Empowerment and Enrichment – Workers Bank of Belize/a>
The Government of Belize intends to empower and enrich all working Belizeans, by transferring land equivalent to 30,000 house lots to the Workers Bank of Belize. This will contribute to improving the real and disposable incomes of working persons, by lowering the monthly outlay […]
Fatal traffic accident on the George Price Highway outside of Belmopan
Two people, a man and a woman, perished in a two-vehicle crash tonight on the George Price Highway near the Hector Silva airstrip. The victims whose names have not yet been confirmed were travelling in a Chevy Tracker SUV with San Ignacio license plates. An L200 pickup […]
Robbers targer Western Dairies ice cream parlor
The ice-cream parlor Western Dairies on Freetown Road was robbed this evening around 5 o’clock when four armed men entered through the back of the premises. Police responded almost immediately and shot one of the men as they were trying to escape. The other three got away and […]
Residents of Dangriga hold peaceful demonstration
The Dangriga branch of the National Garifuna Council today staged a peaceful demonstration that that southern municipality. Dangriga residents came out in numbers carrying placards and voicing their dissatisfaction with the decision by the local branch of First Caribbean International Bank to prohibit the speaking of Garifuna […]
Helping women maintain business and economic growth
Belizean women are known for their at times stupendous ability to stretch a dollar further than it has any right to go. But sometimes that is not enough to save or start a business, leaving them dependent on their male counterparts. As part of the “20,000 Strong” initiative […]
Hezbollah caught in Vehicle with Belize Plates
On Thursday August 28th, Police in Cancun, Mexico searched a Mercedez Benz with Belize license plates BCC-4400. It was being driven by Hacsam Elsayetd and in the vehicle were three other passengers, including two females. It is believed they went into Mexico legally at the checkpoint at Subtiniente Lopez.
These terrorists belong to the group “Hezbollah” themselves who live in Belize according to data released necessarily had to enter the checkpoint Lieutenant Lopez. It is not yet known if the suspects carried Belizean passports.
Mexican authorities are aware that Belize is being used as a base for Hezbollah cells. In 2012, a fundraiser for Hezbollah Raffic Labboun was caught in Merida on parole violation. Labboun had secured within 48 hours a Belize passport in the name of Wilhelm Dick, an infant of the Mennonite community who died shortly after birth. Since then there have been several attempts to bolster the Immigration and Nationality Department against fraud and corruption.
Review: The Peninsula Club of Belize
Belize is among the most coveted vacation and retirement destinations in the world. With its stunning landscapes, friendly culture and affordability, few destinations offer the same tropical experience as Belize.
The Peninsula Club of Belize gives you the luxurious resort experience you are looking for.
The Setting
The Peninsula Club of Belize is an immaculate, luxurious private development that provides residents with the serenity of coastal life blended with the luxury of a premier resort. The development sits along the coast of a peninsula in the charming seaside town of Placencia, providing an exclusive, private ambiance for residence to enjoy.
International Sources
Tropics May Activate in Southwestern Gulf of Mexico
The tropical Atlantic has quieted down, but that may change in the coming days in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico's Bay of Campeche.
A tropical wave moving through the western Caribbean has the potential to become the Atlantic Basin's next tropical depression or storm in the Bay of Campeche, in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico, during the first part of the new week.
The Bay of Campeche is where conditions will become conducive for development as the water is very warm and a zone of lower wind shear will be present. Wind shear refers to belts of winds in the upper levels of the atmosphere that can shred apart tropical systems when strong enough.
The wave is currently encountering such disruptive wind shear and would continue to do so if it takes a more northern track into the western Gulf of Mexico.
Videos
Video: Roy da drumma birthday bash March 29th. 2014 -SupaG, 3min.
from Glen Fuller
Video: Scuba Diving San Pedro Belize 2014, 40min.
Incredible experience learning to scuba dive in one of the world most beautiful destination, San Pedro Belize 2014.
Video: Belize GoPro Hero 3+, 5min.
Video: BELIZE subworld, 6min.
Diving with Amigos del Mar in San Pedro
Video: Adaptive SCUBA Divers Ambergus Caye Belize 2014, 14min.
3 Paraplegic SCUBA divers and 2 friends SCUBA dive in Belize, June 13 to 21, 2014. Swell on day 1 was 8 to 10 feet making getting back on the boat "interesting". Swell slowly settled down till the last day it was only 2 to 4 feet, still interesting when 3 of the divers are paraplegic's.
SHOW MORE
Video: Belize Island Dog Fishing: Local Island Dog Hunting For Fish, 2min.
While walking the beautiful beaches of Belize, we witnessed one of the cutest dogs we had ever seen. We saw a local island dog who appeared to be walking in the ocean, playing under a dock. After observing him and enjoying the show, we realized that he was fishing. Slowly walking around the pilings while intensely studying the sea floor below him just waiting to pounce on a fish. LOL.
Video: Scuba Diving in Belize, 4min.
An amazing adventure...
Video: Wildtracks in Belize- June 2014 Tour, 10min.
This video is a small tour of Wildtracks, a primate and manatee rehab center in Belize. I took this video at the end of my 6 weeks volunteering there in June 2014. There are many changes now due to the number of manatees that they received and the new construction of the spiders prerelease cages. Paul and Zoe have their hands full and are lucky to have such great volunteers to stay and help them out! It was one of the best experiences in my life and I have met the most amazing people who have volunteered there! It is an experience that I wish for everyone to have. Here is there website if you wish to volunteer or donate! (:
Video: Wonders Of Belize, 2min.
Diving and Snorkeling with nurse sharks and a manatee in Ambergris Cay, Belize.
Video: MISS WORLD BELIZE 2013 is Idolly Louise Saldivar, 4min.
Idolly Louise Saldivar - Idolly Louise Saldivar (23, 1.78m) from Belmopan was selected as Miss World Belize 2013 in an event held at the Princess Hotel in Belize City on August 10. She will represent Belize in Miss World 2013 in Bogor, Indonesia on September 28. Idolly has previously held many beauty titles in Belize.
Video: When Don Francisco visited San Pedro, 7min.
August 30, 2014
FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE
Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.
Specials and Events
Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials
The San Pedro Sun
Mayor Daniel Guerrero leaves to the Bahamas on working visit
The Mayor of San Pedro Town, Daniel Guerrero is part of a Belize delegation that left the country on Thursday August 28th to Nassau, Bahamas. Mayor Guerrero, along with the President of the Belize Mayor’s Association and Belmopan Mayor, Simeon Lopez, are scheduled to participate in the biennial meeting of the Caribbean Association of Local Government Authorities (CALGA). The biennial meeting is scheduled to take place over the course of the weekend and early next week in Nassau, and in attendance will be mayors and other government leaders from all the Caribbean member countries. One of the items on the agenda will be election of new members. It is uncertain if Belize will be submitting a candidate for the various posts. Currently, Mayor Lopez is the second Vice-President of the regional organization.
Food borne disease cost Belize $6.2 million annually
The effects of Acute Gastroenteritis Illnesses (AGI) commonly referred to as the stomach flu and other food-borne diseases cost the public health sector an estimated $6.2 million annually. That was the result of the Burden of Illness (BOI) report that was released on Monday, August 25th, following research that was conducted during two specific periods. The research had the input of the Ministry of Health, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) office in Belize and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).
According to the release, the survey was launched in September 2012 and was aimed at investigating and estimating the proportion of the population suffering from stomach flu and other food borne diseases, at a specific time period. In addition, it also focused on estimating the economic burden the disease has on the public health system in Belize.
According to the report, a total of 3,110 households were sampled countrywide and a total of 2901 questionnaires were filled with a response rate of 93.6%. The study shows that 7.1% of those households reported stomach flu during the sample period of September to October 2012, which is considered the low season, and the period of April to May 2013, which is considered the high season.
Police Report
On the Wednesday, August 27th at about 3:15PM Police visited Swan Street in the San Pedrito Area based on special branch intelligence. Upon arrival, police discovered a grey plastic bag in an abandon lot. Further search of the bag revealed suspected cocaine. It was then taken to the station where it was weighed amounting to 373.7 gram of suspected cocaine. The suspected drug was labeled as found property. Police have no leads as to who the drugs belonged.
Construction starts in Boca del Rio Pump-lift Station
According to BWSL Human Resource and Public Relations Manager Haydon Brown, the main pump for the station has been ordered and ground work is well underway. “The lift station will provide basic control of the sewer waste from the respective homes. The station will process the waste which will later be moved to the treatment plant on South Ambergris Caye,” said Brown. For residents of the area this is a huge step forward, because although the area has been equipped with proper pipe lines for quite some time, the lines were never connected to a central sewage collection station or pump station. This incomplete project has left waste to be haphazardly collected in septic tanks, lagoons and even absorbed into land. These methods of unsafe sewage disposal have had many dire consequences including introduction to fecal matter to the waterbed.
While Brown was unable to state how many stations there are in San Pedro Town, he ensures that each station can, in fact, cater to the location. “These pump-lift stations are strategically placed in areas that require the collection of sewage. They not only deal with sewage collection but also reduced stench secreted by the waste. It also helps to keep the sewage waste more controlled.” Residents and business that will be connected to the pump-lift station will be required to pay a fee for the service. “Within the next two weeks, we will be doing a physical property survey in that area. We are looking at both the residential and businesses waste within the area. There are small and medium-sized businesses within the area, and usually, their size attracts different prices for their connection.”
Ambergris Today
Video Pick: Fun Snorkeling Belize
Today we bring to you a video capturing the wondrous marine life our beautiful Caribbean Sea has to offer just off the coast of our neighboring island Caye Caulker. The video features “funny rays, lovely sharks, hungry turtles and thirsty people”. The videographer, Christoph Creutzburg, captures the beauty of some amazing spots around Caye Caulker.
Misc Belizean Sources
NOTICE FROM NICH
The Public is advised that there has been a change of venue for the official opening ceremonies for the September Celebrations 2014. The ceremony which was schedule to occur at St. George’s Caye on Sunday has been relocated to the House of Culture, Old Government House in Belize City. This is as a result of inclement weather conditions forecasted for the weekend.
The ceremony starts at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday August 31st, it is free to the general public and all are invited to attend!
Belikin 8 Ball Tournament
Hode's will be hosting the Belikin 8 Ball National Finals this weekend. In oddly related news, Hode's also hosts the Cayo Line Dancing.
Galen Awards 10 New Scholarships
Galen University has awarded 10 scholarships to new students. They had their Fall semester orientation on Saturday. Congratulations to the 10 students. Do well and excel!
"Ten deserving Belizean students are the latest recipients of varying levels and types of scholarships offered at Galen University for the Fall 2014 semester. At a scholarship agreement signing held at the University’s Central Farm Campus on August 25th and August 27th, 2014, the recipients were provided with the relevant guidelines, procedures, and academic expectations of Galen University. Scholarships were awarded in four categories: Academic Excellence, Academic-Financial Need, Athletic, and Music. One outstanding student was also awarded the Daniel Silva Academic-Financial Need Scholarship."
Queen of the West Pageant Pictures
Carmelita Lara, the new Queen of the West, will be heading to the Queen of the Bay soon. The Queen of the West pageant was held at the Octavia Waight Center. They have posted a lot of pictures from the event: evening gowns, talent displays, swimsuits, and even the judges. 1st runner up was Shantel Augustine, and 2nd runner up was Hamira Awe.
All the Queen of the Bay contestants met with the Prime Minister in a question and answer session.
Channel 7
Belize Rural Executive Demonstrates Against Their Own Party For Arthur
The suspended PUP Standard Bearer Arthur Saldivar may be on the ropes but he's not going down without a fight. Last night his Belize Rural North Executive Committee met and issued a defiant press release saying, quote, "we completely and wholeheartedly DENOUNCE this illegal and unconstitutional decision taken by the PUP National Executive on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 to place our Candidate and ELECTED Standard Bearer on two (2) weeks' suspension pending a so-called 'investigation'. "
The release adds, quote, "the decision...only serves the selfish agenda of a few members of the National Executive who are undermining the Party under the guise of 'love for Party'."
They say defiantly that, quote, "We will NOT allow any hand-picked 'replacement' to come into our division and benefit from our years of hard work which was accomplished with much blood, sweat and tears."
Two Men Critical After Evening Robbery Attempt
Two suspected armed robbers are in critical condition at the KHMH after they were shot during an armed robbery this evening in Belize City. It happened at around4:15 at the Western Dairy Ice Cream Parlour where four men rode up on bicycle, stormed in and tried to rob the place at gunpoint.
Details are sketchy as to what happened next, but two of the men ended up getting shot - and two others made a dash out of the back of Western Dairies for Saint Thomas Street. Police were in the area and responded immediately - they set chase after the two suspects, following one of them all the way to Meighan Avenue.
They did not catch them, but they did recover a weapon - a small silver handgun - behind Western Dairies. They also recovered one of their caps and a pair of sunglasses.
PM Says Fair Trade Problems Were Expected
Last night, we told you about the latest controversy in the Sugar Industry between the Cane Farmers Association and Tate and Lyle, the British company which buys their sugar overseas.
They've written to the Cane Farmers saying that they will sharply reduce the volume of sugar bought for the Fair Trade premium price. That figure is going down from fifty or sixty thousand tonnes to ten thousand tonnes.
But, that's only a reduction in the fair trade quota. But we must clarify, the company will still buy the same amount of sugar as it has done in the past - only this year, instead of paying the premium price, under the Fairtrade Agreement, on fifty thousand tonnes or more, they will only pay the premium on ten thousand tonnes.
That's a decrease of $5.7 million dollars in revenue for the cane farmers association.
And it's all because the BSCFA's Fairtrade Certification came into jeopardy after the revelation that its employees fleeced the association of $78,000 dollars. This, as we told you, was revealed in a FLO-Cert Audit a few months ago. The Association was placed on probation, and it has been decertified in the past due to child labour violations and other non-compliances.
Garifunas Protest Against First Caribbean
The Garifuna community took to the streets of Dangriga this morning to protest against First Caribbean International Bank and all other businesses which have allegedly prohibited their Garifuna employees from speaking their language will on the worksite.
They were out in numbers carrying signs, marching from in front of the Drums of Our Fathers Monument, through the principal streets, finishing in front of First Caribbean Bank Branch in Dangriga. It was a strong message sent by those protesters that they would not tolerate such violation of their indigenous rights.
As we've told you, First Caribbean strongly denies that any such restriction was issued in their Dangriga Branch, but both the National Garifuna Council and the United Garifuna Association say that they have confirmed that it did happen.
The protest this morning prompted the Bank to organize an impromptu press briefing 45 minutes before news time to respond to the allegations directly. Here's what the company rep said:
20k Strong: Women and Girl Financial Health
The Special Envoy for Women and Children held a conference on women and girl's financial health today at the Radisson. This conference is part of the 20,000 STRONG Women's Empowerment campaign that strives to celebrate the crucial role women play as well as to educate and uplift women in all sectors of society. Courtney Weatherburne has the story.
Training sessions focused on financial management and marketing were held in the afternoon for the women entrepreneurial groups.
Police Find Gun And Drugs
Police are reporting tonight that they've taken a weapon and over a pound of weed off the street.
Officers acted on intelligence and searched an empty lot on Jane Usher Boulevard Extension, yesterday afternoon at around 2:30. They found a garbage bag, which contained 5 smaller parcels of marijuana to a total amount of 602 grams - or 1.3 pounds. Because nobody was in the area, it was deposited as found property.
45 minutes later, police searched an abandoned lot on Elston Kerr Street. They found a plastic bag which contained a .380 caliber pistol and 2 empty magazines. They also found a separate bag containing 3 live rounds of .380 ammunition. Again, no one was around, so it was deposited as found property.
PM Says PUP Should Have Acted Sooner
At the top of the news, you saw the uproar created by the executive committee for Belize Rural North in front of the PUP Headquarters. They railed for hours, demanding that the party leader come and meet with them, but he didn't. But, they were not completely ignored. The party chairman Henry Usher just called us and said he met with Chairman Carol Williams at 1:00 pm to assure her that as part of his investigation, he plans to meet with the Committee.
But, when we spoke to the Prime Minister today, he said the opposition is moving too slow. Just during the last five years Barrow has expelled Zenaida Moya - who was later re-instated, and, in a first, accepted as resignation from Marcel Cardona even though he had not resigned, and also sent Elvin Penner to the far end of the backbench. So he know a thing or two about icing politicians. Here's his view on the Saldivar suspension:..
PM: CBA Is Closed
At the end of that interview, the Prime Minister referred to hypocrisy in the PUP. It didn't make the cut because it seemed gratuitous, but we mention it because it factors into our next story - when we asked the Prime Minister about the collective bargaining negotiation process with the unions. The unions have refused to sign off on the negotiation as concluded, while the Prime Minister insists it must be at an end. The unions have called his insistence rude and we asked him about it today:..
Jules Vasquez
"They had indicated that you were curt, rude and they didn't wish to sign off."
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"These people who say all that they say in this shrill and strident way accused me of being rude? My goodness, I won't compare them to the earlier scenario that was outlined in terms of the PUP and hypocrisy, I will not do that.
