you about the outrageous police who took Thyrell Hyde into an ATM to check his balance, and take out some money for themselves. And while it's not as sensational as allegedly getting robbed by the cops, we must also present the story from Carlton Gideon from Sand Hill, who says that officers put his family's life in danger last night. According to Gideon, he was at home with his 5 children when officers barged into his house, and with no warning one of them fired their weapon at his door which penetrated and went inside his house. He told us today that the officers behaved aggressively, and they came to the wrong house because they were looking for his neighbor: Carlton Gideon AKA Carlton Cox - Claims inappropriate behavior "I was in my bed, I had my 4 sons and one of my daughters in their own rooms and at the backdoor I heard someone knocking saying 'police.' I look through the window and I saw one person standing with a gun pointed at the window; my window is at my bed head.

Belize’s Disabled Need Help
Members of the Disabled People's International North America and the Caribbean are in Belize this week to conduct a capacity building workshop with the executive members of the Belize Assembly for Persons With Diverse Abilities. The international organization recognized that some of the national assemblies across the Caribbean were in need of strengthening and Belize was identified as a part of that project. With the help of the media, they are hoping to create awareness by educating the population about persons with disabilities and their rights and also strengthen the BAPDA's executive. Henrietta Davis Wray - Acting President (DPI NAC Inc.) "We are here in Belize my assistant and I to do a capacity building workshop with this organization. Coming out of the 8th regional assembly that was held on August 2011 in Jamaica, we recognized that some of the national assemblies across the Caribbean were in need of strengthening and so Belize was one of the organizations that were identified to be a part of that project."

Beer, Babes And The Enduring Mystique of The Belikin Calendar
The novelty of the Belikin Calendar has faded over time - it's not the big deal that was when it was first launched over a decade ago. But, still, even though slick and sexy images of all kinds have proliferated all around us, the Calendar retains a certain cultural cachet, a niche all its own. On Friday night at the launch of the 2014 version, Daniel Ortiz went looking for the answer to what's behind the mystique. Belikin Calendar from 7News Belize on Vimeo This year's 12 Calendar Girls were chosen in an open casting call on Facebook.

“Sticks” Still Seeking Community Healing
At the top of our newscast, we showed you the flooding from the weekend rains in different parts of the country. Well, one event which went on despite the weather was the Day of Healing, which as we've told you, is a community effort to promote positive activities in the different neighbourhoods where gang influence is heavy. 7News stopped by and we spoke to the organizer, and he told us that cancelling was not an option because the Yabra children would have been disappointed: Perry "Stix" Smith, Organizer - Day of Healing "It's still going on. We are not having any challenges because of the weather. The Father made us and he also made the weather. The weather, some might look at it as an obstacle, but we look at it as a blessing. This is not the first days of healing that water touched it and we gone through - from the time water come the people know already that Day of Healing will still happen."

Taiwan Still Helping With ICT
This morning a Signing Ceremony was held between the Government of Belize and Taiwan on Cooperation in Information and Communication Technology. The project started in 2006, with the objective of applying Taiwan's advanced ICT abilities to assist the government of Belize in progressing towards e-government. With a budget of 3 million dollars, Belize has received assistance to build a national ICT Center while providing training for IT personnel in order to improve the government's overall administrative efficiency. Today, the agreement was renewed and the Taiwanese Ambassador told the media what's behind it:.. H.E. David Wu - Taiwan Ambassador to Belize "We just renew an agreement which was signed in May 2009 when our President came to visit your beautiful country. At that time an agreement for the cooperation of ICT (Industry for Communication and Information) was signed by two Foreign Ministers and then the President and the Prime Minister Hon. Dean Barrow - both of them held a ground breaking ceremony for the construction of the ICT Center in Belmopan."

Bex About Bagasse
Bagasse, it's the byproduct of sugar cane production which BSI uses in its subsidiary BELCOGEN to generate electricity which it sells to BEL. It's a waste product, but it's also a value added product - and now, there's trouble brewing in the Cane industry because the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association want to share in the earnings from Bagasse. Today at a stakeholder's engagement conference in Orange Walk, President of the Cane Farmers Association Alfredo Ortega accused BSI and its parent company ASR of assuring their own future at the expense of cane farmers as they negotiated a new bagasse commercial agreement for themselves. HE announced that the Cane Farmers Association would be withdrawing from the event and they walked out after his speech.

Channel 5

6 immigration clerks transferred from Immigration Department
There are new developments in the immigration department corruption scandal tonight. First, News Five has been able to confirm that at least six public officers from that department have been [...]

PSU says suspension of persons from Department a sore spot
Acting Director of Immigration, Maria Marin, is the person who called for the suspension of three passport department staffers early in the administrative investigation. Sharon Neal-Flowers was the head of [...]

Ministry of Immigration meets with N.T.U.C.B. and Social Partners
This afternoon at two-thirty, senior officials of the Ministry of Immigration met with members of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize and social partners. The meeting was held in [...]

Minister Castro dodges the media once again
While Ministry of Immigration officials met with the N.T.U.C.B., there was another very important meeting taking place not too far away. Cabinet met until nearly three this afternoon, and Minister [...]

Motion requesting a Senate Inquiry into passport scandal to be discussed
At the last full meeting of the Senate, Opposition Senator Lisa Shoman made clear her intent to bring a motion requesting a Senate Inquiry into the Immigration scandal. Since then [...]

Should Minister Edmund Castro’s finances be investigated?
And tonight’s question is: Should there be an investigation into the finances of Minister of State Edmund Castro? Send your comments and responses using your SMART phones to 8686 or [...]

The chilling and telling video of the shake down of a young man by police
Tonight, there is chilling and telling video of the shake down of a young man by the police. The incident happened on the night of September eighth when Tyrell Hyde [...]

Eight-month pregnant inmate pleas to be released from prison
Thirty-six year old Jaziba Nasser is eight months pregnant, but she finds herself behind bars since last Thursday.  Nasser is remanded along with her husband, businessman Nazim Nasser and their [...]

Double tragedy for a San Ignacio family following traffic accident
A double tragedy has hit a family from San Ignacio following a traffic accident that occurred earlier this month. On the night of October seventeenth, forty-one year old Ricardo Tepaz [...]

Search continues in Succotz for elderly man who dies in boating accident
A search is underway in the Mopan River near Succotz for the body of a sixty-five year old resident who died while crossing the river. Carlos Valdez and his family [...]

Murder Trial of Vincent Tillett wraps up in court
On Monday in the Supreme Court, Justice Adolph Lucas wrapped up a trial on a charge of murder for forty-nine year old taxi driver Vincent Tillett. On November twelfth, Justice [...]

Special Constable pleads guilty to beating his wife
Also in the courts, Special Constable Barrington Brown, who works as a cabinet maker changed his not guilty plea to guilty of beating of his wife during a domestic dispute [...]

Republic of China and G.O.B. renews its ICT project
Since its establishment in 2006, the Information Communication Technology project, an agreement between the Government of Belize and the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), has seen the construction [...]

17 weeks and no payment by City Hall says Belize Maintenance Limited
The Belize City Council has not paid Belize Maintenance Limited for sixteen weeks. BML is responsible for a large portion of the city’s cleaning needs…from the pruning of trees and [...]

Christian Workers Union officially expelled from the N.T.U.C.B.
The Christian Workers Union, following a meeting of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize on Monday, has been expelled from the umbrella organization.  The dismissal was formalized as a [...]

Disabled Peoples International discusses issues affecting the disabled
The needs and rights of persons with disabilities are often overlooked in favor of others who are considered physically capable. The government has agreed to take every possible action so [...]

Belize to compete in Central American Boxing Championship in Nicaragua
A pair of Belizean boxers, led by Coach Leopold Smart and Boxing Association President Moses Sulph, left for Managua, Nicaragua this evening, where they will compete in the Central American [...]

From Yes to I Do, Channel 5 Will Follow You…Episode 2
Stay tuned to this station for episode two of our popular reality wedding, from Yes to I Do. In tonight’s episode, you will catch the challenges among the aspiring couples [...]

LOVE FM

Young Man Says He Was Shaken Down by Police
A serious allegation has been made against members of the Belize Police Department. Late this afternoon 20 year old Thyrell Hyde visited Love News to make a complaint that he was the victim of a robbery carried out by police officers several weeks ago and he says that he is frustrated because so far no one has been charged even though he has provided video evidence of the crime. THYRELL HYDE “On the 8th September, I was in Belize City in the Buttonwood Bay area with some friends; we were parked by the sea side when the Police came up and came by the driver’s side and told all of us to get out of the car. We got out of the car and they told us that they were going to search the car and us and so it was two males and two females including myself and they told the two females to go to the back of the car and they searched the two males (me and my other friend); they removed the items from my pocket, I had my keys, seventy dollars, my phone and they took that. Two other officers were searching the car; one searched on the driver’s side and the other searched by the passenger side and after the search they said they will take us to station and they told the two girls that were with us to leave and if they stayed that means they want to go to station too.

Senator Files Notion For Special Select Committee
On Monday Attorney and PUP Senator Lisa Shoman filed a Notice of Motion to create a special select committee to institute and conduct enquiries and investigations into mismanagement or corruption by persons in Central Government or public statutory bodies. Love News spoke with Shoman earlier today and she told us more. SENATOR LISA SHOMAN “What I have been able to do is after talking to the social partners, we drafted up a notice of motion and put it for the social partner’s consideration and what I have done is presented it to the Clerk of the National Assembly. He has received it and he tells me that it will be on the agenda for next week.” LINETTE CANTO “Can you tell us a little bit more about what is in the motion and what is the process from here after?” SENATOR LISA SHOMAN “Essentially the motion sights two things: the Constitution and the Standing Orders of the Senate. The constitution is what gives the Senate the functions and I believe the responsibility for us to carry out investigations and inquiry.

Students in Southern Belize Affected by Flood
Flooding waters continue to affect families across Belize. According to NEMO river flood levels was observed to be increasing in the Belize District as the Mopan and Macal Rivers raise as they empty into the Belize River at Branch Mouth and coastal communities in the south. The Hammock Bridge at Branch Mouth has washed away. The Low lying Bridge in San Ignacio /Santa Elena is still under water and remains closed. The Iguana Creek Bridge is still under water and the Baking Pot Ferry remains closed. In the south, the road in and out of San Pablo on the Southern Highway remains closed to traffic. In Toledo, Indianville and Magoon area is now experiencing flooding. Monkey River Village is also experiencing flooding. There is 3ft of water across the road. The school bus cannot leave the Village. The road is impassable. On the Hopkins Road there are some sections that are under 14 inches of water. NEMO advises persons to secure their property and move out early if possible especially residents of Hattieville, Free Town Sibun, Gracie Rock, La Democracia; Gales Point, Ladyville, Lords Bank, Burrell Boom, Fresh Pond, Crooked Tree, Sand Hill, Grace Bank, May Pen, Bomba, Scotland Half Moon, Lemonal, Rancho Dolores, Willows Bank, and St. Pauls Bank. The weather also made it a short day for students at the Toledo Community College as we hear in this report from correspondent Paul Mahung.

Police News
San Ignacio Police was on mobile patrol yesterday afternoon on Stanton Street in San Ignacio Town, when their attention was drawn to two male persons of Hispanic descent. The two persons were stopped and informed that a search will be conducted on them for drugs and firearm. The search led to the discovery of two S&B; nine millimeter round and a chrome and brown nine millimeter Luger Speer round stuffed inside one of the men’s left front pants pocket. That individual identified as 27 year old David Winsor of Apollo Street. Police requested gun license from Winsor which he was unable to produce and as a result he was escorted to the police station and charged for kept ammunition without a gun license.

Flood Waters Affect Residents
The flood waters caused heavy rains over the weekend are now heading out to the Caribbean Sea and are reaching the Belize River Valley area. And the evidence was everywhere today when we travelled up the Philip Goldson Highway and into some of the communities in that area. The currents in the riding Haulover Creek at Ml seven were strong and swift. Salvador Hernandez moved to Mile 20 along the Philip Goldson Highway 20 years ago and he says that every time there is a heavy and continuous downpour, the low-lying plains get saturated to these extremes. Salvador Hernandez, Resident, Ml 20, PG Highway “Like this weather here, now we have like 2 or 3 feet of water in some parts.” MARION ALI “So you don’t have a backyard when it floods?” SALVADOR HERNANDEZ “No, we don‘t have a back yard not even a front yard because the front of the yard is flooded. Yesterday morning that yard and the whole front of this yard was flooded and it is low very low land.”

Mexico and Belize in The Arts
Twenty years ago, in 1993, the Institute of Mexico in Belize was created as a cultural center, through which the Mexican Embassy developed different projects. The Institute plays a leading role in the recreational and artistic life of Belize and has become an essential part of the cultural infrastructure of this country. One of the main sections of the Institute is the gallery of exhibitions: this place is a dynamic site, which presents plastic art displays, highlighting to the Belizean public, creativity of Mexican artists and the vast cultural heritage of Mexico. Director of the Institute Dominguez Rodriguez Semerano shared more to Love News. DOMINGUEZ RODRIGUEZ SEMERANO “This is a very cultural center in Belize City to promote the Mexican culture but the Belizean culture too. This is free space for the Embassy of Mexico to show to the Belize people the tradition, culture and everything about Mexico and also everything about Belize; it is the home of Belizeans too. This kind of building is an effort of the Mexican government to show in some countries its cultures and make the presence of the Mexican artists stronger. A lot of big exhibitions about Mexican artists and Belizean artists; for example in the case of Belizean artists we have Angela Gegg, Pen Cayetano and a lot of artists from the state of Quintana Roo to show to the public of Belize his work but this is not only a gallery of art. In this institute we have many activities like music conference and different kinds of meetings.”

Workshop Focuses on Disabled Persons
Henrietta Davis-Raye is the Disabled People’s International for the North America and Caribbean Region and she is in Belize. The organization was launched in 1981 with a goal to achieve full participation of ALL persons with disabilities in the mainstream of life, through promotion and protection of their human rights. Davis-Raye is hosting a capacity building workshop for disabled individual here in Belize. HENRIETTA DAVIS RAYE “Disabled Peoples International is a cross disability organization that simply means national assemblies in each country must be comprised of a cross disability, meaning a physical disability, a hearing impairment or deaf, blind or visual impairment, intellectual impairment. There are other disabilities but those are the major disabilities that ought to be a part of your national assembly executive body.” HIPOLITO NOVELO “What’s the goal of the organization on a whole?” HENRIETTA DAVIS RAYE “The goal of the organization is to create an environment where persons with disabilities have access to the whole range of opportunities of advanced society and that is education, housing, training, employment, recreation. The state must provide the facilities to assist persons who have a disability.”

Judge Will Render Ruling for 2011 Murder In Two Weeks
Yesterday, after all the evidence was in for the murder trial of 49-year-old, taxi driver ,Vincent Tillett, the judge, Justice Adolph Lucas, in the trial which is without a jury, reserved November 12 as the date when he will give his ruling. Tillett, a resident of Antelope Street Extension in Belize City is accused of the murder of 23-year-old, Darwin Phillips, who died from a stab wound to his chest that was inflicted between 6 and 7 pm on February 13, 2011. The case for the prosecution was that Phillips was at a house on Antelope Street Extension shared by Tillett and Tillett’s common-law wife, Denise Stuart, when Tillett entered and went to the kitchen where he got a knife and stabbed Phillips. The prosecution had relied on the testimony of two eye witnesses; both were deemed as hostile witnesses when they refused to testify in accordance to statement they had previously given to the police. Those statements were, however, admitted as evidence.

Prices Upped for Liquid Petroleum
The price of liquid petroleum is has increased in most parts of the country. According to the Supplies Control Unit in the Ministry of Trade, Private Sector Development and Consumer Protection the new prices took effect yesterday. The price for a one hundred pound cylinder will be one hundred and eighteen dollars in Belize City and Corozal; one hundred and nineteen dollars in orange Walk; one hundred and twenty dollars in Belmopan and San Ignacio, one hundred and twenty one dollars in Benque Viejo del Carmen; one hundred and twenty two dollars in Dangriga and one hundred and twenty three dollars in Punta Gorda. All the new approved prices are an increase of a dollar from the last modified list which was approved on September 5th.

CTV3

Marijuana Plantation Goes Up In Flames
An anti drug operation by authorities led to the destruction of a number of marijuana plants. Between the hours of 4:30pm and 6:30pm on the 28th of October police conducted an anti drug operation about 1 ½ miles Northwest of Carmelita Village Orange Walk District where a marijuana plantation was found containing about 50 marijuana plants ranging from 2 inches to 4 ft in height. Police also found about ½ pound of cannabis resin and a black plastic bag containing about 60 marijuana trees that were place to dry under a shed. No one was found in the area and the plants were uprooted and destroyed by fire.

Case Against Matthew Williams Adjourned , Magistrate On Leave
The case against Matthew Williams for the unlawful possession of six passports, four Belizean, one Panamanian, and one Spanish resumed today before Senior Magistrate Merlene Moody at the Orange Walk Magistrates Court. After numerous adjournments since 2012 when the Gang Suppression Unit conducted a sting operation on William’s residence located in Smithsonian Street, Orange Walk Town, which resulted in the discovery of the passports, the case finally saw a break through approximately two weeks ago as trial began. After the testimony of former OCEANA vice-president Audrey Matura Sheppard, one of the prosecutions key witnesses, the case was adjourned to today when it was expected that Williams would present his defense. Of note is that Williams was allowed to act on his own defense after he failed to procure an attorney.

19 Year Old Missing For Ten Days, His Mother Fears The Worst
Tonight the family of 19 year old Toni De Carlos Pasos is frantically looking for him. According to Pasos’ mother, 55 year old Sandra Zetina, her son walked out of the house after an argument ensued between them. Sandra Zetina- Mother of Missing Person “On Saturday morning the 19th they told him that they have to leave the home and find somewhere to stay, right and when he came Saturday night I told him, here is your clothes and you just got paid and go and rent a room because you can’t stay here anymore, so I closed the door and in the morning when he got up his clothes was still there but he wasn’t there. I left the clothes outside an everything for three days, after the three days his boss came to me and he told me what happened to Tony because he hasn’t been to work for three days so I told well I thought he was there with him and he said no, so when I started asking friend if they had seen him or anything they said no, so I decided to go to the police station because he has never done something like that, anywhere he goes I always know where he is.”

Businessman Accuses Three Officers Of Bribery
There are serious allegations of bribery being made against three police officers attached to the Belize City Police Department tonight. According to the alleged victim, Thyrell Hyde of Belize City, the incident played out sometime in the month of September. Hyde reports that he and a group of friends were sitting inside his vehicle which was parked in the vicinity of the Buttonwood Bay Park when they were surprised by a group of police officers who were on patrol at the time. The group, according to Hyde, was searched by the officers and that is when the situation got out of control. Thyrell Hyde, Business Man “They searched me and my friend, they remove seventy dollars from my pocket, my keys, my cellphone and they took those from my friend also his keys and cellphone too and while they were searching us two other officers were searching the car and so I notice they had remove a manila envelope that I had in the glove compartment of the car, I had everything that it had to do with my contracts, copies of cheques and stuff like that and then the other officer proceeded to check the trunk and so I had my kick bag in there also and after they search that well they told me that they were going to take me to the station and so I asked him if I don’t smoke, I don’t drink and they haven’t found anything illegal what is the reason they will take me to the station and so the police man looked at me and he told but you could help yourself and I told what you mean and I told him well if money you guys want well you done take it from my pocket and whilst searching one of them found my ATM card and he told well we have the card here and so the two officer got into my car and drove me to the ATM machine and so they went to Atlantic Bank by the flag monument in Belize City and they ordered me to follow them into the ATM and they took out two hundred and fifty.”

What's Next For The BSCFA?
And while the fate of the Belize Sugar Industry seems to be in limbo, the ‘walkout’ thrown by the BSCFA comes under the basis of principles where the association felt their basic economic rights are being trampled. So, what’s next for the Association? That’s what we asked the top brass of the Association in a follow up meeting today. Alfredo Ortega– BSCFA “Estamos en una manera unida para trabajar porque cada uno de nosotros representamos una cantidad de caneros e diferentes sucursales, nosotros en diferentes juntas generales los caneros no han puesto de que busquemos esa manera de negociar y conseguir un beneficio en lo que es el bagazo y hoy es un día de que marchamos y marchamos juntos porque representamos una organización y objetivo es ver de tener un beneficio por el uso del bagazo ahora el bagazo es un sub producto que genera dinero, economía y nosotros como caneros debemos de conseguir un share de esa economía que brinda el bagazo , nosotros de aquí vamos a tener una justa con los caneros y vamos a reportar hasta donde hemos llegado en estos momentos en relación a la negociaciones y allí vamos a tomar en los consejos de los caneros.”

BSCFA Walks Out On BSI In The Middle Of Strategic Planning Presentation
Sugar Industry Stakeholders met today at the Gala Lounge to strategically plan the future investment of the Industry where key points were raised to remain competitive beyond 2017 in the Global Market. But that’s not all that happened. Our news team was on hand for the event and brings you the following report. Maria Novelo - Reporting In an effort to effectively compete in the global market where changes to the EU is imminent, Industry Stakeholders including the Ministry of Agriculture, Belize Sugar Industries Limited, Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association and majority holder American Sugar Refinery, met today to chart a way forward in their new Action Plan for the Future of the Sugar Industry of Belize.

PlusTV

Edmund Castro issues a formal statement on visa allegations
On Friday, we told you of the lengths to which Prime Minister Dean Barrow avoided the press on his return from Los Angeles, California, by having his personal vehicle taken to the airport tarmac, stopping only to greet party supporters who made a rare appearance. One day later, it...

Eric Chang severs communication links with Belize City Hall
City Councilor Eric Chang continues to be absent from the country of Belize even as he remains accused of complicity in the granting of a passport to disgraced South Korean businessman Won-Hong Kim. It has been over three weeks since he promised to return and he has not. The Council...

Minister Manuel Heredia Jr. denies visa quota system
The press continues to seek the views of Cabinet members on different facets of the immigration scandal. On Monday, Tourism and Culture Minister Manuel Heredia Jr. was asked if he is aware of the widely-reported visa quota system for Ministers and whether he facilitated any such visas. Here is...

Stevedores short of quorum at convention
Stevedores angry with the leadership of the Christian Workers’ Union (CWU) had vowed to proceed with a convention intended to oust president Antonio Gonzalez and general secretary James McFoy, despite the official disapproval of the majority of the eleven bargaining units within the Union. These units had agreed to...

Father ends his life after daughter dies in crash
A traffic accident causing the death of a little girl, proved too much for her father who ended his own life in grief. Police reports have it that on Thursday, October 17th, 41 year old Ricardo Antonio Rosa Tepas, a Naturalized Belizean of Santa Elena Town, was driving his...

Southern Regional Hospital Administrator has suspension extended
There are new revelations regarding the investigative audit conducted at the Southern Regional Hospital. The Auditor General was enrolled by the Ministry of Health to conduct an audit at the hospital, following reports of suspected irregular activities. Over the three years, it is reported that about four hundred thousand...

Family land dispute erupts on Cemetery Lane
They say you can choose your friends, but you cannot choose your family. That quote from American author Harper Lee’s “To Kill A Mockingbird” was dramatized this past Saturday on Cemetery Lane in Belize City. In 1933, two families lived on the same plot of land, #404 Cemetery Lane. One was...

Mayor Darrell Bradley has initiatives to address sanitation payments
Rumors have been circulating for sometime that sanitation companies Belize Maintenance Limited (BML) and Belize Waste Control (BWC) plan to picket City Hall over the annual problem of falling behind on sanitation payments. At last report, although the Council disputes the figure, Belize Waste Control is owed 15 weeks...

Weekend weather causes flooding in Four districts
Since Thursday of last week, there’s been a consistent downpour of rain over the country which led to some flooding in the City of Belmopan on Friday. Those showers continued on over the weekend though; causing flooding in four of the six district. Plus news...

Belize City Mayor Begins Countdown to Open the BTL Park
As of Monday, it is 41 days and counting to the opening of BTL Park. Today, the press was invited to the formal countdown, launched by Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley, who updated the press on what has been done so far. Mr. Darrel Bradley-Mayor of Belize City...

NICH and Museums Association of the Caribbean Launch Master Plan at AGM
Museums – they are where a nation’s collective soul resides, housing relics of the past for people of the present to look at and possibly divine the future. But in a rapidly evolving world, are they still relevant? That is a question members of the Museums Association of the Caribbean...

Amandala

PM, CASTRO FLEE MEDIA ON RETURN TO BELIZE!
Lady whistleblower has reportedly “spilled the beans” to both the US Embassy and the office of the Ombudsman. Last Friday afternoon the media houses of Belize thronged the Philip Goldson International Airport waiting to “ambush” Prime Minister Dean Barrow for his comments on recent allegations that another of his Ministers of State, Hon. Edmond Castro, was reportedly involved in corruption, this time a visa scandal. The Prime Minister had been in Los Angeles when the Castro scandal broke. Still trying to deal with Minister of State Elvin Penner’s sensational “Citizen Kim” passport scandal in the Immigration Ministry, PM Barrow, just off a 9-day visit to California, apparently was in no mood to speak to the media about anything of the sort. The Prime Minister used his clout to have his vehicle waiting on the tarmac of the airport, and he and Mrs. Barrow walked from the United Airlines jet, after greeting some of his supporters, straight into his vehicle. His driver sped off, leaving a startled and disappointed media behind.