It's An Unfounded Claim, Not A Disputed Border
We also asked the Prime Minister about recent comments made by the US Ambassador Carlos Moreno. In a media round table two weeks ago, he was asked about the Belize Guatemala relations, and he referred to Belize's quote, "disputed border." Now, ask any Belizean and they will tell you that border is fixed and firm - and internationally indisputable. But how does the Prime Minister feel about it? He said finds the language of a disputed border objectionable..
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"I don't understand how the whole issue with Guatemala is indeed called a dispute. When I was growing up; when I became a young man during the early days this was the unfounded Guatemalan claim. All of a sudden it's become indeed a border dispute. I will continue to say though that as far as I am concern it is not a border dispute. There is no question as to where the border is subject to the actual exercise of demarcation. This is a matter of an unfounded territorial claim on the part of Guatemala."
Belize Committed to Uruguay For OAS Sec Gen Elections
And keeping it on diplomacy, the Prime Minister also discussed the candidacy of Belize’s Ambassador Nestor Mendez for the post of OAS Deputy Secretary General. It’s news because earlier this week Mendez explained to us that Belize is supporting the Uruguayan candidate for Secretary General largely because his opponent is a Guatemalan. To hear Mendez’s characterization, having a Guatemalan elevated to the post of Secretary General would have a chilling effect on the confidence building process between Belize and Guatemala which is being facilitated by the OAS. The Prime Minister, though, was more circumspect in his assessment. Here’s how he put it today:…
Hon. Barrow Says Awich Judgment Is Wrong
On Monday, we told you about the decision from Justice Courtney Abel that the Judicial and Legal Services Commission ought not to have dismissed the complaints against Samuel Awich’s appointment as a Judge of the Court of Appeal.
Vasquez Acquitted of Kilos Of Hydro
32 year-old Clarissa Vasquez, who was facing drug trafficking charges for over 50 pounds of high-grade marijuana, is at home free tonight after she was acquitted in Magistrate's Court today.
As we reported, officers from the Gang Suppression Unit were on mobile patrol on West Collet Canal on February 17, 2014. They spotted 40 year-old RaynardGrinage in a 4-door Taurus car. They searched him and the vehicle, but they didn't find anything incriminating. The officers did find a bunch of keys, and they decided to follow up. They searched the house on Bachelor Avenue, to which the keys belong, and they ended up finding 24.4 kilos - or 53 pounds - of "hydro" type weed.
The Back-To-School Expenses
It’s the end of a long summer and classes resume on Monday. While students are recovering from the summer hang over, their parents have more pressing issues to address such as the financial strain they endure as they prepare their children for another school year. Where will the money come from? How are they managing with all the expenses?
Barber Offering Free Haircuts
Now what goes better with newly pressed uniforms, new school shoes and bags than a clean haircut right? Well, you can get your child's hair done for school this weekend at the Back to School Trimming Initiative. It caters to boys and girls from the primary school level. Brian Dena, the coordinator of the event told us more about it
The trimming initiative takes place tomorrow and Sunday from 9 in the morning to 4 at 40 Fabers Road. Along with a free hair cut or braid, the youths get a few back to school supplies. Dena says if you have more than 20 youths in your area you can call him at 637-5728 and he will provide transportation.
Why Hasn't Petrocaribe Loan Been Scrutinized By Nat'l Assembly Yet?
The Finance and Audit Act of 2005 is designed to regulate public revenue, spending and contracts – and provide parliamentary transparency in all manner of government business.
PM Says He's Optimistic About CCJ Case On UHS Loan
Another highly technical matter confronting the government is a case that’s coming to court next month. In September, the Ashcroft Alliance and government are going to court to argue about the enforcement of the arbitral award for the Universal Healthcare Loan. Remember that one? It’s the government guarantee to the Belize Bank for the private hospital which was given during the Musa administration. When the private owners couldn’t pay, government had to – and they did! Still, they never got back the asset and the creditor sold the hospital to Belize Healthcare Partners.
What's Happening With Gun Law Amendments?
And in one final bit of news from the media’s impromptu 32 minute interview with the prime minister today, we asked about the much discussed Gun law amendments. The government committed months ago to revising them – during which time the PUP proposed but never tabled its own version of the laws. Critics say the gun laws are too oppressive, and the Prime Minister says that the new draft legislation had to be careful to balance competing interestS of citizen safety and the presumption of innocence:…
INCAP; Obesity, And The Media
The Obesity epidemic – we often hear about it in the states, but medical professionals says it’s happening right here at home too! The Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama – known as INPAC, says that in Belize, obesity, which is linked to non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, is becoming a very real danger to the population. In response, the Ministry of Health is trying to design an over-weight and obesity Operational plan.
16th Day Of Healing
The event called the 16th Day of Healing is scheduled for tomorrow in the PIV area. This community healing initiative tries to spread peace and positivity in the community. And while it may not fix all of society's ills, organizer of the event Perry "STIKZ" Smith says that at least it is a start.
The Day of Peace is set for tomorrow at 9 in the morning to 6 on Flamboyant Street. This initiative started last year as a result of the quadruple murders on Dean Street. Two of the first Days of Peace were held on Dean Street and the other 13 were held in communities across Belize City.
Channel 5
Western Dairies Jacked in Late-evening Heist
There is late breaking news. The Western Dairies, the popular ice cream shop, which is located on Freetown Road was jacked this afternoon by armed men. Police are processing the [...]
Dangriga Residents Converge on CIBC FirstCaribbean in Protest
Just before news time, the CIBC First Caribbean Bank held a press conference in reaction to escalating anger against the Bank for not disallowing one of its employees to speak [...]
Bank Management Says Employees Are Free to Converse in Garifuna
As we told you, there is escalating anger against the CIBC FirstCaribbean. Late this evening, Manager of Retail Banking and Operations, Shaeleen Castillo responded to the allegations being made at [...]
P.M. Barrow Says B.S.C.F.A. Needs to Sort Out Itself Amid Tate & Lyle Crisis
Prime Minister Dean Barrow spoke today on a number of hot-button issues of national importance including developments in the sugar industry. Eighteen branches of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association [...]
Prime Minister Confident in Belize’s Economic Performance
On Wednesday, the Statistical Institute of Belize announced that there was significant economic growth in the second quarter of this year, as much as eight point seven percent. But we [...]
What’s the P.M.’s Position on Supreme Court Judgment Justice Samuel Awich?
It is rare, but the Supreme Court has handed down a decision in respect of one of its own, Justice Samuel Awich. The background is that a complaint was lodged [...]
P.M. Says Bar is Political and Won’t Succeed in Justice Awich Challenge
The Prime Minister was at the National Call to Action Conference on Women and Girls’ Financial Health hosted by his wife, Kim Simplis Barrow, when he was drilled by the [...]
Accident On Phillip Goldson Highway Leaves Loggers Critically Injured
An accident occurred on Thursday night between Miles thirty-four and thirty five in an area known as Rhaburn Ridge on the Philip Goldson Highway. A vehicle, a small Audi, collided [...]
P.M. Barrow Comments on the Ashcroft Group and Pending Legal Matters
Prime Minister Barrow earlier today also dealt with other significant issues in respect of companies relating to the Ashcroft Group. These include the international arbitral awards; the local enforcement on [...]
B.T.L.’s Second Nationalization Before the CCJ
The Prime Minister also asked about the second nationalization of Belize Telemedia, which is before the Caribbean Court of Justice on appeal. The PM says that even if the government [...]
Vanessa Champagne Paris Returns to Court
Nineteen-year-old Perfilio Rodriguez, a transgendered woman also known as “Vanessa Champagne Paris” was before the court today. It was the first appearance since being granted bail for allegedly assaulting Golda [...]
Protest in Wake of Saldivar’s Suspension from P.U.P.
On Wednesday, Belize Rural North Standard Bearer, Arthur Saldivar, was suspended from the P.U.P., pending the outcome of an internal investigation scheduled for conclusion on September twelfth. Saldivar, an attorney, [...]
Did Arthur Saldivar Make Off with Coye’s Money?
But while the Belize Rural North executive shouts for Saldivar’s reinstatement and heckles the P.U.P. and Melonie Coye, the reality is that the allegations against him are serious – career [...]
Saldivar’s Suspension Too Little Too Late
Over at the Radisson, the Prime Minister was asked about the Arthur Saldivar suspension. Barrow says it’s a little too late. Prime Minister Dean Barrow “(Laughs) I don’t know [...]
P.M. Lashes Out At Unions
Remember the Joint Negotiation Team that comprises of the Association of Public Service Senior Managers, the Public Service Union and the Belize National Teachers Union? For years the unions had [...]
Update on PetroCaribe Initiative
There is another issue that came up this morning…the infrastructure works that are currently ongoing in many parts of the country which are funded through a twenty million dollar loan [...]
Social Media Portal Launched for Business Owners
Connect Americas seeks to promote foreign trade and international investments and is a social platform which allows local businesses to network with clients, suppliers, and investors. The social platform was [...]
Little Miss Pageant to be Held at the Bliss
The Concerned Belizean Women organization is putting off one of its many annual fundraising activities this weekend. It is the Independence Day Junior Miss Pageant. Eight young girls are contending [...]
LOVE FM
UB A Way Forward
Senior administrators, professors and Board members of the University of Belize were at the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel today to discuss issues on education particularly as they relate to the tertiary level. One key item on today’s agenda was a discussion with the Minister of Education, Patrick Faber, where the stakeholders were able to get upfront answers to their concerns and questions. Love News spoke to Minister Faber regarding his role in today’s session.
Minister of Edu PATRICK FABER
“UB act speaks to the minister giving general direction to the board and to the management of the university people who have observed how I have operated as minister of education over the last few years know that I am not one to micromanage the university. I do exactly what the UB act requires me to do and that is to give general direction and I have done so on various occasions at the university and today is one such occasion. The board and the senior managers of the university are gathered here and they have asked me to come to share just a bit with them. In my presentation today I shared with them some of what I have shared over the last couple of years.
Prime Minister Dean Barrow says he is pleased, pleased.
On Wednesday, the Statistical Institute of Belize, shared data that pointed to an 8.7% increase in economic activity in Belize for the second quarter. this coupled with the less rapid economic expansion of the first quarter of this year resulted in growth of 3.7 percent for the first six months of 2014.Prime Minister Dean Barrow says he is pleased
PRIME MINISTER DEAN BARROW
“I am very very pleased not just with the extremely strong second quarter growth but I noticed they also indicated there revised last year’s growth figure which I think has gone from something like .7% to certainly 1.5% but in terms of the here and now that second quarter growth is phenomenal and so I am very pleased indeed. The third quarter can I think be expected not to be as strong as the second quarter but then the last quarter can certainly be expected to be stronger than the third quarter so in the end I am hopeful that it will all even out and we will finish with growth that is certainly in excess of the projection and there is nothing anybody can say to rain on our parade with respect to this phenomenal 8.7% second quarter growth.”
Prime Minister Barrow weighs in on Sugar crisis
On Wednesday we reported about the letter sent Tate & Lyle Sugars to the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association stating that because of the market vulnerability it has been forced to reduce the association’s quota from 65 thousand tons to 10 thousand tons. The reduction in income is estimated from 6.9 to 1.2 million Belize dollars. It’s bad news for the cane farmers who are facing several different challenges. Yesterday the Directors of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers’ Association met in Orange Walk where they discussed how the situation will be dealt with. Today Prime Minister Dean Barrow weighed on the matter…..
PRIME MINISTER SEAN BARROW
“I believe that there was a suspension of the fair trade premium as a consequence of irregularities that the monitors discovered. I don’t know that the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers association has yet remedied the defects, it appears that what is happening number one there is a need for that to be sorted out because if that isn’t sorted out there will be no fair trade premium at all but it seems even if that issue is squared away there is the possibility perhaps the likelihood that the amount of sugar to attract a fair trade premium will be less.
7-Year Contract for Awich - “They Can Take That, Put In Their Pipe and Smoke It”, Says Barrow
Last week Friday, Supreme Court Justice, Courtenay Abel, ruled that the complaint brought against Judge of the Court of Appeal, Samuel Awich, should not have been dismissed as it was. The claims brought by Dean Boyce and British Caribbean Bank Limited challenged the process followed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission. The claimants were seeking to remove Awich as a sitting Judge of the Court of Appeal for allegedly misbehavior while he was a judge of the Supreme Court. Prime Minister Dean Barrow says that the claimants are wasting time….
RT. HON. DEAN BARROW
“My understanding is that the Ashcroft Alliance was urging this alleged misbehavior on the part of Justice Awich as a basis for seeking his removal as a judge of the Court of Appeal but the alleged misbehavior was according to them something that occurred while he was a judge on the Supreme Court. I don’t see how on earth you can say, when you were a judge on the Supreme Court you misbehaved and that is a ground for removing you as a judge of the Court of Appeal. You would have to urge that as a judge of the Court of Appeal there was misbehavior otherwise it is illogical and absurd.
BRN PUP Committee Demands Retraction of Saldivar’s Suspension
The Belize Rural North Constituency Committee for the People’s United Party picketed in front of Independence Hall in Belize City this morning. The committee is demanding that the Leader of the People’s United Party, Francis Fonseca, overturn the suspension of Arthur Saldivar, as the PUP’s Standard Bearer for the Belize Rural North constituency. Vice Chairman of the Committee, Oscar Pollard Sr., told Love News that due process was not followed.
OSCAR POLLARD SR
“There is a constitution right here that has certain clauses that must be met and that was not met.”
HIPOLITO NOVELO: “What are those criteria?”
OSCAR POLLARD
“Well first of all the person who the allegation is against must be served at least 7 days with a notice of exactly what is the complaint and the executive committee should be contacted and given whatever the situation is in writing and that is a part of the constitution. We are governed by the constitution and live by it and we will continue to go by it as long as we are PUP’s.”
Gang of Four Rob Ice Cream Joint
A robbery of the popular ice-cream establishment on Freetown Road in Belize City was hit today by a gang of four robbers. The incident occurred just before five o’clock this evening. At the scene, Love News encountered police officers already at the scene taking statements and seeking evidence that would lead them to build a strong case. Up to news time, investigators were still on the scene and our attempts to get any information were futile particularly since a policy recently implemented by the Belize Police Department dictates that the media must go through the Police Press Office for information and so, when we tried calling the numbers given, one of them led direct to voicemail while there was no answer on the other line…..but what we can tell you is that there were four robbers, one of them were reportedly shot by police, due to the mobile’s quick response. Our source tells us that the culprits gained entry at the rear of the building and police are pursuing the other three robbers. It is uncertain how much, if any, money was taken during the robbery.
Prime Minister Draws Analogy On Penner and Saldivar
Prime Minister Dean Barrow also commented on the decision of the PUP’s national Executive to suspend Saldivar.
RT. HON. DEAN BARROW
“I don’t know that I ought to be giving the PUP any sort of advice. I will say though that on the basis of their pronouncements during the course of events that unfolded surrounding Penner, on the basis of the stance they took, indeed they ought to have moved far more quickly and far more forcefully with respect to Arthur Saldivar. I think they run the risk now of appearing to be hypocrites but in that regard what else is new.”
Woman Acquitted Following Judge’s Acceptance of No-Case Submission
Thirty-two year old Clarissa Vasquez, one of two persons who were charged with drug trafficking for 24.4 kilograms of high grade weed, was acquitted of the charge today by Magistrate Herbert Panton. After the prosecution closed its case, Vasquez attorney, Ellis Arnold, made a submission that she does not have a case to answer to because the evidence adduced by the prosecution was insufficient. Arnold said that Vasquez was not present at the house on Bachelor Avenue when the police found the cannabis and that there was nothing to connect her with the drugs. Magistrate Panton agreed and he upheld the submission. The incident occurred on February 17, 2014. The police, members of the GSU, were conducting an operation on West collet Canal Street when they encountered Vasquez’ boyfriend Reynard Grinage, in a four door Taurus car.
Dangrigans Protest Against Bank Following Allegations of Discrimination
A protest took place today in Dangriga. With more on this here is correspondent Harry Arzu.
HARRY ARZU
“The National Garifuna Council Dangriga branch sanctioned by the National Garifuna Council of Belize lead a demonstration in Dangriga here today against work policy indicating that the Garifuna language is prohibited from being spoken inside the First Caribbean International Bank serving this municipality. Dangriga is referred to as the culture capital and is predominantly a Garifuna community. A large number of people of this indigenous ethnic group conducts business at the said bank. Now since the wide spread of the bad news tension has been building here among the Garifuna People who indicated that they will not tolerate such insult and disrespect against their people and culture. Martha Robinson is the Dangriga branch president.”
PlusTV
Arthur Saldivar supporters protest his suspension
The investigation by a four-man committee of the National Executive of the People’s United Party (PUP) into allegations against Belize Rural North standard bearer Arthur Saldivar continues, but neither the embattled politician/attorney or his supporters are taking it lying down...
Pine logs across the highway due to accident
Last night, Thursday August 28, between miles 33 and 34 on the Phillip Goldson Highway, a Tractor with a 12-feet trailer carrying pine logs was rear ended by a 4 door Audi. The crash caused the pine logs to dislodge and scatter across the road while the Audi received damage to its front portion.
Major Crimes down in Belmopan
Officer Commanding Belmopan Police Superintendent Howell Gillett joined the Belmopan police formation in early May of this year. Today we took a look at some statistics...
Belmopan City Administrator resigns
Angela Wade, the sister of Belmopan Area Representative John Saldivar, joined the Belmopan City Council in 2013 as the City Administrator. Today, after almost a year of service at the Belmopan City Council, Angela Wade tendered here resignation effective today.The reason for her sudden departure is...
Fire in Maya Mopan; Is arson the cause?
The beginning of this school year starts in less than 4 days, and parents and guardians are doing their last minute shopping for school materials. That is what Sonia Rivera was doing when she got a call that her house, located in the Maya Mopan Area, Belmopan, was engulfed in flames.
Amandala
Garifuna language barred at Caribbean bank?
Controversy erupted out of the culture capital, Dangriga, this week over allegations that a Garifuna woman working at a major Caribbean bank, CIBC FirstCaribbean, with offices in Belize, had been barred from the public use of the Garifuna language within the institution.
The National Garifuna Council (NGC) issued a cautionary release on Tuesday, August 26, saying that it is “exceedingly bothered” by the allegations that the bank in question does not permit the use of the Garifuna language within the financial institution.
“This allegation is being taken seriously and the Council is investigating the matter,” the NGC said, adding that, “We will not stand aside and allow our rich cultural heritage to be disrespected by any entity, individual or organization, if that is the case.”
Belizean caught with 6.5 kilos of cocaine in Costa Rica
A Belizean national who was busted with 6.5 kilos of cocaine in Costa Rica is now in police custody after he reportedly tried to depart the country with the stash of drugs hidden inside 284 pilot markers.
According to La Nacion newspaper, the incident occurred at around 8:00 this past Sunday night at the Juan Santamaría International Airport in Costa Rica when a 37-year-old man, known only by his surname, Tillett, was busted by Drug Control Police when the officers asked to him open his hand luggage.
Upon inspecting the luggage, Costa Rican authorities discovered 29 boxes of pilot brand markers which contained 290 individual markers – 284 of which were found to be filled with cocaine.
Nephew charged for burning down aunt’s house
A Belize City man who is accused of arson was remanded to prison after the court prosecutor, Inspector Hector Rodriguez, objected to his being granted bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the offense and the fact that the man had threatened to burn down the house, which he did.
Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith upheld Rodriguez’s objection and remanded Darrell Alvarez, 27, into custody until his next court date on October 3, 2014.
A single charge of arson was read to Alvarez, who was not required to enter a plea because the offense is indictable and will be tried in the Supreme Court after a preliminary inquiry is held in the Magistrate’s Court to determine if there is enough evidence to send the case to the high court.
55,000-ton bomb dropped on cañeros!
On Tuesday of this week, Tate and Lyle Sugars, a member of the American Sugar Refineries (ASR) group, dropped a bombshell on local cañeros when they announced, in a letter to the farmers, that there might be a drastic cut to the Belize sugar quota that sells under the Fair-Trade logo, and thus, the 18 directors of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers’ Association (BSCFA) met this afternoon in Orange Walk to discuss the crippling issue.
Sugar quota slashed from 65,000 to 10,000 tons!
Apart from market forecasts which are cited in Tate and Lyle’s letter, which was sent from their headquarters in London, the BSCFA was informed that the purchase of sugar for the 2014/2015 crop would be 10,000 tons, 55 thousand tons less than last year, while the premium price, which is US$60, will be paid after the product has been sold to consumers as Fair-Trade sugar.
“Peeping Tom” sentenced to 6 months
A resident of the Mile 8 community on the George Price Highway who was charged with committing a mischievous act after he was caught peeping into the bedroom of a 13-year-old girl was sentenced to 6 months in prison when his trial concluded in the courtroom of Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith this morning.
After the court prosecutor indicated that he was closing the case for the prosecution, Smith told the accused, Angel Dorado, 34, an unemployed man, that he had one out of three options. He could remain silent, or he could give an unsworn statement from the dock where he stood, or finally, he could go across to the witness stand and make a sworn statement and be subject to cross examination.
Dorado decided that he would remain silent.
Double whammy: Drought parches Belize amid hotter than normal August
The first three months of the rainy season have produced very little rains, and the National Meteorological Service confirmed today that almost all of Belize has been experiencing a drought, with extreme drought conditions occurring in the Belize District due to record low rainfall at the nation’s premier port of entry, the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA).
Not only has Belize been experiencing drier than normal conditions; it has also been experiencing hotter than normal temperatures this month, according to Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Catherine Cumberbatch.
Cumberbatch told Amandala today that daily information gathered up to today, Thursday, August 28, from their network of over 20 weather stations across Belize, indicates that at all stations across the country, rainfall has been way below normal, with the exception of the extreme south, Toledo, which has been registering normal rainfall.
Belizean caught with 6.5 kilos of cocaine in Costa Rica
A Belizean national who was busted with 6.5 kilos of cocaine in Costa Rica is now in police custody after he reportedly tried to depart the country with the stash of drugs hidden inside 284 pilot markers.
According to La Nacion newspaper, the incident occurred at around 8:00 this past Sunday night at the Juan Santamaría International Airport in Costa Rica when a 37-year-old man, known only by his surname, Tillett, was busted by Drug Control Police when the officers asked to him open his hand luggage.
Upon inspecting the luggage, Costa Rican authorities discovered 29 boxes of pilot brand markers which contained 290 individual markers – 284 of which were found to be filled with cocaine.
Teenager facing murder charge in Cayo and attempted murder charge in Belize City
A Belize City teenager who was wanted by police was charged for a recent murder in Cayo, where he had apparently been in hiding, and was then brought to the Magistrate’s Court and arraigned on attempted murder and dangerous harm charges before Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith late yesterday, Monday.
Earlier on Monday, Joseph Vaccaro, Jr., 19, had been charged in the San Ignacio Magistrate’s Court with the August 16 murder of Unitedville resident Victor Vargas, 38, who died from multiple stab wounds to his neck.
Vaccaro was seen hanging out with the older man, Vargas, prior to his murder, and investigators believe that they have gathered enough evidence to charge him for the murder.
Plues Street resident remanded for shooting in San Pedro
A Belize City resident of Plues Street was remanded to the Belize Central Prison after he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith to answer to one count of aggravated assault with a firearm, for a shooting incident that occurred earlier this month on San Pedro.
Jason “Killa” Gillett, 28, who police believe is an associate of the George Street Gang, pleaded not guilty to the one count of aggravated assault with a firearm against Germaine Zuniga.
Since offenses involving a firearm trigger an automatic remand to prison, Gillett was remanded until his next court appearance date on October 7, 2014.
PUP suspeds Arthur Saldivar
The Opposition People’s United Party (PUP) held a National Executive meeting this morning at its Independence Hall headquarters at which it decided to suspend the Belize Rural North constituency standard bearer, attorney Arthur Saldivar, who was recently catapulted into the national spotlight with an allegation that he commandeered $900,000 from a former client, Melonie Coye.
There is, however, no claim filed at the Supreme Court Registry, and neither has Saldivar been served with any notice of a civil action, for which he would have been mandated to provide a defense to the court before a trial date is set.
Attorney Eamon Courtenay, S.C., who is representing Melonie Coye, had said that Saldivar would have a chance to explain the allegation against him to a Supreme Court judge. Presently, the Supreme Court is on vacation until its next session, which starts in October.
Lionman Triathlon 2014 this Sunday, 6:30 a.m. at Sand Lighters Promenade
The 15th Annual Lionman Triathlon takes place this Sunday, August 31, starting at 6:30 a.m. at the Sand Lighters Promenade on New Town Barracks, and all are invited, free of charge, to see the brave athletes take that early morning plunge into the cold water to start their swim leg of the triathlon.
Participating athletes will compete in the following categories – Juniors (18 and under); Females; Males (elite); Masters (40 and over); and Mixed Relay teams.
Each participant will attempt to complete the Olympic Distance event – 1,500 meter swim, 40k ride, and 10k run.
Belize’s Daland Jones wins Gold at Masters Athletics Championship in Cost Rica
Veteran footballer, track & field, and body building athlete, Daland Jones won the Gold medal in Shot Put, beating American Jerry Ropelato at the North, Central American and Caribbean World Masters Athletics (NCCWMA) Championship, held in San Jose, Costa Rica from August 21-24.
Three veteran Belizean athletes travelled to Costa Rica for the event. Philip Andrewin, in the Masters 65 category (65 – 69 yrs), took part in the 100m, 200m, High Jump, Long Jump and Shot Put. Lawrence Craig, in the Masters 55 category (55 – 59 yrs), represented in Shot Put, High Jump, and won the Silver medal in the Triple Jump. (Lawrence was 4th in Shot Put in his category.) And Daland Jones, also in the Masters 55 category (55 – 59 yrs), participated in the Discus, Javelin, and won the Gold medal in the Shot Put. Top 4 Masters 5 finishers in Shot Put were Daland Jones (Belize, 10.44m), Jerry Ropelato (USA, 10.36m), James Bristol (Trinidad & Tobago, 10.34m), and Lawrence Craig (Belize, 9.05m).
Belize Jaguars prepare for Nations Cup
While the dust settles concerning the Football Federation of Belize (FFB)’s myriad of internal tangles, the country’s Men’s National “A” football selection, known as the Belize Jaguars, including international superstriker Deon McCaulay, and newly reinstated veteran Costa Rican coach, Leroy Sherrier-Lewis, is currently in preparation for an appearance in the upcoming Copa Centro Americana, or Nations Cup, the tournament which enabled the Jaguars to qualify for their first ever Gold Cup outing last year.
One of the wrinkles that had been troubling FFB President Ruperto Vicente is the lack of an affordable coach, but after going back and forth with other international coaches, he managed to procure the popular Leroy Sherrier-Lewis, who is certainly no stranger to Belize or to the Federation’s historical shortcomings.
CONCACAF swoops in to straighten out a reeling FFB
The Football Federation of Belize (FFB) is on the road to recovery – at least that is the indication that embattled FFB President Ruperto Vicente has asserted, after several months of internal flare ups within his executive, which reportedly resulted from allegations of micromanagement and financial mismanagement on his part, forced two successive marathon meetings in which local football executives first reconciled their differences before they sat with CONCACAF representatives, who were called in to adjudicate the dire situation concerning the current welfare of football in the country.
After being kept under wraps for nearly a year due to the fear that the local football community, many of whom are sincerely upset by the recent disqualification of Belize’s Belmopan Bandits from the ongoing Champions League tournament because of a substandard local football pitch, will become even more downhearted by the news, the discord that had been brewing within the FFB management aroused the direct intercession of FIFA and CONCACAF, the international football governing bodies, who stepped in and sent two representatives to the country yesterday to quell the undercurrent of discontent which had been threatening to destabilize the foundation of the fairly new FFB executive, who, like the current UDP administration, was swept into office on a wave of reform two years ago.
Editorial: Greg steps down
On Tuesday the news broke that the chairman of the Sarstoon and Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM), Greg Ch’oc, was stepping down and was headed to the University of the West Indies to study law. Over the last decade or so, Greg had become the national face of the Kek’chi Maya of Toledo, so this move, though not completely unexpected, was of deep, troubling significance.
It was ironic that the following day, Wednesday, Tate & Lyle announced that they would be cutting the preferential sugar quota of our Northern cane farmers from 65,000 tons to 10,000, a thunderbolt decision which will cost the cane farmers in the neighborhood of five million dollars in the 2014/2015 crop year.
The cañeros of the Corozal and Orange Walk Districts are, to a substantial extent, descended from the Santa Cruz and Icaiche Maya, who are referred to as “Yucatec” Maya, having come down into the former British Honduras from the Yucatan in the second half of the nineteenth century.
Now, while the Santa Cruz Maya, also called bravos, and the Icaiche Maya, also called pacíficos, have a long history of hostility against each other, it is the case in Belize, where Corozal is more Santa Cruz and Orange Walk more Icaiche, that they are basically the same where their position on the Kek’chi Maya of Toledo is concerned. The Yucatec Maya have accepted the philosophy of private land holding, while the Toledo Kek’chi have been fighting for customary land rights, which involve land being held in common by the village unit.
From the Publisher
To be young, street, and black in Belize City today is to be treated as a criminal or potential criminal, every day and every night, by groups of police officers driving around in pickup trucks with United States flags painted on them.
If there is a major crime committed, such as murder or armed robbery, young, street, and black from certain neighborhoods can be arbitrarily grabbed, provoked, insulted, beaten, confined and held for 72 hours without any charge and without any real evidence.
In the absence of a major crime, when things are cool, the roving cops can just stop you in the middle of the street, spread-eagle you, search you, and insult you, and the excuse for this is most often the weed law. Recently, the authorities suddenly decided, after decades and decades of ignoring the bell and light statutes for bicycling, that you must have one of each of these on your poor youth’s transport. More stop, more abuse, more insult, more persecution …
Letters: Guns don’t fight climate change … trees do!
Belize faces a major threat over the coming years and we will need the best weapons available to deal with it. The name of that threat is climate change and it will affect the whole world, with tropical regions feeling the worst of the change. Global experts agree that, by the end of the century, Belize will see 5°C increase on average daily temperatures, more frequent and longer droughts, less overall rainfall, more hurricane force winds and sea level rises that could submerge parts of low lying areas such as Belize City.
Climate change cannot be stopped solely from within Belize, so we need to find ways to adapt to it. The impacts listed above will clearly hit agriculture the hardest. This is particularly worrying because our agricultural sector currently employs more than 32,000 Belizeans and contributes 23% of GDP.
It is clear that Belize needs a successful agricultural sector, but this sector is under serious threat and measures need to be taken sooner rather than later to avoid disaster.
Letters: Begging the Transport Department …
As I prepare for this school year I keep remembering the experience we had last year with the teachers/students bus from Independence to Bladen. I would normally take the bus to Bella Vista and vice versa. In my opinion, the bus is not road-worthy, as the tires were worn out and during the rainy days you need to be selective of your seat, or get wet.
On the way back to Independence one day, we experienced a blowout. Concern was mentioned to the person in charge of transportation at the District Education Center (D.E.C.), who promised to look into the situation. I don’t know if the owner was contacted, as the bus looked the same way.
Letters: Neri Briceño writes First Caribbean Bank
I write to you in three different capacities: an account holder with your bank, a Belizean, and most of all a proud Garifuna. Whether the content of this letter affects my current standing with the bank is irrelevant at this point, because I trust the bank as an institution is professional enough to separate the two.
A most disturbing and outrageous revelation has emerged from your Dangriga Branch which requires immediate and collective action both by yourself and First Caribbean Bank. It is a known fact and whether the bank chooses to admit it or not is immaterial at this point, but Garifuna employees of that branch have been discouraged by the manager at that location from speaking in their native tongue. For something like this to happen in modern 2014 is incomprehensible, unacceptable and absolutely outrageous. I am sure that an institution such as First Caribbean which boasts of its international range and wide diversity with over 100 branches in 17 regional markets does not sanction such behavior. Your bank has a proud tradition of employing thousands of people from different races and cultures and for a manager to ask employees to comply with such a directive is tantamount to cultural suicide.
Letters: Dr. Aranda writes FirstCaribbean, Barbados
I write you, sir, primarily as a Garifuna person, but also at the request of the Garifuna community of Belize as well as the entire Garifuna Diaspora throughout Central America and the United States of America concerning the harassment and move to dismiss at least one senior officer of the CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank, Dangriga Branch, Belize, Miss Uwahnie Martinez.
The alleged violation by this senior officer is her answering greetings in Garifuna from Garifuna customers who address her in Garifuna within the bank.
The FirstCaribbean Bank claims that its official language is English, hence only English is to be spoken on the premises of the bank.
Guat farmers marking survey lines several miles inside Belize: FCD
Incessant illegal encroachments by farmers from Guatemala into the Chiquibul Forest, and particularly the Chiquibul National Park and the Caracol Archaeological Reserve, could be exacerbated by the worsening drought in the neighboring country, which has forced the declaration of a state of emergency, amid reports that Guatemalan farmers are not just expanding slash-and-burn clearings in the verdant lands of western Belize, but are actually marking survey lines several miles into Belize and setting up illegal dwellings inside the national park.
Rafael Manzanero, Executive Director of Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD), warns that, “The drought period in Guatemala affecting over 1 million, two hundred thousand people in 16 departments, have created a condition of food insecurity. This has prompted the Guatemalan Government to declare a state of calamity on the 25th of August among the 16 departments. In many of these departments, up to 80% of the corn product has been lost and it will take some 8 months to recover. The search for new lands for cultivations will become more incessant.”
Export earnings plunge $55 mil despite 3.7% GDP growth, Jan to July 2014
Belize’s economy declined marginally by 0.4% for the first quarter of 2014, but the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) reported an upturn in economic growth for second quarter by 8.7%, bringing the total growth estimate for the first half of 2014 to 3.7%.
The news was announced at a press conference held at the Central Bank of Belize this morning, and while the SIB official presenting the data, Jefte Ochaeta, Statistician II, said that he did not have information on what this growth means in dollars and cents, he did indicate to us that the growth in the primary industries, agriculture, forestry and fishing, up by 13.2%, represented a $13.9 million increase in production.