ASHLEY SMITH, CUSTOMS OFFICER, ARRAIGNED FOR THEFT
Ashley Smith is very lucky to be spending tonight at home because of the possibility of her being sent to prison after she was arraigned late this evening at Magistrate’s Court #8. According to police, Smith (whose age was not provided in court) is the Customs officer who, between August 30, 2013, and September 26, 2013, allegedly stole $4,966, the property of the Customs Department. Police believe that Smith took the cash that was paid to her and replaced it with cheques written out in the same amounts, so that at the end of the day there would be no discrepancies with her account. The matter was investigated after her superiors started seeing the cheques and realized that the company name that was printed on the cheques was not a company with which they had ever done business.

DEADLY ROBBERY IN SANDHILL: GUNMEN KILLED THE DRIVER AND STOLE OVER $10,000
A Yo Creek father of three children was shot dead during an ambush by two robbers at about 12:30 Friday afternoon in Sandhill, at Mile 19 on the Philip Goldson Highway at its junction with the old Maskall Road. George Blanco, 60, was driving his company truck from Belize City to Orange Walk, along with his boss, John Penner, 42, and Penner’s two sons, Abraham, 20, and Gerhard, 22, after selling meat to suppliers in the city. As he slowed for the pedestrian crossing at Mile 19 in Sandhill, suddenly one of two men who were standing on the left side of the road near the speed bump fired into the front of the vehicle, killing Blanco almost instantly. Blanco was hit under the arm, and slumped over the steering wheel. The two robbers, who were armed with a gun and a knife, approached the truck from the left and right side of the vehicle, robbed the boss and his two sons and escaped with over $10,000 in cash.

Headline — 29 October 2013 — by Albert J. Ciego The Tepaz family of Santa Cruz, Cayo, is going through terrible grief, mourning the deaths of their father and their sister. Their sister, Glendy Tepaz, 14, died yesterday, Sunday, in the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) while undergoing treatment for injuries sustained as a result of a road traffic accident in which her father was the driver of a vehicle that ran off the road and smashed into a container that was inside a yard. Then yesterday, Sunday, after his daughter’s death, her father, unable to bear the excruciating pain, drank a herbicide and died shortly after. Police reports are that about 7:20 p.m. on Thursday, October 17, they went to the junction of Joseph Andrews Drive and Branch Mouth Road in San Ignacio, where they saw a grey Toyota pickup truck with damage to the front portion parked on the right hand side of the road. Their investigation revealed that Ricardo Antonio Rosa Tepaz, 41, a naturalized Belizean of the Santa Cruz area of Santa Elena, was driving his 1987 Toyota pickup truck to San Ignacio when he lost control of the vehicle, ran off the road and collided with a container that was inside a yard

“VERY GRAPHIC” STD BROCHURE FALLS INTO HANDS OF PRIMARY SCHOOLERS
The brochure featured 6 images of cauliflower-looking, genital warts on the tip of the penis, as well as warts at the vagina and anus, in color. A “very graphic” STD brochure, which features close-up shots of grossly infected female and male genitals, fell into the wrong hands on Friday morning – oddly, at a Drug Awareness Fair held by a Northside primary school in Belize City. The principal of the school, who described the material as “very graphic,” confirmed to our newspaper that the incident did occur, but went further to say that the matter was immediately arrested when the school’s management learned children were collecting the brochures with the gross sexual images. Six images, which appear in the inside fold of the brochure, feature cauliflower-looking, genital warts on the tip of the penis, as well as warts at the vagina and anus. (All these are body parts, we note, shown in the brochure in color.)

HEAVY RAINS FLOOD RURAL BELIZE DISTRICT AND CAYO DISTRICT
Incessant rains which poured significant amounts of water across the country late last week and over the past weekend have caused various incidents of flooding in some rural areas of Belize, particularly in the Cayo District, where rising water levels forced families to relocate for their safety. On Friday morning, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) issued a flood watch for several villages in western and southern Belize, and by Friday night, torrents of heavy rain began to drench the country, mainly in the western and southern regions. The rains which caused the localized flooding were as a consequence of a cold front that passed over the Yucatan peninsula. In the communities of Arizona, Teakettle and Maya Mopan, floods affected several families, with some areas recording as much as 12 inches of water. In the south, North Stann Creek was 4 feet above normal water levels, while waters were about 12 feet above normal at Hope Creek Village.

PUP CLAIM 30% THRESHOLD FOR PENNER RECALL REACHED
Orlando “Landy” Habet, the member of the Opposition People’s United Party (PUP) who has been leading the charge to gather signatures for a petition to recall Cayo North East area representative Elvin Penner, told Amandala today that they plan to push until Sunday, November 3, 2013, to gather signatures of constituents—to ensure that they are well above the 30% threshold required to trigger the vote. According to Habet, who ran against Penner in 2012 but lost by 17 votes, the division has 5,800 registered voters, and they have managed to obtain the signatures of over 1,800 of them for the recall petition. Habet said that although they have already pushed beyond the minimum number of required signatures, they will work over the weekend to gather even more signatures.

CHARLIE PLAYS; WEST LAKE “NO HAPPY”; FORT GEORGE STILL #1
It was an abbreviated weekend of football in the Belize City Mayor’s Cup due to intermittent showers during most of the preceding week and throughout the weekend. All the Premier League Belikin Cup games, scheduled for Sunday, were cancelled; but the Mayor’s Cup did get in two games on Friday night, while their Saturday and Sunday games had to be called off because of the weather. And there is a different type of cloud looming over the management of the Belize City Mayor’s Cup. In the opener this past Friday night at the MCC, Tulish FC bombed Third World, 8-2, with 2 goals from Jermin Aval and 1 apiece from Misael Munoz, German Sandoval, Reynaldo Gonzales, Marlon Gutierrez, Brandon Cacho and Isau Suazo. Both Third World goals were by John Smith. The much anticipated nightcap clash between league leaders Fort George United and West Lake ended in a 1-1 stalemate. Wayne Miller shook the net for West Lake, while Henry Gillett hit the target for Fort George, who maintain their 1 point lead in the standings over second place West Lake. But the game was not without an element of controversy.

S.C. ECUMENICAL FEMALES AND GEORGETOWN TECH REPRESENT IN VOLLEYBALL
The Southern Secondary School Sports Association (SSSSA) has held its regional competition to select their regional champions to represent the Southern Region at the National Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA) tournament on November 8-9 in Belize City. Participating high schools were Stann Creek Ecumenical College (ECU), Julian Cho Technical High School (JCT), Georgetown Technical High School (GTC), Independence High School (HIS), and Toledo Community College (TCC). The following are the results of female (F) and male (M) competition games held at Stann Creek Ecumenical College and hosted by Agriculture and Natural Resource Institute, ANRI. Utilizing a double-elimination format, (F) ECU defeated JCT, 25-17, 25-18; (M) ECU def. GTC, 17-25, 25-8, 15 – 8; (F) ECU def. HIS, 25-18, 25-13; (M) TCC def. ECU, 25-8, 25-8; (F) JCT def. HIS, 25-11, 25-22 (HIS eliminated); and (M) GTC def. ECU, 23-25, 25-21, 16-14 (ECU eliminated). Playing in the championship round then, (F) ECU defeated JCT in straight sets, 25-18, 25-18 (championship game); while (M) GTC needed 3 sets to defeat TCC, 25-23, 18-25, 18-16 (championship game).

SCA VS BELIZE HIGH SCHOOL FEMALES FOR CSSSA VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
The Central Secondary Schools Sports Association (CSSSA) Volleyball Competition 2013, which began back on Wednesday, October 2, with 5 female teams and 5 male teams participating, will hold its championship finals this week at Bird’s Isle. Participating female teams were from St. Catherine Academy (SCA), Nazarene High School (NHS), Ladyville Technical High School (LTH), Wesley College High School (WES), and Belize High School (BHS); while the males were St. John’s College (SJC), Anglican Cathedral College (ACC), Ladyville Technical High School (LTH), Wesley College High School (WES), and Belize High School (BHS). One female and one male game was played daily at Bird’s Isle from Monday to Saturday of each week, and after completion of a double round-robin regular season, they are now down to the best-of-3 games championship finals series featuring the top two female and male teams from the regular season standings.

CSSSA BASKETBALL TIPS OFF TOMORROW, TUESDAY, AT BIRD’S ISLE
The Central Secondary Schools Sports Association (CSSSA) tips off its CSSSA Basketball Tournament 2013-2014 tomorrow, Tuesday, at Bird’s Isle. Weekday games begin at 5:10 p.m., while on Saturday’s the games start at 10:00 a.m. Six (6) female (F) teams and nine (9) male (M) teams are participating in this year’s competition. Female teams are: Pallotti High School (PHS), Ladyville Technical High (LTH), Gwen Lizarraga High (GLH), St. Catherine Academy (SCA), Belize High School (BHS) and Wesley College (WES). Male teams are: WES, GLH, Nazarene High School (NHS), LTH, St. John’s College (SJC), Anglican Cathedral College (ACC), BHS, Sadie Vernon Technical (SVT) and Excelsior High School (EHS). It’s a single round-robin regular season, with knockout semifinals scheduled for December 2-3, and the best-of-3 finals series ending on December 9, in time for the Nationals, which take place on December 13-14.

DIVISION IN THE CWU Editorial
As far as we know, the only trade union historian in Belize is Nick Pollard, Jr., and he has an admitted agenda, which is the rehabilitation of the image of his late father, trade union leader/politician Nicholas Pollard, Sr. Right now, we need some help from Nick, Jr. The nationalist history of British Honduras/Belize in the post-World War II era was similar to that of other countries in the British Caribbean, in that the political leadership which emerged to lead these countries to independence, such as that of Eric Williams in Trinidad and Bustamante/Manley in Jamaica, came out of the trade union movements which had fought for workers’ rights during colonialism. In Belize, the leaders of the People’s United Party (PUP), founded in 1950, infiltrated and took over control of the General Workers Union (GWU), which had been founded by Clifford Betson, a shipwright, about six or seven years before. In national elections held in 1954 and 1957, the PUP and the GWU ran and won as the PUP/GWU ticket. But after 1957, the GWU was emasculated by the PUP, and it was essentially replaced by the Christian Workers Union (CWU), which was subservient to the George Price-led PUP.

FROM THE PUBLISHER
Last Friday afternoon I decided to roll up to the airport to view for myself the circumstances of the Belize Prime Minister’s return from Los Angeles by way of Houston. I changed my schedule slightly so that I could reach the airport around the PM’s scheduled 2:30 arrival time. When I got to canalside before 2, however, my younger brother told me that it had been announced on the 12:30 news that Rufus X had called off his airport demonstration because of bad weather. On the Thursday evening news, it had been reported that Rufus had obtained a license to demonstrate at the Philip Goldson International Airport on the PM’s arrival, and that he would be meeting later Thursday evening with his COLA group to plan the details. On the face of it, it seemed as if Rufus had gotten the license all on his own, and I thought this was a most interesting idea. Now, please understand. Rufus X and I are friends and colleagues from UBAD days, a matter of 44 years and more. We have major differences from time to time. For example, I think Rufus is the person most responsible for the breakup of UBAD in favor of the UDP in 1973, but Rufus saved my life in 1984. He owns 10 percent of Kremandala, Ltd., and 20 percent of KREM Radio. I personally moved away from COLA after January of 2010, but Rufus has remained prominent in the group’s leadership.

CONSENSUS – CRIMINAL CODE AMENDMENTS STILL DEFECTIVE
The proposed changes to Belize’s Criminal Code will this week be reviewed at a third House Committee meeting—this time being held with key legal authorities in Belize who will provide invaluable technical input to refine the proposed amendments. The Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee, headed by Education Minister Patrick Faber, is leading the review of the bill before it goes back to Parliament. That committee is slated to meet Wednesday evening at the National Assembly, and the Belize Bar Association, the Attorney General’s Ministry and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) are due to be present at that meeting. Attorney Audrey Matura-Shepherd has highlighted a number of concerns about the proposed amendments to Belize’s Criminal Code – one of them being the removal of the offense of marital rape: a provision under which a man could be charged for raping his wife, particularly in the event of spousal abuse.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TO HAVE PRESENCE ON FACEBOOK
Belize was represented in Montevideo, Uruguay, last week by Eddie Webster, Clerk of the National Assembly, at a regional meeting for Parliaments of Latin America captioned, “ICT strategic planning and use of social media in parliaments.” Whereas the National Assembly currently has a website, it has no presence on social media. Webster told Amandala today that a new Facebook page would be set up to improve the dissemination of information to the public. The meeting was coordinated by the Global Center for ICT in Parliament, based on Rome, Italy. That center was launched by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) in cooperation with the Inter-parliamentary Union (IPU) in the context of the 2005 World Summit of the Information Society (WSIS).

BUTANE PRICES HIT 12-MONTH HIGH
Late this evening the Government of Belize issued a notice indicating that the controlled price for Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG), also known as butane, is being increased, effective today, Monday, October 28, 2013. The last price increase took effect on September 6, 2013. Today’s increase of $1 on the 100-pound cylinder puts the price at the highest recorded for the last 12-month period. Last November, butane prices fell from a high of $118 to $117. Prices continued to fall to $113 through to April. In fact, official data indicate that this price held for five months, until the price hike in September.

DRUG-SNIFFING DOG BUSTS GUAT NATIONALS WITH COCAINE
Two men were busted with 2 1/2 pounds of cocaine in Benque Viejo del Carmen, in the area of the Western border. Guatemalans Jonathon Sandoval and Robin Velez, both 23, were taken to the San Ignacio Magistrate’s Court on Friday, where Sandoval pleaded guilty to drug trafficking, a plea which the court accepted and for which he was given a 3-year jail sentence and a fine of $100,000. His accomplice, Velez, pleaded not guilty, and the court remanded him to the Belize Central Prison until December 10. The incident occurred about 4:30 Thursday evening. Policemen of the newly formed unit called the Mobile Interdiction Team said that they were on routine patrol in the Western border area at that time when they saw a car clear the border and head towards Benque. They stopped the car and conducted a search for drugs, ammunition and guns.

RAPE…SEX…MODEST DRESS Letters
— by Paul Rodriguez Sex – Moslems know better Editor Sir: Colin bh has been forgiven. I will not need forgiveness, for I shall not offend while I more fully explore the issue of rape and modesty in dress for women. Allow me to state right off that the sexual act between a man and a woman is one of the beautiful human acts, if it is the gift of oneself to another. It is so exalted an expression of love and freedom that very often the Creator signifies His blessing by the creation of a new person. For any act to be one proceeding from love, it must be completely free. Therefore consensuality is of its essence. Even if you are in bed with your wife and she says “Stop it!”, your efforts should cease then and there. To continue is to invite a charge of “RAPE”. This is a very tough saying, but to climb to the summit of civilized behavior, we must strive to reach greater respect for the “NO.” Nakedness, total or partial, does not itself constitute an invitation: it may be to attract, which may be mere flirtation.

CZARNECKI COMMENTS ON ZELDA’S LETTER Letters
- by Russell Czarnecki Dear Editor, In Zelda Hill’s letter to the editor dated October 25, she makes a mistake common among Belizeans when – while referring to sexual predators – she incorrectly attributes this reprehensible crime to “depraved tourists.” During the seven years I’ve lived in Belize, I can recall very few cases (still too many, of course) of non Belizeans involved in this type of activity, while hardly a week goes by without some local being arrested and charged with a crime against a minor. It’s always easy to blame someone else for the things we find unpleasant about ourselves, whether it’s crimes against children or spouses, or crimes against the nation committed by crooked politicians.

SHOULD PATRIOTISM MEAN COVERING UP THE TRUTH OR LYING? Letters
— by Emily L. Wilt Dear Sir, You have managed to glean many good articles from U.S. and British sources, the most recent being by Eric Kasum. There are a lot more fairytales that need correction. George Washington did not always tell the truth. Pocahontas did not save John Smith and Lewis and Clarke did not need a guide to get to the West Coast – just a few examples. When I taught high school history, I was a pedestal kicker. My principal was not happy when I showed a filmstrip about the aftermath of the atom bomb dropped on Hiroshima. “That’s not very patriotic,” he said. “Guess not” I replied.

ARMED ROBBER STRUGGLED WITH VICTIM FOR HIS TENNIS SHOES
Police came up and caught the thief red-handed. A San Pedro resident, Alfredo Cowo, 22, was taken to the San Pedro Magistrate’s Court on Friday, October 25, and was remanded to the Hattieville Prison until December 5. Cowo was captured red-handed by police while struggling with his victim to steal his footwear off his feet. He has been charged with robbery, handling stolen goods, and keeping a firearm and ammunition without a gun license. Nelson Rhaburn, 19, of Pescador Drive, San Pedro, told police that at about 3:30 Wednesday morning, he was on Pescador Drive helping his friend when two men walked up to him. One of them, who was holding a gun in his hand, pointed the gun at him while his partner took away Rhaburn’s Camel bag, valued at $250, and a wallet valued at $65, and which contained $250 in cash.

LLOYD ELIJIO, 22, CONVICTED OF ATTEMPTED MURDER OF MARK LORD, 22
Sentencing has been deferred to November 4, 2013, for the 2009 crime. Lloyd Elijio, 22, is spending his first night at the Kolbe Foundation after being convicted of the October 25, 2009 attempted murder of Mark Lord, 22. The trial started on October 21 and the Crown’s prosecutor, Sheneiza Smith, called Lord as its main witness. He testified that at 12:30 on the afternoon of October 25, 2009, he was followed by Elijio from the Swing Bridge, down Queen Street, New Road and into Hydes Lane. According to Lord, although he was being followed by Elijio, he didn’t expect anything to happen, since he knew Elijio. But when he got in front of the DHL building on Hydes Lane, he saw Elijio pull out a gun from the left side of his pants waist and fire at him. A shot caught him in the left side of the chest.

5 RESIDENTS OF SAN PEDRO CHARGED WITH TRAFFICKING CRACK COCAINE
The five persons were taken to prison after being unable to meet bail. Today, Kaylani Gentle, 27, Marcelle Valles, 30, Delia Martinez, 21, Jose Moralez, 47, and Pedro Campos, 24, were all charged with drug trafficking when they appeared over at Magistrate’s Court #8. According to police, at 3:30 yesterday evening the San Pedro residents were socializing at Captain Guts Bar in San Pedro when a raid of the bar was conducted by police looking for illegal drugs and firearms. When the police arrived at the table where the five persons were and searched an ashtray that was under the table, they found 20 very small parcels of suspected crack cocaine. All five persons, along with the suspected drugs, were taken to the police station, where the parcels were weighed and amounted to 1.47 grams. Gentle was additionally charged with drug possession after police found a pipe which allegedly contained 0.17 grams of suspected powder cocaine inside her cigarette pack.

ALBERT MOODY, 25, CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDERS OF STEVEN LAMBEY, 26, AND ELROY PERDOMO, 18
This morning, Albert Moody, 25, a resident of Jane Usher Boulevard, was arraigned on two counts of attempted murder, two counts of use of deadly means of harm and two counts of dangerous harm when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith. According to police investigations, at 11:45 p.m. on October 20, Elroy Perdomo, 18, of Kraal Road, and Steven Lambey, 26, of Reggae Street, were riding on separate bicycles on Central American Boulevard toward the Port of Belize when they heard what sounded like shots being fired. After hearing the sounds, both men told police that they felt a burning sensation, and realized that they had been shot – Perdomo in his left ankle and the left side of his buttocks, and Lambey in his right calf and the right side of his abdomen.

Blogs

We were sworn to secrecy until after the Casa Picasso Restaurant menu tasting
Another first for the tacos and probably everyone else that was invited to the special secret event, we got to taste pretty much the whole menu. That is the kind of thing that happens on the island when your friends that own one of the most popular restaurants in town decide to do some quality control with their new staff before high season opening. We started with cocktails and the specialty martini’s included: cucumber & green tea, limeade, bohemian luxury, breakfast martini, and Maharajah. Other drinks our table tried were basil mojito, AC iced tea and blue lagoon. You can find out more on how they are made by visiting the Casa Picasso drinks menu. Next came tapas, and the plates kept coming as fast as we could clear them. We sampled: skewered chicken breast roasted button mushrooms. ginger sesame conch, lobster mac& cheese, savin rock lobster sliders, gambas a la plancha, rendered pork belly with oyster sauce culantro & diced tomatoes, beef carpaccio, snook poke, potato ricotta gnocchi with organic asparagus, roasted beets, gratin de chou-fleur. Also on the appetizers part of the menu menu we tasted chilled octopus salad and Cesar salad. Everything was delicious which was no surprise with Jackie and Adam in charge and the great staff they have hired.

Invest Belize DVD
The Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) unveiled its Invest Belize Video on the 28th of October, 2013 at the ITVET building, upper flat conference room. In collaboration with Compete Caribbean, the mandate has been to ensure that the rich offerings of Belize are showcased in a manner that truly promotes and further develops the Belizean economy; whilst attracting competent investors. Belize is no longer Mother Nature’s Best Kept Secret, as efforts made have paved the way forward to ensure that the Natural Niche Belize effortlessly is highlighted as BELTRAIDE remains the pioneer in this venture.

Casa Picasso in San Pedro: Tasting the Entire Menu at One of the Very Best Restaurants in Town
Casa Picasso, a personal favorite of mine in San Pedro, re-opens today and well…someone’s got to test the new menu, right? I was a very lucky recipient of an invitation to the gathering. A small group of friends got together last night to taste 23 different menu TWENTY THREE! items PLUS the delicious new and inventive cocktails. I love fun cocktails. I knew we’d be tasting but I thought maybe 4 or 5 dishes. I actually pre-ate a bowl of granola just in case. Mistake. At the end of the night, 23 dishes later, I was ready for hibernation. ScoopMeOffTheFloor.com. It’s the next morning and I am still feeling a bit stuffed. Stuffed and lucky. How often do you get to do something like this?

The medicine of the Maya in Belize
“For every ailment or difficulty on earth, the Spirits have provided a cure – you just have to find it.“ Don Elijio Panti. Elijio Panti was the last Maya Shaman or Doctor-priest of Belize. He died at the age of 103, after a rich life devoted to healing others, physically and spiritually. In our trip to this culturally rich country, Belize, my personal interest in alternative forms of medicine was stimulated by the fantastic heritage left to the modern Maya people related with traditional healing and medicinal plants. Maya’s early medicine originated thousands of years ago, at the age of the first built temples. The knowledge was passed on orally from generation to generation, or as part of an intense training in the case of the traditional healers. With the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century, inevitabelly the Maya assimilated some cultural and religious aspects into their belief system, including into the healing traditions. “Traditional healing is a system of healthcare which uses ancestral plants and healing vines of many roots. This form of healing must involve the act of religious prayer and spiritual well-being, and to the Maya, they honored their gods with prayers and thanked them for the remedies that cured and eradicated their illnesses.”, says Dr. Rosita Arvigo, founder of the Belize Ethnobotanist Project, one of the most prominent specialists in Maya medicine and taught by Don Elijio Panti.

BELIZE IT OR NOT: A PARANORMAL PARADISE
There are certain places on this planet where the restless spirits of the dark linger. They manifest as curious voices and sinister smells; they move things about; they dart out of the shadows as ghostly apparitions. These are the places considered the most haunted in the world. You’d be forgiven if you assumed Belize was not of them. But you’d be wrong. Dead wrong. Known for its unspoiled beauty, its extreme biodiversity and distinctive ecosystems, Belize does not immediately come to mind as a hot bed for the paranormal; however, considering its small size, the country’s overflowing with fearsome and persistent legends — stories so terrifying they are passed down from generation to generation as part of the region’s folklore. Belize’s legends include amazing tales of ghostly apparitions whose eyes glow red, jungle gnomes with backward feet who’ll rip your thumbs off and beautiful but deadly women who’ll steal your heart and then your soul. Goblins: Tata Duende

Mennonite Gurls A'ken Cook: Daffodil Cake
Today it’s fife yeers since I sed “auf wiedersehe” at t'bedside o'my fath'r’s trayler goin. I pref'r ta use t'Germun term becawz it speeks o'a “seein agin”. At t'memerial servus we set t'ables wit daffodil plants at t'fambly took trayler ta plant . . . a remind'r o't' resurrecshun jes like new life n' spryun'. Wen I saw thishere recipe n' un old Bettee Crock'r file, I had ta post it, wit a few personal adaptatyuns, o'corse. Ingredyints: ¾ cup flour ¾ cup sugar 10 egg whites ¼ tsp salt 1/2 cup sugar 6 egg yolks

International Sources

Belize’s UDP Party’s Success Overshadowed By Opposition – Analysis
In 2010, the Belize Minister of Works, Hon. Anthony Martinez, signed three contracts with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to carry out several international development projects. [1] The contracts fell under Belize’s goal to alleviate poverty in its heavily impoverished Southside region. The plan was called the Southside Poverty Alleviation Project. [2] This project was an apparent success, and was carried out under the initial aegis of the Belizean United Democratic Party (UDP) government. Many Belizean public officials were confident that this government was capable of achieving the country’s historically elusive goal of reducing poverty. [3] Starting off as a two-year project with a number of phases, the Southside Poverty Alleviation Project was targeted at improving infrastructure in Belize’s Southside as well as to reduce crime throughout the country, increasing economic development, and lowering unemployment, all of which used to be disproportionately focused in Belize’s troubled Southside district. [4] Moreover, the company tasked with improving the region’s infrastructure primarily utilized unemployed and poor Belizeans as an effective labor force. This strategy has given employment to those who previously did not have jobs. [5] However, despite these successes, the UDP government came exceedingly close to losing the most recent elections in 2012 by a very close margin (17-14). This near-loss can be attributed to the recent scrutiny and effective propaganda used by the opposition which was directed at existing political corruption within the incumbent government. These accusations could significantly overshadow UDP’s effective electoral mobilization and its economic strategy in future ballots.