Greg Ch’oc bows out from SATIIM
Yesterday morning was a bittersweet, yet momentous occasion for the non-governmental organization (NGO) known as SATIIM, the Sarstoon-Temash Institute for Indigenous Management, and the indigenous Maya communities in southern Belize, after Maya leader Greg Ch’oc, who has been a fiery champion of their causes for nearly two decades, declared that he would withdraw from his position as executive director of the organization, relinquishing the administration into the hands of a carefully selected successor who has gotten the blessings of the Maya communities to continue what Ch’oc has termed as “the legacy of resistance”, particularly as it relates to the issue of oil drilling and exploration in Toledo.
Ch’oc initially publicized his intentions to pursue a law degree at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus in Barbados about a year ago during a gathering in Midway Village, and now, with his admission process completed, it was time to make the announcement official.
7-foot bull shark illegally fished at Joe Taylor Creek
Fisheries authorities in Belize are investigating the illegal fishing of bull sharks in southern Belize after two adult bull sharks were found dead near the Joe Taylor Creek area, amid reports that 4 to 5 sharks had been indiscriminately fished and dumped, despite the fact that the season for shark fishing has been closed since August 1 – a measure imposed by fisheries managers to help ensure sustainability of the industry.
Only two species of shark can’t be fished in Belize, and they are the whale shark and the nurse shark. Fisheries officials are working on putting in place size limits to further protect the industry from wanton fishing of young sharks. Elmar Requeña, terrestrial biologist for the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE), reported that, “At 7:50 a.m. on the 26th August, 2014, residents from Punta Gorda spotted a dead shark floating under the Joe Taylor Creek Bridge.”
TIDE’s Celia Mahung told us that another dead bull shark was retrieved from the same area yesterday, and she underscores that “fishing seasons in Belize need to be respected in order for us to continue benefiting from our marine resources.”
GOB signs infrastructure contracts for flood mitigation
The Government of Belize (GOB) signed a total of four contracts for infrastructure projects worth more than $5M as part of an upcoming Flood Mitigation Infrastructure Program aimed at upgrading, cleaning and constructing existing streets and canals on the north-side of Belize City.
The contract signing took place yesterday in the Conference Room of the Ministry of Works and Transport on Power Lane in Belmopan City. According to GOB, the projects will include the concreting and lining of the Douglas Jones Canal and the Northside Canal in Belize City, as well as the upgrading of Link Road (Apollo Street), and the construction and concrete-lining of the Bill Lindo Canal in Belama Phases 3 and 4.
Maheias United Construction Company has been outsourced to build a concrete-lined and earthen addition to the Bill Lindo Canal at a cost of $892,250, to be completed in 8 months if all conditions are favorable, while Medina’s Construction Company is slated to build a concrete-lined, covered replacement for the Douglas Jones Canal which will cost $1.8 million and is scheduled to be completed within a period of 10 months.
Changes in certain US visa and consular fees announced
–The US State Department announced out of Washington, DC, today that effective Friday, September 12, 2014, it intends to adjust processing fees for some services, including fiancé visas and the fee for renouncing US citizenship.
“The fees for most categories of immigrant visas will change, while fees for nonimmigrant visas largely remain the same,” the announcement said:
The fee for renouncing US citizenship will increase from US$450 to US$2,350.
“Documenting a U.S. citizen’s renunciation of citizenship is extremely costly, requiring U.S. consular officers overseas to spend substantial amounts of time to accept, process, and adjudicate cases. The fee for processing renunciation of citizenship, which had previously been subsidized, is now reflective of the true cost,” the 15-day notice said.
The Reporter
PUP Belize Rural North executives protest at party headquarters
Members of the PUP’s Belize Rural North executive committee protested in front of their party’s headquarters on Queen Street on Friday to object to the suspension of Arthur Saldivar from the party.
The group led by Oswin Blease, told The Reporter that they will keep the pressure on the party’s leadership in defiance of their standard bearer’s suspension that they say is illegal and not in conformity with the party’s constitution.
They also demanded a meeting with the party’s leader, Francis Fonseca, to discuss the suspension that they claim was carried out contrary to the norms of due process.
Conference seeks to empower, uplift women
A conference aimed at empowering women and creating enabling environments for their growth and independence took place on Friday at the Radisson Fort George Hotel In Belize City.
The forum, which was a continuation of the 20,000 strong march earlier this year, included speeches by Kim Simplis Barrow, special envoy for women and children, Dr Carla Barnett and others on the role women play in society.
An expo, featuring the works of female artisans from across the country complemented the conference.
Two men remanded for crystal meth
Customs officials say that 120 pounds of meth-amphetamine that Orange Walk police intercepted last week Wednesday night did not come through its Belize City port of entry. Selso Marin, a senior officer in the Investigations Unit at the Customs Department, said that it is […]
BML expecting payment on Friday
Belize Maintenance Limited (BML) is expecting a five-week-payment from the Belize City Council on Friday, according to BML owner Lawrence Ellis. Ellis indicated that CitCo has promised to make a payment of approximately $390,000 on Friday. He added that if CitCo didn’t pay on […]
Taiwan provides scholarships for 26 Belizeans
Twenty-six Belizean students will leave the country this weekend for Taiwan where they will pursue tertiary-level studies in fields ranging from engineering to medicine over the next few years. At an orientation ceremony last Saturday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington reminded the students […]
Child Friendly Municipality Initiative launched
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Ministry of Local Government, and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) have launched the Sustainable and Child Friendly Municipality Initiative geared toward addressing issues affecting children in different municipalities. Ivan Yerovie, UNICEF representative, said they are working […]
Provident Bank robbed of $40,000
About $40,000 was stolen from Provident Bank & Trust of Belize Limited on Barrack Road around 9:15 a.m. on Monday morning. According to Inspector Santiago Ciao, OC Precinct Three, two unmasked men entered the bank and asked to see the cashier. After the men […]
Body of missing Lemonal resident found
The body of a 27-year-man that had been missing for almost two weeks was found in a shallow grave in the village of Lemonal on Saturday afternoon. Denvo Banner’s remains were found in a shallow grave behind the community school by a search team […]
Alleged American murderer could be in Belize
Belizean law enforcement authorities are on the lookout and are in need of the public’s help to locate Lyle Marvin Hoffman, also known as “Ty”, a wanted American felon accused of the murder of a man in Minnesota State, USA. Hoffman, according to Minnesota authorities, […]
A&R security guard charged for plotting robbery
A 28-year-old security guard who worked at A&R Enterprise Limited has been charged in connection with last week’s robbery at the establishment and has been remanded to the Belize Central Prison. Leroy Ciego was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit robbery and […]
SATIIM gets new director
The Sarstoon Temash institute of Indigenous Management (SATIIM) has a new executive director. Foyla Tzalam officially assumed the post on Tuesday at a press conference held at the conference room of the Belize Social Security Board in Punta Gorda Town. Tzlam takes over from former […]
UNICEF deploys largest amount of aid ever
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) this month deployed over 1,000 metric tons of life saving supplies for children all over the world setting a record for largest amount of emergency aid delivered in a single month. According to UNICEF, the delivery in August […]
EDITORIAL
Since 1976 when the Ebola virus was first identified, the disease has become one of the most deadly the world has seen. It is possible for a person to come down with Ebola symptoms in the morning and be dead by nighttime! The Center for Disease Control in the United […]
‘Draconian’ gun law to be revised! Elrington says amendments expected as early as next month
Amendments to the controversial gun law may come as early as next month, Attorney General Wilfred Elrington said in a recent interview with The Reporter. According to Elrington, the Offices of the Solicitor General and the Ministry of National Security are reviewing the 2008 amendment […]
GDP up, exports down!
The economy has grown by 8.7 percent above last year, the best recorded second quarter growth since 2009, while imports continue to exceed exports according to the latest data released by the Statistical Institute of Belize. The SIB presented the Gross Domestic Product and the […]
Cañeros seek clarification on new payment scheme
The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association is requesting clarification from the biggest importer of sugar, Tate and Lyle Sugars, on changes made to the payment scheme for the upcoming sugarcane crop. The BSCFA wrote to the company on Thursday, after receiving a letter stating the […]
PUP suspends Arthur Saldivar!
Arthur Saldivar, the PUP’s standard bearer in the Belize Rural North constituency is suspended and faces possible expulsion from the party if ongoing ongoing investigations prove that he is culpable of taking monies that belonged to one of his clients. PUP Leader, Francis Fonseca, told […]
Patrick Jones
Galen University awards scholarships
Galen University has announced the awarding of ten scholarships for the 2014 Fall Semester.
A statement from Galen University says that the scholarships were awarded in four categories, namely Academic Excellence, Academic/Financial Needs, Athletic and Music.
The Scholarship recipients are Ruvi Bautista, Jessie Gentle and Jasmin Nicole Hulse for Academic Excellence.
Derrick Seaven Bol and Mario Alberto Villeda for Financial Needs; Romario Romaldo Pech received a Music Scholarship.
Kevin Brown, Bryton Edmundo Codd and Christopher Enriquez are recipients of Athletic Scholarships.
The Daniel Silva Academic/Financial Need Scholarship has been awarded to Kaycee Nikita Flores.
One HOT Day in Beautiful Placencia Village – Taking Things Slow
My taxi driver in Independence/Mango Creek called for rain. The rest of the week, he said with authority, SHOWERS. Quite the bold statement when it basically hasn’t rained for months in San Pedro or Placencia – and the official weather report down here is about as reliable as BTL internet service down here. But I am a sucker for anything said with command AND I hadn’t packed an umbrella, so maybe it could…
Just a 3 minute taxi ride or a 10 minute stroll north of the village, I check into the very cutest spot and most homey, Casa Placencia.
A labor of love – each room filled with color and art and personal touches. Mosaic tiles everywhere done personally by the owner – Jackie – in her over 30 years in Belize. I took so many pictures but I’ll save them for later.
Belize Gets Big Support in Cooling the Effects of Climate Change
An ambitious US$ 30 million World Bank project will help make a difference!
Here at Chaa Creek there’s no debate about climate change. Those doubting that climate change exists as a growing threat to the health of our planet and the seven billion souls inhabiting it will find their arguments falling on deaf ears around here.
We’re just too close to nature to ignore the fact that the earth is heating up, water levels are rising, and storms are increasing in intensity and frequency.
But doom and gloom has never been a Belizean trait, and we take heart in the many measures being put in place to counter this growing threat. All around us we see people taking part in the worldwide effort to turn climate change around and mitigate its effects.
“It’s So Easy” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
I got out on to the veranda – yes the western, lagoon facing one on the first floor – around 05.00 hours yesterday morning with the “must have” mug of black coffee (no sugar) and my iPad.
After a few minutes of just taking in the sights,sounds and smells. I know it should be the same vista – I sit in the same position every morning after all – but it never, ever is. The different shades of the early morning light conspire to make it a different and truly enjoyable picture every day.
Sated with the ambience (and a couple of sips of coffee) I turned to The Times online and was well in to the Business pages when the tranquility was broken by the sound of hammering from the lot immediately north of our home.
I don’t why but this got to me to thinking about how I would have reacted to such an intrusion at 06.30 hours when I was living in London. I’m pretty certain that the reaction from me would have been to utter a few expletives. The next step would likely have been for me to shout similar types of invective at the “offending” workers.
My reaction yesterday morning? I had another sip of coffee and went back to the Business pages.
International Sources
Meet Me in Belize" sweepstakes by AFAR
We want to send you to Belize to meet the locals, who are waiting to show you the best the country has to offer, from its ancient ruins to its newest resorts. Ask our locals for the name of a must-see dive spot, the perfect bar for a sunset cocktail, or a store with the best handicrafts and not only will they tell you where to go, they’ll lead you there. After reading some of our locals’ tips, choose the region you’d most like to explore to enter the sweepstakes. If you are the lucky winner for a trip for two to Belize, pack your bags and we’ll meet you in Belize.
IBRD loan to mitigate climate change effects in Belize
The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) loaned US$30mn to Belize's government for a five-year infrastructure improvement project to mitigate climate change effects.
The loan has a maturity of 40 years, with a five-year grace period, the World Bank said in a release.
The financing will be used to restore 30km of roads, upgrade 12 bridges and culverts, develop 26 localized hazard maps, implement the country's land-use policy and train government staff on flood tracking and local residents on road maintenance.
Belize was identified by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change as one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, given that over half the population and business centers are at sea level.
Good News From One Of The World's Top Retirement Havens
Over the past three decades I've been writing about Belize. I've regularly borrowed Morley Shafer's line from the mid-80s, when he traveled to Belize City to film a segment for 60 Minutes.
"The good news from Belize," Morley said looking up from a little wooden boat in the middle of the Belize River, "is no news from Belize."
True then, true since, and true now, though maybe a little less so. This month I returned to Belize's Cayo, where I found news worth reporting.
The main town in this part of this country is San Ignacio. For the first 20 years I knew San Ignacio, it was a tiny roundabout with concrete benches, a main drag with hostels and hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and a river launch that was little more than a muddy hillside that you could slide down or drag yourself and your canoe up.
Tropics May Come Alive Again Next Week Near Mexico
As Cristobal loses its tropical characteristics, attention is turning toward the Bay of Campeche for potential development early next week.
A tropical wave moving through the central Caribbean has the potential to become the Atlantic Basin's next tropical depression or storm in the Bay of Campeche, in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico, early next week.
The Bay of Campeche is where conditions will become conducive for development as the water is very warm and a zone of lower wind shear will be present. Wind shear refers to belts of winds in the upper levels of the atmosphere that can shred apart tropical systems when strong enough.
The wave is currently encounter such disruptive wind shear and would continue to do so if it takes a more northern track into the western Gulf of Mexico.
Punta Gorda: Belize’s Forgotten District…
Rounding a bend in the road, you catch your first glimpse of the bay of Honduras. The stunning silhouette of Guatemala’s mountains to the south provides the perfect backdrop as the light scatters off the sparkling Caribbean water. The skies are a cloudless blue and a series of houses painted different colors, here white, there yellow, another green—and all with neatly-groomed yards—greets you along the coast road into the town of Punta Gorda.
Every visit I make to the Toledo region of Belize brings unexpected discoveries. Some folks call it the country’s “forgotten district,” and it’s true that Toledo is a bit of an enigma. On the surface it appears peaceful and serene. But look closer and you’ll find a contrasting alter ego. This Toledo is wild, untamed, enticing…
Videos
Video: Diving at Ambergris Caye Belize - 2014., min.
Diving at Ambergris Caye Belize - 2014.
Video: Financial Empowerment for Women in Belize, 10min.
Women entrepreneurs in Belize have the passion, the creativity, and the capacity to be successful in business. What they lack is financing. This video showcase but a few of the women endeavoring to create economic opportunities for themselves and the efforts of Belize's Special Envoy for Women and Children to link them with the financial resources they need to succeed.
Video: Earth Expeditions Baja & Belize Packing Tips, 9min.
Video: Flying Into Punta Gorda Belize, 3min.
August 29, 2014
FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE
Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.
Specials and Events
Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials
The San Pedro Sun
Ahhh The Split!
Caye Caulker’s Split is the most recognized location on our sister island. And for good reason too. Just look at those hues…on a hot day, there is nothing better than a sip of Belikin while perched on the seawall soaking in the rays and relaxing your mind…
Legends and Ghetto Boys competing for the tournament win
The Island Cup Football Tournament is drawing to an end, and teams are vying for the big win. The sixth round of games was played on Sunday, August 23rd, with six teams giving it their all on the field. Not wanting to miss a single moment of action, football fanatics gathered early at the Ambergris Stadium to witness the grueling matches under a blazing hot sun. Unfortunately only one team can take the Island Cup and so far the competition is clearly between Legends and The Ghetto Boys. Currently the Legends are leading the competition, with the Ghetto Boys closely behind. Even though the Ghetto Boys are newly formed, they have already made their mark in the tournament and have not lost a single game yet.
The next round of games will be played on Sunday, August 31st starting at 10AM. The tentative schedule for games include: Joker Boys versus Catrachos, San Pedrito FC versus Dorados, San Pedrito versus Eleven Pirates and The Legends versus Ghetto Boys.
Oceana in Belize Exposes Belizean Youth to the Wonder of the Sea
The journey to the Lighthouse Reef Atoll has intimidated more than a few Belizeans; orange jackets doing little to comfort the fears of the blue depths beyond the Barrier Reef. But my young companions’ eyes are filled with curiosity, not fear, as they beheld the stunning color palette of the Caribbean Sea. The brown tones of the only sea they’d known, the “hangar,” easily replaced by more blues than a box of crayons. The immersion of color continued as the always picturesque Half Moon Caye appeared on the horizon: green and yellow coconut fronds swaying above a sandy white shore while red footed boobies and magnificent jet black frigates dot a cloudless turquoise sky.
It’s a scene that calls to one’s soul. And the boys can’t wait to soak in the moment. Minutes later they dive into the sparkling, salty water, eager to show off their swimming, splashing, and floating abilities. The sound of their carefree laughter carries above the constant crash of waves. The salt stings their eyes but there are no complaints. The sound of the ebb and flow of the coral beach mimics applause. This trip has been years in the making and I cannot understand why. Belizeans enjoying Belizean resources is truly priceless.
Read more: Oceana in Belize Exposes Belizean Youth to the Wonder of the Sea - My Beautiful Belize
Follow us: @MyBeautifulBze on Twitter | MyBeautifulBelize on Facebook
Jessel Lauriano representing Belize at 2014 Miss Freedom of the World
26-year-old Jessel Lauriano has been in Prizren, Kosovo, located in Southeast Europe, since Friday, August 15th as she participates in the 2014 Miss Freedom of the World Pageant. The fourth installation of this pageant is scheduled for Sunday, August 31st and will see the participation of beauty delegates from 21 countries. Jessel is original from Belize City and is the holder of the titles of Miss Freedom of Belize 2014 and Miss Heritage Belize 2014.
PUP hosts Endorsement Convention
The Belize Rural South (BRS) People’s United Party (PUP) town council slate and standard bearer hosted their first endorsement convention on Saturday, August 23rd in San Pedro Town. The convention was held at the Central Park under the theme “We are the change, we are more, we are PUP” and saw a crowd of over 500 party supporters gathered. The purpose of the event was to introduce the candidates to the public and present the party’s agenda for the upcoming Municipal Elections on March 4, 2015, and General Elections in 2017. The PUP town council slate includes Conchita Flota, Marina Kay, Alex Noralez, Mundo Nuñez, Omar Guerrero, and current councilor Gualberto Nuñez Jr., along with Mayoral candidate Doctor Giovanni Solorzano. The BRS PUP Standard Bearer candidate is Elito Arceo.
Ambergris Today
Ramon’s Village Observes One Year Anniversary of Devastating Fire
A year ago on Wednesday, August 27, 2014, the worst disaster to ever strike Ramon’s Village Resort in San Pedro, Belize occurred with a massive fire destroying 28 cabanas, Pineapples Restaurant, the Purple Parrot, Ramon’s Gift Shop and the general offices, laundry and warehouse at the resort. Valiant firefighting efforts by the San Pedro Fire Department, San Pedro Police Department, citizens of San Pedro and the employees of Ramon’s Village saved the resort from being a total loss.
A year later any trace of a fire has been completely erased and the iconic resort is flourishing with guests. The owners of Ramon’s Village, Richard and Gina Headrick, along with Director of Operations Steve Sherwin, arrived at the still smoldering ruins of the resort on August 29, 2013. It was on the beach that day that a determined Richard Headrick told the assembled group of despondent employees that Ramon’s Village would be built back bigger and better than ever before. Over the course of the next 101 days, hundreds of San Pedro craftsmen joined with the employees at Ramon’s Village to transform the scene of a disaster back into a lush tropical oasis.
Misc Belizean Sources
Leases issued to 105 residents of Bullet Tree Falls Village
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources & Agriculture, Honourable Gaspar Vega in collaboration with UDP Cayo North Representative, Mr. Omar Figueroa presented 105 Leases to the residents of Bullet Tree Falls Village in Cayo in a ceremony held yesterday in that community.
Of the over hundred leases issued, 40 were the regularization of documents, and for these first-time lease holders, these papers provided a solution to decades-old uncertainty regarding ownership of the land on which their families reside.
The Ministry of Natural Resources & Agriculture covered the survey & subdivision costs in an effort to provide these families with security and legal rights to their property.
6 New Rotary Scholars
The 6 new Rotary Scholars have started high school with the Rafael Cal Memorial Scholarship. Thanks Rotary!
"On Monday, 25 August, six students started their High School education as Rotary Scholars. These outstanding Students were selected from the six Primary Schools in the San Ignacio/Santa Elena area and will be sponsored for their four years of study by the Rotary Club of San Ignacio's Rafael Cal Memorial Scholarship. This year, the Rotary Club of San Ignacio is sponsoring a total of 24 Rotary Scholars attending High Schools in the San Ignacio/Santa Elena area - Eden SDA High School, St. Ignatius RC High School, and Sacred Heart High School."
Market Vendors Graduate
The graduation ceremony for the Cayo market vendors that took SBDC's business training had 32 vendors receiving their certificates of completion. Congratulations to all the recent graduates!
"32 San Ignacio Market Vendors graduated from a business training program that was organized and led by SBDCBelize and CARILED."
Belize GDP 2nd Quarter 2014
Belize economic information for the 2nd quarter of 2014.
"Economic Outlook - Preliminary estimates indicate that the level of economic activities increased by 8.7%, during the second quarter of 2014 - A cumulative growth (up3.7%) was registered for the first half of the year."
Orquidea Negra Dance Company
Orquidea Negra performing at the Flor de la Feria pageant. Great talent and dance choreography.
"includes a afro dance and modern dance (Sail)"
Back to School Rave
The Cave Garden is having a back to school rave on Saturday. The Raging Masters will be mixing, so you'll get good music and no talk. Enjoy!
"SO i hear lot a things wa d pop off next week but guess what it wa d pop off da Cave Garden with RaGing MaSters Sounds, cOME AND JOINS US AND PARRTYY, this time benque style, free shots, free rage poppers, and dancers!! come on out and enjoy!!"
Channel 7
Accused By Aunt, Alleged Arsonist Goes To Court
On Wednesday's newscast, you saw homeowner Sonya Harris's devastation after her home in the Gungulung Area of Belize City burned down. The Belizean American made a direct and emotional accusation that her nephew did it - because she wouldn't let him sell weed in her home. Well, it seems the police agree: today they charged 27 year old Darrell Alvarez with arson. He appeared before Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith to hear the charge. No plea was taken because the offense is indictable. The prosecutor objected to bail on the grounds that the offense is of a serious nature and if granted bail the defendant might interfere with the complainant and other prosecution witnesses. Chief Magistrate Smith upheld the objection and she remanded Alvarez into custody until October 3rd.
Hon. Castro Says He's Sorry For Opponent Arthur Saldivar
The big news in political circles continues to be Arthur Saldivar's suspension from the PUP. Saldivar is the standard bearer for Belize Rural North but yesterday the PUP National Executive decided to suspend him based on the allegation that he helped himself to nine hundred thousand dollars of his client Melonie Coye's money. The PUP has appointed a committee to investigate the charge and report back to the executive for a final decision by September 17th.
Insiders suggest to us that it is a process pre-ordained to get rid of Saldivar - who, some feel, has become a liability to the party because of multiple allegations of professional impropriety.
But, it's not that simple to just purge a duly elected standard bearer and Saldivar's camp is digging in for what looks like it will be a protracted battle for control of Belize Rural North. This evening at 5:30, Saldivar convened a committee of the Belize Rural North Committee and they have promised to issue a release later this evening. The Committee feels that it was bypassed - and that the executive tried to do the Committee's job when it suspended Saldivar. So…it's a fight for real now…and in the days to come, we can expect it to flesh out as the Saldivar camp fight for its political life.
Former UDP Chairman Says Saldivar Suspension Is Acceptable
Another politician who has a valid perspective on the Saldivar suspension is former Chairman of the UDP Patrick Faber. As Chairman, he had to preside over many conventions and he knows that once a standard bearer is elected, getting rid of them is...let's say...complicated. And that's why, he says, so far he agrees with the cautious course endorsed by the PUP Executive:..
Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education
"Like in the case of Saldivar, if he did not at the time of the application process, if there is one; let's say hypothetically, like in the UDP we have a form that says is there anything out there that might embarrass yourself that will cause embarrassment to our party and you had to declare it. If we find later on that you did not declare it we reserve the right to pull you back or to disqualify your candidacy, then to me that is fair, that is how we operate in the UDP and yes there are instances where that has come up. You are right, it is a slippery slope, it kind of throws a dark shadow over the party. Other people who are in the party or those who might be considering to run for the party might be dissuaded. If that is what they are going to bring to the party might as well be dissuaded and don't come. But I don't see anything wrong with it as long as there is due process, that is very important and if I am to dabble just a bit, that is exactly what I heard the Leader of the PUP said yesterday."
More Sour Times In Sugar Industry
Tonight, there are concerns coming from cane farmers in the north following a letter from Tate and Lyle, the British company a major purchaser of Belizean sugar. According to the letter, in the next sugar crop, they stand to lose 83% of their revenue from that overseas sale.
Tate and Lyle wrote to the Cane Farmers Association two days ago informing them that starting with next year's crop, the company will only buy ten thousand tonnes of their sugar under the Fair Trade Agreement - usually they buy fifty to sixty thousand tonnes.
The reason put forward is that market forecasts for the sale of sugar are down, and that there is not the same type of demand as there was in the past. For the farmers it means that they stand to lose $5.7 million dollars. So, the association held an afternoon meeting with all of the 18 branch chairmen to inform them, and to seek their input on a course of action.
US Citizen Found Dead At Guest House - May Be Suicide
The body of a US Citizen was found at a Belize City Guest House this morning - and police suspect suicide. 47-year-old Robert Thomas Scruton was found dead in room 34 at the Three Star Guest House on Meighan Avenue this morning. His taxi-man went there to pick him up at 10:00 am, but found him dead on the floor with a cut wound to the inner arm, and abrasions to the left wrist. The injuries are believed ot have been made with a glass bottle. Police have not ruled out homicide but suspect suicide due to the cutting nature of the wounds. Additionally, police have learned that the American software technician appeared to be a heavy driver and was going through a divorce.
He arrived in Belize last Friday - and was her to celebrate his birthday at Caye Caulker. He returned from the Caye yesterday - and was last seen alive last night at 10:00 when his taxi-man delivered food to him.
Police Hit A Dead End On Denvo Murder Investigation
27 year old Denvo Banner's body was found in Lemonal five days ago - he had been shot to the head. It is the first murder reported in the small village of 150 residents in a very long time - and tonight police are no closer to solving it. They had detained a suspect earlier this week - but he was released due to a lack of evidence. Regional Executive Officer Inspector Fredrick Gordon told us more today:..
Inspector Fredrick Gordon, Regional Executive Officer
"We had a person of interest in respect of the murder. As a matter of fact it was two persons that was detain in respect to the murder of Mr. Banner."
Jules Vasquez
"Those persons have been released without charges?"
Inspector Fredrick Gordon, Regional Executive Officer
"There is an ongoing investigation at this time."
Jules Vasquez
"Are you able to say what angle you are looking at? You all know any motive for anyone that killed this man?"
PC Chulin Shot Himself, Accidentally
A policeman shot himself in Trench Alley early this morning. 25 year old Constable Victor Chulin was pulling up his pants when his nine millimeter pistol accidentally went off and he shot himself, reportedly, in the groin area. He was rushed to the Hospital, and is stable. But, police say they are investigating for any breach of protocol - and if he is found negligent, he will receive disciplinary charges.
The gun was a nine millimeter pistol, which apparently did not have the safety engaged.
Police maintain a fixed presence in Trench Alley where Chulin shot himself.
Faber Says He's Helping Cabinet Colleagues, Despite Rift
It's back to school time - and all over Belize parents are scrambling to come up with the money for uniforms, schools supplies and fees. Altogether it can be very expensive and a terrible burden on families. In many cases, some of that burden has to be shouldered by politicians - who are under pressure to service their constituents.
Reliable reports tell us that pressure recently resulted in some major friction within the ruling UDP - and at least one ranking minister accused the Education minister of hoarding the resources which should be shared amongst all. Today Faber told us that he distributes equitably:..
Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education
"And so I don't know that any of my colleagues are dissatisfied. Everybody wants a little bit more, that is true and some believe that they deserve more than others but that's not how I operate in the Ministry of Education."
Faber Says CXC Results A Mixed Bag
We also asked Education Minister Faber about the recent CXC results. It's a mixed bag where there is a general upwards trend, but problems persist in traditional trouble subjects such as math.
Faber discussed the prognosis going forward since Government will pay for some CSC's tests in the coming school year:..
Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education
"We are satisfied that there are improvements and in fact the number of students who are now taking these larger number of CXCs. In my time in high school for instance, I did 8 CXCs and that was considered to be a lot and now we have students who are doing - I met one yesterday who had 16 CXCs; about 12 grade one, 3 grade two and 1 grade three - these are 16 passes and we are seeing more and more of this happening and that is a very good sign for us in Belize in terms of us competing for the regional awards for the CSEC examinations. On the other side there is still a good number of students who aren't at the point where they are taking these exams and that has to concern us. I see it on a daily basis, the students who come asking for job in the government service for instance, and the public service has a basic requirement on most jobs of a high school diploma and 3 CXCs and you have still many people who are finished with high school but don't have any CXCs and we are hoping that this can be changed because of course of our plan now to pay for CXCs CSEC examinations for our students."
Menzies Explains Jasmine Link Mix-Up
Last night, we told you about the embarrassment with Police Department's website linking to a porn site. As we showed you, the link is supposed to belong to belong Jasmine Alert, the organization which releases urgent bulletins to the nation for missing children. The Jasmine Alert was launched in 2012 in memory of Jasmine Lowe, who was brutally murdered in Cayo after being missing for several days.
The police department is one of organizations linked into the Alert system, so logically, a link to their website was posted on their official page. But, recently, when visitors clicked that link, jasminealert.com, it took them to a porn site. Of course, when it hit the news, it caused major embarrassment, but at least it prompted the website managers to pull it down.
The Executive Director of the Jasmine Alert, Patrick Menzies, has been put in the hot seat because of it. Today, taking a break from occupying Belmopan, he explained to us that indeed that link (jasmine-alert.com) which now takes web surfers to view porn, was once the web domain name for Jasmine Alert. The problem, he explained, began when the organization couldn't continue to pay the web fees to maintain it:
Crystal Water Production Slowed By Water Line Plant Breakdown
Many of you may have noticed that 5 gallon bottles of Crystal Water has been scarce in stores for the past week. That is because there was a break down in Crystal's water line plant last week Thursday. They also experienced difficulties obtaining the bottle caps from suppliers in Mexico. A company representative told us it was just a temporary disturbance in the 5 gallon production process and it will be normalized by tomorrow.
Work Starts On Old Northern
The Old Northern Highway is one of the most battered and tattered stretches of road in Belize. The road was mostly abandoned in the eighties when the new Northern Highway was built - and since then it has steadily degraded. Now, most of it is just like a one lane road with some very jagged edges. It's unfortunate because the highway connects visitors to one of the most popular Mayan sites, Altin Ha. But, the Area Representative says that work will soon start to repair the first five miles:..
Hon. Edmund Castro
"Within the next two weeks we will be signing the agreement for the construction of the refurbishment of the old northern highway. The first phase is 5 miles from San Hill into the New Hope Bridge. By the time we complete with that segment of the highway hopefully the Korean funds will kick in so we could complete other 15 miles."
Maskall Needs A Police Station Repair
And so, the old Northern Highway will be rehabilitated, and Maskall village got a new library today, which we'll tell you about later. But, what about the Maskall police station. Honestly, there's no nice way to say it, the place looks like a crackhouse inside! No police officer lives there because none can. We asked the area representative about it today:..
Hon. Edmund Castro
"It's in bad shape. I will not tell you a lie, the police station in Maskall needs some renovation similar to this building, but we can't get everything and do everything in month or one year. We've been working and this is the result. About 4 months ago this building looked terrible, worse than the police station. Now look at it now. The children are saying that this is the prettiest building in the village."
Reporter
"So is the police station next?"
Hon. Edmund Castro
"We are working on that."
Castro Says Cultural Tolerance Is A Must
And while we had the chance, we asked Castro about the recent fare up in the news over the speaking of the Garifuna language in a bank in Dangriga. Castro's father was Garifuna, and while he doesn't speak the language, he says the idea that it would be banned is abhorrent:..
Hon. Edmund Castro
"For us to hear in 2014 foolishness like this, we should never condone such foolishness if it's true. When I go to the bank I talk creole to the teller and I don't hear that they tell the teller that they can't answer me in creole. My amigo is close to me in the bank and he feels more comfortable to express himself what he wants to do with his money in the bank he speaks in Spanish and if the person there can assist him and communicate with him in the language of his choice, then I don't see they firing anyone that speaks Spanish in bank. I think if the allegation if it's so they really need to take a check at themselves."
First Caribbean Bank - which was accused - has flatly denied that it has any policy or practice banning use of the Garifuna language.
Kraal Road Lashes Out Against GSU
Earlier this week we showed you the citizens on patrol programme and the effort being made by police to mend relations with the community. But it seems that for every step forward, the police department makes two backwards. That's what we found yesterday when we visited Kraal Road. IT is a gang area - and police were descending with force. Monica Bodden has the story:..
Monica Bodden reporting
We arrived on Kraal Road just after 5 yesterday evening and were greeted by an angry mob of area residents - Accusing the GSU of police harassment and abuse.
The officers were inside two separate yards conducting searches - Some of them stood on the sidelines and in the middle of Kraal Road with guns in front of the crowd.
Voice of: Area Resident
"Miss we just came from a funeral and the young man that they have in there just came from funeral and they are beating him, he is vomiting and they punch him in the mouth. They are roughing up my grandmother. She is 55 years old, nobody need to be roughing her up. The police is always coming at our house and we respect them and now they are saying that if any of us say anything they will beat us."
Old Road Gets New Library
Welcome back to 7news - for all those outside the city, we apologize for the 40 minute break in transmission; there is a citywide blackout in Belize City - which is still underway. BEL has not located the cause yet. But, we continue with the news for all our viewers outside the city.
In the age of electronic everything, the role of the library is often overlooked. But, the National Library Service is pushing on and pushing into remote communities with its mobile library service. One of those communities is Maskall which was serviced for decades by the mobile library - visiting the village on the old northern road in Landrovers, vans, and even taxi's! But, finally now Maskall has a library of its own. The building was opened today and 7News was there:..