Mayan medicine looks to nature
Ethnobotany is the study of indigenous cultures and their use of herbals for healing. And while Belize is a hotspot for ethnobotany, it’s actually happening every day in our own community. My path through this rainforest of knowledge began on a small island in Belize. I was completing a masters in neuroimmunology and was on winter break after having spent a month in Vancouver, B.C., working with the world’s expert in the inflammatory mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease. I was relaxing in a hammock in the breeze after a day of bonefishing when an older couple asked for help with their motorboat. While tinkering with their outboard motor, we shared our views on the relationship of the mind-body. My experience building custom automobiles was actually coming in handy as Anita told me about her lupus that had flared up during meetings of the Citrus Growers Association, of which she was the president, forcing her to bed for a week each time.

Bob Seipt of Riverton
Lifelong Fremont County resident Bob Seipt passed away Sunday, October 27 at his home in Riverton, at the age of 95. His children Paul Seipt and Jean Younkin were with him when he died. He is survived by his son Paul Robert Seipt and his wife Marjorie of Richland, Washington, his daughter Jean Ann Younkin and her husband Tim of San Pedro, Belize, three grandsons: Matthew Seipt (Heather), Brian Judson (Sara Hiat) and Charles Seipt (Outhai), and one granddaughter, Natalie Judson (Darren Ojard).

October 29, 2013

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Specials and Events

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

National News: Public Service Minister meets public officers on Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker
Public officers in Belize Rural South had the opportunity to engage with the senior staff of the Ministry of Public Service and Elections and Boundaries as part of a Minister’s Consultation and countrywide tour. The visit to the area is being led by the Minister of the Public Service and Elections and Boundaries, Honorable Senator Charles Gibson and his team, which included his Chief Executive Officer, Marian McNab. During the two-day tour in the area, Hon. Gibson and his team met with 105 public officers working in the various government offices in San Pedro Town, and 28 officers from Caye Caulker. In an interview with The San Pedro Sun, Hon. Gibson said that the countrywide tour started three months ago and has seen him visiting all of the districts, with Belize being the last.

Crime Stoppers Belize wins two regional awards
Since 2004, after it was introduced by the Rotary Club of Belize, Crime Stoppers has had a very visible presence. Crime Stoppers Belize has (and continues to play) a vital role in having firearms removed off the streets, has helped in the recovery of stolen items, has brought successful convictions for many crimes and helped in the apprehension of international fugitives hiding in Belize through anonymous tips reported to the international organization. But Crime Stoppers Belize has also been successful in receiving international recognition for their public service announcements and on Thursday October 24th, the organization recognized the partners who have been assisting with their work in country.

Drinking Water Notice
After the continuous rains over the weekend, many residents have been experiencing flooding which has contaminated their drinking water, leaving it unsafe to drink and requiring treatment. In order to avoid becoming ill, all households whose drinking water has been affected are asked to treat their water. 1. Add 1 tablespoon of Clorox to five gallons of water, mix completely and leave to stand for 30 minutes before using. DO NOT use bleach that has perfumes. 2. Boil water at a rolling boil for one minute. 3. Add water purification tablets according to directions on the package.

Avoid Contamination from Flooded Waters
Ministry of Health The Ministry of Health is advising all persons residing, visiting or working in flooded areas to reduce health risks by avoiding contact with rivers and streams that may contain contaminants. Flooded streets, rivers and streams may be contaminated with sewage and other wastewater from septic tanks, pit latrines or other sanitary facilities. The Ministry of Health advises the following to persons in these areas: 1. Keep out of rivers and streams until further notice. 2. Parents do not allow your children to play with toys or any items that have been in contact with the water. 3. Individuals who come in contact with the water, including those involved in cleaning up flood debris, should practice good personal hygiene and wash their hands frequently with soap and clean warm water.

Saga Halloween Fundraiser a Howling Success!
Friends and furry Saga Humane Society fans donned their most creative garb and braved the rainy elements to attend the 10th annual Saga SPOOKTACULAR Halloween party which was held at BC’s Bar on Sunday afternoon, October 27th. With live music courtesy of Valentino, delicious food for sale, raffle giveaways, silent auction and Ms. Charlene and staff graciously tending to the guests, the party was a great opportunity to raise funds for the humane society while enjoying some good old fashioned Halloween fun. Of course the highlight of the day was the pet costume contest and many of the owners wore coordinating attire. Judges Tamara, Jan and Allan had a tough time deciding on the winners as all of the contestants where so imaginative...

Halloween 2013 at the Holiday Hotel! (64 photos)
Every year, we think that the costumes just cannot get any better, and then we're proven wrong! What an amazing array of costumes and creativity! The Holiday Hotel is one of the best places for Halloween fans, and their annual Halloween Bash is a MUST!

Ambergris Today

Stationary Cold Front Causes Flooding in Belize
A stationary cold front in the Yucatan Peninsula has brought heavy rains into the country of Belize and major flooding in the west and south of the country. The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) has been issuing warnings as major highways, road and bridges have been flooded and their team is working arduously in helping persons living in the low lying areas. Weather forecast calls for more rain as conditions remain moist and unstable. Skies will be cloudy to overcast today and one can expect several showers, periods of light rain and a few thunderstorms over most areas. Mariners have been asked to exercise caution because easterly to northeasterly winds with higher gusts near showers and thunderstorms will produce choppy sea conditions. The sea condition will be locally rough at times today. High temperatures today will be in the low 80’s along coastal areas, while in the countryside, the high will reach the upper 80’s. Similar weather conditions are expected through to Wednesday morning.

Marie Sharp’s Belizean Products Highlighted at World’s Largest Food Show
The ANUGA food show, which is the world’s largest and most important food and beverage fair, had the participation of Marie Sharp Proud Products of Belize. The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export), in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), presented the Caribbean Kitchen Pavilion at the ANUGA 2013 Food Show, Germany, October 5-9, 2013 and was a huge success. This was the first time Caribbean Export has taken a collective of food and beverage producers to ANUGA as part of Caribbean Kitchen. The 212sqm space showcased a variety of food and beverage products from across the region, including Taste13 award winners Banana Ketchup from Baron Foods, Tiger Malt from Beverages Caribbean Inc. and Marie Sharp’s Fruit Flavors from Belize. This year there were over 1200 products that entered the competition and 53 made the final selection. The four Caribbean companies that were selected for the Taste13 competition were; Baron Foods Ltd with their ‘Banana Ketchup’ (Saint Lucia); Beverages Caribbean Inc. with ‘Tiger Malt’ (Barbados); 10 Saints beer by 10 Saints Brewery Ltd (Barbados) and Fresh Fruits Flavours one of Marie Sharp’s Habanerno Sauces (Belize).

Pic of the Week: Saga Humane Society Halloween Party for the Canines
Saga Humane Society held its annual Howl-o-Ween Spooktacular party for the entire family and allowed for pet owners to have some Halloween dress-up fun with adorable animals. The event was held at BC's Bar on Sunday, October 27, 2013. Prizes for the pets included that of Scariest, Funniest, Cutest, Best Couple (Pet and Owner) and Most Original!

Holiday Hotel Halloween Bash 2013
On Saturday, October 26, 2013 the Witch Doctors, Spartans, Minions, Princesses and many more hit the biggest Halloween Party inside the Holiday Hotel. The crowd cheered as the Halloweeners walked the red carpet with their impressive costumes. BumSquad DJ DZL turned up the party with his hype tracks. The night ended with the awarding of costumes (Most Creative, Best Goup, Scarriest, Funniest, Best Make-up and Managers Favorite). Congratulation to all the winners and see you all next year!.

Misc Belizean Sources

Saga Halloween Party 2013 at BC's Album One
Lots of awesome photos

Reaffirmation of Sister City: Othon P. Blanco to San Pedro (18 photos)
On Friday, October 25, 2013 Mayor Daniel Guerrero, Councilor Gabriel Nuñez, Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Mayor Kevin Bernard attended the signing of the Reaffirmation of Sister City Relationship between Othon P. Blanco, Quintana Roo and San Pedro Town, Belize.

VALDEZ DROWNING IN SUCCOTZ (7 photos)
The family of Carlos Valdez, 65, is tonight holding a vigil on the banks of the Mopan River in the village of San Jose Succotz after their loved one fell into the flooded river this morning. He remains missing and is believed to have drowned. On Monday evening, close family friends were employing a traditional method of trying to locate the body by placing a lighted candle inside of a calabash and releasing it on the water. According to tradition, a prayer is offered calling the name of the missing persons and when the calabash reaches where the body is, it will circle the spot. Valdez and another man were in the process of transporting plantains from his farm across the river when the tragic incident happened. Family members say that Valdez and his companion had alrady made two trips across the river and on the third, something went terribly wrong. The duo was thrown into the raging river after the skiff started to take on water and they could not remedy the situation near one of the rapids. Valdez' companion was able to hold on to debris and branches near the banks of the river and make it to safety, but says that he watched helplessly as Valdez went under and did not resurface.

Roots Wraps and Smoothies Grand Opening
Roots Wraps and Smoothies is having their grand opening on Saturday, November 2nd. After a long Halloween Block Party on Burns, and a few hours of sleep, a smoothie will pick you back up, and get you ready for the Rotaract Haunted House at Hode's. They deliver wraps and smoothies all around Cayo for lunch, and the menu is on their page. They are located at 38 West street. Have a great grand opening.

Massage Training in Cayo
The Vision Exchange is getting ready to start another course in massage. They are planning to start this coming weekend. Contact Jude at 652-8595 for more information. "Massage Therapy, Yoga, Meditation, Cleansing, Integrative Studies, and Retreats. Schedules are Flexible. Taking the full course consecutively is ideal, although we want to support people who may not be able to fit this into thier lives. We are excited to offer weekend and week courses with certification upon completion which must be completed within the year according to the start date. "

Belikin Halloween Block Party
This year's Halloween Block Party on Burns avenue is Friday, November 1st. There will be multiple costume contests, DJ's, a laser show from DJ Caesar, and even live music from Emmanuel Mangar. Don't miss it. Best of all, it's free. Special thanks go to Belikin, Mr. Greedy's, and the SISE Town Council for making this event happen.

Sacred Heart College Fair and Expo
Sacred Heart College had its annual fair and business expo this weekend. The weather was less than optimal, but the new auditorium provided more than enough space for everyone to eat, play, and enjoy the festivities. The Maya Mountain Adventure Club had a great display, and they are offering 75% off to students, and 50% off to Belizeans for their adventures this coming season. "While the weather refused to cooperate, they still made the best of it at SHC for this year's festivities. The talent show was spectacular, and there were some unique displays. The Car Cutting was a hit, literally. There was tons of great food both days. In Bloom performed some classics for the event too."

Belize featured on LeBron James' website
We're always proud to see young #Belizeans representing our country well. Kudos to Coach Tarr and these talented young men.

Hanal Pixan and La Dia de los Muertos
The Corozal House of Culture is delighted to take the initiative in conducting a cultural competition for primary schools in the Corozal District. Northern Belize has a fascinating history, many of our customs originated like many of our ancestors from the Yucatan. One particular custom that is slowly dying out in Corozal Town is the celebration of Hanal Pixan of the Maya and La Dia de los Muertos(All Souls Day) of the Mestizo. As a leading institution in cultural learning the Corozal House of Culture would like to take this opportunity to offer our primary educational institutions an exciting and interactive way of learning more about this lost tradition. An altar competition and exhibit will be held on Friday November 1st, 2013 at 10 a.m. The House of Culture will stay open into the night allowing the community to come out and view the altars. Join us for this reclamation of our heritage.

Channel 7

Floods Beset Belize, One Man Loses Life In Roaring Mopan River
Relentless rains caused flooding in the Cayo, Stann Creek, Toledo and Belize Districts this weekend - and tonight, we have the first casualty to report. 65-year-old farmer Carlos Valdez was swept to his death this morning when his canoe capsized in the turbulent Mopan River near Succotz. Right now, because of all the rains and the waters coming down from the Maya Mountains, the river has over-run its banks, and its waters are raging with heavy currents and fast swirling eddy's. Valdez, who is a farmer was ferrying plantains over from his farm on the other side of the river to his home in Succotz.

Floodwaters All Across the Land
Presently, flooding is being experienced in most parts of the country. In Santa Elena, the temporary bridge is completely submerged - and this morning the area was best used by recreational fishermen, looking for some hungry Tilapia. Those in the area tell us the water had risen since yesterday. Further west in the Mountain Pine Ridge, The northern side of the Privassion bridge approach washed away, and only small vehicles can access the bridge with extreme caution. The Little Vaqueros bridge entrance is partly washed away. The Guacamallo Bridge is under water. The human impact has been greatest in greater Belmopan, specifically the areas of Maya Mopan, San Martin and Salvapan. Emergency Response teams had to rescue 6 people in Valley of Peace last night and another six in Frank's Eddy this morning. In Roaring Creek, the water is still a few feet below the deck while Camalote, Teakettle, Bullet Tree, and Santa Familia are all under alert for flooding. Shelters have been opened at the More Tomorrow and Belmopan. In Belmopan, those Shelterees in the UB Gymnasium had to be relocated due to a bomb threat at the University of Belize.

Castro Issues Statement Against Whistleblower/Channel 5
Turning now to politics, there's quite a bit to report tonight. First, neither Belize Rural North Representative Edmund Castro nor Prime Minister Dean Barrow have spoken with the press, but Castro did issue a statement through the Government Press Office this morning. We'll get to that shortly, but first to other developments. The Prime Minister has called a house meeting for Friday - this is expected to be a sort of legislative housekeeping - as the PM will be leaving the country shortly after for surgery on his ailing back. Also, the opposition has now formally prepared a Senate motion to appoint a Special Select Committee to investigate irregularities and wrongdoing at the Immigration Department. The proposed composition would be one senator form the government, one form the opposition and three from the social partners. The opposition is banking on the social partners in the senate to support the motion, but as with all other matters, only a vote by the government senators can carry it.

Penner Back To Hospital
And while Government prepares ready to offer staunch defence to Edmund Castro, they can do so because they say his name is only on a generic letter of recommendation for visas. Not so, for Elvin Penner whose name is on the passport and nationality certificate for an international fugitive. And while Penner remains in the UDP bad books, best information from those he has spoken with indicate that he does not intend to resign as his Party Leader, Prime Minister Dean Barrow asked him to. Best information also suggests that he still ha snot met with the Prime Minister to discuss what he plans to do. Reports today say that Penner had to be hospitalized at the Belize Medical Associates again. Which is one more reason for him not to resign, as the sickly Penner also gets health insurance coverage as a Member of Parliament.

Mayor In Search Of Eric Chang
And so, where is Eric Chang, the other man who needs to answer to the public about the Citizen Kim scandal? The Belize City Council made the decision to strip him of his post as Deputy on October 17, and according to Mayor Darrell Bradley, who we caught up with at another event, it was also the last time he spoke with Chang. He told the media today that they've made calls, sent emails, and text messages, but Chang just isn't responding: Mayor Darrell Bradley "He has still not come into Belize City. The difficulty that we have is since removing him from being Deputy Mayor and his Works portfolio, the City Administrator and I communicated with him via email (we could not get him by phone) he did not respond. Our situation is that we really have not had any contact with him."

Juniour Heredia Denies Any Visa Quota system
And form Chang, back to Castro. Today, we got an opportunity to speak with his cabinet colleague, Manuel Heredia Jr. As we've told you, 7News has received multiple credible reports of a visa quota system among ministers, but all those who we've spoken to, have denied that it exists - with only their boss, the Prime Minister letting on that there is hustling afoot in the Department. Heredia Jr. joined those ministers who denied that it exists when we asked him about it, and he told us that the whistle-blower who came out against Castro obviously has a malicious agenda: Geovanni Brackett, reporter "Were you aware of any visa quota?" Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism "To be very honest I commute every day between San Pedro, if anything about that at this point I cannot comment on that. I know very little. Probably if anything is there I might know tomorrow at Cabinet, but at this point it is very difficult for me to comment."

Senior Counsel Rodwell vs. Inspector Fitzroy
It's been some time since Attorney Rodwell Williams, the Prime Minister's law partner in the firm, Barrow and Williams, has made the news. Well tonight, he's back, and not in a good way; the esteemed Senior Counsel is at the center of an ugly dispute with the well-known Yearwood family, of which former police press officer Fitzroy Yearwood is a member. The problem is that both sides claim to have title documents for a piece of land on Cemetery Lane. Things finally came to a head on Saturday afternoon, when the police and BDF went to the Yearwood family yard to install a structure to be placed on the parcel under dispute. 7News was out there as the confrontation unfolded, and Daniel Ortiz has the story. Daniel Ortiz reporting On Saturday, out in the rain, the police officers stood outside on the street in front of lot 404 on Cemetery Lane, guns at the ready, and they were supported by BDF officers. These heavily armed security forces were there to oversee the delivery of the yellow hut on a parcel of the Yearwood land. The Yearwood, just as determined as the police, stood their ground, getting soaked, as they voiced their protests that they didn't intend to allow the hut to be put on what they claim as their land.

Stevedores’ Abortive Attempt At CWU Congress
When we left you last week Friday, it was with the news that outspoken stevedore, Deon "Ras" Pitta would be offering himself as president of the Christian Workers Union in a General Congress Meeting, to remove Antonio "Pancho" Gonzalez and his general secretary, James McFoy. It has been an issue unfolding for weeks where the Stevedores and some members of the CWU, backed up by the NTUCB, want to replace Gonzalez because he's not held elections or presented financials over a decade, which is against the provisions of the constitution. This weekend, the NTUCB oversaw that meeting, and 7News was there to see if they could reach critical mass to remove Gonzalez. Daniel Ortiz reports: Daniel Ortiz reporting At around 9 a.m., when we arrived at the Bird's Isle Basketball Court, there were very few members of the Christian Worker's Union members present. That was, after all, the scheduled start time of this General Congress Meeting, but with less than 20 people, it was hardly mentionable.

Family Fears Worse For Missing Man
Tonight a Belize City man is missing and his family fears for the worst. 27 year old Nigel Ferguson went missing 2 Sundays ago on October 14th. That was the same day he was released from police custody after being detained for questioning for the murder of 28 year old Deon Yorke - who was shot and killed on October 19th. What got family members worried was when Yorke's bungalow house was set on fire last Tuesday night. Today 7news spoke with Ferguson's sister in an off camera interview. Voice Of: Tyeshia Garnet, sister of missing man "Everybody wants to know where he is and they wants to know if anything happened to him because after he was locked down and they let him out nobody has heard from him after that. He came home took a bath and change and said that he was going to see a friend and that was it."

Man Convicted For Shooting Based on Victim Testimony
22 year-old Lloyd Eligio, who was charged with the October 2009 attempted murder of Mark Lord, was convicted today in the court room of Troadio Gonzalez. He is at prison tonight, awaiting sentencing. The main prosecution witness was the victim, Mark Lord. He took the stand and testified in the trial that Eligio, who he saw and knew very well, followed him on Swing Bridge on October 25, all the way to Hyde's Lane, where he opened fire on him in front of the DHL building. One of the bullets struck him in the chest but he survived after emergency surgery. Under cross-examination, Eligio got a chance to challenge his accuser, Mark Lord, and he tried to convince the jury that Lord was mistaken. Throughout, however, Lord maintained his certainty that Eligio was the gunman.

Alleged Shooter To Court
25 year-old Albert Moody is at prison tonight after he was taken to court for allegedly making an attempt on the lives of 2 Belize City men. As we reported, 26 year-old Steven Lambey and 18 year-old Elroy Perdomo were riding on Central American Boulevard, when a gunman ambushed them and opened fire. Perdomo was shot to the ankle and rear end, while Lambey was shot to his calf and abdomen. Both men were rushed to the KHMH and treated for their injuries.

Regional Museums Meet In Belize
Today, representatives of the National Institute of Culture and History and the Museum Association of the Caribbean met in Belize for their annual general meeting under the theme, "Pooling our Resources: Collaborations, Connections and Partnerships". The purpose conference is to discuss how to strengthen tourism by adding in a strong cultural component. Tourism and Culture Minister, Manuel Heredia Jr. told us that cultural tourism is an important topic for the conference: Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism "This event is the Annual General Meeting of the Museums and we have the President of the Caribbean Association and we have our staff Ms. Diane Haylock who is our president along with her staff over here to be along with this conference which I think will be a very fruitful one."

BTL Park, The Big Countdown
It's been almost 3 months since the ground breaking ceremony for the Belize City Council's renovation of BTL Park. During that time, City Hall has been challenged by critics who say that the project had stalled. So today, Mayor Darrell Bradley pre-empted further criticism by updating residents the progress that the contractors have made. According to Bradley, if the weather permits, it will be opened in 41 days: Mayor Darrell Bradley "The project is a transformative initiative to BTL Park. The project is being done in 3 phases; the first phase has been totally completed, this includes adding 40% more park space. We did a massive land reclamation and we constructed a sea wall. The second phase is the adding of the park features; we will raise the park by 6 inches. We will put sidewalks all around the park, there is going to be an area for skating. There is an ample theatre, there is a pier, there is greenery, there are park benches, and there are garbage bins - so that phase 2 involves the making of this facility look like a park."

Mayor Says CITCO Only Owes Waste Control Ten Weeks
One other question which the media took the opportunity to ask Bradley about was the arrears to Belize Waste Control. As we've told you, the garbage company and its employees are at a tipping point, because the Council owes them more than half a million dollars. Today, when we asked Bradley for an update, he told us that by their information, they are 10 weeks behind, and there is absolutely nothing they can do to catch up at this point. More than that, according to Bradley, City Halls intends to wait out the contract with the other company, Belize Maintenance Limited, which they will not renew in 2015. According to Bradley, that's the only foreseeable relief for BWC: Mayor Darrell Bradley "The point is that we are about maybe 10 weeks behind with them and in relation to this current period we are not anywhere more behind with them that we were last year. The difficulty is that I maintain these sanitation contracts represents 45% of the City' s outlays. It is too costly on the City and what we are doing is unsustainable. If you recall last year at this present moment there were Waste Control personnel right in front of my office picketing. I know that under Zanaida's terms in office there were protests as well. This is a situation which goes on for years and years and it only going to be solved if we take a very realistic look at the sanitation contractors."

Channel 5

Like P.M. Barrow, Minister Edmund Castro dodges waiting media
On Saturday, Minister of State Edmund Castro entered the country. He was in Miami on government business when he became the subject of serious allegations of corruption. Castro is accused [...]

Whistleblower discloses specifics of meetings with Castro to Ombudsman
Castro dodged the media Saturday, but he won’t be able to dodge the very serious allegation made against him. The informant, who Castro has identified as Alvarine Burgess, has now [...]

Castro comments via press release following emergency U.D.P. meeting
Castro’s only comments came via press release today following an emergency U.D.P. meeting. According to the release, Castro makes clear that the allegation was a lie. He was never engaged [...]

Will there be a senate-led investigation into the Ministry of Immigration?
Still on the immigration matters….Following up on notice from the floor of the Senate on October seventeenth, the Opposition Senator, Liza Shoman will be moving a motion at the next [...]

The long list of visa irregularities
While Castro bunkers down in the face of very compelling, firsthand information against him, there are other visa irregularities coming to light. Tonight, twenty-two Indian nationals are incarcerated after they [...]

Land dispute involving attorney Rodwell Williams gets fiery
On Saturday, tensions escalated on Cemetery Lane in Belize City because of a dispute over one tiny parcel of land. On one side of the dispute is prominent attorney Rodwell [...]

Attorney says police cannot intervene in civil matter
As we mentioned earlier in the newscast, on Saturday Police gave an undertaking that they would not act until a meeting with Rodwell Williams and the Young family is convened. [...]

Christian Workers Union holds its congress
The anticipated congress of the Christian Workers Union proceeded on Saturday morning at Birds Isle. Tensions were bubbling for weeks because of a call for action from the stevedores while [...]