Hon. Edmund Castro, Area Rep. - Bze Rural North
"It's the prettiest building in Maskall. As you pull the curve you see our library."
Courtney Weatherburne reporting
The papaya coloured library stands out indeed - and when the ribbon was cut today it opened a new world to the students from Lady of Lourdes RC.
Independent Girls...
7 girls will grace the stage with their beauty and talent at the 6th Annual Independence Day Junior Pageant. They have been practicing since the start of this month and according to the coordinator of the pageant, Karen Vernon, the audience is in for a treat. Today we joined them at their rehearsal and she explained the purpose of the pageant and the progress these young ladies have made.
The pageant will be held at the Bliss Center at 5:00 in the evening this Sunday. Tickets are $10 and are available at the Bliss or from the contestants.
Boxing Down For The Count, But Recovering
In the fast few years, boxing has been making a steady comeback, and a big part of this pugilist's renaissance is regular international bouts. On Saturday in Orange Walk there will be another one as a contingent of Belizean boxers take on a Mexican delegation.
One of the coaches visited our office today to talk about it, and to introduce his boxers to the nation. Here's what he told us about the event:Fight time is 7 p.m. on August 30, at the Orange Walk Complex in Orange Walk Town.
Channel 5
Garifuna bank employee instructed not to speak her native tongue
The Christian Workers Union which represents bank employees has joined the chorus of condemnation against the Dangriga Branch of the First Caribbean Bank. Recently, a bank employee, Uwahnie Martinez, was [...]
Cane farmers facing huge drop in sugar sales to Tate and Lyle
A letter from Tate & Lyle delivered to the B.S.C.F.A. on Tuesday has sent shockwaves through that Association, which governs eighteen branches in Orange Walk and Corozal. Citing the fluctuating [...]
Still no payment for bagasse to cane farmers
While the impending Fairtrade disaster has taken center stage with the B.S.C.F.A. and the five thousand plus cane farmers in the north, there is plenty of turmoil in the industry [...]
Darrel Alvarez arraigned for burning down his aunt’s house
A man who police claim confessed to burning down his aunt’s home in the Gungulung area of Belize City is tonight on remand at the Belize Central Prison. Twenty-seven year [...]
Edmond Castro talks about Arthur Saldivar’s predicament
The People’s United Party has suspended, attorney Arthur Saldivar as standard bearer for the Belize Rural North Constituency. That happened on Wednesday at a meeting called by the executive to [...]
US national found dead in hotel room
The body of an American national, Robert Thomas, was found today in his room at a guest house in Belize City. Just after ten this morning, a taxi-man who would [...]
Belize Police Department website directs to a porn site
In June 2012, twelve year old Jasmine Lowe was found dead on a lonely street in the Cayo District. Her death sparked unprecedented awareness and action, and in her name [...]
Man sentenced to 10 years for robbery
Convicted robber, twenty six-year old Dillon Diamond is serving his first night of a ten year sentence for attempted robbery. The Taylor’s Alley resident is accused of holding up at [...]
Cop accidentally shoots himself
Just before one this morning, police constable Victor Chulin had to be hospitalized for a gunshot wound to his leg. The officer was reportedly on Cemetery Road in front of Trench [...]
Elections held for Police Association
You may not be aware of it, but there is a body entrusted with looking after the rights of Police Officers countrywide – from the rank of constable all the [...]
Dangriga Mayor denounces action of the First Caribbean Bank
This afternoon, Dangriga Mayor Gilbert Suazo, himself a prominent member of the Garifuna community, denounced the action of the bank. According to Mayor Suazo, the idea of restricting employees of [...]
Maskall finally gets a library
A new library was inaugurated in Maskall Village earlier today. For decades, the rural community has been without a public facility which caters to the academic and literary needs of [...]
The 24th annual National Women Softball Championship
Seven teams from across the jewel are participating in the twenty-fourth annual National Women’s Softball Championship held by the Belize Softball Federation. Starting this Friday at six-thirty p.m. at the [...]
Inclement weather forecast for the weekend
The Belize Tourism Board announced today that the Village Arts and Craft Expo that was scheduled for this weekend has been postponed until November first due to the inclement weather [...]
Healthy living looks at back to school tips for parents
It’s back to school season! Parents across Belize have been busy getting school books, stationary, uniforms school bags and just about everything the children need for a brand new academic [...]
CTV3
25 Workers Allegedly Fired In Corozal
Four point four million dollars was allocated by Central Government to “concrete” one mile of the Philip Goldson Highway in Corozal from in front of the Social Security building right up to Santa Rita Hill. With over a month into the project, reports reaching our news room today were that twenty-five workers assigned at the road construction in Corozal were sent home with the reason that there was no more money. Reporter Victor Castillo caught up today with one of the unhappy ex-employees who claims that they were not given any notice prior to this morning’s lay off.
Former worker – Road Project Corozal
“They stop the job, they no money no deh and I wonder about because I know a lot work is left to do and we have the materials and things and according to what I notice something wrong and the people that they have working they just stop us and I think that is really bad because they should have notified us and tell us that material is not there but we have the materials but they just stop the job like that and they just send like 25 of us.”
Card Machine Broken Down At The Northern Border
When travelling across the Belizean Border, sometimes the long lines to get your passport stamp takes a lot of time however, to avoid long lines, the Immigration department had launched the issuance of a Belize Immigration Card which you present at the border and makes the process easier and faster.
But tonight information reaching our news room is that for more than a month now the issuing of the cards has ceased without any notification at the northern border. Our News crew got in contact with Immigration manager Francisco Rejon at the northern border who referred us to the director of immigration in Belmopan.
Its All About Road Safety In Corozal
Preparations for the new school year are in full gear. In Corozal, part of these preparations is road safety for students. Julio Uk coordinator for Build Belize has been working hand in hand with the Corozal Police Youth Corp in this regard.
Today as an exercise, Uk gathered the cadets at the intersection of 5th Avenue with 2nd Street North leading to the St. Francis Xavier Primary School. The area is one of the busiest streets in town and Uk’s intention was to show students how to utilized the pedestrian ramp.
Julio UK – Coordinator
“Today’s activity is to get more of the community policing cadet involve in their safety and today is a practice that we will be showing so that other children in the community can see how they use the ramp and we are starting on September 1st when school opens again with a hand held stop sign which will eventually be indicating how the motorist need to respond seeing the sign, the sign will be the indicator as to when to go and when to stop so toady the viewers will see it on television so we hope that parent might becoming aware of what will be the new changes at the ramp especially when they are waiting so they have to wait on the signal of the crossing guard and the stop sign that will be the indicator.”
Consultation On BMDP To Take Place In O/W
The Orange Walk Town Council will be holding another important meeting with residents of town next week. Today Mayor Kevin Bernard told us that this meeting will focus on the Municipal Growth Plans, an initiative under the Belize Municipal Development Project. According to the Mayor, in the process of launching the growth plan, those leading the initiative are conducting a series of consultations with stakeholders. A meeting was held last week with managers of town councils and another meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday.
Kevin Bernard – Mayor of Orange Walk Town
“The municipal growth plan is a 5year, 10 year, 15 year plan is a working document as it goes along you need to modify it you need to cut where you need to cut but what we are doing is simply explaining to the residence how we are going to be having a series of meetings like I said we started last week with the mangers of the council, next week Tuesday on the second of September there will be one with the PUP representatives, the standard bearer, executive members and I know there will also be date where there will be a consultation with the United Democratic Party people and there will meeting with the church leaders, education leaders and the business community and the NGO’s and so forth so I know that the meeting will end off in October with the public meeting to launch the entire growth plan that we have done through the local working group...
Free Medical Clinics Offered To Residents Of Rural Areas
In last night’s newscast we told you about the team of medical professionals from the Operation Medical Clinic in Florida, USA, who are currently in the country. Today, we visited them at their first clinic at San Jose/San Pablo villages in Orange Walk. Dalila Ical – Reporting
The medical team consists of various professionals, among them a pediatrician, internist, two general practitioners and for this year the team brought with them a dermatologist.
The team began clinics early this morning and by mid-morning a large group of villagers has gathered at the San Jose Multipurpose Building to take advantage of the free services. Michelle Richard is a pharmacist on the team and spoke about their experience so for the morning.
Pastor Gillett Speaks On Serious Accusations Against Teacher Of Progresso Village
Yesterday we reported on the on-going feud between parents, teachers and the union Administration at the Seventh Day Adventist Primary School in Progresso Village. The situation has escalated to the point where parents are alleging that two teachers are incompetent, tardy and have been drinking on campus. While several of them share the same sentiment, they explained yesterday that on countless occasions, they tried to meet with the SDA Management however; there concerns have gone in the wind. Today, we contacted Pastor Leslie Gillett, the General Manager of the SDA Schools throughout Belize to weigh in on the issue at hand. Gillette says steps are being taken to resolve the issue.
Pastor Leslie Gillett – General Manager , SDA Schools
“The Press Release is saying well, first of all like in any other school in the country of Belize there are problems at the Progresso School we recognize that of course that be taken to resolve the problem, to correct the anomalies that maybe there, that there is no reason or which to get rid of anybody at this point from Progresso School because there are all issues that can be corrected by people doing and saying differently from how it has been done.”
Bagasse Negotiations Continue At A Standstill
At the top of the newscast we told you about Tate and Lyle’s decision to reduce the amount of Belize’s sugar sold to the European Market under Fair Trade from 50 to 60 thousand tonnes to a minimal 10,000 tonnes for the 2014/201 5 crop season.
Cane farmers did not receive the news well since it signifies a major loss in Fair Trade premiums and as mentioned by the Vice Chairman of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, Committee of Management, Alfredo Ortega, they are of the idea that Tate and Lyle seeks to pressure cane farmers into accepting BSI’s proposal of 51 cents payment per ton of bagasse, with the latest move.
GDP Is Up Says SIB Report
The Statistical Institute of Belize indicates that the economy performed much stronger in the second quarter of the year with an 8.7 growth. This, coupled with the less rapid economic expansion of the first quarter of this year resulted in growth of 3.7 percent for the first six months of 2014 says the SIB report. This is being attributed to higher levels of production for the period from April to June of this year across most of the major economic sectors, including Agriculture, Electricity and Water, Manufacturing, and Hotels and Restaurants.
And while the SIB reports a growth in the economy, it pointed out that inflation holds steady at 1.3 percent in July. This did not change from the previous month. The SIB states that the average rate of inflation from January to July 2014 is1.5 %. Higher prices were recorded in the categories of ‘Transport’ and ‘Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’. For the first time in three years, the ‘Food’ index fell marginally in July, with lower prices across most food categories. With an inflation rate of 2.5 percent, Santa Elena/San Ignacio recorded the greatest change in the consumer price index. Belize City and Punta Gorda had the lowest, with inflation rates below one percent in both of these municipalities.
Team Of Professionals To Offer Free Medical Clinics In Rural Areas
A team of medical professionals from the Operation Medical Clinic in Florida, USA, are currently in the country. Today, the doctors stopped by our studios to share with the public where they will be at and at what time they will be carrying out consultations. The team, says Doctor Nancy DeSilva, comprises of a host of dynamic professionals.
Dr. Nancy DeSilva – Dermatologist
“We have like a paediatrician who takes care of children, we brought internist who takes care of the heart, the stomach, the kidneys then we have the dermatologist who is me and I take care of the skin head and nails and we have for the asthma and the breathing problems and we have the paediatrician who takes care of the children and we will be doing a free medical clinics in different parts of the the country.”
MCHS Athletes To Represent Belize In CODICADER Games
2014 makes it 8 years since Belize has been competing in the Central American Junior Scholastic games - or CODICADER - as it is well known. Representing Orange Walk are three athletes hailing from the Muffles High School, we caught up with the trio’s Coach Gilbert Cummings who says they will be participating in track and field.
Gilbert Cummings – Sports Coordinator/Coach
“It’s the first time for two of them one of them has been there before when she was in second form she represented at the same competition before but it was in El Salvador and the two others is their first time.”
Belizean Busted With Drugs In Costa Rica
A Belizean was busted with six point five kilos of cocaine in Costa Rica and is now in police custody. The La Nacion Media reported that a thirty seven year old man who was known only by his surname, Tillett was caught on Sunday night at the International Juan Santamaria Airport in Costa Rica.
He was intercepted by the Drug Control Police about eight on Sunday night who requested he open his hand luggage. In the luggage, Costa Rican authorities found 29 boxes of pilot brand markers which contained 290 individual markers. Of these, 284 were discovered to be filled with cocaine. The drug was confiscated along with ninety-one dollars Tillett was carrying on him.
Drought Watch In Effect For Belize
There is the possibility that there are more challenges ahead for farmers as a drought watch is out for Belize. But Belize isn’t the only country facing potential, and in some cases, serious effects of drought. The Caribbean Drought and Precipitation Monitoring Network which was launched in January 2009 under the Caribbean Water Initiative, CARIWIN, and which aims to increase the capacity of Caribbean countries to deliver equitable and sustainable Integrated Water resources Management, issued a drought bulletin earlier this month.
CARIWIN recommends that water conservation measures continue as much as possible, particularly across the eastern Caribbean and Jamaica, as below normal rainfall is likely across much of the region for the next three months and leading into the 2015 dry season. It also gave rainfall summary for the months of May, June and July in the eastern Caribbean.
Corn Producers Affected By Climate Change
We are almost in the middle of the hurricane season which is when we should be experiencing more rain, but that hasn’t been the case in the past weeks in the north. The climate has clearly shifted this time of the year and it is bringing about some undesired troubles specifically for farmers in northern Belize. Presently, farmers who should be seeing a good yield of corn are instead facing significant losses. Extension Officer at the Orange Walk Agriculture Department told us more about the situation.
Leonardo Eck – Extension Officer
“Over three thousand five hundred acres was lost due to the drought.”
Dalila Ical –Reporter
“Speaking money wise how much is that?”
Leonardo Eck – Extension Officer
“I could safely say that it is over nine million pounds that is being lost due to the drought.”
Arthur Saldivar Suspended By People's United Party
And in a showing of wits and zeal, the People’s United Party today made a huge decision to suspend PUP’s Standard Bearer for Belize Rural North, Arthur Saldivar pending the outcome of an investigation on an allegation made against him on wrong doings by his former clients. The allegation, says Party Leader Francis Fonseca, is something they take very seriously. The media waited for comment at the PUP’s headquarters and thanks to our colleagues at 7News, we are able to provide you with the clip on this major decision coming out of Independence Hall as it pertains to Saldivar’s status within the party.
Tate & Lyle Drastically Reduces Sugar Sold To Fair Trade
Tonight there is not good news for the Sugar Industry much less cane farmers and the economy of the north. Tate and Lyle, the company that purchases Belize’s sugar from the Belize Sugar Industries Limited and then sells it to the European Market has decided to cut back on the amount of Belize’s sugar sold under Fair Trade. Now, this is huge, because it translates into a significant financial loss witnessing a major trickle effect. Carmelita Perez has that story.
Carmelita Perez – Reporting
Tonight cane farmers are traveling on a rocky road, the future of the Sugar Industry is uncertain and Belize is about to experience a huge economic loss. That’s because Tate and Lyle has informed the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association that they are cutting back on the amount of Belize’s Sugar that is sold under Fair Trade. And it is a huge reduction indeed, from 65,000 tonnes last year, translating to approximately 6.9 million dollars in Fair Trade Premiums to a minimum of 10,000 tonnes for the 2014/2015 crop. If we do the figures, this translates to a financial loss of more than 5 million dollars.
Cane Farmers To Receive Fair Trade Premium Until Sugar Is Sold To Consumers In The EU
And if you think the story ends there, then think again, because it doesn’t end there. In the letter, Tate and Lyle also informs the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association that with immediate effect, Tate and Lyle Sugars is also changing the schedule on which they pay all cane producer association including the BSCFA for Fair Trade sugar.
The association receives U.S$60.00 per ton of sugar sold to Fairtrade, the highest premium paid out to certified Fair Trade organizations worldwide. With the change in payment, the BASCFA will no longer be paid within 30 days. Instead, the association will receive their premiums until the sugar is sold to consumers in the EU.
Alfredo Ortega- Vice Chairman BSCFA, COM
“Ahora su sistema de pago va hacer hasta que el consumidor compre el material en el shelf así es de que es otro punto de que puede durar dos tres años que se venda ese material y hasta entonces nos van a estar dando el premio de esa azúcar así adonde nos ponen que es realmente y nos hacemos la pregunta casi nos podemos decir que tenemos la respuesta nosotros mismos hacia donde nos quieren arrinconar pero la pregunta es para ellos adonde nos quieren mandar, que es que están buscando de nosotros quieren teneros intimidados por medio de que no aceptamos sus cosas a como ellos los plantan eso es algo injusto y realmente para mí el mundo entero se debe de dar cuenta el tipo de manipulación, el tipo de juego que tiene ASR/BSI con Tate & Lyle en todo esta situación.”
LOVE FM
Minister Faber Says Increment Should Be Dependent on Performance
With the recent 6.75% increment for teachers, Minister of Education, Patrick Faber says they should take the initiative to enhance their teaching methods.
HON. PATRICK FABER
“I am certain that the union has communicated and this has been their long standing position that they are not opposed to a kind of system to be improved on or be put in place a new system all together that will see the increments being tagged to performance. There is a system in place now but we all agree that it is not very efficient, it is not very effective. In fact people get it almost automatically and while at the time when we were engaged in the collective bargaining agreement it was not in our best position to suggest that we will not give the raise only unless we get a new instrument to measure performance and all that. The unions all agreed when they set up the sub committees to do exploration to see how we can become more efficient and save on revenue and all that this was one of the things we had suggested that a new system of evaluating how teachers and public servants perform.
ITVET Plans Countrywide Launch For New Academic Year
Monday, September 1, will mark the opening of a new academic year and in recognition of this, the Minister of Education, Patrick Faber will be at the Stann Creek Branch of the Institute for Technical and Vocational Educational Training (ITVET) to do an official opening of the new school year. But while the Minister will be in southern Belize, all the other branches of the ITVET will be hosting a special program to welcome the new students and to further encourage the existing ones enrolled in its institution countrywide. Love News spoke with Dr. Margarita Gomez, the Director of the Employment Training and Education Services.
MARGARITA GOMEZ
We feel that it is very important to recognize, to acknowledge and encourage our new trainees and so what we felt would be important is that we start a tradition of actually having an opening ceremony at each of the ITVET where they would officially welcome these trainees, they will give them information in terms of why they are there, why they should remain. We don’t want to do it just from the management perspective doing that or us from the ministry level. We feel that if they hear directly from the people in the industry to have a good guest speaker from the industry to give them their experience of what they have gone through in life and how being a trained skilled person can benefit them in their life.
Patrick Talks About CXC and Increment
In mid-August, the Ministry of Education released its CXC Examinations Preliminary Results for May and June 2014. The Preliminary Results for the May-June 2014 sitting of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) shows that three thousand forty-nine candidates divided into 1,344 males and 1,705 females registered for 32 of the 35 subjects offered at the CSEC level. The candidates registered for the May-June 2014 CSEC sitting represent a decrease of 56 candidates or 1.8% compared to the May-June 2013 sitting. As for the students’ performance, Minister of Education, Patrick Faber, says he is partially satisfied.
HON. PATRICK FABER
“We are satisfied that there improvements and in fact the number of students who are now taking these larger number in CXC’s ,my time in high school for instance I did 8 CXC’s and that was considered to be a lot. Now we have students who are doing, I met a student who had 16 CXC’s about 12 grade 1s, 3 grade 2s and 1 grade 3, those are 16 passes and we are seeing more and more of this happening. That is a very good sign for is in Belize in terms of us competing for the regional awards for the CSEC examinations. On the other side there are still a good number of students who aren’t at the point where they are taking these exams and that has to concern us. I see it on a daily basis the students who come asking for a job in the government service for instance and the public service has a basic requirement for most jobs and three CXCs and you still have many people who are finished with high school but don’t have any CXCs.
BSI On Talk Again
The 18 directors of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers’ Association met this afternoon to discuss the letter from Tate & Lyle Sugars which was sent on Tuesday informing the farmers that there might be a drastic cut to the Belize sugar quota that sells under the Fairtrade logo. Spokesperson of BSCFA spoke with the media this afternoon to explain what the association intends to address the matter.
ALFREDO ORTEGA
It is something that will harm us and we will be sending a letter to them. We will be analyzing very indepthly this situation and we want to know if it is really the market out there that is causing this situation or if it is another thing so we will be analyzing this situation and looking forward to sending a letter to Flocert and Tate and Lisle again to see what is the market situation into this because the letter that they sent is not so clear. They are saying that the market situation is the problem but it takes us into bad situation right now because it just came in in surprise.
Alvarez Faced Arraignment for Arson On House
Earlier this week Love News brought you the story of a house fire that left home-owner, Sonia Harris completely distraught and in tears. From the day during the interview with Harris, she had indicated to us that it was her nephew, Darrell that had set her house on fire and while we were on the scene, we were privy to information that the nephew had confessed to a senior police officer.
SONIA HARRIS: From last night Darrell was going to burn my house down with me my husband and my brother in here sleeping. Darrell was planning to burn my house down from last night. I just left my house not even two minutes I went to by aunt and my niece saw him going down when my house was burning. Darrell lit my house on fire and went down the block, my niece saw him. My nephew stayed in here for two years without paying me rent, I never charged him rent. My nephew wanted everyone to feel like this is his but this is mine. My nephew is threatening to burn down my other house that my sister lives in. As I turned my back my nephew lit my house on fire, for what? I did nothing to him.
Gordon On Banner
The body of twenty seven year old Denvo Banner Duhaney was found in a shallow grave in Lemonal Village on Saturday August 23. His family had reported him missing a couple days prior after they were unable to get in touch with him. Duhaney’s decomposing body was found behind the village’s school and the post mortem revealed that he had been shot once to the head. Inspector Gordon told us that they have previously detained two men question but were forced to let them go…
FREDRICK GORDON:
Yes we have a person of interest detained in respect to the murder. As a matter of fact it was two persons that were detained of interest in respect of the murder of Mr. Banner.
REPORTER
but then those persons have been released without charges?
FREDRICK GORDON
Yes. There is an ongoing investigation at this time.
Gordon Says No Lead On Carcamo
Forty three year old Kevin Carcamo, the Chairman of Hattieville,has been missing since July 20. His family and the Belize Police Department launched an intensive search for him in the Freetown Sibun Area. Carcamo worked for the company, Discover-sies as a linesman. Discover-sies offered a ten thousand dollars reward for this safe return. But no one has collected the reward because no one knows where he is. Not even the police department. The family thought there was a lead when, what they thought, was human blood was found in the area where Carcamo went missing. Today, Rural Executive Officer, Inspector Fredrick Gordon, told us that the specimen was sent for testing and the results show that it was not blood. Gordon says that they have no new leads.
Plans To Work On Maskall Police Station Next
While Maskall has a new library, the Maskall Sub Police Station is in a dilapidated state. We have received several reports that officers stationed there find it very difficult in leaving in the structure. Castro says that, he is looking into it….
EDMUND CASTRO
“It’s in bad shape, I will not tell you a lie. The police station in Maskall needs some renovation similar to this building but we can’t get everything and do everything in one month or year we have been working and this is the result about four months ago. This building looked worse than the police station now look at it. Like what the children are saying, this is the prettiest building in the village.”
Castro Shares On The Garifuna Issue
Belize Rural North Area Representative, Edmund Castro, is also of Garifuna Heritage and he is not happy about the allegations made against CIBC First Caribbean International Bank. Two days ago the National Garifuna Council fired a release stating that it is looking into an allegation that the Bank is prohibiting individuals to speak the Garifuna Language. Castro weighed in the matter.
EDMUND CASTRO
“I think it is pure foolishness and we need to get rid of and push racism as far away from us as possible. I think the bank manager needs to be checked. The institution needs to be checked of those allegations. My father was Garifuna and my mother was Creole, I grew up in this area but I acknowledge and appreciate every language and we know that the more languages you know to speak is that much more people you can communicate with in the world. So for us to hear in 2014 foolishness like this, this we should never condone such foolishness if it is true. When I go to the bank I talk Creole to the teller and I don’t hear them tell the teller that they can’t answer me in Creole or they will fire the teller.
Jasmine Alert Has Been Hacked
The Jasmine Alert system which was created two years ago has been hacked. This means that the domain name for the website that was being used is no longer valid. The system was put in place in memory of young Jasmine Lowe who was brutally murdered. Executive Director for Jasmine Alert, Patrick Menzies explains
PATRICK MENZIES
“The Jasmine Alert (dot) (com) domain name which means that that is the name when you type that in you are supposed to get the website. We’ve owned that for over two years problem is that due to financial constraints we actually lost it a few months ago in July. Because of that we tried to get it renewed the cost was very high, the company refused to return it to us so we are not sure if the company who is using it right now actually owns it or if it is being used by the hackers. Up to yesterday, what I did was I bought Jasmine Alert (dot) (org). instead, up to yesterday that was working but yesterday evening they took that over by somehow blocking it inside the server in the US. So right now I worked almost three hours on this trying to get it connected and it will not reconnect.
Castro’s Perspective On The Saldivar Suspension
Yesterday, Attorney Arthur Saldivar and the PUP’s Standard Bearer for Belize Rural North, was suspended from his own party after allegations were made against him by his former client, Melonie Coye. The Party’s National Executive met and decided to suspend Saldivar pending an investigation into the matter. That investigation is expected to end in two weeks and the PUP will decide Saldivar’s fate. Today we asked his political opponent Edmund Castro and the former Chairman of the UDP, Patrick Faber, to comment on the matter.
EDMUND CASTRO
“I don’t pay much attention to what the PUP do or does or with Mr. Saldivar; he is a non-entity out here in the Belize Rural North area. If you notice what we are doing, we are producing and delivering for the people of the Belize Rural North area. We don’t get sidelined and distracted by what Arthur Saldivar and the PUP is doing because they can’t win anyway. If he comes or they send somebody else or if they come together in twos and threes I will still beat them.”
Sweet Honey In The Rock To Share Their Honey
The Acapela Group, Sweet Honey in the Rock, is in Belize to perform as part of the US State’s Department, Arts Envoy Program. The goal of the program is to share the best of U.S. arts community with the world to foster cross-cultural understanding and collaboration and to demonstrate shared values and aspirations. The group’s first performance is tonight at the Bliss Center for Performing Arts and Creative Supervisor, Caroline Maylard, told us what the audience can expect.
CAROLINE MAYLARD
“They can expect I think to have a good time number one. I think they will hear some things that will be culturally familiar in terms of the depth and the messages that are in our music, the arrangements. I think a lot of times people in Belize are used to hearing contemporary music and top 40 music and really hearing the music that comes really through the African diaspora from Africa to South America up through Central America and through the Caribbean and into the United States and up into Canada. That is our experience and I think our African culture and our Africanness really cant be erased. We all do it in one way or the other and we are happy to share how we do it.”
El Piano Internacional To Entertain Belizean
El Piano Internacional is the name of a concert that will take place tomorrow at the Bliss Center for the Performing arts. The concert will be conducted by Mexican Pianists, Ricardo Tovar, Carlos Camacho and Ricardo Moo. According to the musicians, concert goers are guaranteed a wonderful show which will feature some familiar songs.
RICARDO TOVAR
“Music from different periods from classical music, we will be interpreting pieces and compositions from Shubert, Mozart and also Brahms, Ginastera and we think that you people will enjoy it. We have a lot of surprises that may be likely to you all. So we hope that you enjoy this concert. We will be playing some of Belizean music like Good morning miss lady and Ding Ding walla and there are other surprises.”
PlusTV
American tourist found dead in guest house
Police have taken a statement from the landlady proprietor of 3-Star Guest House on Meighan Avenue, Belize City, after the lifeless body of a visiting American was found on Thursday morning, inside a room at the hotel.
47 year old Robert Thomas was found around10:16 a.m...
Belize City man charged for arson
Earlier this week a sudden fire erupted at the Holy Emmanuel Street, Belize City, property of Belizean-American Sonia Harris...
Cop shoots himself in the leg
Around 12 :30 Thursday morning, 25-year-old police Constable Victor Chulin was shot to the leg. The shooter? PC Chulin himself!
According to police reports, PC Victor Chulin was standing on Cemetery Road in front of Trench Alley, Belize City...
School robbed of computers days before re-opening
School opens on Monday September 1st and students and teachers of Xiabe Roman Catholic School are gearing up for the first day back. But there is a already a damper on the new school year as thieves made off with five laptop computers from the principal’s office last week...
Cocaine on San Pedro
San Pedro police were tipped off Wednesday afternoon about some unattended drugs. At about 3:15 p.m. a search was conducted in an abandoned lot at the corner of Swan and Glitter Street, San Pedro Town by members of San Pedro Quick Response team , CIB and SB personnel...
Arthur Saldivar suspended, as party investigates allegations of wrongdoing
Suspended! That is the word from Independence Hall, after the People’s United Party’s (PUP) National Executive convened a meeting on Wednesday to discuss, among other things, allegations of misbehavior on the part of sitting Belize Rural North standard bearer Arthur Saldivar, who is also a prominent attorney.
It is alleged that Mr Saldivar relieved former clients Melonie and Marlene Coye, who were released from charges of money laundering following a successful criminal appeal in March, of some $900,000 in monies recovered from the Central Bank, where it had been held under lock and key pending the result of the appeal.
English First at First Caribbean
The National Garifuna Council of Belize is investigating allegations that the Dangriga branch of the First Caribbean Bank is discouraging its employees and customers from speaking Garifuna within the premises of the institution. These allegations have caused much discussion and the National Garifuna Council says it that if it is true, it is a serious matter. Our Dangriga Correspondent Harry Arzu has the details.
Harry Arzu – Dangriga Correspondent
“Some employees from the First Caribbean International Bank, here in Dangriga, and by extension the residents of this municipality, are complaining that they are being discriminated against, by the said bank. They are reporting that they are being discouraged from speaking their native language at their workplace among themselves and with their customers.
Caretaker Melvin Hulse answers land concerns of Santa Cruz villagers
Last week, Plunews brought to you the story of Santa Cruz village in the Stann Creek district and the villagers’ concern over the surveying of prime land in the village. Santa Cruz village is located right at the roundabout on the southern highway at the junction with the Placencia road. Several large businesses are going up in the area and land prices are beginning to soar.
On, August 10th, surveyors appeared in the Village and, without the knowledge or the support of the village council, began surveying two huge parcels of land in the middle of the community; land community leaders say that is desperately needed for the community’s own development. The lands, according to the cadastral are areas that have been reserved for green spaces and community buildings but the survey is being done to convert the community land into private properties. Here is what the Vice Chairwoman Hilama Robles, told us.
Belize’s sugar quota cut by 55 thousand tons
The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association is still at odds with the Belize Sugar Industry and with no clear resolution. On Wednesday things were looking even worse for the BSCFA.
In a letter dated Tuesday the 26th of August, Tate & Lyle Sugars, a member of the ASR Group of companies, sent a letter from London, to BSCFA, informing them that the purchase of sugar for the 2014/2015 would be 10,000 tons, 55 thousand tons less than last year. It also informed them that the premium price which is US$60 will be paid until after the product has been sold to consumers as Fairtrade sugar.
Since Belize’s sugar has been sold under the Fairtrade umbrella, the sugar quota bought by Tate & Lyle has been at a stable 50 thousand tons. Last year saw an increase with 65 thousand tons. The reduction in sugar quota, according to the letter, is as a result of the market vulnerability. The letter signed by Simmon Gibbons, Senior Vice President of International Operations, says the company will endeavour to increase the volume, should sales of Fairtrade prove to be higher than previous forecasts. But according to Alfredo Ortega, spokesperson for the Belize Sugarcane Farmers Association, the reason for the decrease has nothing to do with market vulnerability.
The Guardian
PSU and BNTU set up Trust - No Beneficiaries identified
Over the past couple of weeks, representatives of the unions have been making the media rounds trying to explain how a trust which they set up is going to work. And they are finding it extremely difficult to find persons to side with them because the trust has among other problems, not identified who the individual beneficiaries should be.
The trust was set up almost a year ago on September 4, 2013 and since that time the document and its contents have been kept out of the public domain. In 1997, the then Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Manuel Esquivel had given the B shares in BTL for the Unions to hold as compensation to public officers who had their annual increments suspended between 1995 and 1997. 16 years after the shares were presented and the Belize National Teachers Union and the Public Service Union have now finally set up the trust. In fairness to the unions however, the trust could not be set up as easily since in 2004 the PUP Musa administration sold the shares to Jeffrey Prosser right from under the unions’ noses. To appease them at the time, Musa replaced the original B shares with C shares in BTL. At this point in time the unions hold 794,732 shares in BTL which have earned in excess of 5.5 million dollars in dividends (see Insert 7).
17 years since the original offer was made to compensate the public officers who were affected by the salary freeze interest was aroused in it on July 23, when the government of Belize announced that 3.06 million dollars which was being held in a Government Savings Account had been transferred to the Trustees of the Public Sector Workers’ Trust. That sum in addition to $2.04 million dollars which the unions already had access to as an accumulation of dividends from 2007 to 2013 from BTL share dividends amounted to over 5 million dollars which now makes up the trust.
5 Million for Flood Mitigation in Belize City
A relief from excessive and prolonged flooding for Belize City residents is now on the horizon. Four sets of contracts under the Flood Mitigation Infrastructure Program were signed on Monday of this week by the Hon. Rene Montero, the Minister of Works and Transport. The contracts were signed with three major partners in the conference room of the Ministry of Works and Transport on Power Lane in Belmopan on Monday of this week.
Works for the Bill Lindo Canal, which will involve the construction of concrete lined and earthen canal was signed with Meheia’s United Concrete Supplies and will cost $892,250.00. The works for this project should start on September 4th and be eight months in duration.
Meanwhile; a contract for Link Road (Apollo Street), to carry forward an upgrade to this street, was also signed with M and R Construction Ltd, which has been budgeted for $1,077,425.86. This work should start on September 4th and end on May 2, 2015.