Major flooding affects western and southern communities and kills a Succotz man
The torrential rains over the weekend affected southern and western communities where water levels rose significantly. The flooding has already taken one life. In Succotz, a man, sixty-five year old [...]

Albert Moody, allegedly involved in Belize City shooting, has his day in court
Twenty-three year old Jane Usher Boulevard resident, Albert Moody, today appeared in the Magistrate’s Court related to a shooting incident in Belize City on October twentieth. Moody has been charged [...]

Lloyd Elijio found guilty of the attempted murder of Mark Lord
A jury of five men and four women today convicted twenty-two year old Lloyd Elijio of Belize City for the attempted murder of Mark Lord in October of 2009 in [...]

Court of Appeal orders new trial for convicted murderer Kimberly Brannon
The Court of Appeal today ordered a new trial for forty-three year old Kimberly Brannon, also known as Kimberly McLaughlin, and set aside her conviction and sentence of life imprisonment [...]

City Council defaults in payments to Belize Waste Control; is it habitual?
The perennial issue of the cost of garbage collection in Belize City, the result of seemingly exorbitant contracts signed with sanitation companies years ago, is one which continues to plague [...]

Councilor Eric Chang still not in communication with City Council
Former Deputy Mayor Eric Chang remains absent without leave in Taiwan since departing for his home country in early September.  Chang, who has been accused of participating in the conveyance [...]

24th Annual Museum Association Of the Caribbean General Meeting
The Museum Association of the Caribbean (MAC) is holding its twenty-fourth annual general meeting under the theme “Pooling our Resources: Collaborations, Connections and Partnerships.” The goal is to develop concrete [...]

41 days to the official launch of the newly renovated B.T.L. Park
The countdown for the official launch of the newly renovated BTL Park has commenced and, to mark the occasion, Mayor Darrell Bradley was on hand to erect a sign notifying [...]

Weekend Sporting Highlights with James Adderley
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.   The persistent downpour across the nation over the weekend forced a cancellation of most of the scheduled sporting events. [...]

LOVE FM

Weekend Weather Floods Homes in Belize
The weather system that hovered over Belize this past weekend and into part of Monday brought with it heavy and continuous rains that created flash floods in several locations over the country. On Sunday, this was how the George Price Boulevard looked at mile 47 looked; traffic was backed up as vehicles were guided thru the safest part of the road. A couple miles away these homes were inundated as the waters rose in their area. Further up the Highway, the river at the Roaring Creek Bridge swelled to just under the deck and posed a threat to motorists using the highway. Entire communities on the periphery of Belmopan such as Maya Mopan, Salvapan and Las Flores were flooded and their residents were forced to make adjustments. Today two families had to evacuate to safety at the UB gymnasium in Belmopan. Clare Moody, who is the District Coordinator for the National Emergency Management Organization, NEMO, told Love News that the organization is doing all that is possible to assist those who have been displaced and those who remain at home but have suffered losses.

Minister of Tourism Knows Nothing of Visa Hustling
Prime Minister Dean Barrow arrived back in the country on Friday. The media attempted to obtain comment from the Prime Minster in regards to the ongoing slew of allegations against Ministers of Cabinet on what has been coined as “Visa Hustling”. Minister of State in the Ministry of Transport, Edmund Castro, is accused of being part of the visa hustling business. Today we asked another government minister on whether or not he knows anything about visa hustling within the government. Minister of Tourism, Manuel Heredia, told Love News today, that he recalls of recommending an individual to obtain a visa but was never involved in any of the nefarious allegations that are surfacing. HON. MANUEL HEREDIA “Definitely I know nothing whatsoever; I can guarantee you that Cabinet has not collectively, as I was asked before, nothing that is misleading nothing collectively has ever been spoken about in Cabinet.”

Garifuna Celebrations Announced by National Council
Love news got the details of the upcoming events from member of the National Garifuna Council Belize City branch, Barbara Elijio BARBARA ELIJIO “On November 2 we will have the Belize City Choir Cultural Show at Bliss Institute and it will be at 7 pm. On November 9, we will have National Solidarity Mass at Adolphus RC Church in Seine Bight Village at 9am. On November 9, we will also have our Miss Garifuna Belize National Talent at the Multi Sports Complex in Seine Bight Village. On Sunday, November 10, we will have Garifuna drumming at MCC Tennis Court from 6pm to 11pm. On Thursday, November 14, we will have the school’s children rally at 1:30pm at the House of Culture for one dollar per child. On Thursday, November 15, we are asking for all Garinagu and other ethnic groups to please put on our cultural wear for Cultural Awareness Day. On November, 15 at 6pm to 11pm, we will also have Garifuna drumming at MCC Tennis Court. On November 16, we will also have Cultural Night and Storytelling at MCC Tennis Court from 6pm to 11 pm. On November 16, we will have Belize City Branch Solidarity Mass at Saint Martin’s de Porres Church and on Sunday, November 17 Garifuna Drumming from 8pm to 11pm at MCC Tennis Court. At MCC tennis court we will also have the Garifuna Drumming from 8pm to 1am again on 18th night. On November 19, we will have the reenactment starting at Bottom Dollar Supermarket on North Front Street and then 8am is the Thanksgiving Mass at Saint Martin’s de Porres Church and after that it is Garifuna bashment from 10 until.”

Retrial Ordered for Woman Convicted of Killing Spouse
An appeal by 43 year old Kim Brannon, who was convicted of murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment, was allowed today by Belize Court of Appeal. Brannon’s conviction was quashed, her sentence was set aside and a retrial was ordered for her. Brannon was convicted of the murder of her common-law husband, Anthony ”Antics” Herrera, who was fatally chopped in his head with a machete on December 13, 2008, while he was in bed at his home at Burrell Boom horse race stadium. Brannon’s appeal was allowed on the ground that the trial judge failed to properly direct the jury with regard to a confession statement that Brannon gave to the police. The judge ought to have told the jury that it should consider whether the statement was voluntarily given and if it was true. Brannon was represented by attorney Anthony Sylvestre, while The Director of public Prosecutions, Cheryl Lyn Vidal represented the respondent. Brannon was convicted on November 15, 2011. She was sentenced on December 2, 2011.

Murder Trial For Orange Walk Resident Starts Today
In Court news from Orange Walk, the case against Eric Gonzalez began today in the Supreme Court. Gonzalez is accused of the murder of Daniel Soto on February 26th, 2009. The crown presented its opening statement this morning before Justice Herbert Lord and a jury of twelve persons. The prosecution presented forensic evidence including pictures of the crime scene and the weapon believed was used to kill Soto, and they also called on their first witness to testify. The crown is being represented by Sabita Maharaj and Senior Crown Counsel Linsbert Willis. Eric Gonzalez is being represented by Senior Counsel Simeon Sampson. The incident occurred on evening of February 26th 2009. The ten sixteen year old Daniel Soto reportedly got involved in an altercation with then eighteen year old Eric Gonzalez on Savannah Street in Orange Walk Town, during which Soto picked up a stone to defend himself from Gonzalez. Reports add that Gonzalez left promising to return to exact his anger. Gonzalez returned to find Soto on Mangal Street in the same area and this time he carried a five inch blade knife which he used to stab Soto on his left thigh. Soto succumbed to his injury while undergoing surgery at the Northern Regional Hospital moments later. Gonzalez escaped into Mexico but was caught months later. The trial continues on Wednesday October 3th 2013.

Remanded For 46 Days On Attempted Murder
Twenty-three year old Albert Moody, one of two persons who the police believe was involved in a shooting incident, was charged with two counts of attempted murder when he appeared in court today. Moody was also charged with two counts of use of deadly means of harm, dangerous harm and wounding. He was remanded into custody until December 13. The incident occurred around 11:25 p.m. on October 20. 27 year old Steven Lambey and 18 year old Elroy Perdomo, were riding bicycles on Central American Boulevard heading towards Port of Belize when their assailant who was standing on the side of the street, fired several shots at them. Lambey was shot in the right side of his abdomen and his right calf, while Perdomo was shot in his left ankle and the left side of his buttocks. Lambey’s injury was classified as dangerous harm, while Perdomo’s injury was classified as wounding.

Entertainment and Tourism Zone Coming For Belize City
Mayor of Belize City, Darrel Bradley invited the media to BTL Park, Newtown Barracks this morning to provide an update on the ongoing refurbishment to the park. MAYOR DARELL BRADLEY “The project is being done in three phases; the first phase has been totally completed, this includes adding forty percent more park space. We did a massive land reclamation and we constructed a sea wall. The second phase is the adding of the park features; we will raise the park by six inches; we will put side walk all around the park; there is going to be an area for skating, there is an amphitheater; there is a pier; there is greenery; there is park benches; there are garbage bins and so phase two involves the making of this facility look like a park. Phase three is an innovative aspect of the park and this is the economic development portion and what this entails is the construction of 23 kiosks for vending purposes. The total plan for BTL Park is to ensure that the park is a commercial plaza for this area; you will know that this are of Belize City is an entertainment and tourism zone and our vision for BTL Park is that the park will be a place that is steaming with economic activity every single weekend from Thursday to Sunday.”

President of Mental Health Association Opens Red Ribbon Week At Wesley College
Wesley College is celebrating its 15th Annual Red Ribbon Week under the theme “A healthy ME is drug free”. The week was officially opened this morning by Jennifer Lovell, President of the Mental Health Association. The week runs from October 28th to November 1st and students along with the faculty will be participating in a series of activities. These range from the “Put a Cap on Drugs Day” where staff will be wearing hats as a symbol of capping out drugs, to the annual parade of students through Belize City streets. Organizer and school counselor Elizabeth Goff told Love News that Red Ribbon Week has made an impact over the years. ELIZABETH GOFF “Yes, it is our fifteenth year that we celebrating Red Ribbon Week. We started back in 1999 and this work is ongoing; it’s not something where we will see immediate results but I believe very strongly that having Red Ribbon Week as a part of our school wide campaign and of course the ongoing prevention work is making a difference in our school.”

Police Finds Cocaine In Villager’s Shoe
Jostyn Bleu, a resident of Ladyville, was charged with drug trafficking and possession of a controlled drug when he appeared in court today. Bleu pled not guilty to the charges. He was offered a bail of 500 dollars and his case was adjourned until December 13. The incident occurred around 2:50 p.m. on October 26. The police reported that they saw Bleu walking on Central American Boulevard and when they stopped him and searched him they found 5.8 grams of cocaine in one of his shoes. The police also reported that when they took Bleu to the police station and searched a knapsack he had they found 0.9 grams of cannabis.

Jury Says Guilty in Attempted Murder of Lord
A jury of five women and four men deliberated for about three hours today before it found 22 year old Lloyd Elijio guilty of the attempted murder of Mark Lord, who was shot in the left side of his chest around 12:30 p.m. on October 25, 2009, on Hyde’s Lane. The trial judge, Justice John Gonzalez, has deferred sentencing until November 4 in order to give Elijio time to prepare a plea for mitigation. Lord testified that he was walking on Hyde’s Lane going towards Barrack Road when the gunman, whom he identified as Elijio, appeared in front of him and shot him. Elijio testified and denied that he committed the offfence. He said that at the timeof the incident he was at his grandmother’s house on Morning Glory Street eating. He called one witness who testified that he did not see Elijio until about 1:30 p.m. that day. Elijio was not represented by any attorney. Crown Counsel Sheneiza Smith represented the prosecution.

Minister Castro Denies Involvement in Visa Procurement and Seeks Legal Recourse Against Accuser and Channel Five
We have been attempting to speak with Minister of State Edmond Castro after allegations were made of his involvement in the visa hustle reportedly orchestrated by some Ministers of government. Castro, who was out of the country at the time, returned on Saturday and did not grant an interview to the Press. However today Castro issued a release in which he rejects and condemns what he calls the viciously false and malicious story concocted about him. Castro said the allegation that he collected four hundred thousand dollars as payment for having procured the issuance of two hundred Belize visas is not true. He says he was never engaged in any visa ring, and never collected a penny from his accuser.

CTV3

Incessant Rains Cause Minor Flooding In The North
The incessant rains have caused major flooding in the Southern Districts of the country; leaving a number of bridges under water and even eating away a portion of the Southern Highway. Due to the heavy downpour, the North also experienced some flooding of its own over the weekend. Regional Director for NEMO in Orange Walk and Corozal, Elodio Aragon, gave us an update on the most vulnerable areas affected. Elodio Aragon– Regional Director, NEMO OW & Corozal “We’ve Checked the villages and with our chairpersons, they are our contacts and up to now everything is ok in all the villages, except to San Estevan where the chairman reported to us that there is a need to evacuate a family that his house was flooded and everything which we have done that already so, apart from that everything is ok in the villages. I also work along with the Mayor because the Mayor is part of the NEMO committee so we keep constantly in touch and I have spoken to him today and he has mentioned that yes there are a few problems with the drains but he is doing his best he has been to the hot spots where we know it usually get flooded and he has been working at that and he was here at the Marcus Canul Area where there a few houses that are in low lying areas and these will always get flooded when the rains come and therefore he has been there and he done what he can. He has a team with all his workers when the weather is like this they concentrate in trying to ensure that people are not flooded in their homes so I have spoken to him and he told me we are doing our best and we have it under control and we ask people to be patient.”

BWU Elects New Committee, Gongora Remains As President
On Friday, October 25th, 2013 we told you about the Belize Worker’s Union’s annual general meeting where the pressing issue on the agenda was the election of a new committee to run the affairs of the union for the next two years. After two years in the position as the chairman for the union, Ramiro Gongora was briefly stripped of his title after the committee was formally dissolved and the elections got under way. Two hours later, Gongora once again emerged as the captain of the Belize Worker’s Union’s ship; however, he is not steering alone. Ramiro Gongora, Chairman, BWU “We came to an end of a two year service, the members, since 2011 we were elected in office and two have passed and now we have our AGM today and a new committee was elected for continuing serving the workers of BSI.” Irvin Aragon – Reporter “Now, tell us about the committee, who were the members who were elected this year?”

Dollar Increase In Price Per Hundred Pound Cylinder Of Butane
Tonight there is bad news for consumers of Liquid Petroleum Gas as Government has approved a $1.00 hike in the price of Liquid Petroleum Gas, commonly known as butane. The supplies Control Unit reports that effective today the new controlled prices for LPG will be as follows: in Belize and Corozal $118, in Belmopan and San Ignacio $120, Benque $121, Orange Walk $119, Dangriga $122 and Punta Gorda $123. The last time changes were recorded in the price for a hundred pound cylinder of butane was back in the month of September when consumers saw an increase of $4.00 in the price after experiencing a $3.00 decrease in the month of April.

Senate Investigation Demanded In Lieu of Passport, Nationalization And Immigration Scandal
Late this evening, the PUP Secretariat issued a Notice of Motion for a Senate Investigation. The release states that in lieu of the ongoing corruption in the irregularities and improprieties in the processing and issuance of the Nationality certificates and Passports issued by the Ministry of Immigration and Nationality; Section 61 (A)(2) of the Constitution of Belize, Chapter 4 of the Laws of Belize sets out the powers and functions of the Senate as including (d) “instituting and conducting enquiries and investigations on any matter of public importance including inquiries into mismanagement or corruption by person in Central Government or public statutory bodies.” The release continues with its terms of reference to investigate and inquire into all policies, process, procedures and issuance of nationality certificates, passports and visas in the Ministry of Immigration and Nationality and to investigate any and all irregularities, improprieties and wrong doing in the issuance of Belizean Nationality certificates, passports and visas. The release was signed by Senator Lisa Shoman.

BelizeCan On The Move Again Will They Any Effect On Government?
Activist Patrick Menzies and his organization known as the BelizeCan Patriots, have gone off the hook in trying to get Government to freeze or retract the National Revised Gender Policy 2013. BelizeCan also wants Government to formally state that Gender equals male and female only. Putting an end to victimization in Belize by both Government and private sector and the retraction of section 47G -2B and 3 of the proposed amendments on the criminal code is also on the list of demands. Marches, collection of signatures and even a national school boycott has had no impact on GOB who continues to revise the document. Since all his attempts have failed, Menzies is once again planning a national demonstration at the foot of the National Assembly in Independence Plaza, Belmopan tomorrow Tuesday 29th, Oct 2013.

Joint Operation Leads To Confiscation Of Marijuana
A joint drug operation between members of the Special Branch and the Quick Response Team from the Orange Walk Police Formation over the weekend led to the detention of two minors and 32 year old Marva Janet Castro from the Village of August Pine Ridge, Orange Walk. On Friday October 25th, around 1:45pm, a search was conducted at Castro’s residence which led authorities to the discovery of a blue warm cap containing 222.5 grams of suspected cannabis. As a result, Castro and the two minors were escorted to the Orange Walk Police Station where they were arrested and jointly charged for drug trafficking.

Corozal Resident Allegedly Stabbed During Altercation
Details are still sketchy but CTV3 News understands that a stabbing incident in the Corozal District over the weekend left one woman hospitalized. Allegations are that the incident played out at D Spot Lounge located on 4th Avenue Corozal Town when the victim became involved in an argument with another woman. The victim was rushed to the Corozal Community Hospital and later transferred to the Northern Regional Hospital. It is not yet known what caused the confrontation between both women or if the victim’s attacker has been detained by police.

Clear The Land Castro Dodges The Media, But Issues Statement In His Defence
After his name was thrown into the Visa Scandal, The Honorable Minister of State in the Ministry of Works and Transport Edmund Castro is making headlines, but the news is not good for the Rural North Area Representative or his Government for that matter. Castro arrived back in country from Miami over the weekend and just like the Prime Minister, he dodged the media making no comment on the latest scandal. He did issue a statement today though, rejecting and condemning, quote unquote “the viciously false and malicious story concocted about him by Channel 5 and its agent, and aired three consecutive nights last week.” That story alleges that Castro collected a whopping 400 thousand dollars for 200 Visas he facilitated for Chinese Nationals. And while that story placed Castro on the hot seat, once again putting his integrity in question and bringing much scrutiny against him, Castro’s release states that “the allegation is a lie” and that he, “was never engaged in any visa ring, and never collected a penny from the woman now turned self-proclaimed whistleblower.”

Murder Case Against Eric Gonzales Gets Under-way At Supreme Court
Today in the Northern session of the Supreme Court of Belize, the case against Eric Gonzalez, accused of the murder of Daniel Alberto Soto, began before Justice Herbert Lord. Four years has passed since Gonzalez was arrested in neighboring Mexico and subsequently handed over to Belizean authorities and today a jury of twelve, four men and eight women listened to the opening remarks of Senior Crown Counsel’s Sabita Maharaj and Linsbert Willis. The accused is represented by Senior Counsel, Simeon Sampson. The Crown introduced their first witness to the stand who testified as the then Scenes of Crimes Technician for the Orange Walk Police Department. Pictures of the crime scene and the weapon believed to have been the one used to inflict the stab wound on Soto were all admitted into evidence. Since the defense did not object to the witness’ testimony it was accepted by Justice Herbert Lord. With that, the trial was adjourned for Wednesday, 30th October 2013.

PlusTV

Orange Walk man killed during robbery
Police are yet to release official details but there was a murder on Friday during lunch hour in the Belize District. The incident took place in the village of Sandhill at the entrance to the Old Northern Highway (Maskall Road). The deceased has been identified as 58...

Prime Minister avoids press at International Airport
Since last Wednesday, October 16, Prime Minister Dean Barrow has been out of the country attending a fundraiser for his wife Kim’s charity work and attending to his back problem. He left behind a mushrooming scandal involving a Minister of State whom he had personally delegated the right to...

Mark King steps up and address the media
The Prime Minister can count on the support of at least one Minister of State, who knows a thing or two about facing unfriendly fire. Minister of State Mark King, who earlier this year was backed by his party as he battled criminal charges in relation to a melee...

NTUCB says it is up to the membership of the CWU to determine its fate
On Thursday we brought you the reactions of Christian Workers’ Union (CWU) executives Antonio Gonzalez and James McFoy to the attempt to oust them from the Union’s leadership by disgruntled members. On Saturday, October 26, Deon Pitter and Raymond Rivers, who are at the forefront of the effort to oust...

Minor on remand for drug trafficking
One minor, from Succotz Village, Cayo District, has been remanded for drug trafficking. Reports have it that the minor was travelling on public transport, on Friday morning at around 6:30 am on route to Belize City. The minor was allegedly acting suspicious, the authorities then proceeded to search the...

Pastor Shows The Power of Forgiveness
The Face of Forgiveness is a movement founded by a man whose life was forever changed, following a freak accident, only to become a testament to the power of forgiveness. It seemed like an ordinary day in July of 2001, Dr. Johannes Christian and his foster son were...

Blogs

It’s Time to Join BELTRAIDE Consultancy Directory!
Do you offer consultation services? Are you in a skilled profession? Most importantly, are you seeking for new clients? One thing is true: consistently attracting new clients is the most challenging part of running your business. It is time for you to join BELTRAIDE’s consultants Directory.BELTRAIDE has been working with several local and international projects and at times, they are a need for local consultants. Therefore, we invite you to join our consultant database to have more quickly and recent access to the opportunities. You do not only get access to project but can also get contacted by current and prospective investors. Join BELTRAIDE’s Consultant Directory. It is quick, easy and free of cost! You just need to email us your full contact information, with list of services you provide and your experience.

Nothing Cuter: Kids, Adults & Pets Dress Up for SAGA’s 10th Annual Halloween Fundraiser
I’ll admit it. I was worried. It had been a rainy rainy night and the SAGA Humane Society’s Halloween Bash was set to start at 11am Sunday at BC’s Beach Bar. For the kids and the pets to dress up and come out, it was going to have to dry up a bit. And we got lucky. After a brief but torrential downpour at about noon, the weather dried up a bit. Thank goodness. Nothing cuter than a grumpy dog stuffed into a costume. Nothing. And from the back. Talk about crafty! Little Miss Belizean Newspapers.

Even Belize’s Top Competitors Love Her
Just having a read of Perth Now, as you do now and then, and in the Travel Section, couldn’t help notice a big section on Belize. Now, by way of background, Perth is a city in Australia, and Australia, as you know (because they don’t let you bloody forget it) has the largest barrier reef in the world, suitably titled The Great Barrier Reef, and is a UNESCO World heritage listed site. (sound familiar?) The Australian rainforests are described (usually by Australians) as the largest, most pristine in the world. Now, in addition to the barrier reef, Australia is known for being a highly competitive society. Have you ever watched Australia football (Australia Football League or AFL, or Aussie Rules as it’s more commonly known)? Protective gear such as helmets is unknown, and US footballers are laughed at for their use of so much body armour.

“Heroes and Villains” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
I will ‘open up’ today’s edition by apologising to regular readers for the couple of days absence. When I started the blog at the end of October last year I never intended that it would be a daily blog but that I would try to publish a minimum of six editions a week. I haven’t always stuck to this self-made promise but the weeks when I haven’t have been few and far between. Last week though I just knew that I would struggle. There was just too much going on. In fact even when I have published I have forgotten to include things that I thought might be of interest. For example I had so much on my mind last week that I forgot to mention that someone, somewhere must have known that Rose and I had moved in to our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize. Why? Did someone send us a “Welcome to your new home” (we did receive one from my sister Chris)? No, but it was something equally as nice as that. The San Pedro Town Council sent out a team of guys to fill the many and deep potholes of the road north of the bridge. I don’t know how far north of us they went (a bit selfish I know ) but it made the drive back and forth to ‘Town so much more pleasurable. That was until the heavy rains started (and we have had some really rainy days and nights) and I am sorry to ‘say’ that the potholes are already back!

Mennonite Gurls A'ken Cook: Rube Meetloaf
I like rube san'wiches so why nairy a rube meetloaf? It’s verr tastee, I luv t'pairyun' o'sauerkraut, groun beef, an' swiss cheez n' thishere recipe. If'n y'all wish, y'all a'ken put a lay'r o'cernet beef slices un top o't' sauerkraut which would add un authantic taste as n' a rube san'wich. Leftovers air greet servet cold fer san'wiches. 1 1/2 pounds groun beef, I uset leun 1 egg 2/3 cup breed crumbs 1/2 teespoon salt 1/2 teespoon pepp'r 2 tablespoons cucumb'r relish

Up Boom Creek: Listening to the beats of Belize
Suddenly, in the darkness, I forget where I am. It has been a long day of movement and miles. I know I am paddling a canoe at night, on my knees in the bow, twisting my body with each stroke, trying to make as little noise in the water as possible. There are drums on the breeze, a faint rhythm that comes and goes. The blue-black shapes around me are pure jungle, a dense canopy of plants and animals, close on all sides. I pull my paddle through the water again, our boat glides forward, and, just as suddenly, I know: I'm in Belize. The drums continue in the distance, louder with the breeze, then softer; there is Garifuna dancing in Hopkins, the beat drifting across the mangroves to our boat in Boom Creek.

International Sources

New World Oil & Gas extends Belize PSA for two years
New World Oil & Gas (LON:NEW) has told investors that the Belize government has approved a two year extension to its production sharing agreement (PSA) for the Blue Creek project. The PSA now runs up until October 12 2015. Over the next twelve months the company intends to carry out a thorough review of its previously captured seismic and drilling results. Then, in the second year of the renewal, New World will have the choice to either drill one new exploration well or ‘drop’ the PSA. New World says it continues to look for a farm-in partner to share the exploration drilling costs at Blue Creek.

Mayan civilisation brought back to life
Tourists interested in Mexico’s Mayan past can scramble over ruins, ride canoes and swim in subterranean rivers. The once flourishing Mayan civilisation peaked around 900 AD and was centred in what is today southern Mexico and Guatemala but its influence can still be seen throughout much of Central America. The Mayan people built vast cities, ornate temples, and towering pyramids. The Mayans also transported huge amounts of goods between Central and Northern America. A variety of trade goods were transported along the Yucatan Peninsula using huge dugout canoes that stayed close to the coastline and took advantage of sea currents and tides. They also travelled inland, navigating through canals, lagoons, swamps and lakes. Similar views can be enjoyed on a trips to the lagoon in Bacalar, near Mexico’s border with Belize. From Bacalar, it is possible to take a river journey to Rio Hondo passing sunken boats that were once used by the English to transport valuable mahogany trunks out of the Guatemalan jungle.

October 28, 2013

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Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

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: Native Wisdom
How native are you? A visit to the jungle gives an insight to Dennis and his friend Richard.

Letter to the Editor: Helping Paws Across Borders says Thank You
I am writing you from New Mexico, USA where Helping Paws across Borders is located. My organization was just recently in and around San Pedro for a weeklong spay and neuter campaign hosted by Saga. I wanted to say thank you to all of the local businesses and people that welcomed Helping Paws across Borders volunteer team with such kindness and generosity. I wanted to let you know that your community went above and beyond to assist us. I would like to just mention a few of the businesses that helped with this venture. Exotic Caye Resort, The Melt (incredible), Road Kill Bar, Fido’s, Wet Willy’s, Captain Morgan’s, Ultimate Golf Carts, Belize Golf Carts, Monchos Golf Carts, Ramon’s kitchen staff, the owners of the wonderful rental house, the wonderful people of San Pedro, the community of DFC, the local volunteers that came in to help, Caye Caulker Humane Society and of course Saga Humane Society.

Doctor Love: Business Tips
How can new islanders take a business and ensure its success? Well, the Doctor has some tips.

Ambergris Today

Honeymooners’ Adventures in Ambergris Caye, Belize
Newlyweds Mark and Jen Ledford just recently spend five nights at Casa Azul in Ambergris Caye, Belize for their honeymoon. We came across their awesome video footage of them snorkeling with the marine life at Hol Chan Marine Reserve/ Shark Ray Alley, ‘golf carting’ around the back roads and San Pedro Town, jet skiing, kayaking, and more snorkeling off the resort’s dock. Mark did a great job at putting the video together and documenting all the fun and adventure they experiences as the new Mr. and Mrs. Ledford. Congratulations to the newlyweds and we wish them a wonderful life together; and many more future visits to Belize.

Misc Belizean Sources

Education in Belize: Difficult Students (From Challenges to Solutions)
In previous articles I reviewed both positive and negative ways to deal with “Difficult Students” who constantly misbehave at school. Dealing with Difficult Students Effective Ways to Deal with Difficult Students Dealing with Loud and Playful Difficult Students I encouraged teachers to have unbending and effective classroom management, and I suggested positive ways for them to deal with repeated and distractive behavior of students. However, several parents recently contacted me to complain about several difficult students whose constant power struggles with teachers at a high school in Belize City hamper the learning process of other students. While re-reading my previously published articles, I noticed a reader’s comment to suggest that today’s difficult students need “a good paddling” as they used to get in the past. Once more, I remind readers that we cannot live in the past! This is 2013 and we need to adapt classroom management methods that are in line with 21st Century ways of living and learning.

Help our Dogs help us! Keep our homes and neighborhoods safe by getting them Medical help to stay Healthy! (9 photos)
Yesterday's Free Clinic in San Ignacio provided full services such as: Check Ups, Tests for Heart-worms and Tick Fever, Free medications for Heart-worm & Fleas/Ticks, De-worming Vaccinations Coordinators and Volunteers are: Ms. Clara Lee Arnold - Hopkins Belize Humane Society Mr. Humberto Wolhers - Curator at The Belize Zoo Mr. Ruben Tesucum - Vet Assistant at Paws Veterinary Clinic Mr Sean Kuylen - Volunteer Visiting Veterinarians are Dr. Jen Riley, Dr. Angela Gimmel, Dr. Kelly Schmitz Local Veterinarians are Dr. Isabelle Paquet-Durant, Dr. Mia Canton, Dr. Eduardo Tesucum and Dr. Jorge Lopez. Weather permitting, they will be going on to the Belize Zoo, Monday and Tuesday.

FLOODING IN BELMOPAN
(12 photos)

ENTRANCES TO SPANISH LOOKOUT CLOSED
(9 photos)

PROCEED WITH CAUTION OVER LOW LYING BRIDGE ENTRANCE TO SAN IGNACIO.
(6 photos)

In Hopkins village, flooding was also evident.
(4 photos)

HOPE CREEK BRIDGE (5 photos)
Water level was elevated at the bridge in Hope Creek, Stann Creek on Sunday afternoon.

Even the banana farm along the Southern Highway at Mayan King was affected by flood waters on Sunday afternoon
72 hours will cause root rot!!

FLOODING IN SAN ROMAN (5 photos)
This is the situation as it was in San Roman around midday on Sunday. Water was touching the deck of the small bridge rinning through the village.

The river in Teakettle village
In front of the Dream Valley Jungle Lodge.

VIDEO:
A group of men and boys from San Roman village, Stann Creek turned a flood event into a fun Sunday afternoon.

Swasey Bridge
Reports from the south say that the level of the flood waters flowing under the Swasey Bridge has risen significantly.

The junction of the George Price Highway and the Hummingbird Highway on Sunday morning.

The George Price Highway in Roaring Creek village had water covering the road near the Garbutt Service Station on Sunday morning.

A chunk of the Southern Highway near the junction with the Georgetown road was severely compromised today
(4 photos)

Bridges on the Buena Vista road
There are reports that the approaches to two bridges on the Buena Vista road (Cayo district) may have been compromised/washed away. Motorists need to be extremely careful and it is not advisable to attempt to drive through the water at this time.

AT THE SWASEY BRIDGE (5 photos)
Flood waters flowing under the Swasey Bridge along the Southern Highway.

At the junction of Trio village on the Southern Highway.

FLOODING AT BLADEN (5 photos)
Water levels were up at Bladen along the Southern Highway on Sunday afternoon.

Fishing, VIDEO
While in Blue Creek, Toledo on Saturday evening, I observed two little boys fishing in the flooded river. In about 15 minutes, they had collected quite a good catch.

Sittee river

Placencia village ...

Sittee River at Kendall community
The Sittee River at Kendall community is also flooding at this time. The new Kendall brdige keeps traffic flowing on the Southern Highway.

On the Southern Highway ...
the people in this house assured me they were ok. The house is surrounded by flood waters.

Water on the Santa Familia road.

Flooding yesterday in Maya Mopan, Belmopan.

Spillway at the Vaca Dam
More water is heading towards San Ignacio town as water has started to go over the spillway at the Vaca Dam. Unconfirmed reports are that both the Mollejon and Vaca Dams are spilling at this time.

The Iguana Creek bridge is inundated.
The road to Spanish Lookout via this route is closed.

Water level in Roaring Creek is below the deck of the bridge.

The low-lying wooden bridge spanning the Macal River in San Ignacio/Santa Elena is open to vehicular traffic as of Sunday evening.

A part of the Southern Highway close to the Georgetown raod junction has started to collapse.
Concerned motorists have erected makeshift warning signals to alert motorists of the danger.

Girl Empowerment Campaign
The Special Envoy for Women and Children will be embarking on a countrywide Girl Empowerment Campaign, which will be launched in Belize City on Monday, October 28, 2013. This tour is an extension of the My Precious is Precious initiative, which started with the launch of a child friendly book on “good touch, bad touch” in April of this year. As we continue efforts to educate the public on sexual abuse of children, the Girl Empowerment Campaign will focus on high school girls. Our aim is to encourage these young ladies to delay their sexual debut and not to give in to the pressures they may face at this critical point in their development. The campaign will also seek to educate teenage girls about sexual abuse, and to provide information for those who have been or are still being victimized on seeking help and recovering from the trauma of these experiences. We want to remind them that their bodies are also precious. The tour will make 9 stops over 6 days as per the schedule below. In each location, a mini rally will be held in which Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow and other inspirational speakers hope to inspire the young ladies in attendance to see their true value and cherish their bodies.

HURRICANE AT HALLOWEEN, Hattie in 1961
Just as the residents of British Honduras were starting to breathe a sigh of relief because the 1961 hurricane season would soon be ending, a powerful Category 5 hurricane named Hattie hit Central America on Halloween. The Atlantic hurricane season in 1961 officially began on June 15 and ended on October 31. Unlike the hurricane which devastated British Honduras in September of 1931 and killed over 2000 persons, eleven years previous to Hattie Atlantic tropical cyclones began to be given names; and three years later in 1953 were first given female names. Janet was therefore the first ‘female’ to hit the country in 1955 when it made landfall in the north. Hattie’s appearance in 1961 was the second female-named hurricane to make landfall in the country; and packing winds in excess of 150 miles per hour was unprecedented until hurricane Mitch in 1998.

HBHS Animal Clinic
They had a very successful weekend of free spay and neuter clinics, seeing 100's of dogs and cats. Shelly Marin got some great pictures of the doctors and their clients. Thanks to all that made this happen! "Exhausted but happy after a busy Spay and Neutre day in San Ignacio. Thanks to Clara Lee Arnold, Hopkins Humane Society and Humberto Wohlers and with the largest amount of Drs in one single clinic so far: Drs. Edwardo Tesecum, Mia Canton, Jorge Lopez, Isabelle Paquet-Durand, Angela Gimmel, Jennifer Riley and Kelly Schmitz. About 100 dogs and cats were seen, dewormed, treated and operated today. Now we gather up again to go get ready for one more day tomorrow."

Team Belize Visited Basketball Showcase
Feelgood news of the day. Earlier this year, a group of Belizean students were able to attend the Lebron James basketball showcase in Akron, Ohio. They had a great time, and learned some valuable lessons, before heading back to Belmopan. "Belize is a small Central-American nation located on the Carribean Sea to the southeast of Mexico. A coastal nation of less than 350,000 people, you would think that the basketball talent pool would be quite minimal. Though Belize is not quite known for it’s basketball talent on the world stage just yet, a team of high-schoolers were able to make the trip up to Akron, Ohio this spring to showcase their talent in the King James Classic – LeBron’s annual showcase for young talent and collegiate scouts. Though they came motivated to make a name for themselves in the USA, they left with an even stronger message to bring home with them to inspire others in their country."

National Bartender Competition
Benqueño Andres Ponce took 2nd place at Traveller's National Bartender Competition. The 3 drinks he created at the event were a Kumquat Caipirinha, a Pitaya and Mango layered Ru-a-Rita, and his slippery banana mystery drink. He is been the senior bartender at Chaa Creek. Congratulations, Andres!

Free Spay and Neuter Clinic
The BWRC, along with the Paws animal clinic and the Hopkins Belize Humane Society, are offering free spaying and neutering today at the Santiago Juan layout. "In conjunction with PAWS clinic and Belize Wildlife referral Clinic- free spay/neuter clinic coming to san Ignacio."

Road condition in Corozal from junction of Copper Bank
Oct 27th - Road condition in Corozal from junction of Copper Bank - Progresso Road - Saltillos - Pueblo Nuevo Ferry. Exercise caution when travelling these areas especially at night!

Saint Francis Xavier Primary School Inducts New Scout Members
Today a very important activity took place at the Saint Francis Xavier Primary School in Corozal Town as the students and faculty of the institution were honored with the visit of the Governor General himself Sir Colville Young. But this was no ordinary visit, the G.G travelled to Corozal for the second Investiture Ceremony of Scout and Cub members of the 13 Corozal Saint Francis Xavier Scout Group. Group Scouts Leader, Valdomir Catzim, told us that the 13 Corozal Saint Francis Xavier Scout Group plays an important role in the development of the school and the community itself. The group, we understand, has assisted several organizations in their activities to raise funds. Members have also always been at the forefront of the schools activities.

Dental Health Week Comes To An End With Video Competition
Eight students will receive prizes for their brave participation in a one of kind video competition held by the dental department of the Northern Regional Hospital. The video competition was planned in line with the celebration of Dental Health Week celebrated under the theme; “Brush and Floss Everyday and Keep Cavities Away”. Four primary schools from the Orange Walk District participated in the competition as two of their students submitted their video. Out of the eight submissions, only three came out as the winners of the competition, however, everyone single participant won a prize. Selecting the winner was very difficult for the judges since all the videos were at par.

Shop Till You Drop With Grace
Imagine getting the opportunity to shop till you drop even if means shopping for one particular product. Sounds exciting right? Well, this morning one lucky Grace Kennedy customer from Orange Walk had the opportunity of a lifetime as she won a Wheelbarrow Shopping Spree. Meaning that she was allowed to grab Grace Kennedy Products off the shelves of S.P Store for free. Mine you; she only had five minutes to do so. Here is how Consuelo Tuyul did. Irvin Aragon – Reporting Consuleo Tuyul makes the wheelbarrow shopping spree look easy right? But in realty it’s not, yet the difficulty of the game was the last thing on Tuyul’s mind as she ran down the aisles of S.P Supermarket and filled her cart with strictly Grace Products.

MCHS Holds First Time Ever Mega Alumni Mixer
In commemoration of their 60th anniversary, Muffles College High School held a Mega Alumni Mixer last night. Since its inception in 1953, Muffles College High School has been providing quality and exceptional education to its students. The achievements of the institution to date are countless and as student enrolment grows, so do the challenges. But that aside, last night’s reunion served two purposes. Maria Johnston, Principal, Muffle College High School “We had Alumni Mixer, it is a first of its kind in Belize for a high school to be inviting the graduates to just get together and to mingle and to reconnect with the school.”

P.M Pulls A Fast One On The Media
Yesterday we reported on the ongoing corruption that is stirring up in the Immigration Scandal where another Minister namely, Edmund Castro is being accused of facilitating over 200 Visas for Chinese Nationals at two thousand dollars each. If you do the Math, that’s 400 thousand dollars in a span of 5 months from October 2012 to March 2013. And while his name is making the rounds in the media headlines, a telephone interview provided by our colleagues at 7News revealed that Castro categorically denied having taken any bribes or facilitated any transaction of visas. It’s a very disturbing accusation and a growing pain for the Prime Minister, Dean Barrow, who returned to Belize today from his somewhat personal and business trip to Los Angeles.

Broad Daylight Robbery Turns Deadly, Yo Creek Resident Is Murdered
A broad daylight robbery turned to murder today claiming the life of 61 year old delivery truck driver, Jorge Blanco, from the Village of Yo Creek in the Orange Walk District who was traveling back home to Orange Walk after a day of business in the city. The incident happened near the village of Sand Hill in the Belize District, at mile nineteen on the Philip Goldson Highway to be exact. Our news team comprised of Maria Novelo and Cameraman Jesus Melgar has the story. Maria Novelo – Reporting This pool of blood on the Philip Goldson Highway marks the spot where 61 year old Jorge Blanco laid mortally wounded. The Yo Creek resident and father of 3 was returning from Belize City around midday today driving a truck accompanied by his employers, Abraham Penner and his two sons of Shipyard Village. And in just a few seconds as they crossed this pedestrian ramp in Sandhill, tragedy struck. It is alleged that the culprits robbed Blanco and his travelling mates of almost ten thousand dollars in cash that was contained in a bag. Abraham Penner told us what he witnessed.

Caye Caulker Chronicles

Caye Caulker Chronicles is looking for help
Caye Caulker Chronicles is looking for someone who is willing to volunteer their time with keeping the Caye Caulker Chronicles up to date. Anyone interested can email [email protected] for more information. (Caye Caulker Residents Only)

Blogs

It was another great Halloween in San Pedro
We started out at Pedro’s Hotel annual pimp n ho party for some live music with the Cover Ups, this is always a good party to start the night before heading into town. As I mentioned in my Rainy day Belize City shopping post, I was in it to win it for a prize and I walked away with a $100 gift certificate for Red Ginger Restaurant at the Phoenix Resort. That was a great way to start the night and as soon as the prizes were handed out we all headed to town for the main event. Every year Caprice Bar at the Holiday Hotel hosts the island’s biggest Halloween bash and costume competition, it’s always guaranteed to be a good time. As always the famous red carpet was rolled out for the party and the street was packed with people watching the costumes arrive. DJ Dzl kept the crowd dancing and the bartenders were super busy all night long.

2013 Halloween in San Pedro, Belize is HUGE Once Again – Plan for Next Year
If you are a fan of Halloween or just amazing parties, San Pedro Belize is the place for you to celebrate the holiday. As always, the biggest party is at the down town Holiday Hotel and this year, the costumes were as elaborate and creative as ever. The intermittent rain did not keep the crowds away. I honestly don’t know why this town is not FLOODED with tourists at the end of October. It totally should be. Holiday Hotel is the HUGE party but there are many many more. Halloween Belize style is the real deal. My buddy GingerScoop (this time aka Princess Fiona of the Shrek group) attended the big bash and took some amazing pics for me. Check them out… Kevin and Krista look amazing.Jackie and Adam of Casa Picasso…a real life Yin and Yang.

Chaa Creek Congratulates Andres Ponce
The Management of The Lodge at Chaa Creek takes this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Andres Ponce for winning 2nd Place in the National Bartender Competition that was held in Belize City on October 25th 2013. According to Andres, he had to prepare three signature drinks to secure the 2nd place position. The drinks he created were:A tropical Ru a Rita which was layered with Pitaya and Mango, a Kumquat Caipirinha which is named Katryna and a Mmystery drink with slippery banana and ancient barrel. The competition was sponsored by Travellers Liquor, Smart and Tropi Gas. Andres has been working at Chaa Creek for the past two years as a senior bartender.

Heavy rainfall causing localized flooding
The National Emergency Management Organization hereby informs the general public that heavy rainfall from a cold front that’s passing over the Yucatan is causing localized flooding across certain parts of the country. This is expected to continue within the next 48 hours. NEMO is monitoring and responding to the affected areas. CAYO DISTRICT Roaring Creek is rising fast and will likely flood the Roaring Creek Bridge and low-lying areas in the village of Roaring Creek. In Arizona, Teakettle at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Friday 25TH October 2013 the Teakettle Creek rose and flooded out which affected about eight families. Maya Mopan, Belmopan is experiencing flooding which has affected several families. The Belmopan City Council deployed a team to provide assistance to people. - See more at: http://bigmedicine.ca/wordpress/2013/10/belize-heavy-rainfall-causing-localized-flooding/#sthash.bjy5Wfvh.dpuf

International Sources

Calamity Calling: A GlobalPost investigation into global climate change
Forget the debate over climate change. Calamity is already upon us. A yearlong GlobalPost investigation assesses the damage from the Amazon, to Africa, to the Gobi, Greenland and beyond. Listen carefully to what the world's climate experts are saying. Their latest report on global climate change is — quite literally — a list of climatic calamities. Here's a sample, with italics added for emphasis: "Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, and since the 1950s many of the observed changes are unprecedented over decades to millennia." "Each of the last three decades has been successively warmer at the Earth’s surface than any preceding decade since 1850. In the Northern Hemisphere, 1983–2012 was likely the warmest 30-year period of the last 1,400 years." We've also examined the impact of climate change on coastal regions and sea life, including the disappearing beaches of the Mexican tourist mecca of Cancun and the dying coral reefs off the coast of Belize.

October 27, 2013

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

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

The San Pedro Sun

Meet your National AIDS Commission Island Committee members
My name is Auxiliadora Ugarte, better known as “Chila”, and I have been living in Caye Caulker for the past 27 years. Originally from Nicaragua, I came to Belize to learn English. I fell in love with Belize and eventually called this lovely country my home. I have 2 daughters and also the owner of Chila’s Cabin Rental. I enjoy dancing, hanging with friends and most of all socializing. After graduating from college, Iimmediately became an employee of the Ministry of Education (MED) in Nicaragua as an Assistant in Administration. After a year, I was promoted to the Human Resource Department after which I became the Chairperson for 4 years.

Grand Re-Opening of Shell One Stop Orange Walk Service Station
The eagerly anticipated re-opening of the tastefully renovated Shell One Stop Service Station in Orange Walk Town took place on Thursday October 24, 2013 at 10:00 AM on location at Belize-Corozal Road. Customers are invited to join in the festivities, and take advantage of special giveaways to mark the occasion, including vouchers for free fuel which will be given to selected winners throughout the day. The popular service station which provides vital services to customers of Orange Walk Town has undergone extensive renovations to its convenience store, which now features an upgraded forecourt, canopy and dispensers.

Weekly Police Report
*Acting on anonymous information, San Pedro Police conducted a house search in the Boca Del Rio area on Thursday, October 17th at around 3:45PM; present at the house was Honduran National, Vilma Esperansa Castro. Upon searching the house in a room adjacent to the bedroom, officers discovered a large amount of drugs under some clothes on a table. Police also discovered documents belonging to 29 year old Hector Lopez. *On Wednesday, October 16th, while conducting a police patrol in the San Pedrito area, San Pedro police drew their attention to a suspicious person. The person was later identified as 25 year old Jermaine Moody. According to police, Moody disposed of a transparent plastic bag, which he had pulled out of his pocket, into a blue garbage bin. On Friday, October 18th at around 5:45PM the San Pedro police conducted a house search on the house of Nelson Acosta of San Mateo area. Present at the house while the search was being conducted was Glenda Estrada. While searching the house, police discovered 26 single packs of Custom Elite Cigarettes. These cigarettes are illegal items under the Belize Custom Law.On October 22nd, at about 3:06pm 64 year old Timothy Joe Younkin, retired American National and a naturalized Belizean presently living with his wife Jean Ann Younkin at Mile 2, North of San Pedro Town reported that on September 2nd, 2013, sometime around 8:30AM they left to the U.S.A leaving their doors and windows properly secured. He stated that they returned back to Belize on Saturday, October 19th, at around 5:00PM on Sunday October 20th, his wife discovered that their blue (12x14x8”deep) lock box which was inside the guest bedroom and contained US$2,000 and BZ$500 in cash, was missing. 19-year-old Nelson Rhaburn, maintenance worker presently residing on Pescador Drive San Pedro reported that on Wednesday October 23rd, between 3:30AM and 4:00AM while on Pescador Drive assisting a friend to his house at above location, he was approached by two male persons, one of whom was armed with a handgun which was placed in his mouth while the other male person robbed from him his Camel bag valued at $250.00BZ, a wallet valued at $65.00US containing $250 cash.

Misc Belizean Sources

CROC ALERT
San Pablo canals. There is a very large crocodile cruising your area looking for a meal. The croc is believed to be a repeat offender (dog eater) that was relocated and has returned. ACES will be in the area today to scout and try to catch it for identification. If it is the croc we think it is, it will be placed in captivity. If you see a croc in the San Pablo area over 10 ft please call Vince at 631-6366.

Hawksworth Bridge
Low Lying Bridge entrance to San Ignacio submerged but receding. One entrance/ exit Hawksworth Bridge. (4 photos)

Hawksworth Bridge
San Ignacio - Low lying bridge, entrance to/from the twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena submerged by flooding from the Macal River but receding. One entrance/exit Hawksworth Bridge - See the level of water on the "No Entry" - Oct 26th

Iguana Creek
The bridge spanning the Belize River at Iguana Creek was submerged earlier today.

Teakettle village
This is the river flooding in Teakettle village. The photo is taken in front of Dream Valley Jungle Lodge.

Macal River
This is what the Macal River in San Ignacio town looked like at dawn today.

Sister City relations
Sister City relations signed yesterday between Chetumal, MX and Belize. In a warm ceremony, the Mayor of Othon P. Blanco, Eduardo Espinosa Abuxapqui, officially endorsed sister city relations between Belize City and San Pedro Ambergris Caye, with the aim of strengthening exchanges in culture, education, tourism, economy and health. In attendance at the ceremonies were members of the council of Othon P. Blanco and special invited guests. The Mayor of Chetumal handed the signed framed letters of formal sister city relations to Mayor Daniel Guerrero of San Pedro Belize and Manuel Heredia, Minister of Culture and Tourism of Belize City, who represented Mayor of Belize City, Darrel Bradley in his absence. "We want to preserve our mutual feelings of peace and friendship we share among our cities and two countries. We have as the new generation of Belizeans and Chetumaleños to keep this relationship and fraternity alive" said Mayor Eduardo Espinosa Abuxapqui.

Belize Cancer Society-Corozal Walk
Corozalenos showed their never ending support to the Belize Cancer Society-Corozal Branch! Despite the heavy rain the cancer walk was on. Kudos to Dr. Melanie Grange for heading the event!