GDP Growth is 8.7 Percent
According to initial estimates from the Statistical Institute of Belize, the economy of Belize grew by 8.7 percent in the second quarter of 2014, April to June. This is a significant recovery from a disappointing first quarter which saw the economy contracted by 0.4 percent. The cumulative economic growth for 2014 now stands at 3.7 percent and the expansion is due in large part to the performance of the agriculture, manufacturing, electricity and water, hotels and restaurants, and construction sectors.
From April to June of 2014, the agriculture sector grew by 26 percent. Sugarcane deliveries rose by 80 percent and citrus rose by 68 percent when compared to the same time last year. Jefte Ochaeta, Statistician of SIB, says the huge second quarter growth in the sector is because of late starts to the crop year. There were disagreements between farmers and production companies in the sugarcane and citrus industries. Those disagreements resulted in late starts to the crop year and poor first quarter outputs. However, it also led to better than normal second quarter outputs as deliveries peaked later than is usually the case. The increase in deliveries resulted in an increase in manufacturing as sugar production increased by 68 percent and orange concentrate rose by 58 percent.
Entrepreneurship is Focus of Women and Girls’ Financial Conference
The Special Envoy for Women and Children, Kim Simplis-Barrow, is inviting all women and girls to attend a conference on women and girl’s financial health at the Radisson Fort George Hotel on Friday, August 29.
The conference has been dubbed a “National Call to Action” and will feature some of the country’s most successful women. Kim Barrow says the aim of the conference is to higlight the advantages of entrepreneurship. Individuals will have the opportunity to hear from successful entrepreneurs as they share their experiences. They will speak about the early challenges they faced, how they overcame those challenges and what is in store for the future.
Judith Alpuche, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Human Development, says the panel will address several issues facing women in the economic environment. She added that “we have our women and girls highly visible in the education system (especially secondary and tertiary) but when we look at the labour force the unemplyment rate is almost double for females.” She asks, “What is it that women face? Why are we not seeing them in the economic environment? What are the limitations that exist? What is the support that they need?” Alpuche says those are the questions that need to be asked so that policy makers can come up with a good diagnosis of the situation and move forward with solutions.
Bridging the Gap!
The United Democratic Party will once again change the lives of Belizeans through infrastructure works come December when the new bridge, joining Chetumal Street on the Northside to what will be known as Lake Independence Boulevard on the Southside, is inaugurated. The opening of the bridge will have an immediate and considerable impact on residents of the surrounding communities both socially and economically.
For starters, those who reside in Belama and Buttonwood Bay will breathe a sigh of relief as the new thoroughfare will alleviate the morning rush hour traffic congestion between Haulover Bridge and San Cas Plaza. Motorists heading to work in Belmopan will no longer have to sit in traffic for upwards of 45 minutes simply because there was no alternative route. If you consider that those same motorists will save 15 minutes on their return trip, that’s a whole extra hour a day which could be put towards a productive activity such as exercise. That’s also 5 extra taps on the snooze button every morning.
Largest Crystal Meth bust in Belize
Police have reported that the largest Crystal Meth bust was made in Belize on Thursday, August 21. According to police, personnel from the Anti-Drug Unit were in the Louisiana area of Orange Walk town in an unmarked police vehicle when they spotted a black Toyota Camry car swaying across the street. The police pursued the car and tried to have the driver to pull over, instead the vehicle tried to elude police. It headed to Liberty Avenue where the driver lost control forcing two occupants of the vehicle to try to escape. Police fired shots at them and would eventually catch up on them.
When police made a search of the vehicle, they found an icebox with 18 parcels of what would later be determined as Crystal Meth. An additional 12 parcels were also found inside a soap box all weighing 54.7 kilos. Both the icebox and the soap box were found in the truck of the car.
Police have since arrested and charged 49-year-old Ruperto Eulalio Reyes of # 5 Sittee River Street, Orange Walk Town along with his passenger 52-year-old Pascual Terrero Pineda, Cuban of Boca Del Rio, San Pedro Town. They were taken to Orange Walk’s magistrate’s court where they were each charged with one count each of drug trafficking of a class B drug. No plea was taken from the men and they were remanded to prison until September 30.
While police report that the value of the drugs in Belize is in the region of 2 million dollars, the street value of the same quantity in the U.S. can be as much as 12 million U.S. dollars.
Police Believes A&R;’s Security Guard Setup Robbery
Police have arrested and charged A&R;’s own Security Guard for his connection to the robbery of the establishment on Wednesday, August 20.
Leroy Ciego, 28, appeared in the Belize City Magistrates Court on Monday, August 25, where he pleaded not guilty to a single charge of conspiracy to commit robbery. According to reports, just after closing time on Wednesday (6:27 p.m.), the A&R; security guard at the front door was held up at gunpoint and led into the store by a tall dark skin male wearing a stocking over his face. The gunman’s accomplice guarded the door while he ordered everyone to lie on the floor. The gunman then went to the supervisor’s office and took a bag containing $9,084.66. He then searched the workers and their children and took away their cell phones, jewelry and other personal items. Before exiting the building, the gunman led the employees up to the second floor where he ordered the supervisor to open a safe which had one container with $1,969.65 in cash and another with $1,225. The men then made good their escape.
Denvo Banner found in shallow grave
The Missing Lemonal Resident, 27 year-old Denvo Banner, was found buried in a shallow grave behind a school in his village 2 weeks after going missing. The autopsy on his body revealed that he had been shot and killed, but the fatal wound was a bullet to the head.
His sister reported him missing on Saturday August 16, but the last time he was seen alive was the Saturday before that, which was August 9. He had told his family in Lemonal Village that he was going to visit a relative in Silk Grass Village, but he never made it.
On Saturday, August 23, his family accompanied a team of police officers to an area in the vicinity of St. Lukes Methodist Primary School. There, they found his decomposing corpse folded up in a shallow grave which was half the length of his size.
Ten Years for Attempting to Rob Cell Phone
Dillon Diamonds has been sentenced to serve ten years at the Belize Central Prison for a failed robbery attempt of a cellular phone. The 26-year-old Taylor’s Alley resident is convicted of holding up a group of three Hispanic males near East Canal with a homemade double barrel sawed off shot gun.
Diamonds tried to rob Geovanni Quijano of his cell phone but was unsuccessful because a police mobile pulled up in the area and he was caught red handed. Diamond threw the shot gun into a nearby canal and hid behind a parked vehicle. That’s where police officer Ashton Flowers found him still wearing his stockings mask.
Angel Dorado and Shaquille Baeza Charged for Gang Tattoos
Shakedi Baizar, 19, and Angel Dorado, 34, appeared before Magistrate Herbert Panton on Friday, August 22, to face a charge of displaying gang membership.
On Thursday, August 21, police conducted searches in the Mile 8 community of the George Price Highway. During those searches, they came across Baeza and Dorado who are both residents of the community. Baeza was arrested after police saw a tattoo on his inner arm “GAZA” which they believe is a tribute to the George Street Gang in Belize City. In Dorado’s case, nothing incriminating was found on or near him during the search. However, police noticed two tattoos on his arms. One arm had “O” and the other “G”. On the streets this is read as Orginal Gangsta and police arrested Dorado because they believe he was paying homage to the Bloods gang.
Jason Gillett Remanded for San Pedro Shooting
A George Street associate has been identified as the man who fired four shots at Germaine Zuniga in the San Mateo’s area of San Pedro Town on Monday, August 18.
According to police reports, Zuniga was riding his bicycle in the San Mateo area around 7:55 p.m. when he saw Jason Gillett, also known as Killa, with whom he has had an old dispute. According to Zuniga, Gillett pulled out what appeared to be a chrome nine millimeter firearm and fired four shots in his direction. Fortunately for Zuniga, the shots missed. Zuniga made a report to police and Gillett was arrested and charged.
Big Monday Morning heist at Heritage Bank
Belize City Police from Precinct 3 continue to investigate an armed bank robbery in which approximately $40,000 was stolen.
It happened on Monday, August 25, at the Heritage International Bank and Trust at the corner of Craig Street and Barrack Road. The entrance into this bank can only be opened by security guards who have to buzz customers in. That’s why when two men pretended to be legitimate customers at around 9 a.m., they were allowed into the bank. They then reportedly asked for one of the cashiers, and when that person went to speak with them, one of the men immediately went around the counter to the cash register area.
That man then grabbed two of the cash pans, filled with cash, an as he made his way toward the front entrance, the cashier tried to stop him. The other man then reportedly pulled out a weapon, pointed it at them, and ordered them to stay back. He then struck one of the security guards with the gun 3 times before they both went out the way they had come in.
Street Justice Protocol? Charged for Lying about Shooting Incident
For many Belizeans, Street Justice is perhaps the only reliable system in the country today. Many great religious leaders and philosophers of old have famous quotes denouncing such belief. We are told to “turn the other cheek” and we are warned about the dark consequences of “an eye for an eye”. Those warnings only enter deaf ears in Belize today. In Belize today, no unkind stare is to go unnoticed; no harsh words are to go unanswered and no advancement should be met with retreat.
“If yo shoot atta me yo betta kech caz wen I coh fi yo I noh di miss.” – Anonymous Belize City Street Youth.
There is an order to the madness of Street Justice; a process to be followed if one is to ensure that Justice is served.
Teenager Charged with Cayo Murder and Belize City Attempted Murder
Joseph Vaccaro Jr, 19, is at the Belize Central Prison on remand after he was arraigned on charges of murder, attempted murder and dangerous harm in two different jurisdictions.
Vacarro was arrested over the weekend and on Monday, August 25, he was taken to the San Ignacio Magistrates Court where he was arraigned for the murder of Victor Vargas. On Saturday, August 16, 34-year-old Victor Vargas was stabbed twice in the neck. He was socializing and got into a fight, allegedly with Vaccaro, whom he had a previous misunderstanding with. Vaccaro allegedly stabbed him in the neck during the fight and Vargas ran down the road trying to get help. He eventually collapsed on the veranda of a neighbour’s house.
30 streets completed in Belmopan, more underway
Hon. John Saldivar, Area Representative for Belmopan, confirmed to the Guardian that in the past few months, Belmopan City has seen 30 streets paved either through the use of the asphalt method or concrete. The latest addition to the number of streets pave is Victoria Street in the Habet Heights of the city. Work is currently underway on Maya Mountain Street, Almond Boulevard and Chiquibul Street. Work will commence shortly on Cemetery Road in Salvapan which will also be cemented. Other streets being worked on in Las Flores include Zultana, Monja Blanca, Guacamole, Lirio, Jasmin, Tulipan, and Flor de Mayo Streets.
Under Hon. Saldivar’s watch, the street upgrades in Belmopan city have been implemented in an organized and meticulous fashion where the entire neighborhoods are uplifted, ensuring that when an area is done all streets are paved. Some of the neigborhoods that have been upgraded include the Judges Area, the Caribbean Villas area and more recently the Habet Heights area.
So far, with various sources of funding including the Ministry of Finance, RECONDEV, and the World Bank’s Municipal Development Project, 5 million dollars have been invested in the city.
Neighborhood Watch Group and Police in Cayo paint over graffiti
Members of both the San Ignacio Police Formation and the Cayo Neighborhood Watch Association (CNWA) teamed up on Tuesday morning of this week to paint over unsightly markings at three locations in the Cayo District. The team travelled to the Eden Seventh Day Adventist High School, the Hawkesworth Bridge Section of Santa Elena and the Police Booth on Bullet Tree Falls road to erase graffiti and other symbols of criminal activities in those areas.
This week’s work is just one example of the Police and Community working together.
“...we work hand in hand with the Police and that graffiti will not be tolerated,” says Ernie Braun, President of the CNWA, the main catalyst for the community effort.
Even from Tuesday’s work, some paint and equipment have been left over and the CNWA representative says that the grouping remains open to continuing the work to get rid of reprehensible markings from off of Cayo’s publicly owned structures.
Corozal’s Municipal Slate ready
On Sunday, August 31, the town of Corozal will officially endorse the UDP’s slate for the 2015 municipal elections. Preparations are being completed at the Andres Campos Civic center where the official ceremonies will be held on Sunday, August 31, starting at 10a.m.
There will be raffles of household items, and bicycles among other items and more importantly the slate will be endorse. The team contesting the elections will include three time mayor, Hilberto Campos along with teachers: Esteban Cruz, Rafael Castillo, Stacy Chi and Elva Perez as well as retired Medical Officer, Nicholas Gomez and businessman Hilberto Campos.
In a release, the team asks Corozal residents to come out to support the candidates to ensure a victory for the UDP which will see continued progress for Corozal town under Mayor Hilberto Campos and the UDP Area Representative for Corozal Bay, Hon. Pablo Marin. (Turn to Insert 1)
Dangriga ready for Municipals
It was a festive atmosphere at a packed Ecumenical College multipurpose complex on Sunday, August 24 with prizes, music and speeches as the people of Dangriga officially endorsed the Mayoral and 6 councilor candidates who will represent the United Democratic Party in the upcoming Municipal Elections slated for March 4, 2015.
The activities started at 3 in the afternoon with the swearing in of the candidates by UDP Party Chairman, Alberto August. Then it was on to the candidates who all pledged to work hard to return the municipality of Dangriga back to its former glory. Under the PUP, the town has been steadily sinking into hopelessness with streets being broken up and garbage not being collected. Simply put there is no vision for the town at this point in time. That however is soon coming to an end as each of the young dynamic candidates gave their vision of how improvement will come to Dangriga in all areas. Those presentations were capped off by Francis Humphreys who boldly stated that Dangriga will soon once again be the Culture Capital of Belize. He expressed confidence in his young team members whom he says he is the oldest among but whom he added have great experience to lead the town.
Grain Growers Association seek to promote planting of GMOs
The Belize Grain Growers Association held their Annual General Meeting in Spanish Lookout village on Tuesday, August 26th. At the AGM there was the election of a new chairman who will be Albert Reimer; Vice Chairman, Frank Redmond; Secretary, John Carr; Treasurer, Henry Wolfe; Board member representing industry, Wilmot Simmons and Board member; Ronald Reimer. Members elected will serve for 2 years and their agenda during their tenure is to educate the public about GMOs. They will also seek to lobby government to allow Belizean farmers to plant both GMO corn and soybean.
According to one board member, “If Belize can import and eat GMO and GMO food derivatives on a daily basis, then local farmers should be allowed to plant them too!”
There are about 500 grain growers countrywide producing 55,000 acres of corn, 30,000 acres of red kidney beans, 20,000 acres of rice and 15,000 acres sorghum.
The Difference in Leadership is as clear as Day is to Night
It’s been over two months since the incident with PUP Belize Rural North Standard Bearer, Arthur Saldivar, occurred. It is alleged that he accompanied Melanie Coye to the Central Bank sometime in mid June to retrieve Coye’s 1.6 million dollars as ordered by the court.
The loot, it is alleged, was placed in two separate carrying cases, one containing $940,000 and the other $660,000. It is alleged that Saldivar might have made off with the bigger haul and has reportedly failed to turn it in to its rightful owner, an allegation Saldivar denies in one breath while in the other he speaks about the client owing him legal fees to the tune of 100% of the clients rescued funds.
Something is not right here. The client has since engaged the services of Eamon Courtenay. Saldivar lashes back at Courtenay, with the allegation of the 3.34 million dollars from the Belize Social Security Board that is alleged to have been misappropriated by Courtenay’s Father, Harry, when he served as Chair of the Belize Social Security Board in the 1990’s.
Plus TV sued again
Plus TV is once again looking at the prospect of being sued. The most recent threat comes from
Minister Liscell Alamilla who has, through her attorney, served notice on the television station that they may have libeled the minister on August 11 when there were different hosts on the show. Among those hosts was Geovanni Brackett and Patrick Andrews.
The minister contends that the hosts spewed libelous allegations against her and now the station has until September 5 to apologize.
Road Safety a priority
A public meeting to introduce road safety issues to Belmopan residents was held at the George Price Centre for Peace and Development on Wednesday night of last week. Present at that meeting were members of the Belmopan City Council, Social Investment Fund, Government Officials as well as the team from the Belize Road Safety Project.
An introduction to the Belize Road Safety team was made by the Mayor of Belmopan, Simeon Lopez. The first to speak was Ms. Mavis Johnson who related the clear benefits of wearing seat belts when in a moving vehicle.
Current research suggests that the use of seat belts in a vehicle protects approximately 90% of drivers and passengers. More than 60% of traffic injuries in Belize over the past year were due to the fact that seat belts were not being used. Even at 25 miles per hour, from the people who are ejected from a vehicle, 75% will die.
|
“If you think seatbelt is uncomfortable, try to think you being in a wheel chair,” warns Ms. Mavis Johnson.
SATIIM shows its PUP colors
It has supposedly been in the works for just over a year now, but Greg Ch’oc, the controversial Executive Director of SATIIM, will take a break from leadership, and in a very nepotistic manner his sister-in-law, FroylaTzalam, will take over the post.
Ch’oc, who’s been leading the organization for 17 years now, will be leaving to go study law at the University of the West Indies Cavehill Campus in Barbados. His reasons are that he intends to help SATIIM and the Indigenous communities by building capacity as a lawyer. What he has never made public is who is funding his legal pursuit. The Guardian understands that it is through a scholarship which is offered to indigenous people and which ought to have been made publicly available for members of that community and taken up by some young deserving individual. Instead Ch’oc took it and is now leaving.
Trailblazing - Ann-Marie Williams