Blogs

The rain did not keep the crowds away from Casa Picasso
It was totally worth going out in the rain the rain last night for Casa Picasso Restaurant season re-opening and birthday celebration. Chef ‘s Ben, Chap Ross, Lena Ac and Sheldon Baptist cooked up some tasty food in vast quantities, over 600 appetizer bites in two hours. I told Leisa it was better than a wet dream having servers walking around the restaurant continuously feeding you sinfully good and artfully made appetizers for two hours. The beef wellington, roasted beets with goat cheese, and pork were the talk of the night and none of the appetizers stayed on the plates long. For dessert, Chef Amy Knox of Wild Mango’s made a spectacular and delicious Picasso inspired cake. Thanks Jackie and Adam and the entire Casa Picasso team for a fun and very delicious evening. It is worth stopping by to check out Casa Picasso’s tempting new menu, cocktails and martinis. To make a reservation, call call 226-4443 or 671-2326. Casa Picasso offers complimentary pick up and drop off from anywhere south of the bridge in San Pedro Town area.

Rainy day Belize City shopping
Onto the real reason for my trip, I was looking for some fun edgy shoes for Halloween so I had Jeff drop me off near Brodies. I hit about 10 stores and unfortunately struck out, nothing I saw was quite right. All was not lost though, I got big silver hoop earnings that I could not find in San Pedro and I scored on vitamins at Brodies pharmacy. They have a large selection of Good N Natural and Sundown Naturals. 5 bottles of various stuff cost me $71.71 bzd including a mysterious $7.90 discount and all of them were well within their expiry date by a year or two. As for my costume I decided to wear my red and black patent boots from last year, nothing I saw beat them and I am in to win it for a prize at the annual Pimp n Ho pre party at Pedro’s. While my outfit will be good, I would have to go all out to compete $1000 grand prize at the Holiday Hotel. People really do a spectacular job on their costumes for that one and it is worth going to see even if you do not dress up, people line the street just to watch the Red Carpet entrances.

Belikin Beer Belize Scoop: A New Brew Coming, One Retired and A Chance to Win a Signed 2014 Calendar!
At the risk of sounding like a total cornball, I had one amazing amazing day yesterday. Belikin, THE beer of Belize, invited me to a luncheon to meet the ladies of the very popular 2014 Calendar and to see that calendar unveiled to them for the very first time. Cool on its own but get this… It all took place at Belikin’s brewery in Ladyville, in the beautiful brewery taproom and finished with a tour of the facilities. And then an evening party at the Princess Casino and Hotel in Belize City with DJs, the ladies all glammed up and signing the calendars, a good sized group of US soldiers and much of the Who’s Who of Belize City. Let me just put it this way. I wore a dress for the second time in my 7 years in Belize.

How to get from San Ignacio Belize to Hopkins Village Belize
Catch the bus in the San Ignacio city center bound for Belmopan. Cost $3bze per person. 1 – 1.5 hours Transfer buses in the Belmopan station bound for dangeinga. Cost $6 bze per person. This leg of the journey is one of the most scenic as it winds you through the cloud covered mountains. 1.5 hour ride. Transfer buses at Dangriga bound for Hopkins Village Note: make sure the bus will go into the town of Hopkins, if not you will be left off 4 miles out side of town on a dirty road. Currently only two buses per day make this trip at 10:15am and 5 pm from Dangriga. Tip: enjoy the ride and sample some of the vendor’s treats that hop on and off your buses. Most food is safe especially the dried goods like one of my favorite fried plantain chips. There are also a number of other snacks and breads. If there would be anything I would avoid is any pre-packed meals containing meats and cheeses as you don’t really know how long they have been out in the Belizean heat. If you can see where they are made or if it is made to order you should be alright.

Mennonite Gurls A'ken Cook: It's a Peece o'Cake!
I thunk I’d use thishere Saturdee post ta share sum simple cake deceratyun' tips wit y'all. Birthdays air a speshul time fer kids…

International Sources

Martinique Commits Huge Sums For Carifta Games
Martinique says it will spend more than €500,000 (J$70 million) to stage the 2014 Carifta Games in its country. The announcement comes six months after the Eastern Caribbean French-speaking island was awarded the games, at the Carifta Congress in The Bahamas. Addressing the media at the recent State of the Industry Conference at the Madiana Palais des Congres Convention Centre in Fort-de-France, Susan Garcia, the woman in charge of Caribbean International Affairs, Martinique Athletics, said the government and private sector collaboration would cover the funding needed to stage the event. Making reference to the likes of Jamaica's Usain Bolt, Merlene Ottey, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Aleen Bailey and Antigua's Kim Collins - who started their road to fame on the Carifta track - she promised that the vanguard junior athletics competition will be the best Carifta of the century. "Our main objective is quite simple: making this, the best." Her only concern she said was the glaring absence of Belize from the games over the past few years. "We are making a call for Belize to become a part of the games. Belize has not been coming for a number of years, we want all Carifta nations this year."

A MARATHON DRIVE FOR BELIZE KIDS
The ING New York City Marathon returning – and so is the annual Belize Toys for Tots Drive and New York City Marathon Breakfast Brunch. On Nov. 3, when the five-borough race makes its comeback after being sidelined in the aftermath of superstorm Sandy, members of the of Belway Inc. will be collecting new Christmas toys for needy children in Belize. The collection and the breakfast will be held at 436 Fourth Ave. (between Eighth and Ninth Sts.) starting at 9 a.m. The brunch ends at 2 p.m. Donated toys must be unwrapped and appropriate for children between of one and 13 years old. The toys can be dropped off at the Fourth Ave. location through Dec. 14. For information, call F. Richard (Butch) Fairweather at (718) 768-8370

Wolgemuth 50th
The children of John and Thelma Wolgemuth are blessed to celebrate their parent's 50 years of marriage with them. They married on October 12 at Chicques Brethren Church, Manheim. The golden anniversary was commemorated with a trip to Ambergris Caye, Belize in July with the entire 26 member family. Grandma and Grandpa led the way enjoying snorkeling with sharks and rays, zip-lining, cave-tubing, ocean kayaking and hanging out by the pool.

Lonely Planet's top 10 best overseas family holiday destinations
3. BELIZE Whether you're looking for a beach to sit on, or much more (particularly as kids get past six or seven), Belize is an affordable Caribbean trip that is a boon for families. It's compact, cheap and nearly everyone speaks English. There's super wildlife to see - growler monkeys and crocodiles by land, sea turtles and (harmless) nurse sharks by mask and snorkel - plus kids can learn the drums on the beach. In the interior there's still more fun in the water, with underground rivers to tube, jungle lodges on swimming holes and Mayan ruins reached by boat. Cabanas, often with kitchenette, cost around $US50 ($A52) a night at the beach/dive centre of Placencia, a couple hours south of Belize City.

Today in History - Oct. 27
In 1998, Hurricane Mitch cut through the western Caribbean, pummeling coastal Honduras and Belize; the storm caused several thousand deaths in Central America in the days that followed.

Living Overseas on Your 401K
According to Fidelity Investments in 2012, those aged 55 and older had an average balance of $143,300 in their 401k account. But is this enough to retire on? Maybe not in the U.S., but retiring overseas can be much more affordable than retiring in the U.S. The Qualified Retired Persons Program (QRP) in Belize gives retirees an exemption from tax on all income derived from sources outside of Belize. To qualify you must just prove that you can deposit $24,000 a year to a bank in Belize done in one deposit or spread out monthly.

October 26, 2013

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

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

The San Pedro Sun

Three Belizeans appointed to the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
On Wednesday October 23rd, three Belizean men were appointed to the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for their outstanding and selfless service to their communities. Frank Alexander Lizama and Colville Ludwig Young Jr. were both appointed Order of the British Empire: Mr. Lizama for his contribution to art, education and politics and Mr. Young for his contribution to education and music. Receiving the insignia for Member of the British Empire was Norman Samuel Elburt Hamilton for his contribution to music. The appointments were announced in June 2013 as a part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Ambergris Caye makes final preparations to celebrate Youth Week
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports are gearing up for National Youth Week 2013. The activities are being celebrated under the national theme, “Our Voice, Our Impact.” The ministry, working with the Department of Youth Services (DYS) has planned several activities for the islands of Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye from the 3rd to the 9th of November. The activities will kick off on Sunday, November 3rd with a Youth Ecumenical Service at the Rafael Angel Nuñez Auditorium. The service will be conducted by a Youth Pastor and will include inspirational gospel music as well as life changing youth testimonies. There will also be a bicycle race starting at the Boca del Rio Park at 1PM. A three-day Cultural Music Workshop will also start at 2PM at Central Park which is being coordinated with the assistance of the San Pedro Branch of the National Garifuna Council. During the workshop the participants will choreograph a performance that will be presented at the National Youth Award ceremony later in the week.

GOB to invest $50 million for water and sewer expansion for northern Ambergris Caye
The Government of Belize is planning to invest $50 million in the Belize Water Service Limited for an expansion project that will see water and sewer services introduced to northern Ambergris Caye. The announcement was made by both San Pedro Town Mayo Daniel Guerrero and Belize Rural South Area Representative Manuel Heredia Jr. during a consultation meeting on Tuesday, November 22nd at the San Pedro Lions Den. The two political leaders made the announcement in response to two questions raised about the island’s waste management at a public consultation regarding the Ambergris Caye Land Use Development Plan which is a project under the Sustainable Tourism Project. “Having the proper infrastructure is very essential as this island grows. There is a $50 million investment for the expansion and infrastructural development of the water and sewer system for the north of the island which will be forthcoming next year. This has been in the planning stage for some years now, and we are finally pleased to say it has been approved as a project proposal.

Baile de la Cabeza Del Cochino: The Hogs Head Dance
The Hog Head or Cabeza Del Cochino is one of the liveliest traditions in the Mestizo culture that is still practiced today. The tradition of the Cabeza Del Cochino is that it is held at a festival as a sign of a productive year. The hog’s head signifies wealth and health for the family that is giving the offering. This tradition is still practiced today in several villages in the Northern District of Belize and is done using the same simple ways as their ancestors did before. The head of the hog is usually bought at the farmers market, then cleaned and seasoned to taste. It is then wrapped in plantain leaves and secured with the veins of plantain stems. The hogs head is placed in a large cast iron pot known as “el caldero” and placed over a fire hearth. Some people have adapted to the modern ways of baking in an oven with all the traditional fixings, but to ensure the consistency that has been passed on from one generation to another, the best way is still via the fire hearth. Once the head is cooked, it is removed from the pot and the plantain leaves are taken off. The head is then roasted over the fire for half an hour to ensure that the brains are cooked properly.

Ambergris Today

United Nations Day Commemorated in Belize
United Nations Day marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the United Nations Charter and a day that we take to reflect on the contribution of our organization and its staff to the development and wellbeing of the people of Belize. This year, 2013, we are proud of the renewed partnership of the United Nations and its agencies, funds and programs, highlighted by the launch of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) 2013 – 2016 that was signed with the Government of Belize in 2012. The priority areas for our continued support are: •Human rights with equity, equality and non-discrimination •Economic and social well-being, citizen security and justice •Environmental and natural resource management, disaster risk reduction and climate change •Democratic governance

San Pedro RC School All Saints Day Fair
The San Pedro RC School All Saints' Day Fair is here once again. The event will take place on Friday, November 1, 2013 starting at 5:00 p.m. at the School Grounds. So come on out and support the RC School fund raiser event. Lots to eat and drink! great raffles and fun games for all!

Misc Belizean Sources

NEMO PUBLIC ADVISORY
DATE: Friday 25th, October 2013 TIME: 11:45 a.m. The National Emergency Management Organization hereby informs the general public that heavy rainfall from a cold front that’s passing over the Yucatan is causing localized flooding across certain parts of the country. This is expected to continue within the next 48 hours. NEMO is monitoring and responding to the affected areas.

John Greerand his efforts in keeping La Isla Bonita clean
Mayor Daniel Guerrero and Councilor Carlos Barrientos presented an award of recognition to Mr. John Greer, on behalf of the people of San Pedro, for his efforts in keeping La Isla Bonita clean. Mr. Greer and his team currently cleaned approximately 7 miles up north from Robles to El Secreto Resort and gathered up to 30-35 tons of garbage. Mr. Greer occasionally cleans different areas in town as well. Thank You Mr. Greer!

San Pedro sailors Gorge Olivarez and Jerdon Anderson
San Pedro sailors Gorge Olivarez and Jerdon Anderson represent Belize as they compete against 40 other sailors in Bacalar, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico this weekend. The San Pedro Sailing Club thanks Tropic Air for flying the kids to Corozal, and Menzies for shuttling them to Chetumal, James Ritchie of Captain Shark's for providing 2 new life jackets for the sailors, and of course, Graham Verralls (Caribbean Villas) for his incredible support to the sailing club that has led to this venture!

ABC Preschool Party
Don't miss out on this super cute Halloween fun at ABC Preschool today!

MCHS Educators Embrace Environment
Feelgood news of the day. Mount Carmel High School faculty and students took a day to plant some trees in the neighborhood. "On October 15,2011, 34 Royal Palm Trees were planted by teachers and students of MCHS. Event planned by the ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB."

Cayo Cancer Walk Postponed
The Cancer Walk from Esperanza to the Cayo Welcome Center will be postponed until next weekend due to weather. "Guys we had to postpone the walk due to incremented bad weather. Please see the details below. We encourage everyone to make all efforts to join us next Saturday same time, same place"

Cayo Scoop Halloween Cup
The Cayo Scoop Halloween Cup 9 Ball tournament is happening tomorrow at Mom's Backyard. We'll have trophies for 1st and 2nd place this time. Call 620-1242 for more information. "Mom's Backyard presents CAYO SCOOP HALLOWEEN CUP, Single-Man 9 Ball Tournament on October 26th & 27th at 11 a.m. Sharp.. REGISTRATION FEE: $25.00.. Race to Five Double Elimination PRIZES: 1st & 2nd Place Trophies plus Cash Prize, 3rd Place 1 Case Belikin Beer. (Note: Players should register by Friday, October 25th at Mom's or by Contacting 620-1242 or 626-4519) Remember, to be the man; you got to beat the man!"

VACANCY - Belize Social Investment Fund (SIF)

2nd Corozal Scout and Cub Scout investiture ceremonies
Sir Colville Norbert Young, GCMG, MBE, the Governor General of Belize, and also patron of the Scout Association of Belize and Spouse: Lady Norma Young were special guests at the 2nd Corozal Scout and Cub Scout investiture ceremonies held at 10:00 this morning at the St. Francis Xavier Primary School. Scout leaders from our neighbouring city of Chetumal, Mexico were also invited guests.

Corozal: Deep ravine on the Ferry Road
Emil Cano, Work Supervisor at the Ministry of Works in Ranchito confirmed to the Corozal Daily this afternoon that his Ministry will be fixing a deep ravine on the Ferry Road on Monday Oct 28th. Vehicles, especially small cars should exercise extreme caution when approaching this ravine which falls about 300-400 yards before the ferry on the Corozal/Ferry Road. We did not attempt to cross the ravine as it seemed treacherous for our small vehicle. Additionally, Mr. Cano informed us that the road leading from the Chunox ferry to the village has been repaired and is now accessible. The road from the Pueblo Nuevo Ferry to Saltillos which is the junction to Progresso and Cooper Bank will be graded and fixed beginning Monday Oct 25th. Once that road is completed, then the road from the Pueblo Nuevo Ferry to Corozal Town will be repaired, weather permitting. There are a couple of trouble spots on Ferry Road but this ravine has cut across it making impossible to cross with a small car. Without a 4x4, we were unable to reach to the ferry going up from town. Ministry of Works stated to the Corozal Daily this afternoon that this spot will be fixed Monday Oct 28th

Channel 7

Back From LA, PM Takes A Cue From Dodgers, Avoids Press At PGIA
Remember how the Prime Minister was in Los Angeles? Well, he must have learned a thing or two from the LA Dodgers! 'Cause that's just what he did today - dodged the press. The entire media, six TV News stations, along with radio and print - were waiting at the airport, on what was a very unusual day at the PGIA. Unusual because for the first time in memory, the gate was rolled out at the entrance - and every vehicle coming in was stopped and questioned about their business at the airport. This barrier is usually only activated at night and we've only rarely seen it in the day - such as on occasions when foreign leaders visit. But the barrier wasn't for the press, we were let in without any problem. The mood suggests that the barrier was put up to prevent any trouble that may have been started with a protest led by Rufus X at the airport junction. But, guess what? That protest never even happened. Rufus called it off this morning, but still the security forces were in high alert.

King On Castro: Maybe, Maybe Not
Of course, after all that bragging, the PM didn't face the press today, but the casual nature in which new elections are glibly discussed in public is certainly something to take note of. And that's because the UDP has put Cayo Northeast into play by abandoning Elvin Penner - and now, Belize Rural North's Edmund Castro is under intense scrutiny because a whistleblower who hustled visas has emerged to claim she paid Castro hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes in just a few months. We stress Castro has emphatically denied taking any bribe, but he hasn't denied signing a letter recommending visas for the woman. He is still in Miami, but yesterday via telephone he told us, yes he signed, but no he didn't take any money. Jules Vasquez "You have had a meeting with someone and you recommend her for some visas." Hon. Edmund Castro "Yes." Jules Vasquez "Do you recall how many it was?" Hon. Edmund Castro "There is no way in the neighborhood of 20, 30 or 40 nor 200 - no way." Jules Vasquez "Only on one occasion?"

Cargo Truck Driver Killed By Robbers At Speedbump
And turning away from politics now, there is a murder to report tonight. A 61 year old driver from Yo Creek was killed today in a ruthless roadside robbery. George Blanco was driving with his boss, who is a meat wholesaler from Shipyard, when a gunman seized upon the vehicle in Sandhill. Jules Vasquez found out what happened next:.. Jules Vasquez reporting Four men were in this Cargo truck when it passed the last speed-bump in Sandhill near the Old Northern Highway Junction. That's when a gunman on the left side of the road shot the driver, 61 year old George Blanco - while a man with a knife came up on the right. The driver fell over the wheel dead, and the vehicle veered off the road. Abraham Penner was sleeping behind the driver. Abraham Penner "I just heard like a tire blow out and by the time I heard that the man said stop and give me all the money, if not I will kill all of you. My brother and my father jump out the other door and the gunman opened the driver's door and driver dropped out because he was dead and then I jumped out and he (the gun man) said give me all the money. I lay down and I pull out my wallet and after that the two guys; one with a knife and the other with a gun....."

Customs Cashier To Court, Almost Gets Remanded
LAST NIGHT, WE told you about the Customs cashier who allegedly ran a scam with Customs money. Well, police say that the officer is Ashley Smith, and she was taken to court today on charges of theft. As we told you, Smith was recently transferred to the cashier's section after being employed with Customs for 7 years. Sometime between August 30 and September 26, she allegedly stole $4,966 from the government purse. Police say that she did it by taking cash from customs receipts and then reimbursing the missing money with bogus checks so that the books would balance out at the end of the day. As we told you, the checks allegedly came from her brother's company's check book, which he claims was stolen. Late this evening, she was arraigned in Magistrate's Court on the charge of theft, and she was granted bail of $10,000. A few minutes before the closure of the clerk's section - which would have forced Smith to be remanded for the weekend - her family and friends arranged for a bail bondsman to cover the amount, and she was released. She did her best to dodge the media, where she dove into a car which drove off immediately.

MIT Gets One Kilo At the Benque Border
Last night we told you about the Guatemalan car with drugs that was intercepted at the Western Border. Information was sketchy at news time because the bust was made at 4:30pm and the search of the car was ongoing. Well tonight, the Mobile Interdiction Team is reporting that their K-9 officer named "Toonje" sniffed something illegal in the rear of the car. A search was conducted and it led to the discovery of one 1 Kilo of cocaine stuffed beneath the right rear passenger seat. Occupants of the vehicle were 23 year old Robin Danilo Carias Veliz, an unemployed of San Luis, Guatemala and 23 year old Jonathan Gregorio Adolfo Chacon Sandoval, an unemployed of Chiquimula, Guatemala. Both were arrested and charged for Drug Trafficking. They appeared in San Ignacio Magistrate Court today. Jonathan Sandoval pleaded guilty and was fined one hundred thousand dollars plus a five dollar cost of court and sentenced to 3 years of Imprisonment. Robin Veliz pleaded not guilty and was remanded until December 20th, 2013.

NTUCB Says Full Steam Ahead With CWU Congress
Tomorrow, elements of the Christian Workers Union will push forward with a national congress and they will do so with the blessing, support and financing of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize. The NTUCB Executive held a meeting last night where they decided that the October 26th promise must proceed as planned, no matter who doesn't like it. They followed that meeting with an unusual 9:00 pm press briefing at the PSU Office on Kut Avenue in Belize City and 7News was there. 2nd. Vice President Marvin Mora explained why they must push ahead: Marvin Mora, 2nd VP - NTUCB "We as a congress have a responsibility to open up the avenues to facilitate the process for those members who need the change, who want the change. We call on the membership of the CWU, we are asking them for them to come out this Saturday to go to Birds Isle where it will be held so that they can really put their house in order." Adelaida Guerra, 1st VP - NTUCB "He knows what he agreed upon and he has faltered to every bit of what he agree to do."

President Pitta?
But the office Christian Workers Union today sent out a release urging members not to attend the meeting, in spite of what the NTUCB says. The release says, quote, "The CWU reiterates that it has not sanctioned or authorized any meeting or Congress for 26thOctober, 2013. The Union calls on all members not to attend any unauthorized meeting." End quote. It closes, "The Congress...shall be held in February 2014 and emphatically not on the 26thOctober, 2013." But this evening, the Stevedores and their advisors had even more emphasis when they denied allegation made by CWU President Antonio Gonzalez and General Secretary James McFoy. They told 7news that at last Friday's meeting of shop stewards, stevedores Deon Pitta and Raymond Rivers voted in favour of that February meeting. This evening Pitta and Rivers held a press conference along with their advisor where they flatly denied that: Jules Vasquez "According to Mr. Gonzalez and Mr. McFoy you all voted in favor of a February meeting. That's what they said." Deon "Ras" Pitta, candidate for CWU President "That's a lie"

Heavy Rains Bring High Waters
This morning NEMO sent out a press release warning about the effects of heavy rains from a cold front that is passing over the Yucatan. It has caused some flooding across certain parts of the country and according to NEMO, it is expected to continue in the next 48 hours. NEMO has been monitoring and responding to affected areas. This morning the Roaring Creek was rising fast, but up until this evening, water levels have receded under the Roaring Creek bridge and the bridge remains passable to vehicular traffic. This morning the North Stann Creek was 4 feet above and was falling at mile 20, 12 feet above at Hope Creek. The Mullins River was at 3 feet above normal and was rising. Cabbage Hay Creek was 5 feet abover normal and also was rising. The communities places on Flood watch this morning included, Sarawee, Hope Creek, Mullins River, Santa Rosa, San Roman and Georgetown.

Cowo to Court
22 year-old Alfredo Cowo, a resident of San Pedro is in jail tonight after he was taken to court for armed robbery. According to police, on Wednesday, Nelson Rhaburn was walking a friend home when an armed assailant ambushed him and held him at gunpoint. This man shoved the gun into his mouth and demanded that he hand over all his possessions. Fearing for his life, he gave the man his Camel bag, a brown wallet with $250 in cash, to a total value of $630. When the man attempted to flee, Rhaburn grabbed him and they ended up in a struggle. San Pedro Police officers who were alerted to scene, detained the assailant, identified as Cowo, and they retrieved the firearm from his hand, along with all the stolen items. It was discovered that the weapon was a .32 handgun, which was loaded with 3 live rounds. The officers arrested and charged Cowo with robbery, keeping an unlicensed firearm, and keeping unlicensed ammunition.

Caught Stealing On San Pedro
Tonight, 21 Edwin Flores and 18 Alvin Gonzalez, both residents of San Pedro, are at prison after they were taken to court for burglarizing a man's home and getting caught in the act. According to police, both men broke into Wilson Vivas's house on Wednesday, and they stole an assortment of clothes, a pair of tennis shoes, an Xbox gaming system - complete with peripherals and video game discs - to a total of $2,010. Police were alerted to the crime in progress, and they detained Flores, who was allegedly in possession of all the stolen items. Flores was arrested, and all the items were recovered. Investigators got information of a man matching Gonzalez's description, who was seen fleeing the scene of the burglary, so police arrested him also.

Saldivar Meets With Social Partners
On Wednesday, we showed you the fence-mending meeting UDP Public Accounts Committee member John Saldivar held with the churches. Well this afternoon at ITVET, he held a follow up session with a broader group including the Chamber, the Union, the Evangelical Association and the Council of Churches. SAldivar is trying to bring them all around to a suitable compromise after they criticized the UDP version of the PAC, calling it a charade. This evening Saldivar spoke said the mood of the meeting was cordial and he said he presented them with a proposal for the way forward:... Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of Police "We went over the proposal that was arrived at - at the meeting on Wednesday with the Council of Churches. We made that proposal to the other three social partners, discussed it, aired it out and they have asked for a few days to consider it." Reporter "Is there a clear road map on the way ahead?" Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of Polices "I believe so. I believe that the chamber and the unions have promised to get back to us by Wednesday of next week, as to whether they are comfortable or not, with the proposal that has come out of the meeting with the Council of Churches. After that then well decide on a way forward."

DRUG TRAFFICKING TO COURT...
Tonight, 27 year-old Kaylani Gentle, 30 year-old Marcella Vayes, 21 year-old Delia Martinez, 47 year-old Jose Moralez, and 24 year-old Pedro Campos are all at prison tonight after they were taken to court for trafficking in cocaine. At around 3:30 yesterday evening, San Pedro Police raided Captain Guts Bar looking for illegal drugs and firearms. All 5 defendants were present, when the officers found a red ashtray under the counter of the bar. It contained 20 small parcels of crack cocaine to a total weight of 1.47 grams. They were all arrested and charged with drug trafficking. Gentle was allegedly caught with a pipe and 0.17 grams of powdery cocaine inside a cigarette pack. She was additionally charged with possession of a controlled drug, and possession of pipe.

Courtney Goes International
4 weeks ago, 7News showed you Courtney Gillett and Cindy Burgos, Belizean violinists who were invited to participate in a 2 week residency of the Central American Youth Orchestra, which was held in Panama. Well, part of that experience was that a camera crew from an international press organization followed the members of the orchestra around as they did their normal practice routines. When they returned to their countries, this crew followed some of the members where they would observe how these musicians operate at home. As such, the crew is in Belize, and they're featuring Courtney Gillett as the representative, while they are here. The crew did an extended interview with Gillett, and afterwards, 7News spoke with her about the experience of having the cameras here to feature the Belizean talent in classical music. Here's what she told us: Courtney Gillett "It's a documentary that they had started while we were in Panama for the Central American Youth Orchestra and they are just featuring some of the musicians who took part in that orchestra. They traveled by bus to Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Salvador, and so on. They have been following us around, trying to see what we do here in our own country, how we make our own folk music. They're in Boom today trying to see what remnants of folk music is left in the village after so many years."

Channel 5

Whistleblower makes an official report on the visa hustle involving Edmund Castro
Prime Minister Dean Barrow finds himself in a conundrum tonight having returned to the country to face another major accusation of corruption in his administration. We will have what happened [...]

Prime Minister returns to the country…and dodges the media
Prime Minister Dean Barrow has been out of the country for more than a week – combining official and medical business. One day before he left the country, the PM [...]

Mark King says he doesn’t know what the hullabaloo is about
A group of U.D.P. supporters turned up to welcome PM Barrow home. They weren’t allowed past the barrier into the main airport area, but Minister of State Mark King was. [...]

Penner says he is to meet with PM early next week
Edmund “Clear the Land” Castro now shares the corruption spotlight with Elvin Penner, his comrade in the immigration shenanigans. Penner came back into the country from Guatemala on Sunday. He [...]

A delivery truck driver is murdered on the job; his bosses robbed
A delivery truck driver was brutally murdered in broad daylight during the lunch hour. The Yo Creek resident, George Blanco, was employed by John Penner Meats; his life was cut [...]

Standoff between the CWU membership and its executives leads to a general congress
Plans to convene a general congress by the membership of the embattled Christian Workers Union remain in motion, despite strong dissuasion from the organization’s executive committee.  On Thursday, President Antonio [...]

Union activist says he is prepared to legally defend result of CWU elections
Union activist, Dale Trujeque, who has been closely advising Pitter and Rivers in their effort to bring about change, told the media this afternoon that despite the mixed messages being [...]

Raymond Rivers says executives playing games to retain control of union
Meanwhile, outspoken representative Raymond Rivers says that many of the correspondences being issued by the union are unofficial since they do not bear the seal of the CWU.  According to [...]

A flashback on how Nigerians traveled across continents to make it to the Great U.S.A.
We have been reporting on the immigration scandal for weeks. This time round, it involves the illegal issuance of a Belizean passport and nationality certificate to a fugitive, Wonhong Kim. [...]

Social Partners call on opposition to return to PAC hearings
Government representatives of the Public Accounts Committee, led by pro-tem chairman John Saldivar, met with the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as the Evangelical Association today where [...]

Nazarene High celebrates drug week
A school in our neighborhood, Nazarene High, is celebrating Drug Week under the theme “Shine Bright Like Me, Be Drug Free.” And after four days of activities ranging from poetry [...]

Daylight’s saving time in Mexico
If you are planning to head across the northern border into Mexico over the weekend, it is recommended that you take note that Mexico ends its daylight saving time at [...]

LOVE FM

Robbery of Delivery Truck Leads To Murder
A resident of Orange Walk was brutally murdered during the robbery of a delivery truck earlier today. Reporter Linette Canto and Videographer Brian Castillo visited the scene and filed this report: LINETTE CANTO “Residents of the generally quite village of Sandhill had their midafternoon meal rudely interrupted by the sound of a gunshot. Mile 19 on the Philip Goldson high way with its junction with the old Maskall Road was the scene of chaos and tragedy this afternoon as 61-year-old, George Blanco lay dead on the ground, the victim of a brutal day light robbery. John Penner, proprietor of John Penner Meats situated in Yo Creek, Orange Walk had just completed his round of meat delivery in Belize City and was heading back to Orange Walk with his two sons and his driver. It was a routine trip for them until they reached Sandhill Village. There, things took an ugly turn as two robbers held them up and murdered the driver. John Penner told us that they have been robbed before but no one was hurt in that incident. This time they were not as fortunate. “

Prime Minister Eludes Media At Airport
Prime Minister, Dean Barrow, returned to the country this afternoon from the United States where he attended fund-raising events with his wife, Kim, and after seeking medical attention for a sensitive back. But back home, more allegations have been circulating, encompassing more names of persons reportedly linked to the recent immigration scandal. Since the Prime Minister’s absence, another junior Cabinet Minister’s name has been called in the scam. So while that Minister, Edmund Castro, is also away on official business, the media flocked to the Philip Goldson International Airport this afternoon in the hopes of landing a joint interview with the PM on the latest allegations. But that effort did not result in much because the PM did not exit through the usual Departure Lounge area. Instead, his vehicle was waiting from him on the tarmac and he was whisked off into the City in total avoidance of the press. Marion Ali was at the PGIA and filed this report. MARION ALI “Media personnel waited anxiously in front of the arrival lounge area at the PGIA hoping to speak with the Prime Minister about new allegations surrounding the visa and passport scam. The wait for his arrival was promising this time with junior minister, Mark King showing up. His presence in his words is to give the Prime Minister support.”

Duo Charged With Burglary
Two men, 22 year old Edwin Flores and 18 year old Alvin Gonzalez, were charged burglary when they appeared in court today. Flores was also charged with two counts of handling stolen goods. They pled not guilty to the charges. The prosecution objected to bail and Magistrate Stephanie Gillett upheld the objection and remanded them into custody until December 10. The burglary occurred on October 23. According to the allegation, the two entered as trespassers the dwelling house of Wilson Vivas and stole an assortment of clothing and a pair of tennis shoes. Quick response by the police led to the apprehension of Flores who was one of two persons seen running from the scene. Gonzalez was apprehended later the same day. The police reported that they recovered all of the stolen items from Flores. Flores, however, denied that they found him with the stolen items. He claimed that the police found them in an empty lot.

Flood Watch In Effect For Some Villages in Southern Belize
A cold front that is passing over the Yucatan is causing localized flooding in certain parts of the country. According to the National Emergency Management Organization, water is rising fast in Roaring Creek Village and the Roaring Creek Bridge will likely flood as well as low lying areas in the village. In Arizona, Teakettle the creek rose and flooded out affecting at least eight families. While in Maya Mopan flooding has affected several families. On the George Price Highway between Central Farm and Blackman Eddy approximately 12 inches of water was reported. The Iguana Creek Bridge has about two inches of water on it. In the Stann Creek District, the North Stann Creek is four feet above and falling at mile 20; twelve feet above at Hope Creek and rising. Mullins River is three feet above normal and rising. Cabbage Hay Creek is five feet above normal and rising. The communities of Sarawee, Hope Creek, Mullins River, Santa Rosa, San Roman and Georgetown remain under a flood watch. In the Toledo District Blue creek is three feet above the bridge and rising and the road is closed. The Moho River at Jordan is above normal and rising as is Bladden. Flood watch has been issued for San Benito Poite, Jordan, Aguacate, Crique Sarco and Bladden.

Guats Busted with Kilo at Western Border
Two Guatemalan nationals who were detained yesterday at the Benque Viejo border appeared in court today. On Thursday a joint anti drug operation was conducted at the Western border where a car was searched and officials found a package with suspected cocaine. The two occupants of the vehicle, 23-year-old Jonathon Sandoval and 23-year-old Robin Veliz were detained and taken to the Benque Viejo Police Station. The cocaine was weighed and amounted to one kilo. Today in court, Jonathon Sandoval pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined 100 thousand dollars plus three years imprisonment. Veliz pleaded not guilty to the charge. Both men were sent to Central Prison.

Government Cashier Accused of Stealing Almost 5K
Ashley Smith, a cashier for Customs Department, was charged with the theft of four thousand nine hundred and sixty six dollars when she appeared in Court today. Smith pled not guilty to the charge. She was offered a bail of ten thousand dollars which she was able to meet. She is to return to court on December 3. According to the allegation, Smith stole the money between August 30 and September 26.

Drug Bust Lands Minor Behind Bars
A minor has been charged for drug trafficking in San Ignacio. For details of that story and other police news we join San Ignacio correspondent Elaine Berry. ELAINE BERRY “On Thursday 24th October at about 12:10pm police officers from the San Ignacio formation visited the home of 22-year-old, Trevor Lamb, a Belizean laborer of Second Street here in San Ignacio. A search was conducted at the home and police discovered a bulb socket inside a room containing (3) .38 special rounds of ammunition. Also present at the time of the search were 22-year-old, Ian Ifield, Belizean labor of Church street, Fernando Juan, a 43-year-old, Belizean electrician of Clarissa Falls, Apolinera Landero, a 37-year-old, Belizean domestic of Shawville and Marvin Escalera, a 48-year-old Belizean taxi driver also of Shawville. They were all arrested and charged for kept ammunition without a gun license. They were taken to the San Ignacio Magistrates Court this morning where their charge was read. They all pleaded not guilty and were remanded to prison until 28th January, 2014.

Health Minister Says Media Creates Mischief
Today we got a rare opportunity to speak with the Minister of Health Pablo Marin. Rare because it’s not always that he is seen in public government functions or accepts to give interviews and we will tell you why he has opted to do that. But since we had this rare opportunity to speak with him on record we asked him to give us an update on the investigation of the misuse of public funds at the Southern Regional Hospital. He told us how far they are in the investigation and the hurdles his people have faced. PABLO MARIN “As you know, the first step we did was to send our auditors in there; we found out that there were some misuse of some funds. When we did that they did threaten the life of my CEO and some of our AO’s in the ministry, yet we still continue and we sent the Auditor General there and we did do a report. We found that there is about $360,000 plus missing from the funds of the NHI which is very sad to know. We have found some checks, about maybe 3 checks but in reality it’s more than that. We do know or we speculate that it’s not only one person who did this but more than one. The investigation is there and has already been given to the police. The person has been suspended already from the Ministry and further investigation is being done on that.”

Laborer Arraigned Following Attempted Robbery in San Pedro
Twenty-two year old Alfredo Cowo, a laborer of San Pedro who allegedly put a pistol in a man’s mouth and robbed him, was charged with robbery when he appeared in Court today. Cowo was also charged with kept firearm and ammunition without a gun license. He pled not guilty to the charges. He was remanded into custody until December 5. The incident occurred on October 23 in San Pedro. The complainant, Nelson Rhaburn, reported to the police that he was walking a friend home when his assailant accosted his and put a gun in his mouth. Rhaburn said the gunman stole his camel bag and his wallet which contained 250 dollars. Rhaburn said that he began to struggle with the gunman and fortunately for him the police arrived and subdued the gunman and recovered from him all of the stolen items. The police also recovered the firearm, a .point 32 pistol with three rounds of ammunition in its magazine.

Five Arrested in San Pedro for Crack Cocaine
The police’s discovery of 1.47 grams of crack cocaine in a red ashtray under a bar counter in San Pedro, has resulted in the arrest of five persons. They are 27 year old Kaylani Gentle, 30 year old Marcella Vayes, 24 year old Pedro Campos, 47 year old Jose Morales and 21 year old Delia Martinez. They were charged with drug trafficking, a charge to which they pled not guilty.nGentle alone was charged with possession of 0.17 grams of cocaine and possession of a metal pipe. She pled guilty to possession of a controlled drug and not guilty to possession of the pipe. Magistrate Stephanie Gillett fined her 500 dollars and ordered her to pay by November 30. If she defaults on payment she will serve six months. They all pled not guilty to drug trafficking and they were each offered a bail of $6,000. They are to return to court on December 5. Yesterday around 3:30 p.m. police went to Captain Guts Bar in San Pedro to search for firearms and drugs. When they searched under the bar counter they found an ashtray that contained 20 parcels of crack cocaine. When they searched a cigarette pack Gentle had they reported that they found 0.17 grams of cocaine.

CTV3

Whistler Blower Points Out Castro In Visa Scandal, He Says "It Wasn't Me"
Since the Immigration Scandal news first broke in September of this year, every day thereafter new information continues to surface from several angles of deep rooted corruption. While Elvin Penner was at the forefront of the news for a while, tonight another Cabinet member is being accused of the same corruption. Channel 5 reported last night that Junior Minister Edmund Castro is allegedly involved in the lucrative visa hustle. The allegation is backed up with an interview given by an insider who broke the silence and spoke on the hundreds of thousands of dollars being paid by ‘would be’ nationals to acquire a visa ‘under the table’. One Minister, who has categorically denied allegations of his involvement, is Minister of National Security John Saldivar. Saldivar was met by the media this morning in Belize City where he denied any connection in this scandal.

Murder Case Against Eric Gonzales Set To Commence
Four years after his arrest, 12 Jury’s were selected today to hear the case of Eric Gonzalez who is accused of stabbing at the time, 16 year old Daniel Soto. The incident took place on February 26th, 2009 in Orange Walk Town when both youths were reported to have been hanging out together on Mangal Street in the Louisiana Area and an argument erupted between them. It is alleged that Gonzalez left the area to get a kitchen knife and upon his return inflicted a stab wound to Soto’s upper thigh. Police reported upon arrival that they saw Soto lying down on his back in a drain bleeding profusely and died en route to the Northern Regional Hospital.

Clocks In Mexico Go Back One Hour
On midnight Sunday October 27th, Mexico and Belize will have the same local time. That is because Daylight Savings time in Mexico will end and the winter season begins. A release issued by the Embassy of Mexico advises those traveling within Mexico on the evening of Saturday October 26th, to adjust their clock one hour backwards before going to sleep. Belizeans with business appointments, or catching planes or buses across the border should take particular note.

Corozal House Of Culture To Host Cultural Lectures
On February 24th, 2012 the Corozal House of Culture was opened to the general public, with funding from the Belize Tourism Board, Belize Sugar Industries Limited, the National Institute of Culture and History, NICH and the Corozal Community. Since the birth of the house of culture, Coordinator Debra Wilkes Gray has organized several activities with the objective to highlight the importance of history and culture. And this Friday the work towards that goal continues as the house of culture features a lecture segment with Angelita Magana a culture advocate. Debra Wilkes Gray “We are very excited about Friday’s night event; it is a premier lecture of our historical lecture series entitled, Perspectives of Our Past, and it is going to become a signature of event here at the House Of Culture each yea we will feature local elders who are able to articulate history according to their views. Mrs Angelita Magana was the founder, the pioneer of the San Joaquin Fiesta which started in 1966 and she will be speaking on the origin and the early years and developments of the San Joaquin Fiesta, to be a chronological history of how it all came about, how the community came together and the trials and tribulations, the good and the bad because we are all human so I think I would be very interesting to come and I am inviting the community to come to listen to her to hear what really went on.

Premier Gas Station Inaugurates State Of The Art Facility
Today a major accomplishment which brings a state of the art facility to the reach of Orange Walkenos was celebrated. What started as small company has now become Orange Walk’s leading service station. We are talking about Shell One Stop and Convenience Store which now offers its valuable customers a state of the art facility including world class fuel pumps and the company’s latest signage. Today, after months of arduous work, the new facility and services of the gas station was inaugurated in grand style. Reporter Irvin Aragon has the story. Irvin Aragon – Reporting A new state of the art facility at Orange Walk’s leading fuel and service station was officially inaugurated today and opened to the public. With a short presentation and many giveaways throughout the program, Shell One Stop celebrated this huge milestone with its valuable customers and friends.

BSI Stalls Renegotiation Process On Bagasse
Last week we told you about the ongoing negotiations between the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, the Belize Sugar Industry and American Sugar Refinery, (ASR) when it comes to the Commercial Agreement on the sugar cane by-product, Bagasse. While some provisional agreements have been reached, negotiations are at a standstill as it pertains to the payment of “Baggase”, a crucial point of interest for the BSCFA which represents thousands of cane farmers. This morning on the Despierta Belice Show, key players of the BSCFA, Alfredo Ortega and CEO Oscar Alonzo, gave the public and the 6,000 cane farmers an update on the issue with the hope that both companies can come to an agreement by the start of the new crop season set for November 25th.

BMDC Says Hike On Imported Onion Prices Is Beyond Their Control
Yesterday we aired the concerns of fruit and vegetable vendors located at the Fort Carin’s Market Plaza in regards to the high price they have to pay for a sack of imported onion to the Belize Marketing and Development Board. For vendors, the price is way too high, so much so, that they themselves have had to increase the price per pound of onion since there is a shortage of the local product. That ultimately is affecting their business overall as they have seen drastic declines in sales. But according to BMDC, there is nothing they can do since the price per sack of imported onion is indeed high. Silverio Marin, Administrator, BMDC “Tengo entendido que la gente está descontenta con el precio sin embargo el incremento en el precio es debido a factores que nosotros no podemos controlar, ha habido fuertes lluvias y tormentas de lado de México y nosotros importamos la cebolla blanca en específico de México entonces las lluvias han causado el incremento en el precio, debido al escases que hay.”

OWTC Weighs In On Passport And Immigration Scandal
While this latest revelation will surely attract the attention of many organizations, the Orange Walk Town Council wasted no time in sharing their sentiments on the issue. In a release issued today, the council expressed its utter discontent with the manner in which the passport and immigration scandal has been handled by government. According to the council, there has been absolutely no transparency in the so-called investigation into corruption which is not only the government’s business, but is everybody’s business. The release states and we quote “We find it ludicrous that the government speaks of total corruption within the Immigration Department, admits that former Minister of State Elvin Penner is in the center of it, and still refuses to allow him to be the subject of a criminal investigation.” End of quote.

PlusTV

Revelations and allegations on the passport scandal continue to heat up
The Immigration Department has been shaken to its core. For the past month, reports of illicit acts by former Minister of State Elvin Penner, at the passport and immigration departments, has taken over airwaves, social media and domestic discussions. Each week, new shockers are revealed, exposing a serious problem...

Minister John Saldivar denies participation in immigration scandal
Following on the heels of shocking admissions by Prime Minister Dean Barrow that he has heard of – but not seen evidence of – visa quotas for Ministers and institutionalized “hustling” and the scandal surrounding former fellow Junior Minister Elvin Penner, it is another possibly crippling blow to an...

Orange Walk Town Council discontent with Government’s handling of Immigration Scandal
In the midst of the immigration storm, another entity has come out calling for an independent investigation. Late Thursday evening, the Orange Walk Town Council issued a release expressing its discontent with the manner in which the passport and immigration scandals have been handled by Government, calling it a...

Cabinet voted to remove Widows’ and Orphans’ Pension System
On Thursday, Minister of National Security John Saldivar met with the press outside the party headquarters, where he was the scheduled guest on party station WAVE Radio’s morning program. He spoke to us about the removal of the Widows’ and Orphans’ Pension Scheme, which under law was instituted to...

Defiant CWU execs say they do not recognize Saturday meeting
Earlier this week we brought you the insurgent waterfront workers who are demanding that the Christian Workers’ Union (CWU) go through with a meeting scheduled for October 26, at which they intend to put long-time president Antonio Gonzalez and general secretary James McFoy to pasture. The two men have led the...

Over half of the students at a primary school in Cayo are no-show
On Thursday morning, teachers and staff of Faith Nazarene Primary School in San Ignacio, Cayo were baffled when three quarters of their students did not show up for classes. We spoke with the Vice Principal Shelan Humes who was able to confirm this. According to Humes, neither their staff nor...

Postal Clerk detained after parcels go missing from Belmopan Post Office
Reports have it that a female postal clerk is in quite a bit of trouble after being caught in the possession of mail and packages that did not belong to her. The parcels of mail, which were reportedly taken from the Belmopan Post Office, were allegedly found inside the...

Christian group objects to Belikin video ad
Some television viewers are calling for the removal of what they describe as a highly sexual and exploitive video commercial aired on prime time TV. Belize Brewing Co. Limited’s Belikin Beer, this month released a promotional video for its 2014 Belikin Beer Calendar Launch. The video has obtained airing...

San Ignacio Police conduct sting operation on human trafficking ring
San Ignacio Police believe that they have busted persons involved in a human trafficking ring. On Tuesday, shortly before midday, the department conducted a sting operation that led to the apprehension of four persons. Police intercepted a white Cadillac car bearing a Mexican license plate, in front of the...

Gwen Lizarraga High School marches against drugs
“Say No to Drugs!” It is a mantra children hear from they are very young. But statistics suggest that the impact of the message is not the same for all boys and girls. Schools in Belize City have for several years now sought to further ingrain the message through...

Venezuelan Institute for Culture and Cooperation hosts a Mayan Expo
In the name of indigenous cultures, this past Saturday, the Venezuelan Institute for Culture and Cooperation hosted a Mayan Expo, attended by the Yucatan Mayan Cultural Delegation of Orange Walk. The exhibition is part of an effort to highlight the original people of the Americas, their ways...

The Guardian

Satiim and GOB to Court again over Oil
Who owns the Sarstoon Temash National Park? That is the question Justice Michele Arana is now trying to answer after counsels for SATIIM and surrounding Maya communities, U.S. Capital Energy and the Government of Belize concluded their presentations on Wednesday, October 23rd. It is a complex case, since arguments are based on a judgment currently under appeal, but the decision by Justice Arana will be based simply on the question of ownership. Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay represents SATIIM and the four Maya communities that surround the Sarstoon Temash National Park. Courtenay presented his submissions on Tuesday, October 22nd. His case is based on a June 2010 ruling by Chief Justice Abdulai Conteh. In 2007, Conteh ruled that the villagers of Santa Cruz and Conejo were entitled to customary land tenure rights of their ancestral land. Then in a 2010 case he referred to as a sequel, Conteh ruled that all 33 Maya villages in the Toledo District have customary land tenure rights and government is obligated to protect those rights and ensure that such ownership is formally registered. The Government of Belize took the judgment to the Court of Appeals and in July of 2013 the Court upheld Conteh’s judgment that the Mayas have customary land tenure rights but rejected the order that Government must grant titles and do all in its power to enforce those rights.

Government officials meet with Churches on PAC
On October 8th, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Council of Churches, the association of Evangelical Churches and the National Trade Union Congress of Belize issued a joint statement in which it called the Public Accounts Committee meetings being held at the end of every month a charade. The release explained that the groups did not support the Public Accounts Committee's public hearings and said there representatives only attended the hearings as observers. After the release, Hon. John Saldivar who chaired the first two meetings of the PAC, committed to have meetings with the churches to determine what their point of disagreement was and on Wednesday, October 23rd, the meeting materialized. Hon. John Saldivar, Hon. Patrick Faber and Hon. Mark King, as representatives of the government on the PAC, met with the council of churches at the Wesley building on Albert Street. After the hour and a half meeting, Hon. Saldivar explained that it was fruitful. He explained that he was happy at the directions the talks went, and he was of the belief that they can reach a consensus as to how the PAC is to move forward. For now he added that the plan was to have further meetings with the other social partners to talk about the recommendations that came out of the first meeting. That meeting is scheduled for next week Wednesday after which a detailed announcement will be made as to what role the churches and the social partners can play in the PAC.

Chief Magistrate says Sewell should be Extradited
The Chief Magistrate ruled on Tuesday, October 22nd, that there was enough evidence presented by the United States Government to have Gary Sewell extradited to that country. Sewell has been in the Belizean courts fighting extradition from 2010. The U.S. is claiming that Gary along with his brothers Mark and Dwayne imported cocaine into the U.S. through Mexico. They are alleged to have sold marijuana in Texas from December 1994 to August 1997. They are also accused of moving as much as 1 million dollars from drug proceeds to Houston, Lakeland, Florida and Belize. After the Chief Magistrate’s ruling, Sewell has 15 days to apply to the Supreme Court for a Writ of Habeas Corpus. If that fails Sewell will be extradited to the U.S. to face charges there.

Flavours
Corruption comes in many flavours, and though all of them may seem sweet at the time, they all leave a terrible, bitter aftertaste. Corruption harms perpetrators, victims and society at large and yet its flavours are so tempting that few of us can resist completely. Individual corruption is so widespread and pervasive that sometimes we do not even recognise it for what it is. Is there anyone who has not used a little “white” lie to get out of an embarrassing situation? How many of us would be tempted to cheat on a test if the examiner left the answer sheet in plain view? Evidence suggests that infidelity is one of the commonest forms of cheating and is found amongst women and men. Favouring friends or family members for a job, business or scholarship opportunity is equally common. Cheating in sport at every level is so prevalent that we are no longer shocked when it is disclosed. When we do any of these things it diminishes us as a person and makes it more likely that we will progress to worse because corruption is a winding path and step one often leads to step 2 and so on until step “no turning back”. Often people are drawn into the web of corruption by those who are already involved and asked to do a “simple” favour. Thus compromised they feel unable to refuse larger and larger favours until they are entirely enmeshed in the slime. Or maybe, an employee is a little short of cash one week and “borrows” something to tide himself over with the intention of paying it back but instead continues to borrow and never repays. Corruption hurts those who do not get a job or scholarship even though they are more suitable. It hurts all of us because it leads to inefficiencies and waste of our scarce resources. It can result in badly built and dangerous structures that cause death and injury.

Three Belizeans Appointed to the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
This morning at the Belize House, three Belizean men were appointed to the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for their outstanding and selfless service to their communities.

CARICOM seeking New Image
Secretary General of CARICOM, Irwin LaRocque, was in Belize on Monday, 21st and Tuesday, 22nd October to hold consultations for the development of a strategic plan for CARICOM. With the visit to Belize, LaRocque and a delegation from the secretariat have been to 11 of the 15 member states of CARICOM. They are also expected to make calls on all member states including the two associate member states. The delegation has been meeting with senior public officials in each country as well as members of the media, members of the private sector, civil society, youth, members of the opposition and institutions that are part of the CARICOM architecture.

Award Of Contract - Infrastructure Component Design And Certification Consultant Road Safety Project
The Government of Belize through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, in keeping with the long-term Vision for improvement in road safety, that through an integrated and comprehensive approach, together with demonstrated respect between all road users, the frequency and severity of traffic collisions (road trauma) is reduced, is pleased to announce the award of contract to Anthony Thurton and Associates Ltd. for the Design and Certification Consultancy. The Belize Road Safety Demonstration Corridor Project is a first step in developing a comprehensive and long term road safety strategy. The project was officially launched on 14th March, 2013 and is being implemented through a BZ$14,495,000 loan from the CDB, and GOB counterpart contribution of BZ$3,191,000.

Belize Dry Cleaners Donates Medical Pillows to Public Hospitals
Lascelle Arnold hands over pillows to Minister and C.E.O The Owner of the Belize Dry Cleaners, Lascelle Arnold, attended a conference in New Orleans, Louisiana in June of this year that focused on laundry and dry cleaning for hospitals. The Belize Dry Cleaners provides dry cleaning services for most of the country’s hospitals; therefore, Arnold believes it was important for him to attend.

Institute of Mexico in Belize 20 years working for the culture of Mexico and Belize
Twenty years ago, in 1993, the Institute of Mexico in Belize (IMB) was created as a cultural center, through which the Embassy develops different projects. The IMB plays a leading role in the recreational and artistic life of Belize and has become an essential part of the cultural infrastructure of this country.

Nurses in training at the University of Belize hold educational outreach
Students in their final week of training before leaving to do their practicals at the clinics around Belize, held an educational outreach on Wednesday at the University of Belize Campus Grounds in Belmopan. The focus was on Reproductive Health, primarily that on pre-conception care, cancers of the reproductive systems, sexually transmitted infections and contraception. The theme for the Nurses, in their fourth year at the University of Belize was “Step Up. Take Charge. A Healthy Belize Begins Today.”

Minister Pablo Marin welcomes the donation of wheelchairs
Hon. Pablo Marin, Area Representative for Corozal Bay, and his executive committee are pleased to be the recipients of a donation of ten wheelchairs from the Belize Indian & Merchandise Association (BIMA). The wheelchairs were donated this month along with a financial contribution for the Special Needs program at Maryhill School in Corozal Town. Two of the wheelchairs have already been personally donated by the Minister to persons in need and the remaining will be distributed shortly. Special thanks to BIMA for the donations.

Hon. Pablo Marin improving Public Spaces in Corozal
Area Representative for the Corozal Bay constituency, Hon. Pablo Marin, has been working diligently to upgrade public spaces in his constituency through contributions from donors in the U.S.

New NAVCO executive elected
On Saturday, October 19th, the National Association of Village Councils held their Annual General Meeting at the George Price Center in Belmopan.

Misdirected Protest
Carlos Galvez, operative of Mike Espat, led a group of students in protest through the streets of Punta Gorda Town on Monday, October 21st, to express their frustration at the incomplete education they have been receiving in the last six weeks. According to Galvez, when parents showed up to the school last week to collect midterm reports they saw that their third and fourth form science students had no grades for Physics and Chemistry. They then learnt that there had been no teacher available for those subjects since the school year started. Mr. Abdullah Adebara, Nigerian national, had been the teacher and Head of the Science Department in recent years. However, he has had problems renewing his passport. Therefore, the Teaching Services Commission has not granted him a teaching license.

Response to Article in the Amandala Newspaper of October 20, 2013 written by Colin BH
Response from Mr. Kim Simpliss-Barrow October 22, 2013 Statement by Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow on Amandala Article I wish to express very grave concern about an article published in the Amandala newspaper of October 20, 2013 entitled “Bake it Again” by Colin BH. The article expresses views on the proposed provisions of the Criminal Code Amendment (No.2) Bill. Although the entire article leaves much to be desired, the section quoted below is among the most appalling of the opinions expressed: “the rape of a male by a male is more heinous than the rape of a female by a male. Consider that (1) the female might one day fall in love with the male; (2), the female provoked the immature/crazy male to commit this act; (3), it is a natural act; (4), the female might be entirely whorish, so the act is of little consequence.” The piece goes on to explain how there can be “benefits” from the rape of women, but not from the rape of men; the point being that these crimes should carry different penalties. Although I fully respect the right to freedom of speech and while The Government of Belize, as well as my Office, has demonstrated an openness to recommendations for improving the proposed amendments to the Criminal Code, the views expressed in this article absolutely cannot be condoned.

The promotion of Agricultural SME’s in Belize for the Export Market
A two day workshop on the international promotion of agricultural Small and Medium Enterprises SME’s ended on Wednesday at the George Price Center for Peace and Development in Belmopan. The Workshop was brought about by the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) working in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA).

Indian businessman fined for hugging a Customer
On Tuesday, October 22nd, a charge of common assault was placed against businessman, 49-year-old Bhishan Kumar Issrani who was accused of hugging one of his would-be customers, a female age 18. The young woman told police that Issrani pressed himself against her body for 20 seconds making her feel uncomfortable. In court, Issrani was charged with only one count of common assault upon the 18-year-old student. The facts of the case was read out to him and after hearing the student’s allegations, Issrani agreed with the facts and pleaded guilty to the offense. The Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith who dealt with the matter, imposed a non-custodial sentence upon Issrani where she ordered him to pay a fine to the court and compensation to his young victim. He was ordered to pay the court a $200 fine plus a $5.00 cost of court forthwith in default of payment he is to spend 2 months imprisonment. He was also ordered to pay the victim $150.00 in compensation for his action towards her. That compensation was also ordered to be paid forthwith in default another 2 months imprisonment. Within minutes Issrani paid up all fines and was able to go free.

53-year-old charged with indecent assault of 15 year-old girl
On Tuesday, October 22nd, 53-year-old Medardo Cocom, a resident of Belize City was charged in court for inappropriately touching a 15-year-old girl. Cocom, who was unrepresented appeared before Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith where he was read a single charge of aggravated assault of an indecent nature upon a 15-year-old girl. Allegations are that on Friday, October 18, Cocom, according to the minor, committed an aggravated assault of an indecent nature against her when he rubbed his right hand down her breast. In court, Cocom pleaded not guilty to the offense and bail was offered to him in the sum of $1000. Prosecutor in the case, Sgt. Egbert Castillo expressed concern over the proximity that Cocom lives to the victim. Chief Magistrate then asked Cocom if he could relocate until the case is disposed of. Cocom, however, said he had nowhere else to go. But when faced with either being remanded to prison or relocating, Cocom was quick to provide an address for a male relative whose home he told the court he will be able to move in.

Michael Reynolds’ Death Ruled as Accidental
Police have classified 33-year-old Michael Reynolds’ death as accidental after a post mortem examination determined that he died as a result of “Asphyxia by Mechanical Aspiration due to Third Degree Burns by Dry Heat”. Police and the Fire Service responded to reports of a burning structure at #139 Antelope Street Extension at about 2:20 a.m. on Friday, October 18th. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire before it could spread to nearby structures. A subsequent search of the house led to the discovery of a severely burnt human body. The body was found on the floor in the corridor that leads from the living room to the bedroom. According to police, the body was burnt beyond recognition. However, they have sufficient evidence to believe that the lone occupant of the house, Reynolds, was the individual inside at the time of the blaze. The Fire Service’s investigation has revealed that the likely cause of the fire was electrical because of compromised wiring. Reynolds was a driver for the Department of Human Development.

Dion Yorke Gunned Down on New Road
Police have detained two men and are looking for another in their investigation into the murder of 28-year-old Dion Yorke. According to police report, Pickstock Street resident Dion Yorke was walking on New Road and heading towards Hyde’s Lane at about 11:58 p.m. on Friday, October 18th, when he was approached by a gunman who opened fire. Yorke was struck by bullets to the upper left chest and left arm. After hitting his target, the gunman fled the scene on a bicycle. Yorke was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital but succumbed to his injuries at 12:43 a.m. Police recovered two 9 mm SFL brand expended shells from the scene. They have detained two men for questioning and are looking for another person of interest whom they believe can assist in their investigation.

Byron Pope to Central American and Caribbean Games
The Belize Cycling Association represented Belize at the XIII Caribbean Cycling championships held in Curacao over the weekend of October 19-20, 2013. During the Caribbean Championship, eight slots were available and Belize in the person of Byron Pope qualified in the 8th and final spot for the Central American and Caribbean Games scheduled for Vera Cruz, Mexico, in November of 20 14. In the Elite Males Road Race, some 85 riders participated in the 7.200 Km or 18 laps. At the end of 3:13:25.934, it was Frederic Theobald of Guadeloupe who was the first rider to cross the finish line. The second rider to cross the finish line some 46.666 seconds later was Emile Abraham of Trinidad and Tobago and he was followed by Efren A Ortega Rivera of Puerto Rico, Marloe Rodman from Jamaica, and Jean Marie Poyo of French St. Martin to round off the top five finishers. The other top finishers in the Road Race included William De Jesus Guzman of the Dominican Republic, followed by Quienten Winkel of Curacao, Vincent Eric of French Guyana, Hillard Cijinte of Curacao, and Byron Pope of Belize. With Pope’s 10th place finished, he has now qualified to attend the XXII Central American and Caribbean Games scheduled for Vera Cruz, Mexico in 2014. The other Belizean riders Edgar Nissan Arana finished 30th, Robert Liam Stuart finished 39th, while David Henderson did not finished the course. Meanwhile, in the female road race, Shalini Zabaneh finished 10th out of 16 riders with Kerah Eiley placing 12 in the event. The event was won by Tamiko Butler of Antigua in a time of 1:48;48.867, and she was followed by Zoenique Williams of Bermuda, Nicole Mitchell of Bermuda, Juana Isidra Fernandez of the Dominican Republic and she was followed by Solymar Theophile of Guadeloupe.

Port of Belize leads in championship series
Leroy Forbes scores 12 points for the Port of Belize The Belize District Basketball Association Firms’ Competition commenced its championship round on Friday, October 18, 2013, between the Port of Belize and Customs. The Port of Belize defeated Customs by the score of 71-61 to take a 1-0 lead in the series. The top scorers for the Port of Belize were Earl Johnson with 18 points, 8 rebounds, and an assist, Ian Augustine with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and a steal and Leroy Forbes with 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists. For the Customs squad, the top scorers were Kevin Lorenzo with 24 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 4 steals, Winston Pratt with 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists and Marvin Skeet with 9 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 4 steals. The second game in the series will be played this Friday, October 25, at 9:00 pm at the Bird’s Isle in Belize City. Winston Pratt scored 17 points for Customs Earl Johnson scored 24 points of the Port of Belize

Belize Defence Force regains lead in Belikin Cup
The Premier League of Belize 2013 Opening Season Belikin Cup competition continued over the last week of play with three games. On Saturday, October 19, at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium in Belmopan, the Belmopan Bandits blanked the defending champions Police United by the score of 1-0. The only goal of the game was scored by Deon McCauley of the Belmopan Bandits in the 45th minute of play. Meanwhile, at the Marshalleck Stadium in Benque Viejo town, the home team Verdes FC also blanked the visiting Paradise/Freedom Fighters by the score of 1-0. Nahjib Guerra scored Verdes’ goal in the 33rd minute of play for big win. In the final game of the evening played out at the Carl Ramos Stadium in Dangriga Town, the current leaders in this year’s competition the Belize Defence Force shut-out FC Belize by the score of 2-0. The 1st goal of the game for the Belize Defence Force was scored by Stephen Martinez in the 8th minute of play that gave his team the only goal really needed. However, in the 90th minute of play, Tarrel Flores scored his team’s 2nd and final goal of the game for the big win.

Belize City Primary Schools Football competition winding down
The 2013-2014 Belize City Primary Schools Football competition is coming to a close at the MCC Grounds. On Tuesday, October 22, there were three games played in the Quarter Final Round of the Boys’ competition. In the first game of the afternoon, St. Martin De Porres School eliminated Belize Elementary School by the score of 5-0. The goals for St. Martin De Porres were scored by Glen Arzu, Michael Deshield (2) and Marquis Conorquie (2). In game two, Ebenezer Methodist School eliminated Queen Square Anglican School by the score of 2-0. The goals for Ebenezer Methodist School were scored by Tyreek Muschamp and Bernard Bailey. In the final game of the day, James Garbutt School eliminated St. Joseph by the score of 1-0. Victor Lopez scored the only goal of the game for James Garbutt Seventh Day Adventist School. On Monday, October 21, the regular season came to an end. In the first of two games in the Boys’ competition, Belize Elementary School defeated James Garbutt Seventh Day Adventist School by the score of 2-0. The goals for Belize Elementary School were scored by Ajani Vaughn and Jonah Chebat. In the second game, St. Martin De Porres won over St. Ignatius School via the default route.

Vega’s Cup Tournament rolls on in the North
The 2013 Vega’s Cup Tournament continued on Sunday, October 20 with games in the Orange Walk North Constituency. The games were played at two separate venues. At the San Pablo Football Field in the first game played, Jaguars United FC defeated Aliari by the score of 4-2. In game two, Awe’s United and San Luis FC played to a 2-2 draw, while in the final game of the day, Old School defeated San Pablo Youngsters by the score of 6-0. Meanwhile, the games in group B were played out at the Nuevo San Juan Football Field. In the first game of the day, No Limits won via the default route over San Antonio. In game two, San Jose FC defeated San Roman FC by the score of 3-0. In game three, San Pablo FC blasted Santa Cruz Misilitos by the score of 11-0. And in the final game of the day, Santa Cruz FC defeated Douglas Real Juve by the score of 6-1. The competition will continue this coming Sunday October 27, 2013.

No More Cayes - What is Global Climate Change?
All this talk about Global Climate Change, all this talk about going green, about the people creating machines to make global changes to the Earth’s crust and atmosphere, about the ice breaking in the north so what is Global Climate change? It is defined by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as "a change of climate which is attributable directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods." Causes of Global Climate change Scientists believe that the main cause of unnatural changes to the environment of the Earth comes from the actions of humans. However, other circumstances have had severe impacts on GCC such as the expansion of a global economy and the development of new technology. The human activities, moreover, having a direct result on the build-up of Greenhouse Gases (GHG’s) in the earth's atmosphere such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. According to the World Future Council, Carbon dioxide is produced when coal, oil and natural gas (fossil fuels) are burned to produce energy. Fossil fuels are responsible for 80 to 85 percent of the Carbon dioxide that is being added to the atmosphere. Methane produces gas by cultivating rice, ranching cattle and sheep and by decaying material in landfills. Human activities have increased the concentration of methane in the atmosphere by about 145% above what should be present naturally. These GHG's trap heat radiated from the earth this results in a "greenhouse" or warming effect.

International Credit Union Day (ICU) celebrated in Belize
Credit Unions in Belize celebrated International Credit Union (ICU) Day last week Thursday. ICU has been celebrated on the third Thursday of October since 1948. The day is recognized to reflect on the credit union movement and to promote its milestones. It is a day to recognize those who have contributed greatly to the movement and show members our appreciation. This year’s ICU Day was held under the theme, “Credit Unions Unite for Good: A Better Way”; emphasizing the benefits of Credit Unions working cooperatively around the World. There are now some 56,000 cooperative financial institutions world-wide, holding some 300 million members in 101 countries that pool their resources for the common good. One of those Credit Unions who held an open day last week Thursday in recognition of ICU was the Saint Martin’s Credit Union (SMCU) located on Eve Street in San Ignacio Town.

Amandala

GOB “ROLLING IN $$$,” BUT NO RAISE-A-PAY!
“Public servants, teachers …want more …not less than 6%, and I’m saying I can’t do that.” – PM Barrow While Prime Minister Dean Barrow had recently declared to the nation that there are currently “millions and millions” of dollars in the government’s coffers, which prompted the unions to clamor for a long awaited salary adjustment, apparently the time is still not right for government to accommodate such an increase for public servants. During an event organized by the Belizean Task Force in Los Angeles, California, last Sunday, October 20, Barrow responded to several questions that were posed by Belizeans in the diaspora regarding their concerns about various national issues affecting the country of Belize and its populace. One of those questions to which the Prime Minister responded was about training programs to empower public officers in order for them to be able to provide enhanced services to the general public. While answering the question, Barrow veered off into the union’s call for a salary adjustment.

WHISTLEBLOWER ALLEGES MINISTERIAL VISA HUSTLING!
More headache for PM Barrow; Hon. Castro says, “I’m innocent!” While much of the scrutiny of the recent Immigration scandal has been directed at former Minister of State, Hon. Elvin Penner, there may be another damning scandal on the horizon that could possibly implicate yet another sitting member of the ruling UDP. As the nation is still grappling with the circumstances surrounding the fraudulent issuance of Belizean passports and nationality to numerous foreign nationals, including an international fugitive, reportedly by government officials, the issue of a suspected visa hustle within the current administration, given credence by none other than Prime Minister Dean Barrow himself, has also come to light. Well-connected Chinese nationals apparently have paid large sums of money to get hold of these visas so that they are easily able to make their way to the United States, from Belize.

GONZALEZ, MCFOY VS STEVEDORES!
Stevedores want General Assembly now, not next February, to oust Gonzalez and McFoy. Spokespersons for the stevedores—the most vocal faction of the Christian Workers Union (CWU)—are insisting that a General Assembly planned for this Saturday, October 26, to eject president Antonio Gonzalez and general secretary James McFoy, must proceed, notwithstanding a decision by the union’s executive last Friday that the meeting—years overdue—should be postponed until next February. Deon “Pitta” Pitter told Amandala that there has been “game playing.” He alleged that Gonzalez has secretly convinced the union liaisons from entities which the union represents—which include workers of Social Security Board, the Central Bank of Belize, the Institute of Creative Arts, the Statistical Institute of Belize and the Belmopan City Council—to keep him as president, despite serious issues over the state of the union’s finances. Speaking with Amandala this morning, Gonzalez roundly denied the allegation. He told us that union members decided via vote while he and McFoy were absent from the meeting.

POSTAL CLERK CAUGHT ON CAMERA STEALING MAIL
Amandala understands that a female postal clerk, attached to the Belmopan Post Office, was today arraigned in the Belmopan Magistrate’s Court after a newly-installed surveillance camera captured footage of her removing mail without authority. Sinquest Martinez, O.C. Belmopan Police, today confirmed to Amandala that the accused person was charged with four counts of stealing a postal package and one count of burglary. The incident reportedly occurred this past Saturday, October 19, at the Belmopan Post Office. Deputy Postmaster General, James Gabourel, told Amandala today that the management of the Belize Postal Service became concerned earlier this year, based upon reports that items had gone missing from the parcels and packages of various customers. As a result, Gabourel said that investigations were launched, but at the time, they could not find out who was culpable.

SEX AND THE SISTERS Editorial
From our various readings, it appears that when the invading European soldiers and their missionaries first encountered African and Native American peoples centuries ago, some of our people were buck naked. It seems the Europeans were embarrassed, scandalized, intimidated, and so on. For sure, though, some of the invaders were “turned on.” That’s another story. These native peoples were living in tropical forests where the heat was intense, and it seemed natural to them to move unencumbered by clothes. In addition, sex was a routine aspect of the lives of Africans and Native Americans, and it was not considered sinful, shameful, or sick. It seems that the Europeans felt that it was a most urgent requirement for our people to start wearing some clothes to cover their so-called private parts. At this point of our discourse, a couple things occur to us. One is that the Old Testament story goes that when Adam and Eve, our “first parents,” were innocent, free of sin, and close to God, they were naked. After they sinned, according to the Bible, by eating from the Tree of Knowledge which had been forbidden to them by the Almighty, they immediately became aware of their nakedness, and they became ashamed. The second thing that occurs to us is that, by comparison with the Muslim world, the Christian Western world around us sometimes behaves as if we would like for our women to wear as few clothes as possible.

“JADE, HIDDEN IN SILENCE”
On my weekend visit to San Ignacio/Santa Elena on the occasion of the Mighty Avengers’ Hall of Fame Awards, I stayed over for the nights in Belmopan. Now, at the twilight of my long life and career, I find myself easily adapting to the quieter nature of the Capital City where I find myself spending more and more of my time as I am winding down. In the mornings I travelled to the “Twin Towns” where I would visit my friends Pappy Smith, Speedy Henry and Arturo Azueta on a daily basis, sit with them and spin the yarn reminiscing of good times and bad times, spinning the yarn mostly about football. You can see how our country which is so small is tightly knitted together. I learnt that my good friend Pappy Smith had five children, all daughters. And do you know that one of the girls is married to the former Member of the House of Representatives for Cayo South, the Hon. Ramon Witz? Do you see how we are all intertwined? I did not know this until I was speaking to Pappy spinning the yarn.

AS A LAYMAN …
ADS…AN AD… As politics is the art of the possible, so is advertising the art of persuasion. Advertising (ads) is getting people to buy a product. It is the ultimate form of propaganda, very lucrative, very influential, very powerful, very dangerous. Prior to any ad campaign being mounted, a marketing survey is conducted; researchers study the psychological profile of the people targeted; analysis is done of their economic status and of their physical environment. Once the market survey is completed, a variety of techniques is employed to establish why you need this product, why you can’t live without it. From the subliminal through half-truths and misinformation to the absurd and the comedic. The Americans, Madison Avenue, have so perfected the ads that they can market a non-entity to the Presidency.

DESPERATE TO SELL OUT OUR BIRTHRIGHT AND PASSPORTS
— by Audrey Matura-Shepherd “Countries internationally have special programs whereby they allow foreigners to get expedited citizenship or residence based on investments which they make in those countries and they do it for two reasons; those people have the capital, those people have the expertise, technology and those people have access to markets…My own experience is that people want to come to Belize to live, to do business… they want to invest in the country and if a way could be found to make those people come, it would help us in terms of capital, it will help us in terms of technology, It will also help us in terms of markets.” (Sedi Elrington’s pro-economic citizenship pitch October 17, 2013 in a press interview.) You know, ever since I heard about this economic citizenship programme in the early 90’s, the justification has been: transfer of technology to our people; much needed investment to stimulate the economy; access to markets worldwide for us; and revenue into our treasury. Thus, what Minister Elrington is saying is recycled verbiage. You know, I was young and foolish then to believe these lies, but now after 20 years let’s examine the bullshit we have been fed and let us assess if the sale of our birthright for 30 pieces of silver has indeed brought us these things. Better yet, after two decades, can Minister Elrington or any government official show us how 20 years of sale has given us the technology, investment, markets and revenue? Why are they desperate to sell our birthright and passports?

6 RUSTY BULLETS LAND 8-MONTHS-PREGNANT WOMAN AND FAMILY IN JAIL
Close relative says the .22 bullets aren’t just rusty; they are “too rusty” for them to be any good. A family of four will be spending their first night at the Belize Central Prison tonight after police allegedly found six rounds of .22 calibre ammunition inside a safe in their home. Businessman Nazim Nasser, 42, his very pregnant wife, Jaziba, 36, and his two sons Jamal, 19, and Hilal, 18, were jointly charged with keeping the unlicensed ammunition. According to police, between 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., they visited the Nassers’ home on Coconut Drive in San Pedro Town, armed with a warrant to search for illegal firea